HNNL June 2002 page 4
The Hook Norton Village Newsletter
June 2002 Series 27 No 3

Sports and Social


Funday on Sunday 2nd June
Hook Norton Sports and Social Club
Inc. Children's Party with Magician & Kids Disco
Starts 12pm – to be opened by THE WOMBLES
Bar, Tea/Coffee/Cakes, Stalls, Balloon Race, Fire Engine, Bouncy Castle, Balloon Modeller, Fish and Chip Van, Ice Cream Man, Adult Quiz & PETE PORT TALBOT
Children's party 1pm – 3pm in the marquee
FREE ENTRY by invitation only
For pre-school and primary school age children – Adults must accompany under 3's
For information phone Kerrie or Collett
 
 

Fashion Show/Sale
Friday 31 st May
7pm – in the Marquee
Tickets £3.50 from Sheena
All items modelled and available on the night

Golden Jubilee Ball
Saturday 1 st June
7.30 prompt
in the Marquee
Dancing to Celebration
Black Tie and Evening Dress
SOLD OUT!!!!

 





Millennium Sports and Recreational Project
AUCTION OF PROMISES
A BIG THANK YOU

The magnificent sum of £3664.00 was raised during this entertaining evening. The generosity of everyone who donated a Promise, those who joined in the bidding and those who were successful in securing lots, has been overwhelming.
Thank you to you all!

The lucky draw for a bottle of Lanson Black Label champagne was won by
TICKET 293.
To claim this ticket or if you have any comments or queries please contact Rebecca Watts


HOOK NORTON SPORTS AND RECREATION PROJECT
It has been a while since the Project Committee has been able to focus on the design principles and facilities of the Project. We hope these will bring new and improved opportunities to Hook Norton and the surrounding communities that see this village as their local centre. The Public Meeting held in March was extremely well attended. Over 120 people received up to date information on the Project and were able to see for themselves what is proposed.
There are differing views about the Project, primarily issues of floodlighting, spectator accommodation for the new football pitch and parking problems, particularly on The Bourne.
A basic feedback form was distributed at the meeting and has also been sent by post to those who attended in order to gain as much comment from local people as possible. This is being used to help the Committee develop the scheme and attempt to overcome concerns. Feedback is still coming in and we would encourage anyone who would like to register their views to do so in the file containing minutes of Project Committee meetings and other background information that is now held in the Library. If you don't know what is being considered then please take time to visit the Library and find out more.
The vast majority of comment has been in favour of the scheme. Of the responses so far, an average of 90% is in support of the pavilion, social facilities, tennis courts and Multi Use Games Area. 70% are in favour of the football pitch and opinion is divided equally about the floodlighting and spectator accommodation. 80% would like to see Phase 2 of the Project developed to include a Community Recreation Hall.
Whilst this is only a basic indicator, the Committee does consider that it is a reasonable reflection of the level of community support and of the areas that require more careful planning and consideration. This is what is currently happening. We are keen to reduce the parking and traffic problems. The scheme proposes significant additional car parking within the new facilities which should be enough to cope with the vast majority of activities that take place. However, measures to regulate parking will form part of the future arrangements put in place by the Sports Clubs and the Sports and Social Club. Further detailed investigation is being undertaken with regards to floodlights and spectator accommodation to find acceptable design solutions.
Sketch drawings and plans are currently being produced for the pavilion. It had not been possible to present any detail of the building to the public meeting and this was an issue that the Committee has taken on board. It is important that the village is able to get a fairly accurate impression of the proposal and the timetable envisaged now is for an outline planning application to be taken to Cherwell District Council in July following a Public Consultation Event in early June.
Other news includes success in securing a Living and Learning Grant from Oxfordshire County Council. This partnership educational project was undertaken with Year 6 pupils at Hook Norton Primary School and the grant of £1500 has been split equally to benefit the school and the sports Project. The project considered the design of the Multi Use Games Area; specifically looking at access for people with special needs and how the children thought the design would need to be adapted to ensure equality of access. This is a clear demonstration of the strength of community partnership and what co-operative working and understanding can achieve.
As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns please do not hesitate to contact one of the committee.
Chris Rothwell, Mike Barlow



HOOK NORTON SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB FUNDAY
Hook Norton Sports and Social Club will hold its annual (well we hope it will become annual after the tremendous success of last year's celebrations) FUN DAY on Sunday 23 rd June from 2pm – 6pm. It will take place on the playing fields, Bourne Lane, Hook Norton and will be a fantastic day for all the family with the chance to try all sorts of sports including javelin, softball, badminton, tug of war, football, tennis coaching, welly-wanging, shotput, frying-pan tennis, races and speed serving. There will be a bouncy castle for the younger children and plenty of entertainment for everyone. The Friends of Hook Norton School will be serving refreshments during the afternoon and the day's activities will be rounded off with a prize giving ceremony and a barbecue. The entrance fee (which covers all activities) will be £8 per family or £4 per adult and £1 per child. All proceeds will go to the Development Fund of the Hook Norton Sports and Social Club.


