Launton Lines Issue 270 April 2023

Around the villagein early spring

Left,thewinningteam, OwlStretchingTime,atthe TytheBarnQuiz-withthe WiseOwltrophyaftertheir narrowwinon16March-see reportonpage25.Fromleft, RodFine,EmmaFleur,John Stephens,BobbyClements, NikkiFine,PennyStephens PhotobyCeliaEvans

Right,fromthe MayDayFairin2022, theGypsyCobElsie beingfedatreatby Loesattheendofaride fortwohappy passengers.Elsiewillbe back,withthetrap,for theSpringFairatthe ParishHallfrom2pm on30April2023.

The front cover shows the celebration huddle for the Launton Under 10sTeam after winning the Knock Out Cup after playing a full match and extra time. See the match report on page 8, and the centre pages (22-23) for a photo spread. Cover designed by Matt Hill.

Photo by Matt Hill

 Right, The Easter Bunny leaping around at the Launton School Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday 26 March. See next month’sissue for a full report.

Photo from The Friends of Launton School

Photo by Matt Hill

The Editor writes …

It’sfeeling quite autumnal here in Cape Town - it’s10Cas I’m writing this. A great photo of daffodillsfrom Peter Cox on page 10, and news on pages 2, 20, and 44 of the Spring Fair at the Parish Hall, with Elsiethe pony offering trap rides, all make me long for spring days. The cover this month captures the tiredness, the relief, and the exhilaration of the Launton Under 10steam after they had won the Knockout Cup Final against DidcotCasuals Under 10s.There is a match report on page 8, and a photo spread on pages 22-23 put together by Matt Hill. We are approaching election time: in Launton we will choose the whole of the Parish Council and one of three CherwellDistrict Councillors on 4 May. And for the first time people will have to show photo ID in order to vote. The Parish Clerk has written a simple guide to what this means on pages 34-35: it seems to me like revving up a JCBin order to crack a filbert - one more inheritance from “Call Me Dave” Cameron.The Wise Owl Trophy at the TytheBarn Quiz was won by a previous winning team (pages 2 and 25). On pages 14-15 is a Q & A session with JenniWalker about The Village Coffee Shop - a really exciting idea that I want to visit. Please support our advertisers: they need you as much as we need them.

RobertCornford

Groupemail:village.help@launton-pc.gov.uk

PHONE Numbers: 9:30amto 5:00pm LauntonLines

Amonthlynewsletterfor Launton.Published aroundthe firstofeachmonth bytheLauntonCommunityCommunicationsGroup ©2023Launton Lines email:launtonlines@launton.org website:https://launton.org/launton-lines/ TheLauntonLinesCommittee2022-23

Chair:JonSpinage|Editors:RobertCornford,MattHill|ActingTreasurer:RobertCornford

AssociateEditor:KathyGilbert|Distribution:ShirleyJohnson|Advertising:JenniWalker

To book the Parish Hall

Contact:JoanPacker

Address|13OakClose,Bicester,OX263XD email|clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk

Phone|07305303889

Phone:07922042133

ParishHallCommittee:ChristineMassey; AudreyDeeley;LynneHarper;JoanPacker; SimonTurner;RobertCornford

LIGHTUPALIFE

Wouldyouliketosponsoranevening’sfloodlightingatStMary’sChurch inmemoryofalovedone,togivethanksforthebirthofachild, ortocelebrateabaptism,birthday,orwedding?

Aminimumdonationof£10issuggestedwhichcanbeGiftAided. PleasecontactJoanPackeron01869241694by20April2023

forentryintheMay2023issueofLauntonLines.

April 19 | In special memory of our precious mother Kathleen Salmon [born April 19th 1923, died July 2nd 2002] whose 100th birthday would have fallen on April 19th . With best love from her daughters and all the family MarionSowlerand AntheaStreeter

April 23| Sponsored by MaureenRoberts to celebrate the birthday of her father, JosephBaker

Launton Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 2 March 2023 at 7:30pmin Launton Parish Hall

CouncillorspresentMrAndrewBriant,MrsAbigailDowman,MrEd Sanders(ViceChairman),MrsLesleyThompson,MrSimonTurner (Chairman),MrsJaquelineWebber

ApologiesNone

InattendanceTheClerk,MrsJaneOlds;CllrAngusPatrick(CDC);3 membersofthepublic

EastWestRail

Norepresentativewasabletoattend.

AnadditionalfiveHGVmovementsaretakingplaceonweekdaysfrom Monday20FebruarytoFriday28AprilbetweentheA1Compoundand

thenewStationRoadbridge.AttheParishCouncil’srequest,EWRhas installedaSpeedIndicatorDeviceonBicesterRoadwhichwehopeis helpingtoreducethevehiclespeedsalongtheroad.

Wehopethatbythetimeyoureadthisreport,thepublicrightsofway aroundtheGrangeFarmareawillhavebeenre-opened.Thefootpaths nearertheTytheBarnhavealreadybeenre-opened.

Ifanyonehasanyqueries,pleasecontactEastWestRaildirectlyat publicinformation@ewralliance.co.ukorcallthe24hourhelplineat 03457114141.

ReportsfromDistrictandCountyCouncillors

CouncillorPatrickgavehisreport.

NoreporthadbeenreceivedfromCouncillorCorkin(OCC).

Elections

Theelectionswilltakeplaceon4May.

TheelectionsinLauntonwillbefor:

oneofthethreeDistrictCouncillorseats(currentlyAngusPatrick)

thewholeParishCouncil.

CDCwasstilllookingforPollingClerkstoworkinpollingstations-if youareinterestedinthispaidpositioncontacttheCherwellElections Teamorseetheirwebpagebelow:

www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/11/elections/665/working-on-elections

Ifyouhavemovedrecently,makesureyoudon’tloseyourrighttovote -there’sstilltimetoupdatetheElectoralRegister.

TheNoticeofElectionwaspublishedon27Marchandnominations fortheParishCouncilmustbesubmittedtotheElectionsTeamat CDC,byhand,betweenTuesday28MarchandTuesday4Aprilbetween 10amand4pm.

ThelatestbriefingwithallthedatesandtimesisontheParishCouncil websiteathttps://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/elections-2023/andincludes informationabouthowtoobtainnominationpapers.

ThequalificationstobecomeaParishCouncillorarealsoontheParish Councilwebsite.It’sgreattohaveabroadrangeofagesandexperience ontheCouncil(theminimumageis18)soifyouwouldbeinterestedin puttingyourselfforward,docontactoneofthecurrentCouncillorsorask JaneOldsformoredetails.

Finance

TheFinanceReportisavailableontheParishCouncilwebsite.

Planning

Allplanningapplications,whichincludethelinkstoCherwell’sPlanning Portal,areputontheParishCouncilwebsitewhentheyarereceived (www.launton-pc.gov.ukintheAgendaandMinutessection).

Ifanyvillagerhasconcernsorcommentsaboutaplanningapplication, theyarewelcometocomealongtoParishCouncilmeetingstobring themtotheattentionofthemeeting.Villagersarealsowelcometo contactCouncillorsortheClerktomakecomments.

