If you’ve promised yourself that this is the year when you’re going to get fit, what better way to start than by lowing
away that hangover with a walk through our beautiful countryside? Two paths have been created over the past few years 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!
31st December '09 - Fit Not Fat
Don’t forget that you’ve got lots of opportunity to get fit throughout the week in Hornton. There’s Yoga at 6.30pm every
Tuesday and Keep Fit every at 7pm Wednesday in the Chapel, and Karate at 6pm every Tuesday in the Pavilion. Spoilt for
choice. What are you waiting for?
31st December '09 - Spare That Tree
Do you insist on buying a Christmas tree with roots every year-then wonder where on earth you can find a space to plant it
in the garden? Then donate it to JUMPA!
Hornton’s all-weather playing surface needs extra trees of all kinds growing around it, so donations of other trees are also
welcome, but Christmas trees will be especially useful for the village because they can grow up and one day be cut down for
the village green.
Just call Chairman Ian Harris on 01295 670541 or Secretary Jane Perkin on 01295 670701 and they arrange for your tree to be
collected after Twelfth Night.
31st December '09 - Church Services
There will be a United Service with Holy Communion at Hornton Methodist Church this Sunday, January 3, at 11 am led by the
Rev. Dorothy Hewitson. Don’t forget that you can pop in for coffee, cake and a chat in the Methodist Church every Friday
morning from 10.30am to 12.30pm. There is a book, DVD and video swap - and, of course, lots of good gossip! And Thursday
Club meets every week after school until 4.30pm in the Methodist Church School Room. All children are welcome.
31st December '09 - New Year, New Leaf
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday, January 6, from
10.40am-11.20am.
24th December '09 - Not Just for Christmas
Do you insist on buying a Christmas tree with roots every year - then wonder where on earth you can find a space to plant it
in the garden?
Now JUMPA can salve your arboreal conscience by taking your discarded but healthy specimen.
Call Chairman Ian Harris on 01295 670541 or Secretary Jane Perkin on 01295 670701 and they’ll arrange to get it from you and
have it planted in the land at the far end of the JUMPA site, where we could do with a few more trees to fill
the space.
24th December '09 - 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 can always to with are 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, Miller's Lane, or call her on 01295
670664.
24th December '09 - Hiking at Hogmany
What better way to blow away that 2009 h angover than by a walk through our beautiful countryside? Two paths have been
created over the past few years 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!
24th December '09 - Church Services
There is a Carol Service in Hornton Methodist Church this Sunday, December 20, at 6pm. On Christmas Eve at 5pm is the
Blessing of the Crib Service in Parish Church, followed by Midnight Mass at 11.30pm.
On Sunday, December 27, Katy Lea will lead the 11am service at Hornton Methodist Church. There will be no parish church
service that day as there is a 10.30am Benefice Service at Alkerton.
17th December '09 - On the House
There will be consultation session tonight, Thursday, to consider the layout for the affordable housing units to be built in
Hornton. It will take place between 7.30 and 8.30pm in the pavilion. All those who have registered an interest in acquiring
one of the properties will be invited and all other villagers are also most welcome.
17th December '09 - Noisy Night
Hopefully it won’t be too silent a night next Monday, December 21, when Hornton’s carol singers go out collecting for
charity.
Singers will be assembling at the top of the Pavilion drive at 6.30pm and they will go on around the village until 9pm. As
usual, all the money raised will go to cancer research. Please join in or, if singing’s not your strong point, please be
ready with mince pies, hot toddies and lots of loot!
17th December '09 - On the Cards
Forgotten to write your cards to friends in the village? Fear not, help is at hand - and you could help save the planet and
raise money for a good cause, too.
Instead of writing all those cards, why not add your name to the collective Christmas Card list on the village notice board
and send the money you’ve saved to charity. And you save on writer’s cramp!
17th December '09 - Christmas Cheer
Hornton School - still full of a festive glow after superb SATs test results -
have even more to celebrate this week because the Christmas Fair raised a fantastic £361 for school equipment.
Classes 1 and 3 were crammed with excited children who all got a gift from Santa and grown-ups digging deep in their pockets
on a host of stalls; your correspondent’s favourite was the turn-a-fairy-cake-into-a-reindeer-with-icing-and-Smarties stall
even if his effort looked more like a hedgehog.
