Helmdon Parish Council

HYHO News Archive 2002-2017

HYHOs Fund Raising Shareout - posted 03 August 2016

The Helmdon Summer Ball at the end of June was a great success and we're getting ready to share out the money that was raised in this fantastic fund-raising event.

If you're part of a village or local group that needs funds, whether for a special trip, maintenance, materials or running costs, then we want to hear from you!

Please contact Christian, by the 23rd August stating the following:
Group: Main Contact: Phone / Email: Amount Requested: Purpose:

We will be meeting later that week to discuss all applications and disbursing money soon after.

You do not have to be a charity. Just a local group or good cause that could benefit from some of the money that was raised for the village and surrounding area. Please get in touch, and please pass this on to anyone who will be interested.

Thanks!

Summer Ball - One Table Left! - posted 29 April 2016

Yes, there is just one table left! If you've not been the Ball before, maybe you don't know what to expect...

Arrive to a champagne reception to the beautifully decorated marquee on the school field. Mingle and enjoy fizz in the early evening sun (we hope!) before taking your seats for a delicious 3 course meal. Gets drinks from the bar and enjoy the charity raffle and auction before the live music starts so the night ends with dancing.

If you're new to the village, or just to the Ball, it would be great to see you and we'd love to reserve this last table for you. Please contact any of the following: Christian Wakefield, Paul Underwood, Angela Goodall, Andrew Hart

Once booked, the table leads will be approached for menu selections well ahead of the Ball.

Helmdon Summer Ball 2016 - posted 18 March 2016

The marquee is organised, the band are booked, the food is sorted, and now … we are pleased to announce that the tickets are now on sale for the HYHO Summer Ball on 25 June at the price of £60 each if purchased by the end of April. Although costs have gone up by more than this, we've made a conscious choice to limit how much of this is reflected in the ticket price.

Ideally tickets will be sold in tables. Tables are available at 8, 10 and 12 seat sizes. If you're a smaller party, please get in touch and we'll find space for you! Please contact any of the following to reserve your table! Christian Wakefield, Paul Underwood, Angela Goodall, Andrew Hart.

Once booked, the table leads will be approached for menu selection well ahead of the Ball. If you have any questions please get in touch with me in the first instance. (Please note if you pay by cheque, it will not be cashed until after the school Easter holidays. Please make them payable to 'Helmdon Primary School'.)

Andrew Hart

Chairman's Report 2015 - posted 18 March 2016

HYHO had another strong year of meeting on the 2^nd Friday of every month (at The Bell). It continues to be a relaxed & informal event which normally includes a few beers & catch up on the past month…between friends & neighbours (family, social occasions, holidays, work etc). We decided not to run a formal Summer BBQ in 2015 (due to work & family commitments) & we look forward to organising another event in summer 2017.

Currently we are in the process of planning the 2016 Summer Ball which will be on Saturday 25^th June – tickets are selling fast & if you would like to buy some tickets, please contact a member of HYHO ASAP

Christian Wakefield

Get Your Bids In Quick - posted 11 September 2015

Memories of the summer Village Ball may well be hazy given how busy the bar was on the night but on the 12 July Helmdon really put it's best foot forward and turned out in style for the big event. It was a great night and now the organisers, the Helmdon Young Husbands Organisation (HYHO), have the absolute pleasure of distributing the proceeds raised on the night to village groups.

If you are a village group and want to request a donation please provide a written request outlining what it is for and what sort of contribution you have in mind to HYHO Chairman Huw Davies. All requests should be submitted by 30 September 2014.

Despite being a very successful fund raising event the requests often outstrip the funds available, so please do not be upset or offended if it cannot stretch to every request.

Summer Ball 2014 - posted 10 February 2014

Tickets for the HYHO 2014 Summer Ball are now on sale!

Tables can be purchased, and cheques delivered to Andrew or Liz Hart, Huw or Fiona Davies or Paul Underwood.

