The Hook Norton Village Newsletter
December 2004 Series 29 No 6

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
The Newsletter Box contained £22.00 this month. Thank you.
Sadly, we report the deaths of David William Clarke aged 63, Frederick Charles Collins aged 85, Peter Green, Alice Tanner, Sheila Latham Terry aged 76, Elspeth Tibbetts, Phyllis Elizabeth Tobin aged 85 and Norma Olive Welch aged 57. On behalf of the village, we send our condolences to 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 SATURDAY, 15th JANUARY 2004
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.



HOOK NORTON NEWSLETTERS
2005
 
Edition
 		 Copy & Advertising Deadline
 
February Saturday 15th January
April Tuesday 15th March
June Monday 16th May
August Friday 15th July
October Thursday 15th September
December Tuesday 15th November


IT'S THE END OF AN ERA AT HOOK NORTON PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
After thirty-one years involvement, twenty six of those as supervisor, Alrys Morris has retired.
Alrys came to England from her native Sri Lanka in 1965 and qualified as a state registered nurse in Guildford before moving to Hook Norton in 1969 with her new husband John. When her daughter started at the playgroup in 1973 so began Alrys' long and dedicated service to the many children who have passed through the doors of Playgroup. Alrys held the position of Committee Secretary to begin with but soon began helping twice a week with the children. She was always eager to attend every available course going, giving her the perfect qualifications to take over as Supervisor when the job became available in 1978. The knowledge gained in attending these courses also benefited her own children Sara and Rachael who remain a credit to her hard work and dedication.
Over the many years Alrys' commitment and loyalty to Playgroup and the children has always been evident and more often than not above and beyond the call of duty. Without her there is little doubt that that Hook Norton Playgroup would not have survived, thrived and become the success it is today. Most of the children of our village and many from the surrounding area have passed through the caring hands of Alrys. It is a testament to her that many think of Playgroup as Alrys' Playgroup. In fact many of the children actually believed Alrys lived at Playgroup! Always ready to help, her kindness will be remembered with affection by all those lucky enough to have met her. Everyone who knows her will surely join us, the staff and volunteers at Playgroup in wishing her a long and happy retirement.
In her own words “We worked hard and had great fun, and so did the children”
THANK YOU Alrys, from everyone at Playgroup. We'll miss you.

A BIG THANK YOU FROM ALRYS
To all of you who organised the incredible surprise party for me at the Playgroup on Thursday night, 18th November. It was wonderful to be with you all - and you turned out on such an awful evening. Thank you also for your incredible generosity which you showed in your wonderful gifts.
I shall treasure them all. With all my love. Alrys.


FRIENDS OF HOOK NORTON SCHOOL (FOHNS)
The Snowman comes to Hooky! It's not every Christmas Fair that offers "flying through the air". But the presence of Raymond Briggs' Snowman, as well as Santa, promises to make the Hook Norton School Christmas Fair very special, Friday, December 3, 5pm -7pm. Come for tea to enjoy the hot dogs and mince pies. Why not take home a few of our wonderful Hooky Christmas Puds, which won a prestigious Gold at the Great Taste Awards and are offered complete with the FOHNS and school logo on each pud? (Just a fiver for a 1lb pudding, £9 for a two pounder).
The Fair will include crafts for sale, made by the children, plus professional craft stalls that will cure your Christmas present headaches. The school choir and orchestra will perform at what promises to be a memorable evening for all the family.
For those who don't get lucky with the raffle or the Tombola at Christmas, remember that we'll be having our Family Bingo night in the spring. It was a huge hit last year, so look out for further announcements.
The New Year will also bring the eagerly anticipated 'Auction of Promises' on 19 March 2005. A little imagination produces really useful, yet often unusual pledges that should do well under the hammer. Would-be bidders are already offered a chance to tip their hats at a week in a caravan in Dorset, a helicopter ride, free babysitting, a watercolour of your home and a tray bake of cakes. The school office awaits your promise.
Please also make sure that you have marked an all-important date in your diary: 17 June 2005 - The Hook Norton Summer Ball, a lovely thought in midwinter.
We're currently looking for a new FOHNS chair as I am stepping down after two years. It is a great job, in which you chair a lively, skilled team of volunteers, run meetings, liaise between school and FOHNS, coordinate others as they organize events, complete necessary paperwork and reports and make key decisions. It's possibly better than doing an MBA, arguably more fun than being an ambassador.
**STOP PRESS**
We are delighted that Mrs Sally Scullion has taken over as Chair of FOHNS. Thanks to Sue Wood for her hard work over the past two years, and welcome Sally.


