THE

HOOK NORTON

NEWSLETTER

August 2001 Series 26 No 4

Page 2


   


ON THIS PAGE

SONGS FOR A SUMMER EVENING
MESSIAH FROM SCRATCH WEEKEND UPDATE
HOOKY PLAYERS
FOLK IN A FIELD 5
ST PETER'S TOWER PROJECT
FESTIVAL OF FINE ALES
HOOK NORTON BRASS BAND




SONGS FOR A
SUMMER EVENING

Madrigals, Motets and Partsongs by Purcell, Elgar
Debussy, Poulenc and others

Sung by

COTSWOLD VOICES

at

ST PETER'S CHURCH
HOOK NORTON

7.30 pm SATURDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER

Tickets £5 (Concessions £3) from:

Paul Cann
 
EVERY POUND RAISED
7 Bell Hill
 
GOES TO HOOK NORTON
Hook Norton
 
YOUTH CLUB
OX15 5NG
(or on the door)

Cheques payable to: Paul Cann




MESSIAH FROM SCRATCH WEEKEND UPDATE
Thank you to all those people who have sent in their leaflets for the Messiah from Scratch Weekend: 29-30 September. The choir is beginning to take shape very well but we are still looking for more singers ­ it isn't too late to get your name down and we are looking forward to hearing from you. This is a fundraising event for St Peter's Church Tower Appeal and the cost for singers is £15 for adults and £5 for children, which includes lunch on the Saturday. There are leaflets at the library, in the dentist and in the shop or ring Emma Callery (tel: 737249) or Simon Mead (tel: 730146) and we'll get one to you. If you don't feel like singing but would like to hear the performance, the concert will be at 7pm at St Peter's Church on Sunday 30 September. Tickets are £5 and will be available nearer the time ­ but get that date down in your diary.


HOOKY PLAYERS
Following the success of our first production 'Murdered to Death' in the Memorial Hall in June, we will be producing a pantomime at the end of January 2002.
Rehearsals will commence at the end of September although a final decision still has to be made regarding which play it will be. Favourite at the moment is 'Robin Hood And The Babes In The Wood'.
We are very fortunate to have an excellent central core of actors and actresses (could do with more) but the group still needs singers and dancers - and most of all - folk willing to help backstage with wardrobe, make-up, props, etc. There is also a need for any cotton sheets surplus to requirements. On these we are able to paint several back cloths to assist with the set. Anyone good with a paintbrush would also be well received.
A musical director has been appointed but we still need a choreographer. Anyone interested in helping in any way please contact Brian Rider.


FOLK IN A FIELD 5
It was going to be the best ever. And it very nearly was. It was a real story of triumph out of adversity, dashed at the last by a thunderous downpour after weeks of heat and sunshine.
As you know, the event had to be relocated because of the foot and mouth threat - but what a relocation! Nigel's site is a stunning natural arena, ideal for a live music event. The addition of an acoustic tent proved an excellent development; and additional entertainments and stalls kept people occupied in between the sets.
Musicians love to play at the event - they all think you're a wonderful audience. And The Albion Band have promised to return next year. This band is the best in the country at what they do, and though many of you would have been disappointed not to hear them, there's always next year.
Folk in a Field has established itself as more than just a small village event. It has a fantastic reputation for great live music and an excellent atmosphere. On its own it has raised huge amounts of money, which is distributed via the Charitable Association to a host of good causes. This year was Folk in a Field 's fifth birthday. It seemed appropriate to mark it with a special CD featuring bands who have appeared over this time. Because of the downpour, many of you did not have the opportunity to buy one at the end of the evening. If you would like one, please contact any of the committee members.
The rain may have soaked you, but it didn't dampen your spirits. Look out for next year's event on 6 th July.
Pat Groome and Graham Hendy

PS: Having shaped and developed the event over the past five years, it's time for us to pass the baton on to other capable hands. We would like to offer our sincerest thanks to all those and there are dozens of you, who have helped make Folk in a Field what it is. If you would like to get involved in any way, contact Simon Mead, Chair of The Charitable Association.


