“Awesome” was the way one villager described the playing of the new organ in Hornton Parish Church last weekend at
a special service to inaugurate it. The Church was much busier than usual for the service and a professional
organist was there to play Ave Maria and The Rejoicing from Handel’s Fireworks Music. Afterwards parishioners
had the chance to remember the late Mike Webber, who donated money for the organ, as they chatted over wine
donated by John Bridgeman.
The church Gift Day held two weeks ago was also very successful – raising more than £800, which will be boosted to
more than £1000 after tax is reclaimed through Gift Aid. Since it costs more than £200 a week to keep the church
running, this cash is vital. If you weren’t able to get to the Gift Day, it’s not too late to donate and the church
particularly welcomes gifts who covenant to give an amount over several years. You can get more details about this
from the Parochial Church Council’s Alan Cater01295 670530 or email him at a.cater@btinternet.com.
This Sunday, there are two 11 o’clock services – one at the parish church and another at the Methodist Chapel,
which will be led by Sister Margaret Hale.
And Thursday Club begins next week in the Methodist Church School Room, starting just after school until about
4.30pm. All children between three and 11 are welcome.
25th September '08 - Opening Chapter
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will visit Hornton next Wednesday, October 1. It will be parked
on the village green from 10.40am to 11.20am.
25th September '08 - Ten At Ten
Hornton’s Sarah Walther and Horley’s Joe Gamage are celebrating 10 years – and more than £10,000 - of fund raising
for Macmillan Cancer Relief on Friday week, October 3, when they hold their annual cheese and wine party.
It all kicks off at 7.30pm in Sarah’s house – Peartree Cottage, Eastgate – and because it’s the tenth year, they
want it to be really special.
“There will be a bring’n’ buy stall, games and a mega raffle,” said Sarah. “Any donations for the raffle would be
greatly appreciated and we will collect them. All money raised will go to the Oxfordshire Nurse Appeal and we
would love to see you.”
If you’ve got a raffle prize that needs collecting, or you would just like more details, please call Sarah on
01295 670627 or Jo on 01295 730717.
25th September '08 - Toddle Along
Hornton Toddlers is up and running again in a big way, so if you’ve got a child under four, toddle along! They
meet in the pavilion every Wednesday during term time between 10.30 and midday. At just £1 per family, it’s a
real bargain, with loads for the little ones to do and coffee and chat for the Mums and Dads.
25th September '08 - Have You Got The Balls?
Laurie Furneax and Chris Woodcock have! They’re the two latest winners in the new Bonus Ball Lottery, run to
raise money for Hornton Pavilion’s refurbishment fund. Based on the Saturday night National Lottery Bonus
Ball, you win £25 for just £1 per week.
And if you haven’t got a ball yet, there’s still some left. Please ring Julie Stanley on 01295 670507 or Claire
Bottoms on 01295 670776.
25th September '08 - Lights, Camera, Action
The fourth Hornton Film Festival is just two weeks away, so whether you’re a film-maker or a film-watcher, put
Saturday, October 11, in your diaries!
As it will have all the trappings of Tinseltown, you can get out your glad-rags! It will kick off with a Champagne
reception in the pavilion - with bubbly courtesy of the Guardian’s Hornton column. Then the battle for the most
prestigious gongs in the film world – the Hornies – gets under way with the screening of this year’s entries.
There’s even a category of Best Foreign Film this year, as two former Horntonians who now live in Wroxton are
planning to enter a film!
You can gets tickets at a knockdown price from organisers Pete Whitehead on 01295 670320 or by email at
tourneyhous(at) btopenworld dot com. And it’s not too late to enter a film, either!
25th September '08 - Chat Up
Contributions for The Gossip, Hornton's quarterly village newspaper, are needed during the next four weeks.
Anything from favourite recipes and reminiscences of old times past to the latest news and views are welcome
but you must be quick. The deadline is next October 31. Please contact Julie Stanley on 01295 670507 or at
julieharrystan (at) aol dotcom and Ann Hemmings on 01295 670511 or at ann dot hemmings (at) orh dot nhs dot uk as
soon as possible.
25th September '08 - Woll You Be Generous?
Hornton’s Isabelle Harris is still knitting hats and gloves for the shoe boxes that are sent to deprived children
throughout the world and she would be really grateful for any donations of double knitting wool.
“The colour doesn’t matter, as I can mix and match,” says Isabelle.
You can pop the donations through the letter box of Isabelle’s house in Bell Street or call her on 01295 670541.
25th September '08 - New Group Scout Leader of North Banbury Scout Group
Philip Tree has recently become Group Scout Leader for North Banbury and would like to invite people to the following
clubs:
Scouts 11 -14yrs (boys & girls) Will start after the October half term day and time to be announced, Possibly
Wednesday 7.00pm -9.00pm Mollington Village hall.
