Launton Lines Issue 257 March 2022

The Launton Post Box Topper

Photos by Ella Rayner

We asked for information on the Post Box Topper. “We hear you’d like to know a bit more about where the Post Box Topper came “It’s made by Bicester Yarn Bombers, a small group of local ladies who like to knit and crochet and decorate the town. You may have seen the toppers in the Market Square, Tesco, and the Hearts in Garth Park. We’re a bit secret squirrel about it, so prefer not to use our names other than Bicester Yarn Bombers.

“We failed to put our label on the Launton Post Box along with the Topper, saying where people can make donations if they’d like to. It’ll be on the Post Box soon. If villagers want to support us, we are asking for donations for Banbury Young Homeless Project. www.byhp.org.uk “We hope Launton likes our contribution to village life.”

The front cover shows a scene from the 2022 Launton Pantomime, Dick Whittington.

The comedy duo Wormwood (Rod Fine) and Scrubbs (Chris Cook) have a small disagreement. See the review on pages 8-10, and more photos on pages 24-25.

Photo from the Village Players facebook pages, enhanced by co-editor Matt Hill

The Editor writes …

February is a short month and involved me in two separate nightmares - applying for an extension to my visa through a website with a mind of its own, and then having my Visa card cancelled by the bank’s fraud team as I was (finally) getting to make payment. I explain as these are the reasons this issue is a little late!

This issue is back to 48 pages, and it has been good to see material that shows life is returning to a bit more like “normal”. There is a report from the Girls’ and Women’s football (page 36) and a photo of the newest squad, the Under 9s (35). A review of the 2022 Panto Dick Whittington is on pages 8-10, with photos from the show on pages 24-25. Station Road should reopen in March, and we have a photo of laying tarmac on the road to the bridge (20). There is advance notice of events at St Mary’s (27), in Island Pond Wood (47) and the Royal Scarecrow Trail (26) as well as notice of AGMs for FIPW (34), the Over 60s (43), FoLPH (33), and the group (LCCG) that Launton Lines is a part (7). There is a list (40-41) of the 23 areas of work for the Parish Hall from recent consultation, and a report with photos (13, 15, 30, and 35) on the mix of sewage and surface water that threatened the village when pumps at Thames Water stopped working, and then all the regular reports from village organisations.

Please also support our advertisers who need you as much as we need them.

Robert Cornford

Launton Village Support: Contact Details A Support Group for Launton.

Group email: village.help@launton-pc.gov.uk PHONE Numbers: 9:30am to 5:00pm

07522 231 100 - Janice | 01869 247171 - Jane Olds (Launton Parish Council) 01869 241755 - Lesley | 01869 242685 - Nick Cherry Pharmacy Runner

Launton Lines

A monthly newsletter for Launton. Published around the first of each month by the Launton Community Communications Group © 2022 Launton Lines email: launtonlines@launton.org website: https://launton.org/launton-lines/ The Launton Lines Committee 2021-22 Chair: Jon Spinage | Editors: Robert Cornford, Matt Hill | Treasurer: Michael Stack Associate Editor: Kathy Gilbert | Distribution: Shirley Johnson | Advertising: Jenni Walker 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: 07922 042 133 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 March for entry in the April 2022 issue of Launton Lines.

March 5 | In memory of our Mum and Dad Gordon [Bill] Lapper on what would have been his 94th birthday, and his wife Lily [Rae] Lapper who passed away on this day last year.

Loved and remembered always, from Jenny, Jane and Family March 29 | Sponsored by Maureen Roberts in loving memory of her mother Iris Baker

Launton Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 3 February 2022 at 7:30pm in the Parish Hall Councillors present Mr Andrew Briant, Mr Kyle Michael, Mr Ed Sanders, Mrs Lesley Thompson, Mr Simon Turner (Chairman), Mrs Jaqueline Webber Apologies Mrs Abigail Dowman, In attendance The Clerk, Mrs Jane Olds; 2 representatives from the Friends of Island Pond Wood, and 11 members of the public East / West Rail Unfortunately no one from East West Rail was able to attend the meeting.

As you will have seen from the February Edition of Launton Lines the Grange Farm footbridge was officially opened by Simon Turner and Melvyn Banks from EWR on 21 January.

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 4

It had been requested that the EWR project use Blackthorn Road and Station Road to deliver the road surface for the Station Road bridge, but this was then reconsidered.

Report from District and County Councillors Neither the District nor County Councillors had sent reports.

Finance The Finance Report is available on the Parish council website.

Grants The Parish Council was pleased to be able to award a grant of £1,000 from this year’s grant budget towards two family events at Island Pond Wood over the next year.

Planning All planning applications, which include the links to Cherwell’s Planning Portal, are put on the Parish Council website when they are received (www.launton-pc.gov.uk - in the Agenda and Minutes section).

If a villager has concerns or comments about a planning application, they are welcome to come along to Parish Council meetings to bring them to the attention of the meeting. Villagers are also welcome to contact Councillors or the Clerk to make comments.

Guidance about how the Parish Council is able to respond is available on the Parish Council website at https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/planningapplications/ 21/04112/OUT - land near Grange Farm outline application for up to 68 Dwellings The Council noted the concerns of the villagers who had responded to the planning consultation and considered the application at length. The full response is available in the current year’s Agenda and Minutes section of the Parish Council website.

Parish Hall We received 41 responses to the consultation. The data was anonymised as much as possible and then collated and circulated. The Parish Hall Working Group has recommended that the Council consider Option A (to broadly keep the Hall with the current similar configuration) and the Council agreed with the recommendation.

Further work will now start with the architect.

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 5

West End Rubbish Bin The Council has agreed to replace the rubbish bin near Island Pond Wood with a closed top style bin which we hope will stop the wind taking the rubbish out of the bin.

Village Matters Village Spring Clean A date for your diaries - the annual Spring Clean and Litter Pick will be on Saturday 19 March between 10am and 12noon from the Parish Hall.

The WI have, once again, kindly agreed to provide their wonderful refreshments, so do come and join us and then be rewarded with drinks and cake!

Agenda items and dates of the next meetings The 3 March meeting will be in the Parish Hall, at 7.30pm, but this will be dependent on any Government restrictions.

In order to mitigate the COVID effects, we will do our best to make sure that the hall is as safe as possible. If you’d like to chat with a Councillor, do come along after 7.15pm. Unfortunately, we are not able to hold hybrid meetings at present - please arrive in time to use the hand sanitiser and find your seats!

We are trying to reduce our printing and paper use, so if you would like hard copies of the agenda or any of the meeting papers, please let the Clerk know well before the meeting.

Suggestions for agenda items for the 7 April meeting need to be with the Clerk by 24 March, and items for the thevillageclinic.co.uk 5 May meeting by 28 April.

If you’re not signed up to our mailing Acupuncture list to receive news from the Parish Chinese Medicine Council, you can find a signup form at the bottom left hand menu of the Blackthorn 01869 253552 Parish Council website at info@thevillageclinic.co.uk www.launton-pc.gov.uk/ Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 6

Notice of the Annual Meeting of the Launton Community Communications Group (LCCG) Launton Community Communications Group is responsible for Launton Lines, the village website (www.launton.org), and the Launton Facebook Page and Group. It is an Unincorporated Association run by an operating document adopted in August 2018.

