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February 2005
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Series 30 No 1
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Village Affairs
NEWSLETTER TEAM
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Directory:
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Diana Barber
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Advertising:
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Judi Leader
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Distribution:
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Bunty Reid
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Postal Services:
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Mrs M Padbury
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Proof reading:
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Nigel Lehmann
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IT/Web Support:
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Martin Baxter
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FROM THE EDITORS
The Newsletter Box contained £48.91 this month. Thank you.
Sadly, we report the deaths of George Raymond Bryan, Oscar Hemmings aged 89 and John Stratford aged 78.
On behalf of the village, we send our condolences to their families and friends.
The views expressed in the Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Editorial Team.
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RATES – CHEQUES PAYABLE TO 'HOOK NORTON NEWSLETTER'
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Text & advertising copy deadline
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TUESDAY, 15th MARCH 2005
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Text for Village activities
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Free
(a small donation is welcome)
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Inserts for Village Activities
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On request from Judi Leader
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Commercial Advertising
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£22 per page & pro rata per issue
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Commercial Inserts
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£20 per issue
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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.
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THE NEWSLETTER 30 YEARS AGO
As the picture shows, what started in February 1972 as the Hook Norton Society was still a single page publication in February 1975. There was no margin for error as everything was done on a typewriter (remember those?). I have great admiration for anyone who can use a typewriter and if you saw how I typed today's editions, you'd understand why.
So, what has changed since 1975? Four years after decimalisation, the Hooky telephone exchange operated three digit phone numbers.
The Youth Club, Women's Institute and the Welcome Club were going strong and a Badminton Club was five months old. The Library Wall and local footpaths obviously needed some attention and one of the most striking things is the value of money.
We hope you can read some of the text and thank Barbara Hicks and the Local History Group for lending us their archive copy.
ANONYMOUS COPY
We have received a couple of items this month where the authors have not identified themselves. We remind all contributors that we will not publish any article unless we know who has written it.
Thank you.
Ed
HOOKY HEALTH WALKS
Despite the weather, these continue to happen every Thursday, from the Bourne Lane Surgery. 2 options are available - 1 mile around the village or 3 miles currently on roads because of mud.... Starts at 2.15 pm and finishes at the Surgery for a cup of tea.
Olwen Goodwin
CALLING all sole traders/people who work at home .......
Would you be interested in meeting up once a month for lunch / drink/ chat /networking at a Hookie pub?
Suggest first/second/third Friday of each month, starting in April. Feedback to David Mcgill scotlandend@btinternet.com
or Olwen Goodwin olwen@headsinsideandout.co.uk
TRANSPORT
The questionnaires about use of bus services completed by residents in October have been analysed by the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council. Among the conclusions reached are that there is a strong car culture in the village, that the majority of those who use the various bus services are elderly, and that the buses are a vital facility for the non-drivers in the village. The survey has been sent to Oxfordshire County Council, which had asked for comments on the future of the subsidised 488 bus. There are concerns that the level of subsidy available may not be sufficient to maintain all subsidised services in the Banbury area at the present level. The Parish Council has written to argue for the retention of the 488 service at its present level as it links several settlements with Banbury and Chipping Norton. The County's decision is expected in March (probably too late for report in the April newsletter), and any changes will take place in the summer.
Peter Fry, Parish Transport Representative, 730509
THANK YOU TO HNCA
We would like to say a huge thank you to the Hook Norton Charitable Association for the very kind donations they have given the guides over the past years. 
With the donations, we have always purchased camp equipment for the unit, which has been extremely helpful. The last two donations, together with a successful bag packing session at Sainsbury's just before Christmas, we have managed to purchase a large mess tent. This will be particularly useful when we go camping in the summer and all the girls will be able to make use of it.
We really are very grateful for the financial help that HNCA has given us and would also like to thank all those people who help to make music@crossroads such a successful event. Here's to 2005!
