In July, EllaRaynerfound some surprising things around the village. Clockwise from top left: two hedgehogs in her garden in daytime (we all hope they got to clear some slugs); the full moon on 19 July, from Chestnut Close; the hedgehogs taken at night - still looking around, we hope for food; two roses in full bloom (to match the two hedgehogs); a damsel fly or maybe a small dragonfly - to reflect the colours of the roses; and “We had some sheets of wood down on the grass and it looks like a mole (or maybe a mouse) has tuned all around underneath it making a pattern of runs. It was quite an amazing discovery!!”
ParishHallCommittee: The Church Parish Hall Committee has stood down, and the Parish Council is appointing a new committee.
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 August for entry in the September 2024 issue of Launton Lines.
August 29 | Sponsored by MaryBrydon. Remembering my husband Tom with love from Mary
September 4 | Sponsored by MaryBrydon. Remembering my friend Laelia with love from Mary
In attendance The Clerk, Mrs JaneOlds; 5 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.
Report from District and County Councillors
No report had been received from either District or County Councillors.
Finance
The Finance Report is available on the Parish Council website.
Grants
The Parish Council generally considers grants to organisations within the community or which support areas of the community four times a year.
The Council considered three grant requests at the meeting and was pleased to be able to award a grant to the Volunteer Driver Service which helps members of the community who are not able to get to appointments by public transport, Clean Slate which supports victims of domestic abuse, andtheFriendsofIslandPondWoodtohelpwiththegrasscuttingcontract.
Planning
All planning applications, which include the links to Cherwell’sPlanning 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
With grant funding pots diminishing rapidly, the Council has agreed to review the project and look at ways to do the work in phases. The most important part at the moment is to make the Hall watertight and so the Council has asked the architect to focus on the roof works and whether this can be completed in isolation without the need to remove the current kitchen.
The Management Committee is slowly taking shape but still needs more members! If you use the hall, have used the hall in the past or may like to use it in the future, come and join the committee to help run it.
It is hoped that the Gigaclearbroadbandwill be installed in August.
Highway and Traffic Issues: Speedwatch
Four Speedwatchsessions had taken place in June, although one had to be abandoned due to a blocked view.
In total, 671 vehicles were counted, with 53 of those exceeding the speed limit - the maximum recorded speed was 38mphin the 20mphlimit.
If you’dlike to help out, please contact speedwatch@launtonpc.gov.uk.Speedwatch
Drains
During the very wet winter, OCChad received an unprecedented number of reports relating to flooding and drains; a high number of those enquiries were as a result of short-term heavy downpours which had overwhelmed the drainage system – which, of course, wasn’tdesigned to cope with that volume or ferocity.
Other causes of the flooding were due to the already high water tables, full water courses and road-side ditches. In the main, the ditches are the maintenance responsibility of the adjacent landowners; OCCand CDCare working with the landowners to resolve these specific issues.
Unfortunately, due to the limited staff resources and budget restrictions, OCCcouldn’taddress all of these issues last winter. However, any ongoing - or new - issues should be reported via Fix My Street –https://fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk/
Red Rose Bus
Shortly before the meeting, the Council was informed that Red Rose has surrendered the contract for the number 17 route between Launton and Bicester and between Aylesbury and Bicester from Saturday 26 October.
The bus use from Launton was insufficient to maintain the current level of service in the longer term. However, further negotiations between OCCand Buckinghamshire Council are ongoing to see if an alternative solution can be found. The Parish Transport Representative will be given more information in due course.
Agenda items and dates of the next meetings
The next meeting will be on Thursday 1 August in the Parish Hall starting at 7.30pm. If you’dlike to chat with a Councillor, do come along after 7.15pm.Suggestions for agenda items for the 5 September meeting need to be with the Clerk by 22 August and items for the 3 October meeting by 19 September.
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
Watercolour ArtGroup
There will be no Watercolour Classes in August, or on the first Monday of September - the 2nd . Classes will begin on Monday 9 September in the Parish Hall from 2pm.
