Launton Lines Issue 269 March 2023

Winter working in the Island Pond Wood

Photos from Friends of Island Pond Wood

Photos clockwise from top left: Digging out the new pond The new pond with its fencing but, as yet, little water Thinning out the trees ... TIMBER! Stacking some of the “thinnings” The hard path is levelled See report on pages 16-17.

The front cover shows a moment from the 2023 Launton Village Pantomime, Hickory Dickory Dock. Chris Cook as the Pixie of the Clock is singing his heart out. See more photos on pages 25-28, and a review on pages 29-31. Cover designed by Matt Hill. Photo from Launton Village Players

The Editor writes …

This issue has been a lot of fun to work on. It’s 52 pages (I feel for the distribution people with all that extra weight to carry) but that’s because I've had so much material sent in.

The cover this month is from the Launton Panto, and there are more photos in a colour section on pages 25-28, and a review of the show from our youngest contributor on pages 29-31. Many thanks to my co-editor Matt Hill who did a great job with the cover and the centre section.

Spring must be just round the corner: see the photo from Ella Rayner of snowdrops on page 10, and the School Easter Egg Hunt (pages 7 and 51) points to longer days and maybe some sunshine. March means AGMs, with The Over 60s on the 15th (page 18), the Island Pond on the 16th (pages 14-15) and Launton Lines and its group on the 22nd (page 42) and it also means the Village Spring Clean (23). Victoria Prentis writes her quarterly report (22-23), and the Parish Council (4-6) and our District Councillors (8-9) contribute too, and there are local elections coming up in May (pages 12-13). This month sees the return of the Tythe Barn Quiz (pages 37 and 52) and there is an exciting development on page 43.

Please support our advertisers: they need you as much as we need them.

Robert Cornford

Launton Village Support: Contact Details Group email: village.help@launton-pc.gov.uk PHONE Numbers: 9:30am to 5:00pm

07522 231 100 - Janice | 01869 247171 - Jane Olds (Launton Parish Council) 01869 241755 - Lesley | 07921 392 201 - Abi Dowman 01869 242685 - Nick Cherry Pharmacy Runner

Launton Lines

A monthly newsletter for Launton. Published around the first of each month by the Launton Community Communications Group © 2023 Launton Lines email: launtonlines@launton.org website: https://launton.org/launton-lines/ The Launton Lines Committee 2022-23 Chair: Jon Spinage | Editors: Robert Cornford, Matt Hill | Acting Treasurer: Robert Cornford Associate Editor: Kathy Gilbert | Distribution: Shirley Johnson | Advertising: Jenni Walker Contact the Parish Council Council Clerk | Mrs Jane Olds Address | 13 Oak Close, Bicester, OX26 3XD email | clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk Phone | 07305 303889

To book the Parish Hall Contact: Joan Packer Phone: 07922 042 133 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 March 2023 for entry in the April 2023 issue of Launton Lines.

February 20 | In loving memory of David Squire who will be remembered for his 100th birthday, from Daphne Bellman March 5 | In loving memory of Gordon William [Bill] Lapper on what would have been his 95th birthday.

Also his wife Lily Rae Lapper who passed away on this day 2 years ago.

With love from Jenny, Jane and families.

Launton Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 2 February 2023 at 7:30pm in Launton Parish Hall

Councillors present Mr Andrew Briant, Mr Ed Sanders (Vice Chairman), Mrs Lesley Thompson, Mr Simon Turner (Chairman), Mrs Jaqueline Webber Apologies Mrs Abigail Dowman,, In attendance The Clerk, Mrs Jane Olds; Cllrs Gemma Coton and Angus Patrick (CDC); 3 members of the public (1 left at 7.37pm); Parish Footpath Warden (left at 7.53pm) Councillor Co-option There is still time to help the community by joining the Parish Council. If you are interested in putting yourself forward for co-option, please see the Becoming a Councillor page of the Parish Council website at https:// Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 4

www.launton-pc.gov.uk/becoming-a-councillor/ , have a chat with one of the current Councillors, or come along to the next Council meeting.

East West Rail No report had been received. If anyone has any queries, please contact East West Rail directly at publicinformation@ewralliance.co.uk or call the 24 hour helpline at 03457 11 41 41.

Reports from District and County Councillors Councillor Patrick reported that the draft Local Plan consultation had been postponed following questions by the CDC Overview and Scrutiny Committee which required additional work; no date has been given for the new consultation programme. The CDC Executive Committee would be considering offering grants to parishes to celebrate the Coronation.

Following a request from Councillor Patrick, the Council will consider the process for nominating the Launton Arms as an Asset of Community Value at the March meeting.

No report had been received from Councillor Corkin (OCC).

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

Planning All planning applications, which include the links to Cherwell’s Planning Portal, are put on the Parish Council website when they are received (www.launton-pc.gov.uk in the Agenda and Minutes section).

If any 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 available on the Parish Council website: https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/planningapplications Parish Hall An Arbioricultural Method Statement is required in the Planning Conditions which will be undertaken shortly. The bin store has been agreed. The Architects are looking at appropriate building companies to approach to start the tender process.

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 5

Village Spring Clean A date for your diaries. We will be holding our annual Spring Clean and Litter Pick on Saturday 11 March between 10am and 12 noon from the Parish Hall.

Do come and join us, and enjoy refreshment from the WI! A41 Ploughley Road It is understood that there will be permanent traffic lights on the A41 at the Ambrosden junction following completion of the road works. The Council has made representation to Councillor Ian Corkin to try to ensure that traffic through Launton is mitigated.

Advance Notice of the Annual Parish Meeting The Village Annual Parish Meeting will be on Thursday 20 April at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. All organisations involved in the village will be invited to make a short report and all villagers are welcome to attend.

If there is anything specific you would like to add to the agenda, please let Jane Olds know by Tuesday 11 April.

This is a great opportunity to hear about what has happened in the village over the past year and to get involved with new projects and organisations.

For more information, please contact Jane Olds at clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk Agenda items and dates of the next meetings The next meeting will be on Thursday 2 March in the Parish Hall, starting at 7.30pm. If you’d like to chat with a Councillor, do come along after 7.15pm.

We are trying to reduce our printing and paper use, so if you would like hard copies of the agenda or any of the meeting papers, please let the Clerk know well before the meeting. The agenda and papers will be available to view via the data projector during the meeting.

Suggestions for agenda items for the 6 April meeting need to be with the Clerk by 23 March, and items for the 11 May meeting (postponed from 4 May because of the Council Elections) by 27 April.

If you’re not signed up to our mailing list to receive news from the Parish Council, you can find a signup form at the bottom left hand menu of the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk/ The Parish Council has a new contact number.

You can call or text us on 07305 303 889 Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 6

The Launton Easter Egg Hunt - 26 March: a lot of fun

The students, parents and staff of Launton Primary School are pleased to

announce the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday 26 March between 2pm and 4pm on the school field - see the poster on page 51.

We have always appreciated the support and generosity of Launton residents in attending past events, donating Easter Eggs and money, and sponsoring prizes. Leaflets asking for donations will be distributed in the village by Friday 10 March, and our team of volunteers will be collecting donations after 6pm on Friday 17 March.

Those attending will be able to hunt for coloured stones and exchange them for Easter Eggs. There will also be face painting, games and cakes available.

Tickets are £4 per child/hunt, purchased in advance (until 20 March) at the Costcutter shop and at the Stonelily hair salon. Parents/carers of students at the school can also buy advance tickets directly from the PTA. The event is a major event to support the children of Launton C of E Primary School. We look forward to you joining the Easter Bunny on 26 March!

