Remembrance Day in Launton in 2025
After the service, people gather at the war memorial on Bicester Road
Later, refreshments were served in the Parish Hall. Many thanks to the team and to the bakers.
The cover shows the Remembrance Day service at the War Memorial featuring the Team Vicar Reverend SarahMortimerwho led the service, John Stephenswho recited the Ode of Remembrance, and in the backgroundtwo horses and riders, who laid a purple poppy wreath for all animals. Cover designed by Matt Hill. Photos by RobertCornford
Photos from Robert Cornford
The Editor writes …
This December issue has been held up for a few days by ongoing technical problems with software - very frustrating. The front cover features again this year the Remembrance service at the War Memorial on 11 November, There is another picture from the Memorial on page 2, and others of the refreshments served afterwards in the Parish Hall.
With Christmas coming, pages 22-23 feature the Christmas Trees and Decorations project which is raising money for the woodland in memory of IsobelJennion.As well as photos there is also a map of the locations of the trees around the village. There is a QRcode on page 29 to make donations if you have enjoyed the trail and want to support the woodland.. There is a report from the Friends of Launton Parish Hall on page 33 with an update on plans for the second phase of work and plans for raising the money, and page 28 has the official Invitation to Quote for the work. Page 13 shows and tells about work on the garden area in front of the Hall, with the new planters in place and the grass growing vigoursly. EdHamillhas an imaginative plan on page 14 to expand the area of nature reserve in Launton, and children from the school report on a visit to the Natural History Museum in Oxford to study arthropods, and especially cockroaches.Page 30 tells of the success of the Launton Ladies FC team (played 8, won 8), and on page 36 John Stephens shares a song about woad. This is the 300th issue of LauntonLines : we are holding up well in our old age! 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 December 2025 for entry in the January 2026 issue of Launton Lines.
December 20 | Annie‘Granny’ Hearn. Remembering your passing at this reflective time, and other departed family who I fondly think of at Christmas time.
Love and happy memories. WendyFoster
December 25 | Sponsored by Rob Walker. In loving memory of JaneLindsayWalker
LAUNTON PARISH COUNCIL
Combined notes from two meetings of the Parish Council, held on Thursday 6 November 2025 at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall (ordinary meeting) and Wednesday 12 November 2025 at 1.00pmin the Parish Hall (brief extraordinary meeting).
Councillors present: MrGlynAustin, MrAndrewBriant(Vice Chairman, 6 November), Mrs JackieHackett(6 November), Mr SimonTurner (Chairman), Mrs JaquelineWebber
Apologies: Mrs JackieHackett(12 November)
In attendance: 6 November: The Clerk, MrAndyWhite; CllrWill Boucher-Giles(OCC); CllrGemmaCoton(CDC) and 5 members of the public.
Reports from District and County Councillors
County councillor Will Boucher-Gilesspoke about the three competing proposals for local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire and gave a progress report on the cycle route across the fields from the bottom of West End, as well as fielding questions from members of the public about various topics including traffic calming.
District councillor GemmaCotonshared the news that residents will able to recycle glass at the kerbsidefrom January 2026 and also spoke about the forthcoming local government reorganisation.
Governance and Consultations
Councillors JackieHackettand JackieWebberwill be updating the Emergency Plan.
The venue for the meeting on 8 January 2026 will be the Grange Farm Conference Room.
There are still vacancies for two Councillors, details of which may be found on the Parish Council website.
Finance
The Finance Report for the 6 November meeting 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 Advisory Working Group has been working hard on gathering details tor a grant application to the FCCCommunities Foundation and two other smaller grant applications, which the Council approved across the two meetings; two of the applications have now been submitted.
Quotations for the refurbishment work are being sought from local builders - see page 28 of this issue for details.
Revisions were agreed to the Parish Hall Management Committee terms of reference; the committee should start meeting shortly. If you might be interested in joining the committee to help with the management of the Hall, please contact SimonTurner (simon.turner@launton-pc.gov.uk) for more information.
The new grass in the garden area outside the front of the Hall is growing well; planters should be installed in the area soon.
Village matters
The Launton Environmental Society gave presentations about the plans for the Launton Larder, and the Environmental Legacy Place (ELP) and Environmental Legacy Fund (ELF).
The Service of Remembrance on 11 November was noted at the 6 November meeting; the subsequent service was very well attended, with welcome refreshments at the Parish Hall afterwards.
Agenda items and dates of the next meetings
The next meeting will be on Thursday 4 December 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 8 January meeting need to be with the Clerk by 12 December and items for the 5 February meeting by 22 January. Note that the meeting on 8 January 2026 will be held in the Conference Room at Grange Farm.
If you’re not signed up to our mailing list to receive news from the Parish Council, you can find a signupform at the bottom left-hand menu of the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk/
Launton Watercolour Art Group
The Watercolour Group meets on Mondays in the Parish Hall between 2pm and 4pm.
In December we meet on Monday 1, 8, and 15, then have a break for Christmas. We will return in 2026 on Monday 19 January
Here is a seasonal work from our tutor, David Weeks.
If you are interested in attending, please email Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com
Friends of Island Pond Wood reporting . . .
Join us for our Christmas wreath making workshop on Friday 5 December in the Parish Hall - we only have a few places remaining Payment is due on booking, please email fipwlimited@gmail.com All profit will go directly into the management of the woodland. FIPWteam
There is still time to support the Island Pond Wood through Launton Christmas Trees. See more information and the QR Code on page 29 of this Issue.
