Hornton raised more than £300 through Poppy Day this year - a fantastic achievement and way ahead last year’s total of £275.
“Thank you to all the residents of Hornton who gave so generously to the Poppy Appeal,” said joint organiser Maggie Higgins, who coillected the money with colleague Audrey Turner.
“A grand total of £281.86 was collected with a further £60 being donated from the village church Remembrance Day service.”
28th December '06 - Sing Song Merrily on High
Hornton’s carol singers battled through the fog and raised £200 for charity the Thursday before Christmas - an excellent haul.
As usual the cash will go to Cancer Research.
28th December '06 - Share and Share Alike
The Dun Cow will have an international flavour on New Year’s Eve when it hosts another Jacob’s Supper. That’s where everyone brings a dish to share and Gwyneth would like this year’s dishes to come from around the world.
“Do let me know if you are coming and what dish of food you are bringing just so that I can be sure that we don't have too many dishes being repeated,” she said. “Last year’s event was a great success and I hope this one will be even better.”
28th December '06 - Church Services
There will be an 11 o’clock service this Sunday, New Year’s Eve, at Hornton Methodist Church. There is no service at the Parish Church because there is a Benefice Service of the Holdy Family in Alkerton church at 10.30am. All are welcome.
28th December '06 - Bin It
The next rubbish collection will be this Monday, January 2, when it will be green and blue bins. You can put your Christmas tree in the brown bins but they won’t be collected until January 15.
Horntonians will be carol singing round the village this evening, Thursday, so if you’re in fine voice, come and join in!
Alternatively, they will be rattling their cans for Cancer research, so please give generously when they knock on your door. The odd mince pice and wee dram also goes down well!
20th December '06 - You'd be Crackers to Miss It
The Dun Cow will have an international flavour on New Year’s Eve when it hosts another Jacob’s Supper. That’s where everyone brings a dish to share and Gwyneth would like this year’s food to come from around the world.
“Do let me know if you are coming and what dish of food you are bringing just so that I can be sure that we don't have too many dishes being repeated,” she said. “Last year’s event was a great success and I hope this one will be even better.”
20th December '06 - Hit for Six
The Dun Cow have raced up to fourth in the Harbury and District Crib League and just two points behind the leaders with a 6-1 drubbing at home of The Cottage Inn from Ashorne.
Just last month, the Hornton cribbers were languishing at the foot of the table but since then they have knocked up a string of superb victories and are coming good at just the right time. Well done, cribbers – keep it up in the second half of the season!
20th December '06 - A Christmas Story
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday, December 27, from 10.40 to 11.20am.
20th December '06 - Church Services
On Christmas Eve, Sunday, there will be a crib service at 5pm and then Midnight Mass, both in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist.
20th December '06 - In the Bin
The next rubbish collection will be January 2, when it will be green and blue bins.
13th December '06 - Carols for Cancer
Horntonians will be carol singing round the village this year on the evening of December 21.
As usual, they will be rattling their cans for Cancer Research, so please give generously. The odd mince pice and wee dram also goes down well!
13th December '06 - Fun Cow
The Dun Cow is planning a fun evening with an international flavour on New Year’s Eve when it hosts another Jacob’s Supper.
That’s where everyone brings a dish to share and Gwyneth would like this year’s dishes to come from around the world.
“Do let me know if you are coming and what dish of food you are bringing just so that I can be sure that we don't have too many dishes being repeated,” she said. “Last year’s event was a great success and I hope this one will be even better.”
You can ring Gwyneth on 01295 670524 any time between now and December 31 to confirm your place.
13th December '06 - Christmas on Camera?
What better way to Christen your new video camera than to make a film over Christmas for next year’s Hornton Film Festival?
The festival’s already making headlines in Cannes, Venice, Hollywood…and Banbury and there’s plenty of time before the glittering gala night in March to unlock the Spielberg inside and try your hand at making a movie.
And if you aren’t getting a new camera for Christmas, don’t worry. The village has all the equipment you’ll need and you can borrow it for free!
