FROM THE EDITORS
This month, the Newsletter has received donations totalling £27.94 Thank you.
We have used a lot of photographs in this issue and we would like to thank the photographers for providing them so; Thank you to Patrick Fox for letting us use the photograph on the front cover. This photograph of a Sparrowhawk was taken in his garden and is one of twelve photographs used to produce the St. Peter's Church 2008 Calendar advertised later in this newsletter. Thanks also to Jennifer Lanham for the Beer Festival images, Dave Newman for pictures of a flooded Bell Hill and those un-named who provided other photographs we have used.
The views expressed in the Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Editorial Team.
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NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING
After nearly eight years of organising the Advertising for the Newsletter, Judi Leader has decided to hang up her invoice book to do other things. Advertising income is obviously an important aspect of Newsletter production and we thank Judi for controlling the Adverts for these past eight years.
Hook Norton Pre-school Playgroup now offer funded places for 3 year olds! Our Holiday Club will run throughout the summer holidays, please call for a booking form. Also we now have sessions available for the Autumn term. Just give us a call to discuss your needs and we'll do our best to accommodate!
HOOK NORTON SCHOOL REPORT
Once again the school has had a busy, exciting year. In October we welcomed a party of children and their teachers from our partner school in Sweden. The children stayed with host families in the village and joined in with British school life. Then last month we reciprocated with a party of our children visiting Vara and going to school with their Swedish friends. They enjoyed not having to wear school uniform and calling the teachers by their first names!
Throughout the year we have been taking part in sports tournaments and musical events with the Chipping Norton partnership of schools. Children have visited museums far and wide, been to Weston-Super-Mare, Stratford, Devon and Dorset. Our ‘Write On’ Week in July was a big hit – I caught some Year 4 boys writing stories in the library after one very inspiring session with a storyteller! A mixture of poetry, drama, storytellers, authors and parents who are writers made it a week to remember.
This year was also a year for good-byes. Ken Nash, our much loved caretaker, sadly lost his battle with cancer in March. Ken worked quietly and diligently to keep the school clean and in good order. He was a real gentleman and is missed by everyone at the school.
Mrs Margaret Slatter, who has been a stalwart of the school for 28 years, has retired this year. Margaret began as a dinner lady (that was the job title then!) then moved to teaching assistant. She has supported the learning of generations of Hook Norton children and really deserves a rest!
We look forward to seeing all our children back, rested and ready for the new school year in September. Have a happy holiday.
FRIENDS OF HOOK NORTON SCHOOL
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who helped out at the Hook Norton Midsummer Fayre, on Friday 22 June. The afternoon was a great success, raising £820 and was very well supported. Staff and governors ran the stalls and raffle, while many parents were generous with their time and helped set up and clear away.
We are already looking forward to our autumn programme. Please come to the FOHNS Annual General Meeting on 18 September at 8pm in the school Study Centre. This is an important meeting where we plan our year's events and elect committee members.
I am standing down as chair and from the committee, but will always be available to help out at events. It has been a fun year as chair, and a very successful one in terms of raising funds for the school. My thanks go to all the people who come along to our events, to those who volunteer time and help and to everyone who has donated something for the fayres that we have run over the last couple of years.
A huge thank you to the committee which is a fabulous group, good fun and very supportive!
It would be really lovely to see some new faces involved with FOHNS. It plays a very important part in the life of the school, but we cannot rely on the same parents all the time. We would dearly love more newcomers. What would you like to see happen to support the school? Come and tell us your ideas. Maybe you have a group of friends who would like to bring their collective energy to FOHNS. We would value your contribution. If you would like to talk to one of the committee, please do not hesitate to contact us. We’re always around: a list of our names is on the notice board in the foyer of the school. Have a fantastic summer!
Nancy Hawkins, Chair, Friends of Hook Norton School
1ST HOOK NORTON GUIDES
Following many years as a team running 1st Hook Norton Guides, Marieanne Cobb and Irene Hills have decided to finish guiding. We have had many good times together as a unit and they promise me that if I ever need their help with camping, craft or walking I should just pick up the phone! We have travelled well, camped in many places, visited Youth Hostels and even taken 49 on a trip to Switzerland - we have organised many activities for the guides, to give them a much varied programme. I would like to take this opportunity in thanking both Marieanne and Irene for giving up their time for the guides, particularly when their own daughters' left some years ago.
