Hook Norton Newsletter April 2003

April 2003

Series 28 No 2

Village Affairs

NEWSLETTER TEAM

Directory:	Diana Barber
Advertising:	Judi Leader
Distribution:	Bunty Reid
Postal Services:	Mrs M Padbury
Proof reading:	Nigel Lehmann
IT/Web Support:	Martin Baxter
Treasurer:	John Stratford

FROM THE EDITORS
Lawnmowers at the ready - Spring is here. Time to get those shorts out of the back of the wardrobe....and clean those garden tools like you meant to do last year!
Bunty Reid has agreed to take over Newsletter distribution - so a big thank you from the Newletter team. We would also like to wish 'all our readers' a Happy Easter.
You have donated Ł110.30 to the Newsletter this month – thank you very much!
Sadly, we report the deaths of Gladys Harris aged 78, Glyn Thomas aged 70, Harry Christopher Brain aged 22 days, Colin John Heritage aged 65, Anthony Joseph Albert (Tony) Hathaway aged 73 and Lee Morgan. On behalf of the village, we send our condolences to their families and friends.

Newsletter Income & Expenditure Account to the year ended 31^st December 2002

Income		Expenditure
Post Office Box	Ł404.33	Printing Costs	Ł3118.00
Donations	Ł1055.00	Admin Expenses	Ł268.73
Advertising	Ł2807.00
Bank Interest	Ł4.05
Total Receipts	Ł4270.38	Total Payments	Ł3386.73
Balance b/fwd	Ł3698.00	Balance @ 31st December 2002	Ł4581.65

Andy Horne	Helen Foster
hooknorton.news@btopenworld.com	helen@monivea.freeserve.co.uk

The views expressed in the Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Editorial Team.
Text & advertising copy deadline	THURSDAY, 15^th MAY 2003
Text for Village activities	Free (a small donation is welcome)
Inserts for Village Activities	On request from Judi Leader
Commercial Advertising	£22 per page & pro rata per issue
Commercial Inserts	£20 per issue
Donations can be put in the Newsletter Box in the Post Office or posted to; Newsletter, c/o Hook Norton Post Office, Chapel Street, Hook Norton, Oxon.

NEWSLETTER DEADLINES
Recently the amount of copy received late has been increasing. So far we have been able to cope with the odd late entry but this will not always be the case. We appreciate that when an event takes place near the deadline the report may be 'late' and if you let us know we will continue to deal with these exceptions. However, can we remind everyone of the importance of getting copy and advertisements to the editorial team by the deadline. Thank you in advance for your co-operation.

Ed.

ANONYMOUS ARTICLES
This month I have received another anonymous article. The Newsletter policy on these matters is that we will not publish any article without knowing who has written it. In certain circumstances we will publish articles anonymously if the author wishes it, but we must be able to contact the author before or after publication. We have articles regarding the Recycling Centre at the School and regarding fireworks. If the authors would contact me, we will publish the articles in the next edition.

Ed.

ST. PETER'S CHURCH

Easter is late this year, but is now rapidly approaching. On Palm Sunday, 13^th April, there will be a Benefice Palm Sunday Service at 10am at St. Peter's. On Good Friday, Morning Prayer will be at 7.30am and at 10am we are joining the Baptists in their Church for a Good Friday Service, followed by the Hour at the Cross in St. Peter's between 2 – 3pm.
On Easter Eve, at 11.30pm, the lighting of the Paschal Candle followed by Holy Communion. On Easter Morning, Holy Communion at 8am (Book of Common Prayer) and Morning Worship at 10am.
Wednesday 30^th April is the revised date for the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. This will be at 7.30pm in St. Peter's. Everyone is welcome but only those whose names are on the Electoral Role can vote.
The Wheelers and Squealers continue to flourish and their meetings on the first Tuesday of each month are going well.
The Family Service in May will be on Sunday 25^th, not the second Sunday as usual. This is because 11^th May is Rogation Sunday. On that day, we welcome The Rev'd Jane Knowles as the special preacher at the Rogation Sunday Service at 10am. She is the Deanery Vocations Officer. The Service will be at the Brewery, see posters nearer the time for details.
29^th May is Ascension Day. Holy Communion (BCP) is at St. Giles, Wigginton at 11am and Holy Communion (CW) at St. Peter's at 7.30pm.
Mary Powell is always glad of offers of cakes for the Church Stall at the Market – 12^th April, 10^th May and for the Cake Stall & Coffee Morning at the Church on the 4^th Saturday each month –26^th April and 24^th May.

