Theopening of the Bus Shelter Library (see page 22-23)
LauntonSportsMen’steam have been on their way to success this season (see pages 34-35)
The cover shows the opening of the Launton Bus Shelter Library on 25 April - Austin (8) and Sienna (10) Smith cut the ribbon to launch the community project. See pages 22-23 for a report and more photos. Cover designed by Matt Hill. Photo from RobertCornford
Photos from (clockwise from top left): MickJennion; RobertCornford; Launton FC; Peter Cox; IanJones.
The Editor writes
Our front cover this month features the opening of the Launton Bus Shelter Village Library with village children Austin (8) and Sienna (10) Smith cutting the ribbon. There is a report on this imaginative project on pages 22-23 with more photos. We hope to feature regular updates from the team: what types of books have been most popular? What have been major book donations ? And don't forget that there are two notice boards in the Library to help us keep up to date on village events.
There are two “Good News” stories from the village football clubs. Pages 34-35 tell of the successes of the Launton Sports Men’steam, who won the Oxfordshire Charity Cup on 25 April, and will be playing for The President’s Cup on 9 May after a successful season in the Premiership. And pages 36-37 give an account from Launton Ladies FC of their season; they ended up top of their Division, winning 14 of their 16 matches. Next season they will be promoted to Division 2. We also have a report of other women's sporting success: on page 31 her family writes about Penny Stephens’ running in the Paris Marathon.
Three pieces mark the 75th anniversary of the Launton Handbell Ringers: the June concert in StMary’sChurch is on pages 6-7 and 32 and the exLaunton Boy remembers their founder, FrederickSharpe, on pages 38-41. There are local elections on 7 May (page 33) and a report from MP Calum Miller on page 8 with what must be good news about the level crossing in Bicester. FoLPH reports on page 25, and there is more about the big Orange Day event at The Bull on 10 May on pages 17 and 43, and some questions about the old Launton Playgroup on page 28. Please support our advertisers, and mention Launton Lines when you use them.
Chair: Vacant | Secretary: KateGreig | Editors: RobertCornford, Matt Hill Treasurer: Vacant | Distribution: ShirleyJohnson | Advertising: Vacant
Contact the Parish Council
Wenowhavealocumclerk,Gill Peacock.You can contact the Councilbyemailatclerk@launtonpc.gov.uk or on the Council’smobile at 07305303889.
To book the Parish Hall
Contact:JoanPacker Phone:07922042 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’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 May 2026 for entry in the June 2026 edition.
5 May | Sponsored by Bob Roberts to celebrate the birthday of his late father CyrilRoberts
LAUNTON PARISH COUNCIL
Notes from the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 2 April 2026 at 7.30pm in Launton Parish Hall.
No reports from either CDCor OCCCouncillors had been received. Governance and Consultations
At time of writing, the recruitment process for a permanent Clerk is still underway, with a closing date for applications of Friday 24 April.
There are still vacancies for two Councillors, details of which may also be found on the Parish Council website.
Finance
The Finance Report is available on the Parish Council website.
Following the news of the successful grant applications, and with year-end figures available rather than estimates, the draft budget and reserves agreed
in January were amended to increase the amount the Council expects to spend on the Parish Hall over the following year: the new budget figure is £73,086, increased from the January draft figure of £64,086. Please note that the revised budget does not in any way affect the levels of the Precept and Council Tax, which remain as agreed in January.
Planning
All planning applications, which include the links to Cherwell’sPlanning Portal, are put on the Parish Council website when they are received (www.launton-pc.gov.uk-inthe 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.
Guidance on how the Parish Council is able to respond is on the Parish Council website at https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/planning-applications/
Parish Hall
The Advisory Working Group is still working hard arranging the additional paperwork required by FCCfor the grant they have offered.
The additional work to the exterior lighting to the side of the Hall, to provide some coverage of the car park and stop the lights being on all day, is still pending a revised quotation. The replacement kitchen door is being made; once that is complete, replacing the floor covering in the kitchen can take place.
We still need additional volunteers to join the Parish Hall Management Committee to help with the management of the Hall! If you think you could help out, please contact SimonTurner (simon.turner@launtonpc.gov.uk) for more information.
Village matters
OCChave finally responded to the Council about realigning the vandalised speed indicator device on Station Road; at time of writing, it is expected that OCCwill shortly realign the sign themselves (having initially refused to do so).
Note that Bicester Road will be closed to all traffic around the entrance to Manor Farm from 8 June until 11 June (anticipated completion date), 24
hours per day, to facilitate a new water supply connection. A signed diversion will be in place.
Agenda items and dates of the next meetings
The next meeting will be on Thursday 7 May 2026 in the Grange Farm Conference Room (note the unusual venue: the Parish Hall is being used as a polling station that day), starting at 7.30pm. If you’dlike to chat with a Councillor, do come along after 7.15pm.
Suggestions for agenda items for the 4 June meeting need to be with the Clerk by 21 May and items for the 2 July meeting by 18 June.
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/
AMessagefromtheLauntonHandbellRingers
Where were you? For anyone who loves memory games, this is for you. The year in question is 1951, the month is June, and the day is the 23rd. Can you remember where you were? There may be a great chorus of, “I wasn’teven born” at this moment but it was a noteworthy year in the production of the first ‘rock and roll’ record and the SouthbankCentre being established.
It was also on that date 75 years ago that the Launton Handbell Ringers officially came into being. Founded by the late FrederickSharpe, their first public appearance was at the Graven Hill Garrison Theatre in Bicester in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations.
