There will be a service at the Hornton Methodist Church this Sunday, August 31, at 11am. There is no service at St
John the Baptist Parish Church in Hornton because there is a Benefice Service at 10.30am at Hanwell.
28th August '03 - Yoga - a no go?
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Hornton Yoga class will be cancelled until further notice. The new term was due
to start on 11 September but we will now have to cancel the whole thing.
We are trying to source an alternative teacher so that classes can begin again, at the Chapel on Thursday evenings,
but so far no luck.
If anyone knows of a qualified teacher who would be willing to travel to Hornton each week, please contact Chris
Woodcock on 670795.
27th August '03 - Joe de Meiss Crib Trophy
This coming Saturday, 30 August sees the annual Joe de Meiss Trophy at the Red Lion in Northend. Those of you who
have been involved in the Crib league for some years will remember Joe as a gentleman and long-time member of the
Red Lion crib team. Everyone is welcome, and proceeds from the night will go to Myton Hospice in Leamington where
Joe spent his last days. Hope to see you there for a game and a drink in Joe's memory.
23rd August '03 - 3H's Dodge the Drought to put on a Great Show
Record high temperatures and little rain over the past few weeks would have daunted many a gardener - but not the
dedicated members of the 3Hs Gardening Club. The club put on its annual flower and produce show in Hornton Pavilion
last Saturday, August 16, and the judges remarked on the very high quality of exhibits, especially bearing in mind the
recent weather.
Although certain categories of weather-affected vegetables, like peas, attracted fewer entries, the rest of the
vegetables and all the flower classes had a very impressive number of entries. The judges thought the standard was
particularly high as this is only a small show.
Once again, Eric Turner's vegetables were one of the show's stars, as were Philip Williams' flower arrangments. Eileen
Lewis scooped not only the flower cup but also the President's Cup but Edith Batchelor came out on top, winning both
the cooking section and also the shield.
Winners of Section 1 - Vegetables (judged by Malcolm Brown of Swalcliffe).
CLASS 1 (6 runner beans) - Eric Turner; 2 (4 potatoes) - Dan Batchelor; 3 (4
onions, dressed) - Eric Turner; 4 (4 onions, as grown) - Eric Turner; 5 (6
shallots, dressed) - Eric Turner; 6 (4 tomatoes) - Frank Jarrett; 7 (6
tomatoes - Gardener's Delight or similar) - Eric Turner; 8 (4 carrots, less
foliage) - Eric Turner; 9 (3 beetroot, with foliage) - Malcolm Cross; 10 (4
pods of peas) - Eric Turner; 11 (pair of lettuce) - Eric Turner; 12 (pair of
courgettes) - Edith Batchelor; 13 (single cucumber) - Dan Batchelor; 14
(collection of vegetables) - Eric Turner; 15 (the heaviest marrow) - Frank
Jarrett; 16 (the longest bean) - Eric Turner; 17 (3 cooking apples) - Eileen
Lewis; 18 (3 dessert apples) - Eric Turner; 19 (4 plums) - Edith Batchelor;
20 (4 different varieties of herbs) - Malcolm Cross.
Winner of the Vegetable Cup - Eric Turner. Winner of the Reserve Vegetable
Cup - Dan Batchelor.
Winners of Section 2 - Flowers (judged by Janet Cropley of Evenley).
CLASS 21 (3 antirrhinum spikes) - Frank Jarrett; 22 (3 spray chrysanthemum)
- Edith Batchelor; 23 (6 annual sweet peas) - Edith Batchelor; 24 (6 pansies
or violas) - Hazel Bannister; 25 (3 dahlias)) - Eileen Lewis; 26 (3 pom pom
dahlias under 2") - Eileen Lewis; 27 (3 asters, single) - Edith Batchelor;
28 (3 asters, double) - Edith Batchelor; 29 (a container of pinks) - Hazel
Bannister; 30 (1 spike gladiolus) - Eileen Lewis; 31 (a single rose) - Lady
Tweedsmuir; 32 (3 clematis heads) - Lady Tweedsmuir; 33 (3 perennials) -
Eileen Lewis; 34 (mixed annuals in a container of your choice) - Edith
Batchelor; 35 (1 stem flowering shrub) - Eileen Lewis; 36 (flowering pot
plant) - Hazel Bannister; 37 (foliage or succulent pot plant) - Hazel
Bannister; 38 (a foliage arrangement) - Phillip Williams; 39 ( "Harvest
Festival") - Phillip Williams; 40 (a miniature arrangement not exceeding 4"
x 4") - Glenis Griffiths; 41 (an arrangement in a cup and saucer for men
only) - Phillip Williams.
