Launton Lines Issue 278 January 2024

Christmas at St Mary’s: Posada and Crib Service

Family handover for the Posada The Posada on its journey Our Posada joins others in a home in Launton

... and in another home

Photos from Emily Carter and the Posada families

Our Posada in another home

... and in another home

The Crib Service

The front cover shows the the new Topper on the post box on Station Road. See also page 23 for the new Topper on Bicester Road. These are made by The Bicester Yarn Bombers.

Cover designed by Matt Hill. Photo by Ella Rayner.

The Editor writes …?

Apologies again for the late arrival of the January issue: I was struck down before New Year with a cold to end all colds, then came to Cape Town and relapsed - and it took a week to recover. But now the sun is shining here.

This issue is 44 pages long, and has a number of new advertisers, as well as our stalwarts. Many thanks to all of them for supporting us - and we urge our readers to use them and say you saw their advert here.

Our cover is of the new topper on the Station Road post box taken by our staff photographer Ella Rayner. There is also a photo on page 23 of the topper outside Costcutter/Post Office. The decorations are done by The Bicester Yarn Bombers. Many thanks for bringing a smile in dark midwinter!

We cover Christmas events: pages 28-29 report from St Mary’s on their events with photos from the Christingle service, and page 2 has photos of the Crib service and of the travels of the Posada to families around the village. Page 23 also features The Village Players carol singing in Launton.

John Stephens writes (pages 24-27) about his time doing National Service at the end of the 1940s. It is 60 years since the last national servicemen left.

There is all normal content (Parish and Cherwell Council reports, and from village organisations, and news on page 22 of events for the early part of the 50th anniversary year of the Sports and Social Club.

Robert Cornford

Launton Village Support: Contact Details Group email: village.help@launton-pc.gov.uk PHONE Numbers: 9:30am to 5:00pm

07522 231 100 - Janice | 07305 303 889 - Jane Olds (Launton Parish Council) 01869 241755 - Lesley | 07921 392 201 - Abi Dowman 01869 242685 - Nick Cherry Pharmacy Runner

Launton Lines

A monthly newsletter for Launton. Published around the first of each month by the Launton Community Communications Group © 2024 Launton Lines email: launtonlines@launton.org website: https://launton.org/launton-lines/ The Launton Lines Committee 2023-24 Chair: Jon Spinage | Secretary: Toby Aspel | Editors: Robert Cornford, Matt Hill | Treasurer: Carina Collins Associate Editor: Kathy Gilbert | Distribution: Shirley Johnson | Advertising: Jenni Walker

Contact the Parish Council Council Clerk | Mrs Jane Olds Address | 13 Oak Close, Bicester, OX26 3XD email | clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk Phone | 07305 303 889

To book the Parish Hall Contact: Joan Packer Phone: 07922 042 133 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 January 2024 for entry in the February 2024 issue of Launton Lines.

January 1st | Kathleen Ayris, much loved wife, mum, and nana.

Always in our thoughts. With love from all the family January 4th | 4 January 1992 Joan Foster [Mum].

Happy memories of a loving, caring best mum where family meant everything.

A dedicated teacher at Launton School, a true friend, and a person who encouraged Launton community to work together and make it a better place.

We love you and never forget you, from Wendy, Caroline and James Foster xxx January 9th | Sponsored by Maureen and Bob Roberts to celebrate the birthday of Bob’s aunt, Eileen Bennett, a family favourite January 8th and January 11th | From Angela and Michael Stack Happy 7th birthday to Rosie on January 8th and Happy 2nd birthday to Laurie on January 11th.

Much love from Granny and Grandpa

Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 4

Launton Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 7 December 2023 at 7:30pm in Launton Parish Hall Councillors present Mr Andrew Briant, Mr Ed Sanders (Chairman of the Meeting), Mrs Lesley Thompson, Mrs Jaqueline Webber Apologies Mrs Abigail Dowman, Mr Simon Turner (Chairman of the Council), Mr Richard Walker In attendance The Clerk, Mrs Jane Olds; 2 representatives from East West Rail; 4 members of the public East West Rail Ms Sa’id reported that the project was on schedule. The majority of the track work has been completed and the signalling works are well underway. The infrastructure is due to be completed by 2024 and then Network Rail will undertake the testing. Winslow Station is nearing completion and much of the work further up the line, including where the line crosses HS2, is under way.

If anyone has any queries, please contact East West Rail directly at publicinformation@ewralliance.co.uk or at the 24 hour helpline at 03457 11 41 41 Reports from District and County Councillors No reports had been received from the District or County Councillors.

Finance The Finance Report is available on the Parish Council website.

Planning All planning applications, which include the links to Cherwell’s Planning Portal, are put on the Parish Council website when received (www.launton-pc.gov.uk in the Agenda and Minutes section).

If a villager has concerns or comments about a planning application, they are welcome to come along to Parish Council meetings to bring them to the attention of the meeting. Villagers are also welcome to Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 5

contact Councillors or the Clerk to make comments.

Guidance on how the Parish Council can respond is on the Parish Council website: www.launton-pc.gov.uk/planning-applications Parish Hall The Lease has been signed and returned to the Parish Council’s solicitors.

We are now waiting for a date for it to come into force and the documents to be returned.

Once the lease has been finalised, the management of the Hall will transfer over to the Parish Council. We hope that you won’t see too much change for the time being - although we will have a new bookings form and terms and conditions. Joan Packer has very kindly said that she will stay on as Bookings Secretary for the time being, but there will be a new email address to contact her on.

We were very pleased that the application to the CDC Village and Rural Community Halls (Rural England Prosperity Fund) for £25,000 - with a further match funding requirement - has been successful. This is specifically for the heating aspects of the project. We are also looking to submit an application to the Government’s Community Ownership Fund towards the end of January.

We are still waiting for a new installation date for broadband from Gigaclear.

Highway and Traffic Issues We have now confirmed the locations of the Speed Indicator Devices with the OCC Highways Officer and hope to have installation dates shortly.

Defibrillator As many will know, the defibrillator was used last month. Both sets of pads were needed so we had to take the machine out of action while they were replaced. We are pleased to say that it was back in service within four days.

An application has also been approved for support to buy an additional defibrillator which will be installed on the outside of the Parish Hall.

Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 6

We have now arranged some Defibrillator Awareness training with a Community First Responder from South Central Ambulance Service for anyone interested to learn more. There will probably be some basic first aid training too.

The training will be on Saturday 27 January starting at 10am until 12noon in the Parish Hall (refreshments provided). The Parish Council will be making a donation to the Community First Responder, but any other contributions will be welcome. We will need to know numbers so please email clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk / or text 07305 303889 if you would like to join us (see details on page 35 of this issue of Launton Lines).

Agenda items and dates of the next meetings The next meeting will be on Thursday 4 January 2024 in the Parish Hall, starting at 7.30pm. If you’d like to chat with a Councillor, do come along after 7.15pm.

We are trying to reduce our printing and paper use, so if you would like hard copies of the agenda or any of the meeting papers, please let the Clerk know well before the meeting. The agenda and papers will be available to view via the data projector during the meeting.

Suggestions for agenda items for the 1 February 2024 meeting need to be with the Clerk by 18 January, and items for the 7 March 2024 meeting by 22 February 2024.

If you’re not signed up to our mailing list to receive news from the Parish Council, you can find a signup form at the bottom left hand menu of the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk/

The Parish Council and the Parish Clerk has a new contact number.

You can now call or text on

07305 303 889 Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 7

The November report from our CDC Councillors

I hope you have had a lovely Christmas and wishing you all a happy new year!

There are a couple of updates from us this time: New Chief Executive Gordon Stewart has now been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Cherwell DC after being unanimously approved at Full Council on 18 December: he will start on 8 January and will be fully inducted by Yvonne Rees. He has previous experience in senior leadership roles across the public sector, higher education and the charity sector. We look forward to welcoming Gordon to Cherwell and will keep you updated once he has started.

Full Council on 18 December Full Council took place on 18 December at Bodicote House with a number of motions and questions raised. All motions were passed unanimously:

Asking Cherwell to look into a solar strategy across the district to ensure a more cohesive plan moving forward. Asking Cherwell to look into accessible locations to provide sanitary items to those in need, to help tackle period poverty Condemning the decision to delay the ban on Section 21 notices and calling on the Leader of the Council to communicate this to our Members of Parliament and the government in the strongest possible terms. Asking Cherwell to investigate creating service hubs within our localities and what they can usefully provide and then develop a strategy to facilitate the use of service hubs to better provide access and support to our communities.

Banbury Vision 2050 Just a reminder that Cherwell District Council are currently running a consultation about the future of Banbury Town Centre and want to hear resident’s views. This consultation will help shape the future of Banbury for the next 30 years. The survey is available online at www.banbury2050.co.uk or you can get a hard copy from the Community Hub (Castle Quay Shopping Centre). The deadline for the consultation is 15 January.

Get in Touch As always, please do get in touch! Our emails and phone are below: gemma.coton@cherwell-dc.gov.uk and julian.nedelcu@cherwelldc.gov.uk or phone us on 01869717712.

All the best. Gemma and Julian Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 8

Launton Watercolour Art Group

The Watercolour Classes will have a break for early January.

The first meeting for 2024 will be on Monday 22 January, then on 29 January. All meetings will be in the Parish Hall from 2pm.

We have space for some new members at £8 per session.

Here is a work in progress from a member in the current class.

If you would like to join the class, please email Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com

Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 9

How are we going to clear up this MESS?

With a MOP!?

“MOP 1”

Launton’s first Environmental ‘Meeting Of The Parties’

LAUNTON ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIETY Wednesday 17 January 2024 7:30pm in The Parish Hall Please join in and come along. It really is important!

Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 10

News from st mary’s ChurCh serviCes aNd eveNts for JaNuary 2024 You are most welcome to join the January Services and Events listed.

All Services are in St Mary’s except the Licensing Service on 29 January which is at St Edburg’s 7 January

8.00am 11.00am 14 January 6.00pm 15 January 2.30pm 21 January 11.00am 28 January 11.00am 29 January 7.30pm

Services

BCP Holy Communion Family Service for Epiphany Evensong Fellowship Group resumes meeting in St. Mary’s Morning Prayer Holy Communion Licensing of Reverend Sarah Mortimer as the new Team Vicar, St Edburg’s

Please check on the Facebook page for St Mary’s Church Launton to see the latest information, or contact one of the Churchwardens at St Mary’s Joan Packer j.packer779@btinternet.com 01869 241694 Celia Manderson celiamanderson@aol.com 01869 571735   

The Community Café reopens in the Parish Hall on Tuesday 9 January at 9.00am after the Christmas School Holiday.   

Volunteers are needed to help run the Café.

For more information, please contact Celia Manderson for a chat. email: celiamandrson@aol.com phone: 01869 571735 Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 11

Launton WI Report for December 2023 On Thursday 14 December we met in the Parish Hall for our annual Christmas party. Unfortunately, we had several apologies due to illness, other commitments and holidays, so there was only a small group of 18 who could attend.

Gaye welcomed us all to the meeting and we quickly completed the usual official WI business. We had three birthdays in December Angela, Katherine and Christine, but none of them were able to attend so birthday cards, made by Maretta, will be sent to them. Beryl Mann wished us all a Merry Christmas. This was going to be Gaye’s last meeting for a few months but Helen has once again agreed to take over as acting-President for this period.

Those of us who were there had brought along some food for the bring and share supper. As usual there was a great selection. The Committee provided mulled wine and soft drinks and had decorated the tables with crackers and fairy lights in bottles and provided Christmas music playing in the background.

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There was a Christmas stocking for us to put in our Secret Santa presents and we all tucked in to the food while waiting for Santa to make his appearance. The whole evening had a lovely relaxed atmosphere. As it was the Christmas meeting most of us bought an extra raffle ticket to get a chance to win from a good variety of prizes.

We were also collecting cash donations for Oxfordshire Homeless one of the groups we have supported through the year, and from which we had a speaker last year. We decided to carry this forward through to January in order to get more donations.

Towards the end of the meeting Santa made his appearance and once again managed to distribute a present to all who were there. He even managed to make sure we didn’t get our own present back! Clever Santa!

Our next meeting with be Thursday 11 January 2024 when the speaker will be Pam Newall on Alpine Rambles and a meeting with Mozart.