FrederickSharpe was born in Launton and lived all his life there. Over the years he became one of the stalwarts of the Parish Church, became captain of the village Cricket team, and ran the local building company, Lewis Penn& Co, from Station Road until his retirement. He started collecting handbells as a hobby from quite a young age and that transferred to becoming an expert in all things campanological.He had written many books in the “Church Bells of…” series which were seen as the bible for each church tower mentioned.
His early handbell ringers were members of his family, friends, and fellow members of the Parish Church community. Those ringers just got together
a few times throughout the year to play music – mostly hymns and carol tunes. But it gave them recognition so that in 1951 they were asked to perform at the Garrison Theatre. This first performance outside Launton opened other opportunities to get exposure out in the wider community. Fred led the Team until his death in 1976, during which time the team had played in several Cathedrals, appeared on TV and Radio, and enjoyed visits to numerous village halls in the community for local organisations. Fred left all his bells, manuscripts, books and memorabilia in Trust so that other Tower Bellringerscould benefit from his expertise and he also stipulated that the handbells should be left for use by the Launton Handbell Ringers.
The bells that the present Team use come from what Fred called his ‘working collection’: they represent the work of many different English bell founders, spanning 315 years in age!
Team members still ringing the bells in this unique set have collectively clocked up 328 years of four-in-hand-bellringingexperience.
The Launton Handbell Ringers are very active (29 recitals in 2025), playing to varied audiences throughout the year and meeting with other handbell teams in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire. LHRhave committed themselves to performing to 27 recitals (so far) in 2026 and have also signed up for 3 in 2027.
To celebrate our 75th anniversary we will be holding a special afternoon concert in Launton Parish Church on Saturday 13 June, starting at 4.00pm. Entrance is FREE but donations for StMary'sChurch Fabric and Facilities Project (raising funds to provide facilities and ensure accessibility) would be welcomed.
For more information on the Team, Fred Sharpe and the bells, look at our website: https://launtonhandbellringers.org.uk We can also be found on Facebookand YouTube.Also see more information on page 31, and the Memories of an ex-Launton Boy on pages 38-41 of this issue.
We are always on the lookout for new members to continue Fred’sVision and to ring these very special bells. We want to keep them ringing and keeping the name of Launton high in the handbell world spotlight. If anyone fancies a trial run on the bells, please contact the team via the website, or come along and speak to us at the Anniversary event on 13 June in the Parish Church.
CalumMiller M.P.reporting from Westminster, and Bicester, and Kidlington. . .
The war in the Middle East has created fear and uncertainty for us all. We have seen sharp rises in the cost of petrol, diesel and heating oil, and many residents have told me how concerned they are about meeting their bills.
In Parliament, I have called on the Government to keep the UK out of the conflict and support a swift, peaceful resolution, while pressing for greater support for households and businesses facing rising energy costs, particularly in rural areas.
Closer to home, there has been a breakthrough at London Road. East West Rail’spreference for an underpass reflects determined local campaigning. This shows the strength of persistent local voices and offers a lesson for communities facing similar challenges.
The illegal waste dump is finally being removed following delays. Residents were right to raise concerns about risks to the environment. This case highlights the impact of organised waste crime and the need for stronger enforcement.
Potholes have caused frustration this winter, but repair efforts have increased since March, alongside higher maintenance funding.
I continue working to ensure new housing is matched with proper infrastructure, and to support residents with casework.
Since being elected, my small but hardworkingteam and I have handled over 13,000 cases, helping residents navigate complex systems and access support. It is my privilege to serve our community. I am always happier when I step off the train from London to be back home. The biggest pleasure is to meet the people in each of our communities who are making a difference to the lives of others. Many of them are volunteers who are passionate about helping people.
Do you know someone who deserves celebrating? Please share your words of praise for local heroes - not all wear capes! I’dlove to hear about the special individuals who make up our constituency, so drop me a line and help me celebrate them too! calum.miller.mp@parliament.uk
CalumMiller
LauntonWatercolourArtGroup
The Watercolour Art Group normally meets on Mondays in the Parish Hall between 2pm and 4pm.
In May there are two public holidays when we do not meet, so we will meet on the middle two Mondays, 11 and 18 May in the Parish Hall. We have some new joiners this season, and more people will always be welcome.
Here is a work in progress from a member of the groupquite appropriate from a place so far from the sea as Launton. If you are interested in attending the watercolour art group, please email Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com
Two members of the Launton Watercolour Art Group (see page 9) will join with seven others exhibiting work in May as Bicester Artists@Cinch.
The venue will be Cinch Self Storage, at 1 ArkwrightRd, Bicester OX264SU, one of the many venues taking part. It will be open between 10amand 4pm for 6 days - on 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, and 17 May.
The Launton-based artists taking part are Jennie Fairweatherand Paul Ebberson.. Here are examples of their work.