Winner of the Flower Cup - Eileen Lewis. Winner of the Reserve Flower Cup -
Hazel Bannister. Winner of the Silver Salver for Flower Arranging - Phillip
Williams.
Winners of Section 3 - Cooking (judged by Rosemary Sheppey of Lower
Boddington).
CLASS 42 (jar of lemon curd) - Audrey Turner; 43 (jar of jam) - Edith
Batchelor; 44 (jar of marmalade) - Edith Batchelor; 45 (jar of chutney) -
Lorna Abbot; 46 (jar of jelly) - Edith Batchelor; 47 (4 mince pies) - Audrey
Turner; 48 (4 vol au vents with egg mayonnaise filling) - Audrey Turner; 49
(cherry cake) - Joy Hillman; 50 (6 cheese biscuits) - Edith Batchelor.
Winner of the Cooking Cup - Edith Batchelor. Winner of the Reserve Cooking
Cup - Audrey Turner.
Winner of the President's Cup for the Best Plant Exhibit (presented by Lord
Tweedsmuir) - Eileen Lewis.
Winner of the Shield for the exhibitor with most points - Edith Batchelor.
22nd August '03 - Computer Problem
Due to a computer hitch at the Guardian, there is no Banbury Guardian column for Hornton this week. But all the
excitement will be in next week’s edition.
22nd August '03 - Neighbourhood Watch
There have recently been a number of cars broken into in the area. Please make sure that nothing of value is left on view.
Should you hear anything suspicious, particularly during the night, please phone the police immediately.
22nd August '03 - Methodist Church Chocca with Culture
There are three mouthwatering cultural events which Hornton residents can look forward to over the next few months
- all staged at the Methodist Church with the help of Cherwell District Council Arts at Large.
On Friday, November 14, the jazz duo Bluesy Susie will be performing music from the 1920's to the present day -
covering jazz, blues, folk, rock 'n roll, salsa and pop classics.
On Tuesday, December 9, the Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company will be staging the Nutcracker and the Mouse King.
Next year, Hilary James and Simon Mayer will be back on Friday February 6 by popular demand to perform
Hoagy, Hornpipes, Handel & Hoedown.
22nd August '03 - Church Services
There will be a service at the Hornton Methodist Church this Sunday, August 24, at 11am and Holy Eucharist will be
celebrated at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist at the same time.
21st August '03 - Star-studded Line-up for Holiday Saturday
Victoria Wood, the Goons, The Fast Show stars and the Monty Python team won't actually be on hand at the Red Lion in
Horley this weekend but the stars of the Hornton Allsorts and the Horley Footlights will be paying homage to them in
a comedy and musical extravaganza. Warriner School Folk/Rock Band will also be there to provide the musical
entertainment. The show kicks off at 4pm this Saturday, August 23, and afterwards there's a BBQ and barn dance from
7pm.
21st August '03 - Even more stars on Monday!
It's big, it's brash and it's back for the 18th year! The Hornton Blues Festival will be getting under way at 12.30pm
this Bank Holiday Monday in the garden of the Dun Cow pub in West End. The Westburys and TNT will be on the bill,
which will be topped by The Firebirds, fronted by Hornton's very own musical maestro, Mark Bowes. At £2
- including a raffle - for five hours of live music, it promises to be a great afternoon. There will be lots to eat on the
BBQ as well as plenty of Hookey to wash it down with. See you there!
21st August '03 - Just the Ticket
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will visit Hornton next Wednesday, August 27. It will be parked on
the village green from 10.55am to 11.30am.
20th August '03 - Not too tyred for a Bike Ride
The Hornton Leisure Bike ride only a week away - but don't worry, you won't have to get in training! Organiser Lynn
Corke says it's very much a leisure bike ride and cyclists of all ages and abilities will be really welcome.
The year's event - staged after the success of the inaugural bike ride last year - will start from the village green at
11.30am on Sunday, August 31. "The emphasis is on leisure and leaving at a quarter past eleven will be perfect timing
to stop for lunch," said Lynn. "We plan to go on a circular route to a local pub which serves food, where walkers and
drivers can join the cyclists for lunch."