I am very pleased to announce that Sarah Gardner has agreed to move up from Hook Norton Brownies to the Guide unit and so we shall be working as a team from now on. If anyone feels that they could offer a little bit of time, to HELP us with the guides, please do not hesitate in contacting me as there are occasions when we will need an extra adult.
HOOK NORTON GARDEN CLUB
Despite the weather conditions we managed to have good attendances at two out of three of the planned evening visits. Unfortunately the visit to Broughton Grange was cancelled but will be rearranged next year. The gardens at Brook Cottage, Alkerton have matured over many years and the heady smell of old roses on a warm(ish) summer evening was a delight. In contrast Manor House gardens at Blockley have been developed over the past ten years, beautifully maintained and with the advantage of wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. We were given a very warm welcome at both gardens, which are open at various times of the year in aid of the NGS.
The next event to look forward to is the Autumn Show on Saturday 8 September in St. Peter's Church, opening at 2.30pm. As usual, members should register their entries on the previous Wednesday, 5th September, between 7 & 8pm in the Memorial Hall. Schedules and entry forms will be delivered to all members in early August. If you are not yet a member and would like to enter, just come along on entry night and join. Schedules detailing the various classes of entry will be available in the Village Shop and Post Office. Now is the time for all you new allotment holders to bring along your produce. In the meantime have a good summer.
Please note that the visit to the RHS Autumn Garden Show, Malvern is now on Sunday 30th September 2007. A coach will depart from the Sun Inn at 9.00am prompt and will return by 6.00pm approx. The cost to include the coach and show entry is £18.00 for HNGC members and £20.00 for non members and £14.00 for children. Tickets will be available for collection at the Memorial Hall on the HNGC show entry night, 5th September, between 7 and 8pm. If this is not possible for you, please contact Malcolm Black or any committee member. Cheques (preferably) should be made payable to Hook Norton Garden Club.
The Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Hook Norton Community Library will take place on Monday, 10th September 2007 at 7.30 pm in the Brewery Visitors Centre, Hook Norton. Everybody is very welcome. As in years past, the formal proceedings will be followed by entertainment and refreshments.
MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING
On Friday 28th September, we shall be holding the annual Macmillan Coffee Morning, in the study centre, attached to Hook Norton Primary School - 9am - 11.30am. As well as raising funds for the charity and signing up for the record books, there will be the usual Christmas cards and gifts for sale. I very much hope that you will put a note in your diary and be able to attend.
We shall be holding a raffle and as usual, prizes and cakes will be very gratefully received on the day - or before, if you would like to contact me. If you are able to spare a couple of hours and would like to help me, please do not hesitate to contact me.
After weeks of rain the sun shone on Saturday 7th for the 11th Music at the Crossroads – bringing out a record 1800 visitors for a great day of music and family fun. Crowds enjoyed 15 live bands in glorious warm sun and no mud in sight!
This years Music at the Crossroads saw a wider range of family entertainment with the Giant Sumo wrestling, the Beavers run China Smashing stall and the Rainbows Craft Stall all being a big hit. Local artists Paul Acreman, Becky Watkins and the Blue Meanies all went down a storm, with the head line band The Men They Couldn’t Hang finishing off a memorable day.
We hope for a record profit this year too and we will be asking for requests for donations after the summer. So if you are running a village group or club please consider what request you might have.
Music at the Crossroads is run by the village, for the village. We are constantly trying to improve the event and would welcome feedback on what you like and what you would like to see changed. Also if you would like to get involved with M@C12 in what ever way please contact Pete Watkins or Peter Skelton on. It’s hard work for the last few weeks but great fun!
The event could not be possible without the huge support from the village, sponsors and numerous helpers. Sorry if we have missed anyone but particular thanks to the following …..
Hook Norton Brewery
Sponsorship, Stage trucks & M@Cale
The Village Shop
Sponsorship and sales outlet
The Bell Inn
Sponsorship and sales outlet
The Sun Inn
Sponsorship and sales outlet
The Gate Hangs High
Sponsorship and car parking
The Pear Tree
Sponsorship and sales outlet
One Man Band
Sponsorship, sales outlet and raffle prizes
Ellacotts Accountants
Sponsorship
Norbar Torque Tools
Sponsorship
Touch FM Banbury
Sponsorship
King & Wooley
Signage sponsorship
Jaffe & Neale book shop
Ticket Sales
Elephant & Castle, Bloxham
Ticket Sales
Nigel Matthews
Use of the site and lots more!
