FROM THE EDITORS
This month, the Newsletter Box contained £24.93 – thank you. Sadly we record the death of Keith Davies, late of Hook Norton, and on behalf of the village we send our condolences to his family and friends.
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EASTER SNOW
The snow finally arrived just in time, not for Christmas, but for Easter!
For those who missed it, there is an album of photos available on our Albums page, (see links to the left).
ROLAND PADBURY
We have received a letter from Roland Padbury's daughter, Jane Jewkes who writes; “I am writing to ask if you would kindly announce the death of my father in your next newsletter. His name is Roland Padbury. He died suddenly last year on 8th February, aged 85. He moved to Wolverhampton after the war, where he met and married my mother, Violet.
Dad kept in continual contact with the village and received your newsletter every month. He passed on his love of the village to me.. and we continued to visit until recently.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to find dad's address book so that I could inform his old friends in the village of his passing.
My dad's late aunt, Minnie Padbury, always welcomed us and my family but now that she is dead, I have no way of informing dad's 'old pals'. Could you please therefore mention his death in the newsletter? Thank you very much.
We still love Hooky and visit whenever possible, especially to visit the Brewery where my grandad, Harry Padbury worked for many years and lived in the cottage at the end of the lane. Happy Times!
SIDNEY HERBERT WOODWARD
My father, Sidney Herbert Woodward died on 14th November 2007 in Gloucestershire.
He was born on 22nd October 1912 in Hook Norton and was one of a long line of Woodwards who were born, lived and died in Hook Norton. He leaves a widow and myself, his daughter (plus grandchildren and great grand children).
Ann Skene
BETTY BISHOP
Helen, Stephen, Shaun and Donald would like to thank everyone for their cardsand for their very kind messages of support and sympathy following their recent bereavement.
Special thanks to Christopher Turner, Janet Collins and the choir for the wonderful service and also for everyone's generous donations towards St Peter's Church.
Helen Yule
CHRISTMAS BALL
Dear Editorial Team,
I have read the latest edition of the news letter, and in particular the section in regard to the Christmas Ball that was held at the Sports and Social Club in December last year.
I will openly state that I was not present at this event, however after reading Colette's account of the night it seems that despite doing their very best in the face of adversity (and situations out of their control), the reaction and subsequent actions from a certain section of the attendees in my opinion is unacceptable.
The village will do well to remember that without people who are prepared to give up time and offer energy to projects there would be nothing.
I think it is vital that people understand the time, hard work, and effort that both Colette and Kerry have put into rejuvenating the club, and I think it is also equally vital that you print this email so that they are aware of the ongoing support from the majority and not the negatives from the minority.
Rosie Nicole Acreman, daughter of Ben and Kirsty
was baptised on 10th February at St Peter's Church by the Reverend John Acreman
FRIENDS OF HOOK NORTON SCHOOL
Greetings Spring lovers. Friends of Hook Norton School have several great events over the next couple of months to help you chuck out the chintz – and then celebrate with your friends.
First, the chores. If you want to spring clean, you have come to the right place – why not take part in Bag2School? The Friends are collecting quality second hand ladies', men's and children's clothing, as well as bedding, curtains, soft toys, shoes, belts and handbags (no bric-a-brac please), which will be exchanged for cash. All items should be BAGGED (black sacks will be fine, but official bags can be obtained from the school office) and brought to the Study Centre at school on 22 or 23 April (not before as we haven't the storage space!).
Then, there's the Car Boot & Bike Sale (indoors if wet) Sunday 27 April, 11am - 1pm with hot drinks & bacon butties!
If all that activity has left you a bit exhausted, we have some ideas to help you recuperate. Why not try out our Wine Tasting Evening with Tapas, Saturday 10 May in the School hall? Guests will have the opportunity to taste a variety of selected wines to try to identify (no experience necessary, descriptions will be given on the night). You won't need to be a wine connoisseur or be a serious wine buff to have a good time – having no experience can be an advantage! Good friends, good food and good fun - fabuloso!