Rachel Johnston

HARRY BARTLETT MEMORIAL BLOOD DONING

Thank you to everyone who gave blood at the last session in February.
66 people attended with 62 donations. A big thank you to all who helped on the day, Hook Norton Primary School for use of the hall, Mrs Hope and all the ladies who helped serve teas and baked wonderful cakes to keep the nurses and the donors going!!
Congratulations to Dave Coates and David Ford (Taffy) who received their 50 donation awards on the day!! What a fantastic achievement.
Unfortunately the blood services have said that we require 85+ donors per session in order to continue to make our sessions viable. The next session will be held at the school on 11th August, please make every effort to attend. If you would like to become a donor or want further information please contact the Bartletts.

TRANSPORT

Good news for men aged 60-64. From 1^st April, men will be eligible for the Cherwell DC bus pass from the age of 60 instead of 65, bringing equality with women. The pass is free and entitles the holder to half-price travel on scheduled bus services within Cherwell district, but not before 9.00 Mondays-Fridays. It is not valid for travel to Chipping Norton, though you might get away with it. Get a form from our Post Office or from the Cherwell offices in Bridge Street. You will need two passport-size colour photos and proof of age and residence. The current, return fare from Hooky to Banbury is £3.70 without a pass, or £1.85 with it. If you are over 60 and do not have a pass, you can ask for a Senior Explorer costing £3.50. The Senior Explorer gives unlimited travel on all Stagecoach buses, including Oxford via Chipping Norton.
Going shopping? A reminder (with apologies to our own shops) of the special buses available for shopping in Banbury or Moreton-in-Marsh. The Parish Council's shoppers' bus runs every other Thursday (see back page or notice boards) at 9.50 from The Bourne (fire station end), 10.00 from the church, and then from The Green and Austins Way. Return from Banbury bus station is at 12.30. Fare £1. Please put your name on the list in the Post Office from the previous Saturday. The Villager bus goes to Banbury every Wednesday at 10.05 from the church. A Bakers' bus runs every Tuesday to Moreton-in-Marsh for market day at 10.00 from all stops on the main road - it is sometimes a little late as it makes many calls round Banbury first. Fare only £1. Leaves Moreton at 12.30.

Peter Fry

BROADBAND HOOKY
Do you watch the BT Broadband adverts on TV with a rising sense of frustration?
Or, do you wonder what it is, and why you would want it?
Broadband is an always-on, un-metered, data connection at a higher speed than anything you can get on dial up. If you get frustrated with the speed of your connection to the Internet, or worry about the time you spend on-line, broadband could be for you.
Without some intervention by the people living and working here, Hook Norton will not see broadband in the near future. There are 51 households in the village registered with BT as wanting the BT Broadband product, which puts us at 919^th in the national list. Yet there are thriving businesses in the village and many individuals working part or full time at home. Plus all those who use the Internet to research their own interests, keep in touch, do homework and play interactive games. This is a very “IT aware” village.
But it doesn't have to be BT Broadband. If you thought that there was a good chance of getting broadband in the village, at a price comparable with that charged in the towns
WOULD YOU SIGN UP FOR IT?
The Government is making significant funds available to take broadband to the villages, but it is on a self-help basis (see below). My day job is about helping that to happen in the West Midlands. With sufficient interest we can do the same here. What we do depends on how many people care.
If you are interested, please fill in the form here, or drop me an email (helen@monivea.freeserve.co.uk).

