The Hook Norton Village Newsletter
August 2006 Series 31 No 4

Village Affairs



NEWSLETTER TEAM


Directory: Diana Barber
Advertising: Judi Leader
Distribution: Bunty Reid
Postal Services: Mrs M Padbury
Proof reading: Nigel Lehmann
IT/Web Support: Martin Baxter


FROM THE EDITORS
The Newsletter Box contained £28.85 this month.
Sadly we record the deaths of Heidi Ansell, Dr Eva Gwendoline Copcutt, (formerly Dr Wendy August), Ellen Mary Heritage, Tina Marlow and Constance (Connie) Willis. On behalf of the village we send our condolences to their families and friends.


Andy Horne Helen Foster
hookynews@totalise.co.uk helen@broadedged.co.uk

The views expressed in the Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Editorial Team.

RATES – CHEQUES PAYABLE TO 'HOOK NORTON NEWSLETTER'
Text & advertising copy deadline TUESDAY, 15th AUGUST 2006
Text for Village activities Free (a small donation is welcome)
Inserts for Village Activities On request from Judi Leader
Commercial Advertising £22 per page & pro rata per issue
Commercial Inserts £20 per issue
Donations can be put in the Newsletter Box in the Post Office or posted to; Newsletter, c/o Hook Norton Post Office, Chapel Street, Hook Norton, Oxon.


HOOK NORTON BAPTIST CHURCH
Forty children from the four Cornerstone churches recently had a great weekend camping on the Hook Norton school field, for their annual 'camp-over'. Their presence, plus their leaders, considerably boosted our numbers at the Sunday morning service, which also happened to be JAM club Sunday.
During June, over 200 Cornerstone church people, including about 80 youngsters, also enjoyed an excellent week-end away together at the Pioneer Centre in Shropshire.
The success of these events highlights the benefit derived from getting away and taking a break from the norm, gaining refreshment for body and soul. Now that we are into the holiday season there are many choices for people of all denominations who seek a change from the routine secular holiday.
Family Camps are very popular and offer sound spiritual input as well as lots of fun and activities for all age groups. Some organisations, like Soul Survivor and Crusaders, host camps specifically for young people.
For the energetic, there are Christian Activity Centres in various parts of the UK, also the Medina Sailing Centre on the Isle of Wight.
For those wanting to go further afield, Mastersun offers foreign holidays and organised tours to sites of special interest. Some like to spend their holiday helping the less fortunate overseas and can join working groups doing practical jobs or teaching English , with church-related organisations.
For the more conventional there are any number of Christian hotels, guest houses and Retreat centres in all parts of the UK. We thank God for all those who work to give others a good holiday. Please contact me if you want any further information about any of these.
Holiday Club is our small contribution to the summer holiday enjoyment of local children and starts on July 31st until August 4th each morning 10am to 12 noon. If you have not booked but would like your child to come, please contact us straight away. It is for primary school-age children, and this year the theme is Knights and Castles. Don't forget the Family Barbecue on the Thursday evening!
Church Family News
Our former church secretary, Julie Warren, retires from her job as manageress of the Jubilate Christian Bookshop in Stratford-on-Avon at the end of July. We wish her God's blessing as she leaves the shop, but continues to serve the Lord in a different capacity.
We send loving congratulations to Andrew Taylor (son of John and Jane) and his bride Assynia, who marry in London on July 29th.
Whatever you are planning for this summer, we wish you God's blessing and safe journeys.
Dorothy Smith