R J WAKELIN Painting & Decorating Specialist

INTERIOR - EXTERIOR PRIVATE - COMMERCIAL

Contact Mobile: 07947 822794 email: rjwakelin@outlook.com

Your local, regular and reliable window cleaner

Domestic and Commercial window cleaning using pure water and a Reach & Wash system.

We clean:  Windows  Conservatory roofs Soffits and fascias   Guttering (clean and clear)  Cladding  Internal glass partitions  Signs  Solar panels Contact us now for a free, no obligation quote

01296 770005 or 07702 498 942 www.wallacewindowcleaning.co.uk enquiries@wallacewindowcleaning.co.uk Public liability insurance Member of the Federation of Window Cleaners

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 7

The supplementary report from our Cherwell District Councillors for February 2023

Well at least it has been a drier month and the waters around Launton have subsided a little. As I walked around with a soggy dog, I am sure I spotted a bird with an olive branch in its beak. The Ark must not be far behind! A brief update from CDC and your local LibDem councillors this month, as February is short and so are publishing deadlines!

We are available as always via email at gemma.coton@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or angus.patrick@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or on 01869 717712.

London Road level crossing Some of you have asked how this is progressing, and the sorry answer is, very slowly. We are committed to keeping the crossing open to avoid cutting off half of Bicester and requiring people to go round the ring road to get to the centre of town. There are several options which keep coming to the table, yet no decision has yet been made. These include an overpass or underpass for pedestrians and/or vehicles, or a cycle and foot bridge only. There are more consultations planned, and we meet regularly with EWR to question them on this and we have support from OCC members on this too. The missed opportunity when the Bicester Town/Village station was re-developed is a real pain point for all us and we will continue to represent your views on this and push to a resolution.

Local land supply and the Local Plan As we mentioned last month, the Local Plan came before the Leadership Executive committee at CDC and a decision was postponed indefinitely to consider comments from the Overview and Scrutiny committee. No change there I am afraid; however one positive development (no pun intended) to note is a new Housing Land Supply figure was agreed. The UK government requires councils to plan for and accommodate a housing land supply that exceeds 5 years. Basically this means calculating the number of houses needed and the amount of land available in the area.

Cherwell has been short on that figure with only 3.5 years, and so much speculative development has been rampant, including in Launton, as developers point at this and say “you need to build these houses, so anywhere will do”. The CDC Executive recently passed a revised land supply figure of 5.4 years due to a number of recent changes. Pending ratification by HM Planning Inspectorate, this will close that “loophole” Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 8

and should make this sort of development much more difficult to approve, or for developers to win on appeal.

A41 Ploughley Road And finally, after months of delays and frustration, the roadworks are on course to finish in mid-March. We sincerely hope this will reduce the traffic through Launton. We have everything (fingers, arms, legs ...) crossed that this will be the case!

Councillors Angus Patrick and Gemma Coton

Launton Watercolour Group

The Watercolour Classes will run through March 2023, in the Parish Hall on Monday afternoons from 2pm, with David Meeks as the tutor. These studies of walls are from a recent class.

The cost is £8 per session.

If you would like to join the classes, please email the following: Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 9

Spring can not be far behind the first snowdrops

Photo by Launton Lines staff photographer, Ella Rayner

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 10

Launton Village Players

The 2023 pantomime Hickory Dickory Dock was a great success. We sold over 1,100 tickets and hopefully have raised some much needed funds for Nai’s House.

The story rolled along and Tom our hero was successful in finding all the cogs and letting his small friends, the mice, run up the clock to fix it! The baddie king got his comeuppence and was turned into a bunny rabbit and told to “hop it” at the end. So yes, everyone lived happily ever after.

Many thanks to all of you who came and saw the show and for your excellent audience participation! It was wonderful to perform to such enthusiastic audiences. Thank you too, to all of our advertisers and our generous sponsor who really helped us along the way to financial success. Do please support them when you can.

And perhaps the loudest cheer is for our wonderful LVP Panto team who once again came up trumps with telling a fantastic story but also wonderfully bright costumes, a marvellous set, toe tapping music, brilliant sound effects and great lighting. Lots went on behind the scenes and thanks to our programme editor, who does so much more, to our Front of House team, our stage management team plus the prompt (always important) and our magnificent chaperones.

And to everyone who stepped up and helped us so the show could go on ... huge thanks.

Here’s to the next pantomime in 2024. Watch this space for which one it will be!

And watch out for news of the Launton Village Players’ Summer Show 2023.

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 11

Parish Council Elections 4 May 2023 – Could You Join Launton Parish Council?

As the article last month mentioned, the Parish Council elections will take place on 4 May. The Council is a constantly changing body of people; once elected, Parish Councillors can usually sit on the Council for four years. Because of a Community Governance Review which changed the boundaries of the Parish very slightly, and before that Covid-19, the last term has been just two years, but the new term of office will be five. If Councillors want to continue in office, they must stand for re-election at the end of their term.

Villagers are actively encouraged to apply to join the Parish Council, and it is always good to welcome new members. Ideally, all age groups and a wide demographic should be represented on a Council and we’ve been lucky enough to have this in the past. There are seven seats on the Council, so if more than seven people stand, there will be a ballot and the seven candidates with the most votes get elected.

A Parish Council is the local authority that makes decisions on behalf of the people in the Parish and makes representations on their behalf to other bodies (e.g. on planning matters). It is the level of government closest to the community, with Cherwell District Council and Oxfordshire County Council above it. As it is the authority closest to the people, the Parish Council is invariably the first place people will go with concerns or ideas.

For this reason, it is a vital part of any community.

Who can become a Parish Councillor?

Any resident of Launton who: has occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the  Parish area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of nomination and the day of election;  is at least 18 years old;  is a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any other member state of the European Union (this hasn’t changed!).

Also, you’d need to meet at least one of the following four qualifications: Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 12

1. you are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector for the Parish in which you wish to stand from the day of your nomination onwards; 2. your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of your nomination and the day of election has been in the parish/community area; 3. you have lived in the Parish or within three miles of it during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election; 4. you have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the Parish during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.

What do Parish Councils do?

Parish Councils make all kinds of decisions and make representations to other local and national bodies, on issues that affect the local community: from working on the Parish Hall project, liaising with the EWR Team, the Police and other services, creating an emergency plan, arranging the mowing of the road verges, managing some of the open spaces and campaigning for and delivering better services and facilities, to commenting on planning applications and representing the Parish in meetings with assorted external bodies, working with the County Council on traffic matters and engaging with other local Parish Councils on matters that affect us all.

There are limited powers to make decisions, but Parish Councils do have the ability to negotiate with, and the power to influence, those other organisations that do make the final decisions.

More information and a nomination form: Please see https://www.launtonpc.gov.uk/elections-2023/ or contact the Launton Parish Clerk, Jane Olds email: clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk post: 13 Oak Close, Bicester, OX26 3XD or phone: 07305 303889 Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 13

Notice of the Annual General Meeting of Friends of Island Pond Wood Limited 16 March 2023 Launton Parish Hall at 7:30pm Featuring the Annual Report for 2022/2023 and information on future plans for the woodland.

Meet the Directors of FIPW Limited, and Committee Members of the Friends and Families Group.

After the formal business, there will be the chance for informal discussion and sharing ideas for the future, and refreshments.

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 Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 14

The Friends of Island Pond Wood Limited is a not for profit company (all run by volunteers) and we rely on donations and grants for specific projects in order to carry out essential maintenance and improvements to the village woodland.

One way of supporting the work is to sign up for annual membership (£10 per person) so we can then make the environment better for all to experience.

You will also receive newsletters on what we are doing in the Island Pond Wood and have opportunities to get involved in working sessions (we always need support), and learning new skills which you can take away with you for your own garden projects.

