Launton Lines Issue 229 November 2019

Issue 229 November 2019

Happy Birthday to Elizabeth Gold Elizabeth Gold, who lives in West End, had her 105th birthday on 4 October.

Here she is with her special card from The Queen, together with others from family and friends She used to live in Croydon, and moved to Launton in 1977 when she married Arthur Gold, who has appeared in some of the 50 Years Ago reports in Launton Lines.

At The Harvest Lunch

Four more photos that give a feel of the lunch and afternoon. Clockwise from left: children playing with paper, pencils and stickers; Helpers at the kitchen hatch; Two views of the tables and guests through the afternoon. The Hall was buzzing throughout.

The ongoing saga of the new post box - continued As we go to print for November the new post box (see picture to the right we first printed 20 months ago of the promised box) had still not been installed - but we continue to wait. WATCH THIS SPACE. Front cover shows Reverend Peter Wright. vicar of Launton, opening the village Harvest Lunch on Sunday 13 October in the Parish Hall with a blessing for the meal: see above for more pictures, and page 15 for a report. Cover photo by Andy Ng

The Editor writes ...

The clocks have gone back, evenings are darker and colder, and the mornings are wreathed in mist. It’s autumn. And I have had a submission of eight photos of fungi taken around the village (see page 25). That really says “Autumn” to me.

I’m pleased that the Costcutter shop and the Post Office have reopened. Next month I will have an article about their plans. At the same time it’s great to see the work completed outside the former Post Office - now StoneLily Hairdressers. The off-street parking and landscaping look great, and I plan an article from Louise soon. Then there is the revived Black Bull and I want to see a piece about Anne’s plans soon, too. I had also planned to complete the listing of village organisations, but events got in the way of completing this.

The Playing Fields Association reports on its October AGM (pages 16-17). There is notice (page 7) of the meeting on 21 November to consider a Friends of St Mary’s, and a review of the Village Players’ Autumn Plays (pages 10-11). This month there are early season reports from both Youth Football clubs in the village (pages 12 and 32-33), and an appeal (page 4) for an Aunt Sally reporter for the winter season. Christmas is not far away, and on the back cover there is news of the Community Choir Carol Concert on 7 December, and page 9 has news of The Blue Texel Christmas Tasting on 30 November.

The School Reporters give an account and photos of their work on The Solar System (pages 22-3), and the Playgroup report on the start of their year (pages 26-7). There is a report from The Harvest Lunch on page 15, with photos on the front cover and page 2. Also on page 2 we wish Happy 105th Birthday to Elizabeth Gold.

The Ex-Launton Boy remembers music of his teens (42-3) and The Grumpy Old Men are taken to task on pages 38-9, and report on village issues on page 46. There are also regular reports, from The Parish Council (5-6), The WI (14-15), FIPW (19), and The Vet’s View returns (34-5), and there is village news from 50, and 150 Years Ago (40-1, 18, 20). Finally, Danny Cunningham muses on visits to the gym (36-8).

Robert Cornford

Launton Lines

A monthly newsletter for Launton. Published around the first of each month by the Launton Lines Committee © 2019 Launton Lines

email: launtonlines@launton.org The Launton Lines Committee 2019-2020 Jon Spinage, Chair Jenni Walker, Advertising Manager | Robert Cornford, Editor | 241883 Michael Stack, Treasurer | 242600 Kathy Gilbert, Associate Editor | Shirley Johnson, Distribution | 369269 Contact the Parish Council Council Clerk | Mrs Jane Olds Address | 13 Oak Close, Bicester, OX26 3XD email | clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk Phone | 01869 247171

To book the Parish Hall Contact: Joan Packer Phone: 07903 610405 Parish Hall Committee: Christine Massey; Audrey Deeley; Lynne Harper; Joan Packer; Simon Turner, Robert Cornford

LIGHT UP A LIFE

Would you like to sponsor an evening’s floodlighting at St. Mary’s Church in memory of a loved one, to give thanks for the birth of a child, or to celebrate a baptism, birthday or wedding?

A minimum donation of £10 is suggested which can be Gift Aided.

Please contact Joan Packer on 01869 241694 by 20 November for entry in the December 2019 issue of Launton Lines.

November 1 | Sponsored by Rosemary Figg and Family in loving memory of Colin November 7 | Sponsored by Roger Thomas and Family in loving memory of Adrienne on her birthday November 20 | Happy Birthday Florence with love from Nana [Brydon] November 30 | Happy Birthday Esme with love from Nana [Brydon]

Aunt Sally Report

Our regular reporter on Oxfordshire’s own pub game, Tricia Jones, is taking a break for the winter season. The Editor hopes that we will be able to continue to provide updates on the indoor season, and if any readers would like to come forward and offer to provide a monthly report on the success, or otherwise, of village teams and players, we would be very grateful. We hope that Tricia will return to our pages in spring 2020.

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 4

Launton Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 3 October 2019 at 7.30pm in Launton Parish Hall Councillors present Mrs Lizzie Chisholm, Mr Mike Murphy, Mr Ed Sanders, Mrs Lesley Thompson, Mr Simon Turner (Chairman) Apologies Mr Chris Fox (Vice-Chairman), Mrs Jeanne Walker In attendance The Clerk, Mrs Jane Olds; 3 members of the public (1 left at 8.30pm) Reports from District and County Councillors No reports were received for the meeting.

Finance The Finance Report was available on the Parish Council website.

The Council has agreed to appoint a new Internal Auditor for the year 2019/20.

Planning All planning applications, which include the links to Cherwell’s Planning Portal, are put on the Parish Council website when they are received (in the Agenda and Minutes section). If a villager has concerns about a planning application, they are welcome to come along to Parish Council meetings to raise those concerns.

Environment Agency The Council agreed to hold an Open Meeting to discuss Environment Agency’s maps (which are available on the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk/environment-agency-flood-risk-maps/ ).

We would like to know about villagers’ knowledge and evidence on flooding and drainage in the village to help the Environment Agency pout together a bid to help mitigate flooding in the future.

Anyone with local knowledge of the water issues around the village will be welcome to come along to the meeting which will be arranged shortly Village Matters Parish Hall Lease The Parish Council version of the Lease had been sent to the Parish Council Solicitors for them to confirm with the PCC Solicitors.

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Post Box Unfortunately, we’re still no further forward, despite requests.

20mph Zone Outside School No further news had been received.

Expressway Meeting Thank you to everyone who came to the meeting. For those who didn’t make it, Professor Rogers’ presentation is available on the Parish Council website at https://www.launtonpc.gov.uk/expressway-updates/ Station Road Pump The bench by the pump has now been repaired (thanks to Chris Fox) and the area is looking lovely. We’d like to be able to produce a little history notice about the pump and while there is some anecdotal information, there is little accurate historical information – if anyone has any history in their family archives, we’d love to see it to include it in an Information Board.

Agenda items for the next meetings The Clerk requested that she receive all items for the November agenda by 24 October with any items for the December agenda by 21 November.

Dates of next meetings Thursday 7 November and Thursday 5 December at 7:30pm in the Parish Hall and (advanced warning of date change) 9 January in the School Hall.

Councillors and the Parish Clerk are normally available before the start of the formal meeting, from 7pm, to meet the public. Public plans and correspondence are normally available for viewing and comments, including paper copies of planning applications, and to hear informal discussions on agenda items Full minutes are available on the Parish Council Notice Boards in the village (by The War Memorial and on the wall of the Parish Hall), and on the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 6

You are all invited to the Open Evening to discover more about a

Friends of St. Mary’s, Launton

The Church has always been an important part of the village’s history and culture. We all love hearing the church bells ring and seeing weddings taking place, maybe even going to a concert or a social event, for example a coffee morning.

A Friends group is for everyone, whatever your beliefs, wherever you live, and could be a way to help look after the Church building. All you need is a love for this wonderful and historic part of our village.

Come and hear how the church is cared for, about its history and its links with the community, and how a ‘Friends’ can enhance this further.

Join us for cheese and wine, or soft drinks.

We look forward to seeing you.

Thursday 21 November at 7.45 pm in St Mary’s Church Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 7

CHURCH NEWS November 2019

JAN 31st 2020 A little reminder about your tax return.