Julie Wood 1st Hook Norton Guides
CANCER RESEARCH UK
Paula Clarke has received letters from Professor Harris of CRUK acknowledging the receipt of memorial donations following the loss of David. The total sent to Oxford CRUK was in excess of £3500. Professor Harris comments that contributions such as these are absolutely vital for their efforts and that it is only though the support of people such as yourselves that they are able to continue the work at the forefront of cancer research. He adds that through research, it is now possible to “take the Laboratory to the bedside” in their determined efforts to help patients.
The Clarke family are extremely grateful to all who have helped in this matter.
For the record, well over £3000 was forwarded to St. Peters Church, Hook Norton from memorial donations.
HOOK NORTON GARDEN CLUB
In the Village Calendar you will find the Club's programme for 2005. If you are not already a member do come along and join us on the opening evening of the 2005 gardening season on 16 February when RHS lecturer Ernie Bingham will talk on Flowering Shrubs- his knowledge of horticulture is encyclopaedic and he knows how to pass it on.
A varied programme has been arranged and we hope members will support all events and shows as in 2004. We look forward to seeing all of you throughout the season. We are always happy to welcome new members on the Committee so if you would like to help in any way please get in touch with the Chairman or Secretary.
Verity Calderan
PLEASE SLOW DOWN
People (mainly locals who should know better) are speeding along The Bourne, driving much faster than is legal and much faster than is safe. Our cat has been killed today by a driver, who also did not have the decency to stop. This could probably have been avoided by sensible driving. Please think about what you are doing before someone gets killed.
Name Supplied
MIND IN CHIPPING NORTON
Mind in Chipping Norton is part of a network of Mind day services for adults (18-65 years) around Oxfordshire. It exists to provide help, support and information for anyone in and around Chipping Norton who for whatever reason has experienced emotionally difficult times.
At the centre operate an 'open door' policy. Anyone can just turn up without referral or phoning first. Some people come once and get information and advice while others come regularly for support and friendship or to join a particular group or activity. If transport is difficult we may be able to help with this on Fridays.
If you feel we might be able to help, you are welcome to call in during our opening hours or ring us to find out more. Open Tuesday & Friday 10.00 3.30 at : St Mary's Parish Rooms, Bottom of Church Street, Chipping Norton. Phone: Diana or Jo on 01608 645296
DID YOU KNOW THAT....
Sir Harold Shearman, first Chairman of the GLC, was born in Hook Norton?
The Baptist Minister in Hook Norton in the 1890's was the Revd Charles Edwin Pettitt Shearman who married Mary Charlotte Mudd. Three children were born in Hook Norton.
Harold Shearman, born 14th March 1896
Doris Mary Shearman, born 23rd June 1897
Vera Nellie Shearman, born 4th October 1898
The two daughters died in their twenties but Harold Shearman worked as an adult education lecturer and tutor for the Workers Education Association (WEA.). He became the last Chairman of the London County Council and the first Chairman of the Greater London Council in 1964, for which he was knighted.
The Revd Charles Shearman later left the Baptist Church and became a Spiritist.
(Information received from Tony Shearman, Apsel Ancestry Research Services)
HOOK NORTON WI
The WI had a celebratory Christmas Lunch at the Red Lion in Little Compton in December. The lunch was delicious and we were all in high spirits!
On Tuesday 18th January, Mr. Bill Cook talked to us on 'Silk and its works', which he illustrated with slides.
The meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month in the Baptist Hall at 2pm. New members and guests are always welcome. Would you like to come too?
Alrys Morris
EASTER EGGS WITH A DIFFERENCE!
An alternative and very special Easter “Good Gift” is available from Oxfordshire charity Transrural Trust.
