HNNL April 2002 page 4
The Hook Norton Village Newsletter
April 2002 Series 27 No 2

Sports and Social


Hook Norton Tennis Club
Junior Coaching Courses


Learn to play or improve your skills


Easter Taster Session
Monday 25 March and Tuesday 26 March 2002
Cost: £6 (members), £8 (non-members) for the course

Regular Coaching and Development Courses
For 6 weeks during the Summer Term 2002
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Cost: £22 (members), £26 (non-members)

          Coaching, fun games and competitions
          Rackets available if required
          LTA Qualified Coaches

To enrol or for further details contact Rebecca Watts



PUBLIC MEETING 19th MARCH ON DEVELOPMENT PLANS AT HOOK NORTON SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB

Thank you to all those in the village who made the time to come and contribute to the constructive debate on the future developments at the Sports and Social Club. A special thank you also to the independent chair, John Acreman, who kept the discussion on track, and kept the meeting in good humour.

The Committee is very keen to respond to these constructive suggestions and will undertake the following:

  1. Up-dates on current discussions and the overall position with plans will be posted monthly in the library and on the S&SC notice board.

  2. Prior to submission of any planning application, full details will be displayed for public information in order that feedback can be secured.

  3. Outline proposals for the pavilion will be produced. We will look at 2 designs in sketch form. One a single-storey and the second a two-storey design.

  4. The future provisioning of football facilities will be kept under review in conjunction with the senior club committee and the junior club committee: viable alternatives will be considered.

  5. Re-examine potential for further parking.

  6. Incorporate ways of improving the existing open-access grass play area in development plans, in addition to the multi-use games area.

  7. Undertake further consultation with the project partners and the Parish Council.

  8. Present our proposals to the Village at public meeting prior to finalising.

As was mentioned at the public meeting, it will not be possible to “please all of the people, all of the time”, but this is our promise to you to ensure that the process will be transparent and open.

Should you require any information, please do not hesitate to contact Chris Rothwell, Mike Barlow or any other member of the Project Committee (Rebecca Watts, Tim Lunel, Paul White, Terry McKee, Di Spitzley, Colin Scarret, Duncan Collins, Steve Maule, Sheena Maule, Lillian Carpenter, Deborah Weaver, John Weaver). We will do our best to provide you with any information that you seek.



HOOK NORTON FOOTBALL CLUB
At the time of writing, the 1st Team has 13 (hopefully lucky!) league matches remaining, with the final match of the season on Saturday 4th May. A couple of expressions come to mind to describe the situation in which the Team now finds itself: they are, 'the lull before the storm' and 'the pot coming to the boil'. Hopefully, you'll see what I mean!
Since the last Newsletter, the Team has made rather inglorious exits from both the Oxfordshire Senior Cup and the RPM Records Supplementary Cup, defeated by Thame United from Division I of the Ryman League and Kidlington of our own Division in the Cherry Red Records Hellenic League respectively. Whilst we fielded a weakened team against Thame, they outclassed us in all aspects of the game. In fairness, on the night they would have beaten our strongest team. In contrast, the Kidlington match was most disappointing. We had the game in our grasp but were lacking the desire to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Like many of our supporters though, I was not too disappointed to see us eliminated from these competitions since it has meant that we have been able to focus exclusively on trying to win the Division Championship and earn promotion to the Premier Division.
At the time of going to print, we are joint top of the Division with Pewsey Vale having played the same number of matches as Pewsey. However, we have an inferior goal difference as a result of the demise of Witney Academy, whom we beat both home and away. This has led to the loss of 8 goals and 6 points. However, since we still have to play likely rival contenders; Pewsey Vale, Ross Town (both at home and away) and Winterbourne United at home, winning the Championship is still in our own hands.
It is obviously going to be a nail-biting time for all concerned, the Manager, players, Committee and, of course for you, our supporters. If promotion is achieved, it will be an historic and momentous achievement for the Club and the Village. If you haven't been to The Bourne to see any of our home matches, I invite you to put that right. Hopefully .you will find the final matches exciting and your extra support will go a long way to encouraging the Team to achieve further needed victories.
Despite the difficulty of having to field an ever changing side, the 2nd Team is continuing to hold its own in Division 2 (West) of the Reserves' Section of the League.
We were sorry to lose the services of Keith "Wizzy" Wise a few weeks ago and thank him for all he did with the Team. We were pleased that Adrian White was able to succeed Keith as Manager and that he has recruited Ian Street as his able assistant. We wish Adrian, Ian and all the Second Team the very best of luck and success for the remainder of the season.
Finally, it would be remiss of me if, in addition to all the wonderful support and sponsorship we receive from local businesses and individuals, I did not mention the generosity of the Mace Stores. Tom, Gloria and Joe Williams are now providing luscious refreshments for the 1st Team, the opposition and match officials after each home game as part of their sponsorship. Whilst opposing teams know that they can always expect a hard and competitive game of football at Hooky, they now also know that the refreshments are second to none in the League! The Club is extremely grateful to the Williams Family for their loyal support and sponsorship as indeed they are to all the other valued sponsors.
I hope to give you some good news in the next Newsletter. Come on Hooky!
Geoff “Jesse” James


HOOK NORTON CRICKET CLUB
Spring is nearly upon us – you can tell from the wind and rain at the time of writing at the Ides of March! We are confident though, of a summer of sunshine. The rain now is merely needed to keep the pitches looking green.
This year there will be more matches available than ever before for Hook Norton:
Senior cricket; a Saturday 1st XI & 2nd XI, a Sunday side, and mid-week evening games. Junior section; league teams at U15, U13 & U11, and practice sessions for all age groups down to the age of 5/6 years of age.
We now also have a volunteer umpire who will be able to do most of the matches needed for the 2nd XI, but we still have 4 weekends or so to cover. If you can help us with one or more of those then please let us know. It will be an important contribution to the club that will be much appreciated.
Please let us know if you would like to be involved, in whatever capacity, be it regular or occasional player, umpire or supporter. We are all looking forward to what we are sure will be an enjoyable summer of cricket.
Please contact Tim Lunel or Colin Scarrett