The Hook Norton Village Newsletter
June 2002 Series 27 No 3

Village Affairs


NEWSLETTER TEAM


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


FROM THE EDITORS
Hopefully by the time you read this, the village will be about to begin the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Thank you to those of you who were able to get copy in ahead of the deadline. Spreading some of the work over several days prior to the 15 th May has enabled us to get the Newsletter printed ahead of the Golden Jubilee weekend. The amount of copy coming in is very encouraging. If you have access to email please continue to send it to the address below. If not but you use a computer to write your copy, please consider copying your contribution to a disk and put that in the Newsletter box. If you write your name and address on the disk label, we will return the disk after use each time. Alternatively, I am more than happy to provide a disk if you are able to submit your copy in this way.
If you wish to contribute an idea for the Newsletter cover, please let us know. Suggestions will have to be in by the copy deadline for each issue. All ideas will be considered but we can obviously only use one per edition. It would be good if you could make it relevant to the season or something going on in the village at that time, perhaps with a story line to go with it.
We have an entry from Anna Bradshaw this month and it would be good to see more 'personal' entries in future. So, if you have something you would like to announce to the village - birthdays, celebrations, achievements or anything else, please let us know.
There were a number of errors both within the text and rolling calendar in the last issue of the newsletter. I apologise to those affected by the mistakes and will try not to make similar mistakes again.
£40.41 was donated in the Newsletter box in the Post Office this month. Thank you.
Sadly, we report the deaths of Joseph George Townley aged 92, John Warr aged 80, Constance Brooke, Joan Samuels (late of Hook Norton) and Peter Cave (late of Hook Norton and one time publican of The Sun Inn). On behalf of the village, we send our condolences to their families and friends.

Finally, a reminder that the final text and advertising copy date for the next issue is 15 th July 2002.

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.
Advertising is charged at £20 per page and pro rata.
Text for village activities – Free (a small donation is very welcome).
There is a charge of £20 for all commercial inserts – village activities on request from Judi
www.news-hooknorton.freeserve.co.uk
HOOK NORTON ON THE INTERNET
Hook Norton has had a web site since before most people knew the Internet existed and various village events have successfully used web pages for promotion, notably the Festival of Fine Ales ( www.hook-norton.org.uk/beerfest ) and Folk in a Field ( www.folkinafield.co.uk ).
Some years ago - yes years - John Henderson and I decided that the village would be better served by having one 'portal' web site and so hook-norton.org.uk was set up as an Internet domain. The intention was that the site would be the first point of contact for all information that is Hook Norton, as well as the home of the village e-mail list.
hooky-announce@hook-norton.org.uk .
Time, as always, proved the enemy and we neither promoted the idea, nor took it forwards ourselves. We're now convinced that few Internet using villagers actually realise that www.hook-norton.org.uk exists, and even fewer are on the mailing lists.
In fact, to the rest of the world, hook-norton.org.uk already is the way to Hook Norton and we get vast amounts of e-mail from all around the world, for which we attempt to find homes.
Originally we intended the site to host links to local organisations, clubs, events and so on but it would appear that some are successfully existing independently and other organisations who may benefit from being part of a Hooky resource are not represented. For example, I'm sure some would like to follow the successes of our football team, check bus times, find out about the next film society meeting, discover what the parish council discussed this week, check out the latest special offers at the Post Office or Village Shop or find out what is happening at the School. My apologies if any of these are already possible but the possibilities are endless.
So, do we, as a village, want to have a village web site? Do we have enough local expertise (and time) to set up web sites for those organisations that don't have their own resources? Do we want local businesses to be represented on the site (perhaps for a fee)?
If there is sufficient interest we will set up a meeting to discuss the way forward. If you are interested please e-mail me on jem@briksdal.co.uk and I will make arrangements.
Jem Hayward



