Launton Lines Issue 302 February 2026

The cover photo was taken in the Island Pond Wood on 28 January - one of the few days in January when it was neither overcast or raining. The skeletal trees against the blue sky is an unusual combination in winter. Did you spot the grey squirrel? Cover designed by Matt Hill. Photo by Magalie Hill

The Editor writes …

Our front cover this month features an unusual sight for January 2026 some blue sky and a clear view. it was taken in the Island Pond Wood at the end of the month. I like the clear and sharp patterns of the branches against the clear sky - all with the added interest of the squirrel. All in all, January was very wet and dark. But just look at snowdrops - featured on out new feature of village nature notes on page 23, and now bursting out all over the place - and you know that spring is not far away.

The centre of this issue (pages 19-22) has the second part of David Thompson’s account of his trip to Ukraine in November. A bit further east page 14 features a welcome to the Chinese Year of the Fire Horse from The Sun Wah takeaway in Langford Village. Closer to home, pages 10 and 11 show (with photos) the result of the two-week gap over Christmas in collecting from the rubbish and dog-poo bins at the playground.

The WI (on pages 16 and 39) has news of their February meeting - on local Sky Wave Gin - which will be open to all (even men!) , and the Historical Society lists on page 15 their speakers for the first half of the year. FoLPH (pages 25-26) reports on the Parish Hall project and lists (pages 26-27) the nine key points from an energy survey of the Hall. We have also listed on page 8 Save The Dates for March meetings of FoLPH, FIPW, the Launton Lines organisation LCCG, and LES: A busy month.

We have a new advertiser in this issue. GoodOaks provides home care you can rely on (page 8). Please support all our advertisers - we need them to keep Launton Lines going. And there is news (page 25) of the Eighth Tythe Barn Quiz on 20 March - tickets on sale on 24 February at Costcutter.

Robert Cornford Launton Lines

A monthly newsletter for Launton. Published around the first of each month by the Launton Community Communications Group © 2026 Launton Lines

email: launtonlines@launton.org website: https://launton.org/launton-lines/ The Launton Lines Committee 2025-2026 Chair: Vacant | Secretary: Kate Greig | Editors: Robert Cornford, Matt Hill Treasurer: Carina Collins | Distribution: Shirley Johnson | Advertising: Jenni Walker

Contact the Parish Council We now have a locum clerk, Gill Peacock. You can contact the Council by email at clerk@launtonpc.gov.uk or on the Council’s mobile at 07305 303 889.

To book the Parish Hall Contact: Joan Packer Phone: 07922 042 133 Parish Hall Committee: The Parish Council has now established a new Management Committee

LIGHT UP A LIFE

Would you like to sponsor an evening’s floodlighting at St. Mary’s Church in memory of a loved one, to give thanks for the birth of a child, or to celebrate a baptism, a birthday, or a wedding?

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

Please contact Joan Packer on 01869 241694 by 20 February 2026 for entry in the March 2026 edition of Launton Lines.

8 February | Sponsored by Bob Roberts to celebrate the birthday of his mother Ann Roberts

LAUNTON PARISH COUNCIL

Notes from the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 8 January 2026 at 7.30pm in the Grange Farm Conference Room.

Councillors present: Mr Glyn Austin, Mr Andrew Briant (Vice Chairman, 6 November), Mrs Jackie Hackett, Mr Simon Turner (Chairman), Mrs Jaqueline Webber Apologies: None In attendance: 5 members of the public.

Reports from District and County Councillors There were no reports from either County or District Councillors.

Governance and Consultations An Oxfordshire-based locum Clerk, Gill Peacock, had been approached to take over the vacant role until a permanent Clerk can be found. Gill’s appointment was confirmed at a Staffing Committee meeting on 13 January: she is now in post but is unable to attend meetings, which will continue to be run by the Chairman. A new job advert and job description have already been drafted and the recruitment process for a permanent Clerk will begin again shortly.

The updated Emergency Plan has been adopted.

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There are still vacancies for two Councillors, details of which may be found on the Parish Council website.

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

The Council considered the budget for 2026/27 and agreed the level of £64,086. This took into account the range of Parish responsibilities, including the village grass cutting and weed spraying, the dog bin emptying, meeting costs, saving for replacement street furniture (such as bins and benches), other reserves and of course the Parish Hall, which continues to be an ongoing focus.

The Parish had been given the Tax Base figure (broadly, the number of Band D equivalent dwellings in the village) by Cherwell District Council which was estimated at 621.9; this was again a slight increase from the previous year (620.1). Following the calculations, it was agreed to leave the Precept at £51,592, the same as the previous two years. The annual cost to a Band D household would be approximately £82.96 – a decrease of £0.24.

More information about how the Tax Base figure is calculated is available on the Parish Council website at https://www.launtonpc.gov.uk/financial-information/financing-the-parish-council/ For anyone interested, the draft budget and Precept calculations can be found on the Parish Council website under the 8 January items for information at https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/agenda-andminutes/2025-2026-agenda-and-minutes/ 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). There were no new applications this month.

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.

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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 is looking at advice from the recent ESOx energy efficiency assessment, including lighting and air-to-air heating, while continuing to seek quotations from local builders for the refurbishment work and look into possible funding opportunities.

Progress is being made on the flooring in the toilets, replacing the exterior lighting to the side and rear of the Hall, and replacing the failed kitchen door.

If you would be interested in joining the Parish Hall Management Committee to help with the management of the Hall, please contact Simon Turner (simon.turner@launton-pc.gov.uk) for more information.

Village matters After a meeting with OCC Highways Engagement, some (but not all) flooded drains have been addressed and letters have been provided to send to households that are allowing encroachment of vegetation or gravel on to footways and the highway in general. The new dog bin has finally been installed, and the Council is looking into installing a dog bin on Station Road if a suitable site can be found.

