FROM THE EDITORS The Newsletter Box contained £29.73 this month. Thank you.
The nights draw in, the 'back to school feeling' is with us and our thoughts go to Bonfire Night, Hallowe'en and a suspicion that Christmas isn't very far away. THANK YOU The Newsletter Box contained £18.54 this month.
After three years of coordinating the distribution of your newsletter, Bunty Reid has decided to leave that role after this edition. The newsletter team would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to Bunty for the last three years. Any offers of help to take over this valuable role will be very gratefully received by all the newsletter team.
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
15th NOVEMBER 2006
Text for Village activities
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(a small donation is welcome)
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On request from Judi Leader
Commercial Advertising
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Commercial Inserts
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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.
NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION HELP PLEASE
Can you spare a couple of hours in the fourth week of January, March, May, July, September and November to coordinate the distribution of the village Newsletter?
So, what's involved?
We need someone who is prepared to accept delivery of four or five boxes of newsletters from KMS and split that delivery into a dozen or so delivery rounds, followed by arranging delivery to, or collection by, the people who deliver the Newsletters around the village.
If you can help, please call or email either Helen, Judi or Andy
FIREFIGHTING SEPT 06
Well it's been a busy & hot summer with 56 calls from May to August. We have answered 20 calls for standby @ Banbury & 10 for Chipping Norton.
July saw an exceptionally warm time with us answering assistance calls for field fires & Haystacks at Little Compton, Bankside Banbury, Alkerton, Daylesford & relieving crews at Cropedy. Alongside these incidents, some which we were at for over 6 hours, we also answered a variety including 9 false alarms, a cooker at Adderbury, a Boiler at Tadmarton, a Gas cylinder at Bodicote, a lorry fire on the M40, a Road Traffic Accident on the M40 & Stourton, a tree at South Newington, a combine at Shutford, bonfire, trees, rubbish & a For Sale sign in Banbury & Bloxham. We now await the pending arrival of our new Fire & Rescue Engine, for which new equipment has already started arriving. Hopefully it will be fully operational by December. Attention All Businesses & Voluntary Groups (who operate from premises) – From October 2006 new Fire Safety Laws come into effect namely the Regulatory Reform Order 2005 (RRO) which require businesses to Risk Assess their fire safety arrangements & record these findings for more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/fire or www.oxfordshire.gov.uk click on Fire & Rescue there handy guides to buy online or download to ensure you comply.
Saturday 16th September 2006 – Saw our Station Open Day whilst the weather held out and with only 1 call during the day it was a great success. We have raised over £1,000 for the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund – There were some fantastic prizes donated for the Grand Raffle including a voucher worth £125 from Venture Photography in Banbury which was won by Michelle at the Vets. Thanks to donations from Stuart & Joyce @ The Sun, Steve & Karen @ The Gate, Hook Norton Brewery, Hook Norton Veterinary Surgery, The Village Shop, Venture Photography, John Stevens, Liz Wyatt, Firs Garage, Travis Perkins @ Shipston. Our thanks also go to Joan & Windsor Matthews, Jackie Wise, Katie Matthews, Iain Gunn, Trevor Beadle, Theresa @ Graphics Direct who helped out in one way or another with this event – Thank You. Thursday 14th September 2006 saw the annual awards evening @ Kidlington at which Ivor on behalf of the crew of Hook Norton Fire Station collected an award from John Parry, Chief Fire Officer for Oxfordshire, for Hook Norton's Commitment, maintaining 100% availability of the fire engine answering 999 calls during 2006. Only 3 out of 24 stations including ourselves collected this award. This proves our commitment to the community of Hook Norton. If you are interested in becoming a part-time firefighter contact Ivor Matthews on 07967 317820 or call in to the Fire Station on a Wednesday night between 7pm - 9pm
Congratulations to Crew Manager Nigel Matthews, who will have completed 20 years service to Hook Norton on 1st November 2006
Well Done from the crew!!
Bonfire Night - It's that time of year again – Saturday 4th November 2006 @ Hook Norton Brewery 6.30pm – Put it in your diaries now!!