3 May 8.00amBCPHoly Communion 11.00amFamily Service
10 May 6.00pmEvensong - including a farewell to Don 17 May 11.00amHoly Communion
24 May 11.00amHoly Communion for Pentecost
31 May 11.00amFamily Holy Communion
Please refer to the StMary’sChurch Launton Facebookpage for any necessary amendments and additional information, or contact: The Team Vicar
the Churchwardens
j.packer779@btinternet.com 01869 241694
FELLOWSHIPGROUP
Due to the Bank Holidays in May, it has not yet been possible to determine our meeting dates. Please refer to our Fbpage for up to date information or contact Celiaon celiamanderson@aol.com or phone 07710 224574
NB Members of the Group will receive emailsin the usual way
COMMUNITY CAFE
The Community Cafécontinues to meet in the Parish Hall during term time. We are actively looking for pre-schoolers, plus carers, to join our group which is drawn from the general Community who come along to enjoy a congenial cuppaamongst friends. So if you are in either category, please do contact us as below or just come along on a Tuesday, currently between 9.30 - 11.30am You will be most welcome!!!!
DEATH OF MRA JHAWES
It is with profound regret that we have this week to record the death of MrArthurJamesHawes, second son of MrThomasHawes, of Launton, which occurred shortly after mid-day yesterday (Thursday).
The deceased was one of the best known businessmen in the district, and his vocation as a hay and straw dealer in addition to his occupation as an agriculturalist, brought him into contact with a very wide circle of business people, by whom he was highly respected. Mr Haweswas taken ill rather less than a month ago, and developed pneumonia, and despite every attention that human aid could render, and his desperate fight against this malady, he passed away as above stated.
The deceased will be sadly missed in the district. He was one of the
Guttering(cleanandclear)
Cladding
Internalglasspartitions
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most straight-forward and open-hearted men that it was possible to come into contact with. One of his highest aims in life was to render what assistance lay in his power to his fellow beings. He held various public offices, the duties of which he carried out with the utmost frankness. As a young man he belonged to the Queen’sOwn Oxfordshire Hussars, and at the time of his death he represented the parish of Launton on the Bicester Board of Guardians and the Bicester Rural District Council. He also held the office of church warden for the parish of Launton, in addition to other parochial appointments. He was almost foremost in giving his assistance to any worthy object, especially those in connection with his native parish. The deceased, who was only 47 years of age, leaves a widow and family of six, including an invalid son, for whom the greatest sympathy is felt. The funeral takes place at Launton on Saturday at 3 o’clock.
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
IntroductiontoMantrialingandIntroductiontoTracking are also offered at a day and time to suit the trainer, yourself, and your dog.
A progress report on Our Proposed New Nature Reserve
In these worrying times of an uncertain future, optimism seems very far away. Not, however, if you focus on Launton. We can report encouraging news from Our Launton ELF. Thanks to the success of our first DownpaymentCampaign and the overwhelming enthusiasm it invoked we are focusing on expanding Island Pond Wood. There are 3 possible options for doing this and we have discussed these with the land owner. The talks were cordial and productive. We seem to be ‘On the same page’.
Our biggest concern at the moment is raising the necessary funds to purchase the land for The People of Launton. We at LESare currently in the process of making that possible by setting up a Charitable Trust, Launton Environmental Legacy Trust. This is necessary for legal reasons and also opens the door for Matching Fund Grants. Until they kick in, raising all the money needed falls entirely on us Launton folks. We have formalized Our ELF. We have now ratified our Constitution and have applied for a substantial ‘downpayment' grant from The Parish Council. We are quite confident of their whole-heartedsupport as this project fits well within the remit of their Biodiversity Policy.
Our main focus to this DownpaymentCampaign is Sponsorship. Not from Individuals, although we are still hoping for ‘purchasers’ of the remaining 125 ELF Plots, but from Clubs, Families and Businesses. Our ‘Roll of Sponsors’ will not be in Alphabet Order, or by order of how much they contributed, but how early they started contributing to this project. Any amount you decide to contribute will be greatly appreciated, but it is hoped that Families, Clubs and Small Businesses will ultimately contribute £50 to £100, but even a small downpaymentwill get you a place on this growing list.
Please help us make this project a reality, and soon!
Donations can be made via Card Net, Just Giving, BACS(Launton Environmental Legacy Fund, Sort Code 30-54-66 Account Number 62684760), Cheque or Cash via any member of Our ELF Team, or at The Bull Inn or at The Village Coffee Shop.
With Thanks for your Continued Support, EdHamill Founder and Chair of LES
Submitted by EdHamill: April 2026
Orange Day Charity Event on Sunday 10 May from 2pm at
THE BULL INN LAUNTON
Why have we named it Orange Day? Because orange is the corporate colour for Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Why are you earlier? The Aunt Sally competition now starts at 2pm with registration open at 1.30pm.There will be two competitions: one each for league and non-league players. Cash and a Trophy for winners!
What Live Music? We will have live music from Frets and Strings, Malish, and my son Jay McKechnie.
Who is the Special Guest? There’sa special guest appearance by the iconic Actor David Bradley– not to be missed. This will be his second time he has attended one of our Charity Days.
What's in the Auction? There will be various items up for Auction - including an epic 1 weeks rental of a VWCalifornia campervanworth £1,000!
Raffle and Tombola Prizes? The raffle will be drawn around 6pmwith loads of prizes including hairdressing & beauty vouchers, free days out vouchers, meal vouchers, gym vouchers, heating oil and many more! Tombola open all day with lots to be won!
What food will be there? BBQstarts at 2.30pmwith the meat being supplied by Peter GossButchers, and The Bull Inn team kindly catering this feast for you! There will also be a cake sale from Launton WI. . . and more!
Why MD UK ? This charity is very close to our hearts, as we have two sons, who both have Muscular Dystrophy.