All are welcome in the Parish Hall at 7.30pm Jackie

Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 13

150 Years Ago: The Bicester Herald, January 1874 Friday 2nd January DEATHS. December 26, at Launton, aged 56, Mr James Reeves, formerly a carrier between Launton and Bicester, Oxford and Thame.

Friday 9th January.

CHRISTMAS CHEER AT LAUNTON. F J Staples-Browne Esq of Brashfield House, Caversfield, gave a quantity of beef to each of the labourers on his estate and also to those of his tenant farmers. J Ashby Esq, of Launton, gave beef to some of the poor in Launton; and Mr C R Killby, farmer, Launton, gave a supper to his work people and their wives on Christmas evening.

LAUNTON CHURCH was tastefully decorated for Christmas. In addition to the usual texts there was in the east window on a red ground in white letters the word “Peace.” Over the chancel arch was “Wonderful Councillor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,” and across the arch was “Prince of Peace.” Other texts were placed in different parts of the sacred edifice, including “Unto us a Child is born”, “Unto us a Son is given”, “Grace and Truth come by Jesus Christ” and “Hosanna in the Highest.”? The pulpit, pillars etc, were entwined with holly and evergreens. The font was also nicely adorned. The psalms for the day were chanted and Hymn 43, Hark the herald angels sing was sung as a processional. Jackson’s Te Deum laudamus and Jubilate deo were well sung by the choir, as was also the anthem in the afternoon, Behold I bring you good tidings from Luke XI, part of the 10th and 11th verses. The Rev J C Blomfield preached in the morning from St John 1, 11, “He came into his own and his own received him not” and in the afternoon the rev gentleman gave an address found in the words “Dost then love me?” The junior members of the choir were after the afternoon service regaled with wine, cakes and oranges, and were presented with a shilling each at the rectory.

Friday 16th January.

PETTY SESSIONS. Edward Sansome and his donkey Richard Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 14

Bottrell, jobber, Launton, was summoned by Thomas Edward Sansom jun, higgler, Launton, for having assaulted him on January 2nd. From the complainant’s statement, it appeared that on the day in question he put his donkey in Messrs Paxton and Castle’s stock sale at Bicester and he bought it in again for £3 2s 6d. On his return journey to Launton he overtook defendant and George Ancell [sic], Isaac Jeacock and John Reeves, near Moor Pond. They began shouting and chaffing him about not having sold the donkey. When he got to the railway bridge they blocked the road with their carts and would not let him go past.

As he was trying to pass them the defendant struck him four times when on the donkey’s back. The defendant denied the charge in toto and said that instead of blocking the road he pulled to the near side to let the complainant pass, but he went on the near-side and pushed some boards off the cart, which blocked the road, and set the mare off. The complainant struck him with a stick, and on his going to take it away, the donkey kicked him twice.

For the defence, George Ancell, coal dealer, Launton, Isaac Jeacock, labourer, Launton, and John Reeves, higgler, Launton, were called.

Ancell in evidence went to show that in consequence of the boards falling off the cart the horse turned right across the road and so blocked it. Jeacock and Reeves were out in front and, on hearing the boards fall, turned round, when they saw Bottrell at the mare’s head and Sansome strike defendant with a stick. All the witnesses were agreed that nothing was said to Sansome about the sale of the donkey.

The Magistrates dismissed the case and complainant was called upon to pay the costs, which amounted to be…[illegible]…?.., in addition to having already paid 2s for the summons Friday 23rd January Launton. This (Friday) evening a lecture is announced to be given in the Congregational School, Launton, by the Rev W H Dickenson, on “The Education Act of 1870.”? The chair to be taken at 7.30.

Admission free.

Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 15

Rubbish Collection over New Year 2024

Collection dates will change for a few weeks: Tuesday 2 January 2024 will be the normal Blue (recycling) bin and food caddy collection, but NOT the brown bin.

Tuesday 9 January will be the normal Green (Rubbish) bin and food caddy collection The next Brown (Garden Waste) bin collection will be on 15 January 2024. Then it's back to normal.

Recycling Christmas Trees will take place between Tuesday 9 January until and including Friday 19 January. To ensure safe loading and collection, large trees should be cut into pieces four feet tall or smaller. The pieces of Christmas tree can be left next to the blue recycling bin on collection day from 9 January to 19 January inclusive. A garden waste subscription is not needed for this service.

Recycled trees will go to a high-temperature composter at Ardley before being redistributed to farmers.

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Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 17

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Hoopers: A New Sport for Dogs in the UK Hoopers, since its introduction to the UK a few years ago, is growing in popularity especially with pet dog owners. It is a similar sport to Agility but there is no jumping, climbing or weaving, so it is easier for dogs who may not be able to do agility for health issues. Young and older dogs can do it, puppies from 5 months old can do it, dogs with arthritis can do it and three legged dogs can do it. Why is it so widely applicable?

The dog is directed through hoops, around barrels and through tunnels in free flowing courses, so no sharp turns. Dogs can do it at their own speed as there is no timing the run in some shows. The other difference with Hoopers is that it is all distance handling, so the handler does not run with their dog - so Hoopers is also people friendly. If your legs don’t do what they used to do in your youth then Hoopers is for you. I have seen 80-year-olds running their dogs in Hooper shows!

Hoopers was originally designed in the USA for retired, agility Border Collies. It is now very popular for dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes, pedigree or cross breed, from Chihuahua to Irish Wolf Hound.

Hooperholics, the organization I work with, is trying to remove the timing for each run so it isn’t about the fastest dog winning but about the handling skill by the human. The handler must stand in a designated area in the ring and will lose points for stepping out of the area. The team (dog and handler) with the most points is the winner but in reality it is each team competing against itself.

I first got involved with Hoopers at a day out with my cairns at a very large Dog Show where there were a lot of activities I could try with my dogs. I had Tinker – my agility dog - with me and came across a display of Hoopers. I gave it a try with Tinker as he was used to Agility, which it did look like but without the hurdles, the A frame, or a Dog walk or Sea Saw. As a result I’ve found a new dog sport and became firm friends with the lady doing the display with her Border Collies, Angela Lucas from Hooperholics!

More about Hoopers next month. If you want to give your dog a go, contact Jennie for a session.

Jennie Fairweather | Fair Weather Dog Training | 01869 322996 Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 19

Launton School: Launton’s Music Makers

There are two groups of musicians here today. Firstly, there are the recorder players from Year 2.