Contact Stack & Jones for a FREE initial meeting. email@stackandjones.co.uk Tel: 01869 277973 Unit 4, Willows Gate, Stratton Audley Bicester, Oxon OX27 9AU

Sunday 3 November 8am Holy Communion (BCP) | 11am Family Service (see page 13) | 6pm All Hallows Eve Tuesday 5 November Community Café, The Parish Hall: 9am-11am | 2.30pm-4.30pm Sunday 10 November 6pm Evensong Monday 11 November 11am Remembrance Day Service at Launton War Memorial Tuesday 12 November Community Café, The Parish Hall: 9am-11am | 2.30pm-4.30pm Sunday 17 November 11am Holy Communion Tuesday 19 November Community Café, The Parish Hall: 9am-11am | 2.30pm-4.30pm Sunday 24 November 11am Holy Communion Tuesday 26 November Community Café, The Parish Hall: 9am-11am | 2.30pm-4.30pm Sunday 1 December 8am Holy Communion (BCP) | 11am Family Service and Christingle

Chapel Services

Launton Congregational Chapel services in November will be held between 3pm and 4pm on these dates. All are welcome.

There is no obligation to take Communion. Come and join us for quiet reflection before the start of another busy week.

Sunday 10 November Communion Service Sunday 24 November Chapel Service Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 8

THE BLUE TEXEL FARM SHOP 1 Station Road, Launton, Bicester OX26 5DS Telephone: 01869 252619 info@thebluetexel.co.uk

CHRISTMAS ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN Everything you need for a spectacular Christmas Feast, Order early to avoid disappointment.

JOIN US FOR A CHRISTMAS FOOD AND GIN TASTING DAY Saturday 30th November from 9am to 2pm

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

Ham, Beef, Sausages, Pork Pies, Sausage Rolls Cheeses, Chutneys, and Chocolates Give the gift of great food.

Our Gift Vouchers make great Christmas presents

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 9

Am Dram, Thank you Ham! Bringing us the sensationally

silly shenanigans of a fictional drama group before and after their production of Hamlet

On Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October 2019 The Village Players entertained over 100 of us at our very own Launton Community Theatre (as aptly rendered by Rob Cornford in his welcome address and safety notices - a.k.a the Launton Parish Hall) with two one act comedy farces Easy Stages and Distracted Globe, both by N J (Nick) Warburton, about a drama club’s challenges as they put on a production of Hamlet for their local community. With Don’t Blame It On The Boots (performed for us two years ago by this dedicated company) these two plays complete the trilogy of the trials and tribulations that befall an amateur dramatic production of Hamlet before, during and after the performance.

Nick Warburton is a British playwright and has written for screen as well as stage and has been a regular contributor to the Holby City writing team, as well as other well-known television shows such as EastEnders and Doctors among others. Born in 1947, he worked as a primary school teacher before deciding to become a writer full time. His play Beast won the Tinniswood award in 2005 - an award to celebrate the very best, original audio drama scripts - and he has written numerous children’s books too. Easy Stages is a parody of what could go on backstage (hopefully it isn’t always like this! although like any good satire the truth is just enough to make all am dram enthusiasts slightly shudder!), and Distracted Globe brings us the after-show so called ‘party’ which the rather over-zealous stage manager Gerry (played by Andy Briant) attempts to choreograph as much as the production itself, with amusing results.

I am reliably informed that the cast had a lot of fun pulling this production together for our pleasure, and the cast gave heartfelt thanks to Tina Talbott on the Saturday night for her direction and perseverance. Under Tina’s direction there were some nice set pieces - a strong opening position in Easy Stages, with actors at varying levels to draw the immediate eye and interest for the audience (low, medium and higher tiered positioning) and some nice use of both split staging and upstage downstage blocking in Distracted Globe. While the script itself gives general guidance on these matters, the Director will always have their own unique vision working within the staging constraints, and the production team, to add their personal one-off flavour. Casting was done admirably - it’s tricky to find people who are willing to give their free time and energy, and it’s down to inspirational people like Tina to relentlessly pursue their ambition, and entice others to her vision. We, Launtonites, and surrounding villagers and townspeople of Bicester, are very grateful to her and the team’s tenacity.

Sadly, on the Saturday night, Tina was not able to sit back and watch months of work unfold and amuse us, as in an ironic case of play mimicking real life, we had real life mimicking the play. Unfortunately the leading lady (Tina Cherry) was laid low with a nasty bout of food poisoning so that afternoon Tina (Talbott) realised Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 10

that the only way the show could go on, was to take on the role herself without rehearsal. And so it was, that the play did lack a little fluidity from time to time, but with the able assistance of the Prompt (Jackie Webber) we got the gist, and judging by the regular titters around the room thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless. Local am dram performances cannot have the luxury of understudies and so, after a brief humble apology in advance to the audience that all mistakes for the evening would be hers, and not the actors, she won the hearts of the audience and we settled back prepared to support our Village Players.

And to give the cast their due, there were some really nice moments. Tina herself proved her own acting ability, as following any prompt she gave her lines with thoughtful and appropriate expression. A particular shout out to Josh Holt who played two contrasting parts in the different plays, and demonstrated a natural intuition for his roles - especially in the second. Notably the chemistry between Eric (Josh Holt) and Ophelia (Sarah Nixey) was at times especially powerful: it’s a very difficult skill to retain energy through whole scenes but these two gave an admirable rendition. Other mentions should go to Alice (Adele Allington) who was comfortably on top of her words and kept momentum going, with some nice innuendo delivery! Kate (Lorraine de Brun, who always gives her all - we especially enjoyed the nod to the England rugby success with the George Ford reference) and Gerry (Andy Briant making his debut for The Village Players) did a sterling job to keep the rhythm throughout. Comedy is one of the hardest genres to pull off; it requires a strong beat to be maintained throughout, and to do that when someone has to take on a lead role at the last minute has to be commended.

There were many people besides the cast members who were involved - front of house, raffle management (my only issue is that neither I nor my family won again!), refreshments, props design, programme, sounds and lights and so on who, as ever, deliver first-rate support. It’s always wonderful to see and experience it.

At the end Tina Talbott felt she had to apologise again but really she had no need to. We don’t come with expectations of a West End performance, but to enjoy ourselves watching the ensemble’s hard won efforts. If an individual needed to hold a script I am sure the friendly audience would have been fine with that too. In fact, given the context of the scene especially in Easy Stages it would actually have made a legitimate prop! So I finish off by wishing Tina Cherry a speedy recovery and hats off to all cast members - we shall look forward to whatever The Village Players prepare for us this time next year. In the meantime, as this goes to print I believe the first read through for next year’s panto The Snow Queen has taken place – I’d recommend all people of Bicester and local villages to support this. During these weary days of Trump’s ‘fake news’, Johnson’s trials, and Brexit, we need people like those who make up The Village Players to restore our faith in human nature and focus on what matters - the real lives of those in our local community.

Reviewed by Allison Ford-Langstaff Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 11

From the Start of the Season: Launton Youth Football Report

Launton FC continues to go from strength to strength with ongoing development of all the teams. The club never stands still, and every year encourages new children to start their football journey and having held an under 6/7 open day in April 2019 meant we added a new U7s team, with the boys well on their way to footballing glory. A number of the teams welcome, and have added, new recruits to their ranks with most teams retaining their personnel long term to aid football development, showing that Launton FC is a popular choice!

Following the drainage works in 2018, the pitches now look great and have held up superbly when the rains came! We have also added a new 5v5 pitch which will support the club’s younger teams.

The 2019/20 season is well under way, and a number of teams have joined the Oxford Mail Youth Football League (OMYFL) which provides new challenges and generally the teams are performing admirably.

The committee continuously looks for ways to improve the standing of the club and are currently investigating new sponsorship approaches, including the provision of advertising boards around the complex and pitches. If you have an interest in sponsoring the club, by all means contact us via our website www.launtonfootballclub.co.uk/ We continue to maintain our status as a Charter Standard youth football club, consisting of youth teams from U7 to U18 playing in the Witney and District Youth Football League (WDYFL) www.wdyfl.org and the Oxford Mail Youth Football League (OMYFL).

There are two pictures from the Club on page 24 of this issue.

Graeme Stoddart

LAUNTON COMMUNITY CHOIR CAROL CONCERT Saturday 7 December at 5pm This is an event for all the family.

We will be including some songs for the children to join the choir in singing, so we hope to have a good number of children along to help us out.

Tickets will be available at Costcutter from 11 November: ÂŁ5 adults, accompanied children free.