Helen Foster

FIREFIGHTING
February and March have been a busy time again for Hooky Firefighters who answered 22 calls involving a wide variety of incidents. Of these calls, 8 were for standbys at Banbury and Chipping Norton. Others included a bonfire in Hook Norton, an electrical fuse box fire in Brailes, a bin fire in Banbury, Electricity Cables arcing near Whichford and 3 chimney fires in Hook Norton.
A road traffic accident at Swerford was attended where a van had overturned. Thankfully the occupant escaped with minor injuries.
Further calls were to a shed fire involving LPG cylinders, a shop fire involving paints and chemicals and a roof fire in a block of flats in Chipping Norton. Another roof fire in Bloxham and a thatched roof, at a public house in Upper Boddington accounted for 2 more calls.
Finally an Ammonia Leak from refrigeration equipment at a Banbury factory, involved 5 fire engines and the Environmental Protection Unit from Oxford being called in. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and chemical protection suits entered the building and isolated the offending equipment.
On a good note our 3 new Firefighters have completed their training and are now fully operational. This brings us to a total of 12 Firefighters at Hook Norton, which will be of extra benefit to the community by ensuring the Fire Appliance in Hooky will always respond to an emergency.

Joe Williams

BAPTIST CHURCH

I was standing behind a pillar in the shadow of the courtyard, I just wanted to see what they had done to my Lord. No one saw me but I saw Peter, trying to hide himself, but he was a big man and not easy to conceal. I thought he would go and fight or at least argue; he'd been so angry in the garden, but he didn't do either. I couldn't believe my ears when he said he didn't know Jesus, not once but three times. How could he do that to the Master, we'd been with Him for three years, listened, learnt, helped and even hindered some times, but to deny he knew Him was the final straw. When I did see Jesus, I wept!
They had torn his clothes and beaten Him, His back was just raw pulped flesh and you could see bone sticking through with strips of skin hanging where they'd whipped him, then they expected Him to drag this cross for miles!
Just think Jesus went through all that for you - don't be caught dead without Jesus.
Come and join us for our Easter celebrations. Good Friday joint service, with the opportunity to prayer walk, followed by Hot Cross buns back at the church. Easter Sunday: 8am Communion, with a family service at 10.30.

Julie Warren

W.I.

On 21^st January Mr. Len Bridgewood, who lives in Hooky, was an eloquent substitute for the planned speaker who was to have given a talk about 'A Grandmother Going to Everest'. He fascinated his audience with his off the cuff reminiscences of his interesting job which took him and his family to many far flung countries in the course of duty - one of our best speakers to date. The long awaited February meeting greeted Mr. Peter Russell, a former Royal butler. At the end of the meeting, farewells and a presentation with good wishes from everyone were given to Rachel and Barbara who have been members for many years and will shortly be leaving the village.
The meeting following the March AGM will be on 15^th April when there will be a 'mini—show' and probably a speaker. Look out for posters. 20^th May will be the 'Resolutions' meeting when Barbara Gray has been invited to speak about this years resolutions which encompass important issues to be presented to the government.
Looking forward to 17^th June, Mrs. Wendy Hilary who gave a talk on Elgar and his music last April will be making a welcome return visit to speak about Elgar's family, and hopefully, to play some more of his music.
Celebrations and outings for Hook Norton W.I's Golden Jubilee year are well in hand.
Meetings are as usual, at 2pm on the third Tuesday of each month in the Baptist Hall. Guests are always welcomed to interesting afternoons plus tea and homemade cake.

