Thebeginningsofautumninthevillage
While walking back from the bus stop along Station Road I had been watching these sunflowers get bigger so I took a few photos of them and was lucky that a worker bee came in for its last of the summer nectar . The photo has been cropped from original size.. Since then the flowers have been blown over in those high winds. So, both I and the bees miss out.
Words and photo from Terry Vale
The cover shows a Kubotaexcavator working on the Island Pond in the woodland.on Saturday 11 October. See page 8 for a report on the work, and more pictures Cover designed by Matt Hill. Photo from Friends of Island Pond Wood
Ella’sAcorns and Oak Galls
Photos by Ella Rayner
Ella’sFungi from the woods
Photos by EllaRayner
The Editor writes
This November issue has been delayed a few days by ongoing technical problems with the software - very frustrating. If anyone reading this wants to help in preparing issues on time, they would be welcomed with open arms!
The front cover shows a wet and muddy moment in the Island Pond Wood’s pond dredging in October. There is also a short report on the activity on page 8 and some more photos. The work, which has been planned for some years, will be completed next autumn as the other side of the pond gets the treatment. This second stage will be paid for with proceeds from the Christmas Tree and Decoration project which is raising money for the woodland in memory of IsobelJennion.There is news from the project on pages 20, 38 and 39, and a QRcode for donations on page 20. Autumn has crept up on us quietly, but a selection of seasonal photos are on page 2, and the centre pages (22-23) feature events on the railways around us - strengthening the embankment on the London route, and a stunning photo of the first steam train since 1967 to run on the Oxford-Cambridge route passing through Launton.
Further from home, David Thompson writes (pages 32-33) about his plans to drive a donated evacuation 4x4vehicle to Ukraine in convoy. Even further away is HayleyNutt’splan to trek to MachuPichu in the Andes in 2026 to raise money for her local hospice.
We have a new advertiser Paws with Pip on page 30 : a Q & A interview on page 36 tells us about her work. On page 30 we meet the new landlords at The Bull who have come a long way to run the pub. We wish them success. Please support our advertisers: we need them to keep Launton Lines going.
RobertCornford
Launton Lines
A monthly newsletter for Launton. Published around the first of each month by the Launton Community Communications Group © 2025 Launton Lines email:launtonlines@launton.orgwebsite:https://launton.org/launton-lines/
The Launton Lines Committee 2024-2025
Chair: Vacant | Secretary: KateGreig | Editors: RobertCornford, Matt Hill
Treasurer: CarinaCollins | Distribution: ShirleyJohnson | Advertising: JenniWalker
Contact the Parish Council
The new Clerk is AndyWhite. You cancontacthimbyemailat clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk or on the Council’smobileat 07305303889
To book the Parish Hall
Contact:JoanPacker
Phone:07922042133
ParishHallCommittee: The Church Parish Hall Committee has stood down, and the Parish Council is appointing a new committee.
LIGHT UP A LIFE
Would you like to sponsor an evening’sfloodlighting at St. Mary’s Church in memory of a loved one, to give thanks for the birth of a child, or to celebrate a baptism, a birthday, or a wedding? A minimum donation of £10 is suggested which can be Gift Aided. Please contact JoanPacker on 01869 241694 by 20 November 2025 for entry in the December 2025 issue of Launton Lines.
November 14 | Sponsored by SharonLaunchbury. Remembering our dear mother KathleenAyris on her heavenly birthday.
Loved and remembered every day, forever in our hearts.
Love from Sharon, Samantha, Stephenand families.
November 20 | Sponsored by MaryBrydon.
Happy Birthday Florence, with love from Nana.
November 30 | Sponsored by MaryBrydon. Happy 18th Birthday Esme, with love from Nana
LAUNTON PARISH COUNCIL
Combined notes from two meetings of the Parish Council, held on Thursday 2 October 2025 at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall (ordinary meeting) and Wednesday 8 October 2025 at 7.30pm in the Grange Farm Conference Room (extraordinary meeting).
Councillors present: MrGlynAustin (8 October), MrAndrewBriant(Vice Chairman, 2 October), Mrs JackieHackett, MrSimonTurner (Chairman), Mrs JaquelineWebber
Apologies: MrGlynAustin (2 October, MrAndrewBriant(8 October)
In attendance: The Clerk, MrAndyWhite and 3 members of the public (2 October); 1 member of the public (8 October)
Reports from District and County Councillors
No reports were received.
Governance and Consultations
New Financial Regulations were adopted at the 8 October meeting. There are still vacancies for two Councillors, details of which may be found on the Parish Council website.
Finance
The Finance Report for the 2 October meeting is available on the Parish Council website. A £250 grant was awarded to the community Christmas Tree project for lights and batteries.
Planning
All planning applications, which include the links to Cherwell’sPlanning Portal, are put on the Parish Council website when they are received (www.launton-pc.gov.uk- in the Agenda and Minutes section).
If a villager has concerns or comments about a planning application, they are welcome to come along to Parish Council meetings to bring them to the attention of the meeting. Villagers are also welcome to contact Councillors or the Clerk to make comments.
Guidance about how the Parish Council is able to respond is available on the Parish Council website at https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/planningapplications/
Parish Hall
A report from the Advisory Working Group about how to progress further work on the Hall was welcomed and its suggestions were agreed. Future work will be done in distinct stages suggested by the Advisory Group, with quotations being sought for each stage rather than trying to obtain quotations for doing all the work in one go.
Agenda items and dates of the next meetings
The next meeting will be on Thursday 6 November 2025 in the Parish Hall, starting at 7.30pm. If you’dlike to chat with a Councillor, do come along after 7.15pm.
Suggestions for agenda items for the 4 December meeting need to be with the Clerk by 20 November and items for the 8 January meeting by 12 December.
If you’re not signed up to our mailing list to receive news from the Parish Council, you can find a signupform at the bottom left-hand menu of the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk/
The Autumn Update from our MP
Over the summer months, I have really enjoyed spending more time with businesses, charities and individuals in our community. I am returning to Parliament full of admiration for the many volunteers who serve others across our area. Thank you, too, to all those who have shared their concerns about what is happening personally, locally, nationally and internationally. Many people spoke to me about the level of development proposed for our area. At Salt Cross by Eynsham, in Yarnton, Begbrokeand Kidlington, and in Bicester, thousands of homes are already planned. Some have been held up by the underfundingof new road connections. Challenges in getting connections and service for energy, water and sewage, and telecomsare also real constraints - and we know that we need more doctors, dentists and health services alongside childcareand school places.
