It can only be celebrated in one way, can’t it? Whatever you’re doing, come and sing Auld Lang Syne round the tree on the village green
at midnight tonight!
31st December '03 - Church Services
Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist at 8.30am this Sunday, January 4. At 11am Holy Communion will
be celebrated at a united service in the Methodist Church.
23rd December '03 - Closed Book
The mobile library will not be making its usual visit next Wednesday because it is New Year’s Eve.
23rd December '03 - Packed House for Praise and Pies
Almost every seat was taken at Hornton Methodist Church last Sunday for a special service of nine lessons and carols. As well as singing
their hearts out, the congregation were treated to fine performances of modern and traditional carols performed by the ladies’ choir,
conducted by Jean Puddle, and Nathan, Keri and Irene Harwood. Home-made mince pies and coffee finished off the evening perfectly.
The next festive service in Hornton takes place this afternoon at 4pm, Christmas Eve, there will be a special children’s service to
bless the crib at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist. Then, at 11.30 tonight midnight mass will be celebrated. On Sunday, December
28th, at 11am there will be a service at the Methodist Church. There is no service at the Parish Church because there’s a Benefice
Eucharist in Balscot Parish Church at 10.30am, followed by mince pies and wine.
22nd December '03 - Immaculate Conception
The youngest children at Hornton School performed immaculately in their specially-written nativity play last week, crowning
a very successful term.
“It was a roaring success,” said headteacher Wendy Clifford. “The Chapel was packed with parents and friends and the 4, 5 and 6-year-olds
all took part and performed magnificently.
“The school association prepared a special Christmas lunch for all the children on the last day. This followed an assembly in the Chapel
where we were entertained by recorder and guitar players. We celebrated the December birthdays and sang songs, including the whole of The
Twelve Days of Christmas, with everyone doing all the actions to every verse! It was a very enjoyable day.
“We have to say farewell to the Shaw family, who are moving to Devon. Sally Shaw has been joint chairperson of the school association for
the past four years, and has worked tirelessly for the school. We will miss her and the boys and wish them well.
“Everyone, pupils and staff are now ready for a well-deserved break after a busy, but successful term.”
19th December '03 - Feel the need for faster web access?
If you want a faster internet connection then Broadband is the way forward. Edge Hill exchange currently needs 150 people
to sign up for BT to upgrade the local exchange. Currently there are 80 registrations, so we need 70 more people to
register.... tell your friends and get them to tell their friends!
19th December '03 - The Biggest Christingle in the World
Hornton’s Christingle Service in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist always promises something different each year and last Sunday was no
exception. Right in the middle of the aisle was what must be the biggest Christingle in the world! Measuring nearly three feet across, it was
created by Hornton’s Sarah Walther and, though it looked good enough to eat, that wouldn’t have been a very good idea. The orange, peanuts and
sweets were made out of foam! But it did provide the perfect centrepiece for a delightful performance by youngsters from the village who told the
Christingle story in words and music.
This Sunday, December 21, there will be a service of nine lessons and carols at the Methodist Church, starting at 6pm.
Then, on Christmas Eve, there are two special services at the Parish Church. At 4pm all the village children are especially invited for the
blessing of the Christmas Crib. Then, at 11.30pm, the grown-ups can go to midnight mass.
18th December '03 - Chrismas Gift for Village Cribbers
Hornton’s Dun Cow crib team have leapt to equal first place on points in the Harbury and District League after they snatched an exciting 4-3
away win over the Greaves Club, Bishop’s Itchington, in their latest match. The victory leaves Hornton topping the table on points - they’ve got
12, the same as the British Legion Club, Bishops Itchington and the Carpenters Arms in Kineton. All three have won six games and lost just three.
18th December '03 - Peace be with You
Hornton Parish Council’s Parish Clerk, John Peace, is stepping down after several years of excellent service and a replacement to take over from
him is being sought for the New Year. The clerk’s duties only occupy a few hours each month and you don’t need to live in Hornton to do the
job - but if you have a computer that would be an advantage. There’s a small stipend which goes with the post and anyone who would like to
find out more can ring John on 01295 738177 or parish council chairman David Miles on 01295 670550.
“Absolutely brilliant!” That was the reaction of Church Working Party member Pauleen Hart after she had counted up the takings from their
Christmas Fayre last Saturday. The event, in St John the Baptist Parish Church, raised a fantastic £1082.78!
