Issue 239
September 2020
Photos from Claire Finn
The Under 10’s are back on the park for the first time since March
Girl’s Football Under 10’s at practice (left), and after their first friendly of the season.
Around the village in the past month One of the WI handmade birthday cards from Liz Collyer, see report on pages 18-19. Photo from Launton WI Sunflower in Launton. Photo by Ella Rayner, our Staff Photographer
Howard and Liz Hill are very proud to announce the arrival of two beautiful grandchildren Huey born 11/07/20 (in white) and Lyla born 30/07/20 (in blue). We are thrilled to bits. Congratulations to both sets of parents. Xx Photo from Howard Hill Getting back to some sort of normal. Front cover shows members of the Launton Girls Under 10 Team at practice on the Playing Fields, on 20 August. See pages 36-37 for report on the Club, and above for more pictures. Photo by Claire Finn.
The Editor writes …
There is already a feeling of autumn in the air - welcome after the oppressive heat last month. It has been easy to forget the wet winter last year through this hot summer, but the last few weeks have reminded me of the power of English rain. The mix of rain and warmth has produced bumper crops from my garden, and this promises a well-stocked Produce Sale on 12 September (pages 35 and 48). We have to find ways of shifting those courgettes! There are some signs of returns to some normality. Health Walks are now freely available (no need to book ahead - see page 15). The Boys (pages 30-31) and Girls (pages 36-37) Football are back in training and playing matches, and the front cover features a training session of the Under 10’s. Unfortunately page 29 reports there will be no outdoor Aunt Sally games this year. This issue also has an interesting piece (pages 10-12) from Stephen Hopkins about the government-funded Gigabit Voucher Scheme supporting installation of fibre broadband to homes and small businesses. Launton is eligible as a rural village, and it must be worth following this up. We also have the historical reports from 100 and 150 years ago (pages 14 and 45) back as Pat Tucker has won her battle with her laptop and has been able to pass on her information. There are appeals from Launton Lines (page 9) for people to join the delivery team, and from Bicester Green (pages 28-29) for people to join their group that reconditions bikes. We also recognise the work of East West Rail in repairing the road and car park behind the Parish Hall (see page 26 for photos), and in the Parish Council report (pages 5-8), and from EWRA (page 13). The report on local businesses responding to Covid-19 covers Bicester Glass (page 32) and Magnificent Microgreens (page 17). Finally, following the impact of Covid19, The Village Players have announced that they have decided not to put on their 2021 Panto in February (page 16), and PHIP is following up refunds from the postponed Tythe Barn Quiz (page 27). Robert Cornford
Launton Lines
A monthly newsletter for Launton. Published around the first of each month by the Launton Community Communications Group © 2020 Launton Lines email: launtonlines@launton.org The Launton Lines Committee 2019-2020 Jon Spinage, Chair Jenni Walker, Advertising Manager Robert Cornford, Editor | 241883 Michael Stack, Treasurer | 242600 Kathy Gilbert, Associate Editor Shirley Johnson, Distribution | 369269
Contact the Parish Council Council Clerk | Mrs Jane Olds Address | 13 Oak Close, Bicester, OX26 3XD email | clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk Phone | 01869 247171
To book the Parish Hall Contact: Joan Packer Phone: 07903 610405 Parish Hall Committee: Christine Massey; Audrey Deeley; Lynne Harper; Joan Packer; Simon Turner, Robert Cornford
LIGHT UP A LIFE
Would you like to sponsor an evening’s floodlighting at St. Mary’s Church in memory of a loved one, to give thanks for the birth of a child, or to celebrate a baptism, birthday or wedding? A minimum donation of £10 is suggested which can be Gift Aided. Please contact Joan Packer on 01869 241694 by 20 September for entry in the October 2020 issue of Launton Lines. 4 September | Sponsored by Mary Brydon remembering my school friend Laelia 19 September | Sponsored by Pam and Mike Smart celebrating our Golden Wedding Anniversary 21 September | Remembering Edward Cannon [Eddie] on his 95th birthday with love from Helen and all the family. We miss you every day. 22 September | Sponsored by Daphne Bellman in loving memory of my parents Lottie and Victor Bellman on their wedding anniversary. 27 September | Congratulations to Nora Edwards on your 100th Birthday, from all your friends at Launton Over 60’s Club
A MESSAGE FROM ST MARY’S CHURCH A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO ALL OUR FRIENDS WHO ARE SUPPORTING US THROUGH PRAYER AND BY PROVIDING MUCH-NEEDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT DURING THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES BLESSINGS Revd Peter revpeterwright@gmail.com 01869 573177 / 07966 531921 Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 4
Launton Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 6 August 2020 at 7.30pm online via Zoom Councillors present Mr James Allpress, Mrs Lizzie Chisholm, Mr Chris Fox (Vice Chair), Mr Mike Murphy, Mr Ed Sanders, Mrs Lesley Thompson, Mr Simon Turner (Chair) Apologies None In attendance The Clerk, Mrs Jane Olds; six members of the public; one East West Rail representative; and Cllr Ian Corkin (until 7.50pm) Reports from District and County Councillors Cllr Corkin (OCC) reported that he had convened a meeting with the Parish Council and representatives from the local MP, East West Rail and OCC on 23 July following the closure of the Bicester Road on 22 July. A number of points had been made and had been taken on board by both EWR and OCC. There had been a slight increase in COVID-19 cases in East Oxford. Both the District and County Councils were examining the current year’s budget because of the consequences of the additional unexpected expenditure (much of which had not been funded by central Government) as a consequence of the pandemic. Of additional concern were consequences for next year. Finance The Finance Report was available on the Parish Council website. Special grant application The Parish Council agreed to help with support for the shortfall incurred on the April edition of Launton Lines if the application to CDC’s COVID support grant was unsuccessful. Planning All planning applications, which include the links to Cherwell’s Planning Portal, are put on the Parish Council website when they are received (www.launton-pc.gov.uk -in the Agenda and Minutes section). If a villager has concerns about a planning application, they are welcome to come along to Parish Council meetings to raise those concerns. Cherwell District Council Local Plan Review 2040 The Parish Council would be considering the consultation at the September meeting, but villagers are invited to make their own responses on https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/83/local-plans/729/local-plan-review2040---planning-for-cherwell-to-2040 East / West Rail We hope you’ve seen the July EWR newsletter, available on the Parish Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 5
Council website at https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2020/07/EWR2_Newsletter_Bicester_Launton.pdf Ms Sa’id apologised for the inconvenience caused by the Bicester Road closure and assured the meeting that the works outside the compound were now complete. The future allotment access works were likely to be traffic light controlled. The two-storey cabins at the A1 Compound off the Bicester Road would start to be installed from 10 August. The archaeology on Mill Meadow will be backfilled once the archaeology project was complete. It was understood that a Roman road had been discovered together with parts of a wagon and some bones. A temporary car park had had to be created at the A2 Compound to accommodate additional cars as the minibus transport from the A1 Compound could not be used at present. The traffic lights at the Station Road crossing had been installed and the haul road was complete. A list of future closures is being compiled at present. A detailed information board was due to be installed by Mill Meadow. Village Matters Parish Hall The documents had been forwarded in their current form to the Diocesan Board of Trustees and a number of issues, which should have been clarified and resolved by the PCC’s solicitor had been raised. Further information was awaited. The Clerk was pleased to report that following a meeting with representatives from East West Rail, the EWR team were prepared, as part of their outreach project, to help do basic repairs to the car park and road using the equipment available at the Compound. They had agreed to fill all the potholes and make good the surface with a temporary fix. These repairs do not include the section of roadway from Bicester Road up to the car park, for which Oxfordshire County Council has the maintenance responsibility. Village Support Group The name had been fixed as the Launton Village Support Group. It is still possible for volunteers to sign up on the Parish Council website. Station Road Crossroads The County Council acknowledged that the crossroads are difficult to negotiate; however, the Council accepted County’s opinion that they did not fund or install road mirrors on the public highway because: the information that the mirrors provide differs from individual to individual, particularly due to perception of speed and distance etc; Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 6