We used to hold our AGMs in June or July following the end of our reporting year at the end of May. At the AGM in 2021 we changed the reporting year end from May to the calendar year end of December, as this was how our advertisers worked. So for this year’s accounts we are reporting for a period of only 7 months - June 2021 to December 2021.

For 2022 we will be back to reporting for a 12-month period.

The AGM to report on the period ending 31 December 2021 will be held on Wednesday 6 April 2022, starting at 7pm. We currently plan to hold it online (via Google Meet). If we can change this to a face-toface meeting we will hold it in the Parish Hall though possibly on a different date. We will announce the venue, date, and time in the April issue of Launton Lines. If it is a virtual meeting, joining instructions for the meeting will be at https://launton.org/lccg We will also hold a final agenda there, and have the minutes of the previous Annual Meeting for review.

The Draft Agenda for the meeting is below 1 Apologies 2 Minutes from last year’s LCCG Annual Meeting 3 Chair’s report 4 Treasurer’s report 5 Editor’s publication report and advertising summary 6 Election of Officers and Committee 7 Possible charity registration for LCCG 8 Any other business Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 7

Dick Whittington : Is Our Panto back? Oh Yes It Is! From Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 February the Launton Village Players (LVP) burst back on to our local Bicester stage for their 35th Pantomime, at The Cooper School. The pandemic stole this local highlight from us last year but the Village Players don’t nap, and took the opportunity to move their organisation forward, to formal charitable status. The LVP’s mission is twofold: to build and grow public awareness and pleasure for the arts, and to raise money to support other charitable concerns. This years’ charities included the Horton Children’s Ward, the Bicester Baby Bank, and the Samaritans: this gives a flavour for the breadth of the LVP endeavour.

This year was the first time, in over 15 years, that I have seen the auditorium below capacity. It is unsurprising in some ways, as we all learn to live in a post-pandemic era, as many audience members may not yet feel comfortable to return as restrictions have only just fully lifted. For those of us in the audience on opening night, there was a palpable realisation, as we looked around at the empty chairs in dismay for the hard working cast and crew members, that we too needed to put on a show for the LVP to encourage them and get them off to a great start. So with that resolve, the lights dimmed and the show began.

The story of Dick Whittington needs no introduction although Martin Evans’ script, ably adapted by Julia West, always adds the unique, local and contemporary flavour we love. Our hero Dick (Nicky Roberts) hails from Launton before trying his luck in London Town, with his cat Magic (Daisy Ash). Instant audience engagement was secured as we eagerly responded with “Hiya Dick” every time Nicky came to the stage with a “Hiya Gang!”.

Fairy Bow Bells (Lesley Watson-Burn) provided a clear narrative to the action onstage, and we were treated to all our usual pleasures. Early sweet throwing (complete with a prior hand gel cleanse) delighted the children and the young at heart. The two leads Dick Whittington and Alice Fitzwarren (Lorraine de Brun) gave us a sweet romantic rendition of It Must Be Magic, and there was a pleasing quality of movement to their dancing. We booed and hissed at our baddie Lord Chamberlain (Dan Chilvers) as he instructed daft duo Wormword and Scrubs (Rod Fine and Chris Cook) to frame our hero. Via a slight deviation to Eastern shores, in Pasturk, and the usual diversions of custard pies, comedy stage chases, “Happy Birthdays” for the audience, and “It’s behind you” opportunities, Dick finally earned himself enough money to return home and prove his innocence, get ‘his’ girl, and become the Lord Mayor of London.

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 8

Particular shout outs on the stage go to Nicky Roberts, who portrayed her Dick Whittington with aplomb. It’s a real skill to stand still, to time the delivery through confident pause, and then captivate a room. Also, to Scott Houston, an experienced Pantomime Dame, for instantly instilling our empathy for his love plight, as he yearned for his “L C”, Lord Chamberlain.

Scott instinctively knows how to interact with the audience, and improvise to their rhythm. And there were two new faces in Chris Cook and Beth Heale who both demonstrated a lovely, natural stage presence that will surely be exciting future LVP script writers, and casting directors.

As ever, the set artwork, the costumes, the lighting (loved the glitter ball), sound, make-up and hair were admirably executed. The official programme list of credits spread over two pages from the writer, to producer, to director, treasurer, transport, storage, publicity, chaperones, website and the Front of House team amongst others. This team create incredible things together. It is a massive undertaking, yet someone finds the time to establish details like puzzles for the children whilst they’re waiting for the curtain to rise. Fewer people were on stage this year than in previous years, no doubt partly owing to the pandemic, but many of those previous onstage names were recognisable, performing other roles off stage instead.

Julia West, who kindly thanked us, the audience, at the end of the show is clearly a major driving force given the volume of roles she undertakes.

The biggest applause of the evening went to Poochy the dog, who just stole the show. Congratulations to the artist who put a rather resplendent version of Poochy in the picture frame! And a big hand to the geniuses responsible for remote-control Poochy, and Poochy being somewhat un-managed ‘ona-stick’ by Sergio Frangipani (Simon Turner) and Pantomime Dame (Scott Houston) which was greeted with squeals of laughter. And to naughty, but cute, Poochy for eating those sausages during the kitchen scene - although how the cast couldn’t hear our shouts of “Sausages!” I know not - audience voices were surely sore!

Overall, Dick Whittington was good fun, and a sad reminder how important the arts is to our wellbeing. We had original music from the LVP band (Steve Webber, Sarah Turner, Simon Turner and John Nelson) who at various turns, made their way on stage, including Steve the Sailor on the mouth organ! What a treat! We had dramatic art with a smaller, but beautifully formed cast – you are all amazing to do what you do, especially during what must have been a very tricky time rehearsing with the spike in Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 9

Covid numbers in recent weeks. I enjoyed the artistic creativity too: the use of multimedia, as we sailed across the seas together, and the use of levels in the dances.

Whilst the formal creation of Launton Village Players CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) may be new, Dick Whittington maintained the standard we have become accustomed to. I just hope audience numbers grew enough over the next days to both raise more for charity, and also to give the LVP back the pleasure they always give us.

Reviewed by Allison Ford-Langstaff

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 10

Launton Village Players’ Panto

Dick Whittington

As we write the last rehearsals are being held, costumes have been tried and checked and props gathered and completed. It’s always a busy time and other areas where many people are still working hard include putting the programme together, stage management, music, safeguarding and programming the lights.

These are just some of the things that are happening and we hope to perform next week in Cooper School and tell the story of Dick Whittington and his cat Magic. The story is packed with fun, slapstick and music as well as ensuring that Dick Whittington does end up being Lord Mayor of London.

We are hoping that by the time this article is printed we will have finished our run of shows, and no health problems will have prevented that. If all has gone according to plan we will be trying to wind up the 35th pantomime, thanking everyone and especially our advertisers and supporters, chaperones and support team.

