WASTE PAPER SKIPS

will be outside the Sun Inn on the mornings of

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDING

31ST DECEMBER 1998

Receipts Payments

P.O. Box £ 225 . 48 K.M.S. Litho £2859 . 00

Advertising 1714 . 00 Stationery etc 209 . 74

Donations 1056 . 67

Interest 32 . 38

_______ ________ Total Receipts £3028 . 53 Total Payments £3068 . 74

B/Fwd. 1.1.98 2105 . 49 Balance 31.12.98 2065 . 28

£5134 . 02 £5134 . 02

December Meeting: Ms M Hirst spoke about a proposal to change the Youth Club into a Health Club - this would not leave the Youth Club without a place to meet - and to purchase the property, then lease back the Library premises to the County. The buildings would then be given to the village. Any profit from the Health Club would be ploughed back into the Library and Youth Club. Ms Hirst had a questionnaire that she said she would distribute throughout the village once the Parish Council had considered the proposal and agreed it might be feasible.

Mr Jelf, Chairman, said that no immediate decision could be taken and that the matter needed further consideration.

The carousel in the play area is still not repaired and Mrs Salter said she was still in touch with Hag (the supplier) and waiting for them to provide information. The new fence is in place and it is hoped that this will deter further damage to the wall.

It was agreed that the Hall needed tidying up inside. This entailed having the interior painted and purchasing new curtains and rails.

The Hall garden is now completely out of hand and the Clerk was asked to get quotes for flattening this so that it could be mowed on a regular basis and revert to a grassed area needing little or no maintenance.

Pot holes were again in evidence and Mrs Salter asked the Clerk to contact the County and ask them to fulfil a promise made some time ago to re-surface Brewery Lane.

Arrangements for an evenings entertainment - Don Quixote - were in place and Mr Couldrey said he expected a good turn out.

An additional light in Bourne Lane was to go ahead. This will be just by the bend where the children cross the road to stay on the pavement. It was also agreed to have an additional Dog Bin for East End.

January Meeting: The Precept was the first item for discussion and Mr B Clay presented figures for consideration. After a lengthy discussion it was agreed that the Parish would ask Cherwell for £22, 500 (last year it was £20, 000). This would allow some money to be spent on the interior of the Hall and also included money for the first step in a Feasibility Study. The Clerk said that there was a Small Grants Fund by the Lottery Charities. She had made enquiries and they would consider an application. The Chairman took the forms.

Don Quixote had been a great success, reported Mr Couldrey and a total of £198 had been taken. Of this £99 had to go to Cherwell and Mr Couldrey proposed that the other £99 should be given to the Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company who did such a good job.

Mr Couldrey had samples of curtain material and a quote from a local supplier. One design was considered most suitable and Mr Couldrey was asked to liaise with the supplier over the whole of the project. The Clerk was asked to get quotes for the internal decoration.

There was no progress over the repair of the carousel in the play area, said Mrs Salter. The bark under the swings needed raking back into place and the one remaining tree was in a sorry state, leaning over with the posts and wire pulled about. The Clerk had taken advice on protecting trees but it seemed that it was a major problem in the district.

New pot holes will be reported and the County said that they had scheduled the top dressing of Southrop, the road through the village and Brewery Lane in the summer.

Signs had been vandalised and two litter bins needed putting back on their posts.

Mr Cockerton had quoted for the coming seasons grass cutting and it was agreed he should continue to do the job.

Dog fouling has again become a problem throughout the village in spite of the bins that have been provided. Dog owners should bear in mind that if they are caught not cleaning up after their dog and are reported, they could suffer a Fine of £1000.

Mr N Matthews, County Councillor, read out a report from a Football Bulletin on a match hosted by Hook Norton Sports and Social Club. This said that Hook Norton had been very welcoming and had offered excellent facilities to the visiting team. Mr Matthews said he felt that congratulations were due to the Hook Norton team.

