Launton Lines Issue 264 October 2022

The front cover shows the winner of the Sunflower competition launched at the FoLPH May Day Fair. She is Daisy Gray, and the sunflower pendant was a part of the winner’s prize package. See page 32 for a final report on the sunflowers. Cover designed by Matt Hill. Photo by RobertCornford

The Editor writes

Autumniswellandtruelyhere.I’veyettofindanyfieldmushrooms,buthave enjoyedtheblackberries.Andthereshouldbeabumpercropofsloesforlater. Ourfrontcovershowsthewinner(byproxy)oftheSunflowerCompetition: thewinningplantwas2.62metrestall(page32).Thereisanappealforpeople tojointheLauntonLinesdistributionteam(page7),andJaneOlds-the ParishClerk-tells(pages23-24)thebackgroundstoryofplanningdetailsof eventsfollowingthedeathofthelateQueenElizabethII.Ihopetogatherfor theNovemberissuemoreaccountsofhowtheQueen’sdeathandfuneral,and theperiodofnationalmourning,affectedpeopleofLaunton.

BoththeWI(25)andtheLadiesFootball(34)arelookingtorecruitmembers andtheCommunityCafe(26)launchesanewterm.Therearereportsand photosfromStMary’sFayre(14,20and21),theWhat3WordsScavenger Hunt(36,37and43),andtheCraftandFoodMarket(12-13),andaphoto fromLauntonFC(2)oftheUnder10girlsintheirnewkit. TherearealsoregularreportsfromtheParishCouncil(4-6),fromourCDC Councillors(8-9),theWI(16-17),andtheHistoricalSociety(22). Pleasesupportouradvertisers:theyneedyouasmuchasweneedthem.

RobertCornford

Phone|

To book the Parish Hall

Contact:JoanPacker Phone:07922042133

ParishHallCommittee:ChristineMassey; AudreyDeeley;LynneHarper;JoanPacker; SimonTurner;RobertCornford

ReportsfromDistrictandCountyCouncillors

CouncillorPatrickmadeareport.TheUkrainianrefugeeguestslivingin Cherwellareabletoapplyforafreebuspasswhichwillbevalidforthree months.CDChascreateda‘costofliving’webpage:see https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/118/communities/977/help-withthe-cost-of-livingformoreinformationwhichhasconsolidatedallthe linksforsupportavailable.CouncillorPatrickhasalsometwiththeKeep LauntonFreegroup.

NoreporthadbeenreceivedfromCouncillorCorkin(OCC).

Finance

TheFinanceReportisavailableontheParishCouncilwebsite.

Planning

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

Ifanyvillagerhasconcernsorcommentsaboutaplanningapplication, theyarewelcometocomealongtoParishCouncilmeetingstobring themtotheattentionofthemeeting.Villagersarealsowelcometo contactCouncillorsortheClerktomakecomments.

GuidanceabouthowtheParishCouncilisabletorespondisavailableon theParishCouncilwebsiteathttps://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/planningapplications

ParishHall

Theplanningapplicationhasreceivedapprovalandsotheworknow startsinearnest.TheWorkingGrouphasmettodiscussmoreofthe architect’squestionsanditishopedthatthenextstageofpricingthe projectwilltakeplaceshortly.

Noticeboards

WehopethatyoumighthavenoticedthatthenoticeboardbytheBull hasbeenrepairedandthenoticeboardontheParishHallhasalsohada lickofpaint.

DuringtheperiodofmourningforHerMajestytheQueen,themajority ofthenoticesweretakendownsothattheProclamationandinformation aboutthecondolencebookcouldbeseenmoreclearly.

EmergencyPlan

There’sstilltimetoletusknowifyouhaveaspecialskillorareableto helpintheeventofanemergency-pleaseseepageXXformore information.

FencinginTheGladesandtheBollardsinSherwoodClose

The Parish Council is responsible for both grass areas. Work on the fencing in the Glades will start shortly and quotes are currently being obtained for the bollards around the grass area in Sherwood Close.

SpeedwatchProject

The Parish Council has now bought the speed gun, special Community Speedwatchhi-visjackets and signagefor the project. More information will be available shortly.

Traffic volumes and parking around the crossroads

Members of the Parish Council have recently met with an Officer from the Highways department of the County Council to discuss the issues and is now waiting for their proposals.

BethelChapel - Station Road

Villagers are probably aware that the BethelChapel on Station Road has been put on the market for sale. We have been assured that one of the terms of the sale is that the graveyard is maintained and we now hold a plan of those graves.

Agendaitemsanddatesofthenextmeetings

ThenextmeetingwillbeonThursday6OctoberintheParishHall,startingat 7.30pm.Ifyou’dliketochatwithaCouncillor,docomealongafter7.15pm.

