The Hook Norton Village Newsletter
August 2005 Series 30 No 4

Village Affairs



NEWSLETTER TEAM

Directory: Diana Barber
Advertising: Judi Leader
Distribution: Bunty Reid
Proof reading: Nigel Lehmann
IT/Web Support: Martin Baxter


FROM THE EDITORS
The Newsletter Box contained £22.52 this month.
Thank you.
Sadly, we report the deaths of Hilda (Nancy) Beale aged 89, Phyllis Canning, May Foley and Freda Margaret Wise aged 68.
On behalf of the village, we send our condolences to the their families and friends.


Andy Horne Helen Foster
hookynews@totalise.co.uk helen@broadedged.co.uk

The views expressed in the Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Editorial Team.

RATES – CHEQUES PAYABLE TO 'HOOK NORTON NEWSLETTER'
Text & advertising copy deadline FRIDAY, 15th SEPTEMBER 2005
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.



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FRIDAY MUMS AND TOTS AT THE BAPTIST HALL
Janice Quartermain and Jenny Roberts have just stopped running this group after 15 and 13 years respectively. What an amazing achievement and I'm sure many mums (and a few dads!) would want to say a huge thank you to them and the other helpers who have made this Friday morning group such a success. Always a welcoming smile, a warm cup of coffee and words of gentle encouragement particularly in those tough early days with a new baby or perhaps when you first move to the village. We wish them both a happy retirement!! (But we're delighted that Kitty Conrad has decided she's too young to retire yet!!!)
We can't let a good thing go so the current mums are going to carry on the group running a rota of helpers. So if you've time to help make a few coffees, chat to some mums and perhaps cuddle a baby on a Friday morning then please contact me on the number below. But otherwise the group will run every Friday morning during term time from 9.15 to 11.30 at the Baptist Hall starting on September 9th. It costs £1 and all mums or dads or carers with chidren under 5 are very welcome. Please come along.
Jane Duggan


HOOK NORTON C. OF E. PRIMARY SCHOOL
Hook Norton School has had another busy, successful year. We have been accredited as a 'Healthy School' with some of our Year 6 children together with our new Deputy Head – Mrs Crouch, going to receive this prestigious award.
With the kind donation from the Beer Festival and the Charitable Association, we have been able to train 2 members of staff as Forest School Leaders to be able to continue to take groups of children to our secret location in the forest – don't ask, no-one will tell you where!
Our gardening club is really taking off now with some lovely tubs around the school, planted up by the children, and our new gardening shed. Next year we are hoping to develop the grounds even more with a vegetable garden and sensory courtyard. We are looking for anyone with an interest to help us, so please pop into school as we will be discussing plans in the autumn. Our children have done very well in local sporting tournaments – our Year 6 children made the county finals for kwik cricket.
0n the music front, over 90% of our children either play a musical instrument or belong to our enthusiastic choirs – our Musical Extravaganza was a wonderful show case for our budding musicians. It's wedding bells all summer for us with 2 members of staff getting married. Our choir will be singing in Church for one of them. We have continued with our old traditions as well with our May Day celebrations. Mr Bowen, the 'old' head came to crown the May Queen. Unfortunately, owing to our vigorous and enthusiastic Maypole dancing club, our much loved old May Pole is no more…..is there a carpenter who can rustle us up a replacement?
Finally, many thanks to members of the local community who have supported the school in so many ways. If you would like to help us we always welcome volunteers with reading, art, clubs, gardening etc - you do not need to have a child at the school!