We are just starting to learn the recorder. Everyone in our class is learning. We try our very best and we can play three notes, G, A and B. We can play for you, it could be G,A,B,A,G. Our recorders are made from plastic, two are blue and one is purple. We like to play and we are getting better at what we can do.

Archie, Molly, and Ryan, Year 2 The second group is two brass players from Year 6 We have a brass teacher who visits our school called Mr Probert.

One of us is learning how to play the trombone and is beginning to learn the tuba while the other is learning the cornet. We had lessons when we were in Year 4 but we are now working towards creating a brass band. We can play some short tunes and we are practising ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’. We are hoping that we can play it to the whole school at Christmas time. We can play seven notes and they are low A, low B, C, D, E, F, G and high A. We play different parts which make up the whole tune and we are beginning to read music.

Our class teacher, Ms. Terry, links what we do in music to science and we have been learning about pitch. We have written about it in our science books. We enjoy our brass lessons. There will be a concert at Christmas time when we will sing carols and play a piece on our brass instruments. This has been a good opportunity for us.

Clarence and Sofia, Year 6

Wheelchair available in Launton

The family of a former editor of Launton Lines has given a wheelchair to be available for short-term use by residents of the village, if recovering from an accident or operation or needing some support with moving around.

If you think you could use it, contact the following: Editor@Launton.org or phone 01869 241883 Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 20

Some of our instruments we play at school - see page 20 Here are photos of some of the instruments we have been playing. These are not the actual instruments though.

Clockwise from top left: a recorder; a cornet; a tuba; a trombone

Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 21

Launton Sports and Social Report: January 2024 This year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the

clubhouse, and we aim to recognise this with a series of free or heavily subsidised events through the year for the local community.

The voluntary committee very much hopes that these will be supported by the community and we once again take this opportunity to remind everyone that we are always open to the public and are not a ‘members only club’. If you haven’t visited, do come and see us.

There will be a warm welcome.

Events confirmed for the first five months of the year include:

Friday 26 January Quiz Night and Mega Meat Draw.

Friday 16 February Children’s Entertainment and Disco (featuring Aaron Williams) Saturday 23 March Race Night Saturday 20 April 80’s Disco Saturday 11 May Tribute band ‘Like the Beatles’ Details of all the above will be posted on Facebook and on the LPFA & LSS website and on Launton Lines.

LPFA Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 21

Seen around the village in December

Left: the new post box topper on Bicester Road outside Costcutter. See the front cover for the topper on Station Road. (photo by Ella Rayner)

Below: The Village Players Carol Singing in the village. Top photos at the school Christmas Fair on 16 December, and bottom photos singing round the village on 15 December (photos from The Village Players)

Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 23

My National Service (Part 1) Although National Service ended in 1960 it is only 60 years ago this year that the last national servicemen (and they were all men) were discharged, so I thought that this would be an appropriate time to write about my own experience.

I entered the army at 18 for my National Service in September 1947. My six weeks preliminary training with the East Surrey Regiment was at Kingston barracks. I shall never forget our platoon sergeant, sergeant Quickenden. He was one of the old school, very upright with a waxed moustache, curled up at the ends. At an inspection he stood behind me and said, “Am I hurting you, laddie?” I said “No, sergeant.” He said “Well, I ought to be. I’m standing on your back hair! GET IT CUT!” I should normally have gone on to WOSB (War Office Selection Board) for officer training but I did not feel that I was ready for that; I was only going to do two years National Service, so I signed a ‘Non-Desirous’ form and opted to stay in the ‘Other Ranks’.

I then transferred to the Royal Signals and went to Catterick to train as a

All our Obedience Training is part of The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme.

Jennie, our Instructor is an Approved Instructor (Academy of Dog Training and Behaviour), Agility Club Approved Instructor, UK Agility Instructor.

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Agility Class, starts at 12 noon on Saturdays Hoopers activity Mondays from 11am Thursday Classes in Arncott Village Hall

 Puppy Foundation Assessment, under 6 months, starts 6.45pm  Bronze Award, for dogs age 6+ months starts at 7.30pm  Rally Obedience, for any dog with some obedience training starts at 8.30pm

Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 24

radio mechanic. This took about nine months and included a lot of mathematics, radio theory and details of some of the radio transmitter/ receivers in use at that time. No transistors in those days; only vacuum tubes (valves) so equipment was much bigger and heavier than what we have now. One amusing memory of that time was when I was doing sentry duty at the School of Signals one night. At about midnight an officer emerged on a bicycle, riding it in a very upright manner. He saw me, did a rapid U-turn and a sort of ‘wheelie’, and came up to me. I gave him a salute and he said in a very upper-class accent “I say, sentry, I should be coming back about one o'clock and going out again about half past one, so if you see me don't shoot me, will you!” I said, “I'll try to miss you, Sir!” You get all sorts in the army!

After completing my training in September 1948, I was then sent to Malaya. It was great to see a lot of the world at the government’s expense! It was a four-week voyage in the troop ship ‘Devonshire,’ sleeping in hammocks. We went from Birkenhead down to Gibraltar, all the way up the Mediterranean to Port Said, through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea, down to Aden, then across the Arabian Sea to Karachi where we had shore leave, then down to Colombo with more shore leave, then across the Indian Ocean and down through the Straits of Melaka to Singapore. We saw dolphins, porpoises and flying fish and at night the sea was phosphorescent. A cruise like that nowadays would cost you thousands of pounds, and I was paid to be there! You would not get that sort of experience nowadays; they would fly you there in a Hercules transport plane.

The emergency situation had begun in Malaya a few months before and terrorist activity was carried out by a communist organisation, remnants of the MPAJA (the Malayan Peoples Anti- Japanese Army). There was also another group, the OCAJA (the Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Army) but they disbanded when the war was over. So, when after two days I was sent up to Kuala Lumpur the journey by train took 20 hours, crawling along at about ten miles an hour with a pilot engine a mile in front in case there were bombs on the line!

