Launton Lines Issue 294 June 2025

Bicester Road on 2 June 2025

On 2 June at about 8am, machines came to Bicester Road to finish the surface dressing of the road, after the worst potholes had been repaired. From just before the crossroads to the bridge there was a new surface, due to be finished (Surface Seal) by mid June.

Did any more drivers keep to the 20 limit in the chippings?

Photos by Robert Cornford

The cover for June shows a web of caterpillars on trees on the path from West End to The Closes behind the Church. The photographer says, “I'm no entomologist, only an armchair user of Google Lens, but I think I've identified them as being from the Yponomeutidae or Ermine Moth family (possibly a cherry ermine but I’m not sure).”

Photo from Jon Spinage. Cover designed by Matt Hill

The Editor writes …

I hate to be doing this again, but apologies for the late appearance: medical issues got in the way. Any offers of help in collecting, chasing, and collating contributions will be really helpful. Enuf said!

The front cover this month shows a web of caterpillars on a tree on the path from West End to The Closes field behind the Church: see the caption on page 2 for more information, and the photographer and the editor would be glad of any more specialist information.

Page 2 features the main event in the village - the first stage of resurfacing Bicester Road. I’m sure we are all glad that this has happened. Page 21 features nine photos from round the village, many featuring events linked to the marking of VEDay 80, which also features on page 8. It was interesting to see how different the Poppy Cascade looked at the War Memorial in the spring sunshine (page 21) compared to the grey November skies.

There are three village events for June featured. Page 25 has information about the second Retro and Classic Car Show on 28 June. Page 39 has news and the programme for the Launton Youth FC Six-a-side Tournament. Page 20 reports with photos on the “Wetting the Roof” Event in the Parish Hall to mark the new roof. There is a report (pages 2324) of the findings from the survey on next stages of work at the Hall.

A report on pages 12-13 features a fundraising memorial ride by two friends from the village to remember Stewart Wells. Children from the school record the arrival of a deer, and their experience of the Year 6 SATs, and a local vet returns on pages 26-27.

Please support our advertisers: we need them to keep Launton Lines going.

Robert Cornford Launton Lines

A monthly newsletter for Launton. Published around the first of each month by the Launton Community Communications Group © 2025 Launton Lines

email: launtonlines@launton.org website: https://launton.org/launton-lines/ The Launton Lines Committee 2024-2025 Chair: Vacant | Secretary: Kate Greig | Editors: Robert Cornford, Matt Hill Treasurer: Carina Collins | Distribution: Shirley Johnson | Advertising: Jenni Walker

Contact the Parish Council While we are without a Clerk, you can contact the Council by email at clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk or on the Council's mobile at 07305 303 889

To book the Parish Hall Contact: Joan Packer Phone: 07922 042 133 Parish Hall Committee: 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’s floodlighting at St. Mary’s Church in memory of a loved one, to give thanks for the birth of a child, or to celebrate a baptism, a birthday, or a wedding?

A minimum donation of £10 is suggested which can be Gift Aided.

Please contact Joan Packer on 01869 241694 by 20 June 2025 for entry in the July 2025 issue of Launton Lines.

LAUNTON PARISH COUNCIL

Notes from the meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 1 May 2025 at 7.30pm in the School Hall.

Councillors present: Mr Glyn Austin, Mr Andrew Briant (Vice Chairman), Mrs Jackie Hackett, Mr Simon Turner (Chairman) and Mrs Jaqueline Webber.

Apologies: None.

In attendance: 5 members of the public.

Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman Councillor Turner was elected as Chairman and Councillor Briant was elected as Vice Chairman.

Reports from District and County Councillors No reports were received.

Governance and Consultations There are still vacancies for two Councillors and the Parish Clerk, details of which may be found on the Parish Council website. Anyone interested should contact the Chairman at simon.turner@launton-pc.gov.uk or call the Parish Council’s mobile number (07305 303889).

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

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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 is available on the Parish Council website at https://www.launtonpc.gov.uk/planning-applications/ Parish Hall The completion of the roof replacement work is still elusive, but the contractors’ latest estimate at time of writing is that work should be finished by the end of the first week of June. The Hall remains available for use in the evenings and at weekends, but is currently still unavailable during the day on weekdays: we hope to be able to reopen for daytime use shortly. While the Hall remains an active building site, users should continue to take appropriate care when arriving and departing.

Highway and Traffic Issues The long-awaited resurfacing of Bicester Road is finally here! (A year ago we reported that we had been assured that it would be happening during 2024. . .) The signs warning of the road closures initially showed the wrong dates, but this was eventually corrected, and we expect the resurfacing to take place during the week starting 2 June. [Stop press: it happened on the morning of the 2 June!]

Agenda items and dates of the next meetings The next meeting will be on Thursday 5 June 2025 in the Parish Hall, starting at 7.30pm. If you’d like to chat with a Councillor, do come along after 7.15pm.

Suggestions for agenda items for the 3 July meeting need to be with the Clerk by 22 June and items for the 7 August meeting by 24 July.

If you’re not signed up to our mailing list to receive news from the Parish Council, you can find a signup form at the bottom left-hand menu of the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk/ Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 5

Update on London Road Level Crossing On Tuesday 3 June the petition calling for the London Road to be kept open for vehicles when the current level crossing is closed as the East-West Rail line starts full operation to Milton Keynes and (later) to Bedford and Cambridge, was presented in parliament by our MP, Calum Miller.

The final petition had 4,562 signatures, gathered by groups in Bicester and in the surrounding villages. 79 of the signatures were gathered in Launton, at copies in The Village Coffee Shop, in the Costcutter shop, at the Island Pond Wood spring event, and at the “roof wetting” event in the Parish Hall; others from Launton will have signed the petition in the town. We were told that Launton gathered more signatures than Ambrosden.