the reflected image can be distorted for a variety of reasons including
glare from sunlight or headlamps which affected the driver’s vision; visibility issues during bad weather (rain, snow, frost); they were prone to vandalism; the reliance on the mirror’s restricted image may compromise the safety of other road users (pedestrians and cyclists) who do not appear in the mirror. The Parish Council will discuss the parking issues separately with the Police as the Highway Code already makes provision that cars should not be parked within 10 metres of a junction. War Memorial The Council hopes to be able to get a working party together to clean the stonework. Sherwood Close shrubbery work By the time you read this, the work on the shrubbery part of the grass area in Sherwood Close should have been tidied up. We now have a contract with a local gardener who will come in five times a year to tidy up that area and then he’ll also tidy up the shrubs on the wall-side twice a year. We hope that this will improve the area for all. Speedwatch Vehicle Activated Sign Councillor Corkin had suggested that the Parish Council may like to join a consortium of parishes to buy a sign which could be shared. This would probably necessitate the village having its own Speedwatch volunteers. Please let Jane know (clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk) if you’d like to help. Facebook and mailing lists The Parish Council now has its own Facebook page. Please ‘like’ our page at https://www.facebook.com/LauntonParishCouncilPage/ We will be posting useful information on there as we receive it but will also use the Parish Council website to keep everyone as up to date as possible. However, we are unable to monitor it 24 hours a day and so if you would like to contact us or have an opinion about something, email (or even a letter) is the best way to get in contact. You may also like to sign up to our mailing list which is at the bottom of the left hand menu of the website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk. This will only be used for Parish Council and essential village news - please sign up! Agenda items for the next meetings Please let the Clerk have any items for the next agenda by 20 August with any items for the October agenda by 17 September. Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 7
Dates of next meetings Thursday 3 September and Thursday 1 October, currently both on Zoom at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/76605157135 (meeting ID: 766 0515 7135). Both start at 7.30pm.
As with in-person meetings we will start at 7pm for anyone who wishes to raise anything with the Council, look at planning applications or at other meeting papers, and will then start the formal meeting at 7.30pm. Full minutes are available on the Parish Council Notice Boards in the village (by The War Memorial and on the wall of the Parish Hall), and on the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk
ADVANCE NOTICES
Bicester Heritage / Bicester Motion Don’t forget that representatives from Bicester Motion have been invited to the September Parish Council meeting on 3 September. Do book the time in your diary and join the meeting online to hear about their plans. Road Closures On Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 September and on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 September, Station Road will be closed for more EWR works. Also, the road to Stratton Audley from the Station Road / Marsh Gibbon / Poundon crossroads will be closed for one day on 21 September for patching works. This Daytime bridge is not related to EWR work. Friendly bridge More information is available on the at Bicester Bridge Club Road Closure section of the Parish We haven’t stopped playing bridge; Council website.
we’ve just gone online! Thursdays from 10.00am to 12.30pm
Road closure from April 2021 advance warning On current advice, Station Road It’s dead easy to join us will be closed for construction work on the bridge to replace the level More details at: www.bridgewebs.com/bicesterlearning crossing, from April 2021 for “about a year”. This is part of East West Give me a ring and I’ll explain: Rail work. Ken Langdon on 07850 616069
Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 8
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Launton Lines Distributors - an appeal Shirley Johnson is the coordinator of the team who distribute Launton Lines around the village. She has asked us to put out an appeal for some more volunteers to join the group, as there are some people who we know will be moving soon, and some who are just getting on a bit and may not be able to face another winter of deliveries. If you would like to help (it’s about an hour once a month usually in the first few days) please contact Shirley on 01869 369269 or the editor, Robert, on 01869 241883, or email launtonlines@launton.org. Thank you for considering this contribution to the village. It offers some gentle exercise, and the chance to meet your neighbours. Launton Congregational Chapel
There will be no Sunday services at Launton Chapel because of the Coronavirus, for the foreseeable future. We will advise readers when services start again Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 9
GIGABIT VOUCHER for Launton The HM.GOV Rural Gigabit Voucher Scheme entitles people or SME businesses to apply for vouchers up to a certain value that would enable them to have fibre installed up to the front door of your home or to your SME business. For full detail refer to https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk (but see the note below on eligibility) In principal the criteria are: Rural setting i.e. post code and Launton plus surrounding areas within or next to Launton OX26 qualify (but see note below on eligibility) The current commercially available connectivity is less than 100Mb/s and most if not all the premises in Launton qualify (but see note below on eligibility) HM.GOV Vouchers for a home is valued at £1,500 and for a SME business registered within Launton can be up to a value of £3,500 These vouchers are available to people and businesses within the Launton area and it would depend on at least two people/homes and or businesses applying for their vouchers. AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON ELIGIBILITY
If you go to the website gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk you’ll find an option to check if you are eligible for the scheme. Fill in the postcode check box with a Launton Postcode, and you will get a message like this “Unfortunately this postcode is not eligible for a Gigabit Broadband Voucher. Our data suggests that either broadband providing speeds of 100Mbps is already available in this postcode or it is not in a rural location.”
Unfortunately, indeed, this statement is incorrect on both counts. The broadband speeds in Launton are between 65.8Mbps and 74Mbps (the variation depends on which source you use to check the speeds) - well under 100Mbps. And Launton is classified by DEFRA as a rural location - see the website https://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx then click on Administrative Boundaries, then Other Admin Boundaries, then Rural Areas with Local Enterprise Partnerships, then the i tab on the top bar and type in the Post Code. While most of the OX26 post code is Bicester and so Urban, the Launton parts are Rural.
