Launton Lines Issue 265 November 2022

The front cover shows TobyPhilpott(age 4) at the Island Pond Wood Apple Day Event, bashing apples to pulp before they are transferred to the apple press. He can barely get his hands round the handle of the bashing tool but he did a great job. There is a report on page 20, and more photos from the Apple Davevent on pages 2 and 43. Cover designed by Matt Hill. Photo by RobertCornford

The organising Elves of the Island Pond Wood Apple Day are discovered peering out from the autumn leaves in the woodland.

intheIslandPondWoodonpage20,

Manyare

inthewoodlandtoo.Autumnalso

:therearephotosfromStMary’sChurchonpage14.

traffichellwearelivingthroughdoesnothaveanendinsight.AsIwrite ithasbecomeclearthatthepromisedendofthetrafficlightsontheA41on21

pages22-23fromtheParish CouncilontalkswithOCContrafficissues.No-oneseemstobeabletodo anythingaboutthetrafficchaosthattheA41worksareimposingonus.Why? WehaveanobituaryforDannyCunninghamonpages18-19,andtheExLauntonBoy(pages38-41)writeswithquietfuryaboutthecollapseinpublic standardshehasseeninhislife.MilesPenhallowdescribeshisexperiences withametaldetectorinthevillageonpages36-37.Thereislotstoreadaswell. Pleasesupportouradvertisers:theyneedyouasmuchasweneedthem.

SimonTurner;RobertCornford

LauntonParishCouncilMeetingheldonThursday 6October2022at7:30pminLauntonParishHall

CouncillorspresentMrAndrewBriant,MrEdSanders(Vice Chairman),MrsLesleyThompson,MrSimonTurner(Chairman),Mrs JaquelineWebber

ApologiesMrsAbigailDowman

InattendanceTheClerk,MrsJaneOlds;CllrsAngusPatrickand GemmaCoton(CDC);3EastWestRailrepresentatives,and4members ofthepublic

CouncillorResignation

ThereisstilltimetohelpthecommunitybyjoiningtheParishCouncil.If youareinterestedinputtingyourselfforwardforco-option,pleaseseethe BecomingaCouncillorpageoftheParishCouncilwebsiteat https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/becoming-a-councillor/orhaveachat withoneofthecurrentCouncillors

EastWestRail

GeorgeSinghfromEastWestRailmadeapresentation.Theworksare currentlyonschedulewiththeearthworksandstructurescomplete.The teamwascurrentlyundertakingaprogrammeofreinstatementworks.The first2.3kmoftrackhasbeeninstalledbetweenBicesterandLauntonandit ishopedthathewillletusknowwhenthenextdeliveryisasvillagersmay liketowatchtheamazingmachineryinstallit.

TheEWRTeamhassupported,orintendstosupport,anumberoflocal projectsincludingIslandPondWood,theHummingbirdCentre,andthe BarkPark,andslightlyfurtherafield,BicesterGreen,GavrayDrive MeadowsandLangfordCommunityOrchard.

ReportsfromDistrictandCountyCouncillors

CouncillorPatrickreportedthathehadcontinuedtomeetwiththeKeep LauntonFreeGroupabouttheproposedGrangeFarmdevelopment appeal.Hethenparticipatedinthediscussionaboutthetrafficissues. NoreporthadbeenreceivedfromCouncillorCorkin(OCC).

Finance

TheFinanceReportisavailableontheParishCouncilwebsite.

Planning

Allplanningapplications,whichincludethelinkstoCherwell’s PlanningPortal,areputontheParishCouncilwebsitewhentheyare received(www.launton-pc.gov.ukintheAgendaandMinutessection). Ifanyvillagerhasconcernsorcommentsaboutaplanningapplication, theyarewelcometocomealongtoParishCouncilmeetingstobring themtotheattentionofthemeeting.Villagersarealsowelcometo contactCouncillorsortheClerktomakecomments.

GuidanceabouthowtheParishCouncilisabletorespondisavailable ontheParishCouncilwebsiteathttps://www.launtonpc.gov.uk/planning-applications

TheCouncilagreedthatCouncillorTurnerwouldattendtheGrange Farmplanningappealhearingon11October;otherscouldattend virtually.

ParishHall

TheWorkingGroupisnowgettingintothefinerdetailoftheproject andhasbeenliaisingwiththearchitectoveranumberofpoints. Aseparategrantgroupisinvestigatingallsourcesofexternalfunding.

FloodWardenScheme

TheParishCouncilhasbeeninvitedtotakepartinatrialscheme.This willfocus,particularly,ontheareaofthevillagearoundStationRoad whichsometimesfloods.Ifyouwouldliketogetinvolved,pleasegetin touchwiththeClerk(clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk).

SpeedwatchProject

TheSpeedwatchGrouphasconductedtwosurveysrecentlyand recordedtwovehiclesexceedingthespeedlimit;detailsofthese vehicleshavebeensenttoThamesValleyPolicefortheirfollow-up. Interestingly,afurthercheckwascarriedouton4Octoberwhich observedalargerthanusualnumberofvehiclesdivertingthroughthe villagetoavoidthebottleneckontheA41,butallthespeedswere belowthe30limit(ofcoursethiswasprobablybecauseoftheincreased volumes).Furthersessionswillbearrangedinduecourse,butifyou’d liketohelpout,pleasedogetintouchwithspeedwatch@launtonpc.gov.uk.

Trafficvolumesandparkingaroundthecrossroads

Pleaseseeourseparatereportaboutthisonpage[x]

Agendaitemsanddatesofthenextmeetings

ThenextmeetingwillbeonThursday10NovemberintheSchoolHall (pleasenotechangeofvenue)startingat7.30pm.Ifyou’dliketochat withaCouncillor,docomealongafter7.15pm.

Wearetryingtoreduceourprintingandpaperuse,soifyouwouldlike hardcopiesoftheagendaoranyofthemeetingpapers,pleaseletthe Clerkknowwellbeforethemeeting.

Suggestionsforagendaitemsforthe1Decembermeetingneedtobe withtheClerkby17Novemberanditemsforthemeetingon5January 2023by28December.

Ifyou’renotsigneduptoourmailinglisttoreceivenewsfromthe ParishCouncil,youcanfindasignupformatthebottomlefthand menuoftheParishCouncilwebsiteatwww.launton-pc.gov.uk/

A message from our Distribution Manager, ShirleyJohnson

Wehaveanamazinggroupofpeoplewho,everymonthandnomatter whattheweather,setouttodeliverLauntonLinestotheirneighbours.

