Launton Lines Issue 258 April 2022

Spring comes to Launton this year

We asked our Staff Photographer to walk round the village in March and capture the arrival of Spring.

Here are some of her photos. Do you have any you want to submit to Launton Lines?

All photos by Ella Rayner

31

The front cover shows the new bridge over the East West Rail line on Station Road, on the day it was opened to traffic. The photographer says, “Sadly I missed The Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, Dorothy, and the Scarecrow - they were off to Stratton Audley, to The Red Lion I guess, because of the wonderful Sunday roast he does.” See a further report on page 17 and photo on page 9. Photo by Matt Hill

The Editor writes …

By the time this issue hits the streets of Launton, I’ll be back from Cape Town and hard at work getting potatoes into the ground. Staying in the middle of a city has made me appreciate the gardens, the growing space, and the openness of Launton, where electric fences are there to keep animals in not people out.

It has become increasingly weird trying to produce this when not in the village, and I'm sure I've missed some events from the Diary Dates on page 46. I will do a catch up in May for all the things I’ve missed. In the meantime, in this issue there is information on a concert (page 20), a slew of Jubilee events on pages 8, 21, 26-27, and 40-41, and the rescheduled Songs of Praise concert in St Mary’s (page 42). There is a May Day Fair (possibly May Day Madness) on pages 32-33 and the back cover. There is also news of two surveys being done, on managing antisocial behaviour (page 14) and traffic in Launton (page 10), and news of a special open day at Bicester Heritage for The Shelswell History Festival (page 33). The Panto announces the money it raised (page 11) and Danny Cunningham reports a strange encounter on the railway bridge (pages 36-38 with a photo).

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 April for entry in the May 2022 issue of Launton Lines.

April 15 | Sponsored by Mary Brydon.

Happy birthday Hamish - 4 today.

Love from Nana.

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

More news about the traffic measures and road closures and openings, is on page XX of this issue of Launton Lines.

Report from District and County Councillors The County Councillors sent a written report. Councillor Corkin reported that he had put an update on the village Facebook group about the works Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 4

around the A 41 Rodney House and Ambrosden turn road issues which had had such an impact on the traffic through the village. He had also asked OCC Officers for an update on the A41 corridor review.

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

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.launtonpc.gov.uk - in the Agenda and Minutes section).

If a villager has concerns or comments about a planning application, they are welcome to come 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.launtonpc.gov.uk/planning-applications/ Neighbourhood Plan The Parish Council has been asked to consider creating a Neighbourhood Plan.

A Neighbourhood Plan is a document which has the most weight in villages in Planning terms, and the Council has considered it in the past..

Following the publication of the CDC Local Plan in 2011, the Parish Council was assured by the Planning Policy team at CDC that an additional ‘villages’ section would be produced by CDC (in collaboration with the villages) which would direct how villages could develop over the Plan’s lifetime and that, therefore, villages in the District would not necessarily need individual Neighbourhood Plans.

Unfortunately, events overtook CDC and the villages section was never published. The Parish Council has been assured, however, that it will be incorporated into the latest iteration of the Local Plan currently under review.

The Council discussed the suggestion, but, following the discussion, agreed that at this stage, due to the amount of work and the likely cost of doing the plan, together with the need for many more volunteers from the village to help with the work, the Parish Council couldn't take it forward at the moment.

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Parish Council report for meeting on 3 March 2022 continued from pages 4-5

Usually, these sorts of initiatives are a collaboration between volunteers and the Parish Council, so, if you think you might be interested in helping volunteer, do get in touch with the Council.

Parish Hall The Architect is currently working up the plans and Design and Access Statement. We hope to see them shortly.

Replacement Rubbish Bin The Council has agreed to replace the rubbish bin outside the Costcutter shop.

Village Matters Gigaclear Following the online public meeting which Gigaclear convened in February, the Council had an online informal meeting with the company.

The representatives explained their plans. They expected to re-use the existing BT ducting wherever possible, but there would need to be some new trenches - particularly in The Poplars, Sycamore Road and Bicester Road; other connections will be made via the telegraph poles.

The Council was assured that where trenches were dug, all the verges would be made good.

Agenda items and dates of the next meetings The 7 April 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-19 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.

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 5 May meeting (which will be held in the School Hall) need to be with the Clerk by 21 April, and items for the 9 June meeting (note change of date because of the Jubilee weekend bank holiday) by 26 May. If you’re not signed up to our mailing list to receive news from the Parish Council, you can find a signup form at the bottom left hand menu of the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk/

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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 currently an Unincorporated Association governed by an operating document adopted in August 2018.

We used to hold our Annual Meetings in June or July after the end of our reporting year at the end of May. At the AM in 2021 we changed the 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 AM covering the period ending 31 December 2021 will be held on Wednesday 6 April 2022, starting at 7pm. We will hold it online, via Google Meet. Joining instructions will be at the following url https://launton.org/lccg We will also hold a final agenda there, and have the minutes of the previous Annual Meeting for review, and copies of the reports for this Annual Meeting.

The Agenda for the meeting is below: hope to see you there 1. Apologies 2. Minutes from last year’s LCCG Kimboco Company of Dog Training offers Annual Meeting group classes and one-to-ones near Launton 3. Chair’s report  Puppy and adult classes available  6 week courses 4. Treasurer’s report  Reward-based methods using choice-based 5. Editor’s publication report and techniques advertising summary Plenty of games and useful exercises to help build  confidence and a love for training 6. Election of Officers and Qualified trainer with over 25 years experience  Committee 7. Possible charity registration for LCCG 8. Any other business Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 7

Bee Happy at Island Pond Wood this spring!

Friends of Island Pond Wood are looking forward to hosting ‘Bee Happy’, a free spring community event to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and National Bee Day, at the Wood on Saturday 21 May, 1:00-4:00pm.

