Launton Lines Issue 266 December 2022

Remembrance Day in Launton

About a hundred villagers and a group of Year 6 children from the school (see page 36) gathered at the war memorial on Bicester Road on 11 November (top photo) for the two-minute silence at 11am, and a short service lead by Colin Cockshaw, a LicencedLay Reader (middle photo, with John Stephenswho read “They shall not grow old”). There was a fine display of medals (bottom right) on veteran GarethJonesfrom Blenheim Drive.

The front cover shows ChrisClark(Launton FCChairman

Bedding) fixing a poppy arm band to AlfiePickeringbefore

Cover designed by Matt Hill. Photo by

and joint U10sCoach with Paul

the U10sgame.

Matt Hill

monarch-ithascertainlybeenaninterestingyear. Thefrontcovercombinestwothemes-RemembranceandPoppyDay,and footballandtheWorldCup.ManythankstoMattHillforthephotothat seamlesslycombinesthetwo. WearebeginningtoseetheendoftheimpactofEastWestRailonthevillage: astheymoveoutoftheircompoundswereportthedonationof90tonnesof crushedstonetotheIslandPondWood(page33)forbuildingafullaccess pathroundthesite.AndfollowingthethemeofRemembranceDaythereisa reportfromsomeYear6pupils(page36)ontheirinvolvement,andphotos onpage2,opposite.TheVillagePlayersgiveatimetablefortheirCarol Singingroundthevillageonpage10,andmoreabouttheCommunityChoir ChristmasConcertonpages22andthebackcover:ticketsareonsaleat TheBullandCostcutter.Wemarkthe100thBirthdayofDavidSquireon pages12-13,haveabriefoverviewoftheCherwellLocalPlanonpage21, andareportfromMPVictoriaPrentisonpages37-38. Pleasesupportouradvertisers:theyneedyouasmuchasweneedthem. RobertCornford

LauntonParishCouncilMeetingheldon

Thursday10November2022at7:30pmin

LauntonSchoolHall

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

ApologiesNone

InattendanceTheClerk,MrsJaneOlds;1representativefromLaunton CommunityCommunicationsGroup(alsoattendingasLaunton TransportRepresentative);4membersofthepublic

CouncillorResignation

ThereisstilltimetohelpthecommunitybyjoiningtheParishCouncil.If youareinterestedinputtingyourselfforwardforco-option,pleaseseethe BecomingaCouncillorpageoftheParishCouncilwebsiteat https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/becoming-a-councillor/orhaveachat withoneofthecurrentCouncillors

EastWestRail

MrSinghwas not able to attend the meeting, but sent a written report. The HGVmovements between the A1and A2compounds would be finished by Friday 18 November. If anyone had any queries, please get in contact directly at publicinformation@ewralliance.co.ukor call the 24 hour helplineon 03457 11 41 41.

ReportsfromDistrictandCountyCouncillors

TheDistrictCouncillorssentawrittenreport. NoreporthadbeenreceivedfromCouncillorCorkin(OCC).

CommunityGovernanceReview

CherwellDistrictCouncilhasundertakenaCommunityGovernance ReviewinorderthattheWretchwickWaydevelopmentisnotincluded withintheLauntonparish. ThereviewhasalsomeantthatthenextscheduledParishCouncil electionswillbeon4May2023.Pleasestartthinkingnowaboutwhether youmaybeabletojointheCouncilandmakeadifferenceinyour community.

EmergencyPlan

Thankyoutoallthosewhohavevolunteeredintheeventofan emergency.TheEmergencyPlanwasagreedatthemeetingandwillbe publishedshortly.

Finance

TheFinanceReportisavailableontheParishCouncilwebsite. LauntonLinesGrant

TheParishCouncilwaspleasedtobeabletoensurethatLauntonLines willcontinuedespitetheincreasingpublicationcosts.Agrantof£170a month(or26ppercopypermonthfromtheParishCouncil)willbe awardedfromAprilnextyear.

Planning

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

Ifanyvillagerhasconcernsorcommentsaboutaplanningapplication, theyarewelcometocomealongtoParishCouncilmeetingstobringthem totheattentionofthemeeting.Villagersarealsowelcometocontact CouncillorsortheClerktomakecomments.

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

ParishHall

TheWorkingGroupisnowgettingintothefinerdetailoftheprojectand hasbeenliaisingwiththearchitectoveranumberofpoints.Costingsfor theprojectwerecurrentlyawaited.

Aseparategrantgroupisinvestigatingallsourcesofexternalfunding.

FloodWardenScheme

TheParishCouncilhasbeeninvitedtotakepartinatrialscheme.This willfocus,particularly,ontheareaofthevillagearoundStationRoad whichsometimesfloods.Ifyouwouldliketogetinvolved,pleasegetin touchwiththeClerk(clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk).

SpeedwatchProject

TheSpeedwatchGrouphasconductedthreesurveysrecentlyand recordedonevehicleexceedingthespeedlimit;detailsofanyvehicles exceedingthelimitwillbesenttoThamesValleyPolicefortheirfollowup.Furthersessionswillbearrangedinduecourse,butifyou’dliketo helpout,pleasedogetintouchwithspeedwatch@launton-pc.gov.uk.

Bins

Wehopethatyouhaveseenthetwonewbinswhichhavebeeninstalled nearCostcutterandtheentrancetoIslandPondWoodonWestEnd. Wehopethatlessrubbishwillgetcaughtbythewindandblownabout now.Weareverygratefultothevillagerwhoinstalledthemforusandto thevillagerwhogaveusthepavingslabstomountthemon.

Agendaitemsanddatesofthenextmeetings

ThenextmeetingwillbeonThursday1DecemberbackintheParish Hallstartingat7.30pm.Ifyou’dliketochatwithaCouncillor,docome alongafter7.15pm.

Wearetryingtoreduceourprintingandpaperuse,soifyouwouldlike hardcopiesoftheagendaoranyofthemeetingpapers,pleaseletthe Clerkknowwellbeforethemeeting.

