HNNL October 2003 page 4
The Hook Norton Village Newsletter
October 2003 Series 28 No 5

Sports and Social



HOOK NORTON SPORTS AND RECREATION PROJECT
As many of you are hopefully now aware following the presentations in the Library, Memorial Hall, Sports and Social Club and to the Parish Council, work has started.
Coordination of work is being undertaken by FortRidge Consulting Limited who have been employed by the Club to project manage the arrangements surrounding contractor appointments, health and safety, contracts and phasing and integration of all the work.
The football pitch is currently being levelled, involving considerable earth movements to achieve a 1 in 200 fall across the length of the pitch. This will be followed by installation of drainage and seeding over the next few weeks so that the pitch is ready for the 2004 season. Early season success for football has been achieved from the New Opportunities Fund in the form of a £30,000 grant towards this work.
Some out of hours working has been unavoidable to ensure completion of essential works within the weather windows that the forecast has projected. We would like to apologise for any intrusion this has caused. Every effort will be made throughout the construction phases to minimise any impact of the work.
Construction of the tennis courts started in September and will take about 8 weeks to complete. When these are ready, work will start on existing courts to convert them to a multi-use games area for basketball, netball, five a side, tennis and for general recreation.
Temporary access for the initial stages of the work has been negotiated from Hayway Lane to minimise construction machinery in the village. This will continue as long as ground conditions and programme of work allows, but temporary construction access will be required using the existing Club entrance and the redundant bowling green.
Options for permanent access are being reviewed following some feedback from the August public consultations. This will consider arrangements not previously examined in detail. In the short/medium term however, it is anticipated that the current access and arrangements that have received planning permission will continue.
Phase Two is for the new pavilion and additional car parking. Feedback from the public consultation undertaken over the past 3 years has identified with village concern about car parking and additional on site parking is seen as a vital component of the overall design, as is the encouragement of club users to avoid use of cars if possible. Cycle parking facilities will be provided as part of the final development.
The location of the pavilion has been criticised in the past, and continues to be a sensitive issue for some in the village. Extensive consideration has been given over a prolonged period to try to resolve as many of the issues raised and to meet the various requirements and pressures that the replacement pavilion has to provide.
It is not intended to change the location of the proposed pavilion in the new field, but detailed design is currently (first week in September) being considered. The pavilion is to be scaled down from the plans that were presented to the village at the 2002 public meetings. It will provide changing for all sports and include disabled provision and facilities for officials. Plans will be taken forward for a four changing room design. In addition, bar and social facilities, a small kitchen and a meeting room are being planned. It will be singe storey, taking into account the feedback received on impact within the landscape of the two storey proposal.
Many issues and factors have been considered to arrive at the current development plan. Consideration on outstanding matters will continue to be addressed in what is a complex project plan. Village feedback has been listened to and taken into account as far as is reasonably possible. Not everyone's requirements or wishes can be met but the project is being developed to try to achieve as many solutions to individual and village concerns as is possible. Full details, as always, are available in the library and in the Sports and Social Club.
Hook Norton Sports and Social Club