Hornton and Horley’s fund for a Jubilee multi-purpose play area has had a terrific year of fund raising and is now in excellent shape to apply
for grants. Already it’s collected more than £6,000 towards the £30,000 it needs to raise for an all-weather, multi-sports surface next to
Hornton Pavilion and its efforts were boosted when planning permission was obtained back in the first half of the year.
Highlights of the 2003 calendar included two Quiz Nights at the Dun Cow in Hornton, two Progressive Dinners, a summer Beach Party, various bars
at village events and the now-annual Golden Mile fun run in June, which proved very popular with all ages once again. There was also a country
walk from Hornton to Horley and back, including a visit to the site and the cutting of the official ribbon.
“Ownership of the land fully transferred to the Parish Council this year, allowing us to make a proper start on seeking grant aid,” said
JUMPA chairman Steve Woodcock.
“This has been a busy year for JUMPA and its committee members and our first grant applications have now gone off. A big
thank you must go to everyone involved - both those who’ve come up with imaginative ideas and put in a lot of hard work, and also all the
supporters from Hornton, Horley and beyond. Thanks also to those who have made kind donations during the year.
“While we want to maintain fund-raising in 2004, we will also start to find out what grants we do qualify for and so can set a realistic
timetable for starting work on the play area.”
Likely events for 2004 include another quiz and Progressive Dinner, plus a wine tasting in the spring. Other plans will be finalised at the next
committee meeting, which is on January 8 at 8.30pm. All JUMPA meetings are open to the public and ideas and suggestions
are always very welcome. There will be details on the village notice board and in the Guardian.
16th December '03 - Twinkle, Twinkle
Hornton is living up to its reputation as the most Christmassy village in Banburyshire with a fantastic display of lights which are bigger and
better than ever this year! Eric Turner’s tree and windmill are now lit up, without which no Christmas would be complete, and now there’s only
one thing missing - the tree on the village green! That’s where you come in! Please roll up this Saturday morning at 9.30am, because that’s when
you’ll be needed to help carry this year’s tree down the hill and decorate it in time for the big day. All able bodied Horntonians are welcome.
16th December '03 - Stars are Born
If you missed it, you missed a treat! When they performed in their Christmas musical last week, the children of Classes 2 and 3 at
Hornton School showed just what stars they are. That was just as well because the musical was
called…Star Tours! Packed houses at each of the performances in the village pavilion gave the children a rapturous reception but equally
enthusiastic applause was reserved for the two talented teachers who conceived, wrote and produced the whole show.
Class 3 teacher Janet Porter wrote the words and the song lyrics, while Class 2’s Hilary Childs composed all the music. The reception for the
musical was so encouraging that they have been advised to send it to a publisher so that other schools can stage it too! Headteacher Wendy
Clifford paid tribute to all the children who took part and her talented teachers as well. A wonderful end to a successful term!
16th December '03 - Ding Dong Merrily on High
Hornton’s Annual Carole singing kicks off at 6.30pm next Tuesday December 23, at the village pavilion in Bell Street. As enthusiasm is much more
important than a good singing voice, everyone is welcome!
13th December '03 - Obituary - Wedgie Wright
Wedgwood (Wegie), 12 years old, dearly beloved precious boy (Long haired Persian cat), belonging to Margaret & Brian Wright, and brother to
Guinevere, was killed by a hit and run driver outside Margaret & Brian's drive, Foxgloves, Millers Lane, on Wednesday 3rd December 2003 at about
0730 hours. Brian & Margaret would like to thank all those who have sent condolences.
Brian & Margaret have been concerned for some time about the excessive speed of vehicles in Millers Lane, especially when people are departing
the village in the morning. Loosing a pet is bad enough but what if a small child dashed out into the lane one day & the speeding vehicle couldn't
stop in time? They will be taking this matter up with the appropriate authorities and appeal to like minded villagers to do the same. A 20 mile
per hour limit in the village should be considered.
5th December '03 - Victors Crown Away Win
The Crown Inn at Harbury beat the Dun Cow crib team on Horton’s home turf in the latest match by 5 points to 2. The shock defeat - the Crown are only one place off the foot of the table - means that the Dun Cow slips to fifth in the ten-team Harbury and District Crib League.
5th December '03 - Police 45
The Thames Valley Police van will be on Hornton village green today, December 4, for 45 minutes from 10.30 to 11.15am.