If paid for before the 1st March, tickets are £59 per person, rising to £65 after this date. Cheques should be made payable to 'Helmdon Primary School'

If you're part of a table, it would be helpful for the whole table (10 or 12 seats) to be paid together. We require a contact to act as 'table lead' when it comes to selecting menu choices and pre-ordering wine. If you're just getting a few tickets, that's great but let us know so we can arrange tables accordingly and again let us have a person that we can be in touch with.

As a special incentive, all tables that are paid for by the end of February will be entered into a draw, with a lucky two winners each getting to nominate a song for the band to play on the night (subject to some obvious suitability vetting!).

The Summer Ball is always popular and there have already been enquiries for 6 tables, so don't miss out!
(*This small increase from 2012 prices is due to higher supplier prices)
Andrew Hart

click for poster (on www.helmdonhistory.com)

HYHO AGM - posted 21 January 2014

There were ugly scenes at the AGM of the Helmdon Young Husbands Organisation (HYHO) on Friday 17 January 2014 as gatecrashers forced their way in to try and get elected as chairman for 2014. Thankfully security at the Bell is very tight and bouncers swiftly removed the interlopers.

Outgoing chairman Mr Toby Ballantine - or "Chairman Mou-stache" as he has been known since Movenber, did such a splendid job in his 3-year tenure that no one man alone could fill his boots and so Christian Wakefield and Huw Davies are going to attempt to replace him as co-chairs.

The pair complement each other perfectly with Huw providing leadership, vision and energy and Christian providing beer.

During his chairmanship Toby moved from Upper Helmdon to Lower Helmdon in an attempt to connect with the ordinary man. He presided over some of the most successful events in HYHO history and will, presumably, soon be publishing his autobiography. In the meantime a synopsis of his glittering chairmanship is [not] available here.

HYHO has had another good fund raising year and the total funds donated to village organisations since 1989 has now exceeded £40,000 (not counting all the money retained by event partners). This is a fantastic effort and shows what can be done when people roll their sleeves up and get stuck in.

And the HYHO bandwagon rolls on into 2014 when the HYHO Summer Ball celebrates its 10th Anniversary, with this year's event being held on Saturday 12 July. Huw Davies is Agitator-in-Chief and will be roping in volunteers, willing and not-so-willing to lend a hand. Check back here on the web site for all the details.

HYHO (you don't have to be one to be one) is an organisation for any man in the village that likes beer, fun and raising money. If you want to join in please either contact a HYHO or just turn up to the Bell, Helmdon on the second Friday of the month. You'll soon find us.

HYHO - Giving Helmdon Balls.

HYHO Wonga - posted 25 October 2013

The Helmdon Young Husbands Organisation (HYHO) is delighted to be in a position to ask local village groups to request funding for specific projects they might be wishing to do in 2014 using the money raised from the HYHO BBQ.

The good news is that the joint organisers of the BBQ (being Acorns and the Sports Club) have taken a share of the money already, so we are able to offer £2,400 (includes monies returned following the 2012 HYHO Summer Ball) to split between local groups.

Requests normally outstrip available funds, so HYHO cannot promise to fund every project, or to fully fund every request made. Each group will hear in due course if their application has been successful.

Summer BBQ A Great Success - posted 07 August 2013

The HYHOs, Sports Club and Helmdon Acorns pre-School would like to thank everyone who supported the BBQ at the beginning of July. The weather was warm and sunny, an ideal backdrop for the children's entertainment, It's a Knockout games and later on the live music. More than 450 people attended and approximately £3,000 was raised to be split between the main organisers. Local organisations will be invited to apply to HYHO to fund a particular project; details will be on the website shortly.