If you would like to sign up for an annual membership, then please contact fipwlimited@gmail.com for a membership form and more details. You can also sign up at the AGM. Thank you for all of your support, we look forward to seeing familiar faces and new faces at our AGM Friends of Island Pond Wood team

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 15

Winter work in the Woodland Island Pond Wood biodiversity boost project Following on from our announcement in November about obtaining a substantial funding opportunity from Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE) for a newly established IPW Biodiversity Boost project, this initial funding will support year one of a five-year work program designed to increase the biodiversity of the wood.

Tree thinning We have had the pleasure of working with Alchester Tree and Garden Services who have undertaken and completed the tree thinning work, whilst caring for our beautiful woodland in the process.

Keith and his apprentice Henry, along with Kieran, managed to remove more than 100 trees. We often say that the woodland is a source of learning for all ages: on this occasion it was the first time Henry felled a tree - and in total he felled 12 trees himself during the week and got to spend a lot of time using the saw, timber processing and chipping.

Hedgerow management – continue with the rotational coppice of the hedgerows to encourage regeneration and a mosaic structure Vale Countryside Volunteers (VCV) have also been welcomed back to the woods this winter as part of the above project. They have already been hard at work undertaking two sessions in November to continue the rotational hedgerow works, encouraging regeneration. They will be back again in late February for two more sessions. A big thank you to Kate Neal for leading the sessions.

Habitat Pond creation – installation of a wildlife friendly pond that will be fenced to limit disturbance T L Jenkins Landscaping have done a fantastic job with installing our habitat pond in the clearing that Keith and Henry helped create. Luckily, they had good weather this time to get the pond dug and the fencing up so, as the pond fills, we can start looking at the wildlife that will be attracted to this safe space.

Surveying – commissioning a baseline survey of the site to establish the current level of biodiversity and habitat condition for trees to grow and an understory to establish.

The baseline surveys will be carried out by Future Nature, the wildlife consultancy branch of BBOWT. Our new committee member Anna will be Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 16

helping with some additional surveys, and there will be an opportunity in the future for everyone to get involved and learn about wildlife surveys.

Footpath - Completion of the work Whilst T L Jenkins Landscaping have been carrying out the Habitat Pond works, they have also been able to finish topping up the footpath and rolling it. This work had to stop just before Christmas due to the minus 10 degree “cold snap” and the covering of snow which meant they lost the path. I know plenty of people have said they have appreciated the use of the path in the bad weather.

Many thanks for your support and patience while we have carried out the works, including the safety need to shut the Woodland whilst the machinery was in there.

There are some photos of the work on page 2, the inside front cover.

Friends of Island Pond Wood Team

A letter received in support of the No 17 Bus Dear Sir/Madam Regarding the No.17 Aylesbury/Bicester bus, I use this bus on a regular basis as does my daughter and we both find it a very good service and feel very lucky to have it.

Living in Launton and both of us not being able to drive we would be lost without it and very much hope that it will be able to continue.

Kind regards.

Mrs. A. O. Witney

CHURCHYARD COURTESY Everyone is welcome to visit the churchyard, whether to bring flowers, tidy a grave, or just to enjoy the peaceful space, but please remember: Respect the graves by not stepping on them or climbing on the monuments  If your dog does its business PICK IT UP, BAG IT and TAKE IT TO  THE NEAREST DOG POO BIN. Do not leave it in the churchyard for someone else to pick up, or worse to step in it!

Dog fouling is an offence so please act responsibly!

Joan Packer Churchwarden Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 17

David Warriner Squire 12-11-1922 -- 24-1-2023

It is with sadness that the family announce the death of David Squire at Cherwood House care home. He was a kind-hearted, generous gentleman. He had a great sense of humour and a twinkle in his eye, especially for the ladies.

He was mostly very easy-going but he could be stubborn.

David was born in Huddersfield, Yorkshire. He was educated at Aysgarth and Oundle schools. He joined the RAF in 1942 and was transferred to Canada where he earned his wings. On returning to England, he married his Forces sweetheart, Jean, in 1944. They had two sons, Peter and Jonathan. They moved to Tubbendens (now Squire House) in Station Road, Launton in 1980, where he retired to look after his wife.

After her death in 2003 he moved to The Poplars. He made many friends in the village, particularly Daphne Bellman, who he often frequented the pub with for lunch. He was a family man and always enjoyed grand family gettogethers. He had five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He was a man of faith, a regular church-goer at Launton and Caversfield services.

David was a keen follower of sports particularly cricket and rugby, and in later years, ladies football. He enjoyed painting, marquetry, swimming, and dogs.

Launton Over 60s Club report for February 2023

The New Year has started well for us and we have had four new members join us already: Julia, Nancy, and Ted from Launton, and Sandra from Bicester. If anyone else would like to come along, they will be made very welcome. The dates and times of our meetings can be found inside the back cover of Launton Lines, in the Diary Dates.

We have had three meetings so far this year and on 15 February we had our first lunch. Twenty-six people came along and we enjoyed a drink in the bar and then a hot lunch of jacket potatoes with savoury mince followed by red berry strudel and fresh cream. Compliments to the chef! A lot of hard work.

We then had an interesting talk from Jane Olds, Clerk to the Launton Parish Council. She explained what happens at their meetings and encouraged anyone with questions or problems to contact her. Her details can be found at the bottom of page 3 of every issue of Launton Lines.

Our Annual Meeting will be held on 15 March with reports from the Chairman, Treasurer and Membership Secretary The Committee will then be elected for the coming year.

Pat Court 01869 244900 Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 18

Many villagers will recall him sitting at the end of The Poplars with a bag of Werthers original sweets and dog biscuits. He enjoyed having a chat and giving a treat to the dogs. He joined in village life and was a founder member of the Island Pond Wood, a collector for the Poppy appeal, and a tin shaker for SSAFA. Up until the age of 93, he regularly travelled to Bicester on the bus.

Unfortunately, a fall following one of these visits ended with a broken hip.

David remained living in his bungalow until the age of 99 with support from carers and the family. He spent his final year happily in Cherwood House care home, a place he knew well, and where several members of staff remembered him from when he visited his wife daily 20 years ago. He celebrated his 100th birthday last November and received his card from the King.

The family would like to thank everyone for their kind words and messages of support. The funeral was held on Monday 20 February.

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 19

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 20

News from St Mary’s Church Services in March 2023

You are most welcome to join the March Services listed here.

The first three dates are Services in St Mary’s while the fourth Sunday is a Team Communion Service to be held at St Edburg’s Church, with Bishop Steven as celebrant.

Services 5 March

8.00am 11.00am 12 March 6.00pm 19 March 11.00am 26 March 10.30am

BCP Holy Communion Family Service - all welcome BCP Evensong Holy Communion Team Communion at St Edburg’s Bishop Stephen

Please check on the Facebook page for St Mary’s Church for the latest information or contact one of the Churchwardens at St Mary’s Joan Packer j.packer779@btinternet.com 01869 241694 Celia Manderson celiamanderson@aol.com 01869 571735   

A reminder that the “Come and See” based Lent Course, which started on 27 February, will be continuing during March up until Easter.

There is a choice of three sessions every Monday - at 1.30pm in Launton, at 2.30pm or 7.30pm at St Edburg’s.

Anyone wishing to join the course in Launton should contact Celia, as above, or for the Bicester St Edburg’s sessions contact Susan in the Church office (01869 323458) The Community Café is open on Tuesdays during term time - so every Tuesday in March.

Please do come along.

