Children, Parents and staff from Peachtree Pre-school in Hornton and from the Foundation Stage class at Hornton Primary School
celebrated the opening of their new Partnership Foundation Stage Unit last Friday. Following this term's topic of mini-beasts, the
children arrived at the Ugly Bug Ball dressed as ladybirds, bees, spiders and worms. The children entertained the crowds with
creepy-crawly songs before inviting Parents to share cups of tea and mini-beast themed cakes.
The newly extended school buildings are now home to children aged 2 and a half years to five years, and the recent work has
included the creation of an outdoor play area, in order to enable children to explore a much wider variety of play activities.
'This setting celebrates the learning that children do through exploratory play", said Jennie Perry, chair of Peachtree Pre-school,
"we are all enjoying working in Partnership with the school". Some of the funding for this venture has been kindly donated by
Banbury Charities. For further information about the setting, please contact Karen Locke, Peachtree Peachtree Pre-school on 01295 670550
29th May '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 on 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 Doomsday 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 May '08 - On Your Bike
The annual Hornton Leisure Cycle Ride will really live up to its name this year. It’s taking place on Sunday, July 20, so that thirsty cyclists can celebrate the end of the ride by downing a few at the Cow Beer Festival and moving on to the Neighbourhood Watch BBQ!
“Leisure is always the most important aspect of the ride, which is why we’ll stop half way round to have lunch at a pub, where we can be joined by walkers and those travelling by car” says organiser Lynn Corke. “The plan is that we will leave the Green in Hornton at 11.30am, so a circular ride of a couple of hours - trying to avoid the hills, which is not necessarily that easy around Hornton.
“We’ll have a pub lunch and then return to the village for the beer festival. This will allow a break before the BBQ begins in the afternoon, although keen drinkers may not want to take a break, of course!
“All ages and abilities are welcome and we can even rustle up a spare bikes for those who don’t have one.
“We haven’t chosen a route, yet, so if you have any suggestions or would like more information, please give me a ring on 01295 67673.”
29th May '08 - Beef It Up
Gwyneth will be serving roast beef with all the trimmings at the DunCow on Sunday week, June 8, but you’ve only go till next Wednesday to book to make sure of a place, so please ring her now on 01295 670524.
And don’t forget that on Saturday, June 28, you can have a smashing time at a special Greek night. You’ll begin the evening at 7.30pm with some traditional Greek food, wine and aperitifs and finish in style with the traditional smashing of crockery! Please bring along any chipped or cracked crockery you’ve got, either on the night or in advance.
29th May '08 - Stamp of Approval
Maggie Higgins makes a plea to keep all your stamps - both British and foreign.
“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."
29th May '08 - Church Services
Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist at 8.30am this Sunday, June 1. There will be a United Service of Holy Communion at 11am in the Methodist Church, led by Dorothy Hewitson.
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!
The Thursday Club meets every week after school until 4.30pm in the Methodist Church School Room. All children are welcome.
22nd May '08 - Time To Toddle
Hornton Toddlers are back! They are meeting every Wednesday morning in the pavilion from 10am to 12noon when every toddler - and their parents - will be welcome.
But you know what happens to toddlers after a while, don’t you? They stop toddling, start walking and become children! That’s what will soon happen to the children of organisers Claire
Bottoms and Laura Short, so they need to pass to toddlers baton on to a new generation of Mums or Dads.
If you’re interested in coming to toddlers, please ring Laura on 01295 670232 or Claire on 01295 670776. If you’re interested in helping to organise Toddlers, reverse the charges!
22nd May '08 - From Mighty Acorns
The 3Hs Gardening Club raised a fantastic £260 from their plant sale last Saturday. It’s a great start to the 3Hs’ year. Keep looking in the Guardian for their upcoming list of events.
22nd May '08 - All That Glisters
Do you have any old jewellery that’s broken or you no longer wear? If so, you could donate it to help Marie Curie Cancer Care.
The charity is collecting old jewellery until the end of July and Hornton’s Lynn Corke is trying to persuade as many villagers as possible to part with anything they don’t need!
“It can be costume jewellery or something more valuable which is damaged,” says Lynn. “Broken chains or watches, odd earrings - it can all help raise money to provide home nursing and
support for those who are terminally ill and want to die at home.