HOOK NORTON AFTER SCHOOL CLUB
Finally, after a few false starts, Hook Norton After School Club is all set to open its doors on January 4th 2005! We will be providing care for children aged 8-11, with a pick up service from Hook Norton Primary School. Based at the Norman Matthews Community Hall (the youth club building), we will be open between the hours of 3.15pm and 6pm, Monday — Friday. Qualified staff will offer varied activities for up to 16 children per session. Places will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
To book places or obtain further information please call Zoe Gabriel or Maria Smith.


CHERWELL GUIDING SPECTACULAR

During the October half-term, click for large imageI went to see a show in which my daughter was taking part, with 1st Hook Norton Guides. It was the Cherwell Guiding Spectacular, which was held at Wykham Hall, Banbury School.
I was taken aback by what I saw. Taking part were girls from little Rainbows right up to Rangers, there were also some Guiders who did a couple of performances. All acts were performed by units from the Cherwell division and the Rangers took the part of comperes.
click for large imageI have to admit to being a little biased: but I did enjoy the Hook Norton Guides' performance of “Oliver” and the Hook Norton Rangers' performance of “The Gasman Cometh”. Katie and Megan Wood did an excellent tap dance together, but the act that nearly brought the house down was a brilliant performance from Catherine Crick (Hook Norton Rangers) of the song “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park”. I have not laughed so much for a long time.
click for large image The whole thing was very well organised and the evening was extremely enjoyable. I would like to thank all the Guiders involved who took time and energy to help the girls to rehearse, and who gave up nearly the whole of half-term for rehearsals and performances. Being a Guider myself, I know what it is like to give up time to run a Guiding group, and to see the results of something your pack has worked hard to do. I have to say it is great fun and I would recommend it to anyone that would like to have a go.
Teresa Hughes Brownie Guider


1ST HOOK NORTON GUIDES AND HOOK NORTON RANGERS
On the 8th to the 10th of October 2004, five of the 1st Hook Norton Guides and four Hook Norton Rangers went on a Regional Boating weekend held at Graffham water centre…Splash! We were the only ones to attend from Oxfordshire.
click for larger image
When we arrived we were shown to our rooms or dorms, then we went to our first meal of the weekend. We discovered the meals where quite large, delicious and hot, (to keep us warm in the cold water!) That evening we just got to know everyone, explore the centre as much as we could and we made little rafts out of corks etc. This started off the theme of our boating weekend!
The next day we were woken at a rather early 7:30 for those of us that stayed up to 1:00am in the morning talking in our dorms. We then had breakfast and got changed into our clothes that we needed to wear for the coming events. We had two events in a day, one in the morning, (sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and canoeing) and one in the afternoon. These were all three hours long and the time whizzed by as we were having fun. Before each activity we were told how to do the sport and any particular safety issue. Then we went and enjoyed ourselves forgetting about how cold the lake water was! In all the sports there were many people capsizing and everyone got wet by the end of the session. By lunch everyone was very hungry so looked forward to it. After lunch we did another activity, then we had time to have a hot shower and a “few” hot chocolates to warm us up, then we could relax and make up our songs for the campfire coming up that night. Each group, Punters, Paddlers, Surfers & Cruisers had to make up a song related to their group and the water! After dinner we had our campfire, a circle around a paddling pool! Then off to bed, for we all knew that we had to get up early in the morning, but most of us did stay up for it was our last night!!!!!
The next day, after we had had our breakfast, up and out on the water. We had our second to last activity and then lunch, then back to the water for our last activity. We then had a shower and said our goodbyes after a last get together in the “meeting” hall then it was time to go.
This weekend we made many new friends who we hope to see again in future Guiding activities. We have done activities that we have never done before and enjoyed ourselves very much. We have many happy memories from this event and hope to do something like it again in the future!
Amy and Becky Gosney