Finally, once you have whet your palate, why not also come to our Family Barbeque evening on Friday 20 June? Further details will follow soon. And don't forget that we always need volunteers to help us to raise money for the school and fund the new minibus. So don't be backward in coming forward.
FOHNS Committee.
1ST HOOK NORTON GUIDES
We have had the usual active time at guides since the last newsletter in February. Amy Hambidge organised for Fred from
Dogs for the Disabled to come to our meeting, bringing with him Higgins, a very nice black Labrador. Fred showed us a video, which pointed out the necessity for disabled people to have dogs like Higgins to help them in their every day life. Amy is in the process of doing some fund raising for Dogs for the Disabled - please support her if you can.
For Mothers Day, as well as making 50 lavender bags for St Peters Church, Kate organised for the girls to make earrings for their mothers and to make a little cardboard box for them to go in, she also arranged for Kirsty to come to our meeting, to show the girls how they could do a hand and foot massage and how to paint nails. This was put to good use the following
week, 3rd March, as the guides invited their mothers along to have a pamper session - hand and foot massage, with nail painting and face mask, followed by tea and chocolate biscuits. This was a huge success and I am sure the mothers enjoyed the session and were sent home with a daffodil at the end of the evening.
Over the next few weeks we shall be concentrating on our Cherwell Spectacular act, ready for the show in April, together with planning for our camp, which will take place at the end of May.
In April, please look out for the girlguiding Hook Norton group doing the annual litter pick - we shall be out there in force de-cluttering the streets of Hook Norton!
Lastly, we are very sad to hear that we shall be loosing Kate Rudd, our parent helper in the next few weeks. She has been
wonderful - bringing great ideas and activities for the girls to do and giving 100% commitment to us all. Thank you so much Kate for all your help - we wish you and your family all the best in your new venture. If anyone would like to consider helping with guides - not necessarily going into uniform, but helping particularly on a Monday night - you don't have to have girls in guides! I started when my two were just 1 and 3 years old! If you remember having a great time in brownies and guides when you were younger, perhaps you are just the right person we are looking for? Please have a good read of the centre pages, which tell you a lot about guiding in Hook Norton and get in touch if you think you may like to give it a try.
1st Hook Norton Guides will once again be collecting the Sainsbury Active Kids vouchers. If you would like to donate them to us, we would be very grateful as last year, we were able to get some good equipment for the girls to use at the meetings. If you have any vouchers, please let me know, or drop them through my door please?
MUSEUM NEWS
During the evening of February 19th 2008 over eighty voices were heard singing the hymn 'Angel Voices Ever Singing' in the Village and Brewery Museums in Brewery Lane. It was a moving occasion and took place at the dedication of the mechanism of the former Parish Church Tower clock in its new home.
Some years earlier when disability measures in St Peter's Church had made the clock mechanism redundant, the late David Clarke, Managing Director of Hook Norton Brewery, arranged to store the machinery in the Brewery. It was his intention to see it restored and working and housed in the museums above the new Visitor Centre at the Brewery.
Sadly, David did not live to see his wish fulfilled, but others were able to carry out his wishes. David's widow, Paula and his son James were at the forefront of an effort to raise enough money to get this done and both made generous contributions. The Local History Group, village organisations and members of the public were very supportive. Museum officers also worked hard at encouraging fundraising and in finding a suitable restorer for the clock.
It was the inspiration of one of the Museum Curators, Patrick Summerell, to contact the original makers, J Smith and Sons of Derby and this proved to be an excellent move. The Reverend John Acreman conducted the ceremony, dedicating the newly restored clock mechanism to the memory of the late David Clarke. It was a moving and thoughtful address based on the concept of time and set the tone for the whole occasion.
Do come and look at the mechanism in its present surroundings with its bright new clock face. It is a joyful sight. The Museum Curators would now like to thank all those who worked so hard and in so many ways to help make this project successful and worthwhile. They are delighted to be able to do so.