Suggestionsforagendaitemsforthe5January2023meetingneedtobe withtheClerkby19Novemberanditemsforthemeetingon2February by26January.

Ifyou’renotsigneduptoourmailinglisttoreceivenewsfromtheParish Council,youcanfindasignupformatthebottomlefthandmenuofthe ParishCouncilwebsiteatwww.launton-pc.gov.uk/

Delivering LauntonLines: an update

WithinacoupleofdaysoftheNovemberissuebeingdistributed,with ShirleyJohnson’sappealforreliefdistributorsforfiveroutes,Shirley reportedthatherphonehadn’tstoppedringing,andthatallroutesare nowcoveredwithbothmainandreliefdistributors.

“Thankyouallsomuch,”saysShirley,andeveryoneelseinvolvedin producingLauntonLines.

LauntonLinesDecember2022|Page7

The regular report from our CherwellDistrict Councillors for November 2022

Theweatherhasbeenunseasonablywarmrecently,thoughquitewet,andby thetimeyoureadthisRoses,Celebrations,andQualityStreetarebackinthe shopswhichmustmean...Christmas.GiventheturmoilatWestmisterover thepastfewmonths,wehopesenseandprudencewillfocusontheneedsof thecountry,andthatyourplanswillallowsomeescapefromtheshenanigans andyouwillenjoybeingwithfamily,friendsandlovedones.

Thisreportisamini-featureonTheLocalPlan(andseealsopageXX)which isbeingreviewed,andsomeshortupdatesfromaroundthearea.

TheLocalPlan

ALocalPlansetsoutthevisionforfuturedevelopment.Everyareainthe countryshouldhaveanup-to-dateLocalPlaninplace,andreviewitatleast everyfiveyears.CDCisworkingonthenewLocalPlantosetouthowthe Districtshoulddevelopoverthenext15years,inlinewithnationalpolicies. LocalPlansareusedtohelpdecideonplanningapplicationsandother planningrelateddecisions.Ineffect,theyarethelocalguidetowhatcanbe builtwhere,shapinginfrastructureinvestmentsanddeterminingthefuture patternofdevelopment.Theyarevitallyimportantastheysetoutrulesfor howtheareadevelops,andcruciallyhowthoseplansaffectyouasresidents. WewillkeepyouupdatedonprogressonthedevelopmentofthenewLocal Plan,andwehaveprovidedsomedetailsontheinitialstagesinaseparate reportonpageXX.PleasecontactusortheParishCouncilwhohaveinput intothePlan,andwatchoutforkeydateswhenyourvoicecanbeheard.

A41PloughleyRoadjunction

TheroadworksandclosuresattheA41PloughleyRoadjunctionweredueto completeinNovember2022,buthassadlyslippedtoMarch2023.AtParish andDistrictlevelwearehearinghowthisisimpactingjourneysandthe amountoftrafficthroughourvillages.Wehaveexpressedourdismayatthe delayinthestrongesttermstotheCountyCouncilandtheyareworkingto securebettermanagementoftheproject.Uptodateinformationonclosures, andmoredetails,canbefoundontheOCCwebsite,at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/roads-and-transport/roadworks/futuretransport-projects/ploughley-road-a41-junction

VoterIdentification-May2023Elections

Althoughthingscanchange(anddowithalarmingfrequencyatthemoment!) LauntonLinesDecember2022|Page8

thereisacurrentplantorequirephoto-basedidentificationforlocalelections fromMay2023.Althoughthatseemsfaraway,youwillneedtohavethisto vote.Thereismoreinformationatwww.gov.uk/government/news/voteridentification-faqsbutherearesomekeypoints: Awiderangeofphotoidentificationwillbeacceptable,including:

Thisisalivepoliticalissuesoissubjecttochange,butit’simportanttomake youawareofthis,regardlessofthepoliticalquestionsaroundit;dokeepan eyeoutformoreinformation.WewilladviseyouhowtogetafreeIDcard whenweknowtheprocess,ifyoudon’thaveanythingonthecurrentlist. That’sit!Thankyouforreadingallthewaytothebottom!Ifyouhaveany commentsorfeedback,pleasedogetintouchon01869717712orviaemail atgemma.coton@cherwell-dc.gov.ukorangus.patrick@cherwell-dc.gov.uk.

The Launton Watercolour Classes

TheWatercolourClasseswillnotruntwosessionsovertheChristmas/New Yearperiod-on26Decemberand2January.Wewillbebackon9January. Thepictureontherightisfrom arecentclass. Wemeetat2pmonMonday afternoonsinLauntonParish Hall. Thecostis£8persession. Ifyouwouldliketojoinemail Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com

RehearsalsforHickoryDickoryDockarewellunderwayandsongsandroutines arebeinglearnt.Wehavestartedtolookatlighting,costumesandputtingthe pantoprogrammetogether.Iflocalbusinesseswouldliketoadvertiseinour programme,dogetintouchwithusadvertising@launtonvillageplayers.org.uk formoreinformation.Ourpriceshaveremainedthesameformanyyears, andit’sagreatwaytoreachouttolocalfamilies.

TicketsareonsalefromTicketSource:www.ticketsource.co.uk/lvp.Youcan alsocall07864715708forcashorchequepurchases,orforhelpbuying online.AsticketsareavailabletobuybeforeChristmastheywouldmakethe perfectChristmaspresentforfriendsandfamily!

ShowswillbeinCooperSchoolPerformanceHall:timesandpricesare:

Tohelpfamilieswiththecostoflivingcrisis,thisyearweareofferingFamily Discounts-alllistedonTicketSourceandavailableforallshows.Inaddition, wearealsoofferinganEarlyBirdDiscount-bookticketsbefore1January 2023andgetafurther10%offyourticketusingthecode“EARLYBIRD”. HickoryDickoryDockisalesswell-knownstorybutincludesalltheusual pantomimeelements.Itisafamilyshowandsuitableforallages,andthe magicissetverymucharoundtheClock.CanthePixieovercomethebaddie andmaketheClockworkagain?WillTom,thehero,managetofindallthe missingparts?

