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NEW CLUB, NEW YEAR, NEW RULES
On December 7th 2008 - it became official! HNSSC is open. Under the watchful eye of our chairman Mike Barlow, Ray Gasson along with our buy a brick winning family, the Nottinghams cut the ribbon and unveiled the plaque above the entrance to our much awaited new club house.
The sun shone, our CLUB 08 bitter and mulled wine flowed and the village turned out en mass to mark this very special occasion. Along with a visit from Santa and the brewery dray a wonderful day was had by all.
Thanks to everyone who made it possible, especially Ray and the Gasson family and James and Paula Clarke at the brewery - Roger, Taffy and of course the brilliant team of horses, and John for sshhh- you know Who !!! With all of the above safely recorded in the pages of the clubs history it’s on with business. We have a bumper filled year ready and waiting at the club for 2009 including appearances from The Yetti’s, Blue Meanies, Counterfeit ABBA and Mission Blue as well as all of our sporting fixtures both on site and on TV including SKY and Setanta.
We are now also owners of our very own PVS film licence which means we can bring extra events to the club this year such as kids film nights and race nights, family film days and holiday clubs, or for those of you who want to chill out with your friends in front of your favourite film on the big screen why not hire the club for parties and celebrations? Why have the trouble of meeting up at the local cinema when you can own one for the night in the comfort of your own village. We can also offer hot dogs and burgers from our new kitchen as well as party food and refreshments - ask for details.
When the good weather hopefully returns in the summer months look out for details of our coaching programmes. All of our sports sections have excellent training facilities and we are proud that our Football, Cricket and Tennis sections now hold club mark standards. Our MUGA hut is getting a refurbishment and should be good as new in the summer to once again hire out.
For the grown ups we also hire out the club during day times for corporate days and training days. Our big screen can easily be set up for power point presentations and we are now also able to offer refreshment and lunch packages, with only the odd glimpse of Billy Green on his tractor and the gentle mooing of our herd of neighbours to disturb you.
We also offer the club to hire for parties and celebrations but would point out that due to sporting fixtures we cannot always accommodate your needs or time slots especially in the summer months.
Whilst all of our Sports clubs are available to join (a list of sports contacts can be found on the web site) we would like to point out that HNSSC Bar and club room is a members only club, anyone wishing to join socially should do so via a membership application. Adult members of our sports clubs gain automatic membership of the social club once they have paid their annual subscription to their chosen sport for themselves, and can top up by an extra £5 should they wish to include their families or partners and use the clubroom during opening times outside of sporting activities.
Junior sports members are NOT members of The Social Club unless included in family social membership! Under 8’s are not permitted without a responsible Adult. Under 14’s must have adult guidance after 9pm.
Club opening times will change according to season. At present, during our winter programme of events, opening times are :
Fridays 7- 11.30 pm (except during private parties)
People wishing to take part in bingo or quizzes should pay the appropriate fee.
Saturdays 12.30 - 7.30 pm
Sundays 12.00 - 6pm (subject to change )
(Tuesday 6- 10pm When a first team football match is taking place at home.
For non members & people wishing to watch football at the pitch side a gate fee must be paid)
We also open the kitchen hatch on most Saturday mornings during junior football season so that you can keep warm with a hot cuppa and a bacon buttie whilst watching your future David Beckhams and Frank Lampards. As with everything at the club, this is a voluntary service and we would ask for your patience and understanding in the way in which it is run alongside our social club (a licensed members only club).
Joan and Windsor Matthew run a very successful whist club on a Monday evening should anyone wish to join, I’m sure they will be happy to have a chat. (Private hire night, no club facilities).
With Wednesdays and Thursdays set aside for meetings and club concerns and later in the summer, cricket and Aunt Sally nights we have a pretty full schedule ahead.
All that remains is to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR and we hope to see you very soon, from all at www.hooknortonsportsandsocialclub.co.uk
HOOK NORTON (SENIOR SECTION) FOOTBALL CLUB
As the fog began to descend on an ever-freezing Thames side pitch at Henley Town in the 25th minute of extra time with the clubhouse clock showing 10.05pm in Hooky’s Third Round Oxfordshire Senior Cup match in early January, just a few weeks ago, I suddenly remembered why I now prefer to watch the ‘beautiful game’ rather than play it. Without doubt, it was brass monkey weather! But, the good news is that Hooky won the tie and are through to the Quarter Finals of this prestigious competition.