Inowneedtorecruitsomereliefdistributorsforthefollowingroutes: BlenheimDriveBlackthornRoad WestEnd StationRoadLauntonMews/TheTimbers

Ineedpeoplewhocanfillinwhenregulardistributorshavetodropout temporarily,andtoreplace,morepermanently,peoplewhomoveaway. Wetrytoarrangeitsothereisamaximumofabout50copiestodeliver, androutesareallbasedonindividualroads,soit’snottoofartowalk. Ifyouwanttohelp,pleasecontactmeat shirley.johnson060708@gmail.com orbyphoneat01869369269

Andgreatthankstoallwhohavevolunteeredinthepast. LauntonLinesNovember2022|Page7

The regular report from our CherwellDistrict Councillors for October 2022

Astheeveningsdrawinandweheadintowinter,althoughitislovelytoseea displayofcolourinthegreatoutdoors,weareconsciousthatrecentevents haveputevengreaterpressureonhouseholdbudgets.Fromrisinginflation, mortgageratesincreasingandthealreadytoughwinteraheadwithhigher energycosts,theeconomicsituationisaffectingmany.Areminderthat resourcesfromCDChavebeenbroughtintoasinglepageonthewebsite: https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/118/communities/977/help-with-thecost-of-living

Now,hereareupdatesfromaroundtheareathatmaybeofinterest,andwe areavailableasalwayson01869717712oratgemma.coton@cherwelldc.gov.ukorangus.patrick@cherwell-dc.gov.uk.

FullCouncilMeetingReport–17October2022

AfulldistrictcouncilmeetingtookplaceatBodicoteHouse.

Twomotionswerepassedunanimously:

AmotiondeclaringCherwella‘nofrackingzone’

Amotionensuringthereismoretransparencyaroundsewagedischarge intoourriversandmakingsurethattreatingsewagedischargeistaken seriouslybythecouncilwhenmakingplanningdecisions.

However,weweredisappointedthattwomotionswerenotpassed:

Amotionensuringthatenvironmentalprotectionsandlocaldemocracy wererespectedwiththeproposedinvestmentzonesfromtheUK government.

Amotioncallingonthecounciltotakeintoconsiderationthegoalsof theClimateandEcologyBillwhenmakingdecisions.Thiswouldhave puttheclimatecrisisattheheartoftheCouncil’sdecisions.

Youcanfindaboutthefullcouncilmeeting,andallthemotionsdiscussedat https://modgov.cherwell.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=114&MId=36 46&Ver=4

PensionCredit

AgeUKaretryingtoensurethateveryonewhoisentitledtopensioncredit receivesit.Youcanusetheirhandbenefitcalculatortofindoutwhathelp youareentitledto:https://benefitscheck.ageuk.org.uk/home/start

Launton:GrangeFarmdevelopment,StationRoadAppeal

Itwasamazingtoseesomanypeoplecometogetherattheappealmeeting fortheplanningapplicationfor65HousesonStationRoadandamassive thankyoutoeveryoneforalltheirhardwork.Wearenowwaitingforaresult fromtheplanninginspectortoseewhethertheapplicationwillgoaheadand willkeepyouupdatedasweknowmore.

BlackthornandLaunton:BoundaryReview

AtthefullCouncilmeetingon17October,theCommunityGovernance ReviewwaspassedwhichchangedtheboundaryofBlackthornParishand LauntonParish.Thismeansfrom2023,BlackthornMeadowswillmoveout ofBlackthornParishandintoAmbrosdenParish,andthatapproved developmentonWretchwickWaywillmoveintoBicesterfromLaunton Parish(thisisthesmallareaoflandsouthoftheRailwayembankment). Youcanfindmoreabouttheoutcomesofthereviewhere: https://modgov.cherwell.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=114&MId=36 46&Ver=4

KeepinTouch!

Asalways,welovehearingfromyousopleasedokeepintouch!Youcanget incontacteitherthroughemailorcalling:gemma.coton@cherwell-dc.gov.uk orangus.patrick@cherwell-dc.gov.ukorcalluson01869717712.

The Launton Watercolour Classes

The Watercolour Classes with David Meeksas Tutor have restarted.

The picture on the right is from a recent class. We have a good number of people but there is space for two or three more if anyone is interested.

We meet at 2pm on Monday afternoons in Launton Parish Hall. The cost is £8 per session.

EmailPaul.Ebberson@gmail.comif you are interested in joining us.

Date PerformanceTimes Adult(18+)ChildBabesinarms

Weds15Feb 7:30pm£10 £5 Free Thurs16Feb10:30am2:30pm £12 £6 Free

Fri17Feb 2:30pm7:30pm£14 £7 Free Sat18Feb 2:30pm7:30pm£14 £7 Free

Tohelpfamilieswiththecostoflivingcrisis,thisyearweareofferinga rangeofFamilyDiscounts-thesewillbelistedonTicketSourceandare availableforallshows.

Inaddition,wearealsoofferinganEarlyBirdDiscount-bookyour ticketsbefore1January2023andgetafurther10%offyourticketusing thecode“EARLYBIRD”.

HickoryDickoryDockisalesswellknownstory,butincludesalltheusual pantomimeelements.OurstoryissetinLauntonia,andtroublebegins whenthebaddieKingbreaksthemagicaltownclock.Ourheroesmust traveltothefourcornersoftheworldtofindthebrokenpieces, meetingmagicalcharactersalongtheway.Willthemicerunuptheclock tofixitanddefeatthewickedKing?Comealongandfindout!

Thisisafamilypantomime,andissuitableforallages.Comeandenjoy Bicester’sbiggest,mostmagical,andaward-winningPanto,aswellas helpingtoraisefundsforourchosencharityNai’sHouse,whichis basedinBicesterandaimstogiveallchildrenandyoungadultsaccessto appropriateandempoweringmentalhealthsupport.

Christmas2022

Wewillbesingingcarols‘aroundthevillage’thisyearonFriday23 Decemberfrom7pm.Lookoutfornextmonth’sLauntonLineswhere wewilllistthelocationswherewewillsing.Wewillberaisingmoneyfor Alzheimer’sUK.

YoucanfindoutmoreaboutLVPbygettingintouchviaemailon info@launtonvillageplayers.org.uk,byFacebookoronourwebsite www.launtonvillageplayers.org.uk

Welookforwardtohearingfromyou!

The LVP team

LauntonOver60sreporting:October2022 It’sbeenalongtimesincemylastreportbutwearestillgoingstrongand havingfun.WearepleasedthatMaryfromBicesterhasrejoinedour groupand,attheendofSeptember,wehadanewmemberfromLaunton -JohnStephens.Theyarebothverywelcome.

OnthelastdayofAugustwehadanotherfreelunch,thistimewithBlack ForestGateauasourdessert.Thebarwasopenforusandwealsohad anotherquiz,thistimeplayingasteams.

OurBingogamescontinuetobeenjoyedandon12Octoberthejackpot of£32.70waswonbyLindafromLaunton.Shemanagedtocalltheline onthethirdhousein17numbers-wellwithintherequired20.

BythetimeyoureadthiswewillhavehadourfreeAutumnLunchon26 October.Wewillbehavingsausageswithjacketpotatoesandbaked beans,cookedbyEdwinaandTina,followedbyapplepiemadebyRita, andcustard.Lookwhatallyounon-membersaremissing!Whydon’tyou

Oneofthemostimportant

ischoosingtherightaccountant.

foraFREEinitialmeeting.

proactivelylisten

personalisedsolutions.

email@stackandjones.co.uk Tel: 01869 277973

Unit4,WillowsGate,StrattonAudley Bicester,Oxon OX279AU

Idon’tthinkanyofthetwentyfiveWImembers attendingthemeetinginOctoberrealisedthatthehistory oforigamiwassofascinating,theexcellentspeakerPeter Buchan-Symons,madeitallveryinterestingandfun.

