The Hook Norton Village Newsletter
June 2003 Series 28 No 3

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
June and July are busy months what with the School Celebrations, Summer Ball, Music at the Crossroads and the Beer Festival – plenty to enjoy.
Have a great summer!
You have donated £42.31 to the Newsletter this month – thank you!
Sadly, we report the death of Marjorie Sabin aged 83. On behalf of the village, we send our condolences to her family and friends.

Andy Horne Helen Foster
hooknorton.news@btopenworld.com helen@monivea.freeserve.co.uk

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

COPY DEADLINE
Remember, remember the 15th July
ROLLING DIARY
Please email village activity & diary dates to Hazel Hope
harkhope@lineone.net



BAPTIST CHURCH
With everyone thinking about their summer holidays can I remind you that this year Holiday Club will be 4th – 8th August and once again we are delighted that Ian and Elaine will be able to lead this exciting week for the children. There will be all the usual fun and laughter and parents are not excluded, as you will be invited to the barbecue on the Thursday evening. Why not make a note in your diaries now - don't let the children miss out!
Talking of social occasions, are you around the village on Wednesday mornings? Then why not join Ken and Kitty as they host their regular coffee morning in the church hall, come and enjoy a chat amongst friends, have coffee and cakes and there may even be a game of Scrabble on the go! You can be sure of a warm welcome.
Other dates to remember are the joint ecumenical service on the 15th June.
We welcome you to any or all of these occasions.
Julie Warren


ST. PETER'S CHURCH
Starting my first bash as village newsletter correspondent for St. Peter's Church, may I first say a wholehearted thank you to Rachel Johnston, who has been keeping us up-to-date with the varied events at St. Peter's for many years. Rachel has recently moved away from the village and, as she passes me her Biro, I'd like to wish her all the very best in her new home.
So, where to begin? It's been a busy period, as always, thanks to the dedicated team that organises so many regular and one-off events. The monthly babes-and-toddlers get-together, 'Wheelers and Squealers', with John Acreman and Jenny Mead, is in full swing on the first Tuesday of each month (11.00-12.30). With a story, singing and then lunch in the church, Wheelers is a firm favourite with the youngest village set, along with their mothers/fathers/carers. All are welcome! Likewise with the Sunday Gang, which meets at Church at 10.00 most Sunday mornings. Sheila Smith runs a brilliant group. The theme for the day is combined with activities (often PVA glue-based) up in the 'glass-house', and the gang regularly performs and sings in Church to bring an added smile to the morning. There are outings, theatre trips and other events combined with the Baptist Sunday School and the St. Peter's Sunday Gang also get together at the Pottery for a 'Pottery Tea' about once a month. Many thanks to Janet and Russell Collins for opening their doors to the Gang.
Other news? Well, Kingham Hill School's Chapel Centenary celebrations have been very well attended with a Rock Communion that I dare say will be remembered for years to come. Any ideas for a similar event at St. Peter's? – let me know and I'll pass your suggestions on! Back in Hook Norton, the Lent courses carried out together with the Baptist Church were well attended, and enjoyed by all.
As I write this, over 60 people are wondering what will be for supper on May 16th. The Rich-Man-Poor-Man supper at the church is a fundraising evening for Christian Aid and will see a third of us (and we don't know who yet) enjoy a 'rich man's' feast, with the other two-thirds finding out what it's like not to be so fortunate. I dare say it will be a very thought-provoking evening! Also in preparation as this goes to press is a joint Benefice service on Rogation Sunday (May 25th). Last year the congregation met at Tom and Mary Powell's barn for a wonderful service and lunch in the countryside. This year the service will be at the Brewery, and I'm sure will be an equally wonderful occasion.
Anticipation leading up to 'Events in a Tent' weekend (June 28th / 29th) is also building. The weekend will celebrate both St. Peter's Patronal Festival: - St. Peter's day - on June 29th, and Hook Norton Primary School's 10th anniversary at its Sibford Road site. Events include the Summer Ball (Saturday 28th), a Rock Gospel Service / Concert (Sunday 29th) and a visit by the Bishop to the School (Monday 30th). More details are in the Newsletter.
There will be a meeting in St. Peter's on 17th June at 7.45 pm to discuss the future format and content of worship in Sunday services - all interested in contributing to the discussion are very welcome.
Repairs for the Church tower have now gone off to tender, and work is expected to start on the pinnacles within the next two months. Please continue to respect the taped-off boundaries around the tower. They are there for your safety. And won't it be wonderful to see the tower restored!
Sophia Fox. Sophiafox1@aol.com.


