Launton Lines Issue 269 March 2023

Winter working in the Island Pond Wood

Diggingoutthenewpond

Thenewpondwithitsfencingbut,asyet,littlewater

Thinningoutthetrees...TIMBER!

Stackingsomeofthe“thinnings”

Thehardpathislevelled

Seereportonpages16-17.

The front cover shows a moment from the 2023 Launton Village Pantomime, Hickory DickoryDock. ChrisCook 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

Photosclockwisefromtop left:

Photos from Friends of Island Pond Wood

The Editor writes …

This issue has been a lot of fun to work on. It’s52 pages (I feel for the distribution people with all that extra weight to carry) but that’sbecause 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 EllaRaynerof 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 TytheBarn 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.

RobertCornford

Groupemail:village.help@launton-pc.gov.uk

PHONE

Amonthlynewsletterfor Launton.Published aroundthe firstofeachmonth bytheLauntonCommunityCommunicationsGroup ©2023Launton Lines email:launtonlines@launton.org website:https://launton.org/launton-lines/ TheLauntonLinesCommittee2022-23

Chair:JonSpinage|Editors:RobertCornford,MattHill|ActingTreasurer:RobertCornford

AssociateEditor:KathyGilbert|

|Advertising:JenniWalker

To book the Parish Hall

Contact:JoanPacker

Phone:07922042133

ParishHallCommittee:ChristineMassey; AudreyDeeley;LynneHarper;JoanPacker; SimonTurner;RobertCornford

Wouldyouliketosponsoranevening’sfloodlightingatStMary’sChurch inmemoryofalovedone,togivethanksforthebirthofachild, ortocelebrateabaptism,birthday,orwedding?

Aminimumdonationof£10issuggestedwhichcanbeGiftAided. PleasecontactJoanPackeron01869241694by20March2023

forentryintheApril2023issueofLauntonLines.

February20|InlovingmemoryofDavidSquire whowillberememberedforhis100thbirthday, fromDaphneBellman

March5|InlovingmemoryofGordonWilliam[Bill]Lapper onwhatwouldhavebeenhis95thbirthday.

AlsohiswifeLilyRaeLapper whopassedawayonthisday2yearsago. WithlovefromJenny,Janeandfamilies.

Launton Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 2 February 2023 at 7:30pmin

Launton Parish Hall

CouncillorspresentMrAndrewBriant,MrEdSanders(ViceChairman), MrsLesleyThompson,MrSimonTurner(Chairman),MrsJaqueline Webber

ApologiesMrsAbigailDowman,,

InattendanceTheClerk,MrsJaneOlds;CllrsGemmaCotonandAngus Patrick(CDC);3membersofthepublic(1leftat7.37pm);ParishFootpath Warden(leftat7.53pm)

CouncillorCo-option

ThereisstilltimetohelpthecommunitybyjoiningtheParishCouncil.If youareinterestedinputtingyourselfforwardforco-option,pleaseseethe BecomingaCouncillorpageoftheParishCouncilwebsiteathttps://

www.launton-pc.gov.uk/becoming-a-councillor/,haveachatwithoneof thecurrentCouncillors,orcomealongtothenextCouncilmeeting.

EastWestRail

Noreporthadbeenreceived.Ifanyonehasanyqueries,pleasecontact EastWestRaildirectlyatpublicinformation@ewralliance.co.ukorcallthe 24hourhelplineat03457114141.

ReportsfromDistrictandCountyCouncillors

CouncillorPatrickreportedthatthedraftLocalPlanconsultationhadbeen postponedfollowingquestionsbytheCDCOverviewandScrutiny Committeewhichrequiredadditionalwork;nodatehasbeengivenforthe newconsultationprogramme.TheCDCExecutiveCommitteewouldbe consideringofferinggrantstoparishestocelebratetheCoronation.

FollowingarequestfromCouncillorPatrick,theCouncilwillconsiderthe processfornominatingtheLauntonArmsasanAssetofCommunity ValueattheMarchmeeting.