HOOK NORTON WI
Hook Norton WI continues with enjoyable meetings, interesting speakers and increased membership. Mrs Wendy Hillary, the Honorary Secretary of the Elgar Society was the invited speaker at the April meeting. Members and guests were treated to an enthralling hour of lovely music and an insight into the life of Elgar and his family. Mrs Hillary spoke of how the beauty of the Malvern Hills and countryside inspired Elgar and how he said that "the trees are singing my music". Resolutions regarding support for local abattoirs and stricter controls of imported foodstuffs will have been the subject of the May meeting.
On 18 th June , Mrs Elizabeth Page will entertain us with 'Comic Monologues' and on 16 th July , Hooky's Geoff Hillman will speak on his first hand experience of Zimbabwe Safaris and African Travels. A Garden Party is also being planned for 20 th August in a member's garden.
President, Pat Fletcher has proposed that the lovely wall hanging depicting village scenes through the seasons, which members embroidered, could be moved from the Library to the Surgery in The Bourne. Several members have been ill recently and best wishes were given for their speedy recoveries.
The WI will be having a stall at the Golden Jubilee Funday at the Sports & Social Club on Sunday 2 nd June .
As always, guests are always welcomed to our meetings. They are held at 2pm on the third Tuesday of each month at the Baptist Hall. Look out for posters.
Marion Roberts



1st HOOK NORTON GUIDES
On behalf of the 1 st Hook Norton Guides, we would like to thank everyone who has been involved, in any way, with the fundraising for our trip to Switzerland at the beginning of August. We have just passed our target of £2,400 so we are extremely grateful for all the support the village has given us.
In the last 6 weeks we have raised £500.51p at The Funky Fete on 16 th March, £603.58p bag-packing at Sainsburys on Easter Saturday and a further £320.00p at the jumble sale on Saturday 20 th April. A total of just over £1,500 in 4 weeks! Well worth all the hard work, I am sure you will agree.
We are well into our plans for Switzerland and the guides are really excited about it. Hopefully, we will get a report out in time for the newsletter in October.
Julie Wood



FIREFIGHTING
The last two months have been busy for Hooky Fire fighters who have answered 23 calls for assistance in that time. Of these calls, 8 were for standby at Banbury and 3 for Chipping Norton.
The other calls included a chimney fire at Milcombe, a suspected gas leak at a house in Sibford Ferris, 2 false alarms at Swerford, and 2 malicious fires in Hook Norton. In the last two incidents, a car and garage were completely destroyed and Thames Valley Police are currently investigating.
Of the remaining six calls, four involved fires at; a shed at Over Worton, a workshop at Thorpe Way, Banbury, a caravan at Wiggington and a small fire at a house on Daylesford Estate, Glos. At the last two calls, fire destroyed roofs at Over Norton and at an Antiques shop in Chipping Norton.
In most of the house fires attended by Hooky Fire fighters over the last couple of years, including the recent ones, occupiers had still not fitted Smoke Alarms as fire protection. Smoke Alarms cost £10 are easy to install and maintenance simply involves changing the battery every year. We recommend that as a minimum, fire alarms should be installed on every floor of a house - they save lives. You may have seen in the national press that two families this year alone have been killed by fire simply because no Smoke Alarms were fitted in their properties. If you or your neighbours require any advice, please contact any Hooky Fire-fighter or call the Community Fire Safety Help line on 01865 719900 or email; community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk


FIREFIGHTERS WANTED

There are vacancies at Hook Norton Fire Station for retained firefighters. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact me on 07950 335825, or pop in to the Fire Station on a Wednesday evening. You need to be over 18, and relatively fit. The Fire Service is an equal opportunities employer, and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.
We currently have a maximum of 6 firefighters available during the day, but need more to ensure that there is always a crew available to respond to emergencies.
James Clarke



HOOK NORTON LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
The meeting held on the 7 th May was a fitting climax to mark the end of the season. To most of us, the sound of church bells singing into the air produces an inexplicable echo where the past touches the future.
Mr. Brian White, a 5 th generation church bell hanger, having a gift with words and a camera, explained this ancient craft to us and told of hanging the Millennium Bell in Swerford (his grandfather had hung the other five) which contrasted with hanging the 3.5 ton bell in St. Pauls. Did you know that the last change in the design of church bells was in 1350AD?
The Hook Norton Museum is almost ready for its official opening, when those many and generous people who have given artefacts and time to the project will be Publicly Named.
Sheila Terry



HOOK NORTON GARDEN CLUB
The Spring Flower Show in April was a great success with over 340 entries. The cup winners were:

Harry Pargeter Cup - Tim Burchell
Bill Clarke Cup - Pat Fletcher
Willis Cup - Nick Burchell
Floral Art Cup - Pat Fletcher
Redlands Cup - Vicki Mepham
Certificate of Merit in Floral Art - Pat Fletcher
Diploma for Excellence in Horticulture - Nancy Longmore

June and July are the months when Club Members enjoy Wednesday evening visits to other people's gardens. Starting on 19th June with May Gleed's garden at Edge Hill, followed by Pam Cheril's garden in the village on 3rd July and finally to gardens in Shenington on 17th July . Watch the village notice boards for times and meeting places. The coach for the day trip to Kew Gardens on 23rd June is now full and all we can do is hope for a fine day!
The Club will take a rest through August to prepare for the Autumn Show on 7th September . Have a good summer and enjoy your gardens.



