FROM THE EDITORS
Sadly we report the death of Terence Siddles. On behalf of the village we send our condolences to his family and friends.
We have two new members of the newsletter team this month and we say hello and thank you for volunteering to both Emma Callery and Stephen Wadsworth. Emma has kindly volunteered to proof read the newsletter and Stephen will be co-ordinating the advertising.
Both Emma and Stephen can be reached at news@hook-norton-newsletter.co.uk
Andy Helen
news@hook-norton-newsletter.co.uk helen@hook-norton-newsletter.co.uk
The views expressed in the Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Editorial Team
BIRTHS
Lauren Mary wasborn on 24 May 2009, daughter to parents Brendon and Sarah Sabin and big brother Elliott
BAPTISMS
SamuelArchie Bayliss, Lucas Daniel Bayliss and Max William Baylissof Hook Norton were baptisedat St PetersChurch on 12 July 2009
Anna Morris andFinley PhilipJohn Morris of Banbury were baptised at St Peters Church on 2 August 2009
Zoe Jade Alan of Hook Norton was baptised at St Peters Churchon 9 August 2009
Patrick Thomas Gasson-Smith of Lower Earley was baptised at St Peters Church on 9 August 2009
Molly Anne May White and Freya Jayne Grace White of Hook Norton were baptised at St Peters Church on 30 August 2009
Olivia Rose Knight of Hook Norton was baptised at St Peters Church on 6 September 2009
MARRIAGES
Leon Alexander Houseman and Louisa-Anne White were married at St Peters Church on 12 September 2009
memorial service
There will be a small memorial service on Friday 2 October for Colin Scarrett, late president of the Sports and Social Club, when we will plant a tree and receive a bench from his sister-in-law Mary in his memory. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Colin is welcome to attend (5.30 for 6pm) and join us for light refreshments in the club house afterwards.
Jill Bonner (nee Hayward) who used to live on Hollybush Road until she emigrated to New Zealand in 2005 died at her home in Christchurch NZ on Thursday 24th September.
Her son, James is living in Christchurch and will be happy to read messages at her funeral. His email address is haywardj.eest@gmail.com
THE NEWSLETTER IS CHANGING
The Hook Norton Newsletter has been running for some 34 years and is very much part of village life. It has been in its current format for about ten years now, growing and changing with the village.
We are now going to refresh the look and feel to a more modern, quality product as part of ensuring its future for the next ten years.
This will include the introduction of some colour pages from February 2010 and we plan to produce the remaining pages on the same glossy paper as the colour pages, improving the general appearance of the entire publication.
Over the past eight to ten years we have tried to include as many articles and contributions as possible and allowed the Newsletter to grow to accommodate them. As a consequence, the average number of pages in current newsletters is significantly higher than it was.
While print costs have remained relatively stable over this period, we have not changed our prices when perhaps, in retrospect, we should have had regular annual increases to reflect the cost of publishing the larger newsletters.
Advertising income has not covered the cost of producing the Newsletter for some time now. Add to this, donations in the Post Office box have dwindled and consequently we must now adjust our advertising rates. We feel that, particularly with the new look newsletter, the Newsletter will continue to offer outstanding value to its advertisers. Costs from the February 2010 issue will be:
Black and White Colour
Third page advertisement 10 per issue 20 per issue
Half Page advertisement 15 per issue 30 per issue
Colour advertising space is likely to remain limited, to begin with at least, as the intention is to use the majority of colour pages for news. However, if the demand for colour advertising is such that we can produce more colour pages of news, we will certainly consider it, but we may not be able to accept all requests for immediate use.
Colour is coming!
Make the most of the colour pages by sending photos to illustrate your copy. Colour pages are limited so we cant promise to put everything we receive in colour – but itll be a nice problem to have!
Library News
Opening Hours: Monday 25pm, 67pm
Wednesday 25pm
Friday 25pm, 67pm
Saturday 9am12.30pm
Hello everyone, hope you all had a lovely summer break.
Firstly I would like to say a very big thank you to the Heath Trust for the very generous donation, which will help improve your library. Please read article by Pauline Walters for more information.
Weve been busy here over the summer. Our summer reading challenge for children went well with 140 children taking part and 81% completed by reading six books over the summer. We had a storytime and a visit from Oxfordshire Museum, which were both well attended by 47-year-olds.
Our Rhymetimes for the 03-year-olds are still proving popular; the next dates are Monday 12 October, Monday 9 November and Monday 7 December, 22.30pm. All are welcome. Just come along, no tickets needed.
The AGM for the Friends of Hook Norton Community Library took place at the Brewery Visitors Centre and we enjoyed a short talk from Patrick Neale of Jaffe and Neale. Olwen Goodwin has now resigned from being Chairperson and we welcome Kerry McCormick. I would like to thank Olwen for all her hard work.
Sadly we no longer recycle batteries here, this has now moved to Hook Norton Primary School. Although popular here, Cherwell District Council collect more often from there along with the other recycled items.
Dont forget, we still have photocopying and computers with broadband here. The Friends now supply The Oxford Times weekly and also Country Living monthly. We have other donated magazines to read, as well as the Banbury Guardian supplied by the library each week.
Looking forward to seeing you all soon. Janet May, Library Manager
The Heath Allotment Trust grant Hook Norton Library
How many people in the village do not know that the library exists, and, even more importantly, what the library can do for them? In these times of austerity, the resources that the library makes available are even more valuable for those who are having to tighten their belts and might now find that borrowing books and using the computers available in the local library can really help.
Over the last ten years, the Friends of Hook Norton Community Library (FOHNCL) have been supporting this invaluable asset, their key achievement being to help prevent the library being closed when countywide cuts at Oxfordshire County Council, resulting from reduced government funding, threatened such an outcome. They are also able to give money to be spent on books, magazines, etc.
In response to a request from FOHNCL, trustees of the village charity, the Heath Allotment Trust, have recently made a donation of 1000 to the FOHNCL. This money is to be spent to encourage residents of the village, young or old, to use the library, especially people who are financially disadvantaged. For instance, the library already has online facilities in the form of three computers, which people who do not have access at home, who cannot perhaps afford a computer, or access to the internet, can enjoy the use of this facility.
Many of us love to buy books, but for those who would like to read the latest books from their favourite authors, but cannot afford such a luxury, why not visit the library, see if books you would like to read are held? Or if not, let the library manager, Janet May, know what type of books you enjoy and who your favourite authors are. Books can also be ordered from other county libraries.
If some of you have difficulty visiting the library, please give Janet a ring. If, for instance, you are confined to a wheelchair and are worried about access, you might be able to access the adjoining reading room and, if you let Janet know of your visit in advance, she can arrange to have some books you might enjoy ready for you to look at.
Some new items of furniture are soon to be purchased to enhance the amount of space available to display books, while at the same time improving the floor space within the library and facilitating the display of new books that might attract new readers. The library is there for every individual in the village and surrounding villages, please do make use of its facilities.
Pauline Walters, Chair, The Heath Allotment Trust
Friday Toddler Group
Held at the Baptist Hall 9.1511.15am
Thank you all for supporting us between the school holidays.
Its been great seeing some old faces returning and some new faces starting at the beginning of term.
Wed like to thank Alrys for answering our call for a Granny and hopes she enjoys the time with us, but if there are any Grannies or Grandads that would still love to come along and give us a hand, then we would love to see you.
We are going to have a Table Top Sale in aid of the Toddler Group. There will be Second-hand Childrens Clothing, Toys, Childrens Books, Baby Equipment, Cake Stall, Tombola and Refreshments
Please come and join us on Saturday 24 October between 10am and 1pm
Dates for your Diaries
Friday 9 October: Card Sale (Phoenix Trading), 9.3011.00am
Friday 23 October (half term): we are open 9.1511.15am
Saturday 24 October: Table Top Sale, 10am1pm, everybody welcome
HOOK NORTON PLAYGROUP
The refurbishment of the playgroup toilets is now complete (we are so very pleased with them!) and work is about to start on our 5000 new sensory garden. Playgroup has had a busy summer club and are now planning their ever popular XMAS FAYRE (Sunday 22 November). We are assured Santa will be able to make it once again so put the date in your diaries now.