“You can drop jewellery in to Laura Ashley in Banbury or Stratford, or pop them through my letter box at The Cottage in Church Lane. Burglars beware - we do have an alarm!
“Marie Curie also needs more volunteers so, if you can help out in any way, please get in touch with me.”
22nd May '08 - Come Along To Crib
The Dun Cow Crib team have a good time and a great laugh and you can join them for the next season. Captain Paul Burden says he is always interested in new players joining, so why not
give it a go?
You can find out more by contacting Paul on 01295 670664 or Gwyneth at the Dun Cow on 01295 670524.
22nd May '08 - Watch Out, There's A Party About
Here’s a date for your diaries: come along to the green and be especially friendly in two months’ time, when Hornton Neighbourhood Watch hold their annual party on July 20.
Everyone’s invited and there will be masses of food and the drink flowing on the green between 6 and 8pm. But most of all it will be a chance for everyone to get together, especially
people new to the village, so don’t miss it!
22nd May '08 - All The Fun of the Fete
You can experience the nostalgia of a traditional 1930s fete on the magnificent south lawn at Upton House on this Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25, from 11am to 4pm. Normal Admission
charge applies. You can get more information from Upton on 01295 670266 or by email on uptonhouse (at) nationaltrust dot org dot uk
22nd May '08 - Church Services
There will be a service of Holy Communion in Hornton Methodist Church at 11am this Sunday, May 25, led by Jean Buzzard. There will be no service in the Parish Church because there will
be a Benefice Service in Holy Trinity, Shenington, at 10.30am.
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.
22nd May '08 - Flying Fiction
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday, May 28, from 10.40 to 11.20am.
15th May '08 - You'd Be Potty To Miss It
The 3Hs Gardening Club are holding their
annual plant sale in Hornton Pavilion this Saturday and there’s everything
on sale that the green-fingered groupie might want?
Bedding plants? Look no further! Roses? This is the place! Vegetables? Be
at the front of the queue!
It’s all happening from 10.30 am, so be there or be square!
15th May '08 - Golden Sun
It was Hornton’s biggest day of the year - and it was the
biggest take ever!
More than £3100 was raised for all sorts of village causes - a record
amount - and all that money after the village woke up to a downpour! But
by the time the May Day celebrations were ready to start, the sun was
shining!
And when the sun came out, so did the visitors. The BBQ sold out, the
White Elephant did a roaring trade and the bottle stall has never done so
well!
It would be invidious to single out too many individuals but thanks must
go to Lorraine Joyner and her team for getting everything ready after the
morning was written off with so much rain. By the time Megan Bottoms and
William Hamer were crowned May Queen and King everything stall and
sideshow was up and running. And Ian Harris, Isabelle Harris and Pete
Whitehead made sure the children were - almost - step perfect as they
danced aroundthe Maypole, so thanks to them.
But almost everyone in the village played their part in some way, which is
what makes May Day the best and busiest day of the year in the best and
busiest village in Banburyshire, so thanks to all who helped make it such
a record-breaking success.
The money raised was as follows: Pick-a-Ticket - £138.75; Plants -
£179.40; Teas (Sunday) - £71.10; Books - £152.10; Treasure Hunt - £12;
Lower Festival - £85.75; Fair Trade - £30; Photo Competition - £200;
Chapel Raffle - £85.75; Bowling - £175; White Elephant - £400; Teas
(Monday) -£277.07; BBQ - £336; Bottle Stall - £210; Main Raffle - £137;
Good as New - £225; Rents - £55; Ice Cream - £50; Lucky Squares - £176;
Dogs for the Disabled - £9.70; Toddlers’ White Elephant - £127.93.
Well done to everyone!
15th May '08 - Clean Sweep
Tributes have been paid to Joan Horsley, who is retiring from
the role of Pavilion caretaker next month.
“Joan, with son Adrian's help, has continued a long family tradition and
done a sterling job in keeping the hall in good order over many years,”
said Pavilion Committee chairman Ian Harris. “The committee would like to
express their thanks and wish her well in the future. Both Joan and
Adrian's help and support will be much missed.”
There will be a short ceremony at lunchtime in the Dun Cow on Sunday, June
29, to mark the occasion.