FRIENDS OF HOOK NORTON SCHOOL
The Royal Hunt … You may wonder why, during the first fortnight of June, the village windows are filled with photos of Princesses, coaches and wonderful crowns. Is Cinderella coming to Hooky? Sadly not. Has the village been overtaken by a surge of royalism? Certainly. You may even spot the odd corgi poking its nose through netted sashes. The reason - the Friends of Hook Norton School Golden Jubilee treasure hunt. Children will be encouraged during the fortnight to explore little known corners of the village in search of more than 50 clues that will help them win an exciting royal treasure trove.
If you have not already shaken out your poncho, dusted off your sombrero or donned your "I pulled in Acapulco" T-shirt, there is still time to prepare for the Mexican Evening on Saturday 15 th June , when South American sounds will turn Hook Norton School hall into an Aztec paradise. CocoMex play live for Latin lovers, who should bring drinks to wash down fabulous southern delicacies. At just £15 for a ticket from the school office, you won't get a better night out this side of the Atlantic.
Thanks to supporters of our fund-raising drives this year. The Quiz night made £292.30, Bingo £260, Ladies Night £223 and the Easter Chocolate Tombola made a healthy £131.71.
Hats off please to the sleuths of the Murder Mystery night. Death at the Granby Arms, in which teachers and parents played the possible murderers, foxed many, who relished the tasty Sausage Hotpot and raised £317 for school funds.
Amid World Cup Fever, please remember our star school team, already dubbed "Sven's Squad of 2018". With ITV Digital failing to come up with the cash for new kit, there is a unique opportunity for local sponsors to put their name on our team in their familiar red and blue strip. Just £500 would score for your business.
FOHNS contact: Tabby Lucas
FOHNS Website



ST. PETER'S CHURCH
Easter seems a long time ago now, but we celebrated in style with well-attended services in a beautifully decorated Church.
The Annual Church Sale on Saturday 27 th April was a cheerful occasion and made a little over £780. Thank you to all who helped or came along. There will be the usual cake stall and coffee morning in the Church from 10am to 12 noon on the fourth Saturday in the month. It comes early in June, on the 22 nd , as there are five Saturdays in June. The next after that will be on 27 th July . Do come to buy a cake and have coffee and a chat.
Rogation Sunday on 5 th May was a very special day. A large number of people attended the morning service in Tom's Barn, Cow Lane with special prayers for crops and livestock and the singing of 'We plough the fields and scatter'. The service was followed by a Nature Walk to see the lovely wild flowers. There was also a video and one of Mary Powell's ploughman's lunches.
On Sunday 2 nd June , the Queen's Jubilee, there will be Holy Communion BCP at 8am followed at 10am by a Parade Service to celebrate the Jubilee.
On 9 th June the Bishop of Dorchester will come for the commissioning of the Ministry Team at 6.30pm. On 11 th June there will be a Quiet Evening in the Peace Gardens at Sibford Ferris; details from the Rector.
We celebrate our Patronal Festival on St. Peter's Day 29 th June . There will be Strawberry Teas at 4pm followed by a Patronal Festival Service in the Church. The Preacher will be the Rev'd. Bob Nind, the son of a former incumbent.
Finally, on Sunday 30 th June there will be an informal service at St. Peter's at 6.30pm.

