I have started to put in notices of births in this issue. If you would like your baby's arrival noted in the Newsletter would you please let me know as I have no reliable way of knowing except by word of mouth.

Advertising Judy Leader 730609 Distribution queries: Julian Bolton 737153 Calendar: Howard Hicks 737017 Proof-reading: Nigel Lehmann

Joyce Hinton would like to thank all those who supported Peter and herself during the last months of his illness. The many and regular visits of his friends were so very much appreciated and were a real source of comfort to them both. Her family joins her in sending their heartfelt thanks to you all.

February: There was a lengthy discussion on the Cherwell Local Plan Review where three areas in Hook Norton had been put forward for future development which would add considerably to the number of houses. An Open Meeting was planned for March 24th and a letter to be delivered to every house in the parish.

The Sports and Social Club asked the Parish Council to write a letter to the County asking for a longer lease than the 25 years on offer. They would also like to put up a sign to direct people to the Club.

The new curtains for the Memorial Hall were almost ready and it was agreed that the internal decoration should go ahead.

An agreed Feasibility Study for the Hall had been delayed until such time as it was known if a Grant Application had been successful.

The Guides would like to attend a 'World Camp' but it cost £160 per head. The P.C. agreed to sponsor one Guide.

One of the rocking toys in the Play Area was pulled out of the ground and needed reinstating. Mrs Salter said she had some of the parts for the carousel. Trees are constantly vandalised and the Clerk consulted Cherwell to see how they coped: the answer was that they kept re-planting in the hope that in the end a tree grew.

The lamp post was in place in Bourne Lane but so far no connection had beenmade to the supply.

The Clerk said that there had been a successful audit of the books and read out a few comments that must be taken into account in the next financial year.

The Village Map was framed and complete and was to be placed next to the bus shelter by the Sun.

One of the benches in the cemetery had been vandalised and it was agreed that the shed could be removed.

March: Planning matters were discussed and the Planning Seminar at Cherwell District Council attended by Parish Councillors was felt to be badly organised with little opportunity for a question and answer session. Most present felt that any objections they made to planning applications were never taken into consideration when permission was granted. Hook Norton Parish Council has a very efficient Planning Committee which has site meetings and give considered responses.

An additional site has been proposed for development. This is in addition to those reported in the Parish Council's leaflet which was delivered to every house.

It was hoped that there would be a good turnout at the March 24th Meeting which had been arranged to discuss the four proposals now put forward.

The new curtains were up in the Hall, much admired and a great improvement. The painter will start work on March 29th and the Hall will be out of action for two weeks. Further improvements are to be considered as money has been set aside out of this year's budget. The cost of new tables is to be investigated.

Jazz Night was a huge success and all who attended it thought it a great night out.

Further dog bins are to be installed in the hope that they will be well used. The amount of dog mess throughout the village is a disgrace. Please clean up after your dog or face the prospect of being reported and a subsequent hefty FINE .

The Annual Litter Pick will take place Sunday, April 18. Anyone wishing to help should come along to the Memorial Hall at 10am to pick up a bag and gloves.

The 'Memorial Map' is now in place by the bus shelter; A plaque is to be installed in memory of Tom Hazzard who kindly bequeathed £1,000 to the Parish Council.

HOOKY MUSICAL DELIGHTS During the last week I have been fortunate enough to have attended three very different types of musical concerts. Firstly I attended the Musicke Companye performance on Saturday 13th February in St Peter's Church which was organised by one of the Companye's members - Helen Rogers - who lives in Wigginton. This was truly a very high class classical concert performed by young people who obviously enjoyed what they were doing. The atmosphere and acoustics were splendid and I feel sure that those present shared my appreciation.

On the following day I was present at the production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' performed in the Parish Church at Middleton Cheney by a large cast of American students. Their enthusiasm was quite amazing and contagious; the young man taking the part of Jesus was incredibly well cast.....he moved me so!

In considerable contrast I then attended the Jazz Concert given by the Heart of England Jazz Band held in our own Village Memorial Hall on Friday evening last and organised by the Parish Council. I can rarely remember such a good evening's entertainment which only cost me £3.50. It was a fantastic evening and the Parish Council are to be congratulated for their efforts in obtaining such a high class group of musicians to come to Hooky to play to us. I excitedly await their return and I suspect there are many other folk who share this view. We are truly blessed in having so much good music and musicians in our midst. Paula Clarke - writing on February 20th.

