Hornton archive February 2008

It’s not too late to buy a daffodil in aid of a good cause - and not too late to rattle a can either! Please buy a daffodil in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care from Hornton’s Lynn Corke when she sells them over the next day or so. Daffodil Day is this Saturday, March 1, but you can pop them through her letterbox in The Cottage, Church Lane.

And Marie Cure also need people to help sell daffodils in Banbury. The charity needs people for two-hour can-rattling stints on Saturday at Tescos and in the town centre, at Sainsbury’s on Sunday, March 2, and at Morrisons on Saturday, March 29. Please contact Shiralyn Hunt, Marie Curie’s community fundraiser, on 01869 246655 or by email at Shiralyn dot Hunt (at) mariecurie dot org dot uk

29th February '08 - Come On, Ladies

You’ve got till tomorrow, Friday, to book up for a great day out at racing’s most glamorous occasion - Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot!

The Dun Cow are organising a coach for the most glamorous day in the racing calendar, Thursday, June 19. For just £45, you will get a ticket to the Silver Ring at Royal Ascot, plus coach travel to and from the event.

You just need to leave a £20 deposit by tomorrow, February 29, with Gwyneth or Llyn at the pub to guarantee a great day out. Then it’s just a case of choosing your outfit!

You can get more details from Gwyneth or Llyn on 01295 670524 but don’t delay - tickets are being snapped up already!

And on Sunday week, March 9, Gwyneth will be serving roast beef lunch with all the trimmings. Please book by next Wednesday by calling her on the same number.

29th February '08 - Winning Formula

You’re sure to have a great evening at the pavilion on Saturday week, March 8, because Peachtree Pre-School are holding another of their hugely-successful race nights.

The format will be similar to last year, with tickets at £8 to include sausage and spud supper.

There will be eight races throughout the evening - and a 7.30pm prompt start - and a distinguished guest presenting prizes to owners and winners. You can even buy your own horse at just £5 - then you give your horse its own name and cheer it on.! And don’t forget the prize for the best home made hat!

If you’ve never been, put that date in your diaries now because it’s terrific fun. Please ring Laura Short on 01295 670232 or Claire Bottoms on 01295 67776 for more details.

29th February '08 - History in Hornton

Ever wondered about what life was like in our village in times past? If so you can help find out by joining Hornton’s new, enthusiastic and ever-expanding history group.

It meets next Tuesday and the first Tuesday of every month and there are already a whole series of projects under way, looking at the past and chronicling the present.

For instance, the group are already in the process of compiling a modern-day version of the Domesday Book just for Hornton.

Co-ordinator Kevin Wain says the idea came from the now-defunct Women's Institute, who carried out a survey back in 1965 and again in 1985, documenting who lived in the village, the number of children, the type of cars, the pets, the jobs we did and so on.

“They put together a really fascinating book on the life of the village through those years,” said Kevin, “and we propose to repeat the process in 2008.”

If you’d like to find out more, please ring Kevin any time on 01295 670716 or just pop along next Tuesday to The Swallows, Eastgate, at 7pm.

29th February '08 - Jump to It

It quiz time again! Hornton’s very own quizmeisters Ollie Fickling and Steve Woodcock have teamed up once more to set another of their frustratingly fiendish quizzes in aid of JUMPA and it all kicks off at 7.30pm on Saturday, March 15 at the Dun Cow.

Teams of up to four people can compete and you can either make up a team in advance or join other quiz-goers on the night. It’s just £2.50 per person or £1 for the under-14s and there will be prizes for the brain-boxes and, of course, a traditional Hornton raffle.

29th February '08 - Church Services

This Sunday, March 2, is Mothering Sunday and there will be a joint mothering Sunday Service at the Methodist Church. There will be no usual 8.30am service at 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 are Phoenix greetings cards for sale plus a book and video swap - and, of course, lots of good gossip!

29th February '08 - Snaps Snapped Up

There has been a fantastic response from Horntonians to an appeal for sponsors for the village’s first-ever photographic competition, scheduled for the May Day Bank Holiday weekend.