ST. PETER'S TOWER PROJECT
The new facilities are now all in full working order, being well utilised and admired by both local people and visitors alike.
We are now getting very close to our target and expect to complete our fund raising by the end of this year. By the middle of May, (taking into account the outstanding pledges which will come in over the next 24 months and the tax recoveries still to be claimed) the fund stood at £128,000. The fund has attracted money from a number of different sources as the chart below shows:

  Bank Interest 4%  
Tax Recovery 5% Fund Raising Activities 28%
Donations & Gift Aid 45%

Legacies 18%
A copy of this chart can be seen on the church notice board and we would like to thank everyone for their continued support.
In the last few months we have had a variety of fund raising activities. These have included; Music for Passiontide performed by the Cotswold Voices; Bach's B Minor Mass performed to a capacity audience by The North Cotswold Chamber Choir, international soloists and accompanied by a baroque orchestra; a Roll Out The Barrel evening at The Bell and a joint fund raising event in conjunction with the Sports and Social Club, 'Through all the Changing Scenes' by 'The Madding Crowd'. All these events were financially successful.
The planned joint venture, with the Sports and Social Club of a Donkey Derby has been postponed and will now take place on Saturday 5 th October on the Rural Fayre field. If you would like to sponsor a race or a donkey, please contact Janet Collins, Di Walker John Waver or Keith Fowler.
On June 2nd , we will be at the Fun Day with a Bottle Stall. On June 14th you can enjoy a 'Fish Supper' at The Pear Tree, whilst the contents of the bottle in aid of the Tower Appeal, (which has stood on the bar for just over a year) are counted. Visitors to 'Folk in a Field' on July 6th , will be able to enjoy 'strawberries & cream' whilst listening to the concert. The concert by 'Cantamus a Capeta', will take place on Sunday 14th July in St. Peter's (please note the change of date to that previously published).
In September there is the opportunity to walk or cycle round the adjacent villages and towns, visiting the churches, in the annual 'Ride or Stride' sponsored event in aid of the Tower Appeal and the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust. This takes place on Saturday 14th , further details can be obtained from Breac MacLeod at Anvil House. On Sunday 22nd September (which is also Harvest Festival in St. Peter's) there will be a late afternoon of Readings and Music of Dylan Thomas.
Of course there is also the opportunity for coffee and cakes on every 4th Saturday of the month, in St. Peter's.


BAPTIST CHURCH
Summer, traditionally holiday time, often means other things for our children and young people. They are reaching those times of their lives which can be both momentous and stressful. Exam time, changing schools, starting school or nursery, going to university or college.
Parents want the very best for each child naturally, and Christian resources provide excellent material. "Get Ready to Go" enables parents to prepare both themselves and their children for starting school, "It's Your Move" is for those changing schools. Both these books are from Scripture Union and can be ordered from our church. Whatever age your children are, give them the very best encouragement.
Our children's work continues with Saturday Special on 6 th July , followed by a barbecue for children and parents. August 5 th -9 th is Holiday Club with the family barbecue again this year on the Thursday evening. On Father's Day, 16 th June , there will be a Family Service at 10.30, lasting just an hour and followed by coffee in the Hall.
You are warmly invited to any or all of these events.
Julie Warren



THE MYSTERY POSTER SNATCHER
Is there someone in our village who dislikes the 'Friends of Bourne End Surgery?' We seem to be losing a lot of our posters. We put them up on Tuesday 12 th March to advertise our forthcoming Jumble Sale and by Wednesday 13 th March, they were missing. We know it can't be because we put them up on telegraph poles because there are other posters there. So why just ours? If for some reason we are upsetting someone, please let us know. Why not come along to one of our coffee mornings and talk things over with us. We really do not want to upset anyone and are only trying to help our local doctors' surgery.
Kim Woodward, Ellen Kershaw, Mary Healey, Pam Wood & Lee Morgan
The Friends of Bourne Lane Surgery



CHURCHILL HOSPITAL LEAGUE OF FRIENDS
The League is in need of volunteers to help in the tea-bar & shop at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford. It is open from Monday to Friday and is a very rewarding and worthwhile cause. We would value help from people of any age, however few hours you can spare, to enable us to continue this service which is much appreciated by patients, staff and visitors. Assistance is given with travel expenses. Come and have a chat and look around with no obligation. Please contact Miss MA Hughes or Mrs Webb on 01865 225598.


