Launton Lines Issue 296 August 2025

The cover is a drone photo taken from above Market Square of the rally and march to the London Road level crossing on 17 July. It was estimated that over 250 people took part.

Photo from Graven Hill Residents Association. Cover designed by Matt Hill

The Editor writes …

This issue is one of the longest I’ve put together - 48 pages. There is so much on in Launton over the summer and into early autumn.

The cover this month is from drone coverage of the march to the level crossing on London Road on 17 July. Over 250 people showed support for keeping Bicester united. We wait to see if the Government is listening!

We have two photo spreads in the issue: The Village Players’ Summer Show (pages 24-25), and of the Classic and Retro Car Show (pages 8-9).

There is also a celebration of the summer-themed Post Box Toppers on page 31, and a review of the Village Players’ show on pages 19-21.

August sees the start of the football year, and page 38 has an invitation to join the three main adult teams for pre-season games, with a list of all fixtures on page 41. We have news of events in August: The FoLPH Afternoon Tea is on page 48; The Jay Lapper Match Day including a charity auction run by Charlie Ross on page 40; events at The Bull on page 42; and the programme at The Village Coffee Shop on page 32.

And we remember Muriel Beck’s 104th birthday on page 37.

For September, work is in hand for St Mary’s Fayre - The Art and Craft Show is on pages 27-28 and 47, and more on pages 2, 29, and 43. There is also, on page 29, news of The Ride & Stride event.

There are reports from the Parish Council (pages 4-5), from CDC (page 6), the WI (pages 12-13), the Environmental Society (pages 16-17), and the Historical Society (pages 36-37), and a donkey reunion on page 13.

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 August 2025 for entry in the September 2025 issue of Launton Lines.

July 12 | Sponsored by Sue Hawkins.

Remembering Bill on what would have been his birthday.

With love from Sue and the Hawkins family

LAUNTON PARISH COUNCIL

Notes from the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 3 July 2025 at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall.

The Chairman/Acting Clerk was unexpectedly unable to attend the meeting due to being stuck in the queues for the closed Dartford Tunnel, so in the absence of the Vice Chairman the meeting was chaired by Jackie Webber. Many items that needed explanation from the Clerk or were not critically urgent were deferred to the next meeting. These notes relate only to items that were dealt with at the meeting.

Councillors present: Mr Glyn Austin, Mrs Jackie Hackett, Mrs Jaqueline Webber Apologies: Mr Andrew Briant (Vice Chairman), Mr Simon Turner (Chairman and Acting Clerk) In attendance: Cllr Gemma Coton (CDC), and 4 members of the public Reports from District and County Councillors Councillor Coton addressed the Council about the three competing plans for unitary councils to serve Oxfordshire.

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Governance and Consultations There are still vacancies for two Councillors, details of which may be found on the Parish Council website. At the time of writing it is hoped that a new Clerk will shortly be appointed.

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 is available on the Parish Council website at https://www.launtonpc.gov.uk/planning-applications/ Parish Hall The roof replacement is finally complete! The Parish Hall Development Advisory Group is continuing to look into options for next steps for the Hall.

Agenda items and dates of the next meetings The next meeting will be on Thursday 7 August 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 4 September meeting need to be with the Clerk by 21 August and items for the 2 October meeting by 18 September.

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 August 2025 Issue 296 | Page 5

Cherwell District Councillors reporting . . .

There are two things to report on this month: Local Plan The Local Plan was approved at Full Council on 21 July and will now be put forward for approval from the Planning Inspector. This is important as Cherwell currently does not have its five-year land supply which has left it vulnerable to speculative development. We hope to hear back from the Planning Inspector later this year or early next. If the Planning Inspector approves the Local Plan it gives Cherwell much more control over the development of the District.

Local Government Reorganisation As some of you may already be aware, the Government have asked all local councils with a two tier authority (District and County) to come up with proposals for a unitary authority. Cherwell, alongside the other District Councils, have put forward a proposal for two unitary councils, broadly following the existing boundaries of the councils. They have proposed one council, called Oxford and Shires, which will consist of Cherwell, West Oxfordshire and Oxford City, and the second, called Ridgeway, which would consist of South Oxfordshire, the Vale of White Horse and West Berkshire. You can find out more about the proposal here: twocouncils.org. Home - Two Councils.

Oxfordshire County Council have put forward an alternative proposal for one unitary council, which would consist of all of Oxfordshire. You can find their proposal at this url https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/council/local-governmentreorganisation-and-devolution/interim-proposal. They currently have consultation which will run until 27 July and you can find it here: https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation Oxford City Council have also put forward a proposal which would consist of three unitary councils within Oxfordshire. You can find their proposal here: https://greateroxford.org/ Get in Touch As always, please do get in touch! Our emails are gemma.coton@cherwell-dc.gov.uk, alisa.russell@cherwell-dc.gov.uk and julian.nedelcu@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or phone us on 01869 717712.

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Launton Watercolour Art Group The Watercolour Group normally meets on Mondays in the Parish Hall between 2pm and 4pm but we normally take a break for the summer holidays.

So, over the summer we will meet on 4 August then take a break until 8 September, when we will meet on 8, 15, 22, and 29 September.

Here is a work in progress from one of our class members.

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

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Photos from Andy Ng

The lychgate, looking much better since being repaired and treated by Geoff Ball

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

All are in St Mary’s Church.

3 August

8.00am 11.00am 10 August 6.00pm 17 August 11.00am 24 August 11.00am 24 August 11.00am

BCP Holy Communion Family Service - Creation Evensong Holy Communion Morning Worship Family Communion

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 The Team Vicar Revd Sarah revsarahmortimer@outlook.com 07876 188 519 or the Churchwarden Joan Packer j.packer779@btinternet.com 01869 241694                 

Please refer to our facebook page for news of the morning Community Café (start date to be decided) and the Fellowship Group (due to resume on 01/09/25)                 

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Launton WI Reporting . . .

Unfortunately, our speaker had to cancel at fairly short notice, so instead, the committee decided to hold a Bingo session together with a mini book review [i.e. can you tell a book by its cover?].