Calum Miller commented, "People in Bicester are understandably frustrated. The town has known that the level crossing would be an issue for nearly a decade, yet previous governments have failed to secure the future of London Road.”

In the next eight weeks, East West Rail will submit final proposals to the government - and ministers must recognise how crucial this is to Bicester and the villages. Traffic congestion is already a serious problem, and we saw the reality of a fully closed London Road earlier in the year when it was closed by sewage works for ten days.

Robert Cornford

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Launton Watercolour Art Group The Watercolour Group normally meets on Mondays in the Parish Hall between 2pm and 4pm. In June we hope to be able to return to the Hall on these days: 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 as the managers of the Hall have advised that work will not be taking place finishing off the new roof on these days.

Many thanks to Peter Cox who made the Boardroom at Grange Farm available for our meetings while the Hall roof was being replaced.

Here is a work from our class tutor, David Weeks.

If you are interested in attending, please email Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com

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VE 80 at St Mary’s Church: 8 May 2025 Members of the community gathered at St Mary’s to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Grateful thanks go to the Launton Historical Society for their display, the Bellringers for ringing and bringing along their demonstration bell, along with those who provided the refreshments for the occasion.

Some intrepid ladies even climbed the tower to have a go at ringing a bell.

Revd Sarah Mortimer

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NEWS FROM ST MARY’S CHURCH SERVICES & EVENTS IN JUNE 2025 You are most welcome to join our Services and Events listed here.

All are in St Mary’s Church.

1 June 8.00am 11.00am 2 June 2.30pm 8 June 11.00am 12.30pm 6.00pm 15 June 11.00am 16 June 2.30pm 22 June 11.00am

BCP Holy Communion Family Service Fellowship Group meets in St. Mary’s Family Communion Baptism Evensong Holy Communion Fellowship Group meets in St. Mary’s Morning Worship

It is always advisable to refer to the Facebook page for St Mary’s Church Launton for the most up-to-date information in case any last minute changes have been necessary, or please contact Revd Sarah revsarahmortimer@outlook.com 07876 188 519 or the Churchwarden Joan Packer j.packer779@btinternet.com 01869 241694                 

MORNING COMMUNITY CAFE It is possible we may start meeting back in the Parish Hall from 10 June Please look at our Facebook page for the latest information.

ALL WELCOME Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 9

Launton WI Reporting . . .

It was a beautiful, quintessential English evening on VE Day and some of us met in the Church before our gathering to see the VE Day exhibition and listen to the bells. Some of us also got the opportunity to ring them too! I think Michael, the Bell captain is looking for recruits!

Once back in the Hall it was swiftly down to business with a practical demonstration of how to give CPR by Christine Townsend. I know the bell tower steps are steep, but why did we start our monthly meeting with this practical review? Many people think that the WI is quintessentially English, with its Jam and Jerusalem image, and it is.

Not many people realise that since its beginning in 1915, it is the single biggest female lobby group, tackling issues such as poverty, hunger, equal pay, sewage in our rivers, lack of dentists. These topics or Resolutions are chosen annually, and our meeting was to discuss whether or not to support the Resolution Bystanders can be lifesavers. The WI draws attention to many injustices and seeks to bring about improvement wherever they can through their membership.

There are over 30,000 cardiac arrests outside of hospital per year in the UK. Women have a lower chance of survival then men, as symptoms may present differently. Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR can more than double the chances of survival. The WI wants to increase training and access to defibrillators. Thanks to Christine’s magnificent demonstration and common sense chat, the Launton members decided that lack of confidence was probably holding us back and that whilst we support the national resolution we would do more to get more refresher training going in the village.

Visit to the Houses of Parliament Last year we had planned a visit to the Houses of Parliament but this was thwarted by the Election. However on a beautiful spring day we sallied forth to the Mother of all Parliaments and Big Ben or the Queen Elizabeth tower glittered above us in the sun. We had hoped to meet our MP, Callum Miller, but ironically he was going the other way Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 10

down the M40 to Bicester. Many of us have dim recollections of previous visits when at school, so another visit was probably long overdue. Entering Westminster Hall, part of the original Palace, we were greeted by our Guide. We were taken through the Central Lobby beloved of TV interviewers and into the House of Lords Chamber where we admired the work of the architect Augustus Pugin. In real life it is mighty impressive where the Lords dispute and discuss and eventually vote as Content or Not Content.

Back across the Lobby and into the more workmanlike House of Commons with their Aye and No lobbies. At 2.30 things start hotting up and the Speaker parades through to start the work of the day in the Commons.

Then we could go into the public gallery to listen to Oral Questions on Education. The atmosphere was workmanlike, calm and thoughtful, this was where the business was done by our MPs asking the Minister of State for Education pertinent questions about forthcoming legislation on behalf of their constituents. Here was the grinding daily detail. That no child’s needs should be left behind. It was impressive.

I recommend this visit to all. First of all it is completely free. The tour guide and all staff were amazing and knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Go and you won’t regret it.

You also won’t regret joining the WI. Do come along. Our next meeting is Tales from a Detectorist with Miles Penhallow on June 12.

See you there!

Angela Stack Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 11

A ride in memory of Stewart Wells

By the time you read this, we (hopefully!) will have completed a challenging cycle ride from Kilmarnock in Scotland to Launton over the course of four days, a distance of almost four hundred miles, in memory of our friend Stewart Wells and to raise money for three charities, Cancer Research, Bicester Foodbank and the Corner Cupboard foodbank in Kilmarnock.

Stewart was one of life’s good guys. He always had a smile on his face and lived life to the full. Born and raised in Kilmarnock, he spent the last twenty five years living in Launton.