MEMORIES OF TOM WILLIAMS - and HOOK NORTON

Many of you will remember my father Tom Williams, who lived at Fair View Farm, Sibford Road and in later years at the Old Orchard, East End.

Tom was born in 1911 and died on 3rd April 1992. His parents, Gertrude and Tom, were both strict Methodists. His grandfather built both the Methodist Chapel and Memorial Hall. Tom took an active part in the many activities of village life whether it was sport, amateur dramatics, council work, or his day job, farming.

Do you remember in 1936 when cases of typhoid were diagnosed, wells were closed and water brought for three years by cart? Not only was the water polluted but there was no proper sewage system. As a member of the Parish Council, Tom took up the issue and later when he was elected onto the Rural District Council, fought, along with other people, for clean water.

The 1930's saw May Day celebrations revived. Josephine Cox was May Queen in 1936 followed the next year by Mary Jarvis. These were the years of the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary, followed by the unexpected Coronation of King George V1 and his Queen after the abdication of Edward. School children went on trips arranged by headmaster Mr Ainley. All this came to an end in September 1939 with England at war. Can you remember the war years in Hook Norton, the arrival of the many evacuees, rationing, the blackout, gas masks and enemy action?

All these memories are precious, however small and insignificant you think they may seem. If you were part of them I would be most grateful if you would get in touch with me as I am writing about my father's life, which is as much about the history of Hook Norton as about him.

Five of the Rangers have now completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards and two of those who are going on to work for their Silver Awards will be going to the New Forest for a practice expedition (30 mile hike with two nights camping) during the Easter Holidays.

If any girl over thirteen and a half years would like to know more about Rangers, or would like to come along for an informal visit to one of our meetings, do get in touch with Jenny Bruton (737542) or Di

Walker (737946).

If you are aged between 12 and 25 years and would like to come to the club, we are open every Thursday from 6.30pm until 9.30pm and you will be made very welcome. Maybe you might have some ideas on how to spend the raised money we now have on some equipment for the centre. Laura Riley

The cost of this visit is £1,200 and Jane is expected to raise much of this by her own efforts. Her major fund raiser, so far, was abseiling down the multi-storey car park in Banbury. This event had been organised to raise money for Comic Relief and Jane had permission from the organisers also to raise funds for her own visit to Canada.

Jane has also received donations, from individuals and Guiding organisations. Other fund raising events are being planned, including a sale of a Quiz sheet, competition to win Beanie Babies, children's disco, line dancing evening, tombola, etc., and we would like to ask for your support when these are advertised. Of course, if anyone would like to make a donation towards Jane's fund-raising, she would be only too happy to hear from you!

Jane can be contacted at 3, Rectory Road, Hook Norton, 0X15 5QQ Tel:737542

A PLEA

Will the person who took this bike from outside the village shop please return it to Val Cornelius at 'Symnel', High Street. Just leave it in the garage at the side of the house and remain anonymous.

Remember, just because a thing is left somewhere, it does not mean you have to take it, when you know it does not belong to you!!

More than 70 people were thrilled by the Heart of England Jazz Band, a sextet all of whom were vocalists, who in the past have toured Europe and played in New Orleans and St Louis. Their repertoire of upbeat traditional jazz created a wonderful rapport with the enthusiastic audience. The remarkable accurate playing of the clarinet (Selwyn), trumpet (Pete), trombone (Tony), double bass (Roger), drums (Clive) and the banjo (Dave), brought to mind wonderful memories of the Artie Shaw, Jimmy Dorsey, Harry James, Bix Beiderbecke and Louis Armstrong era. The Acker Bilk sound completely captured the hearts of a lively audience.

During the interval, while enjoying liquid refreshment provided by Sub Officer James Clarke, the folk present gave generously to the Firemen's Benevolent Fund which amounted to well over £100.

The event was sponsored by Cherwell District Council through their Rural Entertainment Scheme together with Hook Norton Parish Council who wish to thank all who gave their help and support to this enjoyable and exciting evening. Barry Couldrey

Grateful thanks are extended to Stuart, Joyce and Susannah for their hospitality and generosity for this annual charity event held as a memorial to the late Victoria Clarke. The date of the dinner this year - 8th March - coincided with what would have been Victoria's 25th birthday and the Clarke family are indebted and grateful to all the many people who continue to support this worthy cause.

