November snow in Launton
What a surprise there was as we woke up to the morning on 9 November and a serious sprinkling of snow and an icy few days, before the rain came back.
Photos by EllaRayner
The cover is a close up from part of the Poppy Cascade in Launton. The variety of poppies are fixed to the camouflage netting used for the displays. There are more photos on pages 2425, and a write up on pages 28-29. Photo by LesleyThompson.Cover designed by Matt Hill.
The Editor writes …
It’s48 pages again this month. Again I have to apologise that this is a few days late. It has been a complicated issue to put together, and I’vehad a mix of health, dental and software problems. The January issue will be late with the Christmas/New Year holidays at our printer.
The front cover shows a part of the Poppy Cascade project, in close up, from the back of the netting, with a report on the project on pages 28-29, and more photos on the centre page spread (24-25). The reporting from Launton School (14-15) tells of Year 6 taking part in Remembrance.
There is an update on the buses (12) and the full timetables for the new service on pages 16 and 17. Page 31 has the opening hours for the Costcutter shop over the holiday period - they’re open every day. And there is more on Christmas activities and events, from the Community Choir Carol service (page 36 and the back cover), an appeal to Light Up Launton over Christmas (39), a Christmas message from the vicar, SarahMortimer (19), and a seasonal poem from AndyNutt (23). The Village Players will be carol singing round Launton, see page 10.
John Stephens recalls taking part in the Victory Lord Mayor’sShow in London in 1945 (26) and on page 2EllaRayner’sphotos record the day November snow came to Launton.
There are reports from village organisations: The WI (20 and 26), The Plotters (40), FoLPH (37-38), the Over 60’s (22), the Historical Society (34-35), and a report from our CDCCouncillors on page 18.
Please support our advertisers: we need them to keep Launton Lines going.
RobertCornford
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 2024-2025
Chair: JonSpinage | Secretary: KateGreig | Editors: RobertCornford, Matt Hill Treasurer: CarinaCollins | Distribution: ShirleyJohnson | Advertising: JenniWalker
Contact the Parish Council
WhilewearewithoutaClerk, you cancontacttheCouncilbyemailat clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk or on the Council'smobileat 07305303889
To book the Parish Hall
Contact:JoanPacker Phone:07922042133
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’s Church 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 December for entry in the January 2025 issue of Launton Lines.
December 1 | Sponsored by Mrs. SauChun in loving memory of YukKiuYauand StellaYau
December 13 | Sponsored by Alexia George.
Dearest Grandma, today marks one whole year without you. We hope you’re having fun with Grampyup there. We love you so much, Alexia, Flemming, Raffertyand Aphaia.Xxx
December 20 | Annie(Granny) Hearn who lived in West Endwill be fondly remembered on 20 December by Wendy, Carolineand JamesFoster
December 25 | CecilJamesFoster (Dad) who recently passed away will be truly and lovingly remembered on 25 December by Wendy, Carolineand JamesFoster
December 25 | Sponsored by SamanthaCollin.
Thinking of Mum and Dad [Kathand MickAyris] as we spend our first Christmas without you both. With love from all the family.
December 25 | Sponsored by Rob Walker. In loving memory of JaneLindsayWalker, with love Rob.
January 1 | Sponsored by SamanthaCollin.
Thinking of Mum and Dad [Kathand MickAyris] as we start our first New Year without you both. With love from all the family.
Launton Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 7 November 2024 at 7:30pmin the Parish Hall
Please note that, in the absence of a Clerk, these notes are somewhat more terse than usual.
Councillors present MrAndrewBriant, Mrs JackieHackett, Mr SimonTurner (Chairman) and Mrs JaquelineWebber
Apologies Mrs AbigailDowman
In attendance CllrGemmaCoton(CDC); 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 24hourhelplineon 03457 11 41 41.
Reports from District and County Councillors
CllrCoton(CDC) made a verbal report.
No report had been received from the County Councillor.
Governance
AndyBriantwas elected as Vice Chairman, replacing EdSanders. There are still two Councillor vacancies.
Clerk Resignation
JaneOldshas left the employment of the Council and has taken up the post of Clerk at Ambrosdenwith fewer working hours; the Council wishes her the best for her future.
No applicants for the vacant post of Clerk have yet come forward; at time of writing the Chairman is acting as Clerk, but it is hoped that a locum Clerk will soon be engaged to keep the Council running until a permanent replacement Clerk can be found.
Details of the vacancy may be found on the Parish Council website. Anyone interested in the position of Parish Clerk should contact the Chairman, SimonTurner: simon.turner@launton-pc.gov.ukor call the Parish Council’smobile number 07305 303 889
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 about 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/
Parish Hall
The terms of reference for the Parish Hall Development Advisory Group have been formally agreed; the group has started meeting and is making good progress towards finding a solution for the roof.
Highway and Traffic Issues: Speedwatch
The Speedwatchteam will always welcome volunteers - if you’dlike to help out, please contact speedwatch@launton-pc.gov.uk
Agenda items and dates of the next meetings
The next meeting will be on Thursday 5 December in the Parish Hall at 7.30pm. If you’dlike to chat with a Councillor, do come along after 7.15pm.The first meeting in 2025 will be on 9 January to be held in the School Hall.
Suggestions for agenda items for the 9 January 2025 meeting need to be with the Clerk by 13 December2024 and items for the 6 February 2025 meeting by 23 January 2025.
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
The Watercolour Group will meet on the first three Mondays in December, on 2, 9, and 16. Classes are held in the Parish Hall, between 2pm and 4pm.