Sadly, and very suddenly, Stewart passed away in November 2024 after a brief battle against cancer, aged just 58. It was a devasting shock to everyone who knew him.

Stewart gave so much to the community, and we wanted to honour that by raising money for three charities, one of which Stewart volunteered at. You’ll know the incredible work of Cancer Research

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Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 12

but more about the other charities are at these links: https://bicester.foodbank.org.uk/ https://cornercupboard.org.uk We know things are tough for many people at the moment, but if you can spare anything at all, no matter how small, we would be so grateful and it would be a fitting tribute to be able to help these charities continue their incredible work. It’s not too late to donate by visiting our Just Giving page: go to www.justgiving.com and search Foggers or Lidders, or use the QR code on page 12 opposite.

As at 4 June the justgiving appeal had raised £4,470.

Thank you from Kelly Fogden & Simon Liddicot

All our Obedience Training is part of The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Jennie, our Instructor is an Approved Instructor (Academy of Dog Training and Behaviour), Agility Club Approved Instructor, UK Agility Instructor.

Saturday classes at Westfield Stables, Steeple Aston Introduction to Agility starts at 12 noon Introduction to Hoopers starts at 1.30pm Thursday Classes in Arncott Village Hall Puppy Socialisation, starts 6.45pm Basic Obedience, starts 7.30pm Rally or Scentwork, every alternate week for each class, from 8.15pm Introduction to Mantrialing and Introduction to Tracking are also offered at a day and time to suit the trainer, yourself, and your dog.

House maintenance  Repointing  Internal and external decorations  Patios  Decking  Fencing 

For a personal service, call Peter N Southam 01869 278333 07721 633 220

peteroofer@aol.com

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LAUNTON ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIETY A House Building Factory Tour

On Monday, 12 May 2025, nine members of LES had the opportunity to take part in a private tour of Greencore Homes assembly facility in Bicester.

Greencore’s Mission Statement is to ‘accelerate the global transition to low carbon living’ and they are hoping to construct ‘10,000 new better-than-net-zero homes by 2035’ Greencore is dedicated to strict sustainability standards. They surpass industry norms for whole-life-embodied carbon (made mostly of wood and other plant materials) and set a new standard of low carbon living.

It was an enjoyable, interesting, and informative afternoon, with far too much information to absorb all at once. The Launton Lines editor has promised that a much more detailed article will be on these pages soon.

In the meantime, if you would like to know more about this exciting project go to https://Greencorehomes.co.uk Ed Hamill, Founder of LES Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 14

Raising funds to go on expedition to Costa Rica

We've just heard from a Launton student who is raising money to go on a school expedition to Costa Rica in Central America. She says, “We’ll be volunteering at an animal sanctuary and going on a trek through a rainforest.

I’m looking for work and can offer the following services while you are on holiday: • Plant watering or • Pet sitting.

I charge very reasonable rates!

Please contact me by email at: costarica@spinage.uk I am also running two events in June: a Toy Sale on Saturday morning 14 June at the Parish Hall, and a Speed Quiz on Friday evening 13 June also in the Hall.”

Emily Spinage

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Launton School reporting . . .

Today we have two reports from the school children: one from Year 5 about the deer in the school grounds, and the other from Year 6, about their recent SATS tests.

On Monday 12 May, a deer was seen trying to escape the school grounds. Although we can’t be certain of how it managed to get into

the school forest, we suspect that it burrowed underneath the fence.

The Year 6 children were unaware of the events unfolding as they were busy completing their SATs. Meanwhile in Chestnut class, faces were pressed against the window, trying to get a glimpse of the frightened animal.

Mrs Staker opened the gate in the hope that the deer would find its way out: it didn’t. We realised it was no use; we needed to call the experts.

At around 12.15 pm, the experts arrived to help safely remove the deer from the field. After some difficulty, they finally managed to catch the deer and release it into a nearby field, just in time for the afternoon PE lessons to commence.

The following report about the recent SATs tests is from some Year 6 children.

Today was the last of out SATs tests, we have had 4 days of tests which we were able to prepare for. To help us revise and be ready for the tests we had some workshops where we could practise some past papers. In the workshops we could sit next to each other, but we weren’t allowed to speak.

Mrs Terry told us that the weekend before the SATs should be spent relaxing, doing things we enjoy, getting some good sleep and NO REVISION! The night before each test, we made sure we slept well and had a good breakfast before going to school Before the first real test we were sat on individual tables in the hall and Ms Paterson opened a sealed envelope containing the test papers. One was given to each of us and when we were told to, we could start. There was an external invigilator to make sure everything was happening as it should.

We did tests in SPAG (spelling, punctuation and grammar) – we had to answer 50 questions in 45 minutes. We took a maths test, which focused on arithmetic, algebra, and reasoning.  Continued on page 18 Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 17

The spelling test was 20 words, those that people often misspell. We had as long as we needed for this test. In the reading test we had three texts we had to answer questions on. One was non-fiction and two were fiction. The questions asked us things like ‘Find evidence that Mr X was …’ and we had to show where we had seen evidence of this in the text.

We had 20 minutes for each piece of text, and Mrs Terry told us when time was running out. Some children were able to have an extra 10 minutes, if they needed to be supported in reading the text or writing their answers. Once we had finished each test our answer papers were put into a sealed envelope.

The tests went by really quickly; we did lots of preparation and can’t quite believe that they’re over. We feel happy about how the tests went, and when we heard about the deer we decided it was a good luck charm.

We are relieved the tests are finished and we’re looking forward to the summer before we start secondary school.

Millie, Eli, Samuel and Jack – Year 6

Menu Changes and Weekday Deals at The Bull

We’ve had info on new food offers at The Bull during the week. These are in addition to the regular menu items.