TRANSPORT
488 bus service Chipping Norton - Banbury. The County Council has now accepted a tender from Stagecoach to continue operation of our bus service with a subsidy, from 8 th July. The timetable will revert almost to what it was up to last August, with later buses. The service will be as now up to 1400, and will then be;
Chipping Norton 1405 1605 1805
Hook Norton 1423 1623 1823
Banbury 1500 1700 1900
Banbury 1505 1705 1805
Hook Norton 1542 1742 1842
Chipping Norton 1600 1800 1900
The return fare to Banbury is currently £3.50. It is the same to Chipping Norton, but an Explorer ticket will get you all the way into and around Oxford for the same fare if you are over 60, or £5.50 if you are not. There are good connections off the 0942, 1142 and 1342 buses from here. At present you have to catch the 1555 from Oxford to connect with the last bus from Chipping Norton at 1650, but from 8 th July you will be able to stay until the 1640 (1655 on Saturdays).
Sunday buses Chipping Norton - Oxford. The times of Sunday buses between Chipping Norton and Oxford have changed. X50 buses (which run to and from Stratford) now leave Chipping Norton at 0916, 1206, 1516 and 1806. Return buses from Oxford are at 1035, 1325, 1635 and 1925. The Sunday service is now operated by Pete's Travel (no connection!), not Stagecoach. (Stagecoach continue to run service 20 on Mondays to Saturdays unchanged from the last timetable which is available in the Post Office or library.)
Shoppers' bus. The bus for your cheap morning out in Banbury will run on Thursdays 6 and 20 June, 4 and 18 July, and 1 August at the new times of 9.50 from The Bourne (fire station end) and 10.00 from the Church. Return from Banbury bus station is now at 12.30. The fare is still only £1 return. Please put your name on the list in the Post Office from the preceding Saturday.
Stepping Out. ' Help the Aged' have arranged a large number of cut-price promotions for travel, admission to entertainments, etc. Most are for over 60s during June, but some have a lower age limit and some run for longer. Their usefulness will depend on what part of the country you happen to be in at the time, so it may be worth checking if you are away in June. Unfortunately there are no offers on trains from Banbury, but if you make your way to Charlbury or Oxford to pick up a First Great Western train, you can go anywhere on that network for £12.50. Or you can travel at half the normal fare on the airport bus from Oxford to Heathrow or Gatwick. It is impossible to give more details here. I have a few copies of the booklet, and have put one in the library. If you are interested, contact me or phone Help the Aged on 0870 770 3288.
Peter Fry, Parish Transport Representative, 730509



CHIPPING NORTON LIONS CLUB IS THERE FOR YOU IN HOOKY.
Many of you will have seen some large and very splendid Easter Eggs being raffled in Hooky's pubs and shops last month. These eggs were part of the Lions Club of Chipping Norton's fund raising activities in the village.
Some of you, I know, will have been driven each year to the Lions' Christmas Party at the Chipping Norton Football Club premises and had a great time there.
The Lions are the largest voluntary service organisation in the world and the Lions Club of Chipping Norton is your local branch. We meet and work in small groups, which can get close to the centre of town and village life. That way, we can learn who needs help and how to best spend the money we raise for local projects.
Although we are called "Chipping Norton Lions Club" we try to cover all the villages from Hooky to Chadlington, Kingham, Rollrights and all in between.
If you know of someone who needs help, perhaps with mobility, we may have just the motor chair for them. If you want to raise money for a special project, ask us to help. We will consider all charitable and support needs, either to make a donation or to arrange a fund-raising event.
The money we collect for charity goes only to charity- there are no overheads. When we want cash to support the club, we raise that from events like horse races- but not as you know them! Come along to the next one we organise, it's good fun! We enjoy the work we do and we do it for the local community.
There is a larger scale to Lions' work though, such as contributing cash to the running of eye camps in India, where the elderly are given free cataract operations. We provide the spectacles too, collecting them from opticians and from anyone who has old specs to throw away.
So don't forget we are here to try to help- we aren't just committed to Chippy. Quite a few of us live in Hooky anyway, so we are close to hand.
All you senior citizens who would like a good knees-up next Christmas - let me or your group's leader know and we can get you there for a happy couple of hours, absolutely free!
Robin Tranter, Past President, Lions Club of Chipping Norton.