Marion Roberts

HOOK NORTON PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP

Hook Norton Pre-School Playgroup would like to introduce the new committee:

	Chairperson		Teresa Hughes
	Vice Chairperson		Lisa Nottingham
	Treasurer		Phillip Jacobs
	Secretary		Fiona Presly

As new chairperson I would like to thank the last committee and the staff for all their hard work and commitment. As ever the fundraising goes on in order to meet the increasing costs of running the Playgroup and I would be like to give a big thank you to all those who donated prizes for the Quiz night that took place on Saturday 15^th March.
Just to remind everyone and any new arrivals to Hook Norton that Hook Norton Pre-School Playgroup offer the following services for 2 to 5 years olds:

Morning session	9am-l2pm	£4.75
Collection from morning nursery	11 30am	£1.00
Lunch club (lunch box required)	12pm - 12.30pm	£1.00
Delivery to afternoon nursery for 12.30pm		£1.00
Afternoon session (Monday and Tuesday only)	12.30pm - 3.30pm	£4.75
Teeny Tots for 2-2½ year olds (Tuesday &Thursdays)	1pm - 2.30pm	£4.00

If you are interested in any of these services please contact Julie or Max to discuss your requirements during playgroup hours.
We would not be able to continue if it was not for the help and support that we have already, please continue to support us in any way you can.

Teresa Hughes – Chairperson

HNCEC

Our programme of classes for the summer will shortly be available and many of your favourites are carrying on for the summer term.
New courses include Beginners Drawing starting Monday evening 12^th May with Jenny Roberts (8 weeks) - especially for the terrified and absolute beginners!
Jenny is also tutoring a Landscape Watercolours course on Thursday evenings (hopefully outdoors, weather permitting) starting 15^th May.
We have a four week Database course with Pam Richardson on Thursday mornings starting 1^st May so come along and get your records sorted!
Following on from that we have a 3 week Intro to Digital Cameras and Imaging course commencing on 5^th June and a three week Desktop Publishing course (suitable for beginners/advanced students) also on Thursday mornings - so come along and either start from the beginning or get help with your problems!
Children's classes will continue including Kindergym. Gymnastics, Junior Badminton, After School Netball, Danceabout and the ever popular Sticky Fingers.
Don't forget May 10^th - 16^th is ADULT LEARNERS' WEEK when you may come along and try one of our courses for FREE!! (please check availability first).
If you require further information on any of our courses or a leaflet - please ring 01608 730052 or contact the Community Education Office based in the Primary School in Hook Norton.
Diary date: HNCEC term begins 28^th April 2003.

HOOK NORTON GARDEN CLUB-50th ANNIVERSARY YEAR

Saturday 5^th April. The SPRING SHOW is the next event in the gardening calendar and takes place in the Memorial Hall. It will be open to the public from 2.30 to 4.30 pm after the prize-giving. As usual Members should register their entries on the previous Thursday, 3 April between 7 and 8pm in the Memorial Hall. If you have not yet renewed your membership and want to enter the show please send your subscription (payable to Hook Norton Garden Club) to The Treasurer, Vicky Mepham: Family-£6,Couple-£5,Single-£3,Child-£1.New Members are always welcome.
Sunday 18^th May. A day visit to WESTONBIRT ARBORETUM. The coach will leave the Sun Inn at 9.15am and arrive back at 5.30pm.The cost is £15 single and £14 concession. The day visits are always very popular and early booking is advised to see this wonderful arboretum in its glorious spring colour. To reserve a place please phone Ann Faulkner.
Sunday 15^th June. The 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION will be at the Brewery Visitor's Centre between 3 - 6pm.Please phone Yvonne Higgins if you have or know anyone who might have any items relating to the Club over the past 50 years which can be used in a presentation. Many interesting photographs have already been received so please let us have any memorabilia (old or recent).