A date for your diaries: the Spring Tidy-up is set for the morning of Saturday 28 March. More details in next month’s Launton Lines.

Agenda items and dates of the next meetings The next meeting will be on Thursday 5 February 2026 in the Parish Hall, starting at 7.30pm. If you’d like to chat with a Councillor, come along after 7.15pm.

Suggestions for agenda items for the 5 March meeting need to be with the Clerk by 19 February and items for the 2 April meeting by 19 March.

If you’re not signed up to our mailing list to receive news from the Parish Council, you can find a signup form at the bottom left-hand menu of the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk/ Council, you can find a signup form at the bottom left-hand menu of the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk/ Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 6

Launton Watercolour Art Group The Watercolour Group normally meets on Mondays in the Parish Hall between 2pm and 4pm.

In February 2026 we meet on all Mondays - so 2, 9, 16, and 23 in the Parish Hall. We have some new joiners this season, and more will always be welcome.

Here is a piece from a recent class - a very autumnal scene.

If you are interested in attending the watercolour art group, please email Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com

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Save the date for spring events in Launton Friends of Launton Parish Hall (FoLPH) Open meeting on Wednesday 4 March at 8.00pm at The Parish Hall Friends of Island Pond Wood (FIPW) AGM on Thursday 19 March at 7.30pm at The Parish Hall Friends of Launton Parish Hall (FoLPH) Tythe Barn Quiz on Friday 20 March at 7.30pm in The Tythe Barn Launton Community Communications Group (LCCG) AGM on Wednesday 25 March at 8.00pm at The Parish Hall Launton Environmental Society (LES) Open Meeting on Friday 27 March at 8.00pm in The Parish Hall

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NEWS FROM ST MARY’S CHURCH SERVICES AND EVENTS IN FEbRUARY 2026 You are most welcome to join the Services and Events listed here.

All are in St Mary’s

1 February 8.00am 11.00am 2 February 2.30pm 8 February 6.00pm 15 February 11.00am 16 February 2.30pm 18 February 11.00am 22 February 11.00am

BCP Holy Communion Family Service - Journeys Fellowship Group meets in St Mary’s Evensong Holy Communion Lent Course begins in St Mary’s Ash Wednesday Morning Prayer

It is advisable to refer to St Mary’s Facebook page for up-to-date information in case changes have been necessary; Or please contact The Team Vicar Revd Sarah revsarahmortimer@outlook.com 07876 188 519 or the Churchwarden Joan Packer j.packer779@btinternet.com 01869 241694                 

LENT COURSE This begins (see above) on 16 February and runs for the subsequent five Mondays (until 24 March) taking the place of the usual Fellowship Group Please contact Celia(M) for full details of the sessions or just come along.                 

COMMUNITY CAFE

We are currently working on the relaunched Community Café and are actively looking for pre-schoolers plus carers to join our thriving welcoming group from the general Community who come along to enjoy a cuppa amongst friends.

If you are in either category, please contact us below or just come along on a Tuesday in term time from 9 - 11am. You will be most welcome!

Maretta 07837 968028 Hilary 07734 434989 Celia(E) 07110 224574 Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 9

Why are people so messy?

These photos of the playground at the Playing Fields were sent to us on Thursday 8 January.

There is an explanation for the mess (see below), but this really does not explain why people think it is OK to leave unsealed dog-poo bags around bins, and why people leave rubbish in full bins. A mix of seagulls and foxes will scatter rubbish from bins without a top.

Maybe the Parish Council should make sure that current bins have lids attached, and any new or replacement bins can be closed - like the ones at the Costcutter shop or near the entrance to the Island Pond Wood. Why should the Parish Council fix a problem caused by people?

What is the explanation for all this mess?

Cherwell District Council are responsible for emptying both the rubbish bins in the village, and the dog bins. They do this on Thursdays. And, in 2025, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day both fell on a Thursday. These are public holidays, so there was no collection on either day, so there was a gap of 21 days between Thursday 18 December and Thursday 8 January.

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Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 10

The next time this happens will be 2031 – and perhaps by then there will be an emergency collection in place.

This explains why bins were not emptied - not why people left rubbish piled on top and around them.

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.

Agility and Hooper classes at Grendon Underwood Thursday Classes in Arncott Village Hall  Puppy Socialisation, starts 6.45pm  Basic Obedience, starts 7.30pm  Rally or Scentwork, every alternate week for each class, from 8.15pm Introduction to Mantrialing and Introduction to Tracking

are also offered at a day and time to suit the trainer, yourself, and your dog.

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

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

peteroofer@aol.com

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LAUNTON ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIETY Alphabet Soup . . .

LESCOPMOPELFLELFT with only a touch of CHOCOLATE. A simple recipe for a more sustainable world: LES (Launton Environmental Society): A village group dedicated to help concerned individuals and families do their best to tackle global warming by eliminating waste and reducing their impact on the environment (Carbon Footprint).

COP (Conference of the Parties): An annual Conference of World Leaders organized by The United Nations to promote unity between all the countries of the world to reduce and repair the damage caused by global warming. These talk-talk summits have been instrumental in reducing projected warming from 6oC in 2009 to 2oC today.

MOP (Meeting of the Parties): Our local version of COP. ELF (Our Environmental Legacy Fund): Our mission is simple - buy some land and start managing it for wildlife. In a mere 25 days our Downpayment/Christmas Campaign raised (as of 14 January) £1,845.

LELFT (Launton Environmental Legacy Fund Trust) The land that we are purchasing will be for Mother Nature (Enhancing biodiversity) ‘owned’ by the people of Launton via this TRUST. Mix ingredients together along with FIPWLLVPLWILHSFoLPH etc. etc. and you have a community enjoying loads of different things but united in their efforts to make Launton a great pace to live!

