Johnny Wilkinson’s World Cup winning ball, the football from the first ever Olympic football final, WW1 amputee croquet hero, 1930s football etiquette and the murderous thoughts of Atlantic rowers are all highlights from an exhibition - Our Sporting Life, a series of 100 exhibitions across the UK exploring our addiction to sport and our sporting heritage. The first exhibition is based at the River & Rowing Museum, Henley on Thames.  Our Sporting Life will reveal hidden sporting histories, forgotten heroes, objects and stories in communities across the UK.  Local people and sports organisations are being asked to put forward objects and memorabilia that can help tell the story of their sporting life and work with museums to create their Our Sporting Life exhibition.  Highlights from each exhibition will become part of the largest ever exhibition of British sporting life and heritage and will be held in London for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Objects and stories from the nations and regions will be joined by icons and treasures from our national sports, such as the Ashes Urn, Calcutta Cup, and the football from the 1966 World Cup Final to name a few will provide a unique insight into how sport has shaped the country, its communities and people. People can also get involved and submit ideas on line via the Our Sporting Life website: www.oursportinglife.co.uk

 

March will see the return to pubs in of Hook Norton’s First Light.
A beer named by drayman Roger Hughes is the second in Hook Norton’s Brewers Selection of 11 beers which will be available throughout the year.
Roger named the beer First Light, a very pale and light brew, as its colour reminded him of the sunshine in the in the early morning falling on the brewery yard.
First Light, at 4.3 per cent ABV, has complex hop aroma and is ideal to drink on its own as a thirst quenching drink or as an accompaniment to food.
Hook Norton Managing Director James Clarke said: “First Light’s continental type palate is from the high proportion of malted wheat used to make the beer, which is used in addition to malted barley.
“A salute to the approaching longer, warmer days, First Light is a pale, light brew with a complex aroma anticipating, heady days alfresco. The malted barley and malted wheat give it an exotic palate. The finest Styrian hops are added, which gives a fruity nose, with hints of watermelon and lychees.”
April sees the return of 303AD – brewed to celebrate the death of England’s St George.

Cherwell District Council has rapidly increasing numbers of older people living in the district. Now the council is taking a lead on housing services for older people with a new housing strategy that sets out how it’s going to improve housing and related services for them.
The new strategy follows extensive consultation with residents and stakeholders. Cherwell's portfolio holder for planning and housing, Cllr Michael Gibbard, explained: "We've been working on this since 2008 and now it will be adopted by the council - that's good news for the district's older people.
"An ageing population means increased demand for housing services, so we've set out a strategy that will focus on five key objectives.
"Firstly we'll improve housing services to help older people live independently in their homes. Secondly we'll provide ensure good quality supported housing for older people. Thirdly we'll improve the housing information and advice that's available. Next we'll encourage involvement for older people in designing and implementing those services. And lastly we'll be making sure new housing meets the needs of older people."

Other key areas of the strategy will see:

* a wider range of services implemented for older owner occupiers and people living in the private rented sector to help them maintain their home and keep it warm

* improved practical and financial help for older people, living in housing association homes, who want to move to a smaller or more manageable property

* the development of extra-care housing in the district. This is independent, fully self contained housing, with access to on-site care and facilities like dining rooms, hairdressers and social activity rooms

* steps to increase housing for older people in rural areas.

Cllr Gibbard added: "Cherwell is gearing up to make sure that our housing services continue to play a key role in the lives of our growing number of older residents and that we continue to provide the services they will need."

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People of all ages are being invited to get their skates on and get down to the Market Square from Tuesday, 19 January when a synthetic ice rink will be constructed for six days of free skating fun.
The 13 x 26 metre rink will be open between 10am and 5pm on Tuesday, 19 January to Sunday, 24 January except on Friday, 22 when people can skate right through to the evening until 8pm. The atmosphere on the Market Square will be anything but icy - music, a snow machine and special evening lights will add to the mood, making it the coolest hang out in Northampton.
Last year young people flocked to use the rink as soon as school broke up for the Christmas holidays - over 1,500 people of all ages used the rink over three days. Lots of young people asked for an ice rink again for this winter so Northampton Youth Forum made the young people's wishes come true by awarding funding from Money 4 Youth to the NBC Market Square Events team to bring the rink to town for six days.
Cllr Paul Varnsverry, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, said: “The ice rink provides an exciting atmosphere and a safe environment for all ages to enjoy skating. Last year, teenagers particularly enjoyed the music and snow machine whilst learning to skate and everyone appreciated that it was completely free of charge. Although we currently have lots of icy weather, this free six day event is going to be chance for everyone to hone their ice skating skills with the safety of a barrier to hold on to.”
Sinead Loftus, Co-Chair of Northampton Youth Forum and student at Northampton School for Girls, said "We've granted funding for an ice rink each year for a few years now. Every year, at the ice ink there's been a great atmosphere with people of all ages having fun together. This shows that it's good for young people to send in their ideas to Money 4 Youth so that we can make good stuff happen for everyone! There's still time for young people to send in their ideas for summer 2010 to spring 2011 so if they've not done so already I'd say to them to get their ideas in to us by 12th February 2010 in case we can make their wishes come true too."
Skating is suitable for anyone but children under 10 should be supervised by an adult. Ice skates will be provided to anyone wanting to use the facility. The maximum number of skaters allowed on the rink at one time will be approximately 130 and at busy periods there will be a maximum skating time.
Information about Money 4 Youth can be found at www.northampton.gov.uk/money4youth and for Market Square Events visit www.marketsquareevents.com

Picture taken by Jane Tate from Broughton.