| Directory: | Diana Barber |
| Advertising: | Andy Horne |
| Distribution: | Malcolm Black |
| Treasurer: | Kevin Hope |
| IT/Web Support: | Martin Baxter |
FROM THE EDITORS
This month, the Newsletter Box contained £34.10 – thank you.
Sadly we report the deaths of Robert Frederick Dura Collin aged 90, Phyllis Jones aged 88, Raymond Keith Tutt aged 68 and Michael Edward West aged 71. On behalf of the village we send our condolences to their families and friends.
| Andy Horne | Helen Foster |
| hookynews@totalise.co.uk | helen@hook-norton-newsletter.co.uk |
are not necessarily those of the Editorial Team
THANK YOU!
Hazel Hope has decided that the time has come to give up masterminding the village diary. She was the inspiration behind its creation six plus years ago, but has decided that she has too much to do with the school, to do it justice.
The diary has always aimed to be there for event organisers, to help them try to avoid the clashes of dates and the double bookings that can make it so difficult to run a successful event in a very busy village. In future, the diary will be the responsibility of the Hooky website team. You can see it in all its glory on hook-norton.org.uk/events, or printed copies will continue to be posted in the post office and library.
Please add your events - the more the better it is! It is excellent publicity and a good check for what else is going on. Either email me helen@hook-norton-newsletter.co.uk or Emma on emmakane@gmail.com or drop details in the newsletter box in the post office.
THANK YOU!
A big thank you from the editors to Diane Barber for all the hard work getting the 13th edition of the Hook Norton Directory of Services together. It takes patience and care and a special dedication to pull it all together, check and double check it over the New Year holiday. Three cheers for Diane!
BE PART OF THE TEAM THAT MAKES THIS NEWSLETTER HAPPEN
You have read it, hopefully smiled at something in it, learned something new and now - do you think you could help us keep it going? The newsletter is funded by our generous advertisers, who see the value in providing local services to local people. We need someone to look after our advertisers. All you need is a computer, a few hours a month and a methodical approach to paperwork. The rest we can provide/teach you.
Could you help? If you think you could, please ring or email Andy or Helen (details at the top)
HOOK NORTON W. I.
2008 has been a good year for our Hook Norton W .I. From 17 members in 2007, now we have 29.
We were very lucky with the weather in July when we had our garden party. With all the delicious food, everyone had a lovely time. The summer outing to Bath was extremely successful. Some members requested we go there again. It was a lovely day and there were many things to see. Our shopping trip in November was to Solihull. By the number of shopping bags on the coach, I think everyone who came enjoyed themselves.
Our speakers through the year have been excellent. The latest were Angela Woodward and Sally Fay George talking about aromatherapy. Everyone at the meeting was pleased to have a hand massage. I must not forget to mention our very good speaker in November, Mr. Stephen Griffiths. He showed us slides and talked about the Mary Rose, with several artefacts to see and touch.
On January 20th 2009 we have had to change our programme, as the speaker we booked cannot come. Instead we have Mr. Patrick Bowen, talking about antiques. If members would like to bring a small antique, he will be pleased to talk about it.
Our meeting is held in the Baptist Church hall every third Tuesday of the month at 2p.m. a warm welcome awaits you.
FRIENDS OF HOOK NORTON SCHOOL
Spring is nearly here and the Friends have spawned a great idea for fundraising. Ever been ‘Frog Racing’? Well, now’s your chance. You will be glad to know that you don’t need to be a frogman or woman and it’s no help if you are green and slimy or call Kermit. It’s all about working with frogs (not live/real) in the School Hall, making friends and influencing people. If you want to find out more, stretch your legs, make funny noises and have a lot of fun, then make sure that you sign up for Frog Racing on March 7. Who knows, you might get to kiss one and surprise yourself. Food will be provided and we can assure you that it doesn’t involve dead flies.
Many thanks for everyone who came to, and helped at, our Christmas Fayre on December 5. It was a great success, making more than £3,000.
This year we are looking forward to our latest fund-raising venture - to pay for the outdoor musical instruments which children are enjoying.
Finally, don’t forget that we are keen to encourage annual payments for the School Lottery 2009. Ten draws take place throughout the year with a first prize of up to £100. Remember that more members mean bigger prizes! Interested? Please call our organiser, Kim Harris, (01608 738156) for more details or contact the school office.
Thanks to everyone for their continued support! We depend on you.