GuidanceonhowtheParishCouncilisabletorespondisavailableonthe ParishCouncilwebsite:https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/planningapplications

ParishHall

TheArchitects,PCMSDesign,haveapproachedfivepotentialcontractors withapre-qualificationquestionnaireandarenowseeingquotationsfrom thecontractorswhoresponded.

Contractorshavemadesitevisitsandwearenowwaitingforthelikely coststoknowhowmuchwearegoingtoneedtofundraise.

VillageSpringClean

ThankyoutoallwhocametotheSpringCleanonSaturday11Marchwegreatlyappreciatethetimeandeffortputinandthankyouverymuch tothewonderfulWIfortheirdeliciousrefreshments-muchneededon suchacoldday.

DogBinProvision

TheCouncilwillbereviewingtheprovisionofthe11dogbinsinthe village.Wewillbelookingatwhichbinsarepopular,whicharelesswellused,aswellasthosewhichareprovingdifficulttoemptyandmightbe movedtobemoreuseful.

OCCTreePlanting

OxfordshireCountyCouncilhasbeengivenfundingforonetreeper Oxfordshireparishortown.

LauntonhasbeengivenanAmelanchierarborea(orcommonserviceberry)

'RobinHill'whichwillbeplantedbyOCConthehighwayvergein SycamoreRoad,halfwaybetweenthebenchandtheentrancetoThe

Willows.Ithasbeenconfirmedthatitisunlikelythatthetreerootswill interferewithanyundergroundutilities.

AdvanceNoticeoftheAnnualParishMeeting

TheVillageAnnualParishMeetingwillbeonThursday20Aprilat

7.30pmintheParishHall.Allorganisationsinvolvedinthevillagewillbe invitedtomakeashortreportandallvillagersarewelcometoattend.

Ifthereisanythingspecificyouwouldliketoaddtotheagenda,pleaselet JaneOldsknowbyTuesday11April.

Thisisagreatopportunitytohearaboutwhathashappenedinthevillage overthepastyearandtogetinvolvedwithnewprojectsandorganisations. Formoreinformation,contactJaneOldsatclerk@launton-pc.gov.uk

Agendaitemsanddatesofthenextmeetings

ThenextmeetingwillbeonThursday6AprilintheParishHall,starting at7.30pm.Ifyou’dliketochatwithaCouncillor,docomealongafter 7.15pm.

Wearetryingtoreduceourprintingandpaperuse,soifyouwouldlike hardcopiesoftheagendaoranyof themeetingpapers,pleaseletthe Clerkknowwellbeforethe meeting.

Theagendaandpaperswillbe availabletoviewviathedata projectorduringthemeeting.

Suggestionsforagendaitemsfor the11Maymeeting(postponed from4MaybecauseoftheCouncil elections)needtobewiththeClerk by27April,anditemsforthe1 Junemeetingby18May.

Ifyou’renotsigneduptoour mailinglisttoreceivenewsfrom theParishCouncil,youcanfinda signupformatthebottomleft handmenuoftheParishCouncil websiteatwww.launton-pc.gov.uk/

Windows

Conservatoryroofs

Soffitsandfascias

Guttering(cleanandclear)

Cladding

Internalglasspartitions

Signs

Solarpanels

Knock Out Cup Final – 4 March 2023

LauntonU10swelcomedDidcotCasualstothevillageforahighly anticipatedgamewithbothteamsatthetopoftheirgame.The anticipationbroughtlotsofnervesandexcitement,andthiswasjustfrom thespectators,parents,andcoaches.

Alloftheplayerstookthegameintheirstrideandthefirsthalfsaw Launtonscoringearlyandtakingthelead.However,thisleadwasshort livedasDidcotquicklybrokefromtheirhalf,findingtheequaliser.A lesserteamcouldhavehadtheirconfidenceknocked,butnotLaunton. Thiswasthespurthatwasneededtochangegearandpushevenharder. Thiswasrewardedwithagoalminuteslaterandafurtheronejustbefore thehalftimewhistle.

Halftime:Launton3–DidcotCasuals1

WithastrongstarttothesecondhalfLauntonmanagedtosqueeze anothergoalpasttheDidcotkeeper.ThissawLauntonwithastronglead of4-1.ButthissuccesswasshortlivedasDidcotCasualsarerenowned fortheirabilitytodigdeepandcomebackatteams,andthisisexactly whattheydid.Within15minutesthreemoregoalswereconcededby Launton.Afterafewchangesthefinalwhistlewasblownat4-4.

Ateamtalkofallteamtalkswasrequired,allthosenervesanddoubts wereturnedintoexcitementandpassion.Bothteamshadagoodfirst halfofextratimewhereeachteamcancelledtheeffortsoftheother,and nogoalswerescored.Thesecondhalfstartedwithbothsetsofcoaches thinkingthegamewasgoingtodreadedpenalties.However,Launton managedtobreakthroughtheDidcotdefenceandslippedtheballunder theirgoalie.Didcotthreweverythingtheyhadinthedyingminutes,but theLauntondefenceandgoaliestoodstrongdenyingthemthechanceto takethegametopenalties.

Finalscore:Launton5–DidcotCasuals4.

Whatafinal!Withbothteamsplayingbrilliantly,butLauntonmanaging tofindthatlittleextraallowingthemtoliftthewinningtrophyattheend oftheday.WelldoneLauntonamagnificentperformancefromall.

Thefrontcoverofthisissueshowstheteamhuddleattheendofthe matchastheyrealisetheyhavewon,andthecentrespreadonpages2223capturestheexcitementofthegame.

Recent deaths in the village

LauntonLinestriestorecordsignificanteventsinthevillage.Wetrytolistbirths, marriages,civilpartnerships,anddeathsaswegetinformation.Tohavealisting included,contactlauntonlines@launton.orgordropanoteinat36WestEnd. Thereisnochargeforsuchreporting.

MichaelGeorgeTams18January1942-2March2023

MichaelwasborninacottageatthebottomofWestEnd.Hisgrandparents GeorgeandHildaGibbardlivednextdoor.MichaelmovedtoSherwood Closeattheageofsevenwithhismotherandfather(LilianandJoseph)and sisterDoreen,andlivedthereuntilrecently,whenhewentintocare.

Launton Watercolour Group

TheWatercolourClasseswillrunonApril3,17and24inthe ParishHallfrom2pm.Thereisnoclasson10April,Easter Monday.DavidMeeksisthetutor.anddidthisplantstudy. Thecostis£8persession.

Ifyouwouldliketojointheclasses,pleaseemailthefollowing: Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com

Another welcome sign of spring: daffodillsin full bloom.

Photo by Peter Cox

LauntonVillagePlayers

Weareallverypleasedtobeabletotellyouthatwe raised£7,500.00forNai’sHousefromour2023pantomime

HickoryDickoryDock.Thisisamagnificentsum,nowdonatedtoNai’s House,averyworthwhile,andneeded,localcharitythatsupportsyoung peoplewiththeiremotionalandmentalhealthneeds.Manythanksifyou supportedusorhelpedinanyway;itwasanamazingweekandvery muchateamexperience.

Wearenowwindingupallthedifferentaspectsofthepantomimeand alsoplanningournextproductionatthemoment.

LauntonVillagePlayersWelcomeEveningonSunday16Aprilin TheParishHallat7pm.