Contact details: email philip dot tree (at) btinternet dot com
Tel 01295253194
18th September '08 - Mattins for Mike
A very special Mattins will be celebrated at 10.30am in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist this Sunday,
September 2, because the new church organ - through a bequest from much - loved villager Mike Webber - will be
dedicated. There will be a professional organist to play, so please come along to welcome this new gift to the
church in his memory. Half an hour later there will be a service in the Methodist Church, led by the Rev Alan
Haine.
The parish Church raised 68 pounds for the Water aid charity in last sunday's service - 60 pound of that money
will fund new water pipes and a handpump for 10 families in Bangla Desh. And the parish Church's Gift Day last
Saturday was very well supported. The exact amount of money raised iwll be in next week's Guardian.
Hornton's Lynn Corke raised more than 200 pounds in the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust Ride and Stride last
Saturday whenshe cycled around 12 local churches. Half the money will go to the Trust and the other half split
between Hornton's two churches. the highlight was when she arrived at Hanwell church in time to see the bride go
in for her wedding!
18th September '08 - Pounding the Streets
Hornton’s Ian Donaldson has lost plenty of pounds since he began getting fit in January – 56 pounds or four
stone, to be exact. Now he’s trying to get a few back – by raising money for a cancer charity by taking part
in his first marathon.
It’s in Berlin on Monday week, September 28, and sponsoring Ian for the Macmillan cancer charity couldn’t be
easier. You can either drop a note into his home at 1 Pages Lane, or you can log on to the special donation
website, which is www.justgiving.com/iandonaldson1.
Ian’s wife, Fiona, says they are particularly keen to contact as many people as possible because they recently
lost all their contacts when their laptop computer died. So please do contact them via the website – or by
knocking on their door.
18th September '08 - Added Bonus
The first winner of the new Bonus Ball Lottery, in aid of the fund to refurbish Hornton Pavilion, is Glen
Walther with number 46. Sharp-eyed Guardian readers will spot that Glen is not only the first lucky winner
but chairman of the pavilion committee as well, so the organisers are anxious to emphasise that it’s not a
fix! In fact, the lottery is excellent value – costing just ?1 a week for the chance to win £25. There are
still a few of the 49 numbers left, so if you’d like to take part, please ring Claire Bottoms on 01295 670776.
18th September '08 - Call to Order
The next meeting of Hornton Parish Council is the Annual General Meeting this Monday, September 22
at 7.30pm in the Church Room. All villagers are welcome.
18th September '08 - Dancing Queens
Here’s a date you won’t want to miss. Peachtree Pre-School are going to be running an Abba/70's night on Saturday
November15 in the Pavilion. As well as the chance to strut your stuff on the dance floor, there will be a
three-course meal. More details soon.
18th September '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 new season, which starts
this week. Captain Paul Burden says they are 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.
18th September '08 - Lights, Camera, Action
We now have a date for the fourth Hornton Film Festival, so whether you’re a film-maker or a film-watcher, put
Saturday, October 11, in your diaries!
As you can expect all the usual glamour and glitz, your can get out your glad-rags! It will kick off with a
Champagne reception in the pavilion - with bubbly courtesy of the Guardian’s Hornton column. Then the battle
for the most prestigious gongs in the film world – the Hornies – gets under way with the screening of this year’s
entries. There’s even a category of Best Foreign Film this year, as two former Horntonians who now live in Wroxton
are planning to enter a film!
Festival organiser Pete Whitehead says it’s not too late to start making a short film.
"There’s now a wealth of experience in the village so, if you’d like to try, please don’t be put off because
you’ve never made a movie before," says Pete. "There is a camera and computer with editing software available
for free for anyone who does not have their own equipment, and I would encourage everyone to have a go.
"We have shown nearly 40 short films over the past three years, virtually all made by residents or ‘friends’ of
Hornton and every one a winner! We try and limit them to a maximum of five minutes each, but nothing will be
turned away - unless it’s a three-hour epic!"
You can contact Pete at 01295 670320 or by email at tourneyhouse (at) btopenworld dot com
18th September '08 - Flower Power
All next week you’ll be able to see the national Collection of Asters in their prime in the glorious gardens at
Upton House. Pop along to Upton's wonderful gardens for an unforgettable display of these beautiful flowers.
11th September '08 - In Your Stride
You can raise money for Hornton’s two churches by taking part in the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust Ride and
Stride this Saturday, September 13. You get sponsored for cycling or walking to as many churches as possible.
Half the money goes to the trust and the rest to your nominated church or churches.
It’s not too late to get the sponsorship forms from Julie Stanley has and you can call her on 01295 670507. You
can also get sponsoring because one Horntonian, Lynn Corke, has already signed up. You can sponsor her by ringing
her on 01295 670673.
Saturday is also special for the Parish Church of St John the Baptist for another reason – it’s the annual Gift
Day. It costs around £200 a week just to keep the church running, so please pop along if you can for a cup of
tea and give as generously as possible.
