The Hook Norton Newsletter August 2000

We would like to thank the Post Office, the Firs Garage, Hubert and the Library for holding copies of the Newsletter. The Post Office box yielded £57.28 this time and we also have received £9.28 from The Firs Garage. Thank you also for e-mailed copy. It is very welcome.

Sadly we record the deaths of Harry Bartlett, Elizabeth Humphreys, Sir Philip Hare and Jane Sibson, late of Hook Norton. On behalf of the village we send our condolences to their families and friends.

ASK FOR THE BIG PRINT COPY OF THE NEWSLETTER AT THE POST OFFICE.

Next advertising copy by 15th September. Final text copy by 18th September

e-mail Barbara@news-hooknorton.freeserve.co.uk or helen.foster@viatel.com

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

June Meeting: Joe Williams spoke to the Council on the need for internal decoration and plaster repair work in the Youth Club. He said that not having a lease made it impossible for them to apply for grants. County Councillor N Matthews said he was negotiating with Mr Neil Monaghan of OCC on behalf of the Club and he hoped to have some news by the next Parish Council Meeting. Joe Williams was asked to get some costs and let the Parish Council know exactly what was needed.

The new Hire Charges and Booking Forms had been circulated for comment.

Mr Timms and Mr Terry had attended a seminar on play area safety and maintenance and had gleaned a lot of useful information. They were now considering training someone to act as a Safety Inspector on a regular basis and RoSPA had agreed to give advice when they visited for the annual inspection, for an additional fee of £25.00

The "triangle" at the top of Bell Hill/High Street is to be kerbed by the County - but when? Shortage of staff, we were told and then we would need a Section 96 Licence before any planting could take place.

Maintenance needed had been reported and B T had still not attended to the manhole cover in Bells Lane where water poured out during rainy weather. The hedges on Watery Lane needed cutting back and the Clerk was to ask the County again for a barrier at the bottom of the handrail leading from Old School End. Grass cutting of the amenity areas in Hollybush Road had been a cause for a number of complaints from residents and the Clerk said she would follow this up. How often did the gutters get swept and drains cleaned throughout the village? The Clerk had written to Dr Harris in an effort to find out what progress was being made towards the building of the new surgery in The Bourne. There had been no reply to date.

This years entertainments are to be Tales of Arabian Nights - just before Christmas and in the winter months The Jazz Band and The Dream.

Cherwell had offered to pay the Parish Council £10.00 per tonne for the waste paper in the skip.

July Meeting: Station Officer Mike Bingham from the Fire Service spoke about the need to get help from the Parish in checking the fire hydrants throughout the village. He said that they simply did not have the resources to check them more than once a year. Those that needed attention could then be reported. The Clerk said that what was needed was a map showing the location of all the hydrants and then this could be considered and an answer given.

The Chairman then spoke of the Clerk’s pending retirement and said he felt that a notice should go in the News Letter and on Notice Boards.

The Finance Committee was recommending that the new floor polisher for the Hall that had been demonstrated should be purchased. A donation to the Guides was agreed to help them send a member to a camp in Sweden. Kate Lewis had been chosen from the group to represent England - an honour indeed and well done!

The Clerk thanked Mr Brian Clay for his internal audit of the accounts and asked the Council to consider their adoption. This was done and recorded.

Smiths of Derby who maintained the church clock had quoted a price of £2,345 for the refurbishment of the three 6ft diameter dials in gold leaf and while they had access they would do other work on the inside of the clock. Mr Clay said that he did not feel this money could be found from this year’s budget.

Plans were on hand for the proposed changes to the Memorial Hall. There were two options and Option 2 was considered to be the one that would suit the need. This would mean a total refurbishment of the ladies toilets, an additional disabled toilet and a change to the men’s toilets to accommodate this. Mr Couldrey said he would now liaise with Cherwell regarding the detailed plans and try to get some costs.

Further bark had been received and more is on order for the play area, Mr Timms reported that yet again the carousel had been vandalised. Could the Clerk ask the grass contractor what he would charge to use a blower to remove grass from areas where it was considered to be dangerous. The Clerk said that it would not be possible to get a price unless these areas had been identified. The Clerk had managed to get Cherwell District contractor to cut the amenity areas in The Hollybush and it is hoped that further cutting will take place on a regular basis now. Trees bordering the footpath opposite the Pear Tree will receive attention and M E B will be asked to return to Bell Hill and finish their work.

No news from Dr Harris - the Clerk said she would try again!

Councillor Matthews spoke of a meeting with O C C and said that Mr Monaghan had agreed that should the Parish Council wish to do so they could help with the internal decoration of the Youth Club. The Clerk said she would liaise with Joe Williams and get some quotes for the Parish Council to consider.

Mr Matthews said that a letter to Mr Monaghan outlining the use that could be made of the Youth Club premises was essential. The County could not justify the upkeep etc when the building was only used for 3.7 hours a week.

Mr Wise said that during the summer recess when the Hall was not used on a regular basis he would clean the floor, repaint the badminton lines and then use a good non slip sealant on the floor.

The Parish Council will meet on August 10^th and September 14^th

HOOK NORTON CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION

Rural Fayre and Folk in a Field

A big thank you to everybody who came along to both Folk in a Field and the Rural Fayre - despite the inclement weather!

As always - these events would not be possible without those who devote time and energy both prior to the weekend and on both days. The Charitable Association committee are particularly indebted to Pat Groome and all those responsible for an excellent Folk in a Field.

