Please be aware that there has been an increase in the number of offences in the area north of
Banbury especially in the Little Bourton and Great Bourton areas.
Thefts from five motor vehicles have occurred and the villages have been subject to eight
burglaries. Amongst the Items that are being targeted are SAT NAVS and mobile phones.
Please warn members to secure there vehicles and to remove valuables from view.If you have a
removal SAT NAV remove the holder also.
Any information regarding these offences please contact the priorty crime team on 08458505505.
29th August '06 - Opt Out
Hornton Parish Council has come out strongly against the site
behind Hornton’s children’s playground being redesignated from agricultural
to housing land.
Hornton’s councillors say the West End land should be left out of Cherwell’s
so-called Options and Issues Paper, which the Government has asked all
councils in the South East to drawn up to identify possible sites for
residential development over the next few years.
And designating the site would actually be against Cherwell’s own planning
policy, as they point out in a letter to Cherwell Head of Planning Alan
Jones.
In 2001 the landowners – multi-national steel giant Corus – tried to get the
land use altered and Cherwell rejected the move, which Hornton councillors
say they fully support. Cherwell came out against possible development
because of Hornton’s lack of services and because building on the site would
spoil views from the village, damaging the rural character Hornton and
especially the appearance of the West End Conservation Area.
“Given this response, the Parish Council is surprised that the site is
quoted in the Issues and Options Paper, as it does not appear to be a
realistic option,” says Parish Clerk Alan Cater in the letter. “The Parish
Council firmly believes, therefore, that the site should not be included in
the final Preferred Options Paper.”
In fact, it now appears that Cherwell had no choice. Tim Watton, the
council’s principal planning officer, says that the Government’s rules
oblige the council to reconsider any site with planning history even if it
had been rejected for development in the past and would be likely to be
turned down again.
“It may be that someone has promoted that site in the past, so we have to
include it even though no-one is promoting it at this time," he explained.
Village sites which could accommodate 3,000 homes included in the paper but
the council will earmark land needed for just 782 in the end. But some
residents in Hornton feel that it’s a pity that Cherwell did not make this
clear at the start of the process. Redesignating the land would not mean
planning permission would automatically be granted but it would make it
easier and Corus has made it clear that it wants to develop the site if it
can.
But the Parish Council – who are strictly bound by complicated rules from
saying too much on planning matters in case they later have to comment on an
actual planning application – “firmly believes that this site should be
excluded” from Cherwell’s list of possible new housing sites.
“It is difficult to envisage how any modern development, albeit with the use
of local materials, could enhance the area particularly alongside the listed
buildings,” says their letter. “Any group of houses would not be in the same
scale or mass as the rest of West End, which consists essentially of a row
of properties each side.”
“There are already concerns for safety with regard to the children’s
playground with its proximity to a narrow stretch of road, on a bend and
where there is no footpath. Traffic and parking is already an issue with
the increasing number of cars per household. The proposed new site is to
the rear and side of the Playground and any development can only add to
these concerns.”
West End resident Dale Fletcher, who called a public meeting that completely
rejected any plans for developing the site, said he was delighted with
Hornton Parish Council’s “robust” response to Cherwell.
“Parish councils have to be careful what they say in planning matters in
advance of an actual application for planning permission but the letter from
Hornton’s councillors is just what the doctor ordered,” he said. “In
particular, the letter makes it clear that if Cherwell did agree to
redesignating the land it would go against the council’s own policy.
“I’m really grateful for Hornton Parish Council’s backing.”
29th August '06 - Pavvy Savvy
It’s just common sense really. You get a great night out and
you make money for Hornton Pavilion at the same time!
So what’s on the menu? The next ever-popular Hornton Progressive Dinner
Party, of course, which this time will take a new twist – it’s going to be a
Progressive BBQ! The organisers especially hope that people who might not
have room to hold a dinner party but would like to host an event will act as
hosts. But whether you act as hosts or guests you’ll be equally welcome on
Saturday week, September 9, and now’s the time to sign up.
For anyone new to the village or who’s been on a different planet over the
past few years, here’s how it works. You either opt to be a guest or a host.
If you’re guest, you go to three different venues for your starter, main
course and dessert. You take a bottle of wine to your first host but, after
that, all food and drink is provided for you.