The tradition of painting eggs at Easter goes back thousands of years. In northern Romania it is practised as an art form all year round, with women of all ages transforming blown duck and goose eggs into objects of astonishing beauty and complexity. Transrural Trust, an Oxfordshire charity working to help poor families in the mountain areas of Romania, is selling the eggs this Easter to raise funds for their Romania project. Priced between £4 and £10, they make wonderful and very special Easter presents. Hook Norton resident Gillian Rose works for the charity and would love to see you at Transrural's Egg Days, which take place at Crawley Mill, near Witney, on the last two Fridays and Saturdays before Easter. There you will be able to see a stunning display of painted eggs in many different colours and designs. Gillian will also keep a stock at home for those who would like to see the eggs but can't make it to Crawley. For details or to request a catalogue, telephone 01993 771230 or visit www.transrural.org. Egg Days are on Fridays and Saturdays 11th/12th and 18th/19th March at 16a Crawley Mill, Crawley, Witney. Gillian will also be judging the painted eggs competition at Shotover Country Park, Oxford, on Easter Monday, 10.30am – 1.00pm.
GUIDES CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH SLEEPOVER
On the last Friday in November, we took 15 guides, to a local village hall for a sleepover. On the Friday evening, Megan, Sharn and Olwyn organised a relaxation evening as part of their BP Challenge for the younger girls. They painted nails, did hand massages and read poems – they also played relaxing music.
Once the girls were ready for bed, they settled in their sleeping bags and watched Santa Clause 2, which they loved. After a very relaxing start to the day, we consumed a huge plate of exotic fruits and croissants for breakfast, before going on a hike around the village. Our destination was the local brook, where the children paddled through the water with wellies on! It was a perfect place for Laura Martin, Alex Rodwell and Jessica Wood to make their guide promise on the bridge.
We returned to the hall, via the playground, to have hot chocolate and biscuits to warm up. After a nice lunch the parents arrived to take their children home.
1st Hook Norton Guides
DAWN CHORUS
Leys Farm, lies just North of the village and adjacent to Traitors Ford. Increasingly farmers are being encouraged to further respect and improve their farms as habitats for wildlife. For the past ten years Leys Farm has had a policy to do just that. The result of which is that we enjoy a wide range of wild animals and birds, butterflies and wildflowers. We hold two dawn choruses every year around late March early April. These are free (sponsored by DEFRA) but we also provide an al fresco breakfast including our home produced sausage and eggs.
For information please contact Sue Sabin
FRIENDS OF HOOK NORTON SCHOOL (FOHNS)
We don't play Hooky with the truth
There's an old saying that a Hooky man or woman never breaks a promise. Let's hope so, because there are a few weird and wonderful ones being offered for the Auction of Promises on 12 March 2005. Those ready to dig deep and tip their hats at the auctioneer will be able to bid for a helicopter ride, double tickets for Chipping Norton Theatre, house cleaning, a pet walker, guitar tuition, babysitting, a water-colour of their home, even a will, courtesy of Dennis Wynn, the solicitors. The Firs Garage has kindly offered a free valleting kit plus a £20 fuel voucher and JEM will sweep your chimney. There is a place for a junior player at Hook Norton Tennis Club's Easter Holiday Course plus family admission to Blenheim Palace and tickets into Cotswold Wildlife Park. A month's gold membership for the gym at the Spice Ball in Banbury goes under the hammer as does a trip on a booze cruise to France, a week in a caravan in Dorset, and a tray bake of cakes. There is still time to come forward with many more offers, the more unusual the better, and, most important, put that date in your diary.
Hats off please to Santa, the Snow Man and all the parents and neighbours from the village who did so much to support our Christmas Fair. Thank you – we raised £1300 in total, a brilliant achievement.
Finally, don't forget another all-important date in your diary: 17 June 2005 - The Hook Norton Summer Ball, already the subject of detailed planning, with the snowdrops still pushing their way up.
Thanks everyone for all your support in my opening few months steering the FOHNS ship. We need more volunteers and help. So please come forward and lend a hand. But, if you have too many commitments, why not do your bit by taking a punt on the School Lottery – ten monthly draws for an annual membership of £10. Details at the school office.
