Final details for the JUMPA digging and building work to get started are happening
this month with a view to the contractors, Beacon, being on site from early December.
Click here for the full story.
26th October '05 - Duty Done
Every man - and woman - who helped in the Hornton Trafalgar Day
Celebrations last Friday night most definitely did their duty! After a
splendid beacon was lit - if a little reluctantly due to damp weather - there
were spectacular fireworks before everyone moved on to the pavilion for the
Trafalgar Day dinner.
The pavilion was decked out with flags, naval memorabilia and even a
full-sized mast but John Wright and Ian Harris stole the show with a
selection of sea shanties - with the help of the entire audience, who all
joined in.
The Pavilion Extension Fund is £220 better off and thanks must go not just
to Ian and John but everyone who cooked the delicious food, concocted the rum
punch and made the whole evening such a success.
26th October '05 - Mosey on Down
If you missed ’em last year, pardners, you’ve got to be at
the pavilion this Saturday! That’s when Country and Western duo Hank Wangford
and Reg Meuross are back in Hornton.
They wowed folks this time last year and are back for one night only - and
tickets are selling out fast!
If you hate Country and Western then you’ll love Hank and Reg because theirs
is the quirkiest C&W show you ever did see. Hank especially will have you rolling in
the aisles from the start.
You can get the tickets from Ann Hemmings on 01295 670511 or Sarah Walther
on 01295 670627. The tickets cost just £10 or £8 and a meal is included,
so mosey on down!
Hank and Reg’s concert is just the first in a series of concerts made
possible through Cherwell District Council’s Arts at Large programme this
autumn. On December 1, it's time for the kids to have a treat at the
pavilion with a performance of Pinocchio, preceded by a special workshop.
But before that - on November 11 - Australian music duo Mundy Turner will be
performing classical, blues, folk and rock music in the Methodist Church in
their Searing Serenity Show . Tickets for these two events can be purchased from Julie Stanley on 01295 670507.
26th October '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. Further details from 01295 730754.
26th October '05 - Crumbs it's Christmas
Well, almost. When you live in the most Christmassy
village in Banburyshire, it’s hardly surprising that the year’s first
Christmas event coincides with Bonfire Night! And that’s what’s happening
this November 5, Saturday week, when there’s a special Christmas Bazaar
in the Methodist Church at 2.30 pm. There will be a Christmas raffle,
Christmas stalls, Christmas cakes, Christmas produce, Christmas games -
it’s the start of Hornton’s Christmas and it’s all for Methodist Church
funds, so see you there!
26th October '05 - In the Club
If you’ve got a couple of hours to spare each week to help
young people, then Hornton’s Youth Club needs you!
The club, which meets between 6.45 and 8pm every Thursday during term time,
desperately needs adults to become youth leaders. It’s great fun and won’t
take up too much time, so why not join in? Ian Harris on 01295 670541 and
Les England on 01295 670215 can tell you more.
26th October '05 - Last Word
You’ve got till next Monday, October 31, to get your copy into The Gossip, Hornton’s very own newspaper. Practically anything that’s legal,
decent, honest and truthful can find a place in The Gossip - news,
reminiscences, recipes or…gossip. So don’t delay - contact editors Julie
Stanley and Ann Hemmings today! Julie is on 01295 670507 and Ann is on 01295
670511.
26th October '05 - Frightening Food
In fact, it’s absolutely terrifying and it’s being served
at the Upton House restaurant on Saturday and Sunday as part of its Happy
Halloween weekend!
As well as scary sandwiches and terrifying tarts, there will be
pumpkin-carving workshops - for which there may be a small charge - and
special trails from midday to 4pm.
And don’t delay if you’re interested in the English Civil War because Upton
will help you step right back into it on Wednesday, November 23. Historian
and historical re-enactor Kevin Hicks will be investigating the division of
families, the life and weapons of the soldier, the battles of the south
Midlands, and the ghost armies in a special presentation.
On the following Monday, November 28, historian Tim Porter will give a
lavishly-illustrated talk with the theme Nature in Medieval Art. He’ll be
revealing the marvels of the mediaeval world - strange beasts and miraculous
interpretations of flora and fauna - as seen through the genius of mediaeval
artists.
Both these presentations will last from 10.30am to 12noon, cost £20 and the
ticket will include coffee and lunch.
To book for all events, please call the Booking Line on 01295 671122.
26th October '05 - Three's a Crowd
The Dun Cow scored three points in their latest match in the Harbury and District Crib League but their opponents, the Greaves Club, trumped them with four to leave the Horntonians in third equal spot. Keep up cribbers!
26th October '05 - Worms Turn
Bookworms will be wiggling down to the village green next
Wednesday when the mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be
there for 10.55 to 11.30am.