ST PETER'S TOWER PROJECT
On Friday July 6th with rain falling to the North and to the South, the sun shone on the Summer Ball.
The marquee, set in the grounds of the Primary School, looked wonderful; the Flower ladies had created a festive atmosphere both inside and around the outside tables so that from the moment of arrival the 290 guests were in party mood.
Even before the meal was over the dance floor was full and the band 'Celebrations' kept up the tempo until, to cries of “more, more” they reluctantly packed away their instruments.
There was great excitement over the Prize Draw with five lucky winners either looking forward to dining at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, enjoying a cottage weekend, hanging at home a Josephine Trotter painting, having a hair beauty consultation or simply drinking champagne!
Due to the generosity of the Prize Donors almost £900 was raised. Overall almost £6,000 was made towards the project and a donation to Katharine House Hospice.
This magnificent sum is the result, not only of those who dined and danced but many others who supported the Ball in numerous ways during the months of preparation - and on the Day. Too many to name individually but a big Thank You to everyone.
The Fund-raising Committee, St Peter's Church


FESTIVAL OF FINE ALES
Despite indifferent weather Saturday July 21st was another phenomenal success.
Sixty beers were in place in the marquee by Friday morning having been cooled in the brewery cellar. They found their way from all corners of the kingdom from Edinburgh in the north to Lewes in the south.
On Saturday the early trickle of dedicated seekers of real ale had changed into a steady stream by one o'clock as parties of families and friends arrived to stake their pitch in the Festival area and on the closed-off roads and wide banks outside the Pear Tree. Food was available throughout the day with the product of two excellent Pig Roasts being very much in demand. A barbecue, and the Fish and Chip van were also very popular.
The weather did not deter the visitors and all the beer had been consumed well before the end of the day. A thousand glasses were sold and nearly 4000 pints of beer slipped down thirsty gullets.
Musical entertainment was varied. The Owlswick Morris Men, Hook Norton Silver Band, Pete (Port Talbot) Watkins, Deuce, Raven's Taunt, Sorcha's Fancy, The Box Hedge Clippers and Papa Yam & the Moose entertained through out the day. Tours around the Brewery were popular. The occasion was organised by Jem Hayward, Denis Wynn and Bob Murray with the inestimable assistance of the Clarke family and staff of the Brewery and John and Carol and the staff of the Pear Tree.
The organisers wish to thank the many people who volunteered to do so many jobs including those who cleared the site on Sunday morning. Special thanks to Dave Coates, Pete Watkins, John Acreman and an extra special thank-you to those who contacted the breweries on our behalf, Margaret Daisley, Gill Begnor, Col. Terence Holloway, Roberta Hodgson and George Lunt. Also particular thanks to Pete Watkins who worked extremely hard on the music, and a thank you to Chris Moore for the use of his helicopter for the rides.
The organisers give what profit they make to charity, with Leukemia Research topping the list. Since the first festival in 1994 the Hook Norton Festival of Fine ales has raised over £40,000 for charity to which this years estimated profit of £8,000 will be added.


HOOK NORTON BRASS BAND
Monday 28th May was a very special day for Tony Baldry MP and Pippa Isbell when a Service of Blessing for their wedding was held at Bloxham Church. A Registry Office marriage had already taken place three days earlier. The Band took their places in church and at the request of Mr Baldry, played a Sousa march 'Semper Fidelis' at the commencement of the service. The church organist and choir took part as did the Whihan String Quartet from Prague. A large number of guests attended the lovely occasion and the Band played Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' after the final blessing as Mr and Mrs Baldry left the church to make their way to the Public School where the reception was held. The fine weather allowed the band to be seated outside on the lawn where the guests were served drinks and buffet refreshments. The Garden Party atmosphere was further enhanced by a programme of light entertainment from the Band.
It says a lot for Tony Baldry, MP for Banbury and leading figure amongst this country's politicians, that he should choose his local town band to participate in such an important occasion in his life and we wish him every success and happiness for the future.
On a breezy June evening, Band members assembled at the front of Byfield Church and the playing of the Band to accompany the hymns for the Songs of Praise was much appreciated. A large number of parishioners gathered together to sing chosen hymns with a special meaning to certain individuals. A loudspeaker system had been set up to enable everyone to hear readings and the spoken word. The enthusiastic singing was followed by delicious refreshments. A most welcome ending to a chilly undertaking for the Band.
Bodicote Weekend celebrations began on Friday 22nd June when the Band played to a large audience in a huge marquee in Kingsfield. A perfect summer evening, many chose to sit on rugs and garden chairs outside, entering into the atmosphere of the concert wholeheartedly. Elgar's “Pomp and Circumstance” was the exciting climax of the evening, bringing enthusiastic singing, flag waving and then rapturous applause with requests for an encore which was given.
The 'Songs of Praise' on the Sunday of the same weekend, saw the Band engaged on a completely different sort of occasion at the same venue; this time to play hymns for a Service of Thanksgiving, again in the marquee where crowds gathered inside and out.
The Band will be playing on August 5th at Vera Jones' Annual Garden Party and at Peoples Park or Spiceball Park on 12th August 2pm - 4pm
J. G.