PaperarrivedinJapanin600ADfromChina,anditwasSamoriSoldiers whopractisedorigamiaspartoftheircultureandtraining.Origami travelledacrosstoEuropein1100ADanditwasseenineducation,in symmetryandgeometry.

ThegrandmasteroforigamiAkiraYoshizawawasJapanese,andin1911he developedorigamifromacrafttoalivingart.

RobertLangwhowasaphysicistworkingwithNASA,developedthe mathematicalunderstandingoftheartoforigamiandtheseprincipalsare seentodayinmanyareas,includingfoldingofairbags,spacesatellitesand cardiacstents.Ourspeakerwasinspiredtodoorigamiaged6whenhis parentsboughthimachallengingbookbyRobertLangonorigamiinsects. Theeveningroundedoffwithaspotofpracticalactivity:accuracyof foldingwasachallenge,butallround itwasagreatevening. AtournextmeetingJamesHaddows

.Hehasbeen

NaturalburialatNorthOxfordshireMemorialPark

MybelovedhusbandDannywasverymuchaNortherner.Theeldestofsix children,hewasborninCumbria(hepreferredtosay‘WestCumberland’) inWorkington,ontheSolwaycoast,withScotlandoverthewaterandthe LakeDistrictinland.Histownwasabusy,industrialarea,withdocks servingthesteelworks.Hepassedhis11+andwenttothelocalGrammar School.Astheyearspassed,hecollectedanHNDinBirmingham,aBAin Lancasterand2MastersinManchester.Heclaimednottobeacademic,but Ibegtodiffer!Hequalifiedasateacher/lecturerinFurtherEducationand taughtinFECollegesinandaroundManchester.

Duringhisteachingcareer,hebecameinvolvedwithqualityinteaching. ThisledtohimtakinganewjobinqualitymanagementinKent,becoming anhonorarySoutherner.Withretirementbeckoning,wemovedto Oxfordshire,asoneofmydaughtershadsettledhere.Myotherdaughter soonfollowedandnowlivesinLaunton,just2roadsaway.Itwasgreatto losetheM25andDartfordcrossing,onthewaytoCumbriatovisitfamily, walkbytheLakesandgetalookatthesea.Dannyenjoyeddrivinghis variousSkodas,butnotthatmuch!

Dannyhadmostlylivedinurbanareasandreallyappreciatedlivinginan activevillage.Anyonewhoknewhimwillalsoknowthatheenjoyedagood chat.Hegottoknowourneighbours,thepeopleattheBlueTexel,various tradeswhoworkedonourhouse,peopleatBicesterLeisureCentre…He madefriendswithourneighbourDougieanditbecamearoutinetogoto theBullInnonaFridayafternoontoputtheworldtorightswhiledrinking precisely2pintsofrealale.DannyespeciallyenjoyedvisitingFrancewhere ofcourseheoftenfoundalocalpersontotalkto.Heclaimedthathis Frenchwasbad,butitwasn’t,justabitrusty!Heoftenwroteadiary accountofholidaysandsignificanteventsincurrentaffairs,includingadaily summaryoftheprogressofCovid.Hecollectedthestoriesofvarious nursesandHCAswhocaredforhimduringhisvariousstaysinhospitaland wasabigsupporteroftheNHS.

Meanwhile,LauntonLineseditorRobertaskedhimtointerviewlocal businesses,suchasHannahtheosteopath,togivethemaboostoverCovid. However,Dannyrealisedthatmanypeopleweretoobusyintheirbusiness anddidn’tneedtheextrapublicity.Helovedreadingandwriting,notto mentionsittingathiscomputer,andbeganwritingamonthlyarticleona

varietyoftopicsthatinterestedhim.Hewasverypleasedwhenpeoplesaid theyhadreadandenjoyedhiswork,whichhetookveryseriously.Hewas carefultomeetthemonthlydeadlines,researchedinformationandeven checkedwithhisfamilyforfactsabouthisyouth.Everythingwasproofread andcorrectedmeticulously.Ifyouread hispieces,youmayhavepickedupwhat interestedhimmost:Politics,especially theeconomyandequality,music(rock andclassical)andsport.Allofthese foundtheirwaytoLauntonLinesreaders inonetopicoranother,includinghislast pieceon70srockmusic. Dannywasagreatfamilyman,alwaysreadytohelpthechildrenand grandchildren.Itwaslovelytoseehimshowingthemhowtofeedthe gardenbirds,tidyupendlesswindfallapples,dosomehorsewhispering, chattingallroundIslandPondWoodorfindinginterestingorfunnyvideos onhiscomputer.Imisshimgreatly,asdoesthewholefamily.Hewaskind, considerate,intelligentandloving–asonefriendputit‘arealgentleman’.

AppleDayintheIslandPondWood

Weweregracedwithglorioussunshineandadryafternoon (baronequickshower)forourAutumncommunityevent heldon15October.Itwaslovelytoseesomanyfriendly, familiarfacesenjoyingthewoodland.

TherewasahostofactivitiestokeepvisitorsbusyincludingMuddyFeet ForestSchool,PeekaboosMusicandPlayClub,Paulwithhisapplepress,an AutumntrailandbeautifultreeartworkcreatedbychildrenatLaunton school.WealsoenjoyedaperformancefromLauntonVillagePlayers.The cakestandwasalso-unsurprisingly-verypopular!

Wewouldliketosayabigthankyoutoallthevolunteerswhohelpedonthe dayandtoeveryonewhocameouttosupportthewood.Therearephotos onthefrontcover,andonpages2and43.

Wehaveanothersmalleventrunningon29Octoberwherewewillbe welcomeMuddyFeetForestSchoolbacktothewoodtocelebrate Halloween.TherewillalsobeaHalloweentrailfullofspookydecorations. Wehopetoseelotsofyouthere.

FIPWteam

Rev’dPeterWright

ManywillknowthatStMary’sChurchiswithintheBicesterBenefice butyoumaynotbeawarethatRev’dPeterWright, formerlyVicartotheVillages, wasappointedasTeamRectorearlierthisyear. HisInstitutiontookplaceon4OctoberinStEdburg’sChurch. WearepleasedthatlifeiscontinuingatStMary’s asyouwillseefromourNovemberServicesheetonpage15. Discussionsontheoverallfuturehavebegun, thefirstofwhichwasheldduringaMissionmorningon29October andwewillupdatetheFacebookpagewithsubsequentdevelopments.

HarvestFestivalsduringOctober

TheChurchwasbeautifullydecoratedforthethreeFestivalstheFamilyService,anEvensongfestivalandfinally thechildrenfromLauntonCofESchool broughttheirHarvestgifts,sangsongs,recitedpoemsandsaidprayers. AlldonationsweredeliveredtoBicesterFoodBank. Seesomephotosonpage14.

Datesforyourdiary

Saturday5November-ChurchyardClearUp Dopleasecomealongfrom9.30am armedwithaselectionofbasicgardeningtools liketrowels,forks,loppers,secateurs,theoddrake,afork,etc.etc. Therewillbelotstoachievewiththejobsalllisted. Wewillmakesurethatelevensesareavailable.

4December11amChristingleService 10DecemberCommunityChoirChristmasConcert-seepage34. WeareverygratefultoNickyRobertsforrevivingthispopularevent!