FRIENDS OF HOOK NORTON SCHOOL (FOHNS)
An Autumn for Thespians.
Thanks to everyone who donated their time and energy to The Hook Norton Summer Ball in June which was a huge success, raising nearly £1,400 for the school and giving everyone a great evening. And thanks again to Kelly and Collette, from Bop-a-lots, who generously DJ'd the Children's Disco for free in the marquee the day before.
We're already planning some treats for you in the autumn. There will be plenty of theatre and live music in Hooky coming up to Christmas, with events benefiting the school.
Why not take the children to see Pandora's Box Theatre present “Little Red Riding Hood” (3pm Saturday October 8) at the Memorial Hall? It's for 3-8 year olds and families and is a great new show. (Tickets from the school or from me).
Make a date also to try the sparkling music and humour of Hilary Jones and Simon Mayor on Saturday October 15. (8pm School Hall) Simon's inimitable brand of off-the-wall humour as well as mandolin, guitar and fiddling wizardry meets Hilary's “honey-dripping” vocals and unusual basses. “Sheer musical brilliance” is how the BBC World Service describes their performance, which is accompanied by a light supper. Tickets available at the school office for parents or from me if you do not have a child at the school. There will be more shows in the New Year, but we'll bring you news of them nearer the date.
And finally, get yourselves ready for a clear-out, because FOHNS will be hosting a Car Boot Sale in September. So get hunting in the attic for those treasures that you know are there. Details to follow.
Sally Scullion, FOHNS chair Sally.scullion1@btinternet.com


HOOK NORTON W.I.
Our June meeting was a talk and demonstration by Mrs. Sakine Faulkner on “The story of Aloe Vera”. She told us that there were records dating back to over 2000 years that Aloe Vera was in use. The uses of Aloe Vera was enormous. It was used for medicines, beauty products and for daily well being.
She brought several of these products for the members to try. Everybody was fascinated by these products and several members ordered some from Mrs. Faulkner, as they are not sold in the shops.
The competition was won by Mrs. Suzie Boland. The meeting finished with tea and cakes.
July was the month for our annual outing when we visited the birth place of Sir Edward Elgar on Tuesday the 19th of July.
Alrys Morris.


SOCIAL COFFEE MORNING
is held every Wednesday 10-12 noon at the Baptist Hall. Call in for a chat, coffee etc. and/or Board Games. - All Welcome.


HOOK NORTON GARDEN CLUB
Before we look forward to the Autumn Show, we can reflect on what we as gardeners like doing best - that is, looking round other people's gardens! We had our first visit this year to May Gleed's garden in Edge Hill, and what a delight. It just goes to show what dedication, imagination and hard work can do, to transform a once scrap piece of land into a garden wonderland.
This was followed at the end of June by a day visit to Kew Gardens. A packed coach set off for Kew and although somewhat fresh to begin with, the sun came out mid morning and we had a truly remarkable day. Kew never fails to fascinate and at each visit there is always something new to see. Everybody enjoyed themselves and thanks must go to Ann Faulkner for the arrangements.
At the time of writing, we haven't yet been to the third garden, but we are looking forward to 'Woodchippings' at Juniper Hill in the middle of July. Probably a first for us all.
The Autumn Show will soon be upon us, and this year we are holding it in St. Peter's Church. Arrangements will be as normal, with the entry night in the Memorial Hall from 7.00 to 8.00 pm on Wednesday 7th September. Admission to the Show will be FREE this time, so come along and bring all your family and friends. Remember the photo classes will be 'Water Reflection'; 'Wildlife'; and 4 photos of 'Clouds' and besides the photos, there will be sections for vegetables, flowers, floral art, homecraft and children. We look forward to a bumper entry on Saturday 10th September. See you all there at 2.30pm.
Dave Coates – Chairman