This work is by the class tutor, David Weeks. If you would like more information, or to join the class, email Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com
Congratulations to all Students for an amazing Show! We are so excited to resume Dance Competitions in the upcomingacademic year.
Free trial classes during term time and free open day event on Saturday 7 September for Children/Students. PAYGclasses in Ballet and Tap for Adults, Beginner, Improverand Advanced levels.
You are welcome to join our August Services and Events listed here. All are in StMary’sChurch 4 August 8.00amBCP Holy Communion 11.00amFamily Service - “The Olympics” 11 August 6.00pmEvensong 18 August 11.00amMorning Prayer 25 August 11.00amHoly Communion
It is always advisable to refer to the Facebookpage for StMary’sChurch Launton for the most up-to-date information in case any last minute changes have been necessary, or please contact RevdSarah revsarahmortimer@outlook.com 07876 188 519 or one of the Churchwardens
CeliaManderson celiamanderson@aol.com 01869 571735 Please see details on pages 22-23 and 34 for
Are you wondering how you might help? (And use your superb baking skills!)? Donations of all kinds of cakes for the Cake Stall, and Cup Cakes and Traybakesfor the Refreshments, please! All contributions will be very welcome. Thank you
See page 37 for a report from RevdSarah, and some photos on page 39 from the Prayer and Reflection space used in July by children from the School, in the Parish Hall.
LauntonWIreportingforJuly2024
At our July meeting, Gillian Cane spoke to us about the Mitfordsisters. She was quite polite about them initially ‘an amazing bunch of 6 sisters’, moving on to ‘they all ‘did’ something, sometimes controversial.’ The controversial bit included being Hitler’s‘close friend’.
The Mitfordgirls grew up in Oxfordshire, at Asthalland Swinbrook. They generally didn’tgo to school (though they did have governesses, and some wrote very good books) and they were all rather glamorous. Their mother, Lady Redesdale, did get concerned about their exploits. Two sisters were less outrageous than the others: Pamela, who caught the eye of John Betjemanbut went on to marry a rich man and became a world expert on poultry - and Deborah. You can’tdish the dirt on Debo, she was liked by everyone. She married Andrew Cavendish, not expecting to inherit the family title, and they worried about being poor. Then the elder brother was killed and Debobecame Duchess of Devonshire and they inherited Chatsworth, though it took them 21 years to clear the death duties. They were single handedly responsible for saving Chatsworthand Debowas an all-round good egg. She wrote her last book Wait for Me at the age of 90.
Going downhill somewhat, Unity was a tall girl with a large character. She would take her pet rat Ratulato dances and hid snakes in the bathroom. Apparently she was loved for her eccentricity. Unity became smitten with Germany, and Hitlerin particular. They spent hours together. Unity couldn’tbear it when war came, and she shot herself in the head with a pearl handled revolver. She didn’tdie at that point, but she was never the same again.
Diana Mitfordwas very beautiful indeed, with sapphire blue eyes. She divorced her first husband for OswaldMoseley, leader of the British Union of Fascists, said to be magnetically attractive. During the war they were locked away in Holloway prison on the advice of another sister, Nancy, who advised Churchill that they were unsafe.
Nancy was the eldest and a bestselling author, with books about upper class life. She also wrote The Sun King about Louis XIV.Before that,
she went to art school but found it difficult to cope with her digs, as there were no staff to tidy up. She lacked Debo’scharm and was thought to be spiteful, though her books were good. Then there’sJessica, whose best friend was a sheep, which she took to church. She wrote the book Honsand Rebels about coming out as a debutante - a good book. However, she stole from her parents, lied,and eloped with Edmund Romilly, a rebel. They fought with the Communists in the Spanish Civil War. Ultimately she went to live in America and became a member of the American Communist Party.
It was a good meeting with a good crowd and we enjoyed the talk. Sheriewon the competition, we donated items to the Hygiene Bank and we heard about many WI activities outside the meeting, including croquet and a bring and share barbeque.If you would like to come to WI we meet on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30 in the Parish Hall, and you would be very welcome.
Gwen Skinner
Poppy Cascades for Launton
We were thrilled to welcome 20 people to our poppy workshop in July. It was lovely to see such support and enthusiasm, it was a lovely atmosphere.