OxfordshireCountyCouncilHighwaysofficerinSeptembertodiscussthe

TheOfficerspentagreatdealoftimelisteninganddiscussingtheissuesand thentookmeasurementsinordertodrawupplans.Theconcernshehopes toaddressincludethevisionsplayattheexitfromStationRoad,thecars parkingtooclosetothecrossroadsjunctiontogetherwiththespeedofthe trafficthroughthevillage. Hewillinvestigatethepossibilityofa‘speedpillow’overtheentire crossroadsareatogetherwithdoubleyellowlinestodeterparkingcloseto thejunction-particularlyupStationRoadandalongthenorthernsideof BlackthornRoad-whichhethinkswillalsoassistwithpedestriansafety. Furthertotheseproposals,theOfficerissuggestinglookingatextendingthe weightlimit-whichcurrentlystartsatBlackthornRoad-sothatitstartsat theCharbridgeLaneroundabout,whichwouldactasadeterrenttoHGVs usingthevillageasacutthrough;however,allaccessfordeliveriestothe

villagewouldstillbepossible.

TheParishCouncilhasalreadyappliedforthe20mphspeedlimitpromoted byOxfordshireCountyCouncilanditishopedthattheconsultationcosts forthecrossroadsworkandthespeedlimitcouldbecombined.

Furthertoallthis,theParishCouncilhasaskedforatemporarypedestrian crossing,similartotheonewhichEWRinstalledwhileCharbridgeLanewas closed,tobeprovidedbythedevelopersworkingontheA41roadworks, butthisisyettocometofruition.

WehavealsosetupavillageSpeedwatchgroup.Thegrouphasalreadyhad acoupleofsessions,butwedoneedmorevolunteers.Ifyouwouldliketo putyourselfforwardtovolunteerpleasecontactDavidJones,the SpeedwatchCo-ordinator,atspeedwatch@launton-pc.gov.ukandhewillbe pleasedtosendyoualltheinformation.

Pleasebeassuredthatwearetakingtheissueofthetrafficveryseriously, butwehavetoacknowledgethattheroadsareprovidedbyOxfordshire CountyCouncilandare,therefore,theirresponsibility. Wealsoneedtorememberthattheroadsareavailable forall-whethertheusersliveinthevillageornot-and wehavenowayoflimitingthatuse.

ConcernswithroadsshouldbedirectedtoourCounty Councillor-IanCorkin-ian.corkin@oxfordshire.gov.uk orviaFixMyStreethttps://fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ JaneOlds|ParishClerk

On10Septemberthreelocalriderstookpartinthisannualevent, organisedbytheOxfordshireHistoricChurchesTrust,thedonations fromwhichwillpartiallybenefitStMary’sLaunton.

TomBailey,RobertBradshaw(StMary’sorganist)andChrisFrost (LauntonPCCTreasurer)visited18churchesandhavenowcollected almostalloftheirsponsorship,andareapproaching£400.Welldone!

AVet’sVoice:George’sFearlessFightwithCancer

Georgeisalovely10yearoldmoggie.InFebruaryhehadsuddenlybecome quitethirstyandreluctanttoeat.Understandably,hisownerwasvery concernedandcametoseevetElliotSmithforadvice.Elliotcouldseethat Georgehadlostakiloofweightandalarmingly,hiskidneysfeltknobbly andlargerthannormal.

Normally,thenextstepintryingtodiagnoseanillnessinpetswouldbeto dosometeststonarrowinontheproblem.Inthiscase,Elliotperformed bloodandurinetestswhichconfirmedthatseveralkeyfunctionsofthe kidneysweren’tworking.

Sick,inappetantcatsareusuallydehydratedandthusshouldhavestrong, concentratedurine;George’surinewasabnormallydilute.Thekidneys shouldalsofiltermetabolicwastesfromthebloodtopreventabuildupin thesystem.Thisfunctioncanbemeasuredinanumberofways;George hadsignificantincreasesincreatinine,ureaandphosphorusprovingthathe wasinkidneyfailurebutatthisstagewedidn’tknowwhy.

Undersedation,Elliotperformedanultrasoundscanofthekidneyswhich confirmednotonlytheirabnormalsizeandshape,butalsoachangein structureincludingafluidbuild-uparoundtheoutsideedge.Usingthe scannertoguidehim,Elliotwasabletotakeneedleaspiratesfromprecise locationswithinthekidneys,atverylittlerisktoGeorge.

Within24hours,thepathologistconfirmedElliot’sfearsthatGeorgehada typeofcancercalledrenallymphoma.Lymphomaisoneofthecommonest cancersindogsandcats,however,itisalsooneofthemosttreatable. Aftermuchdeliberationandfollowingspecialistadvicefromaveterinary oncologist,Georgeembarkedonalongcourseofchemotherapy.This involvedfourdifferentdrugsgivenrepeatedlyoveranineteenweekperiod. I’mhappytosaythatGeorgetoleratedtheprocessverywell.Heremained amenableandgood-natureddespitenumerousbloodtestsandintravenous injections.Unfortunately,hediddevelopdiarrhoeaafteroneofthestronger drugs,butthisresolvedwithroutinetreatment.ForthefinaldoseElliot usedareduceddosagewhichGeorgetoleratedverywell.

Itisnowabout9monthssinceGeorge’sfirstdiagnosisandhisjourney continues.Elliotsawhimforacheck-upinearlyOctoberandwaspleased toseethatheiseatingwell,isbrightandhappy,andhasregainedsomeof

theweighthelostduringhisillness.Hisowneristhrilledwiththeresponse totreatment.

ItisunlikelythatGeorgeis“cured”,morethathiscancerisinremission. Atsometimeinthefuture,hemayfallillagainbuthisownersarevery pleasedtohavetheiroldfriendbackongoodformforaslongasitlasts. Chemotherapyisabigundertakingforboththeclientandtheirpet.Itis expensiveandtimeconsumingandreliesonapetwhocancopewiththe repeatedvisitsfortreatments.Somecatswouldfindthisallverystressful, butGeorgetookitallinhisstrideandcame throughwithflyingcolours.Hehasbecomeafirm favouritewiththestaffbecauseofhiscourageand goodnaturethroughouthisillnessandtreatment. WelldonetoGeorgeandhisdedicatedowner,and alsotoElliot(seephoto),Elaineandalltheteamat BicesterVetswhogothimthroughhisordeal. Enjoyyourpets JasonWilliams|BicesterVets

24houron-sitenursingcareasstandardforallourhospitalisedpatients

24hourEmergencyserviceprovidedbyourvetsatourpractice

Aservicethat'ssecondtononefromNorthOxfordshire'smostestablished, independent,specialitysmallanimalhospital.

Launton School Musicians

WearelearningtoplaymusicalinstrumentsatschoolwithMrProbert.We areenjoyingourlearningwhichhasbeenhappeningforfourweeks.Wecan playthenotesCandD.Alltheinstrumentsinthebrassfamilyaredifferent andbetweenuswecanplaythreedifferentinstruments.Twoofusplaythe trombone,oneplaysthecornetandanotherplaysthebaritone(seephotos onpage26,opposite).