ST. PETER'S CHURCH
Whilst the Christmas season has been a jolly, if hectic time for many of us in the benefice, the start of 2005 has also seen many of us thanking God anew for our privileged lives, as recent, shocking events in Asia have brought home to us how fortunate we are in our relatively safe corner of the world. With so many of us donating money and goods to charities involved, I can assure you that everyone at St Peter's has also been praying for all those around the world whose lives have been touched either directly or indirectly by the Tsunami disaster. We can only hope and pray that the developed world will continue to turn this heightened awareness to practical use in all areas of the world where people are suffering due to natural disasters, famine or war.
The Christmas period was, nevertheless, a joyful mixture of modern and traditional services at St. Peter's. Congregation numbers were up again for just about all services, with the children involved in many events and families throughout the benefice joining in with Jesus' birthday celebration at St. Peter's on Christmas morning.
Over recent years the start of the year has been highlighted by the St. Peter's January Sale. This year's event (January 15th) was incredibly successful again. With all manner of stalls, the sale raised over £600, so many, many thanks to all those who helped organise and run the sale, and to everyone who kindly donated goods.
With January now over, we will quickly start turning our thoughts from celebrating Jesus' birth to remembering and honouring the sacrifice He made for us all by His death on the Cross. Easter Day is March 27th this year and on Palm Sunday (March 20th) there will be a choral concert at St. Peter's, with seasonal music for Passiontide and Eastertide by 'Cotswold Voices', an occasional and ad-hoc group of local singers. Tickets (£5 and £2 for under 18s) can be purchased on the door (concert starts at 7.30 pm), or in advance from Simon and Jenny Mead. The Palm Sunday concert sets the scene for a varied range of Easter services at St. Peters. The Passover Supper will be held on Maundy Thursday (24th March) at 7.30pm, more details of which will be posted in the church nearer the time. There will also be an Hour at the Cross service, at 2 pm on Good Friday (25th March), with Holy Communion on Easter Eve (Saturday 26th) at 11.30 pm, when the Paschal candle will be lit. On Easter day there will also be a 10 am Holy Communion service at St. Peter's.
Speakers at this year's Lent course are still to be announced, but the course will run weekly, starting on February 23rd (7.30 pm) at Hook Norton Primary School's study centre. Please see posters in the church for further details. The Lent Project has also still to be decided, and will be discussed at the February D.C.C. meeting.
Other dates of note include a special service at St. Peter's on Mothering Sunday (March 6th) at 10 am. Over past years this has been a wonderful service, and promises to be just as joyful an occasion this year.
Regular dates for everyone in the community include the Benefice Prayer meetings, on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (details of venues are posted in the Church porch). The monthly 'Sing-to-the-Lord' get-togethers, on the 2nd Thursday of each month, are a great chance for everyone to learn and sing both old and new hymns. The next two will be on 10th February and 10th of March, 7.30-8.30 pm at St. Peter's. For our very young people, Wheeler's and Squealers continues on the first Thursday of each month. Further details from Jenny Mead or John Acreman. The regular JAM (Jesus and Me) club continues on Wednesday afternoons at Hook Norton Primary School for all keystage 1 and 2 children. Further details from Janet Collins or John Taylor. For our menfolk, the next Men's Breakfast at the Pear Tree Pub is planned for April 17th. Details from John Acreman.
Please note that St. Peter's Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday April 12th, 7.45 pm at the church. This important meeting will include a full St. Peter's annual report and the election of a new Church Council. ALL residents of Hook Norton are invited and are also eligible to vote.
WILDLIFE NOTEBOOK - MID NOVEMBER TO MID JANUARY
Although it can be cold and miserable at this time of the year and maybe we are looking forward to spring and summer, it is a really interesting time to see birds and mammals as there are no leaves on the trees; most plants are dormant, so we can see so much more. As it happens today is a lovely sunny day and it is a pleasure to be able to watch the wildlife.