Homes within villages in the Oxfordshire area have tended to opt for one supplier to install as the value of vouchers to one of the active providers in Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 10
the area means they act promptly. The HM.GOV Rural Gigabit Voucher website lists several companies available to the Launton area who can and will install fibre to your front door and there’s no requirement that just one installer/supplier can undertake the work for a single village, but each village needs to have at least two voucher applications per potential supplier. The following is not a comment on the companies offering the service, but there’s a variable quality of installation and service available so there will be some more reliable than others. A significant application to one supplier would probably spark the interest of the better-quality providers. On average it takes up to 12 months to complete the installation of fibre to your door. And there has been a requirement to use the installer’s/service provider’s broadband product for at least 12 months after installation. After that you can keep the fibre as the HM.GOV Voucher scheme has paid for the installation; you can seek a new provider of broadband services after your initial 12 months have finished. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed people’s lifestyles overall and there’s a greater reliance on the provision of reliable (greater speeds, greater reliability) broadband services. The benefits of fibre to home are tangible in that the availability of speeds up to 1 Gigabit capacity, with very low latency, is a great benefit: To those working from home; To those with greater reliance on entertainment and at-home leisure being provided over the Internet; To the youngsters and the gamers of Launton who will consume fast fibre broadband to the door without inevitable competition with others for broadband capacity; To all residents who share a home with high-usage broadband users (gamers and video streamers), who will not be in competition; The dread of buffering services disappears for all users; And of course it will bring real extra value to the property. I shall be approaching Gigaclear based in Abingdon about having fibre installed to our house, as DCMS are open to being challenged on eligibility. Indeed they are challenged on a regular basis, as the installation companies and individuals are finding that the DCMS website is inaccurate and puts people off applying. So I’m confident to let Gigaclear apply for a voucher on my behalf. If other people want to approach Gigaclear with the same evidence then Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 11
Gigaclear will take it forward to claim the respective voucher value to install fibre broadband. If you do apply, if you drop me an email when you receive your voucher, we may be able to get together and approach a suitable installer. For the purpose of this scheme I can be contacted on launtonfibre@outlook.com. If you have any questions do contact me before applying, too. There have been issues with the past schemes in that each individual has to validate the voucher on receipt (check your spam mail box just in case you cannot find it!) and then on completion of the installation, which then enables the installer to claim the full value of the voucher for the installation. The HM.GOV voucher schemes work with set timelines, and as the 2019 Urban Voucher scheme has ended then the 2020 Rural Gigabit Voucher Scheme is now open and available to apply for HM.GOV funded vouchers. Let’s share and enjoy the journey to having fibre installed to our doors in Launton! Stephen Hopkins
Osteopath reopened Hannah, the local Osteopath, has now reopened.
Try bridge for free Friendly bridge at Bicester Bridge Club We haven’t stopped teaching bridge; we’ve just gone online! Come online for a free taster on 15 September or 6 October at 2.00 pm You may then choose to join the next course for Beginners starting in October 2020
It’s dead easy to join us
Hannah treats all ages, and all types of pain, including low back pain, neck pain, hip pain, as well as stress and injuries, and pain prevention
Call on 01869 640315 email at osteotherapies@gmail.com www.hannahosteopath.business.site Hannah Clinging Osteopath Grange Mews, Launton OX26 5EG
More details at: www.bridgewebs.com/bicesterlearning Give me a ring and I’ll explain: Ken Langdon on 07850 616069 Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 12
The third regular report from The East-West Rail Alliance (EWRA)
Our main Bicester compound just off the roundabout on Bicester Road is currently being constructed. We have previously been working from a small compound that was erected in 2019. Our new site entrance is now complete, and the adjacent road has been upgraded to an anti-skid surface. Recently, 32 cabins were delivered to the site with the plan to set up 2 storey extensions. These cabins will serve as offices and for storage of materials, as well as welfare facilities for construction staff. We are currently waiting for the site across the compound to be given the go ahead by the archaeological specialists, so that we can proceed with further construction. The archaeological excavations are in preparation for the reconstruction of the old railway line and the construction of the new footbridge. We will soon be able to start backfilling the land to facilitate the construction of the compound. Thaina Sa’id | EWR Community Liaison Officer There are some photos of current work on page 24-26.
Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 13
100 Years Ago from September 1920 From The Bicester Advertiser 24 September LAUNTON WEDDING On September 15th at the Parish Church of St Mary, a pretty wedding took place between Mr Charles Henry Cherry, of Stratton Audley, and Miss Dorothy Simons, fourth daughter of Mr John Simons of Launton. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a white silk dress, wreath and veil, and carried a nice bouquet. The bridesmaids were Miss F Cherry and Miss Flossie Simons, sister of the bridegroom and bride respectively. Mr FG Simons acted as best man. The Rev Dr Burton (rector) who officiated, gave an appropriate address to the newly married couple. The bride and bridegroom were the recipients of many useful presents. From The School Logbook Thursday Sept 16th Examined the Registers. FM Burton. Friday Sept 17th Average for the week 79.8. Several children absent for potato-gathering during this week. Friday Sept 24th Ordinary routine during the past week. Average 80. Three children have been absent for one day this week potatopicking. Tuesday Sept 28th Miss Pheasant (Lady Health Visitor) paid her usual monthly visit this afternoon.
Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 14
Health Walks Update
The Health Walks re-started on 4 August at the usual day, time and place Tuesday, 2pm, at The Bull. As guidance on numbers has been relaxed, there is no need to pre-book a place on the walk. We are back to the ‘just turn up’ arrangements. All are welcome to join us. Parking is available in The Bull car park, toilets are also available, and we end the walk with tea/coffee/biscuits, etc. in The Bull after the walk. Thanks are due to Brandon and Karen for having suitable arrangements in place for a safe gathering, outside if the weather co-operates.
David Gilbert, Walk Leader
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Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 15
Launton Village Players Pantomime 2021 - Dick Whittington In this uncertain world we have had to take a long look at whether we can produce a pantomime in February 2021.‌. After much thought we have sadly taken the decision to postpone our 2021 pantomime Dick Whittington. In the current situation it seems the best way forward to ensure everyone is kept safe and well, although we have done this with heavy hearts as we know how important pantomime is to families, the cast and crew and to the local community. Panto is a unique collaboration and we have all created many happy memories and will hugely miss making more. For us the planning starts to increase in the summer with hall bookings, safeguarding, finalising the script, and planning the programme so it was the right time to think it all through and to make this decision, even though we don’t perform until February. Government guidelines are uncertain about live performances and when they may be allowed, even with social distancing. Performing a socially distanced pantomime would present all sorts of challenges and could take away the heart of pantomime and limit that wonderful unique characteristic of pantomime - audience participation. We also have a duty of care to our cast, crew and, of course, our audiences so this means we cannot risk any chance of infection, and to be sure of that we have had to make the painful, but correct, decision to postpone. The one thing we can aim for is to present Dick Whittington in 2022 and to hope for healthier times in the future. There will be a pantomime in the future, oh yes there will! Launton Village Players would like to say a big thank you for all your past support and your understanding in the current situation. We really look forward to seeing you again in our audiences in the future. Meanwhile - Keep safe and well. Celia, Martin, Julia, and Lesley (trustees of LVP) Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 16
A newish business from Launton
Magnificent Microgreens, where Jenni and Richard Walker grow the finest and tastiest microgreens that pack a nutritional punch way above their weight and size., started in June 2018. Microgreens are the shoots of salad and vegetables picked just after the first leaves have developed and contain up to 40 times more nutrition than their mature counterparts. Magnificent Microgreens grow in organic soil from organic seeds and are harvested by hand to get the freshest produce to customers by delivering on the same day as harvest. Magnificent Microgreens started supplying local chefs and with regular stands at farmers’ markets, selling direct to consumers. Microgreens offer consumers the chance to pack nutrition and flavour into a variety of dishes, and chefs to add a sidekick of flavour to dishes, or even to be the spotlight on a dish. Last year the magazine Love British Food named Magnificent Microgreens their Producer of the Month. Since lockdown Jenni Walker has continued to grow both the microgreens and the business.
