Hornton Online

The Pavilion Committee apologise for having to postpone at short notice their bingo session due to be held in the pavilion last Friday.

It will be held in the New Year. But don’t despair, bingo fans.

30th November '05 - DVD Deadline

It may be the perfect Christmas gift but the deadline’s up this weekend! It’s the long-awaited DVD of our very own film, There’s Only One Hornton!

Digitally remastered and presented in its own special presentation case, you will treasure this for years, and at just £10 it’s the perfect Christmas prezzy for all your friends and family all around the world.

But the orders have to be in by this weekend to make sure the DVDs are ready in time for Christmas. So don’t delay - pop a cheque payable to R.Corke, together with your name and address, to The Cottage, Church Lane, Hornton OX15 6BY today!

30th November '05 - DVD Lifeline

It’s Christmas Day, there’s nothing on the telly and you’ve just watched your DVD of There’s Only One Hornton! Don’t despair! There’s a second thrilling televisual offer from the village this Christmas and you won’t want to miss it!

All the award-winning films in this year’s Hornton Film Festival are now available on an award-winning DVD in time for Christmas.

If you were at the inaugural Film Festival evening, you will treasure this special memento. It costs just £9.99 from festival organiser Pete Whitehead and all profits will go to the Pavilion Extension Fund.

“I’ve watched the films again myself a few times already - and they are just as entertaining the second time around,” he says. Give Pete a call on 01295 670320 to order your copy.

30th November '05 - Wottalottabottle

The Dun Cow’s “guess-how-much-money-there-is-in-the-bottle competition was won by Eddie Cox with the nearest guess of £212.65. There was a total of £204.12 in the bottle, conscientiously counted up by Gwyneth Gelling and Linda Cross. £102.06 to Hornton Pavilion Fund and the same amount to Eddie’s chosen charity, Cancer Research UK.

The pub’s Christmas meals are proving very popular, says Gwyneth. “We are now fully booked for the Sunday lunch on December 18 but still have places for the evening before,” she says. “We would be grateful if people could book by December 9.”

The Dun Cow is also holding a “Jacob’s Supper” on New Year’s Eve, where everyone is invited to bring along a dish to contribute to the buffet. Please ring Gwyneth on 01295 670524 a little nearer the time to tell her what you’re bringing, just to make sure there’s not an embarrassment of sausage rolls!

29th November '05 - Be Sociable

At last Christmas must be here - for the traditional opening of Yuletide festivities is almost here!

It’s the Church Ladies’ Working Party Christmas Social and Sale, of course, which takes place every year on the first Saturday in December. It all kicks off this Saturday, December 3, at 7pm in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist.

But don’t spend all your money! Tomorrow week - Friday, December 9 - the School Association are holding their Christmas Bazaar from 6 to 8pm.

29th November '05 - Make a Date

Hornton School has produced its very own calendar this year - featuring a picture drawn by every child!

The calendars will be available very soon from the school at a very competitive price - with all profits going to school funds - so please ring headteacher Wendy Clifford on 01295 670335 to reserve yours.

29th November '05 - All Wrapped Up

A fantastic selection of touching and tasteful Christmas cards and gift wrap is available in the village this year - and three worthwhile causes will benefit.

Villager Ruth Griffiths sells the cards and paper from the Phoenix brochure and she will soon be putting in her last order before Christmas. “The cards are sold in aid of Cancer Research and I always give a percentage of my sales to School Funds and the Myasthenia Gravis Association.” Myasthenia Gravis, from which Ruth suffers, is an auto-immune disease which affects the muscles.

“If anyone would like a Phoenix brochure, so you can see the range of cards and wrapping available, please ring me on 01295 678100.”

23rd November '05 - Let's be Sociable

The Church Ladies’ Working Party Christmas Social and Sale takes place on Saturday, December 3, at 7pm in the Parish Church. It’s the real start of a Hornton Christmas with plenty of Yuletide goodies for sale, so don’t miss it.

And please save a bit of cash for the following Friday, December 9, when Hornton School is holding its Christmas Bazaar from 6 to 8pm.

23rd November '05 - Third Time Lucky

The Dun Cow dominoes team came back from two successive defeats to win 10-6 in their latest match.

