PARTS of Hillingdon may be the most scenic in London but they have nothing on the beautiful sights of Peru.

Two members of the complimentary therapy team at Mount Vernon Hospital's Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre (LJMC) have decided to leave behind the Northwood nature trails to take on the mighty Inca Trail.

Cherry Mackie, 63, and Lynda Hannam, 49, are heading off to the South American country on May 22 to raise funds for the LJMC, which provides support and information for people affected by cancer.

Mrs Mackie, of St Stephen's Road, Yiewsley, said: "We both have reasons for wanting to do it. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 30 years ago so I wanted to mark that and Lynda wanted to celebrate her 50th birthday.

"Both of us have always wanted to go to Peru and we get on well together so we started talked about it last May and booked it almost straight away. It took me a week to tell my husband though, but he was okay with it.

"We always get involved with different things for the centre but this is the first individual event we are doing."

The 43km Inca Trail is at an altitude of 4,400m (half the height of Mount Everest) and it will take them four days to complete. Temperatures will also fall as low as -15ºC at night.

Mrs Mackie said: "I am nervous and excited about it, but I just hope I can finish it. I'm not as fast as I used to be but I have done a lot of training. I have been going over to Harrow to train because there's lots of hills there and Lynda and I went to Snowdonia last year, which was frightening and horrendous, but I did it.

"I have never been up a mountain before and it was very icy, but it was quite an experience. The Inca trail is nothing like Snowdonia though. It's not icy for a start.

"I think the altitude will be the hardest bit. If the altitude affects you it doesn't matter how fit you are, but hopefully we will be okay.

"Just to see the sun come up over the mountain will be absolutely amazing. It's a magical place so I think it will be lovely to experience it before I get too old.

"We have already managed to raise ￡4,000 and we were only aiming for ￡1,000. We are absolutely stunned by how much we have got, especially in the current economic climate. It's been absolutely wonderful."

To sponsor them go to www.justgiving.com/2girlsinperu

AIR cadets have returned from a week long camp at an RAF base in Lincolnshire where they experienced life on a front-line air base.

The cadets and staff from 1381 West Drayton and Yiewsley Squadron enjoyed the action packed stay at RAF Coningsby.

Activities included climbing on the high ropes, rifle shooting, flying in a 'Typhoon' simulation, and a capture the flag night exercise.

In addition most cadets gained swimming qualifications during the week.

Chris Bigos, Squadron Commanding Officer, said: "These camps are intended to show the cadets what day-to-day life is like in the modern RAF, and to reinforce the classroom training they receive during the year.

"It is also an opportunity for them to gain confidence from the physical activities and team exercises.

"There is also a strong social thread running through the week and we aim to make it fun as well as challenging."

The squadron website is www.1381sqn.co.uk and anyone wanting to find out more can contact them on 01895 448353.

THE new Morrison's superstore set to open in the borough has appointed a manager.

The store will open at the end of May in High Street, Yiewsley, and it will be managed by Brad Dartington.

The 39 year-old father-of-one brings 16 years of experience at the superstore, having worked at Queensbury and St Albans branches previously.

He said: "I am absolutely delighted to be taking up this position at the Yiewsley store.

"The local residents have been really welcoming and I can't wait to opening our doors to the people of Yiewsley for the first time"

PEOPLE are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting for The Yiewsley and West Drayton Community Association.
It will take place at the community centre in Harmondsworth Road, West Drayton on May 15 at 7.30pm. The event will be followed by a meeting by West Drayton Social Club Ltd.
For more information contact 01895 44 34 23.

A MULTI-MILLION pound development powered by rooftop solar panels has reached completion and buyers can now move in.

The 18 bedroom units in Austen House, in High Street, Yiewsley, cost £5.4 million for developers to build and there is also space for two retail units on the ground floor.

The part-buy part-rent scheme means buyers can pay as little as £64,000 to own a property.

Simon Devitt, A2Dominion group's director of home ownership and strategy, said:"As well as the obvious environmental benefits of the solar panels, residents will also pay a reduced service charge due to the electricity savings being made."

"We believe this development is going to prove extremely popular. It is a proud feeling for both us and our buyers to know we are taking steps to reduce carbon footprints."

The solar panel cells at Austen House are predicted to produce about 11,000 kWh per year of clean renewable electricity, roughly equivalent to the consumption of three typical three-bedroom family homes.

A BRASS band has trumpeted all expectations by qualifying to the finals of the national championships.

The Yiewsley and West Drayton Brass Band took second place in the second section at the regional qualifiers and have now resultantly been promoted to the first division from the start of 2010, the bands highest grading in its 118 year history.

The amazing achievement will now see the band represent the region at the Great Britain National Brass Band Championships 2009 in Harrogate later this year.

Dave Longman said: "After some difficult times for the band in recent years, this is an incredible result.

"I still cant believe it. Everyone put in many hours of hard work at rehearsals since January, but it was made easy in that all the players really enjoyed playing the test piece New World Sketches."

The band is now busy rehearsing every Wednesday and Friday evenings, at Yiewsley Methodist Church, in Fairfield Road, Yiewsley, and recently performed at a St George's Day procession which began in South Ruislip on Friday.

JUST 200 vacancies at a new superstore have sparked a staggering 2,500 applications.

Morrison's is set to open up its new Yiewsley store in the High Street at the end of May and have been overwhelmed with demand with response to the posts.

The applications are currently being sifted through to find the ideal candidates for the roles, which include checkout operators, bakers, butchers and staff to serve on fresh food counters.

The applications followed adverts in the Uxbridge Job Centre as well as a three day recruitment event.

Recent figures showed that unemployment is Hillingdon has risen by a third in the past year as the effects of the credit crunch hit home.

Gail Roberts, retail recruitment manager at Morrisons said: "We have had an amazing response to the recruitment drive and are really positive that we will build up a team that can deliver great service to the people of Yiewsley."

A NEWLY renovated community centre is being launched as the base for helping people with cancer.

The Community Cancer Centre in Fairfield Road, Yiewsley is open five days a week from 10am to 4pm and the public are invited to drop in for information and support.

Rachael Yearwood, project co-ordinator and support worker, said: "All our services are available to anybody that has been affected by cancer, this includes patients, carers, friends and relatives and all our services are free."

The Lottery funded project offers one to one counselling, information, and befriending services through trained volunteers and also reach out to disabled or housebound people through home visits.

The centre also offers specific workshops in different languages for the local community with multi-lingual volunteers and provides group support sessions once a fortnight.
For more information call Rachael Yearwood on 01895 448329.

HAPPY couples who have tied the knot over the years are being invited to a special celebration to renew their vows.

Everybody who has ever been married at St Matthew's Church in High Street, Yiewsley is being asked back for a second wedding on April 11.

The Marriage Celebration Service, which will take place on Easter Sunday at 2.30pm, is part of St Matthew's Church's 150th anniversary celebrations.

As many couples as possible are invited to take part in this memorable occasion with all friends and family welcome.

If you are interested please contact the Vicar, Richard Young on 01895 442093 or e-mail vicar@stmatthews-yiewsley.org.uk

BRIGHT students have been adding to their chance of success by passing their exams a year early.

In total, 38 students at Stockley Academy in Park View Road, Yiewsley, passed their Maths GCSEs either six months or a year ahead of schedule.

Jennifer Hill, curriculum leader for mathematics, praised the students for their hard work, she said: "We are very proud of the student achievements."

For pictures of the students see next weeks Gazette out on Wednesday (4/3)