At the end of October, Margaret Freeman, who lives in the middle of the village, saw a Treecreeper in her garden. Another Treecreeper was seen in the middle of December, from the footpath in East End, by a man who was out walking his dog and he watched this bird for about 20 minutes, by which time his dog was beginning to wonder what was happening and whether it was ever going to get a proper walk that morning! This bird is quite easy to distinguish and is brown speckled with white above, has a clean white front and a slightly curved bill. It is a nimble and delicate little bird about 12.5cm long, which climbs spirally up trees in irregular spurts looking for insects.
The Goldcrest mentioned in the last newsletter is still seen regularly in the same tree in East End and on 19th December a flock of Long-tailed Tits were seen by the same person in their front garden. Quite a few other flocks of Long-tailed Tits have been seen in East End. During the Christmas holiday, David Shirt at White Hills Farm had 4-5 Long-tailed Tits clustered on one of the peanut feeders and up to 20 others in the tree waiting for a turn. In the same garden on 9th January there were over 40 Greenfinches and 8 Goldfinches. Yellowhammers visit the garden from time to time and Bullfinches are heard occasionally. A Heron was in East End on 20th November and again on 18th December. A Marsh Tit was on a seed feeder on 7th December. There was a Buzzard on 12th December and also a Kestrel. A flock of about 20 Lapwings flew over on 26th December and another flock of about 200 on 2nd January. Also on 2nd and 12th January a Green Woodpecker flew by. We had 6 Goldfinches on our seed feeder on 6th January and we were very excited to see 2 male and 1 female Bullfinch pass through our garden on 9th January. On 6th January there was a Song Thrush in our garden, the first one we have seen in ages.
1st January is always a good day as we can start our bird list for the New Year and this year we had many birds around which was great, the first one we saw being a Great Tit.
In my last article I mentioned about Newts and I had one phone call from a lady in Chapel Street who has a pond in her garden which has Newts breeding and lots of Frogs.
Late afternoon yesterday I saw a Fox in the field behind our garden.
As I said before it is an interesting time of the year when we are in the grip of winter, but my thoughts must also turn to spring and ask you all to look out for the first Swallows, House Martins and Swifts. Who is going to be the first person to hear a Cuckoo?
I would like to do a Wildlife walk this spring and I have been in touch with David Shirt, who is quite an authority on wildlife and we have decided on the date of Saturday 30th April, to start at the Memorial Hall at 08.00 hours and do a circular walk through the fields which will take about 2 hours. Please come and join us as it will suit everyone however much knowledge you have.
Thank you to those of you who have been in touch. Please phone me with any sightings.
PADDLERS AND DABBLERS TAKE PART IN THE TOUR DE TRIGS
4TH – 5TH DECEMBER 2004
Last Spring, Irene (who runs guides with me) asked Hilary (my canoeing partner) and I if we would like to take part in the 37th Tour de Trigs with her. Irene had taken part the previous year and Marieanne (who also runs guides with me), had done it several years before. At the time, we thought that we would give it a go. Little did we know what we had let ourselves in for! For several months, we trained, covering many miles, in all weathers, in day and also at night. The walk was about 50 miles and had to be completed within a total of 24 hours.
When the day came, we felt as good as we could – we had our bags on our backs and maps in our hands, ready for the kit check and talk with the doctor! 30 minutes prior to our start time of 10.40am, we were handed the instructions and grid references to plot our route. Until this moment, we had no idea where we would be going. Luckily for us, it was reasonably familiar ground, taking us to many places that we had covered on our practice walks. (Mind you, in the middle of the night, even with familiar ground, you could be anywhere!) We highlighted ¾ of our route and off we went – leaving BGN School and walking along Saltway for starters. On the route, we were required to visit about 40 points – some manned and some unmanned – we had to punch our cards at each point, to make sure that we were going the right way. We also had two secret checkpoints and a kit check that we did not know about. Our first point was Crouch Hill! From there on, we stepped up the pace, as we were well aware that speed in the daylight was an important factor for us. One of our practice walks at night had gone really well – we had walked for 8 hours, all in darkness and had felt really good, until the following day, we realised that we had only covered about 12 miles!
