BOOKINGS are being taken for one of Shakespeare's most famous plays which will be performed in Ickenham.

It will take place for two nights only, on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 of October at the Compass Theatre, Glebe Avenue, Ickenham.

The play will be performed by the Long Overdue Theatre company who have promised to 'blow the cobwebs away from this classic text, revealing truths about love and loss which have spoken to generations of theatre goers.'

The performance is said to be an unmissable opportunity to anybody studying the play, as there will be a unique post show question and answer session with the cast after the shows.

The company also offer a post tour web forum, to answer any questions that may arise from the play.

Tickets are £10 and £8 for children and concessions and £6 for the afternoon matinee.

There will be three performance in total, 7.30pm on the Wednesday and Thursday, and the matinee performance takes place at 2.30pm on the Thursday.

A video trailer of the performance can be viewed at www.longoverdue.co.uk/romeojuliettsThe Compass theatre box office can be contacted on 01895 632488.

FANS of steam trains will be in for a treat after Ickenham Miniature Railway signalled it is ready for its next running day.

The railway opens on Saturday, October 4 from 12 noon until 5.30pm.

Visitors are encouraged to enjoy a ride or simply come to watch, as admission is free and a ride only 40p.
Entrance can be gained from behind the Pump, Ickenham and is organised by the Ickenham and District Society of Model Engineers.

The club has been running for 60 years, and the first part of the model railway track was built in 1969.

ONE of Ickenham's longest running associations is in danger of closing down because of a lack of committee members.

The Ickenham & Swakeley's Horticultural Society, founded in 1933, held what could be its last ever Autumn show in Spetember.

Society President Roger Trigg appealed for residents to step forward to help maintain the society and its contribution to Ickenham.

Several of the existing committee memebers are standing down after many years of service and replacements are urgently needed.

Doreen Williams has been Show Secretary for nine years and a committee member since 1981.
She said: "It has been a great pleasure and a privilege to be involved in this contribution to the Ickenham Community, every show has that 'wow' factor.

"I shall miss being closely involved but it is time for me to stand down and make way for someone new."

The unpredictable summer weather caused the recent number of entries to be scaled down but the quality of the Autumn show was described as impressive and varied.

Promisingly for the club, an up-and-coming horticulturalist Edward Tipton, just four, swept the juniors board with three First class awards.

He made a creature from fruit and vegetables, a vase of plant material and an arrangement of flowers and berries.

The committee are calling on volunteers to save the club by joining them, and in the process, conerving one of the traditions of Ickenham.

To get involved call Tony Ridler on 01895 673525.

A PROPOSED extension to the Ickenham Village Conservation Area has been approved.

Austin's Lane, Ickenham, will now be formally recognised as an area of special local character, and the demolition of any buildings or trees will now require the consent of Hillingdon Council.

The decision is supported by the Ickenham Conservation Panel who were consulted on the proposed extension during the summer.

Hedgerows on the lane are believed to be centuries old, the lane is a single track leading south-east from Ickenham Village and terminating at Ickenham Manor, and was originally developed as a gateway to the fields.

The decision was approved by Hillingdon Council at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, September 25 at the Civic Centre, Uxbridge.

RACING enthusiasts can saddle up and enjoy a night at the races in Ickenham on Saturday, October 4.

The Ickenham Festival team are hosting a 'race night' in the Village Hall, on Swakeley's Road, with guests having the opportunity to win money.

There will be nine races and six horses per race, the outcome of all races is described by organisers as 'pure luck.'

Guests can name their horses, and each winning jockey will receive a prize, and there is also a chance to bet on races for cash prizes.

A bar will be open for guests and food is also available.

The doors open at 7pm with the first race taking place at 7.30pm.
For more information call organisers on 07513 405850.

THE first of a series of evening get togethers for young women is to be held on Wednesday, September 24.

It will be held at St Giles Church, Swakeley's Road, Ickenham, and will be a chance for younger women to chat and socialise.

The meeting is part of the Essence programme for younger women at St. Giles, with coffee mornings running at the church once a month through until December and monthly evening get togethers.

For more information contact Juliette Guthrie on jp.guthrie@virgin.net or 01895 622970.

OWNERS of a missing black cat are offering a £500 reward for its safe return.

The cat disappeared last Wednesday (September 10) and is described as a much loved family pet.
The owners are extremely concerned and have asked anybody to let them know of any sightings.

Residents are encouraged to check sheds, garages and anywhere else that he could be trapped.

To report a sighting get in touch with the owners at 87A Long Lane, Ickenham, on 07956436253.

THOSE who like to plan ahead will be able to buy their Christmas decorations early and much more at a bonanza for bargain hunters.

Ickenham village hall will host a mini-market on Saturday, September 27 to raise money for cancer research with admission costing just 40p.

It will take place next Saturday from 10am until 12.15pm and a huge variety of items will be on offer.
They include jewellery, gifts, cakes, books, stationery, greeting cards, ladies clothes and the Christmas decorations.

There will also be a raffle to win prizes taking place at the event and guests will be served with tea or coffee and a toasted tea cake..

CENTURIES of unresolved family business will try to be resolved by a musical in Ickenham next week.

Children of Eden is a both serious and light-hearted look at the book of Genesis and looks at the relationships and conflict between the central characters and the 'Father' who created them.

It will take place at the Compass Theatre and is to be performed by the Hillingdon Musical Society.
There will be music and lyrics from famous writers Stephen Schwartz (Wicked) and John Caird.
The first of five performances will be on Wednesday, September 24 at 7.30pm and will continue nightly with the last performance on Saturday, September 27. There will also be a Saturday matinee performance at 2.30pm.

Tickets are still available and are £10 and £8 for concessions.
To book, call the Hillingdon Musical Society box office on 01923 827345.

PUBS in the borough will be offering a selection of award-winning wines during a 19-day wine festival.

The Botwell Inn in Coldharbour Lane, Hayes, The Tichenham Inn in Swakeleys Road, Ickenham, and JJ Moons in Victoria Road, Ruislip Manor, will be serving the wines from September 17 to October 5.

There will be six different wines to choose from including winners from the Sommelier Awards, the International Wine Challenge and the Decanter World Wine Awards.

They will be sold at £2.20 for a small glass, £2.95 for a large, and £7.69 for a bottle.