The original fund-raising idea was commenced at the request of Victoria herself back in 1984 when she was in a period of remission from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

It would seem, if calculations are correct, that this years dinner has raised over £1750. THANK YOU ALL. Paula Clarke

FOLK IN A FIELD 3 (Saturday 3rd July 1999)

In what is rapidly becoming a tradition, the Hook Norton Charitable Association is again staging an open air folk, rock and blues night as a curtain raiser to the Rural Fayre.

The six bands featured this year have well-established reputations and, as previously, the event is expected to be a sell-out.

Topping the bill this year will be Steppin' Out. This South Wales band, known the length of the M4 corridor, is well used to bringing its vibrant mix of rock and blues across the bridge and over the airwaves. Winners of the prestigious Musician Style Award, appearances at Leicester Square and on Radio 1, Steppin' Out's passionate energy has won them many admirers, not least in Hooky where lead singer Pete now lives and, as solo artist, has been entertaining the locals under the name Pete Port Talbot for some time. Expect an exciting combination of original material and covers spanning the 60s to the 90s, the best of the Golden Age of rock from the Small Faces through to the Manics. Rock 'til you drop!

Rufcut have quickly established an excellent reputation in the Banbury area. The members of this four-piece rock-blues outfit have long since cut their musical teeth playing in a rich mix of hard rock set-ups. Influences include Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Walter Trout. They've just cut a new CD. Listen out.

Regular visitors to Folk in a Field will be delighted to know that Rev'lator will once again be appearing. Their distinctive sound of folk-influenced indie music - by turns lyrical, catchy and driving - has found a wide audience. Their second CD, 'Songs from Bard County', has just about sold out. Try 'Our Price' in Stratford. Better still, seem them live.

Percy (formerly known as The Hedgehogs) are a talented Liverpool group who are no strangers to the outdoor festival. Having played at Biddulph last year, they can't wait to get to the heart of North Oxfordshire. Shaken by 60s and 70s rock - The Who, Led Zepplin - and stirred by James Taylor, Alanis Morissette, Kula Shaker, Percy claim their rock is flavoured by a twist of folk and a hint of funk. Ooh! Aah!

We're delighted to welcome Sorcha's Fancy, an authentic Irish folk band whose sweet rhythm, stirring reels and nostalgic lyrics captures the essential spirit of traditional folk. They have a strong local following and a growing reputation. Not to be missed.

Outsider have taken Camus to heart. They have opened themselves up to the benign indifference of the universe and taken Oxford and the music world by storm. This talented young band, from folk-indie roots, plays with cool confidence and has attracted mega interest from major record labels. Pulse magazine rates them as the most refreshing, entertaining, best known and sheer favourite of Oxford's post-rock bands. Not bad for local lads. We're in for a treat.

This is a bigger and longer event than last year, 4.30pm - 11pm. Gates open 4.0pm. The best value gig around. Proceeds to charity. Buy your tickets now from the event's sponsors: The Bell Inn, The Gate Hangs High, The Pear Tree, The Sun - Hook Norton, The Masons Arms - Swerford. Advance tickets: Adult £6 Concessions £3 Tickets on the gate: Adult £10 Concessions £5 Further information and enquiries: Pat Groome, Chapel House, Chapel Street, Hook Norton, Oxon (01608) 730396

http://www.vice.clara.co.uk/hooky/charity/hnff.htm

HOOK NORTON HARRIERS

Have you watched the London Marathon on the TV and thought - I'd like to do that? or are you jogging to keep fit but find it hard work? or were you a sporting person but haven't done anything for years and feel the need to get back?

In Hook Norton there's a running club which is known in the area for it's friendliness. A club where all grades of runners from event winners to joggers who don't want to race are welcome and encouraged. Just turn up on a Tuesday night at 7pm or if you want further details or need introducing on club night get in touch with Don Cornelius on 737547.

You can see the club at work on Sunday morning 25th April - the Oxfordshire Road Relay Championships is being organised by the Harriers for Oxfordshire Amateur Athletics Association.

In March, Jean Andrews of Shrewley covered the life story of Charles Maries, the 19th Century Warwickshire plant hunter, who introduced many plants to this country, several of which were named after him. Mrs Andrews had followed in his footsteps to Japan, China and India and showed slides of her explorations.