Summer BBQ 2013 - posted 23 May 2013

click for poster (on www.helmdonhistory.com)

Amazing Total Raised At The HYHO's Summer Ball posted 23 November 2012

I am delighted to let you know that it was a record year with a total of £10,752 pounds raised. We have to thank all who contributed to making the ball a success. The HYHO ball committee went above and beyond to deliver a ball that everyone enjoyed and raised a lot of money for local good causes. I would also like to thank all the generous ball goers who partied the evening away and generously bought raffle tickets and bid for auction lots. Thanks also to the sponsors (VW Towcester, Macintyers Estate Agents, Stella Artois and the Butler's pantry) and all the kind auction lot contributors.

Who HYHO gave the money to

This was both humbling and difficult as the requests far exceeded the amount raised. The special auction lot in memory of Judy Butler raised £480 for the Hospice at Home. The remaining amount was divided so that 50% of the money went to Helmdon Primary School and the rest was split between CKERs, the Reading Room, Helmdon Acorns Pre-school, Rainbows, Guides, Whistley Scouts, Helmdon Fellowship, Helmdon Sports & Social club, Helmdon Bridge Players, Friends of St Mary Magdalene Church and Helmdon Clangers (handbell ringers).

Toby Ballantine
Chair
HYHO (Helmdon Young Husbands' Organisation)

Buy Your Photos Of The Summer Ball By 18 July posted 16 July 2012

You can access the event by clicking on the following link: https://photocall.instaproofs.com/gallery/.

Once you are in the Event feel free to browse around, add photos to your shopping cart, or email your favourite pictures to your friends!

Viewing and purchasing the photographs is easy; simply select the photographs you want, add your choice of sizes and colours, and checkout. Visit https://photocall.instaproofs.com/gallery/ today!

Hurry before the sale is over! Once again, the sale ends Wed Jul 18, 2012.

Does Your Group Or Organisation Need Funds? posted 11 July 2012

Thanks for everyone's kind support before, during and after the Ball, particularly the committee for their great efforts! We expect it to be another record profit (we'll let you know the total once we have received all the sponsorship and auction monies in). As before the aim is to give 50% to the school and the remainder to be split between various village groups.

We will only donate to those groups that have a specific identified item and cost associated with this and we cannot promise to fund it completely. Please can we have letters in by 31 July 2012. The committee will meet after this date to divvy up the monies (HYHO members are more than welcome to attend that meeting too).

Cheers,
Toby Ballantine, Chairman, HYHO

Lost Property And Unclaimed Raffle Prizes From The Summer Ball - posted 04 July 2012

After the BIG clear up following the Helmdon Summer Ball, we have some lost property, amongst which were, 7 umbrellas, a pair of glasses, a pair of shoes, pashminas and lots more! A guest also lost a Nikon Coolpix camera, so please let me know if you have found it and we can re-unite it with its owner! We also had a few unclaimed raffle prizes. If you can tell me what numbers you had, you may be a winner! Please contact me as I may have your items or your raffle prize!! Thank you all for coming and hope you all enjoyed it!

Helmdon Summer Ball Photos If you had your photograph taken at the ball, you can still purchase copies following this link www.photocall-events.co.uk then go to "find your photo"

Becky Leitelmayer

Summer Ball - posted 31 January 2012

We are pleased to announce that the Summer Ball is to be held on Saturday 30 June. It will take place in a marquee at Helmdon School, beginning at 7.30 p.m.

Dress up for a fabulous evening out! Champagne reception. Three-course dinner. Dancing to a band. Numbers limited.

Tickets £55 a head if paid by 31 March, otherwise £59. Please book with friends, ideally 10 to a table.

The main aim of the Ball is to a) have a great night out and b) and perhaps equally important, to raise as much money as possible for the village primary school and other village groups.

Please contact Paul Underwood or Becky Leitelmayer via the school.

Summer Ball 2012 - posted 01 January 2012

Yes, we have a date already. Saturday, 30 June, at 7.30 p.m. to be organised in co-operation with Helmdon School. The venue is a marquee in the grounds of the school. Dress up for a fabulous evening out! Champagne reception, 3-course dinner, dancing to live band. Numbers limited. Black tie.

More info later or from Paul Underwood.

