Launton Lines Issue 268 February 2023

Jacoba- Coby- had a long term relationship with Launton. She took a leading role in the project to create a series of unique embroidered kneelers for StMary’sChurch. She is seated in the centre of the front row in the photo above with other members of the kneeler project, and the vicar at the time, MargaretMullins, standing just behind Coby.

Below right is a photo of some of the group at work. Bottom left is the announcement of Coby’sdeath from The Bicester Advertiser that sums up this extraordinary woman - who had had a “jolly nice life”.

The front cover shows the speaker at the January meeting of the Launton WI, when MariellaBliss demonstrated making fresh pasta. The sheet of pasta had parsley rolled into it before being cut into strips for spagettior linguine, or used for ravioli or other shapes (see report on page 18). Cover designed by Matt Hill. Photo by LesleyThompson

The Editor writes …

Another slightly delayed issue - this time helped by ongoing power cuts in Cape Town (delightfully renamed “load shedding” locally, which sounds so much friendlier). I’vealso been slowed down by recovery from the illnesses. The cover this month is from the January WImeeting with the speaker demonstrating making a sheet of pasta. See the caption on page 2, and the meeting report on page 18. And many thanks to my co-editorMatt Hill who did a great job of tidying up the photo when creating the cover.

February brings round The Launton Panto, with a report on progress on pages 10 and 11, and the poster on page 40. There is the regular Parish Council report on pages 4-7 with a reminder about elections on 4 Maydo think about standing for the Council see pages 13 and 39. Page 19 flags up the Village Clean Up, and the regular District Councillors’ report reminds us (pages 8-9) that we will need photo ID to take part in elections. There are three pieces from Island Pond Wood: about the Reflection Area (pages 14-15), about Working Parties (pages 27-29), and notice of the AGM in March on page 24. There is news of plans for the 2024 Village Fete on page 22, and the ex-Launton Boy is on pages 35-37. Please support our advertisers: they need you as much as we need them.

RobertCornford

LauntonVillageSupport:ContactDetails

Groupemail:village.help@launton-pc.gov.uk

PHONE Numbers: 9:30amto 5:00pm LauntonLines

Amonthlynewsletterfor Launton.Published aroundthe firstofeachmonth bytheLauntonCommunityCommunicationsGroup ©2023Launton Lines email:launtonlines@launton.org website:https://launton.org/launton-lines/ TheLauntonLinesCommittee2022-23

Chair:JonSpinage|Editors:RobertCornford,MattHill|Treasurer:SamanthaCollin

AssociateEditor:KathyGilbert|Distribution:ShirleyJohnson|Advertising:JenniWalker

Contact the Parish Council Council Clerk | MrsJaneOlds

Address|13OakClose,Bicester,OX263XD email| clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk

Phone | 01869 247171

To book the Parish Hall

Contact:JoanPacker

Phone:07922042133

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

LIGHTUPALIFE

Wouldyouliketosponsoranevening’sfloodlightingatStMary’sChurch inmemoryofalovedone,togivethanksforthebirthofachild, ortocelebrateabaptism,birthday,orwedding?

Aminimumdonationof£10issuggestedwhichcanbeGiftAided. PleasecontactJoanPackeron01869241694by20February2023 forentryintheMarch2023issueofLauntonLines.

February 8 | Sponsored by Bob Roberts to celebrate the birthday of his mother AnnRoberts

LauntonParishCouncilMeetingheldon

Thursday5January2023at7:30pminLaunton ParishHall

CouncillorspresentMrAndrewBriant,MrsAbigailDowman,,MrEd Sanders(ViceChairman),MrsLesleyThompson,MrSimonTurner (Chairman),MrsJaquelineWebber

ApologiesNone

InattendanceTheClerk,MrsJaneOlds;CllrAngusPatrick(CDC); 3 membersofthepublicincluding1representativefromtheFriendsofIsland PondWood

CouncillorCo-option

ThereisstilltimetohelpthecommunitybyjoiningtheParishCouncil.If youareinterestedinputtingyourselfforwardforco-option,pleaseseethe BecomingaCouncillorpageoftheParishCouncilwebsitewww.launtonpc.gov.uk/becoming-a-councillor/orhaveachatwithoneofthecurrent Councillors,orcomealongtothenextCouncilmeeting.

MrSinghwasunabletoattendandsentawrittenreport.

ThetracklayingprogrammehasrecommencedfollowingtheChristmas break.

Thepublicrightsofway,whichwereclosedbytheTransportWorksAct Order,arescheduledtobere-openedinthespring;therearesome remedialworksrequiredtothepathsnearGrangeFarmandthekissing gatesintheTytheBarnareaneedtobemovedastheyhaven’tbeen installedinthecorrectlocations.TheyardatGrangeFarmshouldnotbe usedasapedestriancutthrough.

Ifanyonehasanyqueries,pleasecontactEastWestRaildirectlyat publicinformation@ewralliance.co.ukoronthe24hourhelplineat03457 114141.

ReportsfromDistrictandCountyCouncillors

CouncillorPatrick(CDC)reportedthatthedraftLocalPlanwasduetobe consideredatameetingoftheOverviewandScrutinyCommitteeon11 JanuaryandwaslikelytobepublishedfollowingconsiderationattheCDC Executivemeetingon19January.

TheCDCbudgetfor2023/24waslookingacceptable,butbalancingthe budgetin2024/25islikelytobemorechallenging.

CouncillorCorkin(OCC)sentawrittenreport.TheA41Ambrosden workswereongoingwith,apparently,limitedcommunicationbetweenthe contractorsandtheCountyCouncilOfficers.Theprovisionofthe temporarypedestrianlightsoutsideLauntonschoolhasbeenreviewedand theyellowaccessrampshavebeenremoved.

Therequestfortemporarylightstobeinstalledatthejunctionof BlackthornRoadandtheA41wasconsidered,butforsafetyreasonsOCC hasnotbeenabletoagreetothis.