April is of course the month of the Spring Show. This is on Saturday 17 April and schedules will be available in the Village Shop and the Post office from the end of March. Entry is restricted to club members, but anyone wishing to join can do so on the show entry evening, Thursday 15 April.

The May meeting will feature a talk on hardy geraniums by Gerald Sinclair, a nationally-known expert, who will bring along plants for sale.

Advance Notice: Autumn Show photographic categories: Reflections, Person at Work, Bridges (4 prints on one mount). The subject for children will be Summer. Contact: Pam Wood 01608 737443

The Annual Meeting of the Care group will take place in the Baptist Hall on Wednesday 28 April at 2.00pm. The present officers and committee members are willing to stand for re-election, but if anyone else would like to join them they should obtain a nomination form from the Secretary, Pam Wood (737443).

It would be appreciated if as many volunteers as possible could come along to the meeting, to demonstrate the good level of support we have in the village. Keith Wood 737443

Hook Norton Community Education Centre's courses for the Summer term start on Monday 19 April unless otherwise stated in our Summer Programme. We have several NEW courses starting including Holiday Spanish, Beginners Golf, Tap Dancing, Plant Propagation, Greenhouse & Conservatory Gardening, Red Cross Baby-sitting Course, Water-colours & Drawing (outdoors weather permitting) and Tennis Coaching. Programmes are available at all local shops, post offices, libraries, surgeries etc. If you require further information or a programme please give us a ring on 01608 730052.

Join in any of our classes for free this week. This is an ideal way to try something that you may be thinking of joining in the Autumn. Please ring to check availability of spaces first.

FREE taster sessions on offer -

German - an introduction to German conversation - all levels welcome.

Family History - find out how to trace your Family Tree.

We are currently planning for our Autumn term programme and would welcome your ideas of what you would like to see on offer here. We will try to put on activities that you want, so please give us a ring or call in to the Community Education Office at the Primary School.

David, Paula and James Clarke were invited to listen in to the presentations and at the end of the proceedings the Archbishop presented David with a signed photograph together with a compact disc of music from Canterbury Cathedral. David then gave the Archbishop a presentation box of bottled beers for him to enjoy at his leisure. A very brief look at the Brewhouse was undertaken and the Archbishop and Mrs Carey appeared most interested.

That this visit should take place this year was good as it is the 150th year of brewing at Hook Norton Brewery.

Prior to coming to the Brewery the visitors had met at a nearby farm, Temple Mill at Sibford, to hear about local life from the Farmers point of view. P.C.

Jo's Village Diary for 1998 is on hire at the Village Shop in an effort to raise some money for village causes. (If you have taken this video out on hire, please return it as soon as possible). Jo can be contacted on 01608 737199.

July 27 1604. A lovely morning so I rode out to the Rollright Stones to view Long Compton and the surrounding countryside from the hill. Another horseman was already there. He was leading his heavily- laden mare around the stones, curiously threading a path in and out of the mis-shapen blocks of oolite.

As I had approached through the trees, wearing their thick summer garb, he did not notice me at first. He talked to himself and gesticulated to the sky with his hands and arms.

Straining to catch what he was saying, I quickly noted it to be a kind of doggerel. The two lines that he kept repeating rhymed so I remember them easily. He shouted "double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble." As he came to the end of the couplet he appeared opposite to me and started violently as he saw me.

Neither of us spoke. For my part I did not know if I were confronting a lunatic, although from the noble slope of his brow and his travel-stained but expensive cloak and boots he seemed harmless enough. The most striking thing about this man, who was in early middle age, were his eyes. I felt their piercing directness and the sense of unfathomable wisdom. Suddenly he smiled, whereupon his whole countenance lit up as from an inward glow.

"I beg your pardon" he said in a soft Warwickshire burr. It was not my intention to startle you." "No offence sir," I rejoined. "I am Canon Dumbleton of the parish of Hook Norton which lies a mile or two yonder." I waved my hand vaguely in the direction of St Peter's which of course could not be seen in the vale.

"And I am William Shakespeare, of Stratford upon Avon, on my way to London by the Woodstock Oxford road" answered the stranger. "Tis a tedious journey and I welcome any diversion. My profession reverend sir, is actor and playwright" he added with what I thought was a touch of pride. "We are a curious, itinerant breed and it requires only some ancient monument such as a castle or antique stones like these to provoke or inspire us to perform. I was rehearsing, you might say, a fragment of my new play."

