St Andrews Church

A Memory of Uxbridge.

St. Andrews Church figured quite prominently in my early teens as it was my parish Church. Although not a religous person, I had to go the Church at least once a month as I belonged to 6th Uxbridge Scouts who were a Church Group, and if you belonged to them you had to go to church at least once a month. We hid a way at the back of the church and hoped that the sermon would not go onto long, but it always seem to go on for much longer than needed!
The Scouts were an Air Scout Troop and we wore a blue air force colours uniform and had associations with Uxbridfge RAf Station just across the road. The Vicar at that time was a nice kind man the Rev. John Carr, and he was also our Scout Master. There was no funny b usiness with him. He regularly took us camping during the summer holidays. The Vicarage which was next to the church also had a huge back garden which was mostly wooded and we would quite frequently camp out there on weekends. I was the Troop Leader by the time I left the Scouts to graduate to the St. Andrews Youth club in the church hall which was held on a Sunday night, That was much better as it had girls!
Finally when I got married the banns for my wedding were called out in St. Andrews Church. We went along to hear them and that was the last time I went into the Church.
We have lived in the West Country for many years now and when I go back to see my brother who still lives in Uxbridge, I always feel what a shame it was the the new road put through many years ago not only went through where the churchhall and scout hut was, but it took away the allotments where i used to go to help my grandfather and father, the lovely old Uxbridge Cricket Ground, the old Uxbridge Library and of course Vine Street Station.
Sadly Uxbridge just isn't the same for me. I always recall an advert for washing powder in the 60's where it opened with the camera going down the centre of Uxbridge High street towards the Odeon cinema with the Commentary "UXBRIDGE HASN'T CHANGED MUCH RECENTLY". If only whoeevr wrote that could see it now, they would be in for a shock. In the 60's it used to be like a Market Town barely attached to London. When you came down Hillingdon Hill you felt you were leaving the urban area behind. Now you cannot see where it joins up with the rest of London now. Its just one urban Sprawl. I am glad I knew it before all that happened.