26th October '05 - Church Services
There will be an 11 o’clock service at Hornton Methodist
Church this Sunday, October 30. There will be no service at the parish
church because there is a Benefice Service to celebrate All Saints Sunday at
10.30am in St Etheldreda’s Church, Horley.
18th October '05 - Still Time to Clear our your Clutter
But only just! On Saturday, October 22, there will be a Good as New Sale at Hornton Methodist
Chapel. Sixty per cent of the proceeds will go to the seller and 40 per cent to Chapel funds -
so clear your clutter and make some cash! You can bring along your good-as-new items all priced
up between 10am and 12 noon and the sale runs from 2-4pm.
18th October '05 - Don't Hank Around
If you want a ticket for the quirkiest country music show in town, be quick.
Tickets are going fast for the welcome return to Hornton pavilion of Hank Wangford and Reg Meuross
on Saturday week, October 29.
You can get the tickets from Ann Hemmings on 01295 670511 or Sarah Walther on 01295 670627.
They cost just £10 or £8 and a meal is included, so mosey on down!
18th October '05 - Thank You, Pip
What a party! Pip Brooks was so touched by all the good wishes she received
through her recent illness that she held a party in the pavilion last Saturday to thank the whole
village and everyone who was anyone in Hornton was there!
“I wanted to show my appreciation for the tremendous support, lovely letters, cards, flowers and
gifts received from the lovely people of Hornton,” says Pip, who was in tremendous form after a
tough course of radiotherapy treatment. “Where ever could there be a better place to live?”
And so say all of us. Thank you Pip, for a wonderful party!
18th October '05 - All Get Inn
The 3Hs Gardening Club are holding their Christmas dinner at a new venue this
year – the New Inn. If you would like to come, Eileen Lewis on 01295 670449 has details and a
menu. The dinner takes place on Tuesday, December 13.
18th October '05 - Spot On
The Dun Cow won 10-6 at the Blinking Owl, North Newington, last week to stay mid-table
in the dominoes league.
Jean Gibbins and Frank Jarrett recorded a maximum, winning all four of the
games they played.
18th October '05 - Cribbers Crumble
The Dun Cow crib team went down 5-2 away to table-topping rivals the Harbury
Club in their latest match. The Hornton team still head the Harbury and District Crib League
with four points, along with the Harbury Club and the Carpenters Arms from Kineton but the
Kineton team have played one match less.
18th October '05 - Christmas is Coming
And it’s time for the first Christmas event in the most Christmassy
village in Banburyshire!
On Saturday, November 5, at 2.30pm Hornton Methodist Church are holding a Christmas Bazaar.
There will be a Christmas raffle, Christmas stalls, Christmas cakes, Christmas produce,
Christmas games – in fact, everything Christmassy that you can think of and more!
All proceeds will go to Methodist Church funds. See you there!
18th October '05 - Chat Up
The press deadline for the latest edition of The Gossip, Hornton's very own
village newspaper, is nearly up. Editors Julie Stanley and Ann Hemmings need your copy
by October 31.
It can be recipes, reminiscences, you name it. Just about anything legal, decent, honest
and truthful can make it into The Gossip, just as long as it's signed and it's about Hornton.
So please contact Julie on 01295 670507 or Ann on 01295 670511 as soon as possible.
18th October '05 - Spooky Time at Upton
Be prepared to be scared at Upton House on Halloween because on October
29 and 30 there’s a special weekend of activities planned. There will be a pumpkin-carving
workshop, special trails and terrifying food in the restaurant. Upton will be open from 12
noon to 4pm and normal admission prices will apply except for the workshop, where a small
additional charge may be payable. You can get more details by calling Upton on 01295 670266.
And now’s the time to book for a special AGA workshop with cordon bleu cook and tutor Rosemary
Needham, using the magnificent AGA cookers in Upton’s kitchens. She’ll show you how to get the
best from your AGA this winter and the £35 ticket includes coffee and a three-course lunch. To
book, please call the Booking Line on 01295 671122
18th October '05 - Godhead to Godhead
There will be an 11 o’clock service at Hornton Methodist Church this
Sunday, October 23, and Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at the Parish Church of St John the
Baptist at the same time.
At 5pm on Sunday afternoon, there’s a special Benefice Service at St Peter’s in Hanwell to
celebrate the 200th anniversary of the victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. Afterwards, everyone
is invited to stay for a glass of wine
12th October '05 - Start Clearing your Clutter
It’s time for a clear-out - and the chance to make some cash into the bargain! On Saturday week,
October 22, there will be a Good as New Sale at Hornton Methodist Chapel. Sixty per cent of the
proceeds will go to the seller and 40 per cent to Chapel funds, so please start clearing that
clutter!
You can bring along you good-as-new items all priced up between 10am and 12noon and the sale runs
from 2-4pm.
You can get further details from Sarah Walther on 01295 670627.