2ND HOOK NORTON BROWNIES
Goodbye from Tawny Owl (Diana Barber)
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Brownies and Parents past and present, Guiders and others in our community who have contributed to making my time with the 2nd Hook Norton Brownies a very enriching and enjoyable experience. Di Walker, who was my mentor when I began 10 years ago (and continues to support and advise), has been involved with the Pack for most of that time, and Jill Martin, who joined us in 2003 is the most recent contributor to a fantastic bit of teamwork. Clare Taylor has joined us this term and will run the pack as from September and I wish Clare, Jill and Di all the best for the future. During the past year, we have been working with an updated programme, and the girls have worked as a group on badges such as Environment, Wildlife Explorer, Out and About, and Communicator. We have had help from several people as well as researching the clauses ourselves, and when one of Bill Oddie's Spring Watch episodes featured a 'pooter' I was very pleased to know what he was going to be talking about! During the environmental badgework, the girls helped to fill an Aquabox, which was sent off to provide a rapid response provision of safe drinking water and welfare aid items for 1 family to live on for 1 month in one easily transportable box, and did a litter pick in the village to help out on a more local level.
Our annual 'Brownie Adventure' was a trip to West Midland Safari Park this year, which is a fantastic venue for the 7 – 10 age-group. We took the girls ice skating and bowling last term, but sadly had to make do with a camp fire 'in the barn' due to poor weather. Di, Jill and I completed the Flora Light Women's 5k Fun Run in Hyde Park in 'Guiding Gear', and money raised by this and other events over the year including a sponsored Sunflower Competition, has been sent off to help with the rebuilding of Oxfordshire's Pack Holiday House.
This year's Pack Holiday – the highlight of the year for many Brownies, will have taken place by the time most of you read this, as we return on August 1st from 5 days in the Sidmouth Pack Holiday House. We have planned activities around a 'seaside' theme, for 15 of our 24 girls, including our youngest (at the time of planning) and eldest, who has been away with us for 4 years now.
Some of the younger girls had their first Brownie sleepover experience earlier in the term, when we took part in 'The Giant Sleepover', an event run by BT and Childline to attempt a world record of 7 – 10 year olds having a sleepover on the same night.
If anyone would like to put their daughter on the Brownie Waiting List please contact Clare or Sarah Gardner (1st Hook Norton Brownies). There is a joint waiting list for the 2 groups, held by Sarah. If anyone is interested in becoming involved as an Adult, please speak to any Guider, who will put you in touch with the relevant people. Girlguiding is a fantastically supportive organisation to belong to, and the rewards of being involved with the development of the girls are immeasurable.
Diana Barber

PS: I would like to thank all the girls Guiders and parents for making my last night at Brownies such a memorable (and emotional!) experience. All the kind words and gifts were very much appreciated and will be treasured along with the many wonderful memories that I have. Thank you all.
Diana



GOODBYE TAWNY
2ND HOOK NORTON BROWNIES
2nd Hook Norton Brownies said a very sad goodbye
to their Tawny Owl, Diana Barber, at the last meeting before the Summer. Diana co-founded the Unit almost 10 years ago and has committed herself to inspiring and motivating the girls since then. We are all sad to see her go and will miss her motivation, organisation and enthusiasm. All of the Brownies would like to give Tawny a big Brownie Thank You, as would Fuzzy, Snowy and Brown Owl, also known as Di, Jill and Clare who continue to run the Pack.


HOOK NORTON GUIDES
The guides have had a very active out of doors term this year, ranging from camp cooking, sports evening, night hike and picking strawberries, a nature walk and preparing for camp. On 10th - 12th June, we took a group of guides from Hook Norton and Bloxham for a weekend camp at Horley. We had really good weather and the weekend was a huge success. Many of the girls had not been camping before and this weekend was the ideal taster session for them!

Click images for larger versions
On the Saturday they took part in many activities – climbing/abseiling, zip wire, archery, out door cooking activities and crafts. In the evening we had a huge camp fire, as you can see from the photo - the girls did lots of singing and Rosi Callery made her promise as our Young Leader and Claire Gardner made her promise as a guide.
We walked back to camp for hot chocolate and biscuits and the five eldest guides made a bivouac to sleep in! The photo shows them walking with their kit for their nights sleep! the photo of the girls making crafts, shows them in the new mess tent, which was purchased from the donations from HNCA - many thanks, it was really useful and will give us a good many years with it to come.
A group of 14 guides from Hook Norton, are off to the county camp in August, which is quite local. This camp only happens every 5 years, so the girls are all looking forward to it. No doubt you will hear from us at the end of the summer.
Julie Wood, Guide Guider