The Rural Fayre certainly experienced the worst of the weather, but there was lots to see and do on the field - with the shelter of the Tea and Beer Tents when it got really bad!! We are very grateful to all those who helped in any way; to those organisations and individuals who ran stalls or manned events and all of those who turned up to experience a rather damp 'History Hits Hooky'.

The Schools Competition was not as well supported as we had hoped - again a victim of the weather. Congratulations to all individuals and Hook Norton Primary School for their prize-winning entries. The Primary School's model of Hook Norton in 3000 won the £500 first prize.

Gus Dermody, the Field Gun Display teams and the historical enactments kept us occupied in the arenas whilst Hook Norton Brass Band, Morris men & ladies, the Jester, Magician and Punch & Judy were terrific value elsewhere on the field. We had great support from; the Ark, Traders, Demonstrators, Bob Withey's Working Bygones, the Tractors, Static Engines, Motorcycles, Commercials and Fire Engines, plus an excellent Classic car rally and display.

Once again, a big thank-you to everyone who participated!

Feedback & Review Meeting

The Charitable Association is conscious of the fact that the Rural Fayre weekend must be primarily for the people of Hook Norton - we would therefore be delighted to receive as much feedback, views and opinions as possible so that we can plan future events effectively.

Everybody is therefore invited to an informal Open Meeting on Tuesday 1^st August, 8pm at the Sun Inn to air and discuss what went well, what could have been better and what could be different in the future.

We are always looking for volunteers to help with the planning and running of events - this does not need to be regular commitment nor require you to be a Committee member. If you would be interested in taking an active role please contact Simon Mead (01608 730146).

HNCA AGM and Donations Evening

This will take place on Wednesday 4^th October, 8pm at the Brewery - please make a date in your diary.

HNCA DONATIONS 2000

Would all local organisations and charitable bodies who would like to be considered for a Charitable Association donation this year please write to the Secretary: Simon Mead, Hicks Lodge, Sibford Road, Hook Norton by August 20^th, giving details of the amount they are seeking and the purpose to which it would be put.

HISTORY HITS HOOKY QUIZ

The answers to the quiz organised by the Local History Group are as follows:

Vikings

* In what year did the Vikings raid Hook Norton? 912 AD

* When was the first Viking raid on Britain? Where was it? Lindisfarne, 793 AD

* Who captured the Viking fleet in 895 AD? Alfred the Great

* Who was the king who was never ready for the Vikings? Ethelred the Unready

* Name two Viking gods - Odin, Thor etc.

Civil War

* What was Richard Prescott of Hook Norton charged with in 1643 to 1645? Bearing arms for the King and Stealing a mare for service against Parliament

* Name two out of three major battlefields of the Civil War nearest to Hook Norton - Edgehill, Stow on the Wold, Cropredy Bridge.

* Name the famous royalist Colonel who resided in Hook Norton - Sir Gerrard Croker

* Who took Oxford for the Parliamentarians in 1646? General Fairfax

* Name the two men (Baptist Ministers) who were taken from Hook Norton to Oxford jail in 1644 - James Willmott and Charles Archer

Napoleonic Era

* Which family held most of the local land during this period? The Lampetts

* What fair was held in Hook Norton during the period and, in fact, late into the 19^th century? The Cherry Fair

* Who was Lord of the Manor in Hook Norton in the early 19^th century? Baroness Wenman

* Did Napoleon divorce Josephine? Yes, in 1810

* Who willed money in trust for the ‘Education of Poor Local Boys on the Sabbath Day’ in 1810? William Hobbs

World War II

* When did food rationing begin in Hook Norton? January, 1940

* On which dates did the 2^nd World War begin and end? September, 1939 to VE Day May, 1945 and VJ Day August 1945

* When was the government formed under Churchill? May, 1940

* How many men from Hook Norton lost their lives in the 2^nd World War? Six

How many names has Hook Norton been known by? Which can you name?

922	Hocneratune	1216	Hogenarton	1316	Hoggenorton
1050	Hocceneretune	1227	Hokenarton	1346	Hognorton
1086	Hochenartone	1251	Hogernorton	1535	Hokenorton
1129	Hokenorton	1251	Hogenortone	1655	Hooking Norton
1159	Hokenortun	1263	Okenaroton	1655	Hookin Norton

HOOK NORTON FESTIVAL OF FINE ALES

Despite indifferent weather Saturday July 22nd was a success from start to finish. Fifty eight beers were in place in the marquee by Friday morning and from then on were under ‘strict supervision’.

On Saturday the early trickle of dedicated seekers of real ale had changed into a steady stream by one o’clock as parties of families and friends arrived to stake their pitch in the Festival area and on the closed-off roads and wide banks outside the Pear Tree. Food was available throughout the day with the product of two excellent Pig Roasts being very much in demand. A barbecue, filled rolls of all descriptions and a Fish and Chip van were also very popular.

The lack of sun did not deter the visitors and all the beer had been consumed well before the end of the day. Tickets ran out by 6.30 pm and the last trickle of ale left the barrels at 9.00 pm. Eleven hundred glasses were sold and nearly 4000 pints of beer slipped down thirsty gullets.