I have been working with local residents on two specific issues. In Bicester, this is a crunch month for a decision about the London Road crossing. East West Rail will bring new connections to our area but our campaign has been to ensure that it does not come at the cost of cutting Bicester in two. In Woodstock, I continue to work with the GPs, the local NHS, the councils and Blenheimto develop a firm proposal for a new doctor’ssurgery, which I believe we can deliver by the end of 2028.
Over the summer, we have heard more detail on new proposals for the PuyduFouresort, a whole new town at Heyfordairfield, and the strategic rail freight interchange at Ardley.These only highlight further the need for national government to take responsibility for delivering infrastructure - both physical and social - before new developments open. I will continue to press ministers for these commitments.
CalumMiller
Launton Watercolour Art Group
The Watercolour Group meets on Mondays in the Parish Hall between 2pm and 4pm.
This month we will meet on 3, 10, 17, and 24 November.
Here is a work in progress from one of our class members, possibly not painted from life.
If you are interested in attending, please email Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com
Friends of Island Pond Wood reporting . . .
Friends of Island Pond Wood undertook some work in and around the pond on Saturday 11 October. (see also the photo on the cover). This involved dredging the pond, removing silt to increase water capacity which should reduce flooding. We also created several new scrapes in the pond edge meadows which will be important habitat, and help alleviate flooding. We covered the hire of the machinery (£850) by a generous donation, and the contractor kindly donated his time for free. We will dredge the other half of the pond next autumn using funds from the Launton Christmas trees.
Thank you to everyone who abided by the path closures, we appreciate your cooperation.
FIPWteam
NEWS FROM STMARY’S CHURCH
&
EVENTS IN NOVEMbER 2025
You are most welcome to join the Services and Events listed here. All are in StMary’s, except the Act of Remembrance on 11 November
Launton WIReporting . . . on our October Meeting
We had a very lively evening on 9 October, with many members present.
“DemBones” was the subject of our talk, ably presented by Bob Watmoughspeaking about prostheticsor artificial joints, used in orthopedic surgery.
Bob brought a display of replacement joints made from metal, plastic or ceramics, which were interesting to see and touch.
During the evening he showed an x-ray of a hip joint and. in a twist of fate, was able to meet the lady in question - one of our members!
Many questions and animated discussion followed, rounded off with a raffle and refreshments.
We are part of the South PloughleyWIGroup and a meeting was held this week to socialise with other WIgroup members. It was an enjoyable evening with quizzes, games and an excellent buffet.
We will meet again on Thursday, 13 November 2025 at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall when the speaker will be RobertPeckhamfrom Imagexin Bicester, talking about AllThingsPhotographic . We encourage new members and guests to join us and receive a warm welcome.
SherieParrott
150 Years Ago: from TheBicesterHerald, 12 November 1875
LAUNTON ROADS AND FOOTWAY.
To the Editor of The Bicester Herald
Sir – In your impression of October 29, a correspondent referred to the bad condition of the foot-roads at Launton. It is certainly quite true what he says about the state of the roads, for even last week the traffic has been blocked up for four days.
Your correspondent asks, “Are we not taxed high enough?” I can say we are sufficiently taxed to have decent roads. Our waywarden I am told says he could not see why there should be a better road from Launton to Bicester than from Launton to Marsh Gibbon. Does it not occur to our waywarden’smind that the more traffic there is on a road the more it requires looking after? How uncomfortable it is for those who have to come to the village so often, especially those who come over to administer the gospel to the inhabitants.
Our waywarden, perhaps, thinks nothing of walking through a quantity of water, when he has his thick boots on; but he must bear in mind ever [sic] person cannot wear heavy boots.
Then again, I do not see why he should be so particular. I am aware that it is right to spread [sic] the public money carefully; but then he should try, as it is his duty to do, and spend the money so as to be a benefit to those who pay it.
Would not the spending of a trifle to make the footways in a fit state be giving the ratepayers a proper return for their money?
Hoping someone will take the matter up with spirit, and apologising for thus troubling you, I am, Sir, yours truly, Pro Bono Publico, Launton, November 10, 1875.
for 6 November 1925
FOOTBALL Jersey League Middletonhad a surprising win at Launton on Saturday. They have this year been strengthened by employees at Heyfordaerodrome who live in the parish.
Middletonstarted with a rush and quickly scored, but a few minutes later H Foster equalised from a penalty. Middletontook the lead again before half time.
In the second half Middletonadded five more goals without reply and won by seven goals to one. Territorially, Launton had as much of the game as their opponents, but it was the work in front of goal where Middletonexcelled. Launton team:- S Sansome, H Foster, F Massey, Alfred Marriott, R Deeley, W Austin, TMarriott, D Osborne, W Jeacock, A Marriott, E Castle.
Allwelcome for refreshments atthe ParishHall afterwards.
Donations to The Royal British Legion
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 and Accredited UK Scent Sport Instructor. AgilityandHooperclassesatGrendonUnderwood
ThursdayClassesinArncottVillageHall
PuppySocialisation,starts6.45pm
BasicObedience,starts7.30pm
RallyorScentwork,everyalternateweekforeach class,from8.15pm
IntroductiontoMantrialingandIntroductiontoTracking are also offered at a day and time to suit the trainer, yourself, and your dog.
LAUNTON ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIETY
Introducing our ‘elf’, he’shere
to ELP
You may have noticed some changes to Island Pond Wood recently. It is full! Our aptly named wonderful Village Nature Reserve has always been a fantastic place to walk around but it has also been an extremely valuable Carbon Sink.
It is much, much more than that now. It is now full to the brim with several new ecosystems. It is still a Wood with an Island and a Pond, but it now has 3 more ponds, a small orchard, a knoll and two scrapes. Each with a redeveloping ecosystem. The more varying ecosystems the more we are enhancing Biodiversity. Our key ally in restoring balance to Mother Nature.
