September 2008 Archives

GYM members who have been banned from using the facilities in the week during the day time have been left mystified as to why.

Queensmead Sports Centre in Victoria Road, South Ruislip, has told its members they can no longer use the facilities before 4pm in the week from October 1.

Kim Rowe, deputy head at Queensmead School in Queens Walk, South Ruislip, said: "The sports centre is leased by the local authority from the school. The school now needs to use the sports centre during the day and the council have stopped people using it."

However, many members are not happy with the new opening hours and are confused as to why the gym is being closed when they have only ever seen pupils using the sports halls and not the gym.

Amar Padhiar, a senior sales executive at Sheffield Insulations in Crown Road, South Ruislip, has been using the gym four days a week during his lunch break for two and a half years.

He said: "They only sent us a letter a few weeks ago about it, which doesn't give you enough time to make other arrangements.

"I cancelled my membership last week and I have joined another gym, but I am going to have to go there after work. It has messed up the whole of my routine.

"Other guys that go in the morning are really annoyed because Queensmead was convenient for them to use before work.

"I only ever saw the school pupils use the sports hall from about 12.30pm onwards once or twice a week."

Another member, Gemma Hilliard, of South Harrow, said: "I think I will stop going because after work it is rammed and it will be even busier now. I can't get to Highgrove gym either because I don't drive so I would have to get two buses there.

"I've only ever seen the kids using the main hall and never the gym. It doesn't make any sense why they are closing the gym to members all day."

Sue Drummond, head of sport and leisure at Hillingdon Council, said: "All current users have been informed of these changes and been given upgraded membership, which will enable them to use the facilities at Highgrove in Ruislip at no extra charge until their membership is due for renewal."

THOUSANDS of pounds was raised by a Royal Air Force base for a wounded servicemen's charity.

Personnel at RAF Northolt in West End Road, Ruislip, raised more than £3,500 for Help for Heroes.
RAF Northolt Motorcycle Club raised £500 for the charity and £3,083 was raised at a charity auction and cross-station collection by an all ranks team of volunteers.

TWO men have been arrested after police were called to a dispute in South Ruislip.

Police were called to the disturbance in Paddock Road at 2.50pm on Sunday (21).

Two men were injured and one was arrested at the scene. The other man was arrested at Northwick Park Hospital after he was sent there for treatment.

Police dogs were also sent to the scene to search the area for possible dumped weapons.

Paddock Road was cordoned off and reopened later that day.

Police are investigating the incident and there is possibly another suspect involved.

Anyone with information should call DC Kennedy on 01895 251 212.

A RUISLIP church is holding its annual Christmas Card Day.

Volunteers of St Martin's Church in High Street will hold the event in the church hall on Friday (26) from 10.30am to 6.30pm.

There will be a selection of advent calendars and Christmas cards to buy and ideas for Christmas gifts will also be available.

ANOTHER plan to build a block of flats in Ruislip was refused on Thursday, September 18.

The application to build a two-storey building with eight two-bedroom flats at Little Orchard, Wood Lane, was refused by councillors at the North Planning Committee.

Four petitions with a total of 141 signatures and 25 letters were received by Hillingdon Council objecting to the plans for a long list of reasons, including the need to keep family homes and the loss of large gardens.

This was the second plan to be refused at the site in less than a year.

A DECISION on whether to approve a controversial plan to build a car park on green chain land in Ruislip has been postponed.

Councillors decided to defer the decision to build a car park on New Pond Playing fields in Sidmouth Drive, Ruislip, at the North Planning Committee of Hillingdon Borough Council on Thursday, September 18 until a site visit has been made.

Although the plan was recommended for approval a decision was taken to defer the application because of the level of opposition against it.

The plan asks to build a pay and display car park with 24 parking spaces, two disabled spaces and provision for bicycles, to improve access to Hillingdon's green spaces.

However, a petition signed by 126 people and an additional 16 letters of objection were received by Hillingdon Council raising a number of concerns.

The main issue is that the fields are green chain land, and residents also believe the scheme provides no benefit for anyone and is a complete waste of the council's Chrysalis Fund.

A PLAY feature which squirts out water from touch sensitive pads will be opened at Ruislip Lido this weekend.

The feature, which cost £155,000, was part of Hillingdon Council's new budget and will open for use to the public on Saturday, September 20 at the lido in Reservoir Road, Ruislip.

Its core opening months will be from May through to September from 10am to 6pm, however this may be extended depending on the weather.

The feature is made out of a rubberised play surface and has been installed on the beach outside the Railway Rooms and cafe.

MUSIC fans are encouraged to attend a jazz evening on Monday, September 22.

A jazz quartet will perform at Fairway Ruislip Golf Centre, on Ickenham Road, Ruislip at 8.30pm and it is open for all to attend.

Entrance costs £6 and the evening will feature Don Rendall on the saxes and flute.

Quilters are joining in the fun on Friday, September 26 by taking part in Macmillan Cancer Support's World's Biggest Coffee Morning.

It's amazing how having a laugh over a cup of coffee can help people living with cancer.
Last year, two million people got together, created a huge stir and raised a staggering £7.6 million.
Macmillan used this money to provide much needed support to people affected by cancer.

Quilters are taking part in the World's Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support because cancer touches everyone and this is something that everyone can be a part of.
They urge everyone to attend a coffee morning or hold their own - it doesn't matter how much you raise because every penny will be used to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.
So join in and make your cup of coffee or tea count!

The coffee morning is taking place on Friday, September 26 at Quilters, 178-182 High Street, Ruislip, from 10am to 12 noon.

For more information about this coffee morning, call Penny Quilter 01895 672142.

To find out more about how to take part in the World's Biggest Coffee Morning, call 0845 602 1246,
Email coffeemorning@mktpoint.com or log on to www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee

A OPERATIC society are celebrating their 85th anniversary by bringing a touch of Ancient Roman culture to Ruislip.

Ruislip Operatic Society (ROS) will present Stephen Sondheim's 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' to mark their anniversary.

ROS archivist and cast member, Les Dearlove, of Highgrove Way, Ruislip, said: "Gone are the days when decorous light opera was the staple diet for such groups.

"We love the old shows and there's a place for them in our repertoire, but it's good to do something newer and faster-paced, once in a while. And they don't come much faster than this."

Jevan Morris, from Northwood, plays the lead in the show, which he describes as the farce with class.
He said: "My character attempts - in return for his freedom - to secure the love of the virginal girl-next-door for his young master, Hero. And that obviously isn't going to be as simple as it sounds.
"
Think work-shy slaves, love-sick youths, courtesans and captains rushing about in a sort of semi-clad delirium, stopping to sing the occasional song, and you'll be getting something of the idea of the show."

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will be presented at the Winston Churchill Theatre in Pinn Way, Ruislip, from September 30 to October 4 at 7.45pm, with a Saturday matinee performance at 2.30pm.

Tickets are £13 with some concessions available. Call the box office on 07905 932 366.