There will then be a Christmas/New Year break until the first meeting of 2025, on 20 January, then the next on 27 January. The picture this month is from a class member. If you would like more information, or to join the class, email Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com
All events are in StMary’sChurch and are free unless stated
Just a quick reminder that Launton Sports and Social is your local family and dog friendly pub/bar in the heart of the community of Launton, run by a small and perfectly formed group of volunteers and OPEN TO ALL – NO MEMBERSHIP required. We show all major sporting events, including Sky Sports and TNT Sports, serving a wide range of drinks, including Real Ale. We’vebeen serving the community for over 50 years, as a Sports and Social event venue.
We also have a Hall for hire which has seen many types of events from birthday parties to weddings, along with the regular programme of events that the LPFAhas put on for the community.
Visit our brand-new website on www.launtonsportsandsocial.co.ukfor further information, a fantastic photo gallery and booking details. We hope to see you and your families soon for our upcomingevents!!See page 47 for news of our party on New Year’sEve..
ClaireFinn for LPFA
Bus services update
As reported in last month’sissue, the bus service through the village is being maintained - with two services now being provided.
Following Red Rose’swithdrawal of their service 17, funding from Oxfordshire County Council has been provided to maintain a service between Bicester, Launton and Aylesbury, but this will be two-hourly instead of hourly. Marsh Gibbon, Edgcottand GrendonUnderwood are served by school time buses on both school and non-school days. Buckinghamshire Council have agreed to divert their existing service 18 (Buckingham-Bicester) via Launton. A revised timetable will be in operation, partly because of disruption caused by an HS2road closure near Calvert.This service is operated by Langstonand Tasker.
Combined timetables for both services are on pages 16 (Weekdays) and 17 (Saturdays) of this issue. As always with such services, “Use Them or Loose Them!” Time to plan a visit to Buckingham.
LAUNTON ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIETY
To You and Yours We wish you a Christmas full of Love, Joy and FUN! and A New Year full of Hope, Determination and Success!
With Love from EDand Team LES
Dopleasemakethebestoftheholiday‘downtime’torechargeyour‘battery’.We havealotofworktodo!PossiblyhavingtoreduceyourCarbonFootprintata higherrate,andtakingamoreactiveroleinfightingClimateChange... ‘MOPFive’willbeonThursday23JanuaryinTheParishHallat7.30pm (Our‘MOP’MeetingsarealocalversionofTheGlobal‘COP’Conferences). Youarewelcometojoinus,andwhynotbringafriendortwo?
Reporting from Launton School
Today some Year 6 children are speaking to us about their recent residential trip, the Remembrance Service, and anti-bullying week.
PGL
Before the October half term, our class went to PGL in Lidington, which is near Swindon. We stayed for three nights and four days and had an excellent time. We had activities after breakfast, then after lunch and in the evenings, we were all very glad it was the half-term two days after we got home as we were very tired! Most of the activities were outdoors. We had to learn how to safely wear a harness to do some of the activities, like rock wall climbing, zip lining and using the giant swing. The swing was a bit scary, the instructor told us to pull a rope, but he didn’ttell us that’swhat started the swing moving, and moving really fast. It was great fun, and even though we were a bit scared of some of the activities we got up our courage and tried anyway. At night in the forest we played a game called ‘Ambush!’ - one team had to hide in the forest and other team had to find them. If they couldn’tfind them, the team that was hiding had to run out and shout ‘ambush!’
Congratulations to our Senior Students for gaining a place in the English Youth Ballet production of Cinderellain Hollywood.
Each team had a leader, and we had to work together to hide quietly and quickly, or look for the other team and find them as quickly as possible.
We split into three teams for one activity; we had to build a raft. We were given some barrels, some logs and some rope and had to work out how to use it all to build a raft. Then we went out onto the lake and had a race, Samuel’steam won, and we spent a lot of time splashing the other
teams. This really helped us with problem solving and teamwork. The food was really nice, and we started each day with a large choice of breakfast food, such as cereal, fruit, and hot food. Lunch was either soup or chilli with rice, and dinner was either meatballs, curry or lasagne.
On the last night we had a disco with other schools that were there. We had a great time and realised that we hadn’tused, or missed, our screens. Some of us use them a bit less since getting home.
Remembrance Service
The whole year 6 class represented the school at the Remembrance Service at the war memorial in the village on 11 November. We walked to the memorial with two of our teachers. Reverend Sarahled the service, and there were lots of people there, as well as a goat and a pony, who were representing the animals that have served in war. Three of our class did readings from Ecclesiastes, and Elilaid a wreath from the school. There was a two-minute silence, and cars and lorries on the road stopped so they didn’tdisturb the service. We have seen the poppy cascades and the post-box toppers, and think they are all brilliant. There are more photos on pages 24-25.
Anti-bullying week
This week is anti-bullying week and we have been talking about bullying, what it is and what to do if you see it or experience it yourself. We made a poster suggesting how to deal with bullies. Some of the suggestions were not to stand by while someone is being bullied, not to get involved in bullying and to tell a teacher or another adult what is happening. The slogan for anti-bullying week is ‘Choose Respect’, and accept that everyone is different. We have started a display for our school, using cut outsof a hand with the details of what to do about bullying written on them. Hopefully they will help anybody who isn’tsure what to do if they are being bullied, or know someone who is.
Millie, Tabitha, Samuel, and Noah- Year 6
Reporting from our CDCCouncillors
This month we are able to let you know about a number of ways you can have your say on the future of Cherwell District Council.
