Launton Lines Issue 282 May 2024

Thursday18AprilsawtheAnnual ParishMeetingheldintheParishHall from7:30pm.Justbeforethemeeting agroupgatheredoutsidetosupport theParishHallImprovementProjectnowbeingledbytheParishCouncilas theleasewassignedearlierintheyear.

“WhyimprovetheHall?”,peopleask. Therearemanyreasons:someare

Thestructureissound

Itneedslittlemajorwork

Itneedsupdatingforenergyuse

Itneedsproperinsulation

Theroofneedsfixing

Thekitchenneedsupdating

Itfeelsandlooksverytired

Ithasasuspendedsprungwooden floor,belovedbyballetanddancers

Itisheavilyusedbygroupsfrom thevillageandbeyond

Itoffersasmallerspace(maximum 100people)thantheLSSCHall

Itiscentralforthevillage

Bothhallsinthevillageareheavily booked-weneedbothofthem And,importantly,thegroundlandlord willnotallowdemolitionandarebuild. TheParishCouncilhasa35yearlease ontheHallandwillnowmanagethe projecttobringtheHalluptomodern standards,makingsurethatthespace remainsavailablefortheLaunton communityforyearstocome.

ThefrontcovershowsaBatikdesignproducedbyYear6pupilsinLauntonSchool-see pages20-21forareportandmorepictures.PhotofromLauntonSchool.CoverdesignedbyMattHill

PhotofromLauntonParishCouncil

The Editor writes

Thismonthwe’rebackto44pages,butpackedwithvillage-basedcontent. Thecoverisadesignforbatikfabriconthethemeof“GrowStronger Together”fromYear6pupilsattheschool.I’mtoldtheLauntondesigns willbedisplayed-alongwiththosefromotherschools-inBicesterLibrary from16May.Thereismoreabouthowtheymadethebatikdesigns,andmore photos,onpages20-21.

ThereisaregularreportfromMPVictoriaPrentis(pages7-8),andmore aboutSpeedwatchonpages12-13includinganexplanationofthesocial mediastormafteraTVPposting.Pages22-23featureeventsmarkingthe50th AnniversaryofthePlayingFields/Sports&Socialbuilding.Thereis morenewsabouttheParishHallImprovementProjectonpage2 opposite,intheParishCouncilreportonpages5-6,andonpage43,with SponsoraTileonpage31.TheVillagePlayersreport(pages24-5)from theRedCarpetatOxfordDramaNetworkAGMastheywintwocategories includingoverallBestProduction,andninecommendations.EdHamill writes(pages14-15)forLESaboutplasticsandtheclimatecrisis.

RobertCornford

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

PHONE Numbers: 9:30amto 5:00pm

Janice:07522231100|JaneOlds(LauntonParishCouncil):01869247171 LesleyThompson:01869241755|AbiDowman:07921392201 NickCherryPharmacyRunner:01869242685

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.orgwebsite:https://launton.org/launton-lines/ The Launton Lines Committee 2023-2024

Chair: JonSpinage | Secretary: KateGreig | Editors: RobertCornford, Matt Hill Treasurer: CarinaCollins | Distribution: ShirleyJohnson | Advertising: JenniWalker

Contact the Parish Council

CouncilClerk|MrsJaneOlds

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

Phone|07305303889

To book the Parish Hall

Contact:JoanPacker Phone:07922042133

ParishHall Committee: ChristineMassey; AudreyDeeley;RobertCornford,LynneHarper; JoanPacker;SimonTurner

LIGHT UP A LIFE

Would you like to sponsor an evening’sfloodlighting at St. Mary’sChurch in memory of a loved one, to give thanks for the birth of a child, or to celebrate a baptism, a birthday, or a wedding?

A minimum donation of £10 is suggested which can be Gift Aided. Please contact JoanPacker on 01869 241694 by 20 May for entry in the June 2024 issue of Launton Lines.

May 5 | Sponsored by Bob Roberts to celebrate the birthday of his father, CyrilRoberts

Councillors present MrAndrewBriant, MrsAbigailDowman, Mr EdSanders (Vice Chairman), MrSimonTurner (Chairman), Mr RichardWalker, MrsJaquelineWebber Apologies MrsLesleyThompson, In attendance The Clerk, MrsJaneOlds; 1 representative from GreencoreHomes; 11 members of the public.

East / West Rail

No report had been received. If anyone has any queries, please get in contact directly at publicinformation@ewralliance.co.ukor call the 24 hour helplineon 03457 11 41 41.

GreencoreHomes

A representative from GreencoreHomes attended the meeting to answer questions regarding the recent planning application (24/00780/OUT) to remove condition 26 about the live / work units from the original application.

As mentioned last month, anyone with concerns may contact the developers. They are a local company who are based in Bicester and have indicated that they would like to work with the community. Contact 01865 110044 - enquiries@greencorehomes.co.uk

Anyone with concerns may contact the developers. They are a local company, based in Bicester, and have indicated that they would like to work with the community. Contact enquiries@greencorehomes.co.uk or phone on 01865 110044

Report from District and County Councillors

CllrCotonwas unable to attend.

No report had been received from CllrCorkin(OCC).

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 they are 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 contact Councillors or the Clerk to make comments.

Guidance on how the Parish Council is able to respond to planning applications is available on the Parish Council website at https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/planning-applications/

Village Matters

Parish Hall

The Hall needs a committee in order to run - please see our advert on page 43, and approach the Clerk for more information.

It was disappointing to receive the notification from the Community Ownership Fund that the initial grant application had not been successful. However, feedback giving indications on areas for improvement together with an invitation to make a new submission to the next round had been received. Further sources of grant funding are also being investigated.

Now that the hall management is the responsibility of the Parish Council, all payments for hire should be made to the Parish Council account.

Unfortunately, Gigaclearwas unable to install the broadbandon 2 April; a further date has been arranged.

Highway and Traffic

We are still waiting for a date for the Bicester Road resurfacing. However, we are pleased that the speed indicator devices and the new white gates at the village entrance on Blackthorn Road have been installed. The project has been funded by S106money and so there has been no cost to the Parish Council.

If you have dashcamfootage of anti-social driving or overtaking through the village you can report it to the Police at this url https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ and then select ‘Report’ and ‘Road Traffic Incident’; there is even the facility to uploadthe footage.

Speedwatch

A separate article about the Speedwatch situation is on pages 12-13.

Agenda items and dates of the next meetings

The next meeting will be on Thursday 2 May in the School Hall (entrance via the big green gates from the car park), starting at 7.30pm. If you’dlike to chat with a Councillor, do come along after 7.15pm.

Suggestions for agenda items for the 6 June meeting need to be with the Clerk by 23 May and items for the 4 July meeting by 20 June.

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

LAUNTON PLOTTERS 2024 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

TheLauntonPlotterswillbeholdingtheir2024AGM onThursday16Mayat7.30pmatLauntonAllotments

BringandShare

SomerefreshmentswillbeprovidedforaftertheAGM andwearehappytosharesomeoftheearlyproduce asusedintheRhubarbandCustardCake andAsparagusTartlets, nottomentionthedeliciousfruitwines providedbyplotterslastyear.