Like to know more about all these letters (LES, COP, MOP)? Contact us on launtonenvironmentalsociety@gmail.com. To do more for Launton and Planet Earth keep supporting our ELF via the JustGiving QR (still on a pole near you). And join us at our next MOP meeting where you can help formulate a strong Environmental Trust and help plan our next fundraising opportunity, The Downpayment/Easter Campaign. We’ll be encouraging folks to spend less money on extra-large overpackaged chocolate eggs and buy one of Our ELF’s plots!

MOP XII Friday 27 March 7:30PM at the Parish Hall.

Submitted by Ed from LES (launtonenvironmentalsociety@gmail.com) Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 12

What is SCOTS? It stands for Switch Computers Off Tomorrow’s Saturday.

It’s an informal group started some time ago in Launton for people working from home, to try and get them away from their home offices.

SCOTS meets on the second Friday of the month in The Bull from 6pm.

Do join SCOTS, to meet new faces, for a drink, and maybe stay for a meal.

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Launton Historical Society reporting for February 2026

Our first meeting in 2026 was right at the end of January, too late for this Launton Lines deadline. But we’ll report on Oxfordshire in the Cold War in the next issue.

We’ve had interesting speakers since LHS started up again after the pandemic. We’re lucky living here because we can draw on speakers with links to Oxford, mainly through the list drawn up by the Oxfordshire Local History Association (OLHA). In turn, speakers tell us about other possible sources, such as SpeakerNet. In the year ahead we have two speakers who have been before: Tim Healey, who spoke early on about Drovers’ Roads, and later about Apples (so much more to this than you would guess), returns in June to talk about St Giles’ Fair. In February, Deborah Hayter returns to talk about how enclosures (when common land became private) shaped the county’s landscape. Last time she spoke about the lost villages of Oxfordshire.

Speakers also tipped us off that some local history groups have wine at their meetings. We didn’t need to be told twice and have incorporated wine into our post-talk offerings, alongside hot drinks and Mary’s home made cakes and biscuits.

Here are our speakers for the next six months, and later on in the year we have a speaker on tythe barns and one on aspects of pre-history.

26 February: Deborah Hayter: Common Right - Private Property - How Enclosure Shaped the Oxfordshire Landscape 26 March: Frank Collingwood: The Oxford Bus Museum at Long Hanborough 30 April: Stephen Wass: The Secret Gardens of Oxfordshire and the Birth of Modern Science 28 May: Andrew Long: The Naming of Oxfordshire Pubs 25 June: Tim Healey: St Giles’ Fair All meetings are at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall and everyone is welcome.

You can join and be a member, or pop in now and then. There’s a small fee which goes towards costs.

Gwen Skinner

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Launton WI Reporting . . . January and February meetings

There was a weather warning predicting damaging rain, wind, and perhaps snow for the evening of Thursday 8 January, for our first meeting of 2026. With blizzards forecast over many northern counties we agreed with our potential speaker who would have to drive from Milton Keynes and her assistant from Daventry that it would be best for everyone to cancel the talk.

We took the opportunity to reschedule the meeting for the few members who were still committed to coming out on a horrible wet evening to our newly reopened pub, The Bull. Landlord Chris Morley made us very welcome and gave us a brief resume of how he and Sue came to the village. We enjoyed a very social evening.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday 12 February at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall when Rachel Hicks, co-founder of Sky Wave Gin will be telling us of their journey, with tasters and Gin for sale. This will be an OPEN meeting so everyone is welcome (Men included!). Non WI members will need to pay £3 on the door.

Eleanor Shakespeare

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A Road-trip like no other part 2: Return from Lviv Part 1 of David Thompson’s account, in the January issue of Launton Lines, told of the journey of Convoy 51, 4x4 evacuation vehicles to be delivered to the workshop of the organisation Driving Ukraine, in the town of Lviv. David ended Part 1 with the delivery of the convoy’s vehicles in Lviv. Now find out how he got back to Launton.

Andriy, the husband of our Ukrainian guest in Launton, Oksana, had already met up with me in Lviv, driving down from Lutsk in the morning. I was to spend the next 3 days with him, an interesting time in many unforeseen ways.

He took me to the Carpathian Mountains, which were stunning, especially with the newly fallen snow.

From there, the next morning, we drove to Lutsk. At one point in our journey the air raid sirens went off, and I saw children being ushered into bunkers. Imagine this happening 1, 2, 3 or even 4 times a day, and you can understand how their education suffers. (Even if the risk is not in the area, any missiles over Ukrainian airspace will trigger the alarm for children).

During this time the GPS signal is jammed as well, so Google Maps did not work.

We drove past mobile radar posts, and in the distance a missile battery, all part of the anti-missile defences.

Lutsk In Lutsk itself, which is quite far West, it does not suffer in the same way as Kyiv, and further East in Donetsk where the battle is raging. However, due to the Russian attacks on infrastructure, in particular electricity generation, they suffer from power cuts. Many businesses and restaurants now have generators as the norm, photographed here in Lviv and seen everywhere.

On my first morning in Lutsk, at 6.45 am, air raid sirens wailed over the town. By looking at Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 19

‘Telegram’, Andriy could see that these missiles were going towards Kyiv, and sadly this was the case, with fatalities. For me it just reinforced the point that although you think you are in a safe zone, you may not be, and in fact Lutsk hit the news 2 weeks later, suffering missile attacks.

On the second morning, as I woke up, I was almost expecting the same thing to happen. But no, and I am sure this is all part of Russia’s psychological war as well.