We set up two tables, one housing the netting for the memorial site the other for the water pump site. There was also another table to make the poppies easier to tie them onto the netting.
We have worked out that we need roughly 100 poppies per square metre of netting. Therefore, for the piece of netting for the water pump which is 3mx3mand we will need approximately 900-1,000 poppies. For the other piece of netting for the War Memorial, which is 4mx3m, we will need about 1,200-1,500 poppies.
We also hope to make a huggerfor the tree immediately behind the wall memorial for which we will need approximately another 600 poppies.
Our current total received is 2,472 and we hope to get a few more before the deadline at the end of September.
We hope that on Remembrance Day this will be a spectacular display and a real community event.
Thank you to everyone who came to the meeting, but we would also like to thank everyone who cannot get to the meetings but who has been busy knitting, crocheting, sewing poppies and generally giving us lots of support, including Launton Parish Council.
It’snot too late to join us, we have another meeting on Thursday 29 August 10.30-12.00 in Launton Parish Hall.
You don’tneed any particular skills: attaching poppies is easy. Or just pop along, have a cuppa and a chat and see our progress.
I was astonished to read in the June issue of Launton Lines that a member of this community had emailedto say that they considered it to be ‘junk mail’. When we launched this project, it was as a result of the Village Appraisal (recently completed by almost every household) which gave a clear indication that such a public service would be welcomed.
We accordingly set to, and I am thrilled that Launton Lines has remained a regular part of our community.
The intention was, from the very start, to enable existing residents to keep in touch with village events, (particularly those in which they had may have had no direct interest, since this would maintain community cohesion).
In addition, it was intended to encourage people moving into the village to feel welcome and part of the community; also to provide information about contacting any group or groups they might wish to join. (We even made a point of delivering to empty houses, so that any prospective buyer could see at a glance what the village of Launton had to offer to its residents.
I realise that three decades later electronic media have overwhelmed life, but not everyone is comfortable with this intrusion and all its problems (although information can be disseminated more rapidly).
I am so very sad that the writer of that emailis so alienated from our community that they treat Launton Lines as junk mail, and, therefore, are extremely unlikely to see the responses that their message has provoked.
Pat Tucker
Launton VillagePlayers reporting
Family Variety Show 2024: It’sShowtime!
On 20 and 21 July, LVP performed three shows about shows! We travelled around the world and visited Broadway, LasVegasand the Antarctica as well as other places before returning to London’sWest End. We celebrated all kinds of shows including Circus, Carnival and Musicals. We performed in the Big Shed Theatre at Hare LeysFarm, transformed into a pop-up theatre, complete with lights, marquees and stage.
We sang Anything Goes, This Is Me, and even had penguins singing Somebody to Love. The Beach Ball Ballet made the children and adults chuckle, and we enjoyed songs from Oliver! and Abbathe Musical. Jigs in a Jiffy was to be relished and you could not fail to smile watching this as one dance after another was performed at quite a fast pace with costume changes included! Our Front of House team did a marvellous job and looked after everyone really well. A huge thank you to our audiences who supported us and were so enthusiastic. Thank you for your generosity and support; we hope to have raised funds for our own Stage Block Fund and Bicester Baby Bank. Our last thank you goes to the wonderful LVP team who gave so much of their time and energies to put on a wonderful show and help us raise money for such worthwhile causes. It was a great weekend, with plenty of feel-good moments, and many thanks to all involved. There is a review on pages 24-27.
Panto 2025: BeautyandtheBeast
Work is already well underwayon our 2025 pantomime Beauty and the Beast, written by Martin Evansand directed by JuliaWest, with original music by SteveWebber.
All the profits from Beauty and the Beast will be donated to the Hummingbird Centre, a cancer support and therapy centre in Launton. There will be seven performances during February half term, from 19 to 22 February 2025 in Cooper School Performance Hall, and tickets will be on sale in the Autumn.
Your chance to join LVP!