1ST HOOK NORTON GUIDES
At our last guide meeting in December, the girls who are working towards their BP Award ran a Christmas party for the Guides and also the older brownies and the four girls who had gained their BP Award the previous term.
Hollie, Claire and Rosi had organised an excellent evening of fun, with a Christmas twist and provided prizes and lovely food and drink for them all.
The evening rounded off with Nicola Baptie, Amy Hambidge, Laura Martin and Jessica Wood receiving their BP Award following 18 months of hard work in Guides. They were presented with their badge and certificate and a photograph album to celebrate their achievements. We wish them lots of luck in the future.
Following these presentations, our three newest Guides made their promise to become Guides - Alissa Mann, Alice Webb and Amy Wilkowski - welcome to 1st Hook Norton Guides.
On Saturday 13th December, Sarah organised another trip to the Mirror tent at Cowley to see the Creative Theatre Company perform the Hans Christian Anderson Tales. Once again, this was a superb trip with the highlight being the hot crepes and drinks served at half time! Seriously though, this was a great, entertaining event and we would recommend it to anyone to watch it this Christmas.
On Monday 15th December, to finish our very hectic term, 9 Guides visited the old peoples home at Beechaven, in Chipping Norton. We sang lots of carols, accompanied by the guitar, flute and violin. Once again the old people thoroughly enjoyed the girls entertaining them.
If you would like to know more about guiding, please do not hesitate to contact me. We are always after volunteers to help with units in and around the village (Rainbows, Brownies and Guides) and if you think what we do appeals to you, please do get in touch - we have so much fun and although it is hard work, it is definitely worth doing.
Julie Wood julie@hookiewood.freeserve.co.ukGUIDES HOOK NORTON SWAP SHOP
1st Hook Norton Guides (and friends) will be running a "Swap Shop" in Hook Norton on Saturday 7th March 2009 between 2-4pm at the Study Centre, Hook Norton Primary School, Sibford Road. Bring along things you don't want any more (in good condition) and swap them for other items people bring that you might like to have. Here are some brief guidelines:
No electrical items (health & safety prevents this - sorry).
Do not bring along very large items like furniture / outdoor play equipment - instead bring along a photograph of the item(s) with your phone number underneath and we will advertise it on our "large items" exchange board.
Good quality items only please - we reserve the right to ask you to take home with you things that are unlikely to be wanted.
The Guides will be serving refreshments in aid of the WWF, so stay for a chat and a drink as well!
You don’t have to bring to take, or vice versa.
The Guides have been working on a project to help protect the planet and reduce our impact on the environment. Our Swap Shop will help to reduce the amount of rubbish sent to landfill, it will reduce Hook Norton's carbon footprint and thus reduce our impact on climate change. Please come along - you don't have to bring anything to join in and it would be good to see as many people from the local community support this new venture. It's free, it's fun and it helps to save the planet!
For more details phone Sarah Gardner, 1st Hook Norton Guides
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RECYCLED COMPOST GIVEN TRIAL AT THE ALLOTMENTS
Click to enlarge.
Have you ever wondered where the contents of your brown bin go? Well, they go on behalf of Cherwell County Council to recycling plants run by a company called Agrivert Ltd., www.agrivert.co.uk based near Chipping Norton. Click to enlarge.
They recycle our waste into compost for use primarily by farmers, but recently they have been able to supply allotment associations in bulk. Hook Norton Allotment Association has recently taken delivery of 10 tonnes of this compost and will over the next year see if it makes a difference to how well the crops grow. |
CALLING ALL DOG & CAT LOVERS
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has so far donated items for unwanted cats and dogs. Please don't forget that it is an ongoing appeal.
One of the local veterinary surgeries is collecting items for homeless dogs and cats. If you have any of the following to spare, they would be very gratefully received. Every few weeks the donations are distributed to the most needy animal shelters around the country.
Old Dog Leads – Collars – Blankets – Towels – Beds – Dog Coats
Scratching Posts – Spare Food – Chews – Brushes – Combs – Shampoo Toothpaste – In date Wormer / Flea Treatments – Toys etc..
Anything you think would make an unwanted dog's/ cat's life a little happier. Anything not suitable will be divided between the RSPCA and PDSA Charity shops in Banbury.
Please spare a few minutes to search for any unwanted items mentioned above. If you care to give me a call, I will be happy to deliver them. Many thanks –
A BLOOD DONATION SESSION
will be held in Hook Norton School
Friday 17th April 2009. Session times:
13.30 - 15.25 &
16.15 – 18.45
To book an appointment, please visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0845 7711 711.
