A magical night following Disney delight

A Ruislip Manor group, who were victorious in the prestigious London New Year’s Day Parade 2016, recently celebrated their achievement at a special reception during which the £10,000 winner’s cheque and trophy were officially presented. Parade executive director, Robert Bone, presented the first place prizes to Mayor of Hillingdon, cllr George Cooper, in front of a cheering audience of more than 100 participants, parents, sponsors and council staff. A 40-strong cast from Ruislip Manor’s JAM2000 Performing Arts & Agency represented Hillingdon in the London borough’s competition of the annual parade, scooping £10,000 for the Mayor of Hillingdon’s Charity Appeal. Each of the performers, ranging in age from five to over 50, were presented with a medal depicting this year’s theme of 30 Magical Years of the London New Year’s Day Parade. Medals were also presented to a host of others that had been involved behind the scenes including costume makers, float builders and sponsors. The borough’s entry, Dreams Can Come True in Hillingdon, featuring nearly every Walt Disney character, involved the cast singing and dancing for over two hours along the parade route from Green Park to Parliament Square to rousing cheers from around 50,000 spectators. The reception, hosted by the mayor and mayoress, cllr Judith Cooper, also saw Neil Hutchings, a representative from sponsor Redrow Homes Ltd, present an additional £1,000 cheque for the Mayor’s Charity Appeal. This, together with donations from Taylor Wimpey, Reddingtons Ltd, O’Halloran & O’Brien Ltd and Modebest Builders Ltd, brought the total raised to £14,000. It was a case of third time lucky for Hillingdon and JAM2000 director Judy McPhee and her husband Gordon McPhee, who hand-built the float. In 2014, Hillingdon were runners-up and third last year, bringing total winnings to £21,000 for local charities over the years. The mayor praised the JAM2000 performers for their talent, energy and creativity in sealing victory. Judy McPhee added: “What a magical night in which everyone who had a part to play in Hillingdon’s success came together to celebrate and be rewarded. I couldn’t be more proud.” Written by Anthony Strzalek