Theseinstrumentsareplayedindifferentways,thetrombonehasaslideto changethenotes,thebaritonehasvalvestopushdowntoalterthesounds andsodoesthecornet.Whenyouplaythecornet,youmakeaCby blowinggently.Wehavealsobeguntolearnaboutnotelengthandcan recognisecrotchets,minimsandsemibrevesandknowhowlongtheylast. WehaveourlessononaWednesdayandwepractiseathome.Ourfamilies mostlydon’tminduspractising.Someofourbrothersandsistershave playedorarelearningtoplayothermusicalinstruments.Wearehopingto begoodenoughtoplayatunefortheschoolbyChristmas.

Ella,Noah,NoraandTobyYears3and4

GrangeMewsNewsOctober2022

Industrial Units and Storage for Lease

IhavenotbecomeamemberofLauntonCommunityNews onfacebook,butIdogetsomesecond-handnotes, butsomeobviouslydonotreadLauntonLines. However,aftertheentrytoday, thesagaoftheMercedescarhasbeensucceededby aFocusRA52FJCwhichhasfounditswayontosaidNews. Ithasbeenturnedaroundseveraltimes andlastweekhadbicyclesinsideandoneparkedagainstit. WehavecheckedanditisnowuntaxedandhasnoMOT andwehaveaskedthepolicetoremoveit. Judgingfromthecharacterswhovisitatduskwesuspect butcouldnotprovenefariousreasonsforthisbizarrecircumstance. Ourstoragebarnwhichbecameavailableisnowunderoffer andweexpectanOxfordshirefirmtobecomingsoon. JustafinalreminderoftheChristmasFestiveActivityofHummingbird atGrangeMewson4December.

Weletofficesandindustrialspaceandcanbefoundat

LauntonHistoricalSociety

AttheendofSeptemberwewelcomedJohnTyler,whospokeabouttheLost ForestofBernwood.Bernwoodcanstillbevisitedtoday,andgoodwalkshad, butinmediaevaltimesitcoveredalargearea,boundedbyBicester,Aylesbury, ThameandBuckingham.Itwaspartofanevenbiggersuperforest,stretching fromOxfordtoRutland.Bernwoodwasnotalltrees–thetermforestalso coveredfarmland.Itwasahuntingforest,andinearlytimes,ordinarypeople huntedthere,forwildboarandroedeer.Theareawassettledbyironage people,inhillforts-particularlyBrillwherethestreetplanlargelyfollowsthe planofahillfort.TherewasapalaceatBrill-saidtobewherethesportsand socialclubisnow-andaforestadministrationcentreatBoarstall. Foratime,theruleschangedforordinaryfolk,sothatonlytheKingcould huntintheforest,andtaketimberfromit.Evenlandownershadtoget permissionfromtheKingtofelltheirowntrees.Villagersretainedsome rights-collectingfirewoodforexample.Theycouldcoppicehazelfor firewoodorsheephurdles.Pigscouldbeturnedoutintothewoodtoeat acorns,andvillagerscouldforageforfood.ButonlytheKingcouldhuntuntiltheMagnaCartaforcedachange,andtheKingwasforcedtogiveup

foresthuntingrights.Theforestbecamesmallerandsmaller,centredonBrill, OakleyandBoarstall,andsuccessiveKingsfelloutoflovewithit,preferring Wychwood,northofWitney.

Bythe17thcentury,Bernwoodwasnotanofficialforestanymore.Butit’sstill there,inpart,nearOakley,andthereisa61-mileBernwoodForestJubilee trail.WhitecrossGreennaturereserveispartoftheoldforest,nowmanaged byBBOWT(Berks,BucksandOxonWildlifeTrust).Boarstallduckdecoy wasformedattheendofthebigforest’slife.LudgershallandDorton churcheshaveancientdoorsmadefromfelledtrees.

WeenjoyedJohn’stalkandwelookforwardtoseeinghimagainashespeaks onarangeoftopics.Everyoneiswelcometoourmeetings,usuallyonthelast Thursdayinthemonth,whichstartat7.30pmintheParishHall.

AtourNovembermeeting(on24November)wewillhearAlastairLacktalk aboutTheOxfordofInspectorMorse,andbythetimeyoureadthiswewillhave justheardHendrikBallspeakaboutNapoleon’sWallpaper,atourOctober meeting.

GwenSkinner

1November1872

PETTYSESSIONS.CasesDismissed–ComplainanttoPayCosts. MaryAnnJeacock,thewifeofWilliamJeacock,coalmerchant’sforeman, Launton,waschargedwithassaultingThomasPhipps,carpenter,Launton, onOctober11.Complainant’sevidencewenttoshowthatthedefendant, herhusband,hersonIsaac,andseveralotherpersonsovertookhimonhis wayhomefromBicester,andthathestoodnearawalltoallowMrs. Jeacocktopass,whenshesaidshewouldpushhimintheditch.Hesaid, “Don’tdothat,”whenshespatinhisfacetwice,whichconstitutedthe allegedassault.TocorroboratePhipps’statement,JosephBannister, labourer,Launton,andhiswifeSarahwerecalled.

-ForthedefenceitwasshownthatPhippshadmadeuseofimputative, veryfoulandcourse[sic]languagetoMrs.Jeacock,andthathegaveher twoslapsin[sic]theface,whereuponshespatinhisface.

-IsaacJeacock,brewers’labourer,sonoftheabovedefendantswasnext chargedwithhavingassaultedtheaboveThomasPhippsintheparishof Launton,onOctober11.

-Aftertheformerdisturbancehadsubsided,andwhenPhippswaswithin 100yardsofhisownhomeIsaacJeacock,itwasalleged,ranafterPhipps andknockedhimdown,andthefatherhelpedthesonitwassaid.Phipps wascarriedintohishouseinsensible.Heproducedthetrousershewas wearingatthetime,andahandkerchief,smearedwithblood.

-Mr.FrancisMarshallSlowler[Shouler],theParishConstable,wentin consequenceofhearingadisturbance,intotheroad.Hetookholdofone BannisterwhenPhippsandIsaacJeacockbeganfighting.HesawPhipps down,andIsaacstrikinghimandthefatherinterferingandabettingthe son.Therewasnot,asfarashecouldsee,apintochoosebetweenanyof them.Phippswasverymuchknockedabout,andcomplainedofhisribs.

-DefendantsaidPhippsbegantherowfirst,andhewasdrunk.Hekepton challenginghimtofighthimallthewayhome.Whentheygotnearhome Phippsshookhandswithhisfatherandthensprangforwardandstruck him.

-TosupportIsaac’sviewofthecase hecalledhisfatherandDaniel Simms,labourer,Launton. -TheChairmansaidtheywereboth inthewrong,andtheparty,atleast someofthem,werenonethebetter forthebeertheyhaddrunkatthe “WhiteHart,”Bicester.Theyought tohavebeenlockedupformakinga disturbanceandtheywouldhave beenifithadoccurredinBicester. Thesummonswasdismissed,and Phippsthecomplainantwascalled ontopay6scostsincurred.The summonsagainstMrs.Jeacockwas alsodismissed.

Join

astheytravel...

Tofindoutmore,messageus throughourFacebookPage, byscanningtheQRCode, orcontactClaireon07540013105

Lastweek,JenWalker,ownerofTheCattleshedCandleCompany,tweeted MrPaphitisaboutherbusinessduring‘SmallBusinessSunday’(SBS)andwas oneofsixweeklywinnerstogainaretweetbythemultimillionaire entrepreneurtohisnearhalf-millionfollowers.