An array of woodland and nature activities are planned for the afternoon, with Muddy Feet Forest School and The Brambly Hedge Pig. Have a go at helping to weave a wicker hurdle for the woods, go bug hunting or make a nature crown and wand.

Join in with one of our ‘meet the expert’ talks to discover more how the woodlands are looked after, and there will be a chance to learn more about beekeeping and honey making from Caulcott Honey.

Bicester Concert Band and students from Stagecoach Bicester will provide entertainment and performances. The Hummingbird Centre will have an activity stall and there will be refreshments and a cake sale too.

Thanks to Cherwell District Council SPARKS fund, Launton Parish Council for generous funding for this event, and craft activities for children are kindly sponsored by Jason Barfoot (Jason’s Logs, local log supplier contact: 07961 538 035). Launton Church of England School will be working on decorations for the event to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and all things bee related!

We can’t wait to welcome the community to Island Pond Wood, lift people’s spirits and have some fun on the day!

If you would like to contribute to bake a cake for the sale or volunteer or be a part of the day please contact us at islandpondwood@gmail.com Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 8

Parish Council delegation visits the new bridge on Station Road

From left: Steve Golla, George Singh (our new Liaison Officer), Thaina Sa’id (Community Liaison Officer), Lesley Thompson, Jane Olds, Abi Dowman (and son), and Ed Sanders. See front cover, and page 17 for a report.

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Ukrainian Support in Launton Transport Needs Survey The Parish Transport Representative We have completed the ludicrously (Jon Spinage) has asked us to alert complicated registration process to receive refugee guests from Ukraine. people to a survey to gather people’s I know one other family in Launton thoughts on local transport options serving Launton. are at the same stage as us. survey wants to find out people’s If anyone else is considering hosting The transport needs, how well they are Ukrainian guests, please get in touch being met by existing services, and with us. It would be great to have a whether there is sufficient demand to support network in the village for our seek additional services. lady and her 12-year-old son.

It asks for thoughts on parking, which David has set up a Facebook group: affects travel through the village, and you can join for more information, your general reasons for travel.

Bicester and Local Villages Ukraine It should take no longer than 15-20 Support Group or feel free to email minutes to complete, and may be less him on daviddlcw@gmail.com or if some questions don’t apply to you. phone 01869 241755.

To access the survey go to

Lesley Thompson

https://launton.org/transport-needs-survey/

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Launton Village Players’ Panto

Dick Whittington

The 35th pantomime Dick Whittington has happened and once again our hero has won out over the baddie “LC” ( Lord Chamberlain or as Dame Harriet like to call him ‘Elsie’). Oh yes he did!

The story was mostly set in London but also with a trip across the sea to Pashturk and a wintry scene on the river Thames. There was plenty of magic, fun and music in the story. Fairy Bow Bells gave some help to Dick our hero and his loyal cat Magic, the comedy duo had a lot of fun trying to be efficient law enforcers and the band led by Steve Webber gave us many new tunes as well as one just played on the harmonica!

Our audiences joined in with all the boos and cheers as well as using their magic glow sticks to help Fairy Bow Bells. Thank you for coming along and being such marvellous audiences.

A huge thank you to all of the LVP team- onstage or offstage, costumes, lights, FOH, stage management, safeguarding, programme ... the list could go on. It is such a huge undertaking and everyone’s work, time and dedication is really appreciated. It really is a team effort.

Another big thank you must go to all our sponsors, advertisers and to those people and businesses that donated raffle prizes. Please support them as they have supported us.

The finances have been completed and we are happy to be supporting eight charities: The Horton General Hospital Children’s Ward; Friends of Launton Parish Hall; Medical Detection Dogs; Bicester Baby Bank; The Samaritans; The Blue Cross; Cystic Fibrosis Trust; and The Somerville Foundation. £2,570 will be shared among these charities.

For more details of our future productions, or if you would like to join us, contact LVP at membership@launtonvillageplayers.org.uk And as our finale song said, “Make a date with Launton Pantomime, See you all again next year!”

Thank you, from The LVP Team Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 11

Roads and traffic in Launton

The Parish Council recognises that it has been a very difficult time trafficwise in the village over the last few months. The increase in traffic has been exacerbated by the works on the A41 to build the roundabout near Ambrosden; unfortunately, it was not possible to stop the traffic coming through the village as the road is a public highway.

As you’ll now know, Station Road was opened on Saturday 12 March, albeit with a 40mph speed restriction over the bridge, because Oxfordshire County Council required more work to be done to extend the barriers before it was finally approved.

The Bicester Road will be closed at the railway bridge for more work (including putting in safety barriers) for eight weeks from 28 March until 27 May. This is two weeks more than advertised because it was found that more safety work is needed. Contrary to the first leaflet distributed by East West Rail, pedestrian access WILL be maintained over the bridge apart from the weekend of 2-3 April when there will be resurfacing work, and we have been assured that there will also be temporary traffic lights on the

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Blackthorn Road junction with the A41, as before.

Meanwhile, the road to Marsh Gibbon from the northern Station Road crossroads will be closed from 14 March until 17 June 2022 so the new railway bridge can be installed.

However, we hope that the Bicester Road closure at the bridge might help to stop some of the rat runners from returning once the road is opened again.

We know it has not been easy, but we hope that once these last EWR works are completed, there shouldn’t be too much more disruption.

All enquiries or comments about any East West Rail works should go to publicinformation@ewralliance.co.uk

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Consultation on Antisocial Behaviour Orders in Bicester With increased reports of intimidating and distressing behaviour, Cherwell District Council is seeking views on whether a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) should be adopted. It gives powers to tackle behaviour likely to cause alarm or distress, on-street drinking, and begging. The consultation runs for three weeks and ends on Friday 8 April.

A Council spokesman says “Bicester is a great place to live and work but we have seen a real spike in reports of antisocial behaviour in the past year …

There is now a persistent and ongoing concern, so it is right that we consider adopting further powers with the view of improving people’s overall experience of the town centre.

