Hornton Online

Hornton’s carol singers sung their hearts out last Thursday, raising lots of lolly for cancer research. By the end, everyone was too…tired to count it, so exact details of the amount raised will be in next week’s Guardian.

28th December '05 - And a Happy New Year

If you can make New Year’s Eve at the Dun Cow, please pick up the phone and put on a pinny. You’ll need the pinny for when you prepare a little something to be party of the Jacob’s Supper, in which everyone brings a different dish to add to the table for all to enjoy and share throughout the evening. You’ll need the phone to call Gwyneth on 01295 670524 and tell her what food you’re bringing.

“That way, everyone won’t bring the same thing,” she says, so please give her a ring as soon as possible

28th December '05 - Come on, Cribbers

The Dun Cow tumbled to tenth out of 11 team in the Banbury and District Crib League after losing 6-1 at home to the Carpenters Arms from Kineton. But don’t despair, crib fans. The season’s only half way through and there’s plenty to play for with another seven teams within just two points of the Hornton cribbers.

28th December '05 - Hiking at Hogmanay

What better way to blow away that 2006 hangover than by a walk through our beautiful countryside?

Two new paths were created recently to provide a circular walk from Hornton with good views across the Sor Valley.

You reach the first walk - one of ten in the area which have recently been created in beautiful areas of Oxfordshire countryside - by going up Millers Lane and straight across Quarry Road onto the footpath. Keep going past the farm and the barn next to it and go down the hill. Just when you think you’ve got lost, the path starts up on the other side of a style up to your left. When you reach Hornton Hill Farm, don’t go up the hill to the farm buildings but skirt round the back on the lower ground and the path will take you back to Quarry Road. The views are lovely!

If you then turn left onto Quarry Road, you’ll see the start of the other path on your right. It runs south down into the valley for a few hundred yards, meeting up with the existing footpath running up the valley from the village and past Starveall Barn. Happy hiking!

28th December '05 - Small step for a School

But a giant leap for its coffers!

Hornton School are holding the social event of the Spring and when you have friends round this New Year, why not invite them?

The Hornton Valentine’s Ball which takes place at Banbury’s Whatley Hall Hotel on Saturday, February 18, and everyone who goes will - quite literally - have a ball!

There will be an auction, a Grand Raffle with sensational prizes - anyone with ideas for exotic and unusual prizes, please call the organisers - and all proceeds will go to Hornton School.

The tickets are £35 each and before you think that’s a lot of money, just think how much a night out costs these days and how much you’ll get for your money at the Hornton Ball. There will be a live band and a delicious three-course meal. Dancing goes on to midnight and everyone’s going to have a great time.

So go on, sign up today - either individually or by making up a table of 10 or 12. Liz Hurst (01295 343556), Amanda Wray-Mitchell (01295 730402), Carolyn Baker (01295 678553) and Hilary Lidguard (01295 738258) have tickets and more details.

28th December '05 - Church Services

On Sunday, New Year’s Day, there will be a Covenant Service in Hornton Methodist Church at 11am, when everyone can reaffirm their faith in the first communion of the year. There’s no service in the Parish Church because there’s a Benefice service at Shenington at 10.30am.

22nd December '05 - Sing Song Merrily on High

Hornton’s carol singers will be touring the village from 6.30 to 9pm tonight, raising money for Cancer Research, so please give generously - in money, mince pies and a touch of the hard stuff!

22nd December '05 - Goodwill To All Men

Hornton has a Goodwill Fund to send a card, a small gift and our good wishes to village people who are sick, just to let them know we are thinking of them - and it needs your cash and what better time of year to give.

The idea came from villager Jean Burden, whose mother ran a similar scheme in Cropredy, where it was a great success.

"It's just really a practical way of us showing that we're concerned about people who are ill," said Jean.

"We decided to start it here because there was one little girl in the village who is very poorly. I thought it would be nice if we could send her a box of things that she could do and then we thought it would be a nice idea a for anyone else who is ill."

What the Goodwill Fund really needs is donations, so that a gift most suitable for the recipient can be bought. If you'd like to give some money, please contact Jean at Barry Cottage, Miler's Lane, or call her on 01295 670664.

22nd December '05 - Badwill To All Men

It’s barely believable, is it? We live in a wonderful village with a fantastic community and at this time of year, living in Hornton really is like living in a Christmas card.

So why would anyone want to vandalise the Christmas tree lights on the village green for the second time in three years?

Fortunately, the culprits have now owned up, their parents informed and some extra bulbs have been found, so the tree lights are once again burning brightly.