At the end of the evening you pay your hosts £15 a head, which goes to the
Pavilion fund. The hosts’ contribution to the event is the food and drink.
It’s a great way of meeting new people, especially if you’re new to the
village, and firm friendships have formed from getting quietly sozzled round
the progressive dinner table!
So please fill out the form in The Gossip as soon as possible and pop it
into the post box next to the notice board by 6pm this Sunday, September 3.
If you can’t find it, just pop your name, address and phone number on a
piece of paper instead – not forgetting to say whether you’d like to be a
guest, a host or either.
29th August '06 - Aisle Take Part
How do you fancy raising money for a good cause and taking
a trip through some of our most beautiful Oxfordshire countryside at the
same time?
You can by joining the annual Historic Churches Ride and Stride on Saturday,
September 9. The idea is simple: you either cycle or walk round to as many
of our local historic churches as you want and get sponsored according to
how many you visit.
Half the money you raise goes to the church of your choice and the reast to
the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust.
You can get a sponsorship form and more details by ringing Julie Stanley on
01295 670507.
29th August '06 - Open Evening
The 3Hs Gardening Club are holding a special
event on Tuesday
week to which everyone – especially non-members – is invited.
It’s An Evening With Howard Drury a former BBC gardening pundit, who will
share lots of anecdotes and take questions and answers from the audience.
There will also be a quiz – and the traditional Hornton raffle, of course.
It’ll be a great evening, even if you haven’t got green fingers, so please
pop in to Hornton Pavilion at 7.30pm on September 12.
And here are the winners of all the classes in the very successful – after
an atrocious growing season – 3Hs Gardening Club
Flower and Produce Show.
Section 1 - Vegetables (judged by Malcolm Brown of Adderbury).
CLASS 1 (6 runner beans) – Frank Jarrett; 2 (4 potatoes) - Danny Batchelor;
3 (4 onions, dressed) - Joy Hillman; 4 (4 onions, as grown) - Joy Hillman;
5 (6 shallots, dressed) - Joy Hillman; 6 (4 tomatoes) – Liz Jeffs; 7 (6
tomatoes - Gardener's Delight or similar) - Frank Jarrett; 8 (4 carrots,
less foliage) - Edith Batchelor; 9 (3 beetroot, with foliage) - Danny
Batchelor; 10 (4 pods of peas) - Hazel Bannister; 11 (pair of lettuce) -
Malcolm Cross; 12 (pair of courgettes) - Sheila Hillman; 13 (single
cucumber) Audrey Turner; 14 (collection of vegetables) - Danny Batchelor; 15
(the heaviest marrow) - Danny Batchelor; 16 (the longest bean) - Joy
Hillman; 17 (3 cooking apples) - Danny Batchelor; 18 (3 dessert apples) -
Eileen Lewis; 19 (4 plums) - Edith Batchelor; 20 (4 different varieties of
herbs) – Hazel Bannister.
Winner of the Vegetable Cup – Danny Batchelor. Winner of the Reserve
Vegetable Cup – Joy Hillman.
Section 2 - Flowers (also judged by Malcolm Brown). CLASS 21 (3 antirrhinum
spikes) - Eileen Lewis; 22 (3 spray chrysanthemum) - Liz Jeffs; 23 (6 annual
sweet peas) - Hazel Bannister; 24 (6 pansies or violas) - Edith Batchelor;
25 (3 dahlias)) - Hazel Bannister; 26 (3 pom pom dahlias under 2") - Eileen
Lewis; 27 (3 asters, single) - Edith Batchelor; 28 (3 asters, double) –
Linda Cross; 29 (a container of pinks) - Hazel Bannister; 30 (1 spike
gladiolus) - Sheila Hillman; 31 (a single rose) Julie Stanley; 32 (3
clematis heads)) - Eileen Lewis; 33 (3 perennials) - Eileen Lewis; 34 (mixed
annuals in a container of your choice) - Hazel Bannister; 35 (1 stem
flowering shrub) Sally Tweedsmuir. Pot Plants and Flower Arrangements
(judged by Mary Wheildon of Kineton). 36 (flowering pot plant) Phyllis
Miles; 37 (foliage or succulent pot plant) - Edith Batchelor; 38 (a foliage
arrangement) Glenis Griffiths; 39 ( "A Country of Your Choice") Phyllis
Miles; 40 (a miniature in a serviette ring) Sarah Walther; 41 (an
arrangement in an egg cup for men only) – Frank Jarrett.