Again we will be organising the annual village bonfire & fireworks in the field at the rear of the brewery. BBQ, Licensed Bar & Sparklers will be on sale.
If you can offer any assistance on the night it will be gratefully received. Contact Ivor on 07967 317820 or Nigel 07831 406223 Remember be Safe – Push The Button Not Your Luck!!
For all your Fire Safety needs call the Community Safety Line on 0800 0 325 999 or visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk click on Fire & Rescue
GARDEN CLUB
A challenging gardening summer did not prevent Club members achieving the usual high standard of entries at the Autumn Show on 2 September. The gigantic size of marrows and other vegetables enabled children of all ages to construct some very imaginative Vegetable Monsters - 12 entries in the class provided a colourful display.
For the first time visitors were able to vote for their favourite entry and the People's Choice certificate was awarded to Nicola McHugh for her floral art entry entitled 'Lord of the Rings'. The other cup winners were;
Phil Knights Comrades Cup(most points in show by a gentleman)
Tim Burchell;
Debenham cup (most points in show by a lady)
Janet Randall;
Rose Brown Cup (most points in show by a child)
Max Bayliss;
Edge and Bolton Cup (most points in Floral Art Section)
W.I.Cup (most points in Homecraft Section)
President's Cup (Winner of Class 1 Section A)
Brewery Cup (most points in photography Section)
The Certificate of Merit for Floral Art
Nicola McHugh
The next event on the Calendar is on Wednesday 18 October when the Annual General Meeting will be held at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall followed by another slide show by local Natural History photographer, Mick West. Do come and join us.
FRIENDS OF HOOK NORTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY
The ninth AGM of FOHNCL took place on 4th September.
The Chairman, John Wheatley picked out the main points of the past year's activities. He made a special mention of the excellent work done by the Library Manager for most of the year - Sue Sinclair, whom all were very sorry to lose. With best wishes to Sue in her new post was linked a hearty welcome to our new Library Manager Janet May. Patsy De Freitas of the County Library Service gave the meeting a very interesting resumé of present Library services and future plans and possibilities.
John Wheatley had wished to stand down as Chairman and Olwen Goodwin was unanimously elected as his successor. Barbara Hicks paid tribute to John's five years' excellent leadership. Christine Blackham was re-elected Treasurer and Bob Calderan Secretary. Other members elected to serve on the Committee were Christopher Barry, Barbara Hicks, Joyce Hinton, Jane Orchard, Helen Savage, Pauline Walters and John Wheatley.
After the business part of the Meeting was over, Friends were entertained by a play reading – Spring Song Singers – wittily performed by local dramatists. Refreshments rounded off a successful evening.
THE HOOK NORTON CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION & MUSIC AT THE CROSSROADS 2006 - REQUESTS FOR DONATIONS.
The HNCA are pleased to accept requests for donations following The Music at the Crossroads event held on 1st July 2006. Please send your written requests to Peter Watkins at Little Bowden, The Bourne, Hook Norton OX15 5PB. The committee will consider the applications and will notify successful applicants in advance of the donations evening. All requests must be received by 31st October. The date for the donations evening is Wednesday 29th November at 7.30 pm at the Hook Norton Brewery Visitor Centre. It helps if you could describe a little about your charity or cause, with some explanation as to how you would use the donation. If you have any questions please call 01608 737143 or 07852 341852.
ST. PETER'S CHURCH
Anyone who works on computers and relies on broadband connections to get on the internet will possibly empathise with us village-based bods who recently spent a miserable couple of days trying to get some sense out of British Telecom when the broadband lines failed for nearly 48 hours. Having now recovered from the loss of two days' work, and finally coaxed my husband and children out from the dark corners in which they had been sheltering from the ire of a 'stressed out' mum, the whole episode has made me think about how few things in life we can truly rely on.
Many of the everyday things in our lives, from the smallest household objects to washing machines and cars, just don't seem built to last any more, and whilst those of us who are lucky to have close, supportive friends and families may always have an emotional support on which to lean, not everyone is so fortunate. I dare say it's pretty obvious where all this is leading, but it really is the most incredible reassurance to know that our Lord Jesus is there for us always, to talk to in any language, whether in joy, sadness, fear or loneliness. He is our permanent rock, who will comfort, support, forgive and advise. All we need to do is have faith, and try to follow his path.