WILDLIFE NOTEBOOK - MID MARCH TO MID MAY
What an exciting time of the year it is. Having returned from holiday on 21 st March I saw Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies flying around our garden. Peacock butterflies were seen later and an Orange Tip on 23 rd April. On 7 th April Mary Williams of Whittons Close saw 2 Holly Blue butterflies in her garden.
Sandy Blackmore at Hunters Lodge near the Firs Garage has seen a Goldcrest, a Great Spotted Woodpecker at a feeder, a Sparrowhawk and a Little Owl. She also reports that a Blue Tit regularly sits on the wing mirrors of her car.
In East End Bob Brayshay heard the first Cuckoo at about 7.00am on 2 nd April. Jeff Longmore, also in East End, heard a Cuckoo on 3 rd April and the Curtis family in Ironstone Hollow heard one on 15 th April. Cuckoos were also heard by Pam Morris in The Bourne at 5.35am on 19 th April and by Ray Gasson on the morning of 20 th .
Canada Geese have been seen and heard around the village and Linda Gasson reported two of them on the Wildlife Pond, one sitting on a nest. On 5 th May the two adults were seen with six goslings by the pond.
Early in April a Treecreeper was spotted by the Viaducts, a Tawny Owl in a tree just outside the village and a male Yellowhammer by Ann Faulkner in Beanacre. Kestrels and Buzzards have also been seen on a few occasions, the highlight being a rare sighting of a White Phased Buzzard in East End.
On 1 st April on a new pond in Scotland End, Steve Holliday saw a male Tufted Duck and on 8 th April he saw Grey and Red Legged Partridges.
Michael Terry in Down End phoned on 12 th April saying that on several occasions he had seen a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers. He had seen a Heron flying south to north over the viaduct then over the top of Down End and along Tite Lane. A Heron has also been seen flying very low over East End, landing on a bungalow roof and in the top of a eucalyptus tree. On 2 nd May Michael Terry phoned to say that he had heard the distress call of a Heron circling above the rookery at the top of Down End as it was chased off with its legs dangling, by a Rook. Clare Curtis in Ironstone Hollow has seen a Heron at the wildlife pond and has also seen a Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding on in her garden.
At the beginning of April, Angie Wilkins in Park Hill said it was a magical moment when, during late afternoon, she saw a Song Thrush singing in a beam of sunlight in a tree in her garden. On 28 th April in the long grass by the stream in her garden she also saw a male and female Mallard duck which later reappeared with about five very small ducklings. Moorhens are regularly seen in the long grass.
Sandy Blackmore saw the first Swallow on 19 th April and the first House Martin on 20 th April. Harry Smith has seen bats in Park Road. Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Starlings, Sparrows and Blue Tits have all been seen with food for young, but as yet no fledged birds have been spotted.
The highlight has to be the sighting by Tim Burchell and Frank Lucas of the Grasshopper Warbler in the middle of April at the allotments in Southrop.
The "Bird and Birdsong" walk was a great success for the twelve of us who went. It was a super morning and altogether we saw or heard 33 different types of birds.
It was great to hear from you, please keep phoning or emailing.
Geraldine Moore email: geraldine.moore1@btinternet.com



YELLOW PERIL – BEWARE THE KILLER WEED RAGWORT
Common ragwort (Senecio Jacobaea) is the most common cause of poisoning in livestock. March saw yet another pony in our county suffer horrific pain and die due to ragwort poisoning. Ragwort also damages our environment by smothering rare wild flowers. Most worrying is that research now proves that the poisons in ragwort (pyrrolizidine alkaloids) have been found in eggs, grain, milk and honey.
Some useful information about ragwort
  1. Ragwort is easily identified. It produces a rosette of green ragged edged leaves in early summer and then grows into a 3ft upright plant with a woody slightly red stem. It produces a large head of flowers with daisy like petals of bright yellow.
  2. Ragwort is so poisonous it is a listed plant under the 1959 Weeds Act. To allow it to grow and flower on your land, whether owned or rented by you, contravenes the law.
  3. This weed is killed easily before it flowers by spraying with a 2.4D herbicide. A natural non-toxic environmentally friendly spray called Barrier H. is also available. Animals must not be allowed to graze on sprayed land until all the ragwort plants have rotted into the ground.
  4. Mature ragwort plants pull up easily but all plants must be burnt. Always wear gloves when handling ragwort.
  5. This plant retains its poisonous toxins whether growing, sprayed or dried in food.
  6. Each mature plant can produce up to 150,000 seeds and these can spread up to a 10 mile radius.
If you want to safeguard the environment for future generations this is how you can help;
Check your land regularly for ragwort plants and treat as necessary.
When you see ragwort plants in your locality pull them up and incinerate them. Please always wear gloves when handling ragwort .
When you spot large areas of ragwort in fields or on roadside verges contact either myself or Oxfordshire County Council Environmental Services (01869 241144) with full details of the location.
During July and August the British Horse Society clearance volunteers will be working throughout Oxfordshire clearing ragwort from public land, commons etc. If you can spare a few hours to help, please contact me. Let's make our county a safer place for both animals and humans; free from the dangers of ragwort.
If you would like further information, leaflets or a visit to help identify ragwort, please contact the British Horse Society Welfare Officer
Miss D M Harris on 01993 702844
 Registered Charity No. 210504

See also the BHS online welfare leaflet on Ragwort
Information is also available from the Horseweb-UK and Natural Animal Health websites.