ComeandenjoyBicester’sbiggestandmostmagicalpanto,aswellashelping toraisefundsforourchosencharityNai’sHouse,whichisbasedinBicester andaimstogiveallchildrenandyoungadultsaccesstoappropriateand empoweringmentalhealthsupport.

YoucanfindoutmoreaboutLVPbygettingintouchviaemailon info@launtonvillageplayers.org.uk,byFacebook,oronourwebsite www.launtonvillageplayers.org.uk

Birthday Greetings to DavidSquire

DavidSquire, formerly of The Poplars, reached the milestone of 100 on Saturday 12 November. He celebrated the event at CherwoodHouse Care Home with close family and a few friends. Thank you to all those who sent cards, gifts and good wishes. Pictures on page 13 - opposite

Left: David, with his long-time friend DaphneBellman- former head of Launton School.

Right: There are four generations in this photo. One son, five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren plus their respective partners. The youngest child is William- six months old. Oh ... and there are also two dogs from the family.

Photos from JonSquire

Oneofthemostimportant decisionsyouwillmake ischoosingtherightaccountant. Contact us today foraFREEinitialmeeting.

We will proactivelylisten toyourbusinessneeds andcreatepersonalisedsolutions.

email@stackandjones.co.uk Tel: 01869 277973

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AthoughtfromtheGrumpyOldMenofLaunton

Wehaveonlyhadonemeetingrecentlyassomeofushavebeenlaidlow bytheNthroundofCovid,andwedon’twanttomeetinpublicspaces. Sowehaven’thadachancetodevelopourthoughts aboutthebigquestionsfacingthevillagelikehowtogettheroaddrainsacrossLauntoncleanedbyaGulperTruck, orhowtosecuretheyellowrampstothepavement atthetemporarytrafficlightsattheSchool, orhowtogetdriverstostopattheredlights, orhowtoshameThamesWaterintofixingLaunton’sdrainageandsewage beforeweareallswimmingineffluentaswinterrainsstrike, orhowwewillsurviveafterEastWestRailhavelefttheircompounds andwehavenoorganisationtobefuriouswith, orhowtomakesurethatthefootpathsaroundthevillagearekeptclear oftherampantbramblesthataregrowinglikeTriffids. BUTwehavehadtimetofloatideasaboutthetrafficthroughthevillage, andwaitforonemoremeetingbeforeweunleashourideastotheworld.

InNovemberweweretreatedtoaneveningwithTheTaxi DriverPoet,JamesHaddow.Heshimmeredinblueandgold withawhiteruffattheneckandhebroughtpanelsof picturesandpoetrywhichbrightenedtheHall.Hewastheretosparkle. Onceataxidriver,he’snowapoetwhocommentsonpoetsandpoetry, andhepersuadedustodivulgeallourfavourites,whichwasfun. Jamesspokeabouthislifeandloves-therewerequiteafew.Hispoeticlife startedwiththeduplicitousRachel,whosecretlyfoundanotherman.James was26andafterthebreakuphestartedrecitingpoemstopassengersashe drovehistaxibetweenNottinghamandDerby.Manymoregirlfriends followed,andallhavepoems.Weheardaboutonewithapassionfor MontyDonandonepotentialgirlfriendwhosecurtainsdidnotmatchher carpet.WeheardaboutMandy,Debbie,Denise,Diane,andJane.

HealsowroteaseriesofsevenpoemscalledThat’sHowtheFightstarted:

‘What’sonthetellybabe?’shesaid. AndallIsaidwas‘dust’. Andthat’showthefightstarted.

Jamesisgoodatgettingeveryoneto joininandenjoythemselves. Hehasalsowrittenrewritesof classics: Oh!TobeinEngland,nowthe snowishere!

Andplanesandtrainsandmotorcars aren’tgoinganywhere.

He’safavouriteamongWIs-hehas spokenatover300meetings.Hecan bequitesaucyandsometimespeople complainaboutthis.Butatother timestheycomplainhe’snotsaucy enough.JustgoestoshowthatWIs areavariedbunch.Jamestoldus storiesaboutsomeWIs,wherethere areriotsatraffletime.Regulars complainaboutvisitorswinningthe raffle.LauntonWIisnotlikethat!

TreeplantingintheIslandPondWood

On Saturday 12 November we welcomed the SouthwoldScout Group into the wood to help with some planting. We had successfully applied for 200 free trees from the Woodland Trust which will be registered under the Queens Green Canopy. Half of these were hedgerow species such as hawthorn and dog rose that were planted in the newly created hedge coppice blocks. The other half were understoryspecies such as holly and hazel which were planted at the top (east) end of the wood where the trees are spaced a bit thinner and therefore some light can get through to the woodland floor to help these grow. A big thank you to the scouts and their parents for giving up their Saturday afternoon to help. Hopefully they will all achieve their “Forester” badge after participating in the session. (see photo above, and on page 19)

We also kindly received two walnut trees which were planted in one of the hedgerow blocks. The trees have been grown in Launton from walnuts originating from a tree planted in memory of the donor’s father. She found it very poignant that the trees are going to be registered as part of the Queen’sGreen Canopy, as her father served in the Royal Air Force as a boy entrant from the age of 15 and served his monarch and his country for 35 years before retiring to Launton back in 1959. He then went on to serve Launton in numerous roles and is now buried in the churchyard at StMary’s.

Friends Team at Island Pond Wood

MembersfromtheSouthwoldScoutGrouphelpwith plantingthe200treesfromTheWoodlandTrustforThe Queen'sGreenCanopyintheIslandPondWoodland. Seereportandanotherphotoonpage18,opposite.

