Clubs/societies

BIKERS braved arctic weather conditions to deliver Christmas cheer to needy children in the borough.

Members of local motorbike club, Doggs Bollocks MCC, decorated their bikes with tinsel and baubles before driving through the streets of Ruislip and Uxbridge, accompanied by two Santas and an elf.

The festively-themed convoy were on their way to Hillingdon Hospital to drop off presents and proceeds from a Toy Run, held last Saturday (19).

WINNERS of an annual peace poster competition had their work displayed at a library.

Pupils from six schools across Ruislip participated in the competition, which was organised by Ruislip Lions Club.

AWFUL weather put a bit of a dampener on the usual celebrations at the Christmas Fun Day in Ruislip Manor at the weekend but the community spirit was still high.

Children's rides, a Santa's grotto, face painting, a magician, street dancing, live music, a tombola, a fancy dress competition, stalls and much more filled Victoria Road on Saturday (14).

A TV actor starred in a Ruislip concert to help raise funds for local charities.

Gordon peters, who has had roles in Dad's Army, One Foot in the Grave and My Family, starred in Ruislip Lions Club's charity concert, The Humour of Gilbert and Sullivan, at Winston Churchill Theatre, in Pinn Way, Ruislip, on Friday (6)

Geoff Brown, a member of the club, said: "Gordon entertained the audience with stories and songs from popular Gilbert and Sullivan operas.

"It was an undeniable success with proceeds going to local charities.

"The retiring collection also raised much needed funds for the Macmillan nurses."

Meditation classes are being held on Mondays from 16th November at South Ruislip's' Community Association, Deane Park, Long Drive, South Ruislip from 8.30 - 9.30pm.

Then look no further. A therapy day in aid of the Buddhist Charity Lelung Dharma Trust is being held at The Stables, Manor Farm Site, Ruislip on Sunday 15th November from 10am-4pm.

HONEYBEES are vanishing at an alarming rate all over the world and if the decline continues it could lead to a devastating impact on the world's food supply.

About one-third of human food is derived from insect-pollinated plants and the honeybee alone is responsible for 80 per cent of this pollination.

The value of honeybee pollination to UK agricultural economy is more than £160m every year.

At an attempt to halt this decline, Pinner & Ruislip Beekeepers' Association are putting on an exhibition for people to learn about honeybees and what they can do to help them and other pollinators.

The association exists to foster the art and science of beekeeping. It was formed in 1954 and in 1986 it was granted charitable status.

Penny Perry, the show secretary, said: "We encourage new people to take up beekeeping and give advice on how to manage colonies efficiently.

"Truly feral honeybees have died out in the UK so beekeepers play an important role in tending to the health and well-being of this valuable pollinator.

"Apart from acting as a social and educational group, we also provide services to the community ranging from advice to individuals, through to talks and demonstrations to interested societies, at shows and in schools.

"We are also frequently called upon to retrieve swarms from some very difficult locations."

Last year the UK's beekeepers reported colony losses averaging 30 to 50 per cent.

This decline is due to varroa mite parasites, urban development, changes in agricultural practices, use of pesticides and unseasonal bad weather.

Now a new phenomenon called 'colony collapse disorder' has recently hit hives in Europe and North America. Whole colonies of bees are simply disappearing and this has highlighted the crucial role that honeybees play in the food chain that brings fruit, vegetables and even meats to our dinner tables. Most of the world's crops depend on pollination by bees.

As bees travel from blossom to blossom in search of nectar, they transfer pollen from plant to plant. This fertilises the plants, enabling them to bear fruit or seeds and ensure that they can continue to multiply and survive thus contributing to 'biodiversity
conservation'.

The Honeybee Exhibition is being held at the Cow Byre gallery, in the Manor Farm complex, Bury Street, Ruislip, from November 15 to 21.

During this week the public will be able to attend various talks, learn all about bees and children can have fun making beeswax candles and colouring.

BBC news presenter Bill Turnbull, who is president of the beekeepers' association, will be attending the last day of the exhibition.

Uxbridge MP John Randall and the Mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor Shirley Harper-O'Neill, will also be attending.

The exhibition will be open from 10am to 4pm on November 15, 17 and 21 and from 10am to 9pm on November 18, 19 and 20.

The free one-hour talks on November 18 and 19 at 2pm and 7pm need to be booked by calling 01895 255 834.

AN arts school wowed audiences with their huge biennial production performing hit musicals with a troupe of 400 dancers.

JAM2000 is based at The Windmill Studio, in Pembroke Road, Ruislip Manor, and is now in its 20th year.

Over five days last week the school put on their 11th production in front of a packed out Watford Colosseum, with dancers ranging from two and half to 49 years old.

With parents and friends of the school helping backstage, there were about 700 people altogether involved in the production, which is put on every other by the school.