However, thwarted again, due to a leak in the hall kitchen [now fixed], on to Plan C - all go to Hilary’s lovely garden - this was a blessing in disguise due to the pervading heat!

A good number of members assembled in Hilary’s garden - thank you Hilary!

The important things were raised first - one being why so many birthdays in July - namely, Cathy, Pat, Celia, Jane, Maretta, Chris, Lynne and Linda.

Cathy reported that our finances are in good order.

Thanks to those who helped at the Junior Triathlon in Bicester at the end of June Future events include: a barbecue at Eleanor’s on 14 August [£10 to pay], and a refresher course for CPR and the use of defibrillators on Friday 12 September in the Parish Hall in the evening, led by Christine Townsend.

On 16 September it is the 110th anniversary of the formation of WI, and the Tackley office will be open all day for visitors.

The competition, ‘A souvenir’ was suitably won by our hostess for the evening, Hilary.

Next, ‘eyes down’ for Bingo, ably called by Jane - including suitable names for particular numbers.

Tea was followed by book reviews, or at least comments about the various books members had brought to discuss.

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This social evening closed as night started to close in.

The next meeting will be the barbecue at Eleanor’s on 14 August, and the one after that will be on 11 September starting at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. A speaker is booked to tell us about the Launton Handbells.

New members and guests are always welcome to our meetings.

Joan Packer

Reunited at last . . .

Here is a photo of a long time resident of Launton (Jess) meeting up with her son (Bracken). Jess’ owner fills in a bit of history: “Jess used to be the companion sharing a field with Magic the Shetland Pony to the back of West End Close. Lots of walkers got to know them both as they were on the footpath from the Peace Park through to The Closes. When Magic went off to the paddock in the sky at the ripe old age of 29, Jess only had sheep for company . . .

We were keen to get a donkey companion for her and with help from her old owner we managed to contact the people who Jess’ son Bracken had been loaned out to, and we arranged to purchase him.

After 8 years apart, this photo was captured, by Ian Jones, of mother and son being reunited.

Now, people who come to The Village Coffee Shop can set off for a wander to find the mother and son team!”

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Launton Poppy Cascaders do Christmas

The temperature was at least 25°C in July when we met in the Parish Hall for our meeting to discuss Christmas!

Plenty of people came with plenty of enthusiasm and lots of Christmas decorations already made. There was a great variety and we were able to attach a few decorations to the Christmas trees already made by Bob to check for correct size and ways to attach them.

Thank you to everyone who came along and gave their support.

We are currently aiming for around 30 trees distributed around the village, we will decorate as many as we can depending on the number of decorations we collect. We are also pleased to hear that Launton School will be joining in with the project.

Bob and his tree team are making plenty of Christmas trees to sell at the Island Pond Wood event on 27 September. People will be able to purchase them at the event or order them, all proceeds from this sale will go to IPW. Next meeting will be on 14 August in Launton Parish Hall, 10.30-12.00

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If you are interested in joining us or helping us, please get in touch Mary Carter email: carmore2007@hotmail.co.uk Hilary Bradshaw email: hilaryannbradshaw@hotmail.com Tel 01869 241989 Lesley Thompson: Tel 07971 381 074

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 Three Ps in a pod

Political Parties. That’s just two Ps, I know, but they do cover the entire spectrum of our Democratic Society. The Left which sees People as their main concern. And the Right which seems to be preoccupied with that other P. Profit. On a family level the two Ps translate to Lifestyle and Work. Both are important and getting the balance right might be a bit difficult, but we survive.

Life was relatively simple when we were able to juggle the two. But all that has changed now that there are three. There is a third P to add to the mix. Planet. And this one is of utmost importance. We are not living sustainably. Society, as we know it, will not survive if we do not restore the planet to good health.

People, Profit and Planet. All three are essential parts of our Society!

How important is that third P to you?

On Wednesday 9 July, that is the message I took to London, and the question that I asked Calum Miller MP. It was all part of a lobbying event organized by The Climate Coalition, ‘Act Now, and Change

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Forever’ where they invited all the MPs to meet up with their public on mass and individually to discuss the state of the environment. And they did. There were clusters of people chatting to their MPs everywhere I looked in Westminster Hall all talking about the environment. Our discussion with Calum Miller was extremely encouraging. He was very welcoming, knowledgeable, understanding, sympathetic and engaging.

Calum’s answer to my question was exquisite, if I may paraphrase ...

‘Extremely! I got into this business because I'm worried for my children, and the kind of world we are going to leave them. We must think about all three Ps... PEOPLE, PLANET and PROFIT they are all extremely important! And my specific job right now is to make sure that Ed Milliband does what he says he is going to do!’

To that I say AMEN Submitted by Ed Hamill from LES

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“Heroes and Villains” | “Capes, Chaos and a Cast ‘cooking on gas’ – almost literally!”

I imagine when the Launton Village Players (LVP) were dreaming up ideas for their 2025 summer variety show, before settling on the playful theme of ‘Goodies and Baddies’, they had no idea that their fiercest ‘baddie’ would be a silent one: a 30+ degree heatwave. But they’re a tough lot, this LVP crew, and the show must go on. So, at 6pm on Saturday 12 July, they rose to the challenge. Battle commenced against the elements, one act at a time.

The whole company hit the ground running (before, no doubt, rushing to water and ice buckets offstage) with opening number Holding Out for a Hero, beaming, bright-rouged faces, with a simple, effective, on-beat armography. Everyone dug deep into their heat reserves to kick off a musical and dramatic marathon of sweat, spirit and showstopping stamina: the real drama was the temperature.

Our host with the most, Miles Penhallow, brought just enough sizzle to rival the sun, serving up banter hotter than the weather forecast. He triggered theatrical groans from the audience, surely the highest form of ‘pun’-ishment, guiding us through a vibrant mix of musical, comedic, and dramatic numbers. These were, as ever, beautifully produced and directed by Celia Evans and Julia West, stoking the flames when needed, and offering shade when the scorch set in.

One such cooler moment came with Simon Turner’s rendition of Reviewing the Situation, a witty political parody, masterfully delivered with a lovely rhythm, and the quiet, natural confidence of a seasoned performer. Then the figurative thermostat was turned up some more via Berlin’s Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better), sweetly performed by husband and wife duo Andy and Nicky Roberts.

