The Hook Norton Village Newsletter
December 2003 Series 28 No 6

Village Affairs



NEWSLETTER TEAM


Directory: Diana Barber
Advertising: Judi Leader
Distribution: Bunty Reid
Postal Services: Mrs M Padbury
Proof reading: Nigel Lehmann
IT/Web Support: Martin Baxter
Treasurer: John Stratford


FROM THE EDITORS
Click for a large version!
The Newsletter box contained £68.33 in donations this month - thank you!
Sadly, we report the deaths of Jessie Eva (Paddy) Newman aged 91 years, Neil Michael West aged 32 years and Daphne Ward-Hill. On behalf of the village, we send our condolences to their families and friends.
Thank you to Bob and Verity Calderan for permission to use the roof of their house for Santa's stopover on the cover.
This month's edition includes a copy of the form to renew entries in the Hook Norton Directory. If you require your information to be published in the 2004 Directory, please complete the form and return it with the fee no later than 31st December. The form is available in MS Word format, or plain text, (right click and choose (Internet Explorer) 'Save Target As ...' or (Netscape) 'Save Link As ...').
Finally, in true editorial style……
We'd like to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year
Andy Horne Helen Foster
hooknorton.news@btopenworld.com helen@monivea.freeserve.co.uk

The views expressed in the Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Editorial Team.

RATES – CHEQUES PAYABLE TO 'HOOK NORTON NEWSLETTER'
Text & advertising copy deadline MONDAY, 15th JANUARY 2004
Text for Village activities Free (a small donation is welcome)
Inserts for Village Activities On request from Judi Leader
Commercial Advertising £22 per page & pro rata per issue
Commercial Inserts £20 per issue
Donations can be put in the Newsletter Box in the Post Office or posted to; Newsletter, c/o Hook Norton Post Office, Chapel Street, Hook Norton, Oxon.


NEWSLETTER: COMPUTER PROBLEMS
& THANKS
This edition of the Newsletter came very close to being seriously delayed when my computer decided to throw a major 'strop' a few days after the copy deadline. I'd like to thank Derek Brotherston for coming to the rescue and getting my computer working again in time.
Andy Horne



LARGE PRINT EDITION
From this edition on, a Large Print Newsletter will be available in the Library about a week after the publication date.
Hook Norton Rolling Diary
Please note the change of e-mail address for organisations wishing to add entries to the village Rolling Diary:-
thehopes@fsmail.net



National Blood Service

Blood Collection Session

Monday 29 December : 10:45 to 13:15 & 14:30 to 17:00
at the Primary School
Please support this very worthwhile cause



HOOK NORTON PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
Our After School Club is now up and running, collecting children from School and opening until 6pm, Monday to Friday. We cater for children aged 2 – 8 years. Please call the Playgroup on 730560 for more details. Once again, Santa and his helpers will be going round the village on the Christmas Float on Sunday 7th December from 1pm onwards.
All donations will be gratefully received! Please come and support us.
Our AGM will take place on Wednesday 21st January 2004 at 8pm at the Playgroup. We need as many parents as possible to attend to vote. The Playgroup is a registered charity and is run by Committee. Parents willing to join the Committee would be very welcome.
New Opening Hours – We are now offering morning and afternoon Playgroup Sessions, Monday to Friday with a walk to / from Nursery service. Our Lunch Club runs from 12.00 – 12.30 and the After School Club runs during the week until 6pm. We can collect children from School.
Prices Morning Session 9 – 12 £5.00
Afternoon Session 12.30 – 3.30 £5.00
Lunch Club £1.00
Take to / Collect from Nursery £1.00
Collect from School £1.00
After School Club £2.50 per hour

Would you like a day off to do your Christmas Shopping?
We offer ad hoc sessions (payable on the day). Please contact Julie on 730560 for more details. The staff and Committee would like to thank everyone for their support during the year and wish you all a Merry Christmas.
Lisa Nottingham – Vice Chair, Playgroup Committee 730863