Theweeklyinitiative,setupbyMrPaphitisin2012,nowhas over3,000SBSwinners,andsupportssmallbusinessintheUK.

TheCattleshedCandleCompanyisnowprofiledonthe entrepreneur’swebsite,whichisexclusivetoallSBSwinners www.theopaphitissbs.com.MsWalkersaid:“We’vebeeninbusinesssince 2020andhandpouroursustainable,refillableanduniquemilkchurncandles onthesiteoftheoldfamilyfarmcattleshed,henceourbusinessname. “It’sgreattohavesupportfromMrPaphitisbecauseit’sbeentoughtryingto raiseourprofile,andhehasrecognisedourhardworkandhelpedspreadthe wordaboutustohisfollowers.”SmallbusinesschampionandChairmanof RymanStationery,RobertDyasandBouxAvenue,TheoPaphitis,said:“We arethrilledtowelcomenewSBSmemberseveryweekandhighlightjusthow importantitistosupportoursmallbusinesseshereintheUK.”

LauntonVillageSupportGroup

LauntonVillageSupportgroupwasstartedinMarch2020tohelpand supportvillagersthroughwhatweassumedwasafewweeks/monthsofa newisolatedlifeduetoCOVID-19.Hereweare,twoplusyearslater,still goingstrongasagroupofvolunteersandfellowvillagerswillingto supporteachotherfortheforeseeablefuture.

TheFacebookgrouphas237members,thesearenotonlyvolunteersbut alsoresidentsofthevillageandtheirrelativesandfriendswholive elsewherebuthaveapointofcontactiftheyneedhelp.

Volunteersandfriendscontinuetohelpwithshopping,cookingmeals, collectingnewspapers,prescriptions,andvegboxes,aswellasotherodd jobs.NickCherrywholivesinthevillageandbelongstoAlchester RunningClubisaregisteredmedicalrunner,soheishappytocontinue collectinganddeliveringmedications. IfyouwouldliketojointheFacebookgroupeitherasapotential volunteeroravillagememberorrelative,pleasegotoLauntonVillage Supportandansweracoupleofquestions.IfyouarenotonFacebook butwouldliketovolunteerorneedhelp,pleaseseecontactdetailsonpage 3ofLauntonLines.

Ifyouneedhelpormoreinformation,pleasecontactthegroupadmin,or youcancontactNickCherrydirectly.

AbiDowmanwholivesinLauntonandisontheParishCouncil,has joinedtheadminteam-thanksAbi.

Plansareafootforthereturnofthemuch-lovedcommunityChristmas event,thisyearentitled“WeWishyouaMerryChristmas”atSt.Mary’s ChurchonSaturday10Decemberstartingat5pm. Thisisacarolconcertforthewholeofourcommunityandifyouenjoy singing,pleasecomeandjoinusatrehearsalswhichwilltakeplaceatthe churchduringNovember.Whateveryourabilitytherewillbesomething foreveryone-yes,youcanjustsingthetune!Therunningorderwill includetraditionalcarols,readings,musicalperformancesandalsosome contemporaryfunsongsthatweallassociatewiththisfestivetimeofyear. Theconcertwillbeverymuchaimedtowardsfamiliessopleasecomeand supportwithyournearestanddearestifnotjoiningthechoirandspread thewordsowecanraisetheroofofStMary’swithyouallthisChristmas. Ticketsare£10foradults(accompaniedchildrenfree)whichwillinclude refreshments.Allproceedsraisedwillbedonatedtothechurch.Tickets willgoonsaleinNovember hopefullyatCostcuttersandThe BullInn(watchthisspace!). Wewillservemulledwineand mincepies-donationsofmince pieswillbegratefullyreceivedatthe churchintheafternoonofconcert day,orduringtheweekbeforein theporchatTheLodge,8West End.Pleaselabelyourcontaineror platewithyournameandaddressif youwouldlikeitreturned. Ifyouwouldliketosingwithusor needfurtherinformation,please contactNickyRobertson07812 890656oremailmeon nickyrob66@sky.com NickyRoberts

JointheParishCouncil-MakeaDifference!

Wouldyouliketobeinvolvedinthedecision-makingforthevillage? TheParishCouncilcurrentlyhasavacancyforthecooptionofaCouncillor. Ifyouareinterestedandwanttofindoutmore, speaktooneoftheCouncillors, contacttheClerk,orcomealongtotheParishCouncilmeeting onThursday,10NovemberintheSchoolHall. Noexperienceisnecessaryandtrainingisavailable. TheParishCouncilintendstoconsiderapplicationsatthemeeting onThursday10November.

AnypersonwishingtoserveasaCouncillorshouldcomplete theapplicationformavailableontheParishCouncilwebsiteat www.launton-pc.gov.uk/becoming-a-councillor/ byMonday7Novemberandreturnit totheClerkatclerk@launton-pc.gov.uk

Toqualify,apersonmustbeaBritishsubject,CommonwealthcitizenoracitizenofamemberstateoftheEU, over18yearsoldandanelector;mustresidewithinLauntonorwithinthreemilesofit(foratleastthepast12 months),oroccupyasownerortenantanylandorpremisestherein,orhavetheirprincipaloronlyplaceofwork there,andmustnotbedisqualifiedfromholdingofficeasaCouncillor(furtherdetailsavailablefromtheClerk).

Left:

Launton Parish - A History Unearthed

Followingpermissionfromlandowners,Ihavespentmanyanenjoyable autumndaysearchinglandwithmymetaldetectorwithinLaunton Parish.

Withsomanyfarmsandsmallholdings,historically,containedwithinthe Parishitwasperhapsnotsurprisingthatmostfindsreflectedagricultural activityinboththeGeorgianandVictorianeras.Otherthanthe predictablehorseshoes,aplethoraofbuttons,crotalbellsanddropped coinspredominantlyfromthe1700’stopostdecimalwerefound.

Amongthese,wasaliverybuttondepictingfivearrowsandasnake belongedtotheElwesfamilyfromNorfolk.JohnElwes(1714-89)wasa memberofparliamentforBerkshireandaneccentricmiser.Itis rumouredthathewastheinspirationforthecharacterofEbenezer ScroogeinCharlesDickens’AChristmasCarol.

Theearliestcoindiscoveredwasa1566ElizabethIhammeredsilver sixpence.ThemostrecentanElizabethII20p.

Artefactswhichreflectanearlierwayoflifearealwaysinterestingfinds andapaddockintheWestEndproducedseveralSingletonsuper strengthmentholsnufftins,anantiquedogwhistleandakeyforalong clock.ApewterspoonwasalsofoundembossedwiththeinitialsT.W. Furtheroutofthevillage,anironfootpattenusedtoraiseshoesfrom themudwasdiscoveredalongwithadresshookfromTudortimes.

Fieldshootingisanotheractivitywhichleavesmetaldebrisintheform ofspentbulletsandcartridges.Infieldsnorthofthevillage,earlier evidenceofweaponrywasrevealedwiththediscoveryofboth musket/pistolballsandevenasmallcannonball!