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ST MARY’S - Acts of Remembrance in November Sunday 3 November Our Interactive Family Service will be Remembrance-themed 11am in the Church Sunday 10 November Evensong with an Act of Remembrance 6pm in the Church Monday 11 November Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial Assemble at 10.45am for two minutes silence at 11am You are very welcome at all our Services.

Please see page 8 for further details of dates during November, including All Souls on 3 November at 6pm in The Church

Launton Community Cafe The Cafe has reopened after the school half term.

In November the Cafe is open on Tuesdays 5, 12, 19 and 26 There are two sessions: between 9am and 11am between 2.30pm and 4.30pm For information on future plans contact Rev’d Peter Wright revpeterwright@gmail.com or phone 01869 572272 Or come to a Tuesday meeting

Everyone is welcome Come to meet friends and neighbours

ROYAL FOOTCARE Professional and affordable foot care in the convenience of your own home

“your feet are in safe hands” Sharon Ball S.A.C. DIP.FHPT S.A.C. DIP. FHPP Registered foot health practitioner // www.royalfootcare.co.uk

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Launton WI Meeting Thursday 10 October

The meeting began with the singing of Jerusalem and a birthday posy was presented to Maureen.

Feedback was given about a recent trip by Launton WI to the Bicester fire station which was thoroughly enjoyed and very informative. It included a “live shout” which added to the excitement of the evening.

Louise Kelly was the speaker for the evening and the topic was “How to stay safe online”. Her talk covered passwords, hacking, email scams, online shopping, social media and online banking. She gave hints on how to stay safe and secure online, for example varying your passwords for different sites and not writing them down anywhere. Another suggestion was to make your passwords unusual and not using classic ones such as pet names, etc.

Louise then covered hacking, how to know you’ve been hacked and what to do to fix it, reminding us of the importance of anti-virus software.

Scamming was the next topic for discussion, with such classics as “your friend has been kidnapped on holiday”, “free money offers”, “emails

Grange Mews News

Commercial Offices, Industrial Units and Storage for Lease We start with a new tenant with full experience of converting churches and chapels into habitable and interesting accommodation.

Following a change in the Directors, Grange Mews Launton was chosen for their new start.

They were delighted that they moved in during the morning and our in-house fibre broadband was immediately available and working in the afternoon.

We do hope our conversions will prove comfortable for them.

Another interesting newcomer and Launton resident is Hannah Chilling who had her first advertisement in Launton Lines last month.

An experienced osteopath, she is occupying The Garden Room next to Beechwood Therapy operated by Kirsty Anders.

This looks like being an interesting and enterprising area by these two ladies. We hope they are as successful as Roxie is in her adjacent "brow barn" which has also become very popular.

We let offices and industrial space and can be found at pacox@grangemews.co.uk and our website www.grangemews.co.uk Phone 01869 252846 or 07711778230

from unrecognised addresses with links or attachments”. We were reminded never to give out passwords or pin numbers via phone or email and to only use PayPal or Credit Cards (not Debit Cards) when buying online. When online shopping, stick to well-known businesses with a clear refund policy.

Social media and online banking were the two final topics covered. We were advised not to do surveys on social media, to thoroughly check our bank/credit card statements and protect our PIN when banking.

Louise suggested a useful link for more information www.getsafeonline.org.

This was a very informative, useful and detailed talk that gave us all a lot to think about, raising many questions from the group. A salutary reminder to continue to do all we can to “keep safe online”.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday 14 November at 7.30pm when Nicola Young will talk about “The Nursing of Premature Babies”. The competition will be “Something Beginning with Y” and there will be a Bring and Buy Stall.

Theresa

FOLLOW UP TO THE HARVEST LUNCH Judging from the warm atmosphere in the Parish Hall and the positive feedback received, the second annual Harvest Lunch last month was a success on an otherwise dull day.

So could this be the start of an institution?

Since occasions like this only succeed with the support of the Community, huge thanks are due to all our guests, to the food contributors and to the superb body of willing, hardworking volunteers.

We are grateful, too, to our Box Offices: The Bull Inn and StoneLily The lunch made the generous figure of some £300 for which the Church is very grateful!

So here’s to next year?

The two Celias

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Playing Fields Association AGM Report The LPFA AGM was held on 22 October 2019. The Chairman’s report included the following: “The most significant development during the past twelve months has involved the bar facility. In April the Committee decided to establish a separate ‘community interest company’ to run the bar facility with any profit from that company being paid to the LPFA for investment in the premises. As well as the bar having to be re-stocked, a new wide-screen television was purchased, Sky Sports reintroduced and new till system and bar fittings installed. All of this and a considerable voluntary effort from the Committee has seen the bar now establish itself as a viable ongoing contributor to the LPFA and the community as a whole.

In the hall we have invested in new emergency exit doors to the patio looking over the playing field, and a large number of additional chairs for regular and one-off users and events.

With regards to the playing fields, this time a year ago the pitches were unplayable. The gaps left by the mole draining that was carried out earlier

THE BULL INN Bicester Road, LAUNTON Tel 01869 248158 www.bullinnbicester.co.uk A Warm & Friendly Traditional Country Pub TOGETHER WE HAVE RAISED OVER

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 16

in 2018 had failed to close and despite a number of hardy volunteers inserting up to 30 tons of sand, grit and topsoil the surface remained too dangerous. Winter and spring rains gradually replenished the natural moisture levels, closed the remaining gaps, and we now have such a well-drained surface that we were recently able to host football matches when the majority of fixtures at other local venues were cancelled following heavy rains.

In terms of playing field capacity, kitchen facility and are aware that the hall and bar areas will be in we were also pursuing the acquisition of the Yew Tree Farm need of redecoration. We will also field to the northeast of the main undoubtedly need to continue to address a number of issues that are field through discussions with emerging due to the age of the Cherwell District Council’s Landscape Planning Department. property and fittings. These include the flat roofing above the kitchen, Having originally been led to believe this would be handed over all bar and cellar refrigeration, and a potential upgrade to the whole to LPFA, we are disappointed to find this not to be the case and the electrical system.�

Boys/Girls football clubs are Following the Treasurer’s report having to pay to use the facility. the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Looking to the year ahead there are Treasurer were re-elected and a number of areas we intend Vicky Ponting was elected as the addressing. We are very mindful of new Secretary replacing Anouska the deterioration in the surface of Lucas-Howells, to whom the the lane and car park and will be Committee expressed their thanks tackling the worst areas that fall for her significant contribution under our responsibility in the near throughout the previous two years. future. However, it must be We now look forward to the remembered that East/West rail Fireworks Night on Friday 8 have claimed the right to use the November which we are delighted entire car park and lane access for to be co-hosting with the their use as required. As yet we do Hummingbird Centre (see page 47 not know what that entails. for more details).

We are still looking to upgrade the Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 17

150 Years Ago: The Bicester Herald 26 November 1869 COUNTY COURT Thomas Sansom, publican, Launton, v William Baynard, labourer, Syresham This was a claim of ÂŁ1 5s for beer and lodging during hay time. The defendant said he owed a fourth part of the account. There were four of them and they had the beer between them. The plaitiff said that during the hay time the defendant and three others lodged at his house and used to take out a jar of beer every morning. He could not say which took it out, but the defendant told him to put it all down to him, and the rest would pay him.

His Honour to defendant: Did you have it jointly? Defendant: Yes, your Honour.

The Judge: Then you are liable for the whole of it. If there were a hundred of you and you had it jointly, every one of you would be liable for the whole.

This is only one of a hundred cases of the sort that have come under my notice and the difficulty is generally to prove that the men have it jointly. If the other men have a spark of honestly in them, they will repay you. Order for the amount claimed by monthly instalments of 2s.

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News from the Woodland

Dry and wet in quick succession, the wood is bearing up. This is largely down to the shreddings spread regularly on the pathways. Island Pond Wood is doing well compared to Stoke Wood, which is a quagmire already. For us, new shreddings have arrived to bolster the worn and flattened ones.

Autumn came early to parts of the wood, with yellow leaf fall in early September, now mulching in. The monsoons have pleased the ducks and the pond level is creeping back to normal levels. Some folks said they had not seen it so low as this summer – there was a possibility that many dog balls could be retrieved from the depths and maybe Nancy’s wellington boot.

One of our next jobs is to look at the bird boxes put up last year. We think that most of the seven boxes were used.

A fox has been spotted. Or perhaps it was a deep russet dog with a bushy tail, out on its own and running in a fox-like way, but I think it was a fox, in the side wood on that occasion.