MeetingDatesfromApril2023

ThedatesofmeetingshavebeenagreedtobetheusualfirstThursdayof themonthapartfromMaywhichwillchangetothe11thfollowingthe electionsonthe4thMay.AllthemeetingdatesareavailableontheParish Councilwebsite.

Finance

TheFinanceReportisavailableontheParishCouncilwebsite.

TheCouncilconsideredthedetailedbudgetandagreedthelevelof£38,583 fortheyear2023/24.ThistookintoaccounttherangeofParish responsibilitiesincludingvillagegrasscuttingandweedspraying,thedog binemptying,meetingcosts,savingforreplacementstreetfurniture(such asbinsandbenches),theParishHallcommitment,theSpeedwatchproject andotherroadsafety,togetherwithreserves.

TheParishhadbeengiventheTaxBasefigure(broadly,thenumberof BandDequivalentdwellingsinthevillage)byCDCwhichwasestimatedat 615.7;thiswasanincreasefrom566.4thepreviousyear-mainlybecauseof theincreaseinhousesfromtheLauntonMewsdevelopment.Followingthe calculations,itwasagreedtoincreasethePreceptto£39,743whichwasan increaseof£9,847.TheannualcosttoaBandDhouseholdwouldbe approximately£64.55-anincreaseof£11.77overthewholeyear.

MoreinformationabouthowtheTaxBasefigureiscalculatedisavailable ontheParishCouncilwebsiteathttps://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/financialinformation/financing-the-parish-council/

Foranyoneinterested,thedraftbudgetandpreceptcalculationscanbe foundontheParishCouncilwebsiteundertheJanuaryItemsfor Informationathttps://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/agenda-andminutes/2022-2023-agenda-and-minutes/

Planning

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

Ifanyvillagerhasconcernsorcommentsaboutaplanningapplication,they arewelcometocomealongtoParishCouncilmeetingstobringthemto theattentionofthemeeting.Villagersarealsowelcometocontact CouncillorsortheClerktomakecomments.

GuidanceonhowtheParishCouncilisabletorespondisavailableonthe ParishCouncilwebsite:https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/planningapplications

ParishHall

TheClerkhassubmittedanexpressionofinteresttoCherwellDistrict CouncilfortheUKSharedProsperityFundandRuralEnglandProsperity FundandhashaddiscussionswiththeCDCOfficersabouttheS106

fundingwhichiscurrentlyavailablefromthebuildingprojectsalready completedinthevillage.

TheOfficersconfirmedthatitwouldnotbepossibletoaccessanyofthe S106fundsfromthe‘GrangeFarm’developmentapplicationuntilthe developmenthascommenced.

Traffic

TheSpeedwatchGroupwillstarttogetmoreactiveastheweatherwarms up.Thegroupwelcomesnewvolunteers-justcontactDavidJonesvia speedwatch@launton-pc.gov.ukifyou’dliketojoinup.

VillageSpringClean

Adateforyourdiaries.WehopetoholdourannualSpringCleanand LitterPickonSaturday11Marchbetween10amand12noonfromthe ParishHall.Docomeandjoinus!

Agendaitemsanddatesofthenextmeetings

ThenextmeetingwillbeonThursday2FebruaryintheParishHall,starting at7.30pm.Ifyou’dliketochatwithaCouncillor,docomealongafter 7.15pm.

Wearetryingtoreduceourprinting andpaperuse,soifyouwouldlike hardcopiesoftheagendaoranyof themeetingpapers,pleaseletthe Clerkknowwellbeforethemeeting. Theagendaandpaperswillbe availabletoviewviathedata projectorduringthemeeting.

Suggestionsforagendaitemsforthe 2Marchmeetingneedtobewiththe Clerkby16Februaryanditemsfor the6Aprilmeetingby23March.

Ifyou’renotsigneduptoour mailinglisttoreceivenewsfromthe ParishCouncil,youcanfindasignup formatthebottomlefthandmenu oftheParishCouncilwebsiteat www.launton-pc.gov.uk/

CouncillorsforJanuary2023

It’sabriefreportthismonth.Thereisfurtherdelaytoconsultationonthe LocalPlan,thelatestonA41roadworks,andanupdateonVoterID.

TheLocalPlan

TheLocalPlanwenttotheOversightandScrutinyCommitteebeforethe CDCExecutivelaterinJanuary.Therewererecommendationsfromthe CommitteethattheExecutivedecidedtoinvestigatemorethoroughlywith furtherdelaytothenextstage-furtherpublicconsultation.Someissuesthat werehighlighted:

Thebalanceofaffordablehousingintheplanisnotambitiousenough,or adequate.

Allinfrastructuremustkeeppacewithdevelopment,aswellasensuringproper integrationbetweennewdevelopmentsandestablishedcommunities.

TheimportanceoffarminginCDCisrecognised,butneedsmoreprominence.

NotingthereferencetoBicesterStrategicCorridors,considerationshouldbe giventocreatingaformalGreenBeltaroundBicester.

Ruralallocationofhousingshouldbeequitable.

Executivetoassureitselfthatthewordingofpoliciesincludedintheplanis strongenough,particularlythoseinrelationtoClimateActionandViability.

Membersshouldbegivenmoreopportunitiestoengageandprovidefeedback andcommentsduringtheconsultation.

We’llkeepyoupostedondevelopment,butfromtheitemsabovewehope youcanseethatwearetryingtomakethislocalplanfitforpurposefor residents.MoreinformationontheLocalPlanisavailableonadedicated pageathttps://www.cherwell.gov.uk/homepage/27/local-plans

A41PloughleyRoadjunction

Theroadworksseemtobekeepingtothelatestschedule:one-wayoperation andlightsaredueuntil3February-theonlydetailposted-sowehopethis meansthatthegreateramountoftrafficrunningthroughLauntonwillbe endingsoon.Seethislinkwww.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/roads-andtransport/roadworks/future-transport-projects/ploughley-road-a41-junction VoterIDforelectionsin2023

Youwillneedphoto-IDtovoteinlocalelectionsinMay.Thereismoreon VoterIDhere:https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/11/elections/1041/voteridThepermittedtypesofID,includingexpiredpassports,areattheCDC websitelistedabove.Search“Cherwellvoterid”foruptodateinformation.