Mondays - Curry Night with all the trimmings and choice of a selected drink: £19.95 Tuesdays - Pizza Night - 2 pizzas for £12.00 Wednesdays - The Burger Deal - Burger & Chips, £5.00 Add onion rings and coleslaw for £2.00. Extra burger patty £2.00 Thursdays - Steak Night - 2 steaks and a bottle of house wine - £40.00 Fridays - Fish and Chips delight Fish & Chips with choice of peas £15.00 | Fish platter: fish, battered sausage, scampi, chips, peas or beans, and curry sauce £19.95 Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 18

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“Wetting the Roof” at the Parish Hall: 31 May 2025

Over 50 people came to the Hall to celebrate the (almost) completion of the new roof - awaiting delivery and fitting of flashing and guttering. We met our MP (Calum Miller) and two OCC Councillors: Will Boucher-Giles (Launton and Chesterton) and Sean Gaul (Bicester West) who joined residents and representatives of Hall users to enjoy a range of scones and tea or coffee.

The new roof was funded by The Rural England Prosperity Fund matched by the Friends of Launton Parish Hall (FoLPH), from S106 developer funds managed by CDC, and from the Hall budget of the Parish Council.

“This marks an important first stage in the project to ‘Do something about the Parish Hall’ that started nearly thirty years ago,” said FoLPH Chair Robert Cornford, “ But there is so much more still to do! Now the roof is fixed, we move onto the next stage of work!”

Photos from Steve Webber from top left: Top row: Panoramas of the Hall Middle row: Parish Council Chair Simon Turner; FoLPH Chair Robert Cornford struggling with his text; MP Calum Miller and Simon Turner Bottom row: Simon Turner “wetting the Roof”; Calum Miller with Peter Cox; The new roof, still awaiting guttering.

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Around the village last month The VE80 topper on the postbox by the Costcutter shop.

The Poppy Cascade displayed to mark VE80.

VE80 in The Village Coffee Shop when John Stephens (foreground) shared his wartime memories. John Stephens shares his record of V1 and V2 damage in London.  Rosy cutting the cake with, left to right, Marina from Spain ,Johnny from Romania and Doris from Germany - our continental neighbours in Sycamore Road.

 The VE80 Street Party in Sycamore Road on 10 May, and the cake .

 Iris reflections in the pond on Station Road Buttercups in the field behind Yew Tree Close  Photo credits Top: Ella Rayner Middle: Anna Jones; Sycamore and buttercups: Mary Brydon; Irises Terry Vale

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FoLPH reporting . . .

There is a lot to report this month.  The Spring Fair in May raised £426.98 Registered charity  FoLPH contributed £25,000 to the Parish Council to number 1199171 secure the new roof, matching funds from the Rural England Prosperity Fund. It was good to be funding such a significant step in “Doing Something About the Hall”.  We have worked with the Parish Council and the Development Advisory Group to analyse the village survey: a summary of the findings is below.  FoLPH co-hosted the Saturday 31 May Coffee Morning with the Parish Council to mark the completion of the new roof (see page 20).  The next planned event will be an Afternoon Tea in the Parish Hall: fancy sandwiches, cream tea with home-made scones, cakes, and tea and coffee. It will be on 10 August, from 2.30pm. Ink in the date in your calendar.

Analysis of the February survey There were 139 responses, which was very encouraging for a survey of this type. 76 were submitted online; 63 in the paper format.

Here are the responses to each question: Q1. asked how important community meeting spaces are to village life?

95.7% rated them important or very important.

Q2. asked how much people value the Hall as a space for community interaction? 92% rated it important or very important.

Q3. asked how important the Hall is in supporting mental health by reducing isolation? 90.5% rated it important or very important.

Q4. asked what people currently appreciate about the Parish Hall? The top three responses were: Central location (103); On-site parking (77); and Welcoming atmosphere (52).

Q5. asked about the importance of preserving local heritage? 74.7% % rated it important or very important.

Q6. asked How often people currently use the Parish Hall? Weekly, 30%; Fortnightly, 10%; Monthly, 12%, Occasionally, 43%; Never, 5%.

Q7. asked about further improvements to make the Hall more appealing or useful, with 6 options to choose from. Responses were: Kitchen facilities (31.3%); Internet/WiFi (20.2%); Projector/ Screen (17.0%); Improved access (12.3%); PA system and mics (11.7%); Hearing loop (7.5%).

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We then asked for other improvements people suggested. We have separated these free response answers into broad area “buckets” to help make sense of the data. Below is the information: Insulation, heating, lighting, electrics 25.2% Exterior look and improvements 25.2% Toilets 19.6% Parking and access 9.3%

Other ideas 8.4% Interior looks and improvements 7.5% Storage 4.7%

The *Other Ideas bucket includes ‘Kitchen’ (3 responses, low perhaps as it was the top scorer in the first part of the question) and ‘Knock it down and start again’ (2 responses, which is not something that we can do under the lease with the diocese) and 2 comments about information and an online booking system, and 2 about activities offered in the Hall.

Q8. asked for the top two priorities for Hall improvement?  Insulation, heating, lighting, electrics: 52 choices, 23.1% of all responses  Kitchen: 49 choices, 21.8% of all responses  Toilets: 35 choices, 15.6% of all responses  New Roof/Structural integrity: 24 choices, 10.7% of all responses  Internal equipment : 12 choices, 5.3% of all responses  Interior look : 9 choices, 4.0% of all responses  Exterior look: 8 choices, 3.6% of all responses  Parking/Access: 6 choices, 2.7% of all responses  Energy Efficiency: 6 choices, 2.7% of all responses  It’s an important centre: 6 choices, 2.7% of all responses  Other responses: 18 choices, 8.0% of all responses The Other Responses total has 8 separate entries: the largest were: Change internal layout (5), Needs modernisation (3), Knock it down and start again (3 same comment as in Q7), and Keep the wooden floor (3)

Q11. asked how important is the Hall to you as a place for group meetings?

