Issue 237 July 2020
On Monday 22 June at about 7.15 in the morning there was a message on the Community Group facebook page. “There are some rather large cows in the churchyard�. Fortunately there is a photo record - very fitting for the farming village that Launton still is, just. The cows look so contented, and the grass probably tasted better than in their normal field. Photo from Jen Page
Some of the volunteers from Launton working in the Salute the NHS hanger at Bicester Motion. From left, Lesley Thompson, Lizzie Chisholm, Martin Fowler, and Rod Fine. See the report on pages 16-17 and the front cover of this issue. Photo by Kim Benson Front cover shows an overhead panorama of the hanger in Bicester Motion (formerly Bicester Heritage) used by the Salute the NHS project in creating, packing, and delivering meal and other packs for NHS staff. There have been many volunteers from Launton working there during the Covid-19 emergency. See the report on pages 16-17. Photo by Kim Benson
The Editor writes …
A number of us in the village were keeping an eye on the weather on Saturday 13 June. It would have been the Day of the Fete and we were wondering if it would be another storm-tossed day. It wasn’t (the rain only came on in the evening) and as Wendy Foster (who arranges the flypast with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight) said - it would have been a perfect day for a fly past. Fairly still... sunny ... not too hot. We just have to start making plans for the 2021 Fete on 12 June, and be sure that it will be outstanding. The COVID-19 emergency has certainly brought out the best of us. On page 30 is a report on developments of the Village Help group. There is a chance for everyone to help with a new name for the group, and to think about how to build on the support. Over 200 people offered to help: maybe they’ll find ways to capture that enthusiasm and build up whole-village events like the Fete, the football tournaments, and all the organisations that make Launton such a great place to live. Anyone fancy starting Beavers, Cubs and Brownies? The cover photo, and on the facing page, and the report on pages 16-17, on the Salute the NHS initiative shows the depth of support for voluntary community-based action. If the Coronavirus has done anything good it has shown there is such a thing as Society to which we all belong. But the lockdown (how strange that we use a word normally used of prisons to describe our own lives) has cut down on so much we have been used to doing. I hope that we can quickly rediscover the pleasures of village life perhaps starting with the opening of the pubs (see page 18). This is a shorter issue than normal, as there are fewer events to cover. As well as the Fete, in June we should have seen both Boys’ and Ladies’ and Girls’ football tournaments. See page 23 for news of the Launton Lines AGM. Robert Cornford
Launton Lines
A monthly newsletter for Launton. Published around the first of each month by the Launton Community Communications Group © 2020 Launton Lines email: launtonlines@launton.org The Launton Lines Committee 2019-2020 Jon Spinage, Chair Jenni Walker, Advertising Manager Robert Cornford, Editor | 241883 Michael Stack, Treasurer | 242600 Kathy Gilbert, Associate Editor Shirley Johnson, Distribution | 369269
Contact the Parish Council Council Clerk | Mrs Jane Olds Address | 13 Oak Close, Bicester, OX26 3XD email | clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk Phone | 01869 247171
To book the Parish Hall Contact: Joan Packer Phone: 07903 610405 Parish Hall Committee: Christine Massey; Audrey Deeley; Lynne Harper; Joan Packer; Simon Turner, Robert Cornford
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, birthday or wedding? A minimum donation of £10 is suggested which can be Gift Aided. Please contact Joan Packer on 01869 241694 by 20 July for entry in the August 2020 issue of Launton Lines. June 22 | Best wishes to Anna Stack for her first birthday, born 22 June 2019, and to her sister Rosie Stack, from her loving grandparents Angela and Michael Stack July 17 | Sponsored by Maureen and Bob Roberts in memory of Bob’s mother Ann, who died 12 years ago July 29 | Sponsored by his daughters Jane and Caroline in loving memory of Thomas Peter Hawes, late of Yew Tree Farm, born 29 July 1920
Fairies in the Woods c/o Annie Sparks
If you go on a walk in Island Pond Wood, you may see some fairy doorways ... Recently Annie’s kids have loved seeing the fairy houses at Langford Village so she thought it would be nice for Launton to have some too, in Island Pond Wood. Please feel free to make and add your own but we ask that you don’t hang them with nails (we did ours with rope) so as not to damage any trees. Hope to see more on our walks in the coming weeks. I obtained permission to do this from The Friends of Island Pond Wood, so thank you for allowing me to do this. Oh and thank you to my hubby and grandparents for making them!! See photos on page 19. Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 4
Launton Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 4 June 2020 at 7.30pm online through Zoom Councillors present Mr James Allpress, Mrs Lizzie Chisholm, Mr Chris Fox (Vice Chairman), Mr Mike Murphy, Mr Ed Sanders, Mrs Lesley Thompson, Mr Simon Turner (Chairman) Apologies None In attendance The Clerk, Mrs Jane Olds; seven members of the public; two East West Rail representatives; and Cllr David Hughes Reports from District and County Councillors Councillor Hughes (CDC) attended briefly but had nothing to report. Councillor Corkin (OCC) had sent written reports primarily about the COVID-19 issues. Finance The Finance Report was available on the Parish Council website. The Period for the Exercise of Electors’ Rights has been advertised from Wednesday 3 June to Tuesday 14 July, but under the current circumstances, if anyone would like to view the accounts after that, it will be possible to arrange a socially-distanced inspection. Parish Council Fixed Assets The Councillors will be checking all the objects around the village which are owned by the Parish Council, including the bins, bus shelters and benches, shortly. However, if you see something which needs attention, please do let us know. Planning All planning applications, which include the links to Cherwell’s Planning Portal, are put on the Parish Council website when they are received (www.launton-pc.gov.uk - in the Agenda and Minutes section). If a villager has concerns about a planning application, they are welcome to come along to Parish Council meetings to raise those concerns. Village Matters Parish Hall The Working Group has held two meetings and considered the Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 5