How did these improvements get there? Through the dedication and hard work of Launton folks and the team at FIPW, they were able to enlist the help of TOE (Trust for Oxfordshire Environment). They provided Biodiversity Grants of over £20,000 that have made these improvements possible. There are still plenty of funds earmarked specifically for developing biodiversity. But not for us. Our Nature Reserve is full! What can we do? Sit back and congratulate ourselves for being such great environmentalist or ‘follow the money!’ Why not expand our existing Nature Reserve or even create another one. That is exactly what we are going to do!
We can do this with the help of our very own ‘elf’ . . . Our Environmental Legacy Fund. This fund has been created to help the good people of Launton raise a downpaymentfor a new Nature Reserve in LauntonELP, Our Environmental Legacy Place.
Individuals will be able to purchase, for themselves or others, a (temporary numbered) plot measuring 9 square metres for a mere £20. 25 of these plots will be available in mid-November. These will make a fine Carbon Free Christmas Gift. A gift for a better Future! Watch this space, Launton Community Website, Facebook, Village Retail Outlets and posters throughout the Village. In this ‘Age of Man’ it is just...One Small Step!
Submitted by Edfrom LES (launtonenvironmentalsociety@gmail.com)
Launton Village Players
Christmas Carol Singing around the village
We will be singing carols ‘around the village’ again this year on Friday 12 December from around 6:30pm.
Keep an eye on our Facebookpage and check in the December issue of LauntonLines for a list of the locations and approximate timings of where we will be singing. We will be raising money for Alzheimer’sUK.
You can find out more about LVP by getting in touch via email on info@launtonvillageplayers.org.uk, on our Facebookpage, or at our website .launtonvillageplayers.org.uk
Launton School reporting . . . on Cross Country Running
Today some Year 5 and Year 6 children are speaking to us about the recent crosscountry races they took part in at The Cooper School.
Before we got on the coach to go to cross-country, we did the Launton Laps at school, to help us warm up. We had to have an early lunch and then the coach took us to The Cooper School in time for the races. Two teachers, Mrs Heath and Mrs Robins, came with us.
To decide who was going to take part in the cross-country, we ran the Launton Laps at school in the weeks before. The top 4 fastest girls and top 4 fastest boys from each year group were selected to represent Launton Primary School.
We think there were about 80 people in each race, in the girls’ 1400 metres Amycame 11th, Orlaithcame 16th, Darceycame 19th and Layla came 23rd.We ran against other year 5 and 6 girls from other local primary schools. We all got stitches when we were running, and one of us felt sick, but we kept going and are really pleased with our results. In the boys’ 1400 metres Sebastian came 1st and Tobycame 12th.There were also about 80 people in this race, so we all did really well overall. It was a chilly day, but perfect weather for running. Once the races were over our parents were able to come and pick us up.
Because we enjoyed the cross-country so much, we have decided to start a running club at school. Some of us already run Junior Parkrun at Whitelands’ sports ground and we have spoken to Mrs Paterson about how a club at school would work. We have decided that Key Stage 1 children will have a different club time to Key Stage 2 children, and the clubs will happen at break times. The first meeting of the running club was on Monday 13 October, and about 30 people had signed up.
We are excited to say that we achieved an all-time best result for Launton Primary School, with 29 children qualifying for the North Oxfordshire finals!
Orlaith, Darcey, Laylaand Amy- Year 5
Tobyand Sebastian - Year 6
Launton Historical Society reporting . . .
In September, DickRichardsspoke about the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The UK has the second largest number of war graves after France.
The founder of the CWGC, initially called the Imperial War Graves Commission, was Fabian Ware – Major General Sir Fabian Ware as he became. An imperialist and a Francophile, he was too old to fight in the First World War and he headed up a mobile Red Cross unit in Belgium and France. He saw that bodies were being buried on the battlefields with no record of them. So the Red Cross started making a record of locations and his work led to the setting up of an army unit recording the burials.
This led to the formation of the Imperial War Graves Commission by Royal Charter in 1917. Fabian chaired the Commission (later the CWGC) until 1948, just before he died. He was buried with a white CWGCheadstone, which was an honour as he wasn’tin military service, which was normally an absolute requirement
In the early days of the Commission, there were eminent contributors such as Sir EdwinLutyens, from the Victorian Artists Group, and Charles Aitken, the Director of the TateGallery. GertrudeJekyll, a horticulturist and garden designer, had input, as did ArthurHill, the Assistant Director at Kew.Rudyard Kiplinggave advice – his son died in the First World War and his body was not found until 1990. There were lots of big egos said Dick, they all thought they had the right answer. Fabian involved a mediator, FrederickKenyon, Director of the British Museum.
There were founding principles
No repatriations. This was very contentious. It was partly for hygiene reasons, partly to avoid the visible return of so many bodies. Churchill thought that those killed would want to be buried on the battlefield together.
Everyone to be remembered by name, on a headstone or memorial. These would be permanent. Headstones would be uniform for all,with no distinction for rank or status. The person had to be in military service at the time of death. Death didn’t neatly follow an armistice - qualifying dates were 4 August 1914 to 31 August 1921 for WW1and 3 September 1939 to 31 December 1947 for WW2.
Tyne Cot near Ypresin Belgium is built on part of the Front Line and is the
largest of the cemeteries with 12,000 buried there. Army volunteers exhumed the bodies and brought them to Tyne Cot. There were wooden crosses marking the graves at the beginning. These have been replaced by headstones. Many bodies were not found and the 35,000 names are on panels at Tyne Cot and at the MeninGate not far away. At the Menin Gate, traffic flows through the memorial. At 8pmevery evening the local fire brigade plays the Last Post.
There are features common to all CWGCcemeteries. A Cross of Sacrifice represents the majority faith in the cemetery. Lutyens designed a Stone of Remembrance for all faiths and no faith. A register/visitors’ book is open and a booklet lists those buried, with a plan of the cemetery.
Most have flat grass, for ease of maintenance. The headstones are normally Portland Stone but may be other, local, materials. The headstone carries the name, age, regiment and regimental number and rank. The CWGChas its own font. The date of death is inscribed at 45 degrees so it can be seen easily. There is space for a religious emblem, for example a cross or the Star of David. There is also space for a personal inscription from the family. These tell a story.