Musical entertainment was varied. The Owlswick Morris Men and their guests from Germany, African Drummers, The Hook Norton Brass Band, Pete Port Talbot Watkins, Rufcut, Raven’s Taunt and The New Druids entertained through out the day. Tours around the Brewery were popular. The occasion was organised by Jem Hayward, Denis Wynn and Bob Murray with the inestimable assistance of the Clarke family and staff of the Brewery and John and Carol and the staff of the Pear Tree.

The organisers wish to thank the many people who volunteered to do so many jobs including those who cleared the site on Sunday morning. Special thanks to John Henderson, Dave Coates, Keith Barnes, Pete Watkins, George Lunt and John and Sheila Acreman.

The organisers give what profit they make to charity, with Leukemia Research topping the list. This year they hope to have over £8000 to distribute.

RANGERS
The first meeting of next term will be on Wednesday 6th September from 7-9pm at our new meeting place The Baptist Church Hall. This first meeting will be our AGM and planning meeting.

Our past programme has included a wide variety of activities including, narrow boating, climbing, canoeing, hiking, camping, theatre visits, hair care and make-up demonstrations, visits to the Police Station and Courts, scuba diving, international cookery, Ready Steady Cook competition, fundraising for charities, arts and crafts of various sorts etc etc etc..........

In fact the Ranger programme can include almost any activity the girls want to try. The programme is entirely up to the girls to plan. There are Awards (Chief Guide's Challenge, Camp Permit, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Queen's Guide Award) to work towards but none of these are compulsory - it is the individual's choice.

If any girl or young woman aged between 14 and 25 would like to know more about Rangers then contact Jane Bruton, Chairman, 01608 737 542. (or check out the Guide Association web page on www.guides.org.uk ).

Oxfordshire Guide Association has produced a book 'Our History' about the first fifty years (1910 -1960) of Guiding in Oxfordshire.

Isita has kindly agreed to sell copies of the book at the Post Office, or members of the Guide Association can order copies directly from Jenny Bruton.

The next book covering the years from 1960 up to the present day is being compiled. If anyone has any memories (good or bad!) about Guiding in the County during that period we would love to hear from you. Please contact Jenny Bruton on 01608 737 542 or send your memories to 3, Rectory Road, Hook Norton, Banbury, OX15 5QQ

Free Summer Events Guide now available from Kevin Larner, Landscape Officer, Cherwell District Council, Bodicote House, Bodicote, Banbury OX15 4AA 01295 252535 Ext 4011.

HOOK NORTON COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTRE

Desperately seeking someone to help Louise White run our After School Netball classes on Mondays from 3.15 - 4.15pm at the Primary School starting on September 18. If you feel you would be able to help please give us a ring on 01608 730052. A small gratuity is paid in return for your help.

Our new brochure is now out and courses are filling up fast. Please give us a ring or complete and return the enrolment form in your brochure to book a place.

HARRY BARTLETT

We'd like to express our deep and heartfelt thanks to John Acreman, Janet & Russell and the entire Hook Norton community for their incredible support over the past few months. Harry was a wonderfully gifted and much-loved little boy and he would have been so proud of the funeral service at St Peter’s, which was intended to be a celebration of his short but packed little life.

Grief is a very dark pit. We, however, have been buoyed up by the many kindnesses we’ve received - each day someone tops us up with a hug, kind word or deed. Certainly it is difficult to accept right now that we will never hear Harry’s laughter or see his cheeky, cheerful smile again. We all miss him very, very much.

At the school fete, sixty kind souls signed up to be blood donors. Harry needed over 40 transfusions in just five months. It is only on a cancer ward that you can truly see just how such a small important act can bring such comfort to the recipients. Please consider becoming a blood donor - it helps so much.

Thank you also for your most kind and generous donations. The monies raised since Harry’s death now total over £7000! This has been donated to three different charities associated with childhood cancers..............

£1655, including donations from SMC Ltd, NCC Choir, Hopes & Dreams and the school uniform day, was given to the children's playroom, John Radcliffe Hospital, where Harry sought distraction from the rigours of his treatments. 'CLIC' (Cancer & Leukaemia in Children) received £1600 as a direct result of the recent dinner/dance at the Sports Club. We’ve heard of the many generous acts of kindness that night - our special thanks to everyone who organised and supported this great event. CLIC is entirely funded by donations and as well as funding vital research, provides specialist nursing care in the community. Without these wonderful nurses, Harry would not have been able to spend quality time with us at home. It is comforting to know that, through the generosity of our friends, we are able to assist in the continuation of this vital service. The church collection (£3750) was donated to Sargent Cancer Care for Children. This charity provides direct, no-nonsense practical help for families through holidays etc and counselling from its wonderful and caring social workers. Without Sargent, mum and dad and the Goodwins, our final holiday with Harry - which he enjoyed so much - would not have been possible. There are few things that bring us comfort about Harry's last few days, but knowing that we were able to at least fill some with the fun and laughter he adored does lift our hearts. Rob, Jo & Tom Bartlett

WOMENS INSTITUTE

The WI had a very successful stall at the Rural Fayre selling crafts, home made cakes and plants, in spite of the frequent rushes to protect the produce from the frequent downpours! Thank you to everyone who supported us. After this report has been submitted, the meeting on Tuesday 18th July will have been whirled away to the Scottish Islands by guest speaker Mrs Grundy. The June meeting was entertained by the ‘Brainstormers’ from OFWI with light hearted fun about WI membership. Some attractive invitations designed by Pat Fletcher were on our Rural Fayre stall, along with the current programme of events, so we look forward to some new membership and guests at future meetings.

