The Hook Norton Village Newsletter
February 2003 Series 28 No 1

Entertainment & Education



ST DAVID'S DAY CONCERT
March 1st sees the return of the Gwalia Singers to St. Peter's Church. This is their 3rd visit to the village, but this year it coincides with St. David's Day and so their concert will reflect this. Tickets will shortly be available from Keith Fowler on 737657. As in other years the members of the choir will be staying in the village overnight, if you feel able to host one or more members then Keith Fowler would like to hear from you. On Sunday March 2nd, they will be leading the singing at Morning Worship at St. Peter's, all are welcome.



SIBFORD PLAYERS
Sibford Players are putting on 3 One Act plays – two comedies and a drama – at Salford Village Hall on 20th, 21st & 23rd March. Tickets are obtainable from the beginning of March from Gilly Barnard (Isita's Mum!). Tickets are £5, except for school age children who are half price. Refreshments available during the interval.



HOOK NORTON 'SCRATCH' REQUIEM
Following the success of the 'scratch' Messiah in September 2001, we have decided to stage a similar event in June this year. The programme will be Mozart's Requiem and Handel's Coronation Anthem 'Zadok the Priest'. The 'scratch' weekend will take place on the 7th and 8th of June 2003. The format is the same; all day rehearsals on Saturday the 7th at the Primary School, and a rehearsal and performance on Sunday the 8th in St. Peter's Church.
Shauni McGregor has kindly agreed to act as musical director for the weekend and we will be accompanied by the Cherwell Chamber Orchestra. This is an opportunity for those of all abilities who don't have the opportunity to sing very often to get together and enjoy singing some of the finest choral music ever written - don't be bashful, come and join us for what is certain to be a fun weekend.
The weekend will cost £15 (£5 for those of school age) including lunch on the Saturday. If you are interested please contact Emma Callery for a form. emma@callery.demon.co.uk



FRIENDS OF HOOK NORTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY

Future dates for your diary
COMPUTER TEACHING SESSION Saturday 29th March 2003 starting at 10am at the Library
BOOK & PLANT SALE Saturday 3rd May 2003 at the Library




A date for your diary

MUSIC – FIELD – PEOPLE – FUN – FOOD – BEER!

Ferris Hill Farm

SATURDAY 5TH JULY 2003

DON'T MISS IT




FRIENDS OF HOOK NORTON SCHOOL (FOHNS)
Did you once have children at our school? Have you perhaps watched it grow and thrive over the past few years and marvelled at the success of the move from the old site? Well now is your chance to help with the celebrations. At the end of June, we will be holding an event for the whole village marking the 10th anniversary of the move to Sibford Road. Perhaps you might like to contribute a small sum to the organisation of this event, so we can organise at a day that both current and past pupils – as well as the entire village – can feel really proud of. If so, we would be happy to receive any donation, made out to the Friends of Hook Norton School, and sent to the school office.
Alternatively, with Easter barely around the corner, you may like to “say it with chocolates”. This term looks like a chocoholic's convention. There will be the FOHNS Chocolate Quiz, top prize being a family ticket to Cadbury's world. All you have to do to work out about 20 anagrams of choc-bars (here are two easy tasters: “Tik Tak” and “Zero ERA”) and you could be on your way to Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Donated prizes are welcome for this event (dates to be announced) – and also for the Children's Chocolate Tombola for which we will be happy to accept even your last Rolo.
We have received magnificent support over the past six months particularly from our friends outside the school, notably from the Grand Christmas Draw, which made over £500 – many thanks. Every little helps – don't forget to drop your old printer cartridges into the school office for recycling. Each HP/Lexmark/ Canon cartridge can earn credit of 30p to £2.10 at PC World and so enhance our computer suite.
We hope that our next Murder Mystery night – to be held in the early spring (details from the School Office) will draw the usual big attendance with it's combination of fine food and fatal drama. Maybe “death by chocolate” should be the theme. There will also be another of our highly successful Quiz Nights.
So look out around the village for the FOHNS advertisements and join in whether or not you have family at the school. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child.
Sue Wood, FOHNS chair, woodees@btopenworld.com