Verity Calderan

LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
Our good fortune has continued in the high quality of our last four speakers. Angela Spencer-Harper told us the story of the extraordinary ornate well, designed and paid for by a nineteenth century Indian Rajah as a thank you to an English engineer who had provided water for his arid village by sinking wells. He had been flabbergasted to discover that the engineer's home village was waterless.
Brian Little revealed the Banbury with which pre-war generations had been familiar. Carriers – outside Hoods – waiting to take all manner of goods; from kitchen ranges to knickers to various parts of the county, whilst Horsefair and the Market Square teemed with animals and farmers and the full pubs became liquid business centres.
Captain Prideaux took us on the dangerous journey to the Spice Islands with 17^th century merchantmen where trusted factors had the cargoes ready. Timing was vital. If they missed the right winds, they were doomed. Bet you didn't know it was the cabin boy who was in charge of the half-hour timer. He had to turn it over and ring the bell – hence eight bells is the length of the watch.
Nicolas Miers came to talk about Bletchley Park, the Enigma and how the code of secrecy was kept by the thousands of people who eventually worked there. Yes, we built the first (gigantic) computer but we had to keep it a secret. He also spoke of how few people were told the discovered information and how workers didn't know why they were doing what they were doing. It all brought the Iraq business to mind. We know that they know things we cannot know. Knowledge can jeopardise.

1^st May	Frank Johnstone on the Arts & Crafts Movement
6^th May	Visit to Cropredy
24^th May	Visit to Bletchley Park

Please don't forget that our Museum is open and from 10^th April, will be manned on Tuesday afternoons to field queries and to show documents.

Sheila Terry

The 1st Hook Norton Guides
held an extremely successful funky fete at the Memorial Hall on 22nd March and raised £225. There are still a few items left for the chocolate & Easter tombola, so hopefully the final balance will be more.
It was attended by lots of people and we would like to take this opportunity in thanking everyone who supported us. Julie Wood

WELCOME CLUB
A Market Stall in aid of Romanian HIV children will be held in the Memorial Hall on 12^th April, in time for Easter. There will be a raffle, crafts and gifts as well as items donated.
Any donations will be gratefully received.
Next meetings in the Social Club from 2 – 4pm

4^th April
18^th April – There will not be a meeting this week as it will be Good Friday.
2^nd May – Bring & Buy – Everyone welcome.

WELCOME CLUB
The Welcome Club Members are sorry to hear the news that Joyce & Les Humphries are leaving the village. Les has been our Chairman for many years and we thank him for his loyalty and inspiration to keep the club going. We shall miss them both and wish them every happiness in their new home.

KESTRELS

Millie Smith aged 9 writes
'On Saturday 5^th December, Kestrels met at the Baptist Hall. First of all we played a bird game. Then we split into two groups. The first group made Christmas Cards, painted fir cones and salt dough Christmas Tree decorations and also played a guessing game.
The second group made bird boxes with wood supplied and pre-cut by Mr. Shepherd. Mr. Fox and Colin helped us to make the boxes by holding the back piece of wood to stabilise it so we could nail the sides and the bottom. The boxes were designed for small garden birds such as Blue Tits, Great Tits and Wrens. Both groups then swapped to the other activity. We had a very enjoyable time. A big thank you to all who helped.'