Wearetryingtoreduceourprintingandpaperuse,soifyouwouldlikehard copiesoftheagendaoranyofthemeetingpapers,pleaselettheClerkknowwell beforethemeeting.

Suggestionsforagendaitemsforthe10Novembermeeting(pleasenotethat thisisthesecondThursdayandwillbeheldintheSchoolHall)needtobewith theClerkby27Octoberanditemsforthe1Decembermeetingby17 November.

Ifyou’renotsigneduptoourmailinglisttoreceivenewsfromtheParish Council,youcanfindasignupformatthebottomlefthandmenuoftheParish Councilwebsiteatwww.launton-pc.gov.uk/

Appeal for Distributors for LauntonLines

A message from our Distribution Manager, ShirleyJohnson

We have an amazing group of people who, every month and no matter what the weather brings, set out to deliver Launton Lines to their neighbours.

Over the past few months, as people start moving around for holidays and to see family and friends, I’verealised that I need a few back up people who can fill in when regular distributors have to drop out for one or two months, and maybe to replace, more permanently, people who move away.

We try to arrange it so there is a maximum of about 50 copies to deliver, and the routes are all based on individual roads, so it’snot too far to walk.

If you want to help, please contact me at

shirley.johnson060708@gmail.com

or by phone at 01869 369269

On 10 September three local riders took part in this annual event, organised by the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust, the donations from which will partially benefit StMary’sLaunton.

Tom Bailey, RobertBradshaw(StMary’sorganist) and ChrisFrost (Launton PCCTreasurer) cycled 84 miles, visiting 18 churches - a magnificent effort!

Chriswill be collecting the sponsorship pledges until 31 October and can be contacted on 07775 066962 if he hasn’talready spoken to you.

The regular report from our CherwellDistrict Councillors for October 2022

As with the whole Country, Commonwealth and across the globe, we were shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIon 8 September 2022. At the time of writing, we are in a period of national mourning and the messages of remembrance and support from so many people will have touched the hearts of many of you. The scenes on our TV screens show how much the Queen meant to us all in so many ways, and our thoughts and sympathies are with the Royal Family and all our residents. We wish King Charles IIIa long and healthy reign. There is a dedicated page on the CDCwebsite at https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/5/your-council/1010/payingtribute-to-her-majesty-queen-elizabeth-iiwith details on how to pay tribute and key events happening across the region.

As a lot of government business is paused at this time, there are just a couple of updates from us: Grange Farm, Station Road Planning Application

As mentioned last month, this planning application, originally refused by the Planning Committee is now going to an appeal hearing. The hearing is scheduled for 11 October and we will be there to represent this village. We are aware of concerns ranging from the lack of suitable infrastructure (drainage, the Station Road crossroads), to the additional flood risk and the location of the development a fairly long walk from the village centre. We will report back on how the meeting went next month, although it is likely that a decision will not be available until mid-November at the earliest.

Three-month Free Bus Passes for Ukrainian Guests

A reminder in case you missed it last month that CherwellDistrict Council have been working closely with bus companies to offer a three-month free bus passes to any Ukrainian on the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The passes will enable guests to travel in their local area, as well as access Oxford city. A number of passes will be available; suitability will depend on where the guests are living or LauntonLinesOctober2022|Page8

working, or what journeys they are more likely to need to take. A single page is now available for both Guests and Hosts as well as other information at https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/council/ukraine

Keep In Touch

Finally we just wanted to say please do keep in touch! We love hearing from you and want to support residents in any way we can. Even if it not necessarily a district matter, we will try and point you in the right direction of who can help the best. Emailat these addresses: gemma.coton@cherwell-dc.org.uk angus.patrick@cherwell-dc.org.uk

or call us on 01869 717712. CllrsGemmaCotonand Angus Patrick

DannyCunningham

We are very sad to report that DannyCunningham, a regular contributor to Launton Lines since 2017, died on 1 August. The funeral on 11 August was at North Oxford Crematorium with a wake afterwards at The Bull in Launton. We hope to include an obituary for Dannyin a future issue.

The Launton Watercolour Classes

The Watercolour Classes with David Meeksas Tutor have restarted.

The picture on the right was one of the subjects we tackled recently.

We have a good number of people but there is space for two or three more if anyone is interested.

We meet at 2pmon Monday afternoons in the Launton Parish Hall, £8 per session. Please emailPaul.Ebberson@gmail.comif you are interested.

Launton Village Players

LVPPantomime2023:HickoryDickoryDock

Performances:Wednesday15toSaturday18February2023

OurWelcomeEveningforexistingandnewmemberswentverywelland wewerereallypleasedthatarepresentativefromNai’sHousecameand talkedtousabouttheworktheydo.Nai’sHouseisbasedinBicesterand aimstogiveallchildrenandyoungadultsaccesstoappropriateand empoweringmentalhealthsupport.Our2023pantomimewillbe supportingNai’sHouse,andanyprofitsfromtheshowswillbedonated tothisimportantcause.

