On Friday, the classical guitar duo Divertimento
will be playing in the Methodist Church, so turn off the telly and pop
along! Tickets are just 9 - 7 for pensioners and students - but theyre
being snapped up fast and its nearly a sell-out. So ring Julie Stanley
on 01295 670507 straight away or email her at julieharrystan at aol dot com.
21st February '05 - What a Write Up
After the fantastic write-up for the Hornton Film
Festival in last weeks Guardian, you cant sit at home on the big
weekend! The fun all kicks off on Friday, March 11, when theres a
special film quiz at the Dun Cow. Horntons fiendish quizmeisters,
Ollie Fickling and Steve Woodcock, will be inviting you to pit your wits
against Horntons finest film brainboxes.
Then theres the big day and night on the Saturday. During the
afternoon, the children of the village get the chance to script, act and
make their own film. And the evening sees the festivals big gala night,
when this seasons most prestigious gongs the Hornies will be
awarded to Horntons most talented film makers.
Forget the Oscars, the Emmys and the Baftas. Hollywood stars will be
flocking to Hornton, especially as tickets cost just 6 each, including a
glass of bubbly and canaps. And at 4 for under 18s, you can even afford
to bring the kids. The dress code is Hollytwood glamour whatever that
means and Julie Stanley is once again the Queen of Tickets for this
glittering occasion.
In fact, its not too late to enter a film yourself. All films must be a
maximum of five minutes long and festival organiser Pete Whitehead can
provide all the help you need including the loan of a video camera.
Call him on 01295 670320.
21st February '05 - Bagging a Bargain
Theres still time to bag the best bargains at
Horntons Peachtree Pre-school nearly-new sale by helping on the day.
It takes place between 1.30pm and 3pm on March 5th at Hanwell Village Hall,
and Peachtree needs all the help it can get during those hours, so please
contact Emma Hamer on 01295 730668 if you can assist.
Anyone wishing to sell things should price up their items in advance and
the profit is split 50:50 between them and Peachtree. You just need to
take them along to the volunteers by 11.30am and Peachtree do the rest.
21st February '05 - Eggstra Reason to Pop In
Over the next few weeks, you can pop into the
Dun Cow for a quick pint all in the name of a good cause!
The Lions Club are raffling an egg made of the very best Belgian chocolate
in the Dun Cow this Easter, so dig into your pockets for a little eggstra
cash.
Three-quarters of the proceeds go to the Katherine House Hospice in
Banbury, where the Lions have donated more than 50,000 over the years.
The rest of the proceeds go to other good causes, such as bursaries for
local schoolchildren, drug awareness in schools and televisions for the
childrens ward at Hornton Hospital.
You can either buy your 1 raffle tickets from Martin and Gwyneth at the
Dun Cow or from David Kings on 01295 670356, but David doesnt serve
Hookey on tap!
Whilst youre in the pub, you may like to book up for the roast lunch on
Mothering Sunday, March 6th. It costs just 12.95 for three courses or
9.95 for two with reductions for children, Booking will be open until the
previous Monday, February 28th.
21st February '05 - Church Services
There will be an 11 oclock service in the Methodist
Church this Sunday, February 27th. At the same time, Holy Eucharist will be
celebrated in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist.
15th February '05 - The Track, Not the Tannoy
That was the message from Hornton residents and parish councillors alike when the future of the villages BSX bike track was
discussed at an extraordinary general meeting of the council last week.
But in reply the organisers of the cycle track said that if the tannoy was removed they could not run events.
The track, off Quarry Road, was closed down by Cherwell District Council planners because they said it needed change of use
for the land, which they then refused partly because of the noise from the recently-introduced tannoy system. Landowner
and Hornton farmer Peter Hart and the organisers of the BSX track have appealed against that refusal and also put in
another planning application for a track.
Damion Haines for the BSX Club said the track was set up with backing from Cherwell. They took over a debt, have tried
to promote the facility for the Banbury community and also as a national site, and now it is one of the best tracks in
the country. The Club were trying to do things correctly and hoped to put peoples minds at rest.
The public address system was not on all day, he insisted. There were some initial announcements at 12 noon. Racing
then began at 1pm and there was a commentary on the races up to approximately 5pm. There was no licence for music.