People have said it would be good to survey the wildlife in the wood, the things that appear when we’re not there. How could we do this? Does anyone have some kind of discreet recording device stashed away in the shed? Could you install it and take on special responsibility for monitoring the findings? It would be just one of the ways you could help, so contact us if you can, at islandpondwood.launton@gmail.com.

Our next work session is on Saturday 16 November from 10am.We meet near the entrance to the wood and you would be very welcome to join us.

Gwen Skinner

Bicester Rusty Musicians: a group with musical WD40 Did you once play a musical instrument or sing? Would you like to restart now you have more time on your hands?

Well why not come along to Bicester Rusty Musicians on a Monday afternoon from 1.00 to 3.00 pm. There are some instruments there, or bring your own.

There are amps and a PA too.

It’s an informal session, normally playing rock covers chosen by group members.

Combined with a cup of tea or coffee, it’s a great time, with random reminiscences of bands, concerts, music and more from the 60’s to the present day.

It’s for the over 50’s, and at £3 a session is great value. Just turn up!!

It’s at The OYAP centre, which is based at Old St Edburg’s school, down Cemetery Lane, near The Littlebury Hotel.

Now doesn’t that sound like a line from an old bluesman’s number - “Down Cemetery Lane. Near The Littlebury Hotel!” Hope to see you there.

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 19

150 Years Ago: from the School Logbook November 1869

Monday Nov 1st Sent Eliz Sansome home this morning. They owe something like 3 or 4s. Her mother promised to pay 6d per week until it is all paid. This she has failed to do for 2 or 3 weeks, so children were sent home. Commenced Evening School.

Tuesday 2nd V Std commenced Comp[pound] L[ong] Division. Was pleased this morning to notice very considerable improvement in the spelling of the 1st and 2nd classes.

Friday 5th Very wet this afternoon. Av for wk 89.6.

Monday 8th Although it was a soaking wet morning 80 children were present.

Wednesday 10th Burford’s Panorama of Scenes and Discoveries of Speke and others in Africa at Bicester. Mr Blomfield kindly offered to pay for such children as could go (1d per head), so I took 50 of the biggest, at 2.45, and sent the rest home.

Thursday 11th Very sharp frost. Obliged to have fires in school.

Friday 12th Av for wk 88.

Monday 15th Taught IV Std Compound Multiplication. Began to dismiss children at 4 instead of 4.30 until the days get longer.

Tuesday 16th Rev JC Blomfield took 1st and 2nd Classes in Scripture.

Wednesday 17th The I Std progress very much with their writing.

Thursday 18th Rev JC Blomfield took 1st and 2nd Classes in Scripture.

Friday 19th Av for wk 92.9.

Monday 22nd Very wet this morning – about 20 away. Edwin Holiday being away from School I enquired the cause of his brother and found that his [sic] had kept him away from School as a punishment (!) for bad behaviour at home.

Tuesday 23rd Rev JC Blomfield took 1st and 2nd Classes in Scrip[ture].

Wednesday 24th Taught words to song My Native Land (Dr Fowle).

Thursday 25th Rev JC Blomfield took 1st and 2nd Classes in Scrip[ture].

Friday 26th Av for wk 91.4.

Monday 29th An incessant storm of cold rain and snow kept a few children away this afternoon.

Tuesday 30th Rev JC Blomfield took 1st and 2nd Classes in Scrip[ture] Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 20

Launton Village Fete 2020: The Olympic Fete

The next Fete will be on Saturday 13 June 2020.

The theme will be The Olympics which will be held later in the year in Japan. We plan lots of Olympic-style activities and a Japanese-themed Tearoom.

The Field, the Hall and the Market Stalls have all been booked, and Wendy has been asked to work her magic on the Fly Past.

The Open Meeting on 25 September reported on the 2019 Fete - The Moon Fete. The final accounts showed total income of £4,687.39 and expenses of £1,021.87, with £3,665.52 to give to beneficiaries. For 2019 these were St Mary’s Church (which received two thirds or £2,443.68) and Launton Preschool Playgroup (which received one third or £1,221.84). The Playgroup plans to spend its share on a weatherproof storage building (their current shed needs replacing) and on some new equipment for the children to play with, both in the garden and indoors.

At the Open Meeting those attending confirmed that the one-third beneficiary for 2020 will be The Bicester Squadron (2507) of the Air Training Corps who have helped with the Fete since at least 2013 and, as the meeting said, “without whom we would not be able to run the Fete, as they provide the crucial lifting and carrying and general muscle that’s needed”.

We have given this news to the Squadron, and they have already booked the Fete into their Community Calendar. And we will have their band again to lead the opening parade, and to perform in the Arena for 2020.

The planning group wants to build on the Olympic theme with a range of activities at the Fete that encourage the “Faster, Higher, Stronger” aspirations of the Olympics - so some running, some jumping, and some other activities.

And, as ever, we hope for good weather, and with that will come Cupp the miniature pony, the display from Elite Dance, and dry grass so we can run Arena events.

The first Planning Meeting will be held on 4 November at 7.30pm at 36 West End. Phone Rob on 01869 241883 or email rcornford47@gmail.com if you want to help with the 2020 Olympic Fete. We are always keen to welcome new ideas and new people to the Fete group.

Robert Cornford: Coordinator, 2020 Launton Village Fete Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 21

The School Reporters: Our Space Project

‘We have been learning about space and it has been a very interesting project. We are very lucky because we can go into our gardens any night to look at the stars. Sometimes there are very bright stars and they may be other planets with their own systems like ours. We have learned the names of the planets in our solar system like Saturn, Venus and Mars.

For homework we made solar system models using different materials like rocks, polystyrene balls, pipe cleaners, paper and card and then we used paint, felt tips and crayons to colour them in. We enjoyed doing this. In our classroom we are working in small groups preparing Powerpoints on space. We also made sundials using card and paper. We know how to make the sundial work by finding North and putting the sundial in the right place. Of course, we need sunshine for it to work.

A planetarium came to our school and we all went into the hall to watch the planets and stars. We liked hearing about them. Some grown-ups thought that we might get dizzy watching the planets but we didn’t. It made us feel that we were travelling in space seeing all those stars.’

Abigail, George, Harry and Lily | Year 4 Reporters, Launton School There are some photos from the Space Project on the facing page, 23.

PHIP Events and Report

The next fundraising event for PHIP will be the Race Night at The Bull on Friday 8 November (see page 47 for more details).

After that there are plans for another (or more) Film Nights in The Parish Hall, following the three trial runs with both Mamma Mia films and then The Greatest Showman in October. Steve Webber is researching ideas for future shows. Suggestions have been more musicals, some children’s shows, or some classic old films. If you have ideas or suggestions, email Steve at stevewebber229@gmail.com.

Then the next event will be, we hope, The Tythe Barn Quiz sometime in March 2020. We are very dependent on the generosity of Will and Emma Deeley in making the Tythe Barn available (it is such a fantastic venue) and need to confirm a free date with them.

We are still confident that the Lease will be agreed and signed soon maybe even this year. We have begun researching major funding projects.

The next meeting of the PHIP Group is on Friday 15 November in the Parish Hall at 7.30pm. All meetings are open to all.

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 22

The Launton School Reporters: Our Space Project

How do you see the Solar System?

With paper, wire, paint, pipe cleaners, polystyrene, card, thread, and stones?

Here are some of the models produced in Launton School.

What imaginative ideas!

The School Reporters write on page 22, opposite.

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 23

From Launton Youth Football Club

Two successful teams from the club from earlier in the year  Top: The Under 14 team in their new strip celebrating winning their League Cup final  Bottom: The Under 9 team, and coaches, celebrating winning a summer tournament

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 24

Some fungi from the fields of Launton

We have been sent this selection of fungi by Fridie Curry, who says, “I am afraid I don’t know any names or which are edible.

Maybe you could ask readers for help. We were given some wild mushrooms by a friend the other day, had them for supper, but regretted it that night!”

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 25

Activity around Launton in the past month

Children’s activities outside and inside at the Pre-school Playgroup as autumn takes its grip.

Photos from the playgroup  The Macmillan Coffee Morning on 27 September at The Bull Inn, with hostess and landlady Karen Blainey and some of the donated cakes from the village.

Photo from Lesley Thompson

 The Costcutter shop and Post Office reopened in October. Shop is open every day: Monday-Friday 7am-8pm; Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 8am-2pm.

Post Office open Monday-Friday 9am5pm; Saturday 9am-12 noon.