ST. PETER'S CHURCH
Well, Wimbledon is over, Music at the Crossroads and the Beer Festival are but pleasant (I hope) memories, and the children have all broken up from school. Whilst many of us may be looking forward to a holiday, and/or some quality time with our families and children, please remember that many people in our village and beyond are in need of our prayers. The dreadful events in London during early July have left many families bereaved, and others with nightmares that may never leave them. Worldwide there are yet millions more people who suffer for so many different reasons, and for whom a 'holiday season' will never exit. Our prayers are amongst the most valuable daily offerings we can give them.
We have had a memorable few months of services at St. Peter's, and some are perhaps worthy of a special note. On 10th July 46 different organisations participated in a special service to commemorate the 60th anniversary of end of World War II. All those who participated were able to place a rose as part of the floral tribute of commitment. Coming just days after the dreadful bombings in London, the service had an especially poignant feel.
On June 26th we were joined by a special speaker; Polly, from Banbury, who for many years has provided cooked food, 365 days a year, for the homeless of Banbury. Through her love of Jesus and commitment to Him, Polly's work with Banbury's less fortunate has truly changed lives, and her words to us all at St. Peter's were moving and inspirational. Please contribute items of non-perishable food or supermarket vouchers to the 'Polly Box' that is permanently at the back of church. All donations are regularly passed to Polly to help her continue her work, and vouchers mean she can shop for exactly what she needs. At a recent meeting of the Parochial Church Council (PCC), it was also agreed to donate £300 of supermarket vouchers to Polly.
The regular services at St. Peter's continue over the summer, and although there will be no official Sunday Gang meetings at Church during the holidays (many thanks to Sheila Smith and Jenny Mead particularly for all their dedication so far this year), there will be a supervised crèche for the 10 am services. Please note also that Wheeler's and Squealers will not be meeting in August, and the date for the September get-together will be posted in the Church porch during the next few weeks. Due to so many people being on holiday, the July men's breakfast unfortunately had to be postponed, and will now be held on 20th November. Plans are now afoot to organise a men's supper evening during September.
St. Peter's Harvest Festival is on Sunday 18th September. The service will this year be followed by a family lunch (probably a ploughman's!).
On Sunday 25th September, Wendy Cunningham is to be ordained Priest, at St. Mary's Church in Banbury. As many people will be attending this service to celebrate the occasion, there will be no 10 am service at St. Peter's on that day.
The annual St. Peter's Craft Fair will again be hosted on the first Saturday in November. Please put it in your diaries now! More details to follow in the next newsletter.
This year, St. Peter's is supporting the Tearfund African aid programme, 'Harvest in a Desert Place', as it's harvest project. The programme aims to help provide irrigation and other facilities for the nomadic Tuareg people, who live in the Sahal region of Niger that borders the Sahara desert. The Sahal comprises an area the size of the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland combined, and has been home to the Tuareg for thousands of years. However, declining rainfall and increasing temperatures over recent years mean the Tuarag are now forced to move their camps not just once a season, but almost weekly, in order to find enough food and water for themselves and their animals. Tearfund has been helping the Tuareg adapt to their changing climate, and provide training and facilities for irrigation. We hope to run a number of fundraising events to support this project over the next few months.
All the churches in the benefice have been asked to draft individual 'Mission Statements', summarising the overall aims of each church over the coming years. The Mission Statement will reflect where we feel God is leading our Church, and the views of individuals would be welcomed. If anyone has any comments, or would like to know more about what the Mission Statement hopes to achieve, then please contact Keith or Sophia.
St. Peter's has finally been given the go-ahead to put in a path for disabled access to the South door, and we are now waiting for a start date from the contractors. The
possibility of replacing the pews with suitable chairs is also being considered.
Unfortunately, our church has been subjected to vandalism, with windows broken by people throwing stones and other objects. Assessments for the necessary glazing repairs and the placement of new protective mesh screens over all the windows are ongoing, but this process is likely to be a long one, and very costly.
Now progressing in a technological age, St. Peter's is also looking to establish its own web site. Watch this space for more developments in future newsletters!
Sophia Fox sophiafox1@aol.com