At St. Peter's we are lucky to have many opportunities to help nurture and build our faith. Dates and times of regular and ad hoc services, get-togethers and other events are always posted on the church notice boards.
There's lots on the agenda in the run up to Advent, but a bit of a catch-up with recent events first. A big, big thank-you to all those who organised, cooked, served, cleared up, donated, performed (!) and came to watch the recent ShowTime event at Hook Norton Primary School. A whopping £1,228.00 was raised for St. Peter's. It was a wonderfully jolly evening; we are obviously blessed to have among us some incredibly talented performers of all ages! And if the Sibford Road residents were kept awake by the audience's rousing renditions of some musical greats from stage and film shows including Mary Poppins and the Sound of Music, then I make absolutely no apologies – we were all having far too much fun.
September 9th also saw the annual Ride & Stride, a sponsored walk or cycle between our local churches. I'm sure we will shortly find out just how much was raised this year. Between writing this column and the newsletter being published we will also have enjoyed our Harvest Festival at St. Peter's (September 24th), including a bring and share lunch, and on September 30th, a number of people from the Benefice will have attended an away-day at The Mill, near Shipston-on-Stour, to help build on each church's Mission Statement. Hook Norton Primary School will be having their Harvest Service in St. Peter's, on September 27th at 1.30 pm.
This year St. Peter's Harvest Project is supporting Tearfund's Glorious Food campaign, (www.tearfund.org). Tearfund is working closely with the indigenous Quechuan people in the Bolivian Andes, most of whom survive on little more than potatoes and wheat as a staple diet. (Apparently, the Quechuan language includes over a thousand words for potatoes and potato varieties.) Malnutrition is an all too common result, affecting up to 80 per cent of children in some areas, and leading to disease and stunted growth. Tearfund workers are helping the Quechuan people by showing how to construct simple, mud-walled greenhouses so they can grow other vegetables, and providing education so the people can improve their diets. We are fortunate that Hook Norton and Great Rollright Primary Schools will again be joining our support of Tearfund's harvest campaign.
Saturday November 4th (10 am till 5 pm) is the date for the annual Craft Fair at St. Peter's (see notice elsewhere in this Newsletter), which has kindly been organised by Jan Hughes. There will be lots of exciting stalls with both regular and new craftspeople, so plenty of ideas for birthdays and Christmas. Refreshments will be served all day. With the craft fair shortly upon us, tickets for the St. Peter's Grand Draw are also circulating. Please contact Polly Rose, Paula Clarke or Judi Leader if you would like to buy some!
We are also delighted to welcome newlyweds, Chris and Laura (neé Kelsey) Cooke, as they take up their new role working with our young people. Keep an eye out for posters detailing forthcoming youth events.
Dates for the Diary:
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October 15th, 10.30 am. The next Jesus and Me (JAM) service will be held at the Baptist Church.
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October 18th, 7 pm. United Service for St. Luke's day; at Holy Trinity Church, Chipping Norton, preceded by a Benefice Prayer meeting (6 pm) in the chapel at Holy Trinity.
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Saturday November 11th, 10.50 am. Act of Remembrance at St. Peter's for Armistice day.
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Sunday 12th November, 10.45 am. Benefice Remembrance Service at St. Peter's
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December 3rd. Advent Service and shared breakfast at St. Peter's. Please see notice board for confirmation of time. All welcome. Last year over 100 people came along !
Regular diary dates:
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Jesus and Me (JAM) club: Hook Norton Primary School study centre, every Wednesday, 3.15-4.15 pm during term time, for keystage 1 and keystage 2 children (not nursery).
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Wheelers and Squealers: Our regular get-togethers for the village tots, tinies and their parents/carers. 11.15 am at St. Peter's, every second Thursday of the month (see posters for confirmation).
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Sing to the Lord: at Hook Norton Primary School study centre, every second Thursday of the month, 8-9 pm. A chance to learn new contemporary worship songs.
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Benefice Prayer meetings: Please see notice board in church porch for dates and venues.
