Just a few of the
stories in September's Chipping Norton News. The full stories and many others
PLUS all the regular features are in the current edition. Price 50p
You can buy the Chipping Norton News at the following outlets:T
he Bookshop, The Chequers, Co-op
Foodstore, The Fox Hotel,
Lady Beautiful, Leisure Centre,
Old Mill Coffee House, Movable
Feast, New St Dental Surgery,
Porcupine, Q8 Garage,
Robert John, Smart Set,
Somerfield, Londis (Waterbush
Road and Hailey Road), Stones,
Top Marks, West St Surgery,
West Street News, White House Surgery,
Post offices at Chipping Norton
and Chadlington,
Over Norton Park Farm Shop, Visitor Information Centre
If you are unable to get to any of the outlets then you can, for
£12 a year, have the News sent to you. Contact Rolie Clarke
(641380) or Chipping Norton News, c/o Hill Lawn House, 22 New
Street, Chipping Norton, OX7 5LJ tel/fax 643219 Email to
Chippymail@aol.com
|
Chequers goes bananas
Regular diners at he
Chequers in Spring Street cannot fail to have noticed the tropical
atmosphere recently. With summer temperatures soaring into the 90s cool
lager and whirring fans have been the order of the day. The summer has
also made the resident banana plant burst into
flower and produce bunches of fruit. (see close-up above left) Kay Reid
was snapped eyeing the new bunches, maybe planning a fruit sundae dessert
to include the bananas plus grapes from the vine on the front of the pub –
so global warming has hit Spring Street!
Rotary Community awards
The British do not give praise readily
but Chipping Norton Rotary Club have been putting that right with awards
to four local people for contribution to their communities. On 18 August
the President of the Club, Ronald Speirs, read citations and presented
awards to the following: Pat Francis, a resident of Great Rollright, for
the limitless voluntary work she has done and continues to do for the sick
and elderly in her community and for the school in addition to her job of
school caretaker; John Merriman, a member of the Charlbury Town Council
for twelve years, a leading light in developing the annual Street Fair,
now a significant fund raising event and the selfless devotion of his time
to other community activities; Peter Morris, the conductor of the Chipping
Norton Silver Band of which he has been a member since its formation in
1935, involving his total commitment and leadership to regular practices
and dozens of performances over a remarkably long time; and Bob Ellis, for
his long term commitment to the people of Chipping Norton in many aspects
of community life. In particular for his remarkable vision and
determination in the creation of the outdoor bowls club over 25 years ago,
his even more remarkable achievement in the building of the indoor rink
and the way that he continues to look after the Club’s affairs. to find
out more about Rotary contact David Cherry (01993 831599 or email:
davwenchel@aol.com)
Simmonds wedding singers
On 16 August, a wonderful summer
afternoon, the Chipping Norton Choral Society provided a choir and joined
voices with the Simmonds family and friends to celebrate the wedding of
their daughter Virginia to Martin Bayliss in St Mary’s Church. Virginia
looked so pretty walking up the aisle with her eight bridesmaids
(including twins from each family) and pageboy. The best man was Martin’s
brother Gavin. Virginia now works in West London as a teacher and a
honey-moon in Antigua will no doubt have been just what was needed before
the fray of the autumn term! Her parents, Graham and Jeryl Simmonds, are
known to many Chippy residents as they run the Cotswold News-agents and
Playpen. The bride’s mother, Jeryl, has sung in the Choral Society for 13
years and the Society was pleased to be able to repay her loyalty in some
small way on this happy occasion. The Society was founded some 40 years
ago and is today a flourishing group of over 80 members. They have won
acclaim for their performances of many major works. They have been praised
by the judges of the Chipping Norton Music Festival for ‘choral singing of
a very high standard indeed; a joy to hear’. For anyone interested in
joining (no auditions!) contact Roger Stein (01295 721522).
Sam Oliveri 1928-2003
Chippy lost of one of its
best loved characters – and the founder of one of its oldest businesses –
when Salvatore ‘Sam’ Oliveri died on 25 June, aged 74.
Sam was born in Sicily, the eldest of seven children. His family
were farmers and also owned a barber’s shop. At school, he had a
sweetheart called Francesca, but there were obstacles to be overcome,
including national service for Sam, and the opposition of both families.