Budget Consultation
Cherwell District Council is inviting residents, partners and businesses to have their say on its budget proposals for 2025-2026. It is consulting on a balanced budget position and residents can have their say between 22 November and 23 December. To have your say on the proposed budget please go to: cherwell.citizenspace.com
Residents Satisfaction Survey
Cherwell District Council is reaching out to residents across the district to take part in its Residents’ Satisfaction Survey and have their say on local services. By participating, residents can share experiences and offer feedback on a wide range of council services, including waste collection and recycling, street cleaning, housing, planning, and leisure facilities. Every response will help the council understand the needs and priorities of Cherwell’s communities, making it possible to focus on what matters most to residents. To have your say please visit: https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/news/article/ 1159/residents-invited-to-rate-and-review-their-local-services
Bicester Market Square Survey
A survey about Bicester Market Square went live on 14 November. As part of Cherwell’sefforts to develop a proposal for the future of Bicester Market Square, this survey is designed to gather input from residents, visitors, business and organisations. The survey aims to gather information on how people currently use Market Square, what features are most important to them and what they would like to see Market Square become. They survey is open until 29 December and you can have your say here: www.cherwell.gov.uk/bicester-market-square-survey
Get in Touch
As always, please do get in touch! Our emailsare as follows: gemma.coton@cherwell-dc.gov.uk alisa.russell@cherwell-dc.gov.uk julian.nedelcu@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or phone us on 01869 717712. Gemma, Alisa, and Julian
Christmas - a time to sing
Do you sing in the shower? Or do you belt out songs when you’re driving? There is something powerful about singing. On an individual level singing releases feel-good chemicals and hormones. There is something even more powerful about singing collectively - a sense of togetherness - and if we’re really lucky, a bit of harmony and beautiful noise too!
There are so many examples of the power of singing together. I have a lasting memory of taking our three boys up to Anfieldin 2006 to watch Reading play Liverpool in the CarlingCup and experiencing the singing of that powerful football anthem You’llnever walk alone that took on such great significance after the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
Launton School will sing Silent Night in German at their Christmas Service. First sung in Austria at Christmas in 1818, it was famously sung by troops on the battlefields in the Christmas Truce of 1914. When we sing together our spirits say - we will stand together in the face of all that life throws at us and we will find the joy.
When we gather to sing traditional songs and carols at Christmas, the power of singing is taken to another level. We are joining with each other here and we are joining with countless people over the centuries singing in many different languages to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
The Christian faith says this is the story of God not just saying that he loves us but showing that he loves us - choosing to come in human form and be with us - dwell with us - Emmanuel- God with us. It’sa story of hope revealed.
I believe that we are each made in the image of the creator God. When we find that love and hope in each other’sacts of kindness, we catch glimpses of God - threads of gold, hints of glory, something that makes thiscommunitygreaterthanthesumofitsparts,likeaharmoniouschoir. Wishing you joy and peace this Christmas.
Reverend SarahMortimer
Launton WIreports
At our November meeting MarettaDowmanwas our guest speaker as well as being one of our members, where she demonstrated cake icing. Marettaelaborately decorated a Christmas cake with Royal icing and lots of different coloured decorative pieces. A well-iced decorative cake is a form of art well illustrated by Maretta.(see photo on page 26) We all really enjoyed the demonstration. Marettathen donated the decorated cake for a raffle: TheresaMeacockwas the lucky winner. If you would like to come to the Launton WI, we meet on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. You will be very welcome. Come along and join us!
Our next meeting is a Christmas dinner held with WIsfrom Langford Village, Bicester Foxy Ladies and Wendlebury, in Westonon the Green Village Hall. It is on Thursday 12 December, and tickets are needed. Our first meeting in the New Year will be on 9 January; the speaker will be PamNewalltalking on A Sunny Walk in the Cherwell Valley.
LidaEddy
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Launton Over 60sClub Report
We have had a good summer this year, with 32 members and an average of 27 attending each fortnightly meeting. Our free lunches in July and September were much enjoyed. Our Bingo jackpot is now up to £22.50 so hopefully this will be a nice win for someone just in time for Christmas.
We are now getting ready for all our Yuletide celebrations which include our Christmas lunch, which is again being held at The Nightingale in Langford Village. Our Christmas party in the Sports & Social Hall will be in the middle of December when we hope to have the bar open for us with a light lunch, some form of entertainment and a tombola.
We are grateful for all the support we have been given, including a very generous donation from Sidalls.We have been given chocolates and wine for our Grand Christmas Raffle from the two shops in Launton and The Bull Inn. Other donations have come from Majestic Wine and three Tescosand three Co-op convenience stores in Bicester. We hope you all have a very Happy Christmas and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
Pat Court | Membership Secretary | 01869 244900
AllourObedienceTrainingispartof TheKennelClubGoodCitizenDogScheme Jennie,ourInstructorisanApproved Instructor (Academy of Dog Training and Behaviour), Agility Club Approved Instructor, UK Agility Instructor.
SaturdayclassesatWestfieldStables,SteepleAston
Introduction to Agilitystarts at 12 noon
Introduction to Hoopersstarts at 1.30pm
Thursday Classes in ArncottVillage Hall
Puppy Socialisation, starts 6.45pm
Basic Obedience, starts 7.30pm
Rally or Scentwork, every alternate week for each class, from 8.15pm
IntroductiontoMantrialingandIntroductiontoTracking arealsoofferedatadayandtimetosuitthetrainer, yourself,andyourdog.
Housemaintenance
Repointing
Internalandexternaldecorations
Patios
Decking
Fencing
A poem received by email
Remembered
Christmas will be different this year if a loved one’spassed away Unfortunately, can’tbring them back despite what some folks say.
Sadly, so a fact of life to which we will succumb Doesn’tmatter who you are - exempt a fact no one. This doesn’tmake it easy though when loved ones passed away You just have to be there for those who are left to stay
Left to stay but not alone, memories they can share Moments that will linger on and show how much you care. They will be missed can’tsay they won’tand on occasions will appear Definitely not physically, but can feel when they are near
A presence possibly not explained but comfort to you bring Others may not understand but to you a personal thing.
A personal thing, a memory of one who’spassed away Always be there for them, no matter what others say. Something will occur and a memory will come back to the time you spent together and you will have a smile and remember all those special moments.