priorities to discuss with the Architect. This meeting is due to take place on 12 June. Progress on the lease had stalled due to a difference of opinion between the PCC and their solicitor: it is hoped that this would be resolved shortly. East/West Rail Two representatives of the East West Rail project attended the meeting. They apologised to the village for the way the original footpath closure signage had been handled. Unfortunately, the original signage had been installed by an over-zealous contractor (in good faith) but it had not been agreed by the project team; the Highways Authority procedures had also not been followed and so those signs had been removed. The signs had then been replaced by officially-approved signage, which included contact details, shortly afterwards. Rumours that the footbridge would be open before the current crossings were closed were neither correct nor even possible. The creation of the haul road which the Parish Council, and others, had lobbied for to reduce the number of HGVs using the village roads was another reason why the footpaths had to be closed in order to protect the public and the workforce on the haul road. However, once the work had progressed beyond Launton, the EWR representatives agreed that the temporary opening of the footbridge would be reviewed. A Community Liaison Officer had been appointed as a single point of contact and they would be in post from 15 June. It was agreed that EWR would produce a monthly update for Launton Lines. [See page XX for the first of these update reports.] The removal of trees by the clearance team which appeared to have nesting birds in (one an oak tree with a Red Kite’s nest and one with a robin’s nest) had been reported to the relevant authorities. However, the meeting was assured that according to the site ecologists, all the relevant conservation requirements were followed and that there was no evidence of a nest at the time of removal. Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 6
One lane of Station Road would be closed from 11 June to allow for vegetation clearance, but this was to be confirmed. Also from 11 June, a new traffic management system was due to be implemented; this would be from the Bicester Road railway bridge out of the village towards the Charbridge Lane roundabout to extend the current traffic lights to beyond the new compound entrance. However, it was not planned to close the Bicester Road and the meeting was assured that Bicester Road and Station Road would not be closed at the same time. A list of FAQs will be available on the Parish Council website at https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/east-west-rail-information/. Agenda items for the next meeting Please let the Clerk have any items for the next agenda by 18 June with any items for the August agenda by 23 July. Dates of next meetings Thursday 2 July and Thursday 6 August via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/76605157135 (meeting ID: 766 0515 7135) at 7.30pm. As with in-person meetings we will start at 7pm for anyone who wishes to raise anything with the Council, look at planning applications or at other meeting papers, and will then start the formal meeting at 7.30pm. Full minutes are available on the Parish Council Notice Boards in the village (by The War Memorial and on the wall of the Parish Hall), and on the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk
Parish Council Additional Information
The Parish Council has recently set up an email mailing signup list which is available on the left hand menu of the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk, if you’d like to receive email notification just add your details. This will only be used for Parish Council and essential village news and we’ll try not to bombard you - please sign up! Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 7
CHURCH NEWS July 2020 Suspension of Community Café and Church Services One of the most important decisions you will make is choosing the right accountant.
Contact us today for a FREE initial meeting. We will proactively listen to your business needs and create personalised solutions. email@stackandjones.co.uk Tel: 01869 277973 Unit 4, Willows Gate, Stratton Audley Bicester, Oxon OX27 9AU
In line with Government advice, Community Café sessions have been suspended until further notice. The Government has announced that places of worship may reopen from 4 July, with some restrictions: see Revd Peter’s letter on page 12. Worship and ministry will continue in other forms (for example, with online streaming of some services) and you are invited to contact Revd. Peter for more information, or just to talk: Phone 01869 572272 Mobile 07966 531921 email revpeterwright@gmail.com
The following websites can also offer help and support. www.stedburgschurch.org/ www.oxford.anglican.org/coronavir us-covid-19/livestream/
Launton Congregational Chapel
There will be no Sunday services at Launton Chapel because of the Coronavirus, for the foreseeable future. We will advise readers when services start again Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 8
Would you like to help look after the local footpaths? Then why not become a Parish Path Warden? The village needs a temporary Path Warden to help the current Warden over the next few months The role will be supported by Oxfordshire Ramblers and Oxfordshire County Council Footpaths team who will give advice on how to help keep the local paths accessible and help report and resolve problems Wardens receive free training together with full guidelines and support from the local Ramblers Group The Parish Council will also give support and help with liaison with East/West Rail More information on the role is at the Parish Council website: www.launton-pc.gov.uk/parish-path-warden-the-role/ If you are interested in helping the village, contact the Ramblers or the Parish Council Oxfordshire Ramblers Jim Parke: jmh.parke@btinternet.com 01865 730664 Parish Council Jane Olds: clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk 01869 247171
Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 9
The first regular report from The East-West Rail Alliance (EWRA)
My name is Thaina Said, and I am your new Community Liaison Officer with the East West Rail Alliance (EWRA). I am here to keep you updated and ensure your queries are heard and answers are provided. Please contact me on bsaid@ewralliance.co.uk if you have any concerns regarding the East West Rail Alliance works currently taking place around Launton. I am pleased to report that the construction work for the strategic railway project is well underway. Traffic management measures have been put in place on Bicester Road for the construction of the new site entrance to our compound A1 and these works are programmed to take seven weeks, although we are hoping to complete inside these timescales. Station Road is now closed for the de-vegetation adjacent to the road for the new bridge structure. We will complete the works and remove the closure by the 3 July - updated information says it should be completed by Friday 26 June. The road needs to be closed to guarantee the safety of both staff and the public whilst we carry out work. On Mill Meadow, adjacent to Charbridge Lane, archaeological work in the area where we will be constructing the new bridge has started. Work is on programme which will allow us to remove the temporary diversion by 6 July. (see photo 5) The stone haul route along the railway corridor will serve as the EWR haul route in order to prevent large vehicles, carrying building materials, from passing through the village. The public footpaths within the Launton which cross the haul road route have now been closed as a means of ensuring public safety. (see photo 1) We have erected newt fences in what will in future be the A2 compound. This temporary fencing will allow the ecologists to round up the newts and place them in a new pond filled area. This process will be under ecological supervision to limit any detrimental impact on the local wildlife. (see photo 2) There are some photos of these parts of the project on page 22. Thaina Said Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 10