HOOK NORTON REMEMBERED
When the new Secondary Modern School opened, the staff consisted mainly of transferred teachers from the old Church School. Mrs Mant took charge of the kitchens and Mr Bert Beal became caretaker. I must also mention Mrs Bertha Collins. She came to Hook Norton from Dorset in 1926, straight from college, as Miss Bertha Virgin, married Jack Collins in the 1940's and taught needlecraft and history in both schools until she retired. She was buried in Hook Norton only a few years ago.
When Miss Margaret Morse went home to Cardiff, near her ageing parents, Miss Rosemary Davies filled the homecraft post. She married and moved to Tewkesbury and her place was taken by Miss Joan Pritchard, who later married Alan Page and became a permanent member of the village. Boys' games were organised by Norman Rees from South Wales. His father worked in a rubber factory and supplied stick-on soles free of charge to members of staff. Mr Rees returned to Wales and was replaced by Norman Milton who lived in one of Mrs Green's cottages in The Nettings. He too stayed only a short time and the department was then taken over by John Bushell.
The school opened with John Goddard as Headmaster, transferring from the old school. John had a private ambition and near his 40 th birthday he left to become a Church of England vicar. Gerald Bright, from Brixham, filled the post. After a few years he moved back to Devon as Head of a new secondary school. John Miller, a County Supply Head, took over for a year before John Smith replaced him. After Gerald Bright arrived, Miss Sharpe, the Deputy Head, was appointed Head of a secondary school in Salisbury, taking Miss Keith (girls' P.E.) with her as her Deputy. Subsequently, Mr Harry Broadbridge was appointed Deputy and Mrs Betty Cross from Brailes for girls' P.E.
All members of staff taught subjects other than their own and this was the great strength of the school. I helped to cover science for a few months until Mr Elmer was appointed. Mr Elmer was a quiet man, having been a Japanese POW, but he did a wonderful job. He became Head of Science in a secondary school in Long Eaton. His replacement, Keith Westmacott Lane was an eccentric character, who brought his deck chair when he taught gardening. He was a cousin of Agatha Christie and, writing under the pen name of Keith West, had published several novels set in rural China. Keith and his wife Jean lived in an old stone house in Whichford. Sadly Keith developed a brain tumour and his death was a great loss to the school.
Mr Clifford, the music teacher, travelled each day from Aston-le-Walls. He became the Music Adviser for Gloucestershire and was replaced by John Long from Deddington. John had taught in the Minster school in Yorkshire where he also held the post of Minster organist. He was married to a lady from Stow-on-the-Wold. When her parents left her some property they moved to Stow. John stayed until the pupils were transferred to Chipping Norton, when he went to Witney.
When Miss Sharpe left, the school needed an art teacher. Miss Joan Sharrott was appointed but the Head had not arranged lodgings for her as she had expected. Mrs Painter came to the rescue. Joan proved to be a valuable member of staff and a wonderful artist. Later she married Tom Lawrence and after retirement, moved to Great Rollright.
Mr Bruce Barr joined the school briefly before moving to the Welsh Mountains.
These are just a few of the teachers, all left their mark and I feel privileged to have worked with these people and to have been able to help make Hook Norton Secondary Modern School the great success it was.
Geoff Walton