He bowed low very gracefully. "Of course I was not aware that I had an audience, otherwise I might have performed better" and he gave a tinkling laugh that was very fetching.

"What was the substance ?" I could not help enquiring, for I admit to have been much taken with this man.

"Some trifling adjunct to a greater, bloodier matter" he returned. "Our gracious Scottish King, James, has many virtues and wide interests and one of the latter is the study of witchcraft and demonology." He patted the mane of his mare. "To make his way in this breathing world, every artiste occasionally finds it necessary to prepare a humble offering to lay before his sovereign. In this way, I was able to please the late Queen Elizabeth, God rest her soul (we both crossed ourselves) by answering her royal request to show Falstaff, one of my comic characters, in love." "I have no doubt" he continued "that my next play about the fall of a tyrannical Scottish king may be equally well received by his Majesty. Like his great predecessor, he is well disposed towards the theatre, thank the Lord".

"And so you stopped at this wild, high place to seek some local colour?" I enquired.

"Rather to see how some of my lines might sound in such a harsh amphitheatre" he explained. "These stones are justly famous though not of the size of those at Stonehenge in the west country which I observed some years ago" he observed. "But there are some curious legends associated with Rollright, particularly the one about the witch who turned this king and these knights into blocks of stone." He smiled merrily. "I am certain that if his Majesty were here with us now he would be equally enthralled with the story."

"So like a composer, who may sit upon a mountain to soak up atmosphere which he then translates into a ballad, a playwright can equally find inspiration in the scenes, sounds and mysteries of nature ?" I ventured.

"Precisely" said my new friend, "you put it very well. Since arriving here, my head has been abuzz with ideas and words, words, words." He tapped his high forehead around which the auburn hair had begun to recede, although it was long and luxuriant at the back and sides.

"My only acquaintance with words are those I jot down every Saturday in readiness for my Sunday morning sermon at St Peter's." I said. "I find them to be usually my enemies and not my friends. I would not know how to go about writing a play, how is it done?"

Master Shakespeare threw back his comely head and laughed loudly. "How does one go about breathing?" he retorted eventually. "To me, one is as natural as the other. One breathes to live. I write poetry and plays because they are the children of my brain and cry to be born. Firstly, an idea forms from some piece of history or from an old story or even an old play. The characters and scenes then grow in the mind until they are as intensely real as everyday acquaintances, perhaps more so as they are often of royal significance and therefore their rise and fall is of a more epic nature."

"And how do you, the writer, capture the true characteristics, speech and actions, not to mention the humours and manners, of such a multitude of characters, high and low, who inhabit a play?" I asked.

"By observation sir, by acute observation" he replied. "In the way that a dramatic poet learns from intuition, study, skill - and one hopes from a touch of genius - never to write or place an injudicious word, but observes at all times a harmony and balance, that enables him to hold, as it were, a mirror up to Nature."

He shifted slightly in his saddle, which indicated to me that he was anxious to be off on his long journey. "And so you are now on your way to join your fellow-players in London?" I ventured.

"I hope to see that great city by tomorrow night" he answered, shaking his fine head solemnly. "But I am Stratford born and bred and will never cut the strings that tie me to my native place. I left behind in the early hours today a good wife and two daughters who grieve my going but well understand that my future, and theirs too, are bound up on the capital, the court and the theatre."

He turned gracefully in his saddle, adjusting the sword at his waist and the pistol at his belt, and reined his horse's head towards the nearby ribbon of turnpike that stretched towards Woodstock.

"Well, goodbye Canon and give my best wishes to your good people of St Peter's. I pledge my faith in the collegiate church of the Holy Trinity, where I am a deacon and a lay preacher and frequently read the lesson," he told me. "I have never read to a Canon although I have declaimed poetry and acted before a Queen. You may well have heard that King James has embarked upon an authorised version of the bible and I am happy to be acquainted with some of the great poets and writers he has set upon this task at Hampton Court. Their theme is perhaps the greatest story of all and has inspired them to touch the highest realms of poetic art. Allow me to leave you with a sample of this art."