Road issues and closures: an update
As we know, Station Road was closed beyond Grange Farm for the EWR project to remove vegetation near the road and railway and along the line of the bridge to replace the level crossing. We have just had an update that the road will reopen on Friday 26 June, one week ahead of the originally scheduled 3 July. Then from 29 June until 3 July the Blackthorn Road is scheduled to be closed for excavation in the verge and road to connect a parent main to the new site main in the carriageway for the Mulberry Homes development. This means there will be no access from the crossroads to the A41 Blackthorn junction for the week if it goes ahead as scheduled. Meanwhile, the traffic control lights over the Bicester Road railway bridge to beyond the EWR Compound site entrance will continue as at present. We are pleased that Station Road will be open, thus reducing some of the pressure on the village road system. The Parish Council Clerk is working with the EWR team and OCC to try to ensure that adequate signage is installed to warn the wider public about the closures and restrictions. If there are any issues please contact the Clerk via clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk
Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 11
St Mary’s Church - Opening and Thank You
As I write this the Prime Minister has just announced that places of worship may open, with restrictions, from 4 July. We are awaiting detail of those restrictions and guidelines on how they can be implemented. The three months of lock-down have been a steep learning curve for all of us. Sadly, some local people have lost their lives through the pandemic, most of us know someone who has been ill, and everyone has experienced severe disruption to their everyday routine and expectations. At St Mary’s, although we have not been able to gather physically as a church family to worship God, we quickly learned how to use Zoom, holding online Holy Communion services every week and have recently re-introduced our Family Service. We have kept in touch with people who have been isolating, and have made sure those who are not online have had orders of service and hymn sheets so they can join with us in spiritual communion. We have also made craft bags (containing materials for the sort of activities we do in our family services) available each week to families with children, and these have been very well received. A significant part of St Mary’s income comes through our weekly collections in church and events such as the village fete. These have been severely affected by the lock-down and I would like to say a huge thank you to those who have donated following our appeal a few weeks ago. We continue to face serious financial challenges, but with your help we have every reason to be hopeful for the future. We are looking forward to returning to our beloved church building, whose prayer-soaked walls have held the hopes and concerns of our community, in times of rejoicing and in times of crisis, for so many centuries. That needs to be done in a way that allows those who are shielding or unable to attend physically to continue to participate in worship, and is safe and manageable. So although I cannot announce an opening date as Launton Lines goes to press please do ‘watch this space’ and we will communicate opening details as soon as we can. In the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me if you have queries or would just like to chat. Revd. Peter Wright Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 12
NEWS FROM ST MARY’S - FAMILY SERVICE Following on from the success of our Service in May we are now excited to invite you to our
SECOND FAMILY SERVICE, VIA ZOOM Do login and join us on
Sunday 5 July at 10am (Please note the start time!)
Our tOpic is
FriENDsHip and we will have a story and talk from Revd Peter, as well as singing songs and enjoying craft activities. We will also celebrate July birthdays So, if you would like to join any of our Services, please contact Revd Peter on revpeterwright@gmail.com or on 01869 572272 for a chat
R J WAKELIN Painting & Decorating Specialist
ROYAL FOOTCARE Professional and affordable foot care in the convenience of your own home
INTERIOR - EXTERIOR PRIVATE - COMMERCIAL Contact
Telephone: 01869 243264 Mobile: 07947 822794
“your feet are in safe hands” Sharon Ball S.A.C. DIP.FHPT S.A.C. DIP. FHPP Registered foot health practitioner // www.royalfootcare.co.uk
Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 13
Launton Women’s Institute June 2020 Our normal Monthly Meetings are still on hold but we are eagerly awaiting news of coming out of lockdown. There are no firm decisions to-date but whilst not being able to meet up physically, we are still managing to keep in touch with each other as, until we are free to start our meetings again with the country gradually resuming a type of normality, we are making telephone calls to check in on each other and this seems to be welcomed generally by the Members. Our thanks to Alexander Graham Bell! There were four birthdays in June: Pat T, June R, Gill S and Joan P, who were all recipients of Liz’s delightful handcrafted cards. Members are keeping themselves occupied in different ways - for example, a couple are altruistically making masks to help prepare the community for going out and about again. Others are Grange Mews News July 2020
Commercial Offices, Industrial Units and Storage for Lease
I cannot ask EWR to put up a sign saying “Business as usual”, in Station Rd. But businesses are open but not yet as usual. Bicester Car And Van Rental are now open all day and business seems to have improved another 5% (but I can see only a few vehicles left for hire). Shine and Glow are planning to widen their cleaning capabilities. Shortlets are fully operational and appreciating our broadband speeds. Bicester Glass are working full time and getting their manufacturers up to speed too. Peter at All People Photography is booking both old and new clients ready for the Fourteenth of July. Roxie at the Brow Barn was prepping this morning although regulations have not yet given her the go ahead, much to the chagrin of several clients. Hannah and Kirsty have the same problem with their businesses. Mark at Planet Kitchens is busy, and Justin Bucknell has all his electrical team back at work. Reservist Keith is back at Launton Transport this week having been “requested” by HM forces to assist in checking for COVID-19. Let us hope July re-opens the world for many or all of us.