The Botleycemetery in Oxford has 740 burials, 165 from WW1and 575 from WW2.Guided tours can be booked. Brookwoodin Surrey has 5,000: it is the main cemetery for those in the United States military service.
We welcomed Dick’stalk, he has been doing this on behalf of CWGC for 9 years and he is an excellent speaker. There is also a lot of information on the Commission’swebsite, where you can also trace the burials or commemoration of soldiers who died. On i-playeryou can find My Boy Jack - the story of RudyardKipling’slost son.
By the time you read this we will have heard Bill King talk about the Roman Invasions. Our November meeting will be a Quiz – one of Pat Tucker’sfamous quizzes, some local questions but not just about Launton so everyone can have a go. There’sa bring and share supper too. 7.30pm in the Parish Hall on 27 November, everyone is welcome.
GwenSkinner
Community Choir Christmas Concert
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
This popular event is back and will be on Saturday 6 December at 4pmin StMary’sChurch.
It will be an evening of music and readings with many favourite Christmas carols and Christmas songs with a chance to join in with some of them along with the Choir. There will be mulled wine and mince pies served inclusive of the ticket price. Biscuits and squash will be available for children who will also have a chance to join the choir and ring some bells and play percussion instruments.
There will be a raffle with Christmas hampers, and the church will be decorated with Christmas cheer. Come along and join in this festive evening in our candle lit Church while carols are sung and enjoy the Christmas spirit together.
Adult tickets will cost £10 per person and will be available at Costcutters in Launton from Monday 17 November. Child tickets will be free - but please get them at the same time as your adult ones, so we can plan for seating.
All proceeds will go to StMary’sChurch Launton. Many thanks for all your continued support - and Merry Christmas.
SupportTheWoodThroughTheChristmasTrees
The Launton Christmas Trees project (see pages 38-39 for an update and news of the Day of Action when all the trees will be decorated and installed) is raising money in memory of IsobelJennion (the Launton Yarn Bomber who created recent Post Box Toppers in the village) for The Island Pond Wood. Some people and groups have ordered their own trees for display. If you want to support our woodland while enjoying the decorated displayed trees around the village, go to the Justgivingsite here https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/island pondwoodlaunton?utm_medium=CR&utm_source=CL or use the QRcode above.
Work on the Launton Railway Embankments,
Work has started on reinforcing the railway embankment from Bicester towards London Marylebone, strengthening the Victorian structure. Work is being undertaken for Network Rail by Murphy, who have two depots, one off Blackthorn Road and one off CharbridgeLane.
Work has involved stripping most of the vegetation, building an access road alongside the railway, and quite a lot of pile driving. There has been displaced wildlife too - look out for foxes and muntjakdeer.
Photos by EllaRayner
and the first ever steam train on East West Rail
Saturday 25 October saw, for the first time since 1967, a steam engine travelling on a section of The Varsity Line between Bicester and Bletchley.
Photo above shows engine 34028 Eddystone, a Bulleidsteam locomotive, hauling The Varsity Explorer on the new route to Chester from Slough near London. We’veheard that it is due to make a return trip on Saturday 1 November.
Photo from DaveGilbert
Hayley’sIncaTrail Trek in 2026
Some readers will remember HayleyNutt, who lived in West End and went to Launton School and then Cooper School in the 1990s. She is now HayleyBates, and we have just heard from her as she attempts a magnificent challenge. Here is what we have heard:
“Oh, Hayley! What have you done?
“Well . . . apparently I’vedecided that walking round the block is not enough any more, and I’vegone and signed up for the IncaTrail Trek 2026 to MachuPichuin support of OvergateHospice in Elland.
“In recent years I’vehurled myself out of a plane for Overgate’sBig Jump, stomped my way through the 2025 Midnight Walk (and signed up for 2026) but this is a whole new level. I might be a regular walker, but let’sface it . . . this is a daunting (and slightly mad) challenge!
“To take part I need to raise £2,800 - with every penny going straight to OvergateHospice, which does such incredible work supporting families in our community.
“So, if you fancy supporting my “mid-life crisis in hiking boots”, here’sthe link: justgiving.com/page/hayley-bates-7
“Your donations will keep me going when the blisters and altitude kick in – and will make a massive difference to Overgate.”
OvergateHospice is in Elland, a town in Calderdalein West Yorkshire. For more information go to https://www.overgatehospice.org.uk/ The Trek runs between 30 October and 8 November 2026.
We’vealso had this from a proud and slightly baffled dad: HayleyBates (formerly Nutt, daughter of Anneand AndyNuttof West End, Launton) has decided she would like to go for a walk. ThewalkisinaidofthelocalhospicewhereshelivesinSiddal,Halifax.
Last year she and a friend ventured on a sky dive for the same hospice and now she has decided to come down to earth with this venture. She’sa southerner doing her bit for those up north. Please support if you can at justgiving.com/page/hayley-bates-7 Regards AndyNutt
The Harvest WheatsheafLoaf
Traditionally, handheldscythes were used to harvest crops. The wheatsheavesthat resulted were a common sight at harvest-time. The word survives as a pub name - there are a few Wheatsheafpubs in Oxfordshire.
The harvest wheatsheafloaf represents plenty, a good harvest, and evidence that the cycle of seasons has once more given grain for bread. Launton School chose to consider Jesus’ statement ‘I am the Bread of Life’ in their Harvest Festival. It’sa promise that Jesus can be our ‘daily bread’ - everything we need. We give thanks for all that receive from God - food for our bodies, our minds and our spirits. And the little mouse on the loaf? Did you spot him? He reminds us that God cares about the tiniest creatures too. It’sin an invitation to us to care for creation.
Thanks to MaryBrydon for fashioning the Harvest Loaf keeping this tradition alive to be celebrated across the generations. It has travelled around churches and community and had pride of place at the foot of the altar in StMary’s Launton for the church and school harvest festivals. It made its final stop at a Harvest Service at Launton Grange Care Home on Skimmingdish Lane.