WehaveafullcastreadytostartrehearsalsofHickoryDickoryDock.The scriptisfinalised,thesongsarewritten,andwehaveoriginalmusicfrom ourownSteveWebberwhichwillbeperformedbyourwonderfulband. Wearealsoworkingonchoreography,setpainting,aswellasallthe administrativetasksthatgointoputtingonapantomimesuchastickets, publicity,propsandlights.

Ticketswillbesoldthrough

TicketSource,butthisyearthey willbeavailabletobuybefore Christmas-sotheywouldmake theperfectChristmaspresentfor friendsandfamily!Watchoutfor morenewsnextmonthabout whenandhowyoucangetthem.

ThestoryofHickoryDickoryDock isfulloftheexpectedpantomime elements-amessyscene,an‘It’s behindyou’scene,sweets,lotsof audienceinteraction,magic,some greateffectsanda‘wonderful’ baddiewhojusthastobebooed. Andofcoursethereisaclock!Itis suitableforallages,soputthe datesinyourdiaryandcometoenjoyatraditionalfamilypantoandhelp usraisemoneyforaveryimportantcause.

FriendsofIslandPondWoodAutumnEvent WewillbesingingattheIslandPondWoodAutumnAppleDayEvent ontheafternoonofSaturday15October.Docomealongandlisten.See theirFacebookpageformoreinformationabouttheevent,ortheback coverofthisissue:https://www.facebook.com/IslandPondWood Christmas2022

It’snevertooearlytostartthinkingaboutChristmas!Wearehopingto doour‘roundthevillage’carolsingingagainthisyear;watchthisspace forthedate.

Findoutmorebyemail(membership@launtonvillageplayers.org.uk), Facebookorourwebsitewww.launtonvillageplayers.org.uk.Welook forwardtohearingfromyou!

Thankyou. TheLVPteam

TheSeptemberLauntonCraftandFoodMarket WehadgloriouslywarmsunshinefortheSeptemberCraftandFood MarketatTheLauntonArmsGardenonSaturday17September. AdeliciousGreekfoodvanwasinresidenceforthedayandahostof localsmallbusinessesweresellingtheircraftsandartwork.

Pleasedocontinuetousethemakersandartists,particularlyInOther WordsOccasionsforgifts,TheCattleshedCandleCompanyfor candles,RefillsbyBeezforyourhouseholdwaste-freerefills,Canine Capturesforwildlifephotographygiftsanddogphotoshoots,and LineandLovefortextilegifts.TheyareallLaunton-basedcreators. Youcanfindtheirdetails,andtherestofthestallholders,onthe Facebookpage@LauntonCountrysideCraftCentreorcontact cattleshedcandles@gmail.comor07702207387andIcanletyouhave contactdetails.

SpecialThankstoTheLauntonArmsforallowingustohostthe marketagain,andtoalltheshoppersandsellerswhosupportthe market.

Oneofthemostimportant

ischoosingtherightaccountant.

foraFREEinitialmeeting.

email@stackandjones.co.uk Tel: 01869 277973

LauntonWIReportforSeptember

2022

Our meeting opened with greater numbers now that members have returned from their holidays and we were delighted to welcome visitors to this meeting.

Having completed our official business, we acknowledged the September birthdays of Hilary, Eleanor, Jackieand Helenand in addition, we discussed forthcoming social events. By the time you read this report, members will have enjoyed a social evening at The Bull in Launton.

Our speaker for the evening was NicholasGill, a community musician who came to speak about and play the music of ColePorter. This was an exciting talk where we learned that many of the songs that we had known from childhood were from the pen of ColePorter.

ColeAlbertPorter was an American composer and songwriter who was born in 1891 and died in 1964. Many of his songs became standards noted for their witty, urbane lyrics. His musical scores found success on Broadway and in film.

While we were astonished to discover that he wrote an operetta in the style of Gilbert and Sullivanat the age of 10 we recognised most of the songs sung and played by Nicholas and of course we revelled in the opportunity to join in the singing.

His most successful songs were: Let’sDoIt BeginTheBeguine

Perhaps this list has jogged your memory and you are singing, humming , or whistling one of these well-known tunes as you continue to read.

Our evening of non-stop singing and music concluded with the competition, ‘Something Musical’ which was won by JackieWebber.

Our next meeting is on Thursday 13 October 2022 at 7.30pmin the Parish Hall when Peter Buchan-Symonswill be talking to us about Origami.

We welcome anybody who would care to join us for the evening. K.T.Gilbert

Island Pond Wood: Working Party and a Celebration

On Saturday 17 September a team of volunteers set to work in the wood cutting back overhanging vegetation around the pond. This involved trimming willow on the pond edge, and venturing over to the island. The aim was to increase the light levels reaching the pond in areas that were severely overshadowed. The group also started on the annual reed cut, but could only get so far due to the reach of the tools, so this will be continued in the coming months.

