Friends of Launton Parish Hall: Launton Lines Issue 262 August 2022

As reported in the July issue, FoLPH has secured charitable status (Registered Charity Number 1199171) and confirmed the change of name to Friends of Launton Parish Hall. The founding Trustees have invited two other people to join them - Helen Beard and Miles Penhallow - and will be looking to expand the experience and skill base. If you are interested in offering yourself, contact folph@launton.org.

FoLPH has plans for a series of community and fundraising events for the rest of the year:

�� Measuring the sunflower competition from the May Day Market: Saturday 24 September

�� What3Words Treasure Hunt: Sunday 25 September (see below)

�� Harvest Fair (cakes, baked goods, produce, plants, and we hope apple pressing): Saturday 1 October

�� Film Night in the Hall (title to be decided): Friday 18 November

�� Early Christmas event (Christmas Songs and Quiz): Friday 9 December

The planning application for the improvement work was submitted to Cherwell District Council on 16 June. The consultation period is now passed, and we hope to have a decision by 11 August.

The advisory Working Group established by the Parish Council has been working with the architects to produce detailed building plans so we can go ahead with applications for funding once planning permission is secured. As soon as we have detailed plans we will arrange a consultation meeting for the village community.

We are also looking for any volunteer Project Managers in the village to work in pushing the whole project through. Any volunteers?

There has been a meeting of all main users of the roadway by the Hall (School, LPFA, Hall Committee, PCC, and PC) to consider plans for the roadway. All agreed with the County Council idea that there should be ‘shared space’ for vehicles, pedestrians, buggies, mobility scooters, cyclists, and wheelchairs in the road area outside the Hall, rather than a road and separate raised footway. ‘Shared Space’ is now a preferred solution for mixed-use areas around the world.

What3Words Treasure Hunt comes to Launton

On 25 September 2022 the newly-established charity Friends of Launton Parish Hall (FoLPH) will be running a family event in the village to raise money for the Parish Hall project, and for people to have some fun. The event is an updated Treasure Hunt, using the digital geolocation app What3Words (www.what3words.com).

What3Words has divided the surface of the earth into 3 metre squares, and each square has a unique 3-word address - so the front door of The Bull is ///inkjet.severe.hiding.

What is the event?

The event is an up-to-date Scavenger Hunt around the village, using What3Words to find the locations. Organiser Jon Spinage has devised a two-level Hunt (one for families with young children, and a more extended route for the more experienced teams).

There are five parts to the event:

1. A quiz to find the final element of each 3Words location clue;

2. Find the 3 metre square, and go to it;

3. Search at each 3Words location for the answer to a question (“What is the number on the phone pole?” “What type of tree is in the field?”);

4. A traditional Scavenger Hunt - mainly suitable for children - of items to be collected during the event;

5. Return to the Parish Hall by 3.30pm and submit answers and Scavenger Hunt records online through Googleforms.

The event will run between 1.30pm and 4pm, starting at the Parish Hall where home-made cakes and refreshments will be on offer for all. We expect to announce the winning team by 4.15pm.

Teams of up to 6 people can enter: entry costs £5 for adults and £2.50 for children if pre-booked (cost on the day will be £6 adults and £3 children), and includes the first drink and cake, with additional refreshments available.

The only kit needed by each team is a phone with the What3Words app installed, and access to Googleforms for submitting answers, and a couple of hours to follow the Hunt. We will provide each team with an entry pack (supported by East-West Rail) and all who take part and complete the trail will get a personal certificate.

More information will be available in next month’s Launton Lines.