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Bible Study: The new autumn schedule has now started. Every Monday Tuesday and Wednesday. Please see notice board for more information, including dates, times and venues.
Font Café: 9.30-11.30 am, every Tuesday and Saturday morning at St. Peters. Fresh coffee, tea and biscuits, served free of charge. It's an opportunity to meet with friends, relax and enjoy a chat. Children and well-behaved dogs welcome!
DO YOU APPRECIATE THE BEAUTIFUL BELLS RINGING FROM THE TOWER OF ST PETER'S CHURCH?
It was not long after I moved to Hook Norton in 1957 that I was friendly with the late Gladys Harris and her daughter, Kathleen who was at school with my daughter, Bridget.
Gladys was a faithful church member; always busy in helping people in many ways. She lived in Bourne Lane, not far from St Peter's and on every New Year's Eve, she would sit with her telephone at an open window so that, at midnight, she would hold her phone so that the joyful sound of the bells could be heard by her brother who lived a long way away.
Gladys' memory lives on in our Prayer Fellowship, which she led from its beginning for many years until her health no longer allowed her to take part. From that point, our Curate, Christopher Turner from Great Rollright, kindly took over and still leads us in Prayer and Fellowship now.
Gweneth Edgington
HOOK NORTON BAPTIST CHURCH
For most of us, holidays are now over, and we just have the photographs and the memories to enjoy (or not, as the case may be!) A rather special memory of mine was watching a wild golden eagle soaring high into the sky over Mull, and I was reminded of Psalm 103, verse 5, where David says" He satisfies my desires with good things, so that my youth is renewed like the eagle's."
Now, that would be nice, these old bones could do with a bit of youthful renewing (and not only the bones!) but I know that's not going to happen. But God does often bless us with an inner, spiritual renewal when we see things like that eagle, or pass through glorious scenery, or try out new experiences or physical activities. They are good for the soul as well as the body and God does, indeed, "satisfy our desires with good things." So let's not forget to thank Him for them. Forthcoming Events. After another very successful Holiday Club, some parents have been asking about next year's dates so that their children don't miss out. It is usually the first week of August but this will be confirmed as soon as we hear from Ian and Elaine, so, watch this space!
Harvest Thanksgiving will be Sunday Oct 8th. The guest speaker will be Diane Pardoe from "An Open Door", caring for destitute children in Uganda and India, an organisation which our church now supports.
Two "Fun and Friendship" evenings have been arranged for the autumn: The first, "Call My Bluff" at the Church Hall on Sat Oct. 21st at 8pm, when a team from St Peters will compete with a Baptist team. Refreshments will be provided during the interval.
The second is entitled "Music and Just Desserts", also at 8pm. Various local musicians will be performing live, and a variety of desserts will be served during the interval. That is on November 25th. Please come, but remember not to have dessert with your meal beforehand!
Normal church activities have now resumed after a short break during August. Please feel free to join us on Sundays at 10.30 am or 7pm. Details of other meetings can be obtained from Pastor John Taylor at the church office, 737315, or from me, Dorothy Smith. You would be very welcome.
NEWS FROM HOOK NORTON PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
The summer break is over and we have all had a rest after the hectic end to last term. The pirate ship has now been installed and the children are having tremendous fun in the completed play area. The weather hasn't stopped them from playing outside and making the most of it.
Fund raising was a big success with two events providing much needed funds for the playgroup. The sports day raised a very considerable sum (in excess of £1200) and the Clay Pigeon shoot and Barbecue that was hosted by Christine Lovatt raised £200. Many thanks go to the organisers and helpers at both these events.
Also for those who are interested this years Webb Ivory catalogues will be available soon from playgroup. Dates to note for your diaries
Fashion Show – Friday the 20th of October at the playgroup
Christmas Fayre Sunday the 19th of November at the playgroup
For more information on either of these events or for more information about the Playgroup in general, please contact
Mrs Julie Riley
DOGS OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL
I was mortified to read Kerrie Fisher's letter in the August newsletter referring to the complaint she had about walking her dog to school. Whilst it may bother the lady that spoke to her, it most certainly is not the view held by the rest of her neighbours. All of us who live across from the school have been at home during the day, for one reason or another, and the sound of children or the dogs do not disturb one little bit.
