HNNL February 2004 page 4
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February 2004
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Series 29 No 1
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Sports and Social
HOOK NORTON SPORTS AND RECREATION PROJECT
The first tennis was played on the three new tennis courts over the Christmas holidays! This signalled the closing stages of Phase One of the project, which will be completed when the new electricity supply cable is laid by Aquila. At the moment therefore (1st week in January) we have new floodlights but no power!
The new courts and the Tennis Club are going to benefit from the new tennis cabin which the Tennis Club has raised the funds for and is now in place between the old courts and new. If you are interested in joining the Tennis Club and making use of these excellent new facilities, then please contact the membership secretary Richard Blencowe on Tel: 01608 684007 for further details…All very welcome.
An official opening is planned for early April and a top celebrity is being signed up (arm twisted) to help us make it a big party to celebrate.
The new football pitch continues to become greener as the grass establishes and we look forward to completing work on the pitch in the Spring, so that it is ready for play in the Autumn.
So now attention switches in earnest to Phase Two. The design for the new pavilion has been agreed with Sport England and further details provided to Cherwell District Council Planning Department. A decision is expected on 26th February.
This ties in with the final consideration of the Projects Grant application to Sport England. At the moment this has received approval to Stage Two; requiring submission of a full Development and Business Plan together with detailed design. Most of this is now with Sport England and has been approved to the final stage of the process. We are looking forward confidently to confirmation of the grant award. This will enable the project to progress and work start on the new pavilion in the Spring.
Phase Two also includes changing the old tennis courts to a Multi Use Games Area. There are stringent specification requirements that have to be met and work is on going to ensure that these are complied with. As ever this puts pressure on the budget as costs increase.
At a total project cost of nearly £950,000, we are working hard to raise the last 5% to make it all happen. Any help to achieve this would be most welcome. Buy a Brick and Plant a Tree Schemes are being planned as well as the New Club Bond for anyone who wants to invest in Hook Norton's sporting future. Details will follow shortly.
A health and safety warning remains important as construction continues. Please do not allow your children to wander un-supervised on to the construction area which is clearly signposted and marked.
Full details, as always, are available in the library and in the Sports and Social Club.
Hook Norton Sports and Social Club. January 2004
HOOK NORTON TENNIS CLUB
Summer 2003 was very good for The Club with the A team winning the Banbury League. Both the B and the D teams were promoted; the B team will now represent The Club in Division 1.The C and E teams both finished in mid table.
Jenny Tuckers' mixed team, in only their 2nd year in the 'Wilson' Oxford League, was promoted again for the second successive year and Rebecca Watts team of ladies travelled the length and breadth of Oxfordshire winning 5 out of 6 friendly matches played
Winter 2003/4 League Tennis. Again four teams have been entered for the floodlit league and three for the weekend league.
In order to extend the geographical area that the club covers, a new ladies' mid-week league has been set up. Hazel Middleton has formed 'The Three Shires League'.
New Courts Update. The three new courts are now complete and the new tennis pavilion has been erected. The official opening of the new courts is planned for the weekend of the 3-4th April 2004, when we will have a well-known personality to officiate. It is planned to make this occasion a re-launch of the club, so please try to keep the date free to come along, support The Club and have some fun.
The Tennis Club AGM will take place at the Sports & Social Club, Thursday 11th March.
INTERESTED IN PLAYING HOCKEY?
We are trying to get a Mixed Hockey Team together in the Chipping Norton area to play social Hockey on Sundays. Home matches will be at Kingham Hill School and it is not a problem if you haven't played for years. Also, indoor hockey at the Chipping Norton Leisure Centre. If you are interested in a taster session please ring Clive Briant
HOOK NORTON FOOTBALL CLUB
We're coming home! That's the welcome news I'm thrilled to give you. After two years' necessary exile at Banbury United's ground, Hooky's First Team will, once more be gracing The Bourne from the beginning of next season. I am so pleased about this, not only for the Club itself and for the Sports and Social Club, but also for all of our loyal, elder supporters who have been unable to watch football locally purely because of the distance factor. We look forward immensely to enjoying the company of these friends once more.
Having delivered that exciting news, I must begin with an apology. The absence of my article in the Christmas Edition of this Newsletter was the cause of much speculation. The simple explanation was that I forgot and, when I eventually did remember, the deadline had passed. I'm sorry to say that age is finally catching up with me! Meanwhile, it is comforting to report that both our senior teams have continued to do well in the Hellenic Premier Division (First Team) and the same League's Reserve Section Division 2 – West (Second Team). In both cases, they have experienced mixed fortunes and this is reflected in their mid table positions. At the time of writing, the First Team is putting together a run in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup and, following last week's gallant away victory at Carterton Town, has once more progressed to the Quarter Finals. There is now the mouth watering prospect of meeting one of the 'Big Boys'; Oxford United, Oxford City, Thame United or even Banbury United. We can't wait!
Despite the economic difficulties which, in the majority of cases, prevent young men from being able to afford to live in Hooky itself, it is pleasing to report that at least, 15 of our registered players either live in or around the Village, or have strong connections with it, whilst the remainder come from no further a field than Banbury. In this respect, it is even more pleasing to report that Hooky stalwart, Garnet Thomas, is yet again the backbone of the First Team and long may he remain so! Garnet is a credit to the Village and a model of inspiration to all up- and- coming young footballers in the area. He is a fine ambassador for Hooky and we are immensely proud of him.
As a Football Club, we are also proud of our over 100 years' existence and of the integral part which the Club occupies in the Village's sporting tradition. We aim to keep it that way by seeking to maintain a healthy balance between the need to progress and be successful, with the emphasis on encouraging, identifying, nurturing and developing youthful local talent and the need to harmonise with others in seeking to retain and cherish the Village's natural charm. The regular headlines, which our Club enjoys in the local press, we believe, contribute greatly to giving the Village much deserved prominence in North Oxfordshire. For my own part, I enjoy making a small input into community life in this way. I have to say that the time, expense and effort in so doing are worthwhile when you see the obvious enjoyment that the Club's endeavours bring to so many people of all ages and of both sexes, from Hooky and from further a field. Cheerio, 'til the next time!
Geoff 'Jesse' James Club Secretary