LauntonParishCouncilhasbeengiventheopportunitytoseetheinitialview ofwhattheLocalPlanwilllooklike,andispreparingaresponse.Herearethe keyelements:

TheconsultationperiodforthePlanwillbebetween14December2022 and8February2023,andthePlancanchangebasedonfeedbackfrom thisprocess.Itisimportanttonotethatafterthisperioditwillnotbe possibletochangethePlan,soitisveryimportantthatallcommentsgo induringthiscomprehensiveconsultationperiod TherearethreemainthemestotakeintoconsiderationwiththePlan: Meetingthechallengeofclimatechange Creatingasustainableeconomy Creatinghealthyandsustainablecommunities Developmentsof100ormoredwellingswillonlybeconsideredinthe fourstrategicareasofBanbury,Bicester,KidlingtonandHeyfordPark Developmentsinruralareasshouldbelimitedtolargervillages(currently CategoryAvillages).Eachoftheselargervillageswillhaveanallocation forhousingandcommercialdevelopments,andCDCwillworkwiththe villagestofinalisethis.VillagesarecategorizedAtoCdependingona rangeoffactors,includinglocalfacilitiessuchaspublictransport, schools,amenitiesetc.(LauntoniscurrentlyclassifiedasCategoryA) EachvillagewillhaveitsownallocationofhousesandCDCwilltakeinto accountanydevelopmentsthathavealreadybeenplannedandgone through Therearecurrently22,568homesplannedbetween2020and2040. CDCarenotexpectinganysitestobeintheGreenBelt CDCdonotanticipatetheproportionofsocialhousingneedwillchange StrongerpoliciesinthePlanshouldhelpprotectvillagesfrom encroachmentfromBicesterandBanbury

HopefullyyoucanappreciatetheimpactoftheLocalPlanonwhereyoulive andhowitwilldevelopovertime.MoredetailsontheCherwellLocalPlanis availableontheirwebsitewww.cherwell.gov.uk/homepage/27/local-plans

EditedbyLauntonLinesfromareportfromAngusPatrickandGemmaCoton,CDC Councillors

WewerefortunatetorecentlytraveltoSouthAfricawithagroupofvetsand theirpartners,wherewespentsometimeinasafariparknorthofPretoria. Theseparksareonlypartlytheretowowandeducatevisitorsaboutthe incrediblewildlifeandhabitatsofthebushveldt;theirmainunderlyingfocusis theprotectionofthemanyendangeredspecieswhoinhabittheselands.

Abigpartofthisprotectioninvolvestrackingtheanimalsandherdstoensure theirsafetyagainsttheever-presentthreatofpoachers.Theillegaltradeinhorn hastakenrhinostothebrinkofextinctionasever-desperateattemptsaremade tobreakthroughtheparksecuritytokillandmutilatethesemagnificentbeasts. ThehorngoestoAsiawhereitisusedintraditionalmedicinesormerelyasa statussymbol.Contrarytopopularbelief,itisn’tusedasanaphrodisiac.

Toassisttrackingtherhinos,atelemetrydeviceisimplantedinsidethemain horn.Thisisa25mmcubicdevicewitha15cmsemi-rigidaerialandabattery lifeofabout2years.Duetoitssmallsize,itlacksfullsatellitetrackingbutcan bedetectedusingradioequipmentwhenwithinrange.

Ourmorningbeganat4.30amasourlargegroupofenthusiasticonlookersmet forcoffeebeforeabriefingfromtheparkmanager,theintrepidhelicopterpilot andthevetwhoserolewastoensurethesafetyofboththeanimalandallthe peopleinvolvedwithtrackerimplantation.Thevetwasaladywhodoesthisas regularlyaswemightspayacat.Shewouldhavetoestimatetheweightofthe blackrhinobeforedrawingupsufficientamountsofadrugsopotentthatselfinjectioncouldberapidlyfatal.Onceloadedintothemetaldart,shewouldjoin thechopperpilotwhowouldherdtherhinointoaclearingbeforepositioningit suchthatthevetcouldgetacleanshotfrom30metresaway.

Thankfully,theshotwasontargetandtherhinowentdowntwominuteslater inascrubbyareaeasilyaccessibletothetruckscarryingusandtherangers. Whenrhinosarechased,theyapparentlyliketoheadintoaclumpoftreesfor safety,sothefirstjobwastoensuretherhinowassafeandbreathingeasily,and thathishornwasreadilyaccessibletoallowtheremovaloftheoldtransmitter andforthenewonetobeimplanted.Ropesonthelegsallowedsome repositioningandachainsawquicklymadetheareasafeforourpatient.

Seeinganadultblackrhinoupcloseisamagnificentandoverwhelming experience.Theblackrhinoisparticularlyterritorialanddangerous;asour rangersaid,“Blackrhinosarebornangry!”The1,200kgbeastwaslyingonhis sidebreathingeasilybutoblivioustothepeopleandactivityaroundhim.With earplugsinsertedandablindfoldinplacetheprocesscouldbegin. Rhinohornismadesolelyofkeratin,justlikeourfingernails,andgrowsfrom

theskinnottheskull.Itgrowsabout7cmayearandiskeptinshapebyrubbing itagainsttreeslikeachefsharpeningaknife.Thefronthorncangrowtoover 50cmwhilethesecondhornisshorter.Thehorntissueis“dead”havingno bloodsupplyornervessothereisnopaininvolvedinimplantingthetracker.

Theoldtransmitterwasquicklyremovedfromitspositionandanewcavitywas drilledclosertothebaseofthehorn.Achannelwasthendrilledalongthehorn toallowtheaerialandtransmittertositcompletelywithinthehornbeforebeing gluedinplacewithepoxyresinthencoveredoverwithdentalputty.Intwoyears timethetransmitterwillhavemovedawayfromthebaseasthehorngrowsand anewdevicecanbeplacedagain.

Whilethiswashappeningthevetwasmonitoringherpatientwho,becauseofits size,couldsufferfromcirculatoryandbreathingissuesfromtheeffectsofthe drugsandfromlyingrecumbent.Theeffectofhavinganenormousanimallying onitssidecanmeanthatlungscansufferfromonlypartialinflationwiththe marginalareascollapsing(atelectasis).Thisreducesoxygenationbutalso decreasestheabilitytoexpelCO2.ThepHofthebloodcanrapidlydropleading toacidosisandapotentiallycatastrophicsituation.