And Sunday is Holy Cross Day, so there’s a village service in the Parish Church of St John the Baptist at 11am
which will raise money for the charity Water Aid, which helps Third World communities get an proper supply of
drinking water.
11th September '08 - Already an Institution
Hornton and District’s newly-formed Women’s Institute continues to go from strength to strength, with more than
30 people at last week’s meeting.
“The committee have lots of good ideas for future months and hope to give us all a programme of events at the
next meeting,” said member Jane Wain. “The speaker on Thursday was Catherine Blaxhall, who gave us a very
entertaining talk about living on the remote island of Lundy in Bristol Channel.
“The next meeting is on Thursday, October 2, when Ann Sharman will be giving a talk on Fair Trade. November’s
talk will be by Rossara Flowers, Arrangements for Christmas, and on December 11th will be having a Christmas
social.”
11th September '08 - Gold Blend
Children who are terminally or seriously ill benefited to the tune of £225 when Hornton Children’s Playground
helpd its annual coffee morning for the Helen and Douglas House Hospice in Oxford.
11th September '08 - History Booked
Hornton’s enthusiastic history group restarted last week after the Summer break, continuing their Domesday Book of
like in Hornton in the year 2008.
“We are also hoping to organise a talk in November on the Hornton Stone quarries,” said co-ordinator Kevin Wain.
“More details to follow!”
11th September '08 - Beef It Up
Gwyneth’s next Sunday lunch at the Dun Cow will be this Sunday, when she will be serving up roast beef with all
the trimmings. If you’d like a table, please ring her on 01295 670524 as soon as possible.
11th September '08 - Grisly Gremlins
The Banbury Guardian and your correspondent apologise for the non-appearance of last week’s column. This was due to
gremlins getting in to the Guardian’s computer. Fingers crossed that they don’t come back!
11th September '08 - Open Book
The mobile library from Oxfordshire County Council will be on the village green next Wednesday from 10.40 to
11.20am.
3rd September '08 - In Your Stride
You can raise money for Hornton’s two churches by taking part in the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust Ride and
Stride on Saturday week, September 13. You get sponsored for cycling or walking to as many churches as possible.
Half the money goes to the trust and the rest to your nominated church or churches.
Julie Stanley has sponsorship forms and you can call her on 01295 670507. You can also get sponsoring because one
Horntonian, Lynn Corke, has already signed up. You can sponsor her by ringing her on 01295 670673.
Saturday week is also special for the Parish Church of St John the Baptist for another reason - it’s the annual
Gift Day. It costs around £200 a week just to keep the church running, so please pop along if you can for a cup
of tea and give as generously as possible.
This Sunday, September 7, Holy Eucharist will be celebrated in the Parish Church at 8.30am. There will be no
service in the Methodist Church because there is a Circuit Service in Marlborough Road Methodist Church at
10.30am.
3rd September '08 - WI Not Pop In
The next meeting of the Hornton and District Women’s Institute will be at 7.30pm tonight, Thursday, in the
pavilion, when Catherine Blaxhall will talk about her early life on the wildlife sanctuary of Lundy Island in the
Bristol Channel.
3rd September '08 - Bloomin' Shame
A combination of circumstances has forced the 3Hs Gardening Club to cancel its annual flower and produce show -
scheduled for Saturday week - for the first time ever.
Club secretary Sally Tweedsmuir explained that September 13 was later than the date on which the show is usually
held and this year that it clashes with the church Gift Day.
“Also, it’s been such a bad season, so there’s not much produce available to show,” she added. “Some of our best
growers are away and several key members of the club are not very well.
“But we’re going have a super show next year at the usual time!”
3rd September '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 new season, which starts
soon. 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.
3rd September '08 - Where's the Beef?
Gwyneth’s next Sunday lunch at the Dun Cow will be on Sunday week, September 14, when she will be serving up roast
beef with all the trimmings. If you’d like a table, please ring her on 01295 670524 by Wednesday if possible.
3rd September '08 - Cash In
If you pop up to Upton House this weekend between 11am and 4pm, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in a 1930s
millionaire lifestyle!
You’ll see the luxury and comfort, sport and hobbies of Upton House’s everyday living and catch a glimpse of the
maids as well as the Master! Normal admission charges apply.
And next Thursday, September 11, will see the first of three talks entitled Every Picture Tells A
Story.
Each will be led by an expert and examine different aspects of Upton’s magnificent art collection. The first
will feature Religion and Mythology. On the following Thursday, the talk will focus on Portraits and the series
will end on September 25 with a look at Landscapes.
Each talk, which will include lunch, costs just £20 and booking is essential. You can get more information from
Upton on 01295 670266 or by email on uptonhouse (at) nationaltrust dot org dot uk
And on Saturday week, September 13, Upton will be open for free between 11am and 5pm as part of the National
Trust’s Heritage Open Day