QuarterlyreportfromourMP,VictoriaPrentis

While overall crime in the UK has been falling for some time, I know that this is not a reality recognised or enjoyed by all. That is why the Government is focused on ensuring that crime prevention, community engagement and targeted interventions sit at the very heart of local policing through the Beating Crime Plan. These are priorities shared by Thames Valley Police who are working hard to support victims, fight crime and build trust in policing. We know that Community Safety Partnerships have proved a real success, allowing our police, local authorities and other agencies to work in a more joined-up way. The 15% increase in partnership funding over the next four years will strengthen our collective ability to tackle the root causes of crime.

TVPhave exceeded the Government’sUplift programme target by recruiting an additional 784 police officers within the last 3 years. This has given us a greater police presence in Banburyand the surrounding villages with more resources to prevent and tackle crime. I recently had the opportunity to see some of the important work carried out by our

localpolice first hand by joining the police force for a “ride along”. The day started early with the morning briefing at BanburyPolice Station before I went out with two of our local police officers on their morning patrol. It was a very valuable experience where I learnt more about the challenges our town is facing and how they are working hard to tackle issues including anti-social behaviour, county lines and violent crimes. We are all very aware of the challenges associated with anti-social behaviour which is having a real impact on local businesses and residents in our town centres. Although often seen as a low-level crime, persistent anti-social behaviour can blight communities, create a climate of fear and soon escalate to more serious crime. I have been assured that a number of prolific offenders have been arrested and TVPare actively engaging with Cherwell District Council and other organisations. Operation Jinhas been launched in an effort to tackle this ongoing issue and residents are being asked to share their views: https://orlo.uk/sTc48.

Another challenge is the rise in keylesscar thefts which is a problem facing police forces nationally. TVPhave been advising residents to take extra precautions including storing their vehicle keys in a metal tin away from the front of the property as well as using steering locks.

I know that rural crime is also something that worries my constituents which is why I was pleased to host my Rural Crime Forum at Hook NortonBrewery recently. Constituents were able to discuss a wide range of topics with our Police and Crime Commissioner including everything from antisocial behaviour and domestic violence to equipment theft and wildlife crime.

It is so important that people feel safe in their community and live without fear of crime. When people have reason to call the police, they need to have full confidence in the initial and ongoing contact they have. Although TVPanswer 999 calls in an average of 11.54 seconds, greater investment in the 101 telephone service will open new ways to report crime. I will continue to work closely with our local Police Force, including our Local Area Commander, Superintendent JenHogben, to support them and ensure they have the resources they need to keep our streets safe.

Victoria Prentis

Launton Watercolour ArtGroup

The Watercolour Classes are running for only two times in May: on Monday 13 and Monday 20. There are two Bank Holidays in May - both on Mondays - so there are no classes on Monday 6 and Monday 27. Classes will be back to normal in June, meeting on Mondays in the Parish Hall from 2pm. We have space for some new members at £8 per session. Here is a work from the class, by class member JennieFairweather. If you would like to join the class, emailPaul.Ebberson@gmail.com From the first steps in Ballet to Senior Musical Theatre BDAencourages, empowers, and celebrates young dancers. Annual Summer Show in June 2024

Please check on the Facebookpage for StMary’sChurch Launton to see the latest information, or contact one of the

LauntonSpeedwatch Group

Many readers will have heard about the backlash from what should have been a positive social media engagement by Thames Valley Police about our Speedwatch Team. It was definitely a learning experience for Thames Valley Police and those involved on how quickly social media can be highjackedby those who have contrary opinions and deteriorate into attacks against individuals.

For those who didn’thear, Thames Valley Police put a photograph on their Facebookpage showing three of our Speedwatch volunteers with two PCSOs. The post (which has now been removed) degenerated very quickly into a diatribe of negative comments, many of which were directed personally at the people in the photograph - although we believe that very few comments were made by our own villagers. On being made aware, the Parish Council took the matter up with the Police Sergeant.

We welcomed PCSOAshley Sims to the Annual Parish Meeting on 18 April and he gave a statement from Sergeant Gavin Staniland:

“TheBicesterneighbourhoodteamwerealertedtonegativecommentsbeingmadeon apostononeofourTVPsocialmediafeedsinrelationtocommunityspeedwatch.

Thesocialmediaoperatorwhopublishedtheposthadintendedthestorytobea positivemessageshowingengagementandsupportforthecommunityspeedwatch groups.

TVPhaveanalgorithmonthesocialmediaplatformwhichpreventsgrosslyoffensive languagefrombeingpublishedinthecommentsfeed.

However,thisalgorithmonlyfiltersspecificwordssuchasswearwordsandracistor homophobicwords.

Assoonasthesocialmediaoperatorwasawareofthenegativecommentsonthe post,theyremovedthepostimmediately;howeverbythistimeover1000comments hadbeenposted.

Thesocialmediaofficerhasreviewedcommentsthatwerepostedandwhilstitisclear thatmanywereofanunpleasantnaturetheydonotconstituteoffencesunderthe MaliciousCommunicationsActnordotheydirectlyinciteracialhatred.

Theofficerwhocreatedtheposthasbeenspokenwithandwhilstthepostwas intendedinapositivelightithasclearlyshownwhatanemotivesubjectspeedingis withinthecommunityandanyfuturepostsrelatingtocommunityspeedwatchwill havecommentsdisabled.”

We do now have the new Speed Indicator Devices at the three entrances to the village, but the Speedwatch team also have an impact on reducing the speed of traffic through the village. Of course, they can’toperate at night and they do have to wear the hi-vis jackets as part of the agreement with Thames Valley Police - both to protect themselves and to highlight that they are there. They aren’tthere to ‘catch’ speeding drivers - they’re there to educate.

The Parish Council wants to support the village Speedwatch group. Anyone who would like to help – even an hour a month – please contact our co-ordinatorat speedwatch@launton-pc.gov.uk

A report from LESon ‘MOP 2’

You may recall that ‘MOP’ is short for Meeting of the Parties, it is really a local version of The United Nation’sConference of the Parties, ‘COP’. Recently they held ‘COP 28’ where nearly 200 nations decided to transition away from fossil fuels. It was quite successful as it was the world’sfirst ‘global stocktake’ to ratchet up climate action before the end of the decade.

In January, we did call’ MOP I’ a success because the parties unanimously agreed on holding ‘MOP 2’ which took place on 19 April. We can also call ‘MOP 2’ a success not only because we did agree to continue with further ‘mopping’ as we agreed to have ‘MOP 3’ (Thursday, 18 July), but we also accomplished more...

The MOP Meetings are open to everyone, and they are forum type brainstorming sessions, and this one was a bit like opening Pandora’s Box. We opened it up and we did not shut the box quickly. We kept the box opened and found that we really are going to need a pair of bifocals!