Speaking after the opening night, which was on Tuesday (27) last week, Judy McPhee, director of JAM2000 and The Windmill Studio, said: "The opening night went fantastically.

"The Mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor Shirley Harper-O'Neill, was among the audience members and she even commented on how slick and professional it was.

"We have never had anyone of any importance from Hillingdon come to see our show before so I was very honoured. It was lovely to be recognised."

The first ever JAM2000 production was held 11 years ago at Field End School, in Field End Road, Eastcote, with a cast of 120.

As it got bigger it moved to The Beck Theatre, in Grange Road, Hayes, but then two years ago the school got so big that they had to find a new venue, so for the last two years it has been held at the Colosseum.

The show opened with a Simply Red medley and included performances of My Fair Lady, Hairspray, a Ting Tings medley, Hello, Dolly! and it finished off with Dirty Dancing.

Mrs McPhee, 49, of Whitstable Close, Ruislip, said: "The costumes were absolutely spectacular. I get all the materials and I design them myself and then I have 25 dress makers who make them.

"The shows we put on are fast and exciting. The lighting is fantastic and we also bring our own stage sets.

"Even though the dancers are amateurs, it's a professional show. We often hear people say it's like going to a West End production because it's spectacular.

"It is a very entertaining show with all styles of dance so it's something for people of all ages to enjoy. I think that's why the tickets sell out so fast.

"People don't realise how good it is until they see it. They just think it's going to be a little dance school show."

This year the school was also sponsored for the first time by BAM Construct, Robert Masters Ltd, Oak Estates and TADD Accountants.

A raffle was also held on Saturday (31), the last day of the show, to raise money for Grangewood School, a school for children with severe learning difficulties, in Fore Street, Eastcote.

Mrs McPhee opened The Windmill Studio in September last year so the dancers could have a permanent base.

But, as well as JAM2000, the studio also now holds JAMtots, an interactive day time play group, dance lessons for adults, including pole dancing, and children's parties at the weekend.

For more information call The Windmill Studio on 01895 624 755 or email thewindmillstudio@gmail.com

ADVENTUROUS scouts have climbed the UK's highest mountain as part of an expedition to Scotland.

Following months of preparation, including overnight hikes, more than 70 scouts from Ruislip flew to Glasgow airport on October 24 before continuing their journey to a hostel in Kinlochleven, near Fort William.

The scouts completed long-distance walks across mountains in the area, being faced with rocky landscapes and marshlands, and throughout the five day trip all of them got the chance to climb Ben Nevis.

Peter Leeds, 13, said: "Climbing up to the top was really challenging, but well worth it because the views were amazing. It was so cool to climb up there with my mates, and we encouraged each other to the top.

"As we reached the top we went through the clouds, so we could only see about 10 meters in front of us, but it felt fantastic to have reached the summit."

The scouts then travelled to Edinburgh, where they went on a sight seeing tour, and even got shown around the Scottish Parliament Building by an MP.

Tom Marsh, 13, said: "It was really cool to explore a different city, and we got to try lots of Scottish food as well. We bought lots of souvenirs to bring back home too.

"Going to Scotland was more than just a camp, our leaders set us the biggest challenges they could, and we managed to complete them."

Peter Smallwood, the expedition leader, 20, said: "Our expedition was a unique opportunity for the scouts to take the lead on a variety of challenges, and it offers local young people a real adventure.

"We are all really impressed with what they have achieved, and all of the scouts should be really proud of themselves.

"It would be great to see even more young people and adults getting involved with opportunities like this."

GLEBE Farm was the hot topic of discussion at South Ruislip Residents' Association's latest meeting and Uxbridge MP John Randall entertained members with a speech about himself.

More than 60 people turned up for the quarterly meeting, held in St Mary's Church Hall, in The Fairway, South Ruislip, last night (28).

The South Ruislip Safer Neighbourhoods Team spoke about the problems they are having with underage drinking in parks.

They also mentioned they would be carrying out fireworks test purchases at shops in the area in the lead up to Bonfire Night and informed members that they would be doing more weekend and evening shifts.

The increase in drug dealing in the area was one of the main concerns on residents' minds as well as the parking problems in Victoria Road. However, Councillor Judy Kelly, informed members that yellow lines are due to go in to stop this.

The problems with the new car parking charges at Mount Vernon Hospital were also mentioned and one of the members warned residents that RAF Northolt will be carrying out flight checks at night of November 10 and 11, so there will be some noise disturbance.

Mr Randall, who was the guest speaker at the meeting, spoke about the constituency boundary changes that will be coming in at the next general election, which means South Ruislip will be in the Uxbridge constituency. He also touched on the new developments at RAF Uxbridge.

However, the topic that caused the most disturbance at the meeting was Glebe Farm. A further seperate story will follow on this.