They beat The Sun at Hook Norton 10-6 with the pairing of Malcom Cross and Richard Hillman winning all four of their games.

23rd November '05 - Swoon with Moon

Silvery Moon Productions are presenting a magical journey through a century of Yuletide songs and traditions in A Merry Little Christmas at Upton Hosue on Saturday, December 10, at 6.30pm. It promises to be “a gloriously festive evening to get you into the Christmas mood, with music, song, stories and jokes” and when the £16 ticket includes mulled wine and mince pies, it’s not easy to say no!

On the following Monday, December 12, you can find out what lies beneath your feet. The Warwickshire Geological Conservation Society reveal all in a lecture lunch enetitled Reading the Landscape- The Geology of Warwickshire. The event starts at 10.30amd and the £20 ticket includes coffee and lunch.

To book for both events, please call the Booking Line on 01295 671122.

23rd November '05 - Leaves on the Green

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

23rd November '05 - Church Services

There will be a service at 11am this Sunday, November 27, in Hornton Methodist Church. At 6pm in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist there will be a Benefice Advent Carol Service with wine and mince pies afterwards.

22nd November '05 - Take One

Stuck for that perfect Christmas gift? Then look no further. All the award-winning films in this year’s Hornton Film Festival are now available on an award-winning DVD in time for Christmas!

If you were at the inaugural Film Festival evening, you won’t want to miss out on this special memento and it costs just £9.99 from festival organiser Pete Whitehead and all profits will go to the Pavilion Extension Fund.

“I’ve watched them again myself a few times already - and they are just as entertaining the second time around,” he says.

Give him a call on 01295 670320. Even if you weren’t there, it’s a real treat and much better than anything that Christmas telly has to offer!

Which brings us on to next year’s Hornton Film Festival. The date is Saturday, March 11, 2006. Please put that date in your diaries right now because a new clutch of Hornies will be up for grabs in a never-to-be-forgotten night of cinematic creativity! Most important - don’t be left out.

“If you are thinking of making a film, please let me know,” says Pete. “Following the experiences of this year, there is now plenty of technical back-up available for anyone who needs it, so please don’t feel constrained by lack of experience or equipment.”

Next year’s theme is music - but that’s about as broad as it could be. It could be a pop video, a film with a title suggested by a piece of music. In fact, anything that’s a gnat’s crotchet away from a musical theme will qualify. Even those films which people started making last year but were never completed are welcome.

22nd November '05 - Take Two

And if you’re still dreading the Christmas telly, there’s another exciting televisual offering from Hornton. It’s the long-awaited DVD of our very own film, There’s Only One Hornton!

Digitally remastered and presented in its special own presentation case, you will treasure this for years, and at just £10 it’s the perfect Christmas accompaniment to the film festival DVD for all your friends and family all around the world.

To order in time for Christmas, please post a cheque payable to R.Corke, together with your name and address, to The Cottage, Church Lane, Hornton OX15 6BY by December 1.

22nd November '05 - Moveable Feast

To Hornton’s next progressive dinner party. In the latest edition of The Gossip, you’ll find an entry form for our next moveable feast, which is back by popular demand.

So many people have asked what happened to the proposed October progressive dinner that the organisers - who are raising money for JUMPA and the pavilion - felt another month couldn’t go by without one.

So sign up for Saturday, February 11, and put your form in the box next to the village noticeboard.

The idea is simple. You’re either a guest or a bost. If you’re a host, you provide a three-course dinner with drinks for four other people. But it’s not the same four people, because they move round at the end of each course. If you’re a guest, you move from house to house after each course and pay £25 to the hosts in the house you eat in at the end of the evening. Excuses such as “I’m a single person” or “We haven’t got a dining room” just won’t wash. There’s plenty of room for everyone in a Hornton progressive dinner!

22nd November '05 - Flyaway Start for Takeaway

The Dun’s Cow’s new takeaway service got off to a flying start last Friday - and Children in Need were almost £90 better off too.

Customers could eat in for takeaway prices and, with 50p per meal being donated by licensees Gynweth and Martin Gelling, the charity’s funds were boosted by £25.50. More money came from 20p per drink sold and other donations from customers.

