December 2008 Archives

The luxurious new birth centre at West Middlesex Hospital saw its 100th birth just before Christmas.

Holly Yates, 24, and 26-year-old James Donnelly, of Andover Close, Feltham, received an early present in the form of baby girl Ruby, who arrived at 10am, on December 17, weighing 7lbs 10oz.

Merry Christmas from everyone at www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk

Generous customers at Feltham Asda have dug deep and gathered sacks of gifts for the youngsters at Shooting Star Children's Hospice.

The bags of toys were donated by shoppers who visited the store, at The Centre, Feltham, in the run up to Christmas. They will be dropped off at the Hampton-based hospice this week.

Events coordinator Julie Head said: "Our customers have been very generous this Christmas and we're looking forward to handing over all their lovely presents."

Kindly Feltham air cadets have put together dozens of gift-filled shoe boxes for soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

The youngsters from Feltham-based 94 Squadron Air Cadets unit have organised to send 150 shoe boxes to the troops, containing gifts and luxuries that would be difficult to come by where they are based.

The collection was so successful that extra boxes were made up to send to veterans at the Royal Star and Garter home in Richmond.

Commanding officer Flight Lieutenant Liam Meehan said: "The response really has been overwhelming, at one point it was virtually impossible to get into my office due to all of the donations we had received being stored there."

The donations for the boxes came from cadets, staff and parents of the unit, the staff of the Defence Geographic Centre Feltham, The Royal Air Force Association, in Twickenham, and many other local organisations.

Cadet Warrant Officer Adam Pollington, of 94 Squadron, said: "I think it is a fantastic achievement for the cadets, I couldn't believe how much was being donated."

The squadron is now preparing to make this an annual part of its Christmas programme in the hope that it lets soldiers on duty at this time of year know there are people thinking of them back home.

Plans to demolish Feltham People's Centre have been defended by the principle of West Thames College.

Marjorie Semple, head of the Isleworth college, has defended the college's plans to raze Feltham People's Centre and replace it with the Feltham Skills Centre (pictured).

If your wallet's feeling the strain but you're still looking for a few last-minute presents, don't despair.

Home-made gifts and decorations are a great way to beat the credit crunch and keep the kids busy during the holidays.

The Feltham Rotary Christmas Collection has started outside Tesco in Feltham High Street.

Eddie Menday has been taking part in the starring role of Father Christmas.

All the collections made this week will go towards local projects and organisations.

Across Feltham, schools have spent the last few weeks rehearsing for their Christmas plays.

As you can see from our photo gallery, some have gone down the traditional route of featuring Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, while others have taken a new, modern approach. However, they all have one thing in common - cute performers!

Generous pupils at Longford School did their bit to narrow the generation gap on Monday with a fun festive party for older people in their community.

The charitable children and teenagers put on entertainment in the form of a singalong and served tea to over 120 pensioners at the annual community party.

Not everyone can afford to splash money around to make the festive season special but 400 more children will be picking up a present this year thanks to the big-hearted congregation of Riverside Vineyards Church, in Browells Lane.

Their Children's Storehouse project, which hands out clothes and food to needy families all year round, went the extra mile by spreading Christmas cheer in the form of hundreds of gifts.