Do you like singing, dancing or acting? We are looking for energetic performers to join LVP, and this year we may have a few spaces in our Adult Chorus, which may lead to bigger roles in future performances. We are holding an Open Evening on Sunday 15 September at 7pmin Launton Parish Hall - this is an ideal opportunity to come along and meet some of us, find out a bit more and have a very informal audition to see if LVP is the right fit for you. We will be doing some acting, group singing and
learning a dance routine - and of course there will be tea and cake! It’sgoing to be lots of fun!
Being part of our cast for panto is both lots of fun and a great way to spend Sunday evenings over the winter. If you would like to get involved, including any of the many off stage roles, such as part of our fantastic Front of House team, just drop us a message on Facebookor send an emailto membership@launtonvillageplayers.org.uk
Finally,wehadanotherfullcouncilmeetingon15Julyandweunanimously passedamotiontolookintochildren’smentalhealth.Themotionaskedfor12 weekprogrammesinschoolstofocusontransitionyearsandsupporting childrenthroughthem.Theviabilityoftheprogrammewilldependonthe financialsituationatCherwell,asoutlinedabove,butwedohopetobeableto dosomethingtohelpchildrenduringthose particularly hard years at school.
As always, please do get in touch! Our emailsare gemma.coton@cherwelldc.gov.uk, julian.nedelcu@cherwell-dc.gov.ukand alisa.russell@cherwelldc.gov.uk
All the best, Gemma, Julian and Alisa | District Councillors for Launton and Otmoor
FromLauntonSchool-reportingfromYear6leavers
Today we have four children from Year 6 talking to us about the Year 6 leavers’ play and the Musical Extravaganza.
Our play took place on Wednesday 17 July in the evening. The title of the play was Gold: The MidasTouch. We started by putting our names down for the parts we wanted to play and then we started planning where the stage should be and sorting out costumes and props. We began by reading our lines and helped to build the stage.
Clarenceplayed King Midasand Elsiewas the Queen, Kierawas a seamstress and a servant, Harveeplayed a citizen and a seamstress.
Clarenceand Elsieboth had to sing solos, Clarencehad three solos! Kieraand Harveehad to sing a duet. We all did lots of practise and got braver in singing louder so that people could hear us. Clarencefelt quite confident in singing his solo, Elsiewas nervous but remembered some words of encouragement from her friends so was able to get courage from that. We did a dress rehearsal for the school on Tuesday, and then on Wednesday evening our families came to watch and there were about 100 people in the audience. When we had finished the play the audience stood and clapped and took pictures of us all.
The Musical Extravaganza was a performance of music using brass instruments and we used the performance to raise money for The Leprosy Mission. In Religious Education we had been talking about the story of Jesus healing a man affected by leprosy, and how Jesus showed compassion by healing him. We researched leprosy and discovered that the disease still exists, mainly in African countries, we also discovered that £24 pounds would cover the costs of medicines to make one person better. We had to write a pitch to present to MsPatersonabout why we wanted to raise money for leprosy, and linked our reasons into some of our school’svalues. We showed COMPASSION for thinking about other people and wanting to help and we showed COURAGE in
believing that we were doing the right thing by presenting our arguments for wanting to help and raise money. People who are affected by leprosy are often made to leave their communities and this means they do not get the help they need. We wanted to help some people who suffer this type of discrimination. We invited our families to the Extravaganza, and gave a short speech about why we wanted to fundraisefor The Leprosy Mission. Donation buckets were also around the hall to take donations from the audience.
Several instruments were played: tuba, trombone, tenor horn, cornet, baritone and trumpet. After the class had performed some children continued to play solo pieces while others served tea and cake to the audience. We raised £168.08 for The Leprosy Mission, which is enough to help seven people. We felt very proud of what we achieved, and are really happy to think we have helped some people get the medicines they need to get better.
Clarence, Kiera, Harveeand Elsie– Year 6
“... while others served tea and cake to the audience
...”