NEWS FROM STMARY’S CHURCH
Launton WIReporting . . . on our November Meeting
On a very wet Thursday evening the ladies of Launton WImet in the Parish Hall for a chat, tea and cake (the cake was delicious) and a talk given by Robert, known to his friends as Rob, Peckham.
Rob was from IMAGEX: The Image Makers, based in Pioneer Square in Bicester. There was nothing that Rob didn't know about cameras and the art of taking a good picture. He gave us many tips on how to improve our photo-taking skills, also lots of information on the latest photographic equipment.
Apparently, if you take photos using a camera or your mobile phone you can call yourself “a photographer”! At least that's what Rob said.
Our next meeting is on Thursday 11 December, where we will be making a Christmas table decoration under the title Festive Floral Fun.
You will also be able to see the Launton WIChristmas Tree, decked out with our own decorations in the WIcolours of purple and green, outside the Parish Hall.
We meet on the second Thursday of every month in Launton Parish Hall, at 7.30pm. New members and guests will find a warm welcome.
SandraSmith
150
Years Ago: from TheBicesterHerald1875
Friday December 17
The Late John AshbyEsq, of Launton, whose kind, pleasant and gentlemanly deportment we, for many years, had the pleasure of observing and enjoying, and whose death we much regret, is referred to by a correspondent: “The late MrJohn Ashby, of Launton, was the only son of one of those city merchants, who, upwards of a century ago, left his native village of Launton, to be an apprentice in one of those London houses of business, known as Manchester warehousemen, . . .
“His son, the late MrJohn Ashby, did not follow his father’s business, but entered the Stock Exchange, and became one of its most eminent and respected members. He retired from business nearly 40 years ago, since when, and up to the time of his death, he lived a quiet but useful life at Launton, endearing himself by many unobtrusive acts of kindness to the poor and others of his native village and locality.”
We much regret having to announce the death of Mrs Ashby, widow of the above John AshbyEsq, at Launton House, this day (Friday) morning. Mrs Ashbyhad been, from accidents, a great sufferer. She was a very kind, considerate lady, and many will lose a sympathising friend.
[Historical note: This couple lived at Launton House, which had been built by his father , who made his fortune in London, working in the retail trade - a Manchester warehouse being the early name for a department store, where haberdashery was an important part of the goods sold. John Ashbydied on November 30 and his wife on December 17. They were buried in the churchyard on 4 and 23 December respectively.]
Friday 4 December
FOOTBALLTheFrostThestateofthegroundcausedtheabandonment ofthe...JuniorLeaguematchbetweenBicesterandLaunton.
Friday 18 December.
FOOTBALL Launton v Fringford. These teams met in a friendly at Launton on Saturday. The home team scored through L Massey, H Penn and A Marriott; and then Fringfordimproved and Price and Crook scored. At the interval Launton led by three to two. It was a very interesting second half, but neither side had scoring chances, and Launton won 3-2.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
A sale of work and bazaar was held on Tuesday in the above schoolroom, arranged by the Ladies Sewing Class. Tea was provided at 4.30. The sale was afterwards opened by MrA Fenemore, of Launton. There were various stalls, viz: jumble, new, china, and fancy, and a bran tub. All these were filled with numerous effects. The goods from all stalls were quickly disposed of, and the sum of about £17 was realised . . .
TheParishHallGarden isbeginningtobloom
The new grass is starting to grow properly in the front of the Parish Hall after the WIworking party got to work. There are now two metal planters - one on each
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.
side of the main doorthanks to Parish Council funding, and the donation of topsoil by Peter Cox. They are planted with autumn herbs and plants, and will be updated with spring flowers for the future.
It has helped that cars no longer park there, too.
LAUNTON ENVIRONMENTAL
The £20 BARGAIN
You can play a vital role in creating Launton’sNext Nature Reserve and finish your Christmas Shopping all at the same time via ...
The Launton Environmental Legacy Fund Downpaymentand Christmas Campaign
For £20 you can fund a 3-metresquare plot in our new Nature Reserve! Only 250 plots will be available for individuals to purchase during this campaign. You can secure a plot for yourself or as a gift for a loved one. You will receive a printed gift card which is suitable for framing. This is a GREAT Environmental Gift, a better than carbon zero gift as 100% of your £20 will stay in Launton and will go directly to improving Mother Nature by enhancing Biodiversity!
Individual purchasers, in this first campaign, will be known as ‘Primary Carers’, as they will be making land available for Biodiversity to flourish. Their plots will be numbered for now and specifically linked to an actual plot of land via the What 3-WordsApp.when the Nature Reserve becomes a Reality.
Plots will be available for sale at The Village Coffee Shop, The Bull, and via ‘Just Giving’; Cash, Cheque ( Payable to: ‘Launton elf’), BACS(Sort code: 30 5466, Account Number: 62684760, Launton Environmental Legacy Fund), or from Members of the LESTeam in The Coffee Shop during Christmas Events and at The Bull during busy weekend times. This Campaign is limited to 25 Days (That means on average 10 sales per day) from November 24 to December 18. We cannot guarantee you receiving your Gift Card after that date so don’tleave your purchase until the very last minute.
Together we can change a Virtual Nature Reserve to a Reality quickly!