Winner of the Flower Cup – Eileen Lewis. Winner of the Reserve Flower Cup –
Hazel Bannister. Winner of the Silver Salver for Flower Arranging - Liz
Jeffs.
Section 3 - Cooking (judged by Mrs J. Spencer of Newbold-on-Stour).
CLASS 42 (jar of lemon curd) Joan Horsley; 43 (jar of jam) - Joy Hillman; 44
(jar of marmalade) - Joy Hillman; 45 (jar of chutney) - Edith Batchelor; 46
(jar of jelly) - Edith Batchelor; 47 (a treacle tart – own recipe) - Joy
Hillman; 48 (a dish of cheese straws – own recipe) - Edith Batchelor; 49 (a
decorated chocolate sponge with chocolate butter filling) - Edith Batchelor;
50 (5 chocolate chip cookies) – Jean Burden.
Winner of the Cooking Cup – Edith Batchelor. Winner of the Reserve Cooking
Cup - Joy Hillman.
Winner of the President's Cup for the Best Plant Exhibit (presented by Lord
Tweedsmuir) – Julie Stanley (for a rose).
Winner of the Shield for the exhibitor with most points – Edith Batchelor.
29th August '06 - Up for an Arty Party?
Upton House is holding the first of two expert-led
talks called Art In Focus in which you’ll learn about some of its most
beautiful artistic treasures.
The first talk, taking place between 10am and 12 noon next Thursday,
September 7, is called The Higher Plane and looks at Upton’s religious
paintings, including works by Hieronymus Bosch and El Greco.
On the following Thursday, you’ll get The Closer View, focussing on portrait
paintings, including works by Romney, Reynolds and Holbein. And on.
29th August '06 - Don't be Overdue
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will
be on the village green next Wednesday from 10.40 to 11.20am.
29th August '06 - Church Services
Hornton Methodist Church are holding a special Sanky
Evening at 6pm this Sunday, September 3, when all the hymns will come from
the Sanky hymn book. The Parish Church of St John the Baptist celebrate Holy
Eucharist at 8.30am.
And don’t forget that you can pop in for coffee, cake and a chat in the
Methodist Church tomorrow and every Friday morning from 9.30am to 12.30pm.
There are Phoenix greetings cards for sale plus a book and video swap - and,
of course, lots of good gossip!
The Thursday Club begins on September 14 and will meet every Thursday after
school till 4.30pm
20th August '06 - Keep Our Cows!
There’s just one more day for Hornton residents to send
their views to Cherwell District Council about the proposal to redesignate
the land at the back of the children’s playground from agricultural use to
housing.
If the move goes ahead it will open the way for the landowners –
multi-national steel giant Corus – to apply to build luxury housing on it
and the last place in the centre of the village where cattle come down to
graze will be lost to us for ever.
Views have to be in by tomorrow, Friday, but making yours known couldn’t be
easier. You can email Planning.policy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or write to Alan
Jones, Planning & Development Services, Cherwell District Council, Bodicote
house. Bodicote, Banbury, OX15 4AA.
You can get more details of the proposal by ringing Hornton villager Dale
Fletcher on 01295 670508 any time.
The more letters the village writes, the greater the chance we’ve got of
keeping the land as it is for future generations. What’s more important –
an extra bit of profit for a corporation already making hundreds of millions
a year or the environment of our village?
20th August '06 - You'd be Crackers to Miss It
Jake Jacobs will be part of the biggest
line-up for years at Hornton’s Blues Festival on Bank Holiday Monday.
The Mighty Firebirds, featuring the village’s very own Mark Bowes, will be
headlining as usual and joining them will be Shenlow Rakes, featuring
Hornton’s Ian Harris and John Wright.
The other two bands taking part at the event in the Dun Cow’s garden are the
four-piece Oblivion Seekers and a young line-up called The Zumes.
