Hornton School has been really busy this term but it’s been very successful, says
headteacher Wendy Clifford.
“There have been a number of highlights,” she said. “In particular, the residential visit to North Wales, the girls' football
tournament and the song-share afternoon with Pre-school.
“The school association held a Christmas bazaar last Friday, and we shall round off the term with our Carol Concert and a whole
school visit to the pantomime and Christmas dinner this week.”
At the bazaar, the school association raised around £600 – a terrific result for the new committee which was organising the event
for the first time. And Peachtree Pre-school made a further £76 with a splendid raffle whose star prize was a wonderful knitted
nativity set.
Highlights of the evening had to include a visit to Father Christmas and a go on the human fruit machine!
14th December '04 - Uphill Climb
The decision to refuse planning permission to the BMX track up at Quarry Road was
considered “harsh” by Hornton Parish councillors at their latest meeting on November 29.
Members unanimously agreed to write to Cherwell planners after they turned down an application for retrospective planning consent.
They believed that problems – especially relating to landscaping and the PA system - could be overcome.
Hornton Hill, as it’s known in the BMX world, was one of the leading outdoor tracks in the country until it was closed down by
planners earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the council agreed to increase the cash it gets from electors next year – the precept - by 12.5 per cent. Internal
auditor Ken Hartlett recommended that over the coming years the council should have a bit more money in the bank, so members
agreed unanimously to increase the balance of the main account to approximately 50% of the precept.
Allowing for project work of £2,000 and a contingency of £500, the precept would need to be increased from £4,000 to £4,500 in
order to increase the closing balance to £1,301.
The council also agreed unanimously to nominate Mr Hartlett as auditor for next year.
And members were all firmly behind moves to keep the village’s single weekly bus service. Oxfordshire County Council are review
all the routes they subsidise – including the 511 from Hornton to Banbury – but parish councillors felt strongly that the bus service
should be retained and have sent the authority a letter to that effect.
Following comments on this issue in the Guardian, Hook Norton parish councillor Peter Fry has advised Hornton parish clerk Alan Cater
how that village provides its own subsidised service. It was agreed that this could be considered should the County Council review
mean the loss of the current service.
Last week, Alan attended a meeting at Banbury Town Hall on behalf of the council and vigorously pressed the case for a bus service to
be continued from the village to Banbury. The final decision on the review will be made next April.
Meanwhile, the parish council was told at their November meeting that the county have still not arranged for the speed of cars coming
through the village to be measured as promised and the clerk had chased it once again. Parish chairman Coun David Miles suggested that
30mph signs on a yellow background would stand out more. This will be considered once the speed measuring has been completed.
The clerk will also be writing to the Highways Department about the footpath between West End and the Church after Coun Eric Turner
reported that it was very uneven and dangerous.
The council were told that the Small Playing Field Committee have two new members after an appeal in The Gossip and the Guardian.
Neil Shadbolt and David Jarrett will help the present committee maintain the play equipment and move the grass.
A plaque has also been ordered for the playground in memory of Pat Horsley, who died late last year.
Finally, Coun Bill Jeffs congratulated Peter Bennie Ltd on behalf of the Parish Council on the excellent job that they had made of
restoring the rest of Hornton Grounds Quarry. He was advised that the footpath from the top of Holloway to the New Inn is to be
re-instated shortly.
14th December '04 - Round of Applause
The children really enjoyed the Hornton performance of Noah’s Ark – a family show
from Oxfordshire Touring Company at the pavilion on Wednesday of last week. Around £75 profit was made, according to organiser
Sarah Walther.
“The set was really good and the kids loved it,” said Sarah.
14th December '04 - Christmas Reading
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next
Wednesday from 10.55 to 11.30am.
14th December '04 - Twinkle Twinkle
All the village’s children were stars at last Sunday’s Christingle service at the Parish
Church of St John the Baptist, when they performed Hosanna Rock – a nativity play with a difference.
The church was packed on what is traditionally one of its busiest days of the year and the service ended with the traditional Christingle
procession.
This Sunday, December 19, there will be the village carol service in the Methodist Church at 6pm. On Christmas Eve, the Crib Service
will be held in the Parish Church at 5.30pm, with Holy Communion there at 10.30am on Christmas Morning.
On Boxing Day at 11am there will be a service in the Methodist Church.
9th December '04 - Bus Response is Just the Ticket
Hornton’s under-threat weekly bus service was discussed at a special meeting at Banbury Town Hall and representatives from the parish
council were there to voice the fears of villagers who are strongly against it being lost.
Before the meeting – which took place at 7pm – councillors had already produced a robust response to Oxfordshire county Council’s review
of bus services around Banbury – saying that the axing of the 511 would be of “great detriment” to its regular customers.
But it’s not only the eight people who regularly use the service every Thursday to go into Banbury who would suffer in the long run, say
the council.
“In addition there have been comments from other residents that they may use the service as and when they have to give up driving,” says
the report.