Thank you for your support,
Submitted by Edfrom LES (launtonenvironmentalsociety@gmail.com)
Launton Village Players
Launton Historical Society reporting . . .
‘The Great Invasion - the Roman Invasions, Occupation and Colonisation of Britain’ was the title of our October talk. The speaker was Bill King who gave an enthusiastic tale of how the Romans arrived on our shores, occupied our lands, colonised them and eventually abandoned them. The Romans were busy occupying Gauland knew that Britons came across the Channel to support the people of Gaulwhich made the Romans curious about what might be across the Channel. They had heard about precious metals and so the Romans came to see for themselves in 55BC.At this time Britain was a collection of tribes who didn’tlike each other very much. Julius Caesar landed at Deal in Kent to make a reconnaissance. This visit almost turned into a disaster because the Romans left their boats unattended and had to hurry back to fight off the local tribes who were taking an interest in the Roman boats. Of course, the Roman’sappetite had been whetted and they later returned with five legions of about 30,000 men, cavalry and reconnaissance units. JuliusCaesar drove hard inland and crossed the Thames at Brentford.He discovered crops, salt, minerals such as lead and tin. Julius occupied Wheathampsteadand the British were conquered and had to pay tributes to Rome but gave up paying in about 43AD.Not surprisingly, the Romans returned with more troops, about 40,000 – 50,000 thousand men. They came from Cologne in Germany led by Vespasianthe future Emperor of Rome and made a more forceful occupation of Britain.
WewereremindedthatamajormilitaryroadwhichranfromSt.Albansto CirencesterpassesthesouthernedgeofNorthOxfordshirefromBicesterto Asthall.ThisimportantroadwascalledAkemanStreetandtheRomansusedthis routetotransportsalt.Afteralmost2000yearstherouteoftheroadpersists.The sectionpastNorthOxfordshireisprobablyoneofthebestpreserved.
The Romans were responsible for much of our road system as it is today as they created the roads which are the basis of our current major road system, e.g. Exeter to Lincoln and Gloucester to York. IcknieldStreet ran from Bourton-on-the-Waterto Templeboroughnear Rotherhamin Yorkshire. We were told about the Roman origins of PortchesterCastle and that it had been added to over the centuries and that it is still worth a visit.
OurnextmeetingtakesplaceonThursday27November2025anditwillbea QuizNightandChristmassocialandtheoccasionofourveryfastAGM.Wemeet intheParishHallonthelastThursdayofthemonth,andallarewelcome.There willbefood,wineandteaandcoffee.WedonotmeetinDecember.
KathyGilbert
Launton School reporting . . .
Today some Year 4 children are speaking to us about Anti-Bullying Week, and some Year 3 children are talking about their recent trip to The Natural History Museum in Oxford. Anti-Bullying week took place in school between 10 and 14 November. We started the week by having an assembly where we talked about what bullying is and how to spot it and deal with it. The theme was the ‘Power of Good’ and it encouraged us to speak out against bullying, be supportive of each other and create a kind world.
In lessons we cut out paper hands and coloured them in, using really bright colours. There was a sentence on each finger telling us how to deal with bullying. Some of the sentences were ‘Don’tstand and watch’, ‘Don’tjoin in’, ‘Tell an adult’, ‘Have courage’ and ‘Comfort the victim’. We could also make up our own, and Leiawrote ‘Remember to be kind’ on her paper hand. These paper hands will be used on a display in the hall. The hands will be used to spell out the word ‘ACT’, reminding us to ‘act’ against bullying and try to stop it.
Unfortunately, the weather meant we couldn’tdo the Pudseyorienteering activity on the school playing field. We hope that we can do this activity when the weather is better.
On the last day of the week, we wore Odd Socks - this was to remind us that everyone is different, but everyone is equal. We coloured in paper socks, with lots of different colours and patterns, to show differences, but also to show equality.
Another assembly had the theme ‘Respect’ and talked about treating people as you would want to be treated. We enjoyed the different activities over the week, and if we saw someone being bullied we would stand up for the victim and tell a teacher what was happening.
Ryan,Leia,andLizzy–Year4
On 13 November Years 3 and 4 went on a trip to the Natural History Museum in Oxford to learn about arthropods. We travelled on a coach, and it took about half an hour to get to the museum. When we arrived at the museum we went to a classroom and a man called Chrisspoke to us about some of the creatures - he pretended to put one of the cockroaches in his mouth! Chrishad some MadagascanHissing Cockroaches that we could hold. They tickled when they crawled on our hands and a few of them hissed, which is their defence against predators. They have three body parts; a head, a thorax and an abdomen. We learned that arthropods have an exoskeletonand compound eyes - these eyes mean they are really good at
seeing movement and can move away quickly if they feel under threat. There were lots of insects preserved in glass cases, like the Dung Beetle, which are important for the life cycle of plants. We saw dragonflies with huge wings, some stick insects and a colony of bees. There was a beehive and living bees we could watch and we could see the honeycomb shape of their hive. We had to complete a challenge to find bugs in the glass cases, one for every letter of the alphabet. This was quite easy as there were so many bugs to see and choose from. We had the chance to draw the bugs we found really interesting.
There were lots of other animals that had been preserved. We saw a toad, a Nile crocodile and a large brown bear. In the entrance to the museum there were some dinosaur bones, belonging to a TRex, a Triceratopsand a Spinosaurus, which is a dinosaur that could swim. Outside the museum were some huge dinosaur footprints. There was a Triceratopshead, but it is very fragile so we couldn’ttouch it. There was a T-Rexskeleton, it was huge! We really enjoyed our trip and learned lots about arthropods, especially cockroaches!