New donors are always welcomed.
Please don't leave it to somebody else - give blood, save life!
MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING
Many thanks to all those who supported the Macmillan Coffee Morning in September. The total that we raised this last year was £1,068.41 at the coffee morning and also from the sales of Christmas cards and gifts. Many thanks to all those who supported me again. The running total since 1996 is £9,070.10. Please make a note of the date for this year: Friday 25th September 2009. More details will be issued nearer the time.
SALON 2 & KATHARINE HOUSE HOSPICE COLLECTION
Happy New Year to all our clients. Thank you to everyone who helped with our collection for Katharine House Hospice. We raised £343.00 which was gratefully received by them.
So thank you to everyone for not buying me all those fattening Chocolates!! I love you all!!
KATHARINE HOUSE HOSPICE
Lottery Campaign Success
Our latest hospice lottery recruitment drive has yielded excellent results with almost 200 supporters signing up as new members. The hospice lottery raised £115,000 towards nursing care last year, as well as giving out great prizes. The top weekly prize is £1,000, with 19 other cash prizes also to be won. If you would like to learn more about our lottery, or download an application form, log onto www.khh.org.uk. Alternatively, call Sheila Norton on (01295) 812161.
“Lives” song now on sale
Talented young supporter, Clare Connery, has written and recorded a song in memory of her grandmother, Pat Connery, who was cared for at Katharine House. The song ‘Lives’ is available on CD from our Banbury and Brackley shops and hospice reception. A minimum donation of £1.50 is requested.
Impromptu Singers Concert, 27 & 28 March
This well known group of local singers will be undertaking two performances at Banbury Twenty Cricket Club (Ermont Way) to raise funds for the hospice. A theatre-style event, with a variety of acts will be held on Friday 27th March, with a similar event in a cabaret setting being held on Saturday 28th March. Please see our weekly column in the Banbury Guardian (p10) for ticket details, times and booking information.
May Ball 3 May,
Bloxham School, Nr Banbury
Bookings are now being taken for our third annual Ball, being held once again at Bloxham School. With champagne on arrival, a three course meal and music from the Blue Meanies, tickets are great value at £50 each. To book your ticket, please call Lucinda on (01295) 720623 (evenings and weekends only).
Granny's Bedtime Stories is a delightful children's book written by hospice supporter Maureen Morgan of Chipping Norton, costing £5.50 per copy (postage & packing £1.25). It contains stories written for her four grandchildren and has been beautifully illustrated. For each copy sold, a generous donation is made to the hospice to further the work of our medical and nursing teams. This year it will cost £2 million to run Katharine House and all services to patients and families are free of charge.
LEE STRATFORD COMMUNITY TRUST
The Village Children's Christmas Parties - Sunday 14th December THE BEST ONE SO FAR!
Lots of smiling faces and laughter - that's what it was all about. If you missed out, catch the 2009 version, it will be even more fun. A few 'Thank Yous' are due so here they are: To all the family including Jeff, Louis, Debbie, Charley, Lee Robin and Owen and a premiere appearance of our new granddaughter Neve; Ashley Page who gave up his day to help us and Doug Marshall for letting us in the building following a misunderstanding about keys!
I must mention the brilliant performance of our entertainer, Sir Nit Wit, who was so funny and kept all the children (both young and old) captivated.
A lot of children missed their party because of being poorly. We hope you are feeling better now and look forward to seeing you at the next party.
Thanks to all who donated money at the parties, a total of £30 was collected. This was given to the NSPCC Christmas Appeal - a charity close to Lee's heart.
Donations
We received several donations last year and would like to thank the following for their generosity: Hook Norton Beer Festival, Hook Norton Football Club (seniors) and Hook Norton Baptist Church.
Recycling Mobile Phones
Please don't forget that we still collect old mobile phones. Now Christmas is over a lot of you will have had new phones, so we would be very grateful for your old ones. We also collect used printer cartridges (but not Epson).
Hooky Duck Race
This will go ahead as usual on August Bank Holiday Monday - look out for the posters and further information later in the year. This provides a lot of the funding for the Christmas Parties plus it is a great day out on your doorstep. So please come along and support us.
THE LIONS CLUB OF CHIPPING NORTON
The Lions Club of Chipping Norton would like to thank Chipping Norton and Hook Norton residents for their generosity in helping us to raise, on our Static and Street collection with Santa’s Float, £1,020.42 towards the upkeep of the Community MiniBus. This is a big commitment for us at Christmas but very rewarding when children’s faces light up and when we received Santa’s letter appreciating our help.