“It was a great way to start a new venture,” said Gwyneth. “And it was lovely to see some new faces alongside our regular customers.”

From now on, takeaway food such as fish, chips, pies and pasties will be available from 6 to 9pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

But there’s one Saturday when the takeaway service won’t be available and that’s New Year’s Eve, when the pub wants to host the biggest Jacob’s Supper the village has ever seen.

A Jacob’s Supper is when everyone brings along a plate of food to produce a communal buffet.

“Please come and join us,” said Gwyneth. “If, nearer the time you can let us know what you’re bringing so that we don’t get too much of a good thing, that would be great.”

Gwyneth can be contacted on 01295 670524.

21st November '05 - Clickety Click

Don’t miss bingo at the pavilion on November 25. Eyes down is at 7.30pm and all proceeds are going to the kitchen extension fund. And there will be another chance to play on December 5 at 7.30pm in the Church Room.

21st November '05 - Long Nose Day

On December 1, it’s time for the kids to have a treat at Hornton pavilion with a performance of Pinocchio, preceded by a workshop.

Julie Stanley on 01295 670507 is the Queen of Tickets for the occasion, so book up soon and avoid disappointment!

21st November '05 - Young at Heart

Hornton Youth Club has become so successful that it urgently needs more new youth leaders - older in years but young at heart - to help run and supervise it. The club meets on Thursdays from 6.45 to 8pm during term times. If you are able to help, please ring Ian Harris on 01295 670541 or Les England on 01295 670215.

16th November '05 - Children Remember

Children from Hornton School paid their own tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country on Remembrance Day, November 11.

Each of them planted a poppy cross in the churchyard of the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in a special ceremony.

And the School is holding its special Christmas bazaar at 8pm on the evening of Friday, December 9 - so put that date in your diaries!

16th November '05 - Flush with Cash

The Christmas bazaar at the Methodist Church the Saturday before last raised £415 to go towards refurbishing the toilets. Many thanks to everyone who helped.

16th November '05 - Fundy Mundy

If you missed it, you missed a treat. The lucky Horntonians who did come along to the Methodist Church last Friday saw one of the best live concerts we’ve had in the village in a long time when Aussie folk duo Mundy Turner were so good that they came back for two encores!

Mundy Turner is just the latest Hornton event in hugely-successful Cherwell’s Arts at Large series. We must support it if Cherwell is going to support us by staging events like this for us - or they’ll just put them on somewhere else.

The last event - quirky Country and Western duo Hank Wangford and Reg Meuross - was a resounding success two weeks ago.

More than 60 people - many from outside the village - had a great time listening to great music and eating delicious food.

“We were invited to sing along to some of the songs and those of us who had bought CDs last time round managed to sing along to more!” said joint organiser Ann Hemmings.

“A great time was had by all and many people asked us to invite them back again next year - I suppose we could hold an annual event rather like Fairport Convention!

“We had a raffle, of course, and altogether made a profit of £200 towards the Pavilion Kitchen extension fund.”

The Arts at Large season finishes for this year on December 1, when it’s time for the kids to have a treat at Hornton pavilion with a performance of Pinocchio, preceded by a workshop.

Julie Stanley on 01295 670507 is selling the tickets.

16th November '05 - Porter Pips Potter

Long before the Harry Potter books, the world was full of ghoulish tales of weird and wonderful beasts and later this month historian Tim Porter will be talking all about them in a lavishly-illustrated lecture lunch at Upton House.

The title of the lecture, on November 28, is Nature in Medieval Art, where Tim promises to reveal “strange beasts and miraculous interpretations of flora and fauna”. The £20 ticket includes coffee and lunch.

The following weekend, December 3 and 4, will once again be time for Upton’s traditional Christmas market.

Stuck for Christmas shopping ideas? Avoid the horror of the High Street with this seasonal gift market in the festive surrounds of Upton House. It takes place on both days from midday to 4pm and normal admission prices apply.

And are you doubtful about dowsing? Don’t be. Come along and learn all about it when Upton holds a Dowsing workshop on Tuesday, December 6.

The effectiveness of dowsing in discovering buried features and artefacts continues to baffle scientists. Learn the techniques of this fascinating and ancient art with archaeological dowser Peter Ewence.