The willow brash cut will hopefully be used to create a dead hedge around the far side of the pond to prevent people stepping off the bank into the pond. As always, a massive thank you to everyone who came out to help, and a special mention to YvonneBarrettfor lending us the boat! Please keep your eyes peeled for the next work session dates which will be confirmed in the next issue of Launton Lines and on our Facebookpage.

But our Saturday did not end there!

At 11.30 we welcomed Bob and MaureenRobertsinto the wood for a celebration of their work and achievements on site over the many years they have been in charge. Friends of Island Pond Wood are grateful that the site was handed over so seamlesslyand with an outstanding legacy to uphold. We were also joined by many of the residents who worked with Bob and Maureenover the years and celebrated with tea and cake by the pond.

These residents had also made a donation for a new bench to commemorate Bob and Maureenas “Custodians of the Wood”, which was officially christened on the day. Thank you to everyone who showed up to help us celebrate their achievements, it was lovely to see so many familiar faces enjoying the wood.

There are some photos of the new bench opposite on page 19

The marking of the new bench by the pond

 Maureenand Bob Robertstake a first sit down on their ‘Custodians of the Wood’ bench by the pond.

Photos from FIPWLtd

Lefttoright:RobDowman(currentFIPWLtd chair),MaureenRoberts(previousF&Fcommittee chair),BobRoberts(previousFIPW Ltdchair), Ed Hamill(LEG member and long serving volunteer), ChloeBradford (current F&F committee chair), TonyMeacock(previous FIPWLtdchair).

StMary’sFayre3 September 2022

Many thanks for helping us make this event such a success. In particular, thank you if you sent donations, helped move tables and/or set up and/or staffed stalls or gazebos, or came along to StMary’sFayreon 3 September.

It was a lovely sunny afternoon, and it was wonderful to see so many people chatting over a cup of tea and slice of cake, or browsing the many stalls and simply enjoying the beautiful location of the Old Rectory garden and the Church.

Many thanks to Beckyand Tom Sowlerfor hosting us and to all who helped during the event, and with the clear up at the end which went very smoothly.

The exhibition in the church “What Autumn means to me” looked so colourful and there were many imaginative creations, from photographs to models of trees and mushrooms, from embroidery to paintings, and several personal memories, as well as poems and many leaves! We hope you all enjoyed it, and huge thanks to all who entered the challenge.

We raised £885.00 for StMary’sChurch which will be of great benefit to the running and maintenance of the Church.

The free craft activity, which was to help us decorate an autumn tree, was very successful. We put this in the church for the Family service the next day and thank you to all who helped with this. It looked marvellous and certainly autumnal!

See pages 14 and 20 (opposite) for pictures of the Fayreand “The Tree”.

Many thanks again for all your support. If you need any information about the Fayreplease contact Email: events@stmaryslaunton.org.uk.

LAUNTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

In August we had an enjoyable social event in a member’sgarden - a bring and share supper which worked out well as the warmth and the light continued for us. By the time you read this we will have had our September meeting - our first in the reign of King Charles III.John Tylerspoke about The Lost Forest of Bernwood and we’?llreport on that next month.

Our programme for the coming months is as follows: all meetings start at 7.30pmin the Parish Hall and you would be very welcome:

October27:HendrikBallspeakingonNapoleon’sWallpaper

November24:AlastairLackonTheOxfordofInspectorMorse

December29:CarolMcGrath(localauthor)onAMediaevalChristmas

For further information about the Historical Society, please contact cathyprocopiou@hotmail.com

I suspect no one outside the Parish Clerk world has any idea of the preparation which has gone into the organisation of all those condolence books, meeting arrangements, proclamations and not forgetting the positions of flags at relevant points in the proceedings.

Behind the scenes, Clerks up and down the country have been preparing for the moment when the announcement came of the death of our Queen for many years.

Last December, I worked on a presentation for our Oxfordshire Branch of the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) all about ‘Operation London Bridge’. We had asked the County Council officer to come and brief us, but unfortunately she wasn’table to.

So, at the last minute, with advice from the SLCCguru PhilipPeacock (Town Clerk to Huntingdonand current SLCCPresident) I threw a PowerPointpresentation together on my iPadsitting at the side of a swimming pool the night before the meeting while my eldest teen learned to roll a kayak.

Well, that presentation has stood me in good stead.

On that fateful Thursday, after I received the BBC news notification that the Royal Family were all travelling to Balmoral, I suspected that it was time to start putting The Plan into action. I contacted our local County Association and suggested that I could re-jig the slides and we could do a Zoom presentation whenever needed. Slides done, I started to prepare our own condolence books and admin.