Organiser Lynn Corke’s initial appeal for businesses run by people living in Hornton to sponsor the £10 prizes was enthusiastically taken up but generous individuals have also come forward.

So now there’s no excuse - everyone in the village must enter at least one snap!

“The full list of categories and their sponsors were published in the last edition of The Gossip,” said Lynn, “but I must say how delighted I was that so many people came forward to sponsor the competition.”

The idea comes from Brailes, where there is a similar event every year which attracts hundreds of entries. It’s a real money-spinner for the village but it’s also great fun, so Lynn thought that Hornton should give it a go as well.

“Almost everyone in Hornton must take at least one photo a year, so we should get lots of entries from the village,” she said. “Also, we’ll encourage people from outside Hornton to take part, so there will be plenty of competition!”

29th February '08 - Book Up

The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday from 10.40 to 11.20am.

21st February '08 - Pop Down to the Pavvy

Next Pavilion committee meeting is tonight, Thursday, at 8pm, and all are welcome.

21st February '08 - Hornton Photographic Competition and Exhibition

The first Hornton Photographic Competition will take place on the Sunday and Monday of the 2008 May Day bank holiday weekend in the Methodist Chapel. It is a fund raising idea which has been run for many years in Brailes and the proceeds will go to the Pavilion and Chapel refurbishment funds.

The event will be run at the same time as a flower festival in the Chapel. Teas will be available in the Chapel on the Sunday and as part of the May Day celebrations on the Monday. There will of course be a raffle!

To view the categories, rules and opening times click here. The winning photographs will be shown on the website after the competition.

21st February '08 - Plenty of Bread

More than £300 was made at a special soup-and-crusty-bread-lunch in Hornton Methodist Church Soup the weekend before last.

“Thanks to everyone who came and supported it and to those who helped,” said one of the organisers, Julie Stanley.

The grand total – made from the lunches, a bring’n’buy stall and a raffle, was £309.

21st February '08 - A Night at the Races

You’re sure to have a great evening at the pavilion on Saturday, March 8, because Peachtree Pre-School are holding another of their hugely-successful race nights.

The format will be similar to last year, with tickets at £8 to include sausage and spud supper

There will be eight races throughout the evening – and a 7.30pm prompt start - and a distinguished guest presenting prizes to owners and winners. You can even buy your own horse at just £5 - then you give your horse its own name and cheer it on.! And don’t forget the prize for the best home made hat!

If you’ve never been, put that date in your diaries now because it’s terrific fun. Please ring Laura Short on 01295 670232 or Claire Bottoms on 01295 67776 for more details.

21st February '08 - A Day at the Races

If you develop a taste for the turf after that, why not book up for the most glamorous day in the racing calendar? But you must be quicker than the favourite in the 3.30 if you want to go!

The Dun Cow are organising a coach for Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot - Thursday, June 19. For just £45, you will get a ticket to the Silver Ring at Royal Ascot, plus coach travel to and from the event.

You just need to leave a £20 deposit by a week tomorrow, February 29, with Gwyneth or Llyn at the pub to guarantee a great day out. Then it’s just a case of choosing your outfit!

You can get more details by ringing Gwyneth or Llyn on 01295 670524 but don’t delay – tickets are being snapped up already!

And talking of pampering the woman in your life, Mother’s Day is just a week on Sunday – March 2 – so give Mum the day off by buying her Sunday lunch at 1 for 1.30pm.

There will be roast Spring lamb – plus a vegetarian option – with three courses for £14.95 and two courses for £10.95. Reduced prices for children. Please book with Gwyneth by next Wednesday, February 27.

And on the following Sunday, March 9, Gwyneth will be serving roast beef with all the trimmings. Please book by the preceding Wednesday.

21st February '08 - Tear Off a Strip

Maggie Higgins makes a plea for everyone in Hornton to tear the stamps – both British and foreign – off your envelopes.

“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."

21st February '08 - Bloomin' Marvellous

Please buy a daffodil in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care from Lynn Corke when she sells them over the next couple of weeks. Daffodil Day is Saturday week, March 1, but Lynn would be grateful for any contributions before then. You can pop them through her letterbox in The Cottage, Church Lane.