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 21

The Quarterly Report from our MP, Victoria Prentis

The earthquakes in Turkey and Syria are deeply saddening and have put already struggling communities in a desperate situation. It is really difficult to take in the scale of the tragedy unfolding; more than 41,000 have been killed across the region and at least 25 million people have been affected. I know that many constituents are worried about family and friends at this tragic time. Our thoughts remain with them all.

As the evolving situation on the ground moves from rescue to recovery, I welcome the Government’s commitment of £25 million in new overseas aid which will fund additional emergency relief to help those affected begin to rebuild their lives. Our priority is to ensure humanitarian assistance reaches those who need it most. Constituents who wish to help can continue donating to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Turkey-Syria Emergency Appeal at www.dec.org.uk. It is vital that we continue to do all that we can to support the people of Turkey and Syria.

In February we also marked the one-year anniversary of Russia’s brutal

Simon Nash Heating & Plumbing Services Installation - Maintenance - Servicing

Domestic Oil Natural Gas Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

07483 864 571 Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 22

and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Thousands have been killed defending their country against this appalling onslaught and millions more have been forced from their homes.

President Zelenskyy’s historic address to both House of Parliament in Westminster Hall reminded us once again of the bravery and determination of the Ukrainian people. The war is still very real and traumatic. I am reminded of this most days by Vika who joined our family in March last year when she fled the shelling at home. Sometimes we hear the air raid sirens from Kyiv through her phone. We also regularly hear from her grandparents who are still living, mainly in their cellar, on the outskirts of Kherson.

Despite the circumstances, we are having a really happy experience with Vika. Like many hosts, we have been much more involved than we first expected and have found it very rewarding. Vika is now part of our family. Homes for Ukraine has so far welcomed 326 people to North Oxfordshire, but more help is needed as there are still many looking for places to live. Visit www.cherwell.gov.uk/ukrainesupport to find out more.

There are many other ways you can help: the UK Help for Ukraine unit at Castle Quay in Banbury need medical supplies, toiletries, generators and tools. If you can spare any of these items, then please donate them to the centre. The brilliant team of volunteers working from there need all the support they can get as they continue to transport much-needed supplies to the Ukrainian border.

Victoria Prentis Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 23

Launton WI Meeting February 2023 Helen Aris was welcomed back as president due to Gaye Cornford being on holiday.

After birthday wishes were given to Pauline, and the official business completed, we were entertained with a talk by Stephen Barker.

He spoke about Hardit Singh Malik ‘The Flying Sikh of the First World War’. Hardit was privately educated in India until, at the age of 14, he came to England where he attended Eastbourne College and then Balliol College at Oxford, and he also played cricket for Sussex.

In 1916 Hardit’s professor at Oxford managed to get him a commission in the Royal Flying Corps as an ‘honorary’ 2nd Lieutenant where he learnt to fly Sopwith Camels. [His commission was ‘honorary’ as at that time Indians were not allowed full commissions.]

As a devout Sikh he had a special flying helmet made for him which covered his turban.

With two colleagues he hunted the Red Baron, but his plane was badly hit and he was injured but landed safely - however over 400 bullet holes were counted in his plane. He was hit in the leg and still had 2 bullets in it when he died in 1985.

After the war he returned to India where he married, had three children and joined the Indian Civil Service. He did tours of duty as the Commissioner to Canada and The United States. After independence he became Indian High Commissioner to Canada and later Ambassador to France Hardit died in 1985 aged 90. He was one of the First World War’s largely unsung heroes and we should honour him for that.

The next meeting of Launton WI will be on 9 March in the Parish Hall at 7.30pm. This will be the Annual General Meeting.

New members and guests are always welcome Joan Packer Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 24

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 25

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 26

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 27

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 28

Hickory Dickory Dock: Launton Village Players Pantomime 2023

On Saturday 18 February, I saw the Launton Village Players’ latest work - Hickory Dickory Dock. Playing on the nursery rhyme, Rod and Nikki wrote a ‘Fine’ and innovative script that brought Launtonia to Bicester for a comedic show of song and dance. As we took our seats the band set the tone with the perky sounds of the Panto overture and went on to perform wonderful original music throughout the night.

Interval drinks ordered from the lovely Front of House team, programme in hand, and the clock mouse peeking out at the audience, Hickory Dickory Dock began.

Chris Cook (or should I say the Pixie of the Clock, see the front cover) stole the show from line one, with super high energy and the encouragement of audience participation throughout - including almost walking off stage in his initial soliloquy saying “I don’t have to tell you!” as we clamoured to get him back. Then our resident villain King Wonderful (Mark Hudson) was introduced with boos from the audience as he helped the Magician (Beth Heale) collect a magical fruit (which fell with a satisfying slide whistle) in return for a spell to make him King … and from there our story begins. Dame Lily and her son Tom (Miles Penhallow and Daisy Ash) are then roped in to travel the world collecting cogs to fix the clock and dethrone King (not so) Wonderful.

“Welcome to Launtonia” brought on the chorus with some wellknown faces, classic costumes and an exciting middle eight in the song! At this point, the audience were hooked and full of energy - one child uttered a “woah” at the sight of the wizard’s magic and, I for one, was very happy to see the first of many traditional “thigh slap” panto moments. The children’s chorus (clock mice) delighted us as in a dance with our resident pixie, who kept to the beat and twirled his smaller co-stars into a lovely end position. The next song started powerfully, with a full cast holding big pieces of wonderfully painted cheese - a favourite sandwich filling for all - then with a variety of formations along with well written lyrics, shone a light on the glorious Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 29

thing that is a cheese sandwich. [Author note: if Dame Lily is stopping by, I’d like red Leicester and a bit of mayonnaise please xx] First stop on the world tour in search of the clock pieces was the Old and Wild West, where Nicky Roberts starred as Jessie, who entered with an enthusiastic yee-haw and kept her accent up with conviction throughout the show. Tom’s eye was caught and a sweet duet full of love ensued; I was struck by the gorgeous harmony and hope to hear more of that next year.

Now, I can’t go any further without introducing my favourite bit of the show – the iBad (a prop of sheer beauty!). It is as it sounds, an iPad for villains! The audience guffawed at the pun, which was built on by Dick and Dock (Rod Fine and Dan Chilvers) as they desperately repeated “Hey Siri” only to be met by Silly – the iBad’s unhelpful assistant. The voiceover of Silly was perfect use of multimedia and even more laughs followed as Dick and Dock facetimed King Wonderful, animatedly talking without making any noise… to realise they were on mute! Rod and Dan were perfect in their roles, and I hope for their sakes they avoid cacti in the future!

Second stop: the North Pole. The children’s chorus made the cutest elves as well as clearly loving being in the limelight - I’m sure there were some very proud parents sat in the audience and that the chaperones enjoyed a little respite while watching from the wings!

Jessie (Nicky Roberts) did a fantastic job fixing Santa’s (Andy Roberts’) sleigh, with fun sound effects adding to the “realism” of the endeavour! The first half ended with an appearance from Rudolph (Chris Cook and Marcus Lamb) who was a wonderful addition to the scene and the catchy toys song sent us on our way to refreshments.

After the interval, the audience were on the edge of their seats, raffle tickets in hand, desperately rereading their numbers as the prizes taunted us from the stage. This was all in support of Nai’s house - the chosen charity offering a suicide prevention service and empowering young people. Unfortunately, I didn’t win but I was still thankful to be supporting such a worthwhile cause.

Glowsticks in hand, we settled into our seats as the music started up Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 30

once more and Silly on the iBad opened up singing “Let it go” - such a shame it was frozen! As we had now travelled to the South Pole, the whole cast filled the stage in their penguin costumes. The song was catchy, costumes looked stunning on every cast member, and the choreography consisted of lots of interesting formations and finally some lovely harmony with the oos!