What is MDUK? Muscular Dystrophy UK is the leading UK charity fighting muscle-wasting conditions. They are dedicated to beating Muscular Dystrophy and related neuromuscularconditions by finding treatments to improve the lives of everyone affected by them. One day we hope that they will find a cure for this debilitating disease. More infoat www.musculardystrophyuk.org.
Cash or Card? Please bring cash to splash! We do have one card machine but we have to pay a commission onmall donationms- so Cash is Better and will be easier for our support team!
Your 1st Orange Day Event? This will be our 4th Orange Day in aid of Muscular Dystrophy UK and we want this one to be the best one yet!
Last Words? It’llbe a fantastic day, and you can help raise vital funds and awareness for MD UK. Just come along and splash your cash! And if you want to, wear something Orange!
Many thanks and gratitude, Angie& Chris
Launton Historical Society reporting . . .
In March Frank Collingwoodspoke to us about the Oxford Bus Museum in Long Hanborough.He’sa volunteer there.
Frank set the scene for some of the Museum’sexhibits. In the 1890s there were no cars in Oxford, WilliamMorris was only three years old. Most people walked to work, but you might see penny farthing bicycles. In 1881, a horse drawn tram was introduced and there’sone in the Museum which took five years to restore. It has lovely woodwork. At the end of the journey the horse changes ends and the seats are flipped back to face the other way. The trams went from the station to CowleyRoad and then to the stables. A double-decker horse drawn tram was also introduced – every other city went electric but you couldn’thave power lines down the High Street in Oxford. Then buses came along. WilliamMorris, now grown up, went to London and bought a selection of buses which he put into service, selling tickets through newsagents. He wasn’tallowed to sell them on the buses themselves. And people liked that form of transport. So that was the end of an era for the horse drawn trams, and many were repurposedinto garden or allotment sheds.
The Museum has many old buses from across the years. At the moment, volunteers are restoring one from 1916. A charabancis also on show – bench seats and a door for each bench. Previously owned by Lord Lonsdale, it was used to take shooting parties round his estate. Original destination boards are also displayed
The years of the First World War saw women becoming clippies on the buses (issuing and clipping tickets.) Meanwhile, WilliamMorris had a factory making cars, not long started up, and in wartime he turned to making mine sinkers on the assembly line. After the war, he moved on to acquiring big factories for mass production, and the Museum has lots of his vehicles. As well as being the Bus Museum, it’s theMorrisMotorsMuseum.Amongmanyexhibitsarea1925Bullnose Morris,a1932MorrisMinor,anda1966MorrisMinorpandacar.
25-30 volunteers work on the old buses, restoring them, on occasions
discovering the brakes don’twork. We heard about the different designs on display – the Harwellworks bus, half cabs, bars across the back fin response to cyclists using the bus as a brake, open platforms, ‘Nipper’ buses (built on a van chassis).
Not only does it have buses and cars, the Museum also has a historic cycle collection with 50 exhibits. Bicycles were invented in 1817 when a rudimentary model appeared. The Boneshakerappeared in the 1860s, with the pedal on the front wheel. Going downhill trapped the foot so the improved model had a brake. The Museum has the first metal bike, the Haynesand Jefferistension bike. It’sgood going forward, collapses going backward.
The Museum offers many activities, there are Heritage bus rides on Wednesdays and Sundays in Summer, these are free. Each month of the year sees special events, bus rides, Father Christmas, Halloween spooky trails, model railway displays. On 12 September 2026 buses drive round Oxford picking up passengers.
The Museum opens from 10amto 4pmon Wednesdays and Sundays, all run by volunteers, no employees. There’sa caféand a shop, and a Playbusin the play area. Photos of old Oxford are on display and one of Bicester bus garage as well. The museum is based in Long Hanboroughbecause two women approached the Museum and asked if they were interested in buying a site for £250,000. They later accepted £30,000 and that includes the freehold. Not a bad deal. By the time you read this we will have heard StephenWasstalk about the Secret Gardens of Oxfordshire and the Birth of Modern Science and we will be anticipating AndrewLong talking about the Naming of Oxfordshire Pubs on 28 May.
As ever, all are welcome to our meetings.
GwenSkinner
Launton VillagePlayers reporting
Treasure Island
We are thrilled to have raised a wonderful £11,000 from Treasure Island which will be divided equally between Dementia Active and Dementia Oxfordshire. We also collected £406 in the buckets on the doors which will also be equally divided. If you came to see the show or helped in any way by advertising or contributing to the many backstage or Front of House tasks or being in the cast then you have all helped us reach this magnificent figure. Thank you.
The Oxfordshire Drama Network wrote of Treasure Island: “This was a production that truly celebrated what community theatre can achieve at its very best. It was joyful, ambitious, and brilliantly executed-but above all, it placed the audience front and centre, creating an experience that was as interactive as it was entertaining.
“Launton Village Players have once again demonstrated how powerful it is to truly play with an audience, drawing them into the heart of the story and making them feel part of something special. The result is not only a spectacular show, but one that leaves a lasting impression-and continues to support their fantastic work within the local community.
“A huge congratulations to everyone involved - this was theatre at its most inclusive, imaginative, and uplifting.”
Disney’s Frozen-theWestEndMusical
Our next production will be Disney’s Frozen on Friday 10 July, Saturday 11 July and Sunday 12 July 2025. This will take place in the Big Shed Theatre at Hare LeysFarm. Tickets are already selling fast so for more information go to www.ticketsource.co.uk/lvp.Keep an eye on future Launton Lines and our Facebookpage for more information.