School breaks up tomorrow, Friday, for the Christmas holidays, which run until January 4.
17th December '09 - Stamp of Approval
Maggie Higgins makes a plea to keep all your stamps off your Christmas cards this year - both British and foreign.
“The Royal National Institute for the Blind is desperate for them,” she says. “They can be sold to raise funds to support
their vital work in the UK.
“These used stamps can then be dropped off at Holloway House next to the green at the bottom of Bell Street and I will
forward them on to the RNIB."
17th December '09 - Christmas Crib
The Dun Cow are back in contention at the top of the Harbury and District Crib League after a dramatic 4-3 away victory over
Kineton’s Carpenters Arms, who were equal with them on points. The Hornton cribbers are just two points behind the Red Lion
from North End but with a game in hand.
17th December '09 - Christmas Story
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday from 10.40am-11.20am.
17th December '09 - Church Services
There is a Carol Service in Hornton Methodist Church this Sunday, December 20, at 6pm. On Christmas Eve at 5pm is the
Blessing of the Crib Service in Parish Church, followed by Midnight Mass at 11.30pm.
17th December '09 - Upmarket
This weekend, December 19 and 20, is the last chance for Horntonians to pop up to the Christmas Market at Upton House.
From 12 noon to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, you’ll be able to avoid the battle of the High Street and buy special Christmas
gifts and also see how Lord and Lady Bearsted would have celebrated the festive season when the ground floor is opened with a
floral flare!
As children will be able to visit Father Christmas in his grotto, everyone is guaranteed to have a great time! Normal
admission prices apply. For more details, please ring the Upton House box office on 01295671122 or email
uptonhouse (at) nationaltrust dot org dot uk
10th December '09 - Top of the Class
Hornton School’s children have done brilliantly in the latest SATS tests in English, Science and Maths.
The school was ranked twelfth in the whole of Oxfordshire and only Hook Norton - a much bigger school - did better.
“This really is something to be proud of,” said delighted governor Alan Cater.
“Well done to all the children who took the tests and to headteacher Hilary Childs and all her staff, too.”
10th December '09 - Grand Designs
There will be consultation session next Wednesday, December 17, to consider the layout for the affordable housing units to be
built in Hornton. It will take place between 7.30 and 8.30pm. All those who have registered an interest in acquiring one of
the properties will be invited and all other villagers are also welcome.
10th December '09 - Fair Allotment
Hornton’s allotments have been saved, thanks to a loan from the children’s playground. The latest parish council
meeting, held on November 30, was told that ownership of the allotments could be passed to the council and a professional
valuer had come up witha figure of £12,000.
The council can only afford £2,000 a year so it was agreed that the £10,000 balance would be borrowed from the playground
account and paid back over five years. The five per cent interest rate the council would pay is much higher than the
playground account gets on that money at present, so everyone - and especially the allotment holders of Hornton - will be a
winner.
The council were told by its parish clerk, Alan Cater, that he didn’t want a pay rise! At present, he is paid for nine hours
per month, although he works around 26. But he said he was happy with the £900 per year that he’s paid and regards most of
what he does as a contribution to the village.
But councillors were told that when Alan retired it would be necessary to advertise for a replacement and then the cost
would go up substantially to reflect the actual number of hours worked, so they decided to increase the number of hours for
which the clerk is paid by one hour per month each year over the next five years.
Councillors were given more good news about the pavilion. SITA has granted £50,000 which should be used on heating,
insulation, double glazed windows and French doors.
10th December '09 - Steak and Chippies
The Carpenters Arms beat the Dun Cow in the latest round of the Harbury and District Crib League knock-out cup. But that just
means the Hornton cribbers can concentrate on the Big One - the league - and they are just one tantalising point off the
top.
10th December '09 - Church Services
It’s time for one of the most popular church services for the whole year this Sunday, December 13. The Christingle Service
will take place in the Parish Church at 6 pm.
10th December '09 - Sing Song Merrily on High
Roll up, roll up! It’s carol singing on Monday week, December 21.
Singers will be assembling at the top of the Pavilion drive at 6.30pm and they will go on around the village until 9pm. As
usual, all the money raised will go to cancer research.