HOOK NORTON BAPTIST CHURCH.
Olympics, bombs, G8 summit and the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, I write this at the end of an extraordinary week in which the London bombings have overshadowed everything else. How quickly London's joy turned to despair! All of us, I'm sure, will have been touched by this event, and our hearts go out to the victims and their families. But despite the anger such an outrage engenders, it is well to remember the words of St. Paul “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12 verse 21. in fact verses 9-21 is all worth reading)
The G8 summit achieved a limited amount of debt relief which was a step in the right direction towards overcoming the evils of poverty, sickness and death on the African continent. On Sunday July 10th our visiting speaker was a lady who had spent 28 years working in two of Africa's most impoverished countries. Yes, there is desperate need, but there are also signs of hope, and hope counteracts despair. Some see the 2012 Olympics as London's hope for the future, and it is certainly something positive to look forward to, but the ultimate hope for the Christian is in God, and we pray that His love will eventually overcome the evil, hatred and unfairness that is in the world.
We are happy to have John back from his sabbatical and are grateful to all those who have helped us during the past three months.
Holiday club registration is now happening and there are still some places left if you have not yet done so. This year's theme is “The Invincibles”, so expect a few heroes and heroines emerging from that week!
Sadly, Janice and Jenny, who have run the Friday ”Mums and Tots” group for many years, have now retired. They have done a great job and made many friends along the way. A special closing session was held on July 15 at which many young Mums expressed their thanks and wished them well. It is hoped that some form of 'Mums and Tots' will continue in the autumn.
Dorothy Smith



FIRE SERVICE
CAR WASH
The Hook Norton
Fire Service
will be holding a car wash at the Fire Station,
Bourne Lane
on Saturday
10th Sept 2005.
This is a nationwide event and every fire station throughout the country
will be opening it's doors to wash cars in aid of the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund.
Look out for further details on notice boards around the village.


MEDICAL FOUNDATION FOR THE CARE OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE
The Hooky Sale of the Year raised a grand total of £649.30 in aid of the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture. The morning of June 11th saw a very enjoyable event take place on the High Street where people relaxed and chatted over coffee and cakes, bought tickets for a raffle, swapped books and came away with a range of stylish weekender clothes. The proceeds from this wonderful morning has greatly helped me on the way to my target of £2,500 – the amount I have pledged to raise with my trek across Cuba in aid of the Medical Foundation for the Victims of Torture in November 2005.
I would like to say a big Thank You to all those who helped with this great event for all their dedication, hard work and enthusiasm. I would also like to offer my sincere thanks to all of you who came along on the day and to those of you who were unable to make it but sent your kind donations and good wishes.
This is what your money could be doing now:

Your £28 can pay for six clients to travel to the Medical Foundation for their first medical assessment.
Your £30 can pay for the care a child receives in psychotherapy, helping them to overcome their fears.
Your £48 can buy items like a bed or cooker that are so important when starting a life away from danger.
Your £100 can pay for a doctor or caseworker to visit someone in detention before their asylum case.
Your £250 can pay for quarter of a year's full treatment for a survivor of torture.

If you would like to make a donation and couldn't make it to the sale you can sponsor Lucy online at www.justgiving.com/lucytrek or contact the Medical Foundation directly quoting Lucy Pickering's trek.
For more information please contact Lucy Pickering (Email: lucyap13@yahoo.co.uk) or Helen Nickols at the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture (Tel- 020 7697 7749. E-mail- sponsored@torturecare.org.uk)


THANK YOU!
On May 27th, along with 19 other volunteers from the Rugby Football Union, I went on a trek to Everest Base Camp in support of 2 charities; Show Racism The Red Card and
Support Paraplegics In Rugby Enterprise (SPIRE).