There’s a camera and a computer with easy-to-use editing software, which come with an idiot’s guide on how to use it (no offence intended)! But don’t leave borrowing it too late as there is certain to be high demand for the equipment in the last few weeks before the Festival itself.
If you need any information, or would like to book the camera and/or computer for anytime between now and March, please call Pete Whitehead on 01295 670320.
And DVDs of the 2005 and 2006 events are still available @ £10 each. The perfect stocking filler!
13th December '06 - Carpenters have their Chips
The Dun Cow team have moved above mid-table in the Harbury and District Crib League for the first time this season with an exciting 4-3 away victory against the Carpenters Arms team from Kineton.
13th December '06 - Bussed Up
Hornton has lost its Thursday bus service, despite the efforts of local residents and the parish council.
The news, given to the council at its latest meeting on December 4, was described as a “major disappointment to those who regularly use the service”.
However, the council have instigated discussions with Oxfordshire County Council, Cherwell District Council and other parish councils to see if the Cherwell Villager minibus could be changed from a timetabled service to a dial-a-ride operation.
The meeting was told that this would be welcomed by Hornton residents.
Transport problems of a different kind - the ongoing complaints about school mums parking on the village greens - were also raised.
Despite previous letters to parents, damage to the greens continues with cars being parked fully or partially on them, especially the small triangular green. Residents have also been blocked in with the result of the police being called.
The parish council have investigated the provision of some parking outside the school. Even if this were to be agreed in this Conservation Area, costs of up to £14,000 are prohibitive. No Parking signs are being obtained and a further letter is to be sent to the school.
Parking problems at the school were also raised with Thames Valley Police’s Rural Sergeant Dave Hibbert and local Police Constable Gerry Doyle.
Sgt Hibbert said that crime is relatively low in Hornton and he acknowledged that resources tend to be centred on the more difficult areas. He reported that five crimes had been reported from Hornton in the last year, mainly thefts from sheds. He and PC Doyle were happy to be contacted if there are problems and they left their contact numbers.
On the financial front, the council decided that they didn’t need such a big increase this year. Their Precept - the money raised through Council Tax - for 2007/2008 will be £5,200. This is an increase of only £200 - or four per cent - compared to £500 requested over the past few years in order to establish a reserve.
The council were informed that James Alcock of Oxon Rural Community Council has visited potential sites for Affordable Housing after presenting his report following the village survey on the matter.
These included those either side of the road at the top of Bell Street, West End and either side of the road at the top of Millers Lane. Of these, he only considered the pavilion car Park area and the allotments area to have any real potential. He will produce a further report after making more enquiries.
Parish clerk Alan Cater reported that John and Angeline Turner of The Yews had expressed an interest in purchasing some or all of the Allotments land - at present owned by the John Fox Charity - if and when it was put on the market. The meeting was told that the charity’s trustees would be obliged to obtain the best possible price, perhaps by sealed bids or auction.
Prior to the meeting, the parish council had also considered an application from Mr and Mrs Turner for some of their land at The Yews in Church Lane to be re-designated from “Greenfield” to “Residential” as part of the Banbury and North Cherwell Site Allocations Development Plan Document - Supplemental Consultation. The Clerk had prepared a draft response summarising the views of the Parish Councillors who were unanimously against the inclusion of this plot of land for residential development.
The reasons were that a new dwelling was not appropriate in this Conservation Area where it would be adjoining a Grade 2 listed building and near to the Church, a Grade 1 listed building; and that on-street parking is not possible in this narrow lane. There are already problems with traffic and parking at the school and a further two potential vehicles would add to the problem. Young children attending the school have to walk along Church Lane where there is a very limited footpath.
The clerk reported that he had subsequently received a letter from 13 residents also objecting to the application. This letter was read out. He had, therefore, amended the original draft by adding an introductory paragraph to incorporate that residents had written to the Parish Council. The revised draft letter from the Parish Council was then read out. It was proposed by Coun Paul Burden, seconded by Coun Julie Stanley and agreed unanimously that the letter should be sent.