We let offices and industrial space and can be found at pacox@grangemews.co.uk and our website www.grangemews.co.uk Phone 01869 252846 or 07711 778 230
volunteering with Bicester Heritage. Of course living in the digital age is proving a blessing in the current situation: we are receiving our monthly magazine News & Views digitally from the Oxfordshire Federation and the Committee is also busy behind the scenes keeping abreast of various issues and dealing with administrative matters via email in an attempt to keep us up-to-date so that Launton WI can hit the ground running just as soon as we are able to start up again. We have deferred our July speaker, inviting her back in 2021, but we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back amongst us just as soon as we are able to. We live in hopes! Celia Manderson THE BLUE TEXEL FARMSHOP BUTCHERS & DELICATESSEN From our Farm to your Fork Fresh, local & seasonal produce
STATION ROAD, LAUNTON OX26 5DS www.thebluetexel.co.uk 01869 252619
OPENING HOURS TUESDAY - FRIDAY 8AM-5PM | SATURDAY 8AM-3PM SUNDAY 9AM-1PM | CLOSED MONDAYS Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 15
Salute The NHS has provided over 850,000 meal and other packs for the NHS, with support of Launton volunteers Many Launtonians and members of The Village Players have been volunteering for some weeks at the Salute The NHS project (www.salutethenhs.org), run by Bicester Pioneer Volunteers, with Lieutenant Colonel Billy Dilkes (who also has a Launton link as he opened the Village Fete in June 2018): other locals, Bicester Garrison soldiers and families, and Formula 1 engineers have also been involved, providing meals and more to front-line NHS medical personnel. Ron Dennis of F1 (through Dreamchasing/Dennis Foundation) and Nigel Harris (owner of Absolute Taste) co-founded the project. I’m told Mr Dennis also contributed £1m to facilitate the initiative as well as fund matching a further £500,000. It’s based in a hangar at Bicester Motion as well as Absolute Taste’s Shed. Tesco, Unilever, Yodel, and other companies have donated food and other items for the packs, which have been going to 44 AERIALS hospitals and to NHS Trusts and SUPPLIED, ERECTED other organisations. The packs are & REPAIRED SINCE 1962 end-of-shift meals for NHS staff plus ward snacks for during the shifts and goodie bags of toiletries and similar items. There are also ‘On the Go’ packs for Ambulance drivers and other mobile medical personnel, as well as ‘Home Packs’ (meals for 5 days) that are delivered to the door of medical personnel who are self-isolating. We’ve wrapped brownies and flapjacks, taped up boxes, Contact PAUL W. EWERS separated bananas and packed a Telephone Brill 01844 237131 variety of boxes with meals, snacks Mobile 07956 509166 Anytime and goodies for NHS staff. The
aim was to deliver a million meals in three months (from set up in late March). By 23 June the volunteer team was packing between 16,000 and 18,000 meals/packs every day, and since launch has supplied over 850,000 meals/packs with over 5.1 million products and is on target to hit the million packs in early July. The SpareHand volunteering website (www.spare-hand.org) is the starting point for signing up (for projects all over the country). In Bicester we then use the HireHand app to sign up for the half-day shifts. The effort is still going into July, so there is time to sign up and help out - go to SpareHand! There has even been a dance video made, led by Village Players former members Andrea Law and Danielle Plummer! The cover photo in this issue shows the operation inside the hanger, and a photo of some of the Launton volunteers is on page 2. Kim Benson
Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 17
News from the Woodland
We really hope you’ve had a chance to walk around the woodland this month. It’s looking beautiful, with the hedgerows in flower, and the wild flowers at their best. The grasses have put on an amazing display too. Under normal circumstances, we would have had work sessions to keep on top of the problems which always arise, and also tackle the more mundane jobs like controlling the brambles. For obvious reasons, this hasn’t been possible, so a list of jobs was drawn up. This has enabled individuals or couples to take on some of the smaller jobs, and the system seems to have been working really well. We are very grateful to all our members who have given their time and energy to help. Every job completed is another job ticked off the list. Thankfully we are gradually being allowed to meet in larger groups although still with strict distancing and other restrictions. We would also like to thank our new members, who have joined through our Facebook page, through Launton Lines, or through personal contact. The support of all our members is greatly appreciated.
Judy Taylor
SUPPORT OUR VILLAGE PUBS
There are three pubs in the village. As we go to print it is not clear what the future holds for them with the government relaxation of the lockdown rules. All three have external space, so we may see them open soon. We hope so. Two of them (The Bull and The Black Bull, now The Launton Arms as the new signage has gone up) have been serving takeaway meals throughout the lockdown. Launton Sports and Social does not have catering capacity so has closed entirely since mid March. We hope that they all can return to serving the village, and it won’t be too long until we can hear the sound of Aunt Sally throws at all three venues. For their own plans, check on their facebook pages or phone them: The Bull Inn: 01869 248158 www.facebook.com/thebullinnlaunton/ The Launton Arms: 01869 248846 www.facebook.com/thelauntonarms/ Launton Sports and Social: www.lpfa.co.uk It looks as though Opening Day might be on 4 July - but keep in touch with the pubs. Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 18
Butterflies from around the village in June
Photos, clockwise from top left, by Peter Cox (1), Ella the Staff Photographer (1), Ian Jones (3), and John Stephens (1)
Some of the Fairy doorways that you can find in the Island Pond Wood. See the account on page 4.
Photos from Annie Sparks Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 19
VE Day in Launton during lockdown: 8-10 May 2020
All photos by Ian Jones
Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 20
VE Day in Launton during lockdown: 8-10 May 2020
All photos by Ian Jones
Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 21
Some of the EWRA work in Launton
2
1
5
3
4 4. Building the EWR Compound off Bicester Road. 5. Work begins at Mill Meadow by the Charbridge Lane roundabout. Photos 1, 2, and 5 from EWRA. Photos 3 and 4 by Robert Cornford Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 22
See the report on page 10 1. The haul road bed. 2. The Great Crested Newt collection fences off Station Road. 3.Archaeology trenches by Manor Farm.