We had even made it clear previously to our neighbour that we would rather see people walking to school, with or without dogs, than driving. Every one of us have dogs of our own, so it would be fairly hypocritical to complain!
We have all lived here now for over three years and are proud to be part of the community, as well as loving living in this village. I do hope that Kerrie and all the other dog walkers will continue to walk to school knowing that there is no animosity from the majority of us.
Richard and Jo Thornton
ZARAS GIG!
Where to begin, for those of you who don't know Zara, she is a little girl who has a Brain Tumour which has left her visually impaired. She has now been off treatment for 2 years and is doing really well. We promised Zara and her brother and sister that when we, and the Consultants, felt Zara was fit to travel and things on the medical front were stable, we would go on an adventure! We asked them “where would you like to go in the world”, at which they all replied 'Steve Irwin's Zoo'. So we began making our plans for the trip to Australia! Zara's travel insurance turned out to be very high, because of her condition. We thought we wouldn't be able to go, until some very wonderful friends decided to help by fund raising for the insurance.
They came up with the idea of Zara's Gig! So what seems a long time back now, Charlotte Pashley and Fran Machin and many other incredible people (to many to name) set about the huge task of organising the event which took part at Hook Norton School on Sunday 16th July.
It turned out to be a fabulous day, with live music, Raffle, beer, generously donated by James Clarke @ Hook Norton Brewery, Mick Garner @ Wizard Brewery and Rick and Emma @ Cotswold Brewing Company, food, lots of children's activities and of course the famous Hook Norton playgroup's Tattoo's! (The sun shone too!).
The day went really well, with everyone enjoying themselves; it was astonishing to see so many people and even more amazing to find out that all the travel insurance had been raised!
So we were off. 6 weeks of amazing sights, friendly people, and loads and loads of wildlife! Zara snorkelled the Great Barrier Reef, saw seven whales up close, stroked kangaroos and wombats and bounced on giant jumping pillows.
We drove a camper van from Sydney to Melbourne where Zara met her Great, Great Grandfather, then up to Townsville and
down the East Coast, back to Sydney, totalling about 4.5k miles in total! The whole trip was an experience not to be forgotten and gave us as a family time to be together and have fun after 4 years of hospital life.
Zara has seen some beautiful things and has memories for the future if her sight fails.
We cannot thank the huge amount of people involved enough, people who put an amazing amount of energy, support, time and generosity, to raise a staggering amount of money and gave us the opportunity. So once again thank-you to everyone who was involved and everyone who came to support, words cannot express our gratitude. Thank you also to all the people in the Pear Tree who had a whip round, it shows what a great community spirit Hook Norton has! CANADIAN DESCENDENTS OF HOOKY'S JOHN GIBBINS VISIT HOOK NORTON AS HOME
Canadian Ron Gibbins recently completed a trip to England that brought him to the village of Hook Norton for a week on 1 July, Canada Day. For his grandfather John Gibbins, born in 1878 at Hooky, worked at the Hook Norton Brewery over 100 years ago, from 1895-1911. In the 1901 census, his occupation is listed as Assistant Brewer from May 1898 at age 20. John married Edith Cox from Leicester in 1902; she had worked as a teacher at Hook Norton School from July 1899-Dec 1900. They lived in a house now called Netting Cottage, on Netting Street (opposite the Baptist Church, where John's father James (or Jack) and mother, the former Emma Wyton of Chipping Norton, had also lived. John's father, James, died 15 Dec 1887; Emma remarried Stephan Smith.
John and Edith Gibbins moved with their four children, two girls and two boys, early spring 1911 to Ontario, Canada, along with many other settlers. In early 1912 they went north by train to New Ontario (then, now N.E. Ont.), some 350 miles north of Toronto. They settled at Englehart, a railroad, lumbering and farming town established 1908. John bought market gardening property less than a mile south of the town; also a lot in town, both uncleared land. Their move was presumably done because of opportunities associated with cheap (uncleared) land and the challenge of helping settle or pioneer New Ontario. Also, silver had also been discovered in 1903 at Cobalt while building the new railroad; this caused a mining boom at Cobalt and a rapid fan-out of exploration activity.