Mr Haines said that he was the commentator and he did not believe that the tannoy was too loud.
But John Abbott, of New Poplars on nearby Hornton Road, said that on event days there was no control over the PA System
and the sound was so intrusive that his garden could not be used.
He was supported by other residents living nearby, who said that problems began when the track started to be used for
national events, instead of operating simply as a local facility. Hubert Keller of Hornton Hall said that he believed
that the track was a wonderful facility for local youngsters and he supported the retention of it for that purpose.
But he was opposed to it being turned into a national centre for biking.
The residents were supported by all the parish councillors who spoke. Coun John Offord said that the PA system was a
problem because it was audible in the village. He supported the use of the track for the local community but he said
that the difficulty of controlling and monitoring the noise probably meant the track was in the wrong place. He also
thought that the leisure use should be restricted to the BSX track so that it could be not used for something else without
permission.
Coun Paul Burden was also fully in support of a track for local youngsters but said that, with two tracks in the area
already using sound systems, one more could be one too many. Coun Lynne Fickling questioned why the tannoy was
necessary at all but Mr Haines said that the events could not run without a PA system.
The parish council finally concluded that it was not against the change of use of the land in itself and supported a
local track. However, it was against the use of a PA system and did not consider the site suitable for large event.
15th February '05 - Peach of a Bargain
Horntons Peachtree Pre-school are holding a nearly new sale of childrens toys, books and clothes on Saturday, March 5
and theres a sure-fire way to get your pick of the bargainsby volunteering to help!
The sale is only on between 1.30pm and 3pm, but Peachtree needs all the help it can get during those hours, so please
contact Emma Hamer on 01295 730668 if you can assist.
The sale is simple you price up your items and the profit is split 50:50 between you and Peachtree. You just need to take
them along to the volunteers at Hanwell Village Hall - where the sale is taking place - on March 5th by 11.30am and Peachtree
do the rest!
Come on just think of all those toys the kids have got bored with, the clothes theyve outgrown and the books that are too
young for them now! Nows the time to send them all to a good home and make a bit of cash on the side for you and Peachtree!
15th February '05 - Eggstra Help for a Good Cause
Its the Banbury Lions Club special Easter Egg raffle and at just 1 a ticket you cant say no! The Lions are raffling an
egg made of the very best Belgian chocolate in the Dun Cow this Easter, so dig into your pockets for a little eggstra cash.
Three-quarters of the proceeds go to the Katherine House Hospice in Banbury the Lions have already donated more than
50,000 over the years. The rest of the cash goes to other Lions-supported good causes, such as bursaries for local
schoolchildren, drug awareness in schools and televisions for the childrens ward at Hornton Hospital.
You can either buy your raffle tickets from Martin and Gwyneth at the Dun Cow or from David Kings on 01295 670356.
15th February '05 - Mum's the Word
And the Dun Cow - flush from its sell-out Winter Beer Festival a fortnight ago - is hoping it will be just as packed on
March 6th when it holds a special Mothering Sunday lunch.
Booking will be open to until the previous Monday, February 28th, so go on, guys - give Mum the day off!
15th February '05 - A Small Diversion
On Friday next week, February 28th, classical guitar duo Divertimento will be playing in Hornton Methodist Church as part of
Cherwells highly-sucessful Arts at Large programme. You can watch the telly any time. Contact Julie Stanley on 01295
670507 or email her at julieharrystan at aol dot com for tickets now!
15th February '05 - Wild About Gardens
Its pretty wild out there in the garden, according to expert Graham Soden, who gave a talk on February 8 entitled Wildlife
in the Garden to the 3Hs Gardening Club at its latest meeting. Club secretary Lady Tweedsmuir said
it was excellent.
He was most interesting and entertaining, she said. He talked in particular about the four counties of Oxfordshire,
Warwickshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, covering insects, birds and mammals.
The clubs next meeting will be in Hornton Pavilion on March 8th, when Janet Cropley will talk about foliage plants.
In the meantime, the 3Hs committee is drawing up details of next years programme.
New members are always welcome, said Lady Tweedsmuir.
15th February '05 - Crumbs It's Close
The Dun Cow crib team are at the top of the Harbury and District Crib League after a nail-biting 4-3
away win against Bishops Itchingtons British Legion Club. But that was just what the doctor ordered because they stay at
the top of the table on 20 points along with the Greaves Club, who are just ahead on points difference. Its still all to
play for!