Next year, we’ll have new lights, courtesy of the money raised from the 6p a line earned by this column.

22nd December '05 - Perfect Pitch

Peachtree Pre-School are £140 better off, thanks to a special drinks party, with singing group Impromptu providing the entertainment.

“They sang brilliantly and also entertained us with funny readings,” said Claire Bottoms.

“We’d like to thank everyone who came.”

The next Peachtree event is a pamper evening on January 19 at the Wroxton House Hotel. More details to follow.

22nd December '05 - Super League

Hornton Juniors football team have plenty to celebrate at the moment. Not only have they raised £30 for the pavilion extension fund over the past few weeks, they beat Napton Juniors 7-1 last Saturday. The scorers were Eddie Cox, Tom Alton, Oliver Whitehouse and William Veneter.

From now on, you can read about the fortunes of Hornton Juniors every week in the Guardian.

GIVE GWYNETH A CALL. If you can make New Year’s Eve at the Dun Cow, now’s the time to phone Gwyneth on 01295 670524.

She’s organising a Jacob’s Supper, in which everyone brings a different dish to add to the table for all to enjoy and share throughout the evening. But she’d like to make sure that everyone doesn’t bring the same thing, so please give her a ring as soon as possible.

22nd December '05 - Christmas Present

The Dun Cow crib team zoomed up to fourth in the Harbury and District Crib League with their latest win. They thrashed the British Legion at Bishop’s Itchington 5-2 away and are now in fourth place.

22nd December '05 - Only Three Shopping Days Till Christmas

And if you’re really stuck for a last-minute gift, look no further! The DVDs of our very own film have arrived.

Digitally remastered and in a special presentation case, you’ll treasure your own copy of There’s Only One Hornton! for many years. And so will your friends and family, so go on, buy ’em a copy!

The DVD costs just £10 and is available from Roger Corke at The Cottage, Church Lane.

22nd December '05 - It's Snow Contest, Cambridge

Forget the Cambridge Footlights, Horntonians. For a class act this Christmas you need go no further than a couple of miles down the road where the Horley Footlights are staging a production of Snow White and…Several Dwarfs.

There are magic beans, a wicked witch and wardrobe, a Mexican bandit, a beautiful and a voluptuous Snow White, a dashing long-legged prince in thigh boots, several sweet and paranoid people that are vertically challenged, couple of tricky-dicky salespersons, northern Dame, a horse, talking mirror and lots of magic!

Rehearsals are well underway with what promises to be an action packed, all singing, all dancing production with a cast to die for!

Curtain up is at 7pm on January 5 and 6 and 2pm on Saturday, January 7. Tickets are only available in advance from Sue and Mike Patching on 01295 730039 or Tessa and Chris Howell on 01295 738313. They cost just £5 for adults and £3 for children under 15.

22nd December '05 - Walking Off That Christmas Cheer

Do you know where to find Begger Bosh Hill, Clump Ground, Tatlers Leys and Bath Meadow? Well they’re all fields within a mile of Hornton and they all feature on a circular walk around Hornton and Horley.

It’s called the Horley Circular Walk and Village Trail but don’t let the title put you off, Horntonians! Promoted by Cherwell, the four-mile stroll takes you from Horley to Hornton and by or through all those fields with ancient names.

On the Cherwell website at www.cherwell-dc.gov.uk/leisure/circularwalks.cfm, you can find details of the wildlife and nature you’ll see on the way, historic buildings and all sorts of other interesting facts. Did you know that there was a Roman vineyard in Horley, for instance?

Come Boxing Day, it’s just the ticket for walking off all that food and drink, so there’s no excuse.

On the website, there are also other village trails to explore - with details of all the local pubs to visit for a well-earned pint after that stroll round the trail.

22nd December '05 - Mobile Library

The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday from 10.55 to 11.30am.

22nd December '05 - Church Services

On Saturday, Christmas Eve, the Parish Church of St John the Baptist is holding its annual Crib Service at 5.30pm. On Sunday, Christmas Day, the service in the church will start at 10am.

15th December '05 - Six on the Dot

The Dun Cow now opens at 6 o’clock each evening and when you pop in for an early evening pint, you can put your name down for New year’s Eve.

The pub is holding a Jacob’s Supper, which means that everyone brings a dish along. If you are able to tell Gwyneth and Martin in advance what you will be bringing, that would be great, so that everyone doesn’t bring the same dish!

“The list of food is looking impressive and mouth-watering,” says Martin.

You can reach Martin and Gwyneth at 01295 670524.