A TRIBUTE TO OUR MUM - ANN HEATH
We all knew how special our Mum had been to us as a family. When we looked around the church at her funeral on l5th March 2002, we began to realise just how important and popular she had been to so many people and what an important person she had been to this community throughout her life. It is therefore rather befitting that we should write a Tribute to our Mum who served this community so well for so many years.
In 1972 Mum began her work in Hook Norton Post Office, helping our Grand Father, Cyril Heath. Mum lived in Banbury with Dad (Laurie) and us, their four children. At that time The Post Office was situated in what is now The Old Post Office in Chapel Street. Mum worked part-time at first balancing work with family commitments and very soon increased her hours to help with accounts and other duties. The Post Office was a small room with one counter and was well used by the villagers, not only as a service but also as a meeting room! At that time the village mail was sorted and franked in the village. Telegrams were delivered by the Postmaster/Mistress to local homes. In 1973 Mum took on more of the running of The Post Office and Cyril began to relax a little knowing that the business was in capable hands. They made a good team together. Mum was very bright and quick to learn. She gained experience and worked hard. She became very popular and was efficient in her work. She had a friendly and sociable disposition and greeted her customers with a smile. In 1976 Mum took over the running of The Post Office and became Postmistress of the village. She took her role very seriously and felt a great sense of duty in all that she did. She was already popular with many people in the village and was well liked by the postmen and women as she always provided hot coffee, a chat and a shelter from the cold! Customers would frequently visit for a chat or drop off home grown produce for Mum to take home. Others would recite poems to her or even write them for her! She loved this very much and loved being part of the community. In 1977 following the sad death of Cyril, Mum and Dad decided to move The Post Office to Dumbleton's Store in Chapel Street (where the Post Office is now) and we came to live in Hook Norton. The Post Office became Post Office Stores with Mum working the post office and Dad the shop. Mum was a very motivated and hardworking lady and she used the following years to build the Post Office business into a very active Sub Post Office for the community. She provided her customers with what they required and people visited from villages all around for her good service and assistance: Her motto was always, 'Use us or lose us!' and she encouraged people to use the service frequently. She always put her customers first and was very active in her Postmistress role, sitting on Committees and attending yearly Post Office Conferences, which she thoroughly enjoyed. At the Conferences she met people from all over the country and many of them became friends. Mum was always very keen to embrace change in her work and improve her business. In the early 1990' s she was selected to test a pilot scheme for Sub Post Offices to go "on line" with a computerised system. She grasped the concept well and trained her staff (and family!) to help with her progress. She always wanted to make positive changes and improve the service for her customers. She was a good employer and whilst at Post Office Stores employed Joyce, Judy, Sheila and Pam who worked hard for her. In return they enjoyed many hours working together, Christmas meals and evenings out as good friends. Mum genuinely cared for them all and they remained close friends for the rest of her life. Mum was incredibly good at maintaining friendships. She was a lovely warm person and had many close friends whom she had many good times with. She was good fun and was willing to help and support others, but she was also honest and frank.
In 1992 Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. After her operation and rest she and Dad decided to take early retirement to enjoy some time together with the family. Mum received her Long Service Award from The Post Office and when they retired, the villagers presented them with a beautiful clock and garden chairs. It was an emotional day for us all, but it was a decision that they would never regret. They retired to The Old Post Office and spent many days gardening, walking, sitting in the summerhouse and travelling the world. Mum put endless amounts of energy into everything she did. She had time to look after her Grand children that were arriving fast and furiously! It was at home that Mum loved to be with family and friends and her newly adopted black Labrador dog, Dotty. She was a wonderful, kind and devoted Nan. She spent many hours with all the Grand children being creative, having fun, teaching and loving them all very much. She was totally irreplaceable. Throughout her retirement Mum continued to help friends with their Post Offices. She kept up to date with new ideas and worked in many local Post Offices and became well known in many other communities. She enjoyed meeting new people and helping communities retain their Post Office services. She was a very reliable lady with a wealth of experience who continued to enjoy a challenge!
Throughout Mum's illness over the last year, the support that she received from you all as friends was wonderful. The kind letters that she regularly received, the cards, visits and telephone calls were all so supportive. We knew so many of you were thinking of us all and that helped tremendously. We received hundreds of cards following Mum's death. The kind, complementary words and memories made us cry, but also made us smile and feel so very proud of Mum. They helped confirm to us that Mum had been an important lady to this community. We have always been very proud of our Mum. Her lust for life, devotion, sincerity, sense of duty, kindness and generosity will always remain with us all. She was always there and gave so much all the time. We all miss her dreadfully. Through her efforts, she made a difference to many people's lives in this community. Her hard work and business acumen helped to provide, maintain and strengthen an important service to this village -The Post Office, for which she will always be remembered with great thanks.
Melynda Heath



ANNOUNCEMENTS