So yes, Christmas will be different if a loved one has passed away But they will still be with you on this very special day AND ALWAYS!
AndyNutt, 43 West End
MarettaDowmanwasbothamember andthespeakerattheLauntonWI meetingon14NovemberintheParish Hall,whereshetalkedaboutand demonstratedtheartandcraftofcake icinganddecorating. Heresheisshowinghericedcaketo memberswhoareworkingontheirown decorations.
Thereisareportofthemeetingonpage 20ofthisissue.
A Lord Mayor’sShow recalled...
The weekend of 11 November this year had special memories for me because not only was the Remembrance service on the Sunday but there was the London Lord Mayor’sShow on the Saturday and in 1945 I was in the Lord Mayor’sShow. It was the first Show after the war and was known as the Victory Lord Mayor’sShow.
My school had a cadet corps which was the 3rdCadet Battalion, London Rifle Brigade. A platoon, about 24 of us, were sent down to London to join the Show.
Apparently, the London Rifle Brigade had the privilege of marching through the City with fixed bayonets but we did not do this because we did not ‘slope arms’ but carried our rifles at the trail, i.e. horizontally, which was standard practice for all light infantry. So a fixed bayonet could have made it uncomfortable for the man in front.
As Corporal Jonesof Dad’sArmy put it about cold steel, “They don’t like it up ’em, Sir! They don’tlike it up ’em!”
John Stephens
The story of The Launton Poppy Cascades
On Remembrance Day 11 November Launton had new and colourful additions for the 11 o’clock Service. There were Poppy Cascades with over 4,000 hand-made poppies displayed at the War Memorial and the Village Pump, and Remembrance Toppers on the two post boxes. The project to create and display the poppies was started in March after two villagers, MaryCarter and IsobelJennion, had an idea to decorate the village War Memorial and the Silent Soldiers for Remembrance Day, and more importantly to honour and pay respect to those who have fought and continue to fight for our country and our freedoms.Isobelhad been involved in a Poppy Cascade in her previous village, we decided to have a go in Launton, and to include the whole community.
LesleyThompsonfrom the group explains: “Our first meeting was in March when we presented our ideas. We had a great response and decided on monthly progress meetings over a cuppain the Parish Hall. “Very early on we measured and cut camouflage netting for the display at each site so that at every meeting the installations could be
constructed with the poppies.”
The group started quite ambitiously, aiming for 1,000 poppies and decorating the War Memorial and the old Village Pump. Depending on the number of poppies, they hoped to make tree huggers, wreaths, garlands and a ‘poppy flow’ from the pump.
“At every meeting, and in between, we accumulated more and more poppies and eventually had 4,060 - all different sizes, many shades of red and purple, and white ones, not only knitted, but crocheted, sewn and made from other mediums, including metal and some beautiful ceramic poppies made by KathrynBalmfordof Marsh Gibbon.
“The school made their own poppies, and some children attached them to the tree huggersthat we made, along with other poppies.”
There are also two post-box toppers at the Post Office and by the water pump, made by a group member, depicting a ‘Tommy’ and a Spitfire.
The Poppy Cascades involved over 50 people. The Parish Council backed the community activity and bought lamp post poppies that were put up round the village by volunteers. It was supported by local businesses: Jewsonsin Launton gave materials for display frames, and camouflage netting came through Bicester-based D27Vinyl Wrapping.
See pages 24-25 for photos of the Cascade project. All the poppies are in storage for use next year.
Just Giving information was displayed at all locations, which donated directly to The Royal British Legion. The Cascaders hope that their activities will increase donations from the village to add to the house-tohouse collection by volunteers.
RobertCornford
100 Years Ago, from TheBicesterAdvertiser, 12 December 1924
OBITUARIES
MrF A Harrison MrFrank (Francis A) Harrison, formerly headmaster of Launton School, died at Ipswich on Sunday last.
MrHarrisonwas 67 years of age. He came to Launton as schoolmaster about 1884, and at once commenced to take an active part in the social welfare of the village. He was the founder of the football club. For years he received very little support, but kept on pegging away till Launton reached its zenith in the junior football world. He also took a keen interest in the training of the scholars in outdoor pursuits. He was for a great many years organist at the Parish Church and also choir master, resigning in 1919. MrHarrisonwas an accomplished player of the violin, and often assisted at local concerts. He left Launton in 1921, and there was a spontaneous desire in the village to make him a testimonial for his self-sacrificing work on behalf on the inhabitants. The testimonial took the form of a handsome cheque and an illuminated address.
MrJI Castleman The death occurred at 6 Station Road, Winslow, early on Tuesday morning of MrJamesIrons Castleman, a well-known agriculturalist of this district.
MrCastlemanwas a native of Heath and Reach, Beds. For about eight years he occupied Tower Farm, Souldern, and then for 17 years he was at the Grange Farm, Launton. Next, he went to The Slade, Kirtlington, where he stayed upwards of 30 years. He represented Kirtlingtonas Guardian and Rural District Councillor for a number of years. For many years he was in the Queen’sOwn Oxfordshire Hussars and held the rank of Squadron-QMS.The funeral takes place today at Winslow.
[Historical note: Obituaries marking the deaths of two men who had given much of their free time in promoting activities in the village and the church.]
Christmas opening hours for Costcuttershop
ChristmasEve:6am-10pm
ChristmasDay:9am-9pm
BoxingDay:8am-9pm
27December:6am-9pm
28December:6am-9pm
29December:6am-9pm
30December:6am-9pm
NewYear’sEve:6am-10pm
NewYear’sDay2025:9am-6pm
2January2025:6am-9pm
150 Years Ago, from TheBicesterHerald, December 1874
Friday 4 December 1874
LAUNTON WORKING MEN’S INSTITUTE
The parishioners of Launton were once more entertained with an evening’ssong and readings on Tuesday December 1, by an entertainment (the fourth in a series) given by friends of the village, in the reading room of the Working Men’s Institute. Notwithstanding the unpropitiousstate of the weather, the room was crowded. ....[details of the programme]....