NoreporthadbeenreceivedfromCouncillorCorkin(OCC).

Finance

TheFinanceReportisavailableontheParishCouncilwebsite.

Planning

Allplanningapplications,whichincludethelinkstoCherwell’sPlanning Portal,areputontheParishCouncilwebsitewhentheyarereceived (www.launton-pc.gov.ukintheAgendaandMinutessection).

Ifanyvillagerhasconcernsorcommentsaboutaplanningapplication, theyarewelcometocomealongtoParishCouncilmeetingstobringthem totheattentionofthemeeting.Villagersarealsowelcometocontact CouncillorsortheClerktomakecomments.

GuidanceonhowtheParishCouncilisabletorespondisavailableonthe ParishCouncilwebsite:https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/planningapplications

ParishHall

AnArbioriculturalMethodStatementisrequiredinthePlanning 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.

Adateforyourdiaries.WewillbeholdingourannualSpringCleanand LitterPickonSaturday11Marchbetween10amand12noonfromthe ParishHall.

Docomeandjoinus,andenjoyrefreshmentfromtheWI!

A41PloughleyRoad

ItisunderstoodthattherewillbepermanenttrafficlightsontheA41atthe Ambrosdenjunctionfollowingcompletionoftheroadworks.TheCouncil hasmaderepresentationtoCouncillorIanCorkintotrytoensurethat trafficthroughLauntonismitigated.

AdvanceNoticeoftheAnnualParishMeeting

TheVillageAnnualParishMeetingwillbeonThursday20Aprilat7.30pm intheParishHall.Allorganisationsinvolvedinthevillagewillbeinvitedto makeashortreportandallvillagersarewelcometoattend.

Ifthereisanythingspecificyouwouldliketoaddtotheagenda,pleaselet JaneOldsknowbyTuesday11April.

Thisisagreatopportunitytohearaboutwhathashappenedinthevillage overthepastyearandtogetinvolvedwithnewprojectsandorganisations. Formoreinformation,pleasecontactJaneOldsatclerk@launton-pc.gov.uk

Agendaitemsanddatesofthenextmeetings

ThenextmeetingwillbeonThursday2MarchintheParishHall,startingat 7.30pm.Ifyou’dliketochatwithaCouncillor,docomealongafter7.15pm. Wearetryingtoreduceourprintingandpaperuse,soifyouwouldlike hardcopiesoftheagendaoranyofthemeetingpapers,pleaselettheClerk knowwellbeforethemeeting.Theagendaandpaperswillbeavailableto viewviathedataprojectorduringthemeeting.

Suggestionsforagendaitemsforthe6Aprilmeetingneedtobewiththe Clerkby23March,anditemsforthe11Maymeeting(postponedfrom4 MaybecauseoftheCouncilElections)by27April.

Ifyou’renotsigneduptoourmailinglisttoreceivenewsfromtheParish Council,youcanfindasignupformatthebottomlefthandmenuofthe ParishCouncilwebsiteatwww.launton-pc.gov.uk/

TheLauntonEasterEggHunt-26March:alotoffun

The students, parents and staffofLauntonPrimarySchoolarepleasedto announcetheannualEasterEggHuntonSunday26Marchbetween2pmand 4pmontheschoolfield-seetheposteronpage51.

WehavealwaysappreciatedthesupportandgenerosityofLauntonresidents inattendingpastevents,donatingEasterEggsandmoney,andsponsoring prizes.LeafletsaskingfordonationswillbedistributedinthevillagebyFriday 10March,andourteamofvolunteerswillbecollectingdonationsafter6pm onFriday17March.

Thoseattendingwillbeabletohuntforcolouredstonesandexchangethem forEasterEggs.Therewillalsobefacepainting,gamesandcakesavailable. Ticketsare£4perchild/hunt,purchasedinadvance(until20March)atthe CostcuttershopandattheStonelilyhairsalon.Parents/carersofstudentsat theschoolcanalsobuyadvanceticketsdirectlyfromthePTA.