Ourwildlifevetquicklyadministeredapartialantidotetoreducethepotentially harmfulsideeffects,whilebeingever-mindfulofhowdangerousthesituation couldbecomeiftherhinowokeupprematurely!Weweremesmerisedbythe scaleofthiscreature,anditsincrediblebeauty.Wewereabletofeelhistough butsurprisinglysoftskinandtofeelhisheartpoundingslowlythroughhischest wall.Eventherangerswhoseewildanimalsonadailybasis,werekeentotouch therhinoandfeelthepowerandbeautyofthisawesomeanimal.

Withthetaskcompleted,itwastimeforusalltowithdrawtothesafetyofthe truckswhilstthevetinjectedanantidotebeforeheadingforthechoppertoleave therhinotorecoverinpeace,hopefullyoblivioustothehumanintervention.

Despitethebesteffortsoftheseprofessionalsandlargeteamsofarmedantipoachingpatrols,rhinosarestillbeingkilledatanalarmingratethroughout Africa.Theyremainathighriskofbecomingextinctintheirnaturalhabitat whilstthegenepoolforbreedingdiminishesallthetime.Youmightaskwhy theydon’tjustremovethehornsbutthenthehornmustberegisteredwiththe governmentandstoredsecurely.Itcan’tbesoldordestroyedandthuscreates anothersecurityriskaspoacherswithautomaticgunsmighttargethorn stockpiles.Thereappearsnoeasyanswersothebattlefortheirsurvival continues.

Enjoyyourpets

Ifyouwanttodedicateasnowflake,toalovedone,the childrenwillhangitontheChristmasTreeforyou.Makea donationonlineatwww.justgiving.com/page/launtonschool-1668687564521thenemailthenameofthepersonto berememberedtooffice.3085@launton.oxon.sch.ukandwe willwriteitonthesnowflake.Alternatively,donationsand namescanalsobepostedintheschoolpostboxduring schoolhoursorsnowflakescanbecollectedfromtheschool officeforyoutowriteyourmessageonandtohangonthe treebetween9amand3pmMonday-Fridayintheweek beforethefestival.

LauntonHistoricalSociety

WeenjoyedTheStrangeStoryofNapoleon’sWallpaperwithHendrikBallwhichlinked toHendrik’scareerinbroadcasting.It’sbettertohearitfirsthand,becausethere’s awealthofinformationandintriguingaccounts,buthere’sabroadsummary: ThiscountryhadfearedinvasionbyNapoleon,asshownbythe74Martello towers,withcannon,builtonthecoastfromSeafordinSussextoAldeburghin Suffolk.FearofinvasionendedwithvictoryattheBattleofTrafalgarin1805.In 1814NapoleonwasforcedtoabdicateandwasexiledtotheislandofElba-but escaped,raisedanewarmyand,in1815,wasfinallydefeatedatWaterloo. Heescapedagainafterthebattle,hopingtogettoAmerica.TheRoyalNavywas orderedtoblockadetheFrenchcoastandbringNapoleontoEngland.Whenhe hadbeentrackeddown,hewasofferedasafepassageandspentamonthonHMS BellerophoninTorbay,raisinghishattosightseers,withno-oneallowedonoroff theship.Hewastreatedasahigh-rankingofficer.TransferringtoHMS Northumberland,hewasshippednottoAmerica,buttoStHelena-aBritish islandinthesouthAtlantic.Hecouldnotescapefromthereashehaddonewhen exiledtoElba.Hearrivedinautumn1815,washousedinLongwoodHouseand spenttimecreatingsunkengardens.InMarch1821hebecameunwell,wroteawill andthreeweekslaterdied.Therewererumoursaboutcauseofdeathand,inthe nextcentury,aSwedishdentisttestedNapoleon’s

GrangeMewsNewsOctober2022

CommercialOffices, Industrial Units and Storage for Lease

Weletofficesandindustrialspaceandcanbefoundat pacox@grangemews.co.ukandourwebsitewww.grangemews.co.uk Phone01869252846or07711778230

hairandfoundvaryinglevelsofarsenic,somehigh.Arsenicwasusedinmedical treatmentinthe1800sbuthighlevelsfuelledtherumours.

In1980,HendrikwasproducingaRadio4programmeaboutvapourchemistry whenacolleagueaskedapeculiarquestion-whatcolourwasNapoleon’s wallpaperinLongwoodHouse?Inthe1800sapigmentcalledScheele’sGreenwas usedtocolourpaintandwallpaper,anditcontainedaformofarsenic.Butmany peoplehadgreenwallpaperwithoutreportedproblems.Significantly,studieslater indicatedthatconditionsofmouldanddampcausedarsenicandScheele’sGreen tovaporise.Thatdidcauseilleffects.Then,asurprise-awomanwrotetothe BBCtosayshehadapieceofNapoleon’swallpaper.Itwasgreenandgold-could beScheele’sGreen.Turnedoutitwasandithadarsenicinit,upto10timesmore thantheproblemthreshold.

HendrikandBBCfilmcrewcolleaguessettheirmindsontravellingtoStHelena. IfyoumeetHendrikinthevillageyoumightwanttoaskaboutthistrip,whichwas fraught.AshiptravelstoStHelenasixtimesayearandthejourneytakesamonth. Aquickeroption,forthoseonofficialbusiness,isaflighttoAscensionIslandto pickuptheship.AscensionIslandismostlyvolcaniclava.It’sbleak.Thereare remnantsofaBritishgarrison.Peopleworkthere,buttherearenopermanent residents.Securityservicesarebasedthere,plustheBBC.It’snotaplacetolinger.

Theship,anewone,brokedown.Thenthenextonebrokedown.Butitlimped onandeventuallyitpickedupthestrandedfilmcrewandtheyreachedStHelena. MuchofNapoleon’sdwellinghadbeenreplacedintheinterveningyears.But, significantly,theinteriorhadbadairanddamp-andthewallpaperwaspeeling awayfromthewall...