Weareafriendlybunchandwelcomenewmembers,sodocomealong andfindoutmoreaboutoursummershow.Weonlyrequireenthusiasm! ItwillbeafuneveningwithachancetolearnmoreaboutLVP,meet someofus,enjoyalight-heartedquiz,hearsomeofourideasforthe SummerShow,singsomegroupsongs,aswellasenjoyasliceofcakeand ahotdrink.

OursummershowisComeRainorShine

ThiswillbeacelebrationofalltheaspectsoftheBritishweather-wedo lovetotalkaboutit!Theshowwillconsistofsinging,dancing,music, comedysketches,readingsandafewsurprises,andwillbeanopenair production.Let’shopethesunshinesandumbrellasarenotneeded!

ShowswillbeonSaturday15JulyandSunday16Julyat2.30pmoneach dayattheMayflowerGardenTheatreatHareLeysFarm,Launton (OX265AB).Ticketswillbe£10foradultsand£5forchildrenandall profitswillbedonatedtoUNICEFandtheBicesterFoodBank.Tickets areavailablefromwww.ticketsource.co.uk/lvpfromSunday30April.

Ifyouwouldliketogetintouchpleaseemailuson

info@launtonvillageplayers.org.ukordropusamessageviaourFacebook page.

TheLVPTeam

EnterourCoronationCelebrationexhibition(entryisfree)

WeareplanningadisplaytoshowtheKing’sinterestsintheChurchonSunday 7MayandMonday8Mayandinviteyoutojoinusbyentering,andhelpingus filltheChurchwithcolourandacelebratoryatmosphere.

SopleasejoinustomakeStMary’sChurchCoronationCelebrationaneventto remember,thereisstilltimetoenter,seepage24,astheclosingdateisnotuntil 21April.Wewelcomeentriesfromindividuals(adultsandchildren)orgroups andsocieties,andarereallylookingforwardtocelebratingKingCharlesIII’s CoronationinLauntonwiththecommunity.

Yourentry,whichwillbeondisplayintheChurch,couldbeaboutanyoneof

theKing’sinterestsandhehasmany,seethemindmaponpage24.Thereis nosetsizeordimensions.Yourentrycouldbeapainting,apoem,amodel,a photograph,flowersoranyideathatshowsorrepresentsoneofKingCharles’ interests.Wewouldlovetohaveasmanyentriesaspossible.More informationwillfollowonceyouhaveentered.

Sendyourentryto,orifyouneedmoreinformationaboutentries,orhaveany questions,pleasecontactusbyemail-events@stmaryslaunton.org.uk-or posttoStMary’sCoronationCelebration,Mayflower,HareLeysFarm, LauntonOX265AB

Come and Visit StMary’sChurch over the Coronation weekend

Wedohopeyouwilljoinusforacupofteaorcoffeeandcake,aswellas admiringalltheentrieswhichwillcelebrateKingCharles’Coronationandbe displayedintheChurchon7and8May.Therewillbean“AllWelcome FamilyService”at11amonSunday7May.

Many thanks and we look forward to seeing you!

TheStMary’sChurchCoronationCelebrationTeam

The Village Coffee Shop

We’veseenalotabouttheopeningofacoffeeshopinthevillage whichwillmeanthatwedon’thavetogetintoacarandgoto StrattonAudleyBarnortoSavoirFareinBicesterforagood cupofcoffee.Sowewentandtalkedtothefounder,JenWalker. Hereiswhatshetoldus.

TellusaboutTheVillageCoffeeShop? It’sbeen a long-held dream of mine to run a coffee shop, and after months of planning, prepping, compliance, courses and (quite frankly) nagging the Landlord, Kyle from The Launton Arms … we will be opening on Monday 3 April.

When do you open? We open on Monday 3 April at 9amand will be opening on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9amuntil 4pm, with increased opening hours if there is demand.

Whatfoodanddrinkswillyoubeoffering? We will be starting with a small selection of light breakfast; toast and jams and granolaand yoghurt with berries and light lunches of homemadesoups and ploughman's. One of the reasons for having a small menu, initially, is to be able to offer dairy free, vegan and gluten free option for each of the menu choices.

We will also have coffees, teas, hot chocolate, and cakes, with dairy-free and gluten-free options. We want to start small and get it right rather than having a huge menu right away.

TellusabouttheChat&NatterTable The Chat & Natter table is an initiative set up to combat loneliness and is organised by The Chatty Café Scheme. A Chat & Natter table creates a space for people to talk, whether for five minutes while you drink a brew, or an hour of good conversation. We’re not trying to build friendships - just simple interactions to combat loneliness and to just maybe have a big impact on someone’sday. The focus is on bringing people of all ages and from all walks of life together. One, or more of our tables will have a special Chat & Natter sign so if you are happy for company, choose that table.

WhatistheInvisibleCakeallabout? You buy a piece of ‘invisible’ cake and all the proceeds get donated to Bicester Food Bank - 0% fat for you - 100% to charity!

Whatelseareyouoffering? Many, many things …

To start with we’re offering a drop off and collection point for Refills By Beezthe local household zero waste refill company ...

Then there’sgood WiFifor people wanting to come and work from the coffee shop …

And a Book Bank where you can swop or take a book …

And a Loyalty Card for hot drinks …

And workshops where you can learn a new craft …

And a small retail space to support small businesses. We are all about supporting the community and local business. Wherever possible we have chosen local, fair-trade, sustainable, rainforest alliance certified suppliers including The Blue Texel, Refills

By Beez, Ma’amalady, The Cake House

…

Whatcoffees,teasandmilkswillyouhaveonyourmenu? We will be offering the standard coffee shop menu of Espresso, Latte, Cappuccino, and Americano, and Decafcoffees.There will be a selection of teas along with hot chocolate, and cold drinks. For milk we will have cows’ milk, and as alternatives oat milk and soya milk.

Doyouwelcomedogs? Yes - and their owners - as long as both are well behaved.

So,withtheCoffeeShopopeningduringtheday,doesthismean thatTheLauntonArmswillbeopenasapubintheevenings?

Yes. The Launton Arms, which is a separate entity to The Village Coffee Shop, will be reopening soon.

And,finally,doyouhaveamessageforLauntonLinesreaders?

This is a new venture for us and we won’tget everything right straight away, so please speak to us if you have any suggestions.

We’llseeyouatTheVillageCoffeeShop

LauntonWIMeetingMarch2023

Our March meeting was our AGM and marked our first full year of face-to-face meetings since Covid.

The past year has seen an interesting and varied programme including pasta-making, a visit to Preston Bissettnursery, talks on the homeless of Oxfordshire, women of Oxfordshire and the life and loves of the taxi driver poet.

Our committee for the coming year was elected, with GayeCornford remaining as President, HilaryBradshawas Secretary and Cathy Procopiouas Treasurer. HelenAris, Pat Court, ChrisMarsden, Sherie Parrot and EleanorShakespeare all remain as committee members.

Each month we meet for a walk and a lunch, mostly local, but we have also ventured to Thrupfor Annie’sCafe and a stroll along the canal.

Our 2023 - 24 programme is at print currently and includes more visits and talks for our meetings.

We meet on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pmin Launton Parish Hall. A first visit is free, then membership is paid annually.

