Hornton Online

The Ladies’ Working Party Annual Christmas Fayre takes place on Saturday, December 4, at 7 pm in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist, so put the date in your diaries now! There will be stalls of every shape and size, plus wine, mince pies, the obligatory Hornton raffle and, of course, squillions of Christmassy items. See you there!

24th November '04 - Warm Welcome in a Cold Climate

There was snow on the ground but the welcome couldn’t have been warmer when three of Hornton School’s teachers travelled to the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius last week.

Headteacher Wendy Clifford and her colleagues, Janet Porter and Hilary Childs, were there on a four-day visit to help co-ordinate the joint activities between Hornton and its partnership schools in four European countries.

“We were really busy because there was a lot to organise but we had a very good time and we were made most welcome,” said Mrs Clifford. “They put on a lovely concert for us, with the children dancing, singing and playing a traditional type of pipe.”

Along with Hornton, the partnership schools - from Holland, Sweden, Spain and Lithuania - are all members of the Comenius Project, a European initiative which links schools and their pupils up to share ideas and understand each other’s cultures better.

At the Vilnius meeting, the teachers decided that next year all the schools would focus on the coutnries’ various traditions - through songs, dance and stories. They also made plans for all the schools to get together this time next year in Holland, when some of their pupils would also join in.

But the Lithuanian teachers will see Hornton’s teachers before then. They enjoyed having them so much they’ve asked to come and visit the school next Spring!

24th November '04 - Cribbers Stay Close

All the three top teams in the Harbury and District Crib League won their latest matches 4-3, so that leaves Hornton’s Dun Cow - league champions last year - in third place, after emerging victorious in a home fixture against Kineton Sports and Social Club.

24th November '04 - Worms Turn

Bookworms can wriggle down to the mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council next Wednesday, when it will be on the village green from 10.55 to 11.30am.

24th November '04 - Church Services

There will be a service at the Methodist Church this Sunday, November 28, at 11am. Holy Eucharist will be celebrated in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist at the same time.

23rd November '04 - Hop along to Hank

There are still a few precious tickets left for this Saturday’s concert at Hornton Pavilion by Country Music star Hank Wangford. If you would like to go, tickets are just £8 (concessions £6) from Sarah Walther on 01295 670627 or 670511.

You can either book a table of eight or turn up any time from 7.30pm onwards to find a seat. There will be real cowboy food at half time included in the price of the ticket and plenty of “fortified” cowboy drinks which can be purchased before the concert and at the interval. Sarah asks that anyone who can should arrive early to make serving the drinks easier.

There will also be that old Wild West tradition revived especially for the occasion - a raffle!

23rd November '04 - Five by Three

Sarah is also the person to ring about the £5 adult tickets and those for children at £3 for Noah’s Ark - a family show from Oxfordshire Touring Company coming to the Hornton Pavilion on Wednesday, December 8 at 6.30pm. Ring her on the same number to snap them up!

23rd November '04 - Bus Stop?

The threat to Hornton’s weekly bus service will be on the agenda at the Parish Council meeting this Monday, November 29, at 7.30pm in the Church Room. Oxfordshire County Council are reviewing all the services in the Banbury area and have made it clear that not all of them may survive.

Also due to be discussed will be the budget for 2005/2006 and, in addition, the council is awaiting costings from the county Highways Department for possibly extending the footpath in Bell Street.

23rd November '04 - Better Go To Bingo

There’s bingo on this Tuesday, November 30, at the Church Room. Eyes down is at 7.30pm and all proceeds go to Methodist Church funds.

17th November '04 - Playing the Field

“Look in” to the Church Room this Monday, November 22, for a bingo session to raise money for Hornton’s Small Playing Field. “Eyes down” is at 7.30pm.

17th November '04 - Skittles Roll Over

This Saturday's Skittles night at the Pavilion has had to be cancelled at short notice.

It is hoped that it can be re-scheduled sometime in the New Year to make good use of the skittles equipment that the Pavilion now owns and to raise much-needed funds for the new kitchen extension.

17th November '04 - Damsel in Distress

At least she will be if her knight in shining armour doesn’t book up for the Dun Cow’s medieval banquet by this Saturday. The event takes place on Saturday week, November 27, but landlady Gwyneth Gelling needs numbers in advance, so please pop in and see her as soon as possible or ring on 01295 670524.