Dear Lion President and my Lion Friends,
Now the rush is over I have found time to write to you all to thank you for your hospitality and friendship during my visits to “Chippy'” and “Hooky”. Everyone here was quite exhausted after the Christmas rush including the Reindeer. Rudolph is complaining (as usual) about the cold and Mrs Claus keeps telling him off for bringing snow into the kitchen when he sneaks in for a warm by the fire.
I may have a small problem next year. I had a visit from the Safety Elf yesterday who tells me that there may be legislation later this year preventing me from riding on the Float next Christmas visit, but I will come to Chipping Norton and Hook Norton anyway even if I have to walk round with the Float. It seems a pity but you have to comply with Elf and Safety. They will expect me to attend a course next to tell me the correct way to carry my sack and to deliver all the presents!
Really my visits come round so quickly but it is marvellous to see all the children in Chippy and Hooky and this year I was delighted to meet some special Ladies and Gentlemen in Hollybush Road, Hook Norton and wish them a very special Happy New Year.
My best wishes to everyone and a very Happy 2009,
Santa and Mrs Claus (not forgetting the Elves)
We would also like to record our sincere thanks to the Staff and Management of the Mid Counties Co-operative for all their support and help with the Trolley and Basket Dash, the winners were:- Trolley Dash - Mr. L. Smith and Basket Dash - Mrs Nightingale.
The Lions Club meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 8p.m. starting meetings at 8.15p.m, now at The Fox. We would like to send our appreciation to The Chequers for putting up with us for many years.
WILDLIFE NOTEBOOK - MID NOVEMBER - MID JANUARY 2009
What a cold start to this year we have had, but in the sunshine it is a pleasure to be walking around the footpaths in and around Hook Norton.
Archie Bullard phoned to say that on 19th November at about midday, in a field between the viaduct and Wigginton fields by the brook, was a White Stork pecking about in the grass, which he managed to take an excellent photograph of and which was featured in the Banbury Guardian in early December. The bird flew off mid afternoon.
A first for us was a Linnet in our back garden on 16th November. Four Lapwings were seen flying over the East End on 25th November and five on the 5th January. Linda Wong, for the first time that she could remember, had a Bullfinch in her garden on 26th November. In a garden in the East End a female Blackcap was seen at the beginning of December. Christopher Barry, who lives in the East End, emailed to say that for the first time ever in all the years he has been in the village, on 13th December, there was a Goldcrest on his nut server. Interestingly enough Linda Wong, who lives in the East End, emailed to say that a Goldcrest comes to the garden several times a day to search for spiders and insects in the honeysuckle in front of their kitchen window. Linda comments that it is lovely to see it so close up. We had a Goldcrest in our garden in the East End, for the very first time, on 15th December at the same time as a male Blackcap. On the wildlife pond a dozen Canada Geese were seen by Linda Gasson on 22nd December. I had a phone call from a local resident to say that on 28th November they had a Marsh Tit, Goldcrest, Blue, Great and Coal Tits and Goldfinches in their garden. I find it very interesting how many of us have had a Goldcrest in our gardens over the past two months.
All of you who have read my article over the last few years will know how much I enjoy looking out for my first birds of the new year and on 1st January we did very well this year with many of our usual birds, plus a Cormorant flying over and a male Sparrowhawk which has recently taken to flying through our garden and landing on the right hand fence. It is a beautiful looking bird, but not one we want to see much of, but so far only have the evidence of one bird being taken, so we are not too displeased. My favourite sighting has been the Song Thrush which has come every day recently and I am sure you have the same scenario of the Blackbirds vying for supremacy for the food and chasing every other bird away including the Song Thrush, which moves around the garden getting what it can, but one can only think that this happens a lot and the Thrush has adapted accordingly.
Christopher Barry also wrote about the Redwings being active eating the holly berries in his garden. Both this bird and the Fieldfare have been around in large numbers, but I have not seen any this year although, of course, it would be easy to miss them flying over. The Waxwings are around, so we should be looking out for these lovely birds. On Christmas Day Linda Wong had a Blackcap in her garden and the Goldcrest continues to flit in and out. She says she saw either a Marsh or Willow Tit on 12th January. These birds are notoriously difficult to tell apart, unless you hear them calling, but one of our books says that Willow Tits are not seen at birdtables in winter. She has seen Long-tailed Tits often in the late afternoon and there have been many sightings of these lovely birds who have a recognisable call as they fly through. Linda has also seen a pair of Pied Wagtails.