Ifyoudon’thaveIDfromthislist,youwillneedtoapplyforaVoter AuthorityCertificate(VAC)viatheGovernmentwebsitewww.gov.uk/applyfor-photo-id-voter-authority-certificateApplicationscanbemadeonlineor throughapaperform.ThedeadlinetoapplyforaVACbeforelocalelections on4Mayis5pmonTuesday25April.

That’sit!Thankyouforreadingtotheend.Pleasedogetintouchbyphone on01869717712orviaemailatgemma.coton@cherwell-dc.gov.ukor angus.patrick@cherwell-dc.gov.uk

Launton Watercolour Group

TheWatercolourClasseswillrunthroughFebruary 2023,onMondayafternoonsfrom2pmintheParish Hall,withDavidMeeksasthetutor.Thispictureis fromarecentclass. Thecostis£8persession.

Ifyouwouldliketojointheclasses,pleaseemailthe following:Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com

LauntonVillagePlayers

It’spanto time, and we’re on the final countdown to creating the magical world of Launtonia!

There’sstill time to buy your tickets and come along and enjoy our story of “Hickory DickoryDock” – get your tickets at www.ticketsource.co.ukor call 07864 715708.

Performances will be in Cooper School Performance Hall, and the times and prices are:

Come along and find out:

Ifthemicewillbeabletoclimbtheclock?

Iftheheroeswillfindallfourpieces ofthebrokencog? Iftheclockwillbemended?

Ifthepixie’smagicwillbestrongenough todefeatthebaddie?

There’sa bundle of fun, magic, music and colour in our story as well as slapstick and much audience participation.

Here’swhat has been said about some of our previous pantomimes:

“Ifyoumissedityoumissedatreat!”

“Abrillianteveningout!”

“Ismiledandlaughedfromstarttofinish!”

“Mykidslovedthemagic,afabulousshow!”

Get your tickets now so you don’tmiss out on Bicester’sbiggest and best panto!

All profits from our show will be donated to Nai’sHouse in Bicester, who aim to give all children and young adults access to appropriate and empowering mental health support.

We really look forward to seeing you - and ask you to remember, the land of Launtoniaand Hickory DickoryDock is only there for one week in February!

Thank you for all your support

The LVPTeam

Red

Rose 17 bus service - follow up on last month’sreport

Thankstothosewhohaveprovidedfeedbacktomefollowingmy articlelastmonthabouttheNo17busservice;ithasbeenuseful.I wouldencourageanyonewithconstructivefeedbacktosendthis directlytoRedRoseBusesusingtheemailaddress: redrosebuses@gmail.com

Itwillbehelpfultohearnotonlyaboutspecificissues,butalsothe contextofthose.Ifyouhavehadsuccessfuljourneysbutarereporting anissue,pleasedetailboththegoodandbadtoprovideabalanceso theyknowwhatisgoingrightaswellaswhatisgoingwrong.

Itwouldbehelpfulifyoucouldcopyptr@launton.orgonthoseemails sothatIamaware.Ican’thelponspecificcasesbutifIseethemes thenIwilltrytoworkwiththemonthose.

Jon,LauntonParishTransportRepresentative

Oneofthemostimportant decisionsyouwillmake ischoosingtherightaccountant.

email@stackandjones.co.uk

Tel: 01869 277973

Unit4,WillowsGate,StrattonAudley

Bicester,Oxon OX279AU

ParishCouncilElections4May2023–Could YouJoinLauntonParishCouncil?

The Parish Council elections will take place on 4 May this year.

Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils (OALC) is putting on a series of free Zoom sessions about becoming a councillor - the first was on 24 January. So, if you are interested in putting yourself forward for election this year, please join the Zoom. For more information about the sessions go to https://www.oalc.org.uk/events and look for the

‘So you want to be a Councillor?’ sessions. The next ones are on 13 February at 10amand 15 March at 2pm.

JaneOlds- Parish Clerk

ReflectionAreaintheIslandPondWoodland

Youmayhavenoticedoverthelastyearthattwooakbencheshavebeen installed,withsomeshrubsandmorerecentlyacherrytree,atthetopofthe Wood.DuringtheCovidpandemicwesecuredagranttoinstallareflection areainthewood-forpeopletocomeforquietreflection,torememberlost friendsandlovedones(asaresultofthepandemicoranyotherloss).

Wehavechosentoputtheareainthequietertopcornerofthewoodland and,whentheshrubsandcherrytreeareestablishedandthetopisawild meadowaspartofbringingmorebiodiversitytothewoodland(lookoutfor futurearticlesonthis),itwillbeanevennicerareatovisit.

Weatherpermitting;wewillsoonfinishthehardstandingpathwhichruns fromtheentrance,aroundthepondandupthefieldsideofthewoodtothe reflectionarea.Thiswillmeantheareaisaccessibleallyearround.

Sopleasedousethisareaforyourreflections,andrespectthatifother peoplearesittinginthatarea,theymayjustbetakingsometimetoreflecton lostlovedones(ortheycouldjustbesittingdownforarestandachat).

Allthatweaskisthatthereflectionarea(liketherestofthewood)isleft cleanandtidywhenyouleaveit;thereisarubbishbinontheentrancetothe woodlandsopleasetakeyourrubbishtothisbin.

Whileweappreciatetheoffersofmemorialbenchesandtreesinthe woodland,wefeelwearenowatcapacity(asidefromthebenchweare havingre-installedbythepondastheoldonehadrottedandbecome unsafe).Weareactuallyhavingtocarryoutsometreethinningactivitiesto bringmorelightintothewoodland,andsoallowfreshgrowthinthe woodlandfloor(againthiswillbecoveredinfuturearticles).Aswithallthe work,maintenanceandprojectsinthewoodland,thisistoimprovethe woodlandforthewildlifeandforvillagersandvisitors,soifyouwouldlike tomakedonationsinsteadofmemorialbenchesandtrees,wecanalwaysput ittowardsdifferentupcomingprojects.