“This obviously leaves a caretaker vacancy which the committee are now
seeking to fill,” said Ian. “If anyone is interested please contact
Pavilion secretary Steve Woodcock on 01295 670795 or me on 01295 670541.
There is modest honorarium that goes with the role.”
15th May '08 - Time For Your Verdict
Hornton residents will soon be asked for their say
on the proposed affordable housing scheme.
Parish Council chairman, Coun David Miles, pledged that there would be an
open village meeting where everyone can have their say before the scheme,
proposed for the pavilion car park site, goes any further.
“At the moment, the Architects are drawing up detailed plans for
submission to the planning authority,” he said in a report submitted to
the annual parish meeting on April 28. But he said that villagers would be
consulted before the scheme, for six housing units, proceeded.
Coun Miles also thanked everyone who helps maintain the village by mowing
the greens and picking up litter etc
“Keep up the good work,” he said. “It’s down to their hard work that
Hornton is such a beautiful village.”
But the meeting heard lees kind words for the Environment Agency, which is
dragging its feet over contributing to the cost of a new pipe to prevent
flooding from Hornton Brook.
Parish Clerk Alan Cater told the meeting in a report that meetings with
the Agency had been held but said, “It is perverse that Hornton Brook has
been designated as part of the main River System and is likely to cause
flooding of properties yet the Environment Agency claims no responsibility
either for maintenance or improvements.”
He said that there was still an occasional problem with cars parking on
the top village green, especially particularly at school times, and the
Head continues to remind parents about this problem.
“Notices have not worked and in fact were destroyed,” said the clerk. “A
new seat, kindly donated by the Neighbourhood Watch Committee, is to be
installed on the Green which will limit access for cars. David Kings has
kindly repaired the seat on the main Green.”
The clearing of this footpath by Oxfordshire County Council has been a
great success and access is now very good even during wet weather, he
said. Pete Joyner arranged for the surface to be stoned to improve access
to the marquee for his daughter’s wedding and this has provided a lasting
benefit for everyone.
“Unfortunately one problem gets solved and another is created. Some dog
walkers are allowing their animals to foul the footpath. Following a
visit from the Cherwell Dog Warden, notices have now been put up. There
has been some improvement although the problem has not been completely
eradicated. There has been a similar situation on the footpath that runs
through the garden of Cromwells.”
Enquiries have been made regarding a street light for Eastgate.
“Unfortunately the cost of connecting to the nearest point at the end of
Pages Lane is exorbitant - up to £10,000.”
1. But the Parish Council has ordered two fixing points for Portable Speed
Indicator Signs for Millers Lane and Bell Street. These will be installed
within the next month or so. And the road through the village will be
resurfaced again this summer, after last summer’s disastrous resurfacing,
which left lots of loose chippings left behind.
In his county councillor’s report, Coun George Reynolds said there was
some concern regarding the review of schools but this should not affect
Hornton where numbers are good and the school is being extended.
He also had good news about Alkerton Tip, where he said usage should
reduce as more recycling is done. And although much landfill will be
replaced by incinerators, they are likely to be sited in the south of the
county.
He also informed the meeting that county and district council services
will be available to residents at a one stop shop system both at Bodicote
House and in the centre of town - likely to be at the Tourist Information
centre, rather than the present small unit in Bridge Street.
On the financial front, the meeting was told that the previous year-end
balances of £2,058 were increased to £4,379, so the financial position is
healthy. The Parish Council has been able to avoid increasing the small
amount they raise from council tax for the coming year.
In his allotments report, Coun Paul Burden said that there were five
two-chain plots and five one-chain plots being tended, with two new
tenants.
“Perhaps we are following the current increase in demand in allotments,
possibly caused by the rising price of food, organic gardening and people
going green - or in this case growing greens!” he said.
“Whatever the reasons, there is still availability to villagers, whether
they require a full, half or quarter size, so just contact us.
I realise that it is a problem for some with neighbouring allotments lying
dormant but hopefully we can fill these. As one devoted gardener said:
‘It’s a wonderful place just to sit down, admire the views and watch the
buzzards overhead’ and I wish all a successful season in 2008.”
The Playground Committee have been active over the past year strimming and
generally keeping the Playground tidy, according to a report from Coun
Miles.