I was interested to receive an email from Naomi Bowen, in Wigginton, who had 3 Common Darter Dragonflies sunning themselves on the south facing wall of her house on 24th October.
A Fox was seen in East End sitting in the middle of the road at 04.00 on 6th December. On 10th January a Fox ran across the road at the top of South Hill. A Muntjac was in the back fenced garden of a home in The Shearings and the gate had to be opened to let it out, so the question is how did it get in there?
Thank you very much for getting in touch with me. Please contact me with your sightings.
OXFORDSHIRE NATURE CONSERVATION FORUM
ONCF was set up as an independent organisation in 1993 to create a united platform for wildlife conservation in Oxfordshire. As far as we know it is still the only independent forum of its kind in the UK. Today it is an innovative and expanding partnership of 60 conservation organisations, farming bodies, environmental and recreational interests and local authorities. It aims to help safeguard, maintain and enhance biodiversity and geodiversity in Oxfordshire To encourage people from all sectors to enjoy, understand and become involved with conserving the natural environment of Oxfordshire.
In Oxfordshire there are over 80 groups with over 1,000 volunteers that are actively working to conserve wildlife in their local 'patch'. These are run by local residents generally with the support of the parish council. Some may be restoring ponds, while others are planting trees and hedgerows or managing their churchyard for wildlife. The work of each local group is vial to provide a mosaic of essential habitats across the county. The Truly Useful Nature Directory has been put together to provide you with the contacts that you need to become practically involved in protecting Oxfordshire's biodiversity. The Directory gives you information on the main organisations involved in nature conservation in Oxfordshire with their services and expertise.
ONCF keeps its members up to date of events happening in Oxfordshire with regards to nature conservation and of decisions taken at national and international level that may have implications for conservation.
We have 3 main communications, Bulletin (weekly); Forum News (tri-annual); Biodiversity News (annual) for which you can sign up at the website or contact Cynth Napper Development Officer, cynth@oncf.org.uk, 01865 407034
HOOK NORTON TO THE SHETLAND ISLANDS. A PERSONAL JOURNEY.
...continued from December issue
Returned home to RAF Abingdon and at this time my Dad decided that I should go to Banbury Grammar School so I then went to live with my Grandparents, who had moved to 1 Bell Hill, for a while and then for a couple of terms with my Aunt Nellie Stratford ( Mum’s sister ) at The Glebe. Didn’t do too well at school so was taken out and placed in a Secondary Modern School at Larkmead near Abingdon. It was around this time that my musical tastes were formed. Fanatical Shadows fan and Apache, the number one hit from 1960 is my all time favourite. As I grew older, I enjoyed Reggae, soul, modern jazz and Frank Sinatra. 1961 was memorable in that the Berlin Wall was constructed and Tottenham Hotspur FC won the double. Then in May 1962 we were posted to RAF Butterworth in Malaya.
The unit was an Australian base and most families were billeted on the island of Penang. We had a fabulous bungalow overlooking the sea and each bedroom was en- suite. My brother Peter and our wives returned to Penang last year and the old house was still there but empty and derelict so we had a good look around, a really emotional time. My brother David and I were sent to boarding school in Kuala Lumpur on the Malay peninsular and used to travel down by train through the lush jungle. This is about the time of Beatle mania and we even felt it strongly out there. We were only here for 15 months before Dad was posted back down to RAF Seletar in Singapore. We had a quarter on the camp and of course had to change school again. Saturday November 23 1963 and Dad came home from the market to inform us that JFK had been assassinated the previous day, such a shock. July 1964 and it was decided that I would leave Singapore and come home and join the RAF. I came to Hook Norton and stayed with my Grandparents till late October when I enlisted. During this time met up with my old friend Phil White and we spent a lot of time playing football in the room above the Bell Inn and following the Hooky football team around.
Square bashing at RAF Swinderby was followed by a posting to Patrington in East Yorkshire where I met my future wife Kath. We were courting for about 6 months and then to my astonishment I was posted to RAF Tengah in Singapore! Of course being so young there was no chance of marrying so off I went on my own. Left on Boxing Day ‘65 and flew out from Heathrow on a Bristol Britannia which only took 30 hours. Really strange to be back in Singapore as an airman. While there had detachments to RAF Labuan in Borneo, Terendak (Mallacca) and RAF Kuantan both in Malaya but of course I was missing Kath! Came home March ‘67 and got engaged and were married in March ‘68.