The heat peaked with Marlow and Moss’s pop concert-style version of Six, led by the six Queens: Beth Heale, Georgina Gilmore, Steph Poulsen, Nicky Roberts, Tina Foster and Jackie Webber, supported by an all-female ensemble with a particularly rousing chorus of “We’re six…”.

Jailhouse Rock lit up the stage like a midsummer blaze. Miles, fresh from introducing himself: “I give you, me!” jumped on stage. With a trademark leg wobble that would have made Elvis nod in approval, Miles’ legs channelled full Shakin’ Stevens energy to the sweltering stage, supported by eight of his fellow cast members. Panting like a pro, he jokingly confessed he may be too old for this, prompting respectful laughter, though the audience clearly disagreed. It was a brilliant performance greeted with the first loud whoops of the evening, as the show officially shifted into a higher gear.

LVP had raided the dressing-up box for this show - with gusto! While chorus numbers made stylish use of black trousers, white T-shirts and bold, primarycoloured accessories, these simple looks were interspersed with full-on get-ups, like the cowboys in I Fought The Law. The number produced an astonishingly Launton Lines August 2025 Issue 296 | Page 19

mellow, beautiful sound in the Big Shed Theatre thanks to Ash Foster, joined

by John Nelson, Andy Roberts, Michael Burns, Steve Webber, Simon and Sarah Turner and Martin Evans. Thoughtful, minimal staging helped sell the setting, with Martin seated at a lone table, tin cup in hand, evoking the illusion of a wild west saloon. It was an evocative and surprisingly affecting moment.

Costumes across the show added a blaze of colour, with many superheroes and villains delighting the audience; from Wonder Woman and Darth Vader to Superman, James Bond, and Wednesday Addams to name just a few.

John Nelson’s Folsom Prison Blues had the audience relaxing beneath their proverbial sunshades. Clad in unmistakable stateside prison orange, he delivered an outstanding performance. Every tap of his right knee kept the rhythm alive and it was impossible not to follow suit. Confident, relaxed and vocally rich, with just the right amount of country gravel, it was quite stunning.

After an interval of ice baths and waters for cast and audience respectively, Act 2 opened like a summer breeze through a heatwave, with a poignant and powerful moment of remembrance. One Call Away, led by John Nelson and Ash Foster with the company, accompanied by Steve Webber, was dedicated to our local heroes lost in the recent tragedy at Bicester Heritage. Sung largely in striking unison, as if one voice carries us all, it drew the audience to stillness.

Heads bowed. A moving tribute, sensitively delivered.

Continuing the reflective tone, 96-year-old John Stephens was guided to the stage by his daughter and granddaughter before taking his place on a solitary wooden chair, centre downstage. There, with quiet dignity, he recited a moving rendition of Laurence Binyon’s For the Fallen. Just ten years old at the outset of the Second World War, John brought a lived resonance to the words, his presence alone deepening the hush that fell across the barn. For a moment, the heat was forgotten, replaced by something timeless and still.

Thoughtfully, we were brought back from the shade with a lively 1940s and ’50s bluesy-style Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and a World War Two Medley. Nostalgic classics like Bless ‘em all, We’re Going to Hang Out the Washing on the Siegfried Line were accompanied by laundry baskets and all manner of garments, waved and folded by the company, with small Union Jack flags, swaying gently to the lilting rhythm of the music. The medley finished with a rousing Kiss Me Goodnight, Sergeant Major, complete with larger Union flags and plenty of audience toetapping and clapping.

And the slow crescendo continued from there. John Nelson’s sensitive version of Imagine was perfectly accompanied by Steve Webber and Simon Turner, who never once dropped their gaze from John to ensure flawless timing. Next came an impressive original arrangement of the complex Heroes and Villains by The Beach Boys, competently performed by Ash Foster, Beth Heale, Nicky Roberts, John Nelson and Simon Turner.

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A highlight was a sharply delivered, ‘on fire’ and beautifully off-book short play, The Ineffective Bank Robber performed by Simon Turner (the robber) and Daisy Richards (the bank teller), supported by Georgina Gilmore and Edwina Ralston as The Police.

The fun continued with a heroes and villains sing-off as the company divided into teams: blue topped, yellow ‘H’d’, and red-caped, eye-masked heroes versus green topped, orange ‘V'd’, and purple-caped, eye-masked villains. They delivered an innovative mash-up of Survivor/I Will Survive before the penultimate number - the manic Superheroes in 60 Seconds.

True to form, the costume changes were like scene stealers in a sauna, especially for Beth and Daisy: dramatic tension met heat exhaustion. Scenes (not in order - and I may have missed a few!) included: Superman; Batman and Penguin; Red Riding Hood and the Wolf; Titanic (complete with fabulous props of a ship and two dolls, perhaps giving Beth and Daisy a well-earned breather!); Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker with green lightsabre; Jaws (Daisy appeared suitably nervous before a furry shark emerged, sending her running with “We’re gonna need a bigger boat!”); Spider-Man and the Green Goblin; Bond and Blofeld (with cat); Harry Potter and Voldemort; and finally, the Jurassic Park theme tune, featuring a 10-foot inflatable dinosaur racing across the front of the stage.

I told you the dressing-up box had been thoroughly raided!

The company came back firing on all cylinders for an uplifting 1980s Finale Medley, featuring a stunning collection of ’80s classics. Pink-netted tutu skirts, hot pink leg warmers, multi-coloured leggings, hairbands and jumpsuits filled the stage as the cast performed hits like The Winner Takes It All, I’m Still Standing and Flashdance (What a Feelin’).

Though the new, bigger stage didn’t quite allow for a full Fame dance display, we were treated to some nice turns to the side, sways, timed steps and classic disco spins and claps. The audience eagerly joined in, clapping with infectious enthusiasm. Everything was glowing - especially the cast!

Set against a simple black backdrop with minimal props, the entire crew rose to the occasion and the heat index. From the car parking attendants, one refusing a bottle of water despite battling cramp in their foot, such is their mettle, to the front-of-house team selling cakes, drinks and raffle tickets with literal warm smiles and the technical crew working tirelessly behind the scenes, the LVP team displayed West-End-worthy resilience under outback conditions.