WithknownRomanroadsnearby,itwasashamethatIcouldnot provideanyevidenceofRomanoccupation,butIhopethatthis selectionoffindshas‘openedasmallwindow’intoourlocalpast. Ifyouownanylocalland,inexcessofanacre,thatyouwouldbe interestedinhavingmetaldetected,pleasecontactmeat: miles.penhallow@btinternet.com

Miles Penhallow

Memories of an ex-Launton Boy

Thismonththeex-LauntonBoyrecallshowimportantpoliticsandpoliticaldiscussion wasinLauntonashewasgrowingup.Notvery,hesays,butherememberstwoeventsin 1956thatgothiminterestedinworldaffairs.Heremembersmanyofthepoliticalgreats fromhispast,anddrawsasadcomparisonwiththecurrenttroublesaffectingthenation (andthisbeforetheresignationofthePM!)

Ihaveabsolutelynoideawhatsoeverastowhichorhowmanyhouseholds inLauntonduringthe1950’sor60’stooktimeouttodiscussthepoliticsof theday,butIhavenodoubttheremusthavebeenatleastsome.Afterall, therewasmuchgoingonintheworldatthetime,nottomentionthe increasingthreatsofwhatcouldbe.WecalledittheColdWarperiodin historywhenwealllivedunderthethreatofthefour-minute-warningwhen wecouldallhavebeenwipedoutasaresultofthethreatenednuclear holocaust.AsifWWIIhadn’tbeenenough(whichbybirthIhadjust missed,beingoneofthe‘baby-boom’infantsbornin1947)Icanjustabout rememberKorea,whichalltheseyearssince1953hasstillyettobe officiallyresolved.Buttheonesthatvividlyremaininmymind,having beentheworldeventsthatfirstawakenedmyinterestsastowhatwasgoing onintheworldweretheSuezincidentandtheHungarianuprising,bothof whichoccurredin1956.

BeingaveteranoftheColdWarmyself,IhavewithinmyBranchofthe RoyalEngineersAssociationsomeelderlyfriendswhoactuallyfoughtin theKoreanwarandthecommonthemethatrunsbetweenthemwhenthey talkofitwastheterriblebitternessofthewintersoutthere.Manywillnot beawareofthefactthatmostoftheBritishcontingentsfightingoutthere werenotprofessionalcareersoldiersbutwereinfactNationalServicemen servingtheircompulsorytwoyearsinthearmedforces.Ibelievethelast NationalServicecall-upswerein1961,sowhenIvoluntarilyenlistedin October1965,notquiteeighteenyearsofage,Ibecameaprofessional soldierfromchoice.WhenIthinkback,weyoungladswhojoinedupthen feltandbelievedourselvestobeinvincible.I’mnotsurethatwewould havefeltquitesoself-assuredhadwebeenforciblycalled-uptodoourbit asthoseNationalServiceboyswererequiredtodoinKorea.

Butitwasthepoliticalworldstagethatwasreallyinteresting,especially afterthepoliticsofthefamousBerlinAirliftwhen,accordingtothefamous statementbySirWinstonChurchill,anIronCurtainhaddescendedacross

EuropedividingtheCommunistEastfromtheDemocraticWest.Justas GermanyhadbeendividedintoAlliedadministrativesectorsinwhat becametobeknownasWesternGermany,sotheformercapital,Berlin, whichsatwithintheRussiansectorthenknownasEastGermany,wasalso dividedintoAlliedsectorswithinWestBerlinwiththeRussianscontrolling EastBerlin,butwantingtocontrolthewholeofBerlin.TheRussians closedCheckpointCharlie,whichwastheofficialcrossingfortheAlliesto enterBerlinfromWestGermany,therebyisolatingallGermanswithin Berlin.ThisledtotheAlliedWWIIadaptedbomberandtransportaircraft flyingindailytokeeptheciviliansofWestBerlinsuppliedwithessential foodandothergoods.Wehadprettystrongpoliticalleadershipand Statesmenandwomenamongourpoliticiansbackthen.Itbrokethe RussianblockadeandCheckpointCharliewassuccessfullyre-opened. Weweredamnedgoodatthemilitarystuff(andstillare),aswas demonstratedbytheexecutionoftheSuezcampaign,whenEgypt’s ColonelNasserthreatenedtonationalisetheSuezCanal.Sadly,althoughit wasagreatmilitarysuccess,itturnedouttobeapoliticaldisaster.The AmericansviewedthecampaignasbeingBritishImperialismraisingits’ historicheadalloveragainwithangeranddisdain,threateningtocallin ourmassivedebtstotheUSAwhichhadbeenloanedtoustoaidour recoveryfromtheenormouseconomicalcostsofengagingsuccessfullyin WWII.SirAntonyEden,whowasthenourPrimeMinisterafterthe resignationofSirWinstonChurchillduetoillhealth,hadtoresignoverthe matter,beingsucceededby‘SuperMac’,i.e.HaroldMacmillan.

Thoseofyouoldenoughtorememberwillrecallthatapartfromthepetrol rationingthatcameaboutduringtheSuezperiod,aftertheausterityof WWII,thingsincertainsectorsofsocietywerebeginningtoshowsignsof pickingup.Peoplestartedbuyingsuchthingsaswhitegoodsandtelevision setsonthe‘never-never’andHaroldMacmillanwas(Ibelieveincorrectly) reportedassayingthat“mostofourpeoplehaveneverhaditsogood”! ThebondbetweentheUKandtheUSAwaseffectivelyre-establishedasa consequenceofbothHaroldMacmillanandthedynamicJFK,presidentof theUSA,havingestablishedatremendousworkingrelationship.Iwasjust aladatthetime,butacutelyawareofwhatwasgoingon.Funnilyenough though,Ineverdiscussedsuchmatterswithmypeergroupinthevillage.

WellthenwehadchangesofgovernmentandchangesofPartyLeaders andPrimeMinisters,hearingphraseslike“Thepoundinyourpocket”

fromHaroldWilsonwhenthecountrywasforcedintodevaluingthepound andfromthesamePM,“aweekisalongtimeinpolitics”.Thenwehadthe ToryTedHeathwhoasPMleadingaminorityoratleastaveryslender governmentdecidedtocallaGeneralElectiontofirmlyestablishhimself andhispartyasthegovernmentoftheday,onlytoloseouttoLabour’s HaroldWilsonagain.Thatwaswhenpeoplebegantalkingmoreopenly aboutpolitics,helpedbytheSaturdaynightMikeYarwoodshowson televisionwhenhewoulddohismanyimpressionsofbothHaroldWilson andTedHeathexpressingtheirpoliticaldifferencesofopinion.Andatthe time,withinbothofthemajorpoliticalpartiestherewerecharactersboth maleandfemaleofsomerealstatureandpersonality.Wemaynot necessarilyhaveagreedwiththeirpoliticalviewsbuttheywerenonetheless worthwhilelisteningto.DenisHealeyforexample(alsoex-RoyalEngineers) wasoftenreferredtoasthebestLeadertheLabourPartyneverhad. BarbaraCastleastheLabourgovernment’sSecretaryofStateforTransport wasaveryformidablecharacterindeedandstoodnononsensefrom anyone.Andlikeherordislikeher(Ipersonallydislikedherimmensely)the ToryPMMargaretThatcherwasapersonofstatureontheworldpolitical stage.WheneversheappearedontheTVathomethough,mydadwould grabtheremotecontrolandturnoverthechannelwhilststating,“I’llnot ‘avethatummaninmyhouse”.