We will write in the April edition of Launton Lines about the show and whether we have been able to support our eight chosen charities, so watch this space! And see the review by Allison Ford-Longstaff on pages 8-10, and photos on pages 24-25 and on the front cover.

For now, thank you if you came and watched the show and for being a wonderful audience.

The LVP team

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 11

Road Closures Report correct as at 18 February 2022  Until 25 March 2022: Station Road, Launton will be CLOSED from beyond Grange Farm for the construction of the new overbridge and road alignment (EWR).  28 March 2022 - 17 June 2022: Bicester Road, Marsh

Gibbon will be CLOSED for rebuilding the bridge.  11 April 2022 - 27 May 2022: Bicester Road, Launton

will be CLOSED for finishing the rebuilding of the bridge Information is correct as at 18 February 2022. See the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk/roadclosures/ for any further or interim updates.

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Sewage Storm in Launton We are including in this issue of Launton Lines three photos taken of the overflow from the Thames Water pumping station on Blackthorn Road, on here and on pages 14, and 30, together with some commentary which continues on page 35.

When the storm took out the transformer that feeds the station, the pumps were affected and stopped working. So, the surface water and sewage started backing up in the pipes, and overflowing into

gardens and across the road by the pumping station.

The Launton Costcutter Stores and Post Office We have been open with Nixson and Sagarika since 2019 We change special offers every five weeks, on our front promotion bays.

For March and April our themes are Spring and Easter Visit us to see our offers and how we have come back from the flood.  |  36 Bicester Road, Launton Phone 01869 571345 Shop Hours Mon - Fri: 7am - 8pm Sat: 7.30am - 8pm Sun: 8am - 2pm Post Office Hours Mon-Fri: 9am - 5.30pm Sat: 9am - 1pm

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 13

Sewage Storm in Launton Here is a second picture of the run off of mixed sewage and surface water from the pumping station when the pumps stopped.

People living along Blackthorn Road has sewage overflow in their gardens (probably good for the plants, but not so good for people).

People living in West End had sewers backing up into their houses and onto the street.

This is not the first time this has happened: sometimes it is just too much rain and a breakdown with the pumps, and sometimes... who knows.

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News from St Mary’s Church for March 2022 You are warmly invited to our March Services, the details of which are listed below.

2 March 10.30am Service for Ash Wednesday In St Peter’s Bucknell 6 March 8.00am BCP Holy Communion In St Mary’s 11.00am Family Service In St Mary’s 13 March 6.00pm Evensong In St Mary’s 20 March 11.00am Morning Prayer In St Mary’s 27 March 11.00am Holy Communion In St Mary’s It is always advisable to refer to the Launton Church Facebook Page for the most up-to-date information in case any last minute changes have been necessary, or please contact Revd Peter revpeterwright@gmail.com 01869 573177 or 07966 531 921

or one of the Churchwardens at St Mary’s Joan Packer j.packer779@btinternet.com 01869 241694 Celia Manderson celiamanderson@aol.com 01869 571735 Please see page 27 for details of forthcoming events Stop Press: the Community Café resumes on 1 March after the half-term break

VILLAGE JUBILEE EVENT SAVE THE DATE

Village Jubilee Event

Friday 3 June

&

Saturday 4 June hosted by Launton Sports and Social Club.

More details to follow in the April issue of Launton Lines.

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 15

Launton WI Report for February 2022 At our February meeting we were delighted to welcome Chloe Bradford as our speaker for the evening. Chloe has spent all her life in Launton, apart from her time at university and a period working in Sussex with the RSPB. She has returned to Launton because she has been appointed a reserves officer by the Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and is responsible for their sites in this area.

Most fortunately for us, Chloe’s enthusiasm for her career extends into her leisure time - consequently she takes a very active part in the management of our very own Island Pond Wood. She is currently planning the details of the proposed developments of the woodland over the next twenty years.

Many of the trees planted when the wood was begun have become overcrowded, since the initial planting was extremely successful. A programme of thinning-out will provide income from the timber to finance further work. Among the projects planned, the number of ponds will be increased, the very invasive alder will be removed and a number of timber trees will be planted in the hedges. The amount of bramble will be controlled (but still leaving enough to provide shelter for wildlife); also the blackthorn, a nationally important habitat for both black and brown hair streak butterflies, will be managed. It is planned to encourage more understorey planting, to attract more wildlife. Also, regular mowing and removing the hay, will help to impoverish the soil in order that more wildflowers will grow here.

Chloe is keen that volunteers take part in all these activities and also undertake regular surveys of birds and animals, insects and plants, to help build up a clearer picture of what we have on our doorstep, as well as contributing to the nationwide picture of the state of our environment in Britain.

She was asked about the exercising of dogs in the field. Chloe replied that in principle she had no problem with this, provided, firstly, that they were kept under control and did not disturb the wildlife, and, Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 16

secondly, that owners removed any dog poo, a necessary part of the project to reduce fertility in the soil, enabling wild flowers to flourish.

At the business part of the meeting, arrangements were made for the next walk and lunch on 18 February. Our next meeting will be on 10 March and will be our Annual Meeting. Members are requested to send in nominations for officers and committee as soon as possible.

Contributions of items by members will restart on a three-month cycle: bring-and-buy, Bicester food bank, Oxfordshire Homeless.

We hold our monthly meetings on the second Thursday of the month in the Parish Hall, starting at 7.30pm. We welcome new members, and anyone interested to find out what the WI can offer people in the village.

Pat Tucker STOP PRESS: The WI has happily agreed to provide refreshments (tea, coffee and cakes and other baking) for the Village Clean Up (see page 10) on 19 March, to reward litter pickers on their return to the Parish Hall.

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 17

LAUNTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY From Axtell to Zacharias, The Men Who Built Oxford was the title of Launton Historical Society’s January talk, given by Liz Woolley. We discovered that many of the architects, builders, solicitors and speculators responsible were household names for many members of the audience. We listened to how fortunes were made, often because the regulations and building byelaws were ignored, such as in Osney, where the majority of the building plots were 18' wide, but some builders bought two plots and squeezed three 12' houses into the space. Much of the land used for building was subject to regular flooding and areas for building were inadequately prepared. Some builders gave work to their friends who occasionally turned out to be less than reliable.

Oxford’s population doubled and its footprint almost quadrupled during the Victorian period. The demands of the local population were changing with the reduction in the need for agricultural labour and an interest in industrial occupations in order to live. Oxford University sold land for building and the call for housing was again increased when the University Fellows were given permission to marry in 1877.

The firm of Symm and Co. where Thomas Axtell was a partner, traded until 2020. Pioneering solicitor, George Parsons Hester supported the speculative builders and built a home west of the Banbury Road, an isolated area at that AERIALS time which turned out to be so SUPPLIED, ERECTED dangerous that he was obliged to & REPAIRED SINCE 1962 carry a pistol for defence against the unsavoury elements of society. Hester worked with Samuel Lipscomb Seckham who designed Park Town in central North Oxford.

Zacharias & Co. was a firm of waterproof clothing manufacturers based in Cornmarket Street, Oxford.