April is our birthday meeting with a fish and chip supper on Thursday 13 April. If you would like to join us, please emailor phone to order your meal. Otherwise, pop along to our following meeting on 11 May when we will be considering the Resolutions for the national Annual Meeting.

We look forward to seeing you. Contact us either at our emailbox launtonwi@oxfordshirewi.co.uk or phone Hilaryon 01869 2419890

Dog Bin Provision in the Village

AsyouwillhavereadintheParishCouncilreport(seepage6),weare currentlyreviewingtheprovisionofdogbinsinthevillage.Thishasbeen promptedbythenumberoftimesbinshavebeenoverflowing,butalsoto makesurethatallthebinsareintherightplace.

TheCDCteambelievesthatacontributingfactortothefullbinsisthat theyarebeingusedbysometodeposittheirresidentialgardendogwasteofteninlargebags.Theselargebagsthen fillthebinsmakingthemunusableforthe dogwalkersofthevillagewhentheyare outandabout-aswellasmakingit difficultforthewasteoperatortoempty.

Wewouldbeverygratefulifvillagers couldusetheirowngreenhousehold rubbishbinsfortheirgeneralresidential dogwastesothatthebinsareavailablefor alltheregulardogwalkers.

News from StMary’sChurch Services and Events in April 2023

YouaremostwelcometojointheAprilServicesandEventslistedhere. All except 6 and 30 April are in StMary’s Services

2April8.00amBCPHolyCommunion

11.00amFamilyServiceforPalmSunday-allwelcome

6April7.30pmMaundayThursday-WatchatStPeter’s,Bucknell

7April2.00pmLastHourLedReflectionforGoodFriday

8April3.00pmInvitationtohearTheEasterStorywhile assemblingtheEasterGardenatStMary’s

9April11.00amHolyCommunionforEasterDay

16April11.00amMorningPrayer

23April11.00amHolyCommunion

30April6.00pmTeamEvensongatStPeter’s,Bucknell

PleasecheckontheFacebookpageforStMary’sChurchforthelatestinformation orcontactoneoftheChurchwardensatStMary’s JoanPacker j.packer779@btinternet.com01869241694 CeliaMandersonceliamanderson@aol.com01869571735

Please see the details of our planned Coronation Celebrations appearing throughout this issue of Launton Lines. It should be a great weekend in honour of such an historic event.

School Report: World Book Day 2023

This wasaveryexcitingdayforallofusatLauntonSchool.Wewere askedtochooseafavouritebooktobringtoschool.Someofusbrought morethanone.Wetalkedaboutourchosenbooktotheothersinour classandexplainedwhywehadchosenit.

WethinkthatthemostpopularwriterisDavidWalliamsastherewere manyofhisbooksbroughtintoschool.Herearethenamesofsomeof thebookswechosewiththenamesoftheauthorsaswell.

DragonRisingbyKatieandKevinTsang

TheBFGbyRoaldDahl

BunnyMonkeybyJamieSmart

TheDemonDentistbyDavidWalliams

Ourteacheraskedustomakeafingerpuppetofacharacterfromour chosenbookandweallenjoyedthattask.Oneofusspenttoolongon creatingthebackgroundinaboxandthentheydidnothaveenoughtime tofinishtheirpuppet.

Ourbooksandpuppetsweredisplayedinthehallforeveryoneinthe schooltosee.Someareonpage21,opposite.

IntheafternoonwewentintoForestGroupswithchildrenfrom differentclassesfromallovertheschool.Wereadinsmallgroupswhich wasfun.Itiscalledsharedreading.Workingwitholderandyounger childrenisdifferenttobeingwiththechildreninyourownclass.

Weenjoyedthedaybecausewelovereadingbooks.Wewillhavetowait foronedaylessthanayearforthenextWorldBookDayandweare alreadylookingforwardtoit.

Evan,Millie,SophiaandThomas,Year3LauntonSchool

2023

StMary’sChurch Coronation Celebration 7 and 8 May 2023

FREE TO ENTER

Entry closing date: Friday 21 April 2023

YourdisplaycanbebasedonKingCharlesIII’sinterests(seemindmapbelowforideas). It can include flowers, models, pictures, poems, toys etc. or simply be just one item.

Displays on show in StMary’sChurch on Sunday 7 May 12.30pmuntil 4.30pm and Monday 8 May 10.30amuntil 4.30pm

Please return this entry form to either of the following

Byemail:events@stmaryslaunton.org.uk

Bypost:StMary’sCoronationCelebration,Mayflower,HareLeysFarm,LauntonOX265AB

Phone: 07884 135 994

Contact name: ....................................................................................

Contact address: ...................................................................................

Postcode: Contact email: ......................................................................

Byfillinginthisentryformyouareagreeingtothefollowing:

Yourdetailsbeingheldforthedurationofthisevent

Officialphotostobetakenofyourdisplay

The4th Grand TytheBarnQuiz raises money

for FoLPHand StMary’sChurch

Afterabreakofthreeyears,theTytheBarnQuizreturnedonThursday16 March2023,threeyearsafterthe2020QuizhadtobepostponedforCovid.

SeventyfourpeoplegatheredintheBarntocompetefortheWiseOwl Trophy.ThequestionsweresetbyChrisFrost,assistedwiththeBarn’s technologyonthenightbyJonSpinage,whoalsokeptcountofthescores. Chris’questionswereafeatureoftheshow:oneparticipantsaid,“Questions coveredmanysubjectsandrangedfromthequitestraightforwardtothe,shall wesay,niche.Iwonderifanyteamwasabletorecognizethenamesofthe knightswhomurderedThomasaBecket?”(TheywereReginaldFitzUrse, WilliamdeTracy,RichardBritoandHughdeMorville).

Launton’sbakersshonewithfifteencakes-somanydonationsthatan informalsell-offraised£38.55towardsthefinalfunds.Ateammembersaid, “therewasmorethanenoughcaketofeednotonlytheattendeesonthe evening,butthewholeofLauntontoo.”

Inaverytightfinish,teamOwlStretchingTimebeatteamUnholyAlliance byasinglepointtoretaintheWise

Owltrophy:finalscoreswere95and 94outofapossible120.Page2hasa photoofthewinningteamwiththeir uniquetrophy.

Thetotalraisedwas£778.55:after somethank-youexpensestherewasa totalof£388.55paidouttoeachof TheFriendsofLauntonParishHall andtoStMary’sChurch.

Therewasnochargeforthevenue (manythankstoWillandEmma Deeley,andtheBarnstaff),andfor manythesettingwasahighpointof theevening.Onepersonsaidon leaving“It’sbeenagreatevening withalovelyatmosphere,andoverall agreatsuccess.”

A Vet’sVoice: A Corny Tale

Sidneyisanactive4yearoldWhippetwhohadbecomelameonhisleft frontlegoverthecovidlockdownof2020.Atthetimetherehadbeen somegritandasmallwoundinhistoepadwhichwasinvestigatedunder anaesthesiawiththeoffendingabnormaltissuecutaway.However,the problemdidn’tentirelyresolveandSidneyrepresentedtousanumberof timessubsequently.