Launton Community Communication Group (LCCG) AGM Wednesday 8 July 2020, 8pm, via GoogleMeet
The Launton Community Communications Group brings together Launton Lines, the Launton.org website and the Launton Village Facebook page and group. We have an annual meeting to report back to the village. Everyone is invited. It's an Open Meeting. This year it has to be held online through GoogleMeet Come and ask questions of the editors of the three channels. Quiz the treasurer about our accounts? Find out about how we got on putting Launton Lines online over last year. Come with your own ideas for how best to tell Launton’s story. If you want to offer help you’d be most welcome. We’re specially looking for people with experience of digital archiving to work on and build the website archive. 2019 AGM minutes are online at www.launton.org/launton-lines/ ALL ROOFS, GUTTERS & CHIMNEYS
HOUSE MAINTENANCE | REPOINTING INTERNAL & EXTERNAL DECORATIONS
PATIOS | DECKINGS | FENCING
FOR A PERSONAL SERVICE CALL
PETER N. SOUTHAM 01869 278333 OR 07721 633 220 peteroofer@aol.com INSURANCE APPROVED Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 23
The July update from Bicester Green It’s good to be back On Friday 19 June we reopened our shop doors, having closed them on Saturday 21st March: in those 90 days so much has changed. Much of this change is through necessity and the guidance put in place to ensure safety of staff, volunteers and members of the public visiting. But oh gosh it’s good to be back! We approached the reopening of Bicester Green with an enormous amount of caution, ensuring that we were able to provide a safe environment for our staff and volunteers first, well before we even considered reopening the shop. It’s a very daunting process, not to mention challenging task as we wade through the relevant guidance and figure out how on earth we can apply it to a wood workshop and three shipping containers, but we have and we’re up and running. The beauty of our type of organisation means that if we need a screen making we have someone who can do just that, if we need another kitchen area creating we have all the folk necessary to magic one up. And of course we have the materials available to refashion into whatever we need. Welcoming (from a safe distance) our volunteers back to Bicester Green has been a wonderful time, and we hope to experience the same amount of joy as we welcome back our customers too over the next few weeks. Having set up (using the annoying bags that the supermarket had to use for click and collect orders when I was collecting my parents’ groceries) my own TerraCycle collection point, and judging by how full our TerraCycle boxes/bins at Bicester Green are already I think many people have been busy collecting up their TerraCycle waste. This is something that we are able to take now, and full details of exactly what each programme can accept are on our website, so please check before coming over. Our TerraCycle drop off points are self-serve and outside, so you can bring your various wrappers and packaging and put them in the correct box or bin any time that the gates are open. We are not able to take general donations just yet, as we aren’t able to Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 24
implement an appropriate quarantine system to protect us from possible contamination. We are working on it but space is limited. If you haven’t already found an alternative method to dispose of your items and they could be of use, rest assured we will be able to take them again one day, but the new norm for us means that isn’t yet, so please be patient. If you would like to come and support us, our shop is open at limited times to start with, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 2pm only, but we’ve all our SESI, electricals and furniture and bikes again from Friday 26 June. And do keep supporting the smaller, local businesses, or they might be gone forever. You can stay in touch with our progress online at our website at www.bicestergreen.org.uk or follow us on www.Facebook.com/BicesterGreen Celia Cornforth
C B BATHROOMS Experienced Bathroom and Shower Installer and Tiler General Plumbing and Heating Maintenance Leadwork Specialist Chris Barrett 11 Spindleside, Southwold, Bicester, Oxon OX26 3XH Home | 01869 250861 Mobile | 07773 853 640 Email | barrett.c3@sky.com
Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 25
200 Years Ago: from Jackson’s Oxford Journal 29 July 1820 Deserters from the Oxfordshire Regiment of Regular Militia The names and particulars of the militia men who did not appear at the time and place appointed for their being trained and exercised, according to the directions of the Act of Parliament, who are declared Deserters. Any person who shall apprehend any such Deserter and take him before a Justice of the Peace, will be entitled to a Reward of Twenty Shillings. Any person who shall harbour, conceal or assist any Deserter will forfeit, for every offence, the sum of Five Pounds. Where enrolled: Bicester Names: William Wilding Parish or Place serving for: Launton. Where born: Purton County: Oxford
Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 26
Age: 23 Height: 5 ft. 4 ½ins Hair: Dark Brown Eyes: Hazel Complexion: Swarthy Trade or Calling: A sweep. [Historical notes. Two local ladies who are dab hands at tracking down people from the past have been unable to identify this man. Presumably someone in Launton had paid him to do the military service on their behalf, so maybe William had given false information, knowing that he had no intention to serve! A chimney sweep is an unusual occupation for a village lad at that time; would even a small town like Bicester at that era had enough work for one man? Incidentally, there is no Purton in Oxfordshire (but places of that name in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire), but a Pyrton near Watlington.]