FRIENDS OF HOOK NORTON SCHOOL
MARATHON MOTHER
Congratulations please to Jo “Forever” Young, Hook Norton's answer to Paula Ratcliffe. Jo not only ran more than 26 miles last month in the London Marathon, she raised more than £750 for the school. Many will have shivered when spotting Jo limbering up on winter weekends around the village doing her warm-up 18-mile runs. She tells me that cantering past “The Sun” was not quite as thrilling as the last stretch up the Mall to the finishing line but all the effort was worth it. “It was very exciting but also very humbling because there were blind people and limbless people doing it. I ran alongside an 81 year old chap for a while.“
Jo, 43, is a clinical research nurse and has two children at Hook Norton, plus her eldest who is a past pupil. She not only gives us all hope, but points to the obvious solution to fund-raising for the school: “I have come to the conclusion that there is a marathon in everyone,” she says. “When I started training, I thought I couldn't run as far as Tom Williams' shop. But if you have a goal, it is amazing what you can do.” You've proved that, Jo. Our goal at FOHNS is to raise £4,000 this year, so please help.
Our next big challenge is the Summer Ball on Saturday 28th June. It is jointly organised by the school and St Peter's Church to mark the 10th anniversary of the primary school's new building. The ball will be held in the evening in a marquee on the school field and profits will be divided between the school and St Peters (with 10 per cent of the Church's share being donated to The Children's Society.) On the Friday before, look out for stray elephants as the Big Top comes to town and Hook Norton's Circus Skills Day takes place. PS Volunteer help is needed behind the bar at the Ball and for serving teas at the Reunion/Display Evening the following Monday.
There is also to be a Christmas Fayre so block out your diary for 6th December. Finally, thanks to the organisers of March's Murder Mystery Evening which raised £225, and a big thank you to Julie Wood for her work raising £200 for the Treasure Squares competition. And don't forget that if you use the Gift Aid scheme, you give tax efficient support to the school. We've already raised £170 this way. An easy option perhaps for the non-Marathon runners.
Sue Wood, FOHNS chair, woodees@btopenworld.com


1st HOOK NORTON GUIDES
We have had an extremely exciting and busy time at Guides this term. Since the last newsletter, we have had a very successful sleepover in South Newington Village Hall. Luckily, we were blessed with beautiful weather, so that we were able to eat and wash up outside. We played parachute games, which were organised by one of the older Guides and then when it became dark we headed inside for a relaxation evening by the 6 Guides who are working towards their Baden Powell Challenge. In fact by the time you are reading this newsletter, 4 of the older guides (Sarah Chadwick, Vicky Hills, Jenny Thompson and Katie Wood) will have just completed their BP Challenge, having spent up to 18 months working on it.
We had a very good turn out of Guides at the St Georges' Day Parade in Banbury at the end of the Easter Holidays. This was held in St Mary's Church - 14 Guides turned up - we had 6 in the colour parties and Lucy Curtis and Corrie Ricardo helped act out the Guide Promise with 4 other Guides from the Cherwell Division. No doubt you will have seen the photographs in the Banbury Guardian newspaper.
On Saturday 10th May, we hired the swimming pool at Shipston-on-Stour for a couple of hours and 17 Guides enjoyed swimming and playing on the inflatable and floats - we provided them with snacks and drinks afterwards. The rest of this term we are concentrating on camp practice as we are camping the first week of the summer holiday - we shall be practising putting up the tents, making gadgets and having plenty of cook-outs.
All we wish for is a couple of months of fine weather so that we can enjoy the out of doors!
Julie Wood