17th November '04 - Beanz Meanz...Hank

Country and Western supremo Hank Wangford is playing at Hornton Pavilion on Saturday week, November 27 and you can watch the show and get a real cowboy feast of bacon and beans at the same time!

You can either make up a table of eight or buy a ticket and just find a space on the night for what’s certain to be a hilarious evening, because along with the music there will also be plenty of jokes from Hank in his inimitable style. Tickets are just £8 (concessions £6). Please call Sarah Walther on 01295 670627 or 670511 to reserve your tickets as soon as possible.

17th November '04 - Soupa Saturday

Peachtree Pre-School raised a fantastic £200 before expenses at their special Soup Saturday event weekend.

The 45 guests were treated to delicious homemade soup with crusty bread, followed by homemade cake and tea or coffee.

“It was a really good turnout and up on last year,” said Peachtree treasurer Zoe Whitehead, who said she was delighted.

17th November '04 - Two by Two

If you’re over six you’ll love Noah’s Ark – a show for all the family brought to Hornton by the Oxfordshire Touring Company. It’s all happening at the Pavilion on Wednesday, December 8 at 6.30pm. Tickets are £5 for adults and only £3 for children from Sarah Walther on 01295 670627 or 670511.

17th November '04 - Beside the Seaside

Hornton’s teachers are off to the Baltic Sea today for a visit to the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius. But there won’t be any time for paddling because they’ll be hard at work planning how Hornton and its four partner schools across Europe can work together over the next year.

The link - to schools in Sweden, Spain, Holland and Lithuania – is part of an initiative called the Comenius project, which is funded with European money.

Headteacher Wendy Clifford said that most of the three-day visit will be taken up with discussing how the schools can best work in co-operation with each other.

“But we’ll also be showing each other what we’ve done in the project so far this year and we’ll have a chance to look at the education system in Lithuania, of course,” she explained.

17th November '04 - On the Fourth Day of Christmas

December the fourth, to be precise. That’s the date of the Ladies Working Party Annual Christmas Fayre. The fun all kicks off at 7pm on Saturday, December 4, at 7 pm in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist. There will be stalls of every shape and size, wine, mince pies, the obligatory Hornton raffle and, of course, so many Christmassy items that Santa Cluas’ eyes will water! See you there!

17th November '04 - Hanging On

The Dun Cow is hanging on to third place in the Harbury and District Crib League, despite being pipped at the post by Granborough’s Shoulder of Mutton in a 4-3 away defeat. But fortunately for Hornton, the team lying second - the Bull Inn at Southam - was slaughtered 6-1 by the league leaders, Northend’s Red Lion Inn.

17th November '04 - The Holly and the Ivy

The green-fingered members of the 3Hs Gardening Club were given a host of Christmas tips at last week’s meeting when Balcote’s Madeline Stead showed them how to make three festive decorations.

She donated all three to the raffle before Joy Hillman organised a workshop for the rest of the evening when members made their own arrangements.

“It was very well attended,” said 3Hs secretary Sally Tweedsmuir.

Lady Tweedsmuir also made a plea for anyone who would like to go to the club’s Christmas dinner to get in touch with organiser Eileen Lewis as soon as possible on 01295 670449. The dinner will be held at the Moon and Sixpence in Hanwell on December 14 and will cost just £16 for three courses plus a glass of wine.

17th November '04 - Church Services

There will be a service at the Methodist Church at 11am this Sunday, November 21. There will be no service at the parish church because at 10.30amd there is a Benefice Service at Shenington.

12th November '04 - In the Soup

There will be bowls of hearty home-made vegetable soup on offer this Saturday, November 13th, at a special Soup Saturday event in aid of Peachtree Pre-School.

Come along to the Pavilion at any time between between 12 noon to 2pm. Along with delicious soup, there will be warm crusty rolls, followed by a slice of homemade cake and tea or coffee, all for just £3-95!

12th November '04 - How Bazaar

After all, it's early November and it's already time for the first Christmassy event in Hornton! But that's what comes from living in the most Christmassy village in Banburyshire.

You'll soon get into the Christmas spirit if you pop along to the Methodist Church on Saturday, November 13, for the Christmas bazaar. There will be all sorts of yuletide goodies on sale, plus gifts, games, a raffle and festive refreshments. The fun goes on from 6 to 8pm.