4th December '03 - Stop Boredband, lets get Hornton Broadband
If you want a faster internet connection then Broadband is the way forward. Edge Hill exchange currently needs 150 people
to sign up for BT to upgrade the local exchange. Currently there are 71 registrations (3 more than last month), so we
need 69 more people to register.... tell your friends!
The final yoga class of the year takes place on December 4th, but plans are already afoot for more sessions next year.
The 2004 yoga year will start again on Thursday, January15. There will be no change in the times or the venue -
7pm to 8.30pm at the Methodist Chapel on Millers Lane - and the classes will remain at £4 per person, plus a
50p donation to the running costs at the chapel. There is now a regular membership of around 12, taught by
Banbury yoga teacher Sigi Castle, but beginners are welcome. New members should contact her on 01295 254601.
4th December '03 - Upton's up for Christmas Cheer
It’s festive fun the whole weekend at Upton House with its Christmas Market. Saturday’s market is reserved for
community and charity groups for fundraising purposes, whilst the Sunday is for profit-making ventures. The choice is
yours. The Pavilion restaurant is also open both days for lunches, cakes and drinks.
4th December '03 - Ladies hard at work for Festive Fayre
Keep Saturday, December 13, free for one of the unmissable events of the Hornton Christmas. At 7pm the Ladies’ Working Party of St John the Baptist Parish Church hold their Christmas Fayre and this year it’s going to be better than ever! There will be stalls of all kinds piled high with Christmas goodies - a gift stall, a home produce stall, Christmas cards and, of course, a VERY large raffle. Glasses of wine and cups of coffee will make sure everything goes with a swing.
4th December '03 - A Mouse in the House
Christmas wouldn’t be complete without The Nutcracker and next week Hornton Methodist Church next week plays host to a very special performance. The Oxfordshire Touring Theatre is staging The Nutcracker and the Mouse King - a unique theatrical adaptation of this traditional tale. The curtain rises at 7pm next Tuesday, December 9, and as there are only 38 tickets available you must move fast. Julie Stanley on 01295 670507 is the person to call.
3rd December '03 - Draw near for Art Show
Hornton’s talented amateur artists will have their work on show - and for sale - this weekend at the Shotteswell Art Group, so if you’re looking for that unique Christmas gift for someone special, look no further. The show, at Shotteswell Village Hall, will run from 10am to 4pm this Saturday, December 6, and from 10am to 3pm on Sunday. Well-known watercolourist Nick Baldwin will be giving a demonstration and will be on hand to answer any questions. There will also be a Christmas raffle, with a top prize of a watercolour valued at £50.
3rd December '03 - You'll be cross if you miss it
Pit your general knowledge against Hornton’s most fiendish quizmasters, Ollie Fickling and Steve Woodcock, at the JUMPA quiz in the Dun Cow this Saturday at 7.30pm. Teams of up to four people can sign up simply by ringing the pub on 670524 and you can also reserve a table for dinner there too by speaking to Gwyneth. Or just come along on the night. The entry fee is just £2 and, as all the money goes to Hornton and Horley’s fund for a Jubilee multi-purpose play area, you just can’t pass!
3rd December '03 -Stars Burn Brightly for School
There’s a musical treat not to be missed next week when the children of Hornton School’s Classes 2 and 3 perform the world premiere of the musical Star Tours. It’s been written by Hornton teacher Janet Porter and the music has been specially composed by her colleague, Hilary Childs. There are three performances in Hornton Pavilion - next Wednesday, December 10, at 1.30pm and 7pm and again the following day at 7pm. You can see the stars of tomorrow for just £4 a ticket!
Meanwhile, the tinies of Hornton School’s Class 1 will be taking part in their nativity play in the Methodist Chapel on Wednesday December 17 at 2.30pm.
Hornton School’s fund to buy a third computer-controlled whiteboard received a big boost last Saturday when its Christmas Bazaar and art exhibition made more than £500 in just two hours! The money was raised from a whole array of stalls, including a white elephant, table top sale and Christmas crafts, as well as an array of different games, three raffles and refreshments where home-made cakes and mince pies were the highlight. The school association, who organised the bazaar, said they were delighted.
Thanks also goes to everyone who supported the cake stall run by Peach Tree Preschool, which raised a further £62 for Children in Need.