Although there was a serious situation at that time I thought that Malaya was a most beautiful and delightful country. Most of it was mountainous Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 25

and covered in dense rainforest (jungle) apart from the western coastal strip where most of the population lived. It seems to be a fairly prosperous country with good trade in rubber and tin. It was a multicultural society with about two million Malays and a similar number of Chinese, plus a small proportion of various Indians such as Hindus, Sikhs, and Tamils. Each of the nine states was ruled by a Sultan (with a British adviser!) so the Malays had a fair amount of political power but most of the business and commerce was run by the Chinese. I got the impression that Malays just enjoyed life and did not see the need to work their socks off earning more money. Religion (Islam) seemed to rest somewhat lightly on their shoulders. They seemed very civilised and even the humblest peasant had his dignity, gave good manners and expected them in return.

One of my duties at KL for a time was to run a battery charging station where we had a generator to charge up several vehicle batteries at a time.

I worked with a Malay civilian named Ibrahim Basir. He was aged about 40 and we got on very well together and I tried to learn some Malay from him. Incidentally, the Malay language, like Latin, has no word for ‘Yes’, so the answer depends upon the question; “Ada baik?” (Are you well?)

Answer “Ada” (I am).

After a few weeks in Kuala Lumpur (referred to by everybody as KL) I was sent to join the 16th Battery, 26th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, whose headquarters were in Tampin. This outfit had 16 Chevrolet armoured cars plus of a variety of support vehicles, 3-ton lorries, 15 cwt trucks and some Jeeps. These were divided into four troops which were sent to various parts of Malaya and were moved about from time to time hoping to catch terrorists off guard, which I don't think they ever did! I had to service all their radios which were ‘19’ sets and ‘62’ sets. The ‘62’ set was a smaller version of the ‘22’ set, developed for use by airborne troops. Unfortunately, in my training at Catterick we were given no instruction on the ‘62’ set; we never even saw one! Black mark to the School of Signals!

This meant a lot of travelling for me, and in a few weeks I went into every state in Malaya except Terengganu. A party of about eight of us travelled in two Jeeps with trailers, often at night and led in the first Jeep Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 26

by Major Graham who had some experience as a racing driver, so we had some fairly hair-raising rides! My fondest memory of this time was a journey from Keroh to Gerik close to the Siam border, along a rough mountain track. We stopped to make a call back to base when out of the forest came two Sakai; aborigine tribesmen of short stature wearing little more than a loincloth and a smile; matted hair with blowpipe darts stuck in it. One of them had a small monkey in a cage, probably taking it to the local village to barter it. I thought “This is it! Nature in the raw. Probably they have hardly ever seen a white man; maybe the District Commissioner once every few years.” My illusions were totally shattered when one of them came up to us, took a cigarette from behind his ear and said, “Got a light, Johnny?” I guess that they must have met up with the British during the war, helping with sabotage work against the Japanese.

There is an excellent book about this campaign entitled “The Jungle is Neutral” by Col. Spencer Chapman.

I shall continue this account in next month’s Launton Lines.

John Stephens

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Launton Lines November 2023 Issue 275 | Page 27

St Mary’s Church, Launton - Latest News December 2023 - January 2024

December was a wonderfully active month for us at St Mary’s since, as well as our usual Services there were various seasonal activities to share with everyone.

At the beginning of the month our Family Service was a Christingle Service held on behalf of the Children’s Society and we were pleased to donate the collected £103 towards their work. This went off well, and happily there were no singed eyebrows!

On the second Saturday of the month we were entertained by Launton Community Choir at the Christmas Concert which was a great success thanks to the hard work of the volunteer choir under the superb direction of Nicky Roberts. We are truly grateful to

House maintenance  Repointing   Internal and external decorations Patios  Decking  Fencing  For a personal service, call Peter N Southam 01869 278333 07721 633 220 peteroofer@aol.com Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 28

all involved and thankful for the donation of £501, all raised for the benefit of the Church. There was an extremely wide-ranging content of music and readings, both traditional and modern - there really was something for everyone!

During the month and up until Christmas Eve, we held a Posada Trail which involved a set of figures (in our case small brightly coloured wooden representations of the Holy Family, Shepherds and Wise Men) which was circulated round volunteer families who offered overnight shelter thereby symbolising the journey that Mary and Joseph were required to make on their way to Bethlehem. Some twelve families signed up and were invited to take photographs to illustrate the adventure (some are on page 2). The trail seemed to trigger a deal of interest and the ingenuity of the families was a delight to see!

Before children broke up for the holiday there was the much-welcomed visit of all pupils for the School Carol Service. During this the children told the story of the birth of Jesus through readings, prayers, and songs.

December culminated in special Services: the Crib Service and the Midnight Communion Service.

To the former, the children were invited to dress up as a star, an angel, a donkey, a shepherd or a sheep while helping to tell the story of Jesus’ Birth by assembling the Crib. We enjoyed the rendition of Mary did you know? from our Family Service choir and children went home with gifts including some beautifully knitted lambs especially made for the occasion.

Midnight Communion followed at 11.30pm completing our preparation for the birth of Christ, with the continued celebration at the Holy Communion Service on Christmas Day. And what of the future?

January 2024 is shaping up to be an exciting, significant month as we will be welcoming our eagerly awaited New Team Vicar when Rev’d Sarah Mortimer will be joining us. She will have responsibility for the Parishes of Bucknell and Launton, as well as further-developing duties within the Team. We will have the opportunity to welcome her at the Licensing Service due to take place at St Edburg’s on 29 January starting at 7.30pm. All are most welcome to attend!

Thank you to everyone who has contributed in all ways to the work of St Mary’s during the year and here is to an inspirational 2024!

Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 29

Launton Village Players: The 2024 Pantomime Rapunzel

Happy New Year to everyone!

LVP had a busy run up to Christmas. We sang carols at Launton Primary School’s Christmas Fair and performed a family entertainment show at the Hummingbird Centre’s “Light the Light” event, where Mrs Claus and Frosty made a surprise visit!

LVP also went carol singing around the village and we have sent £256.72 to the Alzheimer’s Society. Thank you to all who gave so generously.

LVP hopes you have had a lovely Christmas full of festive cheer and wish you a very happy and peaceful 2024.

The 2024 LVP Pantomime: Rapunzel

Now January has already begun, and our pantomime is getting closer.

So there is still much to look forward to and if you want a couple of hours entertainment during February half term than Rapunzel is just for you. See the flyer on page 43 for more information.

Tickets are on sale through TicketSource: www.ticketsource.co.uk/lvp.