The August meeting on 15th will welcome Martin Sirot-Smith who will talk about Sulgrave Manor. In place of a September meeting an outing is being planned, destination as yet unknown!

A group of members from Hook Norton recently joined others from the Sibford Group as guests of Fringford WI. It was a fine afternoon for once and several of us retraced the steps of Flora Thompson at Juniper Hill, where she wrote ‘Lark Rise to Candleford’, across the fields where she walked daily to school and then visited St Mary’s Church at Cottisford to see their Flower Festival - ‘A Fanfare of Flowers’. It was a very enjoyable afternoon, culminating at Fringford Village Hall for a splendid tea. Sibford Group will be entertaining the Fringford Group on September 16th with a visit to Broughton Castle and tea provided by Shutford WI.

Meetings are, as usual, on the third Tuesday of the month at 2pm in the Baptist Hall unless otherwise announced on posters.

HOOK NORTON HARRIERS

Cecilia Petersson has been living in Hook Norton for the past five years and is our top lady runner at Harriers.

In June Cecilia took part in a 100 mile race in California. The race first started in 1955 as a horse race. In 1974 one of the riders was going to pull out as his horse was lame. When he told this in the Pub the landlady said ‘why don’t you run it’? - he did! - and that’s how the race began.

380 runners started this year and 220 finished the race. It started at 5am in Olympic Village Squaw Valley which is cool but the temperature rises to 35C in the canyons at midday. There is a waist high river to cross at 80 miles and you run through the night with headlamps. The race finishes at Auburn, California. Cecilia drank 25 - 30 pints of water and ate salted potatoes, crackers and sweets. It took her 29 hours 46 minutes - we are proud to have her as a member of the club.

A quote from Cecilia - "Feel very happy and proud to have finished but also humble and grateful that I’m able to do something like this". Well done Cecilia!

CARE GROUP

Another successful year was reported at the AGM held on 12 June, held for the first time during a Day Centre session so that guests could be present. Chairman Keith Wood welcomed those present and thanked everyone for their support. He said he was sad to announce that Lee Morgan, a founder member, had to stand down from the committee for family reasons. A former Chairman and Vice-Chairman, Lee would however continue to act as a volunteer. Treasurer Brian Clay said the Group was in a sound financial position.

In her report, Sheena Maule, Co-Ordinator, said there were 13 guests on the books. There had been several outings with trips to Morrisons supermarket proving very popular.

Phyllis Tobin and May Foley, speaking for the guests said how much they all enjoyed the weekly sessions and thanked Sheena and her assistant Ann McKee and all the volunteers for their friendliness.

Pam Wood, secretary, said that unfortunately paperwork was on the increase but the committee were endeavouring to comply with all the regulations and would be producing a brochure later this year.

Judith Weekes from Oxfordshire Social Services said the County Council considered the Day Centre a success and future funding was assured.

All the officers were re-elected, there being no other nominations; Chairman Keith Wood, Vice-Chairman Ken Conrad, Treasurer Brian Clay, Secretary Pam Wood. The other committee members are Joe Bishop, Sheila Clay and Barbara Rusbridge. Pam Wood 737443

PARISH COUNCIL CLERK RETIRES

After fifteen years of splendid service Mrs Margaret Pogmore is retiring as Clerk to the Parish Council in September. We will be looking for her replacement. If you think that you would like to be considered for this post please contact Brian Clay on 01608 737622.

HOOK NORTON SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB

The draft business plan for the development is taking shape under the project name 'Hook Norton and Northwest Cherwell Millennium Sport and Recreation Project'. As well as the sporting side, the new facilities will be able to cater for a variety of leisure and recreational requirements in the community, but we need to know just what these requirements are to feed into the development plans. If you run a club or society, or are thinking of starting one, that might benefit from using the new facilities we would like to hear from you. Please contact us with your views on what amenities you would like to see incorporated into this project to benefit your organisation.

Rebecca Watts 730568 Deborah Weaver 737791 Andrew Robinson 730799

LOCAL HISTORY

Our new season starts on September 5th with Mike Hallam talking to us on "Oxfordshire - one man’s view" followed by "Folk Lore of Oxfordshire’s Archaeological Sites" a talk by Christine Bloxham on October 3rd. Both start at 7.30pm in the Brewery Visitor Centre. Visitors and guests are welcome.

The Village Museum is gradually taking shape. Thank you very much for the exciting artefacts which you are loaning to us. Our latest acquisition is a pair of bellows from an old Hooky forge.

You will find the recently published millennium book, Hook Norton - The year 2000 on sale at the Post Office and other outlets. Sheila Terry

HOOK NORTON - THE YEAR 2000

Yes, it’s here ........the book we mean.......hundreds of photos of Hooky villagers and places on seventy six pages and all in a hard back cover.

You can get your copy from the Hooky Post Office by kind permission of Tom and Isita. It costs £9.50 with a reduction to £7.50 for Senior Citizens; this facility is available only in Hook Norton. Copies are also available from The Book Shop in Chipping Norton at £9. 50. Failing that Venice Barry, 730407, Barbara Hicks, 737017 and Nancy Pargeter 737312 hold copies which they will sell to you. Don’t forget to let us know the page number(s) of your photo(s) as we are now compiling a list of names which can be tucked into the book. Please drop the information into the Newsletter Box at the Post Office.

MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING

Once again we will be holding the Macmillan Coffee Morning (the biggest coffee morning), at the Study Centre, Hook Norton School, 9am - 11.30am on Friday 29th September. As well as making a note in your diary to come along, we would be grateful for offers of cakes, raffle prizes and help on the day. Please contact the following if you are able to help in any way. Julie Wood (01608) 737998, Julian Bolton (01608) 737153

HOOK NORTON GUIDES

We have had an extremely busy term at Guides, spending the first part of the term getting prepared for our district camp. Forty six of us camped with Bloxham from Friday 30th June - Sunday 2nd July at Shipston on Stour. We had a super weekend and were very fortunate with the weather. It was a weekend of fun. The Guides tie-dyed socks, did fun cooking on fires, sang songs and did their own plays. On the Saturday night we had an indoor campfire which was fun. The Guides went off to bed at 11.30pm and were just in bed when there was a terrific firework display from Long Marston. It ended the evening off really well! The day after camp, we had a line dancing evening in the hall which was a huge success. There were about fifty of us and we provided snacks for the girls at half time.

The following weekend, the Guides did Bowling for the Pig at the Rural Fayre. We did really well and made £87, even though the weather was not on our side!

Our next meeting was a "Ready Steady Cook" evening. We gave each patrol a number of ingredients to make "afternoon tea" - they had to lay their table appropriately and each patrol had two Guiders to entertain. (We had invited other Guiders from Hook Norton).

For our last meeting of the term we started off from the School at 6pm and walked across the fields to Sugarswell Farm. We then had a camp fire with lots of songs. We gave the Guides hot dogs and chocolate biscuits which went down extremely well. Jane Bruton arranged the evening as part of her 16 - 18 leadership scheme. At the end of the evening Vivienne Scouse, our Anglia Commissioner presented Kayleigh Gilkes and Kate Lewis with their Baden Powell Award, which is the highest award you can get in Guiding. Kayleigh and Kate have decided to move on to Rangers in September but have both spent two weeks in the summer travelling abroad with the Guide Association - Kayleigh to Austria and Kate to Sweden. We wish them all the best.

We hope that all the Guides have a wonderful summer. We look forward to seeing you all in September, raring to go again! 14 Hook Norton Guides are off to the County Camp with Marieanne and Julie - Cosmic 2000 - in August - there will be a report in the next newsletter.

Julie, Marieanne, Nicky and Jane.

SOUTH NEWINGTON FLOWER AND PRODUCE SHOW

The South Newington Flower & Produce Show is on Saturday 12th August 2000 from 2.00 - 5.00pm and promises to be a day of fun and enjoyment for all the family. The Pearly King and Queen from London will open the Show and there will be a splendid display of flowers, fruit, vegetables and baking, together with a grand raffle, children’s fancy dress and sports, fun dog show, silver band, produce auction and many other attractions, including an impressive array of craft stalls. Telephone 01295 721076 for details of class entries.

FOHNCL FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Come and celebrate with the Friends of Hook Norton Community Library Group at The Brewery Visitor Centre on Monday 11th September at 7.30pm. We would like to invite you to enjoy wine, cheese and beer with us and whilst you are in mellow mood we would like to explain why it is so important to keep active on the Library front. A short AGM will take place at the same time.

Those who knew the late Betty Coppage might like to know that the Friends Group has received £510 in her memory from relatives and friends who are aware how much the Hooky Library meant to her.

Look out for posters announcing a Saturday morning Reference Computer Teach-In at the Library during the Autumn. It will be a relaxed, easygoing fun session with refreshments. Find out how easy it is to get information from our comprehensive range of CD-ROMs. Pauline Walters

FIREFIGHTERS

Out of the twenty seven ‘shouts’ which our firefighters answered in the two months to the 19th May sixteen were standby’s for Banbury (mainly), Chipping Norton and one other. There were two false alarms, one o f which was with good intent and a malicious fire in the entrance to a shop. A video/TV caught fire in a caravan. Two pieces of grill apparatus caught fire. An alarm was set off by cooking fumes in Bloxham and there was an incident at Spiceball Park. Two internal alerters went off after inspection. Finally firefighters were called out to rescue a pigeon which had lodged itself in a chimney.

TRANSPORT

Shoppers’ bus

The number of people using the shoppers’ bus to Banbury has increased in the past few weeks, but there is still plenty of space for more new passengers and their shopping bags or trolleys. Most of the new stores in the Castle Quay Centre are now open; Ottakers and Superdrug have now moved there. So come and join us - it’s only £1 - why pay more? The youngest passenger recently was less than 3 days’ old, but I have no information on the oldest! The bus leaves the village at 9.15 and is back here by 12.30. It will run on Thursdays 3, 17 and 31 August, and 14 and 28 September. Anyone can use the bus, but must put their name on the list in the Post Office.

Trips to London

During the school holidays, a visit to London may be in your mind. The earliest weekday trains from Banbury on which you can use a Cheap Day Return are the 0853 and 0926. The adult return fare is about £20, including unlimited tube and bus travel in London. There are generally two trains an hour for the return journey, but holders of cheap day tickets may not travel on the 1800 from Marylebone. The station car park costs £3 before 0900 and £1.50 thereafter, and can fill up by mid morning. A cheaper way of getting to London is by bus from Chipping Norton (at 55 minutes past the hour from 0855), changing at Oxford bus station on to the Oxford Tube, which runs every 12 minutes. Ask for a through fare (£8, but not including additional travel in London).