And standing up high in his stirrups, Master Shakespeare struck a pose that was at once heroic and religious. He declaimed - "And though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophesy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I have nothing..... When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put aside childish things. For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

Finished with this speech which, I freely admit, impressed and moved me greatly, he spurred his mare and cantered away across the fields towards Hook Norton. At the turnpike, he turned south, but not without a pause and a cheerful wave of the bonnet, and so left me to think hard on the remarkable Master Shakespeare as I walked my horse home through Great Rollright and then down to Hook Norton. John Ballantine

Mrs Barbara Gray, the V.C.O. link from Oxford was welcomed to the W.I. AGM on Tuesday afternoon 16th March to give of her expertise on the election of a new president from the committee of eight members. Susan Barratt was duly appointed, and grateful thanks were given to retiring president Lee Morgan who sustained the W.I. during a difficult period last year. Lee thanked everyone for their support. A gift was presented to her by Barbara Rusbridge. Reports were given and money was raised for the National Meningitis Trust from a Bring and Buy sale and donations.

The afternoon meetings continue to be popular and two recent ones have been greatly enjoyed. Pantomime Dame Richard Wescott gave a hilarious demonstration of his act in January and Mr Tim Sutton-Woodhouse brought his dog to the meeting in February to demonstrate the skills of 'Hearing Dogs for Deaf People'.

New members and guests continue to be welcomed and can look forward to a talk with slides on Sri Lanka, to be given by Diana Watts on Tuesday 20th April and a treat for embroidery enthusiasts on 18th May, when Laura Belshaw from the Royal School of Needlework will display her work, along with possible exhibits and techniques from other embroiderers.

Everyone can enjoy buying gifts and produce from the W.I. stall at the 13th Rural Fayre on 4th July! The W.I. Wallhanging/Banner currently being embroidered by a talented team is making good progress, depicting scenes of the village and will be displayed at the W.I. Craft Show in Kidlington in September. All the 1999 W.I. members will sign and embroider their names on the back of the canvas.

Meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month at 2pm in the Baptist Hall. More information from Susan Barratt 737277. Marion Roberts

Don Cornelius and daughter Leigh-Ann Sylvester

Don and Leigh-Ann have been training hard since November for the London Marathon. No doubt many Hooky residents have seen them running the lanes on Sunday mornings. This year they are both running for the Muscular Dystrophy Group and in the Daily Express Rupert team. Please sponsor Don and Leigh-Ann and help fight this terrible disease which effects many thousands of people. Sponsor forms are in the Post Office (many thanks Isita) or you can phone Don on 737547 with your sponsorship pledge.

Congratulations to Martin and Angela on the birth of their son William Joseph Charles Rye born on Monday 8th March 1999

On Saturday 10th July at 8pm we will be holding this year's 'summer extravaganza'. Last year we did a 'Caribbean Evening' which was great fun. This year we are having a 'Greek Night' where you can come along and enjoy Greek food and Professional Greek Music and Dancing. An evening to get you in the Summer Holiday mood. More information of this event will be announced shortly or you can phone me at home on 730691. Sarah Brown.

To those of you are new to the village, this concert is a thank you to everyone who has supported the band (financially) by being a 'Friend' or a Vice President. However this is an open invitation - all are welcome. It is a free concert with refreshments served at the interval. You are assured of an uplifting evening with a range of music that has 'something for everyone'.

We look forward to seeing you on the 25th!

NB If you are a Friend/Vice President and you haven't made your annual donation yet don't forget you can hand it in at the concert.

Congratulations to James and Johanna on the birth of their son Edward James Clarke born on the 27th February 1999

The Lent Course on 'People Jesus helped and helps today' has been well attended and very helpful.

On Good Friday April 2nd, at St Peter's the 'Hour at the Cross' will be from

2-3pm, and at 7.30pm Music for Passiontide. At 11.30pm on Easter Eve, the Lighting of the Paschal Candle and Holy Communion (RiteA). At 8am on Easter Day, Holy Communion (BCP) and at 10am Family Communion (RiteA).

Two more Alpha Courses start on April 12th and 13th. There may still be a few places available so if you are interested in going either to the one at the Pottery on Mondays at 7.30pm, or the one at the Rectory on Tuesdays at 12.30pm, contact either Janet Collins (737515) or Sheila Acreman (737223).

The Morning Service at St Peter's for the Benefice on Sunday 18th April will be led by the Church Army. On 9th May the Family Service at 10am will be a special presentation of the 'Feast of Life', a Musical of Hope for Christian Aid.