"We'll also try to avoid big hills - especially after lunch - but there's no shame in getting off! It's supposed to be fun!"
You can get more details from Lynn on 01295 670673 or just turn up at 11.30am on the day!
19th August '03 - Plenty Roll up for a Ramble
The Rambler's Association walk from Hornton last Sunday, August 17, attracted a very good turnout. The 29-kilometre
walk - that's 17 and a half miles in old money - started from the village pavilion car park at 9.15am and an open invitation
was extended by the Ramblers to anyone who wished to join in. With a good weather forecast and slightly lower
temperatures than of late, a total of 17 people and one dog set off headed off through the fields towards Warmington
and then through Ratley for a first coffee stop at the bottom of Jacob's Ladder just below the Ridgeway.
Walk organiser and Hornton resident Trevor Priest said that there was a breathtaking view along the top and visibility
was probably 20 or more miles.
"Following the Macmillan Way down the valley into Shenington is always wonderful and often Roe Deer and Buzzards
are on view," said Trevor. "Today we were not lucky but it is a beautiful place at any time of the year."
"Most of us had taken picnic lunches which, with a pint or two of various liquids from the Bell at Shenington, refreshed
us after the first 10 miles. Then the route took us on towards Balscote. En route we passed through Brookside Cottage
in Alkerton, the gardens of which are a credit their owners and can be visited by the public most days."
"Once past Wroxton Mill and along into Wroxton, we made our last stop of the day for ice creams - or in some cases a
more serious liquid intake - at the North Arms. This is always a good stop for food or refreshment and ramblers are
always made welcome. Our last stretch of the journey took us into Horley and back through the fields past the Alpaca
farm. Anyone who has not seen them before find it a strange experience to see such lovely animals in the English
countryside."
"It was a great day out and I believe enjoyed by all. Some of the less experienced walkers may have felt a little stiff
the next day but I am sure they would do it again. Seven of the total number were from Hornton, plus one ex Hornton
resident - our past host at the Dun Cow, Terry Bell. The Ramblers are known to most people but perhaps less known is
the range of walks that they offer almost every day of the week throughout the country. In the Oxford area alone
we have everything from 2-3 mile high speed walks through 4-5 mile easy rambles and onto more strenuous 17/18 mile
days out."
"Anyone wishing to know more about Ramblers' activities can contact me on 01295 670434."
18th August '03 - Do you have a photo of Miss Dimelow?
A portrait of Miss Dimelow, for many years a much-loved teacher at Hornton School, has been commissioned but we
desperately need a photograph of her! If you have one which we can borrow, please contact Virginia Britton on
01295 670275.
15th August '03 - Blues Festival Comes of Age
Hornton’s ever-popular blues festival will be held for the 18th time this Bank Holiday Monday, August 25, at the Dun
Cow Public House in West End. For just £2, fans of all ages can hear bands like TNT, The Westburys, and The Firebirds.
This will be the last time that Firebirds’ front man and Hornton resident Mark Bowes will be singing with the band.
The Firebirds have recruited Tom Beckinsale on vocals but fans will be relieved to know that Mark will continue his
duties on guitar. As well as great music and good beer, there will also be a BBQ.
15th August '03 - Ride and Stride for the Church
Get sponsored to walk or ride and raise money for St John the Baptist Parish Church and the Oxfordshire Historic
Churches Trust. A sponsored cycle ride/walk is being held on September 13 between 10am and 6pm, in which you
can walk round as many of this area’s historic churches as possible and raise money in the process. Sponsorship
forms can be obtained from Julie Stanley on 01295 670507.
15th August '03 - Jumpa Dinner is back on the Menu
Another progressive dinner party is being planned for October by JUMPA, Hornton and
Horley’s Fund for a Jubilee Multi-Purpose Play Area. The two previous events have been such fun that JUMPA
organisers had to put on another - by public demand. Participants can either be hosts or guests for the evening.
If you’re a guest, you go to three different houses - one for your starter, one for your main course and one for your
dessert. If you’re a host, you have three sets of people, one for each course. The guests pay £20 a head for all the
food and wine, whilst the hosts’ donation is to provide the food and drink. If you would like to take part, please fill in
the form in the latest edition of The Gossip (or just write your
name on a piece of paper) and put it into the village post box next to the notice board by midnight on September 24.
