Hornton’s Boys in Blue have reached a Cup Final - and all they need now is for you to cheer them on!
It’s the Final of the Banbury and District Benevolent Cup and Hornton FC will be up against Wroxton Sports FC on Saturday, April 12 at 6.30pm.
“It’s all happening at the Banbury Spencers Stadium,” said Hornton FC’s Mark Wright, “and the boys would really appreciate as much local support as possible.”
27th March '08 - Fighting the Flab
Feeling just a bit overweight after eating all that chocolate? Well, help is at hand. There’s Keep Fit every week in Hornton and you can join in. At present, whilst the Pre-School is using the Pavilion, it’s being held at 7pm every Wednesday at the Methodist Church and everyone is invited.
27th March '08 - History in Hornton
Ever wondered about what life was like in our village in times past? If s, you can help find out by joining Hornton’s new, enthusiastic and ever-expanding history group.
They meet 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 this 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.
And a date for your diaries. The group will be holding a cheese and wine party on Friday, April 25. There will be a bring’n’buy and a raffle but the venue has yet to be decided, so watch the Guardian column for details.
27th March '08 - History in Upton
If you’ve really got the history bug, you won’t want to miss the Family History Detectives event at Upton House on Sunday week, April 6.
Between 12 non and 4pm, you’ll be about to discover more about Upton’s family and pick up tips to delve into your own family’s history!
Normal admission prices apply and there will even be craft activities for children for just £1.50. You can get more information from Upton on 01295 670266 or by email on uptonhouse (at) nationaltrust dot org dot uk
27th March '08 - By George, it's Fish on Friday
As a belated celebration of St George’s Day, the Dun Cow are holding a special night to celebrate that most English of dishes - fish and chips. It will take place on Friday, April 25, from 6.30 to 8.30pm.
Before that, Gwyneth’s next Sunday lunch will be two weeks on Sunday, April 13, when there will be roast pork with all the trimmings. Please ring her by the Wednesday before, April 9, on 01295 670524 to book a table.
And start saving up your chipped crockery and cups! There will be a smashing Greek night on Saturday, June 28, from 7.30pm.
27th March '08 - Make it Snappy
It’s time to dig out your favourite photos so you can enter Hornton’s first-ever photographic competition.
It’s taking place over May Day weekend and organiser Lynn Corke is hoping for lots of entries - from Hornton and beyond - especially as people in the village have been so generous in coming forward to sponsor prizes for the 15 categories.
You can enter photos on the themes of Skies and Vistas; Brick, Mortar or Hornton Stone; Reflections; Churches and Chapels; Doors, Doorways and Windows; Portraits; Travel and Holidays; Flowers, Fungus and Trees; Buses, Bikes and Boats; and Christmas/New Year.
There’s also an Anything Goes category, plus one for photos taken by children under 10 and another for young people aged 10 to 14. Finally, there’s a Best In Show category which the visitors to the exhibition can choose.
You can get more information from the notice board or by contacting Lynn on 01295 670673 or at lynn.corke (at) blueyonder dot co dot uk
27th March '08 - May We Count on Your Support?
With only six weeks left until Hornton’s biggest day of the year, the organisers of our May Day celebrations are already hard at work to make sure they are a success.
But May Day will only go with a zing if the organisers get help from you!
If you are involved with a village organisation and plan to run a stall, please contact Lorraine Joyner as soon as possible on 01295 678708, especially if you would like a particular spot on the green. Lorraine has the Master Plan! She is also the person collecting raffle prizes.
And if you’ve never run a stall before, now’s the time to try. We need exciting new ideas as well as the regular favourites!
In the week running up to May Day, there is an urgent need of White Elephants because some were damaged by flooding. Please take them to Laura Short in West End or call her on 01295 670232. Isabel Harris in Bell Street (on 01295 670541) needs bottles or jars of drinks or other consumable items for a bottle stall. Jenny Bowes, who lives next to the Manor House on the Green (01295 670633) would like adults’ Nearly New Clothes - please, no jumble. Fiona Donaldson (01295 670505), who lives on the corner of Pages Lane and the Green, needs children’s clothes.