Photos from Launton School
Sports and Social 50thAnniversary Celebration
The front cover of this issue features some celebration cup cakes from the 50th anniversary Family Day at the Playing Fields and the Sports and Social Hall. Here are some more photos from the day, and one from the Euro24 Cup Final shown in the Hall on Sunday 14 July, when the Hall was packed, with the game shown on a large screen. The Family Day featured a bouncy castle and bungeetrampoline, tug of war, face painting, a range of stalls, and a Pimmsstall as well as the full bar in the Hall. There was also memorabilia and archive material on the LSSC Hall - which we hope to include in future issues of Launton Lines.
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
StMary’sFayrewill once again take place in the beautiful location of the front garden of the Old Rectory and the Church and Churchyard, on Saturday 7 September from 2pm until 4pm.Our thanks to Tom and Becky Sowlerfor hosting us again.
Come along and enjoy all the stalls including cakes, plants, produce, books, tombola, toys, as well as a Children’scorner of games and fun. A police car will be on show along with activities too. There will also be a craft activity that you can help with, which will involve flowerpots.
Also, as part of the StMary’sFayre, there will be a Flowerpot Festival in and around the Church to enjoy. On page 22 opposite there are some examples of things you could make - so save your flowerpots and join in the fun. Thanks to Settle Flowerpot Festival for the photos.
Look at our Facebookpage for more ideas of models to make and we hope you will enter (see below). Join us on the day to admire all the entries in the church. Then you can relax with a cuppa, enjoy some cake and have a chat. We would love to have donations of cakes, plants, tombola items or toys, including soft toys. Please bring these, along with your Flowerpot entries, to the Church on Friday 6 September between 6pmand 8pmor on the morning of 7 September between 10amand 12 noon.
If you require any information please contact Email: events@stmaryslaunton.org.uk.
We look forward to seeing you and thank you for all your support. If you would like to enter the Flowerpot Festival please contact:
email: events@stmaryslaunton.org.uk, or
complete the entry form in the July or August Launton Lines and return to LangdaleHouse, Station Road, Launton, OX265DS, or
complete an entry form on the table in the Church and leave in the tub. Thank you for all your support.
Name
emailor address
Data Protection Byenteringyouagreetoourholdingyourdetailsforthedurationoftheevent
Thank you for your support. There will be more information in the next Launton Lines.
Launton Historical Society reports on The Rise of Pleasure Boating on the Thames
Launton Historical Society’sprogramme of talks continues and in June we welcomed SimonWenhamto talk about the History of Pleasure Boating on the rivers Cherwell and Thames. We learned of the popularity of the rivers in late Victorian times when people flocked to their local riverbanksfor both boating and picnics. The rise in disposable income together with a reduced working week enabled many ordinary people to discover the pleasures of exploring the countryside and its waterways. Although there were charges to pass through locks to enable boats to move from one level to another these were applied inconsistently. It was not uncommon for lock keepers to employ flattery to overcharge with a salutation such as ‘Here’sa Gentleman’ and apply a higher charge. Frequently, lighter boats were moved manually by the occupants to avoid charges.
This was the time of increased leisure traffic on rivers. There was increased popularity for daytripsfrom London especially on Sundays which for some people was the only day for leisure. Boating was not regulated, and accidents were not unknown, e.g. The Princess Alice was a passenger paddle steamer that sank on 3 September 1878 after a collision with the collier SS BywellCastle on the River Thames. Between 600 and 700 people died, all from The Princess Alice, the greatest loss of life of any British inland waterway shipping accident. No passenger list or headcount was made, so the exact figure of those who died has never been known. Boats did not have to be licensed until 2000.
As the Victorian era progressed ‘going outside’ was considered to be ‘good for you’. Water workers developed their business skills and hired their boats out to interested members of the public. Salters of Oxford established in 1858, became well known for their rental boats and trips and their business continues to thrive in Oxford to this day. We learned of their rental and retrieval service which meant that the turning round of the boat could be left to a professional. This service was even extended to Europe.
As time passed the boat owners no longer had to provide rowers, as the people who rented their boats were eager to try rowing for themselves.
Doubtless the owners were pleased with their enhanced profits.