The Wheelers and Squeelers will not meet in April but will meet again in May as usual on Thursday May 6th.

The Architect is producing plans for the re-ordering of the Church Tower, to include kitchen, toilets and a new upper room for meetings.

The Church still has a stall each month at the Market in the Memorial Hall; offers of cakes always welcomed by Mary Powell (737463).

A Happy Easter to you all.

Congratulations to Deborah Jewett and Martin Williams on the birth of their daughter. Lauren Ella Williams on 31st January 1999

This years fun-packed Hooky Rural Fayre has attracted the welcome attention of a couple of marauding bands of Jacobites and Georgians who will be setting up camp on July 3rd prior to doing battle during the FAYRE on July 4th. The two groups will be carrying out an historic re-enactment with a couple of skirmishes in the Main Arena as well as providing demonstrations of life in those days in a Jacobite and Georgian encampment.

The Main Arena this year is full of a variety of events from the skirmishes, Falconry, the Rockwood Dog Display Team, Working Bygones and, of course, another new event for this year - the Village It's a Knockout' style competitions. As advertised in the last edition of the newsletter we are still looking for teams to enter the competition. We have had much verbal interest but please register your team with Simon Mead on 01608 730146 or Richard Dorey on 01608 730376. We are still looking for help in any form both prior to and at the event, so, if any of you out there are interested in giving a hand please call one of the above numbers.

Supper 7.15pm Film 8.00pm. Enquiries & Meal Bookings 737411 or 730407

With this in mind we have arranged - apart from the 18 Saturday League games, 13 Sunday fixtures and 17 mid week 20 overs a side games in the Brackley and District League. Our first game of the season will be a home friendly against Combe on April 25th.

Indoor nets at Sibford School from 6pm to 7pm on Sundays are in full swing.

This year's Captain will be Tim Lunel (730446) with Paul Souch (730321) as Vice Captain. Paul previously captained the side for four years and did a marvellous job. The Sunday games will be captained by Mike Battley (737734). Any potential Darren Goughs will be warmly welcomed! Colin Scarrett 737524

Congratulations to Sarah and Robert on the birth of their son Oliver Maxwell Gardner on 8th February 1999

On the 10th March we went to see 'Peter and the Wolf' at Chipping Norton Theatre. We all enjoyed it and I especially enjoyed the part where Peter caught the wolf. We are also looking forward to our May camp. Sian Newman

Plans are well under way for the above event which is taking place at Foxlease, Lyndhurst in the New Forest, 24th - 31st July. and I shall be taking four Guides from Hook Norton to join up with another eight Guides from Oxfordshire.

I have been overwhelmed by the donations of raffle prizes, ranging from a 2-man tent, donated by Millets Leisure Ltd, Banbury; tickets to Sleepy Hollow Farm Park and the Gaydon Motor Museum; a book token and eight bottles of wine - to name but a few. Please look out for us selling squares at £1 each around the village. You have a good chance of winning a super prize as well as contributing to a worthy fund. Julie Wood

First and foremost we would like to thank Hook Norton Brass Band for their very generous cheque to the tune of £200! This very welcome donation which was presented to us at the Playgroup building by Mr Bill Randall, has gone into our fund to resurface the playground. All funds raised between now and the end of July will be used for this long overdue work.

Next we'd like to welcome back Alrys who has been on sick leave following a knee operation. She was missed at the Playgroup and we are all delighted to have her back. A special thanks to Mrs Angie Hornbuckle who has been helping out at Playgroup during Alrys' absence.

Thanks to everyone who helped us raise £250 at our Spring Craft Fayre on the 6th March at the Memorial Hall. This brings our playground fund to £650 and we still need in the region of £1400 to carry out the work. I'd like to thank Jenny Mead for doing such an excellent job of co-ordinating the Craft Fayre.

On May 12th we will be holding an "Open Afternoon" at the Playgroup building from 1pm until 5pm. We would like to invite you all to look around our Playgroup, to see the children's work, visit our newly refurbished second classroom and so find out exactly what Playgroup is all about and where the money goes. Refreshments will be available.

Finally we will be holding a Jumble Sale on Saturday June 26th so if you are due to have a clear out soon, please hang on to your jumble for us and we'll have it nearer the day.

Once again thanks to everyone for their generosity. It must seem that we are always fund-raising in some shape or form and it is very heartening that so many people in this village are so quick to respond.