WEA – HOOK NORTON BRANCH
Coming Events:
  1. A coach outing on Wednesday 26th February to the much acclaimed Dulwich Picture Gallery. The coach will leave the village from the Sun at 8.30am and will return at approximately 5pm. A pick up can also be arranged in Chipping Norton. The coach fare will be £9. There is an additional charge for admission to the Gallery but members of the National Art Collection Fund will have free admission.
  2. A Dayschool will be held at the Hook Norton Brewery Visitors Centre on Thursday 27th March from 10am to 4pm. The lecturer, Charles Tyzack, will speak on 'Modern China, a brief look at China today and the experiences of her people in a time of rapid change'. The fee will be £15 and includes lunch.
For information on both events & bookings, please ring Sue Coltman.



HOOK NORTON COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTRE
Our spring term is now up and running but we still have vacancies on a few courses:
  • Hips, Bums and Tums
  • Stay Supple at Sibford
  • Aerobics
  • Fitness for Men
  • Upholstery
  • Drawing and Painting - daytime and evenings
  • Spring Flower Arranging (starting 3rd March) with Ann Anson
  • A new 'Sugarcraft with Spring in Mind' course with Gill Judd starting 6th March where you can learn how to make a variety of spring flowers for your Easter or party cake.
  • We have a Beginners/Improvers computer course starting Thursday 27th February 9.30am - 11.30am for 5 weeks - with our friendly and super tutor Pam Richardson. Pam will base the course around each individual's needs, so whatever stage you are at, however hesitant you are - you will gain confidence and learn more about Microsoft Word on this course.
Our children's courses are well subscribed but we still have a few spaces on some - please ring for details.
We are holding Saturday Workshops on 8th March 10am - 3pm and have vacancies on the following:
On Saturday 15th March we have a Map Reading, Navigation and Basic Survival Techniques session to be held outdoors on the Great Tew Estate where you can enjoy practical training on planning/survival techniques with our outdoor expert Cliff Osenton.
Cliff is also undertaking a 'Woodland Coppicing' day for us on Saturday 22nd March where you can learn how to restore woods back to life and train in axe techniques also on the Great Tew Estate.
After the popularity of our hedgelaying and dry stone walling courses, we are currently taking names of people interested in these courses for the future.
If you require any further information on any of our courses or have any ideas or suggestions for the future, please ring 01608 730052 or contact the Community Education Office based in the Primary School in Hook Norton.



HOOK NORTON BRASS BAND
December was a very busy time for the band with many engagements, which were all accomplished most successfully with the exception of one. This was of course the visit to Hook Norton to play carols outside The Sun PH that had been arranged by Ron Glynn. Unfortunately, this had to be cancelled because of continuous heavy rainfall and a decision had to be made in time to meet the inevitable enquiries. The band regrets any disappointment this might have caused.
The last engagement for 2002 was in Banbury's Castle Quay, outside Smiths Newsagents. Fifteen members played a superb programme of Christmas music. Many listeners offered congratulations and praise and many little groups stood to listen and applaud. It was obvious that this event was appreciated and enjoyed. The Tchibo Cafe very kindly supplied coffee during a break in the four hour performance that seemed to pass all too quickly. Listeners and band felt the pleasure of this occasion, and the success of it radiated the atmosphere, and hopefully remained with everyone when it was all over for another year.
May this New Year bring similar stories of success and accomplishments for the band and enjoyable episodes for all our listeners. Most of all, may it bring peace and harmony to our nation.
Jenny Glynn.



CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAYRE 2002 AT THE OLD POST OFFICE
A big thank you to all those who were involved in making our first event a real success! We had a very busy day seeing friends and selling lots of gifts. We raised £939.94 and in addition to this total, the ladies from Katharine House Hospice raised over £225 which was an excellent achievement.
Thank you all for your generous support.
In fact, we enjoyed it so much that we are planning to do it all again this year! So we'll see you there!

Melynda Heath

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