A mesh fence was installed at the west end of the playground and the tops
will soon be cut off the costs.
“We have had the mole catcher in and he seems to have caught all the moles
in the field,” he said. “In addition, David Jarrett has kindly repainted
the Rocking Rocket free of charge so a big thanks to him. We have finally
got a set of plans drawn up for the new access ramp which are acceptable
to Cherwell and these will be submitted in the near future.”
Minor repairs on the pavilion are being delayed until a final decision is
made on the kitchen extension and refurbishment, said chairman Ian Harris
in his report.
“Most people will be aware that two surveys of the site have shown the
presence of two species of bats during the summer months and this has had
an impact on any proposed alterations and a special licence will be
required before any building work can take place,” he explained. “A sub
committee met on April 24 to discuss future plans and the most likely
outcome will be to extend the kitchen as already planned and keep the roof
space above the kitchen for the Long Eared bats. Nesting boxes would need
to be installed for the Pipistrelle bats.
“Following a survey by a structural engineer, the proposal to open the
roof space in the hall area is probably not practical as there are tie
rods across the ceiling which are an essential part of the structure of
the building and cannot be removed.
“We are always looking for new ways to use the Pavilion and ideas and
suggestions are welcomed, as are new committee members. Meetings are
posted on the village board and anyone is welcome to attend.”
JUMPA chairman Steve Woodcock thanked the hard work of the committee in
fund-raising, maintenance, grass-cutting and weeding.
“The area is well used and has proved popular with children and the
school,” he said in his report. “The intent this year is to get a tennis
ladder to encourage more adults to play and it is hoped that 5-a side
football might restart with nicer weather. Cherwell District Council has
visited the site to investigate what potential there is for the remaining
scrub area to encourage wildlife and native plants. A further meeting is
scheduled.”
Hornton School Governors Chairman Coun John Offord reported that the
number of children is now 82 and a village open evening is planned for the
future to see the recently-enlarged building and all the work the school
is now doing.
“There has been continued close involvement with the parents,” he said.
“Even with the new buildings and new teachers the school remains
financially sound and is working within budget.”
On the quarrying front, Coun Miles reported that Peter Bennie Ltd had
recently submitted a planning application for some additional buildings at
Hornton Grounds.
“This is not to increase production of their wall stone chopping or
masonry products but to simply improve the working conditions for their
employees,” he said in his Ironstone Liaison Committee report. “The
Alkerton Quarry is now just about played out and Peter Bennie Ltd is at
present applying on behalf of the landowners for permission to fill with
inert waste. This is to alleviate drainage problems.”
There was good news on the Neighbourhood Watch front - the year has been
uneventful - said co-ordinator Jenny Bowes.
“We have had the odd prowler and milk theft, so people should still
remain vigilant to keep the status quo over the coming year,” she said in
her report. “Once more we have had many building activities in the
village bringing in a lot of strangers and their vehicles. Most of these
are completely legitimate but it does, however, mean that we need to be
aware of criminals using the activities as a shield.
“The advice, as ever, is if you see someone who looks suspicious or who is
acting strangely call 999 if a crime is being committed or 0845 8 505 505
if you are unsure and want to alert someone.
“The introduction of the Winter Warmer evening was a great success and,
despite us being non-profit making, we raised £186, thanks to all. The
finances of the Neighbourhood Watch continue to be healthy and stand at
£510.26 after spending £434 on a new seat for the Green.
“We would like to thank Joy Clegg and Eileen Lewis for all of their help
with the Watch as they have stepped down, however, Ruth Griffiths, Zoe
Whitehead, Harriet Caviezel-Cox, Linda Morgan and Carole Campbell have all
been recruited and are already doing a fantastic job. Thanks to all of the
co-ordinators, past and present, for their help and support in keeping our
Neighbourhood Watch scheme running. We look forward to a crime free
2008.”
The Hornton History Group has gone from strength to strength since it was
started last September, the council was told.
Organisers Kevin and Jane Wain said in their report that the idea arose
from interest in the exhibition in the Chapel at that year’s May Day, when
several people expressed an interest in starting a History club.
“We meet on the first Tuesday of the month and at the moment we are
compiling a Year Book for 2008, detailing all aspects of village life. We
are also filming interviews with some of the older residents of Hornton,
asking them about their memories of growing up and living in Hornton. We
have a growing collection of old photos and memorabilia and plan various
events later ion the year so that we can exhibit these.”