To sum up Heroes and Villains: a heroic performance from cast and crew in quite villainous heat. Yet they emerged victorious, proving that even the fiercest heatwave can’t extinguish their spirit. Here’s to them: a well-earned champagne on ice, raised high and chilled to perfection!

Reviewed by Allison Ford-Langstaff Launton Lines August 2025 Issue 296 | Page 21

Launton School reporting . . .

Today some Year 2 children are speaking to us about the recent traffic survey they carried out in the village.

We carried out a traffic survey over two days, for half an hour each time. We were in the school’s front garden, working in pairs. One of us was watching the road from the bridge, which meant vehicles were travelling from the west in an east direction. The other one was watching cars come along the Bicester Road from the CostCutter direction, these vehicles were coming from the east, travelling west.

The first survey was on a Thursday afternoon. We used tally marks collected on a clipboard to help us count the vehicles. We included cars, lorries, buses, motorbikes, and even pedestrians. The Thursday was very hot, so we didn’t see many people walking but there were lots of cars. We think people were using their cars more to have the air conditioning on!

On the Friday we were outside in the morning. There were more pedestrians this time, as the weather was a bit cooler earlier in the day.

We saw some people walking their dogs, and some drivers waved at us.

On both surveys we saw more than 100 cars, which was more than we expected. Some cars went by quite fast, definitely faster than the speed limit. We saw some ‘really cool’ cars and thought they might be going to Bicester Motion as they were headed in a west direction.

After we had finished collecting the data we had to add it up, along with our partner’s data, to see how many vehicles and pedestrians we had seen. This meant we had to use our maths skills to find the totals.

We also had to use geography to understand the direction of the road and the direction the vehicles were travelling in. We stuck our tally data into our geography workbooks.

We enjoyed being in the school garden and counting the vehicles. We were surprised at how many we saw in a short time.

Thomas, Beatrix, Lara, Daisy, Austin, and Max - Year 2 This is the final report from this school year. We hope to be back with reports from the school in September Launton Lines August 2025 Issue 296 | Page 22

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ST MARY’S FAYRE ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW Sunday 14 September, 1.30pm - 3.30pm COMPETITION CLASSES Flowers (Gold cup adults, Hackling cup children) An arrangement in a jar 1a Adults (year 7 and above) 1b Children (nursery/reception) 1c Children (year 1/2/3) 1d Children (year 4/5/6) Photography (Patsy Stephens cup) Open (any photograph) 2a Adults (year 7 and above) 2b Children (nursery/reception) 2c Children (year 1/2/3) 2d Children (year 4/5/6) Nature around Launton village 3a Adults (year 7 and above) 3b Children (nursery/reception) 3c Children (year 1/2/3) 3d Children (year 4/5/6) Crafts (Jenny Brind cup)

RULES and INFORMATION Entry is free Judging will take place before noon on Sunday 14 September, no late entries will be accepted and the judge’s decision is final All entries must be accompanied by an entry form Entries can be dropped off at St Mary’s church on Sunday 14 September 9.30am- 11.00am Entries to be collected on Sunday 14 September from St Mary’s church by 4.30pm. Any items left after this time will be disposed of at the organiser’s discretion  Trophies

Gold Cup, Hackling Cup and Jenny Brind Cup – Launton residents and/or members of St Mary’s church eligible Patsy Stephens Cup – all entrants eligible

Students from Launton School will design a greetings card from Launton to be distributed to local care home residents

Photography Maximum of two entries per class per person

Entries will be submitted through the school

For further information, please contact Paula on 07713069259

The Entry Form for all Classes is on page 28, over the page.

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St Mary’s Fayre | Sunday 14 September 2025 St Mary’s Fayre will take place in the garden of The Old Rectory, (our thanks to Rebecca and Tom Sowler) and in St Mary’s Church on Sunday 14th September. It will run from 1.30pm until 3.30pm.

We will have all the normal stalls for you to enjoy such as cakes, plants and produce, tombola, books and toys. There will also be a free craft activity and a visit from our local police, hopefully with a police car this year, and some free activities. Come and try Splat the Rat or the lucky dip and much more!

Refreshments will be served with a choice of tea and coffee outside of the Church under a gazebo where you can enjoy a slice of homemade cake.

The Arts and Crafts exhibits will be displayed in the Church so watch out for the entry form on page ?? ( also available in Church) and do enter. We look forward to seeing the greeting cards that the pupils of Launton School have been designing as well as flowers in a jar and many photographs of Nature round Launton. Classes will be judged and some trophies awarded.

We welcome donations for our stalls, see page 43 for the list of required items. See also page 29 opposite for donations to the Refreshments marquee.

More information about the St Mary’s Fayre is on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stmaryschurchlaunton/?locale=en_GB Many thanks and we look forward to seeing you on Sunday 14 September.

The SMF Team

Entry form for St Mary’s Fayre Arts and Crafts Show Name .......................................................................................................

Address .................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................

School year (for children’s classes) ...............................................

Contact Telephone ............................................................................

Competition class number ..............................................................

Description of entry .......................................................................... ....................................................................................................................

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Ride and Stride on 13 September 2025

Every year St Mary’s church takes part in the Annual Oxfordshire Historic Churches Ride & Stride event when a group of dedicated (and slightly mad) cyclists set off on a ride round the county visiting various churches (usually 18 - 20 ) and raising money which is split between the Historic Churches Trust and St Mary’s church. This year’s event takes place on Saturday 13 September (the day before St Mary’s Fayre), so if you see anyone from St Mary’s brandishing a sponsor form, please consider supporting the team as St Mary’s benefits from this.

Some more IT savvy team members will also have online sponsorship, so keep an eye out for this as well.

Chris Frost

Notes for cake donors for refreshments at St Mary’s Fayre Deliveries of cupcakes and tray bakes for the refreshments stall can be made to St Mary's Church on Friday 12 September between 6pm and 8pm, or on Sunday 14 September any time after 12:30pm.