15th February '05 - Moving Stories
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday from 10.55 to 11.30am.
15th February '05 - Church Services
Matins will be celebrated this Sunday, February 20th, in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist at 10.30am. Half an hour
later there will be a service in the Methodist Church
At least that was the verdict of Dun Cow drinkers last weekend when
Horntons local staged its second annual celebration of winter warming ales.
It was supported by dozens of local imbibers plus others from as far a field as the Isle of Wight, Essex and Leicester.
The eclectic mix of beers - some with names some too risqu to repeat - went down a treat: No Eye Deer was the first
barrel to be emptied, closely followed by Two Pints from Cropton.
A raffle raised 351.40 for Macmillan Cancer Relief - an amount only reached by the generosity of the people who donated
all the prizes and licensees Martin and Gwyneth Gelling thanked everyone who had done so, plus all those drinkers who
came down to make the weekend such a success.
On Saturday night it was so full you couldnt squeeze a bottle of tomato ketchup into the bar! he said.
A list of the raffle winners will be posted on the village notice board and in the Dun Cow. Please call at the pub
during opening hours to collect your prize.
The pubs next event is a roast lunch on Mothering Sunday, March 6. The full
menu is still to be finalised, so please keep an eye out on the pub window and on the village noticeboard. Booking
will be open until the previous Monday, February 28.
And the pubs crib team are coming into form at just the right time going back to the top of the table in the
Harbury and District Crib League after the later round of matches. They threshed North Ends Red Lion Inn 5-2 to put
them equal on points with the Greaves Club from Bishops Itchington and Kinetons Carpenters Arms.
8th February '05 - It's a Snip
The Parish Council are seeking one or two volunteers to mow the two lime tree greens and the verges.
During the summer it takes an average of just over an our a week five hours a month and anyone able to help should
contact Alan Cater on 01295 670530. In the meantime, the council thanked Bill Jeffs who has carried out the mowing in
the past.
8th February '05 - A Small Diversion
Classical guitar duo Divertimento will be coming to Hornton on Friday, February 25. Whats more fun
another night slumped in front of Eastenders or fun-filled live music right on your doorstep? Tickets are just 9 and 7
from Julie Stanley on 01295 670507 or by email at julieharrystan at aol dot com.
8th February '05 - Hollywood comes to Hornton
Its the most glamorous event of the year - the first-ever Hornton Film
Festival! The
villages most talented film-makers will be vying for the most prestigious awards of the silver screen, so forget the
Emmys, the Baftas and the Oscars. Horntons answers to Stephen Speilberg are competing forthe Hornies!
The festival will kick off on Friday, March 11, at the Dun Cow, when Horntons fiendishly quizzical duo, Steve Woodcock
and Ollie Fickling, are planning a selection of brainteasers with a Hollywood theme in a special film quiz. Get your
team of four together now or come along and get together with others on the night.
Then the following day its time for the youngsters of the village to script, act, shoot and edit their own film at the
pavilion before the red carpet is unrolled for the star-studded gala in the evening.
The dress code is Hollywood Glamour and all the entries to the film festival will be shown before the coveted Hornies are
awarded. Dont be surprised to see a star or two from Tinseltown theyll all be queuing up, with tickets at just 6 for
adults and 4 for children!
Julie Stanley is Queen of Tickets on this occasion so please ring her early on 01295 670507 to avoid disappointment! All
proceeds go to JUMPA, Hornton and Horley's Jubilee fund for a multi-purpose play area.
8th February '05 - Speeding to School
Parents late in getting their children to school are regularly breaking the 30 mph speed limit into
Hornton, according to the results of an experiment with a mobile speed camera in Millers Lane and Bell Street.
The results revealed to parish councillors at their latest meeting showed that one in five cars travelling down Millers
Lane was breaking the law. The camera was used there on January 13 between 8.50 and 9.26am and on January 24 between 2.29
and 3.40pm the time when parents drove to and from the school.
Crucially, all the cars speeding in the morning did so between 9.11 and 9.20am, suggesting that the culprits are people late
getting their children to school, said parish clerk Alan Cater.
The majority of people are travelling at a reasonable speed but there are still 21 per cent going over 30 mph at a point
where probably 25 mph maximum is suitable, he said.