On the weekend of the celebrations, Lesley Kings (01295 670356) would like cakes large and small for the teas stall - and volunteers throughout May Day itself to help run it. And on the morning of May Day, it will be time for the strong men of the village and their trusted vehicles to come into their own. Please meet outside the garages on the green at 10am to move tables and chairs.
27th March '08 - Moveable Feast
Plans for the next Hornton Progressive Dinner Party are well under way - and now it’s your chance to sign up by filling in the form which was put through your letterbox recently.
The date to put in your diaries is the last Saturday of next month, April 26, and if you’ve never been on one of the village’s immensely-successful Progressive Dinners before, now’s the time to give it a go!
For anyone new to the village - or who’s been on a different planet over the past couple of years - organiser Anne Joyner explained how it works.
“You either opt to be a host or a guest,” she said. “If you’re a guest you go to three different houses during the evening, one for each course. The week before, you'll get a letter telling you to whom, where and what time your first course is and you'll take that host a bottle of wine. Afterwards, they'll send you off to your main course hosts and thence to your final hosts of the evening who will present you with a bill for £25 a head. Simple!
“If you opt to be a host, you'll provide a three-course meal for six people, including yourselves. This isn't as daunting as it may seem - the courses can be as simple or as elaborate as you like and people can be seated however and wherever you please.
“The whole point of the evening is for it to be full of variety and fun! Your guests will change with each course but, don't worry. That bit's all organised for you and you'll get all the necessary info the week before.
“You can take part alone or with a partner and all of the proceeds will go towards Hornton's own Pavilion Renovation project. It's the perfect, friendly way to meet some of your neighbours, particularly if you're both at work most of the time or if you're new to Hornton.”
If you’d like to take part, please fill in the form - stating whether you would like to be a host, a guest or either - and post it in the village post box on the wall next to the notice board on the village green by 6pm on Friday, April 18.
If you have any questions or don’t have a form, please ring Anne on 01295 670337.
27th March '08 - Maggie's Got it Licked
Maggie Higgins makes a plea to keep all your stamps - both British and foreign - off your Easter cards.
“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."
27th March '08 - Church Services
There will be a service of Holy Communion in Hornton Methodist Church at 11am this Sunday, March 30. There will be no service in the Parish Church because there will be a Benefice Service in St Michael’s, Alkerton, at 10.30am.
And would you like to join the Benefice’s Exploration, Discussion and Study group? For the past few years it’s met at Horley vicarage and looked at many different subjects. The next meeting is next Monday, March 31, at 7.30pm and if you would like to find out more, just turn up on the night or call Pam Smith on 01295 730951.
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!
27th March '08 - Moving Story
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday, April 2, from 10.40 to 11.20am. Use it or lose it!
20th March '08 - Progressing Nicely
Plans for the next Hornton Progressive Dinner Party are well under way - and now it’s your chance to sign up by filling in the form
which was put through your letter box in the past week.
The date to put in your diaries is the last Saturday of next month, April 26, and if you’ve never been on one of the village’s
immensely-successful Progressive Dinners before, now’s the time to give it a go!
For anyone new to the village - or who’s been on a different planet over the past couple of years - organiser Anne Joyner explained
how it works.
“You either opt to be a host or a guest,” she said. “If you’re a guest you go to three different houses during the evening, one for
each course. The week before, you'll get a letter telling you to whom, where and what time your first course is and you'll take that
host a bottle of wine. Afterwards, they'll send you off to your main course hosts and thence to your final hosts of the evening who
will present you with a bill for £25 a head. Simple!
“If you opt to be a host, you'll provide a three-course meal for six people, including yourselves. This isn't as daunting as it may
seem - the courses can be as simple or as elaborate as you like and people can be seated however and wherever you please.
“The whole point of the evening is for it to be full of variety and fun! Your guests will change with each course but, don't worry.
That bit's all organised for you and you'll get all the necessary info the week before.
“You can take part alone or with a partner and all of the proceeds will go towards Hornton's own Pavilion Renovation project. It's
the perfect, friendly way to meet some of your neighbours, particularly if you're both at work most of the time or if you're new to
Hornton.”
If you’d like to take part, please fill in the form - stating whether you would like to be a host, a guest or either - and post it
in the village post box on the wall next to the notice board on the village green by 6pm on Friday, April 18.