FRIENDS OF HOOK NORTON SCHOOL
It is the event of the Christmas season, a place where even Santa's helpers are said to be heading in search of those last minute must-have stocking fillers. So don't please miss the Hook Norton School Fair on Saturday 6th December from 2pm to 4pm. If you are after fine crafts for beneath the Christmas tree, festive cards or presents made by the school's children that have that special personal touch, make sure you drop by and support our school. There will be Christmas decorations on sale, second-hand books, a tombola and plenty to eat, drink and make merry. It's the way to kick off the Christmas season with your community. If you want to make a contribution of a cake, mince pies, toys, cuddly bears or a bottle for the tombola, the school office would be delighted to receive your donation.
We also delighted to introduce the Hook Norton School Christmas Pudding, which will also be available at the Fair. Personally made by a very small craft manufacturer for us in Cumbria, they are truly excellent. The vine fruits are soaked in brandy and dry sherry while fresh breadcrumbs and freshly grated carrot giving the puddings a northern style, lighter, less bitter and with a wider variety of luxury ingredients than other puddings. They are designed to compete with the best M&S can offer. The label incorporates the FOHNS and school logo on each pudding, making them ideal gifts and the perfect answer to those who have misplaced Grandma's recipe this winter. It is a great pudding, saves you work and raises funds for all our children. At £5 for a 1lb pudding and £9 for a 2lb pudding, you'll feel well-satisfied with your decision. Just let us know your order at the school office and we'll do the rest.
A few words of thanks for those who made our events this term such a success, not least our Wine Tasting Evening on Friday 21st November at the school, offering 20 festive wines. Our latest Murder Mystery Evening raised £250 on 8th November and Hazel Hope and Helen Rothwell, as ever, prepared a fabulous meal.
Finally, in case you feel you wish to support our school in a discreet way, remember you can always make a voluntary contribution. By pledging a sum through the Gift Aid scheme, the school benefits both from the donation plus the tax that can be reclaimed on it.
But most important, Christmas is about children – join us at the Fair on Saturday 6th December and celebrate with the rest of our village. Merry Christmas and thank you for your support.
Sue Wood, FOHNS chair woodees@btopenworld.com


WEA – HOOK NORTON BRANCH
The second AGM of the Branch was held at the Brewery Centre on 14th October. Sue Coltman, the Chairman, was pleased to report a successful second year with regular attendances at the 6 week Art Courses and Day Schools as well as well supported coach trips, resulting in a healthy financial statement.
Day Schools dealing with 'Furniture Design' and 'The war for the Throne between Empress Matilda and Stephen' were held during the year as well as courses on 'Women in Art' and 'Colour use in Art'. Coach outings to the National Gallery to view the 'Titan Exhibition' and to the newly refurbished Dulwich Picture Gallery were also arranged.
To celebrate the centenary of the WEA, 'Bonham at the Brewery' was held. Bonhams gave valuations of items brought by the public and a donation of £100 was made to Leukaemia Research.
In May, a coach trip was organised to visit Wightwick Manor, a National Trust Property near Wolverhampton that is a fine example of the Arts and Crafts Movement, situated in attractive gardens.
The Chairman and Committee thanked everyone who came along and gave their support.
With the business over, the Chairman introduced Matthew Armitage from Tooley's Boatyard who spoke of the history, restoration and the future of this historic dry dock. Originally established in 1790, this is the oldest dry dock in the country and it still has an exciting future.
Twenty four students enrolled on a Day Course entitled 'English Architecture and Furniture of the 16th & 17th century, on 4th November. Andy Gunn, lecturer at Rycotewood College, Thame and an expert in furniture design, gave an informative talk illustrated with slides.
Looking ahead
On 6th December, a coach trip to visit the Wallace Collection in London is planned.
A six week course on 'Landscape Painting' starts on 26th February to be held in the Library 1.30 – 3.30pm. Fee £27.
On 11th March at the Brewery Centre, a Day School on 'The Appeal of Silver' will be held between 10am - 4pm. The fee of £16.50 includes coffee and lunch.
On 13th May at the Brewery Centre, 'Explore the English Hedgerow' will include an afternoon walk to look at the village hedgerows. 10am - 4pm. The fee of £16.50 includes coffee and lunch.
Betty Couldrey


1ST HOOK NORTON GUIDES
Thoughts and memories of some of the Guides.
'At guides this term the Daffodil patrol organised a Caribbean party. We played lots of games and we had cocktails and Caribbean food. Sam Baptie bought in drinks and the food. I enjoyed it very much.'
Chelsea Fisher

'Our guides went to a musical called Dracula Spectacular. It was really fun. We got sweets and a chocolate bar and a drink. I had apple juice. It finished at 9.45pm - I enjoyed it.'
Sacha Warner