15th August '03 - Council Meeting
There will be a meeting of Hornton Parish Council next Monday, August 18, at 7.30pm in the Church Room, Bell Street.
15th August '03 - Church Services
At 6pm this Sunday, August 17, there will be a special Songs of Praise service in St John the Baptist Parish Church, with
a choir, musical items and hymns of your choice. There will be a gift day on Saturday, September 13, for St John the
Baptist Parish Church. The church will be open from 10am to 12 noon for coffee, a chat and to receive your gifts for
church funds.
14th August '03 - Tote is Top of the Pops for School
Hornton Primary School Association Tote has just donated £1000 towards a computer-controlled
interactive whiteboard for class 2. But the association could give even more money to the school - if only they could
sell the final 16 numbers. At only £5 a year, it’s hardly a fortune, so if you haven’t got a number - or if you have and
you’re feeling lucky enough to buy another - please contact Jane Wain on 01295 670716.
14th August '03 - Not too late for a Ramble
Don’t forget that the Ramblers Association are walking from Hornton Pavilion at 9.15am this Sunday. Hornton resident
and avid rambler Trevor Priest on 01295 670434 is the man to talk to. He can provide you with all the details you
need about the walk, which goes through Warmington, Ratley, Shenington, Balscote, Wroxton, Horley and back to
Hornton. It’s only 17 and a half miles - a mere walk round the block for the serious rambler - but there will be a lunch
stop at a pub or a picnic for everyone to revive themselves. See you there!
14th August '03 - Roses and Runner Beans
The loveliest roses and the longest runner beans will be on show this Saturday at the highlight of the
3Hs Gardening Club year - the annual flower and produce show. You just can’t afford to miss this horticultural
treat - now in its 16th year - so be at the Hornton village pavilion in Bell Street at 2pm this Saturday, August 16, to
see those prize primulas and victorious violas scooping the honours.
13th August '03 - Crib League Rules for 2003
The official Harbury and District Crib League rules have just been released. View them here
13th August '03 - Allsorts Star steps it out with the Footlights
Hornton Allsorts leading lady Sarah Walther is joining forces with Horley Footlights on Saturday, August 23, for a
comedy and musical extravaganza. Sketches will pay homage to a galaxy of comedy stars, including Victoria Wood,
the Goons and Monty Python, so beat a path to the Red Lion in Horley at 4pm. The show finishes at 7pm, but that’s
just the start - afterwards there’s a BBQ and barn dance!
12th August '03 - Mobile Police Station
The mobile Police Station will be on the village green in Hornton on Saturday 16th August from 13.30 to 14.15.
12th August '03 - Cribbing without cheating
The Dun Cow pub is looking out for new recruits as it enters once again - for the 21st season - the Harbury
Crib League.
The team plays every Tuesday night on an alternate home and away basis, with each evening consisting of seven
games - five singles and two doubles.
Never played crib before? Don’t worry! Tuition can be given on practice nights all the way through the season from
the opening in September to finals night in April, so call Paul Burden on 01295 670664 or Martin Gelling on 670524.
11th August '03 - Mini Blues Festival
A mini Blues Festival will be held at the Dun Cow on Monday August 25th between 12.30pm and 5.30pm. There will be
music from The Firebirds, TNT and The Westburys. There will also be a raffle and all proceed from the event will go
to JUMPA. Entrance fee is £2, which includes a raffle entry, children are admitted for free.
This is the 18th time for this popular event.
Mark Bowes, who has fronted the Firebirds since 1982 will be singing for the last time as the band has recruited
Tom Beckinsale on vocals. Mark will continue his duties on guitar.
11th August '03 - Crib League AGM
The AGM for Harbury and District Crib League is this Sunday, August 17th, 2003, starting
at 11.30 at Harbury Village Club.
8th August '03 - Your boots are made for walking
Don’t forget that the Ramblers’ Association are planning a circular walk from Hornton on Sunday, August 17. Walkers
will set off at 9.15 and will go through Warmington, Ratley, Shenington, Balscote, Wroxton and Horley before returning
to Hornton. All in all, that’s 17 and a half miles - but don’t worry. There’s a pub lunch stop half way to sustain you,
or you can bring a picnic. Hornton resident and avid rambler Trevor Priest has all the details and you can ring him on
01295 670434.