If you have any questions or don’t have a form, please ring Anne on 01295 670337.
20th March '08 - Drop in for Chocolate
Just in case you were worrying that you might not have enough chocolate this Easter, the Dun Cow has come to the rescue! This
weekend on Easter Sunday and Monday, Gwyneth is holding two special Chocolate Dessert Extravaganza Days. Loosen your belt a notch
and pop down!
And Gwyneth’s next Sunday lunch will be on Sunday, April 13, when there will be roast pork with all the trimmings. Please ring her
by the Wednesday before, April 9, on 01295 670524 to book a table
20th March '08 - Easily Lead
If you or your mates give into temptation and play up on the roof of the Parish Church, watch out because the police will be called
immediately!
Parochial Church Council member Sally Tweedsmuir spotted youngsters on the roof last week but they escaped before she could confront
them. At least, she thinks they were youngsters but the fear is that they could have been thieves stealing the valuable lead.
“The theft of lead from churches has become a real problem because lead fetches a very high price,” she said. “The latest church to
be stripped in this area is Bodicote.
“Please will everyone be on the lookout and if anyone is seen on the roof, the police will be called straight away. In any case,
youngsters shouldn’t go up on the roof because the lead is very soft and they could damage it.”
20th March '08 - Nice Work
The Ladies’ Working Party of the Parish Church raised a splendid £182.20 when they held their latest bingo session at the Church
Room last Friday.
The money raised will be divided between the church and local charities.
20th March '08 - May Day for May Day
Hornton’s biggest day of the year is just seven weeks away, and the organisers of our May Day celebrations will need your help!
If you are involved with a village organisation and plan to run a stall, please contact Lorraine Joyner as soon as possible on 01295
678708, especially if you would like a particular spot on the green. Lorraine has the Master Plan! She is also the person collecting
raffle prizes.
And if you’ve never run a stall before, now’s the time to try. May Day is successful not just because of the regular favourite
attractions which people look forward to every year but because of new ones.
In the week running up to May Day, there is an urgent need of White Elephants because some were damaged by flooding. Please take
them to Laura Short in West End or call her on 01295 670232. Isabel Harris in Bell Street (on 01295 670541) needs bottles or jars
of drinks or other consumable items for a bottle stall. Jenny Bowes, who lives next to the Manor House on the Green (01295 670633)
would like adults’ Nearly New Clothes - please, no jumble. Fiona Donaldson (01295 670505), who lives on the corner of Pages Lane and
the Green, needs children’s clothes.
On the weekend of the celebrations, Lesley Kings (01295 670356) would like cakes large and small - and volunteers throughout May Day
itself - for the teas stall. And on the morning of May Day, it will be time for the strong men of the village and their trusted
vehicles to come into their own. Please meet outside the garages on the green at 10am to move tables and chairs.
And don't forget to get snapping or dig out past photos for the first-ever Hornton Photographic competition, which takes place over
May Day weekend! Details are on the website, on the notice board or available from Lynn Corke at lynn dot corke at blueyonder dot co dot uk
or by calling her on 01295 670673.
20th March '08 - Food for Thought
Dreadful weather didn’t stop a very good turnout for last Saturday’s quiz night at the Dun Cow, which was on a food theme.
Well, loosely. As always, when the questions are set by Hornton’s fiendish quizmeisters, Ollie Fickling and Steve Woodcock,
expertise on the theme subject was no use whatsoever! It was all down to wide general knowledge and a fair slice of luck which an
all-girl quartet who called themselves the Desperate Housewives demonstrated in abundance as they triumphed as runaway winners.
Everyone, winners and losers, had an enjoyable time and £135 was raised for JUMPA’s
running costs.
20th March '08 - Grand Occasion
£1,000 was raised for Peachtree PreSchool in the latest of their hugely-successful Race Nights at Hornton Pavilion.
“It was a fantastic amount,” said joint organiser Laura Short. “Everyone seemed to enjoy the night and nearly 70 people came.
“Emma Hamer won the Best Hat Competition and we would like to thank everyone very much for purchasing the horses and giving us your
support.
