Faith

ST MARTIN'S in Ruislip will be hosting a lunchtime concert tomorrow (24) at 12.15pm in the church hall.

Pianist Jessica Chan will perform the music of Bach, Brahms and Chopin. Admission free, with a retiring collection for expenses.

Any surplus will go to the Myosotis Trust. For further information visit www.stmartins-ruislip.org or call 01895 625 456.

Come and Join the Christmas festivities at The Church of Most Sacred Heart, Pembroke Road, Ruislip. On Saturday 5th December from 10.30 - 2pm.

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.

A BRASS band is performing a concert at a Ruislip church.

Yiewsley and West Drayton Brass Band are performing at St Paul's Church, in Tiverton Road, Ruislip Manor, on October 24 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £5 and are available to buy on the door or by calling Penny Moncrieff on 07761 332771.

A CHURCH that often gets overlooked because of it not being on a main road is keen to get itself recognised.

Members of St Paul's Church, which is on the corner of Thurlstone Road and Tiverton Road in Ruislip Manor, are desperate to put themselves on the map, especially in the lead up to their fête.

Reverend Anthony Ball said: "We are not as fortunate as other churches, which people pass every day to remind them that we are here when they need us.

"We are somewhat hidden away with not much traffic passing to glance at us. We get a few people passing on foot, but with our green hedge and large trees, I am not sure that we get noticed.

"When we have events at the church we have problems drawing attention to our location. Anyone who has not already visited the church would need quite precise directions to find us.

"We recently had a bride who was more than fashionably late for her wedding when the driver of the wedding car could not find us."

"Our autumn fête will be full of stalls and attractions in the grounds, and we are opening up the church so that everyone can come and get to know us.

"All those who manage to find us will be rewarded by a warm welcome and lots of fun."

The fête is being held on September 26 from 11am to 3pm.

A CHURCH went barking mad for pets on Sunday (26) with a slightly unusual service.

St Mary's Church, in The Fairway, South Ruislip, held an animal service for all creatures great and small as part of its golden jubilee celebrations.

An array of pets, including a budgie, a tortoise, a fish, dogs and plenty of furry creatures were brought along to the service to be blessed by the Reverend Nicholas Wheeler.

Church warden, Sue Morris, said: "About 60 people and about 25 pets turned up, which was more than we expected considering we have never done this before.

"It went really well and we were delighted with the response. We even had some people we had never seen before.

"All the animals were well behaved and the dogs joined in a little bit with the singing of the hymns.

"It's not uncommon to do animal services, especially in the country, but we have never done one before. We decided to do it because people love their pets and they want to give thanks for the pleasure and companionship their pets give them.

"It was a beautiful sunny day for it too."

The church is also holding a flower festival every day next week and a jubilee fair on Monday (4) to mark the 50th anniversary of the church on Saturday (2).

A RUISLIP church is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The Parish of St Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Victoria Road, South Ruislip, will mark its Golden Jubilee of their parish on October 26 with a sung mass at 11am.

It has also invited Cormac Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor to join in their celebrations.

A KITE Festival and family picnic for all will be held in Ruislip this weekend.

Charitable trust, Bhadran Bandhu Samaj, are holding the annual summer event on Sunday, July 27 at Ruislip Manor FC, Grosvenor Vale, Ruislip, from 1pm to 9pm.

Activities will include children's entertainment, live music and Indian kites on sale.

Tickets are £10 and children under 10 go for free. For more information call Deven Patel on 07900 931 974.