Hornton Online

Hornton won’t have long to wait before finding out the latest on the Big Bat Problem.

The Pavilion Committee hold their AGM at 8.15pm on June 7 – in the pavilion, not surprisingly – when more details will be revealed about the furry friends roosting in the roof.

Long-eared and pipistrel bats are believed to be using the roof as a roost and you can’t just kick ’em out. They’ve got to be given alternative accommodation. By the meeting takes place, the results of a second survey should have been completed and we’ll know impact the bats will have on the refurbishment plans for the pavilion.

The plans will have to include a special roost for the bats, plus arrangements to make sure they move house without being harmed – and you needs a government licence to move them.

In the meantime, pavilion extension co-ordinator Andy Perry has delayed putting in any grant applications.

“Until a licence is obtained, there is little work that can be carried out on the pavilion,” he said. “All grants applications have been put on hold as generally they require the money to be spent within three months of acquiring the funds.”

30th May '07 - Late on the Line

JUMPA’s ever-popular Golden Mile, scheduled for June 15, has had to be postponed until Sunday, July 1.

The delay is due to several of JUMPA’s key organisers being unable to take part on the earlier date but they promise the fortnight delay should make for an even bigger and better event.

Because JUMPA was so successful in raising money for the building of the playing surface, all the capital costs have been accounted for but it’s vital to get an amount of cash each year for running costs and that’s where the Golden Mile, run on Quarry Road, comes in.

In the past everyone from serious runners to people with pets to babies in buggies and three legged entrants have taken part, so please reschedule the date in your diaries now.

And JUMPA are also planning a barn dance in a tent on Saturday, August 18, so there’s another date for the calendars.

30th May '07 - Biking to Bodicote

This year’s Hornton Annual Leisure Cycle Ride is pencilled in for Sunday, July 15 - another date to put in your diaries!

For the second year running, organiser Lynn Corke is thinking of going via Bodicote but stopping at a different pub for lunch from 2006.

The route will be well publicised in advance, so that walkers and drivers can meet the cyclists there and everyone will be welcome to gather back in the village at the end of the ride for tea and cakes. With tea and cakes, beer and lunch and a nice easy route for cycling, it’s not surprising that once again the emphasis is very much on leisure, said Lynn.

If you know you are likely to come, please ring Lynn on 01295 670673 so she can get some idea of numbers.

30th May '07 - School's Back for Summer

Term 6 at Hornton School begins next Monday, June 4. The last day of term is Tuesday, July 24.

30th May '07 - Church Services

Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist at 8.30am this Sunday, June 3. There will be a United Service of Holy Communion at 11am.

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!

TheThursday Club meets every week after school until 4.30pm in the Methodist Church School Room. All children are welcome.

24th May '07 - Spot On

Congratulations to Hornton’s Dun Cow Dominoes team, who have won the Top of the Hill Knock-Out Cup with a narrow 9-7 victory over The Stag's Head, Swalcliffe.
After taking an early lead in the final, the Hornton cribbers were pegged back but came through in the last - and very tense - game to take the cup.
All the players made contributions during all the matches up to and including the final itself.

24th May '07 - Forget Me Not

The 3Hs Gardening Club made a fantastic £260 from their annual Plant Sale at the pavilion last Saturday - despite your correspondent failing to put it in the Guardian column, for which many apologies.
The club’s next event is the annual ever-popular Mystery Tour, which starts at Hornton Village Green at 6.15pm on June 12. If you would like to come, please ring Eileen Lewis on 01295 670449 as soon as possible.

24th May '07 - Backing for the Bikers

Hornton Parish Council has back local farmer Pet Hart’s plan to continue perating the BSX cycle track on his site on Quarry Road, as long as only local bikers use it.

The backing came at the council’s latest meeting, in the Church Room on May 14, following a plea by Mr Hart at the annual parish meeting last month.

Cherwell District Council had demanded that the site be turned back to farmland after Mr Hart’s application for planning permission for the site was turned down. But Hornton councillors were happy for the track to continue as long as it is only used by local enthusiasts and no tannoy or national events are operated there.

Meanwhile, councillors were told that the Government’s Environment Agency are to visit Hornton in response to a parish council request after West End residents Laura and Jonathan Short wrote about their fears of the brook flooding.