“A PSPO is a really useful way of reassuring local people and raising awareness of the standards of behaviour the community expects in public places … It also gives officers powers to confiscate alcohol and issue fixed penalty notices This decision could help shape the life of the town for years to come so encourage everyone who regularly uses Bicester town centre to have their say.”

The police received 80 reports of antisocial behaviour in the town centre between May and December 2021. There is further information about the proposal and a chance to respond at letstalk.cherwell.gov.uk/pspo-bicester

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

3 April 8.00am BCP Holy Communion 11.00am Family Service in anticipation of Palm Sunday 10 April 6.00pm Evensong 14 April 7.30pm Service for Maundy Thursday 15 April 2.00pm Meditation Service (sung) for Good Friday 16 April 3.00pm For families: The Easter Story and the Easter Garden 17 April 11.00am Communion for Easter Sunday 24 April 11.00am Morning Prayer 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 pages 42 and 27 for details of forthcoming events Stop Press: the Community Café is closed on 12 and 19 April for school holidays.

Parish Council Meetings in May and June 2022

There will be the following changes to previously announced dates and times for Parish Council Meetings in 2022.

May 2022: Meeting on 5 May in The School Hall, starting at 7:15pm

because the Parish Hall is a polling station for local elections

June 2022: Meeting on 9 June in the Parish Hall, starting at 7:15pm because of the Jubilee Bank Holiday long weekend between 2 and 5 June

To keep up to date, sign up for updates at www.launton-pc.gov.uk/ Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 15

Launton WI Report for March 2022

This month we met for the Annual General Meeting which was the first face to face one since 2019. After a welcome from Helen and only one birthday mention for Teresa we had the Financial Report from Cathy and Annual Report from Celia and considering these strange times, we managed since September 2021 to meet regularly, have good speakers, and even a Christmas party. Beryl Mann our WI Advisor also attended and addressed us on the WI at local level.

Sadly after 14 years of being President, Helen decided it was time to step down. She has been a wonderful President making everybody so welcome and will be sadly missed, although she will be staying on the committee. We voted for a new President and elected Gaye who sent her acceptance to Cathy via WhatsApp from South Africa, and we look forward to her return and new role. Celia, our secretary, also stepped down after five years and after gifts Joan and Pat thanked both Helen and Celia for their excellent work and dedication on behalf of the members. They also thanked the committee who work hard making meetings enjoyable especially after the hard couple of recent years.

Our next social will be a walk and lunch at Bure Park which had to be cancelled last month due to the storm. We also look forward to our birthday in April which we will celebrate with a supper.

We are a great friendly group and would warmly welcome any new members who would like to join us in the Parish Hall on the second Thursday of each month at 7.30pm Jane Leach Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 16

Launton Parish Council visits the new bridge on Station Road

We had hoped there would be a grand opening of the Station Road bridge.

Unfortunately, due to some last-minute work, the Parish Council’s visit on 9 March was rather more informal than anticipated (see photo on page 9).

We were unable to drive up ourselves, but instead were given hard hats and hivis jackets and taken by EWR minibus along Station Road to reach the site of the newly completed bridge. A few final touches were being done although at that time EWR were not completely sure whether it would open on time.

While the bridge is not particularly attractive as you drive over it, the views from the top are spectacular, towards Marsh Gibbon, Stratton Audley and beyond, and across to the power station at Calvert.

The scale of the works and the costs involved are phenomenal, but we were assured that they are on budget and on time frame.

The bridge did open earlier than we thought, Saturday 12 March. Many villagers have walked and driven over it now, and we are assured that the villagers on the Poundon side of the bridge have had their school runs shortened by at least 30 minutes!

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LAUNTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY Our February meeting featured a quiz and a film. Both had their challenges. Pat Tucker had prepared the quiz, which had a local history round - reproduced below - and three other rounds on one hundred years ago, the monarchy, and Pot Pourri. Pat is well known in Launton for her quizzes and let’s just say that some tables did better than others with the WI reigning supreme. We enjoyed it, thank you Pat. After the interval, and when the DVD equipment had been gently coaxed into action, we watched the film Twenty Four Square Miles, About life in a small part of rural North Oxfordshire, around Hook Norton and Banbury. The film was released in 1946 and grew out of a planning survey by the Oxford Agricultural Economics Research Institute in 1943 to help inform post war country planning. Rural life was rather different then, farming and employment patterns were changing, housing conditions were challenging in old cottages. We went home glad to have modern facilities.

On 28 April, Martin Sirot Smith will talk about Sulgrave - 5,000 years of history. Martin has spoken to us before about Sulgrave Manor, AERIALS built by ancestors of George SUPPLIED, ERECTED & REPAIRED SINCE 1962 Washington and, on those occasions, he was resplendent in velvet robes. We wait to see!

We meet on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall and visitors are always welcome to sample our varied and interesting programme.

If you would like to know more, please contact Cathy Procopiou on 01869 247694 or cathyprocopiou@hotmail.com Contact PAUL W. EWERS Telephone Brill 01844 237131 Mobile 07956 509166

Anytime

Gwen Skinner

Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 18

Round one of Pat’s history quiz: the topic local history 1 What is the date on the front of the Parish Hall?

2 How many bells are there in the tower of St Mary’s church?

3 The ‘Fox and Hounds’ was a pub until the 1930s, in Church Lane, now known as Bicester Rd. What is the current name of this building?

4 When was the War Memorial erected?

5 The railway line that is being rebuilt was originally opened in time for people to take part in a notable event in London. Name the year and the event.

6 Name the saints of the churches of the parishes neighbouring Launton.

The answers are on page 47 of this issue of Launton Lines.

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A Really Royal Scarecrow Trail

We are looking forward to celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and June is fast approaching.