It was agreed that the March Meeting would be set back one week to allow Councillors to attend a Planning Seminar at Cherwell District Council offices. Radon Information Units outside The Sun Inn: 2nd, 8th,11th and 16th March

Hook Norton Library Group is now FOHNCL (Friends of Hook Norton Community Library). FOHNCL continues with its plans to preserve our present opening hours - this with the help of the Parish Council to the tune of £1,200 - and are looking into the possibility of Saturday Morning Opening! Very soon it plans to spend some money on new books, have a computer up and working during Spring and to continue with the successful Children's Story sessions on the Wednesday of Half Term. A number of other ideas are also being discussed.

This, of course, needs MONEY. In the questionnaires which were returned last year, many of you indicated that you would be prepared to pay a small sum from time to time to help us achieve these short term aims. We would like to give you the chance of becoming a 'subscribing member' of FOHNCL by making that donation. We thought that £5 for one adult or £8 per household for this coming year would be a reasonable amount to ask, although any amount would be welcome! If you didn't get around to returning the questionnaire, or don't manage to use the library, please don't let it stop you from making a donation.

[A form is enclosed and can be taken to the Library or The Post Office. Please put the form and your donation into an envelope. Cheques can be made payable to FOHNCL]

We are likely to be in for another lean time as Oxfordshire County Council announces its financial strategy for the year from April 1999. The usual struggle with central government is taking place and Oxfordshire County Council Cultural Services (formerly MALL) has to decide on and publish its plans for financing our libraries. Oxfordshire seems to be the poor relation as far as the government is concerned, only receiving a 3.8% increase in funding as opposed to the national average of 5.2% Consequently we expect that times will yet again be hard and that there will be little money about.

Our problem has not gone away.

The library needs to be well-stocked, well-appointed and well-used to keep it OPEN.

The quality of the video is very good and gives a very good record of last year. Jo is very generous when she does her videos with all the profits going to charity. The video is one hour long and costs just £8.50, of which £3.50 comes straight back to School as Jo's donation. You might be interested to know that last year Jo donated a cheque for £73.50 to the FOHNS which was very kind of her.

Last November, a woman identifying herself as editor of BBC Homes and Antiques magazine telephoned to say that she wanted to print some photographs of our garden by Andrew Lawson and she would need information for captions and a brief article. When we worked out what the photos must be, we thought publication wasn't a good idea as we hadn't seen the photographs and no longer lived at Talbot House. It then emerged that the article was almost the last thing to be written for the next issue, she said, and it was vital to get it completed in hours rather than days since the magazine was already on it's way to the printers. We were given the full spin with glowing reports on the photos until eventually we agreed to publication, subject to the approval of the new owners of Talbot House.

The following day a journalist assigned to write the article telephoned us. One or other of us was on the phone to her for well over an hour, trying to explain things she had never seen, with reference to photographs we had never seen, of a garden that no longer existed in that form. Aside from the church, the only detail in the photos that we could unquestionably identify for her was our cat. Our name for her, Puss, was a disappointment to the writer.

We received a copy of the magazine by post at the same time that regular subscribers did and were very surprised to find ourselves, as much as the garden, the focus of the article. It was very odd to read about 'Pam and George' in the third person, with 'she says' and 'he says' followed by things we weren't aware of having said. There were few errors as such, but the writer's interpretation of our comments wasn't always what we had intended to say. However, the photographs were good and we knew most readers wouldn't bother about the Hummers when they could look at the pictures instead. And Puss looked terrific.

It was only afterwards that the penny dropped and we realised that the magazine is about homes and antiques, with no mention of gardeners in its title. With 'homes' and 'antiques'to choose between, we know which category we belong to! George and Pam Hummer.

It is too late to book any organised entertainment and probably too expensive. I share some people's concern about an organised event. It may not be much fun for the organisers who will be too busy to enjoy it and will be very disappointed if it is not well supported.

There will be many events during the year 2000 when the weather is likely to be better. I believe the best way for all the village to celebrate going into the year 2000 is by simply gathering in the High Street close to midnight. Perhaps everyone could carry a candle or lantern (you might need them if MEB have not fixed their computers!). Wouldn't it be marvellous to see the whole Hook Norton community congregated at the centre of the village sharing this unique occasion! After singing in the New Year people could then drift back to parties or just the warmth of their own homes.