85.7% rated it important or very important.

The final questions asked about activities people would like to see in the Hall, and for other thoughts on the improvement project. We are still working on analysing these responses. Do any readers want to offer to help?

We will turn all this data into pie and bar charts and post them on the FoLPH board in the Hall.

Robert Cornford Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 24

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Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 25

A Bicester Vet writes . . .

Dory’s Diaphragmatic Dilemma Dory is a lovely 5 year old British short haired cat who is normally very chatty and loving; she even follows her owners around the house just to be with them. She has a variety of meows depending on what she wants and will run to the front door like a dog to greet her owners as they arrive home.

She’d had a cough a few years ago which had responded to ongoing medication but essentially she was a very well cat. However, Dory’s owner became very worried about her breathing recently. She was hiding under a chair and making “painful” noises so was rushed in and to see us.

Dory’s situation was quite critical, some tests were done but there was a high risk of making her worse is she was stressed in any way. She was hospitalised with medical support and made it through the night; however, there was only minimal improvement in her situation.

The decision was made to anaesthetise her so we could control her breathing then perform a CT scan to try to get to the bottom of the breathing issue. A CT scanner uses x-rays taken 360 degrees around the body to “create slices” of x-ray images which give far more clarity than a plain x-ray image can.

Once the data is captured, it can be manipulated to look at areas in all 3 dimensions which greatly enhances the interpretation of the pictures.

We were able to see very quickly that Dory had some major anatomical abnormalities with her chest and abdomen. The stomach, along with the spleen and pancreas, had found their way into the chest cavity through a small defect in the diaphragm. This was made worse by the air which was being trapped in her stomach which was inflating like a balloon and squashing the lungs into a greatly restricted space. No wonder Dory was struggling to breath!

Vet Sarah Cameron spoke carefully with the owner and recommended emergency surgery to attempt to draw the stomach and associated organs back into the abdomen. We would then attempt to close the defect which had allowed the problem to occur in the first place.

We knew there were risks but Dory’s Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 26

only chance was with surgery. Sarah and I proceeded to open the abdomen where we were able to locate the small intestine emerging through a small hole in middle of the diaphragm. Using gentle traction, slowly but surely, the stomach emerged from the chest through a 15mm hole in the diaphragm.

We proceeded to suture the hole before drawing all the air out from around the lungs allowing them to reinflate.

Dory recovered uneventfully and was much more comfortable that afternoon. She could breathe easily again and proceeded to eat and purr, and her “attitude” soon returned. After two nights in hospital with overnight nursing care she was strong enough to go home. Her owner is thrilled with her treatment and recovery as she is back to her chatty ways and “sassy” personality. She will even lie flat out on her back again which is her favourite sleeping position.

A big thankyou to her owners for allowing us to share Dory’s story and to Dory for being a great patient. Well done Dory!

Enjoy your pets!

Jason Williams | Bicester Vets

Peace of mind for pet owners...

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Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 27

Launton Village Players

Summer variety show: “Heroes and Villains” Rehearsals are now underway and songs and routines are being learnt!

The show is suitable for all ages, including families, and will include a variety of music and songs, along with some entertaining sketches and comedy skits about Villains and Superheroes!

There will be three performances on Saturday 12 July at 1.30pm and 6pm, and Sunday 13 July at 2.30 pm. All performances will be in the “Big Shed Theatre” at Hare Leys Farm Launton, OX26 5AB. The 1:30pm performance on Saturday 12 July will be a “relaxed performance”, aimed at those who might require a more relaxed environment. The show will be exactly the same but will involve the following adaptations: Music will be turned down.

We will provide a small area to be used as a chill out space.

A visual story will be made available before the show. The cast and crew will have an open attitude towards audience noise and movement.

Tickets are available now from www.ticketsource.co.uk/lvp, with Adults costing £12 and Children £6. Refreshments are available to purchase when you buy tickets, and on the day, including Pimms, prosecco, fruit juice, teas and coffees, homemade cake and ice creams. If you are unable to buy online, call us on 07864 715708 for cash and cheque purchases.

If you have any questions contact us at tickets@launtonvillageplayers.org.uk or by phoning the telephone number above.

There is plenty of parking space and we have disabled access. Please bring your own garden chair – if you are unable to carry a chair do let us know as we can help out with a few requests for chairs.

We hope you will be able to come and enjoy an afternoon's entertainment, and help us raise money for the LVP Stage Block Fund.

We look forward to seeing you, and thank you for your support.

The LVP team Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 28

100 Years Ago: from The Bicester Advertiser 1925 Friday June 19 GARDEN FETE AT LAUNTON It is a great many years since a fete was held at Launton, and though rain was badly needed, it was everyone’s desire that yesterday Old Sol should help the Launton people by smiling on their efforts on behalf of parochial funds . . .

Friday June 26.

The fete on Thursday in last week was a huge success thanks to the untiring work of the various helpers and the generosity of friends.

Over 800 paid for admission and the sum realised was about £120. As the expenses would not be much over £30 there is a handsome sum left for parochial purposes. The fete concluded with a display of fireworks........

At the University " congregation" held the Senate House, Cambridge, on Saturday, June 26, the BA degree was confirmed on Mr W H Sansome of “Cheshunt”, Launton.......

Historical notes: this church fete was to lead to a project to build a hall for the use of the village, complete five years later.