We hope you will feel able to enter the Really Royal Scarecrow Trail. We know there is much talent in our community: any display with royal connections is fine! Your scarecrow could be a King or Queen, or a Prince or Princess, or even a corgi, or a raven from the Tower of London, or something military like a guardsman or trooping the colour. There is no set size or dimensions but just consider whether it can be clearly seen from the public path. If you feel unable to make a scarecrow, a royal display is also good.

Entry is free and the entry form is on page 27. The closing date for entries will be 7 May and we will ask for a donation when you walk the trail. All profits will go to St Mary’s Church.

There is no competition but you will be able to pass on your compliments to your favourite scarecrows/displays. There will be a container for compliments slips by the entrance to St Mary’s Church and we will collect them all at the end of the event.

Maps will be on the website - www.Launton.org/scarecrow Hard copies of the map will be in the Annual Parish Meeting Costcutters shop. Compliments slips 21 April 2022 will be on the website, and in the May The Village Annual Parish Meeting will edition of Launton Lines. be on Thursday 21 April in the Parish And remember the trail will start at 12 Hall, 7.30pm. All village organisations noon on Saturday 28 May and finish at are invited to make a short report and 12 noon on Sunday 12 June. all villagers are welcome to attend.

If you need more info or have questions, If there is anything specific you would email us at scarecrow@launton.org like to add to the agenda, please let We do hope you will be able to enter Jane Olds know by Monday 4 April. and contribute to a wonderful This is a great opportunity to hear celebration of our Queen’s Platinum about what has happened in the Jubilee across the village. village over the past year and to get Many thanks! involved with new projects and organisations.

The Trail Team For more information please contact Jane Olds at clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 21

A Letter to the Editor: Good neighbours... continued With reference to the letter from John Stephens in the March edition of Launton Lines, this reminded me of an old saying, “What goes around, comes around”.

Some years ago, I needed support and John and his dear wife Patsy were quickly at my door with a box of goodies.

Other people in the village kept me supplied with magazines, books, jigsaw puzzles, and shopping.

So, to all of you people, ‘Angels without wings’, I say a big thank you.

Ivy Bateman The Launton Litter Pick “... should be a monthly event!”

On a sunny Saturday morning in March, 60 enthusiastic villagers helped with the annual village litter pick, starting at the Parish Hall.

Armed with high-viz jackets, bags and litter pickers (some people brought their own) all of the village was covered.

The enthusiasm of everyone especially the children was infectious,

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Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 22

making for a great atmosphere and, of course, the sunny weather helped too.

Refreshments and cake were provided by the Launton WI so we were all greeted with a warm friendly welcome on our return. Tables and chairs were set up outside and a merry time was had by all.

Someone remarked over cake that is was the “ultimate community event”, which it was for certain. Another comment was “we should do this once a month”, but the jury is out on that one!

Thank you to everyone who came along, worked so hard, made the morning fun and productive and to the wonderful ladies of the WI for their support.

Lots of rubbish and recycling was left at the back of the Hall to be collected by Cherwell District Council. The largest collection (four bags) came from the railway bridge on Bicester Road: maybe it will be reduced when traffic is restricted. There are photos on pages 24-25.

Launton Parish Council

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 April 2022 | Page 23

The 2022 Launton Litter Pick - in pictures

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FREE TO ENTER Entry Closing Date Saturday 7 May 2022

Your display can have anything with a royal connection.

You might want to make a King or Queen or something like a guardsman, a corgi, or even a raven from the Tower of London.

Displays to be on show from 12 noon Saturday 28 May until 12 noon Sunday 12 June 2022 Please return this form to either of the following: by email: scarecrow@launton.org by post: A Really Royal Scarecrow Trail, Mayflower, Hare Leys Farm, Launton OX26 5AB Tel: 01869 277625 Further guidance and useful information can be found here www.launton.org/scarecrow

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

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

Postcode: ...........................................................................................

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

Please have your display on show at the contact address above and ensure it is visible from the pavement so that people do not have to enter your garden. If this is not possible, please contact us using the details above and we can find a site for you!.

By filling in this entry form you are agreeing to the following:  Your details being held for the duration of this event;  Your address details to be on the official trail map;  Official photos to be taken of your display.

Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 27

A Vet’s Voice: The Mighty Meko - the story continues You might remember my story about a plucky chihuahua called Meko who underwent emergency surgery on both his eyes mid-pandemic. Meko has long suffered from allergies which make his skin itchy and scaley, his eyes often weep and his ears get sore. Earlier, he developed bilateral corneal ulceration, which was threatening to cause him to lose the sight in both eyes. Thankfully, ophthalmic specialist Mike Rhodes was able to perform microsurgery to graft a patch onto both corneas. This saved his eyes and also his vision. I’m pleased to say that Meko sees very well again now.

But, despite a great recovery from his eye problem, Meko continued to suffer from allergic skin disease. Treatment gave him respite for his general skin itchiness, redness and scaling but he still suffered from ear infections.

The ear canals are lined with a specific type of skin which has lots of glands and, in most dogs, only a small amount of hair. The ear canal itself is a specific environment; it is quite enclosed and therefore is warm with minimal airflow and thus can become moist and waxy. Warmth, moisture and discharge create a perfect environment for bacteria and yeasts to flourish. These “germs”, which normally live harmoniously with the body, are opportunistic when the environment suits them and this can rapidly change an irritated, inflamed ear canal into an infected one.

Despite fastidious care of his ears, he went from one infection to another.

Over time the bacteria in the ears got better at evading our treatment and eventually he had multi-resistant bacteria which caused painful ulceration of the ear canals. We got to a point where treating the ears medically was no longer a reasonable thing to do, as the prospect of recovery was so poor.

At this point we agonised over surgery to remove the ear canals completely.

This feels like a drastic thing to do, but the results for the dog who suffers constantly from pain and irritation in their ears, can be incredible. We agreed to do what’s called a Bilateral Total Ear Canal Ablation.

