The Hook Norton Village Newsletter
February 2004 Series 29 No 1

Entertainment & Learning


NORTH COTSWOLD CHAMBER CHOIR
Love songs - a concert for Valentine's Day
Date Saturday 14th February 2004
Time 7.30pm
Venue - Chipping Norton Town Hall
Tickets £12.00 / £10 concessions - contact tickets@nc3.org.uk
An informal concert for romantics everywhere, featuring love
songs new and old. Ticket price includes cheese and wine.


HOOK NORTON COMMUNITY EDUCATION
SPRING PROGRAMME COMMENCING JANUARY 2004

The following courses are currently running and spaces are still available for some classes.
Please contact the Community Education Office for further details about these and any other of our Spring & Summer Courses.
Tel: 01608730052 or 01295266763
E-mail: hooknorton.cec@oxfordshire.gov.uk

MONDAY
  9.15-10.15 Hips, Bums & Tums Emily Archer
  9.30-11.30 Yoga Terry Wood
  7.00-8.00 Belly Dancing Sarah Lemon
  7.30-9.00 Fitness For Men Scott Orchard


TUESDAY
  9.15-10.00 Kindergyrn Faye Huse
  7.30-8.30 Aerobics Fiona Dyson


WEDNESDAY
  12.30-1.30 Stay Supple Jill Colchester


THURSDAY
  7.30-9.00 Yoga Terry Wood
  7.30-9.30 Drawing & Watercolours Jenny Roberts


MORE EXCITING COURSES PLANNED FOR
AFTER FEBRUARY HALF- TERM including
Stained Glass, Garden Design, Street Dance,
Digital Cameras, Flower Arranging, Sugarcraft etc
  OXFORDSHIRE
COUNTY COUNCIL
EDUCATION SERVICE
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk


Soul Commotion @ Hook Norton
Soul Commotion are playing live at Hook Norton Memorial Hall on 21st February 2004. on 21st February 2004. We have played at a number of Rural Arts events in the past, usually to packed halls and by the end of the evening invariably everyone is up and dancing and having a great time.
In the Cherwell District we have played at Steeple Aston with some very positive feedback…. “Best Band we've ever had.” “You were wonderful.” “We'll be booking you again next year.”

“Mustang Sally”, “Everybody needs somebody”, “Knock on Wood”, “Chain of Fools”... Soul Commotion takes these and many more classic Soul numbers and brings them to life in a dynamic and vibrant two-hour performance. Also included in our repertoire are well known Blues, Rock 'n' Roll and Rock numbers to ensure that everyone hears some of their favourite music.

Whether you're there to listen to and watch the show or to dance the night away you can be sure that you will have a great evening.

Soul Commotion is an eight-piece band with front man Laurie Challoner providing powerful lead vocals. He is supported by two perfectly synchronized and harmonized backing singers. Then there is the irrepressible horn section whose antics are guaranteed to keep you amused!! Underpinning this, the rhythm section provides a groove that will draw you from your seat and get everyone, young and old, dancing.

Soul Commotion often play at weddings and parties and have also performed at the Malmesbury Carnival, the West Wilts Show and the Bath Beer Festival. In 2004 we will be playing at the Devizes Festival and the Malmesbury Mayoral Charity Ball.

Tickets £9.00/£7.00 for concessions available from the Post Office.
We will have a bar, operating for charity, provided by the Hook Norton Brewery, the event starting at 8.00 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you on 21st February.



Saturday 28th February 2004

An afternoon and evening of fine music played by the people of Hook Norton for the people of Hook Norton.
Adults £2 children £1 tickets available only on the door.
Light refreshments available. All proceeds to charity.
Are you a musician, and want to come and play with us?
Contact Pete Watkins at petewatkins4@aol.com

Check out the web site www.hook-norton.org.uk/music for latest details, times and band listings.


CALLING ALL MUSIC LOVERS!
Three day classes for music lovers are being held in Charlbury, in April, June and September this year. (Charlbury is not very far away - only about 20 minutes by car!) Classes is perhaps too strong a word; these are enjoyable listening and learning days. No specialised knowledge is required and there are no tests. The classes have been run at The Corner House, Charlbury for over 20 years by Kate Eckersley, a professional singer and teacher, who leads a very friendly group of around 15-20 music lovers, listening to and discussing the music. There will be space for some new faces this year.
Each class runs from 10.30 to 3.30 on a Wednesday, with an hour's lunch break. The Bull is available nearby, or you can take sandwiches. On 21 April, the theme will be music from around the world, sampling sounds of different cultures. On 16 June, the Scandinavian music of Sibelius, Grieg and Nielsen will be explored. On 22 September, the focus will be on the music of Schubert.
The fee for the three classes is £42. For further details, contact Peter Fry, 730509.