Mr and Mrs Turner felt that they were being unfairly treated and they were only seeking a small dwelling for family use. The chairman, Coun David Miles, responded that the parish council were obliged to look at this as a separate property for general use. Had the application been for an extension to an existing property for family use the conclusions may have been different. As with the West End site, a copy of the letter will be distributed to local residents for information.
Volunteers are being sought by the council to help with grass cutting next year. Bill Jeffs has done sterling work but he has advised the council that he is no longer able to maintain the Glebe. Graham Hall and Adrian Horsley have been working equally hard on mowing the greens and letters of appreciation will be sent from the council to all three.
It was suggested that an advertisement be placed in The Gossip to see if any villagers would be able to help on a rota basis, as the use of contractors is likely to be far too expensive. In the meantime, £20 is being paid to towards Graham and Adrian’s petrol costs.
13th December '06 - Christmas Style
This weekend you can enjoy a festive day at Upton House, with all the trimmings of a perfect Christmas. Arrive in timeless style courtesy of two great shire horses who will be conveying visitors along the majestic North Drive, whilst the ground floor rooms of the House will be sumptuously decorated for a period Christmas.
The little ones will enjoy a visit to Father Christmas in his grotto, whilst Christmas lunches will be on offer in the Pavilion restaurant, and a range of festive gift ideas in the shop.
13th December '06 - Church Services
Hornton Methodist Church are holding their carol service this Sunday, December 17, at 6pm. Everyone is welcome. There is not service at the Parish Church.
13th December '06 - A Load of Old Rubbish
Over Christmas, it’s green and blue bin on Monday, December 18.
There’s no collection the following week, Christmas Day, and it will be green and blue again on Monday January 2.
11th December '06 - PRESS RELEASE....8th Abingdon Air & Country Show
Planning is now well underway for the 8th in the series of successful Abingdon Air & Country
Shows.Our latest event will take place at Abingdon airfield, Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, Oxfordshire on May 6th 2007.A major feature of the day will be a two and a half hour flying display,hopefully featuring historic aircraft as well participation from the British armed forces.Invitations have also been sent out to overseas air forces in the hope that we can build on previous year's international content.
Ground attractions for all the family are being planned including a wide range of vintage/classic vehicles,live music,static aircraft,a craft marquee and a wide variety of trade and club/society stalls.
Our 2007 event will be officially opened by globe-trotting local aviatrix,Polly Vacher who we hope will also be flying in with her well travelled Piper Dakota aircraft.
Visitors to Abingdon Air & Country Show 2007 will be able to enter the site from 1000hrs.
On the day admission charges will be;-
Adults £8
OAP/Child £5
Under-5s FREE
Discount price tickets will be available in advance from Abingdon Town Council Offices in the Guild Hall,Abingdon,via our web-site www.abingdonfayre.com and by post from 12 Austin Place Abingdon,Oxfordshire.
These tickets will be available from 31st January 2007 at the following rates;-
Adults £7
OAP/Child £3.50
Under-5s FREE
Proceeds from the day will go to the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust...a vital but woefully underfunded asset to the local emergency services.
5th December '06 - Pie-Eyed
There will be lots of home-made mince pies to eat this Saturday, December 9, when Hornton
Methodist Church hold their Christmas Coffee Morning from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
As well as mince pies, coffee and chat, there will be a bring’n’buy stall, a white elephant
and a special Christmas Fare Raffle. All proceeds will go to Methodist Church funds.
5th December '06 - BetterGotoBingo
The Methodist Church will also be the recipients of all proceeds from the Christmas Bingo
taking place this Monday, December 11. But - don’t be confused – it’s all happening in the
Church Room, at 7.30pm.
5th December '06 - Flying the Flag for Christmas
You’ll be getting a few less cards this Christmas but it’s not because Hortonians have turned
into Scruges. It’s because their Yuletide greetings are going up the pole!
In return for a donation to pavilion funds, all these people are having their Christmas messages
flown on the village flag pole before it comes down this weekend to make way for the Christmas
tree.