Why do you do what you do? I’m a farmers’ daughter and am delighted to be back to my roots - in more ways than one! And I love the intense flavour from such small shoots. What do you enjoy about your job? The fresh air, growing food naturally, using the best organic ingredients to produce the tastiest crops. What do you enjoy least about your job? High winds - there is always a sigh of relief when the polytunnel is still standing next morning! What advertising slogan suits your food? “British Food - Fit to be Bit!” How can people get hold of your produce? We sell at local farmers’ markets and supply a few local chefs. Before lockdown we opened a monthly market in Launton Parish Hall and planned a pop up shop on Saturday mornings at the farm. We are also looking at selling online. Contact me to find out our current plans. What other approaches have you developed? We worked with many different outlets, trying different things, but the lockdown stopped us developing many of these. And what about since lockdown? We have done lots with another Launton start-up - Feast Grazing run by Vicky Hedger, who have been producing “lockdown boxes” of beautifully presented and beautiful-tasting platters and hampers, including Cream Teas, Brunches, and a very fancy Ploughmans. To find out more about Magnificent Microgreens, search online: Website magnificentmicrogreens.co.uk Facebook @MagnificentMicrogreens Twitter @MagnificentMic5 Instagram @MagnificentMicrogreens Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 17
Launton Women’s Institute August 2020
At last we can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel! We held our first Committee meeting since March in Cathy’s garden. It was really good to see everyone again and to be able to talk face to face (socially distanced of course!) and it certainly made discussing a rather long agenda of accumulated items much easier. High on the list was when we can think of holding our regular monthly meetings again but obviously this depends on a number of issues. The good news is that the Parish Hall Committee is working on its risk assessment and we will consult that when drawing up our own. We’re also exploring the idea of holding Zoom meetings in the meantime. This month Gwen and Wendy were the lucky recipients of Liz’s delightful birthday cards (see picture on page 2). The National Federation is planning to hold its Annual Meeting in the Royal Albert Hall in April 2021. It’s bound to be an even more special occasion not only because the 2020 meeting had to be cancelled but also because it will be in the Royal Albert Hall’s 150th anniversary year. WIs
Grange Mews News August 2020 Commercial Offices, Industrial Units and Storage for Lease
I wrote in February of the coach trip to Newcastle for Oxford United fans. What a difficult year since, but at least the Soccer season appears to be finished and raring to go but without spectators. Even the buses are readied for the new season for schools and sport, and after a quiet summer, the roads are as busy as ever. I am reminded that I was extolling the success of Bicester Car and Van Hire who have eked out the lean months of summer and are now again popular with trade and populace alike. EWR Compound No 2 is about to be constructed at Folly Cottage and more closures are anticipated on Station Rd. It is expected to be substantially smaller than EWR 1 by the roundabout but there will I suspect be more workers’ traffic. There appear to be numbers of invertebrates hiding in the regrown devegged hedges in the initial preparation. The pots by the newt fences had not interested most newts but a few toads had to be re homed. We were also reminded on VJ day of Arthur Hawes, born at Grange Farm. He was a one time Captain in Burma, and survived the rigours of the campaign and went on to lead a very full life.
We let offices and industrial space and can be found at pacox@grangemews.co.uk and our website www.grangemews.co.uk Phone 01869 252846 or 07711 778 230
have been asked to submit proposed Resolutions for voting upon at that meeting. Obviously it was very disappointing that we were unable to debate the Resolutions for 2020. In the end it was decided to adopt the two shortlisted selections - ‘A call to increase potential stem cell donor registration’ and ‘End modern slavery’. We were all very saddened by the announcement that the National Federation has decided to close Denman College. Those of us lucky enough to have attended courses there know what a wonderful institution it is, offering a huge range of subjects to be enjoyed in beautiful surroundings with lovely accommodation, expert tuition and delicious food, all for the price of a couple of nights in a mid-range hotel. They will continue the mission to educate and inspire through online courses. Many members have recently enjoyed the online talks offered by both Denman and OFWI. We continue to keep in touch with our members by email and telephone and look forward to the day when we can meet up in person again.
Gaye Cornford THE BLUE TEXEL FARMSHOP BUTCHERS & DELICATESSEN From our Farm to your Fork Fresh, local & seasonal produce
STATION ROAD, LAUNTON OX26 5DS www.thebluetexel.co.uk 01869 252619
OPENING HOURS TUESDAY - FRIDAY 8AM-5PM | SATURDAY 8AM-3PM SUNDAY 9AM-1PM | CLOSED MONDAYS Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 19
NEWS FROM ST MARY’S
We will have the following services in September 2020 6 September 10.00am Family Service 6 September 6.00pm Patronal Evensong 13 September 10.30am Holy Communion 20 September 10.30am Holy Communion 27 September 9.00am Holy Communion Please note that currently these Services are being delivered via Zoom. However, as restrictions on Church opening are gradually being lifted these details are subject to change so you are advised to check on the Launton Church Facebook page or to contact Revd Peter on revpeterwright@gmail.com or phone on 01869 573177 or mobile on 07966 531921
Other Activities and Events 12 September 10am-12noon Autumn Produce Stall See pages 35 and 48 for details 12 September all day Ride and Stride - Historic Churches See page 21 for details 10 October - 18 October Scarecrow Trail - a fundraiser See pages 33, 34 and 47 for details You are welcome to visit the Church which is open for private prayer on Sundays between 10.30am and 5pm. Donations to support the work of St Mary’s are always warmly welcomed and our bank details, should you need them, are: Barclays Bank plc, Market Square, Bicester Account name: Launton Churchwardens Sort Code 20-06-75 Account No 30566756 If you have any queries, please contact Celia Manderson by email at celiamanderson@aol.com or phone on 01869 571735 or mobile on 07710 224574 Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 20
Historic Churches Ride and Stride 12 September 2020 Ride and Stride is an annual event run by the Historic Churches Trust and this year will be taking place on a slightly different basis from usual due to the Covid-19 situation. However, basically it involves people from within the Church community or friends and supporters visiting churches throughout Oxfordshire either by walking or cycling and being sponsored to do so. The funds raised locally will be equally distributed between the Historic Churches Trust and St Mary’s Church. If you would be interested in being involved, by cycling or walking round or by sponsoring a participant, please contact Chris Frost on chrismefrost66@gmail.com. For more information on Ride and Stride in Oxfordshire, visit the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust website https://ohct.org.uk/
Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 21
The Island Pond Wood: A Continuing Story
Probably the most important day in the wood’s history was 11 December 1999 when the first steps were taken to transform the open field by planting 3,000 trees. Some 100 or so people turned out in miserable December weather to plant the whips provided by the Woodland Trust. There were many folks from the village plus quite a few from farther afield including several troops of Brownies. It turned out that there was a badge to be gained from participating in a planting session. Unfortunately the good old Launton clay was too hard for the Brownies to get a spade in, so some adults spent most of their time making suitable holes. Of course, it did not look much like a wood when we’d finished - rather a thicket of green tubes. You can get some idea of the day from a few more images from the Ed Hamill archives on page 23 opposite. If you’d like to know more about the wood and its story then you can do no better than to buy a copy of Pat Tucker’s excellent book available from islandpondwood.launton@gmail.com It is £3 for members of the Friends or £4.50 for non-members.