CHIPPING NORTON LIONS ARE ON THE PROWL!
One of the main aims of the Lions Club in Chipping Norton is to help and reward members of the local community. For many years they have assisted the senior citizens, especially with mobility aids such as motorised wheelchairs. This year the Club has extended this help to younger people by awarding Travel Bursaries to those who are planning to undertake some worthwhile community project either in this country or overseas. This scheme has been done through the auspices of Chipping Norton School, often for pupils undertaking a 'Gap Year'.
The Lions Club would now like to widen the scope of its help for young people and proposes the following schemes:
  1. Youth Awards – twice a year, in January and June, three young people will be chosen for their special efforts in either overcoming personal difficulties or helping other members of the community. The awards will take the form of a certificate of commendation and a grant of £75 which must be used towards helping with the project with which they are involved.
  2. Youth Grants - each year a total of £500 will be available to various youth organisations for help with running costs and especially with developing new ventures which might need an initial setup cost. These will be available at anytime during the year.

In order for these ideas to come to fruition the Lions Club will need help from members of the public to identify any individuals worthy of a Youth Award and requests from organisations who feel that their work would benefit from a Youth Grant. Hopefully there will be so many deserving requests that the Club will have to consider the possibility of increasing the funds available.
Simple forms, on which requests may be made, can be obtained by contacting The Lions Youth Awards Officer, Paulo Oliveri on 01608 643 674. In order to be considered for a Youth Award in January 2005 requests must be received before Christmas.
We will keep the community informed by publishing details of successful young people and organisations in future editions of this paper.

HOOK NORTON CARE GROUP
The Care Group meets each Monday in the Baptist Church Hall from 10am to 3pm. We currently have 15 local senior citizens attending as guests and clients to the Day Care gatherings each Monday, they enjoy the opportunity to meet and socialise with friends during the day. Each session is led by our co-ordinator, Sheena Maule and her assistant Pat Stratford, who are supported by a team of volunteers helping with transport and the provision of refreshments amongst other things. A cooked lunch is also provided mid day, followed by some activity or interest involving the guests. On occasions during the year, outings or excursions are arranged for the Care Group clients.
As we approach Christmas, a visit to the shopping centre in Banbury is being organised, also a Christmas Lunch and a Party. The party this year will also mark the Care Group's 10th birthday. At a recent management committee meeting Sheena announced that she is concluding her work as co-ordinator in the New Year or as soon as a new co-ordinator is appointed. This will be a great loss to the Care Group as Sheena has worked in this role from the Group's beginnings of operation. We are so grateful for all that Sheena has done for the Care Group over these years and wish her well in her ongoing commitment and activities with social care in the community.
This presents the management committee with the task of finding a new co-ordinator for the Care Group and the advertising of the post in local publications etc. If you are interested or know of anyone in the area who might want to know more about the vacancy, please get in touch with either Sheena Maule, Pat Stratford, Brian Clay or John Taylor.
P.S. We are always glad of any voluntary assistance given with either transport or practical help at the Day Care Centre on Mondays.
John Taylor, Care Group Secretary


WI HOOK NORTON – REMINDER FOR MEMBERS

Christmas Lunch at the Red Lion, Little Compton, 12 noon for 12.30 on 15th December.
The Christmas Tea Party will be on 21st December and for the meeting on 18th January the talk will be 'Silk and its works' with slides by Mr. Bill Cook.


THE HOOK NORTON CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION AND M@C 2005
Dear readers and residents of the great village of Hook Norton!
Many worthwhile local causes are supported by the dedicated efforts of the members and supporters of the Hook Norton Charitable Association, causes and associations which many of you or your children are able to enjoy, plus essential voluntary and charitable organisations which can only survive thanks to the money raised through charitable sources.
After many years of personal commitment the current committee members are stepping down and a new committee of elected members is now set to help continue and build on their efforts. As the new Chairman of the HNCA and on behalf of the organisations which benefit from the monies raised and all the people who come to and enjoy a fantastic day at Music at the Crossroads, we say thankyou to the outgoing committee for all the magnificent efforts and welcome to the new volunteers.
Remember, everyone in Hook Norton is by default a part of the HNCA and we welcome any support and ideas for fund raising and worthwhile causes.
The largest and most established fund raising event is Music at the Crossroads which has evolved from the roots of Folk in a Field and the village Rural Fayre. This year we hosted a tremendous musical festival topped by members of one of the biggest and most influential British musical acts of all time, The Kinks. Planning for next years event is already underway, it's Saturday 2nd July 2005. So, just once more, thanks to all involved.
Pete Watkins HNCA