Then we travelled to the mystic East where the band made their way onto stage (led by musical director Steve Webber) and stole the limelight with their ukuleles -I also picked out a glorious bassline played by Simon Turner. Sarah Turner showed her skill on a variety of instruments, while Giles Conway kept beat with the percussion and John Nelson showed his musical prowess on the guitar and ukulele.

Finally, our heroes restored Princess Leilani’s (Cathy Procopiou) happiness, grabbed their final cog and headed home.

Back with King Wonderful in Launtonia, he decided he needed a sandwich… which descended into total chaos as he roped in two of his subjects to make one for him. He sat in butter, his crown was stolen, a water fight broke out (hope the front rows of the audience have dried off!) and sweets were thrown in a timeless panto scene! We wrapped up with a song for the audience to join in with (I apologise if Mum and I were too loud - we loved this!) which was extremely memorable and one of my favourite bits. Then we waved our glowsticks, fixed the clock and clapped until our hands hurt.

There is never enough room to do justice to everyone but as Director Julia West reminded us at the end, this is a major ensemble effort featuring backstage cast members too. The scenery blows me away year after year with the detailing: and the sheep painters, sleigh makers, clock constructors and tree painters were just a few I need to mention. Overall, it was a delectable feast for the eyes!

Thank you, Launton Village Players!

Written by Holly Ford-Langstaff There are photos from the show on pages 25, 26, 27 and 28, and on the front cover of this issue. Next month we hope to report on the amount raised for Nai’s House by Hickory Dickory Dock.

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 31

A Vet’s Voice: Pepper’s Predicament

Pepper is an 11-year-old domestic short haired cat (a moggy). She was seen early in January in the practice having been vomiting and feeling unwell. Vet Kyra found that Pepper had lost a significant amount of weight and had a heart murmur. Blood tests to check for possible causes of the illness showed that Pepper had an overactive thyroid gland. Thyroid hormone (T4) should usually measure between 10 and 60 but in Pepper’s case it came out at 198!!

Hyper means increased (like in hyperactive). Pepper’s condition is called hyperthyroidism which means increased levels of T4 hormone from an overactive thyroid gland. Thankfully, in most cases this is caused by a benign process causing abnormal but non-cancerous growth of the glands which are located in the neck just below the throat. However, a small percentage of cases can be related to cancerous growth of the glands (adenocarcinoma).

The problem with being hyperthyroid is that the hormone speeds up metabolism. It causes the heart to race which can lead to heart failure over time. It makes cats feel hungrier and they often eat ravenously but still lose weight despite the increased food intake. Some cats will get diarrhoea and occasionally cats become hyperactive or aggressive.

It’s really important to treat hyperthyroid cats both to improve their quality of life and to prevent the progression of heart disease. When I first started vetting the treatment was a tablet given three times a day! Understandably, this was really difficult in many cats. These days there are topical gels that absorb through the skin, oral liquid medicine as well as tablets once or twice daily. All these medications are lifelong as the medication doesn’t cure the patient but suppresses the hormone production - stop the meds and the hormone builds up again.

There is also the option of using radioactive iodine which absorbs into the thyroid glands and specifically knocks out the cells which are overproducing.

This requires hospitalisation for a week or so in a shielded cattery unit whilst the radioactivity declines. In most cases this provides a permanent cure for the condition meaning that ongoing medication is usually unnecessary.

Finally, it’s possible to remove overactive thyroid glands in a fiddley but generally safe operation. There is a small risk of upsetting calcium levels in the blood if the associated parathyroid glands are damaged or inadvertently removed at the same time, however, in most cases the procedure is effective Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 32

and cats tend to recover quickly with thyroid levels reducing quickly.

Pepper’s owners opted for surgery after a few weeks of treatment to reduce the levels of T4 hormone. Both the enlarged glands were carefully dissected out taking care not to damage the parathyroid glands. Pepper recovered uneventfully and went home the next day after a precautionary calcium blood test proved to be normal.

I’m pleased to say that Pepper’s condition has normalised as she rapidly regained the half kilogramme she had lost during her illness. She is happy and well, and now she leaves a little food in her bowl showing that her ravenous appetite has resolved.

There is a small chance that Pepper may develop other thyroid tissue elsewhere in the body in which case the condition may recur in a year or two. Most cats, however, will remain well after thyroidectomy and we wish Pepper a long and normal life.

Enjoy your pets, Jason Williams Bicester Vets

Peace of mind for pet owners...

Compassionate and Caring at all times  Long opening hours for your convenience  24 hour on-site nursing care as standard for all our hospitalised patients  24 hour Emergency service provided by our vets at our practice  A service that's second to none from North Oxfordshire's most established,  independent, speciality small animal hospital.

Launton Lines February 2023 | Page 33

Launton Footpath News

The map on the left illustrates the report on page 36 on the realignment of footpaths to the north of Station Road from Grange Farm to the new footbridge.

The photo below shows the new gates on footpath 262/7/10 from the back of the Church. The gates are across the new access road to The Tythe Barn, on the way to Charbridge Lane.

Key to map of realigned footpaths north of Station Road blue: new footpath still to be opened purple: footpaths currently open and in use red: footpaths to be extinguished

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 34

Recent deaths in the village Launton Lines tries to record significant events in the village. We try to list births, marriages, civil partnerships, and deaths as we get information. To have a listing included, just contact launtonlines@launton.org or drop a note in at 36 West End. There is no charge for such reporting, and if families or friends want to submit longer obituaries or memorial pieces, we will use them.

This listing is in alphabetical order and gives information that we have Val Box (one of three former residents of Sherwood Close in this list) Hazel Margaret Cannon aged 103 years Barbara Jeffries aged 83 years (one of three former residents of Sherwood Close in this list) Monica Matthews aged 98 years (one of three former residents of Sherwood Close in this list) Sue May aged 79 years David Squire aged 100 years (see pages 18-19 of this issue)

Grange Mews News February 2023

Commercial Offices, Industrial Units and Storage for Lease At last, the PRoW has been finished by EWR ( I have been informed), although the flooding problem has not been solved and EWR have been instructed on behalf of OCC to put down hardcore as a palliative, but with extra water flowing off the railway ditches the excess water will still be there in high rainfall, as the water backs up across the walkway. OCC do not seem concerned.

If I had been listened to there would have been a 100% interesting walkable route 100% of the time, many months ago.

I am not sure when or if there is an official opening, but it will need to be closed or diverted for safety reasons when the building company start the new high-quality housing.

Will the final route go through the new estate?

Or maybe by the scenic route instead of through the new housing?

The Ramblers had a preference for the scenic route as did OCC originally.

This has been a very expensive drawn-out project soon to be redundant.

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

Launton Footpath News At the beginning of February, the footpath 262/7/10 from the back of the Church across to Charbridge Lane was re-opened to walkers. A sign warning of pedestrians crossing will be placed on Charbridge Lane later.

The OCC Countryside map has more information at this url: https://publicrightsofway.oxfordshire.gov.uk/standardmap News about the completion and opening of the Station Road footpath heading towards the new footbridge and the diversion of footpaths 27213, 272-20 and 272-21 to join 272-11, is still not definite.

See the rough plan on page 34 to help explain what is happening with these footpaths. All changes are being done under a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO). EWR are in touch with the landowners so they are aware of what is happening.

The routes shown in blue on the map on page 34 are the new routes that are being provided. Note that the route over the new railway bridge has already been accepted and added to the Definitive Map so is shown in purple.

The routes highlighted in red are the paths that are being extinguished.

There are a few remedial works to be undertaken before accepting the new routes but as soon as these are completed the changes will be made on the Definitive Map and the paths will be opened for public use.