Wedoencouragepeopletosignuptobemembers(£10perpersonayear) asallmoneycollectedisforthemaintenanceofthewoodland(notfor events)andmakingitabetterenvironmentforall.Youwillalsoreceive newslettersonwhatwearedoinginthewoodlandandhave opportunitiestogetinvolved(wealwaysneedsupport),asa fewmembersdidwithlearningtocoppicehedgerows(January 2022articleinLauntonLines).

FriendsofIslandPondWood

Plans for all of these dates are in different stagesfor further information, please contact Celia(details above) or our Facebookpage

The Community Café is open on Tuesdays during term time: please do come along (see page 32)

LauntonWIMeetingJanuary2023

Didyouknowthatthereareover350pastashapes?Also,there arebetween750and800differentnamesfortheseshapes?

ThisisallveryregionalinItaly,evenindividualvillagesand communitiesmayhavetheirownpastashapeandname.

TwentymembersofLauntonWIweretreatedtoanentertainingeveningof ItaliancuisinefromMariellaBlisswhorunsItaliancookerycourses,sharingthe experiencegleanedfromhermotherandgrandmotherandherItalianheritage.

Mariellaspentoveranhourshowingushowtomakepasta,easyinitselfbut makingitintotheshapesisthemoreintricatepartespeciallyifyoudon’towna pastamachine.Thisalongwiththemakingofasimpletomatosaucewhichweall sampled,accompaniedbyacheekyglassofItalianwine,madeforanentertaining andthought-provokingevening(seethephotoonthefrontcoverofthisissue).

OurnextmeetinghasatalkfromStephenBarkeronHarditSinghMalik,TheFlying SikhoftheWorldWarIonThursday9Februaryat19.30inLauntonParishHall.

Comeandjoinus:itsfreeforthefirstvisitandweareafriendlybunch.Formore infoemaillauntonwi@oxfordshirewi.co.uk,orphoneHilaryon01869241989.

LesleyThompson

Simon Nash

07483864571

Heating&PlumbingServices

TheGentleCraftOfGraveTending

Thisarticlecametousfromtheauthor,wholivesinNorthMarstonnearQuainton-so almostlocal.Iwantedtoincludeitasitreflectsthedevelopmentofmodern“ruralcrafts”, replacingtheblacksmithsandhurdle-makersofthepast.

‘Agentlecraft,carriedbygentlepeopleingentlesurroundings’wouldbemy summingupofGraveTending,anicheindustrywhichisslowlybutsurely growingintheUK.

Theideaistocleanandrestoregravesandheadstonesinanon-destructive manner(sonobleachorsandblasting),usingenvironmentallyfriendly productsasfaraspossibleanddoingsoinasgentlewayasisfeasible.

NomatterwhatIdo,Icanneverreturnthestonetoitsoriginalstate,as constantexposuretotheweatherandtheenvironmentwillinevitably weatherandageit,butitiscertainlypossibletoreturnittoaconditionthat acustomer‘canbeproudof’,asoneofmyclientssaidtome.

ThosesortoffeelingsarealwaysinmythoughtswhenI’mworkingfora clientandcleaningtheirlovedone’srestingplace-I’macutelyawareof theirinvestmentinfeelings,time,moneyandmemories,hencethenameof mycompanyMemoriesGraveTending.

It’ssafetosaythatGraveTendingisnotwidelyknownintheDiocesesof St.AlbansandOxford,thetwowhichIcover.Althoughthere’sno authentichistoryofthetrade,Ithinkit’ssafetosayithasitsrootsin Ireland,withitscenturiesoldtraditionof‘CemeterySunday’.Thiswasan annualday,usuallyinsummer,wheregravesweregarlandedanddecorated, buthasslowlybutsurelymorphedintoadayofremembrance,flowerlaying andgravecleaning.

There’sanapocryphalstorythatitwasasidelineforCouncilcemetery workers.It’ssaidthey’dbetippedafewquidbymournersorrelativesto lookafterthegrave,aprocesswhichhappilycontinuedformanyyearsuntil Councilmanagersfoundoutthattheworkerswerespendinghalftheirtime, andusingtheCouncil’stools,tocarryouttheirprofitablesidelinein workinghours.Needlesstosaythisbroughtanabrupthalttothepractise! Backtoreality,it’scertainlyawell-establishedtradeinIreland,witheven smalltownshavingseveralfirms.Abloggeronthesubjectsaidthatthe Catholiccommunityhadfarmore‘flamboyant’gravesandwerefarmore likelytousetheirservicesthantheirmoreausterePresbyteriancounterparts. InterestinglythebiggestfirmsinEnglandtendtobeintheNorthWestand

Merseyside,areaswithalonghistoryofIrishimmigration.Havingsaidthat, thesectorhasspreadthroughmuchoftheUK,sothereisnowanational AssociationofGraveTenders(ofwhichIamproudtosayIamamember) www.associationofgravetenders.orgwhichencouragesbestpractice, professionalismandenvironmentallyfriendlyprocesses.

ManybestpractisesarefromtheCommonwealthWarGravesCommission (www.cwgc.org),whichIcannotignore.Theyareawonderful organisation,whichsomehowmanagestomaintain1.75milliongravesover 23,000burialsitesin153countries,allinimpeccablecondition.Ifit’sgood enoughforthemthenit’sgoodenoughforme!

Thegrowthinourworkhastodowithtwotrends-longevityandmobility.

Turningfirsttolongevity-wearealllivinglongerandyoungsterstodaycan spendmanyyearsknowinggrandparentsandevengreatgrandparents.This justdidn’thappeninpreviousgenerationsandmeansthatyoungpeople haveamoreintensebondtotheirgrandparents.Thisresultsinworkfor me,astheydon’twantmuch-lovedrelativestobeforgottenorneglected. Thislatterpointfeedsintothesecondtrend-theincreasedmobilityof families.Somanypeoplenowmoveawayfromtheirbirthplaceforworkor studybutstillfeelaconnectiontotheirfamily’shistoricalbase.Theyare obviouslyunabletotendtheirrelatives’graves,sothereisaneedfor someonetodoitforthem.