WEA HOOK NORTON BRANCH
The first six week course of the New Year will start on Thursday 26th February at the Library from 1.30 – 3.30pm and the subject will be 'Landscape Painting'. In this course, we will explore the origins of Landscape Painting and discover the ways in which artists have depicted the seasons. The tutor will be Alice Foster. This course has been very popular and with the restricted number of places available, a phone call to Paul Warwick would be advisable. Fee £27.
On Thursday 11th March, 'The Appeal of Silver' will be the subject of a day school lecture in the Brewery Visitor Centre from 10am-4pm. The lecture will be given by Mary Pethica, an expert on silver, who will identify the design, style and quality of English silver of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Fee £16.50 to include coffee and lunch. For more details, ring Paul Warwick on 01608 737107


HOOKY PLAYERS
By the time that you read this the pantomime THE PIED PIPER will be over, but already our next production is underway. We will be putting on SECONDARY CAUSE OF DEATH, by Peter Gordon. This is another hilarious comedy and, in fact, a sequel to the play that the group first performed three years ago. Auditions will take place at The Sun on Wednesday 25th February, following the Annual General Meeting at 8 p.m. Prospective members are warmly invited to come and try their hand. We are a friendly lot and will make you very welcome. Subscription is only £5 for the year - to cover insurance. Dates for the new production will be Thursday 17th, Friday 18th and Saturday 19th June 2004. Please make a note in your diary now to avoid disappointment. Hope to see you on the 25th February.
Due to an ever increasing amount of staging, props and costumes etc, storage for the Players has become a problem. Will anyone able to help with available space, e.g. shed or garage, please contact me. Many thanks, Brian.
Brian Rider (Chairman)


HOOK NORTON BRASS BAND
Christmas 2003 was very busy for the band, beginning with the Katharine House Hospice Carol Service on 27th November in St Mary's Church, Banbury. The band was playing carols as friends and relatives of loved ones no longer with us, entered the building after attending the Lights of Love Service at Banbury Cross. When the service began, books of loved ones' names were placed on the altar. The band's presence was greatly appreciated, the age-old carols bringing their own comfort and promise to all gathered.
Just two days afterwards, our own "Prelude to Christmas" concert took place in the Marlborough Road Methodist Church, Banbury. It was an outstanding success as the band played timeless favourites as well as other less well-known pieces. Guest soloist, Jason Glynn played the cornet, performing in two slots and Mary Sutherland performed two vocal solo spots with piano accompaniment.
Many people expressed their pleasure and gratitude on the night and many more have spoken in warm appreciation since, saying that this event was the highlight of their Christmas.
On Friday 5th December, the band took centre stage in the Town Hall, Banbury, for the Mayor's Toy Appeal for underprivileged children. Carols were played as the invited guests gathered. Cllr Rosemarie Higham praised the band for its consistent high standard and expressed her thanks for the support given to her. Speaking to the M.D. afterwards, she said that the strains of the band as she entered the building had made her realise without doubt that it really was Christmas.
The following day saw band members playing carols in a completely different environment; this time outside Tesco's with an icy wind whipping around them as shoppers gave generously, pausing to listen whilst about their pressing seasonal pursuits.
Hook Norton Church was the next venue on Friday 12th December for Christmas Carolling, when people gathered to sing the age-old songs of comfort and joy. Ron Glynn led the singing as well as the band, his easy manner ensuing the smooth running of the evening's proceedings.
On Sunday afternoon of 14th December, the band played for the Royal British Legion Carol Service in St Mary's Church, Banbury, with the proceeds going to the Poppy Appeal. Rev Chard in his address reminded us of the lives of our Armed Forces, given in the cause of freedom for us and of the need to give generously to the Poppy Appeal to enable the RBL to support needy families of servicemen. The band was thanked for their services and for making the occasion so enjoyable.
Afterwards, band and family members were invited to the home of Carole and Steve Ashby for a sociable time of enjoyment together, with a delicious food spread and a warm and friendly atmosphere.
On Saturday 20th December, the band's last venue of 2003 was in Castle Quay. Fifteen players handpicked by the M.D. sat in the shopping centre to play a concert of Carols and Christmas Music. The crowds soon gathered, their obvious approval clearly shown. Many people expressed pleasure for the quality of playing. Drinks were kindly donated from the Tchaibo Coffee Shop during the interval. Favourites such as 'Stop the Cavalry' and John Lennon's 'Happy Christmas (War is Over)'and the wonderful old carols that have remained popular from long ago were all deeply appreciated.
Christmas music is so much a part of the festive season, touching our hearts in a way that nothing else can and it has been our privilege to share it with a great many people once again. Our hope for 2004 is that we will go from strength to strength, bringing pleasure and enjoyment to many others.
Jenny Glynn