Bob Roberts
The Tale of the Blackcurrant Bushes from Launton I was delighted to be able to give away so many of the blackcurrant bushes mentioned in last month’s Launton Lines to so many interesting people. Some bushes have stayed in Launton: others have gone to different villages. But what most delighted me were the few that went to Yorkshire. My husband was a Lancashire Lad, but went to school in a village near York. A lady was visiting her son who lives in the village and had been trying to get some blackcurrant bushes for a while, so as luck would have it Launton Lines was delivered to her son on the Sunday morning, so she called down to see if she could have a few of the bushes. As you do, I asked if she lived in the village, and she explained she was visiting from Yorkshire. “Oh!” I said, “My husband went to school in a village called Pocklington.” “Well, that is where I live and my son also went to school there,” she replied. What a small world we live in. I hope all the bushes flourish in their new homes, wherever they may be
Pat Mitchell Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 22
Planting the Woodland in December 1999
These pictures from Ed Hamill’s archive capture the December day (cold, cloudy, damp, and wet underfoot) in 1999 when the woodland was planted by over 100 volunteers. See report on page 22, opposite. Photos by Ed Hamill.
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Some of the EWRA work in Launton last month Photo from EWRA
This page, building up the office block on Compound 1 Photo from EWRA
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Some of the EWRA work in Launton last month Photo from EWRA
Top, the completed office block. Below, Compound 2 under construction Photo by Peter Cox
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Filling in the potholes and worn out road behind the Parish Hall. Thank you to the workers from East West Rail. They went on to patch the road up to the Playing Fields.
Below the new landscaping at the Stone Lily salon. Left shows Louise Bucknell (on the right) and another stylist at the
All photos by Robert Cornford
salon, and the raised flower beds. Right, the flower-filled baskets. What a colourful entry to the village.
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Refunds for The Fourth Tythe Barn Quiz: a proposal The Fourth Tythe Barn Quiz that was to be held on 13 March this year had to be postponed on 24 hours’ notice as Covid-19 started affecting us all. At the time we had hoped it was a postponement, but it’s now clear that it was a cancellation, and we may be able to run another one in 2021. At the time we offered refunds to all who had bought tickets, and about half took up the offer. This leaves us with just over £400 unclaimed, we think as people hoped that the Quiz would be run later in the year. We now want to settle this and repeat the offer of refunds to those who still hold tickets. Some may want to treat the ticket as a donation to the two organisations we were raising money for: St Mary’s Church and the Parish Hall Improvement Project. So if we do not hear from people who want a refund by the end of September 2020 we will split the money left between the two groups. If you want a refund, contact the PHIP secretary, Celia Evans, on 01869 277625 by 30 September, with a note of your ticket numbers. Robert Cornford | Communications Officer, PHIP
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The September update from Bicester Green Growing sustainably, but more help needed
In these uncertain times it’s increasingly challenging to live a sustainable lifestyle, but maybe a visit to Bicester Green might help ignite renewed passion and ideas? It’s nearly a year since we acquired some additional workshop space and incredible woodwork equipment and tools at the Yard and the launch of our Sheds programme every Tuesday. And the wood workshop still proves popular with so many local residents who want to come and learn or share skills; it’s also incredible fun and in the last week or so has been the coolest place to be! But if you prefer two wheels our bike workshop is in need of additional volunteers to learn or share skills and experience when it comes to reconditioning bikes. We are very fortunate to have a highly experienced bike mechanic available to us most days that we are open at the moment (a happy outcome from Covid-19!), so if you want to learn, get involved or just come and see what our bikes is all about then swing along on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday and chat to Jim! While talking bikes, our Dr Bike programme, supported by Cherwell District Council and Healthy Bicester has so far this year already repaired nearly 100 bikes at sessions on the last Saturday of the month. We adapted the sessions to be appointment only and this has enabled us to accommodate and fix more bikes than before, so yet another positive coming out of Covid-19. Our TerraCycle programme continues apace, this scheme means that you can bring your Bread Bags, Baby food packets and pouches, Confectionery wrappers, Crisp packets, Ring carriers, Beauty product packaging, Biscuit and cracker packets, disposable gloves and Home hygiene packaging to Bicester Green and drop it into the correct box or bin as indicated on the label. See our website or Facebook page for full details of what can be recycled. Once our boxes and bins are full we package up the various plastic waste and send it off (for free) where it is then repurposed into all kinds of products that are sold or distributed amongst communities who need it the most, and for us we receive points per item or weight (depending on the programme). And what do points make? Yup, prizes! Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 28
But please, only leave the correct items in the corresponding box, if there isn’t a box for it then we can’t take it at all, so please don’t just leave it for us to have to deal with! We firmly believe if every single person did something to help the environment then together we can make a difference. www.bicestergreen.org.uk facebook.com/BicesterGreen Celia Cornforth
Aunt Sally : No outdoor games for 2020 We have had an update from our Aunt Sally correspondent and reporter that ALL outdoor Aunt Sally competition has been cancelled for this season. This is a real blow, with all three pubs in the village fielding teams last year, with considerable success in the leagues. Here’s looking forward to 2021 and the sound of wood on doll echoing round the village.
C B BATHROOMS Experienced Bathroom and Shower Installer and Tiler General Plumbing and Heating Maintenance Leadwork Specialist Chris Barrett 11 Spindleside, Southwold, Bicester, Oxon OX26 3XH Home | 01869 250861 Mobile | 07773 853 640 Email | barrett.c3@sky.com
Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 29
Launton Youth Football: the season starts
As with all aspects of life over these last few months, the biggest thing happening with our football club has been the changes that we have been facing as a result of COVID-19. The impact to sport worldwide has obviously been significant, and professional football is something that has been in the news constantly throughout the lockdown period, but grassroots football is considered just as important to many, particularly the thousands of children across the UK for whom team sport and outdoor activity is vital for their health and wellbeing. The Football Association which governs football at all levels has been very supportive and worked hard to help us get back up and running as quickly and as safely as possible, with regular communication and guidelines to help clubs such as ours plan and implement the changes that are needed to support a reintroduction to footballing activity. We are pleased to say that after a lengthy period of inactivity, we were able
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to restart training sessions in mid July, and our match days for the new season will be starting mid September, albeit with all of this subject to quite a few changes in terms of hygiene and social distancing! This includes changes to our training sessions, rules and procedures for parents and spectators, risk assessments for our own and other venues, purchase and usage of hygiene equipment, and introduction of a Track and Trace system, with all this needing to be applied across the 19 adult and junior teams we have at Launton! For our junior teams, we now have 11 boys teams and 5 girls teams, with new kids coming into the club at the youngest age groups, and some of the oldest from last season moving up to senior football. The club in general is growing and evolving, both in number of players and how we are operating as a club, and we are looking for any support from local companies who may be willing to help through sponsorship - further details can be found on our website here: https://www.launtonfootballclub.co.uk/sponsors.aspx Graeme Stoddart
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After the lockdown: Launton Businesses Report Part 2
We contacted a number of local businesses to ask how they had managed since lockdown, and had some interesting answers. Here is the response from Adrian Jack at Bicester Glass, based in Grange Farm. We’ll run more responses in later issues. Were you able to keep operating in some way during the lockdown period? How? Yes, I have worked through the lockdown, probably had about 5 days off in total. I certainly can’t work from home, so I decided to work through it and not risk losing my business through lack of income. Has business picked up since lockdown was relaxed? Business has been really good all through lockdown, I believe from talking to people, that during lockdown many of my customers have been furloughed and had nowhere to spend their money and what with holidays being cancelled as well, many of my customers have decided to do home improvements with the extra money. My main line of work has been replacing failed (misted) double glazed units. Have you had to make any changes to your business? What? No changes have had to be made, apart from the social distancing when working at people’s properties of course. Have you had problems getting supplies for your Painting & Decorating business? Initially yes, but I could Specialist see this coming and I stocked up as much as I could. After 3 to 4 weeks my main suppliers were back trading. So there was no real impact on Bicester Glass. What’s next for Bicester Glass? Keep doing what I do best and keep all INTERIOR - EXTERIOR my customers happy with my services. PRIVATE - COMMERCIAL To contact Bicester Glass go to our website www.bicester-glass.co.uk or Contact phone us on our landline on 01869 Telephone: 01869 243264 252925 or our mobile on 07717 462027.