WILDLIFE NOTEBOOK - MID JANUARY TO MID MARCH

This morning I had a great start writing this article as we saw four Buzzards flying effortlessly together. It was a beautiful morning; daffodils and forsythia beginning to flower, the days getting longer and we had seen a female Blackbird collecting nest material. Blue Tits were investigating the nestbox, we wondered whether it was the same pair each time.
Thank you to all of you who have been in touch with me, please keep phoning and sending e-mails. Dorothy Smith of Austins Way phoned on 4^th February to say that she had seen a Yellow Wagtail in her garden on several occasions and again on 16^th February saying that for the first time she had seen a Blackcap - two great birds. On 23^rd January there was a Buzzard on the road to Banbury. In East End on 1^st February when there was snow on the ground we saw 7 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes and several members of the Tit family in our back garden. Under these circumstances it is easy just to sit, watch the birds and not want to do anything else. Betty Couldrey in Bourne Lane phoned to say that she had seen a flock of about 15 Redwings, a female Sparrowhawk on a fence and Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits.
Robin Tranter saw a Kingfisher about 5.00pm on 13^th February flying along the stream below the footbridge at Bridge Hill. He had also seen a pair of Blackcaps in his garden on The Green most days. Isita Pickering told me of the Kingfisher she saw flying along the stream in Manor Fields on 22^nd February. A large male Pheasant has been seen in a garden in East End eating under the bird table. Up to three have been seen together in the fields.
On 24^th February we took a walk along one of the footpaths in the village and saw male Bullfinch, Dunnock, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Yellowhammer, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Blue and Great Tits.
For a while now the dawn chorus has been very musical. I expect many of you have seen the male Blackbirds sparring. On 17^th February there were 9 Blackbirds in our garden and 15 Pied Wagtails were seen on the roof of a bungalow in East End on 2^nd March.
Foxes have been seen around the East End and I spotted a Vole in our back garden on 13^th February. At the end of February Canada Geese were seen. There were sightings of female Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard on 14^th February and a Mistle Thrush on 17^th
The Redwings and Fieldfares are still around but now we are looking forward to seeing the Swallows and House Martins and hearing the Cuckoo. I know you will be looking out for these birds so please let me know of your first sightings. There are many other birds which arrive here in the spring and any sightings would be welcomed.
Soon the Warblers will return, normally the first to arrive is the Chiffchaff. Male Warblers like other migrants hurry back north in spring to claim territories and it seems that they may start to sing while they are still prospecting for a suitable home. Females return one or two weeks later as it is more important for them to arrive when there is plenty of food available to bring them into breeding condition. In April the males come into full voice and add to the general chorus of birdsong. Warblers are hard to see but are most easily located and identified by their songs. There is a brief period, before the trees are fully in leaf, when they can be spotted fairly easily. A common feature of the Warbler family is a narrow, pointed bill, which they use for plucking insects from leaves and stems. Gardens are not usually as suitable for Warblers as they are for some of our regular birds. They prefer woods and hedgerows and are likely to settle only in mature gardens with plenty of trees and shrubs.
Also, any day now we should be seeing the first Butterflies, the Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell or Peacock.

Geraldine Moore (geraldine.moore1@btinternet.com)

COMMON RAGWORT (SENECIO JACOBAEA).

Everyone who cares about our environment and countryside will recognise the plant Common Ragwort (Senecio Jacobaea). It is an obvious weed in July and August when it grows up to 3 feet tall with ragged edged leaves and a yellow flower, but it is NOW that we need to act to eradicate this poisonous plant.
Some useful information about ragwort
Common Ragwort is a listed weed under the 1959 Weeds Act, to allow it to grow, flower and spread contravenes the law.
Further legislation is planned this year when Mr John Greenway MP brings his Equine Welfare (Ragwort Control) Bill before parliament.
The poisons in Ragwort are called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAS). These are dangerous to humans and animals. Evidence of PAs in eggs, grain, milk and honey has been recorded.
If you had Ragwort growing on land last year it needs treating with a MCPA or a 2.4-D herbicide as soon as the young plants appear in April. A non-toxic environmentally friendly spray is also available called Barrier H.
Never allow animals into areas where Ragwort has been sprayed until all the plants have rotted into the ground.
The only way to deal with fully-grown Ragwort is to pull it up and burn it.
ALWAYS wear gloves and long sleeves to cover your arms when handling Ragwort and remember to wash your hands when you have finished.
Ragwort retains its poisonous properties whether growing, sprayed or dried in food.

Ragwort kills horses, donkeys, cattle, sheep and many plants. Oxfordshire is one of the most beautiful counties with a wonderful spread of animal and plant life and we all need to be involved to protect it from the spread of this dangerous weed.
Join the BHS campaign to eradicate this weed by dealing with any plants you find on your own land. If you see any areas of Ragwort growing please report it to either myself or The Oxford County Council Environmental Services department (telephone number 01869 241144) with full details of the location. For leaflets, further advice on spraying or help identifying Ragwort please contact the BHS welfare officer Miss D M Harris on 01993 702844 or visit the web site, www.bhs.org.uk/welfare and follow the links for Ragwort or visit http://members.aol.com/bhssouth/page12.html for details on the research that has been undertaken.