At the moment the route along the north side of the track is within a fenced area, the outer fence will be removed in due course. The paths should open before the fence is removed so a gap will be made to provide access onto footpath 272/13.

We hope this is helpful.

We are also thinking of holding a celebration village walk in the summer to welcome the opening of the footpaths and our return to freedom!

Watch this space.

Lesley Thompson and Bob Roberts You can contact us via email: lesley.thompson@launton-pc.gov.uk Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 36

Learning about Forces in Year 5 at school

We have been learning about forces and the effects of drag, push, pull and gravity. We carried out an experiment on air-resistance by making parachutes out of paper bags of different sizes. They were 15, 20, 25 or 30 centimetres deep. Our group used a 30 centimetre bag and made sure that the string and any tape used were of the same type and lengths so that we could make good comparisons with the rate of fall for other bag sizes. We were being fair because the weights were the same.

We conducted these experiments in the classroom in groups of four or five children. We dropped the parachute from the same height each time. We timed how long it took the parachute to reach the floor and then compared the times for each size.

Another experiment for air resistance was conducted outside with different sized pieces of cardboard.

We have learnt about buoyancy and we know that this keeps ships afloat. If we dropped a pencil shaped object in water we know that it would move faster because of its shape which is more aerodynamic.

This principle applies to racing cars. Their shape helps them to go faster.

Cyclists use this principle to make themselves into a streamlined shape to help them to go faster too.

We learnt a lot about forces and enjoyed our experiments.

Benjamin, Clarence, Kiera and Sofia Year 5 Launton School Last month we gave advance notice of the return of the popular

TYTHE BARN QUIZ

to take place again in this beautiful building on Thursday 16 March 2023 by kind permission of Emma and Will Deeley.

DooRs wIll opEN AT 7pm foR A 7.30pm sTART Sort out a team of up to six people and take part in this general knowledge quiz!

Or come along and make up a team on the night!

You never know but you might be in the running to win the coveted

WISE OWL TROPHY

Tickets are £10 per person, from the Costcutter shop – cash only, please Cakes, tea and coffee will be served in the interval Proceeds split between St Mary’s Church and The Friends of Launton Parish Hall Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 37

150 Years Ago, from The Bicester Herald 1873

14th March. PETTY SESSIONS. Drunk and Disorderly at Bicester. John Bannister, labourer, Launton, who did not appear, was charged with being drunk in the public streets of Bicester, on February 27. PC Nicholls was on duty in the town on the night in question and saw the accused, who was drunk, running against persons he met. He ran against two respectable females, and on the officer remonstrating with him, he (Bannister) called him a liar. The accused was detained in custody till the following morning. Five previous convictions against Bannister were put in. For the present offences he was fined 5s; police fee 2s and costs 9s - 16s[total] - or fourteen days’ imprisonment.

The Whitchurch Sand Man’s Reputation. William Buckingham, higgler [peddler], Whitchurch, who did not answer to his summons, was charged with allowing a horse and cart to stand unattended at Launton, on February 19. PC Stockford was on duty at Launton about eight o’clock at night in company with PC Burgess of the Bucks constabulary, when his attention was called to a horse and cart filled with sand standing near The Bull public-house. He watched the horse and cart from eight to nine when the defendant came out of

WE ARE NOW BICESTER’S LONGEST-ESTABLISHED INDEPENDENT FAMILY-OWNED & RUN FUNERAL DIRECTORS BICESTER’S ONLY INDEPENDENT FAMILY FUNERAL DIRECTOR

A caring traditional 24 hour service Provided by Mr Hancock and his team personally 

Private Chapel Of Rest



Jaguar Fleet of Funeral Cars 

Perfect Choice Funeral Plans

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 38

The Bull. If anything had turned down from the West-end of Launton a serious incident might have happened as it was a very dark night. Eight previous convictions committed in Bucks, principally for allowing cattle to stray, were before their Worships. Fine 8s, police 8s 6d, costs 10s, and 1s for PC Burgess, who was in attendance as a witness, or seven days’ imprisonment.

IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONGREGATIONAL DAY SCHOOL, LAUNTON, a public tea and service of sacred song took place on Wednesday last, March 12. In the afternoon a good number of the friends and supporters sat down to a capital tea, the tables being presided over by Mesdames Cubbage, Showler, A Fennore, Cross, Sansome, and Miss Moxey.

In the evening the Chapel was well filled, and the service of song, illustrative of “Bunyan's Holy War”, was given. The Rev J S Darley, of Marsh Gibbon, took the chair, and after asking the Divine blesing, made a few remarks as to the life and labours of that great man, John Bunyan. The readings were given in a clear and impressive manner by Rev W H Dickenson, and the musical part was sung in a masterly way by the choir of Bicester Congregational Church, under the skillful leadership of Mr John Hodges. Mrs Dickenson presided at the harmonium. The interest of the meeting was kept up for more

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 39

than two hours. At the close a hearty vote of thanks was given to the chairman, reader, and choirs, and other friends who had taken part. On the following day, the annual treat to the childen of the school, in number about 60, was given. After tea the evening was spent in recitations and singing by the children. The following is the programme:Chairman, the Rev W H Dickenson.

Singing, “Come soft and lovely evening.”

Recitation, “The three warnings” by Arthur Cubbage.

Singing, “Before all lands in East or West.”

Recitation, “The young mouse,” by James Reeves.

Singing, “Under a spreading chestnut tree.”

Recitation, “John Gilpin,” by Thomas Cubbage.

Singing, “Catch the sunshine.”

Recitation, “The battle of Blenheim,” by Joshua Jeacock.

Singing, “The frost.”

Recitation, “The two weavers,” by Edwin Jarvis.

Singing, “Be kind to the loved ones at home.”

Recitation, “The wind in a frolic,” by James Coles.

Singing, “O'er the foaming billows.”

Recitation, “Tea kettles concert,” by Florence Bricknell.

Singng, “Native land.”

Recitation, “Lord Ullin's daughter,” by Thomas Cubbage.

Finale, “God Save the Queen.”

The Day School is doing good work under the management of the Teacher and the specimens of work done by the children elicited hearty and sincere commendation.

[Editorial note: the Miss Moxey listed among the ladies who served the teas was a teacher at the day school being run by the Congregationalists in the building - now a private house known as Chapel School House. The number of pupils was never very great and the school had to close from time to time when the teacher left and a replacement had not arrived. It finally closed in 1881. The high number of pupils quoted probably included many Sunday School children, who otherwise attended the Church of England School - the present school during weekdays.]

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 40

Life and poverty in Launton in 1873 - from The Bicester Herald PETTY SESSIONS. Robbing Employer at Launton. Eliza Austin, 15, domestic servant, a native of Blackthorn, but most of her time an inmate of the Bicester Union Poorhouse, and Sarah Cartwright, a married woman of Launton, were charged - Austin with stealing coals, potatoes, and milk, of the value of 1s, the property of Mr Frederick Mansfield, farmer, Launton, her master; and Cartwright with receiving the articles knowing them to have been stolen. Mr Mansfield deposed that the prisoner, Eliza Austin, was in his service till that morning. Sarah Cartwright, was a married woman living in the village. In consequence of information he received on Sunday, March 2, he, on the next day, had a conversation with Eliza Austin. He said to her, “Ann (although her name was Eliza, they called her Ann) how came you to give those coals, potatoes and milk away?” She said, “I did give them away.” He asked her how much coal. She said, “Three or four knobs.” He then asked, “How many potatoes, they tell me it was half-a-peck?” She replied, “Not quite as much.” In reply to another question as to the quantity of milk she had given away, the prisoner said, “One quart.” The witness did not hold out any inducement or threat to induce the prisoner to make these statements. He said nothing about the person to whom she had been giving these things, nor did the prisoner.