The meeting was attended by Thames Valley Constabulary’s Neighbourhood Specialist Officer, PC Morris. He is now covering this area after 16 months at Deddington. He is local and knows the area.

PC Morris will be canvassing residents to find out their main concerns. Over the last 12 months there have been five reported crimes in Hornton, with two recent burglaries. He advised that Crime Prevention Officer Jane Taylor is happy to give independent advice to residents free of chargeand it’s hoped that two Community Support Officers will be recruited shortly.

The cost of grass cutting in the Churchyard has increased considerably this year, the meeting was told. The Parochilal Church Council has asked whether the Parish Council would pay £300, with the Church and the Ladies Working Party also contributing £300 each.

Cllr Paul Burden kindly offered to tidy up Tink-a-Tank leading down to the Churchyard. It has become overgrown, particularly at the top end.

Coun David Miles was once again elected as chairman of the council, with Coun John Offord as vice-chairman.

The next meeting is to be held on Monday, July 30 at 7.30pm, with the AGM held on June 6.

24th May '07 - Jump to It

Hornton and Horley’s Jubilee Multi-Purpose Play Area, JUMPA, is already a big success and we all want to keep it that way - which is why the annual Golden Mile needs your support! The organisers are hoping for the biggest-ever turnout when it’s run on Sunday, June 17 - Father’s Day - and Dads will be especially welcome, along with everyone else.

Although JUMPA has now been built, it still needs cash every year for running costs and that’s where the Golden Mile comes in. All you have to do to take part is to watch this column, the notice board or the website over the next week or so to find details about how you can get a sponsorship form.

In the meantime, please keep June 17 free. You don’t have to be fast or sporty to take part in the Golden Mile. Babies in buggies, pets and even a three-legged team have strutted their stuff in the past, so do take part and raise money for JUMPA at the same time.

24th May '07 - We're all Going on a Whitsun Holiday

Hornton School’s Term 5 ends tomorrow, Friday, for Whitsun. Term 6 begins on Monday week, June 4. And don’t forget to hand in any extra Tesco Computers-for-Schools vouchers as soon as possible!

24th May '07 - Leaves Drop In

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

24th May '07 - Pop Along for a Picnic

The Methodist and Parish Churches are having a picnic on Sunday, June 11, from 12.30 pm onwards in John and Lindy Bridgeman’s garden at Eastgate House, Hornton.

You don’t have to be a churchgoer to come along - just turn up for good company and conversation! If you can, please bring a savoury item to add to the table. The organiser will provide puddings and wine.

There will be an 11 am Service this Sunday, May 27, at Hornton Methodist Church. There will be a Benefice Service at 10.30am in Shenington Church, so 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 are Phoenix greetings cards for sale plus a book 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.

16th May '07 - May The Horse Be With You

A ride on one of Hornton May Day’s most loved attractions - Daisy the Horse’s cart - was just one of a host of ways in which more than £2000 was raised in spite of terrible weather nearby keeping many of the usual crowds away.

With downpours in places like Adderbury and Hook Norton - and other events called off because of the weather - it was hardly surprising that many people from out of the village anticipated a drenching and stayed at home.

But there were still plenty of punters - and attractions - to generate cash and this is the breakdown of the money raised: Children's Clothes - £75.10; Scarecrow - £20.64; Good as New Ladies’ Clothes - £240; Raffle - £95; Rents - £30; Harry Joyner’s Sweets Stall - £10; BBQ - £260.20; White Elephant - £462; Skittles - £146.70; Lynn Corke’s Plants and Lucky Squares - £140.50; Isobel Harris’s bottle stall and biscuit painting - £44.10; Candy Floss £20; Scarecrow - £20.64; Penny slots machine - £10; Children’s toys £146-40; Teas £369-39; Daisy the Horse - £15. In addition, Hornton School raised £180 with the donation from an impressive show of classic cars.

That’s a total of £2270.67 to various village causes. Well done to everyone who helped make it such a success!

16th May '07 - Be A Sport

Pleas on two sporting fronts - cycling and football - featured in the annual meeting of Hornton Parish Council.

Peter Hart asked whether the council would be prepared to back a bid to operate the disused cycle track on his farm as long as it was only used on a local basis.