SowhydoIdoit?Primarilyitgivesmehugejobsatisfaction,somethingI hadn’thadforyears.It’salsoveryrewarding,seeingtheresultsofmy endeavoursandhearing/readingthepositive,andsometimesverymoving, reactionsfrommyclients.IenjoyrunningmyownbusinessandIlovethe environment;graveyardsareverypeaceful,beautifulplaceswhichareajoy toworkin.Addinthefactthatthere’snopressureordeadlines,thatmy clientsarelovelypeopleandI’vealwaysbeeninterestedinchurchesand localhistoryIthinkit’ssafetosayI’vegottheperfectjob!

IhopeI’veshonealightonanichesectorthatmyfriendsand acquaintancesfindfascinating:Ihopeyouhave,too.

I’llsignoffwith,inevitably,alittlesalespitch.Ifyouwanttoseeexamples ofwhatIcando,orrequireanyfurtherinformation,pleasevisitmywebsite www.memoriesgravetending.co.uk.

AndrewStephenson

TheLauntonVillageFetein2023–ormaybe2024?

We have been without a village fete since 2019. In 2020 Covid19 closed it down. In 2021 the combination of Coved-19and uncertainty extended the closure, and in 2022 the late changes to public holidays brought about by the Platinum Jubilee made it not sensible to arrange the fete only two weeks after Jubilee celebrations. And in 2023 we’ve been upstaged by the Coronation on 6 May and the public holiday two days later (again it doesn’tmake sense to organise a major village event so soon after the Coronation). And, of course, two other holidays are in May - May Day (1 May) and the Late Spring Bank Holiday (29 May) followed by school half-term holiday (30 May-2 June). People of Launton may be holidayed out by June.

In 2022, events over the Jubilee holiday (3-4 June) organised on the Playing Field and in the Sports and Social Hall by a group coordinated by WendyFoster gave entertainment, fun and games for the village. Then, later in the year, the church community organised the St Mary’sFayreon 3 September. Both events were very successful, and we don’twant to compete for resources and for money with them in 2023 - when we know both will be putting on their events.

There are already plans for events on the Playing Field and in the Sports and Social Hall over the Coronation holiday (6-8 May), and a second StMary’sFayreis on line for September. I’m sure that both events will be supported by members of the Fete group and we wish them both great success.

So, we’re thinking about the 2024 Fete. It’llbe good to run it on the traditional day - the monarch’sOfficial Birthday (that was why we could book a fly past as the planes were already flying up the Mall earlier in the day). Queen Elizabeth IIwas on the second Saturday in June, but it seems that the new King’sOfficial Birthday (and Trooping the Colour) for 2023 will be on the third Saturday (17 June). So … another reason to wait until dates settle down in 2024. It will be good to return after four years away.

RobertCornford, Launton Fete co-ordinator since 2017, but here writing in a personal capacity

Learning in the Reception Class

Wehavebeenlearningsomenewwordsthathavetheletter‘e’.Weknow seed,beandgreen.Thereisan‘e’inthewordjourneysandwemake journeystocometoschool.Wegotoschoolindifferentwayssuchas walking,usingabike,orcominginacar.

Wehavebeenlearningaboutmakingjourneystodifferentcontinentsand thewordcontinenthasan‘e’aswell.Wehavelookedatthecontinentson aglobe.ThecontinentofAfricahashotcountries.Weknowabouthot countrieswhereyouneedlotsofwatertodrinkandsuncreamtostaysafe. SomeAfricancountrieshavedifferentanimalstouslikezebras,snakes, camelsandelephants.Antarcticaisdifferentbecauseitiscoldthere.We wouldneedtowearverywarmclothesifwewentthere.Wemightmeet penguinsthere.Wehavelearntanewvocabularyforjourneys.Welike learningnewwords.

Austin,Beatrix,Lara,andDaisy-ReceptionClass-LauntonSchool

AMarchDiaryDateforIslandPondWoodAGM

YouarecordiallyinvitedtotheAnnualGeneralMeetingofFriendsofIsland PondWoodLimited,tobeheldon16Marchat7:30pminLauntonParishHall. Atthemeeting,theAnnualReportfor2022/2023willbepresentedalongwith informationaboutfutureplans.YouwillbeabletomeettheDirectorsand CommitteemembersoftheFriendsandFamiliesGroup.

RefreshmentsandthechanceforinformaldiscussionwillfollowtheAGM. Asanot-for-profitcompany(runbyvolunteers)werelyondonationsandgrants forspecificprojectstocarryoutessentialmaintenanceandimprovementstothe woodland.Onewayofsupportingusistosignupforannualmembership(£10 perperson)sowecanmaketheenvironmentbetterforalltoexperience.

MembersreceiveupdatesonwhatwearedoingintheWood,andopportunities togetinvolvedinworkingsessions(wealwaysneedsupport),andyoucanlearn newskillswhichyoucantakeawaywithyouforyourowngardenprojects.

Ifyouwanttosignupforannualmembership,contactfipwlimited@gmail.com foramembershipformandmoredetails.Or,joinattheAGM.

Thankyouforallyoursupport.Welookforwardtoseeingfamiliar faces,togetherwithsomenewfaces,atourAGM.

FriendsofIslandPondWoodTeam

Peaceofmindforpetowners...



CompassionateandCaringatalltimes



Longopeninghoursforyourconvenience

24houron-sitenursingcareasstandardforallourhospitalisedpatients

24hourEmergencyserviceprovidedbyourvetsatourpractice

Aservicethat'ssecondtononefromNorthOxfordshire'smostestablished, independent,specialitysmallanimalhospital.

“In Ash Class we have been learning about the world”

Island Pond Wood Working Sessions for 2023

Continued on pages 27 and 28

Island Pond Wood Working Sessions for 2023

Its that time of year again when we can announce the programme for our Saturday volunteer work sessions at the Island Pond Woodland. Whether you are a member, or would like to join us on the day to help, then you will be more than welcome to just turn up.