2027 Pantomime
LVP will be performing their 40th pantomime next February so look out for the announcement of our 2027 panto in the coming months!
The LVP Team
Launton Village Library opens in Station Road Bus Shelter
At 10amon Saturday 25 April a crowd on villagers gathered at the bus shelter on Station Road for the official opening of the Launton Village Library.
The ribbon was cut by two village children, Sienna (10) and Austin (8) Smith. Once opened, people came into the former bus shelter to make their choices. One of the organising group, Kate Greig, said, “We have a wonderful range of books all given by people in Launton – fiction, non-fiction, DIY and gardening, and lots of children’sbooks. We had a wonderful turn out for the opening and hope the library will be a regular stop off for people.”
The project began in early 2025: KateGreigsuggested the idea to MaryCarter, and within weeks HelenPattinsonhad joined the team and they
approached the Parish Council for support. EleanorShakepeare joined the team just as the Council said, “Yes!”.
KateGreigexplained how it started. “We tidied up the building, re-siting the litter bin outside the library. We painted the internal walls, and a temporary, but very colourful, sign was added to the outside. Bespoke shelving has been built and installed and noticeboardsprovided. The bench inside the library will stay so visitors can rest as they make their choices. On the outside wall there are hooks where dogs can be tied while owners use the library. This is not a lending library, so people are free to take books, but won’t need to return them - but of course we depend on people continuing to donate books, which can be left at Carmoreon Station Road in Launton (next to Jewsons).”
“It has been a real community project: Cliff Carter, AdrianPattinson and MickJennionworked on the inside of the library; Darrenand the team at Jewsonsdonated some of the wood for shelving; The Book House in Thamegave a raffle prize for our fundraising coffee morning; and of course huge thanks to everyone in the village and further afield who has donated books.”
The Launton Bus Shelter Village Library is open every day for browsing and borrowing.
FoLPH Reporting
The next FoLPH Event is the Spring Fair at the Parish Hall on Saturday 9 May between 10amand noon. We plan to offer the regular choice : of plants and seedlings; produce; cakes and other baked goods and biscuits; chutneys, jams and marmalades. We’llalso run a Grow a Sunflower competition-pick up a pot and compost, then choose and plant your seeds and see how tall you can grow the plant over the summer. In the Hall there will be refreshments and more cakes, and a tombola and a raffle. You can also catch up on the next stage of work on the Hallheating, insulation, new toilets, PVcells and battery storage, and opening up the space in the Hall by removing the dividing wall and the suspended ceiling. The next FoLPH Open Meeting will be combined with the AGM, on Thursday 18 Juneat 7.30pm. We will be looking for a Treasurer and a Secretary at this meeting. Could you offer your time to bring the Hall up to modern standards?
And we are planning more fundraisingevents for the future – including a Race Night to be held in The Bull, and an event to mark the re-opening of the Hall after the next phase of work.
Launton WIReporting . . . on our April 2026 meeting
The invited speaker at the April WImeeting was Jim McLeodwho spoke about the history of being a Toastmaster, which had its origins in the city of Bath, RichardNash being the first Toastmaster in 1649.
Jimgave a fascinating account of the role and duties of a Toastmaster at various ceremonial occasions, weddings, etc., with many amusing anecdotes. He explained the tools of his trade - the gavels, toasting glass (small and thick-walled so the Toastmaster didn't become too inebriated!) and the sabre - his demonstration of sabrageinvolved shearing off the neck of the bottle of prosecco, was very impressive. He then proposed a toast to Launton WI, which celebrated its 85th birthday this month (see at the end of this report).
Records and minute books have been kept since the creation of Launton WIin 1941. I had a quick glance at the first ones, recording the setting up of the first committee, organising the meetings and appointing the officers. Interestingly, all of the women are addressed as Mrs or Miss, first names were not used in the early records.
To quote: “A meeting was held in the Village Hall on Thursday, January 30 at 3:30 to consider whether a Women’sInstitute should be formed in this village, Mrs Morganwas voted in the chair and introduced Miss Denakeof the County Federation who addressed the meeting.
“A resolution was proposed by Mrs Sharpe and seconded by Mrs Wallbankthat a WIshould be formed in this village [and] was adopted unanimously.”
At the second meeting of the WIon February 11 in the Hall, a committee was elected. There were 20 nominations and 11 were chosen. Whilst the ballot for the election of committee was in progress, “Mrs Womersleyread the rules of the WI.It was proposed by Mrs R Dealy and seconded by Miss Mills to call the Institute Launton WI.
“Mrs Haws proposed that girls should be allowed to join the WIat the age of 16 years [and] this was seconded by Mrs Jeacockand adopted.”
Subscriptions “should be paid at the beginning of the year, January 2/each member.”
At this same meeting, it was decided that “the WIcan help in the matter of fruit preservation, growth of vegetables, tomatoes etc. and explain the organisation of collecting and marketing such produce”.
It looks like the first talk given to the WImembers was on 11 March 1941, given by Mrs Cokerabout South Africa. At the same meeting the first WIcakes were made and enjoyed by the members. As we know, the Launton WIare still making cakes for most social events in the village, so this tradition is being kept alive.
Today, Launton WIhost a an invited speaker or activity, including crafts, visits, lunches and walks, most months. I couldn’tbegin to count the number of speakers who have addressed Launton WIover the past 85 years. Membership has maintained a healthy number over the years, with the current membership at around 33. This reflects the community spirit that exists in Launton.