Photo by Robert Cornford

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 26

Launton Playgroup News November 2019

We have been busy this term learning about ourselves and our bodies.

We have been counting fingers, toes and teeth! Our grownups brought in our baby photos, and we all had fun trying to guess who each baby was. We have also been tasting and exploring healthy foods: we all liked different fruit and have different tastes! We even painted pictures with the fruit.

We have also been celebrating the arrival of Autumn and have been looking at the colours of the leaves changing. We have been singing many Autumn related songs, Dingle Dangle Scarecrow is a favourite! We have also been making some beautiful Autumn artwork.

All the new children have settled in well and are enjoying exploring all that playgroup has to offer.

Our term finishes on Friday 25 October, Anne, Terrie, Lucy and Shelley need a well-deserved rest! Playgroup reopens on Monday 4 November.

There are some photos on page 26, facing.

Expressway Update LAUNTON PARISH COUNCIL Thank you to all who came to the Expressway meeting on 19 September.

We hope that you found it useful.

For those who couldn’t make it or for those who’d like to remind themselves Prof. Rogers’ presentation is on the Parish Council website as a pdf at launton-pc.gov.uk/expressway-updates/ Many people signed up for the No Expressway Group updates, but some forgot to include their email address if you’d like to hear from the Group you can sign up at https://www.noexpressway.org/contact-us We have been asked to put updates from the Alliance on the Agenda for Parish Council meetings. Watch out for the Agenda to see when updates will be available.

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 27

Launton Lines Noticeboard Remembrance Day Service at Launton War Memorial Monday 11 November 2019

11.00am

Gather from 10.45am for a short service of remembrance.

PRESSED FOR TIME

Susy’s Ironing Service email: suz yrosado18@gmail.com mobile: 07956729237

Fast, Efficient and Reliable Ironing All ironing carried out in a clean and smoke-free environment

LGA Barn Dance with Jack’s Maggott Band and caller r y 2020

5 Jan 2 y a d r u t : Sa New date

ua

Launton Playing Field Hall, starting at 7.30pm.

Launton Watercolour Group

We meet in the Parish Hall on Mondays at 2pm - 4pm

Meetings this month are on 4, 11, 18 and 25 Novemmber For more information phone 249725 or email johnandpatsystephens@gmail.com

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 28

LAUNTON OVER 60s CLUB REPORT

Our day out to Evesham, which was rescheduled for 18 September, was a great success. Members and their friends were lucky enough to have a lovely, warm, sunny day to explore the town and historic churches and enjoy a boat trip on the river.

We had a meat draw towards the end of September and a Fish and Chip lunch at the beginning of October. Rita, one of our newest members, was kind enough to make a chocolate cake for us to have as a dessert. Much appreciated by us all.

Also at the beginning of October, members of our committee were invited to a splendid Champagne Reception at Bicester Village to celebrate that we had been awarded a generous donation of £500 from their Make a Difference Fund. It was immensely enjoyable and interesting to meet people from similar organisations who had also received donations.

Our Bingo jackpot is still “up for grabs” now standing at about £45. Daphne just missed it at our last meeting when she called the line in 22 numbers - two more than the 20 required to win. Close but not close enough!

Pat Court (01869 244900) Local Osteopath in Launton Hannah is committed to helping you restore your mobility and keep you moving, through hands-on treatment and exercises.

Hannah specialises in all types of pain, including low back pain, neck pain, hip pain, stress, injuries, and pain prevention.

Call on 01869 640 315 or book online at https://hannahosteopath.business.site Book a free 15-minute assessment to see if osteopathy could help you. 

Grange Mews, Launton OX26 5EG Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 29

The Village Players: an update

First of all, we must confirm the amount we raised from the 2019 Summer Show.

In the August issue we said “We have raised over £500 for PHIP.” This was true, but understated the amount. In total we gave £622.75 to PHIP. The Autumn Plays are now complete (a review is on pages 10-11) and we are waiting to confirm finances before sharing profits between Bicester Forget Me Nots and PHIP. We also hope that cast members recover from their illnesses.

On Sunday 27 October there was the Open Evening to launch the 2020 Panto, our 34th show. Nearly fifty people met in the Parish Hall for drinks, nibbles and a preview of plans for the show. Then … the unveiling of the script of The Snow Queen - this year written by Julia West who will also be co-directing the show with Martin Evans. Original music is again written by Steve Webber.

The script has traditional fun and antics - and some very good jokes. Casting is in hand, and rehearsals start on Sunday 27 October in the Parish Hall.

There will be six shows on 20, 21 and 22 February. Thursdays are on at 10am and 2.30pm with Friday and Saturday at the more traditional 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets go on sale on 2 January at The Bull in Launton and Coles Books in Bicester - and this year there will be some tickets available online as a trial.

Watch Launton Lines for more info as it is released.

Launton Lines goes online from January 2020

MASKELL FLOORING

Just a reminder to all contributors and Your local family firm for 52 years advertisers in Launton Lines that from the issue for January 2020 (Issue 231) it We will bring samples to you will be issued online through the  Take away old carpet publishing website Issuu. We will also continue to produce a print version for Move all your furniture village distribution.

Each issue will be put online as a single Hoover and clean up file exactly as the print version, and  Old fashioned service each issue will be promoted through  No stress. No pressure. No worry the Launton facebook page and Launton.org website.

Grange Mews, Station Road, Launton Please be aware when submitting words, photos or adverts that they will maskellflooring@gmail.com be published online.

01869 322514 We may need to check on photo Member of Carpet Foundation permissions specially those of children.

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 30

Crimewatch Report: update to 13 October

Between 22.00 hrs on 02 October and 08.39hrs on 3 October a van was broken into on the Bicester Rd Launton. The lock barrel had been removed and power tools had been stolen. We continue to advise people to remove all items if possible from vehicles as we have received several reports of cars/vans being broken into in and around Bicester and the surrounding villages. Please also document makes/models and serial numbers of tools as, if they are recovered, we can then return to owners.

On 8 October we received a report of persons going door to door selling homewares, otherwise known as “Nottingham Knockers”. We strongly urge people not to buy on the doorstep and to ring 101 if they are approached.

We also held the Rural Communities Resilience Forum whereby all members of our rural communities are invited to attend and help set the forthcoming rural priorities. The next meeting will he Wednesday 22 January 2020 at Fringford Village Hall at 7pm.

We recommend signing up to ALL ROOFS, GUTTERS & CHIMNEYS Thames Valley Alert where you can receive free crime alerts HOUSE MAINTENANCE | REPOINTING and information about where you live. Go to this website INTERNAL & EXTERNAL DECORATIONS www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk PATIOS | DECKINGS | FENCING We have also produced a poster for Halloween that can be FOR A PERSONAL SERVICE CALL displayed if you don’t want to be visited. It says “No trick or PETER N. SOUTHAM treat. Please enjoy your night 01869 278333 without disturbing ours”, available on our website OR www.thamesvalley.police.uk.

07721 633 220 There is also advice on being safe if you are trick-or-treating. peteroofer@aol.com Louise Beaumont PCSO C6333 INSURANCE APPROVED Bicester Police Station Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 31

Launton Ladies and Girls FC Report

Launton Ladies and Girls Football Club is one of the only femalefocussed clubs in our region, going from strength to strength.

We have a Ladies team as well as three Girls age-group teams, all playing competitive league matches in the Oxford Mail Girls Football League.

We have also now launched our WILDCATS Academy for 5-11 Year Old Girls to have fun, make friends and play football.

Update this month Launton Ladies and Girls FC, in conjunction with the Launton Sports and Social Committee and Launton Playing Field Association, are hosting an U8’s Girls Football Development Festival on Saturday 2 November, on behalf of the Oxford Mail Girls Football League. This is a great chance for us to lend our facilities to a high-profile festival of Girls Development Football in the region. At the Festival, Launton will be entering an U8’s team from our Wildcats Academy: for some, their first chance to play competitive football for us, which is very exciting.

We are also taking two further teams (an U10’s team from our Wildcats Academy and our U12’s team) to the Oxford United Talent ID Tournament on 3 November, held at Whitelands Farm Sports Ground in Bicester.

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 32

WILDCATS Launton Ladies and Girls FC have been approved to run an SSE Wildcats Centre which is an opportunity for girls aged 5-11 to have fun, develop fundamental skills, try a variety of sessions, and lay a foundation for a lifelong love of sport. Sessions are delivered by qualified coaches on a weekly basis. For those participating the aim is simple: Have Fun. Make Friends.