You can also call on 07864 715708 for cash or cheque purchases, or for help buying online.

Performances will be in Cooper School Performance Hall in Bicester.

Times and prices are listed here: Date Weds 14th Feb Thurs 15th Feb Fri 16th Feb Sat 17th Feb

Performance Times 7:30pm 10:30am*

2:30pm 2:30pm 2:30pm

7:30pm 7:30pm

Adult (18+) £12 £12 £14 £14

Child (1-17) £6 £6 £7 £7

Babes in arms Free Free Free Free

To help families with the cost of living crisis, this year we are offering a variety of Family tickets, which give discounts off the children’s tickets. These will be listed on TicketSource and are available for all shows.

We are also offering a “Relaxed Performance” on Thursday morning.

Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 30

The show will be exactly the same as other performances but we hope to make the following adaptations which might help those who need a more relaxed environment:  House lighting will be kept on at low levels throughout (apart from one scene which you will be warned about).  Music will be turned down and there won’t be any very loud bangs.  The auditorium doors will be open so you can come and go as you please.  The foyer will be available to use as a chill-out space.  A visual story will be made available before the show.  The main characters will be introduced before the show begins.  The cast and crew will have an open attitude towards audience noise and movement.

Rapunzel is full of magical characters including a woodland fairy, butterflies and a phoenix, as well as some pirates and even knights who compete in a jousting tournament! There are all the usual elements of a family pantomime; lots of fun and audience participation as well as the usual comedy duo who try their hand at several jobs and surprisingly find one at the end! There are free puzzle sheets and glow sticks for the children, so you can join in with the magic, cheer on the heroes and boo the baddie (who really is enjoying herself far too much!). Will good win over evil in the end? Do come along to ensure it does.

This is a traditional family pantomime and is suitable for all ages.

Come and enjoy Bicester’s biggest and most magical award-winning panto, as well as helping to raise funds for our chosen charity, Bicester Autism, who provide much needed support and opportunities to the families and carers of autistic children, those with ADHD or those awaiting a diagnosis of autism or ADHD. We look forward to seeing you and if you need any more information contact us on info@launtonvillageplayers.com The LVP team Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 31

Launton Historical Society SPEAKERS and PROGRAMME for 2024 Launton Historical Society has regular meetings on the last Thursday of the month, normally in the Parish Hall. Once the renovation work on the Hall starts, it expects to meet in St Mary's Church.

Here is the programme for the Society for the coming year.

Thursday 25 January Alan Lavender - Chequers Chef to Four Prime Ministers Thursday 29 February John Tyler - The Forgotten River (the Thame) Thursday 28 March Karen and Brett Wiles - World War II Cooking and Rationing Thursday 25 April Mark Davies - Beating the Ancient Bounds of Oxford City Memorable Moments from the last 500 years

Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 32

Thursday 30 May Bill King - Yesterday’s Runways: Airfields of Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds Thursday 27 June Simon Wenham - the Rise of Pleasure Boating on the Thames July: A Society Visit to a local site: venue and date to be confirmed August A Social Event somewhere in the village: venue and date to be confirmed Thursday 26 September Stephen Barker - Trench Humour in the First World War Thursday 31 October Alastair Lack - Oxfordshire Country Houses Thursday 28 November Speaker to be confirmed Grange Mews News January 2024

Commercial Offices, Industrial Units and Storage for Lease Happy New Year to One and All We welcome James Metcalf and his team to Grange Mews.

First Choice Medical offer a service both to the NHS and private enterprise with their ambulances.

Contracts for events and building sites have also already been taken on and we wish them well, and of course we do hope their presence will encourage safety first.

We notice that the Playing Field is celebrating 50 years of the club building, and looking around there are still a few of us who remember the voluntary work on site we undertook, and our Sunday lunchtime refreshment sojourn afterwards in the Bull.

It is good to see that there are still volunteers making great use of the facilities.

Next target seems to be anticipating the Village Hall effort.

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

News from FoLPH January 2024

Finally, the lease for the Parish Hall was signed on 4 January and the Parish Council has taken over responsibility for running the Hall - but fortunately Joan Packer has agreed to Registered Charity continue as Booking Secretary for the time being.

Number 1199171 The Parish Council has successfully applied for a grant towards the cost of the heating system from The Rural England Prosperity Fund - Village and Community Halls scheme. The grant is for £25,000 which needs to be matched with funds from FoLPH. This is the first of many applications that need to be made to fund the work needed - a total of about £550,000.

The Boogie Woogie Bellas in November contributed over £630 to FoLPH funds. The 12th Night event is still to happen. There will be a Spring Fair at the Hall on 6 April, and we’re waiting to confirm a date in for The Sixth Tythe Barn Quiz, always a great event in the Fourteenth Century building.

The next FoLPH Open Meetings will be on Thursday 18 January and then on Wednesday 27 March, both at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. Do come along to catch up on plans for the Hall.

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Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 34

Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 35

The MESS and the ‘MOP’?... LES Reports

Recently I took time out from my Christmas preparations to watch News at 10.

Not a joyous experience. The main items were stories about hate, greed, desperation, and despair. (Hamas, IDF, Russia, Ukraine etc.) What a mess!

But... what about that ‘other’ mess - The Climate Crisis. I was looking for hope and inspiration.

And finally, it was there... COP 28! Were they bickering? YES! Were they dithering? YES! Did they accomplish nothing? NO! Did I find hope and inspiration? YES! They did make some progress, albeit extraordinarily little and very slowly (That is why they are up to COP number 28). Was I inspired?

YES! Eureka!...

COP is the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) ... but enough technical detail.

Launton’s MOP1 - Launton’s first Environmental Meeting of the Parties is worth a try! On Wednesday 17 January 2024, in The Parish Hall at 7:30pm. If you only have time for one meeting this year, make it this one.

Who are ‘The Parties’...? I am. You are. We are. All of us are! We are all a party contributing to the climate crisis problem. So! If you live in Launton, if you work in Launton, if you are one of our Community Leaders, if you are the leader of a group in Launton, if you can get to Launton, if you want to be a part of the solution... Please join us!

Will we disagree? YES! Will we dither? Probably! Will we accomplish anything? One can hope! Will we solve the Climate Crisis? NO! BUT... we will make a start! Be a part of Launton MOP1. It is not My Meeting it is OUR Meeting. Please come and join in ...