It was my hope that we would focus on working on a solution to the ‘Global Warming Problem’ and concentrate on cleaning up our polluted atmosphere. Our focus very early on in the meeting was PLASTICS and how it is polluting not only our oceans, but our food chains as well. Plastics have even been found in Antarctica, in deep trenches in our oceans, and even in human placentas. Lord only knows what it is doing to our overall health.

Like Climate Change it is a devastating problem that we need to address. We must focus our attention on BOTH these global problems!

In March we at LEStook part, albeit is very small part, in The Big Plastic Count. Coincidentally, the results of this national count came in just the day before ‘MOP 2’. They were shocking! Allow me to go through some of the particulars.

The Count was organized by Greenpeace.When I was told about the program the organizers were hoping to get 50,000 people taking part: I

was number 49,242, they ended up with 225,000 participants.

UK Households are throwing away an estimated 1.7 billion pieces of plastic a week, that’s90 billion pieces per year. Of that only 17% is recycled! 11% is landfilled, 58% incinerated, and 14% exported, mostly to poor countries that do not have proper recycling facilities and where much of it ends up in the sea!

Thanks to your efforts in recycling and programs like this the powers that be are finally starting to do something. Governments around the world have now started UN negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty. It is our job to make sure that our government plays an active part!

You can do this by signing Greenpeace’sPlastic Treaty petition - details can be found on their website (http://thebigplasticcount.com). It is very easy. You can also find out more details about the results of the count on that website and there is even a short video.

I would like to thank AngelaStack for telling me about this campaign and raising the topic at the ‘MOP 2’ meeting. It is really a huge problem that needs our attention, and we at LESwill certainly take a bigger part in next year’sBig Plastic Count.

What can we do now in this campaign to reduce plastics in our environment? Continue your efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle as much plastic as you can. Make use of Bicester Green and their refilling service. Try buying fresh fruit and vegfrom farm shops, try the new fruit and vegshop on Sheep Street, or the market stalls, with less plastic.

A side note, as part of the UK Plastics Pact, supermarkets promised to make all their plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostableby 2025. They are not doing very well. You might like to make your views on this subject are known at the Customer Service desk next time you do a big shop.

Lastly, don’tforget that The Climate Crisis is still there and please continue to focus on reducing your carbon footprint! If we want to minimize the damage, we must reduce our energy consumption by 8.7% THIS year! Not much time left!

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Followingthesuccessofourfirstmeetingandtheenthusiasticinterest,weare holdingasecondmeetingonThursday23Mayfrom10.30to12nooninthe ParishHalltoseehowtheprojectisprogressingandtowelcomeanyonewho wouldliketobepartoftheprojecttomakepoppycascadesfortheWar MemorialandtheWaterPumponRemembranceDaythisNovember. Thankyoutoeveryonewhohascontactedusandmadepoppies:weestimate thatwehavearound200alreadybut,asweareaimingforagoodfewmore, wehopetoenlistmorepeopletohelp.

Pleasecomealongandjoinusforacuppa.Bringyourknitting,sewing, crochetorotherideaswithyou.Wewillhavepatternsandsomewool availableandsomeonetoshowyouhowtogetstarted.

Forfurtherinformation,pleasecontactanyofthefollowing: IsobelJennionisobeljennion@me.com

MaryCartercarmore2007@hotmail.co.uk

HilaryBradshawhilaryannbradshaw@hotmail.comTel01869241989 Welookforwardtoseeingyou.

TheLauntonPoppyCascaders

Launton Community Communications Group

An Appeal for Volunteers

At the Annual Meeting of LCCG(which handles Launton Lines, the Launton Community FacebookGroup and the Launton website) on 6 March plans were launched to develop all three channels.

To do this we need some more people to:

 Plan and carry out a readership survey for Launton Lines and a user survey for the other LCCGchannels

 Support the Facebookeditor with adminand moderation in Launton Community Group

 Work with the joint Editors of Launton Lines to develop a wider range of contributions across the village

 And from 2025 we need a Chair to replace JonSpinagewho will be standing down

If you want to join us, or just find out more, emaileditor@launton.org or phone 01869 241883.

Reporting from The Woodland

A huge thank you to everyone who turned out for the dusk bird walk on Saturday 13 April. We were rewarded with lovely weather, a stunning sunset, and a diverse chorus of birdsong! A special thank you to Emmafor leading the walk and sharing her extensive knowledge with us all. We encountered 15 species including blackcap, chiffchaff, wren and long tailed tit. If you’dlike another opportunity to learn bird song we have our dawn chorus walk on Sunday 12 May! Come and join us at 4.30 in the morning!

ToTheEditor.

ReadingPatMitchell’spieceintheMarchissueofLauntonLinestookme backsomanyyears:tobeprecise,towhenIarrivedinWestEndin1966 aftermarryingwhatIwastoldwasLaunton’sNo1Batchelor,thevillage glamourboy.Ihaveneverfoundouthowmuchtruththerewasinthis,but Idoknow,onaseriousnote,that‘theglamourboy’wasstrickenwith Parkinson’s.ItruelybelievehehaditwhenImarriedhim.Heendedupa shadowofhisformerself.Parkinson’sisadreadfuldisease-thankgoodness thereissomuchmorethatcanbedoneforanyonesufferingin2024.

Anyway,backtotherealreasonIamputtingpentopaper:PatMitchell.

SoonafterIarrivedinthevillage,wordwasthatPatGoldwascomingback tothevillagetolive.Well,Iandmynewfriendsnowlivinginthevillage wantedtoknow,“WhoisthisPatGold,andwhywasitsuchanewsitem?”

Wesoonfoundoutwhy:shewasa“Doer”!

ThefirstthingPatdidwastostartaplaygroup,anditwasawell-run playgroup.OneofmysonswenttoaBicesterplaygroupwhich,inmy opinion,wasnotasgood.IdidsayinMYopinion!IwasdelightedwhenPat startedourownLauntonplaygroup,andthatwashowIgottoknowher.

PathasdonemoreforthevillagethananyoneelseIknow.Iwasinvolvedin villagemattersformanyyearsanditwasapleasuretoworkwithher.

Wedidnotalwaysagreeonmatters,butshewouldalwayslistentoothers’ pointsofview.

Readingthroughherarticleseveraltimes,Ithinkshewasinvolvedand helpedmanyoftheorganisationsshementions.

Irepeat,inmyopinionPathasdonemoreforthisvillagethananyoneelseI know.

Iwouldlovetosee,somewhereinthevillage,areminderofherwork: perhapsaplaqueintheParishHall,whenithasbeenrefurbishedtoremind peopleofallthegoodshehasdoneforLaunton.

Ifothermembersofthevillageagreewithmeandfeelthesameway,could westartacollectiontomakethishappen?

GretaWalker

FromLauntonSchool-MakingBatik

Today some Year 6 children are talking about their recent experience of creating their own batik artwork.

We created some designs, using the theme ‘Grow Stronger Together’ to inspire us. Hopefully, our finished batik will be displayed in Bicester Library with four other primary schools’ batik designs. We think we might be able to see it there in May. Our designs include things like trees, leaves, acorns and people.