100 teams of 3 started the Tour de Trigs and along the way, we met lots of different people – at the manned points, there were marquees, seats to sit down on, drinks and toilets, together with a lot of people who helped us and encouraged us on our way. We had to carry all our own food that we would eat on route. At Enstone, it was just starting to get dark and by that time, we had covered about 15 miles – it was good to see Graham and the girls, who had come to see how we were getting on. From there, we put on our woolly hats and head torches and went on our way – we were extremely lucky that it was a very mild night, although there was no moon and lots of mud and water underfoot! Soon after Enstone, we were stopped for a secret kit check and then sent on our way again.
At Chalford Farms, near Chipping Norton, we continued to plot the map to the 35 mile point at Brailles. We were taken to Salford and then on to Little Rollright and Long Compton – at these points a number of teams started to drop out (there was a minibus collecting the teams and returning them to the school). We started to notice that we were not seeing so many people as we had done earlier. At about 2am, we had a very long and nasty hill to climb. We were with about 30 others and had a huge amount of trouble finding the particular trig point – we were all walking in different directions, with our head torches on, trying to spot an orange cone, holding the punch – quite a funny sight! Eventually we found it, along with everyone else, but had lost valuable time. Fortunately, when we reached Brailes, the 35 mile point, at 3.14am, Mike Punter, from the canoe club was there to greet us and encourage us to continue, by focusing on each check point at a time. At this point, we continued to plot the map to the finish (we felt that we could see the finishing line at this point!) – 15 miles in 7 ½ hours seemed quite possible. Little did we know how long these 15 miles would take us! Soon after Brailles, Keith – Hilary's husband met us to see us on our way. Following Brailes, we had to encounter Brailes Hill and Jester Hill, which had a secret check point on the top!
At 41 miles, we were joined by Irene's husband Chris and Austin – Steve the 3rd member of their team, had unfortunately had to retire – they were able to join us ad hoc. This was a blessing in disguise as they helped to encourage us along – by this time, we were starting to feel sick with fatigue and our feet were going extremely slowly and our knees were starting to hurt! By the time we got back to Saltway, we had just 50 minutes to return to BGN. On a normal walk, this would be easily done, but when you had just been walking 22 ½ hours, pretty well non-stop and still had Crouch Hill to punch your card on, it seemed almost impossible to complete! At the top of Crouch Hill, we were welcomed by about 20 supporters and organisers, which was great and we just managed to keep plodding along. At the Bloxham Road, Hilary's family were there to greet us and we realised that we were nearly there. We entered the school building at 10.23am, which meant that we had walked the 51.3 miles in 24 hours, but with 17 minutes to spare – a little close for comfort, but we had done it!
We were welcomed in and given a cup of tea. Within 10 minutes of returning and taking off my boots, my body had totally shut down and I could hardly walk or talk!!! Not good, when at the certificate presentation, we were required to walk to the stage and up 5 steps to receive our certificates – we looked like a load of penguins, much to everyone's amusement! We did get lost several times on the walk, but to be honest, with all the practising, the map reading was not as difficult as we had expected. The atmosphere along the way was great, walking in the dark was no problem, but by the end of the walk, we had definitely had enough of very deeply ploughed fields! Really hard to walk on, in the middle of the night, when you are tired and the weather is mild, so the mud is not firm! Out of the 100 teams who started, only 22 full teams finished – we were extremely proud that we were one of them.
An event, not for the faint hearted, but definitely a personal challenge, that we shall not forget for time to come and am sure that we shall have another go at it sometime in the future!
Julie Wood
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MARRIED AT
ST PETER'S CHURCH HOOK NORTON
Richard Jonathan Thornton and Joanna Liddiard
both of Hook Norton were married on 11th December 2004
Richard Robert Monelle and Susannah Elizabeth Rust
both of Hook Norton were married on 5th January 2005
Derek William Matthews of Hook Norton and
Lara Jane Ennis of Ranui, New Zealand
were married on 8th January 2005
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