Organiser Jean Burden asks anyone who has a Sunshine Bag to return it as soon as possible.

12th November '04 - Goto Bingo

And the Christmas spirit will also be flowing at the Church Room next Tuesday, November 16th, when a special Christmas Bingo session will be held in aid of the Ladies' Working Party. Eyes down is at 7.30pm.

And the Ladies' Working Party is delighted to announce that they raised a fantastic total of £1400-11 last year. Nearly half - £650 - went to church expenses and the Church Room. A further £350 was donated to the Pavilion extension fund and smaller amounts were donated to various other village causes. £100 was also donated to Katherine House Hospice.

12th November '04 - Tee for One

It's the unique Christmas gift for that hard-to-please person! Hornton tee-shirts are on sale in white with the distinctive Hornton lime tree logo. Only £8-50 each in medium or extra large from Lynn Corke on 01295 670673.

12th November '04 - Tea for 200

There wasn't a spare seat to be had in Hornton Pavilion on Sunday when the success of the village's first 1920s-style tea dance surpassed all the organisers' expectations.

And in just a couple of hours, the event raised a whopping £200 to go towards the Pavilion extension fund!

There was a vast array of teas to choose from - thanks to the generosity of Twinings, who sponsored the event by donating a vast array of tea-type goodies and a delicious range of teas as well.

And the customers were entertained by the Friday Follies formation dancing team - before being "helped" onto the floor to try out a few steps themselves.

Isabelle Harris, who thought up the idea after going to a similar event in the summer, said she couldn't have been more delighted with the way it all turned out and she hoped there would be another tea dance in the spring.

12th November '04 - Bowled Over

If you've never tried your hand at skittles, come along to the pavilion on Saturday week - November 20 - and have a go!

There will be a pay bar, lots of friendly competition and the pavilion will be better off as well because all of the £1-50 entry fees will go to its extension fund.

You can make up a team of four in advance or join one on the night but numbers are limited, so please contact Steve Woodcock (01295 670795), Ian Harris (01295 670541) or Sarah Walther (01295 670627) as soon as possible.

12th November '04 - New Knitters Needed

If you can knit one and pearl one, your knitting skills are needed in Hornton to make hats and mittens for street children in eastern Europe. Isabelle Harris would like anyone who would like to join her busy band of knitters in a project which has so far seen Hornton despatch dozens of hats and mittens over the last few years. Please call her on 01295 670541 for details.

12th November '04 - Christmas Box

This year, the Sunday School and the Thursday Club are hoping to fill shoe boxes with Christmas goodies for disadvantaged children in the Third World. If you would lie to take part, please ring Julie Stanley on 01295 670507.

12th November '04 - A Point in the Hand

After a disappointing start to the season, The Dun Cow -Harbury and District Crib League Champions - are moving up the table following the closest of home wins.

The Hornton team beat the Harbury Club 4-3 and are now lying second behind Southam's Bull Inn. However, they have played one game more and lurking in third place - with the same match points total but a slightly inferior game points difference - is the Red Lion Inn at Northend. Still, a point in the hand is worse two on the cribbage board!

12th November '04 - Small but Perfectly Formed

Hornton's Children's Playground has been getting a facelift, thanks to the hard work of committee members Don Wain, David Miles and Paul Burden.

The roundabout behind the swings now has a safety surface which the trio have been laying over the past few Saturdays. And they've also been keeping the grass mown up to its usual neat and immaculate standard, whilst giving all the equipment the vital safety checks needed.

Now Don, David and Paul would like someone - male or female - to join them on the committee to help run the playground. If you've got an hour or two to spare to help maintain this fantastic asset used by all the village children, please call David on 01296 670550.

12th November '04 - An Extra Tipple

Dun Cow regulars who attended the special whisky tasting last week thoroughly enjoyed themselves - and two good causes are £140 better off, thanks to the generosity of wine merchants S&H Jones.

This idea was that the customers would pay for a tutored whisky tasting, sampling different whiskies from all the main areas where it's distilled.

But at the end of the evening, S&H Jones' Mark Archer kindly waived his fee for the evening and donated the whisky as well, so that all the money collected could be sent to Cancer Research and MacMillan nurses.