WhateventuatedwasthatSidneyhaddevelopedanabnormalgrowthof tissueinhisfrontpadknownasa“corn”.Cornsarepainfultotouchand alsotowalkon,especiallyonhardgroundorgravel.Atraditional approachtothisproblemistocutthecornawaywhichwedidagain,and subsequentlyaspecialistdidthesame.Whilstthisapproachhasworkedin manydogsovertheyears,itisn’talwayssuccessfulandsadly,itdidn’t workforSidney.

Thetheoryisthatthecorncandevelop asaresultofabnormalpressuresonthe padwhenwalking,soinrecurrentcasesa modificationoftheanatomycanbe performedtochangethepointsof pressureonthepad.

SoinJanuarythisyearVetCliffMaw performedasuperficialdigitalflexor tenotomy.Thismeansthatheoperatedtofindthespecifictendonwhich causesflexionofthetoejointontheaffecteddigit.Hethencutasection outofthetendonsothatitnolongerhadtheabilitytoflexthattoe.

TheresultisthattheaffectedtoenowsitsalittledifferentlywhenSidney isstandingandsopressureistransferredtoanotherareaofthepad.The areaofthepadwiththecorn,whichnolongerhasthepressureitonce had,cannowstarttoresolveandintimewehopethatthecornwill“grow out”andfalloff.

I’mpleasedtoreportthatSidney’sownernotedaninstantimprovementin Sidney’slongtermlameness.Hecouldwalksoundlyverysoonafterthe

seethatthisparticulartoesits slightlydifferenttotheothers butthat’sasmallpricetopay forcuringhischronicallysore toe.

Enjoyyourpets, JasonWilliamsBicesterVets

operationand8weekslaterthecorn loosenedandcameawayfromthepad.If youlookhardatSidney’sfoot,youcan

Peaceofmindforpetowners...



CompassionateandCaringatalltimes



Longopeninghoursforyourconvenience

24houron-sitenursingcareasstandardforallourhospitalisedpatients



24hourEmergencyserviceprovidedbyourvetsatourpractice

Aservicethat'ssecondtononefromNorthOxfordshire'smostestablished, independent,specialitysmallanimalhospital.

TheVillageSpringCleaninAction

On 11 March, on a cold morning, villagers young and not-so-young set out from the Hall with litter-pickers for the Spring Clean then returned for tea and cakes.

Photos by Lesley Thompson and Jane Olds

Village Spring Clean

The weatherwaskindtousfortheannualLauntonlitterpickasthethreatof raindisappearedandweallstayeddry.

TheParishCouncilwouldliketothankthepeoplewhocamealongtohelp andahugethankyoutotheLauntonWIforthedeliciousteaandcakes.See photosonpage28,opposite.

Despitetherenotbeingquiteasmanyvolunteersaslastyear,alotofrubbish wascollected.Unfortunately,though,severalareasdidnotgetdone.These includedWestEnd,muchofStationRoad,TheGlades,BlenheimDriveand thenewLauntonMewsdevelopmentincludingBeechRoad.

Ifanyonewouldliketoborrowalitterpickerandhi-visjacketfromtheParish Counciltohelpwhentheyhavesomesparetime,pleasedogetintouchwith theClerk-07305303889-althoughsadly,wecan’tpromisecakeattheend ofyourpick.

LauntonParishCouncil

NewsfromthePlayingFieldandtheSportsandSocialClub

WehadheardthattherewereplansforeventsoverCoronationweekendonthe PlayingFields,soweaskedDaveBarrettfromtheLPFA/LSSCforinformation.

“We’venocurrentplansfortheCoronationweekendaswehavealong-standing 60thbirthdaybookingfortheHallon6May.Thepartybookingmeanswehaveto cleanupthefollowingmorning,andwehavearegularbookingontheMonday which,asyet,hasn’tcancelled.Sowecan’tputonanythingoverthelongweekend. However,weAREhavingafamilydayforthevillageonSaturday3June. Moredetailswillfollowbuttherewillbefunandgamesonthefield,raffle, tombola,foodvan,severalrealalesandlivemusicintheevening.

BeforethatwehaveanotherfamilybingonightonSaturday8April.Thiswas hugelypopularinDecemberandtherehavebeenalotofrequestsforarepeat.

WealsohaveQueenergyperformingonJuly15aftertheHummingbirdFete. TheyareanexcellentQueentributebandandticketswillbeonsalesoon.

WithmanynewresidentsinthevillagewekeepremindingpeoplethattheSports andSocialisNOTamembersclub,andhasn’tbeenformanyyears. It is

Drinkspricesarestillheldat2020levelswithwineandmostbeers at£3.50.WehavelargescreenTVsinthebar,andfeaturemajorsportingevents.

Finally,in2024wewillbecelebrating50yearsoftheClubhouse beingfullyopenandareplanningalotofeventsthroughouttheyear.”

DaveBarrett

open to all.

150YearsAgofromTheBicesterHeraldApril1873

11AprilPETTYSESSIONS.DrunkandDisorderlyatLauntonAnnSmith, anitinerantvendorofcaps,etc,anativeofLondon,wasbroughtupincustody,on remandfromthepreviousTuesday,chargedwithhavingbeendrunkandriotousat Launtonon31March.Thecasewassustainedbytheparishconstable,MrJohn Hazell,andPCStockford,whobothsawthewomaninastateofbeastly intoxication,andstatedthatontakingherintocustody,sherefusedtowalk,they wereobligedtoobtainacarttotakehertothelock-upatBicester.Thedefendant,a diminutivewomaninstature,withawoodenleg,saidshewasbredandbornin London,whereherfatherworkedforMessrs.Cubitt,thebuilders,foreightand twentyyears,asaplumberandglazier.Sheandthemanshelivedwithlosttheirlegs togetherinafactoryinBristol.Shewasnotdrunkonthedayinquestion.Themud wassothickthatshekeptstickingandcouldnotgetalong.Indefaultofpayingfine andcosts12s,theprisonerwascommittedtogaolforsevendays,havingbeen confinedintheBicesterlock-upsinceApril1.Itwasstatedsheandthemanshe wastravellingwithhadbeenconvictedatBicesterinthenameofPenworden.

LAUNTONREADINGROOMistobeclosedforthesummermonthsafter Saturdaynext,April12.

18AprilACRICKETCLUBatLauntonisorganised.

2023

Whichhymn(s)wouldyoulikefortheCoronationServiceonSunday 7May?(we’lldoourbestbutcan’tguaranteetoincludethemall)

PleasereturnyoursuggestionstoCeliaManderson: email:celiamanderson@aol.com post/dropoff:TheLodge,8WestEnd,LauntonOX265DB

ThePublicRightofWay(alias footpath)fromStationRoadto thenewfootbridgeacrossthe railway-line-to-bewasofficially openedthismonthafterOCC agreement.Theaccessfrom StationRoadhasnowfloodedfor thefourthtimethisyear.

Thepre-early-April-showers haveprovidedawelcometo Wellington-shodwalkersatall times.

Launton Footpath News

AsreportedelsewherethelastfewpathsclosedbecauseoftheEastWest railworksarenowpassablewithchangedroutes.ThepathfromStation Roadtothenewfootbridgeiscompletelynewwherenorightofway existedpreviously.Theentrancetothispathisabout100yardsbeyond thevillageboundaryandbeyondanypavement,careshouldbetaken whentryingusethispathasthereisnoalternativebuttowalkinthe road.Thealternativeaccesstothe footbridgeisviaapathbythe playgroundattheendofYewTree road.Thepictureshowsthenew entrancewhichissomewhatproneto floodingmainlybecausetheditches ontheothersideofStationRoadare blocked.