Our current president is EleanorShakespeare who is supported by nine committee members. The current annual membership is £51 which amounts to less than £1 a week. Well worth it!
Guests are welcome, there’sno charge for a first meeting, so if one of the speakers is of interest to you, please come and join us. Our next meeting is on Thursday 14 May, where the speaker will be PaulaPym on Teaching Line Dancing. We meet at 7:30pmin Launton Parish Hall.
LesleyThompson
Here is the Toast proposed by JimMcLeodfor the Launton WI Madame President and members . . . Gracious ladies . . .
Here is a toast to the 85th birthday of the Launton WI!
May your friendships continue to bloom, your knowledge grow, and your hands remain busy with service and learning.
To a past filled with wisdom, a present brimming with camaraderie, and a future of endless possibilities.
Gracious ladies, will you please raise your glasses to the Launton Women’sInstitute!
As the co-founders of Launton Playgroup, which was started in January 1973 with 12 village children having fun in the Parish Hall on a few days per week. We grew and grew until we were running 5 days a week in the Parish Hall and the full quota of children aging from rising 3 to them starting school in the term they were 5. After quite a few years we had raised enough money to have our own building, and got permission to have it on the school field, which was owned by the County Education Department, at a peppercorn annual rent. No longer did we have to get to the Parish Hall an hour before the children to set up tables and toys and stay long after they went home to put everything away. It was hard work for the Playgroup Supervisors, but enjoyable seeing the children progress. And the best part was that we were then able to become a Charity, as we owned our own building.
The Mumsof this village, and others too, raised enough money to buy a new purpose-built terrapin building to replace the second-hand one we originally bought. We had also grown from 2 mornings a week to 5 days and afternoons. How many children went through Launton Playgroup we cannot count. But our very resourceful Committee and Parents continued to raise money for when the building needed another replacement. Fortunately, things really went well and when the school had some building work done the Playgroup was able to move into part of the new building. Now the children were able to be really familiar with the school they would be attending.
Now comes our request – mainly because we have been approached by many concerned parents/villagers. The Playgroup Committee set up a “Building Bank Account” and when the Playgroup officially closed in 2020 and was incorporated fully into the school the funds reported to the Charity Commissioners in March 2021 were in excess of £22,000. According to the Constitution of Launton Playgroup, if it closed any funds held should be distributed to registered Launton Charities. Some of us have written to the Charity Commissioners and to the Trustees to find out if this did indeed happen - unfortunately 5 years later we still have not been able to get any further information. When we submitted our Constitution to the Charity Commissioners, there were only two registered charities in Launton, but we believe we now have a few more. Please can the treasurers of these registered charities in the village let us know if they have received any of the remaining funds from Launton Playgroup.
Thank you for your understanding, as it would be gratifying to know that Launton village benefitted, as well from the hard work of parents, supporters and supervisors of Launton Playgroup over the 47 years of its fundraising existence, we will then be able to bring closure to our enquiries.
We had a very productive session in April, with seven village volunteers supported by six Bicester Green Gym volunteers. The work we could do at the moment is limited as we have to avoid activity that could affect nesting birds. But there is still plenty to do!
A fallen tree was removed from the hedgerow
The area around the picnic bench has been tidied up
Severallogpileshavebeen created from last winter’sfallen trees
The grass around the Enigma Stones has been strimmed
Fallen tree stumps were removed from the Side Wood ditch
The May Midweek Working Party will be Tuesday 12 May, meeting at the Picnic Table from 10am.All volunteers are welcome – and there will be cake or biscuits, and refreshments. MickJennion
Penny Stephens’ Marathon
It was earlier this year that Penny announced that she had entered the Paris Marathon, to be held in April. Many of you will be familiar with Penny’s regular runs in the Saturday morning Park Run and may have seen her running through the village.
So, on Friday 10 April Penny left at 7.45amto get the train from Bicester to Marylebone.She remarked that it is not easy to get from Maryleboneto StPancrasbut she caught the Eurostaron time and arrived in Paris, where she had booked a hotel. She said that the food was excellent and she soon made friends, including one from California. On the Saturday she was troubled with a bout of migraine which she experiences sometimes. However, she had medication with her and that worked well, so by Sunday she was fit to start. Penny was one of the later starters but all went well and the weather was good. Through the miracles of modern technology we were able to see her on our mobile phones running. She finished the course in the very creditable time of 5 hours and 42 minutes.
She has worked incredibly hard for this and we are so proud of her. Well done Penny!
John and Phyllie
Coffee, Cake, and Chat
StMary’sChurch held two coffee mornings on Saturday 11 April and Saturday 18 April. There was plenty of cakes, a display of photographs with information about the broken porch window, craft activities plus greetings cards and marmalade for sale, plus plenty of friendly chatter. Everyone who came was interested in the repair and supported the effort to move forward on this very generously, and the final amount raised was a wonderful £583.79!
Thank you to everyone who contributed, and we will aim to keep you informed of progress through our Facebookpage and Launton Lines. The order of the repair is complicated and first we need a Conservator’sreport, then official permission via the faculty system to do the repair, and then a grant to help cover all the cost. But we have started and thank you for your generosity and for being part of our wonderful community.
Launton Sports FC(Mens) are on the charge for silverware
It has been a massive shift and up turn in performances at Launton Sports FCand the 2025/26 season could be one of the best in the club’shistory. However, the club still has work to do at the end of the season to achieve this feat. With one cup final already booked, now another looms with a semi-final in The President’sCup against Thame United on 18 April 2026.