'We went to see Dracula Spectacular and it was wicked. It was at the Mill in Banbury and was simply brilliant. From the teacher to the Mad Countess - it was all hilarious and was performed by The Warriner School.'
Olwen Hills

'The Daffodil patrol organised a Caribbean party. Everybody dressed up. Sam Baptie brought the food and drink. We had three games, called King Kong made up by Lucy Curtis - the other games were made up by Corrie Ricardo and Rosie Callery. I did a bingo game. I thought the whole evening was very good.'
Charlotte Smith

Click for a large version!
'One of my guide memories must have been Dracula Spectacular - it was really good. Me and Sharn sat together. My favourite bit was on the plane, I thought they acted it out excellently. One of our old guides was in it. She was really good. I enjoyed that meeting.'
Megan Wood

'This term the 1st Hook Norton Guides have had many enjoyable meetings and outings. On the 20th October, we went to a performance by The Warriner School called Dracula Spectacular. It was at the Mill, in Banbury and it was brilliant. 5 of us made our promise by the canal. Amy Barnet-Hunt, Hattie Callery, Sacha Warner, Chelsea Fisher and myself. During the term the patrols have been working on very successful go-for-its. The Pandas did a murder mystery and the Daffodils did a Caribbean night, including games and refreshments'.
Harriet Nicholls.


HOOK NORTON GARDEN CLUB
The AGM of the Club took place on Wednesday 15 October 2003.The Chairman, Dave Coates, reported that it had been an historic year for the Club with the very successful Golden Jubilee Celebrations to mark 50 years since the formation of the Hook Norton Horticultural Society held in the Brewery Visitor's Centre in June. In addition, there had been the usual Shows, visits and open evenings. David thanked the Committee for their hard work and announced with regret some retirements and resignations: Barbara Rusbridge who had been a Club member for 19 years: Bunty Reid a valuable helper for many years; Tim Burchell, a "pillar of the Club" for 10 years and Vicki Mepham the efficient Treasurer for the past 2 years.
The Officers for 2003/4 are Chairman, David Coates, Secretary, Nicholas Faulkner and Vice Chairman, Verity Calderan. The Committee are Christine Blackham, Ann Faulkner, Frank Faulkner, Yvonne Higgins, Vicki Mepham, Joan Stirling and Pam Wood. The office of Treasurer remains vacant and any member who feels able to act, as either Treasurer or Secretary, should contact Dave Coates. The duties of Secretary are not onerous as members of the Committee undertake many tasks.
The Garden Club year begins again in February when hopefully we will be able to welcome new as well as present members. A Calendar of events will be included in the February Newsletter.
Verity Calderan


BAPTIST CHURCH
Have you finished your Christmas shopping? Alternatively, like me, do you leave it until December? What about that awkward Uncle you can never find the right gift for or the relatives you haven't seen in years but can't quite bring yourself to stop sending them at least a token present at Christmas? Is it getting to be one big hassle, have you spent more than you can really afford, has the plastic cracked under the strain? Perhaps for you Christmas is a lonely time. Is this the first year without that special person in your life, is it a holiday to be endured rather than enjoyed?
Nicky Gumbal says this, "With all the magic, the stress and the hype of Christmas, are we missing the point? In the words of C.S. Lewis, at Christmas we remember the central event in the history of the earth - the very thing the whole story is about".
We do wish you a happy peaceful and joyous Christmas and New Year. We have several special services and would love you to join us to celebrate this season for the right reason.
Friday 12th December Join with us and our friends at St. Peter's to sing carols with the Hook Norton Band, at 7.30pm
Sunday 21st December Family service at 10.30am.
Christmas Eve Communion at 11.30pm.
Christmas Day A short service at 10am.
Julie Warren