As well as being a member of SLCC, I am also a member of a countrywide Clerk Facebookgroup. We all support each other, but I could tell from the rising panic during that momentous Thursday that others weren’tas well prepared and were fast becoming like rabbits in headlights. There was no way that I - and my other knowledgeable colleagues - could answer all those questions, so at about 4.15pm, I

contacted the adminteam suggesting that as I had a presentation, even if it wasn’ttotally accurate at the moment (there were so many ‘whatifs’ still to clear up), it would be a start and might help.

We agreed that the first session would start at 5pmwhich gave Clerks, by that time, 30 minutes to join. We used the Launton Parish Council account (I didn’tthink they’dmind!) but that is limited to 100 people. I opened up the session at about 4.58pmand by 5pmwe were well oversubscribed. One of my Clerk colleagues was a fantastic ‘wing-man’ and helped with letting people in, watching the chat and being a voice of sanity while I presented. It was very well-received and so I agreed to do another session at 7.30 that evening.

On the Friday, I did a further two presentations to national colleagues together with a presentation to Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils. All in all, I probably presented live to almost 400 Clerks. I shared my slides onlineand OALCalso shared them to those Oxfordshire Clerks who couldn't come along. While that is a drop in the ocean compared with the 10,000 parish and town councils in England and Wales, I like to think that at least I did a bit to quell the rising panic amongst the Clerkingcommunity.

We now know all about raising and lowering of flags, proclamations, how long the mourning period is, when the funeral is, whether we can hold meetings during a period of national mourning, what to do with events already booked in Council buildings and many more issues.

It has been a steep learning curve, but one I feel very privileged to have been able to play a part in - albeit in a very small way.

Clerks are an extremely resilient bunch who can turn their hands to anything, but sometimes need a bit of guidance to know that they’re going in the right direction. I hope that my colleagues are recognised for the amazing jobs they have all done over the last two weeks.

JaneOlds| Clerk to (among others) Launton Parish Council

programmeoftalks,discussions,events, outingsandsocialgatherings.Wealsotryto meetforawalkandluncheachmonth. Weactivelysupportothervillagegroupsand organizations.Ourcakebakingskills(rather thanjammakingones)areoftencalledonfor eventsinthevillage,andwearealwayshappy tohelp.

LauntonWIwasformedin1941andhasbeen goingstrongeversince.

WemeetonthesecondThursdayeachmonthat7.30pmintheParishHall.

Forthefifthmonthinarow,therearenoplannedroadclosuresinLauntoninOctober. ButdokeepaneyeonGigaclearthroughoutthevillage. You can also register for Gigaclearupdates at www.gigaclear.com/mycommunity Watch this space for the future.

Industrial Units and Storage for Lease

BicesterDanceAcademyhaveresumedtheirsessions andSarahTreewithhernewhipisreallyenjoying thefreedomofthedancefloor andtheteachingandschoolingoftheattendees.

thattheenthusiasmandathleticismiscompelling.

atGrangeMewson4December andadiarynotecouldbemadesoasnottomissit.

>1,000sq.ftstorageunitbecomefree foratermleaseandduetoourlong-termelectriccontracts, weareabletoofferitwith3phase andanalmosttwo-yearchargeoflessthan20pperunit.

Notthatitislikelytobeused,buttheheightoftherollerdoors accommodatesdoubledeckerbuses.

Thiswillshortlybeadvertisedmorewidely butthiscouldbeusefulforalocalskilledworker.

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

TherehavebeentwoOpenMeetingsofFoLPHsinceourMayAGMon21Julyand22September.WenowhavesevenTrustees,havearranged insurancetocoverfund-raisingevents,aredevelopingawebsite,andhave confirmedaprogrammeofeventsthroughtotheendoftheyear. We’veannouncedthewinneroftheSunflowercompetitionlaunchedat

MayDayFair.WithaplantgrowninLauntonbyhergrandparents, DaisyGray’splantreached2.62metres.Theprize(atubofCelebrations andavoucherfromtheSunWahinLangford)weregivenbyAndyNg.

What3WordsScavengerHunttookplaceonSunday25Septemberwith 56people(andadog)takingpart.Itwaswidelyenjoyed,andraised£295.

runsonSaturday1OctoberintheHall.

Friday18NovembertheHallbecomesacommunitycinemawith

.Comealongforfun,and(ifyouwant) incostume.Popcorn,wine,andotherrefreshmentswillbeonsale.Asthe nightsdrawinjoinusandreliveallthoseSummerNights!Ticketsareonthe doorat£5forAdultsand£10forafamilyticket.Doorsopenat7.30.

entertainmentevening,featuringaSnowmanDrive,aseasonalQuiz,a ploughman’ssupper,andsomeChristmassongs.Therewillbemoreinfoin theNovemberissueofLauntonLines.

SuggestionsforfutureeventsincludeanotherQuiz,adisconight,another What3WordsHunt,andanopenmeetingtosharethedetailedplansonce theyarefinalised.