Dear Edmund, You were my favourite character because you spoke well and acted well. Your costume was very good and well made. My favourite scene was when you became King because it was exciting and enjoyable and when you sang the song Turkish Delight. they WERE VERY GOOD EFFECTS. Thank you, we enjoyed it. Yours sincerely, Kieren McKee

A Christmas Fayre with gifts to share!

Saturday, 5th December, the day of Hooky School's Christmas Fayre! With Christmas just around the corner, there was much festivity in the air. The School was brimming with excited customers caught in the spirit of Christmas. There were many stalls to buy gifts, such as cakes, fine wines, arts and crafts and even a visit from SANTA CLAUS!! The School choir sang two songs as a tribute to the fayre. This was finished off by a traditional raffle. Mike Pockett

Buses to Banbury: There have been minor changes to the times of buses to Banbury. After the 7.23am and 7.48am, all later buses run 5 minutes later, at 10.23 etc. Times from Banbury are unchanged but the bus will be a little later back. This is because the Browning Road diversion in Banbury has been re-instated since 30th November. The new times are shown on timetables at the bus stops at the Church and the Green. The new bus station in Banbury is now in use. It is nearer to the rail station, by the traffic lights.

No new buses: The County Council received no tenders for the proposed late evening bus home from Banbury and decided that the cost of an additional (hourly) bus throughout the day was too great compared with other new services it was considering. Therefore Hook Norton gets nothing from the Rural Bus Service Grant.

Peter Fry, Parish Transport Representative, Tel: 730509

Dean Cooper and Claire Louise Busby were married at St Peter's Church on 5th December 1998

In excess of £2000 was raised playing carols outside Banbury supermarkets throughout December and around Hook Norton on the Sunday before Christmas. Once again, the Band has decided to make a donation to an organisation/charity in Hook Norton - more details in the next newsletter. Since Age Concern (Banbury) provided all the collectors the remainder of the money will be divided between them and the Band.

Several Friends of the Band have made enquiries about the annual appeal. All Vice Presidents and Friends will be receiving a letter and news bulletin shortly. We intend to stage another Friends Concert in late Spring - this will be advertised in April's Newsletter.

A belated Happy New Year to all our supporters from the Hook Norton BRASS Band. Charlotte Bird, Secretary.

If anyone has any jumble, bric-a -brac or cakes they wish to donate, please contact Mrs Pearce on 737030. Thank you.

We are pleased to announce that renovation work on the back room of the Playgroup building has been completed and we now have a second classroom. Following the purchase of various items of furniture and a cooker, this room will be fully functional. This will allow us to increase numbers up to 24 per session. We are therefore in a position to increase the number of children we can take from surrounding villages which have no nursery school provision. Please pass this information on to any interested parents, who may contact Playgroup for information on session availability (01608 730560 between 9am and 12 noon).

The building work was carried out by R. Warner of Over Norton and we would like to thank them for working over the holiday period, including New Year's Day. This work was made possible by a grant from the National Lottery Charities Board which was applied for by a previous committee. Payment of the grant was delayed because we had to negotiate a new lease with Oxfordshire County Council - a special thanks to Mike Barlow for his help and advice. We were given a three year lease for which myself, Jenny Mead and Moira Dorey have signed as Trustees. Unfortunately we now have to pay almost £1500 a year in rent plus related maintenance costs, money which Playgroup has never had to find before. This is on top of our day to day running costs and the purchase of new equipment etc, so as you can imagine our fund-raising events are now more important than ever. Also, our project for this year is to resurface the playground, work which we hope to carry out this summer.

On Saturday March 6th we are holding a Spring Craft Fayre at the Memorial Hall from 2pm to 4pm. (Donations for the Easter Egg Tombola welcomed and can be brought to Playgroup or given to a staff or committee member). We will also be holding our Summer Raffle again this year and hope to have some great prizes. Further information to follow.

an entertaining afternoon on January 19th when guest speaker Richard Westcott talks and demonstrates his roles as a pantomime dame. The February meeting on Tuesday 16th should be of great interest, when Mr Tim Sutton-Woodhouse who is a trainer of 'Hearing Dogs for Deaf People' will give a talk and will be bringing his dog and possibly a puppy under training. The AGM. will be on March 16th and will also be a coffee afternoon in aid of the Meningitis Trust.