We started by using pencil and paper to create our designs, then when we were happy with our work we put the paper under some silk fabric, which we could see our designs through. We used hot wax in a tjanting to trace our pictures. A tjantingis a tool that keeps the wax warm so it flows a bit like ink from a pen. You can get double tjantings, but they are quite hard to control because the wax flows really quickly. When we had traced our pictures we used different coloured dyes to colour in between the wax lines on our pictures. The wax stops the dye from spreading and means that you only have colour where you want it to be. We used lots of different colours, like red, blue, yellow, green, pink and purple. When we were using the dyes we had to wear aprons and gloves to protect our clothes and hands, but some of us still got dye on our arms. Our favourite bit of batikingwas using the tjantingand the coloured dyes. We are looking forward to seeing our artwork on display with other schools’ artwork and we are really proud of our work.

Chloe, Henry, Stanleyand Kiera, year

6

Launton Village Speedwatch

Can you spare an hour a month (or even a week) to help with Speedwatch in the village?

Launton Community Speedwatch Group was formed mainly to educate drivers about the speed limit through the village (now 20 mph) and to report excessively speeding vehicles to Thames Valley Police through the Community Speedwatch programme. We are looking for more volunteers to join the team. For more information, see the article on pages 12-13.

Some of the children’sbatik designs, inspired by the theme ‘Grow Stronger Together’. See also the cover of this issue of Launton Lines. The batikswill be on display, with those from other local schools, in Bicester Library from 16 May.

Photos from Launton CofESchool

FromthePlayingFieldAssociation’sFiftieth

From the ’80sDisco in April

News from the LPFA: Our 50th Anniversary

Our 50th anniversary celebrations continued in April with the 80’snight which proved a great success. Tickets sold out and the hall was full of music, costumes and dancing: see the photos above. On 11 May we are hosting the amazing tribute band Like The Beatles. Like... The Beatlesare as close to the original band as you can get. From the obsessive attention to detail in the musicianship and characterisation to the replica costumes,

Did you really wear this kit back then?

instruments and equipment, they are completely dedicated to bringing audiences the most technically accurate experience of The Beatlesa tribute band can get. Their love for and obsession with The Beatlesis apparent in every aspect of their performance.

Tickets are £15 and are available from Eventbrite.co.ukwith a link on our Facebookpage.

And don’tforget the Family Day in the Hall and on the Field on 6 July: as there is no fete for 2024, this should be a spectacular event.

It’sbeen great to see new faces in the bar as more people realise it is open to everyone, great value prices and with no membership required. LPFA

Launton Village Players update for May 2024

Awards for RapunzelPanto

WeattendedtheODN(OxfordshireDramaNetwork)AGMon19April,atthe endofwhichtheyannouncedawardsfromtheirWinterFestival. Theystartedoffbycommentingontheveryhighstandardofallthe productions,andthattheyhadalmosttwiceasmanyentriesthisyear(11) comparedtolastyear(6entries),andthatthecompetitionwasfierce. Therewere16individualawards,andIampleasedtoletyouknowthatwewon the“BestProgrammeDesign”award!

Wealsohadspecialmentionsorwererunnersupinnineothercategories:

BestFrontofHouse BestCostumeandMakeUp

Choreography:thechildren’schorusBestMusic

RisingStar:ClaraRedfearn-BullBestChorus

BestCameo:SimonTurnerasSirBravado

BestBaddie:NickyRobertsasMotherGothel

MagicMoment:thebutterflyroutine

However,thebiggestmomentandmostcovetedawardofthenightisthe

AllourObedienceTrainingispartof TheKennelClubGoodCitizenDogScheme Jennie,ourInstructorisanApproved Instructor (Academy of Dog Training and Behaviour), Agility Club Approved Instructor, UK Agility Instructor. AnewvenueundercoverinGrendonUnderwood

HoopersActivity Saturday starts at 12 noon

Agility Class Saturday from 1pm

Thursday Classes in ArncottVillage Hall

Puppy Foundation Assessment, under 6 months, starts 6.45pm

Basic Obedience for dogs age 6+ months, starts 7.30pm

Rally Obedience or Scent Work, every alternate week for each class, from 8.15pm

overall“BestProduction”award,whichcomescompletewiththeDiedreJones MemorialAwardCup...Andwearethrilledtoletyouknowthatthiswas awardedtoLVP!

Thejudgescommentedonhowourpantowasbrilliantacrosseveryareaand thatwetickedalloftheboxes-amazingcostumes,thecolourfulset,fantastic music,welcomingFoH,wonderfulspecialeffectsandmanagingsuchalarge cast.Theyalsocongratulatedusonraisingafantasticsumofmoneyforcharity, andcommentedonhowthestandardandqualityofLVPpantoshasjustbeen gettingbetterandbetteroverthelastfewyears.

Singing at Launton Grange

AttheendofApril,wewereinvitedtosingatLauntonGrangeResidential Home.Thiswasonceagainanenjoyablemorningandwesangavarietyof songsincludingSingin’theBluesandTopoftheWorld.Itisalwaysanenjoyable eventandlovelytohaveagoodsingalongwithallthosepresent.

Summer variety show: It’sShowtime!

Rehearsalshavenowstartedforour2024summershowIt’sShowtime!,whichwill featuremusic,dancing,songs,andcomedysketches.Wewillfeaturemany differenttypesof“shows”fromaroundtheworld,includinglotsofwell-loved musicals,somecircusacts,andeventheOlympics!

Theshowissuitableforallagesandwillincludesketches,funnyskitsandsolo songs,aswellasgroupsingingofwell-knownshowsongs,plusafewsurprises. Therewillbethreeperformances:1:30pmand6pmonSaturday20Julyand 2:30pmonSunday21July.TheShowwillbeinTheBigShedTheatreatHare LeysFarmLaunton.Tickets(Adults£12andChildren£6)areavailablenow fromwww.ticketsource.co.uk/lvp

Refreshmentsareavailabletobuywhenyougettickets,andontheday.Ifyou areunabletobuyonline,callon07864715708forcashandchequepurchases. WearehopingtoraisemoneyfortheBicesterBabyBankandalsoforourown stageblockfund,asourexistingstageblocksaregettingveryworn. Wewillbeperforminginafarmshedsobringyourownchairsorrugtositon. Thereisplentyofparkingandwedohavespacefordisabledparkingandspare chairsforanyonewhocannotbringone,aswellastoiletfacilities.The1:30pm performanceonSaturday20Julywillbearelaxedperformance.

Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecontactuson01869277625orbyemail tickets@launtonvillageplayers.org.ukWedohopeyouwillbeabletocometo our“ShowinaShed”andenjoyanafternoon'sentertainmentwithus.

TheLVPteam

LauntonOver60’sClubreportforApril2024

Our fortnightly meetings are continuing successfully. We now have 37 members, up from 29 last year. Our attendance for the first four months of this year has been between 29 and 33 which is encouraging. It seems to prove that everyone is enjoying themselves, which is great! We had our Easter Lunch on 27 March which was as good as ever. The tables were decorated beautifully (see page 27 opposite), the result of lots of work from Tina, ably assisted by her daughter, Vicki, and other committee members. It was appreciated by all of us. The bar was open and background Country and Western music was played whilst we were eating! We had a Hot Cross Bun and a small Easter Egg to take home.