ST. PETER'S CHURCH
As we gear up to remember the most important Birthday for Christians worldwide, do have a look through the Services coming up at St. Peters and join in with the celebrations of Jesus' birth. After all, without Him, there would be no Christmas. And please, at this traditional time of happiness and family reunion, remember in your prayers those for whom life is not so joyful, those who are sick or who grieve, and those who have loved ones they cannot be with.
So, what's on the agenda? On Sunday 21st December at 10am a 'children's special' Christmas Carols service will replace the Christmas Eve crib services of past years. The new carols service still provides opportunities for the children to dress up so do bring them along to the rehearsal on Friday 19th December at 3pm in the Church. We're sure it will be a wonderful occasion and it's never too early to start tuning up those voices. For those who can stay up a bit later, the traditional Carols by Candlelight service, also on Sunday 21st December, is at 6.30pm. There will be an augmented choir this year at the candlelit service and anyone who would like to join the choir can come along to the rehearsals, which are every Friday evening, at 7.30pm in the Church. Details from Don Baker.
Holy Communion will be at 11.30pm on Christmas Eve, and again at 8am on Christmas morning. At 10am on Christmas Day, there will also be a service of morning worship for all ages. Do join the celebration 'on the day'. I'm sure the lunch will be able look after itself for an hour and the children could be extracted from under the mountains of wrapping paper. It will be a joyful service for all in the village to celebrate together.
Other news? Well, the Church organ has been taken apart and fully cleaned – we reckon it hasn't been done for between 50 and 70 years, so it's probably a bit overdue .… any donations towards the cost would be very welcome. In addition, thank you to everyone who made donations over the Harvest period. £200 has now been sent to the Tear Fund, to help buy chicken farms that will enable people in Africa to achieve some sense of self-sufficiency. Still on the 'animal' theme, watch out for the forthcoming 'Send-a-Cow' appeal. Believe it or not, just £2,000 is enough to buy a whole farmyard of animals for an African village. The appeal will run over Lent, but we can still spare a thought and a prayer for people worldwide who are so much less fortunate than ourselves.
The Sunday Gang children have been busy as usual, and there are lots of new 'members' of varying ages joining in with the Gang's activities. The children led the recent Advent Service on 30th November, a true family occasion. The theme of the Jesse Tree, symbolising Jesus' family tree, is continuing until Christmas. The tinies also have their own Wheelers and Squealers meetings to look forward to at the Church, every first Tuesday of the month, including December and January, at 11am – 12.15pm. For the adults among us, the next Alpha Course will be starting in the village early in the New Year. Dates are still to be announced. For further details, please contact Janet Collins. This year's January Sale at St. Peter's will be on Saturday 17th, at 2pm. There will be lots of stalls, so please come along and have a browse. Details from Clare Curtis.
The Church would like to buy the Bibles ordered for the classes at Hook Norton Primary School. Anyone wishing to make a donation, of any amount, can do so to the Churchwardens, Simon Mead and Keith Fowler. If you would like to have a bible inscribed on a bookplate inside the cover, either, in memory or as a thanksgiving, £12 buys a 'whole' bible that will include your dedication, but don't forget to provide the words you would like inscribed.
Finally, please use caution near the scaffolding around the tower, especially with children. May your Christmas period be full of peace and joy.
Sophia Fox Sophiafox1@aol.com


CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU:
Firstly, thanks go to Hook Norton Charitable Association for their donation of £300
and South Newington Fete for their donation of £50 both of which are going
to the Fire Service Benevolent Fund.

Congratulations to Adrian & Zoë Barrett on the birth of daughter
Charlotte Hannah, a sister for Isabelle and a niece for Richard!!

Congratulations go to Leading Fire-fighters Ivor Matthews & Dave Page
who have completed 20 years service in the Fire service, in particular for
their service to Hook Norton. Dave has received his 20 years long service medal,
presented by the Chief Fire Officer John Parry for his commitment
to the Communities of Hook Norton & Deddington. Ivor will receive his
20 years long service medal shortly for his commitment to Hook Norton.

Finally Hooky Fire-fighters would like to thank everyone who have supported us
in what ever way over the last 12 months, in particular a big thank you to our
families who have been supportive & understanding when we have to
drop things at the sound of the alerter to assist people in need. Thank you

Have a Happy Christmas & a prosperous New Year and most of all - be safe!
Hooky Fire fighters.