8th August '03 - Open Book
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will visit Hornton next Wednesday, August 13. It will be parked on
the village green from 10.55am to 11.30am.
8th August '03 - Church Services
There will be a United Service celebrating Holy Eucharist this Sunday, August 10, at the Parish Church of St John the
Baptist at 11am.
7th August '03 - Another Virus Alert
I have just received another virus to my hornton email address, this one is called ATT00009.wav, sent by Olga and
titled Patch for Elkern.gen (whatever that is!). Don't open, delete!
7th August '03 - Virus Alert
I have received a virus today to my hornton email address. The attached file is called LoveScr.zip and is infected by I-Worm/Yaha.P. If you receive this
in your email don't open it, delete it. This warning particularly applies to people with a specialist hornton email address. Click on
the link if you want a Hornton email address.
If you want some good free virus software then visit AVG.
7th August '03 - Time to dig out those Prize Bloomers
The schedules are ready for the 3Hs Gardening Club Flower and Produce Show, which takes
place on August 16. Any members wishing to find out the different competition categories should contact club secretary
Lady Tweedsmuir on 012956 670608 for all the details.
6th August '03 - We need some help desperately!
Nick and Jan are leaving England at the beginning of October and going to live in Thailand. They have rescued two VERY
CUTE cats - one - Muppet - adopted from a friend who couldn't look after her any more and another - Bobcat (better
known as Bobby now) from a neighbour who's ex-wife was going to have him put down because she was moving to
Spain.
They are wondering if anyone in Hornton is a cat lover and would like to adopt them.
They really are very sweet. Muppet is a real madam and very independant. She's about 5 years old or so. Bobby is
about 7-8 years old and is the more affectionate. He was left outdoors for almost two years and fed on scraps so he's
always after a cuddle. He has grown very attached to Muppet though so we would like them to go together and
find a good home in Hornton.
There will be no Keep Fit class in the Pavilion next Wednesday, August 13 - but only for a week. The class will be back
as usual the following Wednesday, and every Wednesday after that, at the usual time of 7 to 8pm. The class is
suitable for all ages and abilities - all you have to do is bring along a mat to lie on and wear suitable clothing, so come
on down and join in!
5th August '03 - Coffee Morning brings in Record Amount
Hornton Children's Playground is more £200 better off after its most successful coffee morning ever. Last Saturday's
event saw a total of £218.25 raised - from coffee and biscuits, a raffle, a lucky squares games and a bring-and-buy stall.
"It was the most money we’ve ever raised in a coffee morning," said delighted playground committee member Mike Webber. "Previously our best
ever has never been more than £190."
The money will be used to maintain the playground site and the play equipment.
4th August '03 - Beer Festival Brews up a Storm
Real ale drinkers are toasting the success of Hornton's first-ever beer festival, which took place at the Dun Cow
public house last weekend.
Licensee Martin Gelling said the event, over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, had gone "extremely well" and nearly
100 gallons of beer were guzzled, not only by Hornton's thirsty drinkers but also many from all over Oxfordshire.
"We saw a lot of people from the village that we hadn't seen before and a lot of outsiders who said that they didn't realise
there was a pub here," said Martin.
"We had 10 beers and two cask-conditioned lagers. They included Nettle Ale from North Yorkshire, which contains
real nettles, Kelpie, which is a seaweed ale originating in ancient Ireland, and Bog Myrtle from Exeter.
"We also had a brand new ale from an Elizabethan recipe, Rose Petal, with rose petals in it, plus Coriander Porter and
two cask-conditioned lagers." The festival coincided with first anniversary of Martin and his wife, Gwyneth, taking over
as licensees of the Dun Cow. But it clashed with a similar event at Bodicote which has been going for many years, so
Martin and Gwyneth were particularly pleased that they had so many customers at the Dun Cow.
"We'll definitely do it again," said Martin. "Customers have asked us for another one soon and we are hoping to stage
a festival after Christmas with winter ales."
1st August '03 - Go for it, Gardeners
The schedules are available for the 3Hs Gardening Club Flower and Produce Show, which
takes place on August 16. The green fingered folk of Hornton, Horley and Hanwell should contact club secretary Lady
Tweedsmuir as soon as possible on 012956 670608 for all the details.
1st August '03 - Church Services
Holy Eucharist will be celebrated this Sunday, August 3, in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist at 8.30am. This
will be followed by a village service in the Methodist Church at 11am.