Patrick Summerell, Barbara Summerell & Barbara Hicks Museum Staff
MUSEUM REQUEST
Do you have any photographs of Mr Gaddes' buses?
Mr Gaddes kept an ironmongery and hardware shop in part of what is now the village shop from the late 1930s until probably the early 1960s. He started off with one bus and then during the 1939-1945 war acquired more. Buses were used to take war workers to the Northern Aluminium works in Banbury. These buses were also used, amongst other things, to transport pupils from outlying villages to Hook Norton school.
At one time the buses were housed in a large garage on the site where the present Post Office now stands.
We at the Museum would be happy to copy any photographs and return the originals to you straightaway.
Barbara Hicks,Hook Norton Museum
DUSTBINS - FREE TO A GOOD HOME
Would anyone like to have two grey dustbins with lids? Both are just over 2 feet high, well used but in good condition. FREE for taking them from my drive.
Gweneth Edgington, Burycroft Road
HOOK NORTON GARDEN CLUB
The year was off to an excellent start with a record turnout for Sue Burns' talk on 'Trees for the small garden' and we are looking forward to John Taylor's talk on 'Growing your own vegetables' on 19 March.
As you read this we are preparing for the Spring Show in St. Peter's Church on Saturday 5 April. Registration for members will be on the previous Wednesday 2 April between 7&8pm in the Memorial Hall. The Spring Show is always very fresh and colourful - maybe the daffodils will be over but there should be plenty of tulips to take their place.
There is something for everyone to take part in - homecraft, photography, flower arranging as well as plants and vegetables and of course the children's entries are especially welcome.
Even if you are not participating do come along and support this local event; doors open at 2.30. Entrance is free and the teas are great.
We've been busy here with lots of children's activities.
During half term Anna White, children's librarian from Banbury entertained 4 to 7 year olds with a storytime, and for 0 to 3 year olds a rhymetime. Both of which proved very popular, our next rhymetimes are Monday 31st March and Monday 28th April 2.00 till 2.30pm. All 0 to 3 year olds welcome, no ticket needed.
We also had a wonderful visit from children's author Nick Ward who entertained Year 4 of Hook Norton Primary School telling us all about the journals of Charlie Small. The children were all so well behaved and asked very intelligent questions and we were all enthralled.
The annual plant and book sale is to take place on the 10th May, do come along, we've ordered better weather this year as it was a little bit damp last time so you never know the sun may shine!
Don't forget we recycle batteries and once again our tube is filling up nicely. If anyone has Sainsbury's vouchers I know the primary school is collecting them, if you can't take them there just drop them off here and we will pass them on.
The Friends of Hook Norton Library are now supplying the Oxford Times weekly and we are piloting other magazines, we may start subscribing to the Four Shires depending on the readership once we have trialled it in April. Still the most popular magazine is Hello which is donated weekly by someone and then passed on to Woodstock Library. If anyone has any suggestions of any magazines they would like to see in the library, do let me know and we'll trial them. We do have a box of past copies of magazines which anyone can help themselves to or swap their own read magazines for.
Finally, don't forget our new opening times, we are still open till 7.00pm. two evenings in the week and now you are able to enjoy refreshments in the adjoining hall every Saturday morning.
Looking forward to seeing you all again soon.
Janet May, Hook Norton Library
HOOKY SLIMMERS “BIN THEIR SINS”
Hook Norton's Slimming World group held a Food Amnesty during January to allow members to dispose of their Christmas excess food to enhance their own weight loss for 2008.
Slimmers were encouraged by consultant Lucy to donate their unwanted food after the group had amazing success in the lead up to Christmas. The group decided the best place for the donated goodies was the Hook Norton Care Group.
Pat and Jan from the Care Group attended the group on behalf of the Care centre. They said the goodies would be greatly appreciated!