NapoleonwasburiedonStHelena-hehadwantedhisashesscatteredbythe Seine.In1840hisbodywasexhumedandnowrestsintheEglisedesInvalidesin Paris.In2004areportinthejournaloftheRoyalSocietyofMedicineconcluded thatNapoleon’sdeathwasacaseofmedicalmisadventureandthatthevarious drugshewasadministeredhadcombinedwitharsenicandhisweakstateofhealth tocreateafatalimbalanceandcardiacarrest.

1st December 1922

Launton Property Sale Remarkable Price for Shop and Dwelling House MrErnestPennington, Market Square, Bicester, offered for sale at the King’sArms Hotel, Bicester, last Friday evening, a copyhold stone-built dwelling house and business premises in Station Road, Launton, in the occupation of MrAJFreeman on a yearly Lady Day tenancy of £15 per annum.When the bidding commenced it was quickly seen that a substantial price would be realised. Two local competitors took up the running, and a spirited duel followed. Eventually the property was knocked down to MrF Sharpe, of Launton, for £910.

The freehold accommodation field known as West End Close, about 6 acres and 13 poles of pasture land, with galvanised cowshed and hovel, occupied by MrFreeman on a yearly Lady Day tenancy of £12, realised £230, being bought in by the present tenant. [The house and shop are at the corner of Bicester Road and Station Road. Mr Freeman’sfather and step-mother had run the butchery for many years, but he sold the business, moved to Pound Croft in Station Road, and became a farmer - Ed.]

Notes & Comments Launton had their usual bag of goals on Saturday, and no fewer than four came from the feet of “Baggy” Jeacock, their enterprising centre forward. Launton defeated Middle Bartonby seven goals to nil, yet their clever outside right, JJeacock, who made an excellent impression in that position against Wolvercote in the Shield competition, was left out in the cold almost all of the second half. At one time he donned a coat and watched the play from the touch line.

[These comments came after the Middle Bartonmatch report - Ed.]

15th December 1922

PETTY SESSIONS

MrGeorgeCarter, Bull Inn, made an application on behalf of his father for an extension of hours from 2pm

until 6pmon December 9th, on the occasion of a Junior Shield football match between Launton and Morris Motors. - Granted.

[The result was a 3:2 win for Morris Motors - Ed.]

29th December 1922 CAMPANOLOGY The ringers of the Parish Church welcomed in Christmas Day with a merry midnight peal on the bells, 720 changes of GrandsireDoubles being rung in 24 minutes.

On Boxing Day a quarter peal of GrandsireDoubles, comprising 1260 changes with ten different callings, was rung in 41 minutes.

The ringers were: Treble, JHeritage; Second, H Foster; Third, J Marriott; Fourth, F Sharpe; Fifth, JMassey; Tenor, E Heritage; Conductor, JMarriott.

FOOTBALL Oxfordshire Junior League Kirtlingtonscratched to Launton.

Tofindoutmore,messageus throughourFacebookPage, byscanningtheQRCode, orcontactClaireon07540013105

Anyoneisinvited.Itaimstousefoodrather thanseeitgotowasteandtohelptotackle foodpovertyatthesametime.

Pleasespreadtheword,especiallyifyouknow someonewhomightbenefitfromthis.

LesleyThompson

stonetoIslandPondWoodfora replacementpath

We have been looking to get an access path re-installed in the woodland for a number of years - for pushchairs, wheelchairs and scooters as well as walkers. We approached EWRfor material to be re-used as a path in the woodland back in April 2022 when they were planning to close their compounds.

After a lengthy application and approval process we were successful. Unfortunately, with Construction Manager changes at EWRthe timing has been lost and the agreement from their side to construct the path has also been removed by them.

We were informed today (22 November) that the 130 tonnes of material will be delivered in the week commencing 28 Novemberlater confirmed to happen on Wednesday 30 November and Thursday 1 December, when the Woodland will be closed for safety reasons.

We have arranged for someone to come and construct the path at a later time (at our cost), so there will be a mound of material as you enter the woodland. Please don’tworry about the small mountain: it is not being used to build houses or any other rumour!

We took the decision to accept this material as it represents a huge material cost saving to the woodland, and it should ensure that the path makes the woodland more accessible in the future for everyone.

We are sorry for the late notice of the communication, but we have been trying to get information from a company that does not appear to believe in proactivecommunication.

We will share a plan of the future path route in the next edition of Launton Lines, and we will confirm with signageand on social media when the woodland is shut for this delivery. Please bear with us.

Rob Dowman | Chair, Friends of IPWLtd

AVacancyatAmbrosdenParishCouncil

Workingfromhome,andattendingatleastmonthlyParishCouncilmeetings.30 hourspermonth,withovertimeavailable.SalarystartsatLC2salarypoint24, £16.16-£18.05perhourdependingonexperience.HomeWorkingAllowanceand LocalGovernmentPensionSchemeavailable.

JobDescription

TheClerkisresponsibleforensuringtheCouncilrunsefficientlyandinlinewith statutoryrequirements,standingorders,policiesandprocedures.AsResponsible FinancialOfficer,thepostwillalsoberesponsibleformanagingCouncilfinances.

Dutieswillinclude



ManagingmeetingsfortheParishCouncil,includingpreparingtheagenda, takingminutesandmonitoringactionsanddecisions

AdvisingtheCouncilonprotocolsandrelevantlocalgovernmentlegislation.

ManagingtheCouncilaccounts,receiptsandpayments

Receivinganddraftingcorrespondenceasnecessary

ManagingtheCouncilandTrust’smaintenance,utilitiesandinsurancecontracts inconjunctionwithcouncillors.

ManagingtheCouncil’swebsiteand socialmediaaccount

Actingasfirstcontactbetweenthe Councilandotherbodies,agencies andthegeneralpublic

Qualities

TheCouncilisseekingtorecruitan enthusiasticandmotivatedpersonto supporttheCouncilanditsworkwith thelocalcommunity.

