Hornton Online - Village website for Hornton, Oxfordshire

Twenty volunteers took part in the Hornton village Spring clean on Saturday morning, which meant loads of rubbish was collected.

Parish clerk Alan Cater thanked everyone who took part.

“A particular thank you to those who cleared the litter on Quarry Road, Horley Road and Bell Street beyond the village boundary, where large sacks full of rubbish were collected,” he said. “It was a job well done for the benefit of all.”

17th May 2012 - Wine Not

If you're going to the Hornton Diamond Jubilee Ball on June 9, then don’t wait until the Big Night to buy your wine – buy it in advance and save lots of lolly!

Organiser Anne Joyner has vouchers you can buy in advance for red, white and rosé wine at just £12.50 and Champagne at £20 a bottle. That's much less than the pub prices being charged on the night, so give her a call on 01295 670337 now and reserve your wine. The vouchers will be available right the way up to the day before the ball, which is on the evening of June 9.

17th May 2012 - Bumper Crop

The 3Hs Club plant sale last Saturday raised £329 - more than last year and a fantastic effort given the wettest April on record.

17th May 2012 - Goodbye Hilary

Former Hornton School pupils are invited back to have to tea in the school garden two weeks today - Thursday, May 31 - at 3pm to say goodbye to retiring headteacher Hilary Childs.

17th May 2012 - Diamond Days

Hornton will be celebrating the Diamond Jubilee long weekend twice over. On Sunday, June 3, the Neighbourhood Watch and Parish Council have organised a Diamond Jubilee Big Lunch on the village green. There will be a competition for the best-dressed table and all you have to do is to come along with your food and drink and be prepared to party!

Then on the Bank Holiday Tuesday 13 of Hornton's loveliest gardens and the allotments will be open from noon to 5.30pm in aid of the village's two churches and Oxfordshire's branch of Marie Curie Cancer Care. There will be tea and cakes, wine and Pimm's, so make a date!

17th May 2012 - Worms-A-Wiggle

Bookworms will be wiggling along to the mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council, which will be on the village green next Wednesday from 10.40am-11.20am .

17th May 2012 - Godhead to Godhead

Andrea Harding-Smith will be leading the 11am service in Hornton Methodist Church this Sunday, May, 20. At the same time Mattins will be celebrated in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist.

Don’t forget that you can pop in for coffee, cake and a chat in the Methodist Church every Friday morning from 10.30am to 12.30pm. There is a book, DVD and video swap - and, of course, lots of good gossip! And Thursday Club meets every week after school until 4.30pm in the Methodist Church School Room. All children are welcome.

11th May 2012 - Open Gardens Event June 2012

Find out all the info about the Open Gardens Event where 13 gardens are open with teas, plant stall and a raffle on Jubilee Tuesday 5th June.

10th May 2012 - Potty To Miss it

It's the Three Hs Gardening Club Gardening Club plant sale and it's all happening this Saturday, May 12. Just pop along to the pavilion from 10.30am for everything from roses to raspberry plants!

10th May 2012 - Safety in Numbers

Love to help with the village Spring Clean this Saturday but worried about being mown down by a ten ton truck? Don’t worry – help is at hand!

There will be high-visiility vests and pretty much everything else you’ll need – rubbish sacks, gloves and litter pickers – just waiting for you to help get Hornton spick and span for the Jubilee, so the more the merrier!

10th May 2012 - Glum Cow

It couldn’t be closer but the Dun Cow just failed to win the Harbury and District Crib League.

In the closest championship for years, the Hornton cribbers needed to beat the Harbury Club in the final match of the season but went down 5-2 at home, leaving the Bishops Itchington British Legion as the 2012 champions. Congragulations to them – and to Hornton for coming so close.

10th May 2012 - Card Sharp

The next Whist Drive is taking place at 2pm prompt in the pavilion on Tuesday week, May 22. As usual, players of all levels are very welcome.

10th May 2012 - hurch Services

There is an 11am service in Hornton Methodist Church this Sunday, May 13. As this is a United Service, there is no service at the parish church.

10th May 2012 - Parish Praise

Parish Council chairman Cllr David Miles priased all the hard work villagers put in, cutting grass and picking up litter, when he spoke at the annual parish meeting on April 30.

I would ask them to keep up the good work,” he said. “It is down to their hard work that Hornton is such a beautiful village.”

There was also thanks to Roy Tew for clearing Quarry Road of snow along to the Stratford Road. Roy is also looking after a supply of grit/salt for clearing the roads.

The meeting was told that the Parish Council has continued to control normal running costs - £4,337 last year compared to £4639 the year before – and this was helped by lighting costs being reduced by £64 due to the Street Lamp in Bell Street being out of action for several months.

Cllr Miles has received a comment that the stile at the end of West End is in poor repair, as is the adjoining gate. The Clerk will enquire of Oxon County Council Countryside Service as to whether this could be replaced, perhaps by a kissing gate.

Cllr Paul Burden presented the allotments report, which he said were looking really good.

Cllr Miles presented the playground report. A new ramp and railings have been installed, thanks to a grant from the Big Lottery Fund of £6,000 which helped fund this.