We held our Annual Meeting on 10 April and were very pleased to have two new volunteers to join our Committee: Elaineand Bob, both from Bicester. Existing Committee members all agreed to continue for another year with EdwinaC as Chairman, Wendyas

Treasurer, me as Membership Secretary, and Rita, EdwinaR and Tina joining our new volunteers on the Committee. Our emergency plan is kept up to date and we now have a rota for washing-up duties which makes things a lot more organized in the kitchen. New members are always welcome.

Pat Court, Membership Secretary | 01869 244900

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HeardontheCrossroads

We were standing not at the Crossroads but had moved on to the old Railway Bridge on Bicester Road when we noticed that the new speed indicator signs had been installed and were working - and (better yet!) had been installed in a more sensible position clear of the hedge growth. So as you come over the bridge into the village it is very easy to see your speed. And if you are keeping to the new limit (20 mph) there is a cheerful smileyface to let drivers know that they are doing the right thing. We were surprised how quickly they had been installed.

Soon after, we received an election leaflet that was designed to look like a local newsletter that asked recipients to contact the issuing party and let them know what we think of the new 20 limit. We wonder if they were swamped by people letting them know that we’re very much in favour of the initiative. Were they expecting to flush out a huge majority who think 20 is a bad idea? On what planet do they live? Or maybe they just want the limit in their village, but not elsewhere.

Thursday 9 May

BICESTERRURALDISTRICTCOUNCILInspector’sReportTwo casesofscarletfeverhadbeennotifiedatLaunton.Bothpatientshadbeen removedtotheInfectiousDiseasesHospital,anddisinfectioncarriedout.No sourceofinfectioncouldbetraced.

CRICKETCLUB.TheannualmeetingwasheldonThursdayeveninglast weekwhenMrJFStarbuckpresided.Thefollowingofficerswereappointed: President,LordChesham;Chairmanofcommittee,MrStarbuck;Captain,Mr RDeeley;Vice-captain,MrAcland;honsec,MessrsCharlesWalkerandIW Deeley.

Thursday16May

WHISTDRIVE.LauntonFootballClubheldawhistdriveonWednesday eveningattheschoolroom,anditwasmostsuccessful,22tablesbeing occupied.MrAJHaweswasMC,andMrsHawesdistributedprizestothe following:MrRobertDeeley,MrTJeacock,MrPhilips,MrTFreeman,Miss MayandMrFMassey.BoobyprizesweregiventoMissMayandMrGeo Jones.MysteryprizeswerewonbyMissDHawes,MissMay,MrTCoxand MrMHawes.

Thursday23May

CONGREGATIONALCHAPELANNIVERSARY

Specialserviceswere heldattheaboveplaceofworshipinconnectionwithitsanniversaryservices onSunday,the11thinst.ServiceswerepreachedintheafternoonbytheRevT Smith,andintheeveningbyMrElliott,ofCharndon.Specialmusicwas renderedbythechoir.Thecongregationsweregoodatbothservices.There wasacontinuationoftheservicesonThursdaythe15th,apublicteabeingheld intheafternoon,whenagreaternumberthanexpectedsatdownandpartook ofthegoodthingssoabundantlyprovided.Thiswasfollowedbyasacred concert,overwhichtheRevTSmithpresided.Thechapelwasfullandthe choirinsplendidform.Altogethertheanniversaryserviceswereasuccess, manifestinglivelyinterestinthecauseofsacredtruth.[Fullprogrammedetails followed]

Thursday30May

SACREDCONCERTOnSundayeveningtheMarshGibbonbandgavea selectionofsacredmusicinMrFreeman’sfield.Therewasalargeattendance DEATHMay24thatWestEnd,Launton,MissBessieLong,daughterofMr JohnLong,aged30years.

COUNTYCOURTEdwardParrott,carpenter,Launton,vThomas Sansom,FoxandHoundsbeerhouse,LauntonTheclaiminthis casewasforworkallegedtohavebeendonebyplaintifftosomecottages atLaunton,belongingtothedefendant,whichclaimamountedto£214s. MrIsaacBerridge,solicitor,appearedfortheplaintiff.Sansomsaidhe nevergavetheorderfortheworktobedoneatall.Theplaintiff,hesaid, owedhimsomemoneyandhecameofhisownaccordtoworkatthe cottage.Plaintiffdescribedtheworkthathehadperformed,andsaidit wasnotlikelyhewouldworkatotherpeople’scottageswithoutreceiving theordertodoso.HisHonoursaidthatwithsuchridiculousevidence beforehimhecouldnotgivejudgement,ashedidnotknowwhichparty tobelieve;andhethoughtitbest,astherewasacross-casebythepresent defendantagainstthepresentplaintiff,forbothtobeheardatthenext court,toadjournthepresentcasetothattime,anddisposeofthetwoon thatday,andalsothesummonsagainstthedefendantfordetaining plaintiff’stools,Thecaseswereaccordinglyadjournedforamonth.

Thank you!

A big thank you to all those who joined us on Thursday evening (18 April) before the Annual Parish meeting to take part in the ‘Save Our Hall’ photograph (on page 2 - the inside front cover - of this issue of Launton Lines).

We hope you can see what a range of people use it.

We need volunteers for the new Parish Hall Management Committee - no experience is necessary - but if you’veused the Hall in the past or would like to use the Hall in the future, do come and help run it!

There won’teven be the need to be a Treasurer or a Secretary - just help with the decisions on running it.

See the poster on page 43 for more details.

Sponsor a Tile (SAT)

We are raising money to start the renovation work on Launton Parish Hall. About £525,000 is needed. We will continue to organise fund raising events, and apply for grants.

Registeredcharity number1199171

We are also asking people, businesses, and interested groups to Sponsor a Tile (though the roof will be covered with zinc sheets).

Atilewillcost£20andyournamewillbeaddedtotheSponsors’Display ListwhichwillbeintherefurbishedHall.Ifyouwouldrathernotbeon thislist,justticktheboxbeloworemailtreasurer@folph.org.uk

MoneyraisedthroughSponsoraTilewillgotothenewroofor,ifthereis anymoneyleftover,totherefurbishmentofLauntonParishHall.

Formoreinformationgotowww.launton.org/folph/ HowcanIpaytoSponsoraTile?

1.Cash

2.Cheque:madeouttoFriendsofLauntonParishHall

3.BACSorBankTransfer

Accountname:FriendsofLauntonParishHall SortCode:30-91-91

Accountnumber:53871468(referenceSAT)

4.Card:viatheFoLPHcontactlesspaymentdevice

5.JustGiving:https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/folph 1,2,and3abovearepreferableand4isonlyatFoLPHevents,Ifyou wouldliketoaddGiftAidtoyourdonationpleasecompleteagiftaid formfromFoLPH.