And Marie Cure also need people to help sell daffodils in Banbury. The charity needs people for two-hour can-rattling stints on March 1 at Tescos and in the town centre, at Sainsbury’s on Sunday, March 2, and at Morrisons on Saturday, March 29. Please contact Shiralyn Hunt, Marie Curie’s community fundraiser, on 01869 246655 or by email at Shiralyn (dot) Hunt (at) mariecurie (dot) org (dot) uk

21st February '08 - Green with Envy

The Dun Cow were beaten by the narrowest of margins by the Green Man, Long Itchington, ins their latest Harbury and District Crib League match. The 4-3 away defeat leaves the Hornton cribbers sixth in the table with 14 points.

21st February '08 - Church Services

There will be a service in Hornton Methodist Church at 11am this Sunday, February 24. At the same time Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist.

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 are Phoenix greetings cards for sale plus a book and video swap - and, of course, lots of good gossip!

14th February '08 - A Racing Cert

14th February '08 - Minutes of the Latest Parish Council Meeting

View the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting from 4th February 2008

14th February '08 - Hornton Photographic Competition and Exhibition

14th February '08 - Thrive on Jive

Last weekend’s learn to jive evening at Hornton pavilion was so successful that the organisers are investigating whether they could run sessions nearby on a regular basis.

“Let's hope,” said one enthusiastic jiver, Simon Perkin. “The evening was fab.”

14th February '08 - Lots of Loot from the Ladies

The St John the Baptist Ladies’ Working Party raised almost £1600 for good causes over the last year – a fantastic amount!

The £1588.27 was more than £50 up on the previous year and the largest sum - £700 – went to the Parish Church. £200 was given for the upkeep of the Church Room, and £100each to Katherine House Hospice, Hornton’s Goodwill Fund, the Brownies, The Gossip newspaper and the local Dial-A-Ride service.

14th February '08 - Popping the Question

There’s only one answer to the question, where will you be on Saturday, March 15? And that answer is, down at the special JUMPA quiz evening at the Dun Cow.

Hornton’s very own quizmeisters Ollie Fickling and Steve Woodcock have teamed up once more to set another of their frustratingly fiendish quizzes in aid of JUMPA and it all kicks off at 7.30pm.

Teams of up to four people can compete and youj can either make up a team in advance or join other quiz-goers on the night. It’s just £2.50 per person or £1 for the under-14s and there will be prizes for the brain-boxes and, of course, a traditional Hornton raffle.

14th February '08 - Beer Fans get the Bird

The Dun Cow was packed out last Friday night at the start of the annual Hornton Winter Beer Festival.

“The theme was “High Flyers” and the beers featured were all birds’ names,” explained landlady Gwyneth Gelling.

“We had eight beers, ranging from from “Wild Swan” by Thornbridge at 3.5%ABV to “Cormorant Porter” by Oulton Brewery at 5.2%ABV.

“The first beer to be finished on Saturday evening was “Yellowhammer” by O’Hanlon's at 4.2%ABV. By 6pm on Sunday evening only about 50 pints in three beers were left out of the 576 pints we started with.

“All in all, it was another very successful beer festival. Now we start planning the Summer one, scheduled for the weekend of July 18.”

But there are plenty of other events coming up in the Dun Cow before then. On Mothering Sunday – March 2 – give Mum the day off by buying her Sunday lunch at 1 for 1.30pm.

There will be roast Spring lamb – plus a vegetarian option – with three courses for £14.95 and two courses for £10.95. Reduced prices for children. Please book by the preceding Wednesday, February 27 by ringing Gwyneth on 01295 670524.

14th February '08 - Woll You be Generous?

Hornton’s Isabelle Harris is still knitting hats and gloves for the shoe boxes that are sent to deprived children throughout the world and she would be really grateful for any donations of double knitting wool.

“The colour doesn’t matter, as I can mix and match,” says Isabelle.

You can pop the donations through the letter box of Isabelle’s house in Bell Street or call her on 01295 670541.