We had a day sightseeing, and Lutsk seems to have as much history as many English towns, with the main difference being the cost of entry. Imagine getting into Blenheim Palace for £3.00!!

After visiting Lubart’s Castle (photo right) I had another ‘interesting’ experience; out of nowhere a white Duster Car coasted silently to a halt, and before it had done so the doors were open, and two army people got out.

They were assertive, not aggressive, but there was little doubt that they were in control of this situation, and got us to provide ID. All Andriy’s papers on his phone were in order of course, and my passport satisfied them that even if I was too old to be ‘enlisted’, to put it politely, that I was the person on the passport.

We saw more evidence of the war, a blown-out block of flats, and in a local museum a Shahid missile lay on the floor. These are routinely sent over from Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 20

Russia in waves, some with explosives, others like this one without.

Disarmingly simple, made of thin plywood, expanded polystyrene, and a fabric outer skin. A plastic bladder serves as the fuel tank, all powered by a small, probably 30cc 2 cylinder engine at the back driving a 10 inch diameter wooden propellor, with of course some high tech controls and GPS. All quite fun if you had built this as a model aircraft project, as a hobby. Faced with waves of these, at nighttime, is a totally different matter.

Lutsk to Poland I left Lutsk at daybreak on 26 November, with Lubart’s castle etched against the colourful sky.

I left Lutsk and Andriy by bus to Poland on an interesting journey: at the border a well-dressed lady on the bus bought and sold currency to the passengers, only to get off immediately after we crossed the Polish border, presumably to re-board another bus going back. No doubt, as well, the wheels of commerce oiled with a small payment to the bus driver.

Talking of bus drivers, this one, and as I understand it on good authority, many others, had his own little enterprise going: About 5 minutes after crossing into Poland he pulled into a lay-by, stood up and started walking down the aisle to the back of the bus. I twigged, after he had bought duty free bottles of spirits and cartons of cigarettes off many of the passengers, in return for cash. He returned down the bus, carrying 2 bulgingly full carrier bags of his purchases, stowed them at the front of the bus and drove off.

Presumably, he had a ready market in Poland, very enterprising!

Warsaw Warsaw was interesting as a tourist, but of course relatively benign without any of the ‘excitement’ of Ukraine in its current state.

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However, I learnt a lot about their war history, about communism and its fall. I can understand, having borders with Russia and Belarus, how nervous they may feel.

I spent 3 days as a tourist there, went to a Chopin piano recital, and the Opera. Its transport system is not only efficient, but also inexpensive.

Why I Did It, And Why It Mattered Our convoy was part of the efforts of Driving Ukraine, a volunteerrun group that gathers donated or purchased 4×4s and ambulances in the UK, and drives them over 1,300 miles to western Ukraine, where they join frontline medical and evacuation teams, in the East.

It had been a long journey - rough in parts, and sometimes hilarious, sometimes quietly serious, always interesting and totally unforgettable.

I just wanted to do my bit for Ukraine. I did enjoy ‘the adventure’.

I encourage you to look at Driving Ukraine’s website, or simply Google “Driving Ukraine”, and maybe consider lending a hand.

Thank You Thank you to everyone who sponsored or supported me on this trip.

It did turn out to be a trip of a lifetime, which I could not have envisaged. From meeting and becoming friends with a Hollywood legend, to posing in bright blue and yellow Ukrainian colours in front of the border sign; seeing the same blue and yellow repeated hundreds of times, over the graves of young brave Ukrainian soldiers; and observing a country at war, trying to live a ‘normal’ life.

I feel grateful and humbled to have been able to take on this journey through Europe, and a country struggling to survive. When the war does properly end, I for one will be going out there again as soon as I can. It’s a lovely country, nice people, and it needs all the support it can get from its friends.

David Thompson December 2025 Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 22

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PAWS WITH PIP DOG TRAINING TIPS How To Read Dog Body Language 1. Look at the whole dog Pay attention to the head, body and tail together to understand the full picture.

2. Consider the context A dog panting doesn’t always mean they are thirsty. It can also be a sign of stress or feeling overwhelmed.

3. Not every dog wants to be petted If a dog initiates contact, leans in or nudges your hand, that’s usually an invitation for affection.

4. Respect their choices If a dog walks away, they’re communicating that they need space so let them have it.

5. Avoid reaching straight over the head or neck This can be intimidating, especially for nervous dogs or ones who are unfamiliar with you.

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Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 24

FoLPH Reporting on the Parish Hall Project

It has been a very busy few months for FoLPH - lots of work on the Parish Hall Advisory Group with the Parish Council, some fun at the Beetle Drive, and planning a thermometer to show fundraising for the front of the Hall.

FoLPH Events On 19 January, accompanied by the rattle of dice and the excitement of throwing a 6 to be able to start a round with a body, we held a Beetle Drive in the Hall, which proved a lot of fun on a dark and wet winter evening.

Our next fundraising event will be the Eighth Tythe Barn Quiz on Friday 20 March - many thanks to Will and Emma Deeley for providing the venue. Tickets (£10 per person) will go on sale on Tuesday 24 February at the Costcutter shop (cash only, please). On the night there will be the quiz devised by Chris Frost, homemade cakes and tea and coffee, and the cash bar at the Barn. Teams will compete for The Wise Owl Trophy, and a hand-crafted Wooden Spoon trophy too. But the star of the evening is - of course - the beautiful 14th Century Tythe Barn.

Numbers are limited, so buy your tickets early.

Then we’re having the regular Spring Fair on Saturday morning 9 May at the Parish Hall. It’ll offer cakes and other baked goods, marmalade, jams and chutneys, as well as plants, and the return of the popular Grow a Sunflower competition. There will also be refreshments.