Reverend SarahMortimer
Earlier in the year we reported on our discussions about traffic in the village. Now, still on traffic but from a different perspective, and in the belief that we should recognise credit when it is due and earned, congratulations to CalumMiller for taking on East West Rail and the Ministry of Transport over the plan to close London Road at the level crossing and divert traffic onto existing roads. This has been a problem since it was first identified in the original public consultation in the early 2010s.At a recent meeting we worked out that we could count on the fingers of both feet the number of times our previous MP, Victoria Prentis, showed any interest in the issue. Well done, Calum: you have achieved more in under 12 months than the previous holders in over 12 years. Let’shope that the crazy proposal will finally be put to rest soon. Recently we have met up a couple of times and the rubbish bins (both general and dog-poo) had our attention. Most of us have used the online Fix My Street service in the past - mainly on potholes - but the state of the bins over the past summer has driven some of us onlineto try and get them emptied and once empty to make sure that they don’timmediately overflow. A couple of us have reported that it is surprisingly difficult to log an overflowing rubbish bin. There is no simple option for “Rubbish bins” or “Litter bins” or even “Dog PooBins” on Fix My Street so you have to decide what category to use for reporting. We all think that Cherwell is responsible for bins of all types in the village, but if you describe the problem as being on a pavement it gets sent to the County Council who respond with a “Not my problem” email– “Try Cherwell” they say. You can lose several hours of your life that you will never get back if you get into this black hole.
We have also noticed that the drains all across the village are blocked with small trees growing is some road drains. We tried to remember when they were last cleared - and one of us noticed that all the drains in the village are identified on Fix my Street and each has a note when it was last cleared. “Oh good!” We cry - another day to lose if we want to check each gulley. Finally - we’re all agreed that it’sgood news that The Bull has reopened. We hear that the new landlords want to run it as a village pub. That’llbe a nice change after the recent experience.
Long term Launton resident features in exhibition for cancer charity
GretaWalker came to Launton in 1965. She recently took part in work for the cancer charity Facing the Future. We heard from HeidiKellowayabout the project.
“I am writing to you regarding a very dear friend of mine who has been asked to be involved to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. GretaWalker has lived in Launton for 60 years now, and Gretatells her own story.”
My story is one of hope. I am now 93 years of age, and I am enjoying life. I have so many good and loyal friends who are so important to me.
My mother was only 51 years of age when she died of ovarian cancer. I was 31, and she begged to be nursed at home until she passed away. I was happy I was able to do that for her. This was in the early 1950’s; there was no cure.
Two years ago, when in bed my hand went across to my right breast and I felt what I thought was a lump. It wasn’thow I thought a lump would feel. I have a very good memory and this took me back many years to when I was 17 years of age and my mother’sfriend had breast cancer. I remember she explained it was the size of a pea… which she tried to pick out! Sadly, it was cancer and it spread all over her body.
If I was examining my breast for cancer I would have looked for a small pea like lump. However, the lump I felt was very different, as big as my thumb, like feeling a muscle under the skin. I then felt a little worried.
I knew Professor Roybecause I had seen her earlier.[...] I had had a mammogramand was told it was nothing to worry about, but this time it was different.
Cancer is a word everyone dreads to hear. However, when told I had breast cancer, my reaction was strange. I have heard of women that when told the news they cried for a couple of weeks, but as I had already dealt with the grief of my mum dying and also nursing my husband who had Parkinson’s, and eventually died with cancer, I had coped with everything life had thrown at me so far and thought “I’m a tough old bird”, so with the help of Professor Roy, I can cope with this.
I had a lumpectomy, which of course I was quite worried about, but this lovely lady was so kind and reassuring that I could not thank her enough. I then needed five sessions of radiotherapy.
I really feel to catch the symptoms early is so important. If you suspect a problem, seek help, because it will not go away.
I am one of the lucky ones.
The surgeon who treated Gretaasked if she would be involved in raising money for breast cancer by allowing an artist to photograph her and then paint a portrait of her. Gretawas also asked to write a story that would sit alongside the portrait.
The exhibition has 16 portraits each with a different individual’sstory. It is currently in London at The Art Academy and next year it comes to Oxford. It has already raised over £100,000.
Theportraitscanalsobeviewedonlineherewheredonationscanalsobemade: https://facing-the-future.com/sitters
The Community Choir
Concert
New landlords at The Bull
All windows are lit again at The Bull as the new landlords open for business.
Chrisand Sue Morleyopened The Bull on Tuesday 28 October and the bar was quickly full - with lots of villagers enjoying the return of The Pub on The Crossroads. Christells us that they will be open every day except Mondays from noon until 10.30pm.They are recruiting for kitchen and bar staff, and plan to open the kitchen for food as soon as they have a chef in place and Environmental Health clearance. “On 31 October we will be open for Halloween, with hot chocolate for children as it gets dark, and canapes for adults for the evening. All our regular drinks will be on offer, with three Ales on the bar, lagers, Guiness, ciders and wine and spirits. We will also have both Gluten Free and Zero alcohol bottles. “We want to run The Bull as a village pub, and expect to be rooted in the village. I am a small town boy myself. I was born in Kwa-ZuluNatal, and Sue (who is working as an A&E doctor) is originally from Harare, in Zimbabwe. We will be living above the pub, so will be part of the village community.” We asked Chrisif he has any experience of running a pub before. “I was a minister for 35 years in South Africa before coming to MiltonKeynesto run a Vineyard church. In my last 15 years in South Africa I was in a small town called Addo(most people know it for the Elephant National Park there) and as the minister we set up a community school which needed funding, so I became involved with running The AddoPolo Club to fund the school. An important part of the Club was the bar - so I could claim that as a “Yes” answer.”
Chrisdescribes this as his “Retirement project” and is looking forward to building The Bull as a community asset for Launton. “If you have ideas of what we should be doing, do come and talk to me. And if you know any chefs or cooks, do put them in touch with me, soon!.”
Winning start to season for Launton Ladies!!
This season has seen our assistant manager and Club Secretary, ClaireFinn, step up to become Manager and Head Coach for the ladies team and she’soff to a flying start!
Clairehas lead the team to 6 league wins out of 6 so far, and also beat tough opposition to go through to the second round of the Oxfordshire County Women’sCup.
The team are currently looking for 1 or 2 additional coaches to support Claireand the team, either experienced or starting out on their coaching journey, so if you are interested in coming on board with our successful team then please contact Claireon 07540 013 105.
Let’swish Launton Ladies the best for the rest of the season!