TheadvisoryWorkingGroupestablishedbytheParishCouncilhasbeen workingwiththearchitectstoproducedetailedbuildingplans.Oncethese arecompleted,wecangoaheadwithapplicationsforfunding. WearealsolookingforvolunteerProjectLeadersinthevillagetopushthe wholeprojectthrough.Anyvolunteers?Andanyonewithexperienceof researchingandwritinggrantapplicationsandgeneral fundraising,pleasedocomeforward:yourhelpwillbe valuable.

ThenextOpenMeetingofFoLPHwillbeon17 Novemberat7.30intheParishHall.

An Emergency Plan for Launton

Wearecurrentlyintheprocessofupdatingthevillage’sEmergencyPlan. Undernormalcircumstances,ofcourse,majoremergenciesarehandled bytheemergencyservices,byCountyandDistrictCouncils,bypublic utilitiesandvoluntaryagenciesinacombinedresponse,buttherecanbe timeswhenwemayneedtohelpourselves-particularlyifthereisan issueaffectingalargearea.

OurPlanisn’tintendedtobeasubstitutefortheseservices,butitisthere toincreasetheshort-termresilienceofthecommunityintheeventofan extremeevent.Thiscouldbeafire,flood,lossofwater,lossofpower, orsnow.

Inaddition,thePlanistocoversituations,suchastherecentpandemic, wherethereisaneedforcommunitysupportatalocallevel.

Experiencehasshownthatthosewhohavespenttimeplanningand preparingforthisarebetterabletocope,andcanrecovermorequickly.

Communityemergencyplanningenablesgroupstoprovidemore effectivesupport.Itprovidesinformationtorespondingagencies(the emergencyservices,relevantlocalauthorities,etc.)whoarecoordinating responsesonawiderscale.

OurcurrentplanisavailableontheParishCouncilwebsitewww.launtonpc.gov.uk/emergency-planningandnowneedsrefreshing.

Weneedyou!

Ifyouhaveaspecialskill,orausefulvehicle-whetherthat’sbeingable touseachainsaw,havea4x4oratractor,canadministerfirstaid,or volunteertomaketeaatareceptioncentre(tonamebutafew)-we’d lovetohearfromyou.

Wewillholdyourdetailssecurely,andwill,ofcourse,onlycontactyouif weneedtoputtheplaninplace.Butthiscouldbeatanytime-infact Bletchingdon’swasonlyimplementedrecentlybecauseofafire,soit’s alwaysgoodtobeprepared.

Pleasegetintouchwithanyofthefollowing

JaneOlds-clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk

orLesleyThompson-lesley.thompson@launton-pc.gov.uk

orAbiDowman-abigail.dowman@launton-pc.gov.uk

AttheMayDayFairthisyearPHIPgavesunflowerseeds,compost,pots andinstructionsandpromisedtomeasurethetallestinmidSeptember.It becameclearthatthehotanddrysummerhadbroughttheplantson,soset 4SeptemberasMeasuringDay.

SomegrowersreportedthatplantshadfloweredinmidAugustandthen died.Onehadmeasuredtheirplantto2.2metres,butmostgrowers’plants hadeitherbeeneatenbyslugs,orhaddiedintheveryhotweather.The winnerwasaplantgrowninWestEndthatreached2.62metres(or8'7¼'') onMeasuringDay.Theseedswillbesavedandwe’llofferthemforasimilar challengenextyear.

Thetallestplantwasgrownfor agranddaugherwholivesin Edinburgh.Theprizeshave beendelivered,andsheappears onthecoverofthisissue.

RobertCornfordFoLPH

Community events at Island Pond Wood

There are two events in the Island Pond Wood this month, and the popular Muddy Feet Forest School are back for drop-in sessions at both the Apple Day (15 October, see page 44) and our Halloween trail (29 October, see page 31). No need to prebook, just turn up and join in, all materials are provided, Muddy Feet will be set up within the woodland area on the event days.

We are pleased to have our local Launton Village Players playing a 45 minute set at the Apple Day event on Saturday 15 October, and Peekaboo’sMusic and Play Group will be running two interactive music sessions for under 5’sbetween 2.15 and 2.45 and then again between 3.15 and 3.45. There will be arts and crafts, a cake sale and refreshments available, as well as the very important apple pressing and demonstrations running until 4:00pm.If you have any spare apples to donate for apple pressing - please message our Facebook page or email, as we’llbe collecting these on the day before the event - so on 14 October.

As we had some budget left over from our Launton Parish Council grant we have been able to host the Halloween Spooky Trail on Saturday 29 October. Muddy Feet Forest School will run from 1:00pm- 3:00pmand the self-led trail is open all day which will see areas of the woods decorated for the day.