Werequireexcellentorganisationaland communicationskills.Goodknowledge ofMicrosoftOfficeisalsorequired. Knowledgeoflocalgovernment legislationwouldbeanadvantageand ideallythepostholderwillpossessor wouldbewillingtoobtainaCertificate inLocalGovernmentAdministration (CiLCA).Trainingwillbeavailable. Toapply,emailyourCVto tom.duff@ambrosdenpc.org.uk

A report from Launton School

TheActofRemembrance11November2022

TodaywasaspecialdaybecausewewenttotheActofRemembrance attheWarMemorialinthevillage.Wewereabletogobecauseweare nowinYear6.WewalkedtotheWarMemorialandthenwewaited. Wewenttorememberthepeoplewhohaddiedfightinginwars. TheMinisterwelcomedusandthenAmeliareadEcclesiastes3:1-8 whichcomesfromtheBible.Wehadpractisedwhatwehadtodo becauseitwasimportantforittobecorrect.Therewereprayersand sometimeswelistenedandfromtimetotimewejoinedin.TheLast Postwasplayedandthentherewasatwominutesilence.Duringthissilencewe thoughtaboutwhathadhappenedduring thewarsandhowpeoplefoughtand sometimesdied.

Wemadeourwreathatschool.Itwasa circleoftwistedcaneandweplaced poppiesintothebaseandontopithad thenameofourschool.Welaidour wreathatthememorial.Itwassadto thinkaboutallthepeoplewhohadgiven uptheirlivesforourcountrybutweare appreciativeandthankfulforwhatthey didandtheirsacrifice.Itisverysadto thinkaboutthewarwhichishappeningin Ukraineatthemoment.

Wewereverypleasedtoberepresentingourschool:itwasabig responsibilityforus.

Amelia, Evie, Harry, and Jake- Year 6

The photo of the war memorial after the service has the school wreath in the centre at the foot of the stone. See also photos and captions on page 2 of this issue

ItwasanenormousprivilegetobeappointedAttorneyGeneralfor EnglandandWalesbythePrimeMinisterinOctober.Itisarolethat hasexistedinParliamentsinceatleast1243.BeforeIwasfirstelectedas yourMPin2015,IworkedintheGovernmentLegalDepartmentfor seventeenyears.Iprovidedadviceonmilitary,prisonsandnational securitymattersandrepresentedtheGovernmentincourt.Iamexcited tobereturningtothelawinmynewrole,andtobeworkingwiththe manyexcellentprofessionalsacrosstheLawOfficers’Departmentsonce again.

IhavebeenverybusyoutandaboutintheconstituencysinceIlast wrotehere.VisitstolocalschoolsincludingGloryFarmPrimaryand HeyfordParkremainahighlightasIhadtheopportunitytospeakto lotsofenthusiasticpupils.Ialsovisitedlocalbusinessesincludingthe state-of-the-artArrivalmicrofactoryinLauntonaswellasSmithsof Bletchington’sDewarsFarmQuarryinArdley.

DuringmylastsurgeryatTheGarthinBicesterIenjoyedspeakingto constituentsaboutarangeofissues,including11-yearoldGracewho wantedtotalkaboutlitterpickingandavoidingsingle-useplasticsaswe allplayaparttoprotecttheenvironment.Ihavesomemoresurgeries linedupinthenextfewmonths,sopleasedogetintouchifyouwantto bookanappointment.

InOctober,IcaughtupwithLauraSapwell,theGovernorofHMP Bullingdon.Itwasourfirstin-personmeetingsincebeforethepandemic andprovidedausefulopportunitytodiscussfutureplansfortheprison. Shehasmadesomereallypositivechangesduringhertimetheresofar, includingimprovingaccesstoeducationforprisonersandjobsupport, providingskillswhicharesoimportanttoreleaseandrehabilitation. IhavealsometourlocalpolicecommanderinCherwell,Superintendent EmmaGarsideatBicesterPoliceStation.Emmatoldmethatdrug dealing,violentcrimeandanti-socialbehaviouraresomeofthemost prevalentchallengesshefaces.Shewaskeentodiscusswhatshehas beendoingtotacklethem,andtheprogressshehasmadesofar.Iam

gratefultoEmmaformeetingmeandwillcontinueourregular conversationstomakesurethatconstituents’viewsonlocalpolicing mattersarealwaysheard.

Alongsidemyvisitsandmeetings,Ihavealsolaunchedsomenew constituencycampaigns.Iknowmanyofyousharemyconcernsabout thedischargeofsewageintorivers.IwrotetotheChiefExecutiveof ThamesWater,SarahBentley,tofindoutaboutwhatisbeingdoneto safeguardtheRiverCherwellandlimitsewagedischargeintoit.Iam keentounderstandwhatThamesWaterisdoinginourareatodeliveron thenewdutiesplacedonwatercompanies,andlookforwardtoa meetinginthenextfewweeks.Youcanfollowupdatesonmywebsiteat www.victoriaprentis.com.

Accesstohigh-speedbroadbandandreliablemobilecoverageisanother issuethathasbeenraisedconsistentlywithmeinrecentmonths.While BanburyandBicesterbroadlybenefitfromstrongbroadbandandreliable mobilecoverage,therearemanyinsurroundingvillageswhohavebeen leftbehindbytherolloutofgigabit-capablebroadbandandarefrustrated bymobilenot-spots.Ourareahasthelowestrateofgigabit-capable broadbandcoverageinOxfordshire,andoneofthelowestintheSouth East,withcoverage20percentbelowthenationalaverage.Itisabsolutely vitalthatresidentshaveaccesstoareliablebroadbandservice.Wemust alsoworktowardsachievinguniversalmobilecoverageinlinewiththe Government’sSharedRuralNetworkprogramme.

MyDigitalConnectivitySurveyisnowliveonmywebsite.Tohelpbuild acomprehensivepictureofwheremobileandbroadbandcoverageis weakinNorthOxfordshire,pleasevisitwww.victoriaprentis.com/digitalconnectivityPapercopiescanalsoberequestedbygettingintouchwith myoffice.Yourexperienceswillhelpinformmyfindings,whichwillbe sharedwithprovidersandcolleaguesinGovernment.

MayItakethisopportunitytowishyouallaveryMerryChristmasanda HappyNewYear.