HOOK NORTON CRICKET CLUB
The First Xl (captained by Melvin Riley) by July had won 4 and lost 4 then suddenly realising the season would soon be over leapt into action winning a further 5 and losing 2. This meant they ended the season in third place in Premier Division 1. Simon Richards was top scorer with 634 runs and Paul Souch who was out only 4 times in 14 innings topped the averages with 58(!). Andy Cooper was top wicket taker with 35 (average 16) closely followed by Kenny Smith with 33 (also averaging 16).
The Second XI (captained by Keith Pashley) ended the season dismissing Chinnor II for 30 which meant a very early tea. Having been promoted to Division 8 and to come within a few points of coming 3rd in their first season was a very good performance indeed. Top scorer was Tom Bowen with 90 (averaging 32) followed by Kenny Cooper averaging 28. Quietly as is his wont, Paul White can always show the younger how to do it and took 16 wickets at under 7 runs apiece whilst son Danny (who played more games) took 28.
Sunday Friendlies, organised by Paul White had some very enjoyable games in the last 6 weeks. Martin Harris's team gave our team a good run for their money and Martin who kept complaining of old age only managed to score 56. Cohn Rose International Stars were not quite so successful but involved quite a lot of laughter. Archie Bullard's Family Xl gave us a close game as did a team called Hook Norton Youth which seemed to consist mainly of fathers of our players. Phil White showed he had lost little skill and hit several fifties.
Junior Cricket (5 to 17 year olds) had a busy time. A team of UI 3's and one of UI 7's plus 2 teams of U II's played in Oxfordshire League competitions. The Girls section, which is growing, comprised of enthusiastic and able members played several friendly matches which they thoroughly enjoyed.
The Mini's section is proving to be very popular and several matches for U8's gave them a chance to put into practice what our dedicated group of coaches taught them. The Club wishes to thank all those who gave up their spare time in training this large and sometimes tumultuous group.
There are now 110 junior members and as the Club goes from strength to strength we would like to encourage keen boys and especially girls who want to learn to play cricket. Our policy that children should be encouraged to play cricket for enjoyment without any pressures is, we think, proving to be successful. We have some very able young players and currently 3 boys are representing Oxfordshire at county level.
All in all 2003 season has been a good one and it was extremely satisfying to those who for several years have been patiently coaching the Juniors to see them now play in all games up to the 1st Xl standard and to watch their keenness, improvement and growing professional approach.
Colin Scarrett (Secretary). Juniors Paul & Jackie White



HOOK NORTON JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB
As we start a new season of Junior football, we now have approximately 130 boys & girls playing for our eight teams in Hook Norton Junior Football Club.
The age range is from five to sixteen years. Our Minis section is run every Saturday and is lots of fun for boys and girls aged between five and seven.
Our Under 8's, 9's and 10's play their home games at the Sports & Social also on a Saturday morning and compete in the Witney & District Youth Football League.
Our two Under 12's teams and the Under 14's also play in the Witney League, on a Sunday afternoon, along with our Under 16's who compete in the Oxfordshire F.A. League.
So, if you would like to watch a game of football, there is always one going on at the Sports & Social on most Saturdays and Sundays from now through until March!
You can keep up to date with all our teams' fixtures, results and league tables online at our Hook Norton Junior Football Club website http://www.hnjfc.co.uk
Thanks to all the Managers and Officials involved with the club for all your hard work and commitment. Thanks also to the parents for supporting your children's involvement in football. If any parents would also like to get involved in either Coaching or Refereeing, there are opportunities to go on training courses and help out with most of our teams.
If you would like to make contact with our club, please feel free to contact myself in the first instance. Good luck to all boys and girls in our teams this season. Come on Hooky!
Jonathan Thompson (HNJFC Secretary)



HOOK NORTON FOOTBALL CLUB
This stage of the football season is always extremely hectic for football club secretaries and, as such, I am going to rely on this reason as being my excuse for keeping this Newsletter's contribution much briefer than usual. “Thank goodness”, I hear you all say, particularly the non- football enthusiasts among you!
By way of explanation for the comment in the first sentence of this article, I am, of course, referring to the fact that matches, as usual, are coming 'thick and fast', with the First Team being engaged, not only in matches every weekend, but also regularly on a midweek basis. Additionally, the Second Team is now 'up and running' in its League and early rounds of cup competitions are now being staged.
As I pen this article, it is pleasing to record that our First Team is currently in 9th position in the Premier Division of the Hellenic League, which consists of 22 teams.
Bearing in mind that with the exception of two or three 'wise and experienced heads and feet', the team comprises of mainly young and inexperienced (at this level) players, of around 20 years' old, it says much for the expert guidance they are so obviously receiving from the management team of John Evans, Matt Haycocks and Davy Jones. It is, of course, early days yet and much can and probably will happen as the remainder of the season unfolds but, at this stage of 'the proceedings', the signs are definitely encouraging. Our team will probably not win the Division but, if they can hold their own and finish in a respectable position, they will have done well. Accordingly, we wish them and their management team well in the weeks and months ahead.