There will be a discussion and a practical workshop with all materials provided. The workshop runs from 10am to midday and the £25 includes coffee and lunch.

On the following day, Wednesday December 7, you can get your festive food in apple-pie order at a Christmas Cookery Workshop.

This master class in cookery for the festive season from the old kitchens at Upton House will be run from 10am to 2.30pm by cordon bleu cook and tutor Rosemary Needham. £35.00 including coffee & three-course lunch.

16th November '05 - Church Services

Matins will be celebrated this Sunday, November 20, in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist. The Methodist Church service starts half an hour later.

15th November '05 - Need 'N' Feed

The Dun Cow is holding a special Children in Need night on November 18, to coincide with the fund-raising day of this worth cause.

Martin and Gwyneth will be donating 50p per meal and 20p per drink to the funds - and the grub will be especially good value as well. That’s because it will be the start of the pub’s new takeaway service and, to celebrate it, you can eat fish and chips, pies, pasties and sausages tomorrow night in the pub but at takeaway prices!

From then on, the pub will be doing takeaway food every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night from 6 to 9pm.

Friday night also sees the climax of a competition so secret that you have to go into the pub to find out what it is. The proceeds will be divided between the Hornton Pavilion fund, the winner’s chosen charity and Children in Need.

And Christmas bookings are also being taken for the Dun Cow. There will be a traditional Christmas meal with all the trimmings on Saturday, December 17 at 7.30pm and on the following day at 1pm for lunch. Sunday is already proving very popular and there are only a few places left but there’s plenty of space left for the Saturday.

15th November '05 - Back by Popular Demand

Pauleen, Susan and Helen from Freefields florists in Banbury so wowed the 3Hs Gardening Club with their demonstration of Christmas flower arranging that they’ve already been booked to come back next year.

The floral trio came at very short notice last week and gave a terrific demonstration of how to make Yuletide arrangements with fresh flowers. They donated the finished products for a raffle and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their visit.

And it’s not too late to sign up for the traditional Christmas dinner being held by the club on Tuesday, December 13. This year it’s taking place at a new venue - the New Inn.

As well as turkey and all the trimmings, there are fish and vegetarian alternatives, so please get in touch with Eileen Lewis on 01295 670449 as soon as possible if you’d like to come.

15th November '05 - Bumper Bingo

It’s bingo and it’s bumper and it’s all taking place at the pavilion on Friday week, November 25. Eyes down is at 7.30pm and all proceeds are going to the Pavilion’s kitchen extension fund.

15th November '05 - It's a Gift

The perfect Christmas gift, in fact. It’s the long-awaited DVD of our very own film, There’s Only One Hornton!

Digitally remastered and presented in its special own presentation case, you will treasure this for years, and at just £10 a copy it’s the perfect Christmas gift for all your friends and family all around the world.

To order in time for Christmas, please post a cheque payable to R.Corke, together with your name and address, to The Cottage, Church Lane, Hornton OX15 6BY by December 1.

15th November '05 - Only 107 Dancing Days till February

It’s going to be the social event of the Spring and it’s never too early to start brushing up your bow tie - or your dance steps!

It’s the Hornton Valentine’s Ball, which takes place at Banbury’s Whatley Hall Hotel on Saturday, February 18, next year and it’s never to early to get some practice in.

There will be an auction, a Grand Raffle with sensational prizes - anyone with ideas for exotic and unusual prizes, please call the organisers - and all proceeds will go to Hornton School.

The tickets are £35 each and before you think that’s a lot of money, just think how much a night out costs these days and how much you’ll get for your money at the Hornton Ball. There will be a live band and a delicious three-course meal. Dancing goes on to midnight and everyone’s going to have a great time.

So go on, sign up today - either individually or by making up a table of 10 or 12. Liz Hurst (01295 343556), Amanda Wray-Mitchell (01295 730402), Carolyn Baker (01295 678553) and Hilary Lidguard (01295 738258).

In fact, February looks like such an action-packed month that there will hardly be time to recover from one event before the next one. On February 11, the week before the ball, the next Hornton progressive dinner party is back - by popular demand! More details next week.