PODIATRY/CHIROPODY ALDRED CASEY MEDICAL LTD Nail Care | Chiropody | Diabetic Foot Check | Nail Surgery Biomechanics/Musculoskeletal Assessments | Orthotics Podiatry/Chiropody is provided by Miss Joanne Casey M.Ch.S, BSc (Hons) and Associates at our clinics in Stratton Audley and Banbury. We have over 20 years experience in both NHS and Private Practice. Patients can be sure to receive the best care and advice possible for their feet. Our podiatrists are HCPC registered and are members of The College of Podiatry. We also offer home visits on request. Visit our website at www.aldredcaseymedical.co.uk To book an appointment please contact us using the details below, or email enquiries@aldredcaseymedical.co.uk In Stratton Audley: The Old Post Office, Cherry Street, Stratton Audley OX27 9AA
Phone 01869 278088
In Banbury: Marlborough Road Clinic, Suite 4 Borough House, Marlborough Road, Banbury OX16 5TH
Phone 01295 273073
A Vet’s Voice: A Miraculous Recovery for Pam
A few weeks ago, a very poorly old Border Terrier came to see us. “Pam” was very lethargic and had no appetite. The vet was quick to perform some blood tests and an ultrasound scan, with alarming results. Pam’s liver values were so high they were unreadable, and she was jaundiced. Her scan showed that her gall bladder was impacted with gelatinous bile, a condition known as a biliary mucocele. Often this condition is incidental and doesn’t cause any trouble, but in Pam’s case it was blocking the flow of bile from her liver to her intestine, which in turn was causing her liver to be very unwell and for her system to be turning yellow! In this job you occasionally, out of necessity, have to perform operations which you aren’t familiar with. Cliff spoke to a specialist for advice and fished out our trusty surgical textbook. The owner was offered referral, but he was adamant that he wanted us to perform the surgery. Regardless of who did the operation, there was a recognised high complication rate, including the possibility of body system meltdown and death. So, on a very busy Friday afternoon, Cliff and I performed our first ever
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gall bladder removal. The surgery was fiddly but seemed to be successful. The only thing left was for Pam to recover which we were quite concerned about. Vet Rita Sousa was in charge of her care over the weekend and reported that Pam was comfortable but wasn’t really improving. She was flat and not interested in food or anything else for that matter. Then on Sunday morning there was a massive change. Rita said the magic words “Pam let’s go walkies”, and that was it! Pam got up, trotted out to the toilet then came back in and ate some food. From that moment on, Pam never looked back. She continued to eat, her wound healed well and her liver values have now returned to normal. She’s an amazing little old dog who has come through a major illness and risky surgery as if nothing had happened. Her owner, Russell has been the perfect client and I thank him for putting his trust in us. Here’s hoping that Pam continues to thrive and that her illness has resolved for good. Jason Williams | Bicester Vets
#HennPondCam: a glimpse of life on a Launton pond David Thompson explains his project to capture natural life on and around the pond on Station Road. “I have set up a web camera to view our pond. Don’t worry, it only looks at the pond and won’t capture you sauntering down Station Road.. We have had many visitors on our pond recently, and they make an appearance quite often! Check it out by searching google for #HennPondCam and then clicking ‘videos’ rather than the normal ‘All’ tab at the top, then click on the video link that says ‘Live’ The pond is home to a heron, a visiting swan, ducks, moorhens, bats ... And we have seen a clutch of robins’ eggs hatch, grow, and then fly. Please do comment with views of any visitors, and times seen. I can then replay these as clips and post them if of special interest. There was an amazing sequence of the swan landing on the pond. This is totally new for me, so there may be a few teething troubles. But it is fascinating!” Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 29
Launton Help for Isolation Group Moving Forward with Village Support
Our amazing group of volunteers and supporters in the village have supported each other in many different ways since 15 March when the group was formed by Janice and Becky: it is now administered by Jane, Janice and Lesley. One of the most important things we have done is to ‘be there’ in case anyone needed us, and for people to know there is someone who can try to help if needed, or give pointers to ways of getting help. Moving forward to the changing situation and then on to the future post COVID era (we are optimistic), wouldn’t it be wonderful to harness this village support and to continue it for rainy days in the future? With this in mind, we thought we might change the group name to reflect the future support and to maintain this enthusiasm, albeit in a different way. We thought a new name would be a good start? A name with more of a friendship, neighbourly theme. Lots of name suggestions were submitted and below is the final list. Launton Cares Launton Helping Hands Launton Buddies Launton Kindness Launton Village Support Network The Launton Helpers Any thoughts and suggestions about which name we should choose, the future of the group and ways of harnessing this wonderful community of ours, would be gratefully received. Please contact Jane Olds Parish Clerk on clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk or tel 01869 247171
Lesley Thompson Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 30
An Unofficial Guide to the Language and Dialect of The Lake District Last month, I wrote about my elderly mother from Cumberland (new name, Cumbria) and her struggles with multiculturalism. Here, I’d like to say more about this land of myth and legend, in particular about their local language. I’ve included a quiz for you at the end. I’m from the coastal part of Cumberland that used to be dominated by heavy industry - in my case, steelmaking. In Workington, on a clear day, from the now-grassy former slag bank, you can gaze across the Solway Firth and see the Isle of Man. Look further north and you’ll see Scotland, beyond the wind farm. Look in the opposite direction and you can see Lake District hills, where wind farms are banned. It’s impressive. Curiously, some strangers who have travelled to these distant parts leave with the impression that they’ve visited a foreign country. If you’re planning to join the army of visitors heading to the Lakes, I can help you with some Cumbrian expressions. To get there from here, you’re best to take the M40, M42 and M6, then turn left at Penrith. When you arrive at your Cumbrian destination, you may be asked to reply to the enquiry: What fettle marra? This is a form of greeting that is popular among locals and means: ‘How are you, mate?’ As another opener, you may confront: What’s the crack? This standard question just means: ‘What’s fresh?’ or ‘What’s the latest?’. It allows you to begin a meaningful dialogue about whatever takes your fancy. In conversation, you may be asked the question: Where’s thoo frey? which of course means: ‘Where do you come from?’ You might also be asked: What’s thoo dyuh? which of course means: ‘What profession/trade do you pursue/engage in?’ As to your holiday plans, you may be asked: Where’s thoo gaan roond aboot? This translates, of course, as: ‘Where might you be exploring during your stay here?’ If you’re going out for the day from your hotel and require a packed lunch box, you could ask them to make you up some bait, making sure that your bait tin contains a piece of cyak (cake) as well as your sandwiches. When you’re out rambling, you may see the sign: Shut Yat which simply means: ‘Please close the gate behind you to keep the sheep in’. If you meet a local on your travels, you should greet them by asking: Uz thoo dyun? or Ow Doo? Both of these mean the same: ‘Greetings, fellow traveller. How are you this fine day?’ When asking how to get to the lakeside, you may hear a reply such as: Git doont lonnin yonder to git tut watter which almost speaks for itself, meaning: ‘Take the lane over there and you’ll end up by the lakeside’. At the end of a long day of exploring, you might be asked: Ez thoo bin thrang? Needless to say, this means: ‘Have you been busy on your travels today?’ In the pub, as a stranger to these parts, you may overhear a local ask a Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 31