Members have been saddened to hear of the recent death of ex-member Mrs Harrison, she was a loyal member for many years.

A team of eight skilful embroidery enthusiasts are well under way in designing the new Hook Norton W.I. banner and hope to start work on it in February ready for the 80th W.I. Craft Show to be held in Exeter Hall, Kidlington in September. If it is selected it will then be displayed at a special millennium exhibition.

Visitors will be welcomed at all the meetings (£1) and refreshments are included. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 2pm in the Baptist Hall. An interesting programme of speakers and outings is promised for the rest of the year. Finally, thanks to the Gate Hangs High for an excellent Christmas lunch on December 15th enjoyed by members, ex members, husbands and guests.

For information contact Lee Morgan 737525 or Sue Barrett 737277.

Further to extensive recruiting, the good news is that there are five new applicants to the local Fire Service. Once the applications are processed, training will begin in earnest, hoping to have all five operational by the Summer.

Thank you to everyone who has assisted in spreading the word regarding the shortage of firefighters and we look forward to the Station operating for many years to come.

Incident Report: The last two months saw a comparatively quiet time for our firefighters with a total of 19 calls. There were two false alarms, one of which was of good intent and eight standby calls for Banbury. In Hook Norton one chimney caught fire and in another house an electric plug caused a small fire.

Hooky firefighters assisted at the fire at Kraft Jacobs Suchard and attended a house fire in Banbury where there was one fatality. Five fires in barns and derelict buildings in nearby villages were tackled and there was an incident concerning controlled burning on a roadside verge.

The charity Sense International was founded in 1994 - an offshoot from Sense, the National Deafblind and Rubella Association which was founded more than 40 years ago. Sense International works to improve the quality of life for deafblind throughout the world. The actual trek in Nepal was put together by STC (the Specialist Trekking Co-operative) which is owned and run by Doug Scott (of Everest fame) and his wife Sharu. This company is non-profit making and has set up a trust fund to support long term projects in Nepal. These vary from building a school, a monastery and a health clinic to piping clean running water to isolated communities. Imagine our surprise when the great man himself met us at Kathmandu airport!

Our sightseeing in Kathmandu was curtailed due to the onward flight from Doha to Kathmandu being cancelled. This meant a 17 hour stopover in Doha. I managed to sleep for ten of these hours, but in a city where the temperatures were well into the 100s and the humidity was 97%, I was probably in the most comfortable place - an air conditioned hotel room!

There were 24 people in our group ranging in age from 19 - 52 years and included two chaps with Usher syndrome - a truly cruel disease which affects both hearing and sight. In our first group get-together when we all had to introduce ourselves, I was heartened to find that we had a paramedic and a masseur in our group and then when I met a Guider from Birmingham I felt quite at home. Our support group consisted of about 25 local people - a Sirdah (the leader), sherpas, porters and the cook. These wonderful people walked in flip flops or trainers with massive loads on their backs: they sang to us and entertained us and were just so happy to be with us.

Our trek lasted six days and took us round the Helambu circuit in the foothills of Nepal Himalayas. We walked about 75K, climbed to an altitude of over 11,000 feet and throughout the trek went up and down 10,000 feet! The scenery was stunning and very varied - sometimes quite alpine - everything green with lovely flowers, and then we would find ourselves in a jungle with no obvious path and leeches waiting for us on every leaf that we touched. We walked through masses of rhododendron bushes the size of trees and felt this area must be one to visit in the Spring when they are in flower. Our final descent took us down through paddy fields and banana groves.