ST. PETER'S CHURCH
It really doesn't seem like a year since I was last detailing all the upcoming services and events at St. Peter's over the Christmas period, but here we are again, and as always there is something for everyone over the next couple of months.
I'll start with the most important birthday in the Christian year. Christmas Day at St. Peter's promises to be a true celebration of the birth of Jesus. On December 25th, Holy Communion at 8 am will be followed by a Birthday Celebration service at 10 am. Last year's Celebration Service was incredibly well-attended, with so many excited children bringing in their favourite new presents. This year promises to be just as joyous an event. Do make some time to come and celebrate Jesus' birthday at St. Peter's in the real spirit of Christmas.
The Advent period got off to a wonderful start this year with an Advent Service on November 28th taking the shape of a family breakfast and all-age communion. Advent is a particularly busy time for our thriving Sunday Gang. There are now nearly 50 children on the Sunday Gang register, and their theme for learning and activity over Advent will be 'A time of Waiting'. During this period the Gang will be constructing a mobile depicting the Christmas story, building up week by week until the final piece is put in place on Christmas morning.
Other dates for the diary during this busy season include the Young People's Carol Service on Sunday 19th December at 10 am. The service will include a Nativity play, in which audience participation cannot be ruled out! Last year the play saw the 200-strong congregation served with drinks and nibbles during the service. Don't miss it this year. A rehearsal for all children wanting to be involved is planned for 3.30 pm on the last day of the school term, 17th December, at St. Peter's. Further details from Jenny Mead (730146) or Sheila Smith (730138).
On Sunday 19th December at 6.30 pm St. Peter's will host the now famous Candlelit Carol service. Please remember this service is not suitable for small children, who will have enjoyed their special service earlier in the day.
January 15th 2005 is the day set for the January Sale, which again is being organised by Clare Curtis (737589) – many thanks for all the hard work this involves! Please contact Clare if you can help in any way, or have items that you can donate to the sale.
Regular dates for all in our community include the Benefice Prayer meetings, on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (details of venues are noted in the Church porch). The 'Sing-to-the-Lord' get-togethers on the 2nd Thursday of each month represent the perfect chance for everyone to learn and sing both old and new hymns. For our very young people, Wheeler's and Squealers continues on the first Thursday of each month, including December and January (Further details from Jenny Mead or John Acreman 737223). The regular JAM (Jesus and Me) club on Wednesday afternoons at Hook Norton Primary School continues during the rest of this term. Further details from Janet Collins (737515) or John Taylor (737315). For our menfolk the next Men's Breakfast is planned for January. Further details from John Acreman.
Other news? Well, the annual St. Peter's Craft Fair on Nov. 6th raised a whopping £3,100, which will be used for maintenance of our beautiful church. Many, many thanks to Jan Hughes and all the people who helped make this such a successful event. St. Peter's has also been able to send £1,187.90 to the Tear Fund Survivors Project. Special congratulations and thanks are due to all at Hook Norton Primary School, who raised £661of this total through their sponsored necklace beading event, and a further £225 from donations made during their harvest supper. What a fantastic achievement!
The Tear Fund strongly supports Trade Justice, and is working to help change international subsidy and tax regulations that are biased against the poorest countries, and mean people in these nations can't sell their locally produced foods and goods due to competition from cheaper imports from the heavily subsidised developed world. To support the Tear Fund in its work, please sign and send off one of the addressed voting cards in St. Peter's, which the Tear Fund will use to put pressure on governments and organisations such as World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, to level out the trade playing field and give the developing world a fair chance.
Maintenance and improvements to the St. Peter's building are ongoing. By the end of the Christmas period we should have new glass doors at the South entrance porch, and the etchings on the glass doors in front of the kitchen/upper room entrance should be completed, along with the installation of new handrails. Tenders are currently being awaited for a proposed footpath to the South doors, which would provide access to St. Peter's without the need to negotiate any steps. Maintaining a wonderful church building such as St. Peter's is an expensive and never-ending task. The ability to continue such maintenance relies almost entirely on donations, bequests and fundraising events, so please continue your generous support of our church events. The money raised is vital to the continued integrity and safety of the building itself.
Wishing everyone a peaceful and joyous Christmas and New Year.
Sophia Fox, sophiafox1@aol.com