It's A HYHO Movember - posted 19 Movember 2011

Have you noticed certain individuals sporting somewhat more facial hair than usual? That's because it's Movember... the month when normally clean-shaven and upstanding men grow, or try to grow, moustaches to raise awareness and funds for men's health; specifically prostate and testicular cancer.

Why is it so important?

The HYHO Team Captain is Toby 'Burt Reynolds' Ballantine, Vice Captain Jonathan "Facial Frankie" Oldershaw and Able Assistants Andrew Hart and Christian Wakefield.

The team need your help and support to raise lots of money. Go to the HYHO Team page on the Movember web site to donate now. You can give as much or as little as you like.

And just to be fair, the HYHO Team is not the only game in town. Fellow Mo Bros in the "Tashhouse Esquire" Team include Karl Leitelmayer, Jamie Stothard, Robert Stothard and Geoff Bridger. Please give generously on the Tashhouse Esquire Team page.

Mo Sistas can show their support by donating money, giving moral support to Mo Bros, or just by gently telling the Mo Bros that these tashes have to come off again on December 1st!

Please donate now.

BBQ Fun For Helmdon - posted 10 July 2011

The HYHO Summer Family BBQ, held on Saturday 9 July 2011 was a fantastic success. Over 400 people enjoyed live music, entertainment and food on the Sports Field, Wappenham Road, Helmdon.

A hardy group of HYHOs set up the tents and bar on the Friday evening as the gales blew and the rain lashed down but luckily the tents were still there on the Saturday morning and the clouds dispersed to leave a cool but dry evening.

Children were treated to a bouncy castle and face painting from 5:00 p.m. and they enjoyed the open space of the Sports Field to run around, play football and have games.

Music by local band Acxent

The serious drinkers started arriving at 7:00 p.m. and managed to drink the bar dry by 10:00. Illustrious HYHO Chairman, Toby Ballantine, said "I thought we had over ordered for the bar - I didn't realise people in Helmdon could drink so much!".

The crowds were entertained throughout the night by music from local band Acxent, whose lineup features Helmdon's very own John Plunkett and Andrew Hart.

Mark Lovett and his team made sure everyone had plenty of tasty BBQ food, whilst on the other side of the field bar tender extraordinaire, Christian Wakefield, ensured that the drinks kept flowing.

The HYHOs put on a fantastic evening for the families of Helmdon and massive credit goes the the BBQ Committee: Toby Ballantine, Huw Davies, Mark Lovett, Christian Wakefield, Jonathan Oldershaw and Andrew Hart. As well as being a great night in the village the event also raised hundreds of pounds, which the HYHOs will donate to village groups and organisations.

Sometimes you have to make your own fun - and the HYHOs sure know how to do it well!

HYHO's Summer Family Barbecue - posted 09 May 2011

click for poster (on www.helmdonhistory.com)

The 2010 HYHO AGM attracted an unusually high turnout.

HYHO AGM Appoints New Chairman - posted 20 November 2010

The Helmdon Young Husbands Organisation (HYHO) (you don't have to be one to be one) held their annual meeting in the usual venue - the back room of the Bell, Helmdon.

After almost four years as chairman Mark Lovett decided that it was time to hand over to someone younger, fitter and more capable. Sadly that ruled out everyone else at the meeting so instead it was decided to elect Mr Toby Ballantine (from Upper Helmdon) as chairman. Toby said during his inaugural address (which was timed at 2 hrs 43 mins) that he was both young and a husband so felt eminently qualified for his new role. History will be his judge.

On a serious note a vote of thanks was proposed to Mark Lovett for his chairmanship. Without Mark there would have been... well, no chairman. Mark has steered HYHO through the highs and hos of the last four years and has even managed to pause for one or two beers along the way. Toby has a tough act to follow.