PC Stockford was sent for to Mr Mansfield's house. He went and prosecutor told him what had occurred, and sent for Austin into the room where he was. She came crying very much and saying she would never do it again, but nothing occurred in his presence to induce her to make that statement. The officer asked her what she had been doing, and she replied “I have been giving my master's coal, potatoes and milk away. Cartwright told me if I would give her something she would see that I did not want, and should not go into the workhouse again; but should have a home there.” Witness then asked her how much coal, potatoes and milk she gave away. She said, “Three or four knobs of coal, eight or ten potatoes and a quart of milk.” From what the prisoner told him he went in company with Mr Mansfield to William Cartwright's house, and saw the prisoner, Sarah Cartwright, there. As soon as they got into the house, Mrs Cartwright said, “ I will tell you the truth about it.” She then said, “I sent my little girl to Mr Mansfield's on Sunday morning to ask if they would give me some milk; and she brought back two little knobs of coal, five potatoes - three were rotten - and about half pint of milk. I thought Mrs Guntrip (Mr Mansfield's housekeeper) had given her them as she had given me a little coal and milk six weeks before, when I was ill and we were starving.” Mrs Cartwright made a statement to the magistrates in effect the same as given by PC Stockford. Mrs Cartwright was discharged. Austin pleaded guilty, and elected to be tried by the Bench. She was sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment.

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 41

50 Years Ago from The Bicester Advertiser 23 March 1973 THEIR PLAY WAS JUST THE TICKET. The play, Just the Ticket, by John Waterhouse, presented by Launton Players, was just the ticket for Launton audiences who packed the village hall for a two-night run last Friday and Saturday.

Launton Players have been presenting comedies, in which they specialize, twice yearly for the past 12 years under the direction of their producer, Mr Arthur Gold, and this year’s spring production, a farce, is considered one of their best.

The stage props were exceptionally good and the production ran smoothly on both nights. It was a two-act play with four scene changes which represented a lot of back-stage and off-stage effort.

The set, a living room scene, was well-made but the chief interest in the stage props was in the larger-than-life size ostrich and the owl whose eyes lit up.

The ostrich has since been presented to Ambrosden School.

The production was a family affair with Mrs Eira Gold taking a leading part and Mr Arthur Gold doubling up as producer, a member of the cast, and as stage electrician. Their daughter, Mrs Pat Mitchell, made the ostrich. Another family effort was by Mr Arthur Whitaker and his sons, Stephen and Andrew, who took the part of Morris Dancers. Newcomers to the production were Jo Langford and Roger Alderton. There was a fine performance in another lead role by Jack Ancil. It was standing room only for latecomers on the Saturday night production, a recommendation in itself. [photo: Jack Ancil with ostrich]

Launton Community Communications Group Launton Lines, Launton Facebook page, Launton.org website

The Annual Meeting of LCCG will be held on

Thursday 22 March 2023 It will be an online meeting either on Zoom or Microsoft Teams

Watch out for details and an agenda on https://launton.org/lccg/ Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 42

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 43

House maintenance   Repointing  Internal and external decorations Patios  Decking  Fencing  For a personal service, call Peter N Southam 01869 278333 07721 633 220 peteroofer@aol.com Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 44

Launton Historical Society - February 2023 At our January meeting we heard Dr Simon Wenham talk about Poverty, Pestilence and Public Health in Victorian Britain. That era brought economic might and towering achievements but these cast a long shadow. People had been faced with a big shift in circumstances.

In the 1700s, 75% of the population lived and worked in the country.

In the Victorian era, 75% lived and worked in towns and cities. Change was staggeringly fast in some areas. The shift to towns and cities meant that much housing was built quickly and poorly. Pollution, from industry, was a problem, with smoky fogs and open sewers. Up to 1 in 2 children died before their fifth birthday. About 10% of the working population had irregular income, for example dockworkers.

There was also deprivation in the countryside. Crop failures had a devastating impact and food could be scarce. Our local historian, Pat Tucker, pointed to the accounts of Rev William Ferguson (who ran Launton Congregational Chapel from 1839). He described the poverty in Launton and neighbouring villages in pamphlets and long articles in the Bicester Herald newspaper - bad housing, scant furniture and neglectful landowners. Some of the areas around Oxford were among the poorest in the country.

Disease was rife - typhoid, smallpox, dysentery, cholera, scarlet fever, syphilis. (Did Mrs Beeton really die of syphilis?) Lesser conditions than these were dangerous for the vulnerable. Those working in industry faced occupational hazards, such as – ‘phossy jaw’ , a necrosis of the jaw, for those making matches. By the end of the 1800s, Trade Unions were growing in strength.

Gradually, legislation was introduced. The Factory Acts regulated and improved working conditions. The Poor Law was initially a parish based system which assumed the poor were entitled to receive help. But there were concerns that it encouraged bad behaviour and immorality.

The language is familiar to us today - ‘deserving families’ and ‘benefit scroungers’. In 1834, a new Poor Law concentrated on Workhouses, which were less desirable. People were ‘inmates’ and the work was hard.

Children were separated from their parents, and were given a basic Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 45

education. In the next century the Poor Law was replaced by social security legislation.

The 1848 Public Health Act set up a Board of Health, the first time that Government in Britain had legislated on health issues. Local authorities were given the power to appoint a medical officer, to improve sanitation, collect rubbish, provide clean water and build sewers. This was ten years before The Great Stink of London, when a hot summer made conditions intolerable. Joseph Bazalgette built 80 miles of mains sewers and 100 miles of street sewers in London, a much heralded development.

There was a huge gulf between rich and poor, but a great deal of philanthropy. There were many advances in the field of medicine, and the pharmaceutical trade became more professional. Overall, the state became more efficient in tackling problems.

We enjoyed Dr Wenham’s talk, in a grim sort of way, and he said he would like to come again and speak about something more cheerful!

By the time you read this we will have heard Dr Christopher Young talk to us on a local matter - the memorials in St Edburg’s church in Bicester, and on 30 March Melanie King will discuss Can Onions Cure Earache? - an account of medicinal remedies in the 1700s.

The Launton Historical Society meets on the last Thursday of the month in the Parish Hall: meetings start at 7.30pm. New members are always welcome.

Gwen Skinner

Can you spare some time to help Launton Lines We are still looking for support in the financial side of running Launton Lines.

Do you have a finance or book-keeping background?

Or are you just not scared of numbers?

Can you spare about 3-4 hours a month of your time?

Can you produce invoices for advertisers?

Can you then follow up invoices and get payment in?

Want to know more? Contact launtonlines@launton.org Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 46

Memories of an ex-Launton Boy

This month the ex-Launton boy muses on the early years of his work as an apprentice carpenter and joiner, and working on roofs in the cold winter of 1963. He remembers how he got to work back then - on a bike or wheeling a handcart - and the tools of his trade with not a power driven one in his tool bag. He is moved to these thoughts by watching roofers at work in the winter of 2023, counting all the white vans they use to get to their work and the pre-fabricated materials they work with.

Having an idle moment or two the other day (which is quite an unusual event for me), I was watching some roofers tiling the roofs of a terrace of brand new houses under construction and it took me back to the days of my young apprenticeship as a carpenter and joiner in Launton with the village building firm, Lewis Penn & Co. As I stood there watching and shivering in the bitterly cold morning where everything was coated in almost a quarter of an inch thick layer of glistening white frost, I thought about that January in 1963 when, after having had the luxury of a centrally heated school classroom, there I was on the roof of the stables at Tusmore Park, the estate of Lord Bicester, barely able to hold my hammer in my freezing cold hands, never mind knocking nails in.