But it’s the regular users – who “have no alternative options for travelling into Banbury” - who would suffer most, say councillors.
“There are no shops in Hornton. They regard the trip to Banbury as essential not only for shopping but also to provide some independence
and a change of scenery. Feelings are strong on this and there would be a major impact on the mainly elderly residents should the
service be discontinued.
“One suggestion to reduce costs is to use a 12-seater mini-bus rather than the 30-seater coach. However this probably depends upon the
scheduling of the coach company.
“The suggestion of diverting another route through Hornton on Thursdays would be acceptable provided there is no detriment to the overall
service, including pick-ups at 2 points in the village. The timings will need to remain reasonable.
“The Parish Council strongly supports the retention of this service, which is already minimal. If cuts are necessary, they should be
concentrated on areas where there are more regular services, which are under utilised. The loss of this once a week service would be
of great detriment to these regular users.”
9th December '04 - Father Christmas is Coming
And you won’t have to wait until December 25 to see him! He should be in Hornton tomorrow, Friday, at Hornton School’s Christmas Bazaar. You can get in free and you’ll find a host of yuletide goodies inside, including a card stall, mulled wine and mince pies, plus children’s art activities, “new to you” toys and games, teas, coffees and cakes, a tombola, face painting and a plant stall. And there will be a raffle, of course – for a splendid Christmas hamper.
But Father Christmas sent his elves down this week to say that he’ll only be turning up if the children promise to be good from now to
Christmas, so it’s over to you, kids!
The two hours of festive fun starts at 6pm tomorrow at Hornton School.
And children at the school can also look forward to a host of other Christmassy activities in the run-up to the big day. Next Wednesday,
at 6.30pm in the Methodist Chapel, they hold their Christmas Carol Concert. Then, on Friday December 17, there’s a visit to the
Pantomime at Leamington Spa in the morning followed by Christmas lunch.
9th December '04 - A Thousand Thanks
Exactly £1,000 was raised by the Hornton Ladies’ Working Party at their Christmas Fayre last Saturday and the organisers are delighted.
Customers at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist were treated to a festive feast of stalls, the obligatory Hornton raffle and, of
course, lots of Christmassy items, all washed down with a glass of wine and a home-made mince pie.
9th December '04 - Be Quick or You'll Miss it
There’s only a week left for you to book your table for a special Christmas meal at the Dun Cow. There’s Christmas dinner on Saturday
evening, December 18, and lunch the following day, with all the traditional yuletide trimmings. Landlady Gwyneth Gelling needs to know
numbers by December 10, so please call her as soon as possible on 01295 670524.
9th December '04 - Peach for Pudsey
Peachtree Pre School raised £100 for Pudsey Bear and his Children in Need Appeal at
their cake stall.
9th December '04 - Top Ten
The Dun Cow, Harbury and District Crib League champions, are still lying second in this year’s
competition after the latest round of matches, just two points behind the leaders.
But Hornton’s cribbers have played ten matches – two more than the Red Lion at North End and Southam’s Bull Inn who are just above
them – so it’s fingers-crossed that the leaders won’t forge further ahead when the games in hand are made up in the New Year.
Still, a comprehensive 5-2 home win against Kineton’s Carpenters Arms means that the league champions go into the Christmas Holiday in
good shape. So keep on cribbing, Hornton!
9th December '04 - Book In
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday
from 10.55 to 11.30am.
9th December '04 - Church Services
This Sunday, December 12, the Parish Church of St John the Baptist will hold one of its
busiest services of the year when both churches in Hornton combine together for the Christingle Service at 6pm.
1st December '04 - Jingle Bells
There’s still 24 days to go but the Christmassyist village in Banburyshire is already really excited because this Saturday, December
4, is the real start of a traditional Hornton Christmas.
It’s the Ladies Working Party Annual Christmas Fayre, of course, and the fun all kicks off at 7 pm in the Parish Church of St John the
Baptist. There will be stalls of every shape and size, wine, mince pies, the obligatory Hornton raffle and, of course, squillions of
Christmassy items. See you there!
1st December '04 - Christmas up at Upton
If you still need some ideas for presents after the Hornton Christmas Fayre, you can also pop up to Upton Housethis weekend. It’s
holding a Christmas Market this Saturday and Sunday from 12noon to 4pm. Normal admission prices apply and there will also be a chance to
sample Yuletide yummies in the restaurant.
1st December '04 - Be Good
On Friday week, December 10, more yuletide goodies will be on offer at the Hornton School Christmas Bazaar. There’s free admission and a
host of exciting attractions, including a card stall, mulled wine and mince pies, children’s art activities, “new to you” toys and games,
teas, coffees and cakes, a tombola, face painting and a plant stall. Surprisingly for Hornton, there’s also a raffle - for a splendid
Christmas hamper.