John Barton Sea Bea Transport
Main Stage
Speedy Plant Hire
Equipment
Dennis Mill
Acoustic stage construction
John Nicholls, Banbury
Providing building materials
Fire Service
Running the bar
Air Training Corp
For running the car park
Specialist Fire Products, Banbury
Fire equipment
Adam Green
Website
Hillary Wiseman
Raffle ticket selling
Hook Norton Newsletter
Support
Pete Joiner
Photography
Village groups who ran stalls
All raffle prize providers
All the stewards & helpers before, during and after the event
Thank you and see you all on Saturday 5th July 2008 for M@C12!
Once again (if you remember last year) Hooky’s annual beerfest was blessed with perfect weather…….if you’re an amphibian, that is. It seems that the festival is rapidly taking over from Glastonbury in the rain and mud stakes and this year came within hours of being cancelled due to flooding, as the Pear Tree was several inches deep in water the day before.
However Ale-Lovers are made of sterner stuff and clearly viewed attendance at Hook Norton’s 14th Annual Festival Of Fine Ales as being an “essential journey” and thus to be made in spite of flood warnings, washed out roads and global warming. The weather was comparatively merciful and there were unconfirmed reports of sunshine and glimpses of blue sky for at least several minutes during the day. Fortunately this didn’t disrupt the rain too much and the now familiar collection of gazebos and shelters sprung up along the bank opposite the Pear Tree.
Despite the weather and transport difficulties hundreds of people arrived – some brave souls even camping out - and were not disappointed. While the grown-ups sampled the delights of the 87 different ales on tap this year, the kids got stuck in to the Pear Tree’s playground and generally enjoyed an excuse to stomp around in the mud without getting into trouble. Although the pig-roast was sadly missed this year, hunger was held at bay by fish & chips, hotdogs and hamburgers.
Entertainment from the Owslwick Morris Dancers, visiting Morris Dancers from Leeds and a tremendous line-up of live bands helped keep spirits up. With a high standard, as always, Pete Watkins did an excellent job of local talent-spotting. A notable performance from the Paramedics, a schoolboy group, filled the tent with their cover of Let There Be Rock and then kept it filled through the set. I’m sure a music journo would use words like “tight” and “confident” at this point, but their own description is probably sufficient: Cool! However, none surpassed the showmanship of Pete Watkins, which he demonstrated in spades – to the crowd’s delight – later in the evening.
Which brings us nicely to what the whole thing is about: raising money for charity as a local community - a feat which is only made possible by the volunteers who give up their free time, the Pear Tree who act as hosts and, of course, James and the Hook Norton Brewery whose expertise, logistics and general “anything else you need” support has made this one of the most consistently successful events on the Real Ale Festival calendar. A full roll of honour can be found on the website www.hookybeerfest.co.uk – shortly to be joined by a fantastic set of photos taken by Jennifer Lanham! In the meantime, special thanks go to Denis, Gill, Margaret, Tristan, Graham, Gary, all the Beggars (you know who you are!) and the 75+ breweries from all over the country who kindly supplied the beer. We have a fantastic collection of photos of the day, taken by talented local photographer Jennifer Lanham. These will be loaded onto the beer festival website - www.hookybeerfest.co.uk - over the next few days. Individual photos can be purchased and Jennifer has kindly offered to donate all the proceeds to charity! Please see the website for details, or contact Gill Begnor (gill.begnor@isoftplc.com) if you want to order any.
Diamond Wedding Celebration
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh celebrate sixty years of marriage in November.
The Museum is planning to mark the occasion with a display of wedding dresses and flowers marking each decade since their wedding.
We would like to borrow wedding dresses particularly for the 1950’s and other years right up to 2007.
If you would be willing to lend your wedding dress, would you kindly contact Paula Clarke. Also could anyone lend us the ‘dress forms’ or models to display the dresses?
LOST CAT?
I have a smallish, oldish, black & white cat as a regular visitor to my home in Austins Way. I'm not sure if it's a he or she, but it's quite distinct with a smudge under its chin. Being a cat person, I don't mind a bit and it gets on quite well with my own two (even pinches their dinners from time to time). However, I'm very conscious that this is somone's pet and I don't want to encourage it away from it's own home.
If it's yours, please give me a call and let's sort out what you want me to do next time he or she pops through the cat flap - shoo it away or give it a cuddle!