The premises were originally opened in 1857 by Abraham Zacharias, a jeweller who established his son Joel Contact PAUL W. EWERS in business as a china and glass dealer Telephone Brill 01844 237131 at 26 Cornmarket Street. By 1887, Mobile 07956 509166 Joel Zacharias was trading as a Anytime Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 18

manufacturer of waterproof garments and expanded the shop into the adjoining premises in the 1890s. The business was bought by Henry Osborn King after the death of Joel Zacharias in 1905 and King ran the company until his death in 1942 and was succeeded by his children. Osborn King continued to trade under the name Zacharias & Co. until the death of Henry’s son, Cecil Osborn King, in 1983. ‘ZACS for MACS’ was their famous advertising slogan which could be seen on buses and newspaper advertisements in the locality.

Some members of Launton Historical Society have already been to visit the places named to have a fresh view of Victorian Oxford. Look out for the Gothic revival designs in the houses which line Banbury Road or Woodstock Road towards the centre of Oxford when next you pass that way Launton Historical Society meets on the last Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall and visitors are always welcome to sample our varied and interesting programme. The meeting on 24 February will feature a film show and quiz. If you would like to know more, please contact Cathy Procopiou on 01869 247694 or cathyprocopiou@hotmail.com

Kathy Gilbert

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 19

Station Road is taking shape

The Question is,“What does it take to lay a new road over a bridge decking?”

And The Answer is, “One machine and (is it?) 16 people in orange overalls to walk it forward.”

Laying asphalt on Station Road bridge approaches on 14 February 2022.

Photo by Peter Cox Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 20

How to Contact Launton Lines

Launton Lines is part of Launton Community Communications Group (LCCG), made up of the following:  the Launton website (www.launton.org)  Launton Lines, the monthly newsletter in print and online  the Launton Village Facebook Page and Facebook Group, and the Launton Lines Facebook page You can contact Launton Lines through the following email addresses:  launtonlines@launton.org to submit material for the newsletter  chair@launton.org to contact the chair of LCCG, currently Jon Spinage  editor@launton.org for the editor, currently Robert Cornford and Matt Hill  advertising@launton.org for the advertising manager, currently Jenni Walker  treasurer@launton.org to contact the treasurer, currently Michael Stack To post material on the Launton Facebook Page and Group, visit the sites and post or comment. The current editor and page manager is Steve Webber.

LCCG holds an open Annual General Meeting. Plans are for an online AGM through Google Meet on Wednesday 6 April starting at 7pm; we’ll communicate if that changes to an in-person meeting. See the AGM notice on page 7.

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 21

A Letter to the Editor: Good neighbours For the twenty years I have been in Launton I have always been impressed by the friendliness of my neighbours. Two examples of this occurred this week.

On Wednesday 16 February my daughter Penny had two important appointments to meet and found that her car battery was flat through having left an internal light on all night. She came to borrow my car but, through lack of use, its battery was also flat. Which knight in shining armour would rescue this damsel in distress? Enter Bob Roberts who drove down to Penny’s driveway and gave her car a jump start. Well done Bob, and thank you!

After the storm on Thursday 17 February I found a large shrub, Garrya, next to my driveway had been blown over and was leaning on my car. I thought that I would have to cut the larger branches with a bow saw and chop the smaller ones with my long handled pruner - probably be an all day job at the weekend Fortunately a neighbour, Steve Shaw, saw the situation and said he would fetch his chain saw, which he did. He cut the larger branches and I chopped the smaller bits and in an hour we had the whole lot packed in the brown bin! Job done! Thank you, Steve. You saved me many hours of hard work!

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Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 22

It is worth noting that the smaller you cut up the greenery, the more you can pack in the bin.

John Stephens

Stop Press: The Launton Village Fete

This year The Fete will not take place on its normal date the second Saturday of June.

With the long Jubilee weekend only the week before, the organising group were uncertain about going ahead.

Now we know there will be a Village Jubilee Event over the weekend of 3 and 4 June at the Playing Fields (see page 15 of this March edition of Launton Lines) we have decided that the village can not support two events so close together. So let's all come together over the Jubilee weekend of 3 & 4 June and have a really great celebration.

Then we’ll start working on the 2023 Fete!

Tuesday to Friday 8am to 5pm | Saturday 8am to 3pm | Sunday 9am to 1pm | Closed Monday Tel 01869 252619 | 1 Station Road, Launton, OX26 5DS | info@thebluetexel.co.uk | www.thebluetexel.co.uk

Launton Lines February 2022 | Page 23

The Launton Pantomime 2022 is Dick Whittington

 Above: The whole cast taking a bow at the end of the show. See you all again next year Left: The nasty Lord Chamberlain (Dan Chilvers) tries to avoid the attentions of Dame Harriet (Scott Houston)  Right: Magic the cat (Daisy Ash) has a snooze at the back while Dick (Nicky Roberts) serenades Alice (Lorraine de Brun) See the review of the show on pages 8-10 of this issue of Launton Lines.

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 24

Here are some photos from the Dress Rehearsal

 Above: Wormwood (Rod Fine) and Scrubs (Chris Cook) - the Broker’s Men attempt to capture Magic the cat (Daisy Ash)  Below: The finale number with most of the cast

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 25

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 26

FORTHCOMING EVENTS AT ST MARY’S

SONGS OF PRAISE Saturday 7 May at 3pm

READINGS AND MUSIC CELEBRATING “HOPE”

»»»»»»»»»»|«««««««««« On Monday afternoons or evenings

LENT COURSE Please choose either afternoon sessions in Launton Parish Hall (7 March – 4 April) or evening sessions in St Edburg’s (28 February – 4 April) Details from Susan at office@stedburgschurch.org

»»»»»»»»»»|«««««««««« In addition to the Jubilee Royal Scarecrow Trail (please see opposite page) We are planning to celebrate the Jubilee weekend on Sunday 6 June at 11am With an extended FAMILY SERVICE An all-age “Balloon” Service including Jubilee celebrations!

Further details to follow Please see page 13 for details of all our March Services Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 27

A Vet’s Voice: Jett's fractured foot

When Jett was brought to the practice one Sunday in late January, his back foot was hugely swollen and painful. Jett is a very friendly two-yearold cat who had attempted to jump up on a radiator cover which wasn’t secured and unfortunately it came down on his foot. After a couple of days of painkilling anti-inflammatory medication, Jett’s foot swelling had reduced enough to assess it better; it had Pre-op X-ray become clear that the bones felt very “crunchy”.

X-rays confirmed that he had fractured all four of his metatarsal bones which would require surgery to stabilise thus ensuring that healing would occur. The radiographs showed that the fracture sites had displaced out of alignment adding to the trickiness of the surgery to follow. With any major operation, a discussion must be had with the owner to explain the problem and the proposed treatment.

Along with this we make clear what the possible outcomes could be, including complications and what sort of post op care is likely to be involved.

Jett’s owner was keen for us to operate and organised a crate for him to be confined in for the weeks after his operation. Jett was anaesthetised and prepped for surgery. My colleague Claire Letts scrubbed in with me to assist with the surgery. Although the bones are quite small there would be some firm manipulation to get the bones realigned and pinned in position.