We do have some open slots for places in both the morning and afternoon sessions, and remember we also offer after school care up to age 11, walks to and from school for all ages, and playgroup places from age two. Its also worth pointing out that we are a not-for-profit group, and our prices are correspondingly low! If you have any questions at all, call Julie Riley or pop in and say hello (in case you dont know, we are behind the park, between Watery Lane and the Shearings).
FOHNS
The Friends of Hook Norton School (FOHNS) are planning a series of fun events throughout the school year. Look out for details in the next Newsletter. If you would like to volunteer to support the school through FOHNS, please contact Hazel Hope at the School Office. Thanks for all your support, The FOHNS committee
HOOK NORTON BROWNIES
Hi, my name is Katrina Hambidge.
I am the new Brown Owl for 2nd Hook Norton Brownies, as of this September. On Sunday 4 September, which was my first official duty with my unit,myself andfive Brownies andone Brownie guest and parent help, attended Cotswold Wildlife Park, to celebrate 100 yearsof Guiding. We all met in a large white tent, which was called Crystal Palace, where we were given a talk on the history of Guiding. We then went on a train ride around the park, and also visited the animals, eventually finding the lions! Then the Brownies did different activities, including scrape a mask, feeling objects to make up a word and a collage. We then had a massive picnic with all the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, leaders and Guests. In the afternoon we allwent for a walk around the Wildlife Parkand finishedoff our day by playing in the playground of the park.
This is Brown Owl checking out for now, thanking everyone involved forthe great day out that we all enjoyed … and looking forward to the next event.
CHIPPING NORTON SCHOOL TRUST FUND
The Chipping Norton School Trust Fund provides financial assistance to pupils to help with their studies and other associated activities. The fund is currently supplemented by two local donations. The Heath Allotment Trust has made donations in order to help young people living in Hook Norton who might otherwise not be able to take part in a fuller and wider school life. In the past, pupils have benefited from assistance with the purchase of sports equipment, musical instruments, coaching sessions, residential courses associated with areas of study and residential university taster sessions. It may also be possible to contribute to after-school sessions and educational visits. The Lions Club of Chipping Norton may make a donation to the Trust Fund where a pupil requires funds to assist their personal development in connection with a community project, whether home of abroad. This may take the form of a grant where a pupil is undertaking an overseas trip involving community work, e.g. a building project, help on a mercy ship or where a specific coaching or training course is necessary to assist with training of others in our local community, e.g. lifeguard training.
For further information about the Lions Club of Chipping Norton, please call Sian Arnold.
For further information about the Chipping Norton School Trust Fund, please contact Anne Evans (village representative on the Trust Fund Committee)
HOOK NORTON W.I.
Our July meeting was a Garden Party which took place at Hollybush Road hosted by Val Cornelius. As it was a rainy afternoon it was held inside and a good time was had by all. We had a lot of fun attempting a quiz and then a poem of Pam Ayres was read causing a lot of laughter. The delicious food completed a very enjoyable afternoon.
In August we had an outing to Sudeley Castle. It was a lovely day and we were all able to walk around the gardens and ruins and see the exhibitions that were there. After lunch we went to Winchcombe and had a pleasant stroll around the shops and have a well-earned cup of tea.
The speaker for our September meeting will be Brian Lowe giving a talk on The Beauty of Oxford. There will be a visit to Pendon Museum on 24 September. On 20 October, Illona Cross will be giving us a talk on A Journey through Tanzania and on 17 November we will be having a talk on Denham College by Barbara Gray. Doreen McLaughlin
GARDEN CLUB
By the time you read this, the Autumn Show and day visit to Wisley will have passed.
The cup winners were:
Phil Knights Comrades Cup - Most points by a man: Peter Arnold
Debenham - Most points by a lady: Rachel Mortimer
Rose Brown - Most points by a child: Marcus Randall
Edge & Bolton - Floral Art: Sheila Lilley
W.I. Cup – Homecraft: Peter Arnold
Presidents Cup - Collection of Vegetables: Peter Arnold
Brewery Cup – Photography: Ann Wyatt
Certificate of Merit for Floral Art: Sheila Lilley
Diploma for Excellence in Horticulture A collection of 4 vegetables: Peter Arnold
Peoples Choice: Rachel Mortimer
Congratulations to all.
The Club has had a very good year and there are only two events to go.
On 21 October Tim Goodwin from Fosseway Garden Centre will talk on seasonal planting and bring plants to purchase. As agreed last year, the AGM has been moved to 18 Novemberfor a Members Evening to include wine and mince pies. We look forward to a good turnout.
The Committee has already been planning the calendar for 2010 and would welcome any suggestions and comments from members. Verity Calderan
24 SQUARE MILES – NEW ON THE HOOK NORTON WEBSITE!
Kay Manders filmed survey of 24 square miles of rural Oxfordshire was part of a 1943 project to better understand the use made of the countryside in order to facilitate better planning.
Filmed in 1946, Twenty Four Square Miles shows in detail the use made of the land for farming and industry and the social fabric of the towns and villages and how they are managed. With commentary by John Arlott. Directed by Kay Mander. A Basic Films Production. Crown Copyright.
Many thanks to Emma Kane for finding this brilliant gem in the BFI National Archive, getting permission to put it on the website, and loading it up at
http://hook-norton.org.uk/about-hook-norton/24-square-miles.html.
Take a look at Hooky 66 years ago. We would be interested in any feedback on the film. How much did it reflect the real Hooky of the day? Do you recognise anyone? Let us know Ed.
Will you share your wartime memories?
Would you be interested in talking about your memories of the Second World War? The Second World War Experience Centre is carrying out a nationwide project, recording the personal experiences of people who lived through the War years, to ensure these stories are preserved for future generations. With the recent passing of the last veterans of World War I, this has brought into focus the increasing urgency to record peoples memories before it is too late.
Recent interviewees from the Oxfordshire area have included a lady who worked at Bletchley Park as a decoder, a Land Army girl who worked on farms in Kent, an evacuee who left London to live in a mining village in South Wales, a Prisoner of War captured at Dunkirk in 1940, a gentleman who served with the RAF Medical Service in the Middle East, and a Merchant Navy seaman who was on the Atlantic Convoys.
The Centre is a registered museum and charity, and more than 4000 people have been interviewed for the Centres oral history archive. The Centre would like to record the stories of ex-servicemen and women, civilians, children, factory workers, or anyone who has first-hand memories from that time.
Its website can be found at http://www.war-experience.org.
If you are interested in having your wartime memories recorded for posterity and inclusion in The Second World War Experience Centre archive, or would like further information, please contact the Centres volunteer recorder in the Oxfordshire area.
Matthew Smaldon, Email: matthew.smaldon@gmail.com
Lurcher Show- 16 August
Thank you to everyone that supported the Lurcher Show held at Nill Farm by kind permission of Angus Irvine.
The day started at 9am with straight racing, this was followed by hurdle racing, speed jump and fun scurry. There were three rings for showing in the afternoon.We raised 900, which is shared between Katharine House Hospice, Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue and National Playing Fields. Details of EGLR can be viewed at www.lurcher.org.uk.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Hooky Slimmer Sue White has reached the District Finals of Slimming Worlds Woman of the Year Competition for 2009. With a weight loss of 3st 11lb, Sue has reached her Target Weight and has dropped from a size 18 with an obese BMI to a slinky size 10 with a healthy BMI.
Sue was totally new to Slimming World when she joined and has found Food Optimising much easier than she ever imagined!
Sue says, I have more energy than I ever had before, which enables me to walk more and my golf has improved! I used to cover up in dark, drab clothes and now I wear much brighter clothes and have more confidence. With regards to my health, I suffered with knee pain when climbing stairs and now I dont have this anymore.
Going to the Slimming World Group made me realise I was not alone. The group is fun and friendly and its a part of the week I look forward to! I always attend and stay to the end of the sessions, which are a large part of being successful and as a Target Member I can now attend every week for free!