Many of you will know of The Rev. Charles Dodgson(LewisCarroll)
telling stories to the Liddellsisters whilst rowing down the river. It is said that Alicesuggested to Dodgsonthat he should write the stories down and of course this is what happened, and Alicein Wonderland became a very successful children’sbook.
The popularity of boating caused problems to the owners of land in close proximity to rivers. There was a rise in damage to property, an increase in fires and theft and illegal milking of cows. Camping combined with river travel became increasingly popular. The nature of the vessels used changed over time and fibreglass eventually became the popular material for creating lightweight boats.
Oxford had grown where the rivers Cherwell and Thames met and the easy access to the rivers by the townspeople resulted in the development of boating for pleasure.
In July the Launton Historical Society will be visiting Roushamand a social evening is planned for the month of August. On Thursday 26 September we return to our formal program of talks with Trench Humour in World War I when the speaker will be StephenBarker.
KathyGilbert
ProvidedbyMrHancockandhisteampersonally
Have your say: changes to no-cycling rules in Sheep Street Bicester
Closing Date for survey responses is 31 August 2024
We’re asking for your views on the proposal to allow two-way cycling in Sheep Street, Bicester. We proposed to implement an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) to trial cycling in Sheep Street for a maximum of 18 months. Cyclists would be allowed to use Sheep Street at all times. Currently cycling is prohibited at all times. This consultation is asking about your views on whether we should use an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order to trial cycling in Sheep Street and your views on the consequences of allowing cycling in Sheep Street.
Why is the experiment being proposed?
Our goal is to enhance active travel in Bicester by making Sheep Street more accessible to cyclists. By integrating Sheep Street into the cycling network, we aim to provide significant benefits for cyclists by improving the choice of routes across Bicester, including for students who cycle or wish to cycle to school.
We believe that allowing cycling in Sheep Street will improve access for all cyclists including those who have disabilities, enabling them to cycle more. Additionally, this change is expected to attract more visitors to local businesses, market days, and festivals, thereby boosting the local economy.
Our aim is that by increasing cycling routes there will be a decrease in reliance on private cars for local journeys, promoting a more sustainable mode of transport.
Whatever you think, do fill in the survey and add any comments. One thing to suggest is to have marked cycle paths on Sheep Street, so it’snot a free-for-all across the whole width of the roadway. Your editor thinks it’sprobably a good idea, but there is not enough detail on the survey website for us to be able to respond sensibly.
Memories of an ex-Launton boy
This month the ex-Launton boy remembers a recent event (England men’sfootball team losing the Euro24final to Spain) in July. Then he moves to happier days - England’s World Cup win in 1966 - a Saturday rather than a Sunday. He then moves on to memories of Sundays in the 1950sand early 1960s.Long periods of “nothing to do” punctuated by food. The high point was - of course - Sunday Lunch, then a Tea for visitors. And, if lucky, the Ice Cream van would come. Food can produce such memories.
A Sunday to remember or a Sunday to forget, very much depends on your point of view I suppose.
I refer of course to Sunday 14 July 2024, the day when England went with such high hopes to Berlin with the endeavour of beating Spain in the Euro24final, only to be thwarted so close to full-time.
I don’tdoubt that there will be many who will remember the event for years to come, just as I can vividly remember our World Cup victory over Germany in 1966, when I was serving in West Germany as part of the BAOR.
That said, for me personally, Sunday 14 July 2024 will not remain as a significant moment in my life for however many years I may have remaining. However, I do remember vividly how Sundays used to be during my childhood, living in Launton.
I particularly remember how boring Sundays were, come to the mid-to-late afternoons. The pinnacle of Sundays was undoubtedly the Sunday Roast, the very best meal of the entire week. Walk along any of the roads then existing in Launton, be it School Lane (Bicester Road), West End, Blackthorn Road, Sherwood Close or Station Road (for they were all the roads there were back then), and the smell, the aroma of the Sunday Roast would follow you from house to house as you wandered home from the morning service (Holy Communion) at the then very well attended church of St. Marythe Virgin.
In the winter, come all weathers, me and my brother Cliff (Urk), used to have to take it in turns to cycle to the allotments (The Marlin’s) to pick the Brussels sprouts caked often in snow and/or ice. Never used to enjoy that bit of Sundays, but if nothing else, it hardened us up.