ZaraSankey

Launton What3Words Scavenger Hunt

On 25 September and during the beautiful afternoon, 18 teams came to the Parish Hall and entered the Hunt. While sitting in the Hall, clues were solved to find the missing words from the What3Words locations, and teams then set off into the sunshine to find the answers and to collect the scavenger items, such as an empty snail shell, a feather and an acorn. A few teams entered the bonus round where the clues were more cryptic. All teams had a maximum of an hour and a half to complete the Hunt.

At the end of the Hunt the teams returned to the Hall for welldeserved refreshments. They also submitted their answers by Google Forms and had a chat over their tea and cake: meanwhile, Jon Spinage, the organiser, was at home collating the team answers. There were 56 participants, and the winning teams were as follows:

For the standard round “Em-JPoppy Team” (4 Adults, 1 Child, and a dog named Poppy)

For the bonus round “Black Thorns” (2 Adults and 2 Children)

Well done to them, and to all who entered. There was a lovely busy feel in the Hall and everyone was awarded a certificate for making it back having done the route. After all the sweet treats were finished, the location sticky.exits.cakedseems quite appropriate!

Many thanks to all who helped set up and clear up, and to Jon Spinagewho came up with the idea and worked on the question and answer sheets, and much more. Many thanks too to East/West Rail for doing the printing and making up the Team Packs and printing the Certificates for us, and to all who donated cakes or prizes. It was a great afternoon and thank you to all for helping to raise funds for Friends of Launton Parish Hall. The What3Words Hunt raised £295 for our funds. Maybe we will run it again in 2023.

RobertCornford| Communications Officer, FoLPH

There are photos of winning teams on page 36 (opposite) and more pictures of the Hunt on page 43.

Letters and emailsto the Editor

Dear Editor,

I write with a proposal to improve the visual appeal of our streets. It is great to see that village life is returning to something close to “normal”, and with the summer just passed, there have been many events. All of these mean that there has been a sudden display of posters, flyers, and other promotions. It makes for interesting changes in the streetscapeas one strolls round the village.

But, there is one downside- that not all organisations that put up posters or flyers have plans in place to go round after the event and take down their publicity. I know that some of us do go round removing out-of-date materials - but also know that others don’tthink they should take down what is someone else’sproperty.

Maybe we can organise a regular poster clean up alongside the regular village clean up - giving volunteers metal tools to remove the drawing pins or staples used to put them up. But it would be good to think that the organisations putting up the posters also make plans to take them down - maybe within a week after the event.

Dear Editor,

I noticed in August that there was a gulperlorry cleaning the road drains along Bicester Road - not before time. I didn’tsee if it continued along Blackthorn Road (where the drains must be very clogged with road wash off from the traffic delivering to and from the Launton Mews site) or Station Road - but a quick visual check on West End showed that the lorry had not visited there. The drains are still blocked, with many sporting growth of grasses and weeds. Once the gulperwas in the village why didn’tit just complete its work?

We wait to see the positive results in Bicester Road over the winter as rain drains cleanly away and into the sewers. We just hope that the pumps in the Thames Water works on Blackthorn Road can handle the flow!

Memories of an ex-Launton Boy

I was all set to write a piece for this month’sLaunton Lines when sadly we were advised of the sudden death of our beloved Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

We all knew she had become very frail, as could be clearly seen when she invited the new Prime Minister to form a government, and I had wondered whether this, her 70th(Jubilee) year on the throne, she might still be with us by the year end, but nonetheless, the news of her death came as quite a shock.

Although I am able to remember (faintly) her father, King George VI, it is as if our Queen has been with us forever, and it began to feel as if she would remain with us forever.

It is difficult to put into words how I feel about the Queen’spassing and what she meant to me personally throughout my life.

I first saw Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIback in 1957 at the World’sJubilee Jamboree when Scouts came from all over the world to the great park of SuttonColdfield(now Royal SuttonColdfield), the town in which I was born. Both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were there and I actually saw them twice that day. Once was in Sutton Park where she reviewed all the Scouts on parade (of which I was never one) and the second time was in a sparkling opentopped Landrover.As a nine-year-old boy I found the whole experience most exciting and have never forgotten it.

Like many of my age, I remember well the Queen’scoronation and Union Jacks being hung from front bedroom windows throughout LauntonLinesOctober2022|Page39

the village, including our own. Goodness knows what happened to my Coronation Mug over the years, but I remember clearly gathering with so many villagers on The Cross, which looked quite different then from the way it appears today, to receive our Coronation Mugs.

Those of my generation will remember those trips to the local cinema, such as The Regal at Bicester, when after the last show of the evening we would all stand for the National Anthem and see on the cinema screen Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIin vivid colour riding sidesaddleon her horse. Most of us back then held the Queen in very high reverence, but in the intervening years, the display of reverence seemed to fade for some reason. However, upon the announcement of her passing, unified evidence of that renewed reverence has been displayed throughout the entire British Isles and far beyond.

