FOUR SHIRES v AROUND THE SHIRES hikers heading from Banbury towards King’s Sutton in 1982 HANWELL FIELDS
Hanwell Fields sports ground is now under the control of Banbury Town Council. The field, on Banbury’s northern edge, was previously managed by the site developer and has been little used for a number of years. Its two football pitches and cricket pitch are now available for hire.
Hardwick councillor Nicholas Turner said: “I welcome the news that the council has taken control of the playing field. It will be a fantastic facility for people who live in that part of Banbury, and there is a junior team from the estate who are looking forward to playing there.” Another sports field - at the Cattle Market site - is to be adopted by the town council in the near future.
GET YOUR HIKING KIT TOGETHER - THE TOUR DE TRIGS IS BACK ON!
Following a gap of two years, the world famous Tour de Trigs hiking competition is set to return to the pathways and byways of Banburyshire.
The competition night hike, that sets teams of three against a gruelling 50 mile course, has been staged in the area for the past 45 years.
Cancelled last year despite last minute efforts to save the event, it has only ever been interrupted due to severe weather conditions and the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease.
The demanding hike – which is open to all, attracts competitors from around the world. There is a 50 mile and 30 mile (junior) course to be attempted – but neither is a soft touch – drop out rates have been as high as 80% in the past.
This year’s event will go ahead with the backing of Banbury Rotary Club, Banbury Charities and many from the previous year’s organising committee.
Taking place over the 1st & 2nd December 2012 the event will start and finish at Warriner School in Bloxham. For more information check out
www.tourdetrigs.org.uk
ROWLING’S HAND MADE CLOCK
Martin Rowling, the blacksmith from Culworth, Northamptonshire, doesn’t really look too much like an ‘anorak’ but - by his own admission - apparently he is!
“You have to be a bit of an ‘anorak’ to spend so much time making something like this”, he joked. Martin has spent a good part of the last four or five years making a hand built tower clock in time for Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee celebrations in June.
The tower clock is made almost completely from hand worked iron - the only non metal pieces being the rope and wooden cylinder that make up part of the winding mechanism. Even the joints are secured with the equivalent hand made cotter pins.
The clock has been made without a single mechanical tool being used, utilising techniques and tools from an era 200 years previous. Martin previously ran the local blacksmithing business at the Culworth forge for 38 years before retiring in 2007. However rather than enjoying a well earned rest, he has dedicated the last few years to completing this Jubilee project.
The Jubilee clock will sit proudly on the gable end of the same forge in which it is being created, giving the time to one and all as they pass through the village of Culworth as well as serving as a reminder of Queen Elizabeth’s own endurance on the throne.
We asked Martin why he had spent so much time making the clock: “ I like things that move.” he said, “It’s more fun than making tables or a screen - not necessarily more skilled - but just using a different branch of the blacksmith’s skill”
8 FOUR SHIRES v MARCH 2012
AROUND THE SHIRES
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