Then of course, after the succulent Sunday roast had been heartily consumed, there was the inevitable pudding consisting of mum’sglorious short-crust pastry pie, apple and blackberry; plum; rhubarb and home-made custard. Mum always made sure she had enough pastry left over to make dad a jam turnover to take to work on Mondays.
Then came the next mundane bit, having indulged in such a fabulous meal, me and Cliff used to have to take it in turns to do the washing and dryingup, often arguing as to who was doing what.
Before the days of having acquired a television we would listen to the radio, greatly amused by the likes of The Navy Lark; Much Binding-in-the Marsh; Round the Horn; Educating Archie; AlReid; The ClitheroeKid; The Billy Cotton Band Show (Wakey! Wakey!); Take it From Here, and Ray’sa Laugh, and various other comedy and music shows.
And then it began ... .FranklinEnglemannpresenting Down Your Way, then Carousel, presenting dialogue clips from various newly released cinema films. But then a sudden highlight as Mickey, our Heinz57 Varieties Terrier Spaniel would prick up his ears which meant one thing only, Mr. Haines aboard his Ice Cream van had pulled up in School Lane and blown his very familiar whistle, which in itself meant he was only minutes away from pulling up outside our house in Station Road.
Cliff and I would charge out of the house to buy an ice cream apiece with Mickeyhard on our heels with tail wagging and barking excitedly. Of the three of us, Mickeywas always served first with a freebie vanilla ice cornet which he woofed down in next to no time.
Then it was back to dulls-town (which was no reflection on my parents), mildly broken by the weekly visit of a family friend originating from Marsh Gibbon, a gentleman rather portly by the name of Bill Carter. He was my first encounter with someone who had a rather severe stutter, added to which he was rather loud, but nonetheless, very polite. He would stay long enough with us to partake in a sort of ‘high-tea’, more often than not consisting of salmon and shrimp fish-paste sandwiches; sometimes it would be crab paste. I didn’tlike them much but they were far better than the pork luncheon meat sandwiches.
These were followed by one Lyons open-jam tart (they usually came in packs of eight if I remember correctly, four on top of four, with different coloured jams ranging through red, orange, yellow and green. And that was it until breakfast.
After dining with us, Bill would then go to visit the family household of Mrs Simonsin the first council house on the right in School Lane. (I can remember those houses being built).
By the time Sunday had drawn to a close, we quite looked forward to Mondays, or at least, I certainly did. Quite different to the adults who had a rather different take on Mondays, a feeling I was to discover myself as I grew up.
Don’tbe too despondent folks, there’salways the World Cup to look forward to in a couple of years. Miracles have been known to happen! Keep healthy and stay SAFE!
TonyJeacock, MInstRE | The ex-Launton Boy | August 2024
Thoughtful moments and a wow factor
At the end of June StMary’sChurch transformed the village hall into a prayer and reflection space for Launton School. Each of the activities was housed in a gazebo and helped the children to pause and reflect or pray in different interactive ways, making use of play doh, sand, a bubble tube, a world map and pipe cleaner people. The resources were supplied by Oxfordshire-based charity ‘BeSpace’ www.bespace.be.
This event was made possible by a wonderful team of volunteers from the Launton Church community with a few extras from other churches across Bicester. The volunteers were hugely impressed by the way the children made the most of the opportunity to take time out and be thoughtful. The children described feeling relaxed, calm and happy in the space.
Hidden in Psalm 46 known for its opening line ‘God is our strength and refuge’ sung to the tune of the Dam BustersMarch are the words ‘Be still and know that I am God’. I guess we can all take a leaf out of the children’sbooks and build some quiet times into our daily lives amidst the stresses and strains of life.
Reverend SarahMortimer
There are some photos from the tents on page 39.
DiaryDates:August2024
There seem to be very few events in the village this August. Send in details of events at the Sports and Social, at the pubs, at sports teams, and from organisations, to launtonlines@launton.orgfor a FREE listing here.