Click image for larger version
Thank you to everyone who sponsored and supported me on this trip.
If you want to help our cause further, please let me know!
Jo Young



HOOKY SAW DOCTOR
The word doctor brings to mind images of someone in a white coat with a stethoscope hanging around his neck. It also conjures up a picture of academics at university graduation ceremonies. My father Hugh Ronald McKinnon was none of these. He was an artisan who, after demobilisation from the Canadian army in World War I, was trained in the art of sharpening, repairing and making various types of cutting devices used in the timber industry. He was initially employed by the Claridge's Timber Co. in Exeter but in the 1920s part of the company was transferred to a site at Heythrop near Chipping Norton.
The McKinnons lived at Ledwell, Great Tew and Sandford St. Martin before eventually settling in Hook Norton, residing at Asylum Yard, Tite Cottages and finally, 17 The Bourne. Dad became well known at the time for his saw sharpening skills and, as well as his work for Claridge's, was able to supplement his meagre income to support his already large Catholic family by attending to the saws of the villagers, who relied on these tools for everyday tasks such as log cutting and more precise woodwork. He was given permission by Mr Weston who owned the blacksmith's premises near Garrett Lane to carry out his work. His only tools were a saw set for adjusting the angles of the saw teeth and various files depending on the size of the saw teeth upon which he was working. As a child I was allowed to watch him but could only stand the noise created by file on metal for a few minutes. How he managed to carry out his work on a daily basis I do not know. His skills were in great demand and he sharpened saws for the woodwork department of Banbury County School during the summer recess. He would sometimes curse the students who practised cutting through nails as a relief from fashioning mortise and tenon joints. In addition to these trials he also came across many circular and band saw teeth damaged by bullets fired from aircraft. These bullets had become embedded in tree trunks during World War II.
It is only as an adult that I have become aware of the extent to which his daily routine took a toll on his health. A normal working day throughout the year would involve rising at 6am and then cycling the five miles to Heythrop. The journey was a daunting one as it begins with South Hill and then cuts either through Swerford or goes via the old railway bridge site at Cold Harbour.
On his way to work, he would sometimes set snares to catch rabbits. Whilst in these days of animal rights, supporters would be appalled at such acts of cruelty, had they lived through the early war years and been short of food then their attitudes would possibly have been different. He checked the snares on his way home in the evening and it was a real treat if he managed to snare a rabbit as it would last the family for at least two meals. His only recreations were the odd glass of beer in the Sun Inn during a game of Cribbage with his old pal Tommy Wyatt. He also loved Whist and could sometimes be found, on a Saturday evening in the Memorial Hall playing solo or partner games. He preferred solo Whist because his partners were not always as skilled as he. Quite often, after partnered games, he would come home saying that he had won the "Booby Prize.". In the 1940s he was given an autocyle to make the journey to Heythrop less arduous but in 1943 he was involved in an accident with a motorcycle at the Pear Tree Junction. This resulted in a serious injury to his leg. He was hospitalised for some time and was no longer able to cycle to work. He left Claridge's and later found employment at Kings Sutton where he was able to use local bus services to travel. The strain of his job, with the added responsibility of managing allotments to provide food for his family, took its toll and he died suddenly in December 1952 at the age of 63, approximately 3000 miles from his birthplace in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Incidentally, the title of 'Saw Doctor' was used by a contestant who, in the 1950s, defeated the panel of ''What's My Line?' featuring Gilbert Harding and Lady Barnet. He was Vernon McKinnon born in Hook Norton - July 1933.