If neither of the above is convenient, cakes can be dropped off to: The Lodge, 8 West End, Launton OX26 5DB Celia M Phone: 01869 571735 It would be most helpful, please, if you label your container with your name and phone number, and attach a breakdown of ingredients, as below. Please indicate that your donation is for the Refreshments.

Very many thanks for your donation.

Ingredients Flour Eggs Fat Oil Sugar Other (please specify)

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Ingredients Flour Eggs Fat Oil Sugar Other (please specify)

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150 Years Ago: from The Bicester Herald

6 August 1875 MARRIAGE FESTIVITIES AT LAUNTON The marriage between Miss E Blomfield, only daughter of the Rev J C Bloomfield, rector of Launton, and Alfred Henry Swinbourne Esq, created an unusual amount of excitement in the village of Launton on Thursday last, August 5. In different parts of the village were wreaths of evergreens, etc, across the road, one reaching from the school bell to a tree on the other side. Over the gateway of the main entrance to the rectory was a beautiful banner, and over the entrance to the lawn was another banner . . . The church was also tastefully decorated, the font and windows being adorned with lots of flowers . . . An archway leading from the side gate to the church porch was also made of evergreens and flowers by a number of children who also strew flowers before the bride. The pathway was also laid with carpets.

Long before half-past eleven the church was filled with a large assemblage of spectators, a great many also in the church yard anxiously waiting to take a glimpse of the wedding party. The marriage ceremony was conducted by the Bishop of Oxford . . . The bride was attired in a beautiful dress of rich white silk with a wreath of orange blossom on her head and a long veil, was given away by her father and attended by five bridesmaids . . . Lego wire white muslin dresses and blue and white hats with bows on their shoulders . . . The bride and groom were (in the afternoon) conveyed to Launton Station, amidst showers off rice and cheers from the inhabitants ....

Pursuant to invitations the parishioners were welcome to a tea on the lawn, to which a great many sat down. Dancing was kept up with spirit to the strains of the Bicester Brass Band, as were other games . . . Marriage favours were worn by the employees of the rectory. A number of fireworks were successfully let off . . . to the delight of the company. Mr CR Killby [Manor Farm], at the end of the display, asked the company to give three cheers for the bride and bridegroom, and Mr and Mrs Blomfield for their kindness, which were given with great enthusiasm. The Rev JC Blomfield thanked the company, and he said he was sorry Mrs Blomfield could not be amongst them through illness, after which the company dispersed, apparently delighted with the afternoon’s enjoyment.

13 August 1875.

MARRIAGE FESTIVITIES AT LAUNTON In last week’s Herald we referred to the rejoicings of the parishioners of Launton on the occasion of the marriage of Alfred James Swinbourne Esq, one of Her Majesty's school Launton Lines August 2025 Issue 296 | Page 30

inspectors … to Miss Ellen Mary Blomfield …

The festivities were renewed at the Rectory on Friday last, August 6, by a garden party, given by Mr and Mrs Blomfield, to friends and neighbours …

Various entertainments, including croquet, lawn tennis, &tc, were entered into, and the Oxford Glee and Concert party under the directions of Mr Farley Sinkins were engaged.....

Among the many and valuable gifts which have been presented to Miss Blomfield on the occasion of her marriage, is a handsome clock, given by residents in Launton … Also a large photograph book by the school children and teachers. A beautiful antique tea service, consisting of a massive tea pot, sugar basket and sifter, a pair of tongs, a caddy spoon and six other spoons, and cream jug has been given by the clergy of the deanery.

Photos from Ella Rayner and The Launton Yarnbombers

Summer-themed Toppers on Launton Post Boxes

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Prayer and Reflection in the Parish Hall

For two days at the start of July, the Parish Hall was transformed into a Prayer and Reflection Space for Launton School (see pictures). The Oxfordshire charity BeSpace (www.bespace.be) supplied all we needed to offer this opportunity for school children to pray and reflect creatively.

Thanks go to the team that included members of Launton Church and other local churches and to Launton Village Rock Chorus for forgoing a Tuesday evening booking so that we could leave everything set up over the two days.

Picture children engaging with the interactive prayer stations, being inspired to pray and/or reflect, describing how they ‘felt connected to God’, how ‘their worries disappeared’, how they felt hopeful, happy, calm and relaxed and you can imagine what a joy it was to be part of it.

If you’ve ever wondered about how to try praying, 24-7 prayer have a quick guide to getting started. Here is the url. https//www.24-7prayer.com/prayer_guide/try-praying-now/ Revd Sarah Mortimer

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Photos from Sarah Mortimer

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Launton Village Players Family Variety Show: Heroes and Villains Over the weekend of 12 and 13 July LVP performed three shows about Heroes and Villains! We performed in the Big Shed Theatre at Hare Leys Farm, transformed into a pop-up theatre, complete with lights, marquees and stage.

We sang Holding out for a hero, Six and even sung mash up of I will Survive and Survivor. The Superhero skit made the children and adults chuckle, as our own LVP superhero blew objects off the stage and stretched hands to reach amazing distances. “Superheroes in sixty seconds” is hard to describe, only to say that the costume changes were fast and furious and made harder by the extreme heat!

There was one very poignant moment when we sang One Call Away to remember our everyday heroes, a much slower and more reflective moment.

We also had sketches, one involving a very ineffective bank robber! The show ended with an eighties, colourful-themed medley including I’m still standing and I can hear the music. As one reviewer wrote: “A very enjoyable afternoon, and congratulations, not only to the cast but to the production team, ‘backstage’ and all your front of house workers for providing the audience with so much entertainment.”

Our Front of House team did a marvellous job and looked after everyone really well. A huge thank you to our audiences who supported us and were so enthusiastic. Thank you for your generosity and your support and we hope to have raised funds for our own Stage Block Fund and thank you for contributing to our bucket collection for the Firefighters Charity.

Our last thank you goes to the wonderful LVP team who gave up so much of their time and energies to put on a wonderful show and not just in the performing but in the set up and take down of our Pop-up Theatre. It was a great weekend, with plenty of feel-good moments, and many thanks to all involved.

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Panto 2026: “Treasure Island” Work is already well underway on our 2026 pantomime Treasure Island, written

by Rod and Nikki Fine and directed by Julia West, with original music by Steve Webber. Profits from Treasure Island will be donated to Dementia Oxfordshire and Dementia Active.

