Clubs/societies

A MARTIAL arts club in Rickmansworth is using a grant worth almost £10,000 from Sport England to encourage younger members to sign up.

Kodokan Kendo Club (KKC), based at Princess Marina Complex in Chorleywood Road, has been awarded £9,458 in National Lottery funding, which has been ear-marked for equipment for a new junior section.

A WEIGHT-LOSS journey is the last thing most cancer sufferers embark on but Kirsty Apthorp has amazed doctors with her rapid recovery.

The 39-year-old, of High Street, Rickmansworth, was given six weeks to live after being diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2007.

She later endured two operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, causing her to balloon to 13 stone and swell by two dress sizes.

Kirsty, who is married to David, 47, said: "Losing weight on chemotherapy is a myth for the majority of people.

MORE than £16,000 was raised at a memorial day to celebrate the life of a former Northwood golf club member.

Clive Waugh, who was 65 when he died from oesophagus cancer two years ago, had been a member of Sandy Lodge Golf Club in Sandy Lodge Lane, for more than 15 years.

Proceeds from the event, which took place in September, went to the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home.

Christmas Fayre at Northwood Methodist Church, Oaklands Gate on Saturday 14th November from 10am-1pm. Entrance 30p. For further information call 0208 866 3745.

A FLOWER arranging demonstration entitled 'All that Glitters' is being held.

Ruislip Northwood Flower Arrangement Society will present the demonstration by national demonstrator, Tan Strong.

It is being held at Northwood College, in Maxwell Road, Northwood, on October 6 at 7.30pm.

HAND-jiving and a piano recital were just two of the fun activities taking place at a sheltered housing scheme open day.

Local dignitaries who attended the event at St Johns Court, in Murray Road, Northwood, on Friday (11) were invited to view the accommodation and were entertained by tenants and staff alike.

Margaret Hancox provided a dance demonstration with audience participation and Bernard Richardson gave a talk about ship photography, model making and listening to the world on short-wave radio.

The scheme's manager, Claire Cunningham, said: "Our tenants have a strong sense of fun and community and Friday's activities were popular with the entire scheme.

"Visitors to the scheme were also impressed by our facilities, which allow tenants to lead an active and independent life."

DARING children took time out of their usual summer holiday activities to learn circus skills before heading back to school this week.

For the third year running Northwood Community Arts Group invited Albert & Friends Instant Circus to deliver a workshop at St John's Church, in Hallowell Road, Northwood.

This year it was extended from two days to a week to teach 15 children, aged six to 11, clowning, stilt walking, tight-wire walking, juggling, diabolos, uni-cycling, balancing on a rolling globe and other skills.

The children also put on a show at the end of the week on Friday (4) to share their skills with their family and friends.

Tonie Smith, a Community Arts Group volunteer who helped during the week, said: "It was fantastic to see the children growing in confidence during the week and then the enthusiasm with which they shared their new skills with the audience.

"They had lots of fun as well as gaining new skills and making new friends."

A WOMEN'S club is holding a special event entitled 'Chats With the Queen'.

As a cloth buyer for Horrockses Fashions and later The Steinberg Group Maria Driffill helped Queen Elizabeth choose fabric for her dresses.

She is holding her talk at Northwood Area Women's Club's next meeting on October 1 from 9.30am to miday at St John's Church Hall, in Hallowell Road, Northwood.

Visit www.northwoodareawomensclub.co.uk for more information.

A MILITARY volunteer band returned triumphant from a successful festival picking up a number of awards.

Northwood Headquarters, in Sandy Lane, Northwood, is home to many leading military organisations, but it is also home to an award winning military band.

The JSU Northwood Volunteer band, made up of musicians from the Northwood, Uxbridge and Watford area, recently returned from a Royal Naval Volunteer band festival in Portsmouth.

At the annual competition all eleven volunteer bands compete against each other by performing a fifteen minute concert performance, to include a solo as well as an entertaining programme, and a fifteen minute marching display.

This year the band was placed third in the marching display, the highest position yet in the bands short history. Formed just nine years ago they are one of the more junior bands competing against some with 30 year old pedigrees.

Nick Brown, 31, who plays in the Corps of Drums, said: "This year's festival was special as we won the Daedalus Trophy for outstanding contribution to the volunteer bands, as well as coming second in the drum display."

Colour Sergeant Dave Boorer, a Royal Marine musician with 26 years experience, said: "Northwood volunteer band's best attribute has to be their enthusiasm for music making.

"We rehearse twice a week, and the band never ceases to amaze me with their enjoyment of performing.

"We have players ranging from 17 to 75, of all standards from semi-professional to complete beginners and we perform around the area at official functions and help local charities' raising money with concerts."

The band rehearse on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 to 10pm at Northwood Headquarters.

Mr Boorer said: "We are desperately in need of trombone players at the moment and can supply the instruments if necessary."

Anyone interested in joining the band should call Mr Boorer on 01923 957890 or email david.boorer807@mod.uk.

CHILDREN took part in a thrilling adventure based on the story of Peter Pan as part of an annual summer holiday experience.

Perform Drama School put on a week-long workshop for 30 four to eight year olds last week at Northwood Methodist Church Hall, in Oaklands Gate, Northwood.

The summer holiday experience has been running for two years now and this time around the children were invited to rehearse and perform J M Barrie's enchanting story of the boy who never grew up.

Hanneke Rauch, one of the teachers there, said: "The children put on a performance in front of their friends and family on the last day. It was absolutely lovely and a great big success.

"We used the original music for the show as well and the children were amazing stars.

"We had mostly girls there so both Captain Hook and Peter Pan were played by little girls and we had the Lost Girls instead of the Lost Boys."