The average speed of cars going down Millers Lane was 24.62 mph in the morning experiment and 25.29 mph in the afternoon.
The measuring equipment used in Bell Street did not provide such detailed data but the average speed was almost identical at
24 mph.
Hornton headteacher Wendy Clifford has agreed to pass this information onto parents in a bid to reduce traffic speeds and
further spot checks will be carried out every six weeks or so. The parish council will report back to villagers at the
Annual Parish Meeting.
But two wheels rather than four provided the most controversial item on the meetings agenda, when the council discussed
plans for a bike track up at Hornton Hill Farm.
Most of the members of public present were interested in this planning application so the chairman, Coun David Miles,
decided to discuss this item separately early in the meeting.
The parish council had received letters opposing the application from the people whose houses were nearest to the site -
Paul and Barbara Barrett, Anne Prentice, Clive Hicks and Hubert Keller of Hornton Hall.
However, all the parish councillors had not been able to see the plans before the meeting, so the chairman ruled that it
would not be practical to make a decision that evening. The council agreed that the meeting would be reconvened on Monday,
February 7 for it to consider its response. This would be in time for the response deadline of 9 February.
In the meantime, members of the public were allowed to express their views.
Peter Hart, the applicant, believed that the site would be an asset to the area, with the Government pleading for more
sports facilities.
The tannoy system was monitored and not above required levels, he claimed. He said that he wouldnt have minded if those
complaining had liaised with him. Meetings were now restricted to eight a year and the tannoy was restricted to four and a
half hours per day. There had been no problems with traffic and this was not a commercial enterprise, he said.
In response, Paul Barrett said that the residents were not against a local facility and liked to see local youngsters
involved but the site had become a national facility for young adults and the proposed eight events would be over the summer
months and therefore every other week.
The amplifier in the middle of the site was of high volume and intrusive through the valley, he told councillors, and at no
time had the residents been approached for their views. He also did not accept that this was not a commercial venture - one
event had 115 competitors paying a fee of 22.50, giving over 2,500 income plus money from sponsorship.
Local Cherwell district councillor Douglas Webb said that he had received calls in support and expressing concerns.
There was a need to sit round the table with the organisers.
Mr Hart said he would ensure that the organisers would be present at this weeks meeting.
8th February '05 - Half a High Jump
It was always going to be an ambitious target but the fund to build JUMPA,
Hornton and Horley's Jubilee fund for a multi-purpose play area, is already half way there.
But they cant afford to stand on their laurels because thousands of pounds donated by Cherwell District Council will have to
be given back if the work doesnt start by next year, say organisers.
The total raised now tops 18,000 8,000 of which was raised through a wide range of events and initiatives. The remaining
10,000 has come from Cherwell a grant that will only be forthcoming once JUMPA has all the money in place to start work.
That means we have to be in a position to have all the finance ready by this autumn, says JUMPA chairman Steve Woodcock.
The clear aim is to have all funds in so we can commission plans and a builder and get construction complete by summer 2006.
We have a series of events planned to keep on bringing in some money but we are also working hard to try to get grant money
awarded, from local authorities and other sports grant-givers, although the money available is much in demand and it takes
time for decisions to be made.
If anyone has any ideas on who we might approach for grant aid, please get in touch with JUMPA
secretary Jane Perkin on 01295 670701, who is co-ordinating applications.
And theres an action-packed calendar of events over the next few months. As well as the Hornton Film Festival on March 11,
JUMPA is holding another of its immensely successful progressive dinner party evenings on Saturday,
April 23, at 7pm.
The idea is really simple. You either go on a mystery tour around the village, eating a different course at each venue, or
you stage a dinner party and have three different sets of guests. Either way, youre sure to have a great time and JUMPA
benefits!
If youre a host, you contribution is the food. If youre a guest, you pay 25 a head for a delicious meal with all the
wine, beer and liqueurs you can drink. An absolute bargain, so please fill in the form in The Gossip newspaper straight
away and pop it in to the village postbox next to the noticeboard by 9am on Friday, April 7. You can choose whether to
be a guest or a host, so everyone can accommodated.
And after all that food and drink, youll be ready for a bit of physical exercise, so fans of the JUMPA Golden Mile Fun
Run will be pleased to hear that this ever-popular event will be back this June at a time and date to be fixed.