In 1912, Winifred, the oldest child, died in December after complications from pneumonia in August. Then, on April 25, 1913, after a tree bough hit his head while clearing land at Englehart for hire, John walked home but died shortly after, just 35 years old. Edith remarried in Feb. 1914 to an ex-British widower, Ted Smith, who had a job on the railroad and a grown-up son Eddie. After (Uncle) Ted relocated the family in Spring 1914 a further 15 miles N.W. to a pioneer farm near relatives, some 10 miles north of the farming village of Charlton, young Jackie drowned in early 1915. Shortly after this, Edith somehow made the down-payment on a dairy farm less than a mile S.E. across the river from Englehart in Evanturel Twp. And Ted Smith got a job back with the T&NO railway, now the ONR. Also, about 1915, Ted Smith's son Eddie was killed in WW1.
Ron's father, Kenneth, was born in Hook Norton in 1907 and was primarily raised on the Englehart farm with his older sister Ruby. (Edith also raised young Arthur Wallace, fulfilling a before-death promise to his mother, one of Ted Smith's sisters). Ken, active as a young farmer-business man, married a young local teacher, Lillias McDonald, on July 24, 1929, proceeded to raise a family of four children by Dec 24, 1936---3 boys and one girl; as well as cutting and delivering ice, he started a light delivery business in 1930 with two horses and two wagons, primarily delivering groceries from four stores to the home and butter to the Express office. In the early 1930's, he also built a family home, helped Ted and Edith Smith rebuild their new house (destroyed by fire 1932), camped with his family, hunted and fished, mostly with his brothers-in-law, and was paying the mortgage on his mother's farm, when he died suddenly, in June 1937, at age 29. Despite the family pioneering tragedies above and others to follow, Ron Gibbins is one of six surviving senior grandchildren on Ontario, Canada, of John and Edith Gibbins, formerly of Hook Norton. Ron's interest in visiting Hook Norton and area was stimulated by his Aunt Ruby Gibbins Bryan (deceased 1998) and her daughter/cousin Dorene Stark, of Englehart, who both came over to England in the 1980's and took back some brochures and leaflets about the Brewery and the village. Ron and his wife
Colleen paid a fleeting visit to Hook Norton about 15 years ago, but not having the opportunity to get to know his grandfather John or his father Ken, he was determined to return one day after doing some research and wanting to find some more about his family history, including trying to understand why they emigrated. "Coming here to see where my grandfather (and then my father) spent so much time over 100 years ago, is like coming home", said Ron.
RMG Sept 10, 2006
Look out for 'A Pioneer Christmas', Edith Gibbins account of her early tragic years in Canada, in the December issue.
Barbara Hicks, Hook Norton Village Museum
CAN YOU HELP TRACE FAMILY IN HOOK NORTON?
I am researching our family history and have found that my husband's great grandfather, Thomas Beale came from Hook Norton. He married Hannah Hall on 27 April 1867 in the parish church at Hook Norton.
Approximately 20 years later, they moved to Birmingham. Their son, Walter, born 1882 was my husband's grandfather. I was wondering if there are any Beales still living in Hook Norton that may be distantly related to us. Can you help at all? If you can, please email us at bealeathamilton@tiscali.co.uk Many thanks.
Robert and Margaret Beale.
PS: I would be happy to pass on any information to Margaret if you would prefer to do it that way – Ed.
VILLAGE MUSEUM
The Museum continues to raise money for the restoration and installation of the old church clock mechanism in the Village Museum. See our whole page for the Bazaar to be held on 7th October on the Brewery site.
Should you wish to make a contribution to this appeal you may send it c/o Mrs Paula Clarke, The Brewery Visitor Centre, Brewery Lane. Cheques should be made out to 'The Clock Appeal'.