Depending on work on the Hall, we also expect to run the Afternoon Tea event in August again, and later in the year to put on a Race Night at The Bull (watch this space). If people have ideas for other events we should offer, please let us know.

The next FoLPH Open Meeting This is booked for Wednesday 4 March at 8pm in the Parish Hall. We will then have the AGM in May (date to follow).

Work on the Hall There is much to report. The Parish Council will install LED lights for the footpath and back area. These will be working when you read this.

Although the Hall is not responsible for the access road and the car park (which are in a terrible state) the Parish Council is trying to make progress with all those involved to improve the area.

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The blocked drain that produces the huge puddle on the access road has been jetted and now drains reasonably effectively - at least the puddle is not as deep or as long-lasting.

The new Parish Hall Committee has been agreed by the Parish Council and will have its first meeting soon. Anyone interested in supporting the village by joining should contact the Clerk at clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk or phone 07305 303 889.

We are also getting quotes for replacing the external doors in the Hall double front doors, and a new kitchen door.

Plans for the Hall A comprehensive energy audit was commissioned from Energy Solutions Oxfordshire (ESOx), an energy consultancy based in Oxford Brookes University. There is a summary of their report below.

The Advisory Group, where FoLPH has members, has been working on plans for Stage 2 of the project (Stage 1 was the new roof). This will focus on the interior of the Hall, on insulation and heating, on electrics and lighting, and updating the toilets. The Group has been getting quotations from suppliers at the same time as applying for grants to fund the work.

Fundraising and grant applications The Parish Council has made a major application to FCC, the funding outlet for the landfill industry, and to Awards for All. We should hear about these by mid March, We have also made smaller applications to four other funders, and have two more ready to go. It is time consuming, but we have found that AI can be quite helpful.

Robert Cornford | Chair, Friends of Launton Parish Hall

The Energy Audit of the Parish Hall

FoLPH commissioned a survey of the Hall from Energy Solutions Oxfordshire (ESOx), an energy consultancy based at Oxford Brookes University. Their report recommended the following actions to bring the Hall up to standards for heating and energy efficiency 1. Add internal wall insulation 2. Remove (suspended) Hall ceiling 3. Add underfloor insulation 4. Upgrade lighting to LEDs 5. Install a heat pump system for heating: they suggest that we Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 26

investigate an Air-to-Air system rather than the more traditional hot water radiators.

6. Install heating controls linked to a new online bookings system 7. Consider hot water options in toilets and kitchen 8. Add solar PV panels and storage battery system 9. Monitor meter readings and water usage and instal smart meters

We recognise that the installation of interior insulation will have the greatest impact on the warmth and heating of the Hall, now that we have a fully insulated “warm roof” installed. A Heat Pump will provide adequate background heating when linked to a PV solar panel system with storage batteries: this combination will offer a low running cost heating solution for the Hall.

We had originally planned for a hot water radiator-based heating system, but following advice from different sources have realised that a hot air system will be more cost effective with less plumbing, less kit (radiators and water heating tanks), and less energy loss, and the distribution network can be installed with the interior insulation. We are now investigating in detail what is involved in an Air-to-Air system

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Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 27

150 Years Ago: from The Bicester Herald 4 February 1876 PETTY SESSIONS Gross Assault on an Elderly Man at Launton Alfred Marriott, sawyer, of Launton, was summoned for assaulting an elderly labourer, named John Cartwright, at Launton, on Saturday night, January 22. Marriott did not put in an appearance. PC George Stockford spoke to serving the summons at Marriott's residence.

Prosecutor (whose face was discoloured all over from the effects of the blows said to have been received on the night in question) stated that he was at his house at Launton, about half-past 10 the previous Saturday night, when Alfred Marriott came in and “fell” upon him.

Marriott simply said he would give him a “good hiding.” They had words together, between seven and eight o'clock the same night, at the “Fox.” He could not state what they were quarrelling about, for

Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 28

they always did so when had had a little beer. They did not strike any blows at the “pub,” at which witness stayed about half-an-hour. He was sober when he left, but Marriott was not. After he left the “Fox,” witness went to see his daughter. Marriott knocked him down, knelt on him, and “pummell’d him about the face. He did not hit Marriott back. A little boy and Marriott’s wife came and pulled him off.

Marriott was about 30 years of age, and he was over 70. Marriott had never “ot” him before; but he always insulted him when he had had some beer.

Marriott had the following “reference” put in for him: February 28.

1862, committed for trial for stealing wood at Tusmore, for which he was sentenced to four months’ hard labour; August 29,1862, committed for trial charged with assaulting the police, for which he received nine months’ hard labour; and on November 30, 1866, he was fined 1s, and 13s costs, for drunkenness and refusing to quit a public house.

Ordered to be taken to Oxford gaol for 21 days’ hard labour.

Later in the day, Marriott gave himself up to the authorities.

[Historical note: the following week two other Launton men appeared at the local magistrate's court, also in trouble for drunkenness. His final comments from the Bench were - "We must do something, as I have seen you six times in this Court, and I don't how many times you have been seen by others. You are each fined 2s 6d, and 9s costs, or 14 days' hard labour.

Botley was allowed a month for payment, and told to keep sober, as the Bench did not wish to see him there every month or so.

Jeacock's wife paid the money for her husband, who had previously been twice summoned. " Reading the local newspapers of this period, the large number of cases of drunkenness and of assaults - often caused through drunkenness - was not just confined to Launton! “The Fox” referred to in this report was probably The Fox & Hounds (now Nayworth Housee on Bicester Road). ] Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 29

Launton Village Players 2026 Panto

It’s panto time, and only a couple of weeks until we bring to life the magical island of Tresoria in our family show!

