The annual conference of the clergy and laity of the Dassett Magna Deanery was held at the Rectory, Warmington, on Tuesday week. Service was held in the Parish Church at 2.30, and was followed by the conference, at which there were present the Revs R. P. Willcock (Rural Dean, Warmington), H. Bach (Rural Dean, Kenilworth), T. J. Cartwright (Farnborough), F. Woodward (Gaydon), W. Westacott (Burton Dassett), G. Adney Irving (Bishop’s Itchington), J. B. Spould (Shotteswell), J. Howell (Ratley and Radway), P. Alford (Wormleighton), Messrs W. Bloxham, R. H. A. Holbech, and J. Thomason. The Rural Dean of Kenilworth, who is a member of the next Diocesan Board of Finance, spoke in explanation of “the budget” and parochial contributions. Some discussion took place on this subject, and also on the question of adequate insurance of churches.

Banbury Guardian, March 1915

At the last committee meeting the secretary reported that in answer to his appeal for financial assistance for equipment for the corps, he had received the following cheques; the Misses Loveday (Arlescote) £4, Lady Stonehouse £1 1s 0d, Mrs Holbech £1 1s 0d, Mr R Holbech £1 1s 0d, Mr Waldron (Farnborough Hall) had promised £3. It was decided to leave the purchase of guns for outdoor work till the next meeting, also the ordering of dummy rifles. It was agreed to ask all members of the corps to shoot on the air rifle range at least once a week, and become members of the club. Mr H. A. Coles was elected Section Commander. The question of uniform was left to a later meeting.

Banbury Guardian, February 1915

The meet was at Bitham on Friday and Mr J Fielden was in command of the field. The first fox was found in Harbage’s. Hounds got a good start and ran fast up to Reading’s Gorse. Here they turned to the left and with Fenny Compton village on the right, ran through Mr McMickag’s spinney, across the road, and over Burton Hill, then the chase bore left-handed nearly reaching Arlescote. There the fox was headed; he eventually re-crossed the Banbury and Warwick Road going over Hunt’s Hill, and with Burton Village on the right, proceeded past the windmill, through the new covert and also the old covert. There the pilot bore sharply to the right, running over the hill, then he went round the hill, and got to ground close by Burton Church, after a splendid hunt of 80 minutes. The Ashploe spinney and Farnborough Fishponds did not hold any foxes but a Mollington Wood customer engrossed attention in the wood for some time. He was forced away at the bottom side and hunted over Warmington Hill, through Pages’ Gorse, then to the left eventually reaching Mollington Wood. After running through the wood, the fox continued through Mollington village and leaving Angel’s Place on the right, he went through Kilby’s Gorse and over Hanwell up to the Banbury Road and made good his escape after a slow hunt of about an hour.

Banbury Guardian, February 1914

Scout mistress Miss Hayter and her scouts are to be congratulated on the success which attended an effort made to swell the Scouts fund by means of a sale of work, tea, and entertainment. The proceeds amounted to £12, and a donation of £3 10s. 0d. was made to British Red Cross funds. The proceedings were opened by Mrs Savile (wife of the vicar of Fenny Compton MJL) in the presence of a large company, and following the ceremony , Scout Wesley Southall presented Mrs Savile with a bouquet. Amongst the stallholders were Mrs Savile, Mrs Knott, Miss Coley, Miss Dickins, Miss Cotterill, Miss Thomason, Miss Ada Grubb and Miss Stephens. Various competitions were held under the direction of Miss Dickins. The Boy Scouts had a stall of their own woodwork under Patrol Leader Arthur White. At the entertainment Miss Coley sang, Miss Mary Knott recited, Misses Haytor and Coley gave a duet. Mr Frank Knight sang and Edwin Sheasby gave gramophone selections.

Banbury Guardian, February 1915

On Friday the Essex Regiment had a route march to Edgehill starting from Banbury with the drum and fife band just after 9.00am. A large number of people were in the Horse Fair and High Street to see the troops depart. Colonel Stockton accompanied the other mounted officers, and at Edgehill explained the positions of the contending armies at the battle of Edgehill, which were afterwards communicated to the men. The first halt was near Upton House and from there the troops afterwards engaged in movements in extended order along the ridge of the hill to Warmington, returning by the Warwick Road to Banbury.

Banbury Guardian, February 1915

The Bicester, Saturday 13^th February – Fenny Compton Wharf at 11.00am

….growing agitation for an increase……….need for a substantial increase of 2/- to 3/- a week ………… existing level 15/- a week.