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In November 2025, I am planning to drive 1,318 miles over 3 days across Europe to deliver an evacuation 4x4vehicle to Ukraine, where it will be donated for work on the Ukrainian frontlines.I will be doing this with a codriver, in a convoy of between 5 and 10 vehicles to Lvivin Ukraine. These vehicles will then be made ready for frontline Ambulance and transport use in eastern Ukraine. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, I have been a supporter of the Ukrainian cause. At the very beginning of the war, I went on my first and probably last rally, ending up in Trafalgar Square in London. It is now over three years since the start of this terrible war, and not only has it come to a seeming stalemate, but also with all the other horrendous goings on in the world, it has become less newsworthy, and less in people’sminds. It has not however gone away. Injuries and deaths seem to be on the increase. We have sponsored and continue to sponsor a Ukrainian family since the start
of the war, and at that time I facilitated a number of other families to take other Ukrainian refugees. Anyone walking past our drive by the pond in Station Road will see our Ukrainian flag which has flown almost continuously since the start of the war.
When the opportunity came up to do something more and very practical for the Ukrainian cause I jumped at it. Whilst not being inherently dangerous, I think it will at the very least take me well out of my comfort zone.
When I have delivered the vehicle to Lviv, I hope to go and visit the husband of our Ukrainian lady in Lutsk.
The website for the organisation running this venture is www.drivingukraine.organd if anyone feels that they could help to fund my vehicle in particular, that would be fantastic.
I intend to post updates on Facebookof the journey, and hopefully my visit to Lutsk.I will definitely write up the whole visit for Launton Lines on my return. Since Driving Ukraine began, more than 250 vehicles have been delivered. Convoys of at least 5 vehicles depart at the end of every month from Oxfordshire. The delivery point is at the LvivVolunteer Auto Service Workshop hopefully arriving in 3 days.
Take a look here, there is also a short youtubevideo which is interesting. My donations target is a hefty one, and if I don’tmake it by November I will continue fundraisingand go in 2026. Even if the war stops, then there will still be a huge humanitarian need for resources of all kinds, including transport. If you want to find out more, then the links below are very interesting, and the Donorboxaccount link links directly to my fundraisingpage.
David Thompson
Email: natural.satchel4y@icloud.com
Tel: 07764 316 seven six four
https://donorbox.org/davidukraine
Launton Village Players: 2025
Pantomime TreasureIsland
Rehearsals for Treasure Island are now underway: songs are being sung and routines learned; costumes are being researched and material bought; the set has been designed as well as arrangements for the Front of House being thought about.
Profits will be donated to two charities; Dementia Active and Dementia Oxfordshire. These two groups provide support, advice and opportunities to those with a dementia diagnosis and their families in the local area.
Tickets are on sale from TicketSource: www.ticketsource.co.uk/lvp(or scan the QRcode here). You can also call on 07864 715708 for cash or cheque purchases, or for help buying online. As tickets are available to buy before Christmas they would make the perfect Christmas present for friends and family! We are offering Family discounts again - these will be listed on TicketSourceand are available for all shows.
Acaringtraditional24hourservice ProvidedbyMrHancockandhisteampersonally
Book before the end of November, and get a 10% discount off your tickets using the code EARLYBIRD at the checkout!
Performances will be in Cooper School Performance Hall, and the times and prices are:
Date Performance Time Adult Child
Weds 18 Feb7.30pm
£12
Thurs19 Feb10.30am* and 2.30pm£12
£7
£7
Fri20 Feb2.30pmand 7.30pm £14 £8
Sat 21 Feb2.30pmand 7.30pm
£14
£8
* Our Thursday morning show will be a “Relaxed Performance” again for those who might require a more relaxed theatre environment. The show will be exactly the same but we hope to make the following adaptations:
House lighting will be kept on at low levels throughout (apart from one scene which you will be warned about).
Music will be turned down and there won’tbe any very loud bangs.
The auditorium doors will be left open so that you can come and go as you please.
The foyer will be available to use as a chill out space.
A visual story will be made available before the show.
The main characters will be introduced before the show begins.
The cast and crew will have an open attitude towards audience noise and movement.
Treasure Island is a story that includes all the usual pantomime elements with lots of comedy, magic and audience participation. It is a family show and suitable for all ages. Our baddie, Captain Hook, has escaped from his story, and is desperate to get his hands on the legendary Amulet of Ciredor.Our heroes, Bonnieand Roger, try to stop him . . . Will they succeed? There are many other traditional pantomime characters as well such as the Dame and comedy duo . . . plus a parrot of course!
This is a family pantomime and is suitable for all ages. Our 2025 panto Rapunzel won the “Best Front of House and the Best Choreography” awards from the Oxfordshire Drama Network.
Don’tmiss out - come along and enjoy Bicester’sbiggest and most magical panto!
The LVP Team
Paws with Pip: Tell us about yourself
What is your company called? Paws with Pip
Where did the name come from? I’m a Certified Dog Trainer so the clue is in the title! Paws with Pip is about people pausing their busy lives to better communicate with their dogs through positive training. It’sa simple but effective play on words. The paw print featured in all my branding belongs to my late Tibetan Terrier Billy. He passed away last Christmas and the grief still hits me as any fellow dog guardian will understand. But doing this, partly in his memory, is a real comfort.
When did Paws with Pip start? When did it open? This summer. I’m building it up slowly while juggling my other rather hectic line of work. Dog training forces me to slow down and I absolutely love it. What were you doing before you started your company? I’m a TV/Radio broadcaster, journalist and media consultant. I still do all that but I’vestepped back slightly to focus on the work which truly nourishes my soul. Seeing a client successfully recalling their dog is better than chatting to GeorgeClooneyor HughJackman.(Yes, I’vemet them both and they’re lovely!)
Where did you grow up? Go to school? How does this explain your new venture? I was born in York but grew up near Birmingham. My childhood pastime was pretending I had an imaginary Shetland Sheepdog called Lassie so perhaps this was my destiny all along. What was (or maybe Who was) your first dog? Khali, a stunning Finnish Spitz.
What studies or training led you to your new venture? I studied through the elite Victoria StilwellAcademy for Dog Training and Behaviour. My own rescue dogs were saved from the dog meat trade in South Korea. They also educate me every single day.