The Dun Cow's Gwyneth Gelling said that the evening was such a success that she and her husband Martin are thinking of following it up with a tutored port tasting.

In the meantime, please book your tickets for the Dun Cow's Mediaeval Banquet on November 27 by the week before. Gwyneth can squeeze 30 people in but she needs to know exact numbers a week in advance so Robin Hood knows how many of the King's deer he will have to go out and shoot with his bow and arrow.

And it's time to book your table for a special Christmas meal at the Dun Cow. There's Christmas Dinner on Saturday evening, December 18, and Christmas lunch the following day, with all the traditional yuletide yummies. Please book by December 10 by ringing Gwyneth on 01295 670524.

12th November '04 - Howdy Stranger

Country and Western maestro Hank Wangford and his sidekick, Reg Meuross, are slippin' into town in a couple of weeks to play at Hornton Pavilion as part of the There are no strangers tour. If you're a country music fan, you must be there on Saturday, November 27, at 8pm!

Hank Wangford is no ordinary C&W artist. There'll be lots of jokes, even a few poems and, of course, great music. There's also be delicious food, because included in the £8 ticket (concessions £6) is a dinner of real cowboy fayre! You can make up a table of eight or buy a ticket and just find a space on the night for what's certain to be a riotous evening. Please call Sarah Walther on 01295 670627 or 670511.

12th November '04 - Two by Two

Anyone over six will enjoy Noah's Ark - a family show from Oxfordshire Touring Company coming to the Hornton Pavilion on Wednesday, December 8 at 6.30pm. Tickets are £5 for adults and only £3 for children from Sarah Walther on 01295 670627 or 670511.

12th November '04 - Dropping Leaves

The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be dropping in next Wednesday and will be on the village green from 10.55 to 11.30am.

12th November '04 - Church Services

There is just one church service in Hornton this weekend because it is Remembrance Sunday. The Remembrance Service will take place at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist this Sunday, November 14, at 11am.

The Presence prayer group will meet next Tuesday, November 16, at 7pm in the Methodist Chapel.

3rd November '04 - Look In

Come along to bingo on Tuesday, November 16th, in the Church Room. It’s “eyes down” at 7.30pm and all profits will be in aid of the Ladies’ Working Party.

3rd November '04 - Come on, Pardners

You can see one of Britain’s leading - and funniest - country music artists and eat a real cowboy meal at the same time…and you won’t even have to leave Hornton!

Hank Wangford is coming to the village Pavilion on November 27th, where he will continue to plough his unique furrow through the wastelands of Country Music. He’ll be joined once again by one of Britain's finest singer/songwriters, partner Reg Meuross, but this time it's intimate!

As well assigning songs both solo and together, there will be book-readings, stories and even poetry. Meanwhile, the audience will be tucking into real cowboy fare.

You can book individual tickets at a price of £8/£6 or you can book a table of eight. Either way, tickets are sure to sell out fast, so get in contact as soon as possible with Sarah Walther on 01295 670627. It starts at 8pm and all proceeds go to the Pavilion Extension Fund.

3rd November '04 - Roll up for Skittles

The Extension Fund looks set to be even more in the money after a skittles night in a couple of weeks time. Many villagers have been keen to schedule a skittles event at the Pavilion, making use of the new kit the village had made by a local craftsman a couple of years ago. It's the kind of event that’s perfect for a chilly autumn evening.

Now a date has been set for Saturday, November 20 from 7.30 to 9.30pm, when all those keen to try their hand will be welcome.

Entry is just £1.50 per head and there will be a pay bar. If you would like to take part and enjoy the friendly competition, then please make up a team of four and sign up in advance, because numbers are limited. You can do this by speaking to committee members Sarah Walther on 01295 670627, Steve Woodcock on 01295 670795, or Ian Harris on 01295 670541 or by calling 670795.

All proceeds will go Pavilion funds and, if the event is successful, another winter evening may be scheduled for early 2005.

3rd November '04 - Fun Cow

The Dun Cow pub has got plenty of fun events in the run-up to Christmas to attract punters of all ages - and Children in Need will be the big winners!

In the lounge there’s a superb picture of a Peregrine Falcon looking straight at you. Before the Dun Cow’s Gwyneth Gelling even put it up on the wall, it set her thinking.