Hook Norton Group runs at The Sun Inn every Tuesday at 6.30pm. For more info on the group please contact Lucy.
Strawberry Tea
Thank you to everyone who came along to support our Strawberry Tea in the summer holidays … it was a lovely, relaxed, sunny Sunday afternoon in Beanacre eating cake, drinking tea and digging deep in our pockets to raise 270 for Breast Cancer Care (www.breastcancercare.org.uk). Thank you for your generous donations. Hazel, Aileen and Rose
THANK YOU!
My son and I would like to thank the kind gentleman who took the trouble to stop and pick up our pet ‘Buster’ and take him to the vet on Sunday 16 August. He is a much loved family pet and we were terribly upset when he went missing. Can we both just say thank you so much for your kindness and we are very grateful.
300 RAISED FOR HOOK NORTON PLAYGROUP
Steve Rooney and Hook Norton Playgroup would like to thank all of the kind donors who sponsored him on his ParisGeneva Bike Ride this summer. The sponsorship raised came to over 300, which will help to maintain the facility for all the parents in the village. The ride itself lasted four days, and took in over 320 miles of French countryside through the Ile de France and Burgundy, passing through fields of swirling wheat, sunflowers and gorgeous hillside vineyards, before climbing to the Swiss border at the 1300m Col de la Faucille (the Eagles Pass), and from there via a spectacular 20-mile descent into Geneva. Steves next cycling project is a three-day ride over the six famous Cols in the French Alps, including the 21 hairpins of Alpe DHuez, in September.
HOOK NORTON CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION REMINDER:
Donation Requests To be received by 9th October
The closing date for donation requests following Music at the Crossroads in July, is October 9th 2009. Any group, charity or good cause can make a request for a donation. All requests are considered by the HNCA committee and recipients will be notified in advance of the donation evening, which will be at the AGM on November 18th at the Visitor Centre Hook Norton Brewery at 7.30pm. We cannot accept requests for donations to individuals. Please indicate the use that the money will be put to if successful. Historically the HNCA donations have gone largely to groups, clubs and village societies involved with the elderly, developing children, village resources. Please make your request in writing to: HNCA. c/o Peter Watkins, Little Bowden, The Bourne, OX15 5PB or Petewatkins4@aol.com
Lee Stratford Community Trust
Firstly, apologies for the missing Duck Race this year. We had to cancel due to lack of helpers in the setting-up stage. It would have been a slightly different format for this year and due to work commitments I was unable to undertake it all from scratch on my own. It will return at a later date as it is has become a firm favourite in the village and a major fundraiser for the Trust.
2009 Childrens Christmas Party
Sunday 13 December at the Memorial Hall, 2pm
This year we have been able to book the amazing Chaplins travelling pantomime. You can visit their website www.chaplinsentertainment.co.uk and have a sneak preview of their shows. We have booked Aladdin, which is suitable for the age ranges we deal with. This year we will be having just one party, due to the extra expense of booking such a great show. This will be FREE to all Hook Norton children aged 010 and tickets will be issued as usual using the same format of application forms. Watch out for the posters in the village at the end of October for further details. Santa has been contacted and will be able to make a very special visit again this year to hand out early presents for everyone.
Lees Six-a-Side Football Tournament
This took place on Sunday 9 August and was, as usual, a great success. The weather was really good and eight teams turned up to take part.
There were quite a few local teams this year, which was nice to see. The winning team comprised mainly of Charlbury lads the captain being Liam Kelly (our son-in-law), so still a nice link with Hooky and Lee. A BIG thank you to Hook Norton Football Club, all the players and the Sports and Social Club for all their efforts in making this happen and helping us to realise this fitting memorial tribute to Lee and raising much needed funds for the Christmas Party.
Valerie Stratford, email: vstratford@fsmail.net
HOW TO BECOME A MUSEUM CURATOR AND SURVIVE THE NEXTTEN YEARS
One day in August 1999,I met David Clarke, who was then theManaging Director of our Brewery. He said, ‘That room, next to theBrewery Museum,the one that we have reserved for the villageis now ready. Do you think you could get a few bits and pieces togetherfor the opening bythe Princess Royal on the 9th September?’
What room I wondered? It was the first that I had heard of this ‘museum’ and was somewhat taken aback.As a member of theLocal History GroupI knew that wecould getAustin Hall’s old cart and a stuffed crow from Temple Mill. A local farmer would helpwith his collection of farm tools.
The Princess Royal came and was very polite as she lookedat this somewhat odd and disjointed display and told me what her local group had done using the internet. Did I see a flicker of amusement cross her face? Somehow I became in charge of these village artefacts. Gradually local people began to lodge their treasuresas it became apparent that we were taking the museum seriously. Local organisations deposited their old records.
I struggled on. Fortunately I had enough sense to make a list ofeverything that came in.
I instituted a Document Registration system and managed areasonable display.The museum joined professional associations. Still I struggled on. In 2003,Pat and Barbara Summerell took pity on me and together we appointed ourselves Joint Curators and Archivist.A Trust Deed was formed and there were three Holding Trustees, all of whom were born in Hook Norton.
TEN YEARS ON and we are pushed for space for both artefacts and archives. Weopen our archives to local school-leaving youngsters for research andwe have taken several displays to the Day Care Centre. The school regularly visits to see how our records tie up with World War II and the class isinvitedto join in a dramatised version of an air raid. We have successfully received two small national grants. This year our energies have been channelled into a PowerPoint presentation depicting the stories of two Hook Norton families who emigrated to the New World. We enjoyed doing this, but was it hard work. We have presented these stories at bothCarry On Learning and as part oftheLocal History programme.
TEN YEARS ON… HowBarbara Summerell, our Archivist,enjoysresearching anddiscovering interesting items for enquirers: ‘I think my great grandfather might have worked for the brewery …’, My family moved to Hook Norton in 1870, are there any living descendants that you know of …?’, I am researching the name Bloggs. Do you have any information on them? It is also time-consuming and very hard work. ‘Can’t they say what they really want?’, she has been known to retort. And how Pat’s wizardry with technology keeps us up to date and adds animation to our PowerPoint presentations.
One of our displays was in November2007 when trusting female villagers loanedtheir wedding dresses to us for four days and we were able to present them, each with a narrative, photographs and text. This proved very popular and rewarding. We were very grateful to those who loaneddresses and to those whohelped with the display and theappropriate flower posies. We could not have done it without them. The display covered the years from 1940s to the present day and was inspired by the Diamond Wedding of the Queen.
TEN YEARS ON and TEN YEARS OLDER … our present aim is to achieve the standards of Museum Accreditation in our organisation and to maintainour museums (both the Brewery and the Village) and present themin a way that isbothinteresting and accessible. All helpers are volunteers.
All very laudable and what fun it all is. Why thendo I wake up in the night shouting, ‘I have got to go down to the Museum NOW?’ Barbara Hicks, Joint Museum Curator
Hooky Ten Years ago
The big event in Hooky ten years ago was the Brewerys 150th anniversary. There was a visit from the Princess Royal who officially opened the new Visitors Centre on 9 September, which included a visit to the newly established village museum. From the report I gather that it was ready just in time! The Brass Band played at Stratford Races to mark the Hook Norton Brewerys 150th anniversary, some of the races having been sponsored by David Clarke. St Peters Church on 12 September was the venue for the Brewerys 150th Anniversary Service. A new piece of music, entitled Brewery Celebrations, written specially for the occasion by Ron Glynn, was played. A framed copy of part of the music score was then presented to David Clarke and his wife. There was a flower festival where the displays depicted the 39 public houses owned by the Brewery, reflecting the creative skills, ingenuity and hard work of many people.
With the end of the millennium looming, the village was humming with photo-shoots all over the place for the Local History Millennium book. Planning permission was granted for the new doctors surgery to the obvious great relief of the Parish Council and Dr Hurst. The playgroup had received a grant for equipment and the Sports and Social Club were applying for Lottery funding.