ST PETER'S CHURCH
It never ceases to amaze me just how hard our Ministry team and church volunteers work to welcome, support, encourage and keep spiritually fulfilled – and sometimes challenged - the growing church family at St. Peter's. In addition to the officialdom associated with committee meetings, administration and building maintenance, an incredible amount of time, dedication, prayer and thought go into ensuring there are varied services to suit everyone at St. Peter's. Then there are many other people who regularly give up their time to keep the church clean, arrange the beautiful flower displays, and provide music and visuals at services. Many more work with the Sunday Gang children and run the many related groups, from Bible study, Benefice prayer and Fellowship groups, to the regular Wheeler's and Squealers lunches, after-school J.A.M. club, and Sing-to-the-Lord evenings. Please keep these people firmly in your prayers, because whilst it may seem that 'church' ticks along smoothly and calmly like a swan on a lake, believe me, underneath the surface it really is all going like the clappers.
Anyway, much has happened since the last newsletter, and there's a lot to look forward to. Most recently, the Rt. Rev'd Colin Fletcher, OBE, Bishop of Dorchester, came to St. Peter's to celebrate Petertide (St. Peter's patronal festival). It was a wonderful service, followed by a delicious buffet lunch kindly arranged by Jan Hughes and other volunteers. Many thanks to all those involved. On June 10th the latest Alpha course group enjoyed their away-day at The Mill in Burmington. The course has now finished, and a new one is due to start later in the year. If anyone is interested in finding out more about Alpha, please contact Janet Collins (737515), Sheila Acreman (737223) or Jan Hughes (737900). The last few weeks have also seen the first of a number of planned events to raise money for next year's proposed Flower Festival and Open Gardens weekend. Many thanks to Betty Cauldrey and Marriane Joyce, who held a coffee morning, and to Jill Newman, who held a lunch party in aid of Flower Festival funds. Please keep an eye out for further events.
Please note that Traidcraft items are on sale in Church after the 10 am service twice a month (generally the first and third Sundays). Di Bowen, Hooky's Traidcraft agent, also has available the Traidcraft catalogue with lots of other available items, from clothing to wines. She has put a world map on the board at the back of church, which shows where all the Fairtrade goods come from. Please have a look and do show the children. It's fascinating to see in how many countries Fairtrade is helping people to get a better deal out of all their hard work.
And continuing with the culinary theme, the Font Café initiative, every Saturday and Tuesday mornings at St. Peters, continues to grow in popularity. When the weather is pleasant the tables are outside, and many people and children enjoy coming along whatever the weather, for a cuppa, a biscuit and a chat. There is no charge, and all ages are welcome (and well-behaved dogs!).
St. Peter's and Hook Norton Baptist Church continue to host alternately the JAM (Jesus and Me) service, tailored to families and children, every third Sunday of the month. The next J.A.M. Service will be at St. Peter's on September 17th.

Special services and events:
Sunday September 24th is the date for our Harvest Festival at St. Peter's (10 a.m.). We hope to follow the service with lunch, so do keep an eye on the church noticeboard.
On Saturday September 30th there will be an Away Day at The Mill, Burmington, led by Martin Cavendar. All welcome. For further information please contact John Acreman (737223).
Regular dates for the diary:
* The JAM (Jesus and Me) club: for keystage 1 and 2 children (not nursery) at Hook Norton primary school study centre, every Wednesday during term time, 3.15-4.15 pm. J.A.M. Club will reconvene after the summer holidays.
* Sing to the Lord: 2nd Thursday of the month, 8 pm, Hook Norton Primary School. Please note there will be no meeting in August.
* Wheelers and Squealers; regular get-togethers for the village tots and their parents/carers. Every 2nd Thursday of the month, 11 am at St. Peter's. More details from John or Sheila Acreman. Please note there will be no meeting in August.
* Benefice prayer meetings: every 3rd Wednesday of the month. For venues, please see church noticeboard.
* Bible Study: A new course is due to start in the Autumn. Please see church noticeboard for further details.

We do thank God for the wonderful report received by Hook Norton Primary School, following its recent Ofsted inspection as a Church school in the Diocese of Oxford. The inspector's subsequent report essentially placed Hook Norton Primary as an outstanding church school in every 'spiritual' consideration, and unmatched in this respect by any other primary school in Oxfordshire. Amongst the conclusions of the report, the inspector stressed the headteacher's 'outstanding leadership', and 'the dynamism with which the local Anglican Church, supported by leaders of other churches, respond to the aspirations of the school'. As an overall conclusion, the inspector also wrote: “Hook Norton Primary is an outstanding church school. The strong Christian ethos that permeates the life of the school is founded upon the strong bond between the school and the local community”. Many, many thanks to everyone in the Ministry team in this Benefice, and to the Ministry team and volunteers at the Baptist church, together with all those committed members of our church family and the dedicated staff at the school, who have worked so hard to make Hook Norton Primary a shining example of the fruits of faith and true Christian leadership for our youngsters within this community. The children have painted some wonderful pictures of the church, which are on display in St. Peter's. Please do have a look!
Sophia Fox sophiafox1@aol.com


RIDE OR STRIDE
Saturday 9th September

A sponsored event to raise money for :

Your contribution will be divided equally between the two.