I used a technique called dowel pinning to hold the realigned bones in position. A small wire pin is inserted into one Post-op X-ray half of the broken bone then the end is cut short leaving about 6mm poking out. The other half is then manipulated over the pin which then stops it from dislodging again.

With all four bones pinned it was surprisingly stable. The tissues and tendons help to keep things aligned and a bandage was applied for a couple of weeks.

The owner reports that after two weeks Jett is Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 28

doing very well. He is comfortable and using the leg to potter round the cage though he seems a bit frustrated at being caged for most of the day! We trust that the bones will heal uneventfully and Jett will be able to come out of the cage in a few more weeks’ time. We’ll probably x-ray his foot again after six weeks to ensure everything is OK before Jett is able to be fully out of the cage.

When that happens, I’m sure he’ll appreciate finally regaining his freedom!

Enjoy your pets Jason Williams Bicester Vets PS the pins in the post-op x-ray look quite chunky but are only 1.6mm in diameter!

Peace of mind for pet owners...

 Compassionate and Caring at all times  Long opening hours for your convenience  24 hour on-site nursing care as standard for all our hospitalised patients  24 hour Emergency service provided by our vets at our practice  A service that's second to none from North Oxfordshire's most established, independent, speciality small animal hospital.

Launton Lines February 2022 | Page 29

Sewage Storm in Launton Our third photo of a mat of mixed sewage and surface run off in the grounds of the Thames Water pumping station, which will run off into the ditches and road verges of the area, and slowly make its way into the River Ray and then to the Thames at Oxford.

Strangely, we already had planned the article by Danny Cunningham on release of raw sewage into our rivers and streams - and then this happens!

We don’t understand how Thames Water can continue to claim that the drainage in Launton is adequate.

C B BATHROOMS Experienced Bathroom and Shower Installer and Tiler General Plumbing and Heating Maintenance Leadwork Specialist Chris Barrett 11 Spindleside, Southwold, Bicester, Oxon OX26 3XH Home | 01869 250861 Mobile | 07773 853 640 Email | barrett.c3@sky.com

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 30

Crimewatch March 2022

Thames Valley Police have recently seen an increase in catalytic converters thefts in the area. Catalytic converters are fitted to vehicle exhausts and are often targeted by thieves for the valuable metals they contain. They can be removed within a couple of minutes.

To prevent yours being stolen, park in a garage or secure compound. If this is not possible then try to park in a busy, well-lit area and park so the converter is not easily accessible, perhaps against a wall. You can also register your converter and mark it with a forensic marker to make it more difficult for thieves to dispose of .

There have been several garden and outdoor sheds broken into in the area over the last month. Thieves target valuable tools and equipment that is quick and easy to remove. Make sure all shed doors are fitted with good quality locks. Always lock sheds and fit mesh to the inside of the windows. Clearly mark garden and power tools. Photograph valuable and unusual garden ornaments and keep these photos in a secure place where you can quickly retrieve them.

The Bicester Rural Community Resilience Group meeting is on 2 March at 7pm in Upper Heyford Village Hall.

The best email to contact us is BicesterRuralNHPT@thamesvalley.police.uk.: this is monitored by all team members and so messages are picked up more quickly.

PCSO Matt Tregay C5676 | matthew.tregay@thamesvalley.police.uk

Grange Mews News February 2022

Commercial Offices, Industrial Units and Storage for Lease

What is the “new normal”?

If EWR keep to their latest dates it will be only days before we have “normal “traffic along Station Rd. that is, until Bicester Road bridge is closed again.

Oh, and then the March Gibbon bridge closure!

We are pleased to see the Hummingbird reopened, and on a brief visit last week we found the usual ambience of…. warm and welcoming with their usual enthusiasm.

With the outlook for a new “normal” over all of the country from the pandemic, we hope they, we, and all our readers can look forward to a good summer.

We are checking costs for some improvements and are amazed at the variance of the quotes for exactly the same product, some even of 25% difference.

Is this also the “new normal”?

If so, do not get caught out by the “new profiteering”.

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 07711 778 230

Launton Over 60s Club report: February 2022

After all our Christmas festivities we were back to normal on 5 January with our first meeting of the year in the Sports and Social Hall. The kitchen was being refurbished so we were unable to have our usual cups of tea or coffee, but soft drinks were kindly provided by Annette. All members rejoined for another year but we would like to see more people join. We desperately need more committee members and, as our Treasurer will soon stand down, we need help with this.

The Bingo jackpot of £20.10 was won on 19 January by Christine Hudson from Bicester but, with everyone paying an extra 10p to play, prize money builds up quickly. However, it didn’t have a chance to build up by much as it was won again on 16 February by me! This time it was only £4.60, but still appreciated.

We also had our first Fish and Chip Lunch of the year on 16 February and Rita kindly made cakes for dessert. The bar was open and we all enjoyed the afternoon.

We saw that the stainless-steel refurbishment of the kitchen is almost complete and looking extremely smart (see photo opposite).

Our Annual Meeting is planned for 16 March when reports of the preceding year will be given and we will hopefully be electing a new committee.

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peteroofer@aol.com INSURANCE APPROVED Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 32

New Kitchen update at Launton Sports and Social Club Who will be the first to come and try out our brand new kitchen? It’s ready to hire out for afternoon teas, children’s birthday parties, community meetings, business events, weddings, christenings, wakes, and all other occasions.

Contact us to find out more: Email: launtonpfa@gmail.com | Phone: 01869 242007 Website: http://www.lpfa.co.uk/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/LauntonPlayingFieldsAssociation

ADVANCE NOTICE

Annual Meeting of PHIP soon to be FoLPH In its charity application Friends of Launton Parish Hall (FoLPH) has changed its reporting and financial year to end on 31 March, so the AGM will move to

19 May 2022 in the Parish Hall, at 7.30pm Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 33

Friends of Island Pond Wood Ltd Annual General Meeting 17 March 2022 Launton Parish Hall: 7.30 pm The next Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Island Pond Wood Limited will be held on Thursday 17 March 2022, at 7.30 pm, in Launton Parish Hall.

The AGM provides everyone with the opportunity to receive the Annual Report, hear about future plans, meet the board/committee team and pay the annual membership fee this can also be done later via BACS, cheque, etc).

As usual, an email invitation to the AGM will be sent to members.

However, visitors would also be welcome to attend.

As regular visitors to the wood will have seen, now that Covid restrictions have been lifted, volunteer woodland sessions are back on and work is well underway to create a “Reflection Area”, which will provide a quiet area for visitors to sit in a peaceful environment.

As always, if you would like to be a member, please contact us fipwlimited@gmail.com .

We look forward to seeing you at the AGM. Tony Meacock – Chair FIPW Ltd Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 34

The latest soccer team: Launton Girls Under 9s The latest team in the Launton FC Ladies and Girls ... welcome to the Under 9’s squad who started their first matches in the league this January! They have graduated from the Wildcats programme at the club. Good luck, girls!