There will be seven performances during February half term, from 18 to 21 February 2026 in Cooper School Performance Hall, and tickets will be on sale in the autumn.

The LVP team

‘Heroes and Villains’ - a Postscript

‘The Hero’ is a poem that I found about 50 years ago in an obscure boys’ magazine. I thought that it would be suitable to include in the Summer Show Heroes and Villains but the programme was already crowded and I had recited it in the 2015 Summer Show. So here it is: The Hero Around him were his enemies all seeking for his end.

Alone he stood confronting them without a single friend.

What cared they that his dearly loved were waiting far away, All hopeful that his skill would bring him safely through the fray.

In front, behind, to left, to right, they fairly hedged him in, In trepidation waiting for the onslaught to begin.

Then from some forty yards away, to lay the hero low, A dreadful look upon his face, advanced a giant foe, A deadly missile in his hand; the hero’s cheek grew pale.

Against so dread an enemy could nerve and skill avail?

Once more he firmly braced himself, once more he looked around, But not one friendly eye was there upon that battleground.

A flash! A shattering as of bones! A cruel yell from all!

Ben Stokes, the England captain, was bowled, middle stump, first ball!

When I recited it in 2015 Joe Root was the England captain.

He is still in the team, performing brilliantly, scoring centuries and a record number of catches.

John Stephens Launton Lines August 2025 Issue 296 | Page 35

Launton Historical Society reporting . . .

Our meeting in July heard about the people of Bletchley Park, from Gillian Cane. She started by telling of a young woman, Gwen Davis, who arrived at Bletchley Park in the 1940s, in a van with blacked out windows. She asked the guard where she was. ‘In the biggest lunatic asylum in Britain,’ he replied.

The German military had spent time and effort on unintelligible messaging.

Their Enigma machine had been commercially available, used by banks, and the military developed it for war. It could be set up in 158 million million million ways. The codes changed each day and there were different codes for the airforce and navy, as well as for the army. The Germans believed the codes were impossible to crack and, helpfully, held on to this view throughout the war. But Bletchley Park became a code breaking factory.

It was an unremarkable stately pile near the small village of Milton Keynes.

After the deaths of Sir Herbert Leon (1926) and Lady Fanny Leon (1937), it was put up for sale and a housing estate was mooted. But in the inner sanctum of MI6 Admiral Sir Hugh Sinclair was advising that London would not be a safe place for the organisation’s war work and Bletchley Park was purchased for £8,000. It had a nearby railway station, good links to the rest of the country, and it had lots of space to expand.

Academics were recruited at WE ARE NOW BICESTER’S LONGEST ESTABLISHED INDEPENDENT FAMILY-OWNED & RUN FUNERAL DIRECTORS universities and told to report to BICESTER’S ONLY INDEPENDENT FAMILY FUNERAL DIRECTOR Bletchley Park in the event of war.

But if their unworldliness prevented A caring traditional 24 hour service Provided by Mr Hancock and his team personally them from noticing there was a war,  they would receive a telegram saying, Private Chapel Of Rest  “Auntie Flo was ill”. Eventually, 200 Jaguar Fleet of Funeral Cars academics received this telegram.  Perfect Choice These numbers were small, and Funeral Plans interviews began for more recruits.

Bletchley Park was seeking people who could focus for hours and see the non-obvious angle. Alan Turing, a brilliant Cambridge mathematician, fitted the bill, as did JRR Tolkein, but Launton Lines August 2025 Issue 296 | Page 36

Tolkein declined the offer.

Young women were recruited, some as clerks and typists. They had to work together in groups of six so they could protect each other and maintain propriety. Women were also codebreakers, they sought particular words and phrases that were repeated, they tried to get into the psychology of young German soldiers. It could be nerve shredding work, among huge, dirty, smelly machines, day and night.

In all 10,000 people worked at Bletchley Park between 1938 and 1945. And they all had to keep their work secret, for years after. They saved thousands of lives and shortened the war by at least two years. They were heroes, but keeping secrets was a sad thing sometimes. One father, on his deathbed, berated his son, believing that he had not contributed to the war effort, because his son had kept his Bletchley Park work secret.

Key names are Dilly Knox, Mavis Batey, Margaret Rock, Josh Cooper (sometimes arriving in pyjamas), Bryn Newton John (father of Olivia). The most well known is Alan Turing, who said the key to his approach was to make guesses about codes and delete those that don’t work. He was openly gay and in 1952 he was prosecuted. He had to choose between prison and hormone treatment and he accepted the latter. But he died in 1954 after biting into a cyanide tainted apple. His mother thought it might have been an experiment. In 2013 he was given a fulsome posthumous pardon.

Bletchley Park is not too far from Launton and it can be visited, and we’ve just done that, so more on that next month. In August we have a social evening, then reconvene in the Parish Hall on 25 September to hear Dick Richards talk about The Commonwealth War Graves Commission. All are welcome to our meetings.

Gwen Skinner

A Big Birthday In The Village

Launton Lines records significant events in the village.

We try to list births, marriages, civil partnerships, significant birthdays, and deaths as we get information.

Muriel Beck of Sycamore Road celebrated her 104th birthday on 4 July. Happy Birthday, Muriel.

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Launton Sports and Social in August 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 have been serving the community for over 50 years, as a Sports and Social event venue.

We also have an event hall for hire which has seen many various types of events from birthday parties to weddings, along with the regular events that the LPFA put on for the community.

Please visit our website on www.launtonsportsandsocial.co.uk for more information, a fantastic photo gallery, events list and booking details.

We hope to see you and your families soon for our upcoming events!!

Here is our programme for the next 4 months 30 August 2025 Family Bingo in the Hall 7pm-10pm Cash prizes for Adults, chocolate for the kids, fun for all the family 24 October 2025 Sports Quiz in the Hall 7pm-10pm Look out for more information nearer the time 31 October 2025 Children’s Halloween Party in the Hall, starts 6pm The Children’s entertainer to start at 6pm. Tickets £2 per child, includes a bag of “treats”. Costumes encouraged.