Sponsorship forms available from Richard Lethbridge (01993) 824196


LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
Speakers and dates for the Local History Group for the next eight months will be;

2006 2007
5th September – Graham Sutherland
Curious Clerics & Dastardly Doctors		 9th January – Rev. Ralph Mann
Chipping Norton Fair
3rd October – Mike Hallam
Before the Age of Plastics		 6th February – Geoffrey Castle
Edwardian Swerford
7th November – Brian Little
The Beales & Blinkhorn Families		 6th March – Carl Boardman
Sinners & Villans
5th December – John Letts
The History of Thatch		 3rd April – Martin Greenwood
The Sibfords

All meetings start at 7.30 pm in the Brewery Visitors Centre


THE SECOND WORLD WAR EXPERIENCE CENTRE
Would you like to share your memories of the war, for inclusion in The Second World War Experience Centre's archive? We aren't looking for dramatic tales of glory - we are looking for stories from all walks of life, including servicemen and women, but also from civilians, children, factory workers, or anyone who has memories from that time.
The recording is made in an informal setting and then sent to the Centre for transcribing and inclusion in the archive, which is accessible by authors working on Second World War books, by TV researchers, by Post-Graduate and Undergraduate researchers, and is also used by veterans groups and historical societies. It is currently developing educational modules for use by schools, and has recently provided source material for the Scottish Holocaust Memorial Exhibition in Edinburgh.
The Centre is a registered museum and charity, and exists to document the lives of men and women who lived through the 1939-1945 years. More than 7000 people have their younger years covered in the Centre by original documents, memorabilia and recorded memories.
The website can be found at http://www.war-experience.org. If you are interested in being recorded, or would like further information, please contact Matthew Smaldon, email: matthew.smaldon@googlemail.com


FRIENDS OF HOOK NORTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Monday 4th September 2006 7.30pm
Brewery Visitor Centre

It's AGM time again and once more (by the kindness of Hook Norton Brewery) it will the held at the Brewery Visitor Centre on Monday 4th September 2006.
Naturally, at an AGM, the formalities of electing the Officers and Committee for next year and adopting the Accounts have to be gone through. However, even the formalities have a lot of interest in them. Who will be our officers, and who will be on our Committee make a lot of difference to the direction the Friends take in the coming year. Obviously, some continuity is a good thing, but so are new faces, particularly if coming from a cross-section of the village. Friends have the right to nominate and vote for officers and will be invited to by letter. Let's hope they do.
Attendance is however not limited to members. The AGM provides a good opportunity for all questions concerning the Library and the Friends to be raised by anybody. Discussion in the past has taken place both during the formal part of the meeting and informally afterwards.
Traditionally, after the formal meeting we have had an entertainment. This year it will take the form of a play reading. Traditionally too we have had refreshments, as we will this year. In the past, a good and useful time has been had by all – but this can always be improved upon – your attendance will make a difference!
John Wheatley – Chairman.


GARDEN CLUB NEWS
Gardening has continued apace during the summer, despite the warm dry weather. The two evening garden visits - to Barton House and Hill Grounds, Evenley - were well attended, as was the day visit to the RHS Gardens at Wisley. On all three visits we were blessed with good weather and everyone enjoyed themselves. The gardens at Wisley were especially memorable for the spectacular displays of Delphiniums and Sweet Peas.
The next event in the Calendar is the Autumn Show, which will be held in the Memorial Hall on Saturday 2nd September, with the entry night on Wednesday 30th August. As usual we are looking forward to a good entry and hope that many new faces will be entering. Schedules will be available from the middle of August, either delivered to your door or from the village shops. If you have any questions regarding exhibiting, then please ask any of the committee who will be pleased to help. The show is open to the public from 2.30 pm to 4.30pm.
In October, on the 18th, is the AGM with an accompanying slide show from Mick West. We look forward to seeing as many members as possible.
Dave Coates


COMMUNITY MORNING
Recommences 13th September
A fun session for babies and pre-schoolers
accompanied by a parent or carer.
Play, 'making' projects, singing, stories and refreshments.