And don’t put your dancing shoes away after the ball because on the following Saturday, February 25, it’s salsa night! Lisa Anscomb and her dance partner will demonstrate a stunning presentation to show how Salsa is performed. Beginners will be especially welcome! You don’t have to have any previous experience. The great thing is that you can have fun with Salsa as soon as you start learning. More details nearer the time but mark up all these dates in your diaries right now!

12th November '05 - Fly Tipping

Please be aware that Fly Tipping offences have been occurring across the Cherwell Area. We have a description of two vehicles suspected of committing Fly Tipping offences:

Ford 7.5 tonne tipper. Yellow cab/black tipper body
Ford 7.5 tonne tipper. White throughout.

If anyone has any sightings of either these vehicles or any other vehicles fly tipping please telephone Cherwell Amenities Services 01295 221940/221936.

10th Novemeber '05 - Friendly warning

We have had an increase in burglaries during the last two weeks particularly in the early evening. This coincides with the clocks changing and the evenings being darker earlier. Bretch Hill, Easington and Ruscote have been the areas hit and the majority of the entries to houses have been via unlocked rear doors. Please ensure that you lock your doors even when at home and leave a light on when out to give the appearance of your home being occupied.

Items stolen include Playstations, Playstation Games, Mobile Phones and an X Box. Anyone being offered these items for sale is urged to contact the police.

There have being varying descriptions of suspicious persons including two white males aged late teens seen acting suspiciously. We appeal for any information you may have, please telephone the police on 08458 505 505 and ask for your information to be passed onto the Priority Crime Team here at Banbury Police Station.

We have also had a spate of cycle thefts from sheds in the same areas, please ensure you lock and secure all out buildings.

10th November '05 - Buying Online

In recent years, there has been a huge growth in e-commerce across the world, but reports of problems have put people off.

Despite these many concerns, some now argue that it is actually safer to buy online than buying over the phone or handing your credit card over to someone in a shop. This is because if the online payment is handled properly your banking details will be "encrypted", which means they cannot be viewed by anyone other than those handling the transaction - usually the banks.

If you're still unsure, Card Watch, the UK banking group that works with the police and retailers to stop credit card fraud, offer the following "top ten tips" when buying online:

1. Make sure your web-browser (that's the software that you use to view websites, most commonly Internet Explorer or Netscape) is set to the highest level of security notification and monitoring. These options are not always automatically activated when your computer is set-up, so check your manual or the "Help" option.

2. Check you are using a recent version of your web-browser as they often include better security features - up-to-date versions can be downloaded free from the Microsoft or Netscape websites. If you have a different browser or use on-line services such as AOL or CompuServe, contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) or software supplier to find out how to activate their security features.

3. Before purchasing from a website, make a record of the retailer's contact details, including a street address and landline phone number. If these details are not available on the website, consider going elsewhere to buy, do not rely on the e-mail address alone.

4. Do not enter personal details unless the security icon is displayed (this is a small padlock that normally appears at the bottom of your browser when you begin your transaction over the Internet). You can click on the padlock to see if the retailer has an encryption certificate. This should explain the type and extent of security and encryption it uses. Only use companies that have an encryption certificate and use secure transaction technology. The address of the page where you enter personal details should also start https://.

5. If you have any queries or concerns, telephone the company before giving them your card details to reassure yourself that it is legitimate.

6. Print out your order and consider keeping copies of the retailer's terms and conditions and returns policy. Be aware that there may well be additional charges such as postage and VAT. When buying from overseas always err on the side of caution and remember that it may be difficult to seek redress if problems arise.

7. Check statements from your bank or card issuer carefully as soon as you receive them. Raise any discrepancies with the retailer concerned in the first instance. If you find any transaction on your statement that you are certain you did not make, contact your card issuer immediately.

8. Ensure that you are fully aware of any payment commitments you are entering into, including whether you are instructing a single payment or a series of payments.

9. Never disclose your card's PIN number to anyone, including people claiming to be from your bank or the police, and never write it down or send it over the Internet.

10. If you have any doubts about using your card, find another method of payment

Moreover, remember: do not enter personal or payment details unless the web address of the page starts https:// and there is a small padlock displayed at the bottom of the window.