Play Football. To register for Wildcats, just check out this website: http://faevents.thefa.com/book?sessionId=28634 Training and Welcome Sessions Launton Ladies & Girls FC would like to invite all enthusiastic potential footballers and volunteers to take part and join us for a free training session at the Launton Playing Field.

U16’s / U15’s Age Group – Mondays 6pm – 7pm U14’s / U13’s Age Group – Thursdays 6.30pm – 7.30pm U12’s / U11’s Age Group – Wednesdays 5.45pm – 6.45pm Wildcats – Wenesdays 5.45pm – 6.45pm Ladies – Wednesdays 8.00 – 9.00pm For further details please see our website: www.launtonladiesfc.co.uk or email info@launtonladiesfc.co.uk

PODIATRY/CHIROPODY ALDRED CASEY MEDICAL LTD Nail Care | Chiropody | Diabetic Foot Check | Nail Surgery Biomechanics/Musculoskeletal Assessments | Orthotics Podiatry/Chiropody is provided by Miss Joanne Casey M.Ch.S, BSc (Hons) and Associates at our clinics in Stratton Audley and Banbury.

We have over 20 years experience in both NHS and Private Practice.

Patients can be sure to receive the best care and advice possible for their feet.

Our podiatrists are HCPC registered and are members of The College of Podiatry.

We also offer home visits on request.

Visit our website at www.aldredcaseymedical.co.uk To book an appointment please contact us using the details below, or email enquiries@aldredcaseymedical.co.uk In Stratton Audley: The Old Post Office, Cherry Street, Stratton Audley OX27 9AA

Phone 01869 278088

In Banbury: Marlborough Road Clinic, Suite 4 Borough House, Marlborough Road, Banbury OX16 5TH

Phone 01295 273073

A Vet’s Voice: Too Many Teeth

I recently met a new dog named Scarlett who has come to live with a long-term client of the practice. Scarlett is a very sweet, very small Pomeranian who made herself at home very quickly. Our first official meeting was for a health check and vaccination update where we discovered that despite being well over a year old, she still had some of her baby teeth. These are properly known as deciduous or temporary teeth and sometimes get called “milk teeth”.

Dogs and cats start to lose these deciduous teeth between 3-4 months of age, and they should all have been replaced by adult teeth by the time they are 6 months old. Sometimes, especially in smaller dogs, the system goes awry, and the adult teeth come up beside the temporary teeth or sometimes they don’t erupt at all. The presence of the 2 sets of teeth can lead to malocclusion (teeth not lining up properly) and also it creates tight crevices between teeth for plaque and food to build up causing early dental disease.

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Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 34

Scarlett was booked in for a spay and, as she was having a general anaesthetic, this was an opportune time to remove the extra teeth. (We wouldn’t normally do major dentistry at the same time as a spay due to risks with cross infection, but these were healthy, non-infected teeth and the extractions are usually straightforward so the risk was very low).

The starting point is some routine x-rays of the teeth to plan the extractions - (see pictures). We could clearly see that the roots of the deciduous teeth, which should have dissolved many months before, were healthy and strong. The extractions were then performed, and Scarlett made an excellent recovery.

Deciduous teeth start with roots but these should dissolve naturally as the new adult tooth becomes ready to come through. The dissolving of the root means that only the crown remains (which is what the tooth fairy normally collects from children). Failure of the root to dissolve means that the teeth stay firmly in place causing an obstruction to the eruption of the adult tooth and hence the problem.

Everything went according to plan with Scarlett and she is doing well at home - though she has started to cause a bit of mischief. I do understand, however, that she has performed very well in some local dog shows and is starting to build up a collection of rosettes!

If you’d like to watch a short video about Scarlett’s surgery and teeth, then look for the Bicester Vets YouTube channel and you should find a video called “Bicester Vets - Surgery and Dental”. I hope you find it interesting. We’ve also got a new video showing a “behind the scenes” look at the practice: please share your comments on the channel if you would like Enjoy your pets Jason Williams | Bicester Vets Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 35

The gym Is not just for keeping fit

For people who use a gym regularly, this article is surely not for you.

Smugly, you’ll have seen all this for yourself already. But for the uninitiated, or maybe the undecided, gyms are a fascinating place, as I will try to show you here.

A regular local authority gym is ideal for most people. It is a welcoming place, regardless of your size, height, weight, level of fitness, mode of dress.

In other words, you can see/meet a wide range of people, all of whom have their special reason for being there.

We may as well start with the ‘look at me’ members. These are the ones who wear the ‘stand out’ kit – tight fitting lycra, lots of muscle on display, tattoos to die for, regularly treating themselves to narcissistic poses in the full-length mirrors. They’re often able to combine that with the famous gym ‘grunt’, for the pleasure and admiration of the other users. Then, they encourage you to look again in their direction by noisily dropping their loose weights to the ground with a clang, ignoring the advice on the wall: ‘if you can’t lift it, don’t give yourself a hernia by trying to’. And that’s just the women. The men are much worse.

Added to that list of common characteristics, there’s the ‘steroid effect’. Men on steroids, I’m told, grow extra hair on the backs of their legs, develop ‘the stare’ towards other users, and have erect nipples. The stare is a bit of a giveaway and should be avoided by whoever’s in their line of sight. Why? Because it can turn into aggression if the steroid user is on a high enough dose. For your reassurance, long-term steroid users tend to go to gyms where their crazy mates go as well. They throw around large rocks, pull double decker buses on the end of a thick rope and grunt even more than your regular gym user. Some even have cars with number plates that, at a casual glance, could spell words like ‘BICEPS’. With municipal gyms not seeing too many of these fanatical users of ‘supplements’, the senior citizen who goes to the gym for a chat and a pedal on the bike is pretty safe and secure - along with the many other ‘regular’ users, who may have more subtle quirks.

Among regular users, a frequent quirk is their electronic kit/office equipment. Some walk around as if they’re as deranged as the steroid gang, but that’s because they have small things in their ears that allow them to listen to music, make/take phone calls, or run a small or medium sized business. You can see some of this lot surrounded by mobile phones and Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 36

iPads, sitting on some equipment as if it were their office chair and saying to nobody in particular “well why don’t you try offering them 40” or “just pick the low hanging fruit till I get back” or “you need to hit the ground running, with your head held high, so that you can follow the game plan, on a level playing field, to avoid the curve ball and move to the next level, before somebody moves the goal posts on this sticky wicket”. It’s just as well that these bits of ‘office equipment’ are indestructible, because the ease with which their owners drop them to the floor or kick them from one piece of equipment to the other must mean that they have very good insurance policies.

Another is the ‘towel on the sun lounger’ syndrome. The trick is to make it look like you’re using one piece of gym equipment while you’re slowly killing yourself on another. So, you put a small towel there or leave your water bottle next to it, so that you can nab your next exercise before some other inconsiderate user comes along and beats you to it. What’s the point in just having to use whatever equipment happens to be free when you can book ahead? Linked to this phenomenon is not having a towel at all. Here, you knock yourself out on a sitting down piece of equipment and then generously leave behind all your accumulated sweat behind for the next person to mop up, or for them to abandon it until it’s all dried up by the time they return to it later.

Then there’s the ‘leave this machine as you found it’. This is the rule where you take off all the loose weights that you have put on to your machine before you push it or pull it. This works well when everybody does it.

However, if one person doesn’t do it, why should anybody else? The result?

You want to use a machine with 10 kilos on it, but you can’t get the 50 kilos of weights that are on it, off it! Or you end up doing all the exercise you need to on this machine just by taking off those extra weights, knowing already that you’ll be too tired to use it after that.

So why should anybody go the gym, with all this negativity? Because there’s also inspiration. Probably the most inspiring is to see stroke victims rehabilitating themselves with help from their partners and friends. They show up regularly and you can feel the efforts that they’re making, just sitting there and turning the pedals on the specially adapted cycling machine while their partner sits next to them encouraging them to keep at it. The great joy is to observe their slow yet steady progress over months, not weeks, as they defy the odds and strive to improve Continued on page 38  Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 37

their mobility. What a pleasure to see someone change from seeing themselves as an unfortunate ‘stroke victim’ to being, months later, an employee in a local retail firm.