FOHNCL
Books and Plants do go together! On Saturday 3rd May the Friends held a sale of both at the Library. The Car Park looked festive with an awning and tables festooned with a wonderful array of books and plants - kindly donated by many people.
Yes, we made some money for our funds - over £200, but the main benefit was to increase awareness of the Library facilities, including Broadband, and the work of the Friends. Above all it was a great social occasion with many visitors, not only buying and staying for a chat, but also renewing their 'Friends' subscription or joining for the first time.
Thanks go to everyone who helped by providing the excellent variety of books and plants, manning the stalls and of course, buying.
Special thanks go to Pat at the Library for her co-operation whilst keeping the Library itself open for business. We would also like to thank the Rector and Churchwardens of St Peter's for the loan of tables as well as refreshment facilities.
John Wheatley


W.I.
Echoing the Garden Club Spring Show, the W.I. held a 'mini show' at their meeting on 15th April, exhibiting cookery, flower arranging and crafts. The winner's cup was presented to Pat Fletcher, second was Sheila Lilley and third Beryl White. The newly elected president, Suzy Bolland was unable to preside through illness, so vice president Sheila Lilley chaired the meeting. Beryl White continues as Secretary and Kate Hopkins as Treasurer. Mrs. Joan Page kindly agreed to judge exhibits, while members and guests enjoyed readings given by Sheila Lilley and John Wheatley, including poems by Pam Ayres and the lovely Oxfordshire poem 'Adlestrop' by Edward Thomas. Sheila also read a beautiful poem written by her granddaughter. Mr. Wheatley received grateful thanks for his splendid renditions and for agreeing to entertain at the meeting at fairly short notice. On 17th June Mrs. Wendy Hillary of The Elgar Society will make a welcome return visit to give a talk on 'Alice Elgar—An Interesting Life' On Saturday 28th June members are invited to a Group Event at Sibford Village Hall which will include tea and garden visits. The Hook Norton W.I. Golden Jubilee will be celebrated on 22nd July with a buffet lunch at The Red Lion, Little Compton. An outing to Sudeley Castle is arranged for 19th. August Posters are displayed on notice boards in the village about all the meetings which are held on the third Tuesday of each month in the Baptist Hall, to which guests are always welcomed.
Marion Roberts


HOOK NORTON LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
The April meeting was about the creation and work of the Arts & Crafts Movement in Chipping Campden, a dream of Robert Ashby started in Toynbee Hall in 1888. Frank Johnstone explained that Ashby and others considered the skills of the Bermondsey craftsmen deserved recognition, proper wages and fresh air. Having persuaded them to move, a settlement including work places, a school and swimming lake was established. The influence of their work remains – look at your stainless steel toast rack, which was revolutionary then.
Our May meeting was in Cropredy. The members of its History Group took us round their village. It was a lesson in how such tours should be conducted. Enlarged photographs were aptly chosen to illustrate changes and concise histories accompanied them. There was the battlefield where Cromwell realised his army needed training. Perhaps the most striking feature was the canal. Once a busy stretch where bargees laboured long hard days bringing coal and goods to the yards, now an idyllic green sided waterway with narrow boats taking holiday makers lazily through the locks.
After a sumptuous supper in the Chapel Hall, we expressed our thanks and admiration for a perfect evening.
The Whitsun break made visiting Bletchley Park impractical.
Next season starts on 2nd September but FIRST, don't forget to visit the School's 10th birthday Exhibition on 30th June at 6pm.
Sheila Terry – Chairman