STOP PRESS UPDATE: Launton Sports won this match 2-0 so will be playing in the President’sCup Final on 9 May against HardwickFC, playing at the KidlingtonFCground.
Launton Sports boss AshleyPayne said that everyone at the club can be proud after a successful Oxford Senior Premier League season. “It was important to stay unbeaten towards the back end of the season and our points return through the season has been an exceptional improvement on previous campaigns. But the job still isn’tcomplete, and we want to win some silverware. This will start with the Cup Final on 25 April against Yarnton.This game will be as tough as they come but we willgiveitourallasweattempttowinthisprestigioustrophy. Theprogressthisseasonisareallygoodsignofwhereweareasaclub andafantasticachievement-everyonecanbeveryproudofwhatwe havedone.”
Come and support your local football team - they need your voice to get them over the line. Here are dates for your diary . . .
Oxfordshire Charity Cup Final 25 April 2026, Launton Sports vs Yarntonplaying at ThameUnited ground: Launton won 2-1
Other remaining fixtures:
PREM 21 April 18:30KO KenningtonAthletic vs Launton Sports
PREM 28 April 18:30KO HalseUtdFirst vs Launton Sports
PREM 2 May 14:00KO Launton Sports vs AbingdonUtd Development
PREM 5 May 18:30KOLaunton Sports vs Brill Utd
PREM 16 May 14:00KO YarntonFirst vs Launton Sports
The President’sCup Final 9 May 2026 Launton Sports vs. HardwickFC, playing at the KidlingtonFCground. We look forward to your support. Up the Sports!
ChrisJohnson
Amazing End of Season win means
we are Division 3 North Winners!!
The ladies’ team have had a fantastic season winning their final league match at home against MiltonKeynes City Ladies 3-0! This means that Launton Ladies have won their division and will be being promoted next season to Division 2!
Thank you to all those who turned out to support us, including our Sponsors - The Order of StJohn’sCare Trust, with residents from LangfordView Care Home enjoying the day immensely!
Division table update:
We now focus our attention on preparing for our League Plate Final, which takes place on 10 May at Slough FC. This season, under the Management of ClaireFinn, sees the ladies’ most successful season for many many years!! We will be doing our normal weekly training but adding an additional fitness and football session on Sunday mornings to ensure we are well prepared for the final, which will be played against Tower Hill.
A big thank you to AdamRobertsand The Penny Group for sponsoring us to attend Finals Day! We couldn’tdo this as a team without additional sponsorship.
We are also seeking additional sponsors for our tournament in Launton on 14 June and also for next season, and if any local business would like to be part of our amazing journey with this awesome group of ladies, please contact Claireon 07540 013 105 for a chat about potential sponsorship
at various
appropriate to you and your business!
There is a photo of the Launton Ladies team that played their final match of the 2025-6 Season on page 36.
150YearsAgofromTheBicesterHeraldMay1876
Friday 5 May
PETTY SESSIONS Drunk and Disorderly at Launton John Bannister, alias “Happy John,” labourer, of Launton, was summoned for being drunk and disorderly, at Launton, on April 24. Bannister (who was stated to have been four times previously convicted at Bicester) did not answer to his name when it was called.
PC GeorgeStockfordstated that about three o’clock in the afternoon of Monday, April 24, he was on duty near Launton Church, in consequence of the confirmation, when he saw John Bannister in a drunken state, lying on the footpath. He was making a noise, and witness spoke to him. He started the defendant home twice; but he came back again to the churchyard wall, and leaned on it. He served the summons personally on the defendant. He had cautioned defendant several times about his conduct; but instead of getting better he appeared to become worse. Fined 5s, and costs 10s, or 14 days’ imprisonment.
Friday 19 May
LAUNTON CHURCH The second services on Sundays are to be in the evening at 6-30, during the summer months, instead of the afternoon, commencing Sunday next.
Memories of an ex-Launton boy
I was recently asked to relate my recollections of the late FrederickSharpe who is to be celebrated in the annals of Launton’shistory, which I was more than pleased to do. In so doing, it brought back so many happy memories which I am delighted to share with you.
Let me say that what Fred Sharpe did not know about bells, whether handbells or church bells, was not worth knowing. He wrote several books on the various methods of campanology as well as, for example, the Bells and Towers of Radnorshireas well as other similar titles. He was deemed to be the expert on campanology and I only wish I still had some of the books he gave me on the subject.
When I first started ringing, Fred coached me on the treble, which is the number one bell with the highest note and is the lightest bell in the peal. The diminutive JimMarriotthad to stand on a special box to be able to reach to ring the number three bell. Sometimes, if we were a ringer short,
miraculously, Fred Sharpe was able to ring four and five using one hand for each as opposed to the usual two hands to one rope, as well as conducting so that if someone lost their place through lapse of concentration, he was able to bring them back into position verbally as well as mastering his two bells at the same time. The man was an absolute genius! Fred Sharpe quite literally took me under his wing, teaching me to ring tower bells and then taking me also into the handbell team as well as becoming a chorister at StMary’s.
As the proprietor of Launton’sbuilding firm, LewisPenn& Co, where Jewsonsis now located, Fred gave me my first Saturday morning job, wirebrushing metal drain covers and painting them with red-lead (no longer permitted due to the lead content), graduating to the office where he taught me how to safely fill out cheques (not signing them of course). When I left school, he took me on as an indentured apprenticed carpenter and joiner, where I stayed for nearly two years, before moving omtoa more progressive a lucrative builder.