As a volunteer group we welcome all help to ensure the Wood is maintained for the benefit of the village and visitors throughout the year. Working Sessions offer a good workout(how small or intense is entirely up to you), with a good opportunity to also meet new people or catch up with old friends. In addition, with events like Coppicing, Pond Tidy Up/ Reed Cutting there is always the chance to learn something new. The Saturday dates for the sessions are as follows.

25 February Coppicing ......

20 May Clear up / Cut back .............

12 August Pond Island cut back .........

30 September Reed Cut ...

4 November Coppicing/ Bramble cut .....

Continued on page 28

GrangeMewsNewsFebruary2023

CommercialOffices, Industrial Units and Storage for Lease

WearepleasedtobegettingtheHeadsofTermsready forournewtenantsin3and4GrangeMews: wehopetoannouncetheirmovingdateinthenextissue.

Wealsohopetobeabletoannouncetheopening oftheverydelayedPublicRightofWay(PRoW), iftheinherentpoorunderfootconditionscanbesolved followingthepoorchoicebyEWRandOCCoftheroute throughthewettestpartofthewoodland.

Hardcoreiswaitingtobelaidonsomeofthetrack.

OurEditorhasremindedmeofthe25oCheatheissuffering soIamlookingattherecordofthesunonourPvarrays.

Onehassaved61.6tonnesofCarbonandanotherjust60.2tonnes, soLauntondoesgetsunlightsometimes.

WewillseehowmuchPvenergywecanput intotheelectriccars,comesummer.

Each session will run from 10amto noon: we welcome however long or little you can give to support us. We can only offer Saturday work sessions at the moment as we don’thave availability to lead sessions in the week. There may be ad hoc weekday sessions but we can't confirm these now.

Note about access to the Woodland in February 2023

We also have some contracted work (grant funded) happening in the Woodland during the working week in February. Please respect machinery and works on site, and keep your dogs on the lead during this time. If there is any safety risk then our contractors will close off the wood for their period of work to secure the health and safety of all users. Works in February include

Tree thinning work (AlchesterTree and Garden Services)

Habitat Pond installation (TLJenkinslandscaping)

Finish the installation of the hard path (TLJenkinslandscaping)

Coppice and clearing work VCV(Vale Countryside Volunteers)

Friends of Island Pond Woodland

WEARENOWBICESTER’SLONGEST-ESTABLISHED INDEPENDENTFAMILY-OWNED&RUNFUNERALDIRECTORS BICESTER’SONLYINDEPENDENTFAMILYFUNERALDIRECTOR

Acaringtraditional24hourservice ProvidedbyMrHancockandhisteampersonally

Timetogetwalkingagain!

WithSpringonitswaywestarttothinkaboutgettingout,walkinginthe beautifulEnglishcountryside,butwheretofindneworinterestingwalks?

WalkinginOxfordshirehttps://www.walkinginengland.co.uk/oxfordshire hasloadsofwalkstodownloadandprint,free.Italsohasbooksofwalks, detailsofthewalkinggroupsinthecounty,andmore.Whetheryouwantto walkonyourownorwithagroupalltheinformationisthereinoneplace.

JohnHarris(whomaintainsthewebsite)said“Thereissomuchwalking informationonthewebbutitisdifficulttofind.WalkinginOxfordshire (partoftheWalkinginEnglandwebsite)hasbroughtittogetherinone placesowhetheryouarewalkingfromhome,orawayonholiday,youwill beabletofindawalksuitableforyou.”.

Withwalksfromhalfamiletotwelve-plusmileslong,andanoteof suitabilityforpushchairsandwheelchairs,everyonecanfindawalktoenjoy. Sohomeoraway,checkoutthewebsitesandgetwalking!

JohnHarris|www.walkinginengland.co.uk| john@walkinginengland.co.uk

Stamp Swap extended to 31 July 2023

The Post Office has extended the deadline to swap out your old stamps from 31 January to 31 July 2023.

However, If you’vegot stamps without barcodes(apart from special picture and Christmas ones) it’llstill be worth getting it done sooner rather than later.

Royal Mail has organised a ‘stamp swap’ so you can simply replace your old stamps (including old ‘standard’ ones) with the new ones. However, this can’tbe done at the Post Office - you need to send them away.

But don’tpanic! It’squite easy - you just downloadthe 'Swap Out Form' from www.royalmail.com/sending/barcoded-stamps..

Count how many you’vegot to send back, calculate the total value and pop it in the post box - you don't even need to save a stamp to post them - it’sa freepost address!

The stamps are exchanged at the current market value:

First Class are £0.95 each

Second Class are £0.68 each

First Class Large Letter are £1.45

Second Class Large Letter are £1.05

Please note, though, that this is a Royal Mail initiative and is nothing to do with the Post Office in Costcutter. However, Costcutterdoes have copies of the forms if you are not able to print it off yourself. BicesterHeritageAprilScramble

23 April 2023 between 9amand 4pm

Local residents are eligible for a discount on tickets of 50% Gotohttps://bicesterheritage.co.uk/events/april-scramble-2023

FollowbookingstotheEventbritepage

then use the promocode BristolBoxkiteto get your discount. Enjoy the day!

At a special December meeting, Carol McGrathtalked to us about mediaeval Christmases, the feasting and customs. We also did a bit of feasting, with mulled wine, wassail beer and nibbles, brought by those attending. Carol had told us that suitable nibbles for the period could be gingerbread, mince pies, savoury little pies, sausages and shortbread and that’swhat we had. The mediaeval period that Carol covered was the years between the Norman conquest and Henry VIII.Christmas time, for those folk, lasted for many weeks, and centred round the winter solstice. Houses were decorated with evergreens from Christmas Eve. Spices abounded, for the well off. The poor got the leftovers. (Most of Carol’stalk focused on the festivities of the wealthy.) Mince pies had 13 spices. The shopping list of the Countess of Leicester included 6lb ginger, 1lbsaffron and 6lbcinnamon. Spice merchants did a lot of travelling around Christmas. Yule logs were important and they were required to burn for 12 days without going out.