We shouldn’t forget the extra pressure there is on young women. They’re turning up, very often in a male dominated environment, and are not afraid to do serious workouts. It’s good to see their confidence develop. And, of course, the more of them who turn up, the less likely it is for their presence to provoke an inappropriate reaction among the male throng. Equally there are older people, who turn up in growing numbers. It’s OK for them to recognise their limitations, but you can see them building up a sweat and showing some of the younger members that keeping fit is not just for the ‘yoof’. Stooped and lacking a full head of hair they may be, but that is no reason for them to exclude themselves from the collective benefits of gym membership.

And finally, we turn to the ‘stick people’. It is great to see skinny callow youths in their teen years. They rock up every week and never seem to fill out. Then gradually, glacially slowly, they start turning into more toned/muscular individuals. Their self-assurance rises, their muscle definition becomes more obvious and then, while coolly preening themselves in the mirrors, they can frown dismissively at the next lot of stick people who are just starting their journey to fitness.

There is a world to discover at the gym.

It’s colourful. It’s inspiring. Maybe you should try it.

A gym is not just for after Christmas. It’s for life!

Danny Cunningham

Letters on potential fatal accidents After the Grumpy Old Men’s piece last month, the Editor has received two letters, reprinted below, together with a response from the Grumpy Old Men.

From Mrs Greta Walker Dear Editor, Not for the first time, I have found the latest episode from the Grumpy Old Men a puzzle.

I gather they are anxious to prevent a death in the village by introducing traffic calming. They say for this to happen, there needs first to be a fatal accident so the GOM say “Bring it on!”.

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 38

Did they really think this through before they put pen to paper?

How would they feel if news in the village broke that someone HAD been killed?! Would they then think their goal had been achieved?

Personally, I think the GOM should find another hobby. Launton Lines could do without their input.

Incidentally, we still have no idea of the GOM identity - it seems to me that most males in this village have been surmised to be so. It seems wrong that a serious comment such as this could be attributed to the wrong person.

From Dave and Freda Clark Dear Sirs, We are so shocked at the statement made in this month’s issue of Launton Lines regarding the Grumpy Old Men comments “?to roll on a fatal accident” to bring in the traffic calming in Bicester Road/Blackthorn Road. We are also equally shocked that Launton Lines allowed it to be printed.

It is very cowardly that these men remain anonymous and it is about time they are named and shamed.

We passed the letters to The Grumpy Old Men. Here is their reply.

“We are sorry that we have upset readers, but we must point out that our intention was not to do so but rather to draw attention to the often-stated opinion (including from the parish council and district and county councillors) that speed calming or realignment will only happen after a fatality, normally linked to the crossroads. We said, ‘We hate to say it or wish it - but roll on a fatal accident.’ It might have been clearer if we had added ‘... if this is what it takes to make those with the power do something about the traffic.’

We were following the logic of ‘there has to be a fatal accident’. They are saying it, and using it as an explanation for no action. People are quite right to be upset and annoyed - but focus on those who first expressed the idea. We are just drawing readers’ attention to the view. We could have expressed it differently, but our overall point remains, ‘Can the Parish Council not press for measures to preserve the life of the village and of villagers?’.

In response to the challenge to our membership, we must refer people to page 19 of issue 206, December 2017, where we explained our own internal rules on naming names. We don’t want to take up more space in repeating it.”

The Editor responds: I hope that Launton Lines can be a space for all people in Launton, so I include what is submitted. The Grumpy Old Men are regular contributors and many readers enjoy their thoughts, so they are included.

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 39

50 Years Ago: from The Bicester Advertiser 7 November 1969

LAUNTON UNITED SUPPORTERS’ CLUB A Dance to the Hi-Lites at St Edburg's Hall, Bicester. Saturday November 8th - 8.30 to 11.45pm.

Admission 6/-. Licensed Bar applied for. Rights of Admission Reserved.

FOOTBALL OXON SENIOR LEAGUE Home Victory for Launton United. One Goal Suffices to give them the Points Twice last season, Old Easingtonians, at the moment highly placed in the Oxfordshire Senior League, defeated Launton United, but on Saturday, on the RAF Ground, the United had their revenge, by scoring the only goal of the match. Late team changes were necessary for Launton, but an emergency arose when goalkeeper Bob Chinnery failed to put in an appearance. Bill Foley, always regarded as a utility man, went between the sticks - he was no stranger to that position - and he performed well. Drafted into the senior side after impressive displays in the Reserves, Phil Scott showed the value of his inclusion with a fine game and was the best wing half on the field. Phil is the son of Jimmy Scott, who played as half back for Bicester Town for many years. Launton were clearly on top in the first half, Gordon Cooke proving a real trouble to the Banbury side’s defence, but Bob Palmer, making his first appearance for a match, was having a great game. The United’s weakness, however, lay in the breakdown of the clever approach work, which often fizzled out near goal. Dennis Thurlow moved up to infuse more life into the attack, but the first real scoring chance fell to the Old Easingtonians when Woodcock fastened on to a through ball, but he shot weakly from close in. Bill Foley was safe in all he was called upon to do. Palmer, with a header, and Scott, with a good shot, tested the visitors’ goalie and, close on the interval, Brian Gough just failed, by inches, to finish a clever build-up by Cooke and Palmer.

The home defence met strong attacks on the resumption with confident ability, Johnnie Clark showing a return to his old form, Wally Welford, Bob Wharton and Simmonds lending fine support. The vital goal came after twenty minutes of the second half. Breaking away quickly, Bob Pittuck made ground on the right and squared the ball for a number of players to have a go at getting it into the net; Thurlow succeeded and Launton were in the lead, one on which they hoped to keep on to grimly, as Old Easingtonians made tremendous efforts to get on terms, but their bad shooting and general weak finishing let them down.

The final minutes were Launton’s testing time, as the defence resisted all efforts by their opponents to score, and Welford, at the expense of a painful “winding” stopped a “pile-driver”, which looked certain to score. The United held on to gain a narrow victory, but it was a near thing.

United Reserves Go Down At Banbury Launton United’s second string put Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 40

up a poor show at Banbury against Old Easingtonian Reserves, team manager Jim Jones being so short of players, he made up the side. The home team had established a four-nil lead by half time, and Launton improved slightly in the second half, as to concede only another couple of goals. Skipper Roy Knight scored a solitary goal for the visitors, whose goalkeeper, Pete Douglas, although beaten six times, nevertheless put up a good show. In their 6-1 victory, Easington’s right winger got a “nap hand” for his side. The mix-up playerwise of Saturday will, the United hope, be not repeated.

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Simon Nash Heating Plumbing Servicing Domestic Oil and Gas Servicing Installation and Maintenance Gas Safe Registered Oftec Registered “A local Business from Launton” Phone: 07483 864 571 Email: simonnashserv@aol.com Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 41

MEMORIES OF AN EX-LAUNTON BOY

This month the ex-Launton Boy rolls back the years and, starting with a visit to The Buddy Holly Story, paints a picture of the music scene in Bicester in the late 1950s and 60s, and tells the story of how he was nearly the front man for the Bicester band The Methods. Dance On! Having first seen the show over some twenty five years or so ago when it was at the Victoria Palace in London, Julie and I joined a number of my REA comrades and their respective wives on a trip to the Orchard Theatre in Dartford to see ‘The Buddy Holly Story’. Wow! Talk about a knockout show, it was fantastic. And the music, from an era when they knew how to make music, drew back the curtains on time as we were transported back over six decades. It was fantastically stupendous, so much so I forgot about all my aches and pains, wanting to dance the whole night long in the aisles.

Sadly, I never got to see Buddy Holly live, nor the Crickets for that matter, but oh how back in the late 1950’s and early 60’s we loved to listen to their music. It was so inspirational and innovative too, especially for the likes of my all time favourite group, the Beatles who were very much influenced by him. I remember as a young boy being on a short stay with my Godmother in Sutton Coldfield (then in Warwickshire) where I was born.

The two distinctive things I remember about that summer were the hot, sticky heat and the sound of Buddy Holly and The Crickets on the radio. It is one of those occasions that often flicks through my mind, even after all these years.

It wasn’t until I was sixteen, as a young apprentice carpenter and joiner on very little pay that I managed to get to see my first live music shows which were usually at Slough. Together with some of my mates from Bicester, we would pool our meagre apprenticeship earnings to pay for coach seats and admission tickets to see the likes of Roy Orbison; Freddie and The Dreamers; Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders; Susan Maughan; and the one that was a complete waste of time and money, The Rolling Stones.