There’s still time to buy your tickets and come to enjoy our story of Treasure Island - get your tickets at www.ticketsource.co.uk or call 07864 715708.

Remember that we also have 14 additional tickets available for each show which are only available to purchase on the door. These are at the back of the hall and are accessed up a large step. Performances will be in Cooper School Performance Hall, and the times and prices are: Date

Performance Time

Adult (18+) Child

Babes in arms

Weds 18 Feb

7.30pm

£12

£7

Free

Thurs 19 Feb

10.30am* and 2.30pm

£12

£7

Free

Fri 20 Feb

2.30pm and 7.30pm

£14

£8

Free

Sat 21 Feb

2.30pm and 7.30pm

£14

£8

Free

* Relaxed performance Our relaxed performance is suitable for all, particularly anyone who might prefer a more laid back theatre experience. We are also pleased to have British Sign Language interpreter Christine DeBlase joining us on stage again for our relaxed performance. on Thursday morning.

Treasure Island is full of magical characters including a Good Fairy who is also a librarian as well as Polly the Parrot and some naughty sand devils! There are all the usual elements of a family panto; lots of audience participation and fun, as well as not just one but two comedy duos! There are free puzzle sheets and glow sticks for children, so you can join in with the magic, cheer on the heroes, and boo the baddie (who really is enjoying himself far too much!).

Come along and find out: If the treasure is found? If the Good Fairy can stop the wicked Captain Hook? If the villagers of Launhaven get fed up with digging? If Pat and Nat catch enough fish for the Fish Festival?

There’s a bundle of fun, magic, music and colour in our story as well as slapstick and much audience participation.

Here’s what our reviewers said last year: “On an ordinary Bicester evening in February we escaped with you Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 30

heartily to Fairy Tale Land, where you collectively made a positive impact on the lives of many ordinary people, before dropping us gently back in Bicester Town with a smile, brains re-set, ready to engage with renewed vigour and resilience back in the real world”. “This was a true pantomime in the best possible way, including all the necessary elements to make it so”. “A well received and innovative pantomime, with some wonderful choreography and set pieces with a clear focus on putting their audience experience at the heart of the show”.

Get your tickets now so you don’t miss out on Bicester’s biggest and best award-winning panto! All profits from our show will be donated to Dementia Oxfordshire and Dementia Active. These two charities provide support, advice and opportunities to those with a dementia diagnosis and their

families in the local area.

We look forward to seeing you: if you need more information contact us on info@launtonvillageplayers.org.uk, Facebook or our website www.launtonvillageplayers.org.uk.

Thank you for all your support.

The LVP team

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Perfect Choice Funeral Plans

Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 31

50 Years Ago: from The Bicester Advertiser 12 February 1976 GUILD WILL RING FOR BELL MAN Members of the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Bellringers will ring a special peal at St Mary’s Church, Launton, today at the funeral of the master of the guild, Mr Frederick Sharpe, of Derwen, Launton, who died on Saturday, aged 70. A widower, Mr Sharpe leaves a daughter.

A leading campanologist, Mr Sharpe was a former president of the Central Council of Church Bellringers and acted in an advisory capacity on the safety of church towers, bellhanging and repairs. He had one of the biggest private collections of handbells in the country – more than 200 – and was founder and conductor of the Launton Church Handbell Ringers founded during Festival of Britain year. He was the author of numerous books on church bells and his twenty second title, the “Church Bells of Herefordshire” was published just before Christmas. He had another in preparation: “Church Bells in Gloucestershire”. Mr Sharpe was a lay reader and was churchwarden and treasurer at Launton Church for more than 40 years.

Members of the Launton Tower will ring a muffled peal tomorrow for Mr Sharpe, who was captain of the tower. Other towers in the deanery will also ring muffled peals.

In addition to his interest in bells, Mr Sharpe, in his younger days, was a keen sportsman and he was secretary and treasurer of Launton Cricket Club for 29 years until the club ceased to exist in 1961.

[Historical note: Fred Sharpe lived all his life in Launton and was employed as clerk of works to his uncle, the builder Lewis Penn, whose premises are now used

by Jewsons. As president of Central Council of Church Bellringers, he travelled widely overseas. During WW2 he ran the Home Guard in Launton .

Mr Sharpe’s trustees donated several items to Launton Historical Society, including his cricket cap and his Home Guard Log Book covering the latter part of the conflict.]

Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 32

Fossil found in Launton

I found this fossil in the field next to The Island Pond Wood, with my Grandad. When we were out walking our dog, I was looking down on the ground and found an interesting stone and when I picked it up, it looked very bubbly, shiny and dirty. I turned it over and it was a big surprise to find such a beautiful fossil on it.

We looked on Google to find out more about my fossil and took this photograph of it. The information that we found said: the fossil was almost certainly from the Middle Jurassic period, meaning that it was between 160 and 165 million years old, when this area was covered in warm shallow tropical seas. that it would fit well with the Great Oolite Group or Corallion Group the fossil is of a Brachiopod in a grey limestone matrix. A Brachiopod is a marine vertebrate, with a two part shell, similar to a clam.

I am going to keep looking for more fossils, and if I do I’ll show you in Launton Lines. Also on this walk, we saw a murmuration of starlings, which was wonderful.

Lisette, age 8 (Theresa and Tony’s granddaughter) Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 33

Launton Sports and Social is open to all.

Opening Hours

Mondays Thursdays

5pm - 10pm

Fridays

4pm - 11pm

Saturdays

12pm - 11pm

Sundays

1pm - 12.30pm

Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 34

Launton School reporting for February . . .

Today some Year 5 children are speaking to us about poetry and mountains, both of which they are learning about in the classroom.