“We would especially like to thank our sponsors - Meadowsweet Beef, Kids Klub, Varneys Garage, Tom Gibbs, Red Horse Vale Ltd,
Interlink, The Handmade Burger Company, Wizz Kidz, Richard Hart, Tysoe Butchers and Midrange Direct Ltd.”
A special thank you also needs to go to Laura’s Dad for comparing the evening!
20th March '08 - Counting the Days
Hornton’s Andy Perry, who is serving with the RAF in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar reports from there that the news of
Prince Harry’s tour of duty in the country came as a complete surprise.
“Prince Harry would have been flown through Kandahar to go forward and that made it all the more of a surprise,” he said in his
latest message.
“There has been a few killed in action this past few weeks which brings its own thoughts and reflection throughout the camp. The
repatriation ceremony is always very hard to handle and control one’s emotions.
“The weather is slowly picking up with temperatures of 25 degrees. With only three weeks left to go I am beginning to look forward
to seeing my wife Jen and son Jack again and catching up with all the news from Hornton - oh and having a pint or two of Hooky!”
Andy is also backing the online petition which has been started on the 10 Downing Street website to introduce an extra Bank Holiday
to celebrate our Armed Forces on the first Monday after Remembrance Day in November.
20th March '08 - Be Cheeky at the Checkout
Hornton School is only small and needs all the Sainsbury’s and Tesco’s vouchers it can get. So whilst these supermarkets are holding
their rival promotions, go on - be cheeky and ask the person in front of you for their vouchers if they don’t want them. And if you
ask nicely, the checkout staff will often give you a few more!
20th March '08 - Birds 'n' Bees
Graham Soden talked about the Flora and Fauna of Southern England at the latest meeting of the 3Hs Gardening Club. The next meeting
will be the Annual Meeting on April 8. A talk has yet to be arranged.
20th March '08 - Chipped Away
The Dun Cow lost 4-3 away to Kinton’s Carpenters Arms in their latest Harbury and District Crib League match. As this year’s
competition draws to a close, the Hornton cribbers are in seventh position with 16 points.
20th March '08 - Church Services
There will be a special Good Friday service in Hornton Methodist Church tomorrow, March 21, at 3pm. This Sunday, there will be an
Easter Day service in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist at 11am.
And would you like to join the Benefice’s Exploration, Discussion and Study group? For the past few years it’s met at Horley
vicarage and looked at many different subjects. The next meeting is on Monday week, March 31, at 7.30pm and if you would like to
find out more, just turn up on the night or call Pam Smith on 01295 730951.
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!
13th March '08 - Look in Tomorrow
It’s bingo night tomorrow, Friday, when the St John the Baptist Ladies Working Party hold their Easter Bingo at Hornton Church
Rooms. “Eyes down” is at 7.30pm, so please “look in”!
13th March '08 - Popping the Question
If you want to enjoy an evening of fun and frustration in equal measure, then make sure you pop down to the Dun Cow on Saturday week,
March 15.
That’s when Hornton’s very own quizmeisters, Ollie Fickling and Steve Woodcock, will once again be giving our grey cells a workout
with another of their frustratingly fiendish quizzes in aid of JUMPA.
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, which
starts at 7.30pm. 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.
13th March '08 - Chocaholics Anonymous
Just in case you were worrying that you might not have enough chocolate over Easter, the Dun Cow has come to the rescue! On Easter
Sunday and Monday, March 23 and 24, Gwyneth is holding two special Chocolate Dessert Extravaganza Days! Loosen your belt a notch and
pop down!
13th March '08 - Be Cheeky at the Checkout
Hornton School is only small and needs all the Computers for Schools vouchers it can
get. So whilst the store is holding its present promotion, go on - be cheeky and ask the person in front of you for their vouchers
if they don’t want them. And if you ask nicely, the checkout staff will often give you a few more!
13th March '08 - Lamb to the Slaughter
The Shoulder of Mutton at Granborough has inflicted the biggest defeat the Dun Cow has suffered all season.
The 7-0 away whitewash in their latest match leaves the Hornton cribbers seventh in the Harbury and District Crib League.