Wednesdays 9.10am to 11.15am, term time only
at the Field Study Centre, Hook Norton School

For information please contact the webmaster


HOOK NORTON C. OF E. PRIMARY SCHOOL - SCHOOL NEWS
Another Year has flown by and a very eventful one at that! In October the school welcomed a party of children from Sweden and in May we took 19 of our Year 6 children to Vara, Sweden for 5 days. During the year we maintain our links with Vastraskolan through video conferencing, which is very exciting for the children.
May also saw the arrival of our long-awaited Ofsted and Church inspections. We received a glowing report overall, with our personal development and well-being, care, guidance and support rated as outstanding. The Church inspection said we are 'an outstanding church school. The strong Christian ethos that permeates the life of the school is founded upon the strong bond between the school and the local community'.
To all members of the local community who contribute so much to the life of the school, I would like to say a big 'thank-you'. Donations have enabled us to develop our fruit and vegetable garden. The lettuces were delicious! In the autumn we are hoping to plant some small fruit trees – any donations more than welcome!
We have also begun extensive remodelling of the school, with a new office, staffroom, cupboards and enlarged classrooms. Our numbers are very healthy with young families moving into the village- in fact, most classes are full!
We are all looking forward to a restful, long hot summer holiday now!
Stella Belgrove


FRIENDS OF HOOK NORTON SCHOOL (FOHNS)
You may think summer is just for August. Think again. It carries on for at least another month. So dust off those pith helmets for a Safari Supper on 23 September. A number of volunteer hosts will prepare and cook a two-course meal. Guests will have their starters at their first host house (approximately 7.3Opm) then ALL the guests move to different hosts where they will have their main course with a different set of guests (approximately 9pm). All wine is free. Following the main course, all guests and hosts then make their way to the school where pudding is served. Does that sound confusing? Well imagine what it's like trying to bag a tiger at the same time. Watch out for more details.
We are also delighted to announce another Car Boot & Bike Sale on Sunday 1 October from 11am to 1pm. A pitch costs just £5. Second hand bikes can be sold through the bike stall (15 per cent of sale price to FOHNS) or you can donate any sale items to the FOHNS stall (toys, bric-a-brac, plants, books, CDs etc). To book a pitch or for more information, please call Hazel Hope at Hook Norton School on 737379. Bacon butties and refreshments are also promised.
And finally, thank you to everyone who helped raise more than £900 for FOHNS at the Summer fete in July. Like so much of our fund-raising this past year, this success was down to the devoted work of many volunteers. Hopefully, more will swell our ranks in the new term.
If you are interested in finding out about FOHNS, join us for our first meeting on 19 September at 6pm at the school. It would be great to meet you.
Sally Scullion FOHNS chair Sally.scullion1@btinternet.com


DOGS OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL
I often take my dog for a walk whilst taking the children to school. He gets tied up outside the school, along with many other dogs, probably for a maximum of ten minutes, normally about 8.50am. Last week whilst doing this, a lady from the new houses opposite the school came across to warn me that the new residents were going to get together to sign a petition to stop us being allowed to tie our dogs up outside the school, as they were sick of the dogs barking so early in the morning. She pointed out to me that I wouldn't like it if it was outside my house and that she can't even have a lie in. I listened to her point of view, untied my dog and walked back home.
I've thought about it for the last few days now and in reply I would like to say, I appreciate your point of view but, the school HAS been there for the last 13 years and for the last 10 years that I have been walking to school, there have been dogs tied up outside. Your houses have only been there for the last year or so, and you were the one who moved in opposite a school. Did you honestly think you would get peace and quiet around 8.30am and 3.15pm? That's like moving in next to a building site and not expecting the builders to start their machines and tools up. It obviously doesn't happen at the weekend, so I can't understand the problem. Most people are usually awake by 8am in the week anyway. I shall continue to walk my dog to and from school until I hear that I can't. If he barks, I apologise, but that is what dogs do!
Kerrie Fisher


HOOKY BROWNIES FUND A DOG FOR THE DISABLED
Brownies from 1st and 2nd Hook Norton Units have so far raised £500 for the Banbury based charity Dogs for the Disabled by holding several local fundraising events including a fashion show and jumble sale in the village.
Lydia Martin, fundraising coordinator for the charity, visited the Brownies in Hook Norton in June to receive the cheque for £500, which will cover the training of a black Labrador puppy appropriately named “Norton”. Once fully trained, Norton will be partnered with a disabled person, providing them with help in carrying out everyday tasks such as opening and closing doors.
Click for large image

Lydia Martin of Dogs for the Disabled, receiving a cheque for £500 from some of 1st and 2nd Hook Norton Brownies and Guiders.