Our daughter Keri arrived June 1969 and four weeks later she sat up with us in the early hours of the morning to watch Armstrong and Aldrin land on the moon. A detachment to Malta was my only trip during these couple of years. Came down to Hook Norton in June 1970 to have Keri christened in St Peters Church (when they had pews!!) and then off to Cyprus for three years. Superb weather and extra cash as you are entitled to an overseas allowance. Three years just flashed by and then posted to RAF Lindholme near Doncaster in Yorkshire. Steven was born in June 1974 and two years later during that fabulous hot summer of 1976 we were on the move again up to RAF Spadeadam near Carlisle. Nine months here and then on to the radar station in Shetland Islands for our first tour at RAF Saxa Vord which is Britain’s most northerly point. We were really impressed with the life style on the island. No trees and usually windy but it still has a unique beauty. Children can play out anywhere, hardly any traffic and the local population so helpful and friendly. Had 18 months here and then down to RAF West Drayton in London for three years. We actually lived in White Waltham near Maidenhead and had some good times there even though we had three different houses!
Managed a posting to RAF Bruggen in West Germany as it was then, in October 1981 and had plenty of opportunities to travel around Europe even though not too keen on driving on the other side of the road! Managed two trips to Berlin which of course was then divided and had a visit across the border in to East Berlin. You notice the change from the affluent West immediately. Most of the buildings were shabby and some derelict with bullet holes all over, a grisly reminder of what the Russians did to Berlin at the end of the war. Very impressed with the Reichstag and Berlin’s underground transport system. Only managed 15 months at RAF Bruggen before our Squadron was disbanded but luckily we were posted to Maastricht in Holland. In April 1982 Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands much to everybody’s surprise.
Left Holland in the summer of 1984 and back to Shetland where we spent 4 years before moving to RAF Fylingdales in N. Yorkshire. Lovely area where we lived in Whitby but a mind numbing job in the golf balls!! 1989 was quite an eventful year what with our daughter getting married and me doing my four month tour at Mt. Kent in the Falkland Islands. Very similar to Shetland, hardly any trees, barren and windy. Lots of history around Port Stanley and the church is a wonderful building. Back to Fylingdales for another year and then back up to Shetland for 18 months! Left in January 1992 and then on my last tour of duty to RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. On leaving Shetland we purchased a house in east Yorkshire when I left the RAF in 1992 and settled there for 10 years. Became a postman till 2002 and was then offered a job with the MOD back at RAF Saxa Vord so jumped at the chance!
Finally reaching the end of this saga, thank goodness I hear some of you cry!! Spent four years back in Shetland before the station closed which was a shock to everybody as the radar base was Britain’s first warning of Russian aircraft intruders. So on our way again this time to RAF Boulmer in Northumberland which is an outstanding county for its beauty. Couldn’t settle in the job with the MOD here so transferred to RAF Digby in Lincolnshire after12 months. Once again I found my job tedious and boring in extreme so after nine months took early retirement and moved back up to Shetland where we are settled in Cullivoe on the island of Yell. Not sure of our immediate future plans as our daughter Keri (they live just up the road) and her husband and the grandchildren are emigrating to New Zealand at the end of the month. Steven our son, and his wife live on Shetland mainland which is a 20 minute ferry ride away so it may be that we will be moving again to be nearer them!! That will definitely be the last time!!
My parent’s bought a house in Bloxham when he came out of the RAF in 1970 and lived there till 1994 when he passed away. My mother died in April 2003 and they are both interned in St Mary’s church in Bloxham. All my brothers have done well, David is an electronics engineer in Wallingford, Norman (Carl) is a journalist and works at the BBC in London, Peter is a computer genius working in Cheltenham and the youngest Stephen is a relief teacher in the Banbury area and me ..well… just an old over the hill ex military guy, but Kath still loves me!! If anybody would like to contact me my e-mail address is hooknorton@btinternet.com.
SHROVETIDE
Collop Monday or Shrove Monday (23rd Feb). Named after the traditional dish of the day: collops of bacon served with eggs. In addition to providing a little meat, the collops were also the source of the fat for the following day's pancakes.
Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday - The day on which all fats and cream had to be used up. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself, and to use up the foods that weren't allowed in Lent.
Ash Wednesday - the beginning of Lent.