FIRE FIGHTING DECEMBER 2003
As the winter, dark nights draw in, we all want to keep warm and cosy indoors but we all have to remember our safety, so here are a few points to ensure your home, and most of all, your family are safe.
Finally remember to check your smoke alarm is working. Remember to buy extra batteries for children's toys; don't borrow the battery from the smoke alarm even for a minute. This is how quickly a fire can develop. REMEMBER PUSH THE BUTTON NOT YOUR LUCK!
During October & November, we answered 26 calls. 15 in total for Standby were at Banbury & Chipping Norton. We answered two car fires near Hook Norton, two False Alarms, three small fires involving bins and hay along with a minor Road Traffic accident on the M40. We also dealt with a small fire involving the brakes of a train south of Banbury railway station. A bedroom fire at Milcombe where a candle had been left unattended caused mainly smoke damage but could have been worse as the smoke detector had its battery removed. Finally, a fire at a disused school in Banbury involved at least 80 fire fighters and 15 fire engines & specialist units from 4 counties controlling the fire for over 12 hours; this incident has been treated as arson.
Bonfire night passed without any injuries, but a few panics organising it. The afternoon was spent setting it all up, which went well until 3 fire calls in the space of 2 hours were answered. Thankfully, all calls were minor and enabled us to get back to what turned out to be a good night had by all. The bonfire was lit at 6.45pm and away it went, along with fireworks and of course the beer, burgers & hot dogs, apart from the lights in the bar going out for a couple of minutes whilst the fuse was changed, it was a great success. We estimate we have raised over £1,600 for the Fire Service's National Benevolent Fund (subject to final bills). Thanks go to you all who turned up and supported it, in particular Joan, Windsor, Julie & Keith for tremendous work in keeping glasses topped up, Emily & team for the food, Jackie Nathan & Katie for dealing with queues of people waiting to get in, David & Rex for the fireworks and Chipping Norton Fire Crew for their help. Thanks again to all who helped and supported us.
Recruitment: If you or any of your friends or family are interested in joining Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue service then contact Sub Officer James Clarke on 01608 737210
In particular, we are looking for people who can provide cover during the day. Are you an employer who would be willing to release an employee to respond to calls? It also has benefits knowing that your employee has knowledge of fire safety & first aid training and can undertake safety assessments. Many insurance companies recognise this and it could lead to a reduction in your insurance premiums.
Hooky Fire fighters.


HOOK NORTON W.I.
The October meeting welcomed Mrs. Christine Bloxham, whose talk was altered from the one advertised in the last Newsletter. Instead she gave an entertaining account, with slides, of 'The Season's Customs' which was greatly enjoyed. The Group Meeting on October 23rd in The Memorial Hall, at which Hooky W.I. was the host, welcomed members from the other W.I's in the Sibford Group and was a huge success. There were lots of W.I. 'goodies' to eat and one of Pat Fletcher's usual lovely floral art demonstrations to admire; the products of which were donated as raffle prizes. The evening was voted a great success by members and their guests. Members, husbands and friends are looking forward to the Christmas lunch to be held at The Red Lion, Little Compton, which has become one of our favourite venues, on 10th December. On December 1st in The Baptist Hall at 2pm a Christmas Event' is scheduled, with tea, games and competitions, one of them being for a homemade Christmas cracker. The W.I. is planning to hold a fund raising stall at the Hooky market on Saturday December 13th with a raffle and sale of gifts. Looking forward to 2004, the first meeting of the New Year will have a talk on 'The Work of the Ryder - Cheshire Volunteers' This will be on January 20th at 2pm in The Baptist Hall and on February 17th the meeting will welcome Mr. M.I. Hallam, giving a talk entitled 'Before the Age of Plastic.' The competition is for a homemade Valentine card. The AGM is on March 16th. LOOK OUT FOR POSTERS and come as a guest at any of the meetings on the third Tuesday of each month in the Baptist Hall at 2pm. — or even better, become a member! Secretary Beryl White
Marion Roberts