William Henry Sansome ( born 1882) was one of several lads who were born in Launton and attended the village school, and later were to go on to university. They were all members of the Congregational Church and made their careers in it. Mr Sansome was for many years in Bolton, Lancs, and also broadcast in the religious programmes on the BBC. Just a reminder that Launton Sports & Social is your local family and dog friendly pub/bar in the heart of the community of Launton, run by a small group of volunteers and OPEN TO ALL - NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED. We show major sporting events, and serve a wide range of drinks, including Real Ale. We have been serving Launton for over 50 years, as a Sports and Social event venue.

Our next community event is on Saturday 28 June - the second Classic and Retro Car show on the Playing Field (see page 26).

Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 29

Launton Historical Society reporting . . .

John Tyler gave us a talk on Reading the Countryside, showing us how to spot features on walks. When you get your eye in, he said, you can learn what’s there without seeing it directly. Hares are active at dusk, for example. After snow, you can find their footprints - but they land on their front feet, then the hind legs overtake. So if you think you’re following the steps, you’re likely to be moving away from the hare’s direction.

A pile of feathers might well be a woodpigeon, and if the feathers are chewed at the ends, it’s likely the chewer was a fox. If the ends aren’t chewed, it might have been a sparrowhawk. A stone with broken snail shells round it indicates that a song thrush has been around.

If you see a windblown tree, it’s not bent by the force of the prevailing wind. Rather, the wind blasts away the twigs on the windy side so the tree grows in one direction only. If there are lots of hawthorn berries, does it foretell a hard winter? No, it’s telling you about the Spring already past. To forecast the winter, you could observe the orange ladybirds. In October they gather in groups and decide where to spend the winter. If it will be harsh, they go into the leaf litter. If they decide it will be mild, they gather

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Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 30

on trunks and fenceposts. They never change their decision once made.

There are all sorts of things you can learn about history on a walk. For example, oak trees have two basic shapes. The oak in a park is able to spread out and form a dome shape. In a wood, the oak will compete for sunlight and have a straight trunk. If there’s a sprawling oak in a wood, it probably started life on an open common. Penn Wood in the Chilterns started off as a common, then was enclosed and planted with beech for furniture making in Wycombe. But there’s a sprawling oak there, because it started life on the common. In its turn the beech was felled and conifers were planted.

Pollarding is a sign of common land - villagers could take wood from the top but the landowner owns the trunk.

To go back thousands of years, look at the small plants such as the goldilocks buttercup. It’s bad at colonising new woodland. It spreads through roots rather than pollination and where you find these plants it’s likely the woodland is hundreds of years old. Bluebells are also an indicator of ancient woodland, and they persist after the woodland has gone. If you see a big carpet of wood anemones, their very slow spread of a foot every ten years means that wood is hundreds of years old.

There are also man made features in woods: Grims Ditch in the Chilterns marks the boundary between two iron age tribes. Farms which were surviving in Victorian times could well have been there since the Bronze Age, if the spot was favourable.

Hedges round fields are interesting: straight ones, mainly hawthorn and blackthorn, were laid to enclose open parish farmland. Others - called relic hedges - snake around and are better for wildlife, and they could be strips of original forest land going back to the Bronze Age. When people started farming, they would leave these strips of the original forest as boundaries. Sinuous in shape, they have a more diverse range of plants.

We learnt a lot from John and we enjoyed his talk, as well as the tea, coffee, wine and Mary’s delicious baking. By the time you read this, we will have heard Martin Sirot Smith speak about daily life in Tudor times, and in June we’ll hear Gillian Cane talk about Bletchley Park. We meet on the last Thursday of the month at 7.30 in the Parish Hall and everyone is welcome.

Gwen Skinner Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 31

150 Years Ago: from The Bicester Herald June 1875 Friday June 4 CRICKET Launton v Marsh Gibbon On Monday May 31, a game of cricket between the above sides came of [sic] at Marsh Gibbon. The Launton eleven won, with four wickets to fall.......

Friday June 25 At Launton Congregational Anniversary on June 16 . . . The Chairman’s address at the public meeting, as briefly reported in last week’s Herald, would lead to the conclusion that the former meeting house was a barn. It was not so; it was built for public worship on ground given for that purpose by Mr William Freeman, farmer, Launton, in 1807, and was called Zion Chapel. For the present chapel and burying ground, Mr William Jones, of Brewers Farm, Launton, gave the ground and the present chapel opened in 1850. The materials of the former chapel were used in the building of the present day and Sunday school.

Historical notes: this cricket match report is the earliest found so far of evidence that the game was being played in Launton; however many of the players named do not seem to have lived in the village.

The Zion Chapel was built on land where the entrance to West End Close now is.

Brewers Farm is now known as Launton Field Farm: it had originally been land known as Brewing Furlong in the time before the open fields were enclosed in 1815.

June update from the Village Coffee Shop

Just a quick heads-up that we’ll be taking a short, well-earned break in a few weeks’ time.

After a year of pouring time, energy, and love into renovating this space, we’re taking a short, pre-planned break.

This little pause was booked long before we opened the doors - but now, with the coffee shop finally up and running, it feels especially well-earned.

We’ll be closed for the week beginning Monday 23 June, and back open on Tuesday 1 July.

Thank you for every visit, every kind word, and the incredible support so far - we truly couldn’t ask for a better community.

Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 32

Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 33

Do you remember Andy & Linda?

They are coming back to Launton!

Andy and Linda Murray, formerly of West End, moved to Brisbane Australia in 2022.

They will be coming back, for four days only, and they want to see as many of their friends and neighbours as possible, so we are having an AT HOME WITH ANDY & LINDA 21 JUNE 2025 5pm to 9pm at 23 West End Join me and Andy and Linda for a chat, a cup of tea or a glass of wine. I’m sure they’d love to see you . . .