Tickets will be £3 in aid of village funds and kids go free. There will a
BBQ and the music plays from 12 noon to 5pm.
20th August '06 - Hot Stuff
It’s time to sign up for the next ever-popular Hornton
Progressive Dinner Party – but you must be quick!
This time, it’s going to take the form of a progressive BBQ and the
organisers especially hope that people who might not have room to hold a
dinner party but would like to hold an event will act as hosts. But whether
you act as hosts or guests you’ll be equally welcome on Saturday, September
9.
For anyone who is new to the village or who’s been on a different planet
over the past few years, here’s how it works. You either opt to be a guest
or a host. If you’re guest, you go to three different venues for your
starter, main course and dessert. You take a bottle of wine to your first
host but, after that, all food and drink is provided for you.
At the end of the evening you pay your hosts £15 a head, which goes to the
Pavilion fund. The hosts’ contribution to the event is the food and drink.
It’s a great way of meeting new people, especially if you’re new to the
village, and firm friendships have formed from getting quietly sozzled round
the progressive dinner table!
So please fill out the form in The Gossip as soon as possible and pop it
into the post box next to the notice board by 6pm on Sunday week, September
3. If you’ve lost the form, don’t worry. Just put your name, address and
phone number on a piece of paper and say whether you’d like to be a host, a
guest or either.
20th August '06 - Bloomin' Marvellous
After the worst growing season for years, Saturday’s
3Hs Gardening Club Flower and Produce show was a triumph!
Danny Batchelor won the vegetable section, with wife Edith and Joy Hillman
as joint reserve. Eileen Lewis won the flower section, with Hazel Bannister
as reserve. Edith Batchelor won the Cooking, with Joy Hillman as reserve.
Liz Jeffs won the flower arranging and Julie Stanley won the President’s Cup
for the best exhibit – a rose - in the show.
All the people who entered won a cup or a certificate but there could only
be one overall winner and, when all the points were totted up, it was Edith
Batchelor. Full details of all the individual winners will be in next
week’s Guardian column, so don’t miss it!
Hornton and Horley’s ladies are now meeting up every Tuesday evening at
6.15pm for an hour down on the new sports pitch. Young? Old? Fit? Fat? All
girls are welcome for football, netball or tennis, depending on how many
turn up each week.
You can get more details by calling Jane Perkin on 01295 670701 or just turn
up and play!
20th August '06 - Stepping It Out
How do you fancy raising money for a good cause and
visiting some of our most beautiful churches at the same time?
You can by joining the annual Historic Churches Ride and Stride on Saturday,
September 9. The idea is simple: you either cycle or walk round to as many
of our local historic churches as you want and get sponsored according to
how many you visit.
Half the money you raise goes to the church of your choice and the rest to
the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust.
You can get a sponsorship form and more details by ringing Julie Stanley on
01295 670507.
20th August '06 - Up High
Upton House is hosting The Higher Plane, the first of a series of
Art In Focus talks
on Thursday week, September 7.
It will examine religious art through Upton’s important collections,
including works by Hieronymus Bosch and El Greco. The two-hour talk, which
begins at 10am, costs £12. You can book by phoning 01295 670266 or emailing
uptonhouse at national trust.org.uk
The second talk in the series, The Closer View, takes place the following
Thursday at the same time and will feature portrait paintings, including
works by Romney, Reynolds and Holbein.
20th August '06 - Head up to Church
There will be a Benefice Service in the Parish Church of
St John the Baptist at 10.30am this Sunday, August 27, to celebrate the
Feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist. A service in the Methodist
Church starts half an hour later.
The Friday coffee mornings will begin again on September 1. You can pop in
for coffee, cake and a chat every Friday from 9.30am till12 noon. There are
Phoenix greetings cards for sale plus a book and video swap – and, of
course, lots of good gossip!
And the Thursday Club begins on September 14 and will meet every Thursday
after school till 4.30pm.
Proposals which could lead to steel giant Corus building luxury homes on land in the centre of
Hornton were completely rejected by a packed - and defiant - village meeting this week.
“We’ll fight them tooth and nail!” was the comment of West End resident Dale Fletcher, who
was instrumental in getting the Parish Council to call the meeting and whose house is
opposite the entrance to the possible development.