The Slimming World Group has now moved to the School on Wednesday evenings at 6.30pm and currently there are over 40 members!
For more information on Slimming World please visit the website www.slimming-world.com or call 08700 754 666. Alternatively contact Lucy directly on 01295 268639.
Well, it has been an exhausting, terrifying and exciting few weeks. I have suffered aches and pains in places I didn't even know I had, battled with man flu, faced a herd of homicidal cows and lost many of my good friends as Gill has researched the health benefits of beer for long-distance runners. I have been on my first publicity tour (at the Fox FM studios) and have made many friends including Sir Ian Botham, Bear Grylls, Roger Protz and Dave Spikey. I am having a running vest made for me by a Harrods tailor and I have my very own account manager at Leukaemia Research who, as I write, is shopping in his local supermarket, trying to find a mannequin the same size as me for the tailor.
Remember, you can read the full story on my website – www.marathonpint.co.uk
So far I have run a total of 178 miles, with another 124 to go before Marathon Day. Gill will have done 401 but she didn't have to spend 2 weeks in bed fighting for her life. Whether I shall manage to drag her round the whole 26 miles remains to be seen – our last long run was 18 miles and she couldn't get up the stairs afterwards. In the very first marathon, held in London exactly 100 years ago, the runners were each supported by a cyclist who provided encouragement, water and, in the case of the Italian Dorando Pietri, chianti. Gill has checked but was disappointed to find that this is no longer allowed. We have had an enormous amount of support from His Holiness Mr James Clarke and 31 of the Hook Norton pubs are running sweepstakes for people to guess my finish time in the marathon. There are some great prizes on offer including wine, beer, meals, overnight accommodation and one very large cash prize! Sweepstakes are also being run in the Village Shop, the Sports and Social club and Salon 2 with more great prizes on offer there. I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been so generous in donating prizes.
And now for the serious bit and the reason I'm doing this. From leukaemia being an almost certain death sentence 40 years ago, 8 out of 10 children survive nowadays. This is partly due to the fantastic amount of money raised by the people of Hook Norton in the last 20 years – £196, 447.26 to be precise!! There are only 40 Leukaemia Research places in the London Marathon and we have been given one because they know that the village will support us and help us to reach our target of £4000 – which will take us over £200,000! But we are still a long way off so please help – visit all the pubs, do your weekly shop in the village shop, get your hair done at Salon 2 and then go for a drink at the Sports and Social Club – all for charity! And if you've got any money left after all that, visit my fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/marathonpint - and please can a few more people sponsor Gill not to drink me before we get to the finish line? Otherwise I'm doomed!!
This year I am taking part in the Canoe Marathon, which is an endurance race, 125 miles long with 75 portages (going around locks). I am paddling in a K2 with Michael Punter (Grunt), we are both members of Banbury & District Canoe Cub. The event starts at the bottom of the Devizes lock flight, it includes going on the Kennet and Avon canal and then onto the Thames to finish outside the Houses of Parliament. We will be doing this over 4 days - on the first day (Good Friday) 34 miles, then 35 miles, on Saturday then 37 miles on Easter Sunday and finally on the Monday, the last stretch is on the tidal section of the Thames, which means we start when the tide is high. On Easter Monday this means starting at 4.30am!! Over the whole weekend we aim to do it under 24 hours. I have been doing specific training for this event and I hope to complete it, which will be a big achievement before I go to university in September.
I have chosen Myeloma UK due to my mum's friend, Hilary, being diagnosed with Myeloma in July 2006. Myeloma is a rare cancer of blood plasma cells, which can cause bone pain and fractures, kidney damage, anaemia and fatigue. It is treatable, but as yet there is no cure. Any money raised will go towards supporting patients with Myeloma and their families and friends and funds research into new treatments. www.justgiving.com/KWDW008 is the site where you can make donations if you wish. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Myeloma UK will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
Many thanks for your support.