WILDLIFE NOTEBOOK - MID SEPT TO MID NOVEMBER 2003
I had an interesting phone call in early October to say that, on 8th October crossing the road just before the village coming from the Banbury direction, a Roe Deer burst through the hedge followed by a young deer. Unfortunately, this is the only phone call in the last two months. I would be really pleased to hear from anyone with any sightings.
Teddy and Gillian Liddell have contacted me to say that they have regularly seen a Green Woodpecker. Green Woodpeckers are always welcome in our gardens as they eat ants, adults and pupae, all year round. Their tongue can stretch beyond the bill to probe ant nests. Its wide tip, coated with gluey saliva, twists into tunnels, withdrawing ants from their undergrounds galleries. In summer, small ants are taken from foliage, but in winter, larger species are cleaned out of their nests, which are found by sight as Woodpeckers fly along woodland edges or hop about on grasslands and heaths. A small hole chiselled with the bill exposes ants and opens up tunnels. Green Woodpeckers may spend an hour or so feeding in one spot and may have several nests on the go at once, returning over a period of weeks.
They have also regularly seen a Sparrowhawk and recently a Marsh Tit. This bird, together with other birds such as the Coal Tit and Chaffinch, are seen more regularly around our gardens at this time of the year after the breeding and moulting season. On 7th November, Teddy and Gillian saw 14 Magpies between their garden and the Rop Stream. Magpies belong to the Crow family but their bold black and white plumage and long tails make them much more handsome than their pure-black relatives. Seen close-up, the black feathers are shot with iridescent blues and greens. The success of Magpies is due to their inveterate curiosity and willingness to investigate anything that may be edible, as well as their intelligence in learning new ways of finding a meal.
In mid-September Teddy and Gillian also saw a Small Copper butterfly in their garden and a Red Admiral in the first week of November. A Comma butterfly was also seen in East End on 14th September and a Painted Lady on 29th. In the autumn and winter on warm sunny days, butterflies can sometimes be seen. I would like to hear from anyone who sees one at this time of the year.
A Bat was seen in East End on 16th September, a Fox on 4th October and a Great Green Bush Cricket on 7th October. There have been many Grasshoppers around and it is always amazing to see how far they can jump.
There have been sightings of two Jays on 23rd September, one on 5th October and another one on 29th October, a Heron on 24th September and two on 29th; and several sightings of Long-tailed Tits flying along the back of hedges.
Fieldfares and Redwings are back. If you have spent any time outside in the country in the last month or two, you cannot fail to have noticed that there are lots of berries about. The Fieldfare is a large thrush that comes here from central Europe and Scandinavia to spend the winter. It is a distinctly fussy eater as far as berries are concerned, having a genuine taste for only four kinds: rose hip, haws, hollies and later in the winter, ivy. In contrast, the adaptable Blackbird has been known to eat 33 kinds of wild fruit and 23 ornamental ones. The Waxwing is the only British winter visitor that relies entirely on fruit throughout the winter. All the other fruit-eaters - Starlings, Thrushes and Warblers, for example - must also include daily doses of invertebrates in their autumn and winter diet, in order to obtain protein.         
Geraldine Moore email: geraldine.moore1@btinternet.com


HOOK NORTON LOCAL HISTORY GROUP AND MUSEUM
David Sturdy spoke to the Group on October 7th about our old buildings and urged us to examine houses for tell-tale clues about age, their original height, the roofs and windows. (The “wrong” windows are installed in so many houses of all eras nowadays in pursuit of double-glazing and PVC. - which does perish).
A small group went to Bletchley Park on a sunny day and was amazed at all the displays on offer, besides the secret-demystifying machines which the guide explained to us. There's a lake and gardens for picnics, a cafe and a bar to make a good Saturday family outing.
Three members of our present Parish Council, Brian Clay, Michael Terry and Joe Williams, the Chairman, with Christopher Barry, who only recently resigned after many years service, attended our meeting on November 2nd to hear about Hook Norton's first Parish Council. We were very pleased to see them.
In his final speech in the House of Commons (it only lasted ten minutes; he was normally a two-hour-minimum orator) Gladstone proposed the creation of Parish Councils. This caused great excitement throughout the land and when secret ballots were allowed, queues formed, would you believe, and people were afraid lest the boxes were closed before they had cast their votes. Within one year – 1894, Parish Councils were up and running. It couldn't happen now, despite - or maybe because of - our communication system.
Since Hook Norton had a population of more than 300, it was allocated an eleven-member Council. There were 30 applicants. Their names will be familiar: two Harrises, one of whom was David Clarke's great-grandfather, Padbury, Williams (Joe's great-grandfather). Clark, Hiatt, Haynes, Golby, Busby, and Walford, who later sold his land in Tite Lane to the Council for the cemetery. Their occupations were various: brewer, coal and timber merchants, labourer, and a horse-and-trap proprietor.
A warming postscript to this meeting added a special touch. Present were a couple from Woodstock called Cooper. He was the grandson of the cobbler who lived in the cottage later bought by the Hacklings. Their lodger was the district nurse, who became Tom Williams' mother. Nancy Pargeter showed Mr. Cooper his grandfather's tools which are kept in our museum. What an interesting night. That's the end of the local history lesson!
Sheila Terry

FUTURE DATES
  • December 2nd - Hook Norton Roadshow with a man from Holloway's. Please bring oddities, interesting objects, things which have a personal significance, etc.
  • January 6th -Twelfth Night. Dr Malcolm Graham on the Victorian School.