See report on page 36.

Photo from Launton Ladies and Girls FC Sewage Storm in Launton This concludes the sequence of photos of sewage and surface water runoff from the Blackthorn Road pumping station, on pages 13, 14, and 30.

The storm that knocked out the transformer feeding the pumps in the station was unusual, but why did Thames Water not have an emergency backup plan involving an on-site generator to deal with this problem? Or are they quite happy to pollute the village as there is no come back on them?

And how can Thames Water claim that the village sewage and pumping system can now handle the proposed 68 more houses, when all the evidence before our eyes (and noses) is that the system is already under strain?

In the last 20 years there have been 106 new houses on Yew Tree and Launton Mews. Add another 66 on Station Road and that's 172 new houses feeding a system that was designed for a village of about 500 houses, or an increase of over one third - and that's not counting the 40 or so additional houses built on Sherwood Close, and the 20 or so on Woodland and Forest Closes... We are owed some answers from Thames Water, from our County Councillors and from our MP. Time to ask serious questions.

Launton Lines will start asking for the information, and for some action.

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 35

Launton Ladies and Girls Football Club, part of Launton FC, is one of the only female focused clubs in our region and it is going from strength to strength. We have our Ladies first team and five Girls age groups in the 2021/2022 season, with an increase to six age groups next season (see the photo of our new Under 9's team on page 33), all playing in the Oxfordshire Girls Football League. We are still running our WILDCATS Academy for 5-10 year old girls to have fun, make friends, and play football.

The ladies and girls teams are coming to the end of the season’s league games, heading into various cup matches for the league and county and looking forward to tournament season coming up, including our own Launton Ladies FC Tournament on the LPFA Playing Fields over the weekend of 21-22 May. This season we have five competitive girls’ age groups providing football for all girls between the ages of 8 and 16 . There are U9’s, U11’s, U13’s, U14’s, U16’s plus our Wildcats Squad. The new Under 9s team have grown out of our Wildcats academy! We are also looking for a sponsor for the new team.

So do get in touch if you want to support girls' football in Launton.

Launton Ladies and Girls FC invites all enthusiastic potential footballers to join us for two free training sessions: U16’s/U15’s Age Group: Thursday 6.45 - 7.45pm U14’s Age Group: Monday 6.45pm 7.45pm U13’s/U12’s Age Group: Wednesday 5.45pm - 6.45pm U11’s/U10’s Age Group: Wednesday 5.45pm - 6.45pm U9’s/U8’s Age Group: Wednesday 5.45pm - 6.45pm Wildcats: Wednesday 5.45pm - 6.45pm Ladies (16+ all ages/abilities welcome): Wednesday 7.45pm - 8.45pm For further details please call Claire Finn on 07540 013105 or see our website: www.launtonladiesfc.co.uk or e-mail info@launtonladiesfc.co.uk Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 36

Our Polluted Waterways

I’d like to see clean, sewage-free rivers, lakes and beaches, but I’m disgusted at how filthy our waterways are. Luckily, so are some influential MPs, who recently produced a detailed report, which is well worth reading.

In January 2022, a report by the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) said this about sewage pollution: “The public are rightly shocked when they discover that untreated or partially treated sewage is regularly dumped into rivers and streams in England ... the rainwater washing into storm sewers can contain microplastics, hydrocarbons and industrial chemicals. It will then mix with human waste from homes and businesses containing harmful bacteria. In some cases, the only ‘treatment’ that such discharges will have received will have been to pass through a mesh grill.”

The report notes: “Many householders are unaware that flushing anything other than the ‘3Ps’ (‘pee, poo and paper’) risks blocking sewers and could lead to a pollution incident.” However, most householders would not expect their ‘3Ps’ to be dumped into their rivers, largely untreated.

The EAC reported: “Only 14% of rivers in England can currently claim to have good ecological status. The Government is not on track to meet the Water Framework Directive requirement …. for all rivers to reach good status by 2027. Wildlife and Countryside Link has warned that the water quality of rivers in England is the worst in Europe.”

How has it reached this state? The EAC says: “A ‘chemical cocktail’ of sewage, agricultural waste, plastic and persistent chemicals is polluting rivers ...The establishment of a complete overview of the health of rivers in England and the pollution affecting them is hampered by outdated, underfunded and inadequate monitoring regimes. Many harmful pollutants are not routinely monitored ….. Poor monitoring arrangements mean that river users cannot currently make informed decisions about when it is safe or not to use rivers. The prevalence of plastic pollution, the presence of persistent chemicals and spread of antimicrobial resistant pathogens in rivers in England are all issues of grave concern. Not a single river in England has received a clean bill of health for chemical contamination.”

In our area, Thames Water has been a regular offender. It was fined £4m after an estimated 500,000 litres of raw sewage poured into a stream in Oxford. The Environment Agency claimed 3,000 fish died after a leak Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 37

flowed for 30 hours and polluted a 1.8 mile stretch of Hinksey Stream in July 2016. Thames Water admitted that the failed system had not been checked for 10 years! In March 2021, it was fined £2.3m for polluting a stream (Fawley Court Ditch) with sewage in Henley-on-Thames in 2016.

This incident was the ninth of its kind across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire, according to the Environment Agency, which blamed ‘poor management’ for the spillage.

It’s no surprise that the EAC stated: “Public confidence in the regulatory structures currently in force is understandably low.”

In 2020, imagine swimming in a river not knowing what human excrement you might meet. In the 21st Century, in a modern country like Britain, there is not enough capacity to deal with sewage and wastewater. Why not?

Water companies don’t invest enough.

The water industry was privatised in 1989, with its debts effectively written off. Since then, the new owners have been asset stripping. They have used these companies’ assets to load them with billions of pounds of debt and paid out the money in dividends to shareholders. They use the companies’ income – our water bills to pay the interest on the debt. The

Mail on Sunday revealed in November 2021 that the nine water companies had amassed debts of more than £50 billion with Thames, Yorkshire and Southern responsible for half of the total. Thames Water is reported with the largest net debt - £14.1 billion.

The precise ownership of Thames Water is opaque. It seems to operate under a holding company called Kemble Water Holdings Ltd. Behind this structure, some of the shareholders could include the governments of Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and China, a Canadian pension fund, an Australian investment fund, a Canadian investment fund, and a pension fund for UK university staff. It appears to be good at avoiding tax. According to investigators, last year it paid no corporation tax, despite a reported revenue of £2bn.

As customers, we have no choice.

Since privatisation, our water bills have increased by a reported 40% in real terms. Each company is a poorly regulated local monopoly. More than 70 per cent of the shares in England’s water companies are held by overseas firms, including hedge funds and private equity companies based in tax havens. Billions of pounds that could have been invested in increasing treatment capacity has instead been distributed to distant shareholders.

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 38

Recent research shows that the water and sewage companies have paid shareholders a total of nearly £17 billion in dividends from 2010 to 2021 - an average of £1.4 billion a year. This is a policy choice – to enrich the shareholders while polluting our waterways. As for illegal dumping of sewage waste, critics claim that this continues because the water firms know they can get away with it. Even when they get caught, they pay the fines and add that cost into our bills. It’s cheaper to pollute than to prevent. It might seem a bit like fly tipping, but in water.