IwouldliketoSponsoraTileforLauntonParishHall

Name: ....................................................................................................

NumberofTiles

PleasedonotincludemeontheSponsorDisplayList

Thankyouforyoursupport.

Launton Historical Society reports

KarenandBretWilesareHomeFrontre-enactors–theyportraythosewho experiencedtheSecondWorldWaronBritain’sHomeFront.AtourMarch meetingtheytoldusallaboutrationing,andwhyitwasneeded.Thelessonshad beenlearntfromWorldWarIfoodshortageswhichhadbroughtmalnutrition, ricketsandscurvy.

In1939aNationalRegistrationprogrammewasintroduced,forIDcardsand calluptotheforces-andrationbooks.Foodrationingstartedon8January 1940.TheMinistryofFoodwantedtomakesuretherewasenoughforall,with peopleunderstandingaboutnutrition,sothattherecouldbeareasonablediet withoutimportedfood.Rationbookswereissued-andifyoulostyours,youhad toapplytoyourlocalfoodofficeforareplacement.Somegroupshadspecial rations-includingpregnantwomen,fishermen,quarrymen,forestryworkers, ruralroadsmenandminersworkingunderground.

Togetfoodfromabutcheroragrocer,youhadtoregisterwiththemandyou couldonlybuyfromthem.Priceswerecappedintheshops.Therewerecoupons forrationedgoods,andyouhadtousetheminaspecificweek.

Howmuchdidyouget?Baconorham-4ouncesperpersonperweek.Butter thesame.Sugar-12ounces,whichsoundsalot.Tea,2ouncesperpersonper week,mostlyloosetea,thiswasnottheeraoftheteabag.

Noteverythingwentontorationatthesametime.Meatwasrationedfrom11 March1940,margarinefromJulythatyear.May1941broughtcheeserationing2ouncespp/pw.Vegetarianscouldsurrendertheirmeatrationandgetextra cheese.FromJune1941,onefresheggpp/pw.October1941-milk-2pints pp/pwinwinter,anextrapintinsummer.June1942-driedeggs-1tinpp/per month,equivalentto12eggs.InJuly1942,sweetswererationed-8ouncesper month.TheBournvillefactoryswitchedtoproducingaircraftparts.Breadstayed offrationuntil1946buttheNationalLoafwasintroducedin1942-aheavy, grimylookingbreadwhichwasnotpopular:itwascalledHitler’ssecretweapon. Therewasapointssystemforimportednon-perishablegoods.Youcouldsave upyourpoints,youdidn’thavetousetheminanyoneweeklikecoupons.Atin oftunawas16points,anddriedfruitandcerealwerealsoonthepointssystem. Somefooditemswerenotrationed,suchasfruitandvegetablesinseason,fish (thoughinshortsupply),sausages(buttheywereofpoorquality).Offalsuchasa pig’sheadortripewasn’trationedeither.Horsemeatbecamepopularandno couponswereneeded.AfishcalledSnoekwaspromotedbutitwassaidthat evencatswouldn’teatitandreportedlymostwasdumpedintheChannel.Beer wasn’trationedbutitwasinshortsupply.

Importedfruitwasnotfreelyavailable,forexamplebananasstoppedbeing importedfromthebeginningofthewarasrefrigeratedshipswereformeatonly. Therewouldbeauctionsforabananaoralemon.

TheMinistryofFoodencouragedforaging,andsomepeopleatesnails. Apparentlythewordwastopurgethembeforecooking–youputthemina bucketandfedthemoncarrots.Whenthepoowasorange,theywerepurged. Fromthisyoucanseethatmealplanninginthe1940swassomethingofa challenge,evenwithoutthethreatofbombs.Rationingfinallyendedin1953. KarenandBretbroughtwiththemadisplayofgoodsfromthe1940sand samplesofbaking-breadpudding,vinegarcake(noeggs),bread.Ihavetosay thateithertheyweregreatcooksorwewereallreallyhungry:theyweredelicious. KarenandBrethadtriedaweekonrations,theyfoundittimeconsumingbut enjoyable.Theyhaveabook,availableonAmazonAWeekonRations.

BythetimeyoureadthiswewillhaveheardMarkDaviestalkaboutBeatingthe BoundsinOxford-memorablemomentsfromthelast500years.InJunewe’ll hearBillKingtalkaboutYesterday’sRunways.Wemeetat7.30pmintheParish HallonthelastThursdayofthemonthmostoftheyear.Youcanbeamember orjustpopinoccasionally,allarewelcome.

GwenSkinner

BCOSofferstheirfirstshowwithagerestriction

BCOSareexcitedtowelcomesomenewmemberstotheirgroup-furryones!! Why?They’reinthefinalweeksofrehearsalsforthehilariousshowAvenueQ. Notfamiliarwiththeshow?ThinkSesameStreetforgrown-ups:thisshowis strictly16+!!Featuringpuppetnudity,stronglanguage,andadultthemes,the showisnotfortheprudish!

IttellsthestoryofPrinceton,arecentgraduate,ashetriestofindhispurpose inlifewiththehelpoffriendshefindsalongthewayinhisnewhomeon AvenueQ(hecouldn’taffordtoliveinavenuesA-P!).Theshowwillsend youhomehumming/singingsomerealearworms-butperhapsmakesurethe kidsaren’taboutwhenyousingthem!

TheshowisperformedThursday30MayFriday31May,andSaturday1June attheCooperSchoolPerformanceHallat7:30pmeachnight.Tickets(£16)are availableinpersonfromColesBookstore,oronlinefrom www.ticketsource.co.uk/Bcos(seefacingpagefordetails)

Launton WIreporting

Anotheryearhaspassedandherewearecelebratingour 83rdBirthdaysinceLauntonWIwasformedinApril1914.

Westartedtheeveningwithbusinesschairedbyournew PresidentEleanorwhointroducedthenewcommittee.23 membersthensatdowntoalovelyfishandchipsupperwithaglassofwine forsomefollowedbydeliciouspuddingsprovidedbytheCommittee.

Atmostmeetingsweholdcompetitionbasedonthethemeofthatmeeting, (forthismeetingitwas“SomethingFishy”inhonourofthesupper-wonby Eleanor),holdaraffle,andgivedonationsalwaysneededtotheFoodBankor theHygieneBank.Weneverforgetmembers’birthdays,withcongratulations andcardsthismonthhandedtoIsobel,SherieandSueP.

Wehavehadagoodyearhelpingatvillageeventsplussocialgettogethersand outings,andnowlookforwardtoourtriptoGreysCourtnearHenleylaterin themonthandothereventsplannedforthisyear.

Wewouldlovetowelcomenewmemberstoourveryfriendlygroupwho meetintheParishHallonthe2ndThursdayofthemonthat7.30pm.For furtherinformationpleasecontactoursecretaryHilaryon01869241989.Our nextmeetingison9May,wherewewillbediscussingResolutionsfortheWI AnnualMeetinginJune,withwineandcheese.

JaneLeach

JOHNASHBYEsq,ofLaunton,is,wearepleasedtosay,sofar recoveredfromtheeffectsofhisaccident,astobeabletotake,withtheaid ofastick,out-doorexercise.