1ST HOOK NORTON BROWNIES NEWS
By the time you read this, we will have returned from our pack holiday at the Willow Tree Centre in Ruislip, where 18 brownies from the 1st Hook Norton pack, their guiders and helpers will have spent a long weekend in a lovely log cabin doing lots of fun activities based around the theme of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The pack holiday is the end of a busy year for the 1st Hook Norton Brownies which included a wide variety of activities.
Highlights in the winter term were a fashion show for parents and other fundraising activities which raise £200 for the Banbury based charity Dogs for the Disabled (together with the 2nd Hook Norton Brownies we presented a cheque to the charity for £500 in June from a joint fundraising effort). We also learnt about first aid, had a sing-a-long evening in Di Walker's barn and went ten pin bowling in Banbury.
In the Spring term we visited One Man Band in Banbury and looked at musical instruments, thought about local and worldwide water issues and looked at how best to stay healthy. The summer term saw us making scarecrows, learning about the Countryside and Green Cross codes, going for a walk in the rain, visiting the Scout Centre at Horley for a go on the climbing wall and zip wire, not to mention a district swimming gala at Chipping Norton pool in June. Of course, none of this could have happened without the hard work of all the guiders, so I would like to thank Ana Wright, Teresa Hughes, Vicky Taylor and Katie Wood for all their help and enthusiasm in running the unit over the year. Brownies is open to all girls aged between 7 and 11 years old and if anyone would like their daughter to join a Hook Norton brownie pack, please contact me on the number below.
Sarah Gardner 1st Hook Norton Brownies


1ST HOOK NORTON GUIDES
The guiders had a terrible job getting a whole weekend free to take the guides camping this year. In the end, we decided on a 29 hour camp! We had a total of 18 guides from Hook Norton and 6 guides from Bloxham.
We set up the camp at Hardiman Fields, Shipston-on-Stour on the Thursday, with the guides returning at 5pm on Friday for the camp. We crammed the next 29 hours in with many fun activities, including crafts, wide games, cooking on fires, parachute games and a camp fire. We did a traditional camp with heavy weight tents and gadgets made of wood.
The whole camp was such fun and very relaxed. The girls had a great time. We finished off with a joint campfire with a unit from Rugby, before seeing the girls off home with their parents. 		Click for large image
Click for large image At our last meeting this term, Lois Parman, Jessica Rudd and Molly Shepherd made their promise in the outdoor swimming pool at Chipping Norton. Megan Wood received her 4 year challenge badge and Rebecca More her 2 year challenge badge. We have 6 new brownies joining us in September from the 2nd Hook Norton Brownies.
This term we said our goodbyes to Kim Appleton and Megan Wood.
Julie Wood


MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING
Once again, I shall be holding the annual Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday 29th September, in the Study Centre, attached to Hook Norton Primary School, 9am - 11.30am. Please make a note of this event in your diary. We shall be selling the Christmas cards as normal and will also have a raffle. If anyone would like to make donations of raffle prizes or cakes, please let me know nearer the time. If you are able to give up a couple of hours of your time to help me on the day, I would also be very grateful. Please let me know by telephoning or e-mailing me.
julie@hookiewood.freeserve.co.uk