The track - a big hit with BMX-style cyclists - was shut down after Cherwell refused it planning permission. Hornton residents, who had not objected to it when it began to operate, became concerned when a public address system - installed for bigger competitions - could be heard in the village.

If the parish council, meeting on April 30, give their backing, the track could be open again soon and chairman Coun David Miles commented that the only objection had been the noise and the suitability for national events.

It was agreed that the possible re-opening of the track should be put on the agenda at the next Parish Council Meeting to see whether local use should be supported.

Meanwhile, Hornton Football Club told the meeting that they would be keen on new changing rooms being incorporated in the plans for the refurbished pavilion. The club, which gained promotion to the Premier Division last season, are also thinking about starting a reserve team because with only one side it is difficult to include the local younger boys.

“But this will have to be discussed at length to ensure enough players would be available and to consider wear and tear on the pitch,” said Mark Wright in the club’s report to the council. “Manager Stan Hillman has done a great job and by keeping together last year’s team and signing some new younger players, the club has succeeded in maintaining Premier Division status. Next season, he hopes to keep the momentum going.”

The JUMPA playing area, in its first season, is also proving a big hit, said chairman Steve Woodcock in his report. “Usage is healthy and there are further opportunities being looked at to arrange, for example, tennis coaching for youngsters,” he said. “Overall the area appears popular for both football and tennis, with the school also regularly using it for various activities.”

And the meeting heard that the Keep Fit Club, who meet in the pavilion every Wednesday at 7pm for an hour, are also going from strength to strength.

“Since the new term started in the New Year, attendance has been particularly good, which is very encouraging,” said the club’s report. “The class has been running successfully for over 10 years and is suitable for all ages and abilities. New members are always very welcome.”

The meeting was also told that fans of the Hornton Allsorts won’t have to wait too long until they tread the boards again.

“The Allsorts finally came out of semi-retirement for their Christmas Theme Night held in November,” said the report on their activities. “This was a complete sell-out and a very popular night. Over £500 was raised to help towards the pantomime now planned for November 2007. The pantomime has been chosen so watch this space!”

A new ramp is going to be built at the entrance to the Children’s Playground in West End. “The existing ramp is very difficult to negotiate with pushchairs, prams and the mowing machine,” said playground committee member Coun Miles.

“The new ramp will run from east to west behind the front wall of the Playground and it will stretch from the Springs Mobile safety surfacing to the end of the new fence.

“When the plans have been completed we will be submitting them to Cherwell District Council for approval and then we will be applying for a grant as the ramp will also be suitable for disabled use.”

In his report top parish councillors, County Councillor George Reynolds said that the quarry situation was settling down as far as Hornton is concerned.

“A recent document about waste sites included Hornton Grounds,” he explained. “This was probably because of inert waste in the past but it will clearly never be a normal waste site. The final list will come out in July/August and a speedy response may be needed if the Parish has any problems.

“A general document on sites for new quarries should be out shortly and this needs to be read carefully as quarry operators/landowners have been known to ‘try it on’.”

Parish Clerk Alan Cater, as Responsible Financial Officer, distributed copies of the Parish Council’s receipts and payments for the year together with a Consolidated Summary of the Parish Council’s Accounts. These will be audited during the next few weeks.

During the year the Council increased the precept - the money it can raise from council taxpayers - by £500 to £5,000. The previous year-end balance of £2,041 was only increased to £2,058 his year due to an exceptional payment of £1,796 for repairs to the sewer pipe under the football pitch. General administration costs were reduced by £380 as a result of sharing the insurance premium with the sub-sections.

Numbers of allotments being rented is slightly down on last year, with seven and a half currently being let, said Coun Paul Burden in his report.

“This could be partly caused by recent dry Summers and Springs but if anyone would like a challenge of a one or half-chain allotment, it is not too late and they can contact either Alan Cater or myself,” he said. “I am pleased to report that the 12 trees planted on the perimeter of the field - six oak and six walnut - are all growing well. To conclude, I would like to thank Bill Jeffs and Adrian Horsley for once again mowing the paths and to wish all tenants a successful season.”