MrPiggottproposed a vote of thanks to MrBaker for presiding that evening, which was carried unanimously. MrBaker, in responding, said it gave him great pleasure to be present. There had been something said about having their entertainment in the schoolroom, but it had been decided, after a little consultation, that they should still be held in the reading room. He thought also it would be the best place, as the room was snug and comfortable, although they might be a little crowded. Before they dispersed he would propose a vote of thanks to the friends who had so kindly helped them that evening. The proposition was carried with acclamation, and the singing of God Save the Queen terminated a pleasant evening’samusement and recreation.
[Historical note: there had been a “reading room” (village library) organised in a house near the Chapel. The school, of which MrGoodisonwas the headmaster at that time, provided larger and more suitable space for a concert.]
Friday 11 December 1874
At Launton this week, there was, we are informed, found by a farm labourer, a hedge-sparrow's nest, newly made, containing one egg.
Friday 18 December 1874
The roadwaysaround Bicester have been, since Tuesday, much impeded by snow. The weather is very severe.
2025 PantomimeBeautyandtheBeast
Rehearsals are well under way now and the cast has had to learn how to dance with various new props! The set is being painted, costumes made, and the programme is beginning to take shape.
If any local businesses would like to advertise in our programme, do get in touch with us on advertising@launtonvillageplayers.org.ukfor more information. Our prices have remained the same for many years, and it’s a great way to reach out to local families.
Profits will be donated to The Hummingbird Centre, a charity providing supports services to people with any form of cancer, and their families.
Tickets are on sale from TicketSource: www.ticketsource.co.uk/lvp.You can also call on 07864 715708 for cash or cheque purchases, or for help buying online.As tickets are available to buy before Christmas they would make the perfect Christmas present for friends and family!
Performances will be in Cooper School Performance Hall, and the times and prices are:
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Unit4,WillowsGate,StrattonAudley Bicester,Oxon OX279AU
Wed 19 Feb 7.30pm
Thurs20 Feb 10.30am* and 2.30pm
Fri21 Feb 2.30pmand 7.30pm
free
£7.00 free
£8.00 free Sat 22 Feb 2.30pmand 7.30pm
£8.00 free
Like the last two years, our Thursday morning show* will be a Relaxed Performance, for those who might require a more relaxed theatre environment. The show will be exactly the same but we hope to make some adaptations in the lighting, sound, and how the story and characters are presented.
We are offering Family Discounts again, listed on TicketSourceand available for all shows.
Beauty and the Beast is a well-known story and includes all the usual panto elements, with lots of comedy, magic and (of course) audience participation. It is a family show and suitable for all ages.
Last year we were lucky enough to receive the Best Pantomime award from NODA(National Operatic and Drama Association) London District, and the best Overall Production award from the ODN (Oxfordshire Drama Network).
Don’tmissout.ComeandenjoyBicester’sbiggest,mostmagicalpanto!
Carols around the village - listen or join in
We will be singing carols ‘around the village’ again this year on Friday 13 December. We will be raising money for Alzheimer’sUK. Here are our approximate timings, and there is a map of locations on page 10.
7.00pm- 7:20pm: Woodland Close
7:30pm- 7:55pm: Yew Tree Close
8.30pm- 9:10pm: The Bull Inn
Come and join us to listen, or join in! We look forward to seeing you and Happy Christmas everyone!
You can find out more about LVP by getting in touch via emailon info@launtonvillageplayers.org.uk, Facebookor our website www.launtonvillageplayers.org.uk.
Launton Historical Society reporting…
AlastairLack travelled a busy and foggy A34to talk to us about Oxfordshire Country Houses - four of them particularly, plus a special mention of Tusmore, not far from us.
In 1975, the Victoria and AlbertMuseum had an exhibition about country houses, and gloomy it was. In each room there were giant pictures of vanished houses, with the soundtrack of a wrecking ball. Tusmore, for example, was demolished in 1964. Built for the Fermors, one of the great Oxfordshire families, its style was AngloPalladianand it has passed through various owners, including the Earls of Effinghamand Lord Bicester. In 1964 Lord Bicester’sson didn’twant it, so it was demolished. Now owned by WaficSaid, the house was rebuilt in 2000, again in the AngloPalladianstyle.
Next on the list was Rousham, the family house of the CottrellDormers and visited by us in July. The CottrellDormers were not a particularly well known family but they were good at marrying heiresses apparently. King Charles has said that Roushamis his favourite ‘small’ country house (i.e. not as big as some).
Blenheim is not so small. Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, it was given to the first Duke of Marlboroughafter victories over the French, which culminated in the battle of Blenheim, preventing the supremacy of Louis XIV.It is said that his victory is why we aren’ta French speaking nation now. Vanbrughhad no formal training as an architect and was a bit of a radical, spending time in the Bastilleas a political prisoner. Blenheim’s grounds were redesigned by Capability Brown; he got rid of the earlier formal gardens and created the bridge over the river Glyme, which was very expensive.