22 November 2025 Disco Bingo in the Hall 8pm-close Come and join us for a fun Disco Bingo evening! £2 per game, 5 games in total.

August sees the start of the Launton Sports FC and Launton Ladies FC Pre-Season matches - the bar will be open for all matches, so come on down and support your local club! Bring the kids, the dogs (on leads) and the whole family to enjoy the football!

Please see page 41 for all Pre-Season fixtures for our Senior Men’s Team, Men’s Reserve Team and our Women’s Team - hope to see you joining us!

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Launton Gears Up for Action-Packed Fundraiser Day with Celebrity Auctioneer

The Jay Lapper Memorial Trust is gearing up for their annual fundraiser in aid of Dementia Oxfordshire on Sunday 24 August at Launton Sports and Social Club. Organised by Mel and Martin Lapper, sister and brother of much-loved local resident Jay, the event promises a day out for everyone, with the added bonus of raising funds for a charity close to their hearts.

Mel explains: “Our father Ron is currently being supported by Pip Speed, one of the brilliant Dementia Advisers from Dementia Oxfordshire, and it’s great to be able to raise some funds for such a worthwhile cause, while providing the community with the opportunity to come together and enjoy themselves. We know that Jay would be proud to have his name associated with such a great event.”

The fun starts at 9am with a car boot sale followed by the main football match at 2pm, with Jay’s friends and family all taking part. During the afternoon, there will also be a barbecue and live music, plus hair braiding, face painting, a raffle and tombola, plus an informal kick-around area and penalty shoot-out competition for children.

The event finale is a charity auction at 6pm. Wielding the hammer will be BBCTV star Charlie Ross, famous from Bargain Hunt, Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip. Auction lots have kindly been donated by local businesses and include a helicopter ride, signed football shirts, and meals out in local restaurants.

Running order of the day for Sunday 24 August 9am - 12noon Car Boot Sale (in the field opposite the church) 2pm - 3.45pm Jay Lapper Memorial Football Match 2pm onwards  Barbecue  Facepainting  Hair braiding   Tombola  Raffle  Children’s kick-around and penalty shoot-out  4pm - Live Music 6pm - Auction with guest celebrity Charlie Ross The event has been made possible by the kindness of Dave Barrett and the team at Launton Sports and Social Club, and the Deeley family who have provided use of their field for the car boot sale.

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Launton FC pre-season fixtures home and away

The new Mr and Mrs Minter, photographed on their wedding day.

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August 2025 at The Bull Inn, Launton

Weekend of 16-17 August A Weekend of Music at The Bull.

Support local music and musicians.

From 12 noon each day.

Barbecue  Raffle In aid of the Air Ambulance

Saturday 23 August 12 Hour Darts Marathon 12 noon - 12 midnight In aid of Nai’s House

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St Mary’s Fayre: appeal for donations for the Fayre on Sunday 14 September We would love to receive your donations for the Fayre  Tombola items  Toys (in a good condition)  Plants  Chutneys, jams and preserves  Cakes - for refreshments (please label “for refreshments” and include an ingredients list - see page 29)  Cakes - for the cake stall- (please label “for the cake stall” and include an ingredients list - see page 29)  Small packets of sweets for a sweet and chocolate tombola We will be in St Mary’s Church on Friday 12 September between 6pm and 8pm to meet you and receive your donations.

Or you can bring them to the Church and the Old Rectory on the morning of Sunday 14 September between 10am and 12noon.

Many thanks for your support.

The St Mary’s Fayre Team Memories of an ex-Launton boy

This month the ex-Launton boy has just been to a Battler Proms concert at Burghley House - a Christmas present. He loved the music, but for him the high point was a fly-over by a Spitfire, and a precision parachute drop.

These, of course, brought memories from his youth: of Brass - or were they Silver - Bands, of planes and parachute drops, and of learning to play recorders at Launton School.

Wow! Have Julie my wife and I had, over these last couple of days as I write, an absolutely fantastic weekend! Julie’s grandson, Jordan, gave us a fabulous Christmas gift last year - a trip to Burghley House in Lincolnshire for an Launton Lines August 2025 Issue 296 | Page 43

evening of Battle Proms and a garden picnic.

The live outdoor orchestral music was brilliant with the 1812 Overture backed with real cannon fire (over one hundred) firing at the appropriate moments.

We had a display from the Worcestershire Cavalry with the backing of orchestral music, then from the air the Red Devils Parachute team free-falling before chutes opened, trailing different coloured smoke, one carrying a fullyopened enormous Union Jack and landing smack on the marker on the ground. Absolutely incredible!

But then, oh boy! The Spitfire came onto the scene with double cockpit doing, I lost count of the number of ‘victory rolls’ in the sky, timed to perfection with the orchestral music playing in the background. But nothing could beat that throaty roar of the Rolls Royce Merlin engine of the Spitfire as it spent at least ten minutes flying above us in various aerobatic moves. Such power and such beauty, you cannot watch it without a tremendous welling-up of emotion from deep inside. To watch it is one thing, to fly it, I just cannot imagine, but boy, would I love to go up in one.

There were wartime favourites sung by a duet in the style of The Andrews Sisters (young ones, you won’t have a clue!), and then of course the Last Night of the Proms favourites and sing along with a great big, and I mean a great big finale of fireworks, choreographed with the music.

My dad would have been thrilled to witness this as he adored this kind of thing, along with Silver Bands and Brass Bands. If there was notice of a band playing in the bandstand at Garth Park in Bicester, he would be there listening.

I seem to recall from childhood, and a bit later, there used to be a village band from Marsh Gibbon. I have a sneaky feeling it was a Silver Band and I know they were very good and extremely popular around the local villages.

To quote a poet and playwright of some considerable distinction, “If music be the food of love, play on . . .”

Those of my era at Launton School will remember when Mr Holtham the Headmaster left and Mr Clive Bond arrived, from the Reading area I think. I had never been taught to read music or play any instrument, so was excited when Mr Bond had delivered to the school a full range of recorders - descants, trebles, tenors and maybe a bass also. Many of us took these up in an effort to learn to play. As I recall, the first tune we learned to play was Greensleaves.