No RSVP necessary.

The front door will be open - just come on in!

Their Close Friend and Former Next-Door Neighbour, Ed Hamill

Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 34

A letter (actually an email) to the Editor Dear Editor, after reading the report of the readership survey of Launton Lines in the May issue, we were delighted to see a significant number of respondents asking us, The Grumpy Old Men of Launton, to start contributing again with notes and comments on the day to day events of our village and our wider world. Your invitation to us to continue contributing was thus not a surprise.

We are touched by this resounding vote of support for our way of looking at the world, and would like to thank all the 10 respondents who mentioned us.

We will discuss this at our next get together. I don’t want to pre-empt the outcome of our discussions, but my sense of our members is that we will agree to your readers’ request. There is certainly no shortage of topics for us to get our teeth into. I will report back after our next meeting.

Again, thanks for your invitation and to your readers for their support.

The Grumpy Old Men of Launton

Memories of an ex-Launton boy This month the ex-Launton boy is feeling his age. Following news of the death of John Austin (or was it Austin) in last month’s issue, he remembers the activities of young boys growing up in Launton in the 1950s. (What was the worst thing he recalls doing?) This take him, via his great grandson, to the VE80 celebrations in May, and to a poem called “Peace” that he has written.

Having attended the funerals of six veterans during the past two months, I was saddened to read of the recent death of John Austen of Bicester Road (previously School Lane), Launton.

I remember John from the 1950’s and 60’s as being an excellent cabinetmaker, quite a step up from my early trade as a carpenter and joiner. He was an easy person to talk to as I recall, and quite a big fellow.

I certainly remember John’s mother too, Mrs. Annie Austen - quite a character with quite a loud voice I recall. And if my memory is not playing tricks on me, which it often does these days, Ollie Slaymaker used to live immediately next door, whose young son Robin was often playing in the front garden.

Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 35

We young lads were a bit naughty back then, or when I say back then, I mean going back to the 1950’s momentarily, for as we would be walking home from Launton school, some of the lads would stop on the way and call young Robin to the garden gate and try to teach him some everyday swear words. He was only a toddler who would innocently repeat the words he was being encouraged to speak. They were the usual ‘b’ words and nothing more, but when one thinks back on it, that was bad enough in itself. Whether he ever repeated the words indoors, we’ll never know.

Funny how time distorts the memory in many ways! You forget the age difference between what you used to be and that of someone you can remember from back whenever. Until I read it in the pages of Launton Lines, I would not have thought of John as being in his early-to-mid eighties, with me currently aged seventy seven.

They say that yesterday’s age is today’s age 70, so if “Life begins at 40”, then by the same token, my life only began seven years ago.

Three score years and ten is supposed to be the traditional and biblical average age expectancy, so I seem to be doing reasonably well in that case, despite all the aches and pains and the long-awaited hip-replacement operation (still waiting) and the daily cocktail of tablets, some of which are to counter the side effects of those designed to do specific jobs.

Somebody said to me the other day, “Oh! Don’t get old!” to which I replied, “It’s better than the alternative.” He’s in his early to mid-nineties and still sings in the Garrison Church choir alongside me every Sunday.

What I have found in my dotage is that whereas when I was a young husband and father to three lovely daughters, not having the adequate time to fully enjoy watching my girls during their very early childhood (working all hours), I now have the time to fully enjoy time with my great grandson who is just two years of age and an absolute little darling.

Technically-speaking, he is my step-great grandson through my second marriage, but none of us take any notice of the technicalities, I’m his granddad and he is my great grandson and we have tremendous fun together.

Change of subject. No doubt like me, you have had some fabulous VE Day 80 celebrations on 8 May. We were spoilt for choice with all day events at the Royal Engineers Museum, a service in Rochester Cathedral followed by Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 36

a march-past in Rochester High Street, the Corps of Royal Engineers having the Freedom of the Town (formerly City) of Rochester, and then into the evening at a local village where the Rochester Pipes & Drums (my great grandson’s dad, my grandson, is the big bass drummer), played while searchlights beamed into the skies above, and a beacon was lit.

I’d like to share a poem I wrote for the occasion, which I have entitled “Peace” - trying to capture what it means after so many years of war.

Peace Peace looks like white fluffy clouds in the skies of early May instead of puffs of ack-ack chasing Luftwaffe bombers away.

Peace is listening to church bells having been silent for so very long, pealing out their music their ecclesiastic song.

Peace is seeing houses and street lamps lit at night.

Peace is about children sleeping in beds free from fear and fright.

Peace is greeting loved ones walking wearily through the door, who’ve been away for years it seems fighting throughout the war.

Peace is letting go of those pent-up feelings inside; Peace is walking freely not needing somewhere to hide.

Peace is making future plans for weddings and christenings too; Peace is meant for everyone, which means for both me and you.

Let peace be everlasting with no more need for war, but history yet tells us, some will cry out for more.

We give thanks for those who battled, for those who gave their all defending our rightful freedoms they answered their nation’s call.

To seek for peace, ’tis often said, you have to plan for war; Winston Churchill at some time wrote, “Less war . . . and more jaw jaw” Composed by: Tony Jeacock For VE Day 80 8 May 2025

In the words of the late great John Lennon, “Give Peace a Chance”.

Keep healthy and Stay SAFE! Tony Jeacock, MInstRE | The exLaunton Boy | June 2025

Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 37

Diary Dates: June 2025

With the coming of Spring, there are more events. Send in details of events at the Sports and Social, at the pubs, at sports teams, and from village organisations, to launtonlines@launton.org for a FREE listing here.