Barbara Hicks and Patrick Summerell, Joint Museum Curators
WILDLIFE NOTEBOOK - MID JULY TO MID SEPTEMBER
At about 5.30am in the middle of July, Stella Taylor who lives in Watery Lane, found it quite funny watching a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker that was not very good at balancing on the branches and trying to get on to the nut feeder. She has also had a Nuthatch fairly regularly in her garden and so has her neighbour opposite. Paul Bendon was on the Hooky Road just outside the village on the way to Chipping Norton (just at the top of the hill on the bend) at 5.00am on 15th July when he saw a Little Owl which starred at him then took off and flew into the adjacent field on his right. Flying ants were everywhere on 24th July and Jackdaws were seen eating them whilst flying and hovering using their legs as brakes. Anne Fry in Scotland End saw a Tawny Owl in mid August. Paul Bendon has also seen a Tawny Owl in East End. Sightings of a single Hobby were in East End on 15th July, flying above Rectory Road and Bourne Lane on 1st September by Tim Burchell, in Ironstone on the morning of 9th September by Ray and Linda Gasson and in the afternoon of the same day flying over the fields in East End. John Peck has also seen a Hobby on a few occasions. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen in the middle of the village on 25th August and in East End on 12th September. Last year a Green Woodpecker was seen flying over the field in East End and a bird has been seen regularly again this year. Sightings of Buzzards in East End have been 2 on 14th, 25th July, 22nd and 27th August and single birds on 18th, 21st, 24th and 31st July, and 8th August. There have been a few odd sightings of Sparrowhawk and Kestrel and a Heron on 15th September. In middle to late July Skylarks were singing loudly. We were pleased to see Swifts flying around, particularly on 26th August when there were at least 10, but the last sighting appears to have been one on 28th August - if anyone sees one after this date can you please let me know. Swallows and House Martins are still around and should be for a while and I would like to know your last sighting of these birds too please. A real highlight for us was on 8th September when we heard a Curlew calling three times and then it flew over the field behind our garden.
A frog was seen in the afternoon of 25th July in the alleyway in Hollybush Road. What we think was a Polecat Ferret was seen by Margaret Freeman in July running across the road. Early in the morning Paul Bendon generally sees a large amount of all sorts of deer - far more than in previous years - but he has not seen so many foxes. Evidence of a Hedgehog was seen in a garden in East End on 8th August - unfortunately I have not heard from anyone else about sightings of Hedgehogs. It would be such a pity if these useful garden animals were disappearing so quickly. A buck and doe Roe Deer were seen in a barley field on Council Hill by Richard Harris on 11th August. A Muntjac Deer was seen in an East End field on 18th August.
On 23rd August Jean Hopkins, Talbot House, Queen Street had a visit from a Hummingbird Hawkmoth in her garden again this year. She said it was wonderful to watch it hover, sucking nectar through its long tongue and really looking like a tiny bird. It seemed to prefer pink salvia and blue verbena. Janet Randall has also had a Hummingbird Hawkmoth in her garden. An Oak Bush Cricket was seen on 28th July and many large Grasshoppers are around. Single bats have been seen in the early evening. Occasionally we see a Dragonfly, but on 16th August two were flying around our garden hawking for insects for about 25 minutes. It was a great sight watching them quickly dart around changing direction to catch something.
A Pale Clouded Yellow Butterfly was seen on 4th August and a Small Copper on 12th September, as well as Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady and Peacock.
Thank you to those of you who have contacted me. Please let me know about your sightings.
NEWS FROM THE ROTARY CLUB OF OXFORD NORTH
As previously reported, the Dogathon held in June was an overwhelming success, thanks to the many dog owners who attended the function. We can now announce that the dog to be trained for a Hearing Dog for a deaf person has now been found, and is named TEAZEL. At our lunchtime meeting on 27th September a cheque for £5,000 was handed over.
The Rotary Club's next venture is to raise sufficient funds (approximately £5,000) to start a First Responder unit in North Oxford. This unit will be organised, trained and run by the Oxford Ambulance Trust. The object of a First Responder team is to arrive at any casualty requiring treatment, mainly due to heart attack or strokes, in the fastest time. A quick response by trained members of a volunteer team will be able to administer life-saving techniques until the ambulance arrives.