It was a religious festival and it was customary to go to church before the traditional big dinner. Families would gather together to eat and drink. The meal began with plum porridge – to line the stomach; this was a thick broth of mutton or beef boiled with plums, breadcrumbs and wine. Brawn was served, with lots of spices and gilded with rosemary. There might be a boars head on the table, carried in to the sound of trumpets. Peacock might be served, or larks, pigeons, partridges and quail. A pie could have goose, fowl, two ducks, two partridges and two pigeons. It would be bad luck to cut that pie with a knife - a spoon would be used. Stuffing would have herbs with medicinal qualities - sage, thyme, marjoram. The poor would eat pork and birds they caught. In all, for the rich, there were twelve days of feasting. On 29 December, for example, there would be roast swan. The cooked swan would be dressed again with its feathers, for displaying on the table.

Twelfth Night, celebrating the arrival of the Three Wise Men or

Kings,was a big event - as big as Christmas Day. But New Year’sEve wasn’tcelebrated. On 7 January (the day after Twelfth Night) women unwrapped their domestic tools from the decorative ivy around them and got back to work. Men returned a little later - sometimes not until 2 February. A bit of the Yule log would be saved for next year and some ashes would be saved to help with toothache. Perhaps this has given you some ideas for your celebrations next Christmas. Meanwhile, here is our programme of speakers for the first half of this year (we have just heard DrSimon Wenhamtalk about Poverty, Pestilence and Public Health in Victorian Britain):

23 February Churches have Memories - ChristopherYoung (about the memorials in StEdburg’s)

30 March Can Onions Cure earache? Medical advice from the 1700sMelanieKing

27 April Cotswold Cornucopia - SeanCallery

25 May Romans of Oxfordshire - Marie-LouiseKerr

29 June The AscottMartyrs - Carol Anderson

The Launton Historical Society meets on the last Thursday of the month in the Parish Hall: meetings start at 7.30pm.New members are always welcome

GwenSkinner CanyousparesometimetohelpLauntonLines Wearestilllookingforsupport inthefinancialsideofrunningLauntonLines.

Doyouhaveafinanceorbook-keepingbackground?

Canyouspareabout3-4hoursamonthofyourtime?

Canyouproduceinvoicesforadvertisers?

Canyouthenfollowupinvoicesandgetpaymentin?

Wanttoknowmore?Contactlauntonlines@launton.org

Memories of an ex-Launton Boy

Thismonththeex-LauntonBoythinksaboutNewYear’sResolutions. Hismindgoestonewsreportsofthe‘roadchaos’causedbyaccidents ontherecentblackice,thentothetopicofdriving.Heremembersthe SundayAfternoonDriversofhisyouth,andtellsofhisfamilytripsto Woburn,andthedifferentwaysLauntonpeopleusedtogettoworkor totown.ThenhejoinsTheGrumpyOldMenwithopinionsabout moderndrivinghabitsandgivessomeadvicetonewdriverstoday.

Well,hereweareintoanotherNewYearalreadyandIwonderhow manyNewYear’sResolutionshavefallenbythewayside.Forachange Ididnotmakeanysuchpromisesforthisyear,whatwithallthe turmoiloflastyear,whoknowswhatisgoingtohappennextandwhat ournational-nevermindpersonal-circumstancesaregoingtobe?

Eventheweathercan’tseemtomakeupitsmindfromonedaytothe next.Iwokeuptoacoldsnapthismorningwiththetemperaturelast nighthavingapparentlydroppedto-9oC,whenforacoupleofdays lastweekIwasoutdoorswearingapoloshirt.

Thenewsthismorningannouncedanumberofroadclosures,notdue tosnowdrifts,forwe’vehadnosnow,buttheroadsweresoicythere havebeenmultiplecollisionsduetoblackice.Thereseemtobetwo reasonsfortheaccidents:firstly,despitenewswarningsinadvance,the road-gritterswerenotoutandaboutgrittingtheroadslastnight,and secondly,peoplehaveatendencynottodriveaccordingtotheroad conditions.

IthasbeenfiftysixyearssinceIpassedmydrivingtest(firsttime) whenIwastaughttodriveinthearmy.Idon’tknowwhatorhowthey conductdriver-trainingandtestsintheUKthesedays,butitseemsto metheremaybeafewgapingholesintheprocess,especiallywhenyou seehowsomepeopledriveeveningooddrivingconditions.

WhenIwasaveryyoungladgrowingupinLaunton,relativelyfew peopleinthevillagedrovequitesimplybecauserelativelyfewpeople ownedacar.Butthisbegantochangeaspeoplebecameslightlymore affluent,whenanumberofoldermalesinthevillagewhohadserved

inthearmedforcesduringWWIIandlearnedtodrive,wouldgoout andbuyasecondorthirdhandcaronthenever-neverinwhichthey tookthegreatestofpride.Manyofthesepeoplehadneverpasseda drivingtest:theyhadjustlearnedtodriveintheforces.Andsobegan theeraofthe‘SundayAfternoonDriver.’

Thecarwouldrarelybeusedtotransportonetoworkastherewere readymeansforthatinthevillage,dependingonwhereoneworked andhowfaronewouldhavetotravel.Mydadusedtodriveaprivate coachforHaroldMorrisofMarshGibbonthatwouldpickupin LauntonandsurroundingvillagestotakeworkerstotheBicester Garrison/OrdnanceDepot,otherwisereferredtoas‘Arncot’,justone ofthevillagesencompassedwithinamuchlargergarrisonthanthatof today.Others,withnotsofartotravel,wouldusuallycycle.Infact, GeorgeGregoryofIvyCottage,StationRoad(choristerandbellringer ofLauntonchurch)usedtocycletoArncottoworkinhisveryupright andstraight-backedridingposition,andinallweathers.