Ed Hamill, Launton Environmental Society (LES) P.S. Will there be a Launton MOP2?

I do not know, that will be decided

by MOP1.

Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 2778 | Page 36

100 Years Ago: The Bicester Advertiser January 1924

Friday 4 January BICESTER RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL Highway Matters... On the Blackthorn and Launton road it was recommended that the necessary repairs be carried out, but that the widening of this road should be deferred till next winter as there was a large expense on other roads. Mr Smith said a hole had been dug by the side of this road and had never been filled up. It was at present very dangerous, and two vehicles could not pass at some points. The Surveyor should be instructed to have this hole filled up. – The Surveyor said some of the low ground had been made up. The worst was on the Blackthorn side of the bridge. - Mr Cattell understood that the committee’s recommendation embodied this work. It was decided that the Surveyor should have this work done.

FOOTBALL Results Jersey Cup. Launton 8, Middleton Stoney 0.

Launton and Middleton Stoney met at the former’s ground on Saturday in the Jersey League. The visitors played well with 10 men throughout. At the interval the home team lead by 3-0. All scored by C Jeacock, and eventually won by 8-0. The scorers in the second half were: F Jeacock, W Jeacock (3), J Jeacock.

Tomorrow’s Matches Jersey League Weston v Launton. Launton journey to Weston tomorrow in the Jersey League. The following team is selected: J Jeacock; G Carter and T Cox; H Foster, A Jeacock and C Simons; B Deeley, H Penn, C Jeacock, W Jeacock and F Jeacock.

BICESTER BOARD OF GUARDIANS Firewood Mr James Marriott of the College. Launton, wrote offering to supply oak logwood at 27s 6d per ton, delivered at [sic] the workhouse. He could supply from 10 to 30 tons. It was decided to offer Mr Marriott 25s per ton.

Friday 11 January.

BICESTER URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL Bicester Aerodrome The Clerk read the following reply he had received from the Air Ministry: The question of the re-establishment of the air station in the neighbourhood of Bicester is at present under careful consideration by the Air Council, who have taken due note of your Council’s observations on this subject. Your Council will be notified as soon as the matter has been decided.

FOOTBALL Results Jersey Cup. Chesterton 2, Launton 11 Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 37

Launton visited Chesterton on Saturday in the Jersey Cup and although not at full strength won by eleven goals to two, after leading 5-0 at the interval. C Jeacock (6), J Jeacock (3), W Jeacock and H Penn scored for the visitors. C Jeacock has now scored 38 goals this season...

[Advert] Great Football Attraction Launton v GWR Reserves. Sports Ground, Bicester. Saturday January 12th 1924.

Friday 18 January BICESTER BOARD OF GUARDIANS Logwood At the last meeting Mr Marriott, of Launton, offered 40 tons of logwood at 27s 6d per ton, but the Board offered 25s per ton. Mr Marriott wrote that the wood was very dry and that a ton was equivalent to 25cwt of green wood, The only alternative he could make was 26s 6d per ton, on the condition the Board paid for the weighing. It was stated that this would mean very little difference in the actual price. Mr Evans said he now realised that the offer was a fair one. The ViceChairman stated he could not see how Mr Evans could object previously, when there was only one tender. It was decided to purchase 40 tons at 27s 6d per ton.

FOOTBALL County Junior Shield semi-finals Launton 3, Banbury GWR 1.

Launton qualified for the final of the Junior Shield on Saturday by defeating Banbury GWR by three goals to one, on the Bicester ground. It was a boisterous and wet day, and this reduced the attendance to between 300 and 400. What was lacking in numbers was made up by the vocal efforts of the supports. Launton adopted a vigorous game - too much so at times - and disconcerted their opponents. Mr Longford was the referee, and the teams were:- Launton – Lord; Carter, Ancil; Foster, A Jeacock, Simons; J Jeacock, FT Jeacock, C Jeacock, W Jeacock and T Cox. GWR -......

Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 38

Memories of an ex-Launton Boy This month the ex-Launton Boy starts by apologising profusely to all the Jesty families living in Launton in his childhood: he mixed up the Sherwood Close Jestys with the Station Road family of the same name. Easy to do with the similar surnames in the village. He advises on a visit to the churchyard to remind one of the complex web of names some closely related, some loosely related, and some with no recognised links to others. He and his wife, Julie, were on a pre-Christmas visit to the village and were laying flowers on his parents’ graves, when he noticed that the door was open to the belfry, and he went up.

This brought memories of when he was a member of the ringing team about 60 years ago (and brought the mention of his mixing up the Jesty families from the current Tower Captain). The memories come flooding back, and he recalls the times in his youth when Christmas was quite limited.

Whoops! It would appear I owe you all an apology regarding my contribution in last month’s edition of Launton Lines, wherein I inadvertently got my Jesty families somewhat confused, having waxed on about the Jesty’s of Sherwood Close in days gone by, whereas the Jesty family in question was that of Station Road, Launton. So yes, I most humbly apologise for having made such a mistake. I had, in my dotage, completely forgotten about the Station Road Jestys, and there is me as a young boy trying to get to sleep at night, instead of counting sheep, naming the occupants of all Launton dwellings in street order, commencing with Station Road.

Mind you, with a village such as Launton, the way things used to be, it could be quite easy to get confused with regard to families, there were so very many families with the same surname who were not necessarily immediately related to each other. To name but a few, there were the Austens (or Austins); the Joneses; the Masseys; the Marriotts; the Ancils; the Jeacocks; the Carters, and the Timmses (not necessarily all with the correct spelling).

You just have to walk around St. Mary’s churchyard looking at headstones to see what I mean. Which leads me nicely into the fact that my wife, Julie and I, on our annual Christmas present exchange jaunt up to Bicester (where most of my relatives now live), stopped off at the Church to place some seasonal offerings on the grave of my mum and dad, which my sister Elaine had already festooned with Christmas cheer. We could have chosen a better day weather-wise as it was absolutely chucking it down and with the grass in Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 39

the graveyard being a bit tufty, to say the very least, interspersed with some good old Oxfordshire clay/mud, the going to get to mum and dad’s grave was not made easy, especially as Julie has only recently had a full knee-replacement operation.