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Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 32
Saturday 10 - Sunday 18 October, 2020 At St Mary’s we have been wondering what we could do to mark the autumn season, as a harvest lunch is not possible this year. So for 2020 we are organising a Scarecrow Trail around Launton for nine days in October, from Saturday 10 October until Sunday 18 October. Planning has been done around government guidelines and we hope the Scarecrows will put smiles on people’s faces as they walk around the village. Theme Our theme is “Heroes” in recognition of all the key workers who continue to support us - but it could also be a hero from a book, or a film, or a hero to you! How to Enter Anyone or a family or a group or a business can enter. Entries are FREE. To take part simply complete the entry form on page 34 of this issue, and also available online, at www.launton.org/scarecrow, to register your Scarecrow. Details of where to send your entry are on the form. All entry forms need to be submitted by 16 September, and all will be included on the official Scarecrow Trail Map, but your Scarecrow doesn’t need to be ready until 10 October. Trail A trail map, showing the location of all the scarecrows, will be available online and in the October issue of Launton Lines. The trail map will also include details about how to vote for your favourite Scarecrow and how to make a donation to St Mary’s. The 3 scarecrows with the most votes will be awarded prizes. Look for more details in October’s Launton Lines and also on the Scarecrow web page at www.launton.org/scarecrow. Preparing Your Scarecrow Please let your imagination and creativity take over and have a go at making a Scarecrow using any safe materials you have at home. You don’t have to have straw in it but it’s ok if you do have some at home. Your scarecrow can be of any size and shape and just needs to be seen from outside your own property (from the road or pavement or footpath) between October 10 and 18.
We look forward to seeing all the artistic and creative talent in Launton on display! Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 33
Entry closing date: Wednesday 16 September 2020
Design and make a scarecrow for the Launton Scarecrow Trail The theme is ‘Celebrating Heroes’ in recognition of all the key workers who continue to support us, but it could also be a hero from a book, a film or just a hero to you! Scarecrows to be displayed from 10am Saturday 10 October until 5pm Sunday 18 October 2020 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes will be announced in the November issue of Launton Lines Please return this form to either of the following By email: Celia Evans at scarecrow@launton.org By post: Launton Scarecrow Trail, Mayflower, Hare Leys Farm, Launton OX26 5AB | Tel No: 01869 277625 Contact name ........................................................................................... Scarecrow name ...................................................................................... Contact address ....................................................................................... Postcode ................................................................................................... Contact telephone number ...................................................................... Please display your scarecrow at the address above and ensure it is visible from the pavement or road or footpath so people do not have to enter your garden. If this is not possible please contact us using the details above and we can find a site for you! By filling in this entry form you are agreeing for us to hold your details for the duration of this event and to include your name and address details on the official Trail Map. Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 34
Cakes and Courgettes* at the Harvest-themed Produce Stall on 12 September
Following on from the success of the cake stall on 11 July, we will be holding a Harvest-themed stall on 12 September between 10am and Noon, again outside the Parish Hall, see the back cover of this issue. We welcome any produce, jams, pickles and so on - indeed anything made from or with products from Launton. And, of course cakes and other baked goods! An ingredients form for baked goods is on page 46 - we need it for allergens. We plan to have gazebos and tables set up from 9.30am on the morning of the sale, for donations to be taken in. Sales open at 10am - not before! If you want to drop off produce or baking, please do so in the afternoon and evening of 11 September with Joan Packer at 19 Blenheim Drive, Launton. Otherwise bring them along to the Hall on Saturday morning. After the sunshine and rain of the summer, we hope to see a wide range of produce on offer, and judging by the contributions to the July Stall, Launton’s bakers will be working overtime. Hope to see you there - socially distanced of course. All proceeds will go to St Mary’s Church. Joan Packer *Of course we hope for more than cakes (so meringues and scones and straws and tarts and fruit pies and …) and more than courgettes (so beans and fruits and squashes, and corn and potatoes and beetroot and …). It’s just that “Cakes and Courgettes” sounds so good together.
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Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 35
Launton Ladies and Girls Football
Launton Ladies and Girls Football Club, part of Launton FC, is one of the only female focused clubs in our region and it is going from strength to strength. We have our ladies team as well as four Girls age group teams for the 2020/21 season, all playing competitive league matches in the Oxfordshire Girls Football League. We have also now launched our WILDCATS Academy for 5-10 Year Old girls to have fun, make friends and play football. A Report for August 2020 Following a strange few months since March and the start of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ladies and girls are now returning to training ready for a new season to start in September. The front cover this month shows some of the Under 10’s in training at the Playing Field, with more photos on page 2. This season we have FOUR competitive girls’ age groups providing football for ALL girls from the age of 9-16 in the Oxfordshire Girls Football League. The teams are U10’s, U12’s, U14’s, and U16’s WILDCATS Launton Ladies and Girls FC have been approved once again this season to run
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Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 36
Wildcats Centre, which is an opportunity for girls aged 5-11 to have fun, develop fundamental skills, try a variety of sessions and lay the foundations for a lifelong love of sport. Sessions are delivered by qualified coaches on a weekly basis. For those participating, the aim is simple; have fun, make friends and play football. Launton Ladies and Girls FC would like to invite all enthusiastic potential footballers to take part and join us for a free training session at the Launton Playing Fields: U16’s / U15’s Age Group U14’s / U13’s Age Group U12’s / U11’s Age Group U10’s / U9’s Age Group Wildcats Ladies
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Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 37
Life Under Lockdown as a “Shielded” Person – Part 2
Last month I described how I’d got on under lockdown as a ‘shielded person’. I’m in the ‘very high risk’ category due to having a kidney transplant. Last month’s article ended on 5 May 2020. By then, the UK had become the country with the highest Covid 19 death toll in Europe. Here, I’m explaining why returning to ‘normal’ still seems a long way off. Shielded people are more cautious than average. They try to stay safe because the virus is more likely to kill them. They want the government to suppress the virus, then eliminate its transmission in the community. Then, they’d feel safe enough to stop shielding. Don’t relax the lockdown if the virus could spread again. Instead, be like New Zealand, which locked down severely until they’d eliminated the spread of the virus. They repeated that in Auckland when the virus reappeared. They set the ‘gold standard’ for tackling Covid 19 with 4 deaths per million population. The same figure for the UK is over 600. During this lockdown, government guidance has dented my confidence. I’d call it ‘mixed messaging’, which keeps me nervous. Here’s an example. On Wednesday 6 May, it was Prime Minister’s Questions. The UK daily death toll was 649, the overall total was 30,076 - the worst in Europe. However, the PM hinted he’d relax the lockdown rules the following Monday. On Friday 8 May, street parties celebrated VE Day and spread the virus. On Sunday 10 May, a government minister announced on morning TV, “we’ve now passed the peak of the virus”. Later, Johnson went on TV encouraging workers to return to work. On ‘Happy Monday’ morning, many workers did. Then another minister went on breakfast TV to say they didn’t mean Monday, but Wednesday. I wondered if the government literally knew what day it was. The very next day, the UK stretched further ahead of Italy on Covid death figures - Italy (30,991); UK (32,692, up by 2,616 in less than a week). The German total was 7,713 deaths. Instead of maintaining tight travel restrictions to suppress the virus, like Scotland and Wales, people in England were allowed to travel anywhere in the country. Someone from south-east England could visit the Lake District - to spread the virus. Without a proper Track and Trace system, the consequences could be severe. Little wonder that shielded people, in tourist areas especially, Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 38
