Real ale fans from all over Banburyshire are set to turn up in Hornton this weekend for the event of the Winter. It’s The Dun
Cow’s Winter Beer Festival, of course, which will take place from tomorrow, Friday, till Sunday evening.
As usual the theme of the festival is being kept a closely-guarded secret by licensees Gwyneth and Martin Gelling but the names of
the beers will all have something in common.
As well as a tempting range of Winter ales to sample, there will also be nosh to nibble, so pop down and imbibe!
29th January '09 - Pounds for Pounding
If you see Hornton’s Jess Wain pounding the streets round the village over the next couple of months, you’ll know it’s for a good
cause. Jess has been accepted into the London Marathon on April 26.
“I have been trying to gain a place in the London Marathon for several years with no luck, but recently a friend of mine has had
to pull out due to injury and asked if I would take her place. But now I have only 12 weeks to raise £1,300 for Leukaemia Care!
“If anyone in Hornton would be kind enough to sponsor me, they can do so by logging on to www.justgiving.com/jesswain
Alternatively, you can donate by cash or cheque to my home address, The Swallows, Eastgate, Hornton. The Marathon is on
April 26th, so you will see me pounding the streets in training when I am home for the Easter break! Thank you in anticipation,
Jess.
29th January '09 - Do Come Along
The next meeting of Hornton Parish Council is next Monday, February 2, at 7.30pm in the Church Room. All villagers are invited.
29th January '09 - You need Hands
Hornton’s newly-formed Women’s Institute will be holding its first meeting of the year next Thursday, February 5, when Liz Hirst
will be giving a "hands on" talk and demonstration on makeup techniques and how to look younger.
It takes place at 7.30pm in the pavilion and new members are welcome, so why not make a New Year’s resolution to come along!
29th January '09 - History's not Bunk
The group dedicated to disproving the Henry Ford maxim that “history is bunk” has its second meeting of the year this Tuesday,
February 3. Hornton History Group will be getting together at The Swallows in Eastgate at 7pm, so just pop along or ring Kevin
or Jane Wain on 01295 670716 for more information.
29th January '09 - Time for a Good Gossip
The deadline for contributions to the latest edition of The Gossip, Hornton’s very own village newspaper, is this Saturday,
January 31, so scribblers have still got time to hand in their contributions. Editors Julie Stanley on 01295 670507 or at
julieharrystan (at) aol dot com and Ann Hemmings on 01295 670511 or at ann dot hemmings (at) orh dot nhs dot uk are waiting for
those literary pearls to drop through their letter box!
29th January '09 - Lamb to the Slaughter
The Dun Cow crib team hammered The Shoulder of Mutton at Granborough 5-2 away in their latest match. The result leaves the
Hornton cribbers riding high in the Harbury and District Crib league and they must be odds on to take the title even though we’re
only just over half way through the season.
29th January '09 - Thanks, Jeff
Hornton joined the whole of the Ironstone Benefice last Sunday for the last service led by the Rev Jeff Chard. It was standing
room only at Wroxton and everyone wishes Jeff and Fran all the best for their retirement on the Isle of Wight.
At 8.30am this Sunday, February 1, Mattins will be celebrated at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist. There will be an
evening service at 6pm in Hornton Methodist Church led by Tony Giles. There will also be a Circuit Service at Marlborough Road
Methodist Church, Banbury, at 10.30am.
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 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.
29th January '09 - Moving Story
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday, February 4, from 10.40 to 11.20am.
22nd January '09 - Good-bye, Jeff
It’s unusual for this column to lead with an event taking part outside the village but there’s a very special event taking place this Sunday, January 25. At 10.30am in All Saints, Wroxton, Jeff Chard will take his last service before retiring. It will be followed by a reception in the Abbey Carriage House. Please come along and wish Jeff well!
And at 11am there will be a service at Hornton Methodist Church, led by Ian Hearle.
22nd January '09 - Let's Get Quizzical
Hornton's fiendish quizmeisters, Olly Fickling and Steve Woodcock, are ready to pit their wits against the village's brainboxes in
their latest quiznight this Saturday. It takes place in the Dun Cow at 7.30pm and all proceeds will go to JUMPA.
You can either make up a team of four in advance or just turn up on the night and get together with others then. As per usual,
wide general knowledge will be of very limited assistance! Hot food will be available on the night, so get quizzical!
And don’t forget that tonight, Thursday, the Dun Cow will hold the latest of its Pie and Pint nights. Come down and have pie,
chips and a pint - or a glass of wine - for just £6.95!
22nd January '09 - Time's Pressing
The deadline for contributions to the latest edition of The Gossip, Hornton’s very own village newspaper, is Saturday week,
January 31, so please start penning your contributions. Just about anything legal, decent, honest and truthful can go into The
Gossip, so please send your views, recipes and reminiscences as soon as possible to editors Julie Stanley on 01295 670507 or at
julieharrystan (at) aol dot com and Ann Hemmings on 01295 670511 or at ann dot hemmings (at) orh dot nhs dot uk
22nd January '09 - Flying the Flag
Have you got a birthday in the family? Then make sure you celebrate it in style by flying the Hornton birthday flag! For just £5 for village funds, you can have the name of the birthday boy or girl run up the Hornton flagpole - advertising your age is optional but all ages from 1 to 150 can be accommodated!