Why a waste of time? Quite simply because of all the female hysteria and shrieking and screaming, we couldn’t hear a single note of music, whether it be vocal or instrumental. So I can honestly say, I have seen the Rolling Stones live, but I have never heard them live. Just as well that Wayne Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 42

Fontana and the Mindbenders were on the same show, and what is more, they were very good. By far the most impressive were Roy Orbison - how on earth he used to hit those top notes I’ll never know - and to watch the antics of Freddie Garrity was something to behold. Watching him on TV leaping about the stage, you’d have sworn he must have been miming, but he wasn’t. He was quite fabulous.

I do recall one Saturday night dance at Graven Hill (a regular haunt), the group was Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers. They were very good but they weren’t show-stoppers. Mind you, they were there for us to dance to and not just sit and watch.

You might find this difficult to believe but I used to hang out with a group of Bicester lads I was at school with (well, one was from Stratton Audley), who were forming a band. Paul Ayres was the drummer, Derek Gebbles the lead guitar, David Kirk was bass guitar and Brian Nelson was rhythm guitar (I may have got them the wrong way round), and me, well I was going to be the vocalist, but as things turned out, before the first gig, I left and joined the army. They went on to form the local group called, The Methods, due to having practiced regularly at the Methodist Church Hall.

The big local group who were good enough to make it and should have made it to the top were the Bicester group called, The Apollo’s. I believe their drummer eventually joined the Royal Navy.

I still enjoy singing, whether in the choir of the Garrison church where I sing tenor or on Karaoke nights (if only) or around the house, much to Julie’s annoyance. Singing lifts the heart!

I remember my mum was always singing when she was doing her housework. She would sometimes quite amaze me when she would sing the words along with a pop song on the radio that I hadn’t even yet got my head round. She would then enlighten me by telling me that it wasn’t a new song at all but had been around for years. It had simply been given a modern up-beat twist. Everything that goes around comes around.

In the words of my favourite instrumental group of all time, The Shadows, “Dance On”.

Keep well and stay safe.

Tony Jeacock | The Ex-Launton Boy | November 2019 Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 43

Diary Dates: November/December 2019

NOVEMBER Friday 1 Saturday 2 Launton Women and Girls FC, U8’s Girls Football Development Festival for Oxford Mail Girls Football League, at Launton Playing Field Sunday 3 St Mary’s Church, Holy Communion (BCP), 8am; Family Service, 11am; All Souls Service, 6pm | Bingo at The Playing Field Hall. 8pm-9.45pm Monday 4 School and Playgroup reopen after half-term holiday | Watercolour Painting Group, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 5 Community Café, Parish Hall; 9am-11am; 2.30-4.30pm | Launton Health Walk, starts at The Bull, 2pm Wednesday 6 Over 60s Club Meeting, LPFA Hall. Doors open 1.45pm for tea and biscuits at 2pm, closes about 3.30pm | Home Guard Living History Group, Parish Hall, 8pm Thursday 7 Parish Council. Public Session 7pm, Council Meeting 7.30, Launton Parish Hall Friday 8 SCOTS Night at The Bull from 5.30pm | Race Night at The Bull, a fundraiser for PHIP, from 8pm | Fireworks Party at The Playing Field for Hummingbird Centre, from 6pm: display starts at 7pm Saturday 9 Sunday 10 Congregational Chapel Communion Service, 3pm | St Mary’s Church, Evensong, with an Act of Remembrance, 6pm | Bingo at The Playing Field Hall. 8pm-9.45pm Monday 11 Remembrance Service at the War Memorial, 10.45am | Watercolour Painting Group, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 12 Community Café, Parish Hall; 9am-11am; 2.30-4.30pm | Launton Health Walk, starts at The Bull, 2pm Wednesday 13 Thursday 14 WI Meeting, Speaker Nicola Young on Nursing of Premature Babies, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Friday 15 Saturday 16 Sunday 17 St Mary’s Church, Holy Communion, 11am | Bingo at The Playing Field Hall.

8pm-9.45pm Monday 18 Watercolour Painting Group, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 19 Community Café, Parish Hall; 9am-11am; 2.30-4.30pm | Launton Health Walk, starts at The Bull, 2pm Wednesday 20 FINAL DATE FOR COPY FOR THE DECEMBER 2019 ISSUE OF LAUNTON LINES: SUBMIT TO launtonlines@launton.org | Over 60s Club Meeting and Meat Draw, LPFA Hall. Doors open 1.45pm for tea and biscuits at 2pm, closes about 3.30pm | Home Guard Living History Group, Parish Hall, 8pm Thursday 21 The Friends of St. Mary's founding meeting, St Mary’s Church, 7pm Friday 22 Saturday 23 Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 44

Sunday

24 St Mary’s Church, Holy Communion, 11am | Congregational Chapel Communion Service, 3pm | Bingo at The Playing Field Hall. 8pm-9.45pm Monday 25 Watercolour Painting Group, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm | Launton Historical Society, AGM, Grange Mews Board Room, 7.45pm Tuesday 26 Community Café, Parish Hall; 9am-11am | 2.30-4.30pm | Launton Health Walk, starts at The Bull, 2pm Wednesday 27 Thursday 28 Friday 29 Saturday 30 Christmas tasting at Blue Texel, with Gin from Foxdenton Distillery, from 9.30am DECEMBER Sunday 1 St Mary’s Church, Holy Communion (BCP), 8am; Family Service and Christingle, 11am | Bingo at The Playing Field Hall. 8pm-9.45pm Monday 2 Watercolour Painting Group, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 3 Community Café, Parish Hall; 9am-11am; 2.30-4.30pm | Launton Health Walk, starts at The Bull, 2pm Wednesday 4 Home Guard Living History Group, Parish Hall, 8pm Thursday 5 Parish Council. Public Session 7pm, Council Meeting 7.30, Launton Parish Hall Friday 6 Saturday 7 Community Carol Concert, St Mary’s Church, 5pm

To list your own events, go to www.launton.org/calendar

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The Grumpy Old Men of Launton Communiqué for November 2019

Well, we seem to have kicked a hornets’ nest with last month’s Communique.

As we say in our response (see page 39) we didn’t intend this but rather to draw attention to an often-expressed view in the village, and to try and carry forward our interest in doing something about the traffic disaster that is the rat run through the village. Most of us in Launton live off these through routes and our only contact with the rat run madness is when we try to emerge onto Bicester Road. Every time we do this we thank the traffic lights on the railway bridge (great that EastWest Rail decided not to replace our nice old-fashioned bridge which we see has now sprouted a location number) for imposing a regular break in the steady flow of vehicles from the west. We also thank the brave folk who park their own vehicles on the through route, thus providing home-made traffic calming for traffic from the east.

All we want to see is some action to respond to the steady increase in traffic.

We hear that there are plans for another traffic count: it will be interesting to do a comparison with the data from the last count - as far as we can recall about three years ago. We would put good money that there has been a big increase - especially in rush hours. Let’s make sure that the count takes place in a “normal” week, so not during school holidays or round holiday periods.

As the most pessimistic among us continue to say, “The Expressway will provide a solution when a dual carriageway runs through the village: only problem is it will be running north-south so may not affect east-west flow.”

We have also been asking questions about the rapidly-disappearing markings on Station Road and West End. Will there be a sudden flurry of work around the white and yellow marks - in time for the winter rain and freeze to affect any patching that may be done. We are also delighted to see markings for replacement kerbing: the pavements are slowly slumping into the roadway where kerbstones have been broken, probably by vehicles driving onto the pavement to avoid the worst pot holes.

We may think that the village roads have problems - but when will something be done about the big hole on the northbound side of the road just before the Stratton/Marsh crossroads, where the road is slowly slipping into the ditch. One of us thinks they saw a pothole marking in the middle of the big slump: maybe they will repair the pothole and leave the major damage untouched for later. Someone - on a bike maybe - will get hurt there.

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 46

At The Bull, on Friday 8 November

A Race Night, following the SCOTS Night gathering.

8 races on screen | Place your bets at the Tote Free Entry | First race at 8pm

“It's always a great night out, and you could win big!”

Launton Lines November 2019 | Page 47

Launton Lines is delivered free to every address in the village. It is funded by its advertisers and Launton Parish Council. Further copies are available at £1.00 per copy from Shirley Johnson Launton Lines is the newsletter for Launton, published by the Launton Lines Committee © MMXIX Launton Lines. Launton Lines reserves the right to edit articles submitted for inclusion.

Neither the Committee nor the Editor is responsible for views expressed in readers’ contributions.