It was standing room only when most villagers packed into the Church Room and when a
vote was called, it was almost unanimous: everyone voted against any plans to build on
agricultural land adjacent to Hornton’s children’s playground being designated for housing,
apart from one abstention. Not one voice was raised in favour of the proposal.
The designation of the land for housing has been proposed not by Cherwell District Council -
who are required by government to examine the uses of all land in its area over the next few
months - but by the landowner and multi-national steel company, Corus, which used to be known
as British Steel.
Parish Council chairman David Miles told the meeting that the .24 of a hectare plot could hold
one large detached house, two smaller ones or a terrace of three. Villagers has until August
25 to write to Cherwell with their objections to Corus’s proposal.
He emphasised that the site would not be used for affordable housing - as incorrectly stated
in this column last week. Corus had applied for every conceivable piece of land in the area
which could be used for housing to be designated as such, he said.
Dale Fletcher told the meeting that he had spoken to Corus about the land recently and their
representative made it clear that they would try to build on the land.
“What Corus are trying to do is to overturn policy that Cherwell District Council have
adopted,” he said. “They are claiming that any development will benefit the environment, which
I find very difficult to believe.”
He also said that this small development might be just the start.
“I have experience of other villages, such as Fenny Compton, where a small development is
allowed and then the developer goes back for more.”
He was backed up by Oliver Fickling, who said that the site was unique in the village.
“The essence of Hornton as a village is that you have cows coming down into the village
next to the children’s playground,” he explained.
If Corus developed this site, the last piece of agricultural land adjacent to a public
area in the village would be lost.
All villagers were encouraged to write to Cherwell as soon as possible to voice their
opinions on the proposal.
Comments can be written on line at www.Cherwell-dc.gov.uk
or in writing to Alan Jones, Head of Planning and Development Services, Cherwell District
Council, Bodicote House, Bodicote, Banbury OX15 4AA.
17th August '06 - You'd Be Potty To Miss It!
Saturday’s the big day for the
green-fingered folk of Hornton when the 3Hs
Gardening Club holds its annual Flower and Vegetable Show. Everything from prized pot
plants to mammoth marrows will be on show and members can book their exhibits in at the
pavilion from 9.15 to 11.15 am.
The judging takes place straight afterwards and the show is open for viewing from 2.30pm.
The show highlights will be in next week’s Guardian column, so don’t miss it!
17th August '06 - Moveable Feast Al Fresco
The next ever-popular Hornton
Progressive Dinner Party will take a new twist - it’s going to be outside!
The Progressive BBQ organisers especially hope that people who might not have room to
hold a dinner party but would like to host an event will act as hosts. But whether you act
as hosts or guests you’ll be equally welcome on Saturday, September 9.
For anyone new to the village or have been on a different planet over the past few years,
here’s how it works. You either opt to be a guest or a host. If you’re guest, you go to
three different venues for your starter, main course and dessert. You take a bottle of wine
to your first host but, after that, all food and drink is provided for you.
At the end of the evening you pay your hosts £15 a head, which goes to the Pavilion fund.
The hosts’ contribution to the event is the food and drink.
It’s a great way of meeting new people, especially if you’re new to the village, and firm
friendships have formed from getting quietly sozzled round the progressive dinner table!
So please fill out the form in The Gossip
as soon as possible and pop it into the post box next to the notice board by 6pm on Sunday,
September 3.
17th August '06 - Jump To It and Book In
The
JUMPA ground is now up and running - and
it is being well used every day. So well used, in fact, that a simple booking system has been
introduced.
All you need to do if you want a particular half-hour-long slot is to visit the site and fill
in your slot on a rota. The bookable slots are from 8am till dusk. You will find that any
regular weekly fixtures are already blocked out on the rota and that you will be able to
fill in your booking in any slots that still remain free.
Of course, you can also just take your chances and turn up and, if no one else is there or
those who have booked haven't turned up, then you just play.
The pre-booked slots for regular weekly items at the moment are: Monday, evening - Brownies;
Tuesday, evening - Ladies five-a-side; Friday evening - Men's five-a-side; Saturday, morning -
Kids' football.
