What's On

THIS is the final week for entries into the Uxbridge Gazette's eighth annual Local Heroes awards, which recognises ordinary people who deserve credit for doing good deeds.

The competition, held in association with Uxbridge College, acknowledges the hard work, dedication and courage shown by people who live or work in Hillingdon and have put others first, overcome adversity, or made an outstanding contribution to the community.

This week, Janice Andrews was nominated for her commitment towards Ruislip skate park, as well as many other projects in the area for young people and the elderly.

If you know someone who fits the bill, this is your last chance to nominate them and help them win up to £1,000!

GET ready to don your skates and do your best impressions of Torvill and Dean as Hillingdon's very own ice rink opens to the public for a second year.

The rink, outside the civic centre in High Street, Uxbridge, will open from next Friday (27) until January 3, 2010.

Last year, more than 13,000 people of all ages visited the rink during the festive period.

Councillor Henry Higgins, cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure, said: "The ice was a great success last year and proved popular with residents and visitors alike.

"People came from across the borough and beyond to enjoy the ice rink and we look forward to hopefully welcoming even more people this year to enjoy it again."

Bookings for the ice rink can be made from today (16) through the Beck Theatre box office on 020 8561 8371. On the day sales will be available at the ice rink from November 27.

For further information, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk.

A POPULAR development has launched a new range of apartments aimed at suiting flexible living.

Park West, in Porter's Way, West Drayton, is the development where Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt stayed at during his recent visit to the UK.

The Middlesex Federation of W.I is holding an Open day on Saturday 7th November from 10am - 2pm.

Please come and join CLAD for a candlelit vigil to commemorate the lives of the fallen from WW2 on Remembrance Sunday 8th November from 5pm at Cherry Tree Lane Cemetery. For more information visit www.cherrylane.org.uk or call 07961 547 660.

YOUNG people across Hillingdon are being encouraged to make the most of this half term and get involved in a whole range of youth activities.

Hillingdon Council's Point youth bus will be offering a free half term programme for 11-19 year olds with activities to suit everyone, including basketball, football, cheerleading workshops, DJ skills and urban art.

The bus will be located in Mandarin Way, Hayes, UB4 9TU from 11am-4pm for the duration of half term.

This is in addition to all of the activities that will be held in the borough's four youth centres in Ruislip, West Drayton, Uxbridge and Harlington.

The youth centres have loads of facilities including music studios, internet cafes, dance studios, computer consoles, table tennis and pool.

Tom Murphy, head of Youth and Connexions said: "There is no need for young people to be bored this half term when there is so much on offer in Hillingdon.

"I would encourage all young people to find out what is going on in their local area and get involved in these activities, meet new people and most importantly have fun."

For more information call 01895 671 983 or go to young.hillingdon.gov.uk

THOSE in danger of losing their homes to the third runway are being invited to dance their troubles away this weekend.

THE National Minimum Wage increase has been described as a mixed blessing by an employment law expert.

Richard Lowe, who works at the HR Dept, in Wraybury Drive, West Drayton, was talking about the recent changes that were implemented on Thursday. (Oct 1)

DRAYTON Hall will open to the public for two days as part of Open House weekend.

FIREFIGHTERS were rushed to attend a blaze last night (Sunday) at a range of derelict houses in West Drayton which took over two hours to bring under control.

Four fire engines and around 20 firefighters attended the fire in at the unoccupied terraced houses on Rutters Close, West Drayton, yesterday evening.