OPEN-AIRLABOURERS'UNIONMEETINGATLAUNTON.

At Launton,onSundayafternoon,May[blank–shouldbe3]ameetingwas heldinconnectionwiththeLabourers’Union,inafield,adjoiningthehouse ofMrTSansom,theFoxandHounds,when,notwithstandingthe threateningstateoftheweather,about500people,consistingchieflyof agriculturalists,fromBicester,Blackthorn,MarshGibbon,andneighbouring villagesassembled,mostofwhomworedarkbluefavours-the“Union” colour-intheirhatsorbuttonholes.Itwasaveryorderlyassemblage,the hearerslisteningwithmarkedattention,andthespeecheswerefreefrom rancourandslang.

Anelevatedplatformwasfixedatoneendofthefield,fromwhichatabout twopm,MrFord,ofOxford,calleduponMrWebb,ofBicester,tooffer prayer,whichhedid,invokingGod'sblessinguponthemeeting;after which,“Thereisafountainfilledwithblood,”wassung.

MrFord,thenexplainedtheobjectforwhichthemeetinghadbeencalled thatafternoon,viz,toraisemoneyforanobject,whichtheybelievedtobe right,inaidofamovementtoraisetheirfellowworkingmen,whowere strugglingforlibertyofconscienceandlibertyofprinciple,andinorderto makeanappealtothemforfinanciallyhelpingtheirbrethren,whowere tryingtogaintheirliberty;butthehigherobjectforwhichthemeetinghad beencalledwastobenefittheirfellowmeninspiritualaswellasasocial sense,andfortheimprovementofmankindingeneral.Hehopedthey wouldgivethespeakersanimpartialhearing,andconcludedbycallingupon MrGReynolds,Piddingtontoaddressthemeeting.

Hecommencedbysayingitwasalongtimesincehehadaddresseda meetingintheopen-air...Hehopedtherewouldbesomegoodresultfrom theirmeetingthatday,astheyhadhadmetwiththeintentionofbenefitting theirfellowworkingmen.Heurgeduponeachman,womanandchild presenttoobeyGod'sword,and,asthetextsaid“Seekyefirstthekingdom ofheaven,”andthenallblessingswouldbeaddeduntothem...Hefeltan interestintheirspiritualwelfare,aswellasthemissioninwhichhewas

engaged,havingtoldsomefriendsatPoundon-wherehehadpreviously... [arranged]...tospeakthatafternoon-tocometoLaunton,insteadof hearinghimthere.Thewordshewouldcalltheirprayerfulattentiontowere recordedinthe14thchapterofProverbs,verse21:-“Hethatoppresseththe poorreproachethhisMaker.”...Tocometothetext,therewasaheavypress uponthepoorinthishighly-favouredland....Theoppressionhadbeen confinedtooneclass,andthatwastheagriculturalclassinEngland,and whichhadbeenlaiduponthembytherich.....andhecontendedatsome lengththatthefarmersinmanyinstanceshadoppressedthelabourersasa classforyears....Healsocalleduponanotherclasstohelpliftthemup,and thatwastheagriculturallabourersthemselves.Theycouldsosobybinding themselvesinaUnion,whichwouldenablethemtogetfromunderthis oppression.....Headvisedthemtojoinanddoalltheycould,sothatthey mighthelpinthemightystrugglethatwasnowgoingon.......Forhimselfhe knewsomethingaboutoppression.Heknewwhatitwas,likeagreatmany moreofhisfellowmen.Hehadknowninafamily,whereonly1½dper headwasallowedforeachmeal,andhesaidthatwasfromhisownpersonal knowledge.Somemenhadridiculedthatstatement,andsaiditwas nonsense,becausetheycouldnotsubsistonthatamount;however,hecould assurethemitwastrue....Thespeakeradvisedhishearersinconclusionto givetheirheartstoGod,topraytoHimforthesafetyofthoseindividuals whowerepassingacrossthetracklessoceantoanotherlandtobefreed fromoppression....

AfterthesingingofCowper’shymn,Godmovesinamysteriousway,Mr Eggleston,ofOxfordstatedthattheyhadallheardpreviouslywhatwasthe objectofthemeeting,and,ashebelievedinthesanctityoftheSabbath... Heshoulddevotetheirattentionchieflytoreligioussubjects.Intheyears goneby,whentheAmericanWarwasraging,alargenumberofoperatives werethrownoutofemploymentintheNorthofEngland,andafundwas raisedinLondonandelsewheretoassistthemintheirdistress.Theywere metatLauntonthatdaytohelpafundthatwasbeingraisedtorelievetheir fellowcreaturesthatwerestandingupfortheirprinciples....Heconcluded byadvisingthemalltofleefromthewrathtocome,andtotakewarningas therewasnotimetobelost,sotheymightsitdownwithChristinhis kingdom,wheretherewouldbepeaceevermore.

Twohymnswerethensung,duringwhichacollectionwasmadeonbehalf onthelocked-outlabourers,andtheamountreceivedwas£28s10½d.

Droodles

What are Droodles?

They were very popular about 50 or 60 years ago. They are best explained by giving examples as shown.

a. A potato with a chip on its shoulder.

b. A clock that tells you what the time was.

c. A man wearing a bow tie standing too close to the lift doors.

d. RonnieCorbett wearing a bow tie standing too close to the lift doors.

e. Aerial view of a Mexican riding a bicycle.

f. A ship arriving just too late to save a drowning witch.

Readers are invited to submit more examples of such Droodles.They are best created with a black marker pen on a sheet of white paper.

John Stephens

Memories of an ex-Launton Boy

This month the ex-Launton Boy remembers Sunday School in Launton, and some of the activities involved: highpoints are the Easter Egg Hunt in the garden of the Old Rectory, and the annual summer trip to WicksteedPark in Kettering.And he regrets that some of the things that made Sunday special have been lost.

Now then, who remembers the days when we had, after the morning service at St. Mary’sChurch, Launton, that weekly routine known as ‘Sunday School’?

There may still be some in the village who used to attend ‘Sunday School’ when the juniors were taught by Mrs. IdaWaine(or maybe Wayne- my memory is hazy) and the seniors by Mr. FredReeves, he of the slowest bicycle in all Christendom, well certainly in Launton.

They were excellent teachers of both the Old Testament and the New Testament, with FredReeves bringing a relatively modern touch to the whole thing when reminiscing of his time spent in the then (in his day) place known as Palestine, before the formation of the land of Israel as it is now known. They would tell us stories from the Bible in a way which was easily digested and understood by children of our ages. It served as a good grounding for the understanding of the difference between good and bad in the wider sense, beyond that which we were taught by our parents, who in most cases in the village back then did an altogether pretty good job.

It taught us to have tolerance towards others, which let’sface it, is not always easy to do. And despite having been taught the difference between right and wrong, every one of us would err and go astray once in a while.