As well as success so far in this competition, the First Team is still involved in both the Floodlit Cup and the Supplementary Cup. Wouldn’t it be nice to adorn the trophy cabinet in the new clubhouse with still further silverware? Watch this space! Meanwhile, both the First and Second Teams continue to perform more than adequately in their respective divisions; whilst neither team expects to win its championship, it nevertheless has every cause to remain optimistic about a top 6/8 finish at the end of the season.
Prior to the Senior Cup match to which I have already referred, both teams have suffered as a result of a succession of postponements due to a combination of flooded and frozen pitches. Despite there still being plenty of the winter left, the club is hoping that the weather will be kinder for the remainder of this football season. Only time will tell.
As if weather problems aren’t enough for our groundsman Billy Green to contend with, he is now having to cope with a plague of moles on and around the pitch. That said, we remain confident that Billy will have the last laugh in respect of this nuisance!
Whilst the playing of football is obviously the core part of our ‘business’, the club never ceases to forget and cherish the memory of those who have loyally represented and been associated with the club but who, unfortunately, are no longer with us. At this time of the year, we always remember the late Ian Willoughby who died nine years ago whilst playing for Hooky at The Bourne. As a consequence, our thoughts are with Ian’s close family and especially with Kay and Hannah. The stand bearing Ian’s name is, without doubt, a fine testimony to his memory. We are so glad we did it.
Finally, as always, we thank you for your continuing support and encouragement which makes everything we do seem so worthwhile. We, in turn, will continue to fly the flag for Hook Norton and its surrounding area. See you shortly and don’t forget the club’s fundraising Race Night at the clubhouse on Saturday 7th February 2009 at 8.00pm. Everyone is welcome.
WEATHER PERMITTING - the local derby against Banbury United with be on Tues 10th February, Kick-off at 7.30pm. Come and cheer the brave lads on!
HOOK NORTON HARRIERS CHRISTMAS CANTER 2008
Sunday 21st December saw the second running of the Hook Norton Harriers 'Christmas Canter', a multi terrain race run partly on road, but mostly off road, of six country miles.
It was a bright clear day, so we were hoping to equal at least last years entry of runners, with the promise of a hot mince pie and a glass of mulled wine to all the finishers. In the event, we had approximately double last years numbers (giving rise to a mince pie problem - Colette and Kerrie to the rescue!). We had good support from some of the local running clubs, with the usual knotty calf brigade turning out for a friendly, low key, pre-Christmas trot. Also a handful of seriously good runners, who stormed home in impressive times. Sadly, there was little support from Hook Norton Villagers, such as Footballers, Cricketers, or Tennis players, or even fancy dress recreational runners, which considering this was a fundraiser for the splendid and impressive new clubhouse, seemed like an opportunity missed.
We were a little stretched on the man/woman power front and could have done with two or three more helpers, so if you want to join in and help out next year, we would be very pleased to hear from you.
Generally speaking, the event was friendly and well received, with some runners wearing Santa hats or wings. I think next year we will introduce a special award for the best hat or most original use of tinsel!
Thanks to all who helped out - special mention to Colette and Kerrie, life savers as usual, and roll on the summer Hooky 6.
HOOK NORTON TENNIS CLUB – JANUARY 2009
Match Results
Floodlit League
At the moment our first and second teams are fourth and fifth in Division 1; our third team is fifth in Division 2 and our fourth team is fourth in Division 4.
Winter League (Weekend)
Currently, our A team is second in Division 1; our B team is fourth in Division 2 and our C team is top of Division 4.
Future Events
The tennis club AGM will take place in March.
Junior coaching – 2009
Junior tennis coaching re-started on Tuesday 13th January for a 5 week term. Mini tennis red and orange sessions will continue to be held at the Hook Norton Primary School with mini tennis green and junior sessions taking place at the tennis club. If you would like to book a place please contact Marc Gilkes, marcgilkes@fsmail.net
Adult Coaching – 2009
Ladies coaching began on Tuesday 20th January, 10.00am-11.30am. For more information please contact Marc Gilkes, marcgilkes@fsmail.net
Steve Bone has re-commenced his weekend coaching every third Sunday – contact Sean Callery for more details. Email: sean@caller.demon.co.uk
HOOK NORTON CRICKET CLUB
New Year's resolution to do more exercise or to take up a sport you haven't played for a few years? Well now's the time to brush the dust off those whites and join us for winter nets. There are sessions for Seniors from the 1st of March every Sunday right through until the middle of April, 6-8pm at Chipping Norton Leisure Centre. Do just turn up and give it a try. Junior sessions are running in Bloxham every other Saturday from the 7th March, for this you need to contact the Junior club in advance. We're already looking for those first signs of spring so come and join us! Seniors contact Tim Lunel, Juniors Paul White