Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Every week BARBARA FISHER looks at issues that affect us all – the issues that get you talking. You
IT’S FATHERS’ Day on Sunday and time to treat all those dads, step dads, foster dads, and all male role models and father figures.
FJ* handed me a card and present to give to Mr F on the day, just before she and SiL* returned to North Wales after the Jubilee weekend.
Wasn’t it great having a four-day Bank Holiday? I think we were all eventually ‘Platinumed’ out, and, like the Queen, needed a rest, but I hope you had a good time and enjoyed the jollity. After such a gloomy two years the whole country seemed ready to party.
We enjoyed a great family barbecue at Mr F’s brother’s in Gerrard’s Cross, which also included FJ’s cousins. It was great to be together again, and to meet their partners for the first time. Covid has kept too many of us apart for so long.
The following day, on Jubilee Sunday, when street parties were springing up everywhere, we enjoyed one in our road. It was organised by our neighbours Jackie, Reshma and Sue, so a big thank you to them. Everyone who wasn’t required elsewhere was there, although one family had moved house which seemed a bit extreme. However, I am assured the two weren’t connected and we wish them happiness in their new home.
Everything worked like clockwork, including Hillingdon Council leaving the equipment to close off our road, which made us all feel safe.
Even Mr F and I, who are regarded as king and queen of cardboard – because we have so many home deliveries – managed not to order anything that would disrupt proceedings. No-one wants exhaust fumes in their cupcakes.
But back to Fathers’ Day, which apparently originated in America. The first one was held in 1908 when a church in West Virginia held a special service after 362 men were killed in a mining accident.
Church members handed red and white flowers to honour the community’s men, those living as well as the dead, and a woman petitioned to make Fathers’ Day permanent. Washington
State celebrated its first one in 1910 and the UK eventually followed after WWII. I stand to be corrected if anyone knows any different, as I’m sure that someone, somewhere, will have done a dissertation on it.
Sadly, Mr F won’t be treated to his sizzling fajitas as usual, not because his daughter is miles away – that doesn’t stop me treating him! – but because his favourite place, Chiquito’s has closed in Uxbridge.
Covid is fast becoming a distant memory but the collateral damage lingers on, with the loss of Waterstones and Debenhams amongst others.
On a plus note several businesses have survived and we even have a new eating place opened in Uxbridge. The Morello Lounge Café Bar looks similar to the muchmissed Baroosh wine bar that used to be where Five Guys Burger bar is now. Have you visited the new eatery? Maybe we’ll try it to mark Fathers’ Day – Mr F Day – and let you know what we think.
Tacky tale
One hundred years ago – June 1922 – a book entitled The Place Names of Middlesex was published. It explained the derivation of local towns, villages and districts, including the fact that Honey Hill in Uxbridge might have been named because the soil was often wet and sticky.
I’m indebted to local historian Ken Pearce who feeds such wonderful nuggets to me on a regular basis. His most recent book is really worth a read
– it is packed full of fantastic pictures of Uxbridge which span a century.
A Century of Uxbridge – Events, People and Places over the last 100 years, is available in WH Smith. And no, I’m not on commission!
Floral visit
I’m indebted to my contacts who keep me up-to-date with what’s going on, including a photo of our new Mayor of Hillingdon and newly elected local councillors at Yiewsley library recently. They were apparently doing something with flowers.
As someone who remembers the 1960s it would be great to see a return of peace and love – and maybe even flower power – at the heart of Hillingdon Civic Centre.
Alright, I’m indulging in flights of fancy now. No drugs involved.
Diary Dates
Ickenham Festival is here this week, promising music, stalls, a concert, fireworks, and a street parade. It runs until Sunday June 19. For more information contact www. ickenhamfestival.org.uk or call at Ickenham Village Hall.
If you enjoyed seeing one of the greatest divas of all time – big hair, big dress! – at the Buckingham Palace Party - you can catch the show, In the Name of Love, The Diana Ross Story, at the Beck Theatre, Hayes, on Friday June 24.
I was such a big fan of The Supremes when I was a student that I had my record player removed from my room by a lecturer. She probably wanted to get an afternoon nap and was sick of hearing Where Did Our Love Go? blaring out. I suppose now I’d sympathise with her, but I still love Diana.
*FJ=Fisher Junior, SiL = Son-inlaw.
Correction – the programme in which a West Drayton family appeared (Bm@il 8.6.22) was Eat Well for Less and not You Are What You Eat. That’s a different programme. Oops.