fellow local: Woarst yon gadjee yonder? As if you didn’t know, that means: ‘Could you tell me who that strange fellow is over there?’ When eating out, you should look out for tatie-pot. This is a delicious local dish made up of potatoes, onions, mutton and black pudding. At the end of your night in the pub, you may hear someone say: Az gaan yam, marra which you’d immediately recognise as: ‘I’m off home now, my old chum. Goodnight’. A word of warning for the uninitiated. Please don’t try to ingratiate yourself with your new hosts, because they have a word for that as well. You’ll be described as being Flartchy, which is clearly a quality to avoid. Who’d want to be labelled a flartch? On the other hand, if you wish to impress the locals, on a cold misty morning you could do worse than announce: By it’s rowky, thoo noz. It’s starvation, thereby confirming that: ‘My goodness, it’s chilly this morning, isn’t it? It’s freezing’. If you consider that a local is impeding your study of the language, please say to them: Divn’t yammer marra. Divn’t moider az, when az thrang larnen t’crack. They will immediately respond to your request, which they will interpret as: ‘Please refrain from speaking too quickly, good fellow. Please don’t confuse me further while I’m busy learning your exquisite linguistic turns of phrase’. With continued practice, and further visits to the far north, in no time you’ll be fluent in the local tongue. If you were visiting this area during the lockdown, you might find public advice notices, translated into Cumbrian. By now you should be able to work this out for yourselves, so here’s your modest challenge. Answers on page 37. COVID 19 NOTICE IF YER BAD FETTLE, STAY YAM IF YERV BIN WUKIN FRAE YAM AND YE CAN WUK FRAE YAM …. WUK FRAE YAM IF YER CAN’T WUK FRAE YAM AND T’MARRA YE WUK FER SEZ GIT TA WUK – AND YOOR LASS OR LAD CAN WATCH’T KIDS .... GIT TA WUK IF YERV GOTTA MASK, WEAR IT AT WUK AND INT SHOPS OVER YE NEB ANT GOB. USE YER NAPPER MARRA. DON’T BE A DIVVY IF YER OWT DOWN’T LONNIN FER A RATCH, DIVN’T STOP FER A CRACK SO YER CAN TWINE ON ABOUT COVID 19 WESH YE MITTS REGULAR LIKE EH? STOP AT YAM IF YER CAN EH, COS YE STILL CAN’T GAR T’PUB IN WUKITUN TER GIT KALEYED.
Danny Cunningham Launton Lines June 2020 | Page 32
CAKE STALL – SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020 10am – 12noon IN FRONT OF THE PARISH HALL We are required to list ingredients of the food we provide so we would be very grateful if you could complete the form below. We apologise for the need for this and hope it will not deter you from donating – we really do value your help.
Please complete this form(s) by ticking the relevant ingredients, detach and include with your donation(s)
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Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 33
MEMORIES OF AN EX-LAUNTON BOY
This month the Ex-Launton Boy remembers Bob Ancil (see the obituary note is the June issue of Launton Lines) who was a major influence on him in his childhood, and who taught him a lot about life, and milking cows. I was so very sad to read in last month’s issue that Bob Ancil has passed away. Like his father before him (Tommy Ancil, or Doddy as he was more popularly known), he was a true and larger than life character in the village and never moreso than during my childhood years. Of course, I have written on a few previous occasions of the beautiful long, hot summers when I and my brother Cliff used to help out during the haymaking season. We spent many happy summers as children (it wouldn’t be allowed today) tossing mown hay (what a gorgeous smell to it too) on to the back of the hay wagons with our especially adapted (by Bob) pitchforks and then back at the farmyard, pitching the hay onto the old elevator powered by an old Fordson Major tractor driving a long and wide canvas belt. The elevator would convey the hay up its’ incline to drop Heating Plumbing Servicing off at the top end where Bobs’ father, Doddy would arrange the construction of the hayrick Domestic Oil and Gas Servicing itself. Installation and Maintenance I have also written before and Gas Safe Registered am happy to do so again, of the winter time when Bob would sit Oftec Registered me on his lap on a grey “A local Business Ferguson tractor, towing a trailer loaded with fodder from from Launton” the farmyard, across the road and into the Green, which was Phone: 07483 864 571 situated at the back of our Email: simonnashserv@aol.com house. There he would set the
Simon Nash
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hand throttle to a moderate speed and sit me on the tractor seat with my hands on the steering wheel to steer it straight along the field as he climbed onto the trailer to pitch the fodder off, either side to feed the sheep and cattle. On one occasion, coming back from the field and into the tractor shed in the farmyard, again he sat me on his lap with both our hands on the steering wheel, giving me the sense that I was in control once in the farmyard, or so I thought, so that when we entered the tractor shed, he let his foot off the brake so that we bumped slightly into the back wall. With that familiar glint in his eye and a broad smile, he blamed me for hitting the wall. Fortunately I realised that he was once again joking. Bob could be a bit of a practical joker. I remember once when he was teaching me how to milk a cow. “Come closer and see how it’s done” he said. Obligingly, I moved forward and stooped down upon which he turned a teat in my direction and squirted me in the face with warm, fresh cow’s milk. The last time I saw Bob was some years ago one Saturday when I had come up from Kent on my customary fortnightly visit to see my mum in Launton. It was outside of the Bicester Methodist church where there is a pull-in opposite the Bell Inn back garden. What I had anticipated might be a brief exchange of pleasantries turned out to be a mixed and varied conversation of at the least half an hour’s duration. I kid you not, people maintain that I am somewhat verbose, but Bob could talk for England. I’m sure Bob will be keeping those angels up there well entertained, and if he has met up with his dad, Doddy, then I shall assume that the next heavy rainfall we have will be nought but tears of laughter from the multitudes they will be keeping entertained up above. Rest in peace Bob and thank you so very much for leaving me with so many beautiful and cherished childhood memories. Keep fit and healthy everyone, and stay SAFE! Tony Jeacock | The Ex-Launton Boy | July 2020 Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 35
A note from the past about an even farther past