2nd November '05 - Only 52 Shopping Days Till Christmas

So it's time to stock up on all those Yuletide goodies this Saturday, November 5, at a special Christmas Bazaar. It all kicks off at 2.30pm in the Methodist Church, where there will be plenty of Christmassy offerings on offer - decorations, cakes, produce, games. All proceeds for Methodist Church funds. You can't afford to miss it!

2nd November '05 - Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly

And for the gardeners of the Christmassiest village in Banburyshire, it's not too early to prepare for a cool Yule, either. The 3Hs Gardening Club are holding a special meeting to prepare Christmas decorations at their monthly meeting next Tuesday, November 8, with the help of Jill from Flowerthyme florists in Kineton. Come along to the pavilion at 7.30pm with your boughs of holly and fa-la-la-la-lahs!

It's also time to sign up for the traditional Christmas dinner being held by the club on Tuesday, December 13. This year it's taking place at a new venue - the New Inn.

As well as turkey and all the trimmings, there are fish and vegetarian alternatives, so please get in touch with Eileen Lewis on 01295 670449 as soon as possible if you'd like more details.

2nd November '05 - Down Under

Australian music duo Mundy Turner will be performing classical, blues, folk and rock music in the Methodist Church in their Searing Serenity Show on Friday week, November 11.

It's the second in this autumn's immensely successful Cherwell Arts at Large series, which finishes in Hornton for this year on December 1, when it's time for the kids to have a treat at the pavilion with a performance of Pinocchio, preceded by a workshop.

Julie Stanley on 01295 670507 is the Queen of Tickets for both these occasions, so book up soon to avoid disappointment!

2nd November '05 - Tree Of Knowledge

November 11 is turning out to be a busy night. Peachtree Pre-School are holding a quiz night at the Old School House in Horley, where teams will be able to slurp on champagne and gorge on chocolates for an entry fee of just £10 per team of four. There are great prizes on offer, a raffle and a bar. You can get further details by ringing You can get further details from William Huskisson on 01295 730754.

2nd November '05 - Look In

Bingo starts at 7.30pm on Tuesday week, November 15, in the Church Room. All proceeds are in aid of the Church Ladies' Working Party.

2nd November '05 - Chips Off The Old Block

And fish too. And pies, pasties and sausages - in fact everything you could want in a traditional take-away!

The Dun Cow is launching a brand new venture on Friday, November 18 - a take-away service which will run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening from 6pm.

There will be fish, pies, pasties, sausages and chips but on November 18, to start things off, you'll be able to eat it all in the pub at take-away prices!

As that night also coincides with Children in Need, the pub will donate 50p per meal and 20p per drink sold that night.

There will also be a competition running from now until November 18 - the proceeds being divided between the Hornton Pavilion Fund, the competition winner's chosen charity and Children in Need.

2nd November '05 - Down The Loo

And what better place for it? Hornton Methodist Church raised £139 through their 60/40 sale of nearly new goods the Saturday before last and all the money will go to the toilet refurbishment project.

2nd November '05 - Back From The Brink

The Dun Cow dominoes team recorded a good win at the George Hotel, Brailes. After losing the first round 4-0, they came back to win the match 9-7, with the pairing of Linda Cross and Adrian Horsley winning three out of the four games they played.

2nd November '05 - Slipping To Sixth

The Dun Cow crib team sadly lost again this week - or, as their captain Paul Burden gallantly puts it, "came second". The 5-2 home defeat to North End's Red Lion Inn puts the Hornton cribbers down to sixth equal spot in the Harbury and District Crib League but, don't worry, the season's barely started!

2nd November '05 - Churches Still Together

For now - but Julie Stanley, who compiles and delivers the Churches Together leaflet which comes through your door every month, is thinking of ceasing publication. The leaflet gives details of all church services and the other ecclesiastical comings and goings in Hornton and Julie wants to know if people are pleased to get it or whether all those trees and shoe leather is being sacrificed for no avail.

So if you like receiving Churches Together, please speak to Julie and tell her. This column has already made its feelings very clear to her - Churches Together must continue!

You can reach Julie on 01295 670507, so please give her a ring or just stop her in the street and tell her what a fantastic job she's doing!

This Sunday, November 6, Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 8.30am in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist. A United Communion Service will be held in the Chapel at 11am.