We slept in tents - two to a tent - and had a big mess tent up in the evening for supper. We were lucky enough to have loo tents provided each night - the loo was just a hole in the ground - but during the day you had to fend for yourself. Washing facilities were extremely limited, as were the available daylight hours in which to wash! Wet wipes were a godsend and I will never travel anywhere ever again without them! We were walking at the end of the monsoon but were very lucky with the weather - we only had one afternoon and night of rain whereas both the groups before us and after us had rain every day. The temperature varied - the hottest it got was about 45C but generally it was like the best of an English summer day, warm and sunny with beautiful fresh air. At the end of the day, the absolute silence of the dark, starry nights and the stillness of the atmosphere was magical.

A typical day saw us awake at 5.30am and walking by 8am. We would walk until it was almost dark (about 6pm) and sometimes in the dark. All our meals were cooked for us - breakfast was porridge and eggs, lunch was usually a cooked meal but sometimes a sandwich, always with a bar of chocolate. Supper was a three course feast. The food was all local - rice, lentils, vegetables etc. and there was a plentiful supply of tea. Along the way there were innumerable tea-houses serving fresh tea (though milk was not always available) and coke, fanta, water etc. Each campsite was situated just by a village, so we tended to celebrate at the end of each day with a beer or two.

I would never have believed that 24 people, of all ages and from different walks of life, could become such a close knit group in so short a space of time. Health wise we had the inevitable blisters and sore knees, one broken toe and several gippy tummies, but no major casualties despite two people slipping and falling over the edge of the hill. We all looked after and supported each other during the trek, sharing our pills and potions, paracetamol and plasters. Three romances started in those magical mountains - obviously some people received more TLC than others!

My souvenirs from Nepal are somewhat diverse and include a silk cushion cover, some trekking trousers and a yak bone bracelet. My photograph album is well thumbed - I still look at it most days - but my memories are unique. To anyone out there who is contemplating a charity trek/bike ride/whatever - DO IT, and do it now. You will derive enormous pleasure from it - and of course some pain - but with the added bonus of knowing you have raised money for charity. The five treks that went out to Nepal in September raised in excess of £220,000. Thank you all again for your support. Di Walker.

But it was not just the guests who received gifts - the Care Group received a present from the organisers of Hook Norton Market. A welcome £100 donation will be put to the Group's funds and used at their discretion.

In recent months Chipping Norton Lions have presented the centre with a camera and a bingo set and they have also provided food parcels at Christmas not only for Day Centre guests but for other needy folk in the village.

The Centre's party was once again a time of jollification and eating. A lunch was organised by Yvonne Higgins and her band of helpers which was greatly appreciated by all those attending.

After Father Christmas's visit - he came from Chipping Norton Lions and was helped by two young helpers - Hook Norton Brownies presented a play and entertained with songs and carols. Then it was time to go home armed with presents and goodies provided by the Care Group. Co-ordinators Sheena Maule and Ann McKee received gifts from the Group for their unstinting efforts throughout the year. Keith Wood 737443

Christmas seemed to come and go even more rapidly than usual but it was certainly celebrated with enthusiasm at St Peter's. The church was full for the Candlelight Carol Service on Sunday 20th December and again for the Crib Service on Christmas Eve. This was a beautiful presentation by the children of the story of the Nativity, complete with a pony representing the donkey, which carried Mary round the church and a real sheep accompanied by many small shepherds. There were many small angels too.

The Midnight Communion Service was well attended and the flowers were beautiful, as usual.

The Annual Church Sale took place on Saturday 16th January. This was a happy occasion and raised £800 for the church, a satisfactory result of the hard work put in by Mary Powell and her helpers and our sincere thanks go to them.

It is already time to look ahead to Lent and Easter - which comes early this year, on April 4th. There will be a Lent Course on Wednesday evenings in the School - see posters for details. On March 14th there will be the Mothering Sunday Service in St Peter's at 10am. 'Music for Passiontide' this year is to be in St Giles' Church, Wigginton, on Maundy Thursday (2nd April) at 7.30pm.

On Good Friday the 'Hour at the Cross' is at St Peter's from 2 - 3pm.

Easter itself will start with Blessing of the Paschal Candle and Holy Communion, Rite A, at 11.30pm on Saturday 3rd April and there will also be Holy Communion Rite A at 10am on Easter Day.