KHH THAILAND - CHARITY CHALLENGE
There were fourteen people in my Charity Challenge group to Thailand ranging in age from 21 to 57, 5 men and 9 women. So with an average age of 34, I was definitely an old lady on this trip. Luckily this was not a problem, as age seemingly has no bearing on these adventures.
My memories of Thailand: firstly our trek through the jungle was amazing. We walked about 8 hours a day at the rate of around 2km per hour. There was no visible path and the foliage at times was so dense that our Guide used a machete to literally hack a way through for us. The river crossings were also an exciting part of each day. They were huge and very fast flowing, since the rains had already started. One time all 14 of us were asked to hold hands whilst crossing in order to try and keep each other upright; another time our Thai guides had to swim over and fix some ropes for us to hold on to. At this point the river was about 35 metres wide and we had to cross one at a time. Whilst the water was not necessarily very deep, it was fast flowing and with a full backpack on it was quite hard to keep your balance. The water was frequently up to the top of my shorts and lapping at the bottom of my backpack, and because the stones on the bottom were very slippery several people did go right in, me included.
We stayed in different places along the way – local Inns, a village house on stilts where they put up tent inners for us, and also in tents in a clearing in the jungle. When the rain came it was torrential and on one day lasted all afternoon. At these times the path virtually disappeared, and I quickly learnt that the best place to be walking was right behind the Guide, because once the fourth person had come through any tricky bits, there was very little path left; this meant the poor person at the back had virtually no chance of staying upright! In several places they fixed ropes for us to hang on to but in others this was not possible and it was just hands, feet and bottoms and hope for the best! We all fell over several times a day and it was just funny in the end because we were all wet, dirty, bedraggled and … still smiling! Washing in the river at the end of the day was quite fun too – just straight in with all your clothes on – I can't describe the bliss of getting clean (well sort of) and cool.
Sadly we did not see much in the way of wildlife, but their wildlife found us in a big way. Mosquitoes were everywhere as well as other biting bugs, ants, bees and leeches. Two people were bitten by scorpions and when their ankles swelled up to an alarming size they had to seek medical help. One girl recovered quite quickly but the other guy ended up being wheel-chaired on and off the plane. They were given antibiotics – just a strip of pills with no name on, no box and certainly not the luxury of a use-by date, so they did not actually know what they were taking. We also came across a spider the size of my hand hanging out of a tree at face level – luckily the Guide was in front and dealt with it!
The food in Thailand can be marvellous, though our diet was rather bland. We had eggs for breakfast most days and then rice twice a day with a bit of chicken or fish with it. Occasionally we had noodles served on a banana leaf. Local beer was available most evenings and we did try a bottle of the local Thai wine, which was completely evil.
The rafting turned out to be pretty basic, 8-12 bamboos lashed together on which we sat, partly submerged, one or two people to each “craft” depending on our weight. Our Thai “driver” then skilfully took us down the river, negotiating the rocky rapids on the way.
It was great fun, and inevitably we fell in and managed to cool off from the boiling sun - only later then to get very cold because we were taken in open trucks to our next destination, in our wet clothes, and the rain came down with a vengeance once more!
The kayaking down the River Kwai was wonderful. It is a big river and – they assured us – very clean! So travelling gently down with the current to help you was fantastic. This was playtime now and we played as hard as we paddled - everyone of course got tipped in at some stage. It was a very different story when we had to cross the current to try and reach our mooring at the end of each session; the river proved not to be so friendly and we realised just how strong that current was. We had Thai guys flinging themselves in left, right and centre to try to “catch” our kayaks as we overshot, or undershot, or just came at them head on. They were brilliant - as are my arm muscles from all that work!
For our final bit of walking we were taken to the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, built as a lasting tribute to all those prisoners of war, and South-East Asian civilian prisoners, who in World War II were forced to build a 415km railway line which became Japan's military supply link between Burma and Thailand. We also visited the war cemetery and the famous bridge over the River Kwai. It was a sobering experience – and then more so to actually walk along about 8km of that torturous route.
We ended up back where we had started – shopping in Bangkok. One thing left to do on my shopping list was to have a Thai massage. I imagined the soothing oil being rubbed into my tired muscles (taking care to avoid all the bruises, cuts and bites of course). Costing approximately £3 for the hour, I gave myself over to this beautiful young Thai woman who graciously smiled and bowed to me as I creaked my way gingerly down on to the mattress. Alongside me on one side was a Thai gentleman, so close that we frequently brushed arms, and he was snoring gently throughout his treatment, which filled me with eager anticipation. Nothing could have prepared me for the agony that ensued! Thai massage concentrates on pressure points and my Thai lady dug in her strong little fingers and kneaded and pummelled my tight muscles, she pushed and pulled and stretched me, she had my legs over my head, her knees in my back, every which way imaginable. It was pure agony, and I shall never know how my neighbour managed to sleep through the torture. However, I am sure I felt the benefit of it on the 18 hour return trip home – I positively bounced off the plane!
It was a great ten days and I sincerely thank everyone who sponsored me. I am still collecting in the money but am delighted to say that I am very close to reaching my target of £3,000 which, you will remember, is what it costs to keep the Hospice open for a day.
Di Walker