In his finance report (or the Comprehensive Spending Review as he called it) Hon. Treas. Mr Nick Bullen reported that the HYHO Summer Ball 2010 had raised a phenomenal £7,000 for the village. The school has received £3,400, the Acorns £1,500, the Reading Room £500 as well as donations to the Guide Group, Friends of the Church, the Sports Club, Bridge Players, the Scout Group and the Tuesday Lunches. It was a fantastic effort from all concerned.

Nick also worked out that since the first barn dance in 1989 HYHO has raised over £33,000 for village groups - whilst having a fantastic time along the way!

The business concluded, members retired to the bar to sample Richard's delicious homemade curry and to enjoy a well earned drink. Here's to Mark and Toby and to the next four years of money making and rabble raising.

click for 2010 Summer Ball Picture Gallery

Report From Spring Talkbout - posted 21 May 2010

What is HyHo? Some of you may be asking yourselves – For those of you unaware of our organisation, we are a group of guys who live (or have lived in Helmdon) who meet up at the Bell every second Friday of the month for a beer!! It's that simple really.

If you live in the village, and you're interested in joining us, you don't have to be all that young, and you don't really need to be a husband. As long as you like a beer or two/three with the boys, and you'd like the opportunity to be a part of a group that gets involved and helps out with village activities and events, you're more than welcome.

HyHo has been in existence for 25 years and has around 40 – 50 members (no fee!) and many of the founder members continue to play an active role in the group. We are responsible for the organisation and staging of the two main bi-annual events of the village – the Helmdon Summer Ball (in association with Helmdon School) and the Barn Dance. Both of these highly popular events raise significant amounts of money for other village groups and organisations. Last year's Summer Ball raised approximately £6000, which means that the last three Balls have raised just under £20,000 in total for the School and the village generally.

As well as our regular monthly meetings, we have other events which are nothing more than further opportunities for nights out 'with the lads'. Last year we went to Towcester Races, and had a pub cycle-crawl. Other activities that have proved popular are curry nights, visits to The Comedy Store, Hook Norton brewery tour, karting.

If you would like to have a genuine opportunity for 'getting down the pub' on a regular basis, wed love to see you. We meet at 9.00 pm at the Bell every second Friday of the month and we'd love to meet more new members.

Mark Lovett
Chairman
Helmdon Young Husbands' Organisation

Summer Ball 2010 - posted 5 January, 25 April 2010

This has been arranged for Saturday July 10th. It will be in a marquee on the school field. Dress up for a fab evening out! Champagne reception, 3-course dinner. Dancing, 10-piece live band. Raffle & Charity Auction. Tickets, £55 - number limited (book a table or buy tickets individually). Black tie. Contact Mark Lovett, Paul Underwood or Becky Leitelmayer at Helmdon School.

Barn Dance 2009 - posted 18 April 2009

Barn Dance
A Great Evening For All Ages
Saturday 27th June
7.30 pm until midnight
Barnstones, Wappenham Road
The Woodpecker Band leads this year's Barn Dance.

Adults £10, Children £5, Family £25. Pig roast included.
In aid of village organisations
By kind permission of Rose Gulliver.
Contact: Paul Underwood or Simon Cherry

Appeal For Barn Dance Tombola/Raffle Prizes - 22nd May 2009

The HYHO Barn Dance is on Saturday 27th June
and we need prizes for our Tombola and Raffle
All money raised goes to Helmdon Village Groups – so please give generously.
If you can give a bottle or any other prize please leave it out after 6pm Tuesday 26th May (after the Bank Holiday).
We'll be round to collect it …

Thank you for your support!

Report from Autumn Talkabout - 11th November 2008

What is HyHo? some of you may be asking yourselves – for those of you unaware of our organisation, we are a group of guys who live (or have lived in Helmdon) who meet up at The Bell every second Friday of the month for a beer!! It's that simple really.

If you live in the village, and you're interested in joining us, you don't have to be all that young, and you don't really need to be a husband. As long as you like a beer or two/three with the boys, and you'd like the opportunity to be a part of a group that gets involved and helps out with village activities and events, you're more than welcome.