Sunday School was just one of the things that made Sundays pretty special compared to the other days of the week. For a start, in going to church in the first place, whether to morning service (Holy Communion), Sunday School or Evensong, we always wore our Sunday Best. It seems old fashioned to many these days, but I still wear my Sunday Best to church, with my Corps of Royal Engineers tie of course, especially as it is the Garrison Church that I attend.

As an aside, I know people make an effort in their appearance at weddings (though there are exceptions to that rule of course), but on important, sombre and respectful occasions such as funerals (and in my capacity I’veattended a large number), I cannot believe the appearances of some that I have seen all too frequently. Some look as if they have just come off working on the corporation dust cart.

Anyway, getting back to Sunday School, by and large a thing of the past unfortunately, it was as I recall, interspersed with some rather super festive or seasonal occasions. For example, in the days before the old original vicarage was torn apart and sold off, on Easter Sunday there would be a massive Easter Egg Hunt throughout the extensive gardens and woods, steering away from the rather large pond (on which we could, and did on other occasions, row a boat).

I can hear now in my mind the screeching and laughter ringing throughout the grounds at each egg discovery. Such tremendous and innocent fun, and healthily outdoors!

At Christmas time we would put on, in conjunction with pupils from Launton’sSt. Mary’sChurch of England School, in the church itself a grand nativity play which attracted many villagers who would not ordinarily come to church.

But the big annual ‘Sunday School’ event was the coach trip to Ketteringin Northamptonshire - to WicksteedPark. If we were really lucky and had a gloriously sunny day for the occasion, it was out of this world. No Americanised Theme Park robbing you every which way. This was, as I recall, very British.

That having been said, all these years later there are relatively few of the actual attractions that I am able to remember. Of course, there were plenty of the usual recreational park attractions such as you might find in your local park today, but bigger and more imposing, such as slides, hop-on-hop-off-roundabouts, see-saws, swings and I believe there was a large carousel, but I particularly remember the pedalo’s, the small shallow water pedal boats on the lake which, a bit like bumper cars at the fair, were such fun. They ranked alongside the

miniature ride-on railway with the steam engines (steam was still the main source of rail travel back then) with Arthuriannames such as, Sir Lancelot, King Arthurand The Lady of The Lake, as far as popularity was concerned.

Sadly, the likes of WicksteedPark as it was is too tame these days for children, most of whom have never even heard of Sunday School, never mind having attended one. If they are UK-bound then it has to be for them the likes of AltonTowers or Chessington, the latter of which I visited on my eldest daughter, Rebecca’s18th birthday and after having been coaxed onto one ride, I felt positively ill for the best part of the rest of the day. There was a time when I could do any amount of that stuff, but no more I’m afraid.

But for some others of course, it has to be the likes of Disneyland, whether Paris or USA, either, it doesn’treally matter. But I do wonder though, is it really for the children or is it, likely as not, for the benefit of the parents?

Me, I’m a simple man with a liking for the relatively simple things in life, drinking in the plentiful beauty of our own picturesque Britain

That said, Julieand I are off to Gibraltar again at the end of May on another veteran Royal Engineers jaunt. Happily, Juliehas for the most part conquered her fear of flying and is really looking to exploring more of Gibraltar, as am I.

Keep well and stay SAFE!

TonyJeacock, MInstRE | The ex-Launton Boy | May 2024

DiaryDates:May2024

Thursday2ParishCouncil.PublicSession7.15pm,CouncilMeeting7.30pm,LauntonSchoolHall

Sunday5StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion(BCP),8am;FamilyService-Ascension,11am

Monday6MayDayBankHoliday

Tuesday7RubbishCollection:recycling(blue)andgarden(brown)bin|CommunityCafé,Parish Hall:9am-11am;2.30-4.30pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Wednesday8Over60sClubMeeting,SportsandSocialHall.Doorsopen1.30pmforrefreshmentsat 2pm,closesabout3.30pm

Thursday9AscensionDayCommunionServicefollowedbybreakfast,StPeter'sBucknell,7.30am

Saturday11LikeTheBeatleseventattheSportsandSocialHallaspartoftheLPFA50th Anniversary,from7.30pm

Sunday12StMary'sChurch,Evensong,6pm|IslandPondWoodDawnChorusBirdWalkinthe Woodland,starts4.30am

Monday13WatercolourPaintingGroup,ParishHall,2pm-4pm

Tuesday14RubbishCollection:garbage(green)bin|CommunityCafé,ParishHall:9am-11am; 2.30-4.30pm|IslandPondWoodWorkingParty,meetbythePond,10am|Rock Chorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Friday17FINALDATEFORCOPYFORTHEJUNE2024ISSUEOFLAUNTONLINES:SUBMIT TOlauntonlines@launton.org

Sunday19StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion,11am|

Monday20WatercolourPaintingGroup,ParishHall,2pm-4pm|StMary'sChurchFellowship Groupmeetinginthechurch,2.30pm

Tuesday21RubbishCollection:recycling(blue)andgarden(brown)bin|CommunityCafé,Parish Hall:9am-11am;2.30-4.30pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Wednesday22Over60sClubLunchMeeting,SportsandSocialHall.Baropensat12.30pm,event closesabout3.30pm

Thursday23Lastdayoftheschoolterm.Holidayuntiltermstartswithreturnon3June.

Friday24SchoolInsetDay

Sunday26StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion,11am|IslandPondWoodWorkingParty,meetby thePond,10am

Monday27SpringBankHoliday|

Tuesday28RubbishCollection:garbage(green)bin|CommunityCaféclosedfortheschoolhalf term|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Thursday30BicesterChoralandOperaticpresentAvenueQ,amusicalwithpuppets,CooperSchool PerformanceHall,7.30pm|LauntonHistoricalSocietymonthlymeeting,SpeakerBill KingonYesterdaysRunways-AirfieldsofOxfordshire,Wiltshire,Gloucestershireand theCotswolds,ParishHall,7.30pm

Friday31BicesterChoralandOperaticpresentAvenueQ,amusicalwithpuppets,CooperSchool PerformanceHall,7.30pm

TheParishHallNeedsYOU!

The Parish Council is very grateful for the support which the previous management committee has given to the Hall and church over the years; now that the Parish Council has taken over the management of the Parish Hall, we need members to join a new Management Committee! Could you be that person? Have you used the Hall? Would you like to help to shape its future?

LauntonLinesisthenewsletterforLaunton ItispublishedmonthlybytheLauntonCommunityCommunicationsGroupwhichmanagestheLauntonwebsitewww.launton.organd theLauntonVillageFacebookPageandGroupwww.facebook.com/launtonvillageaswellasLauntonLines LauntonLinesisdeliveredfreetoeveryaddressinthevillage.ItisfundedbyitsadvertisersandLauntonParishCouncil. Furtherprintcopiesareavailableat£1.00percopyfromShirleyJohnson(01869369269) LauntonLinesisalsoavailableonlinefromJanuary2020onwww.issuu.com ©MMXXIVLauntonLines.Wereservetherighttoeditarticlessubmittedforinclusion. NeithertheCommitteenortheEditorisresponsibleforviewsexpressedinreaders’contributions.