It’s been a rollercoaster of a season for Hornton Football Club. Secretary
Mark Wright told the meeting in his report that, at the beginning, the
team struggled and the loss of some key players resulted in low team
morale.
“However, manager Stan Hillman introduced some younger players and from
January onwards the team gained confidence and picked up some good results
- the highlight of the season was winning the Benevolent Cup at Banbury
United 2-1. The season has ended with Hornton in the top half of the
Banbury and Lord Jersey League and the club is in a good financial
position with over £1,500 cash and approximately £2,000 in Building
Society Shares.”
But the secretary has received a letter from the league regarding poor
quality changing rooms.
“If there is a long delay in the refurbishment of the Pavilion, then the
club may have to look at improvement sooner rather than later,” he said.
The 3 H’s Gardening Club is in its 21st year and from the beginning it has
been an unqualified success, said Coun Paul Burden.
“It remains as popular as ever with membership around the 50 mark. The
outing was to Tatton Park in Cheshire and the Mystery Tour is now a
well-established date in the calendar enjoyed by many members.
“Some old friends returned to give talks and the evening out was to
Broughton Grange Gardens. The Flower and Vegetable Show was again very
well supported with the judges commenting on the high standard of entries.
All in all it has been another successful year.”
The Gossip still seems to be as popular as ever due to the wonderful
articles we receive from residents of Hornton, said joint editor Coun
Julie Stanley in her report.
“ The last two issues have been particularly good with us having to go to
eight pages. Thank you everyone who takes the time to send us articles -
we couldn’t do it without you.
“Thank you also to the Parish Council for helping to fund us. We are
short of funds at the moment and could do with a cheque if that is
possible!”
The Keep Fit Club is also doing well, despite having to move from its
usual venue at the pavilion for several months.
“We approached the Chapel about having our classes there temporarily and
they were in full agreement,” said Pauline Hart in her report. “We moved
back to the pavilion after Easter.
“We are always pleased to welcome new members. The class is suitable for
all ages and abilities. We look forward to another successful year.”
15th May '08 - Church Services
Mattins will be celebrated at 10.30am in the Parish
Church of St John the Baptist this Sunday, May 18. Half an hour later
there will be a service in the Methodist Church, led by M Nutt.
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!
The Thursday Club meets every week after school until 4.30pm in the
Methodist Church School Room.
8th May '08 - Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting
It was Hornton’s biggest day of the year and the village woke up to a downpour. But by the time the May Day celebrations were ready to
start, the sun was shining!
There was a very good crowd who came out to see all the attractions and sideshows and next week there’ll be a rundown of just how much
money was raised. Well done to everyone who made May Day the biggest day of the year!
8th May '08 - Every One's A Winner
There could only be 14 winners in the first-ever Hornton Photographic Competition but everyone who entered was a winner -by making
the new event a roaring success.
Organiser Lynn Corke feared that she might not have many entries but she needn’t have worried - this is Hornton, after all.
“We had nearly 800 entries, which was fantastic,” said Lynn. “Lots of them were from photographers within the village but we also had
some great entries from outside. Everybody commented on how much they enjoyed it and how high the standard of photography was.
“I’d like to thank everyone who entered, the sponsors of all the prizes and Hornton Methodist Church, who hosted the competition. I’d
also like to thank all those who helped put up and take down the entries, move the furniture and make it all happen.”
The winners of each section were as follows: Skies and Vistas - Eleanor Campbell (Kevin Wain and Steve Turner highly-commended): Bricks,
Mortar or Hornton Stone - Roger Corke (John Offord, Eleanor Campbell); Reflections - Jamie Adam (Dave Simms, Roger Corke); Churches
and Chapels - John Cox (Lynda Critchlow, John Holt); Doors, Doorways and Windows - Michael Hartz (Sarah Walther, Fiona Bridgland);
Portraits - PA Rigby (Pete Whitehead, Eleanor Campbell); Travel and Holidays - PA Rigby (Dave Harwood, Pete Whitehead); Flowers,
Fungus and Trees - Fiona Bridgland (Richard Barnes, A Sergeant); Buses, Bikes and Boats - Sylvia Perks (Phyllis Miles, Keri Harwood);
Christmas and New Year - Steve Woodcock (Tony Clear, Lynda Critchlow); Anything Goes - Steve Woodcock (Elaine Cross, Katie Walther);
Any photo taken by a child under 10 - Ellie Whitehead (Edward Hartz, Ethan Stanley); Any photo taken by a young person aged 10 to 14 -
Tom Wain (Alex Cox, Tom Wain; There’s Only One Hornton! - Jamie Adam(Fiona Bridgland, Kevin Wain).