What can be done to improve water quality? The EAC report has made a useful start. It wants tighter rules; better monitoring; improved financial sanctions; a proper investment plan for extra capacity. However, if light touch regulation hasn’t worked, then water companies and other polluters should be ordered to improve. We need a deadline, not for gradually reducing sewage discharges into our waterways. We need a deadline for ending those discharges for good.

Danny Cunningham

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 39

The Parish Hall: The wish list after consultation

The Working Group on the Parish Hall established by the Parish Council has been carrying out further consultation with Hall users and now have a long list of ideas that we need to discuss with the architects appointed by the Parish Council - Haddenham-based PCMS Design. Here, in no particular order, is a list of the 23 areas of work: 1. The roof needs replacing, probably with a zinc covering over insulation (to solve the noise issue). Tiles or slates will be too heavy.

2. The kitchen: possibly rebuild to the same footprint, with an access lobby to the Hall from the car park also giving access to the kitchen.

Need to see detailed design for kitchen layout. Request for windows on the outside walls, and keep the hatch to the Hall. Provide some storage in the kitchen.

3. Add an entrance lobby to the Hall (and kitchen) from the Car Park: need to check how far it can encroach on the walkway between the Hall and the School. Possible space for hanging coats.

4. The interior: remove the suspended ceiling and reinstate the open roof – but insulated. And it will need acoustic baffles in the roof area.

5. Insulation: make sure the revamped Hall has high quality of insulation to reduce running and heating costs.

6. Reopen the blocked front windows above the main entrance, and use the space above the entrance for storage.

7. Install adequate ventilation - but probably not roof lights or roof vents.

8. Extend the suspended wooden floor to the whole main Hall. Remove the concrete flooring and the wall with folding doors - which will add about 20% to the Hall area 9. Update toilet provision: one disabled and two regular toilets at the front of the Hall and look at moving the wall a little into the Hall area, and allow for a staircase/steps up to the space above (see 6 and 11 below). Investigate rainwater/grey-water for toilet flushing (17 below).

10. Add a porch or canopy on the front of the Hall to provide cover for people as they come in from Bicester Road.

11. Storage will be an ongoing issue, and will mainly be in the back of the Hall to store tables and chairs, some hirer’s equipment and for users like Parish Council and Historical Society. Remove all dividing walls at Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 40

the back of the Hall to open up space. Look at lockable cupboards for rent, and provide some storage in the new kitchen. Also possibly use the area above the entrance and toilets. Storage was a major issue for all the halls we visited.

12. Installed technology: Wi-fi/broadband, new audio and visual system, PA system with projector and screen, hearing loop or similar system to give accessibility.

13. New electric and lighting system, as flexible as possible with lighting zones, and lots of power points. Look into installing controllable system with central control panel.

14. New doors and windows: all necessary - but maybe not UPVC: there are alternatives that offer longer life and minimum maintenance.

15. An environmentally acceptable heating system: Look at air source heat pump and UV panels, and high levels of insulation to minimise running costs.

16. Possibly regain the outside toilet at the back of the Hall (currently closed off). Or this may be better as part of a unified storage area.

17. Rainwater/ grey water harvesting to flush the toilets: investigate possibility and costs - there may be grants. Will need storage tanks.

18. Pave the side path on the Bicester side of the Hall: it’s a fire exit, too shaded for grassing, and not really suitable as a child play area.

19. Add a staircase to reach space above toilets, and use area for storage e.g Parish Council, Historical Society. Area may also be needed for heat pump tank storage.

20. Front lawn. Keep this grassed, but put markers around the edge.

21. Install a bicycle rack at the back end of the Hall, along with 1 or 2 Blue Badge (disabled) parking spaces.

22. Footpath and access road to the playing fields: investigate possible “shared space” rather than separate raised footpath. Would need agreement of all users.

23. Car park and access road way is a major issue as it affects many stakeholders. Aim for regular meetings with all involved to plan the impact of the building work, and to make sure all available funding is applied for.

Watch out for more updates as detailed plans are prepared.

Robert Cornford: Information Officer, PHIP/FoLPH Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 41

Memories of an ex-Launton Boy

This month the Ex-Launton Boy remembers the transport options in Launton as he was growing up: a few buses, occasionally trains, but mainly on foot. And he retraces in his mind the two routes from Launton into Bicester - along the road or through the fields and woods and under the two railway lines.

A friend of mine advised me last week that he had reached his 66th birthday and to mark the occasion he has secured for himself a Bus Pass; that treasured piece of plastic that can get you reasonably safely and free of charge from A to B............. eventually!

I then did a calculation and worked out that I have now had my Bus Pass for just over fourteen years and do you know, I have used it over a grand total of five times in all those years, and two of those occasions were in London instead of buying an all day Travel Card. It was quite surprising how much I saved by doing that.

Well I mean, when it costs so much less to travel from Kent to Scotland by flying rather than taking the train something has to be radically wrong somewhere. And yet the government still goes on about encouraging people to use public transport as a means of helping to save the planet.

When I think back to when I was a child growing up in Launton, I seem to recall so very few buses that operated through the village as a means of getting to Oxford in one direction and Aylesbury in the other. I believe there are more buses per day now than there used to be in an entire week back in the 50’s and early 60’s.

And what a palaver to get to Aylesbury! There was no picking up Blackthorn Road to connect Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 42

with the A41 at Blackthorn for Aylesbury, which might seem the obvious route. Oh no! It went from Launton to Marsh Gibbon and all round the Buckinghamshire villages along country roads until meeting the A41 via Grendon Underwood. Nice on a picturesque summer’s day if you were not in a rush but, mostly, just an awful drag.

And to get to Oxford by bus was just as long-winded and tiresome in that one would catch a rare weekly bus from Launton (on its’ way back from Aylesbury via all the Buckinghamshire villages en route) to Bicester where one would have to change buses in Sheep Street (near Cherry’s furniture shop) for Oxford, which itself then went meandering through all the villages between Bicester and Oxford, starting with Chesterton. It took an absolute age, which is why some people would choose instead to walk up to Launton railway station and wait for one of the occasional trains travelling from Bletchley to Oxford, hauled by an old LMS steam tank locomotive which would then stop at Bicester London Road, as opposed to Bicester North which then was the Paddington to Birmingham (Snow Hill) GWR main line, followed by a further Advance Notice stop at Islip before arriving at Annual Meeting Oxford (LMS) which was located immediately next door to Launton Over 60s Club Oxford’s much busier GWR The meeting on 16 March station. This service was will be the Annual Meeting of the Club. eventually replaced by a DMU It will be held at (Diesel Multiple Unit) consisting The Sports and Social Club Hall of just two diesel coaches coupled starting at 1:45pm. together which could be driven There will be a report of the past year from either end. It was much and the election of a new committee cleaner than the steam hauled (we specially need a new treasurer). trains but a lot less interesting as it seemed more like a bus on rails New members welcome. than a proper train.