WILDLIFE NOTEBOOK - MID MAY TO MID JULY
On 24th May a Buzzard was seen on the road out of the village to Chipping Norton being chased by 2 Crows. A Buzzard has also been seen over East End on 20th, 27th May and 9th June. On 13th and 24th May, David Shirt at White Hills Farm, had a Great Spotted Woodpecker climbing up the post of their bird table. He also had visits from one or two Tree Sparrows. On the morning of 9th June, Pam Morris of Old School End saw a Green Woodpecker walking up their road and having a good peck at their grass before walking on. In Margaret Bloomfield's garden on 15th June at 7.00am there were two Great Spotted Woodpecker parents and 3 young on their peanuts. Also in their garden they have seen lots of Greenfinches and their young and a female Sparrowhawk take a Starling on their feeder.
Gordon and Helen Amor contacted me to say that in the middle of May in Orchard Road there was a Blackbird attacking a small Frog, which Helen rescued. Then a week later in their garden in Hollybush Road a Blackbird was attacking a big Frog which was resting in Iris in their pond. I made a couple of enquiries and it seems that sometimes they will eat a small Frog, take a liking to them and put them on their menu, but attacking a large Frog is unheard of. Has anyone else seen a Frog being attacked?
Isita Pickering saw a Spotted Flycatcher in her garden early June and there was a start of a nest, but unfortunately a few days later they had left, but she thought they might have moved to a neighbours garden. Paul Bendon in Hollybush Road has twice seen a Jay feeding on feeders in his back garden at 9.15am and 8.00pm on 8th June and on the latter occasion it quarrelled with a Blackbird and as you can imagine the Jay won. At 3.40pm on 11th June Ray Gasson saw a Red Kite fly quite low over Redlands, then soar west of the village finally disappearing up into the clouds. I had a message to say that a Red Kite was also seen on 17th June at about 8.15pm, but unfortunately I could not catch the name or address, so if this person would like to contact me again, I would be most grateful. The same people had seen Green Woodpeckers in their garden.
I had two phone calls, one from Sandra and Geoff East to say that they had seen a Peregrine Falcon at 11.00am on 18th June which had jessies and tethers on its legs so must have been an escapee, the other from Tim Burchell who must have seen the same bird in The Bourne at 1.00pm on the same day. Julian Taylor in The Bourne has seen a Green Woodpecker tapping at a telegraph pole at the same time every day. Richard Ricardo who lives near the viaducts saw a Green Woodpecker on his lawn and when it left a Great Spotted Woodpecker came to the same spot. He often sees a Green Woodpecker in a dead tree. The first Hobby was seen on 20th May in the East End, and again on 25th June and David Shirt had several good views of one on the evening of 16th June flying slowly around The Sun and St Peter's Church and it perched for a while on the Church Tower before flying off in the direction of Scotland End. Bunty Reid phoned me on 28th June to say that in the wisteria in her front garden a pair of Wood Pigeons were building a nest.
On 21st May Chris and Malcolm Briggs said that they had seen many Holly Blue Butterflies in their garden. Other Butterflies seen around are Orange Tip, Red Admiral, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Peacock, Comma and Small Tortoiseshell. Tim Burchell reported that on 17th June a swarm of Bees passed through west to east of Rectory Road going towards Sibford Road. Whilst in the cemetery in Tite Lane on 21st June at about 9.14am Kim Woodward looked down and saw what she thinks was an Adder basking in the morning sun. I have phoned experts before to check on the Adder being in this area and have been advised that they have not been officially seen for many years, but on showing a picture of snakes to Kim she did pick out the Adder. They do vary in colour and markings, but a dark zigzag line along the back and a 'V' mark on the back of the head are characteristic. The male is about 24 inches long; the female 30 inches and they mainly eat mice and voles. I think it is important for people to be aware as this our only poisonous snake, but it is timid and normally flees from humans before anyone gets close enough to provoke it into biting. If anyone can get a photograph of an Adder then we would be able to prove the experts wrong, but please be careful. Thank you for all your calls.
Geraldine Moore email: geraldine.moore1@btinternet.com


ANNOUNCEMENTS




Congratulations
to
Rachel and Will
Welcome to
Carys
born on 10thJuly



Barry John Pearson and
Natasha Page
were married
at
St Peter's Church
on
9th July 2005