The school was another success story over the last year, the meeting was told. The Chair of Governors, Coun John Offord, said that since new headteacher Hilary Childs was appointed there had been number of very successful parents meetings to highlight the way forward for the school.

“We are also looking for members of the community to come into school and share their experiences with the children,” he said. “A grandparents’ day was held last November and we wish to build on that with the wider community.”

And a plea to the community was made to keep their eyes and ears open by Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Jenny Bowes. “With an increase in building activities in the village at the moment there are a lot more strange vehicles and people in the village,” she said in her report. “It is even more important that we look out for people acting strangely and either call 999 if a crime is being committed or 0845 8505505 if we see something suspicious.

“We would like to thank Ginny Britton once again for all her efforts in the past in keeping our Neighbourhood Watch scheme running.

“To finish by stating the obvious, we are very lucky to live in such a friendly and safe environment and if we all help to look out for one another it will stay that way.”

Hornton and Horley Brownies have also had a good year, with 15 Brownies on the roll. Special activities this year have involved attending the St. George’s Day Parade and putting on a pantomime to help raise funds for a trip to Legoland.

“In addition to normal running costs, insurance costs £18 per brownie and we would like to thank the Women’s Working Party for their donation, which makes a big difference to the finances of Brownies,” said their report. “Finally, if anyone would like to help with Brownies, we could do with another adult. Please contact Liz Hurst on 01295 690175.”

And the 3Hs Gardening Club branched out further than ever, the meeting was told. To boost Club funds a very successful sale of garden tools and memorabilia was held in November and the Club also organised its first Bingo evening.

In addition, the outing to Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire was a great success and the ever-popular Mystery Tour was another good evening. The Flower and Vegetable Show was very well supported and the judges commented on the good range of exhibits.

16th May '07 - Church Services

Mattins will be celebrated at 10.30 am this Sunday, May 20, in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist. Half an hour later, there will be a service 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 are Phoenix greetings cards for sale plus a book 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.

10th May '07 - Under the Sun

When Hornton villagers opened the curtains last Monday morning and it was drizzling steadily, they all feared the worst. When the rain stopped and the sun shone just in time for the biggest day of the year, they thought they were lucky.

But it was only at the end of the afternoon that Hornton discovered just how lucky we’d been because whilst the children danced round the Maypole and the May King and Queen were crowned under blue(ish) skies, nearby villages were awash with flash floods and sudden downpours!

Stallholders did a brisk trade with Hornton folk but they did wonder why there weren’t quite so many people coming in from outside the village as in previous years. The answer was simple - and sodden. Lots of other parts of Banburyshire were so soaked that their residents assumed that Hornton was as wet as they were!

Fortunately, that wasn’t the case and Hornton’s annual May Day Celebrations passed off without a hitch. Next week, there will be a complete breakdown of all the money raised but, in the meantime, a big “thank you” must go out to everyone who helped and especially Lorraine Joyner for all her hard work in organising the stallholders.

10th May '07 - Small Green, Smaller Minds

The top green - already made smaller by selfish car drivers going across it - has now been reduced even further by builders’ lorries.

And special no parking signs erected by the parish council have been damaged and stolen.

That was the sad news which was given to parish councillors at their latest meeting, on April 23.

The first sign was broken, the replacement was removed almost immediately and so was a third, temporary sign, councillors were told.

A new sign will be considered for the Winter months when the grass will get more damaged, as councillors were told that one side of the small Green has been greatly reduced by builders lorries driving past the parked cars.

On a more positive note, the Cherwell Villager will now operate as a Dial-a-Ride service.

The parish council have been at the forefront of efforts to keep a village bus after Jeffs Coaches’ decision last summer to pull out of their contract to operate the once-a-week service on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council.

The council were told that there are some restrictions as to who can use it but the operators are being very flexible. To date, a bus has been available every Thursday except one. The donation of £100 from the Parish Council has been a great help and is appreciated by those using the service.

Meanwhile, the council was told that the Pavilion Car Park area is still being considered as a potential site for Affordable Housing. Oxford Citizens Housing Association are involved in preparing an assessment of the stability of the bank and Isis Architects are preparing elevations for four homes.

If it proves viable, further discussion about the re-siting of the pavilion car park will be required.

Hornton will no longer be able to enter the Best Kept Village Competition - which we have won twice in the past - because Oxfordshire Rural Community Council has decided not to organise one any more.