Visitors to the competition voted for Eleanor Campbell’s Skies and Vistas photo as The People’s Choice from all the 14 category winners.
The Church also held a flower festival and used the photo competition categories as the themes for the magnificent arrangements.
The whole event raised £370 - £200 from entry fees, which will go to the Pavilion Refurbishment Fund. , and £170 came from the raffle
and donations, which will be shared between the Church and the Pavilion.
You can collect your photos any time from the conservatory at the back of The Cottage, Church Lane, Hornton. All the photos have been
sorted into the 14 categories and will be kept until the end of June.
8th May '08 - Toddle Along
Hornton Toddlers are hoping to re-open in the next few weeks and they are looking for mums and babies/toddlers to come along.
“Unless we have quite a few, we could run at a loss,” said joint organiser Claire Bottoms. “We are also looking for people to take
over the running of Toddlers in the future, as Laura Short and I have other commitments and won’t have children of toddle age for
much longer.”
If you are interested in coming along please - or helping to run the group - please phone Laura on 01295 670232 or Claire on 01295
670776.
8th May '08 - Life Saver
Horntonians raised £94.62 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in a recent house-to-house collection. Thank you to everyone who
contributed.
8th May '08 - Church Services
There is a Village Service this Sunday, May 11, in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist at 11am. As this is a United Service, 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.
8th May '08 - Worms A-Wiggle
Bookworms will be making their way slowly down to the village green next Wednesday, May 21, when the mobile library from Oxfordshire
County Council will be there from 10.40 to 11.20am.
1st May '08 - May We Count on Your Support?
It’s almost time for Hornton’s biggest weekend of the year!
It all kicks off at 1pm on Monday on the village green with the traditional crowning of the May King and Queen. There will be Maypole
dancing, Morris dancing, sideshows, teas and raffles, plus a host of stalls selling everything from a pin to an elephant! Well, maybe
not an elephant…
The May Day organisers have been hard at work for weeks to make sure they are a success but the weekend will only go with a zing if the
organisers get help from you!
Lorraine Joyner has the Master Plan of where all the stalls will be situated on the green and it’s not too late even now if you would
like to add another stall to her list. Please ring her on 01295 678708. Lorraine is also the person collecting raffle prizes.
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.
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.
1st May '08 - Make it Snappy
You’ve only got three days to dig out your favourite photos so you can enter Hornton’s first-ever photographic
competition.
It’s taking place in the Methodist Chapel from 3 to 5.30pm on Sunday and from 1 to 4pm on Monday, when it will be part of May Day.
Entrance is absolutely free! There will be teas available on the Sunday, plus a traditional Hornton raffle, and organiser Lynn Corke
is hoping for lots of entries - from the village and beyond – especially as Horntonians 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; Bricks, 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.
And, this being Hornton, there is of course a category entitled There’s Only One Hornton! Finally, there’s a Best In Show category
that the visitors to the exhibition can choose.
With all those categories available, there’s no excuse for not finding at least one snap to include, so start thumbing thorough your
photograph albums!
The photos, printed up to a maximum size of eight inches by ten and stuck to a piece of white A4 paper, need to be sent to Lynn at The
Cottage, Church Lane, Hornton OX15 6BY, by this Saturday, April 26.
You can get more information here, the notice board, or by contacting Lynn on 01295 670673 or emailing her at
lynn dot corke (at) blueyonder dot co dot uk
1st May '08 - Floral Tribute
Coinciding with the photographic competition, Hornton’s talented floral artists will be showing off their skills
at a flower festival in the Methodist Chapel on Sunday and Monday.
The festival will not only coincide with the photographic competition but take the competition categories as its themes.