12th October '05 - For Art's Sake
There will be something for everyone over the next few months as Hornton plays host to three
exciting events in the Cherwell Arts At Large series. On Saturday, October 29, Hank Wangford
and Reg Meuross return to the pavilion with their quirky country music show. Tickets are £10 and £8.
Then on November 11, Australian music duo Mundy Turner will be performing classical, blues, folk and rock music in the Methodist Church with their Searing Serenity Show.
Finally, 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 all these occasions, so book up soon and avoid disappointment!
12th October '05 - Top Table
The Dun Cow cribbers have got away to a flying start in their first two matches of the season, crushing Kineton Sports & Social Club 5-2 away and then the Cottage Inn from Ashorne by the same score at home.
The win puts the Hornton team at the top of the Harbury and District Crib League, equal on four points with two rivals but a better points difference. Keep it up, cribbers!
12th October '05 - Mid Table
The Dun Cow dominoes team drew 8 - 8 away at Tysoe Club last week.
The pairings of captain Malcolm Parker and Malcom Cross, Richard Hillman and Linda Cross each won three of their four games.
The team have four points from four games played and stand around mid-table at
this stage of the season.
12th October '05 - Grateful Thanks to Eric
A donation of £150 to Hornton Pavilion has been donated by the Parish Council in memory of Coun. Eric Turner, who died last month and whose tireless work was crucial in erecting and maintaining it.
The donation was proposed by a long-standing colleague of Eric’s, Coun. Malcolm Cross, and agreed unanimously at a subdued council meeting on September 26. A minute’s silence was held in his memory.
Eric’s death creates the second vacancy on the council in a year. The meeting decided that those who expressed an interest in becoming a Parish Councillor in May would be considered for the current vacancy but it was agreed that it should be advertised on the noticeboard again in case anyone else may wish to be considered.
The meeting was told by Councillor Paul Burden that he would soon begin planting walnut trees around the allotments and that another Parish Councillor would be required to join the board of trustees of the John Fox charity, which administers the allotment land and annual rents.
Oxfordshire County Council has asked for ideas for a new surface for the Tinker Tank footpath between West End and the Church. New street nameplates for Bell Street, Millers Lane and The Green have been ordered.
The seat on The Green, which was presented by the Neighbourhood Watch, has been damaged. It was agreed that it should be replaced. The large electricity box by the flagpole, used to light the Christmas tree lights, will also be replaced by a smaller one.
12th October '05 - Life on the Edge
It’s Civil War at Upton House & Gardens on Sunday week, October 23, when you can experience the sights and sounds of the English Civil War at Upton House and gardens.
You’ll be able to witness infantry drill and weapon demonstrations on the very anniversary of the nearby battle of Edgehill, enter daily life in the regiment camp, and feel the tension as the soldiers prepare for battle.
This unforgettable seventeenth century spectacle for half-term will be brought to you by Sir Gilbert Hoghton’s Companie of Foote of the Sealed Knot. The fun - and firing - kicks off at 11 am and normal admission prices apply.
On the following weekend, October 29 and 30, ghouls and ghosties will be taking up residence at Upton in a Happy Halloween Weekend. Activities include a pumpkin-carving workshop, special trails and terrifying food in the restaurant from midday to 4pm. Normal admission prices apply. A small charge may be payable for the workshop.
Looking further ahead, pre-booking will be essential for two events next month. On Thursday, November 10, Rachel’s Organic will be holding the last of their very successful From Plot to Plate events. This one has the theme of Winter Warmers and you can learn about the production of fresh produce from gardening experts in the Kitchen Display Garden and then transfer to a cookery workshop, using the produce to create mouth-watering dishes under the expert supervision of Upton’s chefs. The session lasts from 11.30am to 2pm, it costs and costs just £12-50.
On the following day, the traditional end to Upton’s season sees the Putting the House to Bed tour. Book early for this popular tour as the conservation team at Upton invites you to learn the processes of preparing National Trust collections for winter hibernation. The £15 ticket includes coffee and a light lunch and the tour runs from 11am to 2.30pm.
You can get more details on all these events by calling Upton on 01295 670266.
12th October '05 - What a Bloomer!
Last week this column proudly announced that Upton House would be holding a special event on October 28 to celebrate Aster Day. Please don’t go - it actually took place on September 28! Apologies to all concerned.
12th October '05 - Leaves Drop In
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday from 10.55 to 11.30am.
12th October '05 - Church Services
Matins will be celebrated at 10.30am in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist this Sunday, October 16. Half an hour later there will be a service in the Methodist Church.
11th October '05 - Singing Songs for Philip and Ronnie
A concert takes place on Thursday, which is dedicated to the memory of two of Hornton’s best-loved villagers who died recently.
Philip Williams and Ronald Emblen were devoted partners for more than 30 years and lived in West End. Ronnie died the autumn of 2003 and Philip at this time last year.