Peter Astall, Press Officer, 01865 372637
THE CHIPPING NORTON LIONS CLUB
The Chipping Norton Lions Club held a very successful Charity Golf Tournament on 23rd June Teams of four played 18 holes and together with the Lions enjoyed a meal at Chipping Norton Golf Club. The tournament with the help of sponsors continued to raise funds for the Chipping Norton Community Minibus replacement fund. This Minibus is used by groups in the community and will in four years time need to be replaced. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to our sponsors and supporters Cotswold Carriers, PH Taxis, Norton Air, New2U, Aeroscope Travel, The Old Mill, Michael Barfield, Mayo Martial Arts, Whistlers, Betfred, The Chequers, Hook Norton Brewery and Village Shop, Hook Norton.
The Lions main sponsor was again North Street Motors who this year divided their sponsorship between the Golf Tournament and a Fun Dog Show.
The Lions held the Fun Dog Show on August 5th at Chipping Norton Rugby Club the weather was fine and although the number of entries could have been higher it was a very enjoyable day. Well done the winners and their owners. The Lions would like to thank Judge Anne Batchelor, Trophy Pet Food for their sponsorship and Gill & Co for their help.
We would like to bring to your notice to the “Lions Peace Poster Art Exhibition”
Over the last three years the Chipping Norton Lions have been running their international peace poster competition with great success. On the 7th October the Lions will be holding an Art exhibition of entries for the peace poster and would like to invite the public to the lower Town Hall, from 10am to 12 noon free entry. Various Youth groups and clubs enter this competition including the Hook Norton Girl Guides, and it is hoped that it will be judged by the Mayor, the Vicar and two other eminent judges, so please come and see if their choice is yours.
The Chipping Norton Lions Club is celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year by holding a Charter dinner at The Crown and Cushion on October 14th .
They are not holding their Christmas Party this year as numbers have continued to fall over the last three years but they are looking into other ideas of helping the elderly and those who are on their own and need support at Christmas.
Finally a particular thanks to all the supporters in and around Hook Norton, The Village Shop, The Sun, The Pear Tree, Turpins Lodge, Duck in the Pond, South Newington, Red Lion, Little Compton.
If you are interested in joining the Lions, we meet at The Chequers on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday or telephone our President Bob Caswell 01608 646003. Also if you know of any good cause requiring support, please get in touch.
MRS JOYCE HUMPHRIES
Mrs Joyce Humphries aged 83 died suddenly on 9th September at her home in Leatherhead.
They moved from Austins Way four years ago and Les, Joyce's husband ran the Welcome Club for 11 years between 1991 and 2002. He was also a Parish Councillor and sung in St Peter's Choir. Joyce was always there, helping him.
Their daughter Julia lives close by and their son, Tony lives near Swansea.
All the members of the ex Welcome Club (we closed in January 2005) will miss her cheerful attitude; she was full of life.
You will be greatly missed by all your family and friends.
I kept in touch with them by letter and also by sending the Newsletter. They said that they felt as though they were still living in the Village when reading it.
We now await the pending arrival of our new Fire & Rescue Engine, for which new equipment has already started arriving. Hopefully it will be fully operational by December.
It was not long after I moved to Hook Norton in 1957 that I was friendly with the late Gladys Harris and her daughter, Kathleen who was at school with my daughter, Bridget.
We promised Zara and her brother and sister that when we, and the Consultants, felt Zara was fit to travel and things on the medical front were stable, we would go on an adventure! We asked them “where would you like to go in the world”, at which they all replied 'Steve Irwin's Zoo'. So we began making our plans for the trip to Australia! Zara's travel insurance turned out to be very high, because of her condition. We thought we wouldn't be able to go, until some very wonderful friends decided to help by fund raising for the insurance. 
saw seven whales up close, stroked kangaroos and wombats and bounced on giant jumping pillows. 
Despite the family pioneering tragedies above and others to follow, Ron Gibbins is one of six surviving senior grandchildren on Ontario, Canada, of John and Edith Gibbins, formerly of Hook Norton. Ron's interest in visiting Hook Norton and area was stimulated by his Aunt Ruby Gibbins Bryan (deceased 1998) and her daughter/cousin Dorene Stark, of Englehart, who both came over to England in the 1980's and took back some brochures and leaflets about the Brewery and the village. Ron and his wife 