The surgery involves removing the ear opening and ear canal which links with the middle ear. The eardrum is often ruptured from infection but if not this would be removed along with the lining of the middle ear. A small area of bone is cut away to ensure complete access to the middle ear. Finally, the skin is sutured over and once the hair regrows, dogs look pretty normal again - though they should stop scratching their ears and continually shaking their head!

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Naturally dogs don’t hear well after this, though they usually have impaired hearing already from the disintegrated eardrum and the discharge blocking the canals. The improvement in comfort and quality of life is evident very quickly.

Meko continues to have a great quality of life; his ear pain is gone and his repaired corneas have saved his sight. He isn’t perfect, as his underlying skin allergy remains, but at least he is comfortable and happy.

He is always a joy to have at the practice and is usually accompanied by his housemate Scarlett. They are a very lovable pair and have shown great courage throughout their treatments. Meko has been very unlucky with the ailments which have afflicted him but thanks to the dedication of his loving owner, Mighty Meko continues his charmed life.

Enjoy your pets Jason Williams Bicester Vets

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Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 29

Number 17 bus service during Bicester Road bridge closure We have now had confirmation that the bus service will continue during the closure of Bicester Road (from 28 March).

The buses will enter Launton via Blackthorn Road on both runs, from Bicester and from Aylesbury, then turn right into Station Road, setting down opposite the bus shelter, then stopping and turning round at the bus stop in Blenheim Drive (as the S5 used to do). Then the bus will stop at the bus shelter and exit Launton via Blackthorn Road from the crossroads.

So at the moment only these two stops on Station Road will be served, but there may be the possibility of adding a temporary stop on Blackthorn Road.

A PDF of the timetable is available on the Parish Council website at https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/.../number-17-bus-service.../

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Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 30

Crimewatch April 2022

There are four things to report from the last month.

We are seeing an increase in keyless car thefts and recently had two cars stolen overnight, one from Launton. Here’s a link to prevention advice: www.westyorkshire.police.uk/sites/default/files/2022-02/keyless_theft.pdf

A wooden ips gate to a field was stolen in Mixbury.

The Post office in Ambrosden was broken into at 0200 on 16 March.

In Manor Park, Bicester Road, Launton, on 4 March we received information about theft of diesel from machinery: about 2,700 litres had been taken. The machine has a tap underneath, and a padlock was broken off this. There were no obvious signs of entry, and the caller states that the fuel must have been transported in multiple cans.

The best email to contact us on is listed below. This is monitored by all team members and so messages are picked up more quickly.

BicesterRuralNHPT@thamesvalley.police.uk PCSO Louise Beaumont C6333 |Louise.beaumont@thamesvalley.police.uk Grange Mews News March 2022 Commercial Offices, Industrial Units and Storage for Lease We let offices and industrial space and can be found at

I was surprised to see from my new Council Tax statement that Launton Parish had needed a 23% rise in our tax.

With the Covid restrictions on Hall use, I have not attended meetings since the Zoom changes. I expect this rise is for a good reason as the Parish Council has been active in the village over many years.

However, if this is good news why has this not been announced from the rooftops, or even through Launton Lines. {Ed's Note: see the PC website for details of the 2022-23 budget: www.launton-pc.gov.uk/agenda-and-minutes/2021-2022-agenda-and-minutes/] Full marks to the stalwarts clearing the verges and hedgerows on Saturday 19 March.

Within 20 minutes a billboard, a Costa coffee cup and assorted rubbish had been dumped near the exit to Grange Mews.

On Thursday we had changed a huge lorry container for the second time this year and have partly filled that again from dumped materials.

This year’s cost has been £2,800, the worst year for dumping ever!

pacox@grangemews.co.uk and our website www.grangemews.co.uk Phone 01869 252846 or 07711 778 230

May Day Fair at the Parish Hall

This year May Day is on a Sunday, followed by the public holiday on the Monday - so lots of time to relax and join others at Launton’s May Day Fair (or it could be May Day Madness). It’s on 1 May, between 2pm and 5pm It is organised by The Parish Hall Improvement Project (PHIP - soon to be FoLPH) and will be at the Parish Hall (depending on the weather, some outside and some inside). All proceeds will go to FoLPH. Current plans include setting up a mini-maypole that will offer ribbon madness, and lots of chances for photos of children wrapped in coloured streamers. Just come and try it out. There may, of course, be people there who know how to do the maypole dance as well.

Also new for this event will be a “Plant a Sunflower Competition”: we’ll provide seeds and pots and compost, and keep a record of who enters, and then come round on Sunday 18 September with a measuring tape and pole: the tallest plant will win a prize. Come along and enter!

We will be repeating the very successful produce stalls from previous events (cakes, savouries, baked goods, tarts, and breads, and jams, chutneys and

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relishes) and will have a plant stall so come and stock up on summer vegetable seedlings. The success of the cakes and baked goods and jams etc. stalls depends on the generosity of village bakers and cooks who donate items: I know I have my hopes for a Victoria Sponge with Raspberry Jam and Butter Cream filling, and some home-made bread, and some home-made marmalade. The plant stall also depends on the generosity of Launton’s gardeners. Bring donations to the Hall in the morning, or drop before the day at either 19 Blenheim Drive, or 7 West End Close, or call 07796 836 093 for information.

We’ll also have a tombola (all donations welcome) and a raffle on the day (using cloakroom tickets) with some interesting prizes, and activity games for all ages. Oh… and there will also be refreshments on offer.

It should be a great afternoon: it’s free to join in, and we will be asking for money donations rather than having individually-priced items (apart from the raffle which will be the traditional £1 a ticket).

Robert Cornford PHIP/FoLPH Information Officer

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

Shelswell History Festival presents

Friday 10 June 2022 from 10.30am to 12.30pm

Tickets £20 each Purchase from our website www.shelswellhistoryfestival.org.uk Tickets are limited, so please book early!