Community Choir Christmas Concert
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
The concert will be on Saturday 6 December at 4pmin StMary’s Church. The doors will open at 3.30pm.
We will be singing popular Christmas carols as well as some Christmas songs such as Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. There will be carols where the audience join in with the choir so we can try to “raise the roof” of the Church.
There will be mulled wine and mince pies served, all in 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 beat some 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 and enjoy the Christmas spirit together.
Tickets cost £10 for adults, available at Costcuttersin Launton from Monday 17 November. Accompanied children are free.
All proceeds will go to StMary’sChurch Launton.
Any questions about the concert, contact celiaevans@outlook.com
Many thanks for all your continued support - and have a very Merry Christmas.
Donations of mince pies will be gratefully received: homemadeones are always very much appreciated where possible. Instructions for dropping these off will be on our StMary’sChurch Launton Facebookpage nearer the date.
Any questions about refreshments, contact celiamanderson@aol.com.
Very many thanks. The StMary’steam
Launton Christmas Trees and Decorations
December 2025
This hand-drawn map (not to scale) shows the location of the village Christmas Trees and Post Box Toppers created in memory of our friend and fellow Launtonite, IsobelJennion.
If you have enjoyed our Christmas Tree trail, please consider donating to the Island Pond Wood using the QRcode below.
Location map of Launton Christmas Trees - December 2025
Launton Christmas Trees
By the time Launton Lines reaches the village, the Launton Christmas Trees will be installed in 21 locations around the village (see the map above for the trees, and the two post box toppers).
This has been a huge project, bigger than the Poppy Cascades! But we’vehad incredible support, and a great group of people willing to help and join in. So thank you all for that.
The 1,000 beautiful decorations made by people from the village have been attached to the 40 Christmas trees which have been lovingly made by Bob and his team. Thanks to them, and to the Evansfamily
at Hare LeysFarm for the use of the barn space to build the trees. At least one tree at each site has Christmas lights which are timed to come on between 16.00 and 22:00 hours (4pmand 10pmin old money) each evening. Thanks to Launton Parish Council for the grant to buy these lights and other sundries needed to make the trees. We are hoping that the decorations will stand up to any coming December weather, but would be grateful if anyone notices anything amiss with the trees, the decorations or the lights, to phone/message one of us on the numbers below.
The map opposite is also available at the Post Office/Costcuttershop, and at The Village Coffee Shop and The Bull Inn.
Some of the trees have been sponsored by local businesses, and you will see a plaque with their details at each site. We are very grateful for their support. There will also be a number of family or group Trees around the village, too.
All money raised will go to Island Pond Wood to support the dredging of the second half of the main pond and the maintenance of a wild flower meadow.
Enjoy the trees! And marvel at the beauty and variety of the decorations and in the power of community.
You can donate to our Island Pond Wood Christmas Tree fund at the Just Giving Page https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/islandpondwoodlaunton? utm_medium=CR&utm_source=CL
The QRcode for donations is also on page 29.
LesleyThompson 07971 381 074
MaryCarter 07849 663 675
An appreciation for PostieJeff
We’re sure most people in Launton have noticed that our postieJeffrecently had a wellearned holiday.
As a result, parcels weren’tcollected from doorsteps, post was only trickling through, and a few appointments were missed.
Basically . . . things go a little awry when Jeff, our postie, is away!
So . . . in true Launton style, the community spirit kicks in –and we’vestarted a small collection in The Village Coffee Shop to put together a Christmas appreciation gift for Jeff.
Knowing he prefers biscuits to beer, coffee to cocktails, and hot chocolate to wine, we’re open to suggestions on the gift (possibly vouchers)
Pop in to drop off your donation –or message us to arrange drop off.
OwlswickMorris - dance through the years
Clockwise from top: At the RollrightStones on May Day 2022; ClaydonHouse, September 2025; Guess where?, June 2025; at Found Festival, August 2025; outside Buckingham Old Gaol, April 2025.
Photos from Owlswick Morris
OwlswickMorris 2025
If you’vebeen out and about in the area including The Bull in Launton over the summer you may have come across local Morris dancers and noticed that something is changing. It’sno longer a requirement of most Morris sides that members have big beards and a pewter pint-pot. Women and young people are playing an increasingly important part in keeping this centuries-old tradition going.
OwlswickMorris, now based near in Twyford, was one of the first sides to welcome female dancers. The side was founded in 1982 by six friends, former Morris men, who practised at the Shoulder of Mutton in Owlswick, South Bucks. In 1985 women joined them and after 40 years the mixed side still flourishes as a sociable all-age group, dancing in the Cotswold tradition, supported by the irresistible music of squeezeboxes, flute, drums and the occasional banjo or fiddle.
What, though, is Morris all about? No-one really knows. Maybe the sticks symbolised animal and human fertility or the weapons used in hand-to-hand fighting; maybe the bells and hankies were intended to scare away evil spirits. Maybe Morris (“Moorish”?) came to the medieval English court from Africa and was adopted by villagers who put their regional stamp on the movements, costumes and music.