8th February '05 - School's Out
Term 3 at Hornton School ends tomorrow, February 11. Term 4 starts on February 21.
8th February '05 - Church Services
There will be a United Service celebrating Holy Eucharist at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist on
Sunday, February 13, at 11am. The Presence prayer group will meet next Monday, February 14, at 7pm in the Methodist Chapel.
HORNTON PARISH COUNCIL
NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY MEETING
TO BE HELD
IN THE CHURCH ROOM
ON MONDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2005
AT 7.30PM
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND MAY SPEAK AT THE CHAIRMAN'S DISCRETION
The business to be conducted at the Parish Council Meeting on Monday 7 February 2005 at 7.30pm in the Church Room is as below:
1. Apologies 2. Declarations of interest ** 3. Extract from the Minutes of previous meeting held on 31 January 2005 4. Planning Application 05/0038/F - Resubmission of 04/0140F Change of use of land from agricultural use to community and leisure use (D2) (Retrospective) - H A Hart & Sons OS Parcel 5262 Land South of Hornton Hill Farm.
** NOTES ON DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(1) any member arriving after the start of the meeting is asked to declare personal interests as necessary as soon as practicable after their arrival even if the item in question has been considered.(2) with the exception of the circumstances listed in paragraph 9 (2) of the local Code of Conduct for members, a member with a personal interest also has a prejudicial interest if it is one which a Member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgment of the public interest. In such circumstances, the member must withdraw from the meeting room, and should inform the Chairman accordingly.(3) it is not practical to offer detailed advice during the meeting on whether or not a personal interest should be declared, or whether a personal interest should also be regarded as prejudicial.
Need a quick slurp to keep the shivers away? Then pop down to the Dun Cow this weekend, where licensees Martin and Gwyneth
Gelling will be hosting the Second Hornton Winter Beer Festival!
The pub which last year achieved the accolade of an entry in the Campaign for Real Ales Good Beer Guide will have a
fine selection of six special winter ales on tap, plus unusual bottled beers. Food will also be food available.
The festival will run from 7 to 11pm tomorrow, Friday, 12noon to 11pm on Saturday and midday to 10.30pm on Sunday.
Theres also a special raffle at just 1 a strip in aid of Cancer Research and Macmillan Nurses. Top prize is dinner
for two at the Dun Cow.
1st February '05 - Rockin' in the Aisles
Lava really did have em rocking in the aisles last Friday when Hornton Methodist Church played host to another stormingly
successful concert in Cherwells Arts at Large season.
The three-piece band played an eclectic mix of flamenco, tango, jazz, blues and funk and the 50-strong audience to join in
when they were handed round drums, tambourines, maracas and all manner of other instruments.
And the crowd? They loved it. The band had to play three songs as an encore after a set in which they went right round the
world and back again with a vast range of musical styles. When the band came in the Dun Cow afterwards, there were immediate
calls for a return visit to Hornton but, in the meantime, if you missed them on Friday they are back at Banburys St Marys
Church concert hall this Saturday, so try to catch them then.
The next Arts at Large event is only a couple of weeks away, so nows the time to book your tickets. On Friday, February
25, the classical guitar duo Divertimento will be playing in the Methodist Church, so make a note in your diaries now.
Tickets are already being snapped up, so be quick! Julie Stanley is the person to contact on 01295 670507 or
julieharrystan at aol dot com.
1st February '05 - Close Crib
Its still all to play for at the top of the Harbury and District Crib League, as the Dun Cow go into the second
half of the season with their hopes of retaining their title very much alive.
After the latest round of matches, the Hornton team thrashed Long Itchingtons Green Man Inn 5-2 away, leaving them
second equal on points with three other teams and only two points behind the Carpenters Arms from Kineton.
1st February '05 - It's a Wild Life in Hornton
The 3Hs Gardening Club meets next Tuesday, February 8, at 7.30pm in Hornton Pavilion. Graham
Soden will talk about wildlife in the garden.
1st February '05 - Open Book
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday from 10.55 to 11.30am.
1st February '05 - Church Services
Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 8.30am this Sunday, February 6, in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist.
At 11am there will be a United Service with Holy Communion at the Methodist Church.