Poetry

In class we have been reading The Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll. It is a nonsense poem that he wrote in 1872. We think the poem is about a dragon called Jabberwocky. Lots of the words that Carroll used are not real words, which is why it is a nonsense poem. We did look up some of the words in a dictionary, but not all of them were there. The poem has seven stanzas, and the last stanza is the same as the first.

Our teacher asked each of us to rewrite the poem using our own words and interpret the nonsense words using our imaginations. Some of the words we changed were ‘burbled’, changed to words like ‘belched’, ‘burped’, ‘mumbled’ and ‘talked’; ‘snicker-snack’ became ‘swish’; the TumTum Tree became a Chestnut Tree, because we are in Chestnut class; the JubJub bird became a HobHob bird. We all really enjoyed the poem and had fun changing the words to create our own nonsense version.

Mountains We have recently started to research and learn about mountains and mountain ranges across the world. We have looked at mountains in the UK, and we know that the highest mountain is Ben Nevis, which is 1345 metres high and in Scotland, the second highest mountain is Snowdon in Wales, which is about 1085 metres high. In Northern Ireland the tallest mountain is Slieve Donard, which is 850 metres tall.

On a map of the world, we have been able to identify the locations of other mountain ranges. The Himalayas are in Asia; Mount Everest is a Himalayan mountain. We know that the Urals are a natural border between Europe and Asia and that the Atlas Mountains are in North Africa. We have looked at the ranges in the USA, like the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains.

As well as locations we are also learning about different features of mountains.

We have looked at the snowline, the summit, an outcrop - which is a rock formation visible on the surface of the mountain, valleys and slopes, the face, ridges, plateaus – which are areas of flat, high ground, and the treeline, which is the highest point on a mountain where trees are found.

Some of us would like to climb a mountain one day, but others will make do with big hills!

Sienna, Amy, Fleur and Darcey - Year 5 Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 35

Memories of an ex-Launton boy

The ex-Launton Boy writes this month about school meals, exercise, and fast food through the years.

Well, here we are. It’s 2026 and the world has managed thus far not to blow itself apart, although the threat remains and gets worryingly stronger each passing day. So with that, I will wish everyone a very Happy New Year.

Remember, from my generation, when we were kids and young teenagers and we lived under the threat of the ‘Four Minute Warning’? I fear the world is more unstable today than it was back then, and has learned nothing from history. And so I try to recall fonder memories from then, when it was more stable worldwide and the way of life for we young ones was a comparative doddle.

At our infant and junior stages, we used to walk leisurely to and from Launton School and when moving up to senior school in Bicester, either catch the school bus from further outlying villages or cycle on the Oxfordshire County Council freely issued school bicycles for those of us who lived in Launton (which we were able to keep after we had left school). That helped to keep us Launton kids relatively fit, compared to the transported kids.

The roads were free of traffic compared to today’s school run with cars of all shapes, sizes and colours coming at you from every which way, parking in the most ridiculous of places and causing traffic mayhem, thereby starting the day off with high tension for rushing parents and students alike and others trying to get to their places of work on time.

In the Medway Towns here in Kent, because they are transported everywhere and fed on ‘fast-food’ and today’s answer to ‘school dinners’, there are far too many children who are morbidly obese.

I remember the fabulous school dinners (except for Irish stew) that we had at Highfield Secondary Modern School in Bicester. I was so thin and scrawny (there was more fat on a greasy chip than on me) which came from severe whooping cough when I was 2, that the Dinner Ladies, who were lovely, piled my plate up in response to my “As much as you can spare please!” and I used to go back for seconds, when they would say, “Here he comes again!”. I could eat like a horse, at home too, and not seem to put on any weight at all. When I joined the army, three months before my eighteenth birthday, I weighed just under nine stones.

But as much as I enjoyed school dinners, I used to look forward to the morning break and the Tuck Shop in school, run by fourth year pupils with some fabulous goodies. I had three favourites - two still available: Jammy Dodgers and Wagon Wheels (the latter have shrunk over the years). But my absolute favourite, sadly no longer available, was Burton’s Potato Puffs. They were an absolute delight, light and airy but above all, tasty. Today’s Hula Hoops, Wotsits and Potato Crisps (varied flavours) don’t hold a candle to them. I don’t know why or when they disappeared, but it was a very sad day when they did.

Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 36

Of course, there are many other reasons why so many of us weren’t obese back then, not least of all the austerity hangover after WWII along with eating foods that were seasonal, and wholesome, and home-cooked.

In my early teens, we began to get into Bicester on a Saturday night. There, a Hot-Dog stall/van on Sheep Street, between what was the Midland Bank and the public toilets, did tremendous business after the last film at the Regal Cinema and/or the pubs closed.

A couple of years later a Chinese takeaway opened in North Street and of course the old Grimsby Fish Bar run by Jock in North Street had been there seemingly forever. But that was it for fast food for a while. Then, as with elsewhere in the UK came the invasion; the Wimpey Bars; the KFC’s; the Burger Kings and the ubiquitous McDonalds and then the floodgates so that, as High Street shops closed, fast food chains took their place - with Pizza Huts of all sorts, Mexican foods, Kebab shops . . . The list goes on with concoctions filled with heaven knows what ingredients and additives.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a wide food choice bringing cuisine from across the world, as long as it is of good quality, well prepared, well cooked and wellpresented without the preservatives and goodness knows what other obesitycreating ingredients that fast foods seem to rely on.

My youngest daughter, Anouska, asked me one day, when she was a very young teenager herself, “Dad, why is it that all the foods that are supposedly bad for you taste and smell so delicious, and the foods that are supposed to be good for you are so dull and boring?” I hadn’t actually got the answer, but I knew exactly where she was coming from.