On the borders of North West Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire is ChastletonHouse, one of England’sfinest Jacobean buildings. Originally a manor, it was held by several notable namesRobertd’Oilly(High Sheriff of Oxfordshire), ThomasChaucer(the poet’s son) and RobertCatesby(the Gunpowder Plot). It’sornate, with lots of pewter and solid plasterwork, and wonderful fireplaces. Having many chimneys was a sign of significant wealth. Sir NikolausPevsner, who wrote on English architecture, said the fireplaces were nouveauriche, not in good taste. The rules of croquet were created at Chastleton. And then there was AshdownHouse, the least visited of the ones discussed. On the Oxfordshire/Berkshire border, it’slike a dolls house, in
the Dutch style, with a wonderful staircase. It was paid for by Lord WilliamCraven in the 1600s, for Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia, the sister of Charles I. But she died before it was completed. The house was requisitioned for the army in the second World War and was a bit the worse for wear afterwards. It was given to the National Trust in 1956. Alastairthought we are lucky in Oxfordshire, we have a wonderful assortment of country houses, manors and palaces in the area, as well as those he mentioned, for example DitchleyPark, Greys Court, Mapledurham, and Stowe(OK, that’sin Buckinghamshire). His favourite is MiltonManor, in the middle of a business park near Abingdon.It’sa private residence, built in the 18th century by InigoJones, with limited opening and woodland walks, nice gardens and lakes. We enjoyed listening to Alastair, and we look forward to hearing Steve Webber’stalk about Blockbuster - The Early Days, which comes up next. We don’tmeet in December, but in January we kick off 2025 with Pat Snelson, who’lltalk about Bicester’sGothic Architecture on 30 January, 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. Everyone is welcome.
GwenSkinner
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The Community Choir Christmas Concert 2024
Mistletoe & Wine
The Community Choir Christmas Concert will be on Saturday 7 December at 5pmin St Mary’sChurch. The choir is made up of people who enjoy singing, and especially Christmas numbers!
The Concert will be a mixture of popular Christmas songs and carols, some with the audience joining in. Children will be able to join in with percussion instruments too. We will have piano, guitar and organ accompaniment so it will be a wonderful Christmas music celebration. Seasonal readings about the Christmas story and Christmas time will also be included.
Tickets are on sale in Costscutters.Adults cost £10; accompanied children will be free of charge. Please bring along cash to purchase tickets and collect a free ticket for any child or children you will be bringing. Tickets will also be available in StMary’sChurch before and after Church services. Mince pies, mulled wine and soft drinks are included in the ticket price and served during the interval. So put on your best Christmas jumper (optional!) and come along and enjoy the Christmas spirit and joy.
Thankyouforyoursupport.Fundsraisedwillgotowardstheupkeepof StMary’sChurch.AnyenquiriesabouttheConcertpleasecontactCelia (Evans)atceliaevans@outlook.comorbyphoneat07884135994.
More news about the concert will be on the StMary’sfacebookpage. We look forward to seeing you on 7 December.
Donations of mince pies are very welcome, to be served with mulled wine or juice, during the interval. Mince pies can be left as follows:
InChurch on 1 December during Sunday opening (10.30am-4.30pm)
In the week to the Concert at 8 West End - in a box in the porch
On the day of the Concert at the Church from 10.00amonwards. Any queries on refreshments to Celia(Manderson) on 01869 571735 or celiamanderson@aol.com
FoLPHReportingforDecember2024
Since our last report in the November issue, there has been considerable change and progress with the Parish Hall project.
Registeredcharity
The Parish Hall Development Advisory Group set up by the Parish Council (PC) with members drawn from the Parish Council, Hall users, the Grants Action Group, and FoLPH had its Terms of Reference agreed at the November PC meeting. The Group has been meeting every week, looking into options for a replacement roof (it has decided that the original zinc is too expensive so has been looking into alternatives).
The Development Advisory Group has also been doing research on sources of funding.
Section 106 funds from local developments, available through Cherwell District Council where we have talked with people from the District Council
The National Lottery, where we have had a Teams meeting with a contact to find out about their future priorities which should be announced in detail by spring 2025.
Contacting and agreeing to join OCVA(Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action) who provide fundraising research and advice
FCCfunding (waste management funds) who have announced their programme for applications in 2025
The Parish Council will discuss Terms of Reference for the Parish Hall Committee at its December meeting. It will call the first meeting of the Committee before the end of the year. It is looking for volunteers to join, too. Can you offer to help?
And the new external door to the kitchen has been fitted and now just awaits painting in the bright Oxford Blue used on the front doors. We have to wait until there is a break in the rain.
Continued on page 38
FoLPH Open Meeting: 21 November
The FoLPH Open Meeting held in the Parish Hall had a full report from the Advisory Development Group - minutes to follow. Treasurer reported £45,434 in the bank. The next meeting will be on Wednesday 22 January 2025 in the Boardroom at Grange Mews at 7.30pm.
FoLPH events
The hall was packed on 23 November for the show from The Bellas, who have widened their repertoire, including a spirited rendering of Wannabe! The evening added £432.83 to FoLPH funds.
We are quite positive about being able to run another Grand Tythe Barn Quiz in early 2025: hope to have a date fixed after Christmas.
On Saturday 10 May we plan a Spring Fair (plants, cakes, baked goods, jams and chutneys) from 10amto noon at the Hall
RobertCornford
Launton Plotters
A December report
We have had very funny weather this year. Very wet at times, with not much sunshine or warmth.
Where did the summer go?
A mild October and November enabled the grass and weeds to continue growing, we were still cutting the grass when normally the mower would be away for the winter.
EWRfinished work at the beginning of the year leaving the allotments in surprisingly good order with a new access road, new fencing, and better drainage in some parts of the allotments, although some poor plotters must still put up with winter flooding. We have no free plots now; on the other hand we have no one on the waiting list either, it was cleared when EWRgave us over 20 plots back.
Plotters are now tidying up and sorting out their plots for the winter. Some covering bare plots, although there are still many crops to harvest, cabbage, kale, chard and our staple Christmas dinner vegetables, parsnips, and sprouts, to name but a few.
However there is something else eating our Christmas dinner! Signs like holes in the ground near parsnips, small teeth marks in beetroot, potatoes nibbled away show that mice are about. The musty smell in the shed and shredded paper also show they are making themselves comfortable.