Records show that by 1557 “Morrys-Daunsars” were receiving food and drink for dancing at Whitsun. Donations from the audience often supplemented agricultural wages in the following centuries - nowadays charities benefit from anything put into the hat.
Sides like Owlswickstill get involved in traditional celebrations: orchard wassailing in January, spring’sarrival on 1 May, and Mummers’ Plays at Christmas, but they’re also active at pubs, folk festivals and community events throughout the year.
It’sgood fun and brilliant exercise. Owlswickhas winter practices on Tuesday evenings, so this is the perfect time to see if Morris (or step clog, another speciality of the side) is for you. Musicians also welcome!
Contact Penny on 07721068449 or emailowlswick.morris@gmail.com
KatharineHarbison
There are some photos from our past years on the page opposite.
Invitation to Quote
Launton Parish Council is seeking quotations from suitably qualified and experienced contractors for the execution of the following works.
Refurbishment of Launton Parish Hall
The work will include installing internal insulation to the full length of the Hall, removal and disposal of false ceiling, old storage heaters and partition wall.
The work will also include the replacement of internal timber doors, skirting boards, architraves, and the installation of an Air-source Heat Pump system, together with other refurbishment work.
The work is expected to commence in Spring 2026 and be completed by the end of 2026. A full scope of work is available on request.
Site visits to Launton Parish Hall to view the scope of work can be arranged on request. For queries on the scope of work and to arrange a visit to the site please contact a Parish Councillor on 07725 051 865 Please submit your bids by emailto
The Bull Inn in December 2025
It’sbeen a busy first month at The Bull. Chrisand Sue and family have been learning all the time, and want to thank everyone who has welcomed them.
“In November we have opened a Quiz night on Thursdays, and a charity Poker night on Tuesdays, and started music bookings, too.”
Food News
The kitchen has had the needed deep clean, and they are confidently waiting for the Environmental Health check. In November they started inviting food vans in the evenings, which has been very popular. “We are hoping to open the kitchen in January and will continue to host food vans throughout December. We have the following booked for the month .
The Tasty Trailer: December 5, 6, and 13
Pizza Guy: December 12
Tribal Eatz: December 17, 24, and then 1 January
Gurkha Streetfood return on December 30”
December dates
“On 13 December there will be a special visit from a Gentleman from the North Pole for Storytimewith Santa, between 12 noon and 2pm. Tickets are £10 per child. Here is what will happen:
Story time with Santa at 12pmand 1pm
Meet and Greet with Santa. Parents will be able to take photos
There will be take-home reindeer food for Christmas Eve
The chance to decorate their own wooden Christmas ornament
“Write a letter to Santa” and post it in the North Pole postbox Christmas Day, opening times: 11amto 3pm Boxing Day, opening times: 6pmto 10.30pm
We will be having a New Year’sEve celebration, with extended hours.
The Christmas Trees around the village and the Post Box Toppers have been created in memory of our friend and fellow Launtonite, IsobelJennion.If you have enjoyed the Christmas Tree trail (see pages 22-23), please consider donating to the Island Pond Wood using this QRcode.
Fantastic season so far for Launton
Ladies FC
The ladies team have had a flying start to the season, being top of Thames Valley Counties Women’sFootball League Division 3N. Here is the table after eight games - unbeaten!
Aswellasthis,Sunday16NovembersawLauntonLadieshostthemighty
Oxford City play a few tiers higher than us, and as our local team who are in the FA Cup and operating at a high level, Launton Ladies held them to 0-3, which was an incredible result and shows how far the team have come this season with Claire Finn stepping up as Manager and Head Coach.
As part of being a community club, we had our U8/U9girls teams take part as our mascots and hopefully inspired them to continue their footballingjourney . . .
Here are some photos from the Sunday spectacle!
Christmas events at The Village Coffee Shop
Pop Ups in the Coffee Shop
Tuesday 9 December RavenedgeGifts
Tuesday 16 December The Homely Roost
Thursday (slight day change) 18 December Unique 3D
Friday 5 December : Christmas Market 10am– 4pm Workshops
Tuesday 2 December 10:30-12:30 – Christmas Wreath Workshop
Thursday 18 December 10:30-12:30 – Christmas Table Centrepiece
CHRISTMAS opening times
Tuesday 23 December 10am-4pm Wednesday 24 December 10am-12noon
Thursday 25 December - Closed Tuesday 30 December 10am-12noon
Wednesday 31 December 10am-12noon Thursday 1 January - Closed
Friday 2 January 10am-4pm
Peaceofmindforpetowners...
CompassionateandCaringatalltimes
Longopeninghoursforyourconvenience
24houron-sitenursingcarestandardforallhospitalisedpatients
24hourEmergencyserviceprovidedbyourvetsatourpractice
Aservicethat'ssecondtononefromNorthOxfordshire'smost established,independent,specialitysmallanimalpractice..
FoLPH reporting
A lot has been happening with the Hall – not all immediately obvious. After the burst of activity in the spring that brought the new, insulated roof to completion, FoLPH - with the Parish Council in the Development Advisory Group (DAG) - has been planning the next stage of rescuing the Hall, researching sources of funds for the work, raising money and awareness through events and activities in the village, and reporting back to the village through Open Meetings.