HOOK NORTON FOOTBALL CLUB
"If promotion is achieved, it will be an historic and momentous achievement for the Club and the Village". These were my words in the last Newsletter when there were still 13 league matches remaining and we were sharing top position in our division with Pewsey Vale. As I'm sure by now you are well aware, we not only achieved that promotion but also we did so by winning the Championship of Division 1(West) of the Cherry Red Records Hellenic League by a margin of no less than 9 points! It has indeed been "an historic and momentous achievement'" and as a consequence, we are rightly still celebrating and enjoying all the media hype! We were proud last year after winning the Oxfordshire Senior League and then being accepted into the Hellenic League. To go on and take the Championship of the new division and earn yet further elevation in the Non League Football Pyramid was beyond our wildest dreams! In truth, after being undefeated in the final 17 league matches and gaining no less than 13 victories within those matches, it was no more than Hooky deserved, especially as the team went through the entire season with only 2 league defeats and conceded only 21 goals. Manager Dave Risato, Physio Steve Slaughter and all the players involved must take huge credit for this success that is probably the greatest sporting achievement in Hooky's distinguished history. The Committee, all the helpers behind the scenes and the loyal band of supporters must share in this success which has helped still further to put Hook Norton on the map, not just as a pretty and enterprising North Oxfordshire village with a renowned Brewery, but also as a place recognised for having a Football Club which is obviously going places!
At this point, the exploits of the Second Team should also be mentioned with some praise since, after themselves being elevated to Division 2(West) of the Hellenic League's Reserve Section, finished in a very creditable 8th position in that Division. Accordingly, congratulations and thanks should go to the Management Team of Adrian White and Ian Street as well as to all the players who were involved throughout the season. If the form of the Seconds in the final matches of this season is anything to go by their prospects for next season look very encouraging.
The First Team's elevation to the Premier Division of the Hellenic League regretfully means that, for next season at least, it will have to play at Banbury United's ground since the Bourne does not yet measure up to the new Division's requirements. While the Firsts ground share with the "Puritans", our Seconds will have a similar arrangement with the Banbury Club's Second Team at the Bourne. It is obviously hoped that, in association with the Sports and Social Club's proposed development plans, our own ground will be brought up to Hellenic Premier League specification for the start of the 2003/04 season. Clearly, there is much hard work ahead for all concerned within our Club both off the field of play and on it but that hard work represents a challenge which we are all looking forward to with enthusiasm. That challenge however will be without the playing services of Garnet Thomas who has announced his retirement after more than 20 years with the club. Thanks for everything Garnet; you have been a good and loyal servant.
Geoff James



A NAIL-BITING START AT HOOK NORTON CRICKET CLUB
An ideal start to the 2002 season for the 1 st XI resulted in a tied game at 183 runs to each side after 45 overs. Everyone got involved, with Mike Ward hitting 2 runs off the last ball to tie the game – very enjoyable. We then continued the good form with a convincing win in the first round of the Airey Cup against Hailey. As I write this on a sunny Sunday morning, we look forward to a game in the National Village knock out cup against one of the previous finalists at Lord's Cricket Ground, Shipton-under-Wychwood. It should be an enjoyable afternoon.
The 2 nd XI got maximum points in the first game; the opposition too afraid to take the field! This was followed by a very close game in the second week with a narrow loss to local rivals, Chipping Norton 2 nd XI. The Sunday side and the Mid-week evening sides have also started their fixtures, so whatever the form of game you fancy, we can provide it – just get in contact if you are keen to play.
The Junior section (5-8 year olds) is now very much in full swing. Come along if you can to the Thursday night sessions - 6:30-7:30pm at the ground to see what looks like hundreds of children from the village having a great time. The U13 team also practices that evening so you can see the progress resulting from the hours put in by the children and the many coaches for the Junior Club, co-ordinated by Steve Belcher and Paul White. Again, if your son or daughter want to play, please contact us. They would be welcomed into the club.
We would also like to draw to your attention the fact that the Junior Cricket Club offers a concessionary Membership arrangement designed to ensure that all young people are able to enjoy the benefits of the club without cost being a barrier. If that applies, please see the coach of the relevant age group, who will be able to sort this out with you on a confidential basis.
Finally, we still have four weekends or so to cover for umpiring in July and August. If you can help us with one or more sunny Saturday afternoons, please let us know. It will be an important contribution to the club and will be much appreciated.
Please let us know if you would like to be involved, in whatever capacity, regular or occasional player, umpire or supporter. We are all looking forward to what we are sure will be an enjoyable summer of cricket.
Please contact Tim Lunel or Colin Scarrett



HOOK NORTON TENNIS CLUB – SUMMER NEWS
The junior development programme organised by Hook Norton Tennis Club continues to go from strength to strength with children from Hook Norton and the surrounding villages currently attending after-school coaching sessions on three days a week. However, to maintain the momentum, there will be further coaching in the summer holidays.
For further information on these courses please contact Rebecca Watts on 01608 730568.
There has been an excellent response from the youth players in the area (12 -18 year olds) and a new coaching session has been established for them every third Sunday afternoon. The Club is keen to encourage the integration of the youth players into the senior section and the Tuesday and Friday Club evening sessions are an ideal opportunity for this to happen.