It is difficult to get rid of mice in an open field situation like our allotments. If they become a problem, you can set traps baited with peanut butter where other animals cannot reach them. Much safer than introducing poisons to your plot.
Useful Tip
When harvesting cabbages, leave the stump in the ground and cut a cross in the top: fresh leaves will sprout which can be used later when there is little around.
I wish you all a Happy Christmas and productive New Year.
JackieHackett- Launton Plotters
St. Mary’sAll Saints’ Light Party
Families gathered together in the Parish Hall for an All Saints’ Light Party in October half term, an event to replace the suspended afternoon Community Cafe sessions. We had a busy and fun morning of activities. We learnt about modern day Saints in our Top Trumps discovery trail, Scientific Sam made a guest appearance for an exciting light show and we made our own lanterns to take home. This was all mixed in with singing, pastries, prayer, games and dance.
Many thanks to all the volunteers who worked so hard on this event. Special thanks to all the families who came along and joined in our first Family Fun Day. Thank you to Tom Cox at SavoirFare for the kind donation of cups.
LookoutforournexteventonFriday3January2025;comeandfindout ifTheThreeKingsevercompletedtheirjourneytomeetBabyJesus.
St. Mary’sFamily Ministry Team
Memories of an ex-Launton boy
This month the ex-Launton Boy has concerns about the future, and whether we have learned any lessons from the past. He looks round the world and sees troubles ahead - with Russia, in the Middle East, and in the USA - with Putin, Netanyahu, and Trump. He remembers the fall of the Berlin Wall and the hope that Gorbachevbrought of a new start. He is cheered by the Launton Poppy Cascades, and remembers as a boy collecting water from the Village Pump to take to his family house in Green View. He hopes that 2025 will be just another year.
So many anniversaries and so many memories, but what lessons have been learned?
Yet another year has gone by and yet another anniversary of Armistice Day when we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.They died to rid the world of tyranny and yet, when we stop to look around, sadly we see that in certain quarters and certain nations, tyranny still prevails and all the ugliness that goes along with it.
One might have thought that after the horror of the holocaust during the Nazi years of WWII, the Israeli government might have been more measured in its response to Hamaswhen considering the thousands of innocent Palestinian women and children in particular who have been indiscriminately slaughtered because of disproportionate measures against a wicked and heinous crime committed by Hamas.Human life is so very precious, yet one would not think so with over 40,000 Palestinian people slain, people who simply want a State of their own with its own secure borders. Hamasdoes not represent the Palestinian people. And then when one considers the despot, JosefStalin who, having massmurdered many thousands of his own people, including his top Generals for fear of them turning against him, then linked up with the Nazis at the beginning of WWII until Hitler turned and invaded Russia. He then threw millions of ill-equipped Russian soldiers into the meat-grinder to eventually overcome the Nazis in Eastern Europe, to secure and protect the ‘Mother’ country. Not satisfied with that though, he then took a leaf out of Hitler’sbook and devoured half of Europe, which he and his successors held onto as the USSR for decades to come.
Then there was a ray of sunshine as Gorbachevtook over the Russian reins and we saw the bloodless break-up of the USSR (the end of the Cold
War.......or so the naive thought). Countries previously under the Russian boot were now able to function autonomously as independent nation states. That is until the ex-KGB head, VladimirPutintook over the reins of power, a little man with a massive ego who “wants to make Russia great again” (where have we heard a similar phrase to that before?) Another case of lessons not learned, having illegally invaded Ukraine, sending thousands of young Russian men to their deaths in the process, and all to boost his own pathetic ego.
Napoleon did it, Hitler did it and now Putinis doing it, along with BenjaminNetanyahuof Israel who is occupying Gazaand the West Bank (illegally). Lessons not learned and at great cost, which I fear is going to cost a great deal more yet.
Lessons unlearned to one side for a moment, it was good to see so much evidence of people in local communities and institutions marking the occasion(s) of Remembrance Sunday, and then Armistice Day.
I was mightily impressed with the outdoor displays of poppies in Launton as viewed on the internet.I particularly liked the war memorial and the village pump. The effect of the poppies pouring out of the spout of the village pump was quite inspiring. I remember as a small boy, still in short trousers, having my own yoke across my shoulders with a couple of small pails, one hanging either side, accompanying my mum to the pump to fetch some fresh water to our house which unbelievably, despite having been built as late as in 1939, along with 1, 3 and 4 Green View, Station Road, was built with no running water installed. One could see from the photograph that some considerable effort had been put in on behalf of the village to commemorate Armistice Day. Hats off to all who were involved!
It was lovely to see also through Rochesterall the streetlamp-standards displaying very large red plastic poppies at a time when many Local Councils are cutting back on so very much. We had a very well-attended lovely service at the Garrison Church in which I participated, delivering prayers for the world and the Exhortation prior to the sounding of Last Post, the two minutes silence and the sounding of Reveille. Always, no matter how many times read or heard over the years, it is always a very moving experience.
I had the good fortune in 2018 on the 100th anniversary of the end of WWIto participate in the evening ceremony of Last Post at the Menin
Gate in Ypres, Belgium, where bugles from the YpresFire Brigade sound off Last Post every evening of the year, every year, in commemoration of those who died in both WWIand WWII, especially in the Ypressalient in WWI.If you have never witnessed it, I highly recommend it. Quite apart from the ceremony, the walls of the arch of the Menin-Gateare covered in names of those who perished but have no known grave. It is when you witness things such as that, that you wonder in total dismay how the likes of Putincan wage war against fellow Europeans who suffered so very much during the past two World Wars, sending more and more young Russians to their deaths.