Northofthebridgegapshavebeen madeinthesecondaryfencingsoitisnotnecessarytowalkinthefieldto accessthepathsthatstretchawayfromtherailwaytothenorth.There arepostswithwaymarkerstoindicatewherethesepathsrun.

Asyetwehavenotreceivedformalnotificationthatworkiscomplete andthatOCCarehappywiththemsoitmaybethatEWRhavesome finaldetailstofinishoff.

Atreethatwaspartiallyblockingapathneartheallotmentsroundabout hasbeenclearedatourrequest.Thiswasdoneaweekafterwerequested itwhichisagoodresponsetimeforthiskindofjob.

WewillbeattendingaFootpathWardentrainingdayshortlywhichwill giveusanopportunitylearnmoreaboutthemanylegaldetails surroundingpublicrightsofway,landowner’sobligations,permissive pathsandothermysteriesconcerningpublicaccesstothecountryside.

Ourmaintaskinthecomingmonthwillbetowalkthepathsnorthof thefootbridgewhichhaveseenlittleuseoverthelastcoupleofyearsto checkonbramblegrowth,signageandanyotherrepairswhichmaybe necessary.Anybodywhowouldliketohelpwiththisismorethan welcometojoinus,justcontactlesley.thompson@launton-pc.gov.uk

The8thAnnualGeneralMeetingoftheFriendsofIslandPondWoodLtd washeldon16March2023inLauntonParishHallat7:30pm.Aslastyear, therewasanexcellentturnoutofmembers,with20peopleattending.

RobDowman,FIPWLtdChair,presentedhighlightsfromthe2022-23 AnnualReport,whichhadbeenanextremelybusyyearinthewoodland. Robtalkedthroughmanyofthegrantapplicationsandprojects,including: thenewInformationBoard,creationoftheQuietArea,newfootpaths, coppicingwork,educationboards,andnewbenches.Healsosharedproject plansfor2023-24-anewdisabilitygate,replacementpondbench;then wentthroughrecentchangestoBoardpositionsandcommitteemembers. RichardPeverell,FIPWFishingBailiff,providedawrittenreportreadout tothemeeting.Richardreportedthat18villagershadFishingPermits,that thepondwasingoodorderandwellstocked,withCarp,Tench,Roachand Perch.Ifothervillagerswouldliketofish,applytoRichardforapermit.

ChloeBradford,FIPWLtdFriendsandFamilyCommitteeChair,provided feedbackonthemanyworksessions(14intotal)andverysuccessfulevents (3)thathadtakenplaceduringtheyear.Chloealsoprovidedinformation onthevariousworksessions,projectsandeventsplannedfor2023-24. DetailsofthesewillbehighlightedinLauntonLinesandFacebookoverthe year.Wehad112membersin2022-23andit’snowtimeformembership renewalfor2023-24,andthemembershipfeewouldremainat£10for 2023-24.TherewastheopportunitytopaymembershipfeesattheAGM bycard.Itwasagreedatthemeetingthatmembershipcardswouldno longerbeproducedtosavecost.

LizTurvey,FIPWLtdTreasurer,highlightedincomeandexpenditurefor 2022-23.Asmanybigprojectshadgoneaheadovertheyear,expenditure washigherthaninrecentyears(especiallyduringCovid),butthefinances forthewoodlandremainedinaveryhealthystate.Thankswereofferedto EWR,TOEandLauntonParishCouncilfortheirgenerousgrants.

Therewasanopportunityforquestions,buttheonly responsewasavoteofthanksproposedbyLesley ThompsonforthecontinuedhardworkoftheFIPWteam. ThenextFriendsofIslandPondWoodLtdAGMwillbe on14March2024at7:30pminLauntonParishHall.

VoterIDrequirementforelections

Fromtheelectionson4May2023,votersinEnglandwillneedtoshow photoIDtovoteatpollingstationsinsomeelections.

Thiswillapplyto:

Localelections

PoliceandCrime Commissionerelections

UKparliamentarybyelections

AcceptedformsofphotoIDinclude:

apassport;

aUKdrivinglicence;

Recallpetitions

abluedisabledperson’sbadge; anolderperson’sbuspass.

Howeverthesedon’thavetobecurrent-aslongasthephotographstill lookslikeyou.

WEARENOWBICESTER’SLONGEST-ESTABLISHED INDEPENDENTFAMILY-OWNED&RUNFUNERALDIRECTORS

BICESTER’SONLYINDEPENDENTFAMILYFUNERALDIRECTOR

Acaringtraditional24hourservice

ProvidedbyMrHancockandhisteampersonally

LauntonLinesApril2023|Page34

Commission’swebsiteathttps://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-ama/voter/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id

Ifyoudon’thaveanyformofphotoID,thenyoucan applyforafreevoterIDdocument,whichisknown asa“VoterAuthorityCertificate”viatheGovernment’swebsiteathttps://www.gov.uk/apply-forphoto-id-voter-authority-certificate.

Ifyoudon’thaveaccesstotheinternet,theClerkhas someprintedcopiesoftheformwhichshewillbe happytodeliver-justcalltheParishCouncilmobilenumber07305303889. Thedeadlineforapplyingforthe‘VAC’is25April.

ThereisalsoaspecialElectoralCommissionhelpline:08003280280

Postalvotesarenotaffectedbythisrequirement,butifyouwouldlikea postalvoteyouneedtohaveregisteredbyTuesday18April.TheClerkalso hascopiesoftheformtoapplyforapostalvote.

Wearelookingforenergetic,hardworkingbarstaff tojoinourteamforthebusyeventseason.

Tytheisastunningeventsvenueonlyavailableonanexclusivehirebasis, locatedatManorFarmandwithinwalkingdistanceofLauntonvillage.

Weareafamily-ownedbusinessandhavecreatedavenuewhichembodiesour highstandardsforattentiontodetailanddesireforqualityandprofessionalism. Wewantallouremployeestofeelpartoftheteamandtobepartofthefamily.

Responsibilities:

Asamemberoftheteam,youwillberequiredtoupholdthehighstandardsof thevenuebydemonstratingexcellentcustomerserviceskills,attentiontodetail, agoodworkethic,andalwaysworkingto100%ofyourability.

We’relookingforpeoplewhoareproactiveintheirdutiesandcantake ownershipintheirwork.

Youwillproducedeliciousdrinkstospecification,andbetrainedwithour point-of-salesystemandourPDQmachines.

Previousexperienceispreferred,butdrivencandidateswiththewillingnessto learnwillbeprovidedwithallnecessarytrainingtothrive.

Schedule:DayShifts | NightShifts | WeekendShifts

Benefitsinclude:Flexitimeworking | Freeon-siteparking

Contact:LukeNobes-BarManager01869321442luke@thetythebarn.co.uk

Doublerainbowsarenotcommon,andofferdoublethechanceoffindingtreasurebutinLauntontherewillbepotholesattheendofbothbows.

ThisphotowastakenbyIanJonesandsumsupthespringweather we’vebeenenjoying.