The Second Team, as previously reported, is once more under the guidance of 'local boy', Adrian White and he is being very ably assisted by his sister, Louisa, who is fulfilling the physio's role, which is providing her with valuable practical experience in the context of her degree course and her expectation for future employment. Their season has only just kicked off but, already, the signs are good, following a convincing 3-1 away win against a strong Ardley United team. Like the First Team, the Second Team comprises many young players, with a nucleus from the Village itself, and one or two players with a depth of experience. I am sure they will, once again, do well and will be 'there or thereabouts' when end of season honours are being distributed. Furthermore, they will be there to provide valuable back up and support to the First Team, whenever they may be needed.
I look forward to telling you a little bit more in the next Newsletter.
Geoff 'Jesse' James Club Secretary



HOOK NORTON TENNIS CLUB
Hook Norton Tennis Club's 'A' Team are the Banbury Town League Tennis Champions for only the 2nd time in the club's 25 year history. They finished well ahead of rivals West End 'A' and suffered only one defeat all summer.
The Club's 'B' Team has earned promotion to Division 1 by coming 2nd in the 2nd Division and the 'D' team have also earned promotion to Division 4, whilst both C and E teams are lying in 4th place in their respective Divisions.
The Banbury Town League is for mixed teams of six players and clubs competing have to be within 15 miles of Banbury.
The Tennis Club is looking forward to the construction of its three new Astroturf courts that should be ready for play by December. The Club has been a firm supporter of the Hook Norton Sports and Social Club expansion plans to provide the village with improved and updated sporting facilities and is excited about the successful outcome of this Project.
Mrs. Diana Spitzley



OUR EAST END TENNIS CLUB
By an Observer

How beautiful the trees around
They spread their roots upon the ground
And underneath the shady leaves
Protection from the sun receives

The viaduct does not impede
The views of pasture and of mead
Where happy couples wend their way
To spend the evening of the day

These think of love, and others sport
Like those who play on 'Baker's Court'
Who 'one and all' acclaim this toast
Our gracious hostess and our host

Look at 'Old B' pray give him scope
As nimble as an Antelope
No fairer player can you meet
Either in Victory or Defeat

Then dear 'FJ' he does not trouble
And hardly ever serves a double
His hearty laugh, always the same
A fine exponent of the Game

Just notice 'Brownie' on the seat
Her darling Rex, so hard to beat
They dearly love this 'Bakerland'
Far more than India's coral strand

Oh! Wiggington you do produce
Three players who often get to deuce
Winnie and Marj and Brother Tom
A sparkling trio midst the throng

There's Joyce and John, twin pair of J's
Fly down from 'Nill' on most weekdays
Dear little Gwen, demure and quiet
And chaperoned by Mrs Hiatt
 Improving player, we all know
His presence with us does bestow
On motorbike, all spick and span
Fine model of an Englishman

Down garden path such grace appears
Deserving of three hearty cheers
So lithe and active you may bet
Dear Hilda when you leap the net

And who is this suggests a match
Behold! It is the voice of 'Spatch'
In many games has won renown
Watts, her name from London Town

And Stratford Maud, we don't forget
Down at the Laurels, Fathers Pet
On Tennis Courts she loves to roam
Yet always thinks of Home Sweet Home

And Allen May, the old man's daughter
Is now at Bourton-on-the-Water
Ah well! Perhaps we've not quite lost her
In that fair spot of County Gloucester

Oh Coppage Duih flower of the flock
Arriving late, tis eight o'clock
My darlings, I've been fast asleep
Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep

And many parents come to view
Broken friendships to renew
New friends we love, but yet we're told
There's nothing beats the Friends of Old

This glorious sunshine will revive
Fond memories of one nine two five
All looking forward without fear
To meet again another year.

This appears to have been written in 1925 about the members of a Hook Norton Tennis Club. It has been supplied by Mrs M Smart, who has the beautifully written original as it was posted on a notice board. There is one name that is difficult to read, given in italics above. Perhaps you know who it is and some more stories about this group. If so we would love to hear them. Ed.