Julie Stanley told the committee that the new heating system at the pavlion had really come into its own, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

“Over the last year lettings have come to approximately £3,500, which is considerably more than in the past,” she said.

JUMPA are also raising money – in particular for the surface to be spruced up as a cost of several thousand pounds. In preparation for this, the committee members jet-washed it just before the hosepipe ban came into force.

Cllr Miles predicted “exciting times ahead” for Hornton School when he paid tribute to head teacher Hilary Childs, who is retiring this summer.

He explained that the governors had opted for a radical new idea a radical new idea as her replacement. Hornton is going to form a close collaboration with the Warriner School, with its principal, Dr Annabel Kay, also becoming our new head.

“This would give the pupils at Hornton School all the benefits of being taught at a small school, but with all the back up and resources of a large school,” he said.

Oxfordshire County Council who are the planning authority for mineral extraction and it seems that they have upheld all of our objections.”

The Parochial Church Council has been asked to consider installing a lightning conductor, said Sally Tweedsmuir and Alan Cater in their PCC report.

“Given that the Church has stood for centuries, it was concluded that the estimated cost of £5,000 could not be justified!” they said.

Jean Burden told the meeting that the Methodist Chapel continued to thrive but because the building is used so much more these days, the out-of-date kitchen and toilet facilities require updating and the stewards are now pressing forward with grant applications.

Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Jenny Bowes reminded villagers to be vigilant after goods and cars were stolen in when houses were broken into.

“It has been a harsh reminder to us all to check our own security and to keep watch for anything or anyone unusual in the village,” she said in her report.

The village’s history group, choir, gardening club, WI, football club are all thriving. Keep Fit, which meets on Wednesdays at 7pm in the pavilion are looking for new members and there’s a waiting list for the brownies.

3rd May 2012 - 5 at 7.30

Radio Five Live presenter Mark Pougatch will reveal the secrets of his sporting heroes at a special meeting of Hornton WI tonight to which everyone – even men! – are invited. It begins at 7.30pm and the competition is for a sporting trophy or certificate.

Next month’s meeting on June 7 will hear from Tim Hewless who will talk about My Travels with the Queen and the competition will be for Royal Memorabilia.

3rd May 2012 - Roll Up, Roll Up

It’s the biggest day of the year and it will only go with a swing if you get involved from the start!

It’s Hornton’s May Day celebrations – starting at lunchtime this Bank Holiday Monday, of course, and this year organiser Lorraine Joyner has given it an even more traditional feel than usual, with a coconut shy and even some stocks.

But before the festivities begin with the crowning of the May King and Queen, Lorraine is appealing for help to set up stalls – and take them down at the end.

All able bodies are needed from 10am to set up chairs and tables and when things get under way thos stalls will need staffing and stocking.

Laura Short on 01295 670232 is the person to ring if you have any items for the White Elephant, Carole Campbell on 01295 678109 wants bottles for the Tombola and Jenny Bowes on 01295 670633 would like good quality clothes - on hangers, please.

On the Big Day itself, Lesley Kings on 01295 670356 needs cakes to go with the teas and all help putting out tables and chairs on the green will be greatly appreciated.

“I have stalls that need manning, so please let me know if you are free to help out on a stall for an hour or so by ringing me on 01295 670708,” said Lorraine.

3rd May 2012 - Small is Beautiful

Janet Cropley will talking about Trees and Shrubs for the Small Garden at the next meeting of the Three Hs Gardening Club. It takes place on Tuesday, May 8, at 7.30pm in the Pavilion.

Don't forget the club's plant sale in the pavilion at 10.30am on Saturday week, May 12.

3rd May 2012 - Potter Down

There's been a bloomin' fantastic response to the appeal for green-fingered Horntonians to open their gardens on the Bank Holiday Tuesday after the Jubilee, June 5.

So far, 14 people have agreed to open their gardens, said organiser Lynn Corke, and she's also hoping the allotments will open too as they will be busting out all over by the big day.

“The money is going to really good causes,” said Lynn. “Half will go to the Chapel and the Church and the other half to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

“There will also be teas in the garden at The Cottage in Church Lane so if you are able tohelp serve them or bake a cake, that would be great.”

Anyone interested in helping should ring Lynn on 01295 670673 or email her at lcorke@uwclub.net.

3rd May 2012 - One More Heave

The Dun Cow have just one more match of the season to go – and if they win it, they win the league! After winning away against the Greaves Club 4-3, they will be champions if they beat the Harbury Club in their last match. Come on cribbeers!

3rd May 2012 - Moving Story

The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday, May 9, from 10.40am-11.20am.

3rd May 2012 - Church Services

Katie Lee will lead the service in Hornton Methodist Church at 11am this Sunday, May 6. At this is a United Service there is no service at the Parish Church.

As this is the first Sunday of every month, young families can come to JIFFY, which stands for Jesus is Fun For You. It takes place at 3.30pm in the Methodist Church.

3rd May 2012 -Goodbye Hilary

Former Hornton School pupils are invited back to have to tea in the school garden on Thursday, May 31, at 3pm to say goodbye to retiring headteacher Hilary Childs.

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