The Heart of Mothering : Baby Wellness offers a range of parent and baby wellness classes from pregnancy to toddlerhood.

Coursesavailableincludebabymassage,baby yoga,tummytime,developmentalplay,antenatal mothers’circle,andamonthlydad’sworkshop.

Classes are kept small and 100% baby led, with a focus on BOTH Mum/Parent and Baby. TheseclassesaretaughtattheBicesterEast CommunityCentrebyMetasha,afully-qualified andinsuredbabywellnesspractitioner,and mumof7.

Launton Historical Society - March 2023

DrChristopherYoungspoketousinFebruaryaboutthememorialsinSt Edburg’schurchinBicester-ChurcheshaveMemories.Christopherwasina cheerfulmoodfortheevening:helikesthemonumentsandmemorials becausetheytellusaboutpeople,acrosstheages.Heconfessedto studyingthemduringsomesermons.Thememorialstakemanydifferent forms-brasses,monuments,wood…over100types.Andthereare fashionsandstylechanges-inthe16thand17thCenturies,brasseswere popularandtheyenjoyedarenaissanceinthelate19thcenturyuptothe presentday.

Stonememorialshavehadasteadypopularityovertheyears.Themost recentstonememorialintheChurchisforthelastoftheCokerfamily livinginBicesterHouse.Abeautifulsculpture,it’sbythechancelarch, butit’shardtoseeasitissolowdown.Therearemanymemorialstothe Cokers,withcleanerlinesinmorerecenttimes.Stainedglassmemorial windowshaven’tbeenlonglasting-themediaevalwindowsdepartedin 1745whenlightningstruckandblewthemout.

Peoplewerestillbeingburiedinthechurchinthe1830s.SarahKendall hadawoodenmemorialdated11July1803:shewasburiedunderapew whichsays‘Underthisseatlieththebody…’Inthe1850s,BurialActs bannedburialsinthechurch.

Therewasawholesalerestorationofthechurchin1862andsome memorialsdidnotsurvive.ThememorialtoSirEdwardTurner,of Ambrosden,andhiswifeCassandra,didsurvive-thePageTurnerfamily werestillaroundtocheck-butwasmovedtothevestry.Cassandrawas posh,soherancestryfeaturedonthememorial.

Theideaofmemorialsgoesbackalongway-thetombstoneofaRoman soldierwasexcavatedattheAlchesterfort.TheChurchwasusedto rememberpeopleinthesamewayascemeteriesdonow.Some memorialsarelinkedtogiftstotheChurch.Awealthofinformation indicatestheimportanceoftheperson.

Skullsandcherubsarepopularfeaturesofdesigns,somerathergrandiose. SirThomasGrantham,fromBicester,wasintheKing’s service - Charles IIand JamesII.His heirs put up a grand monument in Latin, a skull

with wings, made by a Flemish sculptor. On other memorials, a flaming torch (an old school sign) was shown upside down to indicate the death of the person.

In more recent years, the trend has been for people to donate useful things in memory of their loved ones, rather than wall memorials. Not so dramatic, but much welcomed.

The talk about memorials had a touch of fond humour - thank you Christopher.

Our March meeting (over by the time you read this) is Can Onions Cure Earache? when MelanieKing will tell us about medicinal remedies in the 1700s.After that, in April, we’llhear Cotswold Cornucopia with SeanCalleryas our speaker. All are welcome, especially if you are new to the village and want to find out more about your new home.

We meet at 7.30pmin the Parish Hall on the last Thursday of the month. Tea, coffee and wine can be had, if you fancy them.

Gwen Skinner

Memories of an ex-Launton Boy

Thismonththeex-LauntonBoystartsrecountingaregimentalboxingtournament heattendedearlierinMarchforwhichhedressedformally.Thisleadshimtomuse onthedeclinein“proper”dress,toremembertherulesthatheandbrotherCliff werebroughtuptointhe1950s.Thenherecallswomen’sdressandstyleinthe sameperiod-andsotoFlossieBarrattwhowas“asoldasMethuselah”but alwaysdresseduptothenines.Inourmemorieswecanreturntoabettertime!

OnTuesday7MarchthisyearIhadtheprivilegeofattendinganinterregimentalboxingtournament,withtheboxersbeingmainlyserving membersoftheCorpsofRoyalEngineers.Itwasconductedinthe mostspectacularandprofessionalstyle,therebeingatotaloftwelve boutsofthreebytwominuterounds.Itreallywasquiteashowandthe boxersgaveit110%.

Imentionthisbecausebywayofcontrast,bythatImean,whatsome ontheonehandmightcallabrutalsport(despitetheQueensbury

Rules),ontheotherhand,theaudienceofmostly,thoughnot exclusively,militarypersonnelweredressedintheirverybestattire.

Thejuniorrankswereintheirbestparadedresswhilstthesenior NCO’sandCommissionedOfficersweredressedintheirbestMess dressofredtunicsandblacktrouserswithredseamstripes.Alongwith mydozenhand-pickedveteransIwasattiredindinnersuitandblack bowtie.VIPguestsweresimilarlyattired,apartfromourToryMP whoseshoesIswearhaveneverbeenintroducedtoshoepolish.

ItisnotoftenIhaveoccasiontowearadinnersuit,butwhenthe opportunityarises,itisquitenicetodressup.Indeed,Iendeavourto perpetuatethewaysinwhichIwasraisedasaboyinLauntonbackin the1950’sand60’sinthat,onSundayswhenwithmywifeJulieI attendchurch,Isporttrouserswithrazor-sharpcreases,shirtcollarand tieandasportsjacketorblazer.Myshoesarehighlypolished;asfaras ourparentswereconcerneditwouldneverhavedoneformeormy brother,Cliff,toventureoutonaSundaywearingunpolishedshoes.

AndthenIlookbacktothosedayswhenwomeninLauntonwould notgooutofthehousetodoshoppingwithoutfirstmakingsurethey lookedpresentablebybrushingorcombingtheirhairandputtingona touchofrougetotheircheeksandadaboflipsticktoaccentuatethe beautyoftheirsmiles.

Backinthe1950’s/60’ssummers,duringthespeedwayseasonwhen coach-loadsofsupporterswouldturnupatSandyLaneinCowley, Oxford,thehomeoftheOxfordCheetahs,whereasthespeedway bikesbroadsidedroundthetrackbendsinfullthrottlewithshaleand dustflyingeverywhere,mostofthewomensupporters,mymum included,wouldreallymakeanefforttobesmartlyturnedout.Faces madeup,hairbeautifullycoiffuredoftenwearingeitherasilkor chiffonscarfandsmellingdeliciouswiththeirgorgeousperfume.Even asatenyearoldboyinshorttrousers,apartfromeagerlylooking forwardeachweektothenexttremendousspeedwayevent,Ijustas muchlookedforwardtosittingclose-totosomeoftheyoungwomen onthecoachanddrinkingintheirbeauty.VeryearlyonIunderstood whatMauriceChevaliermeantinthatfamoussong,‘ThankHeaven’.

I’mnotsurewhyorhowthingstookaturnasfaraspersonalprideand careseemedalmostovernighttodisappearoutofthewindow.Walk throughanyHighStreetthesedaysandwhenyouactuallymanageto seemenwearingasuit,theymoreoftenthannotlookasiftheyhave sleptinit,whereinsteadofthetrousershavingrazor-sharpcreases, theyaresimplyallcreasedupandtheshoeslookasiftheyhavenever seenabrush,neveranypolish.