The concert is being given by the Russian singing quartet The Konevets and Philip and Ronnie were big fans. The singers have toured extensively across Europe and the USA to great acclaim and sung in many prestigious international festivals.
“They were always great supporters of The Konevets,” said concert organiser Bridget Dickie.
The group come from St Petersburg in Russia and are singing at Alkerton Church tonight at 7.30pm. The four singers trained at the city’s oldest music conservatoire and sing a mixture of classical, folk and sacred music.
You can just turn up on the door or telephone Bridget on 01295 670277 for more details. Tickets are just £8 and include a glass of wine which you can drink a toast to Philip and Ronnie’s memory!
11th October '05 - Pip Pip
Saturday is party time - and everyone in Hornton is invited!
Villager Pip Brooks has been so touched by all the good wishes she received through her recent illness that’s she holding a party and wants everyone to join her in the pavilion from 2pm this Saturday afternoon, October 15.
Pip recently suffered a stroke brought on by a brain tumour but she’s now finished radiotherapy and she’s on the mend.
“I’d like to show my appreciation for the tremendous support, lovely letters, cards, flowers and gifts received from the lovely people of Hornton,” says Pip. “Wherever could there be a better place to live?
“The celebration is for the end to my treatment and hopefully a successful result. I hope everyone will come.
“There will be food and drink but catering for unknown numbers will be difficult, so maybe, if you’d like, you could bring a bottle and perhaps a dish to share.”
Pip also used to be a keen member of the North Oxfordshire Riding Club and she’s hoping some of the people she used to ride with will also be there.
“We’ve long considered have a members’ reunion for NOCS, so if anyone was a member when I was there, do come along and make it a double party.”
You don’t need to reply to the invitation - everyone in Hornton is welcome - but if you did want to call Pip in advance, here phone number is 01295 670327. See you there!
11th October '05 - Get Ship-Shape Double Quick!
It’s the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar on Friday week, October 21, and you wouldn’t expect Hornton to miss out, would you?
As part of the national events, a beacon is to be lit at 7.15pm, followed by a special Trafalgar Dinner at the Pavilion and entertainment for all the family afterwards. Nautical fancy dress is to be encouraged but not compulsory!
Tickets can be purchased from Audrey Turner on 01295 670304 but the closing date is only next Tuesday, October 18, so be quick, shipmates! All proceeds are going to the Pavilion Extension Fund.
6th October '05 - Just a Line
An important Handwriting Workshop for parents will be held at Hornton School tomorrow, Friday for guidance in supporting your child’s writing development. All parents are invited to attend.
6th October '05 - Christmas is Coming
A professionally produced DVD of the 2005 Hornton Film Festival is now available, featuring all of the movies shown last March. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience again the amazing range of wonderful films on show! Or, if you were unlucky enough to miss it first time around, here’s the chance to see it all in the comfort of your living room. With Christmas on the way it also makes an ideal stocking filler. Order your copies now from Pete Whitehead on 01295 670320. They cost £10 each with all profits going to the Hornton Pavilion Appeal fund.
6th October '05 - Hornton Expects
Ahoy there shipmates! Hornton is playing its full part in celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar on Friday, October 21.
Final details are to be confirmed but, as part of national events, a beacon is to be lit in the village at 7.15pm, followed by a suitably maritime meal and entertainment for all the family at the Pavilion afterwards. Nautical fancy dress is to be encouraged!
More details to follow, with tickets available very soon but make sure that you get it in the diary.
Looking further ahead, here’s advance notice of the return to the pavilion by popular demand of Hank Wangford and Reg Meuross on October 29 with their quirky style of country music. The following month, the bingo season kicks off there on November 25.
6th October '05 - To the Manor Bourne
Gardening author Val Bourne from Hook Norton will be talking to the 3Hs Gardening Club next Tuesday, October 11, on organic gardening. Val writes a gardening column. Hook Norton. Recently published a book called The Natural Garden.
And Upton House has another date for garden lovers. On Wednesday, October 28, its beautiful gardens will be open between midday and 4pm under the National Gardens Scheme, when you’ll be able to see the National Collection of Asters which is held there.
There will be talks and walks with garden’s team and an opportunity to buy plants. A proportion of all garden admission prices will go towards nominated charities including Macmillan Cancer Relief and the Royal Gardener's Orphan .
You can get more details by calling Upton on 01295 670266.
6th October '05 - Smashing Not Clashing
Make it a smashing event not a clashing one - by pencilling it into the Hornton future events diary! Just contact the Hornton column on the phone numbers or email address below when you’re planning an event to make sure that it won’t clash with something else.
6th October '05 - Church Services
The Parish Church of St John the Baptist hold their harvest Festival this Sunday, October 2, at 11am. As this is a United Service, there will be no service at the Methodist Church.