All proceeds in aid of Shelswell History Festival Registered Charity No. 1171846 By kind permission of the Management of Bicester Heritage Ltd.

Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 33

Friends of Island Pond Wood Ltd

Report of the 2022 Annual General Meeting It was great to be able to hold our first AGM, with the new Friends and Families Group replacing the Association, in the Parish Hall. Twenty-two people attended and the new Chair of FIPW Ltd and the new Chair of the Friends and Families Group committee were able to introduce themselves in person. Tony Meacock had given up both roles but remains a Director and takes on the job of Secretary (relinquished by Linda Murray who stood down as a Director after ten years).

The Chair of Friends of Island Pond Ltd is now Rob Dowman. He told the meeting that he grew up in Launton and wants to ensure the IPW continues to be accessible to all year round, with a twenty-year management plan in progress for improvements and maintenance via different funding routes (membership, grants, and donations) which should mean that us and future generations can enjoy the wood for many years to come.

Chloe Bradford, Chair of the Friends and Families Group, recently moved back to the village after growing up here. She has practical conservation experience working for both the RSPB and BBOWT, and is welcomed to the board to help manage the site habitat and wildlife, and to create a twenty-year management plan. Chloe is excited for the future community engagement, events, education and communication.

The usual business of an AGM was dispatched speedily. The financial report indicated that there is a healthy balance in the accounts. Membership held up very well in the year with a total of 116 members. The subscription for 2022/2023 is now due and remains at £10 per adult.

The main part of the meeting was taken up with the presentation of the Annual Report by Liz Turvey and Chloe. The 2021 community events were described and Liz expanded on how the “Reflection Area” project had come about. It is hoped that this will be completed by May - and a related event is being planned for that date. Work sessions continued in 2021, but more people would be welcome. It is a brilliant way to get some healthy outdoor exercise in good company while supporting the local community Chloe gave a presentation on Future Plans, with much information about, and photos of, existing habitat and how we’ll be trying to enhance it through coppicing, understory planting, meadow extension, and wildlife ponds. A twenty-year plan is being developed and funding applications made.

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The formal meeting was followed by lots of discussion over refreshments and the viewing of an exhibition of photographs. If you would like a copy of the Annual Report, or to become a member, or to become more actively engaged with your local wood. do contact us on fipwlimited@gmail.com Linda Murray (Outgoing Secretary)

The Island Pond Wood AGM in pictures Above, Chloe Bradford talks through the twenty-year Future Plans for the woodland Below, the display boards with, in front, the newspaper that reported the buying of the field

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On Launton Railway Bridge: see “Driving you mad” opposite

It can be surprising what you meet on the railway bridge on Bicester Road when it is semi-open. And even on the wrong side of the road! And driving on the footway! See Driving you mad on pages 37-38 opposite.

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Driving you mad

I’m not a great driver. I’m OK. Maybe to make me less of a threat to the drivers of Launton and beyond, I drive a car that helps me out. It’s automatic, so I only need to use one foot and less brain power. With a manual car, I was always having to use the clutch to change gear. This placed the extra burden on my left foot of pushing up and down far too often. It also gave my brain more work by figuring out which was the best time to go through the umpteen gears to find the right one for the right piece of road. The choice of automatic over manual is like whether you buy an automatic washing machine or a boiler and separate dolly tub and posser. How many possers are in the shops these days? Not many!

My car doesn’t just have an automatic gearbox. It also has a hands-free ‘handbrake’. You press a lever and when you come to a halt using your footbrake, it stops automatically, in gear. When the lights change, you just press gently on the accelerator and the handbrake disengages. The lights come on and off automatically too, depending on the external lighting conditions. The car’s got a rear-view camera to help you line it up for the parking space you want to use. It beeps before you crash into what’s behind you. There are sensors on the front bumper too. These even slam your brakes on if the car thinks that you’re driving too fast and risk crashing into the car in front. When you park up in the dark, the lights stay on for a few seconds so that you can find your way out of the car more safely.

The car has cruise control to ease the pressure on your right leg on longer journeys. In my previous car, it even had sensors that slowed you down, still in cruise control, when you got too close to the car in front and then returned to your previous speed once the car in front had gone. That car also had automatic dipping front beam, which spared you the discomfort of flicking a switch on the dash to go from full beam to dipped.

Other features that brighten winter driving are a heated front screen and heated seats. These may seem to be unnecessary luxuries but maybe they get you adjusted more quickly to ‘regular’ conditions in the car and allow you to concentrate better on the very basics of driving. Press one pedal to go forward and another to stop. For the rest, apart from occasionally turning the steering wheel, the car drives itself. That helps to explain why, despite being just average, I have avoided driving accidents for many years.

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This contrasts with two other drivers – my 93-year-old mother and an elderly bloke in a BMW who I saw behaving strangely on the village’s railway bridge recently.

First my mother. Only this year was she told by her local GP that she should stop driving on medical grounds. However, she should have stopped driving many years ago, on driving grounds. The desire for independence was her main motivation – popping to the shops, visiting relatives living a few miles from her house, popping down to the harbour to see the fishing boats come in. This is entirely understandable but still must be set in context. Over the years, she has tried to avoid being stopped from driving, by the police for example, by having a kind of slush fund.

From this fund she would finance the repair of the vehicles that she’d crashed into without having to involve her insurance company.

The last thing she wanted was a police accident number. That has worked well, and at least three drivers of damaged vehicles have been directed to the same vehicle repair company that has served my mother so well in patching up her own car over the years.