Sun 1 St Mary’s Church, Holy Communion , 8.00am. Family Service, 11am | Quiz Night at The Bull 8pm Mon 2 School reopens after half term holiday | Watercolour Painting Group, 2pm-4pm. Contact Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com for venue | St Mary's Church, Fellowship Group meeting, 2.30pm Tue 3 Rubbish Collection: recycling (blue) and garden (brown) bin | Community Café, Check St Mary's Facebook page for venue, 9am-11am | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wed 4 Over 60s Club Meeting, Sports & Social Hall. Doors open at 1.30pm, meeting ends about 3.30pm Thu 5 Parish Council. Public Session 7.15pm, Council Meeting 7.30pm, Launton Parish Hall | Launton Plotters AGM at the allotments, 7.30pm Sat 7 Stratton Audley Festival around the village: 11am-5pm Sun 8 St Mary’s Church, Family Communion 11am; Baptism, 12.30pm; Evensong, 6pm | Quiz Night at The Bull 8pm Mon 9 Watercolour Painting Group, 2pm-4pm, back in the Parish Hall. Contact Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com Tue 10 Rubbish Collection: garbage (green) bin | Community Café, probably back in the Parish Hall, Check St Mary’s Facebook page, 9am-11am | FIPW Midweek working party in the woodland, Meet at the pond, 10.00am | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Thu 12 WI Meeting, Miles Penhallow on Tales from a Detectorist, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Fri 13 SCOTS at The Bull from 5.30pm | SpeedQuiz at The Parish Hall, 8.00pm (see page 15) Sat 14 Launton Youth FC 6-a-side tournament at the Playing Fields, 8.30am - 5pm (see page 39) | Toy Sale in the Parish Hall, 10am-12noon (see page 15) Sun 15 Launton Youth FC 6-a-side tournament at the Playing Fields, 8.30am - 5pm (see page 39) | St Mary's Church, Holy Communion, 11am | Quiz Night at The Bull 8pm Mon 16 Watercolour Painting Group, 2pm-4pm, back in the Parish Hall. Contact Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com | St Mary’s Church, Fellowship Group meeting, 2.30pm Tue 17 Rubbish Collection: recycling (blue) and garden (brown) bin | Community Café, probably back in the Parish Hall, Check St Mary’s Facebook page, 9am-11am | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wed 18 FINAL DATE FOR COPY FOR THE JULY 2025 ISSUE OF LAUNTON LINES: SUBMIT TO launtonlines@launton.org | Over 60s Club Meeting, Sports & Social Hall. Doors open at 1.30pm, meeting ends about 3.30pm Sat 21 Launton Youth FC 6-a-side tournament at the Playing Fields, 8.30am - 5pm (see page 39) | Vale Brewery Open Day with food van, from 12 noon, Lugershall Road, Brill | At home for Andy and Linda Murray, 23 West End, 5pm-9pm Sun 22 Launton FC Ladies tournament at the Playing Fields, 8.30am - 5pm (see page 39) | St Mary’s Church, Morning Worship, 11am | Marsh Gibbon Farmer’s Market at the Village Hall, 10am1.00pm | Quiz Night at The Bull 8pm Mon 23 Watercolour Painting Group, 2pm-4pm, back in the Parish Hall. Contact Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com | Village Coffee Shop closed for holidays. Reopens on 2 July Tue 24 Rubbish Collection: garbage (green) bin | Community Café, probably back in the Parish Hall, Check St Mary’s Facebook page, 9am-11am | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Thu 26 Historical Society Meeting, Gillian Kane talking about Bletchley Park, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Sat 28 Launton Classic and Retro Car Show, The Playing Fields and Sports and Social Bar and Hall, 10am-3pm (see page 25) Mon 30 Watercolour Painting Group, 2pm-4pm, back in the Parish Hall. Contact Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 38

Launton Youth FC Tournament Returns Join Us This June!

Launton Youth FC is thrilled to welcome you back to our annual football tournament!

For three action-packed days across two weekends in June, this much-loved event brings together over 200 teams and nearly 2,000 young players for a fantastic celebration of grassroots football.

This year the Youth tournament will be over three days: 14, 15 , and 21 June. Each age group will operate on a league basis, with cup and plate competitions. Matches will be 6-a-side, with a maximum of 8 players per team. There will be parking for all taking part in the field behind the clubhouse, entrance opposite Manor Farm: many thanks to Peter Deeley. This should mean that there is not any on-street parking round the village.

Then on Sunday 22 June is the Ladies Tournament - all day.

Here is the programme for the Youth Tournament.

Saturday 14 June: Morning Saturday 21 June: Morning

Registration: 8:30am | Registration: 8:30am Kick-off 9am Kick-off 9am Boys U8s | Girls U13s | Girls U14s Boys U13s | Boys U14s | Boys U7s

Saturday 14 June: Afternoon

Registration: 1:30pm Kick-off: 2pm Boys U9s | Boys U12s | Girls U15s

Saturday 21 June: Afternoon

Registration: 1:30pm Kick-off: 2pm Girls U11s | Boys U11s | Boys U16s

Sunday 15 June: Morning

Registration: 8:30am Kick-off 9am Girls U7s and U8s in the same group | Boys U15s | Girls U10s

Sunday 15 June: Afternoon

Registration: 1:30pm Kick-off: 2:pm Boys U10s | Girls U12s | Girls U16s Launton Lines June 2025 Issue 294 | Page 39

Launton Lines is the newsletter for Launton

It is published monthly by the Launton Community Communications Group which manages the Launton website www.launton.org and the Launton Village Facebook Group www.facebook.com/launtonvillage as well as Launton Lines Launton Lines is delivered free to all households in the village, funded by its advertisers and Launton Parish Council.

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

Neither the Committee nor the Editor is responsible for views expressed in readers’ contributions.