Sponsors Calor Gas are prioritising the Calor Oxfordshire Villages of the Year Competition, which concentrates on more general community activity, and Hornton councillors decided not to enter the village.

Down in West End, an email which Laura and Jonathan Short sent the council regarding flooding problems with the stream was read to the meeting. Because the stream is so full up with silt, it’s flooding and the only way this can be stopped is to dig it out properly. It was agreed that the parish council would support this being prioritised by the Environment Agency.

On the allotments front, Coun Paul Burden advised the meeting that seven and a half plots have been taken up with rentals totalling £37.50. Investigations continue with Oxfordshire County Council about the whereabouts of the deeds because there is still a possibility of the allotments being sold. Councillors were also told that there are continuing problems with dogs running free on the allotments.

10th May '07 - Going for Gold

JUMPA are hoping for the biggest-turnout ever for the Annual Golden Mile this year and the best way to do that is to get everyone to put the date in the diaries now - Sunday, June 17, which is Father’s Day.

The organisers need as many families, pets and aspiring Paula Radcliffes as possible, with all abilities, numbers of legs - some entrants in the past have had three - and prams as possible.

10th May '07 - On Your Bike to Bodicote

10th May '07 - Up for Plotting?

Next Thursday, May 17, Upton House is holding the first of this year’s lectures featuring gardening and cooking.

There will be three talks in the From Plot to Plate series and you'll enjoy an exclusive tour of Upton's kitchen garden, with an introduction to the history of the gardens, and tips on the techniques and benefits of growing your own fruit and vegetables.

You'll then transfer to the restaurant for a demonstration of cookery using Spring produce fresh from the garden to create mouth-watering dishes.

Lunch is included in the £20 ticket but it's cheaper if you also book for the Summer and Autumn talks in the series. Booking is essential and by ringing Upton on 01295 671122 or emailing uptonhouse (at) nationaltrust.org.uk

10th May '07 - Don't be Overdue

The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will visit Hornton next Wednesday, May 16. It will be parked on the village green from 10.40am to 11.20am.

10th May '07 - Church Services

There will be a United Village Service in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist this Sunday, May 13, at 11am. There will be no service at 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! And Thursday Club meets every week after school until 4.30pm in the Methodist Church School Room. All children are welcome.

7th May '07 - Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 30 April 2007

Hornton Parish Council Minutes from the Annual Parish Meeting can now be viewed online.

2nd May '07 - A THousand Flowers Bloom

Hornton Methodist Church are holding a flower Festival this Sunday and Monday celebrating 1000 years of Oxfordshire.

“All the flower arrangements are based on village life in Hornton,” says joint organiser Sarah Walther.

“We will be open from 2.30pm on Sunday, May 6, when we’ll be serving cream teas.

“On Bank Holiday Monday, as part of the May Day celebrations, we’ll be open from 1pm till 4.30pm and there willalso be some craft stalls in the chapel.”

2nd May '07 - Hornton Parish Council Meeting Minutes

Hornton Parish Council Minutes from the last two meetings are now online to view.

2nd May '07 - MayDay, MayDay

Hornton’s biggest day of the year is almost here. The Hornton May Day celebrations begin at 2pm on Monday afternoon with the parade and the crowning of the May King and Queen.

But if you’re around on Monday morning, please come along to the village green from 10am because there will be plenty to do when all the stalls are setting up.

And don’t forget the new Scarecrow Competition! Any style, any colour, any size – the scarier the better! The scarecrows need to be brought along to the white elephant stall next to the village green by 2.30pm.

If you’d like to help out on a stall, please get in touch with organiser Lorraine Joyner on 01295 678708 as soon as possible. It’s not too late! Jane Wain is running a Children’s Good as New clothes stall - just in time for a spring clearout, and to re stock their summer wardrobes!

Now’s the time for that big clearout, so please leave any donations at The Swallows, Eastgate, or give her a call on 01295 670716 and she can collect them from you. All proceeds to the Pavilion fund.

And Jennie Bowes is after good quality adults’ clothes for her good-as-new clothes stall on May Day. Contact her with goodies on 01295 670633 but she does make one plea – no jumble, please!

