Cricket Field – 24th February

The field is beautiful this morning, the kind of beauty that you can’t photograph, only feel. The sun is rising in a cloudless blue sky, and making brilliant every frosted blade of grass, evening …. Wednesday 24th February

I’ve reached the low wall of the pavilion now, and I press my finger into a frozen  fairy-cushion of silvery moss. The ice melts instantly, and the cushion turns green. I press my finger against my cheek, to test the coldness.

It’s fine for me to be afraid, but it’s really not okay for that fear to make me a coward. I take a deep, cold-air breath, tip my face to the pale  winter sun. This morning, I’ve seen and understood something of myself that I can’t ever pretend I hadn’t. I am frightened of old people because of what they are, what they were. Once as strong-armed, straight-backed, as shrill-voiced and energetic, as I am now. I will be like them one day, and it’s that thought that frightens me, not the people themselves.

Source: Wednesday 24th February

Don’t Forget …. Annual Village Litter Pick on Saturday March 5th

keep-calm-and-clean-for-the-queen[1]‘Clean for the Queen’ and Help keep our village litter free by joining the annual spring clean for HM 90th birthday!

On Saturday 5 March the Parish Council is assisting Cherwell DC in organising the annual village litter pick.  This year Cherwell are trying to make a special effort to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday.  Volunteers are sought to meet at 10.00 am on the 5th outside the Old Post Office.  Cherwell are providing plastic sacks and litter pickers, as well as protective gloves and high vis tabards.

Please give up an hour to help keep Horley beautiful!

Horley Blacksmith & Horse Lover Combines Her Passions

Horley Horse made loving by Horley Blacksmith

Julia Naysmith has combined her passion for horses with her artistic talents to produce this amazing  sculpture.  Using only scrap metals Julia has lovingly forged and welded together this life size horse.

Julia Naysmith horse close Julia Naysmith horse looking side Julia Naysmith horse looking Julia Naysmith horse

 

 

 

 

 

Julia Naysmith workshop

Julia Naysmith works with her father at Oxford Ironstone Company based near Horley. In this horse she has combined her passion for horses, her work as a blacksmith, her artistist talents and recycled scrap into a work of art.  Julia said:

“I’ve always wanted to make a full horse and finally its taking it first steps out side the workshop . All the late nights of welding and forging have hopefully paid off. A full sized horse made of scrap, I love my job !!”

Julia we love your work, with your talent it won’t be long before you are doing this type of “work” full time if that’s what you want. Horley is very proud of you as I’m sure so are your family and all your friends.

Julia Naysmith horse workshop

Julia Naysmith horse head workshopJulia Naysmith horse front workshopJulia Naysmith horse front side workshop

Debra Fox

The Community Transport ‘Dial A Ride’ Scheme is set to Continue…

Dial_a_Ride_roundel.svg[1]Good News – ‘Dial A Ride’ is saved from cuts!

With the weekly free bus service to Banbury due to end shortly, the Parish Council is concerned that any residents without their own private transport may find it more difficult to get around. Consequently it was good news when Banbury and District Dial-a-Ride announced that they have funding to continue their service.  They provide help in getting around to those who have mobility issues, or who cannot drive and have no access to public transport.  Anyone interested in knowing more about their service should call the coordinator, Kevyn Powell on 07798 922712.

Guides are Quackers for Horley

Judy in the dark1st Bodicote Guides would like to say  “Thank You for making us smile ” after we had walked 5 miles, in the dark when they saw Horley’s duck.

Last week on our night hike from Horley Scout camp to Hornton and back to camp before sleeping under canvas on the coldest night of the year so far.

Guides are quackers !

Thanks to Horley Parish Council

After many years of errosion and damage we now have a kerb to protect the grass verge on upper Wroxton Lane.  The repair and widening of the road should also mean that water will flow into the drains and provide a little more space for passing parked cars.

Thank you again Horley Parish Council, what a difference it has made already, Debra

Over the Cricket – February

The wickets were mown, late last week, and are a lighter square against the dark green of the out-field. An orange rope, the one they use sometimes as a boundary rope, is suspended around the square’s perimeter. It is a grubby white in places, where the orange has frayed free, and reminds me of crumbed ham……

 

Source: Monday 8th February

Horley and Horton Brownies Restarts- 29th February

1st Hornton and Horley Brownies will be starting again on Monday evenings beginning the 29th February.

Brownies is for girls aged seven to ten who become a member of a Six and follow a programme called the Brownie Adventure. Brownies opens up a world of exciting challenges and the opportunity to try new things and to make brilliant friends.

For anyone interested in joining the first step is to register on the girlguiding website which you can do here: www.girlguiding.org.uk/joinus

If you would like any further information please call me on: (01295) 678220 or email: jennietyrrell@hotmail.com

Jennie Tyrrell

8491-brn-i-love-brnEditors Note: The Brownie Promise and Brownie Guide Law, still great principles and values:

“I promise that I will do my best, to be true to myself and develop my beliefs, to serve the Queen and my community, to help other people and to keep the Brownie Guide Law”, which is “A Brownie Guide thinks of others before herself and does a good turn every day”.

 

 

Kerbing Scheme Completion – work to restart on Thursday Feb 11th

Work to complete the Wroxton Lane kerbing scheme is expected to take up to 3 days starting from Thursday February 11th

road closed

This will involve the contractor laying the correct colour conservation kerbs.

Once again, during this time the road will be closed to through traffic but with access to frontages and for emergency vehicles, and no parking along the section affected.

The contractor has apologised for the inconvenience caused by his mistake and thanks you for your patience. The end is in sight!