The project to save the Hall began as it became clear that the church was not able to fund or undertake more than basic maintenance. There was a danger that it would deteriorate until it failed health and/or safety rules - and the village would lose a community space. The Parish Council took on a 35 year lease, to rescue it from closure and to update the facility - To Save The Hall. The longest time has been spent working with the Development Advisory Group on the second phase of work. It was decided to postpone work on replacing the kitchen as this is a self-contained project that can be fundraised for separately. The new roof had made the Hall watertight, and the next stage has to make the building warm and weatherproof. This involves repairing the external pebbledashand waterproofing the walls, then installing insulation inside all external walls, removing the false ceiling and opening to an open pitched ceiling, installing new heating (an air-source heat pump system with radiators) and a new hot water system, new electricswith solar PVcells on the roof and storage batteries, and replacing the concrete floor at the back of the Hall with an extended wooden floor, and remove the partition wall to open up the Hall, and replace the toilets with two self-contained washrooms. We will also replace all internal and external doors, and open up the three blocked windows above the front door to bring more light into the Hall.
The Advisory Group has done a major application to the FCCCommunity Action Fund (FCCdistributes funds from landfillsites - in our case Calvert). If successful this will cover about half the cost of the work. FoLPH will contribute about £70,000, and some other grants are being followed up.
The next FoLPH event will be a Beetle Drive on Saturday 17 January at 7pm in the Hall. Tickets (£10 for adults, accompanied under 16sfree) will be on sale in Costcutter.It’sa fun evening - very sociable.
We hope to run another Quiz in the TytheBarn - probably in early springif Will and EmmaDeeleycan fit us in. It will be the eighth TytheQuiz.
And we are talking to Chrisand Sue in The Bull about a Race Night in the pub end February/early March. So there is lots to look forward to!
ThenextOpenMeetingwillbeat8pmonWednesday4March2026intheHall.
Launton Village Players 2026 Panto
The cast have been rehearsing and dancing to our new songs written by SteveWebber, and have had to learn how to dance with various props! The set is being painted, many thanks to TeknosPaints for their support. Costumes are being made made, as well as the programme beginning to take shape.
If any local businesses would like to advertise in our programme, do get in touch with us on advertising@launtonvillageplayers.org.ukfor more information. Our prices have remained the same for many years, and it’sa great way to reach out to local families. All profits will be donated to Dementia Active and Dementia Oxfordshire, charities which provide support, advice and opportunities to those with a dementia diagnosis and their families in the local area. Tickets are now on sale from through TicketSource: www.ticketsource.co.uk/lvp.You can also call on 07864 715708 for cash
or cheque purchases, or for help buying online.As tickets are available to buy before Christmas they would make the perfect Christmas present for friends and family! Performances will be in Cooper School Performance Hall, and the times and prices are:
Weds 18 Feb 7.30pm
Thurs19 Feb 10.30am* and 2.30pm £12 £7
Fri20 Feb 2.30pmand 7.30pm £14 £8
Sat 21 Feb 2.30pmand 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 will make the following changes:
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.
We are offering Family discounts again - these will be listed on TicketSourceand are available for all shows.
TreasureIslandincludes all the usual pantomime elements with lots of comedy, magic and audience participation. It is a family show and suitable for all ages.
Come and see if the baddieCaptain Hook finds the powerful treasure, or if he can be stopped by Libby, the magical librarian and our heroes. They will need your help!
Don’tmiss out - come and enjoy Bicester’sbiggest and most magical panto!
The LVP Team
The Roman Invasions . . . and a song
Following the Launton Historical Society meeting on the Romans, I looked it up in my favourite history book by John O’Farrell, An Utterly Impartial History of Britain, or Two Thousand Years of Upper Class Idiots in Charge. The chapter on the Roman invasion is headed “Kent Young Farmers’ Association v Roman Empire - away win”. Hadrian’sWall took up to ten years to build “. . . because the builders kept leaving at lunch time to work on another job”.
Although it is a funny book O’Farrelldoes have some serious comments to make, for example his views on the battle of the Somme in the First World War. As it was recently Remembrance Day I looked it up in O’Farrell’sbook. It records that on 1 July 1916, “19000 of Kitchener’seager volunteers lay dead within seconds of their first experience of any action”. By the end of November the British army had suffered 400,000 casualties. O’Farrellcomments “. . . the Battle of the Sommewasn’tunique among the battles of the First World War; it was simply the worst example of pointless slaughter in the endless war of attrition”.
But back to the Roman invasion. When I was at school (a long, long time ago!) I learnt a song about the Roman invasion, to be sung to the tune of Men of Harlech). Do any other readers remember it?.
Romanscameacrossthechannel, Alldressedupintinandflannel. HalfapintofWoadperman’ll Dressusmorethanthese.
Woad’sthestufftoshowmen, Woadtoscarethefoemen.
Boilittoabrillianthue, Stickitonyourbackoryour abdomen.
AncientBritonneverhiton Anythingasgoodaswoadtostick on, Kneesorneckorwhereyousiton.
Forward,ancientB’s!
Romans,keepyourarmour, Saxonsyourpyjama.
Hairycoatsweremadeforgoats, Sheepandcattle,horses,dogsand llama.
MarchupSnowdonwithyourwoadon, Nevercareifyougetrainedorblowed on.
Neverhaveabuttonsewedon.
Woad’sthestufftouse!
John Stephens
A Merry Christmas to all our readers.
Are you interested in a chance to socialise in the village?
Above is the organising group for the Tuesday morning sessions in the Hall, planning for the event in 2026. Come and join them. See more on page 39 opposite.