15th December '05 - Christmas Crib

The Dun Cow crib team put their mid season league blues behind them to beat the Cuttle Inn at Long Itchington 4-3 away in a cup nail-biter.

They play Southam’s Market Tavern at home in the quarter final on January 3.

15th December '05 - Final Cut

There’s not much time left to get that last-minute Christmas gift. But all the award-winning films in this year’s Hornton Film Festival are now available on an award-winning DVD in time for the big day, so look no further!

If you were at the inaugural Film Festival evening, you won’t want to miss out on this special memento. It costs just £9.99 from festival organiser Pete Whitehead and all profits will go to the Pavilion Extension Fund.

Give him a call on 01295 670320 and make sure you’ve got something really exciting to watch this Christmas!

15th December '05 - There's Only One Hornton

And there’s only one DVD of the film! There are a very few spare DVDs of Hornton’s very own documentary available at just £10 each. If you’d like one, please pop a note into The Cottage in Church Lane as soon as possible and you’ll have a copy for Christmas.

15th December '05 - The Cutest Story Ever Told

We’ve had some very sweet nativity plays in the past but the one last Sunday at the Christingle service in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist was pretty hard to beat.

This year we not only had Hornton’s tiny thespians playing Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, the Wise Men and the shepherds but a donkey and two camels as well! And so many children took part in the procession - 42 in all - that the church ran out of Christingles!

This Sunday, December 18, at 6pm the Methodist Church holds the annual Hornton Carol Service. All Horntonians in good voice are very welcome!

13th December '05 - Top of the Tree

Peachtree Pre-School are holding a Christmas choral drinks party tomorrow, Friday, with local guest choir Impromptu.

It all kicks off at 8pm in St Peter’s Church, Hanwell and you can ring 01295 739754 for tickets.

On January 19, Peachtree will hold a pamper evening at the Wroxton House Hotel. More details to follow in the New Year.

13th December '05 - In Memory of Eric

Hornton parish councillors have been told at their latest meeting that the Pavilion received a massive £1,325 - collected at the recent funeral of Eric Turner.

Eric had devoted his life to Hornton, both as a parish councillor and a church warden, and his funeral in September was one of the largest in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist for many years. The money was gratefully received by the pavilion committee and will go into the Pavilion Extension Fund.

The meeting, in the Church Room on November 28, were also told that work on erecting a new fence around the children’s playground has been temporarily halted, following complaints about its proposed height. Advice is being sought from Cherwell District Council after a decision was originally taken to increase the height from two metres to 2.4 metres opposite the Dun Cow. It has been established that planning permission would be required if it is over 2 metres.

The meeting was told that a balance between health and safety - preventing children trying to climb the fence or running into the road - and not spoiling the environment too much.

The Playground Committee had agreed with Dale Fletcher, who lives opposite the fence, that it was not the nicest thing to look at but for health and safety and insurance reasons the fence needed to be replaced. The previous two-metre fence, which would not need planning permission, had frequently been climbed over and damaged. On balance, the committee had concluded that a 2.4 metre fence with angled top was preferable.

The committee therefore has asked the Parish Council to consider applying for planning permission but the council’s unanimous decision was to ask the clerk to enquire of the Cherwell DC Planning Officer who has visited the site whether planning permission was likely to be granted before making any formal application.

Less controversially, it was agreed in principle that planning permission should be sought for a wheelchair access ramp. Detailed drawings to be provided in advance of the next meeting so that a decision can be made at the meeting. And the clerk was asked to chase a response from Corus regarding the possibility of purchasing a further strip of land.

Julie Stanley was co-opted unanimously as a parish councillor and the Parish Council thanked all those involved voluntarily in grass cutting, which helps the greens and the centre of the village look so good. The clerk was asked to arrange for some reimbursement of petrol costs.

It was agreed that the council’s precept - the small amount of money it levies on council tax payers - should be increased by 12.5 per cent. Internal auditor Ken Hartlett had recommended that the council should have a bit more money in the bank over the coming years, so members agreed unanimously to increase the balance of the main bank account to approximately 50 per cent of the precept.

The External Audit recommended an increase in the Fidelity Guarantee Insurance to cover the total amount of funds held. Quotes for cover of £50,000 and £100,000 were distributed. An increase to £100,000 - at a premium £225.75 - was proposed by Cllr John Offord, seconded by Cllr Leslie Waller and agreed unanimously.

The council was also told that some money may be available to create more parking by grass verges, following discussion of the issue at the annual meeting between Cherwell District Council and the parish councils in the area. The Clerk was asked to investigate whether money would be forthcoming for use near the school, where parking can cause congestion.