The last time I saw Her Majesty was when in 2016 she paid a special visit to 1RSMEChatham(The Royal School of Military Engineering) to celebrate the 300thanniversary of the Corps of Royal Engineers which I was privileged to attend as the Welfare Officer of the Medway Branch of the Royal Engineers Association, along with my wife Julie. Her late Majesty was the Colonel-in-Chief of the Corps of Royal Engineers and Patron of the Royal Engineers Association. (Please see photo on page 35)

I did not have the opportunity to travel to London to Westminster Hall; however, the Standard Bearer of my REABranch is also a Yeoman of the Guard and was one of those attending Her late Majesty as she lay in State, having also recently attended her upon her Jubilee celebrations.

I was so moved at the passing of our dear late Queen, I wrote a poem from a personal perspective which, I would like to crave your indulgence by allowing me to share it with you. Keep well and Stay SAFE.

TonyJeacock | The Ex-Launton Boy | October 2022

Farewell Your Royal Majesty May You Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory

It’sas if I’velost my mother All over again

For that is what you’vebeen Throughout and beyond our land.

With total dedication

And a love that was profound You took us to your bosom And held us by the hand.

I knew of your father briefly For I was but a boy aged three We knew not what our nation From thence was going to be. But there was no need to worry

As through you we came to see Not just a very pretty mother

But that your wisdom was the key. Warmth conjoined with wisdom, Qualities in short supply

But you, our dearest Majesty Didn’teven have to try.

We all on earth will miss you As you rise to a higher plain

And we hope that when our time comes We will see you yet again.

God Bless You and May You Rest in Peace

A. J.Jeacock10 September 2022

LauntonLinesOctober2022|Page41

Diary Dates: October 2022

Inthecurrentsituation,itisdifficulttobespecificaboutvillageevents.Listedarethosewe knowareplanned-butcheckwithorganisersnearerthedateifyouplantoattend.

OCTOBER

Saturday1FoLPHHarvestFair,ParishHall,10am-12noon

Sunday2StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion(BCP),8am;FamilyHarvestService,11am| WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday3WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm

Tuesday4RubbishCollection:garbagebin|CommunityCafé,ParishHall:9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Thursday6ParishCouncilMeeting,PublicSession7.15pm,CouncilMeeting7.30pm,Parish Hall

Sunday9StMary'sChurch,HarvestEvensong,6pm|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday10WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm

Tuesday11RubbishCollection:recyclingandgardenbins|CommunityCafé,ParishHall: 9am-11am;2.30pm-4.30pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Wednesday12Over60sClubMeeting,SportsandSocialHall,startsat1.45pm,endsabout 3.30pm

Thursday13WIMeeting,speakerPeterBuchan-SymonsonOrigami,ParishHall,7.30pm

Friday14SCOTSNightatTheBull,from5.30pm

Saturday15FIPWAppleDayFamilyCommunityEventinTheWoodland,2pm-4pm|BCOS Concert,Vivaldi'sGloriaandMagnificat,StEdburg'sChurch,7.30

Sunday16StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion,11am|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday17WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm

Tuesday18RubbishCollection:garbagebin|CommunityCafé,ParishHall:9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Thursday20FINALDATEFORCOPYFORTHENOVEMBER2022ISSUEOFLAUNTON LINES:SUBMITTOlauntonlines@launton.org|Lastdayofschool

Friday21Firstdayofhalf-termholiday

Sunday23StMary'sChurch,MorningPrayer,11am|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday24WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm

Tuesday25RubbishCollection:recyclingandgardenbins|NoCommunityCaféthisweekas schoolhalfterm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Wednesday26Over60sClubMeeting,SportsandSocialHall,startsat12.30pm,withlunchand thebaropen.endsabout3.30pm

Thursday27LauntonHistoricalSociety,HendrikBallonNapoleon'sWallpaper,ParishHall, 7.30pm

Friday28FamilyHalloweenPartyLPFAHall,Children'sentertainmentanddiscofrom 5.30pm-KaraokeandAdultDiscoends11.30pm

Saturday29HalloweenSpookyself-ledTrailopenalldayandeveningintheWoodland,Muddy FeetForestSchool,1pm-3pm,IslandPondWood

Sunday30Clocksgoback,SummerTimeends|StMary'sChurch,JointAllSouls’Service, 6pm|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday31Backtoschool,halftermover|WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm

LauntonLinesisthenewsletterforLaunton

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

Further print copies are available at £1.00 per copy from ShirleyJohnson(01869 369269)

Launton Lines is also available onlinefrom January 2020 on www.issuu.com

© MMXXII Launton Lines. We reserve the right to edit articles submitted for inclusion. Neither the Committee nor the Editor is responsible for views expressed in readers’ contributions.