worried about this policy U-turn. But much, much worse was happening in care homes. The catastrophe in care homes became centre stage. Many of their residents were clearly more vulnerable to the virus. They could die. News emerged that deaths in care homes in England and Wales were likely to be 22,000 - double the official estimate. There was growing anger about not testing elderly hospital patients for coronavirus before discharging them into care homes. This decision, plus not supplying care home staff with adequate protective equipment, added to the avoidable death toll. Something as simple as a testing regime could have saved many thousands of lives in care homes, but the government decided not to bother. In early July, Johnson even blamed care homes for the tragedy. He didn’t mention that he’d overruled demands from public health officials for a radical lockdown - of care homes! Care homes continue to be let down as the autumn approaches. Was the government ‘following the science’? No. The best example was pushing to get children back to school by 1 June. The scientists, in a group called SAGE, argued it was too early, but were ignored. Within a few June days, many parents, worried about the virus, were keeping their children off school. In schools that did re-open, a number reported cases of the virus, so shut down and isolated. On 9 June, the hapless Education Secretary, Williamson, announced the U-turn - all English primary schools wouldn’t open before the autumn. Perhaps he hadn’t noticed that 5-year olds weren’t great at social distancing. Maybe he hadn’t realised on lockdown day, 23 March, that he’d need a back to school plan, and an exam results plan, with help from teachers and parents? But he’d got a simpler plan - order reluctant parents to send their children back to school in September and threaten to fine them if they refused. Who said politicians had lost the art of persuasion? The same man later starred in the great A Level (and GCSE, and BTEC) exam results fiasco. The late lockdown cost lives. Professor Neil Ferguson, from Imperial College, London, told a committee of MPs on 10 June: “Had we introduced lockdown measures a week earlier, we would have reduced the final death toll by at least a half.” Thousands of lives have been lost needlessly. It’s little wonder that some shielded people imposed their own unofficial lockdown, earlier than the dithering government’s official Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 39
lockdown. Some continued their lockdown after the shielding advice was lifted in early August. On 15 June Johnson rejected a letter from footballer Marcus Rashford for school meal vouchers to be extended into the summer holidays - to give vulnerable children a hot meal. The next day, after a social media avalanche of support for Rashford, a young man of only 22, the government shamelessly did another U-turn and caved in. On 18 June, two things happened. Johnson announced that he’d spend £1 million to re-paint his plane. For that price you’ll be expecting Farrow & Ball paint. The other less publicised U-turn - they dumped their ‘world beating’ track and trace mobile phone app, last seen wandering helplessly round the Isle of Wight. Which was more important in fighting the virus? Which one could they conceal behind front page headlines about re-painting a plane? On 23 June the social distancing limit was reduced to ‘one metre plus’. Many businesses and leisure activities would open on 4 July - ‘Super Saturday’. PM Johnson was going to “trust the British public to use their common sense”. Two days later, Bournemouth was invaded by an army of visitors, lacking any common sense, trashing his social distancing limit. The U-turn on holiday quarantine policy happened on 10 July, encouraging foreign holidays. Another U-turn on 25 July brought the quarantine back. On 13 August the quarantine was suddenly extended with 30 hours’ notice for travellers to return from France. Elsewhere, Johnson got insanely jealous of people working from home. He scowled, “Some people have loved it - I mean, let’s be honest, some people have actually loved it”. He wouldn’t allow successful working from home. There was still a killer virus for them to go out and catch! The zigzags continued. In early July, Johnson looked in the mirror, then slagged off the British public for being too fat. Health Secretary Hancock sympathetically explained in the Telegraph: “If everyone who is overweight lost five pounds it could save the NHS over £100m over the next five years”. (The BBC programme More or Less later pointed out that this huge figure was about 30p per person per year.) The government would introduce an obesity campaign. For August, our new nation of calorie counters could tuck into half-price pizzas, burgers, fried chicken, and fish and chips, through the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme. Who thought that a Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 40
health-conscious government would be funding MacDonalds? So that’s all good then. As a ‘shielded person’, I’m more likely to die if I catch this virus. I’m confused and angry at how poorly I’ve been protected. If readers think I’m being over critical, consider what else I could easily have included inadequate planning for a pandemic; rule breaker Cummings destroying the ‘we’re all in this together’ spirit; the ‘world beating’ Track and Trace system that still doesn’t work properly; the face masks fiasco; allegations of corruption in government PPE procurement; poor preparations for a ‘second wave’; A Level exam results chaos. Government mixed messaging? Except for one very clear message: Blame the scientists, the care homes, the teachers, Public Health England, other countries, fat people. Blame anybody but us. Danny Cunningham All the data in this piece are from the following website that monitors Covid-19 data. https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
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MEMORIES OF AN EX-LAUNTON BOY
This month the Ex-Launton Boy considers his mortality, recalls funerals in Launton as a child, remembers making coffins as an apprentice carpenter and joiner and his involvement as a chorister and a campanologist at St. Mary’s. And he explains what is involved in making a muffled bell for funerals. I appreciate the reasons for it and I, like most, am complying with the masking-up and social-distancing as required during this awful Covid 19 pandemic, but oh boy! is it one hell of a pain. Sadly, since my last offering to Launton Lines, my local SSAFA boss and mentor, after having successfully endured a recent cancer operation and follow-up chemotherapy, succumbed to Covid 19 complications. I have to say that I, along with my SSAFA Team colleagues, am quite devastated by her sudden and unexpected death. She was a lovely lady, dedicated to SSAFA and supporting our veterans in need and she will be very sadly missed. And unbelievably, as I am penning this, I've just received a phone call telling me that a local political party colleague has just had a heart attack and died. They say that everything comes in threes and I note from last month’s edition of Launton Lines that the village has recently suffered three deaths in relatively quick succession. Heating Plumbing Servicing I’m looking over my shoulder! Domestic Oil and Gas Now, I have no wish to appear at all morbid, but when people somewhat Servicing younger than yourself make their way to the pearly gates, (or for us veterans, Installation and Maintenance to the Squadron Bar in the Sky), you Gas Safe Registered begin to think of your own mortality. Oftec Registered I suppose as a child, (provided it is not within the close family), death can “A local Business seem rather remote. “It only happens to old people after all”, or so we kids from Launton” were inclined to believe, and we were very young! That said, I distinctly Phone: 07483 864 571 remember, as I was approaching my