HOOK NORTON REMEMBERED
Mrs Crossman, the friendly, lonely old lady in the Manor died and the estate was to be sold. The big boys from the London antiques houses came and removed furniture and pictures, which they thought they could sell profitably in London and all the rest was left to be sold by auction at the house. Local antique dealers, including our own Charlie Hollis who lived next to the Manor, came to view in the days before the sale. The two days before the sale day were set aside for the general public to see what was on offer and they came in droves. On the actual sale day the courtyard was thronged with people who came to buy, people who were looking for bargains and people who were just curious. There was one group of men who bought several boxes of pictures for very small sums and then proceeded, on the spot, to break the frames or remove the backs to see if there were more valuable pictures behind the ones displayed and when disappointed, they discarded the whole lot. For £1, I bought, from those men, enough glass to glaze the small greenhouse I was building.
The sale was over, the gardens tidied any necessary redecorating completed and the house and grounds, including The Laurels next door to me, were advertised in the national press. There were many prospective buyers arriving in a wonderful display of cars over several weeks and eventually it was made known that the whole estate had been bought by Colonel Kennard, a retired army officer, who arrived shortly afterwards driving a large Mercedes.
Col. Kennard set about turning his investment into a paying concern. Stanley Price moved into The Laurels with his wife and two children. Stanley was an old friend of my brother's so I knew him well. Apart from his war service he had been an engine driver at Wroxton Quarries and the manager of Halfords cycle shop in Banbury as well as being a keen motor-cyclist, and so was well suited to be General Factotem to the Manor estate.
One of the Colonel's early moves was to build a chicken broiler house in the meadow below the Manor house. The plan involved buying 10,000 day-old chicks, growing them on in the huge almost lightless building on a bedding of saw-dust and wood-shavings and, at 16 weeks sending them off to Evesham to be prepared for the oven-ready market. This transfer to Evesham became a big event in the area every four months. It was a case of “first catch your chicken.” 10,000 had to be caught, in semi-darkness in as short a time as possible so, it took place at night. About twenty catchers, wearing the oldest possible clothes dived into the sawdust and shavings and emerged a few minutes later with four chicken legs in each hand. These four birds were secured in crates of eight and stacked on a large flatbed lorry. When the last crate had been filled and the lorry was on its way, each catcher was rewarded with a £10 note and the two plump chickens he had been authorised to select for himself during the mayhem. It was amazing how varied the catchers were; policemen, teachers, publicans, farm-workers, office-workers and pensioners all volunteered. The average weekly wage at that time was about £5 so £10 for a five-hour stint was a welcome bonus. After the event the broiler house had to be cleared and disinfected, new bedding laid in and the next batch of day-old chicks began their four-month journey to Evesham. The old bedding was sold to local farmers for fertiliser, but any gardener, in the know, could take almost any container and have it filled for a shilling, and a good shilling's worth it was.

Geoff Walton

GOODBYES
Barbara Rusbridge was sorry not to be able to say goodbye to anyone. She went into hospital on 22^nd February. She was not well enough to come home, so was transferred to a very nice Retirement and Nursing Home for nurses in Gerrards Cross, where she is now recovering.
I shall join her there as a resident before Easter. She sends her love to all her many friends. We have been very happy in this lovely village for 20 years.

Rachel Johnston

THANK YOU
I would like to thank everyone for their cards, gifts and messages during my illness over the past few months. I was very touched by all your kind wishes of support.
Once again, thank you.

Liz Wyatt

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Benjamin James Richardson, son of Laura and Michael of Hook Norton was baptised at St. Peters Church on 16^th February