On top of all that, a reindeer popped down last week from Greenland with a note from Santa for the children which said that, if we’re all
good, there’s a good chance that he’ll pop down the Hornton School chimney as well!
Be there for Santa and all the rest of the Yo! Ho! Ho! between 6 and 8pm a week on Friday.
1st December '04 - Eight by Eight
Next Wednesday, December 8, is the date, so don’t miss it. That’s when Noah’s Ark - a family show from Oxfordshire Touring Company - is
coming to the Hornton Pavilion. Anyone over six will enjoy it and it starts at 6.30pm. Tickets are £5 for adults and only £3 for children
from Sarah Walther on 01295 670627 or 670511.
1st December '04 - How about the Hornies?
It’s going to be star-studded! It’s going to be glittering! It’s going to be the social event of the year! So get out those glad rags and
go for it!
What’s it all about? Well, first there was Cannes, then London and now…Hornton. The village is going to have its very own film festival,
and you could be part of it!
It all happens on the weekend of March 11 to 12 next year. There will be a special quiz at the Dun Cow on Friday, March 11. That will be
followed by a special “make a movie” session for children in the Pavilion the following day, where the village children will get the
chance to write, rehearse, perform, shoot and edit a film in one afternoon.
Finally, there will be the climax on Saturday evening, where it will be time for the gown-ups to demonstrate their film-making skills.
There’s plenty of time to get ready, so now is the time to start planning your contribution.
Don’t be intimidated. Any budding Stephen Spielbergs or Cecil B. Demilles thinking of Lawrence of Arabia-style entries can think again
because of the first rule of the Hornton Film Festival is that no film should be longer than FIVE MINUTES.
Organiser Pete Whitehead says that some people in the village have already been putting together their five-minute contributions and
everyone with access to a basic video camera can shoot a video.
“This is your chance to give it a go,” said Pete. “It can be on any theme - fact, fiction of fantasy.
“If you haven’t got a movie camera, it’s the perfect thing to put on your Christmas list. Or even the movie setting on a digital still
camera can produce quite a good image.”
He explained that you can even edit the film very easily if you’ve got a computer, since it’s bound to have a basic and easy-to-use
video editing programme on it.
“You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to put together a professional-looking production with the movie-making software. Please give me
a call for more information.
On the night, there will of course be gongs up for grabs. The organisers - who are running the whole event in aid of JUMPA - hope for
as many five-minute films as possible. All you need to do is produce yours and you could be up for one.
At the time of going to press, the names of these sought-after honours was still being talked about all around Hornton. What about The
Hornies? Unless you can think of a better title…
Please ring Pete on 01295 670320 with suggestions, more information or help to get started.
1st December '04 - A Miserable Time had by All
Well, you know what Country music is usually about…death, divorce, heartbreak and despair. And C&W superstar Hank Wangford said he was
determined that all Horntonians had a really miserable time last Saturday.
That left them all rolling in the aisles at Hank’s special brand of humour in a memorable night of music and mirth.
Hank and fellow performer Reg Meuross had slipped into town to play at a packed Hornton Pavilion as part of the There are no strangers
tour. And they’ll be welcome back any time after bringing the house down. In the process, the concert also made around £250 for the
building’s kitchen extension fund.
1st December '04 - Ten over the Eight
£108 was the grand total raised for Children in Need at the Dun Cow pub this year after an evening in which customers and the licensees
all chipped in generously.
Landlady Gwyneth Gelling said that the pub put in 20p for every drink sold at the bar and customers also added in their contributions.
“My daughter, Llyn, and I also made some Pudsey bear fairy cakes,” said Gwyneth. “And we had a specially-brewed beer called a
Pudsey Pint - the only pub in the country because it was brewed especially for us.
“We’d like to thank everyone who came along, supported us and gave so generously to Children in Need.”
The pub is also toasting the success of its Medieval night last Saturday.
“It went brilliantly,” said Gwyneth. “People really enjoyed it and the atmosphere was wonderful.”
The Dun Cow is now taking bookings for its special Christmas dinner on the evening of Saturday, December 18, and Sunday lunch the
following day. Both will feature a three-course meal with all the trimmings and there will also be a vegetarian option. Please
book by Saturday week, December 11, as Gwyneth needs some idea of numbers.
1st December '04 - Crunch Time for Cribbers?
The Dun Cow once again was pipped at the post 4-3 in the latest round of matches in the Harbury and District Crib League. But the
away defeat was effectively a four-pointer because Hornton’s opponents were the Bull in at Southam, lying just above them.
Hornton are still third in the table but the other teams around them have games in hand and they need to pick up the form in the
second half of the season which they showed last year to win the league.
Meanwhile, the Dun Cow has received a bye in the first round of the cup and play the Greaves Club, Bishops Itchington, in the
quarter finals on January 4.
1st December '04 - Church Services
Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 8.30am this Sunday, December 5, in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist. At 11am there
will be a United Service with Holy Communion at the Methodist Church.