Iknowmoneyistightformanyatthemoment,butthis‘couldn’tcare lesshowIlook’phenomenonhadmadeits’presenceknownlong beforethebankingcrisisof2010,sowhat’stheexcuseorreason?

WhenIwalkthroughChathamorGillinghamHighStreetsthesedays, insteadofthebeautifullyintoxicatingwhiffofperfumewhenwomen passby,Igetastrongscentofstale,notproperlydriedandairedor ironedclothing,orstalecigarettesmokeorjustplainunwashedbody sweat,lookinglikebagsofpotatoestied-upinthemiddle.

InowfinditembarrassingwhenIwalkintoacafetobetoldbythe womanbehindthecounterthatIlookexceptionallysmart,asifIwere abitofanoddballintoday’ssociety.

IwillneverforgetoldFlossieBarrattwholivedinoneofSharpe’s CottagesinStationRoad,Launton,beforetheyweremodernised.She wasasoldasMethuselahwithawrinkledandlinedfacelikearoadmap ofBritain,butwhensheturnedup(mostnightsoftheweek)foran eveningattheBulltotakeupherusualstoolatthecornerofthebar, shewouldbedresseduptothenineslookingverysmartindeedwith herfacialmake-uponandwearingadelightfulperfume.Shewasone heckofacharacterandsheusedtoreallymakeaneffortthatwouldput manyoftoday’speopletoshame.

Allthatsaid,therearesomeindividuals,notsoveryyoung,whohave aninclinationtogooverthetopsomewhatwhenitcomestoapplying make-upinanunsuccessfulattempttolookmaybethirtyyearsorso

youngerthantheiractualage.ItputsoneinmindofBetteDavisinthe film‘WhateverHappenedtoBabyJane’.

AmIbeingcruelandunkind?Idon’tmeantobe,it’sjustthatIdovery muchmissthaterawhenpeoplemadeaneffortovertheirpersonal

appearance,bothmaleandfemale.

Iwasverysaddenedtoreadinlastmonth’spublicationoftherecent deathsofpeoplewhomIwellrememberfrommychildhoodandyouth inLauntonandinparticularBarbaraJeffries(neeJeacock)ofthe ‘Razzle’JeacockfamilytowhomIwasdistantlyrelated.Irememberas ayounglad,althoughIdonotrecalltheoccasion,whenmymumand dadrolledbackthecarpetinthefrontroomforthepurposeofdancing andBarbarawasthere.Ibelieveatthetimeshewaspregnantwith Peter.Shewasalwaysagood-timegirlwithagreatsenseofhumour.I believeIlasttimeIsawhertospeaktowasattheLauntonFetebefore lock-down.Alarger-than-lifecharacterinthevillage,Iamsureshewill besorelymissedbymany.Ioffermysomewhatbelatedcondolencesto thefamily.

AndthentherewasMrs.CannonwhomIthoughtwouldgoon forever.Shewasanotherofthestalwartsofthevillage,whomIamsure willbeverymuchmissed,notonlybyShirleyand‘Pop’.

Isendmycondolencestoallwhohavebeenrecentlybereavedinthe village.Mayyourdepartedloved-onesrestinpeaceandriseinglory. WhenIlookback,therearesoverymanypeoplefromthevillageI knewthroughoutmychildhoodandmyyouthwhoarenolongerwith us,manyofwhomIrememberfondlyandsomeofwhomnotquiteso butwhoneverthelesslivedandmadethevillagewhatitoncewasall thoseyearsago.IfIdwellonitfortoolong,Ifindmyselfgettingrather depressedandhankeringsomewhatforthepast.Sometimessomuch sothatIoftenfindmyselftryingtoreachbacktothosedaysin repetitivedreamsIhaveatnight.LikesomanyofusIamsure,Iwould liketogobackandinsodoing,thereismuchIwoulddodifferently withhindsight.Lifeisfullofcross-roadsweconstantlyencounterand ineachandeverycase,wecanchoosetoturnleftorrightorgostraight ahead,butwecannevergoback,otherthanofcourse,nostalgicallyin ourthoughtsandmemories.

KeephealthyandstaySAFE!

TonyJeacockMInstRE|Theex-LauntonBoy|April2023

Diary Dates: April 2023

Inthecurrentsituation,itisdifficulttobespecificaboutvillageevents.Listedarethosewe knowareplanned-butcheckwithorganisersnearerthedateifyouplantoattend.

APRIL 2023

Saturday1DidyouremembertoputyourclocksforwardlastSunday?

Sunday2StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion(BCP),8am;FamilyServiceFORPalmSunday, 11am|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday3WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm

Tuesday4RubbishCollection:garbagebin|NoCommunityCafétodayasSchoolholiday|

Thursday6ParishCouncilMeeting,PublicSession7.15pm,CouncilMeeting7.30pm,ParishHall |StPeter'sChurchBucknell,MaundayThursday-Watch,7,30pm

Friday7GoodFriday|StMary'sChurch,LastHourLedReflectionforGoodFriday,2pm

Saturday8EasterSaturday|StMary'sChurch,HeartheEasterStorywhileassemblingthe EasterGarden,3.00pm|FamilyBingoatTheSportsandSocialHall,from7.30pm

Sunday9EasterSunday|StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunionforEasterDay,11am| WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday10EasterMonday|NoWatercolourArtClasstoday

Tuesday11RubbishCollection:recyclingandgardenbins|NoCommunityCafétodayas Schoolholiday|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Wednesday12Over60sClubMeeting,EasterLunch,SportsandSocialHall,startsat12.30pmwith baropen,endsabout3.30pm.

Thursday13WIMeeting:OurBirthdayCelebration,ParishHall,7.30pm

Friday14SCOTSMeeting,TheBull,from5.30pm

Sunday16StMary'sChurch,MorningPrayer,11am|LauntonVillagePlayersWelcome Eveningfor2023SummerShow,ParishHall,7pm|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday17BacktoSchool,SummerTermstarts|WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm

Tuesday18RubbishCollection:garbagebin|CommunityCafé,ParishHall:9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Thursday20

FINALDATEFORCOPYFORTHEMAY2023ISSUEOFLAUNTONLINES: SUBMITTOlauntonlines@launton.org

Friday21FunCharityQuizNightinaidofStandUptoCancer,SportsandSocialHall,7.30pm

Sunday23StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion,11am|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday24WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm

Tuesday25RubbishCollection:recyclingandgardenbins|CommunityCafé,ParishHall:9am11am;2.30pm-4.30pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Wednesday26Over60sClubMeeting,SportsandSocialHall,startsat1.45pm,endsabout3.30pm

Thursday27LauntonHistoricalSociety,SeanGalleryonACotswoldCornucopia,ParishHall, 7.30pm

Sunday30SpringFairatTheParishHallwithPonyandTraprides,2pm|TeamEvensongat StPeter'sBucknell,6pm|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm|Ticketsgoonsale fortheVillagePlayersSummerShowfromwww.ticketsource.co.uk/lvp

RaisingFundsforLauntonSchool