Cheap trip on Great Western Trains

At the beginning of June I received information from Help the Aged about a promotion with Great Western Trains. Travel by anyone aged over 60 to anywhere served by Great Western Trains, either for a day out or for a longer visit, would cost only £10 return, including a free cup of coffee. Travel on some connecting services, such as Virgin and Thames, was included. A leaflet was enclosed, which had to be produced to get the ticket. A phone number was given to get more copies. It took me four phone calls, over a couple of weeks, before I was able to get more leaflets to put in the Post Office, and by then the period of the offer was almost over. I made a very enjoyable day excursion to Paignton,onwards by steam train to Kingswear and by ferry to Dartmouth, leaving Charlbury at 0843 and getting back there just under 12 hours later. There was some glorious scenery along the sea wall at Dawlish, along the coast south of Paignton and into the Dart estuary. I hope some others were able to take advantage of this offer, which followed a similar one in early 1999. I did try to let people know by putting up notices, but the offer ran for only three weeks in June.

Peter Fry 730509.

WILDLIFE NOTEBOOK - Mid-May - Mid-July 2000

The most interesting bird record was a juvenile siskin visiting a bird feeder in Teddy and Gillian Liddell's garden from 26 May into early June. A local juvenile suggests local breeding and according to Banbury Ornithological Society this is the first ever instance of siskins breeding in the Banbury area. Siskins breed earlier than our local finches and will have two broods in a season. The juvenile is much paler and streakier than the adults with an obvious wing panel.

We have 4-5 pairs of spotted flycatchers in the village this year. Tim Burchell reported two pairs including one near the Firs garage, Rebecca Bull had a pair nesting in clematis in her Park Hill garden and Mrs White found a pair nesting in her garden at East End. A pair in Penny Smith's Park Road garden nested in Virginia creeper (17/6).

Adam Curtis kept watch over a pair of Canada geese with five goslings to the east of the village (29/6) and a pair of yellow wagtails feeding young was a good addition to the parish list of breeding birds on 9 July. Gill Holliday saw a couple of common buzzards over the village on 8 June, Paul Pickering saw a hobby over the sports field, Adam Curtis reported a green woodpecker (30/6) on the allotment and Christopher Barry's garden attracted both green and great-spotted woodpeckers (14/7).

A scarlet tiger moth found by Stella and Dave Taylor on Watery Lane on 9 June was a first record for the village and may well be the most northerly record in the county. They may well be breeding locally as two were present on 25 June. Two humming bird hawkmoths found by Roy and Sally Butler in their garden on 27 June are part of a good influx into the UK of this Southern European species. A common cockchafer, one of our largest flying beetles, blundered into Hook Norton's five-a-side football team celebrations in the Sun Inn on 3 June and a further one was found in Ironstone Hollow by the Curtis family on 5 June. Records always welcome. Steve Holliday 8 Whittons Close Tel 737038

WELCOME CLUB

The Club has had some successful afternoons with varying activities, a visit to Milletts Farm was much enjoyed, after which we had an afternoon of flower making led by Mrs Gabriel. This was followed by a Fun afternoon when we had a most amusing quiz in which the members were asked to write a list of remedies which were in fairly common use when we were all somewhat younger - we found over a hundred, from Arnica Flower to Zam Buk. Next we are going on a Mystery Tour, then we shall have another fun afternoon; we have asked members to bring along old photographs of themselves and friends and see if we can recognise them.

We are still looking for new Members - why not come along to our meetings and outings - we don’t bite and you might even enjoy yourselves!!!

HOOK NORTON BAPTIST CHURCH

As I write this the sun is shining and we look as though we might enjoy some summer weather. The children will have broken up and many of you will be going on holiday. We hope that you all have a safe and fun-filled time. Our holiday club is running from August 14 - 18 and as I write, entry forms are coming back in good numbers. We have also been asked to collect weird and wonderful items, which, with a modicum of ingenuity will be turned into amazing craft exhibits.

As a church we are reaching a great milestone of 360 years, of course that’s nowhere as old as the parish church but we are looking at ways in which we can celebrate our history fittingly. One thing we are going to do is to write a short account and we would like to hear from anyone who has personal or anecdotal memories, to get in touch and share them with us. Our history is a very important part of our lives. It helps to make us the people we are today, the past, how we are brought up, various influences in our lives, all these have a tremendous effect on us, mostly in a constructive way but sometimes in a bad way. Jesus is the only person who always brings good into our lives. When we ask Him to be our Saviour in that personal way, we receive the reassurance of his love and living presence on a daily basis. It’s not a blanket insurance policy, it doesn’t prevent bad things happening but it does give us the strength to deal with them. We can see Jesus at work through the history of our church in a very real and continuing way. We have a high commitment to prayer and are always happy to pray for you if there are specific needs.

When we have recovered from the Holiday Club we are having our Harvest Thanksgiving Service on 24 September. On October 1 we welcome Harry Valance from the London City Mission and later on October 15 Bobby Paralta will be speaking and sharing with us something of the work he is doing in Manila.

We look forward to seeing you at any of these services or on Sundays at 10.30am when you will be assured of a warm welcome. Julie Warren

FILM SOCIETY

The new season promises to be as successful as the last and starts with the hilariously funny American film The Imposter on Saturday 9th September and is followed on the 30th September with the thought provoking Strawberry and Chocolate from Cuba.

