Mayor’s chain reaction

Link to Second World was on regalia revealed

HILLINGDON’S mayor became a star attraction when he joined an American author on stage during a talk.

Cllr George Cooper joined Sean Kelly, the author of a book about US bases in London, for a talk at South Ruislip Library for Culture Bites –a series of activities running during October.

The mayor joined Mr Kelly to show the audience his chain of office on which is pinned a special commemorative medal representing the area’s unique links going back to the Second World War.

Mr Kelly’s 444-page tome is called ‘Home Bases: Memories & Stories of US Military Bases Around London’.

It reveals the history the US military presence in South Ruislip, Uxbridge and other London locations, including the basement of Selfridge’s department store in Oxford Street.

It contains around 40 interviews, including one with the late Larry Hagman, better known as JR Ewing from the classic TV soap Dallas.

Hagman was stationed at the former USAF base in South Ruislip, along with a Walt Disney legend and other war veterans, including one of the only Americans to win Britain’s George Medal for bravery.

Culture Bites will highlight literary and artistic talent around the borough.

Other authors appearing are Paige Toon, Jane Costello and Andy Jones and the programme will celebrate the achievement of the London Borough of Hillingdon in becoming the only London Borough to refurbish all its libraries and extend their opening hours.

Visit http://ushome bases.com or www. bayberrybooks.com to find out more about Sean Kelly’s book.