HOOK NORTON BAPTIST CHURCH
Christmas comes but once a year. 'What do you give the person who has everything?' Answers on a postcard please; but not to me.
With some people, planning for Christmas is like a military expedition. Did you know that there are only 417 days to go until Christmas next year?
But, seriously speaking. with all the planning, excitement and expense going on its good to remind ourselves what Christmas is all about.
It's about contact. Many of us send the yearly card to friends and relatives, a sort of 'if you are still alive please let me know!' God made contact with ordinary people. They were carpenters, shepherds and innkeepers, as well as priests and princes. The message was one of comfort 'fear not' and 'rejoice'. People who realise how much God wants us to be in regular contact with them are finding out just how true those words can be today.
Its also about caring. It's the thought behind a gift that is more important than the gift itself. Christmas reminds us that God cares for us. He is not far away and in Jesus came among people as a man, sharing human limitations, pain and suffering. Some of you reading this article might be feeling very low for many reasons. Remember that the tiny waving hands of the baby in the cattle trough grew up to be the hands of the carpenter, Son of God, who hung on the Cross and these hands still have the nail marks of love in them. God really does love you.
So, this Christmas. what about still celebrating the festival, but not forgetting the founder. Maybe a quiet and personal read of the Christmas story. Maybe going to Church to say 'Thank You'. Maybe having the pleasure of seeing your local ministers fall out of the pulpit with shock as you say to them 'I'd like to run one or two things by you about God and Me'.
Happy Christmas and Peace to the World. John Taylor

Christmas Services – all are welcome
Sunday 19th December 10.30am Family Carol Service
Friday 24th December 11.30pm Christmas Eve Communion
Christmas Day 10.00am Family Service
Sunday 26th December 10.30am Short Boxing Day Service


WILDLIFE NOTEBOOK - MID SEPTEMBER TO MID NOVEMBER
It is difficult to remember when we see the last Swallow, but at the end of September there were lots of Swallows and House Martins around and they are great to watch as they gather when the time comes for them to migrate. The Swallows flight to Africa starts as early as August, reaches a peak in September and early October and stragglers hold on into November. One or two, probably youngsters from late broods might remain behind in southern counties and may even survive the winter. Occasionally a few will return as early as the following February, but most birds appear in April - the precise timing is dependent on the weather as they move north through Europe. They spend longer here than most other insect-eating migrants because they are such efficient feeders. In pursuit of their prey they circle overhead, with constant swerves and short glides, or dash along hedges and over pastures. Their long, narrow wings are designed to reduce the energy required for flight so they can remain airborne most of the day with little effort. They are helped by their two tail 'streamers' which, when spread, improve the efficiency of the airflow over the wings and also give the bird great mobility in its pursuit of large, fast-flying insects. The last we saw of these birds was on 17th October. Did anyone see a Swallow after this date?
Flocks of Long-tailed Tits have been seen fairly regularly, it is fun to watch them go along the back of hedges in line calling to one another. It is great to see quite a few Pied Wagtails and so many Blue, Great and Coal Tits at our seed and nut feeder. The British Trust for Ornithology reports that this year was a productive breeding season for Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits, Thrushes, Robins, Chaffinches and Greenfinches. On 22nd and 25th October 5 Ducks were seen flying around the East End of the village over the fields - I suspect they were Mallards. Kestrels and Sparrowhawks have been seen regularly and a Buzzard was seen on 24th September and 17th October. A Heron was seen on 3rd October and 14th November and again flying over the middle of the village at 1.15pm on 14th October. On 5th November two Swans were seen flying over the fields in East End and at 6.25pm on 31st October we heard a Tawny Owl calling for a couple of minutes. A Goldcrest was seen in a garden in East End on 28th October. Two Kingfishers are resident in a garden in the middle of the village. We regularly see a Wren. Now is a good time to look for Wrens in the garden. As they are such skulking birds, they are often overlooked, but at this time of the year, when many plants have died down, they may be seen searching for spiders, beetles and other insects. The best way to help them find their natural food is to encourage cover and leave seed heads on flowering plants, which may harbour small insects for them to find.
At the end of September Comma and Red Admiral butterflies were seen and on 7th October Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma. This last Saturday 13th November I spotted a Peacock butterfly in the next village flying around in the warm sunshine. Again this year the bushes are heavily laden with berries and Fieldfares and Redwings have returned. On 19th October at about 7.00am whilst it was still fairly dark, David Shirt spotted a couple of Muntjac peering out of the shrubbery by the stream near the Pear Tree. At lunchtime on 15th November there was a Fox in a field in East End. On the morning of 4th October a Frog was outside our front door in East End and to our surprise early evening on 20th October I opened our front door and was very pleased to see a Smooth Newt, the first one I have seen in Hook Norton. I know of one pond in the East End where they have Newts and it would be interesting to hear if anyone else has them in their garden. One last sighting was a Bat on 18th October.
Geraldine Moore email: geraldine.moore1@btinternet.com


