The Hook Norton Village Newsletter
October 2003 Series 28 No 5

Parish Council and Cherwell news



PLAY AREA CARETAKER REQUIRED

This post will be advertised shortly. Keep an eye on the notice boards or contact the Parish Clerk Mr Ken Porter on 01295 758352 for further information.



Hook Norton Charitable Association

Annual General Meeting and Donations Evening

8pm, Wednesday 8th October

at the

Brewery Visitors Centre

All Welcome



Hook Norton Out of School Club
Play Leader and Play worker wanted

The Club is being set up to provide care for up to 16 children aged 5-11. It plans to run weekdays 3-6pm after school and 8.45-6.30pm half term/holidays, from the Autumn Term.

A committed, experienced and suitably qualified Play Leader is needed to run the Club, together with an enthusiastic, preferably experienced, Play worker. Job shares considered for both posts, with additional hours possible for the right candidate.

Pay: £7 ph play leader; £5.50 ph play worker. Free training will also be offered. Further information & application packs from Lynda, Fran, or Teresa.

HNOSC is a not-for-profit venture run by a voluntary management committee



Walk More.........
Feel the difference!
You may have heard about Health Walks in the local press. This is a new initiative to increase fitness by walking for half an hour with a group of people. A beginners Health Walk is being planned around the village ending up at the Surgery for a drink!
Look out for posters giving details of day and times!
Olwen Goodwin



 
  • Don't trust callers you don't know - men women or children.
  • Always secure your doorchain before answering the door. If you are in doubt, don't let strangers into your home.
  • Ask all callers for identification and close the door while you check it.
  • If you're worried, keep the door closed and call the police.
  • If you know of anybody who is preying on elderly or vulnerable people, tell the police or call Crimestoppers anonymously on freephone 0800 555 111. You won't be asked for your name, you won't get involved and your information can help make the community safer.
   



HOOK NORTON REMEMBERED
In the 1950's Hook Norton was a thriving, almost self-contained village. Shops and small businesses existed in every street. The three main grocery shops were, the Co-op, on the main street, managed by Mr Smith, Pilsworths, opposite the Co-op, and the small shop at the bottom of Bell Hill, owned by Mr and Mrs Lightfoot. As well as over-the-counter service, all three establishments offered a delivery service for orders left at the shop. Meat could be obtained from any one of three butchers' shops. Frank Phipps had his shop in the corner of the square opposite to the Church, next to the Sun Inn. Another butcher's shop was almost opposite, next to Sundial Cottage and owned, I believe by Mr White and later by Mr Eagles who eventually moved his business to Bloxham. The third one was in the Nettings, owned by Mrs Green and later run by Arthur Dumbleton. Mr Reuben Green had a shop next to the churchyard selling haberdashery and Mrs Leadbetter had a shop nearby on the corner of the lane near to White's butcher's shop, from which she served the village children with sweets and ice creams.
Green-grocery could be obtained from Mrs Burbidge's shop opposite Sundial Cottage, and from the small shop in Sibford Road run by Mrs Williams, wife of Tom (our local Councillor and market gardener). Tom grew most of the produce on sale.
Household hardware, gardening supplies, decorating equipment, newspapers, paraffin and petrol could all be bought from Mr Roy Gaddes's very comprehensive hardware shop situated on the main street next to the Bell Inn.
Bread was delivered by the Co-op and from the bakery, opposite Lightfoot's shop, operated by Mr Haynes and later by Mr Prew. Miss Cox at the bake-house opposite the Memorial Hall often undertook specialist baking (cakes for special occasions and party catering).
Mrs Painter of Wistaria House made wreaths and floral decorations to order. Mr Cooper on Bell Hill repaired boots and shoes. Stan Wise repaired and serviced cars and supplied petrol at the garage in East End, having taken over the business after the sad accidental death of Mr Horace Cox, the original proprietor. Mr Gillett ran the Chemist on the corner opposite the huge Wellingtonian trees. Dr Taylor, from Sibford, had clinics at Wellingtonia House and later Dr. August had a doctor's surgery in the village. Mr and Mrs Heath ran the Post Office in a cottage near the Methodist Church. Mr Frank Gardener and Mr Kaye did thatching. A very efficient dental service was operated by Mr Jones at his house at the end of Bourne Lane. Mr Hicks had a building business in Sibford Road. In his yard, he had a machine for making concrete building blocks that he could colour to order. He built several bungalows with the various coloured blocks. Derek Harris began his own building and repair business. There were two blacksmith forges, one belonging to Mr Borsberry was opposite the Church, next to the Red Lion and the other was in the lane between Mrs Ledbetter's and the butcher's shops and belonged to Mr Weston. Further up the lane was shop/office of the Shropshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire Electricity Co. (S.W.S) overseen by Mr Charlie Hewitt. On the other side of the road was the garage and workshop of Gaddes's coach-hire business. Further on, at the beginning of the Bourne was the Fire station. Mr Bill Clarke captained the team of brave village men. Mr Wallington had a hauliers business on the edge of the village at Southrop and Tom Golby would move small loads for anyone at reasonable rates. Charlie Hollis, in his professional capacity of antique dealer and valuer would advise on antiques and arrange sales or purchases if required. Mr Wells of Scotland End would repair clocks and watches and on one evening each week a loud hand-bell would announce the arrival of Hutt's fish and chip van in the village.
Geoff Walton