The JUMPA committee thank everyone who has
made suggestions for what to do with the rest of the land not being used for the playing
surface and they will report back soon on the next steps.
The planting scheme to screen the area and finish off the landscaping is still planned for
this and the framework of the court has now been painted green thanks to hard work by Ian
Harris so it blends more into the scenery.
17th August '06 - Plenty of Energy Left
If your children are bored, whiy not bring
them down to Hornton Pavilion at 10am tomorrow and every Friday over the holidays for the
Energize Sports Roadshow?
It’s packed with activities for kids bursting with energy and the two-hour session costs just
£3.50. There is no need to book just turn up and play!
For more information or a brochure call Cherwell District Council on 01295 221703.
17th August '06 - Walk up the Aisle
How do you fancy raising money for a good cause
and taking a trip through some of our most beautiful Oxfordshire countryside at the same
time?
You can by joining the annual Historic Churches Ride and Stride on Saturday, September 9.
The idea is simple: you either cycle or walk round to as many of our local historic churches
as you want and get sponsored according to how many you visit.
Half the money you raise goes to the church of your choice and the reast to the Oxfordshire
Historic Churches Trust.
You can get a sponsorship form and more details by ringing Julie Stanley on 01295 670507.
17th August '06 - Best Try Again Next Year
Hornton failed to win this year’s Best
Kept Village Competition but the judges said they were very impressed with us.
They were very impressed with JUMPA and
described the Church Glebe land nature reserve as “wonderful”. They also liked the condition
of the gardens and the fact that the village was litter free.
But they did point out that there was some litter in the pavilion car park and said that “the
village does lack an adequate village hall”.
17th August '06 - Book Up
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will
be on the village green next Wednesday from 10.40 to 11.20am.
17th August '06 - Church Services
Mattins will be celebrated in the Parish Church
of St John the Baptist at 10.30am this Sunday, August 20. Half an hour later there will be a
service in the Methodist Church.
The Friday coffee mornings will begin again on September 1. You can pop in for coffee, cake
and a chat every Friday from 9.30am till12 noon. There are Phoenix greetings cards for sale
plus a book and video swap - and, of course, lots of good gossip!
And the Thursday Club begins on September 14 and will m eet every Thursday after school till
4.30pm.
9th August '06 - Open Meeting
At the request of Residents of West End, the Parish Council is holding an Open Meeting on
Monday 14 August 2006 at 7.30pm in the Church Room.
Agenda
Cherwell District Council has produced a Site Allocations Development Plan Document for
Banbury & North Cherwell.
This includes land off West End (0.24 hectares adjoining the Children's Playground) as
potential housing.
We need to consider the most appropriate way of responding.
Hornton’s ladies are now meeting up for an hour on Tuesday
evenings on the JUMPA pitch.
Young and old, fit or…er, less fit…are all welcome. The ladies play football, netball or
they might try tennis. Most of all, it’s a great way to keep fit and have a good time, so
pop along this Tuesday!
And don’t forget the Friday night five-a-side kick around for the guys tomorrow and every
Friday from 6.30pm onwards.
7th August '06 - It's Bloomin' Close
The highlight in the 3Hs Gardening Club calendar is just a week away.
It’s the annual flower and produce show, of course, where the finest green fingers of Hornton,
Hanwell and Horley compete for the coveted cups and trophies in the flower, produce and
cookery sections.
It’s not to late to enter but you’ve got to be in it to win it, so join the 3Hs by phoning
secretary Sally Tweedsmuir on 01295 670608 today!
7th August '06 - Monday Meeting To Discuss Housing Plan
An open meeting to discuss controversial plans to build affordable housing in West End has
been hurredly arranged for this Monday, August 14, at 7.30pm. The Parish Council agreed to the
move following requests from residents living nearby.
The idea would be to build on land next to the children’s playground in West End – an idea
first raised several years ago but shelved after objections from residents living nearby.
The aim of the scheme would be to build homes for local people who would not otherwise be
able to live in a high-priced village like Hornton.
Cherwell District Council are now considering the idea again because it has to draw up
what’s called a Local Development Framework. The LDF has already identified a range of
sites in the area that could be used for various purposes such as housing, employment
and recreation, including the plot in West End.