HyHo has been in existence for 25 years and has around 40 – 50 members (no fee!) and many of the founder members continue to play an active role in the group.

We are responsible for the organisation and staging of the two main bi-annual events of the village – the Helmdon Summer Ball (in association with HelmdonSchool) and the Barn Dance. Both of these highly popular events raise significant amounts of money for other village groups and organisations. This year's Summer Ball raised approximately £6,000, which means that the last three Balls have raised just under £20,000 in total for the School and the village generally.

As well as our regular monthly meetings, we have other events which are nothing more than further opportunities for nights out 'with the lads'. This year, we have been to Towcester Races, and had a pub cycle-crawl. Other activities that have proved popular are curry nights, visits to The Comedy Store, Hook Norton brewery tour, karting.

If you would like to have a genuine opportunity for 'getting down the pub' on a regular basis, we'd love to see you.

We meet at 9.00pm at The Bell every second Friday of the month, and we'd love to meet more new members.

Mark Lovett – Chairman

Hundreds packed in to Manor Farm.

HYHO Barndance 2007 - 7th July 2007

The HYHOs, legendary for staging the very best entertainment in the village, pulled it off once again with a superb summer barndance on Saturday 7th July 2007 at Manor Farm, Helmdon.

The event was sold out well in advance with over two hundred lucky party goers securing tickets. The event runs in alternate years with the equally prestigious HYHO Summer Ball, but the barndance is aimed more at family entertainment, with kids very much welcomed.

Incredibly the weather for the evening was superb; dry, sunny, and warm. This was on the back of the wettest June since records began. Although the event could continue in the rain it certainly made for a more convivial evening to be able to mill around outside.

A free flowing bar, tasty pig roast and barbecue, and silly dancing made up a memorable night of fun for the whole village.

Event organiser Mr Paul Underwood, and HYHO chair Mr Simon Cherry are to be credited for putting on such a great night. A large team of HYHOs do all the work themselves from manning the bar, cooking the food, running the Tombola and raffle and, of course, clearing up the site after the event.

The money raised from the evening, expected to be several thousand pounds, will be distributed to worthy causes in the village.

More photos in the 2007 Barndance Picture Gallery

HYHO Ladies' Night 2006 - 3rd March 2006

The 7th HYHO Ladies' Night took place on Friday 3rd March with a party of forty seven boarding a coach to a mystery venue.

The destination turned out to be the Old Dairy Farm Restaurant in Stowe, which had been booked exclusively for the HYHOs.

The venue was superb, just right for the occasion, and everyone was "dressed to the nines". Chief organiser, Ross Vicars, ensured that the whole evening went without a hitch and that everyone had an evening to remember.

As befits the occasion the audience were treated to a speech from HYHO chairman, Simon Cherry, whose monologue will surely be ranked with "I Have A Dream" and "The Gettysberg Address" as famous speeches of the last two hundred years - because that's how long it seemed to go on for!

A gift of a silver bookmark was given to all The Ladies, whilst the gents received a HYHO embroidered woolly hat for those cold walks down to the Bell.

The evening was a great success and a credit to all those involved in making it happen. It must have earned us each a monthly pass for the Bell mustn't it?

More photos in the 2006 ladies Night Picture Gallery

The 2004 Summer Ball was a wild night!

The 2006 HYHO Summer Ball - 3rd February 2006

Preparations are already underway for the staging of the 2006 HYHO Summer Ball, which will take place on Saturday 22nd July on the school field.

The event hopes to build on the phenomenal success of the 2004 Summer Ball, which was able to donate thousands to worthy village organisations.

For those hoping to participate tickets are expected to sell out extremely quickly, so make sure you get in quick when they go on sale!

If you absolutely can't wait for more details then why not download the menu, or the publicity poster, shortly to be appearing round the village.

Remember - the 22nd July - it's going to be a ball!

The crowd roared as the final black went in.