You may be aware that a group of us host an open-house on Tuesday mornings during term time, in the Parish Hall, offering tea/coffee, biscuits and convivial chat.
Our visitors are anyone in search of such an activity plus pre-schoolers and their parents/carers.
Currently,intheleaduptoChristmas(from25Novemberto16 December)weareopeninginthemorningsbetween10and11butwe arepleasedtoletyouknowweplantoreverttoouroriginalhoursof 9am-11amwhenwerelaunchintheNewYearfrom13January2026. If you would like to know more please watch out for more detailed information in the January edition of Launton Lines. Alternatively you could contact before the new year any of
Memories of an ex-Launton boy
The ex-Launton Boy writes this month about his response to Remembrance Day this year, then remembers his childhood, living under the cloud of “The Four Minute Warning”. But, compared with childhood today, he is glad he grew up in the 1950s.And he tells of contact with another ex-Launton boy, MichaelStevens.
Another year, another Armistice Day and another Remembrance Sunday, and yet conflicts still rage around the world, as if nations have forgotten the utter futility of wars, and all the horrors and heartbreaks. I noted that the congregation in my local Garrison Church was fewer in number this year as compared to last year, which in itself was fewer than the year before. Are we losing touch or interest in our past I wonder? It saddens me to see that certain nation’sleaders seem to put such little store on human life when we see and hear of the atrocities committed against neighbours, basically in the interests of unjustified greed. They say that history is written by the victors, which makes me wonder that if it were to be written by the vanquished instead, lessons might actually be learned, because one thing is for sure, with what is going on in the world today, lessons most certainly have not been learned. And so, we will conduct services of Remembrance next year, and the
year after, whilst the gathering clouds of war become more and more apparent. What is wrong with the so-called enlightened world of today? I remember when in the 1950’sand 60’s, we kids were very conscious of the so-called “Four-minute-warning” scenario under which we lived. Remember that ever-present threat of mutual nuclear annihilation which came to a very dangerous head during the Cuba crisis and the stand-off between JFKand Khrushchev? For many youngsters, that was a most fearful period to live through. Our adults at that time had already experienced war, not to suggest they were at all complacent about the nuclear threat, but they had already experienced in varying degrees the horror and devastation created by war and were possibly better prepared mentally for such an eventuality.
Youngsters today suffer with mental illnesses resulting from other pressures (not so aware of what is going on in the wider world), such as social media and the bullying encountered therein. Many are also subject to peer pressure, being sucked into a world of substance abuse, leading to varying degrees of crime to be able to fund a habit. By comparison, I am so glad I grew up in the 1950’sand 60’s. These are worrying times for us all. We have to hope that world leaders with both national and international influence can come together and shame others who seem intent upon committing acts of war, to engage instead in talks with the goal of bringing world peace and mutual cooperation for the benefit of all mankind. Then those who went before us will not have made the ultimate sacrifice in vain.
Onadifferentnote,Ireceivedatelephonecallacoupleofweeksago fromMichaelStevensofLaunton,whowithhisfamilyusedtoliveinthe houseoppositethebusshelter,oppositetheBull.Ashewasafewyears olderthanmyself,IdonotrecalleverhavingspokenwithhimwhenI livedinthevillage,from1949until1965whenIjoinedthearmyandthen forashortspellin1972duringmyfirstyearofmyfirstmarriage.Soit cameasabitofasurprise,albeitaverypleasantonewhenhephonedme.
I had made reference to him and his parents in a much earlier issue as I recalled his dad used to work for GPO Telephones and drove an olivecoloured Morris Minor van with the GPO logo on the side. I believe I also mentioned the fact that Michaelrode a large motorbike and his then young lady would arrive in her leathers also riding a rather large motorbike of which I was in awe as to me it looked far too large for her.
We must have spent a good half hour on the phone, reminiscing on the past in Launton, helping each other to recollect the names of families and individuals and in what house and what road they lived in. For example, I had forgotten about the family of Tamswho lived up Sherwood Close, and I kicked myself afterwards for not having mentioned AlistairRedfernfrom Sherwood Close who became the Bishop of Derby and a member of the House of Lords.
Apparently, Michaelhad tried to obtain my telephone number from my brother, Cliff, not realising that Cliff no longer lives in the village, but somebody put him onto my sister Elaine, whom up until then he had not realised was my sister.
Now here’sa thing, I received a communication a few issues back from the daughter of Jack Spenceto whom I was apprenticed before I left to join the army, as she had read a piece I had written about her dad. The frustrating thing is that I cannot find Bronwyn’scontact details and I would very much like to have a chat with her, so if anyone can help me in that, I would be most grateful. (The Editor has passed on to Tonythe phone number.)
And now folks, we are coming into the season of some very intense Christmas shopping, a period of which I am not particularly fond as I never know what best to get for people, including my wife. When you get to our age, what more is there to buy? I ask myself. And when fishing for ideas, one gets, “no shoes or slippers; no jewellery; no perfume; etc. etc.” But then, in all honesty, when Julieasks what I would like, which is actually a double whammyas my birthday is four days after Christmas Day, I honestly cannot think of anything for myself either.
And so, we will concentrate on our respective children and grandchildren and our adorable little great grandson, whilst wishing each other good health and mutual happiness……….and I’m sure I will think of something before Christmas Day……..for Juliethat is!