EAST END TENNIS POEM
“Having moved to Hooky in 1957 where we lived in Salfords, East End, I read the poem on East End Tennis with interest. I am sure the Coppage was Miss E. Coppage, known as Betty, as that was just how she talked. Betty Coppage was Secretary to Lincoln Austin, who lived next door to us at 'Lincoln's Inn' (the two houses were originally one and shared the well in our back garden). He was a very sociable man, fond of entertaining his friends, which is why his house was later called Lincoln's Inn”.
Gweneth Edgington


CYRIL WELLS
During the winter after we moved here, we noticed that the wall behind the fireplace became rather hot. I knocked it, irritatingly, every night and we became convinced that there was Something Behind There. Windsor Matthews scraped away some plaster and revealed a bit of beam. “Shall we have a go? I know the right chap. It'll be right up his street if I can persuade him.”
For four days solid, Cyril and Windsor wielded sledge-hammers. They sweated profusely and drank mugs of tea every hour, on the hour, disposing of tons of bricks, stones, rubble and the dust and soot of two centuries. They uncovered two earlier fireplaces behind our modern one before reaching the original and beginning its restoration.
Off they went to find the correct stone. Cyril was particular. He made me keep a little iron built-in salt oven. I'd thought it would spoil the symmetry. “Symmetry!” he said, with quiet scorn. Next morning he just told me I couldn't throw it away; it had been there for two hundred years. So we have a big old rural fireplace which burns logs beautifully. And a baker's oven. And a salt oven. And a permanent warming memory! Thanks to Windsor - and to Cyril Wells.
Sheila Terry
Click for a large versions!


HOOK NORTON REMEMBERED
There were many notable inhabitants of Hook Norton in the 1940's and 50's; people who helped to make Hook Norton the unique, well-run and friendly village that I discovered when I joined the community as a teacher in September 1947.
When I told my Family that I was going to live in Hook Norton an uncle, Sid Chown of Adderbury said, “Hook Norton is a very insular village and they will never accept strangers to settle amongst them.” How wrong he was. I was welcomed and soon became an active part of village life. He also said, “There is one man you must make an effort to meet. We worked together for some years in Banbury until he set up his own business ventures in Hook Norton.” Tom Golby, in the work place, had a reputation of being very careful with his money, but I found that Tom was straight, honest, and a keeper of promises. He would never skimp on a job, but would always expect prompt payment if payment was due. A man worth knowing and being on good terms with.”
This information was very valuable as Tom did me many services over the years. I first met Tom when one day, while working in the old wooden hut beside the Memorial Hall, a hinge on a cupboard door broke, and being still in the post-war “patch-it-up” phase, Mrs. Bolton, the good lady who cleaned up after us every day suggested that I “Go down the hill and find Tom Golby who no doubt will be able to find a replacement.” I followed this advice and found Tom in a large glass-windowed shed filled with trays and boxes of salvaged artifacts of every description. I told him who I was and what I wanted. He fixed me up without delay and charged me three old pence. We chatted for a while and when I mentioned that I had heard of him from my uncle Sid he shook my hand as though I were an old friend. I took to Tom immediately. He had that air of knowing where he was going and he had that twinkle in his eye which showed a hidden, perhaps wicked, sense of humour. He and I had many pleasant chats over the years during which we always managed to right all the wrongs in the world, the country and the village. He repeated to me many stories about himself and his alleged reputation, which he said had circulated the village and when I asked him if they were true he would just chuckle and walk away. He had a lorry and moved our few belongings from our rooms in Crooked Cottage to our new Council House in The Glebe in 1948, and from there to the house we bought opposite The Manor in 1956. On that occasion, the Parish Council safe, weighing about four hundredweight, caused a problem, because, having removed it from the lorry to the blue-brick path, we could not lift, walk or roll it the 10 yards to the house. However, John Walker, the village policeman, a tall powerful man, who lived next door, came to the rescue. He placed a rope around the safe, and to everyone's amazement, dragged the safe the required distance. When I finally left Hook Norton in 1962, Tom transported my household goods to Bodicote.
Some of the other people serving Hook Norton and enhancing its completeness were: John Harris, Alderman, County Councillor, and Clerk to the Parish Council, had served Hook Norton well for many years until his death about 1950; Colonel Colchester, County and Parish Councillor; Tom Williams, District and Parish Councillor and Chairman of the School Governors; Fred Painter, Parish Councillor and School Governor; Mrs. Painter, who would supply floral tributes and decorations for all occasions and Mr. Coppage, for many years Chairman of the Parish Council.
Geoff Walton