The story goes that whilst Francesca’s family were discussing her marriage
– to someone else – she was sent up to the balcony out of the way, where
she passed the time waving to Sam in the street below. They eventually
married, with the blessing of both families.
Sam, Francesca and
toddler Domenico, arrived in the Chippy area in 1954, planning to return
home after a few years. But time passed, and by 1961 Sam had continued the
family tradition and set up a barbers shop at 4 Market Place.
As Sam built up his
business, he became well known for his warm and gentle personality, his
kind words and beaming smile. With a terrific sense of humour, he
brightened up everyone’s day.
Sam loved gardening. As
grand-daughter Jolene says, ‘Everything he touched grew … every fruit and
vegetable imaginable. He also grew grapes, and every year without fail he
made his own wine.’
Despite his sunny
disposition, Sam suffered heart problems for many years, with several
hospital stays and four open-heart operations. He carried on doing the
occasional haircut in the shop until six weeks before he passed away.
Sam’s Requiem Mass at Chippy’s Holy
Trinity Church drew Italian friends from all over Oxfordshire, as well as
family and friends from the town. He leaves a widow, his son Domenico who
is continuing the business, a daughter Maria, and four grand-children.
Investers in People award
On
4 July St Mary’s proudly received an ‘Investors in People’ plaque from the
Learning and Skills Council. The award is in recognition of the school’s
efforts to ensure that all staff work as a team and have the same shared
vision for the future. It was noted that the
school particularly appreciated the importance of a well-structured
programme of professional development for all staff, leading to a higher
quality of education for the children. The
occasion was marked with a special assembly attended by staff, pupils and
governors at which children shared some of their proudest achievements
from the past year.
Butterfly Ball
Once
again CNS organised a Summer School for gifted and talented students which
brought together pupils from its own Year 7 and children from feeder
schools who will be starting at Topschool this month. Last year’s course
involved over 80 ‘sporty’ pupils who were given the chance to try out the
then-brand-new Leisure Centre. This year it was the turn of nearly 50
children with a particular talent for art and design who spent the first
week of the holidays exploring the theme of Butterflies and Insects.
Inspired by a visit to Stratford Butterfly Farm they had a ball producing
an exciting range of work which was on show on the final afternoon.
Models, paintings, robots and written work all reflected the week’s theme
and allowed the children to develop their talents outside the normal
school curriculum (and maybe make friendships that will see them through
those turbulent first few weeks of term!).
Theatre thesps show off
Chipping
Norton Theatre’s open day in July saw hundreds of people try out the new
seats, sample the new ‘surround sound’ film system, and find out more
about the activities in the Theatre. The Theatre had also ‘taken to the
streets’ with singers and dancers in Spring Street and on the Town Hall
steps. Last but not least several strange characters were around town –
all from recent pantomimes – including a large goose, which managed to
kiss several passers by, and a motley cast from last year’s Jack and the
Beanstalk. Rumour has it they were members of the Theatre staff chasing
their equity cards. The Theatre starts its full new Autumn programme on 2
September with films, plays, opera, concerts and exhibitions – and then
it’s the famous Panto from 30 November – this year Robin of Wychwood
Name your Theatre seat!
Reaction to the new seats at the Theatre
Chipping Norton has been very positive (no more back and knee ache). Now
there is an opportunity for punters to ‘sponsor’ a seat for £150 with
their name proudly displayed on the back. Why not make this a special
Christmas or birthday gift for a friend or family member? Anyone
interested should contact theatre manager Chris Durham on 01608 642349.
JUNE STORIES from CHIPPING NORTON NEWS
JULY STORIES from CHIPPING NORTON NEWS
SEPTEMBER STORIES from CHIPPING NORTON
NEWS
OCTOBER STORIES from CHIPPING NORTON NEWS
NOVEMBER STORIES from CHIPPING NORTON
NEWS
DECEMBER STORIES from CHIPPING NORTON
NEWS
FEBRUARY STORIES from CHIPPING NORTON
NEWS
MARCH STORIES from CHIPPING NORTON NEWS
APRIL STORIES from CHIPPING NORTON NEWS
GO TO :
OXFORD MAIL STORIES
THE PARKER KNOLL CLOSURE