And may I wish all of Launton a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year, and may the world over remember what the true meaning of Christmas is all about.
Keep healthy and stay SAFE!
TonyJeacock, MInstRE | The ex-Launton boy | December 2025
DiaryDates:December2025
WithChristmascomingtherearemanyeventslisted.FortheNewYear,senddetailsofeventsattheSportsand Social,atpubs,atsportsteams,andfromvillageorganisations,tolauntonlines@launton.orgforaFREElisting. Mon1WatercolourPaintingGroup,2pm-4pm,intheParishHall|ChurchFellowshipGroupmeetsinSt Mary'sChurch,2.30pm
Tue2RubbishCollection:recycling(blue)andgarden(brown)bin|ChristmasWreathWorkshopatVillage CoffeeShop,10.30am|CharityPokerNightatTheBull,from7pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm Wed3Over60sClubMeeting,Christmaslunchinalocalvenue
Thu4ParishCouncil.PublicSession7.15pm,CouncilMeeting7.30pm,LauntonParishHall|QuizNightat TheBull,from7pm
Fri5ChristmasMarket,VillageCoffeeShop,10am-4pm|WreathMakingwithFIPW,7pm-9pm,ParishHall Sat6CommunityChoirCarolConcert,StMary'sChurch,4pm
Sun7StMary'sChurch,BCPHolyCommunion,8.00am.FamilyService-Christingle,11am|QuizNightat SportsandSocialfrom8pm
Mon8WatercolourPaintingGroup,2pm-4pm,intheParishHall
Tue9RubbishCollection:garbage(green)bin|FIPWMidweekworkingpartyinthewoodland,Meetatthe pond,10.00am|PopUpinVillageCoffeeShop,RavenedgeGifts|CharityPokerNightatTheBull, from7pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm
Wed10RummikubGroupmeetatTheVillageCoffeeShop,2pm
Thu11WIMeeting,ActivityisFestiveFloralFun,ParishHall,7.30pm|QuizNightatTheBull,from7pm Fri12StEdburg'sChristmasTreeFestival|SCOTSmeetatTheBullInnat6.00pm|TheVillagePlayers CarolSinging,venuesaroundthevillagefrom6.45pmto9.00pm
Sat13FatherChristmasatTheBull,StorieswithSanta,12noon-2pm|StEdburg'sChristmasTreeFestival Sun14StMary'sChurch,Evensong,6pm|StEdburg'sChristmasTreeFestival|QuizNightatSportsand Socialfrom8pm
Mon15WatercolourPaintingGroup,2pm-4pm,intheParishHall-lastoftheyear,nexton19January2026 Tue16RubbishCollection:recycling(blue)andgarden(brown)bin|PopUpinVillageCoffeeShop,The HomelyRoost|CharityPokerNightatTheBull,from7pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm Wed17Over60sClubLunchMeeting,Sports&SocialHall.Baropensat12.30pm,meetingendsabout3.30pm |RummikubGroupmeetatTheVillageCoffeeShop,2pm Thu18PopUpinTheVillageCoffeeShop,Unique3D|ChristmasTableCentrepieceWorkshopatTheVillage CoffeeShop,10.30am|QuizNightatTheBull,from7pm Fri19BookClubmeetsatTheVillageCoffeeShopat1:30pm|ChristmasQuizNight,SportsandSocial,7pm Sat20FINALDATEFORCOPYFORTHEJANUARY2026ISSUEOFLAUNTONLINES:SUBMITTO launtonlines@launton.org|ValeBreweryOpenDaywithfoodvan,from12noon,LugershallRoad, Brill|StMary'sFamilyFun,TheChristmasStoryandCarols,ParishHall,6pm Sun21StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion,11am;NineLessonsandCarols,followedbymulledwineandmince pies,6pm|MarshGibbonFarmer'sMarketattheVillageHall,10am-1.00pm|ChristmasCarol Singing,LauntonSportsandSocial,from4pm|QuizNightatSportsandSocialfrom8pm Tue23RubbishCollection:garbage(green)bin|CharityPokerNightatTheBull,from7pm Wed24ChristmasEve|StMary'sChurch,CribService,3pm;MidnightCommunion,11.30pm Thu25ChristmasDay|StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion,11am Sun28StEdburg'sBicester,AllAgeCommunion,10.30am|QuizNightatSportsandSocialfrom8pm Tue30RubbishCollection:recycling(blue)andgarden(brown)bin|CharityPokerNightatTheBull,from7pm Wed31NewYear'sEve|NewYear'sEvePartyatSportsandSocial,discofrom7.30pm|NewYear'sEvein TheBullInnwithextendedhours
LauntonLinesisthenewsletterforLaunton ItispublishedmonthlybytheLauntonCommunityCommunicationsGroupwhichmanagestheLauntonwebsite www.launton.organdtheLauntonVillageFacebookGroupwww.facebook.com/launtonvillageaswellasLauntonLines LauntonLinesisdeliveredfreetoallhouseholdsinthevillage,fundedbyitsadvertisersandLauntonParishCouncil. Furtherprintcopiesareavailableat£1.00percopyfromShirleyJohnson(01869369269) LauntonLinesisalsoavailableonlinefromJanuary2020onwww.issuu.com ©MMXXVLauntonLines.Wereservetherighttoeditarticlessubmittedforinclusion. NeithertheCommitteenortheEditorisresponsibleforviewsexpressedinreaders’contributions.