Victoria
WHITE DOVES
Would the people who own White Doves please feed them.
I have fed small birds ever since I have lived in Hooky but of late, the Doves eat everything that is put down on the bird table.
They hang around all day, waiting for food. It is not fair on the birds to not be fed by their owners and it is certainly not fair on me or my neighbours to have them sitting on our roofs all day.
So, please owners, feed your birds.
Kathy Leighton
FIREFIGHTING – AUGUST EDITION 2007
Our new additions to the station are on the run!! The new appliance which some of you may have seen or even heard is well received with enhanced equipment has already been put to good use so far. Stuart Willis is now on the run providing valuable day cover to the station, sadly we say good bye to Richard Smart who has been at the station for over 4 years, thanks from the crew.
On Thursday 19th June the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund AGM – Oxfordshire Branch was held at the Brewery, the crew were pleased to accept an award for the highest amount raised per person (capita) for the 3rd year running presented by Chief Fire Officer John Parry, last year we raised over £4,800 for the FSNBF & over £2,000 for the air ambulance & other local charities. Hook Norton came 2nd for the national award of most raised per person beaten by mere pence by a station in Hertfordshire. Also Crew Manager Nigel Matthews was presented with a 20 year certificate of appreciation for his support to the benevolent fund. Well Done Nigel from all the crew.
From March to June we have answered 44 calls which were 27 standbys for Banbury & Chipping Norton, along with 3 false alarms, rubbish on fire, 2 car fires, 2 barn fires at Wardington & Churchill, 2 chimney fires at Sibford & Gt Rollright, Road Traffic collision at South Newington, along with a gas cylinder leaking, power cables in Hook Norton, thatch roof fire at Long Compton, small fire at Chipping Norton Secondary School, a dog stuck in a badger sett at Sibford and finally magnesium on fire at Alcoa Banbury.
Well, hopefully we may see a break from the all the rain we’ve had and there may be some sunshine & warm weather heading our way. It would be great to spend time in the great outdoors whether that is a BBQ at home or heading out camping for the weekend. Here are a few points to help you enjoy a safe summer:-
Barbecues • Make sure your barbecue is in good working order.
• Ensure the barbecue is on a flat site, well away from a shed, trees or shrubs.
• Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area.
• Never leave the barbecue unattended.
• Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergencies.
• Ensure the barbecue is cool before attempting to move it. Camping
• Allow at least 6 metres (18 feet) spacing between tents.
• Never use candles in or near tent - always use a torch.
• Discourage smoking - especially in smaller tents.
• Do not use cooking equipment in smaller tents.
• Ensure everyone knows the location of the nearest telephone and if applicable
nearest fire point in case of emergency.
!!REMEMBER TO SIZZLE YOUR STEAK NOT YOUR SHED!! WILDLIFE NOTEBOOK - MID MAY TO MID JULY
In the middle of May Mr Atkinson, who has been walking the fields for 50 years, for the first time ever saw 3 Badgers out in the daylight over four days, one on the first evening and two on the following evenings. They ran towards him and, only moved off when they were about a sticks length away. He was about 40 yards away from their sett.
Betty Couldrey, who lives in Bourne Lane, on 5th June saw a brown blob in the hedge in Sibford Road and looked in her binoculars to discover it was a Fox which got up, had a good stretch and walked along before disappearing. Later that evening she looked out to see a Fox with a rabbit in its mouth in the same spot in the hedge. Ian Kaye in The Bourne also saw a young Fox on 5th June in his front garden which ran across the wall. He also saw three young Foxes by the front of Fanville Farm on the evening of 3rd June. We had a young Fox in our garden during the day on 9th July. On 11th June there were four Fallow Deer in the field on the left at the top of the hill leaving the village going towards Chipping Norton.
Jo and Gary Parkinson were at the Hooky allotments on 3rd June when they noticed that a beautiful Grass Snake, which was about three feet long, had wriggled into the netting and got stuck. With the help of Tim Burchell, they snipped the netting and freed the snake, which was understandably annoyed and upset. Celia and Kjell Trogstad, who live in the East End, have seen Grass Snakes which have taken residence in the undergrowth by their pond. They see the adult on most days and there is at least one baby, a foot long and the thickness of a worm. These snakes are not poisonous.