BETTER GOVERNMENT FOR OLDER PEOPLE

A Chance for Older People to Advise and Influence

Those of you who have read about the initiative of Age Concern and the Oxfordshire Better Government for Older People project may be interested to know that Age Concern are forming a "Local Older People’s Panel" for Cherwell.

The intention is that the panel will advise Local Authorities, Health Services and Voluntary Services of the views of those for whom the Services are intended.

Local Panels are concerned with local issues - including working with GPs and primary health care teams and groups on issues relating to older people, working on transport issues or exploring how community safety could be improved. If you would like to find out more about what is involved in becoming a panel member please contact Gill Martin, Age Concern, The Lodge, Rivermead, Abingdon Road, Oxford OX1 4XD - Tel 01865 240619 John Wheatley (737097) who has just joined the local panel, would be happy to provide outline information.

HOOK NORTON CRICKET CLUB

This season has been a great one so far for the Club. We have won all 12 games in the Oxfordshire League - some in great style. For the first time for quite a few years we are into the Semi Final of the Airey Cup which will be played at home on Sunday July 30th.

The depth of batting has been impressive and although there has been only one century (Tim Lunel) no less than 16 individual scores of over 50 have been made. The fielding has been first rate with some superb catches. Kenny Smith is the leading wicket taker with a single figure average and he has been well supported by our 17 year old fast bowler, Tim Maule. (Tim is playing for Oxfordshire Juniors and recently took seven wickets against Wiltshire winning the man of the match award). In the Wednesday League we are second in the table despite the fact these games are being used to give experience to young players.

The Club has put considerable emphasis on the training of younger players with the 11-13’s training on Tuesdays and the 5-10’s on Thursdays. Three of the Senior team have taken intensive coaching courses but are very grateful to the volunteers who help to control and supervise 46 very boisterous 5 - 10s. Matches have been played against other villages and we hope to extend such fixtures next year.

Since Junior Cricket has been so popular we are extending the sessions past the end of term. The last sessions will be Tuesday 8th and Thursday 10th August. We are hoping to arrange indoor coaching sessions for Juniors at Sibford School this coming winter, details will be given in future Newsletters.

Steve Belcher (730636) and Jackie White (730031) will be happy to deal with any enquiries. Colin Scarrett 737524

2nd HOOK NORTON BROWNIES

With the summer holidays nearly on us and the troop looking forward to Pack Holiday in the last week of July, it is time to look back on the highlights of the past year. This time last year many of our Brownies managed to achieve their Road Safety badge. They all found this interesting and relevant especially as PC Dilsaver came in to give them some practical advice and guidance. Although not all of the Brownies passed first time the rest were interested in carrying it on later in the year.

In the Autumn term a lot of our meetings were taken up with planning and making a mural. Some of you will have seen the results hanging in the Memorial Hall and you will agree all of the effort was worthwhile.

To celebrate Christmas both Hook Norton Brownie packs met to put on a fashion show with food for friends and family.

Spring term focused on Mothering Sunday with the traditional flower posies and handmade gifts. The Brownies also took part in a fundraising event to raise money for the rebuilding of the local pack holiday house. In total we raised over £130 for Jubilee House.

Although we haven’t had much of a summer yet we have still enjoyed a full range of Brownie activities including a litter pick at the beginning of the summer to help towards keeping our village tidy.

At the end of June the Brownies participated in a district campfire at Broughton Castle where, at 8 pm, every district across the country lit a campfire.

To end the term the girls helped out at the Rural Fayre manning a badge-making machine. It has been a very exciting and eventful year for all of us and we hope that our holiday in St Albans will be the pinnacle. Thanks go to everybody that helped out to make it a successful year, especially to Diana Barber.

Abby Grandison, Young Leader, 01608 730411

HOOK NORTON BRASS BAND

The joint concert with the Windmill Singers was one of the most important engagements of the first part of the year. It was held on May 20th at The Grange, Southam, a bit outside our normal area, attracting a new audience with every seat filled. Superbly compered by Robin Warwood, the highlight was Handel’s "The Hallelujah Chorus" performed by Band and Choir. A return concert with the Windmill Singers is planned for December 2nd at Marlborough Road Methodist Church in Banbury.

While the band were performing at Newbold-on-Stour Millennium Fete on June 3rd our flugal horn player, Julie Hancock was becoming Mrs Andrew Jakeman at their wedding in Banbury. We wish them much happiness.

On a windy Sunday afternoon the following week the band led the singing for Boddington’s Millennium Church service, held in a field. Two curtained trailers gave us much needed protection and there was enthusiastic singing from a very sizeable congregation seated on garden chairs and rugs. This was followed by tea and scrumptious cakes served by the local WI.

By way of a change for a band social evening, members, spouses and some children gathered in Deddington market place to take part in a guided walk in the area. Led by Jenny and Ron Glynn a group of 22 set off to sample the delights of the local countryside. After completing five plus miles we were rewarded with a splendid meal at the Unicorn Inn.

Blenheim Palace was the next engagement venue on the last Sunday in June when the band entertained the many visitors to the grounds as they strolled around. Many stopped to listen and applaud.

Steve Ashby, on percussion, has excelled himself over the summer months with a drumming solo as part of the band repertoire and his performance at this venue was received with great delight, other band members adding to the merriment with various exaggerated antics.