WILDLIFE NOTEBOOK - MID MAY TO MID JULY
The Swifts are still around, screaming loudly and sometimes flying low over our gardens when you can hear their wingbeats. This is an amazing sight, but they will be gone soon much to our disappointment. Fortunately the Swallows and House Martins will be with us for a lot longer. A Cuckoo was heard by Peter Ford on 11th May at Ramthorne Farm in Hook Norton and by Betty Couldrey in The Pippins on 21st May and in East End in the evening of 24th June. Reading reports about the Cuckoo it seems there are less around this year and this is certainly borne out in this area as I have only had four reports.
Betty Couldrey was very pleased to see a male Yellowhammer on 24th May opposite her house in a big tree in the field. Anna Lehmann in The Bourne has had a variety of birds in her garden including Goldfinches, Greenfinches, lots of House Sparrows, Song Thrush, Blackbirds, and fledged Starlings being fed. Other than Starlings, fledged birds being fed by parents which have been seen around are Blackbird, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Dunnock. Other young birds on their own are Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail and Robin.
At 10.40 on 30th June a Red Kite was seen flying over the East End of the village. Buzzards have been seen over the area on 30th May, 2nd June, 10th June and two on 24th June. Sparrowhawks and Kestrels have been seen around on a few occasions.
A Lapwing was seen flying over on 17th June, a small flock of nine on 24th June, and another flock between Hook Norton and Chipping Norton on 5th July. A Heron was seen on 15th June, two on 30th June and one on 2nd July flying over the East End fields. Dorothy Smith in Austins Way has had Coal Tits regularly in her garden. At the end of June just outside the western end of the village she found a Red Legged Partridge and Corn Bunting, most unfortunately both of which were dead. In the middle of June a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen regularly. The Green Woodpeckers call in flight is a shrill "ku-ku-kuk" which can be quite recognisable. There are quite a few Skylarks around singing vigorously. Their nests are always on the ground and they breed between April and July with two broods regular and sometimes three.
A Grass Snake has been in a three by two metre wildlife pond in the garden of Celia Trogstad in the East End of the village on 1st and 3rd July. They are very good swimmers and their main prey are amphibians. They saw it take a frog to eat. I must reiterate that Grass Snakes are harmless. Very tiny frogs have been seen recently. They like shallow water about 4in. (10cm) deep, for spawning in February or March and they spend the rest of the year in damp places near the water. If the tadpoles are in a shallow corner the water gets warmer and speeds their development, but if there are goldfish in the pond, they will eat large number of tadpoles.
This is the time of the year when there are lots of Butterflies and Moths around. Anna Lehmann has had Orange Tip and Holly Blue in her garden. Other Butterflies seen around are Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Painted Lady, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. They settle with their wings held vertically over the body which makes them very difficult to recognise. The Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown are quite similar in colour when their wings are folded but the Gatekeeper is the smaller Butterfly and when it does open its wings they have much more orange and the eye-spot usually has two pupils.
Caroline Vaughan who lives in Rectory Road has a large Hedgehog in her garden. This is the only report I have of a Hedgehog so please let me know if you have seen one in your garden.
Two Fox Cubs were seen around 03.00 at the beginning of the month playing around in Hollybush Road. There has been a Vixen seen regularly during the day in the fields in East End.
There have been lots of very tiny Grasshoppers around which are slowly getting bigger. It always amazes me how far they can jump.
I have not had many phone calls or emails this last couple of months - please let me know about your sightings as I know people in the village like to read what has been seen in and around this area.
Geraldine Moore email: geraldine.moore1@btinternet.com


KATIE WOOD - WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREE
I would like to thank everyone who supported me at my recent blue/yellow tombola stall at Music@Crossroads. It was a huge success and I raised £261.50, including cash donations as well, a big thank you to Val Stratford for her generous donation from the Lee Stratford Community Trust. This event has given me a good start to my fundraising.
Please look out for future things I shall be organising, which will be advertised in the Banbury Guardian, Village news and also the Newsletter itself.
Katie Wood


A Big Thank You to all who have donated so far
Tina Boss


ANNOUNCEMENTS



Lee Garon Williams and
Rachael Danielle Britton
were married at St Peter's Church
on 27th May 2006


Edward Thomas Smith and
Helen Stephanie Gasson
were married at St Peter's Church
on 17th June 2006.





Charlotte Megan
Stowe,
daughter of
Martyn and Lyn
Stowe,
was baptised
at St Peter's Church on
4th June
2006.



Gabriel Frederick Sargent Lanham,
son of Robert and Jennifer Lanham,
was baptised at St Peter's Church
on 14th May 2006.



Victoria Rose
Harris,
daughter of
Richard and Kim
Harris,
was baptised at
St Peter's Church on the
10th June
2006.



Ella Jayne
Elizabeth White, daughter of
Adrian and Hayley White,
was baptised at
St Peter's Church on 28th May 2006