So, this year’sArmistice Day is behind us and now we approach the season of Good Will as we come into Advent leading up to Christmas and thinking, “What to buy? What to buy?” How prepared are we all, I ask? I wonder if those of you of my generation are thinking to yourselves, “Hang on a minute, wasn’tlast Christmas just five minutes ago?”
The years seem to turn around so very much faster the older we get. Certain events you are convinced in your own mind happened just five months ago; then somebody or BBC News tells you it was five years ago.
I know one should never wish one’slife away; old Jack Spenceto whom I was apprenticed all those many years ago used to say to me, “Don’twish your life away Ant’, it will go fast enough, believe me”, and he was so right. That said, I am hoping the next four years go quite quickly in the knowledge that thereafter we will not have another episode of Donald Trump in the White House. But then again, we must be careful about what we wish for.
I fear we will be going through a period of turbulent years with Trump, Putin, and Netanyahu, climate change, and ever-increasing food prices. But hey! We are British and we have known even worse, but we are still here, so why worry? After all, 2025 is another year!
Just remember that awful final line from the film, Gone with The Wind? “After all, tomorrow is another day”. Keep healthy and stay SAFE!
TonyJeacock, MInstRE | The ex-Launton Boy | December 2024
DiaryDates:December2024
Withthecomingofautumn,therearemoreevents.SendindetailsofeventsattheSportsandSocial,atthe pubs,atsportsteams,andfromvillageorganisations,tolauntonlines@launton.orgforaFREElistinghere. Sunday1StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion(BCP),8am;ChristingleFamilyService,11am| QuizNightatTheBullfrom8pm
Monday2WatercolourPaintingGroup,ParishHall,2pm-4pm|FellowshipGroupMeetinginSt Mary'sChurch,2.30pm
Tuesday3RubbishCollection:recycling(blue)andgarden(brown)bin|CommunityCafé, ParishHall,9am-11am|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm Wednesday4Over60sClubMeeting,SportsandSocialHall.Doorsopen1.30pmforrefreshments at2pm,closesabout3.30pm
Thursday5ParishCouncil.PublicSession7.15pm,CouncilMeeting7.30pm,LauntonParishHall Friday6SCOTSatTheBullfrom5.30pm|CherrySmokeperformingatTheBullfrom8pm Saturday7CommunityChoirCarolConcert,StMary’sChurch,startsat5pm|CherwellChoral Society,BachChristmasOratorio,StPeter&StPaulChurch,Adderbury,7.30pm Sunday8StMary'sChurch,Evensong,6pm|QuizNightatTheBullfrom8pm Monday9WatercolourPaintingGroup,ParishHall,2pm-4pm
Tuesday10RubbishCollection:garbage(green)bin|CommunityCafé,ParishHall,9am-11am |IslandPondWoodWorkingParty,meetbythePond,10am|RockChorus, ParishHall,7.30pm
Thursday12WIMeeting,ChristmasdinnerinWestonontheGreenVillageHall,7.30pm
Sunday15StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion,11am|PhoenixSingers,CarolsbyCandlelight, StPeter'sChurch,Bucknell,7pm|QuizNightatTheBullfrom8pm
Monday16FINALDATEFORCOPYFORTHEJANUARY2025ISSUEOFLAUNTONLINES: SUBMITTOlauntonlines@launton.org|WatercolourPaintingGroup,ParishHall, 2pm-4pm
Tuesday17RubbishCollection:recycling(blue)andgarden(brown)bin|CommunityCafé, ParishHall,9am-11am|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm
Saturday21ValeBreweryTapRoomOpenDaywithfoodvanBurgervore,from12noon, LugershallRoad,Brill|BCOSChristmasConcert,UndertheMistletoe,StEdburg's Church,7.30pm
Sunday22StMary'sChurch,CarolServicewithmincepiesandmulledwine,6pm|QuizNight atTheBullfrom8pm
Monday23SchoolChristmasholidaybeginstoday.BacktoschoolonMonday6January2025
Tuesday24ChristmasEve|RubbishCollection:garbage(green)bin|StMary'sChurch,Crib Service,3pm;MidnightCommunion,11.30pm|RaffleDrawforHummingbirdCentre atTheBull,from8pm
Wednesday25ChristmasDay|StMary'sChurchHolyCommunion,11am
Thursday26BoxingDay
Sunday29IslandPondWoodWorkingParty,meetbythePond,10am
Tuesday31NewYear'sEve|RubbishCollection:recycling(blue)andgarden(brown)bin| NewYear’sEvePartyatSportsandSocialHall,from7pm
THE COMMUNITY CHOIR PRESENTS
Mistletoe andWine
SATURDAY 7 DECEMBER
5.00pm
AT STMARY’S CHURCH LAUNTON
A festive evening of Christmas songs with readings, and a chance to join in many much-loved carols.
TicketsonsalefromCostcutters(cashonly) Adults£10|AccompaniedChildrenFree Mulled wine, mince pies, and soft drinks included in the ticket price
Proceeds to StMary’sChurch
LauntonLinesisthenewsletterforLaunton ItispublishedmonthlybytheLauntonCommunityCommunicationsGroupwhichmanagestheLauntonwebsitewww.launton.organd theLauntonVillageFacebookPageandGroupwww.facebook.com/launtonvillageaswellasLauntonLines LauntonLinesisdeliveredfreetoeveryaddressinthevillage.ItisfundedbyitsadvertisersandLauntonParishCouncil. Furtherprintcopiesareavailableat£1.00percopyfromShirleyJohnson(01869369269) LauntonLinesisalsoavailableonlinefromJanuary2020onwww.issuu.com ©MMXXIVLauntonLines.Wereservetherighttoeditarticlessubmittedforinclusion. NeithertheCommitteenortheEditorisresponsibleforviewsexpressedinreaders’contributions.