Man! That was cold, I believe the coldest winter since 1947, the year in which I was born.

Anyway, casting my eyes down from gazing at the roofers scurrying about the scaffolding, I noticed their cars and vans parked up on the building site and noted the makes and models on show. Such a lot of money they must have cost, even the beautifully sign-written works vans were in pristine condition.

And again I thought back to my young apprenticeship days and remembered that we got to and from work, if it was relatively local, on our bicycles with our respective tool bags full of tools slung across our handlebars. I can even remember if we were doing a job within the village itself, we had a big old handcart with iron-rimmed wheels we would push through the village with our tools aboard, along with the materials we would be using on the job. No luxuries for us back then.

And what about the tools they use today with the reliable old claw hammer seemingly an almost obsolete piece of equipment these days, replaced by the magazine-filled nail gun, in addition to which loads of Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 47

different cordless power tools are used instead of old-fashioned ballhandled carpenter’s screwdrivers and battery-driven circular saws instead of handsaws and even electric planes replacing the good old Stanley smoothing plane and Jack plane?

Even building materials are thinner and more light-weight such as roof rafters which arrive on site in the form of pre-cast roof trusses made of 3x11/2 inch timbers instead of the heavier 4x2 inch timbers used for cutting individual rafters. All very fine and modern but because the strength in the structure is obtained through the triangulation of the timber members used in the roof truss construction, they do not lend themselves to the possibility of future loft conversions to create additional accommodation. Thinking back, I was involved in a number of those during my apprenticeship. And there’s another thing: a carpenter and joiner’s apprenticeship was for five years back in the 1960’s. I only served three of those years and obtained my Intermediate City & Guilds qualification, upon which I left to join the British Army in the Corps of Royal Engineers. These days, they do six months at college and come out calling themselves qualified carpenters and joiners. More like woodbutchers from much of the work I have seen. It seems to me that as a nation we are losing many of our traditional artisan skills through socalled modernisation of tools and building techniques. Yet despite all this modernisation, we are still building far too few houses for our nation’s needs and where we are building, we are doing so without upgrading the infrastructure to accommodate population increases in such areas. It seems to me that these days the powers that be know little if anything of joined-up thinking.

Then there are those modern houses being built with timber frames with just the outer-skin of the external walls being constructed of traditional brick while the inner skin of the cavity walls are timber frames covered in a membrane which, if punctured during or after construction will cause enormous problems to the overall structure. Then, one is pretty limited as to what one can hang, and where, on these internal “walls” to make the dwelling that much more homely.

And have you noticed many of the new-build estates under construction are advertised as ‘architect-designed’, as if they might otherwise have Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 48

been designed by a florist or something. And how easily people are fooled when they go into the show-house of the so-called ‘executive style’ home? They look very large from the outside, with the impression they must be pretty big on the inside too, and sure enough, the furniture displayed in each room of the show-house proves the point ... until the buyer moves in their own furniture and finds there is not enough room to swing a cat. Where people have been suckered is when the furniture in the show-house has been scaled down in size to give the impression that when one’s own furniture is moved in, there remains plenty of room to move around in. Scandalous I call it! Not like the old days when you got what you saw. So much deception of one sort or another these days, like the large packed-full bags of crisps, until you open it and find the contents fill barely half of the bag, the rest of the deceptive room being taken up by fresh air, which we are paying for.

And while on money for fresh air ... I don’t know if you have this in Bicester but in the Medway Towns in Kent, in the Pay and Display car parks which operate on a coin-only basis, if one wants £1.50’s worth of time, for which there is a charge, but one has only a £2 coin, there is no way the machine will give any change. If that isn’t an out and out con I don’t know what is. Yet despite the millions of pounds a year Medway Council receives through parking charges and fines (and yes, it does run into millions a year as I discovered through tackling the Council), the potholes in Medway keep growing: some are so large and deep that they are extremely dangerous and even a potential threat to life. So what happens to all that traffic parking/offences money collected, I ask! But of course, one receives no coherent answers from the Local Authority.

Roll on May, say I, when hopefully we can get shot of them and get some fair and honest Councillors in place, if there are such things.

I am beginning to sound like a Grumpy Old Man and that is not my remit here, so I apologise. I will just finish off by saying, I am so very glad that I don’t have to go scrambling over scaffolding on freezing cold mornings or any other time for that matter. Terra Firma for me!

Keep healthy and stay SAFE!

Tony Jeacock MInstRE | The ex-Launton Boy | March 2023 Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 49

Diary Dates: March 2023

In the current situation, it is difficult to be specific about village events. Listed are those we know are planned - but check with organisers nearer the date if you plan to attend.

MARCH 2023 Wednesday 1 Over 60s Club Meeting, Sports and Social Hall, starts at 1.45pm, ends about 3.30pm Thursday 2 Parish Council Meeting, Public Session 7.15pm, Council Meeting 7.30pm, Parish Hall Sunday 5 St Mary's Church, Holy Communion (BCP), 8am; Family Service , 11am | Weekly Quiz at The Bull, 8pm Tuesday 7 Rubbish Collection: garbage bin | Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Thursday 9 WI Meeting: Annual Meeting and presentation of the Competition Trophy, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Friday 10 SCOTS Meeting, The Bull, from 5.30pm Saturday 11 Village Spring Clean Up, Start at the Parish Hall, 10am-12noon Sunday 12 St Mary's Church, BCP Evensong, 6pm | Weekly Quiz at The Bull, 8pm Monday 13 Watercolour Art Class, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 14 Rubbish Collection: recycling and garden bins | Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wednesday 15 Over 60s Club Meeting, Sports and Social Hall, starts at 1.45pm, ends about 3.30pm. This is also the AGM of the Club Thursday 16 Fourth Grand Tythe Barn Quiz for FoLPH and St Mary's Church, The Tythe Barn, Charbridge Lane. Doors open at 7.00pm for 7.30 start | Island Pond Wood AGM, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Sunday 19 St Mary's Church, Holy Communion, 11am | Trinity Camerata, Beethoven, Wagner, Brahms concert, St Edburg's Church, 3.45pm | Weekly Quiz at The Bull, 8pm Monday 20 FINAL DATE FOR COPY FOR THE APRIL 2023 ISSUE OF LAUNTON LINES: SUBMIT TO launtonlines@launton.org | Watercolour Art Class, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 21 Rubbish Collection: garbage bin | Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wednesday 22 Launton Community Communications Group (Launton Lines, the facebook pages, and the website) Annual Meeting online, 8.00pm Saturday 25 Phoenix Singers with Trinity Camerata, Puccini, Mozart, Britten concert, St Edburg's Church, 7.30pm Sunday 26 St Edburg’s Church, Team Communion, 10.30am Monday 27 Watercolour Art Class, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 28 Rubbish Collection: recycling and garden bins | Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wednesday 29 Over 60s Club Meeting, Sports and Social Hall, starts at 1.45pm, ends about 3.30pm Thursday 30 Launton Historical Society, Melanie King on Can onions cure earache? Medical advice from the 1700s, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Friday 31 Last day of School: Easter Holiday until 14 April - back to school on 17 April

Launton Lines March 2023 | Page 51

THURSDAY 16 MARCH 2023 7pm  The Tythe Barn, Launton

for Friends of Launton Parish Hall (FoLPH) and St Mary’s Church 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 advertisers and Launton Parish Council.

Further print copies are available at £1.00 per copy from Shirley Johnson (01869 369269) Launton Lines is also available online from January 2020 on www.issuu.com © MMXXIII 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.