What do you want to be doing in 10 years' time? Still helping more dogs and their owners, perhaps from my own training facility. This is one job that definitely cannot be replaced by Artificial Intelligence! Can you share a joke with us? No, I’llleave that to those who genuinely are funny or - at least - think they are.
PhilippaTomson
Launton Christmas Trees
With Christmas just around the corner, our Christmas Tree project is moving along nicely. We have received a fantastic, huge variety of home-made decorations, and our total looks like just over 1,000, if we include the 200 wooden decorations made by TimPayne (thanks to Tim) that are being decorated by the school children, Primrose Childminding, and the children at the Church.
We now have 39 trees to be installed at 21 locations around the village. With so many beautiful items we can decorate all of them. One tree at each site will have lights. Thanks to Launton Parish Council for awarding us a grant to fund this.
Bob Robertsand his team have been making trees to order, so in total
they will have made 90 trees! Thanks to the Evansfamily for hosting the tree making in their barn.
We have been asking local businesses to sponsor a tree, all funds going to Island Pond Wood in memory of our dear friend IsobelJennion. Currently we have 20 businesses who are interested, (who knew there were so many based in Launton? We have sent out 40 letters!). Please contact us if you wish to sponsor a tree.
The date for decorating and installing all the trees is Thursday 27 November. We have booked the hall from 9.00 - 17.00: hopefully we can get them all sorted in this time. There will be cake a-plenty to fuel the workers, if you have time to join us, or just pop in to see the spectacle that is Launton Community.
The Launton Christmas Tree Elves
For more information, or if you would like to sponsor a tree, please contact either of the following:
MaryCarter: emailcarmore2007@hotmail.co.uk
LesleyThompson: 07971381074
Memories of an ex-Launton boy
This month the ex-Launton Boy is remembering how he learned to read and write at schools in Launton and Bicester, and tells of his first poem. And what sparked this outpouring? An article from the children at Launton School in last month’sissue that wrote about the “new bathrooms” with no bath is sight in the photographs.
A pet hate of mine is to see and even worse, to hear how our beautiful English language has come to be misused and abused over recent years.
I go back to my earliest educational beginnings under the wing of the lovely Mrs Freeman who in my time taught the infants of Launton C of E School.
My very first day at school, I remember it well seventy two years on, I was given a small chalk-board, a stick of chalk and card bookmark with my name written on it and given very gentle instructions (I had been bawling my eyes out at having been left there by my mum), to copy out my name on the chalk board using the stick of chalk I had been given. This was unbelievably exciting, trying to copy exactly as Mrs Freeman had written my name on that piece of card, her letters being perfectly formed. So excited by it all and having gone home for lunch, my mother told me some years later, I could not get back to school fast enough for the afternoon.
I was of course, part of a new intake and we were all starting off on the same foot. The next collective stage for us, with the aids Mrs Freeman had so beautifully drawn in the form of pictures in alphabetical order, pinned to the wall with the appropriate capital letter and the lower-case letter next to them. And so we would chant together, “’a’ for apple; ‘b’ for ball; ‘c’ for cup; ‘d’ for dog”, etc. beautifully chanted in unison, I don’tthink I will ever forget it. Then came the very exciting stage of actually putting some of these letters together to make things called words, such as ‘d’ ‘o’ ‘g’, dog. I remember how excited I was, being able to build the simplest of words to begin with. The next big stage was building sentences, breaking down words on the way into something that made sense, such as, “The cat sat on the mat.”
Remember the Janetand John books? They were a great way of early-learning reading, as they were originally written and not as the hilarious renditions on early morning Radio Two by the late, great Terry Wogan.
Another tremendous way of encouraging us kids to read was by having stories read to us in such ways that they stirred our imaginations far more than watching the same thing visually.
When we moved up to the juniors, the then Headmaster, MrHoltham, used to read WorzelGummidgestories to us, and King Arthur’sKnights of the Round Table, good old English classics.
I think it was Wednesday afternoons we were allowed to pick out a book of our own choosing to read for an hour. I remember picking out big old dusty and battered books all about WWI, the Great War, full of sepia photos with loads of explanatory text. I could sit glued to those for hours on end.
By the time we graduated to either Bicester Grammar or HighfieldSecondary Modern, our command of the English language was pretty good, both spoken and written. And it needed to be for the much more wide-ranging subjects we were then going to be taught and about which we had to write. Essays were quite the thing. And it was at Secondary Modern School where I composed and wrote, out of the blue, my very first ever poem. Mr. Hook, our RKTeacher (Religious Knowledge), set the class to write a piece expressing our opinions on the subject of mixed-marriages.
I wrote that I had no objections, but that I was (at age 13), nonetheless concerned that should they have a white daughter who, on reaching adulthood, married a white male, there was the possibility that their child could turn out to be black, with tremendous social repercussions, looking at how British society was back then. (The terms I used were from 1960s). Mr.
Hook was so impressed that he read my piece out to a class that was a year ahead of us by age and intake. I have to say I was quite proud of the piece. My English teacher was the renowned Miss (Dick) Tracey, a most formidable lady and the Deputy Head of the school. As brilliant as she was, I used to get so confused with such things as verbs, adverbs, nouns and pronouns etc, etc, but nonetheless was still able to construct my sentences and paragraphs correctly.
Those from Launton who may remember my childhood and early teens will remember that, unlike my younger brother, Cliff, I spoke with no accent at all, whereas he spoke, and still does, with a quite broad Oxfordshire accent. So, where am I going with all this? Ahyes, it was the ever increasing Americanisation of our beautiful and very rich English language. Examples which I find so irksome are for example; ‘gotten’ in lieu of ‘got’, which one is hearing more and more, even through BBC news journalists who really should know better. What about the word ‘schedule’, now being widely pronounced as ‘skedule’ instead of correctly being pronounced as ‘shedule’ with the ‘c’ being silent? Then the one that really kills me is the term ‘bathroom’ for the toilet or plain and simple ‘lavatory’. Why, when there is not a bath anywhere in the vicinity? Are Americans too embarrassed to, metaphorically-speaking, call a spade a spade? We each and every one of us use lavatories to answer the call of nature, so what is there to be embarrassed about? Bathroom! I ask you.
So what prompted me to pick on this particular subject? It was the feature in last month’s Launton Lines about ‘new bathrooms’ having been installed in the village school, when in fact they were new lavatories.