Things have changed to the good on the wildlife front. There was the reporting of the first sighting of a raven in the parish for the first time in 150 odd years. Now they are making frequent appearances in the wildlife reports. Likewise, kites were persecuted in the 19th century and are now being reported in the village after re-introduction in the Chilterns just 21 years ago.
FOHNCL had its first AGM and were relieved to have ensured that the library stayed open in the face of cutbacks. They donated the first computer to the library and have continued with support for the intervening decade.
Some things stay the same. The Parish Council had a vacancy and there were problems with the playground. The Brass Band had a busy schedule, planning for the Macmillan Coffee morning and Christmas Fayres were going ahead and there were complaints about parking. The Garden Club Autumn Show, the Cricket Club and the WI all contributed to the thread of continuity in the village. Long may it continue. Ed.
WILDLIFE NOTEBOOK – MID JULY TO MID SEPTEMBER
Ian Taylor in the East End phoned on 14 July to say that there was some debris on the edge of their lawn and, on investigation,he found alarge hole, one foot wide and two-and-a-half feet deep, below the roots of his privet hedge, with the remains of the paper wall of a wasp nest and a few waspsand one can only think that, within the previous couple of nights, a badger had dug up the nest, as they find wasp grubs particularly delicious.
In East End a lady was a little taken aback when she opened her compost bin to find a grass snake. These snakes are very partial to living in compost bins, so please take care.
I apologise to Gwen Whitehead in The Shearings, as in the last newsletter I reported thatshe had seen a pair of garden tiger moths, when, in fact, they were a pair of scarlet tiger moths on her comfrey and nettles.
In July, I mentioned about the huge number of painted lady butterflies, and in May David Shirt saw scores of them passing through the village, particularly on the top of the low hill behind White Hills Farm. There was a mass invasion into this country as the conditions in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco were excellent for the germination of the plants on which the caterpillars feed. It is amazing to think that they fly here from so far away! Each of the females from the influx in May will lay 300 eggs, so the painted ladies we saw in August were the offspring. Unfortunately they do not survive theBritish winter. They can be recognised by their rosy-orange upper side and black wing tips marked with white.
On 8 August, Martin Madge had in his garden on his buddleia bush over 25butterflies,seeing more in one day than he saw inthe whole of 2008. Other people have commented on the fact that their buddleias have been very popular with painted ladies,but also seen are peacocks, small tortoiseshells, red admirals, gatekeepers, commas, speckled woods, brimstoneand whites.
On 23 July, David Shirt saw a fine roe buck in the field behind White Hills Farm, looking bright foxy red in the evening sunlight.
For about ten minutes on 7 August a red kite was seen over Scotland End, which appeared to be quartering between theBrewery and surgery, flying up and downandwas a beautiful sight.
For the first time in quite a while, over Sibford Road on 9 August, David Shirt saw a raven, which wasflying high and calling. Little owls had been calling all day from the trees, which makes him think that therewere youngsters about. Seen in the fieldsnear the village in the middle of August were linnets, a couple of yellowhammers, chiffchaff, willow warbler, a pair of spotted flycatchers, hobbyand a merlin. The last swift was seen in the village on 15 August.
In early September, Nick and Frances Price in Park Hill phonedto say that over the last couple of months a female duck and her six ducklings have been appearing in their garden and at that moment it was lovely to see them all sitting on their lawn.
It was good to hear fromthose who contacted me and please let me know of any of your sightings. Geraldine Moore email:geraldine.moore1@btinternet.com
ST PETERS HOOK NORTON 2010 NATURE CALENDAR
Designed with photographs by Patrick Fox, is now on sale at St Peters, the Village Shop and the Post Office 5.00. This stunning A4 wall calendar features seasonal images of landscapes and wildlife, many of which were taken in, or near to, Hook Norton. All proceeds go to St Peters.
Village Oil Syndicate
The Hook Norton group oil purchase syndicate is now in operation. Last month the group placed its first order with Total Butler at a price 12% below the lowest quoted in Boilerjuice for this area.
The next order will be placed in early November, so if you wish to save money, be eco friendly and earn a donation from the oil company to Hook charities, then why not join.
There is no cost involved i.e. no joining fee and no monthly charge other than that for the oil you purchase. If you are interested, please contact the village coordinator William Stubbs williamandmarie.stubbs@btinternet.com.
Save the Playground!
Following the removal of the large multiplay from the playground, we are left with limited equipment for the children of Hook Norton to play on in the park. A steering committee (Supporters of Hook Norton Playground) has been set up with the support of the Parish Council and all villagers are welcome to join in. We are actively consulting with the village to see what equipment and facilities the community would like to see at the park, and are applying for grants to buy new equipment.
We are also looking for sponsorship of, and donations for the new play equipment sponsors will have their name proudly displayed on a commemorative plaque at the park if they wish. So if anyone individuals or businesses would like to sponsor a new swing seat, roundabout, climbing frame rung, bench or just donate some much-needed funds, get in touch via the new website: savetheplayground.co.uk.
Testimonials!
We also need as many testimonials as possible from as many users of the park as possible to show how much the park is needed and wanted in the village in order to secure some highly sought after grants. Please, please, if you have ever used the park in any way, do email emma@savetheplayground.co.uk, post on the Facebook page (linked from the website), or write a short note with your name on it and hand it in at the Village Shop labelled village park testimonial. All ages welcome we need as many as possible!
Low Carbon Hook Norton
As we mentioned in the August Newsletter, LCHN is seeking to start a conversation with the Parish Council, the local school and you, the residents, about our shared low carbon future so we can all start working towards it. At our last meeting, kindly hosted by the Brewery Visitors Centre, we considered whether people would like to start from a completely blank canvas or whether people would find it helpful to have a couple of concrete ideas to consider to get things started. From a sample of Hooky residents at the LCHN meeting there was a strong feeling that given that this is a group about action, both in our homes and our community, we should work up some specific examples in advance of a village-wide event.
So between now and November we will be taking outline ideas and seeing how Hook Norton as a community can turn these ideas into reality. Anyone out there not already involved in the LCHN group that would like to contribute to these ideas between now and our next meeting in November please contact Tim Lunel on lunel@btinternet.com.
By way of illustration, one thought is to build on the oil-buying syndicate started up by William and Marie Stubbs to include purchase of green electricity for the village and to use donations back from green electricity companies to fund photovoltaic panels on community buildings, such as the school. This would provide the community building with green electricity and LCHN money to invest in the next community project from the new Feed-in-Tariffs. The Feed-in-Tariff (or FIT as you may see it referred to in the media) is money that the Government will be paying (at around 36.5p per kW) to individuals and communities from 1 April 2010 when they generate their own green electricity.
We also look forward to seeing you there at our next planning meeting on Wednesday 11 November at 7.30pm at the Brewery Visitors Centre. We will shortlist the ideas that can be the starting point of our conversation with Hook Norton friends and residents. Tim Lunel
ST PETERS CHURCH
Todays youth often get a bad press, with us grown-ups bemoaning their lack of respect, excess of freedom, unsuitable attire, and tendency to rely on all things electronic for entertainment.
However, I do sincerely applaud and marvel at our wonderful young Christians, who in mid-September invited us to the fourth in a series of Youth Services. They organised and led the entire service, including worship, prayers and music, and also brought us an inspiring Word.
The service was testament to the strength in faith of many of our youth, and their real desire to spread the word of Jesus within our community. This is something that perhaps many adults in our Christian family should take a lesson from. Worshipping in private or within the confines of a church building is one thing. Standing up in front of your mates and saying, Yes, I believe in Jesus and want to have a personal relationship with Him, is something quite different.
Yet with Mission 2010 approaching fast (more details in future issues), we should perhaps all learn from and be heartened and encouraged by the enthusiasm in Jesus and love of God shown by our Christian Youth. They are truly lit by His Spirit.
A number of our teenagers recently completed the first Youth Alpha course, run locally by Chris and Laura Cooke. There will be more Youth Alpha courses, so please contact Chris or Laura for more details, or have a look at the St Peters website (www.stpeters-hooknorton.org.uk).