Mandy Watkins, Chairperson, Tel: 01608 737143

We are all delighted with the response to FOHNCL's appeal for subscribing members. So far, seventy individuals and families have sent in subscriptions - some very generous indeed - and we thank you all very much. We now have £ to add to our Funds. The odd subscription is still trickling in and if you haven't become a subscribing member of FOHNCL and would still like to you can make your contribution (in an envelope please) and take it to the Library or Post Office.

We have already asked Mrs Baker to order £100 of hardbacks on your behalf for the Library, concentrating on titles missed during the cutback years.

Arrangements to get the computer installed are going ahead although we won't be able to meet our Easter target (extra sockets to be installed, CD-Roms to be acquired, etc., etc).

We plan to have a presence at the Rural Fayre but more about that in the June Newsletter.

A small group from the Committee is working hard to produce a constitution for FOHNCL and aims to have it ready for the AGM in September.

Anyone who would be prepared to join the Committee and attend monthly meetings would be welcomed with open arms. We need just three or four more people to share the work.

Now and Next at the Library- reading to children *Tuesday 23rd March 4-5 year olds 10 -10.45 am 6-7 year olds 11- 11.45am* The Library opens for this

Congratulations to Richard and Moira on the birth of their daughter Elizabeth Alice Catriona Dorey sister to Felicity and Robbie.

Elizabeth's Dedication to the Baptist Church took place in Hook Norton on Sunday 21st March 1999

Hazardous Waste such as garden chemicals, paints, solvents and oil can be collected by the Toxic Taxi on 01865 825796. There is also a special Bulky Waste Collection - for up to four items - which residents can use for the disposal of large furniture and electrical items (particularly fridges, as their CFC content can be removed before disposal). Ring 01295 252535.

TRANSPORT: The X50 service from Chipping Norton to Oxford (and Stratford) improves to two-hourly again from 21st March: Chipping Norton to Oxford every two hours from 10.55am until 8.55pm and from Oxford every two hours from 8.50am until 8.55pm (though not Sundays). Return tickets can be used on the Route 20 services at 5.50pm.

Max Louis Green son of Christopher and Charlotte was baptised at St Peter's Church on 14th March 1999

Several birds have been singing in village gardens including wrens, dunnocks, starlings and chaffinches. Collared doves and blackbirds have been nest-building and rooks repairing nests in the rookery in the middle of the village.

Skylarks are one of our most popular farmland birds and several were singing over fields to the west of the village from mid-March. Favoured fields were winter cereals, ploughed fields and set-aside.

Scarcer farmland birds in this area included two Grey partridges on 14 March and a superb flock of forty corn buntings and sixteen yellowhammers on 21 March.

Winter birds will soon move on but flocks of fieldfares and redwings should be seen into April. Sightings of buzzards were frequent throughout the period while unusual birds included a woodcock seen in a field near the school by Geraldine Moore on 3 March and a female blackcap reported off Bourne Lane by Helen Burchell.

The Curtis family enjoyed regular views of Muntjac deer near Ironstone Hollow and good numbers of frogs and toads have been reported. Steve Holliday 8 Whittons Close, Hook Norton Tel: 737038

Meanwhile back home Spring has arrived with the consequent new life and rapid growth all around us, in both the botanical and human realms. This is often reflected in the life and programme of the church and this year is no exception. Easter is vitally important for the Christian believer and our Easter Sunday morning family service will be even more significant this year with the baptism of a new believer. Everyone is welcome to witness this joyful event so come along and join us. The details of our Easter Programme are as follows:-

Maundy Thursday 1st April - Fellowship Meal and Communion 7.30pm.

Good Friday 2nd April - Short Service 10am - followed by the joint Prayer and Walk & Witness around the village - start from St Peter's and conclude at the Baptist Church Hall with hot cross buns and refreshments.

Saturday 3rd April early morning prayer meeting 8.0am.

Easter Sunday 4th April - Communion Service 8.0am, Easter Breakfast 9.0am. Morning Family Service & Believer's Baptism 10.30am.

We do give our warmest congratulations to our members Ken and Kitty Conrad as they celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary!

The next Saturday Special for children 5 -11 yrs will be on Saturday 1st May and the annual Holiday Club Week dates are Monday 9 to 13th August - with Ian and Elaine Coules.