So,whereisallthisleadingto?Youknow,youreallycouldnotscriptthisas beingaseriousTVdramacouldyou?Iampenningthisjustacoupleofdays afterJeremyHuntwasappointedourlatestChancelloroftheExchequer. We’vebeenthroughthepantomimestageofBoriswhowouldn’tknowthe truthifitranhimdowninthestreet.HewasprecededbyMrsMaywho triedtosqueezeaquartintoapintpotwhichwasnevergoingtowork (metaphoricallyspeaking)andshewasprecededbyaglorified‘Ad-man’ whowaswell-groomedbutlackingsubstanceandwholeftthesinkingship thathehadfatallyholed.AsIwritethiswehaveaPMwhoiseitheron somethingorshecomesfromeitherCloudCuckooLandoranentirely differentplanettothatwhichwewalkupon.Ilookatallpoliticiansfromall partiesintheUKandIseenotonesingleStatespersonremaining.What happenedtothemall.....wherehavetheyallgone?

Wethoughtwehadhadittoughatvarioustimesinourlives,fromtheyears ofausterityimmediatelyfollowingWWIItopetrolrationingduringSuezto thethree-dayweekintheseventiestothebankingcrisisandunbelievablyto

BrexitandsubsequentlytoCovid,butfolks,whetheryouareayoung’un startingoutonlife’slongjourneyorapensionerinwhatshouldbeyour goldenyears,asaresultofthesheerincompetenceandlunacy(pre-Hunt) ofthisgovernment,wereallyareinforaroughrideforquitesometimeto come.Anditcannotallbeputdowntothatevilman,Putin,althoughhe hassomuchtoanswerforinwhatheisdoingtoUkraineandUkrainians. AsIhavesaidmanytimesbefore,ournation’swoeswerenotduetothe EUandmanyofourcurrentwoesarenotdowntoPutin,theyaredownto alternatingincompetentUKgovernments.Weshouldhavedonemuch morewhentheRussiansinvadedandannexedtheCrimea,butwedidn’t. WeshouldhavestayedattheEUtableandfoughtforreformfromwithin, butwedidn’t.WeshouldhavebeenbetterpreparedfortheCovid pandemicaftertherevelationsofagovernment-ledexercisein2017clearly demonstratedthatnationallywewerenowherepreparedforsuchan eventuality,butwedidn’t.Ohyes,thingsaregoingtogetagoodsight worsebeforetheyevenbegintogetbetter,sotightenupyourbelts,puton yourhelmetsandshinpadsandtakeadeepbreath.Remember,weare Britishandwiththehelpoffamilyandfriends,wecangetthroughthis. Let’shopethatthenextgovernmentofwhichevershadeismorecompetent thanthoseofthelastdecadeorso.Butthatisverymuchdowntoeachof usandhowwecastourvaluablevoteswhenwenexthavethechance KeephealthyandstaySAFE!

TonyJeacock|TheEx-LauntonBoy|November2022

Recentdeathsfromthevillage

PaulThorpediedon29July,age82.PaulandhiswifeValranthevillage shopforanumberofyearsinthe1980sand1990s.

SheilaAnneKinchindiedon15September,age72.Mostrecentlyshelived inBlenheimDrive,andbeforethatonBlackthornRoad,withherlate parents.Long-timeresidentswillrememberherdrivingasmallblueinvalid carthathadbeenspeciallyadaptedforherdisability:shehadsufferedfrom spinabifidasincebirth.

JuneElizabethMaudKelly(néeJones)diedon23September,age92. AlthoughJunedidnotliveinthevillageshewasaLauntongirl,growingup asoneofalargefamilywholivedatNo.3TheGreen,StationRoad.The childrenwereeachnamedafterthemonthsofthe year.

LauntonLinesNovember2022|Page41

Diary

Inthecurrentsituation,itisdifficulttobespecificaboutvillageevents.Listedarethosewe knowareplanned-butcheckwithorganisersnearerthedateifyouplantoattend.

NOVEMBER

Tuesday 1 Rubbish Collection: garbage bin | Community Café, Parish Hall:9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm | Rock Chorus,Parish Hall,7.30pm

Saturday 5 Churchyard Clear Up, from9.30aminthe churchyard, bring your own tools

Sunday 6 StMary'sChurch, Holy Communion (BCP),8am; Remembrance Family Service, 11am | Weekly Quiz at The Bull, 8pm

Monday 7 Watercolour Art Class, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm

Tuesday 8 Rubbish Collection: recycling and garden bins | Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am-11am;2.30pm-4.30pm | Rock Chorus,Parish Hall,7.30pm

Wednesday 9 Over 60sClub Meeting, Sports and Social Hall,starts at 1.45pm, ends about 3.30pm

Thursday 10 Parish Council Meeting, Public Session 7.15pm,Council Meeting 7.30pm, SchoolHall | WIMeeting, speaker JamesHaddowson The Life and Loves of the Taxi Driver Poet, Parish Hall,7.30pm

Friday 11 Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial, from 10.45am | SCOTS Night at The Bull, from 5.30pm

Sunday 13 StMary'sChurch, BCPEvensong with Actof Remembrance, 6pm | Weekly Quiz at The Bull,8pm

Monday 14 Watercolour Art Class, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm

Tuesday 15 Rubbish Collection: garbage bin |Community Café, Parish Hall:9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm | Rock Chorus,Parish Hall,7.30pm

Thursday 17 Friends of Launton Parish Hall Open Meeting, Parish Hall, 7.30

Friday 18 FoLPH Presents Grease - The Sing-a-Long with refreshments and popcorn, Parish Hall,Doors open 7.30pm,Screening starts 8pm

Sunday 20 FINAL DATE FOR COPY FOR THE DECEMBER 2022 ISSUE OF LAUNTON LINES: SUBMIT TO launtonlines@launton.org | StMary'sChurch, Morning Prayer,11am | Trinity CamerataFamily Concert Around The World in 60 Minutes, StEdburg'sChurch, 3.45pm | Weekly Quiz at The Bull,8pm

Monday 21 Watercolour Art Class, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm

Tuesday 22 Rubbish Collection: recycling and garden bins | Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am-11am;2.30pm-4.30pm | Rock Chorus,Parish Hall,7.30pm

Wednesday23 Over 60sClub Meeting, Sports and Social Hall,starts at 1.45pm, ends about 3.30pm

Thursday 24 Launton Historical Society,AlastairLack on The Oxford of Inspector Morse, Parish Hall,7.30pm

Saturday 26 Launton Countryside Craft Centre Christmas Market, The Launton Arms Garden,11am- 4pm, with a visit from a Seasonal Guest

Sunday 27 StMary'sChurch, Holy Communion, 11am | Weekly Quiz at The Bull,8pm

Monday 28 Watercolour Art Class, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm

Tuesday 29 Rubbish Collection: garbage bin |Community Café, Parish Hall:9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm | Rock Chorus,Parish Hall,7.30pm

Above:

Above:the dancespace inthe woodland Below:Bug Huntsinthe woodland