What is it they say? “Britain and America are two nations divided by a common language”, but sadly the grammatical divide is narrowing, but going in the wrong direction.
During my military service in what was then West Germany, I found myself with a few comrades on an Anglo-Germanrelations mission in Bavaria. This southern sector of West Germany had been occupied by the Americans since the end of WWII, whereas we British occupied the northern sector. I became very friendly with an attractive blonde Bavarian waitress to whom my very first words were, “Excuse me, but do you speak English?” to which she replied, “No, but I speak pretty good American.” Happy days! Keep healthy and stay SAFE!
TonyJeacock, MInstRE | The ex-Launton Boy | November 2025
DiaryDates:November2025
WithAutumnonitsway,pleasesendindetailsofeventsattheSportsandSocial,atthepubs,at sportsteams,andfromvillageorganisations,tolauntonlines@launton.orgforaFREElistinghere.
Sun2StMary'sChurch,BCPHolyCommunion,8.00am.FamilyService,11am.AllSouls,6pm.|Quiz NightatSportsandSocialfrom8pm
Mon3WatercolourPaintingGroup,2pm-4pm,intheParishHall|ChurchFellowshipGroupmeetsinSt Mary'sChurch,2.30pm
Tue4RubbishCollection:recycling(blue)andgarden(brown)bin|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm
Wed5BonfireNighttonight-GuyFawkesNight|Over60sClubMeeting,Sports&SocialHall.Doorsopen at1.30pm,meetingendsabout3.30pm|RummikubGroupmeetatTheVillageCoffeeShop,2pm| ChurchFellowshipGroupmeetsinStMary'sChurch,2.30pm
Thu6ParishCouncil.PublicSession7.15pm,CouncilMeeting7.30pm,LauntonParishHall
Sat8LPFARaceNight,SportsandSocialHall,7.30pm
Sun9RemembranceSunday|StMary'sChurch,EvensongwithanActofRemembrance,6pm|Quiz NightatSportsandSocialfrom8pm
Mon10WatercolourPaintingGroup,2pm-4pm,intheParishHall
Tue11RubbishCollection:garbage(green)bin|FIPWMidweekworkingpartyinthewoodland,Meetatthe pond,10.00am|RemembranceServiceattheWarMemorial,meetat10.50am,refreshments afterwardsintheParishHall|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm
Wed12RummikubGroupmeetatTheVillageCoffeeShop,2pm
Thu13WIMeeting,SpeakerisRobfromImagexinBicesteronAllthingsphotographic,ParishHall,7.30pm Fri14ChristmasMarketatTheVillageCoffeeShop,10am-4pm|BookClubmeetsatTheVillageCoffee Shopat1:30pm|SCOTS:venuetobeconfirmed.MeetoutsideTheBullat6.00pm Sat15ValeBreweryOpenDaywithfoodvan,from12noon,LugershallRoad,Brill Sun16StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion,11am|MarshGibbonFarmer'sMarketattheVillageHall, 10am-1.00pm|TrinityCamerataConcert,StEdburg's,4pm|QuizNightatSportsandSocialfrom 8pm
Mon17WatercolourPaintingGroup,2pm-4pm,intheParishHall|ChurchFellowshipGroupmeetsinSt Mary'sChurch,2.30pm
Tue18RubbishCollection:recycling(blue)andgarden(brown)bin|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm Wed19Over60sClubMeeting,Sports&SocialHall.Doorsopenat1.30pm,meetingendsabout3.30pm| RummikubGroupmeetattheVillageCoffeeShop,2pm
Thu20FINALDATEFORCOPYFORTHEDECEMBER2025ISSUEOFLAUNTONLINES:SUBMITTO launtonlines@launton.org|LauntonEnvironmentalGroup,MOPMeeting,ParishHall,7.30pm Sat22BCOSConcert,BeethovenMassinCandChoralFantasy,StEdburg's,7.30pm|DiscoBingoat SportsandSocialHall,8pm
Sun23StMary'sChurch,MorningWorship,11am|QuizNightatSportsandSocialfrom8pm Mon24WatercolourPaintingGroup,2pm-4pm,intheParishHall.
Tue25RubbishCollection:garbage(green)bin|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm Wed26RummikubGroupmeetatTheVillageCoffeeShop,2pm
Thu27ChristmasTreesandDecorationsProjectdressingandlocatingtrees,basedintheParishHall,9am5pm|LauntonHistoricalSocietymeeting:PatTucker’sQuiz,Christmassocial(andveryfastAGM), ParishHall,7.30pm
Fri28BookClubmeetsatTheVillageCoffeeShopat1:30pm Sat29BicesterChristmasLightsSwitchOn,MarketSquare,6pm
Sun30StMary'sChurch,FamilyCommunion,11am|QuizNightatSportsandSocialfrom8pm LauntonLinesNovember2025Issue299|Page42
“Local orchestras don’tget much better than this” Thisconcertis kindlysupported byBicester TownCouncil
Sunday afternoon family concert 16 November 2025 at 4.00pm StEdburg’sChurch, Bicester Conductor-SamLaughton DUKAS
The Sorcerer’sApprentice narratedbyCharlieRoss AND CLASSIC FILM AND THEATRE THEMES Fantasia, LesMisérables, Hook, The Lion King, JurassicPark, and Frozen
Tickets:Adults£12inadvancefromCole’s Books,£15onthedoor.Under16’sfree.
LauntonLinesisthenewsletterforLaunton ItispublishedmonthlybytheLauntonCommunityCommunicationsGroupwhichmanagestheLauntonwebsite www.launton.organdtheLauntonVillageFacebookGroupwww.facebook.com/launtonvillageaswellasLauntonLines LauntonLinesisdeliveredfreetoallhouseholdsinthevillage,fundedbyitsadvertisersandLauntonParishCouncil. Furtherprintcopiesareavailableat£1.00percopyfromShirleyJohnson(01869369269) LauntonLinesisalsoavailableonlinefromJanuary2020onwww.issuu.com ©MMXXVLauntonLines.Wereservetherighttoeditarticlessubmittedforinclusion. NeithertheCommitteenortheEditorisresponsibleforviewsexpressedinreaders’contributions.