MUSEUM
Our village museum put on its first exhibition over the Easter Holiday with the well received 'Jim Hackling Exhibition'.
It was a last opportunity to see some of the models and artefacts made by the late Jim Hackling of 5 Bell Hill, Hook Norton. Tim Holloway of the Banbury auctioneers was instrumental in letting the museum have some of Jim's floating warship models on loan including 'The Bismarck', his collection of aircraft models together with a model of the Graf Spee airship. Models of the No1 Hook Norton viaduct, a Silver Ghost, a Hook Norton Brewery lorry, a model of the Brymbo ironface and a model of Jim's own Lambretta were kindly lent by villagers. Jim's model of Big Ben, famous amongst Hooky people, remains in the village in private ownership although many of his clocks were sent to auction. Jim could turn his hand to anything and would also produce homemade articles for practical use in his everyday life.
Jim and his brother Perce came to Hook Norton after the 1939-45 World War to live with their widowed mother when she married her cousin, boot and shoemaker Jim Cooper. Jim took up boot and shoe making and repairing himself but when shoe repairing became unprofitable went on to work at the Brewery. He had already made some of his warship models before the war and some of these were displayed during that war at Warship Weeks and similar occasions around Oxfordshire. These 'Weeks' were held to raise money for the War Effort.
Jim and his brother Perce were to make an enormous contribution to Hook Norton. They would walk and maintain footpaths amongst many other activities. Perce was to delve deeply into the history of the village and his truly magnificent maps and records are kept in the museum store and are available to anyone on request. Arthur Soper, Jim's cousin has very kindly donated the model of HMS Collingwood to the museum.
Our museum is adjacent to the Brewery museum at the Visitor Centre during its opening hours. We are working towards manning the museum at certain times.
Barbara Hicks


THE SCHOOL EXHIBITION - 30th JUNE
 Please will you lend the History Group any pre 1950's
TOYS, GAMES (Ludo, Hoops etc)
PHOTOGRAPHS,
EXERCISE BOOKS or
ANYTHING 'SCHOOLISH'

Please contact Barbara Hicks, Sheila Terry or Sheila Rider


HOOK NORTON PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
Well?! What can I say, as ever fund raising is top of our agenda and I'd like to say a
“BIG THANK YOU”
 to everyone who came along to support the Treasure Hunt and the Fashion Show. Special thanks to the organisers and helpers for all their hard work in putting on these events, their enthusiasm and support is very much appreciated.
It was pleasing to see that both were well attended and I thank you for your continuing contributions and support without which we would be unable to hold such events. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves. A big thank must go to all the children who came along and were the models for the Fashion Show, you all looked great. I would also say well done to the bar persons, who until the Treasure Hunt did not know how great they were at pulling pints!!
There is only one thing left for me to say and that is:
'WATCH THIS SPACE'
Teresa Hughes Chairperson


TRANSPORT
Stepping out. Help the Aged have produced a booklet giving details of special offers for over 60s for travel and admission to properties etc. during June. I have put copies of the booklet in the Post Office and the library, or you can phone 01227 866895 or visit www.helptheaged.org.uk. The events are scattered around the country, so it might depend where you are at the time. One offer is for travel for £12.50 return anywhere on First Great Western trains (to Hereford, Bristol, South Wales, Devon and Cornwall). You need to start your journey from Oxford, Charlbury or Kingham, using the token in the booklet.
Train times. New timetables came into force from 18th May. There are slight alterations on Chiltern trains from Banbury. Virgin Cross Country trains have more significant changes. Some services to and from Scotland no longer stop at Banbury and the direct trains to the north-east no longer go via Leeds. I can provide some details on request.
Severn Valley Railway. Visit the SVR for one of the longest steam-hauled rail trips, from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth along the banks of the Severn. Drive to Kidderminster in about 1½ hours, or take a train from Banbury (9.59 from Banbury on a Saturday, changing at Birmingham Snow Hill to reach Kidderminster at 11.45, or go earlier).
Peter Fry