Please join in or, if singing’s not your strong point, please be ready with mince pies, hot toddies and lots of loot!
10th December '09 - Up to the Market
Hornton will have a special festive market on its doorstep for the next two weekends, when Upton House opens its doors for
yuletide celebrations.
From 12 noon to 4pm each day, you’ll be able to avoid the battle of the High Street and buy special Christmas gifts and also
see how Lord and Lady Bearsted would have celebrated the festive season when the ground floor is opened with a floral
flare!
And as children will be able to visit Father Christmas in his grotto, everyone is guaranteed to have a great time! Normal
admission prices apply. For more details, please ring the Upton House box office on 01295671122 or email uptonhouse (at)
nationaltrust dot org dot uk
3rd December '09 - Festive Fun
Pop along to Hornton School tomorrow, Friday, between 3.15 and 5.15pm and you’re guaranteed lots of fun!
That because the school’s holding Christmas Fun and Games. There will be festive refreshments, lots of games to play and
prizes to win - including two raffles! - and all at credit crunch prices.
And if all the children a very good there’s just a chance that someone very special might come along on his sleigh!
3rd December '09 - Wine Not
Plenty of delicious mulled wine will be available this Saturday at what’s become the traditional start of a Hornton
Christmas – the Ladies’ Working Party Social and Sale. It’s all happening at the Parish Church at 6.30pm, when the church
will be chock full of produce, gifts and stalls piled high with Christmassy goodies. There will also be a tombola and what
Hornton event would be complete without a raffle? The proceeds will be divided between local charities and church funds.
3rd December '09 - Firm Foundation
The vast majority of Horntonians were in favour of the village’s plans for affordable housing in a recent consultation. And
the good news is that there’s now more flexibility with the layout of the homes says parish clerk Alan Cater.
“There had been concerns that they would all be two-bed units but the scheme could now include four or three-bed units
depending upon demand,” he said. “People with a Hornton connection will always have first option on the homes whenever
they become available.”
The 3Hs Gardening Club’s annual Christmas dinner is next Tuesday, December 8, at the Roebuck in Drayton. If you ring Eileen
Lewis on 01295 670449 she might just squeeze you in!
3rd December '09 - Christmas Spirit
Why not save the planet and help a good cause this year by not sending out Christmas cards to all your friends in Hornton.
Instead, you can sign your name on the village notice board from this weekend and give the money you would have spent to
charity!
3rd December '09 - Sprucing up JUMPA
Do you insist on buying a Christmas tree with roots every year - then wonder where on earth you can find a space to plant
it in the garden?
Fear not – there’s a way to salve your arboreal conscience – you can donate your tree to JUMPA.
The land surrounding the JUMPA playing surface can do with a few more trees and the committee are also thinking about
Christmases to come. By growing trees now, we can make sure we have a supply of large specimens for the village green in
years to come. Call Chairman Ian Harris on 01295 670541 or Secretary Jane Perkin on 01295 670701.
3rd December '09 - Glum Cow
The Dun Cow have been knocked off top spot in the Harbury and District Crib League after their heaviest defeat of the
season – 5-2 to Granborough’s Shoulder of Mutton. They are now lying third.
3rd December '09 - Book Up
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday, December 9, from
10.40am-11.20am.
3rd December '09 - Church Services
There will be a service in Hornton Methodist Church this Sunday, December 6, at 11am led by the Rev.Dorothy Hewitson. As this
is a United Service, there will be no service 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 10.30am to
12.30pm. There is a book, DVD and video swap - and, of course, lots of good gossip! And Thursday Club meets every week after
school until 4.30pm in the Methodist Church School Room. All children are welcome.
3rd December '09 - Up Market
Hornton will have a special festive market on its doorstep each weekend up to Christmas, when Upton House opens its doors for
yuletide celebrations.
From 12 noon to 4pm each Saturday and Sunday, you’ll be able to avoid the battle of the High Street and buy special
Christmas gifts and also see how Lord and Lady Bearsted would have celebrated the festive season when the ground floor is
opened with a floral flare!
As children will be able to visit Father Christmas in his grotto, everyone is guaranteed to have a great time! Normal
admission prices apply. For more details, please ring the Upton House box office on 01295671122 or email
uptonhouse (at) nationaltrust dot org dot uk