The fact that the site appears in the document does not necessarily mean that it will be
developed but after the consultation period a Preferred Options Paper will be produced
and if anyone considers the site is not suitable, they should comment by August 25th.
Comments can be done on line at www.Cherwell-dc.gov.uk or in writing to Alan Jones, Head of
Planning and Development Services, Cherwell District Council, Bodicote House, Bodicote,
Banbury OX15 4AA. Cherwell can also give advice on what sort of comments are relevant to
the consultation exercise.
The affordable housing plan was on the agenda of the latest Hornton Parish Council meeting
on July 31st. The West End site was put forward for possible development after the council
conducted a housing needs survey in the village and they agreed to invite James Alcock of
Oxon Rural Community Council to their next meeting in October to discuss the findings.
The council also discussed the part-built fence on the children’s playground next door.
Councillors were told that Cherwell had refused planning permission for the controversial
fence which applied for retrospectivel by the parish council as they did not realise that
such a fence would need planning permission. Work was stopped as soon as they did.
Cherwell refused the planning application for the fence – which one resident said made the
playground look like Stalag 13 – because it was judged as not in keeping with West End’s
conservation area status. But Cherwell hat not told the parish council what would be
acceptable! The meeting was told that Hornton councillor David Miles is in continuing
discussions with planners.
Meanwhile, the council have decided to raise concerns but no formal objection to an outline
application to build houses on Varney’s scrapyard on Quarry Road. Councillors decided that
a residential development would improve the site but this may set a precedent for development
along this road. Access to the site would also need careful consideration near the bend.
Concerns about the future of Hornton’s weekly bus service were raised, following the
decision of Jeffs Coaches to pull out of their contract. Parish Clerk Alan Cater has
suggested possible alternatives which are currently being considered and he told the
meeting that John Wood of Oxfordshire County Council have been particularly helpful.
Mr Wood is currently negotiating with Warwickshire County Council to see if one of the
Kineton bus services to Banbury can re-routed to take in Hornton.
And Oxfordshire are being consulted about the cost of erecting posts with chains on the
village green to deter selfish motorist from parking on it and driving over it. The
complaints of neighbours over the years have now been added to by the Neighbourhood Watch
Committee, who wrote to Hornton Parish Council.
The committee suggested the posts and chains as the last resort after all pleading to stop
the motorists failed. They also want a parking area created next to the school.
On a prettier note, the council agreed to buy two new seven-foot cherry trees in the autumn
to plant near the greens at a cost of £30.
On a smellier one, the council agreed to foot the bill for repairs to the sewer pipe on the
football pitch.
Councillors were told that the repairs had proved to be more complicated and time-consuming
than anticipated and the final cost was £2,110.30 instead of £1,126.82 as quoted. The
responsibility for keeping the pipe clear rested with the owners of the eight houses served
by the pipe and there was a discussion as to whether the owners should be asked to contribute.
But as they had not been approached in advance, it was agreed that the Parish Council would
meet the cost on this occasion although the parish clerk will write to them to advise them of
this and remind them that it is their responsibility to ensure it remains clear in the future.
Hornton - a past winner - was unplaced in the Best Kept Village Competition this year but
councillors were told that the judges made favourable comments, particularly about the
JUMPA play area and the Glebe.
The next meeting will be on October 2 and the council have decided, despite an offer to hold
meetings in the Pavilion, that they will continue to meet in the Church Room.
7th August '06 - Energize Sports Still on the Road
If you’re not sure what to do with the kids this Summer, bring them down to Hornton Pavilion
at 10am tomorrow and every Friday over the holidays for the Energize Sports Roadshow!
It’s packed with activities for kids bursting with energy and the two-hour session costs just
£3.50. There is no need to book just turn up and play!
For more information or a brochure call Cherwell District Council on 01295 221703.
7th August '06 - Church Services
There will be an evening Songs of Praise this Sunday, August 13, at Hornton Methodist Church,
starting at 6pm.
1st August '06 - JUMPA - Booking your slot and getting involved this summer
The JUMPA ground is now up and running -
and it is being well used every day.
As it's becoming popular, especially since the school holidays started, we are introducing a
simple booking system: there is a temporary arrangement for this in place down at the court
and we are awaiting more permanent signage.