VictoriaPrentis

Memories of an ex-Launton Boy

This month the ex-Launton Boy reflects on the very unseasonalweather, and thinks about the special sound quality of an autumn day, and laments that he cannot find this in his current place of residence, in Kent, but has memories of the “clear hollowness” of autumn days in Launton when he was a teenager, when the trees were stripped of leaves. He moves on to winters in Launton - “picturesque as a postcard” - then pays his tribute to June Kelly who lived next door as he was growing up. Then on to Christmas which he marks with a poem reflecting his military background.

What a strange year we have had with regard to our weather, that great British topic of conversation. Not being a speaker of other languages apart from a smattering of German from when I was stationed there from 1965 - 1970, I don’tknow whether other nations use the weather as a conversation opener the way we appear to do. But here we are in the middle of November as I pen these words and it is so unusually mild. I was exam invigilating today in the Sports Hall of a local Academy with just short of two hundred pupils sitting an English Language exam in addition to which we had ten Invigilators and the body heat given off together with the ambient temperature made for a very hot and sticky couple of hours.

I have written before of how I was acutely aware of changing noises in the autumn air around Launton when I was a child and through to my teens. Autumn tended to bring a clear hollowness to surrounding and distant sounds, quite unlike the sounds of summer. But that said, certainly around where I am in Kent, those hollow autumn sounds have yet to make themselves heard. Too many leaves are still on trees that should be far fewer at this time of year. The tortoise of a friend of mine went into hibernation, but has come out again for it is far too warm to hibernate just yet. There are those around me who are saying to wait until winter hits us, for they are convinced that having had the very dry and hot summer we have just experienced (exquisite for me), we are in for an exceptionally hard winter. I do so hope they are wrong, for I have never been a lover of winter. I don’tknow if that stems from those days in my childhood in Launton, when waking up on a winter’s morning, the ice was on the inside of the window panes.

Ah! Winters in Launton, I remember them well. Picturesque as a postcard with hoarfrost clinging to the branches of leaflesstrees and the boundless hedgerows that in days back then were properly and skilfully laid as opposed to being hacked and shredded by modern machinery. How, as kids who were used to splashing in the puddles in potholes (far fewer back then) and ruts in the summer, and in the winter would try jumping on those same potholes and ruts to see if we could break the ice and find liquid puddles beneath them. And we had the luxury of having the village duck pond that when the temperature was sufficiently sub-zero, we could go skating on, although I never did. I couldn’teven remain in a perpendicular position wearing ordinary roller skates, never mind hoofing on a couple of ice-skates. Mind you, we did plenty of the broadside-skating on the road with our hob-nailed boots, kicking up sparks as we went. But where were we? Ahyes, November! Well, we’vehad the rounds of fireworks all over again, and nothing has changed, in that so many individuals cannot wait until the 5thNovember to let off their very large and extremely loud bangers, commencing at least a fortnight beforehand and a good week after. No thought for nervous old people or their pets, and as I have stated before, no concern for veteran exmilitary personnel who are suffering with PTSD. Sadly I read in last month’sissue of the sad death of June Kelly(née Jones). My sincerest condolences to the family of June who, as stated last month, came from a very large family of thirteen children whom I lived next door to. They were all, except for the youngest, named in some derivative form or other after the months of the year. The youngest, Dawn, was named after the time of day.

I have to say that having lived almost my entire childhood and teens before I joined the army (except for my first two to three years of life) next door to such a large family, it does touch me rather when one of them passes away. So many of them have now gone, it makes me think about my own mortality. Anyway, may she rest in peace!

And now Christmas is almost upon us............yet again. For this Christmas, I offer you this following food for thought.

Inthecurrentsituation,itisdifficulttobespecificaboutvillageevents.Listedarethosewe knowareplanned-butcheckwithorganisersnearerthedateifyouplantoattend.

DECEMBER2022

Thursday1ParishCouncil,PublicSession7.15pm,CouncilMeeting7.30pm,ParishHall

Friday2SchoolChristmasFestivalintheSchoolbuildingandgrounds5.30pm-7.30pm| SCOTSChristmasDinneratTheBull,7.00pm

Sunday4StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion(BCP),8am;FamilyService-Christingle, 11am|ValeBreweryChristmasCarolsDay,ValeBreweryLugershallRoad,Brill, 12noon-5pm|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday5WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm

Tuesday6RubbishCollection:recyclingandgardenbins|CommunityCafé,ParishHall: 9am-11am;2.30pm-4.30pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Wednesday7Over60sClubChristmasLunch,SportsandSocialHall,doorsopenat12.30pm andbaropens,endsabout3.30pm

Thursday8WIMeeting:ChristmasDinnerwithSecretSanta,ParishHall,7.30pm

Saturday10LauntonCommunityChoirCarolServiceWeWishYouaMerryChristmas,St Mary'sChurch,5pm

Sunday11StMary'sChurch,BCPEvensong,6pm|ThePhoenixSingersCarolsby Candlelight,StPeter'sBucknell,7.30pm|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday12WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm

Tuesday13RubbishCollection:garbagebin|CommunityCafé,ParishHall:9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Sunday18StMary'sChurch,MorningPrayer,11am;NineLessonsandCarolswithmulled wineandmincepies,6pm|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday19WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm

Tuesday20RubbishCollection:recyclingandgardenbins|LastdayofTermatLaunton School|SchoolCarolService,StMary'sChurch,9.30am|CommunityCaféis closeduntil10January2023,whenitreopensfortwosessions-9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

LauntonLinesisthenewsletterforLaunton

It is published monthly by the Launton Community Communications Group which also manages the Launton website www.launton.organd the Launton Village FacebookPage and Group www.facebook.com/launtonvillage Launton Lines is delivered free to every address in the village. It is funded by advertisers and Launton Parish Council. Further print copies are available at £1.00 per copy from ShirleyJohnson(01869 369269)

Launton Lines is also available onlinefrom January 2020 on www.issuu.com © MMXXII Launton Lines. We reserve the right to edit articles submitted for inclusion. Neither the Committee nor the Editor is responsible for views expressed in readers’ contributions.