If you’ve got any white elephants, Laura Short is the person to talk to on 01295 670232 and teas will be in David and Lesley Kings’ garden. If you can make a cake or help out on the day, please call Lesley on 01295 670356.

Finally, the classic cars will be returning this year to the school playground, so if you have an interesting vehicle tucked away, please let Anne Joyner know on 01295 670337

2nd May '07 - On Your Bike - Again

Get out your diaries and put Sunday, July 15 in your diaries now, because that the planned date for the Annual Hornton Leisure Bike Ride.

The destination of this year’s ride is not yet fixed but organiser Lynn Corke says that the emphasis will once again be very much on leisure – and eating and drinking!

There will be a stop for a put lunch, when the cyclists can be joined by people travelling on foot or by car.

“And we’re going to have tea at the end with home made-cakes, after last year was such a success,” says Lynn.

“Please look for more details nearer the time on the notice board, the website and in the Hornton column but, if you are coming, it would be really useful to know as soon as possible, so that I can begin to get an idea of numbers for lunch.”

You can ring Lynn to book your place on 01295 670673.

2nd May '07 - Box Office Takings

The pavilion fund is more than £400 better off, thanks to the money raised at the Hornton Film Festival.

And now’s the time to think about your entry for next year’s festival. Don’t leave it to the last minute, as there’s plenty of advice and help ready and waiting throughout the year – plus free use of a camcorder and video editing equipment.

You can get more details by ringing festival organiser Pete Whitehead on 01295 670320.

2nd May '07 - May is Mild

Even if the weather isn’t! CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has designated May as Mild Month and in support of this The Dun Cow is offering a total of four different milds as guest beers over the next four weeks.

“If you enjoy a mild beer or have never tasted one now is your opportunity!” says landlady Gwyneth Gelling.

“We will start of on May 1 with our local brewery's Hooky Dark at 3.2% alcohol by volume and follow that up with others with ABVs of up to 3.8% will follow on during the month.

“For some of the month there could well be two different milds on at the same time, so hopefully May will not only be mild in weather but also in alcohol!”

The Chocolate Easter Rabbit Raffle held at the pub in aid of Katherine House Hospice was won by Linda Cross with winning ticket pulled out by Phil Simpkins on Easter Monday evening.”

2nd May '07 - May the Day be with You

May Day is also being celebrated at Upton House this weekend with family trails and activities from 12 noon to 4pm.

And at 11.30am on Thursday, May 17, Upton’s holding the first of its lectures featuring gardening and cooking. This will be the first of three talks in the From Plot to Plate series and you’ll enjoy an exclusive tour of Upton’s kitchen garden, with an introduction to the history of the gardens, and tips on the techniques and benefits of growing your own fruit and vegetables. You’ll then transfer to the restaurant for a demonstration of cookery using Spring produce fresh from the garden to create mouth-watering dishes.

Lunch is included in the £20 ticket but it’s cheaper if you also book for the Summer and Autumn talks in the series. Booking is essential and by ringing Upton on 01295 671122 or emailing uptonhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk

2nd May '07 - Whattalottawords!

More than £800 has been generated from more than 76,000 words about the activities of the best and busiest village in Banburyshire between December 2005 and last month.

That’s how much the sixpence-a-line from the Hornton column of the Banbury Guardian comes to and it all goes to village activities – a total of £835-25, to be exact.

£70 has gone to pay for the Champagne reception at the latest – and even more triumphant than usual – Hornton film festival.

£100 is going to the Hornton Goodwill Fund, which sends 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. It’s run by Jean Burden and can always do with a bit more cash, so if you can spare some, please contact Jean at Barry Cottage, Miller's Lane, or call her on 01295 670664. - and it needs your cash.

£100 each is going to the Methodist Church and the Parish Church, £100 to the Youth Club and the balance - £365-25 – to the Pavilion Fund.

And don’t forget to contact the Hornton column if you’ve got an upcoming event in the village. There’s a futures diary where you can make sure that your event won’t clash with another.

2nd May '07 - Church Services

Holy Eucharist will be celebrated in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist this Sunday, May 6, at 8.30am. At 11am there will be a United Service of Holy Communion at 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 are Phoenix greetings cards for sale plus a book 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.