Not satisfied with recorders alone, Mr Bond had some of us building from tea chests and broom handles a kind of one-stringed double-bass. We began to look and sound like a skiffle group . . . eat your heart out Lonnie Donegan!

But going back to the Battle Prom, the vision that keeps swooping through my Launton Lines August 2025 Issue 296 | Page 44

mind is that of the Spitfire performing its aerobatics in the air, swooping down towards us all on the ground. It was quite sensational, leaving the memories of my childhood in Launton quite tamely behind, when we used to watch and hear the Chipmunk light aircraft flying solo or tugging gliders to gain more height than if they were being launched by a winch at the Stratton Audley stone pits end of the airfield. Somehow those Chipmunks didn’t have the ability to stir the emotions that the Spitfire can so clearly do. That said, not living far from Rochester airport, we constantly have light aircraft flying overhead which is a constant reminder of ‘home’ for me.

And then of course, watching the Red Devils freefall parachute team, albeit rather more theatrical, reminded me of how in my childhood in Launton I would watch Argosy, and then later Beverley RAF transport aircraft, circling towards the end of West End, part of their flying circuit to drop paratroopers over Weston-on-the-Green airfield. These would be their first aircraft drops, having previously jumped from baskets slung beneath air balloons.

The Battle Proms at Burghley House were sponsored by SSAFA, (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) for whom I am a Caseworker. The first prize in the raffle was a tandem freefall parachute drop from an aircraft over Netheravon in Wiltshire, strapped to a member of the Parachute Regiment. I purchased £25 worth of raffle tickets (all in a good cause for SSAFA) in the hope that I might win, never having jumped from a fixed-wing aircraft during my military career, although I had jumped in full battle-order from a hovering helicopter. (It should have been hovering at six feet, and so I gauged my jump accordingly, but at the precise moment I jumped, it lifted to ten feet and I landed in a heap on top of my Troop Sergeant). Needless to say, as far as the raffle was concerned, I did not win.

Before Covid Julie and I managed to get up to a summer fete in Launton at the Playing Fields with a fly-over display from a WWII Hawker Hurricane, which was in itself pretty stupendous. That said, if there is one aircraft I would dearly love to see doing a demonstration flight, it is the De-Havilland Mosquito, sporting not one but two Rolls Royce Merlin engines: the body was mainly made of wood so was very light and very fast.

On the way home we drove past the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, with a tremendous array of aircraft down the ages, both military and commercial. I have been promising to visit the place for some years now, but have yet to get around to doing so. It’s on my bucket list, along with umpteen other things.

Keep healthy and stay SAFE! Tony Jeacock, MInstRE | The ex-Launton Boy | August 2025 Launton Lines August 2025 Issue 296 | Page 45

Diary Dates: August 2025

With high summer, 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 3 St Mary's Church, Holy Communion , 8.00am. Family Service, 11am | Quiz Night at The Bull from 8pm Mon 4 Watercolour Painting Group, 2pm-4pm, in the Parish Hall. This is the last meeting before a summer break. Back on 8 September Tue 5 Rubbish Collection: garbage (green) bin | Glass Lantern Workshop at The Village Coffee Shop, 10.30am-12.30pm | Breast Cancer Afternoon Tea at The Village Coffee Shop, 2-4pm Wed 6 Bicester Ukelele Group appearing at The Village Coffee Shop, 11am | Teddy Bear's Picnic in Garth Park, Bicester, 11am-4pm Thu 7 Parish Council. Public Session 7.15pm, Council Meeting 7.30pm, Launton Parish Hall Fri 8 SCOTS at The Bull from 5.30pm Sun 10 Summer Afternoon Tea in the Parish Hall, 3pm - 5pm, see page 48 of this issue | St Mary's Church, Evensong, 6pm | Quiz Night at The Bull from 8pm Tue 12 Rubbish Collection: recycling (blue) and garden (brown) bin | FIPW Midweek working party in the woodland, Meet at the pond, 10.00am | Children's Workshop - Make an aquarium - at The Village Coffee Shop, 10.30am-12.30pm Wed13 Over 60s Club Meeting, Sports & Social Hall. Doors open at 1.30pm, meeting ends about 3.30pm Thu 14 Launton Poppy Cascaders do Christmas meeting for all in The Parish Hall, 10.30am - 12 noon | WI Meeting, , Parish Hall, 7.30pm Sat 16 Vale Brewery Open Day with food van, from 12 noon, Lugershall Road, Brill | Rake and Cake at the Meadow in the Woodland, from 10am | A Weekend of Music at The Bull Support local music and musicians, The Bull, 12 noon - 10pm Sun 17 St Mary's Church, Holy Communion, 11am | Marsh Gibbon Farmer's Market at the Village Hall, 10am-1.00pm | A Weekend of Music at The Bull - Support local music and musicians, The Bull, 12 noon - 8pm | Quiz Night at The Bull from 8pm Mon18 FINAL DATE FOR COPY FOR THE SEPTEMBER 2025 ISSUE OF LAUNTON LINES: SUBMIT TO launtonlines@launton.org | Tue 19 Rubbish Collection: garbage (green) bin | Sea Glass & Wire Work Workshop for adults at The Village Coffee Shop, 10.30am-12.30pm Fri 22 Craft Market with Pizza Van at the Village Coffee Shop from 10am Sat 23 Darts Marathon at The Bull, in aid of Nai's House. See page 42 for details Sun 24 St Mary's Church, Morning Worship, 11am | Jay Lapper Memorial Day at the Playing Fields and Sports and Social Hall, from 9am onwards. See page 40 for details of events on the day Tue 26 Rubbish Collection: recycling (blue) and garden (brown) bin | Children's Workshop at The Village Coffee Shop, 10.30am-12.30pm Wed27 Over 60s Club Meeting, Sports & Social Hall. Doors open at 1.30pm, meeting ends about 3.30pm Fri 29 Sea Glass Workshop for adults at The Village Coffee Shop, 10.30am-12.30pm Sun 31 St Mary's Church, Family Communion, 11am Launton Lines August 2025 Issue 296 | Page 46

Details on pages 27 & 28

Launton Lines August 2025 Issue 296 | Page 47

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