Snooker Loopy - 15th December 2005

By way of a special Christmas outing, seven HYHOs descended on the Q-Bar in Brackley for an evening of snooker, beer and curry on Thursday 15th December.

Taking over two tables, the group showed off their prowess with the cue, sometimes scoring as many as five or six fouls in a row!

Andrew "Six-Away" Rimmer tried his best to throw away the third frame, although the absence of a qualified referee or television replays meant that a drawn frame was finally agreed. John "The Baize" Plunkett narrowly missed a stunning 1-4-7 break by only 145 points, much to the large crowd's disappointment.

After deciding that no further improvement was possible on the snooker tables the group moved on to have a pleasant curry in the Jaypur before returning on the night bus back to Helmdon.

All in all a different, and very enjoyable night out.

The wee man had no chance as the HYHOs closed in on him.

HYHO On Tour - The Hook Norton Brewery Visit - 13th May 2005

Friday 13th might be unlucky for some, but for 16 intrepid HYHOs it was just the cue they needed to head off 16-up in a mini bus across Oxfordshire.

The destination was the Hook Norton Brewery in, yes you guessed it, Hook Norton. The trip was organised by Simon "Where's My Bike" Cherry and was unanimously voted the Trip of The Year to A Brewery on A Friday in North Oxfordshire.

The fun and frivolity commenced with a trip around the famous brewery, which started brewing in the 1850s, and there was an air of showing the poachers around the pheasant pen. If you need to know anything at all about Hook Norton ask any member of HYHO that was on the trip as all of them listened intently to the guide's presentation, pushing to the back of their minds the free beer tasting session to follow.

The attempt to "drink the place dry" only narrowly failed.

After a brief stroll through the brewery's museum the group collected together to sample the likes of "Hooky Dark - a dark chestnut – coloured ale, crammed full of roast malt flavours, and complimented with superb dry-hop aromas from East Kent Goldings" and "Haymaker - a strong pale ale of distinctive taste. Plenty of Goldings hops during the brewing give it a certain something extra – like sunshine dancing on the tongue". HYHOs + Free Beer = A Good Time Had By All!

The tour culminated with hot food, and more beer, at the Sun in Hook Norton. Everyone was remarkably staid throughout the evening and returned to Helmdon at midnight, well before closing time at our own hostelry!

It was a splendid evening, enjoyed by all, and congratulations go to our illustrious chairman for putting on such a fine event! For more about the brewery and their beers, why not visit www.hooky.co.uk.

HYHO AGM 2005 - 14th January 2005

The Annual General Meeting took place at HQ (The Bell) on Friday 14th January. Richard Phillips kindly laid on an all-you-could-eat curry for a small donation and a good time was had by all. It was so noisy that no one could actually hear the business being conducted but here are the highlights:

- Peter Fisher "retired" after an illustrious 3 year stretch as (pseudo) chairman. Talking over the reigns is Simon Cherry, who was Cherry-picked from a bunch of hopefuls (or, as rumour would have it, came in to the meeting late and didn't realise what he was saying "yes" to).
- The HYHO Summer Ball (see below) raised in excess of £5,000 to be spent on school/village projects.
- This year's event will be a barndance at Manor Farm on 9th July. There will also be a trip to the Hook Norton brewery as well as the regular second-Friday-of-the-month meetings at the Bell.

Peter said "A large pint shaped thank you to everybody who has made my many years as Chairman challenging, interesting and memorable. You could go so far as to say I enjoyed it all and thanks to you all for the help and support. My best wishes to Simon who I'm sure will take much pleasure in making a huge contribution to Young Husbands".

The full minutes of the meeting are available here (pdf 110KB).

Summer Ball 2004 - 17th July 2004

Dancing until 1:00 a.m. on the school field

The inaugural HYHO Summer Ball took place on Saturday 17th July 2004 in a marquee on the school field in the centre of the village.

200 partygoers got dressed up to the nines (and even tens in some cases) and partied the night away to the sounds of the Blue Meanies whilst raising money for village groups and organisations.