David Shirt has seen a Little Owl in Sibford Road sitting in the sun on a fence post at 5.15pm on 15th May. He has seen a couple of Hobbies in the area and saw one fly passed their garden being harried by a Crow on 12th May. A Hobby was seen flying over a field in East End on 29th May. They have heard Cuckoos several times which is a big improvement on last year, but apart from the Cuckoo being heard on 21st April the only other report is one heard on 16th May.
Celia and Kjell Trogstad saw a Sparrowhawk in their garden killing a Blackbird. Anne Swainbank in Chapel Street had a female Sparrowhawk in her garden on 4th July. I was very pleased to hear from Jonathan Muller, who moved to Watery Lane at the start of May from their home in urban Reading, where the rare sighting of a Blackbird was a cause for excitement, so they are really enjoying the variety of birdlife coming to their garden feeders, including a Great Spotted Woodpecker and Blackbirds which had a nest in the clematis just outside their kitchen window, but the most exciting bird was a Bullfinch which they saw on 26th May and 1st June. A thought on this is that maybe we should appreciate the wildlife around us and not take it for granted? David Shirt also had an unusual sight, on 25th May, of a handsome pair of Bullfinches close to their living room window just 3 - 4 feet away, hopping about on ceanothus which made a colourful picture.
Ian Kaye had a Green Woodpecker in his garden pecking insects from out of the wall for about 15/20 minutes at 5.45 am. Max and Connie Harris, who live in Ironstone Hollow, have seen a Great Spotted Woodpecker about six times over the last month or so in their garden. A lot of Yellowhammers have been seen around in the road and hedges.
An Orange Tip and Red Admiral butterflies were seen on 2nd June, but overall Butterflies have not been seen so much this year, I suppose due to all the rain, but over the weekend of 7th/8th July when the sun was shining there were Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Common Blue flying around. A Cinnabar Moth, which is brightly coloured, was rescued from their pond by Celia and Kjell Trogstad. Bats have been seen flying in the early evening.
Thank you very much for contacting me with your sightings.
Copy of a Letter of Feb 19, 1912, from Hooky's John Gibbins, Southern Ontario, Canada, to his Sister-in-Law in Leicester, England
% G.H. Leslie
Norval Station, Ontario
Feb 19, 1912 Dear Ivy (Cox)
I am afraid you will think we are a long time in answering your letter. I was pleased to hear from you & must not forget to thank you for the fading papers you send. We are glad of anything relating to agriculture.
You would see by the letter I sent to you and Mother (Cox) how very much I like the new life in Canada. We were sorry to hear from Mother's letter that she has been so poorly; also that you had been suffering with your teeth. We hope by now you are both quite better.
It seems so funny to hear Mother say she is looking for some sunny days, when here we are having the sun shine from morning 'till night. It is really beautiful to get out in it--wish we could bottle some of it & send to you. It has been much warmer lately, & we think the coldest part of the winter is over.
We were cutting some wood for fuel a week last Saturday & the other young fellow who works for Mr. Leslie & myself were taking turns at working the steam circular saw. We had been getting along very well & had nearly finished when he got his hand too near the saw & we were horrified at seeing him go running off with loose finger ends swinging about. He had to go to Guelph hospital & the doctor took off part of his first two fingers & managed to patch up the next one. He is not yet back.
We shall soon be busy making preparations for moving to New Ontario. The part we are thinking of settling in is about 400 miles north from here. The farms can be bought at 2 /- per acre, in 160 acre lots & the land is good for farming purposes & it is not far from a railway. We are looking forward to having a place of our own. I shall probably go up to the part first & see what things look like.
The weevil which destroys peas is unknown in this part & first class potatoes can be grown.
I shall try to have a bee farm too.
I will close now hoping you and Mother are quite well & with my best love.
THANK YOU JUDI!
We have travelled well, camped in many places, visited Youth Hostels and even taken 49 on a trip to Switzerland - we have organised many activities for the guides, to give them a much varied programme. I would like to take this opportunity in thanking both Marieanne and Irene for giving up their time for the guides, particularly when their own daughters' left some years ago. 
Despite the weather conditions we managed to have good attendances at two out of three of the planned evening visits. Unfortunately the visit to Broughton Grange was cancelled but will be rearranged next year. The gardens at Brook Cottage, Alkerton have matured over many years and the heady smell of old roses on a warm(ish) summer evening was a delight. In contrast Manor House gardens at Blockley have been developed over the past ten years, beautifully maintained and with the advantage of wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. We were given a very warm welcome at both gardens, which are open at various times of the year in aid of the NGS.