Finally, the elderly man on the railway bridge. Villagers know that

the ‘new’ old bridge has still not been finished, despite having the road closed for weeks so that EWR could do just that. A lot of the coping on the top still hasn’t been finished. In early March, they coned off half of the road over the bridge, so that only the left portion was passable. Temporary traffic control measures were introduced that reduced the flow of vehicles over the bridge. I was the passenger in our automatic everything car as we crawled to the top of the bridge, on our way to town. Remember that our car was in the left half of the road.

Imagine my surprise when coming towards me on my left-hand side was a BMW. The driver’s mirror was an inch away from the bridge wall. The car’s offside wheels were on the tarmac. The passenger-side mirror was 1-2 inches away from the almost stationary traffic. The car’s female passenger looked as embarrassed as someone who’d just trumped loudly in a lift. The driver merely gesticulated with his opposing drivers to give him more room to edge through. When he squeezed past our car, he was so close that the beepers went wild. I presume that he drove off without a scratch. My advice to him would be to set up his own slush fund.

Danny Cunningham

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There are plenty of IF THE BIN IS LIKE THIS ... dog bins in the village (there’s a pub quiz question: “How ... THINK OUTSIDE many bins are there THE BIN. in Launton?”).

IF THIS ONE Sometimes the IS FULL, Council - that’s PLEASE FIND Cherwell District ANOTHER BIN Council, not the THAT YOU Parish Council CAN USE don’t complete the weekly emptying DO NOT LEAVE because of rain, or YOUR RUBBISH floods, or snow.

AND POO BAGS When that happens, FOR OTHERS please drop your bag TO CLEAR UP! in the next bin on Launton Parish Council - www.launton-pc.gov.uk your walk home.

Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 39

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Name Contact No or email Age (if child) Category to enter

years old Adult Jubilee Flower Arrangement Child Posy for the Queen Child Fancy Dress King Child Fancy Dress Queen Adult Jubilee Cake Child Jubilee Cake / Cup Cake / Tart

E-mail entry to: clairefinn7@gmail.com or drop this form into the Social Club during opening hours Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 41

St Mary’s Songs of Praise

You are invited to join us for St Mary’s Songs of Praise Saturday 7 May at 3pm in St Mary’s Church

Favourite hymns and readings with the theme of “Hope” as we look forward.

Do come and join us.

More dates for your diary at St Mary’s Church For our families Please come along at 3.00pm on Saturday 16 April to hear the Easter Story while helping to assemble the Easter Garden

†††††††††††††††††† Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 42

Memories of an ex-Launton Boy

This month the ex-Launton Boy is in his greenhouse checking on his seedlings (they are doing well) and starts thinking about his gardening experiences as a child in Launton in the 1950s. He remembers heavy clay (remember this is Launton) and couch grass, and being set to work weeding in the garden. He recalls putting soot around the vegetables to keep the slugs off, and his father having to dig the hole to bury the chemical toilet bucket. It was a different life then - collecting water from the village pump. Then he remembers his Auntie Rita who has recently died, and Auntie Anne. And finally he has his say about Ukraine.

Having enjoyed an afternoon of sunshine last Saturday 12 March (spring is on the way) just after going round my bird feeding stations topping up the feeders, I took a moments’ respite and sat awhile in one of my garden sheds. With me out of sight, it was lovely listening to the birds singing as they wrestled each other for a prime spot on this bird feeder and that. I had thought about taking my harmonica and having a blow (the only place at home where I am allowed to play it) but then I took the view, the bird song was far more melodic and pleasant on the ear.

So then I took a stroll in the greenhouse to see if any of my sowings had put in an appearance yet, with it being an unheated greenhouse and all. I was pleasantly surprised to see some seedlings shyly poking their heads through the John Innes seed compost I had used. That was incentive enough for me to decide to sow a few more seeds in the hope of a bumper crop later in the year.

But it was far too nice to be cooped up inside, so out came the secateurs and I got on with some much needed pruning, and there is yet more still to be done.

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I don’t know about you but I find gardening to be very therapeutic. One is able to immerse ones’ self into the job in hand, whether it be sowing seeds, pruning shrubs or just plain old weeding. All the other trials and tribulations in life tend to just melt away.

Well it just so happened as I was toiling in the garden on Saturday afternoon (missing the rugby) that I began to think back to my gardening experiences at our house at 2, Green View, Station Road, Launton, the gardens of which consisted of very heavy Oxford / Aylesbury clay. The weeds were mostly couch grass, sometimes called squitch grass, the roots of which ran quite some distance in all directions, along which further clumps of grass would come invasively through. With a child’s little hands, for that is what they were back then, it was extremely difficult to pull the weeds out, but out they had to come.

And of course it was back in those days when we were taught a few gardeners’ old tricks to make our gardening more successful than it might otherwise have been.

It was still the days of coal fires indoors and it was usually mine or my brother, Cliffs’ turn to clean up the ashes and lay the fire in readiness before going off to school. But what was quite interesting was getting ones’ hand and forearm up the chimney flue, in order to gather what soot was easily accessible. So instead of buying things like slug pellets we would sprinkle the soot around the base of our brassicas and lettuces and it worked a teat. Slugs and snails do not like soot!

Dad had the rather more unpleasant task of having to occasionally dig an extremely large and very deep hole in the back garden, choosing a different spot each time, in which to empty the chemical loo bucket. As I have previously explained, those four houses, numbers one, two, three and four Green View Station Road, although having been built as late as 1939 by Lewis Penn & Co on the opposite side of the road, were built with no running water at all. Nor did they provide a cess pit at the bottom of the garden. Although very solidly built (no cavity walls) they were by modern standards extremely primitive. We had to fetch our water from the village pump situated closely to the telephone kiosk, carrying two pails at a time hooked onto a yoke across the shoulders. I Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 44

have to say though the contents of the loo bucket did nothing to improve the quality of the soil.

Isn’t it lovely to see all the daffodils, crocus and snowdrops all in bloom, and the gorse along the road sides!