1st May '08 - Go For It, Gwyneth
The Dun Cow crib team hasn’t had the best of seasons, but the pub’s landlady has helped make up for it. Well
done to Gwyneth Gelling for not only winning the annual Ladies Knockout Competition in the Harbury and District Crib League but
retaining it for the second year in a row!
1st May '08 - Best and Busiest
Last weekend showed just why Hornton is the best and busiest village in Banburyshire.
First up on Friday night was the History Group’s first-ever cheese and winw party at the Church Room, which was attend by 40 people
and was a huge success. The profit for the night was £88.44 and the money raised will be used for purchasing a suitable book for
displaying articles that are being documented for Hornton in 2008, the village Domesday-style book being prepared at the moment.
Sarah Walther won the quiz, which needed sharp-eyed villagers to name the locations of cryptic photos taken by Kevin Wain.
Then a superb £521 was raised in the latest progressive dinner party on Saturday, which delighted organiser Anne Joyner.
“Thank you to everyone who joined in, particularly the wonderful hosts for the night - Ian and Isabelle, Simon and Jane, Ollie and
Lynn, Gin and Norman and Roger and Lynn,” she said.
“Altogether the evening raised a lot of laughs and over £500 to go towards the Pavilion refurbishment. The next one will be sometime
in the Autumn, probably around October, and hopefully even more of Hornton's foodies will join in. Thanks again!”
1st May '08 - Affordable Housing Moves Forward
Planning permission is finally being sought for six affordable units housing in Hornton on the Pavilion car park.
The news, announced at the latest parish council meeting on Monday of last week, is a big step forward in the move to get housing in
the village that everyone can afford.
Money is still a problem with the scheme – already the number of units has risen from four to six to make the project viable – but
councillors were told that planning consent is being sought looking further at cost reductions.
Meanwhile, the council is hoping for grants from both Cherwell and the Environment Agency to help pay for the cost of a new pipe to
solve the perennial flooding problems in West End .
A meeting was held on site between an Environment Agency representative and local residents. Villager Jonathan Short has obtained a
quote of £12,000 to £14,000 for a larger pipe to be installed where the stream goes underground and under a number of gardens.
The Environment Agency says that the costs would have to be met by residents but it is considering making a donation. Cherwell are
also considering whether a grant may be available Parish councillors agreed to consider a donation once full details are available.
It would also consider the work being done in the Parish Council’s name so that VAT could be reclaimed.
The meeting was also told about residents’ and councillors’ concerns about the apparent lack of progress on renovating the Pavilion -
especially the kitchen - the lack of financial details regarding sums that have been raised and the deteriorating condition of the
driveway. Chairman Coun David Miles will take this up and ask for these items to be included in the Annual Report for the Annual
Parish Meeting.
And if you would like to be a trustee of the John Fox Charity, step up to the plate! The charity, which looks after the allotments,
was plagued by legal problems because the insurance demanded to cover the site was more than the rents the allotments raised. If no
insurance was bought, that would have left the trustees potentially open to legal action if anyone was injured. But now the council
have insured that insurance is in place.
Councillors were also told that quite a few of the trees that were planted two years ago have gone -probably killed off by deer.
The bottom hedge has been cut and re-laid but there are some gaps where new trees have also been cut.. Consideration will be
given to planting some more trees with better protection from the deer and to show that they should not be cut.
The next meeting is the AGM on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 7.30pm in the Church Room.
1st May '08 - Chat Away Till May Day
That’s the deadline to write up your contributions for The Gossip, Hornton’s very own village newspaper.
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
need those recollections, recipes and reminiscences by the end of this weekend.
1st May '08 - Slam in the Lamb
You’ve only got a few days if you’d like to book up for the Dun Cow’s next Sunday lunch. On Sunday week, May 11,
you can tuck into delicious roast Spring lamb with all the trimmings but please book with Gwyneth on 01295 670524 by Wednesday.
And start saving up your chipped crockery and cups! There will be a smashing Greek night on Saturday, June 28, from 7.30pm.
1st May '08 - Church Services
There will be a United Service of Holy Communion at 11am in the Methodist Church this Sunday, May 4. The usual 8.30am
service in the parish church will not take place.
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!
The Thursday Club meets every week after school until 4.30pm in the Methodist Church School Room. All children are welcome.