And do make the most of all the opportunities at St Peters for children and youth of all ages. These include our weekly Sunday Gang meetings at church, the Jesus and Me (JAM) club at school, the monthly Wheelers and Squealers get-togethers and JAM services, and the two Youth Groups.
Diary Dates …
Come and Sing Mozart Requiem: Workshop and concert on Sat. 10 October, at St Peters. The workshop runs 25.30pm (tea and cake provided!). Concert starts at 7.30pm. Workshop and concert price 15. Tickets for concert only (includes St Peters Mass, Britten; Lobet den Herrn, Bach) 12, concessions 9. For more details or tickets phone Jenny Mead, 730146.
This years CRAFT FAIR at St Peters is on 31 October (see notice in this newsletter). There will be lots of new skilled craftspeople this year, as well as established favourites. Dont miss it!! Becky Cooke is kindly organising the Grand Draw, so if youd like to buy or sell some tickets, please contact her.
Special services and other events at St Peters:
JAM Service: An all-age service tailored to our children, and held jointly with .Hook Norton Baptist Church. Every third Sunday, alternating between St Peters (10am), and Hook Norton Baptist Church (10.30am). The next JAM Service is at St Peters, on 18 October.
Regular Diary Dates:
JAM club: Hook Norton Primary School study centre, every Wednesday, 3.15-..4.15pm during term time. For children in Key Stage 2.
Wheelers and Squealers: Our regular get-togethers for the village tots, tinies .and their parents/carers. 11am at St Peters, every second Thursday of the month (see posters for confirmation).
Youth Groups: The Youth Groups meet once a month at the Norman Matthews .Memorial Hall. There are two groups. Energize is the group for all secondary school children, and Outlook is for young people in school year ten and upwards. For more details, Contact Chris and Laura Cooke or see the St Peters website (below). Next dates: Energize is on 9 and 23 October. Outlook next meets on 16 October and 13 November.
The Drop (See separate notice in this issue). At the Norman Matthews Memorial .Hall. Every Tuesday afternoon 57pm. Pool, table tennis, video games. Open to everyone in secondary school and upwards! Details from Chris Cooke.
Font Caf: 10am til 12 noon, every Tuesday and Saturday morning. Fresh .coffee, tea and biscuits, served free of charge. An opportunity to meet with friends, relax and chat. Children and well-behaved dogs welcome!
Sophia Fox, Churchwarden email: sophiafox1@aol.com
Hook Norton Youth Group The Drop
Letus introduce you all to a new(ish) youth club in Hook Norton, The Drop. Its at the Norman Matthews Hall (next to the library) and happens every Tuesday, 57pm.
Anyone in Year 4 upwards can come along and we have a pool table, ping pong, art stuff, Wii, outdoor games and more.
We are going togive you a progress report on how the club is going over the coming months. We are hoping to get our lease soon from the council(we have only been waiting two-and-a-half years) and will thentry applying for some grants to make the hall better and safer.
We are also looking for one or two more volunteers to help during The Drop, someone over the age of 18 who can be CRB checked. Just to help out for two hours a week,maybe if you need voluntary work for your Duke of Edinburgh?
We have info on our website:stpeters-hooknorton.org.uk (click on youth)as well asour contact details. There is also a blog and info about our other youth clubs, Energize and Outlook.
Looking forward to hearing from you and maybe seeing you at The Drop. Chris and Laura Cooke
BAPTIST CHURCH
At the beginning of August our church was transformed into a circus venue with a colourful set, streamers, bunting, and the wonderful artistic creations of the 49 children who made up the groups of (pretend) tumblers, jugglers, tight-rope walkers, clowns and the band. Along with lively songs, competitions and crafts, the children learnt about some of the wonderful things Jesus did when he was on the Earth, and about what an amazing person he is. Our barbecue night couldn’t have been wetter, but even so was well attended and much enjoyed in the hall.
We are greatly indebted to Ian and Elaine Coules who lead the holiday club every year with great enthusiasm and ingenuity. They led no less than ten clubs during the six-week school holiday, some weeks doubling up with another church to do one club in the morning and another in the afternoon. When they are not doing holiday clubs they travel the country doing school assemblies and otherschool and church events, often giving puppet shows or puppet workshops, andtraining sessions, as well as making their own sets and writing their own material. They do childrens ministry at Spring Harvest and are in great demand at other special events. Their latest venture involves leading children’s work in Ghana and supporting and training people there, and that’s where they’ll be during most of October, God bless them!
With summer over we now look forward to a new autumn programme. As well as those events taking place at our church, we are very much involved with preparations for the Mission due to take place next year locally, with the Anglicans and Methodists.
Here are some significant dates:
Sun 4 October: Harvest Service, 10.30am. Guest speaker Nick Manyumbu of London City Mission.
Tues 6 October: United Prayer Meeting for Mission. 7.30pm, Wigginton Methodist Chapel.
Sat 17 October: National Prayer Day NEC Birmingham.
Sat 24 Oct: The first of the new season’s Just Desserts events, a QUIZ NIGHT at the church, 7.30pm.
Sat 7 November: Bonfire and Sausage Sizzle at the graveyard, Osney Close.
Fri 13 November: Countdown supper, 7.30pm, St Peter’s Church.
Sat 21 November: Just Desserts, Dessert Island Discs, at the church, 7.30pm.
Hoping to see you at some of these events!
Dorothy Smith, Rev. John Taylor, Church Office Tel: 737315
Happy first Birthday to the new SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB
Hi All, I cant believe how this year has flown by it doesnt seem five minutes ago that we opened our new doors for the first time on 13 September 2008, having had everything tested (especially the beer taps) by the departing cricket teams the night before and now its one year on.
What a fantastic year we have had too. While all of our sports teams have been busy battling it out with their rivals (well done to the second team cricketers on their promotion this season!), we at the club have been working non-stop.
Thanks to all of you who have attended in one way or another this year, whether it be with private hires, munching bacon butties on Saturday mornings, fundraisers for your groups or attending one of our many social events. Your support has been much appreciated. Thanks to everyone who came to our latest event, the Motown Night on 12 September with Mission Blue.
Weve had both great times and sad times over the 12 months. Weve lost dear friends along the way and have also met many new ones we can now boast over 1000 members, including the junior sections, which is fantastic, and our sports teams are thriving. We have tried to offer a wide variety of activities and hope to introduce a few more over the coming months.
We introduced Aunt Sally to the club earlier this year and are pleased to announce that our A team have won Division 2 this season and have been promoted to Division 1!!! Well done to all of our players, especially our two team captains Kieth Wise (A team) and Richard Slade (B team) by the time you read this they will have collected the first piece of silverware for the new club and had their presentation evening by way of the Snail Racing Night on 26 September. If you supported it, thank you very much, if you didnt, hopefully I can say you dont know what you missed!!!!
All that remains is to say we hope to see some, if not all of you, very soon and heres to the next 12 months. Colette Warner, Secretary
CHEERS to HNSSC AND MANY HAPPY RETURNS !!!!!!!!!!!
BADMINTON
Join us for Badminton, Coffee and a Chat in the Memorial Hall
Tuesday evenings: 8.00 9.30pm 1.00
Thursday mornings: 10.00 12.00 1.50
No Leagues All games doubles
For more information, call Vicky
HOOK NORTON CRICKET CLUB
An enjoyable season came to an end in September with the Second XI captained by Clive Plant gaining promotion to Division 7 of the Oxfordshire (OCA) league congratulations to all those who secured promotion well before the end of the season. By contrast, the First XI captained by Dan White kept up the nail-biting excitement right up to the last game, living to fight another day (hopefully gain promotion next year!) in Division 2 with a thrilling two-run victory against top of the league Northleach on the last Saturday of the season.
It was a fitting end to the season for Tom Rothwell bowling the last two Northleach batsmen by hitting the top of off stump on both occasions. This was a season dominated by the younger cricketing talent coming from the Junior club now playing leading roles in the senior sides: Adam Webb, Tom Rothwell, Tom Bartlett, Andy Thomas and Adam Bennett, to name just a few of our rising stars!