And councillors heard that Oxfordshire County Council is still seeking a suitable new surface for the footpath between West End and the Church. The likely cost could be anything between £70 and £100 per square yard for materials plus labour - a total of more than £3,000. S Bend signs at either end of the bends near Glebe Farm on the Horley Road and new street nameplates for Bell Street, Millers Lane and the Green have been installed. The clerk was asked to seek some additional footpath signage between Holloway and the New Inn.

13th December '05 - All Square

The Dun Cow dominoes team have 14 points from 14 games are around mid table in the season. In their latest match, they lost 11-5 to Brailes.

8th December '05 - Ding Dong Battle

The Dun Cow dominoes team gained a draw 8-8 against The Bell, Great Bourton in their latest match after winning the very tight last game of the final round.

Barbara Neville and Richard Hillman won three of the four games they played.

8th December '05 - Cuttled Out

The Dun Cow crib team were 6-1 losers to the Cuttle Inn at Long Itchington in their latest match in the Harbury and District Crib League. That leaves the Hornton team seventh out of 12 and having played one match more than most of their rivals. Come on cribbers!

8th December '05 - Over the Moon

Have yourself A Merry Little Christmas at Upton House this Saturday, December 10, when Silvery Moon Productions present a magical journey through a century of Yuletide songs and traditions.

This gloriously festive evening will really get you into the Christmas mood, with music, song, stories and jokes. Tickets are just £16, including mulled wine and mince pies, and A Merry Little Christmas starts at 6.30pm.

8th December '05 - Moving Story

The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday from 10.55 to 11.30am.

8th December '05 - Standing Room Only

This Sunday, December 11, there won't be an empty seat in the house when the Parish Church of St John the Baptist holds its annual Christingle service for children. The service starts at 6pm and be there early or you won't get a seat! The highlight will be the nativity play which this year has 24 children in it and lovely music.

7th December '05 - You'd be Bazaar to Miss It

Because the Christmas Bazaar at Hornton School has got everything! And it's not too late to join in with a stall of your own.

The bazaar takes place at the school from 6 to 8pm tomorrow night, Friday. There will be mulled win and mince pies, Christmas novelty stalls, a tombola, a raffle for a Christmas hamper and, of course, a visit from Father Christmas.

If you want to sell Christmassy or craft items, a stall will cost just £10 and all you have to do is call Amanda Venables on 01295 678180.

And the organisers need cakes, mince pies, tombola items and things to put in adults' and children's Christmas hampers. Please contact Hilary Lidgard in Horley, Amanda Wray-Mitchell in Hanwell or put the items in the collection box in the school playground.

7th December '05 - Watch Out, Wembley

The new stadium at Wembley might not be ready for next spring but JUMPA, Hornton and Horley's multi-purpose play area, most certainly will be!

It’s already fast taking shape and the contractors, Beacon, have dug out the foundations and filled in with crushed stone across the top.

The hard playing surface of bituminous macadam will go down soon and you can now see where the posts will be for the tennis court net. It will be suitable for five-a-side football, basketball and tennis, among other sports.

If anyone who is interested in being involved in the managing and running of the playing surface once it’s open, there's a JUMPA meeting next Wednesday, December 14, at 8.15pm at the Dun Cow.

7th December '05 - Line 'Em Up

If you want an event at the Pavilion with a pay-bar, then the sooner you plan for it, the better.

The Pavilion Committee were told at their latest meeting, on December 1, that the new laws don’t just affect pubs wanting to open 24 hours a day.

Under the new law, the sale of alcohol at the Pavilion is now limited to 12 so-called TENS (temporary event notices) per year which will have to be applied for at least 2 weeks in advance of any event going ahead.

So, if you know you would like a pay bar at your event, the sooner you can let the Pavilion Committee know the better - and, unfortunately, they can't guarantee there will be licenses to cover everything nor that all applications will be automatically granted. The aim is to manage demand as fairly as possible.

The committee also heard that estimates for the kitchen extension have now been obtained and the next step is to start looking at what funding is available through grants to add to the money that has been raised by villagers so far.

7th December '05 - Only 107 Dancing Days till February

It's going to be the social event of the Spring and it's never too early to start brushing up your bow tie - or your dance steps!

It's the Hornton Valentine's Ball, which takes place at Banbury's Whatley Hall Hotel on Saturday, February 18, next year so it's time to get some practice in.

There will be an auction, a Grand Raffle with sensational prizes - anyone with ideas for exotic and unusual prizes, please call the organisers - and all proceeds will go to Hornton School.