Fred was married to a Welsh lady whom he referred to as ‘Janie’. They had one daughter, Elizabeth, who was the church organist and also a member of the handbell team. In addition to everything else Fred was Churchwarden to St. Mary’sand Choirmaster, and an excellent choir it was, to which both me and my brother Cliff belonged.
We had handbell practice on Friday evening, after choir practice at church, in his ‘den’, a rather elaborate shed with nicely lined walls with fibreboard and a carpeted floor and bookshelves aplenty full of books, mostly ecclesiastical, churches and bells. In a semi-closed off section at the back was his lathe and leather work (see photo). Each time he happened upon an old bell from various sources, he would set it onto his lathe and turn it, and with his large box of tuning forks, he would tune the bell(s). It was magical for a young inquisitive boy to witness. But then it would come to the leather handle straps and crown work and punching into the leather the words illustrating the year the bell was founded and the name of the foundry on the crown, as well as the musical note, such as C# on the strap handle. Fred used to trust me with the gold and silver Humbrolmodel-making paint to
fill in the lettering which looked beautiful against the leather tan.
Fred discovered that I was a very keen train spotter and one Saturday morning came strolling over to our house, immediately opposite the builder’syard, and asked my mum if I would like to go for an afternoon of train spotting. He didn’thave to ask twice, as he whisked us off to Didcot for a fine afternoon of train spotting on Didcotstation with far more rail traffic than I was used to, with it being a railway junction.
On the way home, we dropped into the village of Appletonwhere they held tower ringing practice on a Saturday evening. A tower that held, and probably still does, a host of bell ringing peal records for the number of non-repeating changes over very long durations.A number of the team belonged to the famous White family of church bell hangers. Where bells have been hung on timbers for many hundreds of years, it is sometimes necessary to remove the bells, remove the belfry structure and reinstate the bells into iron girder frames. The White family, great friends and associates of Fred Sharpe were probably the most expert in the UK for such tasks. When ringing the bells at Appleton, as we did from time to time, one could feel the tower bouncing as the bells were pealing out loud and clear. We would then retire to the pub next door where I was allowed a shandy and thick slithers of home-cooked ham in thick crusty bread and butter.
Shortly after the Didcotexcursion, not yet having left school, but knowing I wanted to go into carpentry, he asked if I would like to help build a wooden extension to the side of the ‘den’, which I gladly did for some worthwhile experience on the tools. Having constructed the building, I thought no more of it until he invited me to come along an examine the interior, which upon arrival left me gobsmacked, as in my absence he had built the most fantastic model railway layout with all the scenery, station buildings, houses and barns with cattle in the fields and people and best of all, Great Western locomotives and rolling stock. It really was quite something again, and we had so much pleasure operating it all.
Coming back to the handbell ringing along with the tower bell ringing, he gave me a wonderful opportunity to see and experience things I doubt I would otherwise have done. For example, in my very early teens, he paid for me to hire a dinner suit from Moss Brosto attend a banquet at the Oxford Town Hall at the invitation of the Mayor of Oxford and on another occasion, the same routine to attend a banquet at the Banqueting Hall of Christ Church College/Cathedral with the Bishop of Oxford. With massive
great works of art by the grand masters hanging from the high oak-panelled walls and great big long heavy oak dining tables so full of silver cutlery, where I learned start from the outside and work your way in with each of the many courses. The experience was absolutely fabulous and something I have never forgotten.
We made a recording that was broadcast throughout the USA on radio one Christmas and appearing on UK television, on Blue Peter and then on ITV, both over the same Christmas period. My, the size of those studio cameras back then!
Because Caversfieldhad no ringers but had a lovely little peal of five bells, Fred would pick me and old JimMarriottup on a Sunday afternoon to go over a couple of times a month to ring there and then attend the service afterwards,
Fred’swife, Jane, had a spinster sister, Gwen, who was the most delightful lady who lived in Cardigan, Wales. On our annual trips to St. David’s, we would either stay at the CoburgHotel in Tenbyor at ‘Auntie Gwen’s’, as we used to call her.
The very first holiday that my then wife and I went on was to South Wales, and on this particular day, we had been on the Vale of Rheidolrailway.
Driving back from Aberystwyth to Newquay(South Wales, not Cornwall), coming into Cardigan, I looked to my right and saw a gentleman just having posted a letter in a pillar box and I had to look again, for it was none other than Fred Sharpe visiting his sister-in-law, Gwen.I slammed on my brakes, (nothing behind me, luckily), and leapt out of the car and dashed across the road to speak with him.
Having had the customary short-back and sides in the army (well almost), I did for a year and no more, grow my hair long and wavy and sporteda Mexican-style moustache. He looked at me for a moment, somewhat bewildered, and then said, “Tony?” Amazingly he recognised me, far from home and very much changed in many ways. We had quite a chat when he told me he was recovering from a recent heart attack and had lost loads of weight, most noticeably. It was a pleasure to see him again, and in the most unexpected of circumstances. Sadly, that was the last time I ever saw him. I somehow think that Fred would also have liked a son, and for a while, I believe I became a sort of surrogate son without realising it at the time.
TonyJeacock, MInstRE | The ex-Launton boy | May 2026
DiaryDates:May2026
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