Anyway, it so happened that as we began to walk back to the car, I noticed the belfry door was open, and so I called up, asking if I might pop in briefly to have a look. A gentleman by the name of Mr. North, prompted by another who was concealed from view, asked who I might be. Assuming Mr. North to be one of the bell-ringing team (never assume, it only serves to make an Ass of U and Me), I responded by saying I was Elaine’s big brother (my sister Elaine being one of the ringers of Launton Tower). By the time his next question came, I was half-way up the outer stairs. I must say, metal steps with a landing at the top are so much safer than the metal-rung ladder we had to ascend.

The old heavy chain is still up there though, that we used to haul ourselves into the belfry on, and to which we would cling when backing out of the tower door to come back down the ladder. I had however forgotten about the low entrance height and banged my head on the stonework above me. But I nonetheless made it.

The second gentleman whose name I believe is Michael, who is the Tower Captain, was up a ladder doing some remedial work with a series of wires and pulleys (I didn’t ask what). As soon as he realised who I was, he rather good naturedly brought to my attention the fact that I had made a mistake regarding the Jesty families.

I think the last time I was inside that belfry was about sixty years ago as a very young teenage bell ringer (campanologist) and I had forgotten just how small Launton belfry was. Compared to a number of towers I had rung in during my day, Launton is very small and cramped indeed. And there on the floor but propped up against the wall in the corner was the little wooden box that old Jim Marriott had to stand on to ring bell number three, because he was, I believe, less than five feet tall.

We chatted about other towers in the district, both agreeing neither of us liked ringing at Ambroseden, with such a long and sometimes very difficult draught of rope. I remembered the same problem at Stratton Audley, but Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 40

Michael informed me that Stratton Audley belfry has changed tremendously as the belfry floor has been lifted ten feet by the installation of a platform, which makes ringing there a much safer and more pleasant experience.

I hope that one day I might get the opportunity to ring Launton Church tower bells again. Gosh! How things have changed. Elaine tells me they get paid £35 for ringing at a wedding these days. Back in my day, I got paid two shillings and sixpence for ringing at a wedding, but then I got paid a further two shillings and sixpence for singing in the choir at the same wedding, so I used to make five bob in total, unlike the other choristers.

Anyway, as I write, Christmas is soon to be upon us once again, and a really tough one it is going to be for many families. On the one hand, that is such a great pity, especially when looking around and seeing how others have been over-indulged with very expensive (cheap-to-make) products. On the other hand, it might make some families/children thankful for small mercies and teach them the value of what they do have as opposed to the cost of what they might otherwise in other circumstances like to have.

There must be many in the village, especially those older members like myself who were so grateful for the one main Christmas present we received and the modest stocking-fillers alongside - stocking-fillers such as a sugar-mouse, an orange, a small selection of chocolates/sweets, and a Christmas Cracker. It wasn’t much in the great scheme of things, but we were more than grateful, and likely as not, one’s parents could be paying for it on the never-never right up to the following Christmas, and then start the whole thing going off again and again until times and circumstances improved.

Well, here we are again and the wheel has turned another full annual circle which only leaves me to wish all Launton villagers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous and Peaceful New Year. And whilst we are at it, let us pray for peace and a return to rightful borders in Ukraine and let us pray for peace in Israel and the disbanding of Hamas in the hope of a peaceful Palestinian State alongside Israel, each having respect for the other and an acknowledgement of the right to exist.

Keep healthy and stay SAFE. Tony Jeacock MInstRE | The ex-Launton Boy | January 2024 Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 41

Diary Dates: January 2024

In the current situation, it can still be difficult to be specific about village events. Listed are those we know are planned - but check with organisers nearer the date if you plan to attend.

January 2024 Tuesday 2 Rubbish Collection: recycling and food caddy only. Next garden waste collection on Tuesday 16 January | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wednesday 3 Over 60s Club Christmas Lunch, Sports and Social Hall, doors open at 12.30 and bar opens, ends about 3.30pm Thursday 4 Parish Council Meeting, Public Session 7.15pm, Council Meeting 7.30pm. Launton Parish Hall | Sunday 7 Holy Communion (BCP), 8am; Family Service for Epiphany, 11am | Weekly Quiz at The Bull, 8pm Monday 8 Back to school today - Winter half term starts Tuesday 9 Rubbish Collection: garbage bin | Community Café reopens, Parish Hall: 9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm | Island Pond Wood Working Party, 10am | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Thursday 11 WI Meeting, Pam Newall on Alpine Rambles and a meeting with Mozart, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Sunday 14 St Mary's Church, Evensong, 6pm | Weekly Quiz at The Bull, 8pm Monday 15 St Mary's Church Fellowship Group Meeting in the Church, 2.30pm Tuesday 16 Rubbish Collection: recycling and garden bins, and Christmas Tree recycling collection | Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Thursday 18 FoLPH Open Meeting, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Saturday 20 FINAL DATE FOR COPY FOR THE FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE OF LAUNTON LINES: SUBMIT TO launtonlines@launton.org Sunday 21 St Mary's Church. Morning Prayer, 11am | Weekly Quiz at The Bull, 8pm Monday 22 Watercolour Art Class, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 23 Rubbish Collection: Garbage bin | Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am-11am; 2.30pm4.30pm | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Thursday 25 Launton Historical Society, Alan Lavender speaking on Chequers - Chef to Four Prime Ministers, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Friday 26 Sports and Social 50th Anniversary Grand Quiz Night and Mega Meat Draw, Sports and Social Hall, 7.30pm Saturday 27 Defibrillator Awareness Training, Parish Hall, 10am - 12noon Sunday 28 St Mary's Church, Holy Communion, 11am | Weekly Quiz at The Bull, 8pm Monday 29 Watercolour Art Class, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm | Licensing of Reverend Sarah Mortimer, New Team Vicar including Launton in St Edburg's, 7.30pm Tuesday 30 Rubbish Collection: recycling and garden bins | Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 42

Launton Lines January 2024 Issue 278 | Page 43

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 advertisers and Launton Parish Council.

Further print copies are available at £1.00 per copy from Shirley Johnson (01869 369269) Launton Lines is also available online from the January 2020 issue on www.issuu.com © MMXXIV Launton Lines. We reserve the right to edit articles submitted for inclusion.

Neither the Committee nor the Editors are responsible for views expressed in readers’ contributions.