ButbacktotheSundayafternoondrivers…thecar,withimmaculately polishedbodyworkandgleamingchrome,wouldbebroughtproudly outontotheroadafterSundaydinnerwasdoneanddusted,justtotake thefamilyoutfor‘alittlerun’onSundayafternoonsto‘somewhere nice’withmaybealightpicniconboard.Dadwouldtakeussometimes toWoburnAbbey,seatoftheDukeofBedford.Weneverwentinto thehousebutwouldhaveapicnicinthedelightfulgrounds.

Formany,especiallyafewyearslaterwhenthepaceoflife,evenin Launton,begantopickupabit,theSundayAfternoonDriverbecame thescourgeofthehighwaysastheypootledalongatthatreally awkwardspeed,especiallyonbendycountryroads.Youknowtheones Imean:tooslowtowanttofollowforveryfarbutjusteversoslightly toofasttobeabletocomfortablyorsafelyovertake.Ihavetosaythat dadwasneveroneofthem,possiblybecausedrivingatthetimewashis livelihood.Funnilyenoughdadnevertookaconventionaldrivingtest, havingbeentaughtinthearmytodrivebattletankswithsteeringtillers asopposedtoasteeringwheel,andtracksinsteadofwheels.

Evengoingbackto1966,whenIpassedmytestinthearmydrivinga

long-wheel-baseLandRovertherewerecertainthingswhichwewere taughtwhichIquestionastowhethertheyaretaughttoday.

Nothingfrustratesmemorethanfollowingsomeonewhoeffectively drivesontheirbrakes.Havetheyneverbeentaughtwhatagearboxis for?Readtheroadahead,changegearaccordinglyandinsomany instances,nobrakesneedtobeappliedatall.(Ofcourse,thiswas beforethedaysofautomatictransmissions.)Handsignals;wewere taughtallthe‘appropriateandpolite’handsignalsincaseofelectrical failuretotrafficators,buttodaymostdriverswouldn’thaveaclueas towhatonewastryingtoconveybywayofahandsignal.Andwhat aboutgivingwaytotrafficcomingupthehillorincline?NowayJose! Theymustgetthroughthatgapfirst,nomatterwhat.Goodmanners ontheroad(andeverywhereelse)seemtobeathingofthepastfor themostpart.

Backinthedaywealloratleastmostofusabidedbythoseunwritten rules,orseemedto.Roadragehadn’tbeeninvented,atleastnotinour neckofthewoodsaroundLauntonandsurroundingvillages.

So,whatweneedisareturntocertainthingsastheyusedtobeonthe road.Iknowtherearemanymorevehiclesontheroadsthesedays, whichtomymindmakesitevenmoreimperative.Weshouldalllearn tobecourteoustootherroadusersandtopedestrians.Learntoread theroadaheadinsteadoffaffingaroundwithamobilephoneorsome otherfancydistractinggadget,andtakethenecessaryactionlike changinggearinsteadofincessantlytappingthebrakepedaland creatingadominoeffectbehind,sometimesresultinginunnecessary shuntsandinsuranceclaims.Driveaccordingtotheweatherandthe roadconditions.Movequicklyandsafelyoutofthewaywhenan emergencyvehicleneedstogetthrough.Justthink,youcouldbeone ofthosepatientsinanambulanceonalife-or-deathmission.

Thinkingaboutit,whatagoodNewYear’sResolutionthatwouldbe, andonewellworthstickingto.

KeepwellandStaySAFE!

Diary Dates: February 2023

Inthecurrentsituation,itisdifficulttobespecificaboutvillageevents.Listedarethosewe knowareplanned-butcheckwithorganisersnearerthedateifyouplantoattend.

FEBRUARY2023

Wednesday 1 Over60sClubMeeting,SportsandSocialHall,startsat1.45pm,endsabout 3.30pm

Thursday 2 ParishCouncilMeeting,PublicSession7.15pm,CouncilMeeting7.30pm, ParishHall

Sunday 5 StMary’sChurch,HolyCommunion(BCP),8am;FamilyService,11am | WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday 6 WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm

Tuesday 7 RubbishCollection:garbagebin |CommunityCafé,ParishHall:9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm | RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Thursday 9 WIMeeting:StephenBarkeron HarditSinghMalik, The Flying Sikh of the 1st World War,ParishHall,7.30pm

Friday 10 SCOTSMeeting,TheBull,from5.30pm

Sunday 12 StMary’sChurch,BCPEvensong,6pm | WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday 13 SchoolHalf-TermHolidaystartsforthisweek | WatercolourArtClass, ParishHall,2pm-4pm

Tuesday 14 RubbishCollection:recyclingandgardenbins | NoCommunityCaféthis week-SchoolHalfTerm | RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Wednesday15 Over60sClubMeeting,SportsandSocialHall,startsat12.30pm,withlunch andthebaropenandendsabout3.30pm | LVPPantomime Hickory DickoryDock,CooperSchoolPerformanceHall,2.30pmand7.30pm

Thursday 16 LVPPantomime Hickory DickoryDock,CooperSchoolPerformanceHall, 10.30amand2.30pm

Friday 17 LVPPantomime Hickory DickoryDock,CooperSchoolPerformanceHall, 2.30pmand7.30pm

Saturday 18

FINAL DATE FOR COPY FOR THE MARCH 2023 ISSUE OF LAUNTON

LINES: SUBMIT TO launtonlines@launton.org | LVPPantomime Hickory DickoryDock,CooperSchoolPerformanceHall,7.30pm

Sunday 19 StMary’sChurch,MorningPrayer,11am | WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday 20

BacktoSchoolafterthehalf-termholiday | WatercolourArtClass,Parish Hall,2pm-4pm

Tuesday 21 RubbishCollection:garbagebin | CommunityCafé,ParishHall:9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm | RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Wednesday22 StMary’sChurch,AshWednesdayService,11am

Thursday 23

LauntonHistoricalSociety,ChristopherYoungon Churches have Memories (about the memorials in StEdburg’s),ParishHall,7.30pm

Sunday 26 StMary’sChurch,HolyCommunion,11am | WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday 27

Tuesday 28

WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm

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