Sunday July 2nd saw the band at Thorpe Mandeville Street Fayre. The "Three Conies" pub was our location where custom was brisk, in the bar and at the barbecue and our light entertainment was much appreciated.

The Hook Norton Rural Fayre was our next venue on July 9th. Seated under a gazebo, placed last year to protect us from the heat served the opposite purpose this time, with grey skies and showers. We played in two slots and had time to visit the many attractions. Many thanks to Andrew and Annette Coleman with sons Thomas and Richard who set up and ran a bottle stall, helped for part of the time by Chris Eades and Andy Jakeman - a worthy effort.

The busy summer season has further engagements to fulfill, with Vera Jones annual garden party 16th July, Hook Norton Beer Festival 22nd July, Winchcombe Beer Festival 29th July and Merrie England at Broughton Castle 6th August. Finally, we play on 3rd September in Peoples Park Banbury and 9th September at the reopening of Banbury railway station J.Glynn.

ST PETER’S CHURCH

Our Patronal festival (St Peter’s Day 29th June) was celebrated on Sunday 2nd July with Songs of Praise. The St Peter's Tea was in church afterwards, organised by Mary Powell and her team of helpers. Between these two events we had the launch of the Fundraising Appeal for the Tower Fund. Church Warden Keith Fowler gave a very clear explanation of the alterations planned. An extra floor will accommodate a meeting room and on the lower floor will be a kitchenette with servery counter, a WC and disabled WC. The plans can be seen on Notice Boards in the Church. Donations can be given to Keith Fowler or to Nicholas Holmes.

There was a colourful celebration of the life of Harry Bartlett on June 23rd. The church was bright with sunflowers and other beautiful flowers and was filled to capacity, with people standing. The children sang Harry’s favourite songs and had contributed to a book for his parents. Two five year old boys, his special friends, had made Lego models which were put on the coffin. It was a very memorable occasion.

The Church’s activities at the Rural Fayre are reported below.

On Sunday 3rd September Archdeacon Stanley Ntgali will pay us another visit and celebrate at the Communion Service at 10 o’clock. He returns to Uganda later in the month. A number of people have already subscribed to a fund, known as the Mammy Nancy Appeal, to provide him with a second hand four-wheel drive vehicle for getting around his large archdeaconry on mainly unmade roads. At present he does this on a motor bike.

We aim to raise £2,500 and hope many people will give to this worthwhile cause. The money will also be a tribute to Nancy Austin who leaves Hook Norton in September. As reported in the last Newsletter, she has a special friendly connection with Stanley’s church in Masindi and it would be wonderful if she could present him with a cheque for the full amount. Contributions should be given to Nancy or to the Rector.

It seems early to be thinking about harvest but our Harvest Supper will be on Friday 22nd September and the Harvest Eucharist at 10 am on Sunday 24th September. Rachael Johnston

St Peter’s at the Rural Fayre Report: Despite the damp weather lots of visitors enjoyed visiting the Ark and seeing the animals. Children particularly enjoyed the chance to pet and cuddle the animals. The Bottle Stall sold out by 2 o’clock! Jan Hughes.

HOOK NORTON PLAYGROUP

The Playgroup has finished for the summer holidays and will open again on Monday September 4th. The Thursday Mother and Toddler group will, however, be running throughout the summer from 1.30pm until 3.00pm. There are some places available in the new term for both the Playgroup and the Teeny Tots (one session only on Tuesdays 9.15 -10.45).

The Playgroup is currently looking for a Playgroup assistant three mornings per week starting September. For an application form please phone Fran on 737893.

Can I take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support at the Rural Fayre and their help in buying and selling tickets for our Summer Raffle; special thanks to Tom and Gloria at the Central Stores for letting us sell them in the shop.

Forthcoming fundraising events are a jumble sale in September and a Quiz night later in the year. So if you have any jumble, books, etc., please keep them for us, as we will be asking for them soon. Fran Machin

SPECIAL POINTS TO NOTE

Kieran James son of Barry and Linda Chapman was baptised at St Peter’s Church, Hook Norton on Sunday 25th June 2000. Kieran was the first baby to be born in Hook Norton in the year 2000.
Tim and Trish Lunel would like to thank everyone for their good wishes on the arrival of Bonnie on June 19th. Oliver and Rosie are very proud of their new little sister.
Megan and Grace Pashley daughters of Keith and Charlotte Pashley were baptised at St Peter’s Church on Sunday 16th July 2000.
Jennifer Leigh-Anne daughter of Ivor Matthews and Jacqueline Davidson was baptised at St Peter’s Church on Sunday 16th July 2000.

Any ideas on the origin of the name ‘Traitors Ford’? The Local History Group has a query. Barbara Hicks 737017

Robert Nelder, 01295 262712, is searching for a photograph of a brick house (now demolished) near Cradle Farm.

CHERWELL DISTRICT COUNCIL - From July 19 for six weeks you can take your old Yellow pages for recycling to Tesco at Banbury and Bicester and to Sainsbury’s in Kidlington

CHERWELL DISTRICT COUNCIL - Bulky Waste Collections. Charges for bulky waste collection have been introduced by Cherwell District Council because of a shortfall on the budget for this service. Four large items will be collected for £10 which will have to be paid in advance. Residents should ring the main Cherwell District Council Offices on 01295 25253520

FOHNS - Barn Dance and Pig Roast at Hook Norton School at 8pm on October 14th.

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