13th March '08 - Church Services
There will be a two Palm Sunday Services this Sunday in Hornton. The first, in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist, is at
10.30am, which will include the Blessing of the Palms. Then were will be a second at 11am in Hornton Methodist Church.
Next Wednesday, March 19, the Stations of the Cross will be walked at 7.30om 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!
13th March '08 - Turn over a New Leaf
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday, March 19, from 10.40 to 11.20am.
11th March '08 - You Are Invited to join this Spring's Progressive Dinner on Saturday 26th April
You can choose whether to be Hosts or Guests, you can come alone or with a partner and all of the
proceeds will go towards Hornton's own Pavilion Renovation project. It's the perfect, friendly way to
meet some of your neighbours, particularly if you're both at work most of the time or if you're new to
Hornton. Here's how it works.......
If you prefer to be hosts:-
You'll provide a three course meal for four people (six including yourselves). This isn't as daunting
as it may seem - the courses can be as simple or as elaborate as you like and people can be seated
however and wherever you please, from a carpet picnic to a candle-lit dining room. The whole point
of the evening is variety and fun! Your guests will change with each course but don't worry, that
bit's all organised for you and you'll get all the necessary info the week before.
If you'd like to be a guest:-
The week before you'll get a letter telling you who and where and what time your first course is and
you'll take that host a bottle of wine. Afterwards, they'll send you off to your main course hosts
and thence to your final hosts of the evening who will present you with a bill for £25 a head (which
includes drinks). Simple!
Go on! - You know you're ready for a great night out - or in!
Fill in the progressive dinner form and pop it in the village post box, which is on the wall next
to the notice board on the Village Green, by 6p.m. on Friday 18th April. If you have any questions at
all, please ring Anne Joyner, on 01295 670 337
11th March '08 - Visit Hornton's Famous Traditional May Day
1.30pm. Monday 7th May
May King and Queen Parade
Maypole Dancing
Sideshows
A Bar B Q selling sizzling succulents
White Elephants
Games and Prizes
Many Varied and Interesting Stalls
A Raffle to be drawn that afternoon
Tea and Cakes
!!Everyone is Welcome!!
The proceeds will all go towards the urgently needed refurbishment of our Village Hall and other community activities. None of the takings are used for administration, wages or any other purpose.
It’s all happening this Saturday, March 8, at the pavilion, when Peachtree Pre-School hold 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 - plus 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, you can just turn up on the night or call Laura Short on 01295 670232 or Claire Bottoms on 01295 67776 for more details.
6th March '08 - The Birds and The Bees
The next meeting of the 3Hs Gardening Club will be at 7.30pm in Hornton Pavilion this Tuesday, March 11, when Graham Soden
will talk about the Flora and Fauna of Southern England.
6th March '08 - Let's Get Quizzical
It’s like Who Wants to be a Millionaire? without the money! It’s like The Weakest Link without the insults! It’s Hornton’s very
own quiz night with our very own quizmeisters - Ollie Fickling and Steve Woodcock.
They’ve 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 week,
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.
6th March '08 - Chocaholics Anonymous
Just in case you were worrying that you might not have enough chocolate over Easter, the Dun Cow has come to the rescue! On
Easter Sunday and Monday, March23 and 24, Gwyneth is holding two specil Chocolate Dessart Extravaganza Days! Loosen your belt a notch and pop down!
6th March '08 - Wool 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 letterbox of Isabelle’s house in Bell Street or call her on 01295 670541.
6th March '08 - Make it Snappy
The weather’s getting better, so it’s time to take out your camera and start snapping away for Hornton’s first-ever photographic competition!
There has already been a fantastic response from Horntonians to an appeal for sponsors for, so now there’s no excuse for the rest of us and 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 if anyone would lie further
information, they can call me any time.”
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!”
6th March '08 - Cribbage Carnage
The Dun Cow had their most emphatic win of the season when they hammered the Harbury Club 6-1 away in their latest league match.
The win keeps the Hornton cribbers in sixth place in the Harbury and District Crib League but improves their points difference dramatically, which
may become crucial as the season draws to a close.
6th March '08 - Church Services
There will be a Village Service at 11am in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist this Sunday. As this is a village service,
there will be no service in the Methodist Church.
But 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!