Next year with a focused effort on getting runs on the board we look forward to an even more successful year so if you know any budding batsmen looking for a club where their talents will be really appreciated, just put them in touch over the winter!
Contacts: Seniors Tim Lunel Juniors Paul White
Hook Norton Harrier’s Hooky 6
August 2nd dawned cloudy with spots of rain, and we thought the Hooky 6 might take place in inclement weather a huge break with our traditional ‘sweltering’ race day. But the clouds cleared and out came the sun. We had a healthy turnout of 266 runners for the two lap, six-mile course and, for the most part, it all went off well (apart from some insults and minor road rage from a couple of motorists to one of our marshals, would you believe?).
The winners were Paul Fernandez of Abingdon Amblers in a time of 33 minutes 20 seconds, and for the ladies, Jude Craft of Headington Roadrunners in a time of 37 minutes 6 seconds.
Our next event is our Christmas Canter on 20 December, which is an altogether more low-key affair, consisting of a multi-terrain trot over ’6 country miles’ (fancy dress optional). So if some of you non-runners, i.e. footballers, cricketers, tennis players or anyone else over 16, relishes the challenge, do get in touch with us for an entry form. A hot mince pie and mulled wine, or hot non-alcoholic drink if preferred, awaits all finishers in our nice warm clubhouse afterwards.
Dee Hailey
HOOK NORTON (SENIOR SECTION) FOOTBALL CLUB
The final paragraph of my article in the August Newsletter predicted that the new season promises to be most challenging, both on and off the field of play. How accurate that prediction has proved to be, unfortunately! With seven league matches now completed, our First Team has just secured its first point and, in addition, it has made an early exit from the FA Vase. While all of these matches, with the exception of the most recent one at the time of writing, have been away from home because The Bourne does not become available until the cricket season has finished, the loss of home advantage cannot be blamed entirely for the teams poor form so far. The exodus of the majority of our experienced players from last season, together with Rizzys late appointment as manager and a reduction in sponsorship, have conspired to leave us relying on many of our young players (mostly under 18 years of age) from last seasons Second Team to form the nucleus of this seasons First Team.
It has proved to be a steep learning curve for these young players but one, which I am sure, they will gradually accomplish, especially with the introduction of a few more experienced players among their ranks. At this stage of the season, such players are becoming available and I know that both Rizzy and Mark Boyland (his assistant) are seeking to make a few of them come our way.
One thing is for certain, despite these early reverses, the spirit and comradeship remains second to none among our players, as do those of their management. It is now up to the rest of us to support and encourage the team in whatever way we can. Indeed, the club has worked extremely hard to put Hooky on the football map at this level and, as a consequence, we must ensure that all that hard work is not wasted without, at least, putting up a brave fight for survival in the Premier Division.
The Second Team has only just started this seasons campaign and its strength-in-depth is, of course, affected by the existing First Team situation. So far, it has played only two matches, both in the Presidents Cup, drawing one and losing the other. As always, huge thanks are due to the teams managerial stalwarts, Layi Olubaji and Andy Rogers. Theirs is often an unenviable task, but they carry it out with admirable good humour and always in the best interests of the club.
Up the Hooky! Geoff Jesse James
OAK (Oxfordshire Acoustic Collective) Presents
Live music at The Pear Tree, Hook Norton Tuesday 6 October 2009 9pm.
Charlotte Rosen. Singer, song writer, an amazing talent. Reminiscent of Beth Orten.Catch her before she moves on to playing bigger venues!
Ian Staples (The Visitor) A survivor of the 60s Ian has shared the stage with The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd. A captivating story teller with a truly unique guitar style.
Hook Norton Brass Band Autumn Concert
St Peter’s Church on Sunday 18 October at 7.30pm
All very welcome free admission and refreshments. Look forward to seeing you there!
Looking for Gifts? Find them at…
ST. PETERS CHURCH
HOOK NORTON ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR
SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER
10am 5pm
Now firmly established as one of the areas finest craft events
High quality handmade crafts offering unique ideas for original gifts
REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE ALL DAY
The Warriner Choral Society
The Warriner Choral Society under Musical Director Martin Quinn is proud to present Haydns greatest work, The Creation, in its English translation accompanied by the Akeman Chamber Orchestra and with visiting professional soloists.
The performance shall be on Saturday 7 November at 7.30pm in the church of St Peter & St Paul, Deddington. Refreshments during the evening.
Tickets 10 (8 children) are obtainable from Hamptons International Deddington, One Man Band, Banbury, Bloxham Post Office, or on the door.
The Great Hook Norton Photo Competition
Have you chosen your entries for the Great Hook Norton Photo Competition? The competition closes on 30 October 2009 so there is still time to get that perfect shot. We are looking for interesting pictures of the village, village life, people, or our surroundings as long as its recognisably Hooky, it qualifies. You can submit as many as you fancy. The pictures will be judged by a panel of experienced local photographers.
So dust off that old camera, play with your shiny new digital camera, point your phone or childhood Box Brownie, have a wander around the village and send us something amazing.
RULES
The competition is open to amateur photographers with a link to Hook Norton.
The photograph should be clearly identifiable as Hook Norton or its surrounding countryside, village life or residents.
The exact subject of the photograph is the choice of the entrant.
The photographs may be in colour or black and white, digital or film.
There is no limit to the number of entries per person.
There is no age limit.
Submissions should be by email to photo@hook-norton.org.uk as a jpg file no larger than 1 megabyte or as a print 5 x 7 via the Newsletter box in the Post Office. Prints should not be mounted or framed. Each print should be marked with the entrants name and address and telephone number.
The copyright of all entries remains with the photographer, but both the Hook Norton Newsletter and the Village Website (www.hook-norton.org.uk) retain the right to publish and display the photographs in the Newsletter and on the website in perpetuity.
The organisers will undertake to take good care of the prints but cannot be held responsible for any damage. Prints will not be returned unless a specific request is received.
The closing date for entries is Friday 30 October 2009. The results will subsequently be published in editions of the Newsletter and on the website. There is no alternative to the prizes offered.
The judges decisions are final and no correspondence can be entered into.
Prizes include:
A years membership of Banbury Camera Club see www.banburycameraclub.org.uk for full details.
A Photoshop workshop with local professional photographer David McGill: www.davidmcgill.co.uk/.
Professional printing vouchers from PhotoFinish in Banbury: www.photofinishbanbury.co.uk/.
OPEN STUDIO
Following a successful Artsweek Exhibition in May at her Studio in Bean Acre and then an August showing at Nick and Sakine Faulkners Persian Shop in Chipping Norton, Rita Wheatley plans a pre-Christmas Sale back at Bean Acre.
Every weekend between 31 October and 29 November, from 11am to 4pm, there will be an exhibition of her recent work. This will include paintings, prints, woodcuts, screen prints and greeting cards. She hopes that her new series of local scenes, inspired by her walks around the Hook Norton district, will be of particular interest to those looking for a unique Christmas gift.
For more information contact Rita at www.ritawheatleyart.co.uk.
Katharine House Hospice
Akeman Voices, 8pm, Saturday 10 October,
Church of the Immaculate Conception, Bicester
See this wonderful choral group perform Haydns masterpiece, The Creation.
Tickets are 10 (under 16s free) and can be purchased from The Earth Collection, Market Square, Bicester or by calling 01295 679175. To find out more, please see www.akemanvoices.org.uk.
Kathartic
An Exhibition and Auction of Donated Original Art with Champagne Reception 7.30pm, Saturday 10 October, Tudor Hall School, Wykham Park, Banbury
This prestigious fundraiser will include an exhibition and auction of affordable artwork (all framed 11 x 13), created and donated by predominantly local artists, many of whom are nationally renowned. Holloways Auctioneer, James Lees, will auction each item in the exhibition, and a raffle of sculpture, ceramics, wood sculpture and paintings will also be held. Tickets 25 (to include champagne reception and canaps), available from the Fundraising Office on (01295) 812161. All proceeds to Katharine House Hospice.