THE LATE DAVID CLARKE
The family of David would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped and supported them in whatever way over the last few weeks.
David loved this village and, apart from a year away at another Brewery serving his pupilage, he lived here all his life.
There have been a number of obituaries which have appeared in a variety of publications and it is comforting that all of these have recognised the strong sense of community which exists in Hook Norton.
A large number of people were involved in the funeral preparations and we are extremely grateful to you all.
David's outlook was such that he would want us to remember all the happy times shared; and of those there were many.
We are all privileged to have known him.
James Clarke


IN TRIBUTE TO SHEILA TERRY
It was 1999. The Local History Group was looking for a Chairman without much success, a situation not uncommon in small village organisations. Time dragged on and eventually Sheila Terry thought that she might give it a go. 'I refuse to be called a Chair though!'
During the next six years Sheila saw a great change in the fortunes of the group. She supervised the move of their archives to the new Brewery Visitor Centre upper floor store cupboard and the change in their meeting venue to the Visitor Centre reception area. The Group was invited by the late David Clarke to use a room next to their Brewery Museum as a home for village artefacts. She accepted gratefully and Hook Norton's own museum was born.
At the same time under her chairmanship the Local History Group produced their millennium contribution, a hard back book of photographs depicting life in Hook Norton in AD 2000, a major task including a Giant Photo Shoot at the Brewery and the presence of ITV. When this was completed Sheila took the committee out for a slap-up lunch! And then the Museum had its opening ceremony performed by Richard Munro from the Oxfordshire County Council. He was warmly welcomed by Sheila.
It was 2002 and the Queen was celebrating her Jubilee. Sheila had the notion that the Local History Group should entertain Hook Norton residents of longstanding to a special celebration. A guest list of those over 75 years old and also living in Hook Norton in 1952 was drawn up and elegant commemorative invitations were sent out. A programme was arranged. A special buffet was put on and over ninety Hook Norton residents arrived at the Brewery Visitor Centre. They dined, toasted the Queen and sang the old songs and Sheila acted as hostess which she did to perfection. It was a great event brilliantly chaired by her and was recorded on video for posterity. She confided that she believed this occasion to be one of the most worthwhile things she had ever done.
Sheila also had a big hand in choosing the speakers for the monthly meetings of the Group and she widened the area of choice over the years to produce some really excellent talks. And the annual outings…. These were always a resounding success. The visit to a Bell Foundry was an outstanding occasion as was the visit to the secret World War II headquarters and training site for the wartime Auxiliaries (Dad's Other Army) at Coleshill to mention just two. These outings always included a lunch at a local pub which had been carefully researched by Sheila and Mike beforehand.
Sheila brought those special talents which she had to her Chairmanship of the Group. She chaired each occasion with such flair and her summing up and votes of thanks to the visiting speaker were masterpieces of humour and depth of understanding. She treated each occasion as if she was a hostess in her own home and the members responded accordingly.
From her friends in the Local History Group with love.



ANNOUNCEMENTS


James Richard Hicks and Gemma Lori Smith were married at
St Peter's Church Hook Norton on 16th October 2004



Alistair John Barratt and Judith Dawn Williams were married at
St Peter's Church Hook Norton on 11th September 2004



BAPTISED AT
ST PETERS CHURCH, HOOK NORTON

George John, son of Kendall and Tracey Warneson on 3rd October

Fraser John son of Richard and Christine Lovat on 10th October

Edward Charles son of Richard and Katherine Breary on 24th October

Tane Bruce son of Grant and Berenice Wallis on 24th October

Keira Rachel daughter of Tristan and Helen Koch on October 31st

Sasha St Clair daughter of James and Amanda Twyman on November 21st