The event was a joint effort between HYHOs and the school and many thanks are due to the indefatigable Sue Blackburn whose energy and enthusiasm ensured the event was a success. If Sue was the ringmaster then the circus clowns were Peter Fisher, Alistair Ezzy, Gareth Dean and John Plunkett. They had the whole event organised well in advance (7:29 p.m. on the 17th) to ensure that 200 people were given an evening to remember.

Chris Gartside was the man-on-the-microphone who introduced the evening and acted as the auctioneer, raising a whopping £3,000 in the process. The glittering prizes included a box at the Proms, VIP days out at Silverstone, owning a race horse for the day, and a helicopter ride. One prize though was a pile of s**t - literally - 1 tonne of prime manure delivered direct to your door step for fifty quid. Or someone else's for a hundred!

The evening was a massive success and was a credit to everyone involved. Several thousand pounds were raised on the night and, after deducting the organising committee's "meeting expenses", it is hoped there will be £30 to £40 pounds left over as profit. (Seriously though, the final figure is yet to be announced but a healthy profit is expected). Many thanks to all those who attended.

click here for 2004 Summer Ball Picture Gallery

HyHo's Ladies Night At The Roade House

HYHO Ladies Night - November 15th 2002

Tradition has it that Ladies Night is a reward to the long suffering ladies in our lives that put up with us every other night of the year. Really, it's just another excuse for the men to get drunk and not have to worry about how late they get home!

60 Helmdon Young Husbands and partners enjoyed a wonderful evening of entertainment at the Roade House Hotel in Roade on Friday 15th November 2002.

The evening started with a champagne reception, followed by a 3-course banquet with coffee and liqueurs. For the first half of the evening each member sat with their respective partner, but after the main course had been served the men were asked to rotate to the next table along to sit with a different lady. This worked very well although it is unclear whether all the men made it back to their own partners before the end of the evening!

David Derbyshire delivered an hilarious after-dinner speech about the role of a HYHO"Country Member" - a member no longer living in the village - and he had the audience in absolute tears! The speech was followed by the Ladies Night Quiz, hosted by Paul Underwood and friends.

After returning to Helmdon, the party continued in to the wee small hours at the home of Chris and Lynn Gartside to round off a very enjoyable evening, an evening that showed that the HyHo's will be around for many, many more years to come!

click here for 2002 Ladies Night Picture Gallery

HYHO Charity Dance in a Barn 2002 - June 29th 2002

Robert Hokum & the Guvnors headlined a fun packed evening in a barn in Helmdon on June 29th 2002.

Tickets included a slap up barbecue (no Spam guarantee) and as much dancing as party goers could manage.

The money raised so far has topped £1,500 which will be shared out amongst the various groups and causes in the village.

Lets look forward to a repeat performance next year!

ADVANCE NOTICE - RESERVE THIS DATE NOW!!

Ladies Night has been arranged for Friday 15th November. This year it will not involve an overnight stay so those who missed out last time have no excuses this year!

The format will be similar to previous years - for new members Ladies Night is basically an opportunity for ourselves and our wives / partners to have a good time and hopefully to score brownie points in the process. As usual, one price will cover everything. Watch this space for more details.

Places are limited - you can reserve your places now by emailing myself or Robert Alfandary

Chris Gartside

HYHOs AGM - 8th March 2002

Thank you to everybody who attended the HyHo AGM on 8th March 2002 and thank you John for arranging it.

In summary the following points where agreed:
- we want the young husbands to continue
- nobody wants to act as the chairman, so its going to a drinkers co-operative. Power to the people brothers
- we would meet again on the 12th April at the Bell and we would meet regularly on the second Friday of each month
- Chris and Robert offered organise a Ladies Night
- no subs, only about 50% ever pay up, but thank you Nick for Dave Bridger's fine work as the treasurer
- the curry was very good
- I would let everybody know what's happening

Peter Fisher