Banbury Camera Club Exhibition, 2025 October
Michael Heseltine Gallery, Chenderit School, Middleton Cheney
Talented members of this local club will once again exhibit an eclectic mix of photographs. Opening times: TuesFri 9am5pm, SatSun 11am4pm. Sales will benefit Katharine House.
Collegium Regale Concert, 7.30pm, Sunday 1 November,
St Marys Church, Adderbury
Back by popular demand, these internationally renowned Kings College Cambridge Choral Scholars will perform a wonderful repertoire of music spanning eight centuries. This will include sacred music, folk songs, part songs and close harmony, for which the group is best known. Tickets are 16 and are available from the Fundraising Office on 01295 812161. Book early to avoid disappointment.
HOOKY PLAYERS
Our next production will be the pantomime ST GEORGE & THE DRAGON, with rehearsals commencing in early November. Production dates are 10, 11, 12 and 13 February 2010, with a matinee on the 13th, too. The committee has taken note of numerous comments from the public (expressing concern at the length of pantomimes in recent years) and to this end, St George & The Dragon will not run beyond two hours duration. Nevertheless, it will contain all the traditional characters, i.e. hero, heroine, dame, villain and comics. It has a strong storyline backed up with great music and songs.
Tickets will go on sale on 11 January 2010 so, bearing in mind the usual demand for seats, please book early to avoid disappointment. In the present climate of recession we have managed to keep our prices the same as for the last three years, i.e. 6.50 for adults and 4.50 for concessions. Brian Rider, Producer and Director
HOOK NORTON FILM SOCIETY STARTS NEW SEASON
The new season of films has just started but its not too late to join Hook Norton Film Society. Programmes and membership forms are available from the Village Shop, the Post Office and the library. Six out of the 13 films have been released very recently 2008/2009 but we also go back to post-war Italy for the 1948 film Bicycle Thieves and to 1950s Britain for The Man in the White Suit (on which, incidentally, one of our members was an assistant producer and is sure to offer some unique insights into the making of this film). On 23 January we are offering the rare experience of viewing, one after another, all three films in the Three Colours trilogy by the renowned Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski. This takes place over an afternoon and evening: what better way to spend one of the shortest and darkest days of the year. For further information call Andrew Bowen or Jill Rose or visit the website http://hook-norton.org.uk/village-life/village-groups/film-society.html.
Stour Singers presents a golden opportunity!
Following last months article launching Stour Singers new (34th) season, the choir received many enquiries form folk keen to get back to singing all of them sopranos! This is a golden opportunity for any singer to find a choral home and you will be especially welcome if you have a lower voice: alto, tenor or bass.
For Advent, Richard Emms, the societys founder-director, has chosen a lovely mix of music contemplating the role of Mary in the Christmas story. Then in May 2010 there is a Handel-Vivaldi concert with the added excitement of singing with the Orchestra of the Swan.
There are no auditions! Richard is a fine teacher and also produces practice CDs so that you can learn the music at your own pace. Rehearsals areon Thursday eveningsat 7.30pm at Shipston Primary School. For further details please contact: Vic Twyman. Tel: 01608 664215
Spinners and Weavers Group
Dates for Diary venue Hook Norton Baptist Church Hall
Tuesday 20 October from 8pm – Spinners and Weavers Exhibition, plus craft video.
Saturday 14 November 10am4pm – Activity Day Christmas preparation
Day costs 6 + materials for fir cone decoration
Hot celebration meal (optional) 6. Booking essential for both workshop and meal
Contact: 01295 251088
Can you spin or weave? Would you like to learn to spin or weave? Do you have an interest in textiles and would like to hear some excellent speakers on aspects of these crafts? Are you interested in joining a group of like-minded people who meet in Hook Norton on a monthly basis?
You would be very welcome, you do not need to be an active practitioner of our crafts to feel part of the group; an interest is quite sufficient. The Cotswold Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers would be glad to see you at their meetings in the Baptist Church Hall, Hook Norton, this winter. Our annual exhibition of work is being held on Tuesday 20 October from 8pm onwards. We look forward to meeting you.
Rose Kirkcaldie, Hon. Sec. Membership
As a member you would enjoy
v participation in all our day workshops, held monthly on a Saturday in the winter months.
v Evening meetings are held on the third Tuesday in the months from April to October. We frequently have speakers, but also a range of other activities including practical aspects of crafts.
v Some equipment is available for members to borrow, so that as a beginner there is not an initial large outlay. Our library is a wonderful resource for both beginners and those looking for fresh ideas.
v Informal spinning groups are held throughout the year at times to suit members. A similar group for weavers is under discussion.
v Outings take place when there are events of particular interest.
v A newsletter three to four times a year keeps members informed.
Hook Norton Brass Band
Whitby 1st and 2nd August despite torrential rain for most of the journey from Oxfordshire to Whitby, all the band members managed to make it in time for our 2.30pm slot at the bandstand on the harbour front. It was encouraging to see that the rain had also not deterred everyone else from getting out and about.
We played a varied mix of music, including some items that are very familiar to the band and also some of our newer items. Golden oldies included the marches Sons of the Brave and Dambusters, film favourites Born Free and a medley of Robbie Williams’ songs. One of our recent additions The Ashokan Farewell features our flugal player Dawn Jennings, who played it beautifully, and along with other items, such as The James Bond Collection, the music brought a smile to the Whitby locals and visitors.
After our concert from the bandstand we had free time until we were to meet again for an evening meal at Mr Chips. It was certainly a treat to sample the local fish and chips and many of the players were extremely hungry having not had time to grab lunch earlier in the day. After the meal many of the band went on to have a few drinks in the town and this was a good chance for the band to spend some time together socially and have some fun.
Breakfast at the hotel was saved until 9am, although this was not early enough for some people. Martin Quartermain was determined to get the most out of the weekend and is a keen walker, so he was up early enough to see the sun rise having set off to fit in a walk before breakfast! Special thanks go to Martin for stepping into play solo euphonium on the trip since he is usually our solo cornet player some say he didn’t take much persuading as he has previously played euphonium with the band in days gone by.
Sunday boasted a beautiful clear blue sky and lovely bright seaside sunshine. A number of the band in true Ashes fashion showed off their skills with a game of cricket on the beach followed by a bit of a paddle in the sea, others took the opportunity to explore the town and visit the Abbey, and two intrepid walkers walked to the village of Sandsend the entire way along the beach!
Our secondafternoon concert was enjoyed by a great many more people than the previous day owing to the much improved weather. There was a festive atmosphere with the bustling of people passing by, the steam-powered tour bus passing by every half an hour or so and children running about and playing. The crowds were keptentertained with a similarprogramme to the Saturday after which the band rose to take the applause and assembled for a group photograph in front of the bandstand.
Our tour had been a particularly special trip for our horn player and Hooky resident Bill Randal whohas wanted to visit the seaside town ever since, as a school boy in the 1930s, he completed a school project on the lifeboat stationed at Whitby. Not only did he manage to visit Whitby but he also saw the very lifeboat on which his project had been based all those years ago!
A thoroughly successful and enjoyable trip, which hopefully can be repeated in the future. Many thanks to Jenny,our conductor, for making it happen. Nick Wilson
ARTS PAGE
I cannot believe that August and the Edinburgh Festival has flown by a more accurate description would be floated by!
However, it takes more than rain to dampen the Fringe atmosphere. Two fabulous solo performances highlighted our theatre visits Rohan McCullough was so real as she charted her role as the wife of Churchill in My Darling Clemmie by Hugh Whitemore. Dario Fo (he of The Accidental Death of an Anarchist) got his friend and collaborator to translate and perform Francis, The Holy Jester. Mario Pirovano had such wonderful conviction and energy in portraying a very different view of St Francis of Assisi than we normally imagine. Both plays, I am sure, will end up on tour; I hope in our patch.
A rattling good romp was Sheridans The School for Scandal, where a cast of comics ad-libbed with gay abandon. It was a hit of the Fringe and a sell-out. If I tell you 77-year-old Lionel Blair was a star as Sir Peter Teazle who has married a too-youthful bride, you will understand its hilarity.