THANK YOU - from Sandra

I just want to thank everyone for all their kind messages. I had no idea how you

all felt. I shall miss you very much. Take care all of you. Sandra Fathers

This year the HNCA want to really get people from the village and surrounding areas involved in the activities on the field and in the arena during the Fayre. In addition to the other events being put on, we propose holding a Hooky "Country Games" Team competition for which we are inviting entries.

If there are any aspiring team leaders out there who want to gather a group of six to eight friends to take part in competitions such as:

Welly whanging Barrel rolling Straw bale house building Egg catching

Tug-o-war Tractor pulling Straw bale rolling/leap frogging

then please let us know NOW through the following contact points:

Simon Mead Hicks Lodge, Sibford Road Tel: 01608 730146

Richard Dorey Peverel, High Street Tel: 01608 730376

The competitions will be run in heats (depending on how many teams we get), with a grand final to take place between the top two or three teams, taking place in the arena in between other events.

Whilst still a few months away, preparations for both Folk in a Field and the Rural Fayre are progressing swiftly. We are planning to introduce several new events to create an exciting and fun filled day out for everyone. If you would like to help in the pulling together of these events, please contact Simon Mead - Secretary of the HNCA (as above) as we would welcome as much help and support as possible.

I've found a few Muntjak traces in the mud and have seen an occasional fox. Rachel Johnston and Dorothy Smith both saw hedgehogs in their gardens off Sibford Road and Queen Street.

Bird tables and peanut feeders have attracted a variety of birds but numbers are down particularly the sparrows and finches. Goldcrests, Coal and Long-tailed Tits have all been seen but so far there are no reports of Blackcaps or Siskins. Fieldfares and Redwings have gathered in flocks of up to 200 in pasture fields while an arable field opposite the Gate Hangs High attracted over 50 Linnets and 25 Pied Wagtails. In mid - January a male Tawny Owl could be heard hooting in the village and early morning bird song included Song and Mistle Thrushes, Collared Doves, wrens and robins.

All reports and observations welcome. Steve Holliday, 8 Whittons Close. 737038

At this months meeting of the Club it was decided that we should go on trying to keep the Club going despite the very poor support we have received. A limited programme has been arranged and it is hoped that we can begin to rebuild as this programme goes on.

The first event on the calendar is an evening of Short Mat Bowls to be held at Middleton Cheney on February 2nd, then we are hoping to arrange an evening at Woodgreen. The season begins in April so if there is anyone interested let me know (737464). Bowls is one of the friendliest games there is - you must have seen a lot on television. We can't make you an expert like those people but you will enjoy the game, the friendship and the competition. We have the facilities, we have the programme, all we need are the players!!!! Les Humphries

Jo's video of a Year in Hook Norton 1998 is available in the Post Office or on 737199

Jane and I are so pleased at the safe arrival of our first grandchild, born on the 19th December. Baby Joshua is doing fine, exercising his lungs and all the other things babies do. We are looking forward to his "Dedication Service" here on 7th February. In fact it looks like February is going to be quite an eventful month.

Saturday, 6th Feb is the first Saturday Special for children this year and will be part of our Y2000 initiative; we shall be looking at "Y" He Came " at this event, seeking to answer some of the questions children ask. The main craft will be modelling with clay. In the afternoon members will be Spring cleaning the church. The following Sunday afternoon we have the wedding of Jonathan and Lynda and at the end of the month Jane and I will be on holiday in Israel.

During the second weekend in March I shall be celebrating my own golden jubilee and we shall be enjoying one of our regular shared lunches following morning service. It is encouraging to see the numbers of people joining us for worship Sunday by Sunday slowly growing. Everyone is welcome, so come along and join us. Details of our Easter Programme are as follows:

- Maundy Thursday 1st April Fellowship Meal & Communion 7.30pm - Good Friday 2nd April Short Service 10am - followed by the joint Prayer. Walk and Witness around the village - start from St Peter's and conclude at Baptist church hall with hot cross buns and refreshments.