Katie Wood
Stop Press - Bank Holiday Monday - Katie and Grunt completed the four day challenge in just a total of 21 hours and 22 minutes, a lot better than expected! Full report in the next newsletter.
WILDLIFE NOTEBOOK - MID JANUARY TO MID MARCH
On 14th January Janice Salmon, who lives in Burycroft Road, heard a Mistle Thrush singing which seems to be fairly early. She has a resident Goldcrest in the pine tree in her garden, which she comments is very pretty and very busy. Margaret Freeman in Down End had 2 Bullfinches in her garden on 20th January. A male Great Spotted Woodpecker was on the nut feeder in Ann Swainbank's garden in Chapel Street on 28th January at about 1.00pm. Vivien Lee who lives in Down End emailed to say that over the weekend of 23rd/24th February she saw a pair of Bullfinches and for the first time they had some Bramblings and one was around for the next few days. These birds are winter visitors and are often seen in with Chaffinches, their favourite winter food is beechmast and if there is enough about they can stay around, particularly if beechmast is scarce on the continent and in Scandinavia. She also saw two Lesser Redpolls which were hanging from some old lobelia bonariensis heads. They have the usual garden birds and comments that there are less Greenfinches, which is probably the case everywhere, but there do seem to be a few healthy birds around, so we hope that the virus they had last year has gone. She says that there are many Chaffinches. We have seen large flocks in the fields in East End. On 28th February, Vivien had a very handsome Great Spotted Woodpecker on the ground in her garden. A Red Kite was seen over the East End bungalows at about 8.55am on 6th March. Pam Hummer, who lives in Park Road, reported on 12th March that she has had a Blackbird building a nest in a privet hedge for several days.
The days are getting longer, the birds are singing, spring flowers are around us and leaves have started appearing on some shrubs, so we are probably nearly at the favourite time of the year for most people. No-one has reported seeing any migrants yet, but they will arrive in the next couple of months, so please keep your eyes and ears peeled and let me know about any sighting.
I wrote about Foxes in my last article and would you believe on 16th January at about 1.00pm two Foxes went past the back of our garden, followed one another around and walked to the back of the field where they eventually mated - this all took approximately two hours.
Muntjac Deer have been seen in the field in East End on a couple of occasions.
A white-tailed Bumble Bee was flying around on 24th January.
David Shirt emailed to say that Sandy discovered a clutch of 20 Grass Snake eggs in their compost heap, but sadly they were dead. It is quite likely they were laid too late in the season, as they are easily killed by frost. They have seen Grass Snakes in their compost heap before on several occasions, but not usually large enough to lay eggs.
Ponds are teeming with amphibian breeding activity around this time. You can easily distinguish mature frogs from toads by their eyes - frogs have a golden iris and circular pupil; Toads have an orange iris and slit-shaped pupil. Male Newts can be told from females by their crests, which develop in the breeding season. Common Frogs lay large, glistening blobs of jelly-coated eggs in clumps around pond margins. The Common Toad lays long, gelatinous, double strings of eggs which are usually tangled around the stalks of waterweeds and the Smooth (common) Newt lays individual eggs carefully wrapped in folded waterweed leaves.
Thank you very much to those of you who have been in touch. Please contact me with your sightings.
The year was off to an excellent start with a record turnout for Sue Burns' talk on 'Trees for the small garden' and we are looking forward to John Taylor's talk on 'Growing your own vegetables' on 19 March. 
Hook Norton's Slimming World group held a Food Amnesty during January to allow members to dispose of their Christmas excess food to enhance their own weight loss for 2008.
We have had an enormous amount of support from His Holiness Mr James Clarke and 31 of the Hook Norton pubs are running sweepstakes for people to guess my finish time in the marathon. There are some great prizes on offer including wine, beer, meals, overnight accommodation and one very large cash prize! Sweepstakes are also being run in the Village Shop, the Sports and Social club and Salon 2 with more great prizes on offer there. I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been so generous in donating prizes.