VERGES ROUND HOOKY
The verges around the village this year have been a wonderful sight packed full of cowslips and the bluest of blue bluebells. I am sure some of this is due to weather conditions but the County Council deserves a pat on the back for its policy of trimming the verges to one depth only and so allowing wild flowers to renew themselves. When I first came to Hooky our village banks and verges were full of wild flowers but these days we seem to have got into the habit of mowing everything in sight. I know it is not so neat and tidy but a good cut in July gets things back under control. Just a thought.
Barbara Hicks


WILDLIFE NOTEBOOK - MID MARCH TO MID MAY
Tim Burchell phoned me on 19th March to say that he had seen 4 Buzzards in Bourne Lane. Two were displaying and were joined by another pair. On 22nd March Jeff Longmore saw 2 Buzzards in East End and Margaret Bloomfield phoned to say that she had also seen 3 Buzzards circling west of the Church on 25th. Also, on 24th March she had a male Red Legged Partridge in her garden, which is most unusual.
Sheila Acreman was the first person in the village to phone me to say that in the afternoon of 4th April she heard a Cuckoo. I also had calls from Lucy and Clare Curtis to say they had heard the Cuckoo for the first time on the morning of 14th. On the same day Graham Woodward heard a Cuckoo at around 8.00pm and Ray Gasson also phoned to say that he had heard one on 18th April. Has anyone seen a Cuckoo?
Unfortunately Sheila Acreman found a dead Firecrest.
Graham Woodward had also seen a Mallard and ducklings in East End in the middle of April. About 40 Fieldfares were still in the fields on 18th April and many Pied Wagtails have been seen around the village. During March Blackbirds, Dunnock and Blue Tits were all seen collecting nest material. The only young bird I have seen is a Dunnock on 8th May. Please can you let me know if you have seen any young birds? Other birds seen so far are Long-Tailed Tits, female Sparrowhawks, a Heron and 3 Mallard Ducks.
This year in the East End the first Chiffchaff was seen on 21st March. The first House Martin was spotted on 25th April, as were the first Swallow on 26th April and the first Swift on 10th May. A Hobby was also seen on 10th May. If anyone saw these birds before this date can you please let me know.
Finding and choosing a mate is very important to birds. Eggs are large in comparison with the size of the bird and each bird only produces a few each year. The songs, displays and plumage patterns of males attract the right females who can afford to be choosy. Male House Sparrows have black bibs that enlarge in spring. The largest and fittest have the largest black bibs and these birds get the best territories so females choose these birds to mate with early in the spring. The male Great Tit has a broader black chest and belly stripe and adopts a head-up posture to show off. A clue to the condition of an adult swallow is the length of its tail. Both sexes prefer mates with longer tails which show that they are fit and likely to be better parents. Long-tailed females arrive at the nesting territories earlier in spring than short-tailed females and are more likely to lay a second clutch. Female Blackbirds fight fiercely as they must preserve an exclusive claim to their mate and his territory. In territorial birds such as Blue Tits and Blackbirds, most males and females are paired in spring. Females need a caring male and a territory that provides all the needs of the family if they are to succeed. Male birds generally carve out a territory by singing and fighting.
Tabby Lucas phoned to say that her daughter Hepsie, who is five years old, saw a Grass Snake swimming in the wildlife pond in the middle of April.
A Fox was seen on several occasions in East End at the end of March and 3 Badgers were seen in a garden in East End in the middle of April.
Spring is a time to see the first Butterflies and I saw a Brimstone on 16th March, a Small Tortoiseshell on 18th and a Red Admiral on 7th May. It would be interesting to know what, when and where you saw your first Butterflies. Please contact me with your sightings.
Geraldine Moore email: geraldine.moore1@btinternet.com