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Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 42
sixth birthday, thinking to myself, “I am getting old”, and associating death with being old, I was terrified of growing up. I often wonder how many of my peer group, if any, had similar fears at that time. It didn’t help much either when my mother used to tell me that I was “born old”. Nonetheless, death at that time held a sort of strange fascination. There were certain things one observed in the village whenever there was a death. When I was a child there was a great many elderly people in the village, before new developments and new people moved in. Naturally enough therefore, deaths and funerals were very common place indeed, partly also as a result of medicine not having yet progressed to its’ current status. There was a Mrs. Jones (not my next door neighbour in Station Road), who lived in the cottages in West End. When there was a death in the village, she was almost invariably called upon to go along to the house of the deceased to ‘lay-out’ the body. I remember she used to be dressed either in all black or a very dark navy blue with a brimmed hat to match. I haven’t a clue as to who laid Mrs. Jones out when her turn eventually and inevitably came along. Most of the village funerals were at the Church of St. Mary, although the occasional one was held at the Chapel in Station Road, with even fewer choosing a cremation back then. The local undertakers were Lewis Penn & Co, where Jewsons are now located in Station Road, where at age fifteen I commenced my apprenticeship as a carpenter and joiner. Quite apart from building and ecclesiastical renovation work, I would be involved in the manufacture of coffins, usually of elm board which polished up beautifully. We always took special care when lining the coffin out and polishing the elm and the brass. One of our labourers, Toby Batts from Hethe as I recall, was our grave digger. There was none of this, ‘modern day’ business of using a mechanical digger. It was pick and shovel and a load of sweat with Toby. Short and very stocky, he needed to be when digging out that extremely heavy clay surrounding the village. As local undertakers, we did not have any limousines, but instead, the coffin with the deceased would be placed on a hand-drawn bier through the village to the church, or chapel as the case may be. The mourners would walk behind in very solemn columns. Then, as a young choir boy, we would often sing psalms and hymns at the church funerals (for which we were each paid half-a-crown). But as a church Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 43
tower bell ringer (campanologist), I would also be paid for ringing at a funeral, which meant I got paid twice that which my brother Cliff was paid, as he was only in the choir. And I remember when ringing at a funeral, we would have the bells halfmuffled. This entailed strapping a padded leather pad to one side of the clapper (the swinging hammer inside the bell), making sure the same side on all six bells were muffled. The sound the emanated therefrom was quite haunting, but to a campanologist, quite beautiful. And now I think back to the fact that my dad was seventy-two when he died (no age at all really). He would have been ninety-seven this year, on the same day the Queen Mother would have been one hundred and twenty. Now clocking up to seventy-three this year (sixty seven years beyond my then-approaching sixth birthday) I’m hoping I have a few more miles left in me yet. My wife, Julie, asks me why I thumb through the obituaries column in the weekend papers. I keep telling her that I’m just checking to make sure I am not in there yet. It may get increasingly difficult to spontaneously think of something to pen in these pages, but I would like to think there are a few paragraphs yet to come. In the meantime, keep healthy and stay SAFE! Tony Jeacock | The Ex-Launton Boy | September 2020
Launton Crimewatch for September 2020 We have seen an increase in theft from vehicles especially work vans. An incident was reported in Launton on 3 August at 10:15 am whereby a male purporting to be a delivery driver tried the door handles of a works van. No entry was gained to the vehicle. Please ensure all vehicles are secured at all times, especially works vehicles when working at other properties. Louise Beaumont PCSO C6333 Bicester Police Station louise.beaumont@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk Thames Valley Police 101 Mobile 07977 138476 Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 44
150 Years Ago: from the School Log Book September 1870
Sunday 4 Sept Re-opened school with 83 scholars.. Admitted Phoebe Jones. Monday 5 Sept Afternoon school from 1 to 3 today. Tuesday 6 Sept 3rd and 4th classes make good progress in mental arithmetic. Wednesday 7 Sept IV Standard commenced Compound Subtraction. Thursday 8 Sept Av for week 79.0. Monday 12 Sept Admitted Miriam Bloxham and Wm Jones (lately attending the Dissenting Day School). This class of children come to me very backward. Some over 6 yrs of age and not knowing their letters of the alphabet. Tuesday 13 Sept Commenced working future I Standard in afternoons. Wednesday 14 Sept Taught Heavenly Home (tune “Home Sweet Home�). Thursday 15 Sept I find that it will be necessary to make two divisions of I Standard: some are very much more backward than others, majority beginning to read fluently. Friday 16 Sept II Standard progress well in Arithmetic. Two very dull children who have rather delayed the rest seem to have mastered Addition this morning. Av for week78.4. Monday 19 Sept V Standard commenced Comp[oun]d L[on]g Division. Tuesday 20 Sept Noticed a very marked improvement in their copy books lately. Thursday 22 Sept IV Standard commenced Compd Multn Friday 23 Sept Av for week 80.9. Monday 26 Sept Admitted Mar R[u]th Reeves. Tuesday 27 Sept The 4th Class improves very much in their writing. Thursday 29 Sept Several children away assisting Parents get up potatoes. Friday 30 Sept Av for week 80.9. Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 45
Diary Dates: September-October 2020
With the closing down of almost all community activity and events, we have decided to hold off including Diary Dates in issues until we come out the other side of restrictions. The only information to carry forward are online Parish Council meetings via Zoom (see page 8). The next meetings will be on Thursday 3 September and Thursday 1 October. The Sunday services at St Mary’s Church are also on Zoom and are listed on page 20. On Saturday 12 September there is a Produce and Cake Sale outside the Parish Hall from 10am to noon (see pages 35 and 48), and the Ride and Stride around historic churches is on the same day (see page 21). The Health Walks are in their second month, every Tuesday, starting at The Bull at 2pm. See page 15 for more details. There are plans to re-open the Parish Hall from early September, and football has restarted - training now and matches from mid September. The other date to list is the copy deadline for the October issue of Launton Lines. This will be Sunday 20 September: send words and photos to launtonlines@launton.org PRODUCE STALL – SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2020 10am – 12noon IN FRONT OF THE PARISH HALL We are required to list ingredients of the food we provide so we would be very grateful if you could complete the form below. We apologise for the need for this and hope it will not deter you from donating – we really do value your help.
Please complete this form(s) by ticking the relevant ingredients, detach and include with your donation(s)
FLOUR
FLOUR
EGGS
EGGS
FAT
FAT
OIL
OIL
SUGAR
SUGAR
OTHER Please specify
OTHER Please specify
Thank you for your donation Before the day, please drop your goods with Joan Packer at 19 Blenheim Drive, or on the morning of the sale, drop at the Parish Hall after 9.30am. Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 46
Launton Lines September 2020 | Page 47
For ingredients and allergy form see page 46
Launton Lines is the newsletter for Launton. It is published monthly by the Launton Community Communications Group which also manages the Launton website www.launton.org and the Launton Village Facebook Page and Group www.facebook.com/launtonvillage Launton Lines is delivered free to every address in the village. It is funded by its advertisers and Launton Parish Council. Further print copies are available at £1.00 per copy from Shirley Johnson. Launton Lines is also available online from January 2020 on the Issuu.com publishing website. © MMXX 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.