- Saturday 3rd April early morning prayer meeting at 8am- Easter Sunday 4th April Communion Service 8am. Easter Breakfast 9am - Morning Family Service & Believer's Baptism 10.30am

The Centre is open on Mondays when "guests" socialise and have a cooked meal. There are also outings; last year these included a river trip at Stratford and a visit to the Chipping Norton pantomime as well as shopping expeditions.

Trial visits can be arranged. Keith Wood 737443.

This would entail the building of a new Club and Sports Facility with much improved features, also there is a possibility of some extra land for use in sporting recreation. The committee is hopeful that these developments will eventually be realised.

Meanwhile the Club goes on expanding with more and more social events being organised. There was a Saturday Night Disco in aid of the Football Club on Saturday 30th January, a General Knowledge Quiz on Sunday 24th January and there will be a Sports Quiz on Sunday 28th February. Several private parties have been booked in February and another Christening party has just taken place. The Club is available for private functions and can be booked from Mike Battley (737734) and Terry McKee (737094).

There is a Friday night club night during which a Thrift Club is being organised with the deposits to be made between 8.30pm and 9.30pm from the first week in February, open to all Sports and Social Club members and of course, any new members are welcome. Hubie's Sunday Lunchtime Sessions are growing in popularity, particularly for those ale lovers who like a good pint of Hooky.

Whist Evenings on Monday nights at 7pm are proving popular and also Bingo sessions on Wednesdays at 7.30pm are always available. New Bowls Club members are needed as well so with Summer soon around the corner, why not come along and try your arm.

For more information on any of the above functions please contact Mike Battley (737734) and Terry McKee (737094). Mike Battley, Chairman, HNS&SC

On February 2nd we have Jan Warner coming to talk to us on the 'History of Child Rearing' and on March 2nd we hold our AGM (8pm this meeting only) and some of our non - Hooky born members are to share some of their memories. We meet in the Study Centre at 7.30pm. Visitors and guests are welcome (£1 including refreshments). Further details on 737842 and 737017.

FOLK IN A FIELD 3 3RD JULY 99

Plans are well advanced for this year's Folk in a Field. The event will start at 4.30pm and feature a range of quality sets from five great bands which will include rock, blues, folk-influenced indie covers, standards and original compositions, from Steppin' Out, Ruf Cut, Rev'lator, The Hedgehogs and Outsider. It will be a great night. Make a date in your diary now. More details later. Pat Groome and Graham Hendy.

On February 27th, TwentyFourSeven, a social-realist drama starring Bob Hoskins made in the UK in 1997 - Cert 15.

Two more films next month. March 13th - 'Sally of the Sawdust'. A silent film made in 1925, starring the great W.C.Fields - Cert U and on March 27th - 'LA Confidential', a taut and bloodstained thriller made in 1997 and said by some critics to be one of the best films of the year. - Cert 18. This is a benefit screening night. Everyone including members pay £4 to see the film. Suppers start at 7.15pm. Film at 8pm. Further details on 737411 or 730407.

This term we are hoping to finish off our Walkers Badge; we have one last walk to carry out with the Assessor, which we are hopefully completing near 'Thinking Day'. Next week we are all going swimming at Heythrop College, where some Guides will be able to be assessed for their swimmers badge if they wish.

For Kate, Kayleigh, Lauren, Kimberly, Katie, Megan and myself, 1999 promises to be an exciting year. From 24 - 31st July we are joining another eight Guides and one Leader from Oxfordshire to go to the World Camp at Foxlease, in the New Forest. This will be the first World Camp in 75 years, with 1500 Guides from the UK and the same number travelling from all over the world. This will be an opportunity of a lifetime - a chance for the girls to do lots of new things and to meet lots of new friends from all over the world.

This event will be costing a large amount of money for each Guide and we shall be organising some fund-raising events over the next few months. Some of you will already have had a letter from me. Please remember that every little helps and any help you are able to offer us would be very much appreciated. Please look out for further information around the village and in the next Newsletter.

Many thanks in anticipation. Julie Wood, (01608) 737998

A concert in aid of Leukaemia Research will be given by The Musicke Companye in St Peter's Church on Saturday 13th February 7.30pm. Tickets £7.50 and £5 available from 01608 737172 or on the door.