All you have to do is to ring Ian Harris on 01295 670541 and the celebrations can begin!
22nd January '09 - Hornton's Famous Progressive Dinner
Get ready to pit your wits in Hornton’s friendliest quiz - at the Dun Cow at 7.30pm on Saturday week, January 24. As usual, it will
be hosted by the village’s fiendish quizmeisters, Olly Fickling and Steve Woodcock - and their decision will be final in all
disputes! But it’s all good-humoured fun and, as per usual, wide general knowledge will only be of limited help! Proceeds go to Jumpa.
You can either make up a team of four in advance or just turn up on the night and get together with others. Hot meals will be
available.
And next Thursday, January 22, the pub will hold the latest of its Pie and Pint Nights. Come down and have pie, chips and a pint -
or a glass of wine - for just £6.95!
15th January '09 - Tom's Thumbs Up
Tom Wain, who delivers Hornton’s national newspapers each weekend, has been overwhelmed by the kindness of his customers over
Christmas.
“I would just like to say a very big thank you to all the generous people I deliver to in Hornton” he says. “I hope you all had a
nice Christmas and a happy New Year!”
15th January '09 - Tip Top
The Dun Cow crib team were back to winning ways in their first match of 2009, with a 5-2 away victory over The Cottage Inn at
Ashorne. The win reinforces the Hornton cribbers’ position at the top of the Harbury and District Crib League, especially as the
second place team, Kineton Sports and Social Club, lost on the same night.
15th January '09 - Chat Up
The deadline for contributions to the latest edition of The Gossip, Hornton’s very own village newspaper, is a fortnight on
Saturday - January 31 - so scribblers have still got time to hand in their contributions. Editors Julie Stanley on 01295 670507
or at julieharrystan@aol.com and Ann Hemmings on 01295 670511 or at ann dot hemmings (at) orh dot nhs dot uk are waiting for
those literary pearls to drop through their letterboxes!
15th January '09 - Church Services
There will be an 11 o’clock service in Hornton Methodist Church this Sunday, January 18, led by Katy Lee. There will no service
in the Parish Church because the Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt Rev Colin Fletcher, is visiting the Ironstone Benefice with a
special Benefice Eucharist at Holy Trinity, Shenington, at 10-30 am.
And don’t forget that Jeff Chard will be holding his last service as rector of Hornton and the other Ironstone Benefice churches
on Sunday week, January 25, in Wroxton, at 10.30am.
15th January '09 - Don't Be Overdue
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will visit Hornton next Wednesday, January 21. It will be parked on the village
green from 10.40am to 11.20am.
Hornton's Famous Progressive Dinner - Returns on Saturday March 14 2009
Hornton's fiendish quizmeisters, Olly Fickling and Steve Woodcock, are ready to pit their wits against the village's braiboxes in
their next quiznight. It takes place in the Dun Cow at 7.30pm a fortnight on Saturday - January 24 - and all proceeeds will go to
JUMPA. You can either make up a team of four in advance or just turn up on the
night and get together with others then. As per usual, wide general knowledge will only be of limited help! If you'd like to eat,
please contact Gwyneth in advance on 01295 670524.
1st January '09 - Making History
Hornton’s successful history group holds its first meeting of the year this Tuesday, January 6. Just pop along to The Swallows in
Eastgate at 7pm or, for more information, ring Kevin or Jane Wain on 01295 670716
1st January '09 - Hiking at Hogmany
What better way to blow away that 2009 hangover than by a
walk through our beautiful countryside?
Two new paths have been created over the past couple of 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!
And Upton House has a new all-weather route round its beautiful lake and gardens
and it’s open up to Sunday, January 4. Normal admission charges apply. You can
get more information from Upton on 01295 670266 or by email on
uptonhouse (at) nationaltrust dot org dot uk
1st January '09 - New Year, New You
After all that indulgence over Christmas, do you want to lose
a few pounds? Could you do with being just a bit fitter? Well, help is at hand.
Every Tuesday at 6.30pm in the Chapel, you can pop along toHornton’s Yoga Class.
Teacher Jo Bell practices Sun Power Yoga, which she says is a great way to
lengthen your body, control your breath and still your mind. All you need is
loose clothing, the £5 for the session and a blanket. Men and women are both
welcome and you can get more details from Jo on 07767 731791 - or just turn up!
And every Wednesday, you can tone up with Keep Fit. The class meets in the
Pavilion at 7pm and everyone of any age or level of fitness is welcome. You just
need a mat or blanket to put on the floor and you’re ready to go.
1st January '09 - Crackling Good Meal
Gwyneth will be serving roast pork with all the trimmings at
the Dun Cow on Sunday week, January 11. Please book by next Wednesday.
And next Thursday, January 8, the pub will hold the third of their Pie and Pint
nights. Come down and have pie, chips and a pint - or a glass of wine - for just
£6.95! And don’t forget that you can also get takeaway fish and chips from the
Dun Cow every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
1st January '09 - Church Services
Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at the Parish Church of St
John the Baptist at 8.30am this Sunday, January 4. There will be a United Service
of Holy Communion at 11am in the Methodist Church.
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 is a book and video
swap - and, of course, lots of good gossip! And the Thursday Club meets every
week after school until 4.30pm in the Methodist Church School Room. All children
are welcome.
1st January '09 - New Year, New Leaf
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday from 10.40 to 11.20am.