The tickets are £35 each and before you think that's a lot of money, just think how much a night out costs these days and how much you'll get for your money at the Hornton Ball. There will be a live band and a delicious three-course meal. Dancing goes on to midnight and everyone's going to have a great time.

So go on, sign up today - either individually or by making up a table of 10 or 12. Liz Hurst (01295 343556), Amanda Wray-Mitchell (01295 730402), Carolyn Baker (01295 678553) and Hilary Lidguard (01295 738258).

7th December '05 - Star Performer

Every entry into this year's Hornton Film Festival was such a star that they all got awarded a Hornie! And you can own a special DVD including every entry.

So if you're stuck for something special to give to someone special, then look no further. All the award-winning films in this year's Hornton Film Festival are now available on an award-winning DVD in time for Christmas!

If you were at the inaugural Film Festival evening, you won't want to miss out on this special memento and it costs just £9.99 from festival organiser Pete Whitehead and all profits will go to the Pavilion Extension Fund.

Give Pete a call on 01295 670320.

And Pete's been persuaded to stage another film festival after the runaway success of the last one. The date is Saturday, March 11, 2006. Please put that date in your diaries right now because a new clutch of Hornies will be up for grabs in a never-to-be-forgotten night of cinematic creativity! Most important - don't be left out yourself!

"If you are thinking of making a film, please let me know," says Pete.

"Following the experiences of this year, there is now plenty of technical back-up available for anyone who needs it, so please don't feel constrained by lack of experience or equipment."

Next year's theme is music - but that's about as broad as it could be. It could be a pop video, a film with a title suggested by a piece of music. In fact, anything that's a gnat's crotchet away from a musical theme will qualify. Even those films which people started making last year but were never completed are welcome.

7th December '05 - You'd be Crackers to Miss it

Cream crackers, in fact, because this is a Jacob's Supper. The Dun Cow is staging it on New Year's Eve and licensee Gwyneth Gelling hopes it will be the biggest Jacob's Supper the village has ever seen.

A Jacobs Supper is where everyone brings along a plate of Food for all to enjoy and share throughout the evening. "Please come and join us," said Gwyneth.

"If you could let us know nearer the time what food you might bring so everyone doesn't bring the same thing, that would be great."

Gwyneth can be contacted on 01295 679524, which is also the number to ring if you'd like to go to the pub's Christmas Dinner next Saturday, December 17. Sunday lunch the following day is sold out but there are still a few places left on Saturday, so please ring Gwyneth if you'd like to come.

6th December '05 - Make a Date

With the Hornton School Christmas calendar! It costs just £5 and has a picture drawn by every child in the school.

Class 1 will be presenting their very own version of the Christmas story at their Nativity next Wednesday, December 14, at 2.30pm. All parents are welcome.

And at 6.30pm on the same day, Classes 2 and 3 will perform Jesus's Christmas Party in the Methodist Chapel.

At both events, there will be a collection for the homeless charity, Shelter.

6th December '05 - Be Prompt for Impromptu

When the Quavers are served up at Peachtree Pre-School's party this Christmas, you won't be eating them, you'll be listening to them!

That's because it's a choral drinks party to raise money and local choir Impromptu will be there as special guests to entertain everyone.

It's going to be held next Friday, December 16, at St Peter's Church in Hanwell, starting at 8pm. Please ring 01295 739754 for tickets.

Peachtree is also holding a pamper evening on Thursday, January 19, at the Wroxton House Hotel. More details to follow!

6th December '05 - Sale of the Century

The Church Ladies’ Working Party Christmas Social and Sale last Saturday raised a more than £1000 in just two hours!

At the last count £1064 was raised to help upkeep the Parish Church of St John the Baptist over the next year and since it costs around £200 to maintain it, that’s the first five weeks of the New Year accounted for.

1st December '05 - Knocking Spots

The Dun Cow dominoes team knocked spots off their opponents in their latest match.

In one of their biggest wins of the season, they beat The Baker's Arms 'A' team from Bodicote by 14 - 2. The partnerships of Malcolm Cross/Adrian Horsley and Malcolm Parker/Frank Jarrett won all the games they played.

After 12 games so far the team have won 5, lost 4 and drawn 3 to be just above mid table at this stage of the season.

1st December '05 - Up to Upton for Christmas Fun

This weekend, you can avoid the horror of the High Street with a seasonal gift market in the festive surrounds of Upton House.

It takes place from noon to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday and normal admission prices apply.

1st December '05 - Church Services

Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at the Parish Church this Sunday, December 4, at 8.30am. At 11am in the Methodist Church there will be a United Service to celebrate Holy Communion.