Back home and a more serious theme is dealt with in Philip Ralphs Deep Cut at Warwick Arts Centre, 13-17 October. The title refers to Deepcut Barracks and deals with the deaths of four young soldiers there.
The same venue is proudly re-opening the refurbished Butterworth Hall so any music lovers will find a series of concerts by world-renowned orchestras in October the Box Office is 024 7652 4524.
Chippy Theatre is adding to the Churchill season with At War With Churchill on 29 September. Then on 8/9 October is Martin McDonaghs The Beauty Queen of Leenane. We saw this at Kenilworth and if you want to see a darkly comic tale of family relationships, this is it. Before the panto preparations start, there is a production of Othello between 15 and 17 October. The Icarus Theatre Collective has a good reputation for exciting and innovative productions.
Some of you know the Literature Group is going to Theatre Royal Northampton in October to see Tennessee Williams early play Spring Storm. This is in repertory with Eugene ONeills Beyond the Horizon from 9 October and will prove a mighty powerful season.
Laughter should be aplenty at Malvern with Michael Frayns comedy Balmoral starring Rik Mayall. Set in 1937 we discover the 1917 Revolution did not happen in Russia but in Britain Balmoral has become a writers commune! Dates: 1217 October.
And dont forget The Everyman at Cheltenham has Penelope Keith, Polly Adams and Benjamin Whitrow in Entertaining Angels, 2631 October. A chance to see it before it transfers to the West End.
Finally, our other local theatre, The Mill at Banbury, is producing an interesting run of plays in October/November covering such names as Hitler, Dracula and Faustus. I love the variety this small theatre offers.
After seeing an impressive exhibition at The National Gallery of Scotland The Discovery of Spain, where the Spanish masters mingled with British artists who visited the country from early 19th century to 1930s it is interesting that Londons National Gallery is putting on an exhibition from 21 October, The Sacred Made Real Spanish Painting and Sculpture 16001700. This should be a healthy contrast to the Royal Academy exhibition, opening on 26 September, of the latest works of Anish Kapoor described as one of the most influential and pioneering sculptors of his generation! John Wheatley
COMPTON VERNEY – October Half Term
Join us this October half-term and take part in two great family activities. Drop-in and make your very own still life collage. Drawing inspiration from The Artists Studio exhibition and using a variety of interesting collage materials you can create an original artwork to take home. Or maybe you would like to be entertained by our very own storytellers. Sign up at the ticket desk to listen to an epic adventure tale woven around one of the classic paintings in our permanent collection.
Activity included in admission price.
To find out more call 01926 645500 or visit comptonverney.org.uk
Cherwell DC – Food Waste Collections
Im writing to update you on Cherwell District Councils plans to extend the recycling service so that all food waste (cooked and uncooked) can be collected for composting. The new service will allow residents to switch any food waste they have from their green to their brown bin.
Were calling the campaign Time to Switch! because the aim is to urge as many residents as possible to put any food waste they have into the brown bin. That way well collect the maximum amount for composting.
We will be rolling out the collections in stages over a six-month period. Hook Norton will be one of the first areas in the district to come onto the scheme and you should have received a Coming Soon leaflet during the week commencing 28 September to give you an idea of how the scheme will work and what to expect.
The following week (week commencing 6 October) you will be delivered a kitchen caddy, a roll of complimentary compostable liners and a Time to Switch! information pack. The information pack will give residents all the information they need to know.
The kitchen caddy is designed for indoor use and has been provided for residents to use in their kitchen and then transfer the food waste to the brown bin.
The first collection under the Time to Switch! scheme will be on 20 October, which is the usual day for the brown bin collection. (There are no collection day changes with the scheme.)
Craig Stephens
THAMES VALLEY POLICE
Whats happening in my neighbourhood?
Banbury Rural Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) covers an area split into two neighbourhoods, each one made up of a cluster of villages. Hook Norton is in the Banbury South Neighbourhood.
We have just finished the community engagement process where the team has been going out, helped by the NAG, surveying the local people on what they believe the local issues are and what the Police and Community Safety Partnership should be focusing resources on. Speeding, parking and anti-social behaviour (ASB) were identified as the most important issues and these will be tackled by the policing team and the NAG over the next 12 months.
I also wanted to share with you that by far the biggest majority of those who voted identified no issues as their top concern having been given the option to identify up to three concerns to the policing team.
Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) Lana Smith, Nikki Dale and Neighbourhood Specialist Officer (NSO) Becky McLeod have been working their way around the villages and replacing the neighbourhood team posters on notice boards and in local shops and pubs. These provide up-to-date information regarding our neighbourhood priorities as well as putting faces to the names of the officers responsible for your area. Should you require any posters then do not hesitate to let us know on 0845 8 505 505.
Speed Enforcement Week and Community Speedwatch
PCSO Nikki Dale is running Community Speedwatch for the rural area. We have access to a Speed Indication Device that can be used with volunteers in order to both enforce and educate drivers, if a location is deemed suitable. If you feel that there is a problem and your village would benefit from such a scheme, please contact PCSO Nikki Dale on 0845 8 505 505.
Anti-social behaviour
We have been informed of incidents of anti-social behaviour in the play park in Hanwell and PCSOs Lana Smith and Nikki Dale have been conducting regular patrols to deal with this problem.
It has come to our attention that the old railway line in Milcombe is used as a hang out for youths. The inherent issues of underage drinking and noise have often been a problem for residents, and will not be tolerated. PC Gerry Doyle has been speaking to the neighbourhood anti-social behaviour team for guidance on this matter.
Thefts and criminal damage
Unfortunately, there have been some thefts across the area from outbuildings. These have included fuel and other items that are easy to sell. Once again we urge you to be vigilant and if you do notice anything out of the ordinary then let us know on 0845 8 505 505. In conjunction with our colleagues, we have being conducting extra patrols in the rural area. If you require any advice on crime reduction contact Jayne Taylor during office hours on 0845 8 505 505.
As we are sure you are aware, there have been recent distraction burglaries in Twyford and Adderbury. The offenders have targeted elderly and vulnerable people in the area. Please do not open the door to someone you do not recognise or are not expecting always ask for ID. If the caller is genuine, they will be happy to return by appointment.
Meetings and surgeries
The rural team will be running police surgeries again now that we are fully staffed. This will be a drop-in session where you can receive advice and information about all sorts of police matters, from crime reduction to parking.
Nominate a neighbour
Do you live near to an elderly or vulnerable person? Please call us on 0845 8 505 505 to become a Nominated Neighbour. This is a brilliant scheme that helps to protect those that are elderly and vulnerable from distraction burglaries and rogue traders. If the vulnerable person has someone come to the door, they can ask them to go to you for verification of identification. This is done without the person having to actually open the door a yellow card with your house number is held up in the window. If they are genuine, they will come across to you, and you will be more equipped to verify that they are legitimate. Please help protect your neighbours.
Re-inventing Neighbourhood Watch
We are interested in reinventing the Neighbourhood Watch scheme in several villages in the South. Many of these villages had a very active scheme a few years ago, which has since gone stale. If you are interested in taking a proactive view in protecting yourself and the area in which you live, please contact Debbie Tonks in the Watch Office in Banbury on 0845 8 505 505.
Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance
Following the successful 10th Anniversary Abingdon Air & Country Show on 4 May 2009, the event organiser (Neil Porter) and deputy organiser (Andy Porter) visited the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance at its home base of RAF Benson during that stations recent Families Day event.
Abingdon Air & Country Show is much more than just an airshow. With something for all the family, this event features historic vehicles (cars, commercials, buses,
ex-military, steam and tractors), arena events, live music, military displays,
re-enactment groups, farmyard displays, childrens entertainment, craft/farmers market/general trade stalls.
The Air Ambulance is the charity supported by the all-volunteer organised Abingdon Air & Country Show and part of Neil and Andys visit included the presentation of a cheque for 7000 arising from this years show. This figure represented an approximate 40 per cent increase over the donation made to the same charity in 2008 no mean feat in these difficult times. Indeed, during its ten-year history, Abingdon Air & Country Show has donated 28,000 to charities.