The following is taken from a posting on the Launton Community Group page on facebook, submitted by Lindsay onwiththemotley on 20 June 2020 On the main road through the village, between the shop and the turning into Sherwood Close, in the midst of a number of modern bungalows an old stone house stands back from the road; I remember it as having the name “Notrege” but longer ago in its history it was a pub called The Fox and Hounds. (The house is now called Naworth House.) For a week, in April 1912 the composer, folk-song collector and Morrisdancer George Butterworth came to Bicester by train on behalf of Cecil Sharp. He stayed at the King’s Arms Hotel and travelled by bicycle around the villages to try to discover people’s memories of Morris in the area. Obviously he struck gold at Bucknell and at Kirtlington, but his first portof-call was Launton. This is what he recorded in his Diary at the time: Saturday, April 13th 1912 “...After substantial tea, decided to start out on bicycle at random, leaving Bucknell till after hearing from Sharp. Went into the Fox and Hounds at Launton, and got into conversation with William Cartwright, aged about 70. He told me the following: There used to be a first-rate side at Launton. Launton and Bucknell were the best sides of the district, and there was great competition between them, which sometimes ended in blows if the rival sides happened to foregather at the same place. Morris at Launton stopped about 50 years back and all the dancers are dead. Cartwright when a boy often accompanied the dancers as one of the fools, of whom there were two or three. They dressed like the dancers and carried tambourines which they beat with cows’ tails, to put the company in good humour. The fiddler was a man called Bannister, now dead. Cartwright also mentioned another fiddler, Joe Cartwright (of Bicester), but said he never knew the Launton Morris tunes. Cartwright could not remember any of the tunes, or even the names of the dances, but he spoke of the Morris with the greatest enthusiasm; it was dropped, he said, owing to the lack of interest shown by the younger men. He never heard of any Morris except at Launton and Bucknell. Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 36
Cartwright is a splendid type of the old English peasant, and is full of life. Apart from the decline of dance and song he does not seem to regret modern changes very much. He told me he was nearly starved to death during the Crimean War, and that scores of children were: bread was then a shilling a loaf. He also spoke of the barbarity of old times. His grandfather won his bride by fighting for her on the green at Islip, and this was quite a common custom...” Amongst George Butterworth’s best-known compositions are A Shropshire Lad (the setting to music of some of the poems of A E Housman), Two English Idylls, and my favourite, Banks Of Green Willow. One wonders how Butterworth might have developed as a composer had his life not been so tragically cut short four years later in the trenches of France. George Sainton Kaye Butterworth 12 July 1885 - 5 August 1916
The Answers to the Cumbrian Quiz on pages 32-33 If you are ill, stay at home If you’ve been working from home and you can work from home … work from home If you can’t work from home and your employer asks you into work and your partner can supervise your children … go to work If you have a mask, wear it at work and in the shops over your nose and mouth. Use your head. Don’t be a fool. If you go out down the lane for a ramble, don’t stop to speak to anyone so that you can moan about Covid 19. Wash your hands regularly please. Stay at home if you can please, because you still can’t go the pub in Workington to become intoxicated. Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 37
Diary Dates: April-May 2020
With the closing down of almost all community activity and events, we have decided to hold off including Diary Dates in issues until we come out the other side of restrictions. The only information to carry forward are online Parish Council meetings via Zoom (see page 7). The next meetings will be on Thursday 2 July and Thursday 6 August. The other date to list is the copy deadline for the August issue of Launton Lines. This will be Monday 20 July: send to launtonlines@launton.org.
Island Pond Wood: Calling All Dog Walkers
Lots of villagers have been walking their dogs in Island Pond Wood recently, more than usual due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Our precious wood needs money to maintain it and to keep it safe. Grass cutting is paid for with a Parish Council grant, but there are other hidden costs that have to be covered every year, including insurance, maintenance and furniture such as benches etc. Approximately £1,500 per year! This is funded entirely by members and donations. Dog poo bags are provided for emergency use too. If you have been enjoying walking in the woods, exercising yourselves and your dogs, please would you consider becoming a member of the Friends of Island Pond Wood? For just £10 per person, or £20 per family per year, you can help to support our village wood and be reassured that it will remain as beautiful as it is now. For more information and a membership form, please contact islandpondwood.launton@gmail.com or complete the form below and return it to Judy Taylor, 17 Blackthorn Road, Launton, OX26 5DA Island Pond Wood Membership Form Friends of Island Pond Wood are kept informed of all matters to do with the wood; they are invited to work sessions and to the AGM. Annual Subscription £10.00 per person £20.00 per family
.............................................................................................................. Email: .............................................................................................................. Address: ........................................................................................................... Telephone: ........................................................................................................ Signature: ......................................................................................................... Name:
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Last month we featured a very young reader on the back cover. Following that we received this photo of a slightly older but engaged reader. Nia Jeacock says, “We had our socially distanced family reunion BBQ this evening following the lockdown being eased, and son David spent the evening reading Launton Lines!!” Looks like he's reading his uncle’s contribution, The Ex-Launton Boy. If you have been down the footpath from West End towards the Church, to the field called The Closes, you will have met these two horses in the paddock to the south. They are Buster (left) and Winston (right) with their owner Loes Koorenhof who runs a therapy with horses business called Equilore. She also works with the Hummingbird Centre. We will feature Loes and her horses in a future issue of Launton Lines. In the meantime, enjoy the horses on your walks.
Jess is the taster in chief at Magnificent Microgreens. She lives in a field at the back of West End Close, and has her own Instagram at Jess_the_Donkey. Launton Lines July 2020 | Page 39
See page 33 for the ingredients form
Launton Lines is the newsletter for Launton. It is published monthly by the Launton Community Communications Group which also manages the Launton website www.launton.org and the Launton Village Facebook Page and Group www.facebook.com/launtonvillage Launton Lines is delivered free to every address in the village. It is funded by its advertisers and Launton Parish Council. Further print copies are available at £1.00 per copy from Shirley Johnson. Launton Lines is also available online from January 2020 on the Issuu.com publishing website. © MMXX 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.