Come and meet up at But of course, with money being Launton’s Number One Weekday relatively short back then, if one Social Club.

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 43

simply wanted to get to Bicester and no further, one tended not to wait for the very few times a week bus but walked instead.

There were two popular routes for this, one being simply to walk the road between Launton and Bicester, which could on a few occasions lead to someone from the village who was a car-owner, actually stopping to give one a lift.

In fact, some would spot someone waiting patiently at the bus stop and offer them a lift there and then. That was always a bonus, especially if it happened to be raining.

The other much more picturesque route and for youngsters a far more adventurous route was the walk through Launton churchyard and through the wrought iron lichgate and into the fields we knew as ‘The Closes’. From there we would walk diagonally to the right until we came to the wooden gate that led into a sort of tunnel of trees and undergrowth which was a pleasure in itself to walk through. That then brought us face-to-face with the Bletchley to Oxford railway line and a little railway brick cottage complete with vegetable garden alongside,

parallel to the railway track. Here we would turn left into a field, keeping the railway to our right, the embankment of which was festooned with moon daisies and ox-eye daisies among which one could hear grasshoppers and see numerous butterflies and bees.

The telegraph wires overhead could be heard ‘singing’ and the tar from the railway sleepers would be oozing in the heat of the sun, heat that one could visibly see shimmering off the railway tracks themselves.

We would follow that route until it took us to a pedestrian tunnel beneath the Paddington to Birmingham GWR main line which crossed over the Bletchley to Oxford LMS line. On a very hot day that tunnel offered one a brief moment to cool down until we came out the other side, still with the Bletchley to Oxford line to our right. We would follow that to the end of the field and then, with a small farm bungalow to our left, we would turn right and carefully cross over an ungated level crossing (no footbridge provided) alongside the Launton end of the Garth Park and on into Bicester. If such a trip was for the purpose of shopping, one might

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 44

time it such that laden with shopping one might catch a bus back from Bicester to Launton.

Sadly with the new roads that have been installed along with warehouses and factory units, plus the ongoing work on the East West Rail link (the old Bletchley to Oxford line), that once beautiful route to town seems no longer to be viable. But I do wonder who might walk it these days other than those of around my age for the sake of nostalgia. Not just almost every family having a car these days but in fact, multiple car ownership per household, people seem to have to drive everywhere now.

Even youngsters with scooters of the one foot on and one foot scooting kind are motorised these days. And ironically, despite all that, you actually have more buses a day through Launton village now than we used to get (as I recall) in an entire week. And when was the last time you saw a public service bus actually full with passengers?

I think one of the problems these days is that people want to get from A to B in the shortest time possible and in so doing they miss

out on the joy of the journey. It doesn’t matter where you journey from or journey to, there are things, vistas and experiences to see and take note of along the way. Sadly, life is ‘missing the journey’ for many, specially those who want everything yesterday and don’t want the experience of working towards or saving up for something worthwhile . They don't take the journey. That is why so many people not only live on credit but end up maxing out their credit cards, then putting themselves under the not pleasant pressure of having to meet those ever increasing bills to avoid getting into arrears and all that then follows. Most of us have been there at some time, and it is somewhere I am very determined never to be ever again.

Life is one great journey (if we’re lucky), full of excursions from time to time. I would say, take the time to enjoy the journey, then you’ll reach your destinations eventually, but so much more refreshed if you enjoy the moments and vistas on the way.

Keep healthy and stay SAFE! Tony Jeacock | the Ex-Launton Boy | March 2022

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 45

Diary Dates: March 2022

In the current Covid-19 situation, it is difficult to be specific about events in the village. Listed below are those that we know are planned - but it would be good to check with organisers nearer the date if you plan to attend.

Tuesday

1 Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am-11am; 2.30-4.30pm | Launton Health Walk, The Bull, 2pm | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wednesday 2 Service for Ash Wednesday, St Peter’s Bucknell, 10.30am | Over 60s Club Meeting, Sports and Social Hall, starts at 1.45pm, ends about 3.30pm | Bicester Rural Community Resilience Group of Thames Valley Police, open meeting, Upper Heyford Village Hall, 7pm | Home Guard Living History Group, Parish Hall, 8pm Thursday 3 Parish Council. Public Session 7.15pm, Council Meeting 7.30pm, Launton Parish Hall Sunday 6 St Mary's Church, Holy Communion (BCP), 8am; Family Service, 11am | Weekly Quiz at The Bull, 8pm Monday 7 Lent Course, Launton Parish Hall, 2.30pm Tuesday 8 Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am-11am; 2.30-4.30pm | Launton Health Walk, The Bull, 2pm | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Thursday 10 WI Annual Meeting, Nominations and election of Officers and Committee. Parish Hall, 7.30pm Friday 11 SCOTS Night at The Bull, from 5.30pm Sunday 13 St Mary's Church, Evensong (BCP), 6pm | Weekly Quiz at The Bull, 8pm Monday 14 Lent Course, Launton Parish Hall, 2.30pm Tuesday 15 Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am-11am; 2.30-4.30pm | Launton Health Walk, The Bull, 2pm | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wednesday 16 Over 60s Club Meeting, Sports and Social Hall, starts at 1.45pm, ends about 3.30pm: Includes Annual Meeting and Report for the year | Home Guard Living History Group, Parish Hall, 8pm Thursday 17 Friends of Island Pond Wood Ltd Annual General Meeting, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Friday 18 FINAL DATE FOR COPY FOR THE APRIL 2022 ISSUE OF LAUNTON LINES: SUBMIT TO launtonlines@launton.org Saturday 19 Launton Spring Litter Pick. Meet at the Parish Hall after 10am, finish by 12 noon with refreshments and cakes from the WI Sunday 20 St Mary's Church, Morning Prayer, 11am | Weekly Quiz at The Bull, 8pm Monday 21 Lent Course, Launton Parish Hall, 2.30pm Tuesday 22 Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am-11am; 2.30-4.30pm | Launton Health Walk, The Bull, 2pm | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Thursday 24 Launton Historical Society monthly meeting, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Friday 25 Scheduled re-opening of Station Road after bridge construction Sunday 27 St Mary's Church, Holy Communion, 11am | Trinity Camerata Concert, St Edburg’s Church, 3.45pm | Weekly Quiz at The Bull, 8pm Monday 28 Lent Course, Launton Parish Hall, 2.30pm Tuesday 29 Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am-11am; 2.30-4.30pm | Launton Health Walk, The Bull, 2pm | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wednesday 30 Over 60s Club Meeting, Sports and Social Hall, starts at 1.45pm, ends about 3.30pm Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 46

Launton Lines March 2022 | Page 47

Launton Lines is the newsletter for Launton It is published monthly by the Launton Community Communications Group which also manages the Launton website www.launton.org and the Launton Village Facebook Page and Group www.facebook.com/launtonvillage Launton Lines is delivered free to every address in the village. It is funded by its advertisers and Launton Parish Council.

Further print copies are available at £1.00 per copy from Shirley Johnson (01869 369269) Launton Lines is also available online from 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.