But all of that has for me been slightly marred, for I received news on that same Saturday that my favourite Auntie, the youngest sister of my dad, therefore the last of that generation of our family, passed away on Friday 11 March. I don’t know if any of the older residents of the village will remember my Auntie Rita, as she was effectively brought up by her grandmother, my great granny Markham in Blackthorn, because my grandmother Jeacock did not have enough room in the house for all seven of her children when they all lived in Bucknell before moving to Launton in 1939.

When Auntie Rita married my somewhat eccentric Uncle Albert (Fox), they moved to the Old Post Office in the village of Somerton where they remained, having no children, until Uncle Albert passed away. After that, Auntie Rita moved to that most beautiful village in the Cotswolds and Gloucestershire, Bourton-on-the-Water, where she

made lots of friends, the best of whom, Phyllis, died last year. I believe that she only within the last few weeks celebrated her 89th birthday. Her funeral is on 23 March at Cheltenham Crematorium followed by a Service of Remembrance at the church of St. Lawrence in Bourton-on-the-Water.

Auntie Rita was a really lovely lady but with a wicked sense of humour and she is going to be very sorely missed. Get her and my dads’ eldest sister, my Auntie Anne, together and it was far more entertaining than Hinge and Bracket.

On a final note, will anyone in the village be taking in some Ukrainian refugees? [Editor’s note - yes there are some hosts, see the brief report on page 10] I have to say that if I had the room I most certainly would, but sadly we simply do not have space. But issue me with the appropriate licence and a good snipers’ rifle and I would re-ignite my marksmanship skills from my army days and willingly take the main antagonist out without batting an eyelid. He is beyond all redemption!

Keep healthy and stay SAFE! Tony Jeacock | The Ex-Launton Boy | April 2022

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Diary Dates: April 2022

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

Friday Saturday

1 April Fools' Day 2 Launton School Easter Egg Hunt, School Field, 2pm-4pm | Phoenix Singers and Trinity Camerata Perform Bach's St. John Passion, St Edburg's Church, 7.30pm Sunday 3 St Mary's Church, Holy Communion (BCP), 8am; Family Service, 11am | Weekly Quiz at The Bull, 8pm Monday 4 Lent Course, Launton Parish Hall, 2.30pm Tuesday 5 Community Café, Parish Hall: 9-11am; 2.30-4.30pm | Launton Health Walk, The Bull, 2pm | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wednesday 6 Launton Community Communications Group Annual Meeting on Google Meet, 7pm | Home Guard Living History Group, Parish Hall, 8pm Thursday 7 Parish Council. Public Session 7.15pm, Council Meeting 7.30pm, Parish Hall Friday 8 Last day of Spring Term at Launton School | SCOTS Night at The Bull, from 5.30pm | Last day for response to Antisocial Behaviour Orders survey Sunday 10 St Mary's Church, Evensong (BCP), 6pm | Weekly Quiz at The Bull, 8pm Monday 11 Beginning of school Easter Holiday today Tuesday 12 No Community Café today because of school holidays | Launton Health Walk, The Bull, 2pm | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wednesday 13 Over 60s Club Meeting, LPFA Hall, starts at 12:30pm with lunch and bar open Thursday 14 St Mary's Church, Service for Maundy Thursday, 7.30pm | WI Annual Meeting, Nominations and election of Officers and Committee. Parish Hall, 7.30pm Friday 15 Good Friday | St Mary's Church, Meditation Service (Sung) for Good Friday, 2pm Saturday 16 St Mary's Church, family activity, hear the Easter Story and assemble The Easter Garden, 3pm Sunday 17 Easter Sunday | St Mary's Church, Holy Communion for Easter Sunday | Weekly Quiz at The Bull, 8pm Monday 18 FINAL DATE FOR COPY FOR THE MAY 2022 ISSUE OF LAUNTON LINES: SUBMIT TO launtonlines@launton.org | Easter Monday Tuesday 19 No Community Café today | Launton Health Walk, The Bull, 2pm | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wednesday 20 Home Guard Living History Group, Parish Hall, 8pm Thursday 21 Annual Parish Meeting, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Sunday 24 St Mary's Church, Morning Prayer, 11am | Weekly Quiz at The Bull, 8pm Monday 25 Back to school for the Summer Term Tuesday 26 Community Café, Parish Hall: 9-11am; 2.30-4.30pm | Launton Health Walk, The Bull, 2pm | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wednesday 27 Over 60s Club Meeting, LPFA Hall, starts at 1.45pm, ends about 3.30pm Thursday 28 Launton Historical Society, Martin Sirot Smith on Sulgrave - 5,000 years of history, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Launton Lines April 2022 | Page 46

Launton Dog of the Month

As we’ve been outside and walking a lot more we’ve got to know many of the dogs of the village: here is the thirteenth. Will there be more? It’s up to you!

Dog’s Name: Hector Age: 9 years old Gender: Male Breed: Hungarian Wire Haired

Vizla

How long in Launton: 5 years One interesting fact: His parents

were working HPR (hunt, point, and retrieve) dogs working alongside birds of prey. Although Hector is a non-working pet he still sniffs out and points wildlife when I’m out taking photos.

I came from: Ipswich Habits: He loves to pose for the camera and often does action shots like puddle jumping or snowball catching.

Favourite food: Rice pudding or

fishfingers

Favourite game or toy: Anything squeaky Favourite walk: Any long walk around Launton.

If you would like your dog to feature in this column please email Kathy Gilbert, kathleengilbert533@googlemail.com or phone DoTM on 07812 604 032.

Answers to round one of Pat’s history quiz on page 19 1. 1930 2. Six 3. Naworth House 4. 1995 5. 1851; the Great Exhibition 6. St Edburg (Bicester), St Lawrence (Caversfield), St Mary and St Edburga (Stratton Audley), Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary (Twyford), St Mary the Virgin (Marsh Gibbon), St Mary the Virgin (Ambrosden).

Launton Lines April 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.