“The photo is so good that, as I put it in its frame, I was wondering what was going through that bird’s mind,” said Gwyneth.

So now she’s decided to run a caption competition. Between now and November 19 - Children in Need Day - anyone can have a go at the Dun Cow caption competition. It costs just £1 to enter and both adults and children of all ages can have a go. Every penny goes to Children in Need and you can have as many goes as you like.

That’s just as well when you hear what the prize is - a free day’s hawking for one, plus lunch at the Dun Cow afterwards.

And on the actual night of Children in Need Day, November 19, the pub hopes to raise even more money.

“All during the evening of Children in Need Day, for every drink that’s purchased over the bar, we’ll donate 20p to the charity,” said Gwyneth. “And we hope that our customers will match that or even put in more, so that every drink could raise 40p or more for Children in Need.”

And there’s even more come at the Dun Cow! On Saturday, November 27, there will be a medieval banquet at the pub. The four-course feast will all be home-cooked and based on historic recipes. To keep the atmosphere intimate, numbers will be strictly limited to 30 people so don’t delay in booking your table.

Revellers are encouraged to turn up looking suitably mediaeval, so any latter-day diners wearing 21st Century robes will be asked to pay a small “fine” to a local charity.

Gwyneth said she would like to know about numbers by November 20, so if you would like to join the revelry, please call her on 01295 670524 as soon as possible.

Gwyneth’s husband Martin is a former longbow champion, so perhaps it’s not surprising that there’s one more polite request for diners.

“All weapons to be handed in on arrival!” she said.

2nd November '04 - Pining for Twinings

At least you will be if you don’t pop along to the village pavilion this Sunday, November 7th, because a feast of tea and cakes is on offer in the best 1920s tradition.

The pavilion will be turned into a veritable Palm Court between 3.30 and 6pm for a Twenties Tea - complete with a dance display!

The waitresses will be dressed in pinnies that wouldn’t have looked out of place in Lyon’s Corner House and there will even be a formation dancing team on hand, with the unforgettable name of the Friday Follies, to entertain everyone!

You’ll be able to take yourself back to the roaring twenties, whilst eating delicious home-made cakes and you’ll be helping to raise money for the building’s kitchen extension fund at the same time.

And there be lots of tea-type goodies to be won because the whole event has kindly been sponsored by Twinings Teas, who have given the village a whole host of teapots, mugs and packets of tea. A Hornton raffle is therefore a racing certainty!

Organiser Isabelle Harris had the idea for the event during the summer on the annual Hornton Cycle Ride. The cyclists dropped in for tea in Shutford, where a similar event was organised, also sponsored by Twinings.

So don’t miss out. Pop in for tea!

2nd November '04 - Shining Light

Last Friday began as a typical damp, grey, autumn morning in Hornton and it looked set to stay that way. But Philip Williams had other ideas. His funeral was a big production in just the way he would have wanted. The flowers were big and bold and exquisitely arranged, with little Philip-style touches. There wasn’t a spare seat in the church, full of people determined to celebrate his life more than mourn his death.

Then, just as the coffin came up the path of the Parish Church of St John the Baptist, a narrow shaft of sunlight cut through the grey gloom. By the time it came through the door, the sun was fully out and stayed that way. What an entrance!

In an extraordinary eulogy, Lindy Bridgeman told of Philip’s generosity, kindness and artistic talent. She also reminded the congregation of his artistic temperament and the odd “tweak” the former florist made to other people’s flower arrangements when they weren’t looking!

Philip was laid to rest next to his partner of 30 years, Ronald Emblen, who died suddenly last year. Then it was off to celebrate his life in the best possible style at the village pavilion, where yet more of his friends in Hornton had laid on a delicious spread. Hornton will miss him very much.

2nd November '04 - The Secret Garden

The 3Hs Gardening Club are meeting at Hornton Pavilion at 7.30pm next Tuesday, November 9th. And the theme? Well, that’s a closely guarded secret at the moment. Members will have to turn up to find out!

2nd November '04 - Soupa Day

There will be bowls of delicious home-made vegetable soup on offer on Saturday week, November 13th, at a special event in aid of Peachtree Pre-School.

Soup Saturday will be held in the Pavilion from 12noon to 2pm. There will be warm crusty rolls to eat with the soup, plus homemade cake and tea or coffee, all for just £3-95!