14th February '08 - Unlucky 13

The Dun Cow lost a nail-biting away match 4-3 to the Red Lion Inn at North End in their latest Harbury and District Crib League fixture. The match – the Hornton cribbers’ thirteenth in this year’s competition – leaves them sixth with 14 points and cancels out their previous win, also by 4-3, over the Greaves Club at Bishops Itchington.

14th February '08 - Pop Down to the Pavvy

Next Pavilion committee meeting is now on Thursday, February 21, at 8pm all welcome. This is a week later than originally planned.

The committee hope that the results of the structural survey of the pavilion may be ready by then.

14th February '08 - Church Services

Mattins will be celebrates at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist this Sunday, February 17, at 10.30am. At 11am there will be a service in the Methodist Church, led by Jean Buzzard.

And 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 are Phoenix greetings cards for sale plus a book and video swap - and, of course, lots of good gossip!

14th February '08 - Don't Lose the Library

The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday from 10.40 to 11.20am. At the moment it’s not being very well patronised, so why not pop along and borrow a book this week? Use it or lose it!

7th February '08 - In the Soup

There will be a soup lunch at Hornton Methodist Church this Saturday, February 9, to raise money for church funds.

Bowls of delicious home-made soup, with crusty bread, will be available from 12 noon till 2pm and there’ll also be a bring’n’buy stall plus, of course, a traditional Hornton raffle.

7th February '08 - Out of the Woods

This year’s first meeting of the he 3Hs Gardening club will be in Hornton Pavilion this Tuesday, February 12, at 7.30pm when Hugh Jones will give a talk in the Pavilion entitled The Woods and Woodland of Warwickshire.

7th February '08 - Come Fly with Me

It’s still the most beautiful flying machine ever built and if you’d popped down the road from Hornton to Horley in it, you’d be there in just five seconds! It might take you a bit longer than that next Tuesday, but make the journey because a local pilot and retired BA captain Dave Rowland will be talking about his time flying the fastest-ever airliner - Concorde.

Dave’s talk, Concorde - a real time machine, is taking place at the Old School in Horley at 7.30pm on February 12 and the £5 ticket includes a glass of wine. All proceeds are going to the Royal National Institute for the Blind.

7th February '08 - Drop in at the Dun

Hornton’s fiendish quizmeisters, Ollie Fickling and Steve Woodcock, are preparing another set of infuriatingly difficult questions to fox all Horntonians.

The quiz, at the Dun Cow on Saturday, March 15, is in aid of JUMPA and starts at 7.15pm. As usual, you can have up to four people in a team, there are super prizes on offer plus, of course, a traditional Hornton raffle.

7th February '08 - Turn the Pages

A former resident of Pages Lane has written a book about his life in Hornton and beyond which is being published to raise money for charity.

Jim Tanner was born in Pages Lane in 1930 and only left in his twenties when he joined the RAF. His book, The Village and Beyond, is being published in High Wycombe - where Jim eventually settled and became Mayor in 1989.

And it’s the appeal being organised by the current Mayor for which the book will be raising money. Proceeds from it will go towards buying a dialysis machine, the local ambulance service and peole suffering from Alzheimer`s disease.

You can buy The Village and Beyond for just £5 plus postage by contacting Jenny Howe at the High Wycombe Mayor’s Parlour on 01494-421134, or writing to The Mayor`s Parlour, Council Offices, Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe HP11 1BB. Or you can contact Jim directly on 01494-529014 or email sjajtanner (at) btinternet dot com

Jim has also given the newly-formed History Club a selection of wartime memories of the village, as this is one area of Hornton life that the group is covering in its first year of operation.

7th February '08 - You Can Bet on It

You’re sure to have a great evening at the pavilion on Saturday, March 8, because Peachtree Pre-School are holding another of their hugely-successful race nights.

If you’ve never been, put that date in your diaries now because it’s terrific fun. Please ring Laura Short on 01295 670232 for more details.

7th February '08 - Pop Down to the Pavvy

7th February '08 - Church Services

Holy Eucharist will be celebrated in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist this Sunday, February 10, at 11am. There will be no service in the Methodist Church but there will be a Methodist Circuit Service 6pm in Cropredy.

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 are Phoenix greetings cards for sale plus a book and video swap - and, of course, lots of good gossip!