HOOK NORTON REMEMBERED
Colonel Kennard had an idea that he could feed the hungry thousands at local racecourses by supplying them with hot cooked portions of chicken, if only a method could be devised to cook the chicken on the spot. He discussed this at some length with Stan Price, his right-hand man, and Stan asked me to go along to talk about ways and means. Eventually, a small metal trailer was bought and I was asked to produce a viable mobile cooker capable of supplying dozens of cooked chicken portions in a short space of time. The result was an arrangement of four gas burners, (rescued from discarded calor gas ovens) surmounted by a large, thick steel plate, and the whole protected by metal wind-shields. The gas was supplied from a gas cylinder situated in the boot of the towing vehicle. This primitive, perhaps the first, mobile gas barbecue worked extremely well and the Colonel used it for several years at local race meetings. As he had no means of cooking chips to accompany the chicken a packet of Smiths crisps and bottled sauces were available with each portion.
Arthur Dumbleton had taken the tenancy of Mrs Green's butchers shop at the Nettings end of Watery Lane and I would often drop in there for a chat and to watch his expertise of cutting up meat. He had a van round through Swerford and the Tews, on Wednesdays he would go loaded with ready prepared items such as sausages and chops and would take orders for weekend joints to be delivered on Saturday. Occasionally I would take his Saturday delivery to give him a day off. He would get up early and load the orders into the van and give me a list of customers as I set off. Usually all went well but on one occasion I delivered a leg of lamb to a good housewife who threw up her hands in horror “Oh dear, Arthur said he would bone it for me,” she said. Well, I had never boned a leg of lamb, but she was almost in tears, so foolishly I offered to bone it for her. About 45 minutes later I emerged from the van with a bone in one hand and a lump of meat in the other. The lady was delighted. I thought I had made a complete mess of it. It had looked so easy to do as I had watched Arthur in his shop, but the good lady told Arthur the next week she had been very pleased because they had had a nice boneless roast on Sunday and enough small pieces to make a tasty stew for Tuesday.
I had run my Austin 7 Ruby Saloon for several years and thousands of miles, but my family had grown. We were a family of four plus a mother-in-law and to get everyone into the small car was a problem which got worse as time went on. I had to look for a larger vehicle and bought an old Morris 10 but discovered after I had bought it, that the steering bushes were badly worn. However, as many car owners did in the 1950's, I went to a yard in North Bar in Banbury which was full of cars being dismantled for spares and bought a complete front axle assembly in very good condition. After a few weeks work we had a very reliable and comfortable car which served us well for many happy journeys, both locally and for our periodic visits to Southampton.
Geoff Walton


A TRIBUTE TO LEE MORGAN FROM THE W.I.
Mrs. Leila (Lee) Morgan who died on 21st March will be very sadly missed in the village, especially by her friends in the W.I where over the years she had been Treasurer, Secretary, President and Group Convener. She also organised many memorable outings including ones to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Lee had been on the Care Centre committee and helped as a volunteer at the Centre. She will also be remembered by the Hook Norton Surgery doctors and staff for helping with fund raising together with 'The Friends of Bourne End Surgery' towards the purchase of new equipment and was co winner for suggesting the name for the new building in The Bourne. Lee also helped to embroider the W.I. tapestry depicting village scenes which is on permanent display in the surgery waiting room. Several W.I. members attended the funeral on 28th March at Banbury Crematorium where a beautiful floral display arranged by Pat Fletcher and given on behalf of the W.I. was included with many other floral tributes. Contributions were made in her memory to Cancer Research UK.
The W.I. have given a contribution to the County Memorial Bursary Fund in memory of Lee. All donations are recorded in the Memorial Bursary Book.
Marion Roberts


ANNOUNCEMENTS


Ione Elizabeth Grace daughter of Bart and Louise Dalla-Mura was baptised at St Peter's Church on April 27th 2003



Ivor, Jacqui and Jennifer would like to announce the arrival of a baby boy, Brett Charles Davidson-Matthews, born on the 21st April 2003



Maisie Mary, daughter of Christopher and Charlotte Green was baptised at St Peter's Church on 27th April 2003



Owen Harry Stratford, son of Peter and Claire Stratford formerly of Hook Norton was baptised at St Peter's Church on 24th May 2003



Georgina Jessica Northwood, daughter of John and Carol Housby was baptised at St Peter's Church on March 23rd 2003