So it’s Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Bottoms, Harris, Jeffs, Offord and Walther
families, Lynn and Roger Corke, Alan and Rosemarie Cater and Audrey Turner!
5th December '06 - Planning for Posterity
Thank you to the parish council for planning ahead and planting two cherry trees on the
village green. David Miles and Paul Burden dug towards Australia to replace one tree and
plant another for us all to enjoy for years to come,
5th December '06 - Carols for Cancer
Horntonians will be carol singing round the village this year, two weeks today on the evening
of December 21.
As usual, they will be rattling their cans for Cancer research, so please give generously. The
odd mince pice and wee dram also goes down well!
5th December '06 - Dun Deal
You’ve got just two days to put your name down for Christmas Dinner at the Dun Cow.
Gwyneth is cooking a five-course Christmas meal on Saturday, December 16, at 7.30pm and the
following day for Sunday lunch at 1pm. Please put your name down and chose your starter and
main course by Saturday evening. Gwyneth is on 01295 6702524.
And the pub will have an international flavour on New Year’s Eve when it hosts another Jacob’s
Supper. That’s where everyone brings a dish to share and Gwyneth would like this year’s dishes
to come from around the world.
“Do let me know if you are coming and what dish of food you are bringing just so that I can
be sure that we don't have too many dishes being repeated,” she said. “Last year’s event was a
great success and I hope this one will be even better.”
5th December '06 - Squeezing in the Profits
It was standing room only last Saturday when Hornton School held their Christmas bazaar. And
the organisers are delighted to report that a very healthy profit was made for school funds in
two hours of frenetic Yuletide trading.
This year, the school association, who run the event, decided to squeeze everyone into the
school house and, with the atmosphere reminiscent of a New Year sale, the Yuletide gifts went
flying off the stalls.
“We’re really pleased, “ said the assocation’s Liz Hirst. “We’ve made about £300, which is
great.”
Early rain did not dampen spirits and the children stood under the playground shelter to open
proceedings with Christmas carols.
5th December '06 - Lamb to the Slaughter
The Dun Cow beat the Shoulder of Mutton 5-2 in their latest Harbury and District Crib League
match.
The home win puts the Hornton cribbers mid table with six points and the Granborough team
propping up the bottom of the league on two points.
On Tuesday week, December 19, the league are holding a Christmas Fun Night with a round robin
singles evening at 8pm sharp in the British Legion, Bishops Itchington. Please bring something
for the raffle.
5th December '06 - The Perfect Gift
Can’t think what to buy for that extra Christmas gift? Bored with Christmas telly? Do you live
in the best and busiest village in Banburyshire?
If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, the solution is at hand – a DVD of Hornton’s
very own film, There’s Only One Hornton!
Digitally remastered and lavishly presented in its own special case, you can settle down in
fron of the telly after Christmas dinner to see life in Hornton as it was through the ages.
At just £10 for a copy, you can’t go wrong, so order yours by ringing Roger Corke on 01295
670673 today!
5th December '06 - Horse Sense
Why struggle through the Christmas shopping crowds when you can buy gifts galore in the
sumptuous surroundings of Upton House?
This weekend, December 9 and 10, you can enjoy a festive day with all the trimmings of a
perfect Christmas. And you’ll arrive in timeless style courtesy of two great shire horses
who will be conveying visitors along the majestic North Drive.
Christmas lunches will be on offer in the Pavilion restaurant and a range of festive gift
ideas will be available in the shop. The festive fun will also be available the following
weekend, December 16 and 17.
5th December '06 - Christmas Story
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next
Wednesday, December 13, from 10.40 to 11.20am. This will be the last time the library will
be here before Christmas, so stock up on your Christmas reading!
5th December '06 - Church Services
The Christingle service will take place in the Parish Church this Sunday, December 10, at 6pm.
At the same time the following Sunday, there will be a carol service in the Methodist Church.
On Christmas Eve, there will be a crib service and then Midnight Mass, both in the Parish
Church.
Don’t forget that you can pop in for coffee, cake and a chat in the Methodist Church 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!