Having spoken of ‘fast food’, does anyone remember the days, or more specifically evenings some years ago when David (Razzle) Jeacock and Den Lapper (Denner), both of Sherwood Close, had a Fish ’n’ Chip van from which they fried some lovely grub around the village and beyond? From what I can remember, this might have been within the six years I served in H. M. Forces and my experience was when I was home on leave. What you might call good old English comfort food, which for me made a pleasant change from bratwurst mit pommes fritz und mayonnaise.

During six months over 1968/69, when on a trade training course at 1RSME Chatham as a young L/Cpl in the Royal Engineers, I managed to get home most weekends on a 48-hour pass. On Sunday nights, on my way back to base, alighting from the train at Chatham station I would drop in at the hot-pie stall just down the road for a hot steak ’n’ kidney pie and a mug of hot OXO. Those really were the days, and that was proper ‘fast food’!

Keep healthy and Stay SAFE!

Tony Jeacock, MInstRE | The ex-Launton boy | February 2026 Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 37

Diary Dates: February 2026

Starting a new year means planning new events. Send details of events at the Sports and Social, at pubs, at sports teams, and from village organisations, to launtonlines@launton.org for a FREE listing.

Sun

1 St Mary's Church, BCP Holy Communion , 8.00am. Family Service - Journeys, 11am | Music at The Bull, Jay McKechnie & Friends, starts at 7.00pm | Quiz Night at Sports and Social from 8pm

Mon

2 Watercolour Painting Group, 2pm-4pm, in the Parish Hall | Fellowship Group meets in St Mary's Church, 2.30pm

Tue

3 Rubbish Collection: garbage (green) bin | Community Café, Parish Hall, 9am-11am | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm

Wed 4 Knit and Natter at the Village Coffee Shop, from 10.30am | Rummikub Group at The Village Coffee Shop, 2pm Thu

5 Parish Council. Public Session 7.15pm, Council Meeting 7.30pm, Launton Parish Hall | Quiz Night at The Bull Inn, from 7pm

Fri

6 Disco Bingo at Sports and Social, first game starts at 8pm

Sun

8 St Mary's Church, Evensong, 6pm | Quiz Night at Sports and Social from 8pm

Mon

9 Watercolour Painting Group, 2pm-4pm, in the Parish Hall

Tue 10 Rubbish Collection: recycling (blue) and garden (brown) bin | Community Café, Parish Hall, 9am-11am | FIPW Midweek working party in the woodland, Meet at the pond, 10.00am Wed 11 Knit and Natter at the Village Coffee Shop, from 10.30am | Over 60s Club Lunch Meeting, Sports & Social Hall.

Bar opens at 12.30pm, meeting ends about 3.30pm | Rummikub Group at The Village Coffee Shop, 2pm Thu 12 WI Meeting, Sky Wave Gin speaking about their business - with tastings, this is open to all (£3.00 for nonmembers), Parish Hall, 7.30pm | Quiz Night at The Bull Inn, from 7pm Fri 13 Last day of school for winter half term: back to school on Monday 23 February | Book Club meets at The Village Coffee Shop at 1:30pm | SCOTS meet at The Bull Inn at 6.00pm Sat 14 Valentines Day | Music at The Bull, Josh White, from 7.30 Sun 15 St Mary's Church, Holy Communion, 11am | Marsh Gibbon Farmer's Market at the Village Hall, 10am-1.00pm | Trinity Camerata Concert, St Edburgh's Church Bicester, 4pm | Quiz Night at Sports and Social from 8pm Mon 16 Watercolour Painting Group, 2pm-4pm, in the Parish Hall | Lent Course begins at St Mary's, 2.30pm Tue 17 Pancake Day/Shrove Tuesday | Rubbish Collection: garbage (green) bin | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wed 18 St Mary's Church, Ash Wednesday Service, 11.00am | Knit and Natter at the Village Coffee Shop, from 10.30am | Rummikub Group meet at The Village Coffee Shop, 2pm | Launton Village Players Pantomime, Treasure Island, Cooper School Performance Hall, 7.30pm Thu 19 Launton Village Players Pantomime, Treasure Island, Cooper School Performance Hall, 10.30am (relaxed performance), and 2.30pm Fri 20 Launton Village Players Pantomime, Treasure Island, Cooper School Performance Hall, 2.30pm and 7.30pm Sat 21 Vale Brewery Open Day with food van, from 12 noon, Lugershall Road, Brill | Launton Village Players Pantomime, Treasure Island, Cooper School Performance Hall, 2.30pm and 7.30pm Sun 22 St Mary's Church, Morning Prayer, 11am | Quiz Night at Sports and Social from 8pm Mon 23 Back to school for Spring Half Term | Watercolour Painting Group, 2pm-4pm, in the Parish Hall Tue 24 Rubbish Collection: recycling (blue) and garden (brown) bin | Tythe Barn Quiz tickets go on sale at Costcutter Wed 25 Knit and Natter at the Village Coffee Shop, from 10.30am | Over 60s Club Meeting, Sports & Social Hall. Doors open 1.30pm, meeting ends about 3.30pm | Rummikub Group at The Village Coffee Shop, 2pm Thu 26 Historical Society, Deborah Hayter speaking on Common Right - Private Property - How Enclosure Shaped the Oxfordshire Landscape, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Fri 27 Book Club meets at The Village Coffee Shop at 1:30pm | EastWest Rail Consultation on London Road Level Crossing, Kingsmere Community Centre, 2pm-7pm | Music at The Bull, Malish, from 7.30 Sat 28 EastWest Rail Consultation on London Road Level Crossing, The Methodist Hall Sheep Street, 12 pm - 5pm

Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 38

Launton Lines February 2026 Issue 302 | Page 39

Launton Lines is the newsletter for Launton

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

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

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