KEITH DISNEY - GREAT WALL OF CHINA TREK – MAY 2004
Click for a large version!
Next May, I shall be walking 50 miles in 5 days along the Great Wall in aid of the National Star College, Cheltenham. To do this, I need to raise a minimum of £2,600 by next February to cover my expenses and make a significant donation to the college.

The National Star College has approximately 160 students between the ages of 16 and 25 with varying degrees of disability. It is a centre of excellence for rehabilitating young persons with brain injury and over 75% of its students are in wheelchairs.

As well as continuing with their academic education (some students will go on to University), the college strongly believes in giving the students the necessary life skills to allow them to achieve their full potential as adults and live relatively independent lives wherever possible. Many of the students have come from a sheltered background and the college helps their transition into the outside world. The students live on campus or in one of 2 residential houses in Cheltenham.
Tuition fees at the college are funded via the student's local authority and central Government grants. But these do not cover the non-academic side to the college's work. Currently, the college is trying to raise funds to develop its residential accommodation, including £500,000 for a new residential bungalow.
I am hoping to raise over £3,000 and you can help by sponsoring me on the trek. This can be done in one of 3 ways:-

  1. Cheque (payable to the National Star College) or cash. If you are a UK tax payer, please complete a sponsor form and the college will reclaim an extra 28% from the Inland Revenue.
  2. Smartie Tubes. I will be happy to give a tube of Smarties (full) to anyone who promises to return it by February 14th full of 20p pieces. This will net approximately £13 or £16.64 after the reclaimed tax.
  3. Via the Internet at www.justgiving.com/keithdisney. Justgiving.com will make an administration charge (around 7%) but will also reclaim 28% UK tax.
I am also looking for commercial sponsorship and would be happy to discuss any opportunities to promote your products or services “from the wall”.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I am also prepared to make a short presentation to village groups about the college and the trek. Further details about the National Star College can be found at www.natstar.org
I can be contacted on 730456 (home), 01527 533635 (work) or Garden Cottage, Park Hill, Hook Norton. Please help me with my fundraising – thanks.
Keith Disney


SIGN UP FOR BROADBAND NOW!
BT has FINALLY set a trigger level for the number of registrations required on the Hook Norton exchange for Broadband to be installed. We have 101 people registered and we need just 300. When the number of registrations reaches the trigger level, the process of enabling that exchange for broadband is initiated and three months later broadband becomes available.
Please register all the phone numbers in your house or office. There is no cost or commitment to take the service and your computer-mad neighbours will be very grateful to you!
You can register your interest in broadband by visiting the BT website (www.bt.com/broadband) and following the instructions for registration. You can also register with a host of other broadband service providers such as the ISP you currently use. Just go to their home page and follow the instructions. They all end up on the same count. Registration is NOT a commitment to buy the service when it becomes available. Having broadband available may even increase the value of your house!
Ed.
Collette and Terry Warner
would like to announce the arrival of their new son
and baby brother to Chloe, Sacha & Bronte
ZACHARY ALEXANDER
born on 23rd October 2003
Thanks to everyone who sent flowers, cards, pressies & good wishes


  Robert Joseph son of Dwyer and Sally Scullion of
Hook Norton was baptised at St Peter's Church on
5th October 2003

Rowan Thomas son of Graham and Elizabeth Wilkes of Hook Norton was baptised at St Peter's Church on
5th October 2003

Brett Charles son of Ivor and Jacqueline Matthews of
Hook Norton was baptised at St Peter's Church on
12th October 2003

Adam Connor son of Susan White of Hook Norton was baptised at St Peter's Church on 19th October 2003

Maggie Viola daughter of Justin and Harriet Baring
(nee Irvine) was baptised at St Peter's Church on
2nd November 2003
 		 


 
Ian Hunter and
Loretta Theresa Peddell were married at
St Peter's Church on
20th September 2003