TheeventisamajoreventtosupportthechildrenofLauntonCofEPrimary School.WelookforwardtoyoujoiningtheEasterBunnyon26March!

R JWAKELIN

DistrictCouncillorsforFebruary2023

WellatleastithasbeenadriermonthandthewatersaroundLauntonhave subsidedalittle.AsIwalkedaroundwithasoggydog,IamsureIspotteda birdwithanolivebranchinitsbeak.TheArkmustnotbefarbehind!A briefupdatefromCDCandyourlocalLibDemcouncillorsthismonth,as Februaryisshortandsoarepublishingdeadlines!

Weareavailableasalwaysviaemailatgemma.coton@cherwell-dc.gov.uk orangus.patrick@cherwell-dc.gov.ukoron01869717712.

LondonRoadlevelcrossing

Someofyouhaveaskedhowthisisprogressing,andthesorryansweris, veryslowly.Wearecommittedtokeepingthecrossingopentoavoid cuttingoffhalfofBicesterandrequiringpeopletogoroundtheringroad togettothecentreoftown.Thereareseveraloptionswhichkeepcoming tothetable,yetnodecisionhasyetbeenmade.Theseincludeanoverpass orunderpassforpedestriansand/orvehicles,oracycleandfootbridge only.Therearemoreconsultationsplanned,andwemeetregularlywith EWRtoquestionthemonthisandwehavesupportfromOCCmembers onthistoo.ThemissedopportunitywhentheBicesterTown/Village stationwasre-developedisarealpainpointforallusandwewillcontinue torepresentyourviewsonthisandpushtoaresolution.

LocallandsupplyandtheLocalPlan

Aswementionedlastmonth,theLocalPlancamebeforetheLeadership ExecutivecommitteeatCDCandadecisionwaspostponedindefinitelyto considercommentsfromtheOverviewandScrutinycommittee.No changethereIamafraid;howeveronepositivedevelopment(nopun intended)tonoteisanewHousingLandSupplyfigurewasagreed.The UKgovernmentrequirescouncilstoplanforandaccommodateahousing landsupplythatexceeds5years.Basicallythismeanscalculatingthe numberofhousesneededandtheamountoflandavailableinthearea. Cherwellhasbeenshortonthatfigurewithonly3.5years,andsomuch speculativedevelopmenthasbeenrampant,includinginLaunton,as developerspointatthisandsay“youneedtobuildthesehouses,so anywherewilldo”.TheCDCExecutiverecentlypassedarevisedland supplyfigureof5.4yearsduetoanumberofrecentchanges.Pending ratificationbyHMPlanningInspectorate,thiswillclosethat“loophole”

andshouldmakethissortofdevelopmentmuchmoredifficulttoapprove, orfordeveloperstowinonappeal.

A41PloughleyRoad

Andfinally,aftermonthsofdelaysandfrustration,theroadworksareon coursetofinishinmid-March.Wesincerelyhopethiswillreducethetraffic throughLaunton.Wehaveeverything(fingers,arms,legs...)crossedthat thiswillbethecase!

CouncillorsAngusPatrickandGemmaCoton

Launton Watercolour Group

TheWatercolourClasseswillrunthroughMarch2023,intheParishHall onMondayafternoonsfrom2pm,withDavid Meeksasthetutor.Thesestudiesofwallsare fromarecentclass. Thecostis£8persession.

Ifyouwouldliketojointheclasses,pleaseemail thefollowing:Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com

PhotobyLauntonLinesstaffphotographer,EllaRayner

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

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 baddieking got his comeuppenceand 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 LVPPanto 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’sto 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.

YouJoinLauntonParishCouncil?

Asthearticlelastmonthmentioned,theParishCouncilelectionswilltake placeon4May.

TheCouncilisaconstantlychangingbodyofpeople;onceelected,Parish CouncillorscanusuallysitontheCouncilforfouryears.Becauseofa CommunityGovernanceReviewwhichchangedtheboundariesofthe Parishveryslightly,andbeforethatCovid-19,thelasttermhasbeenjust twoyears,butthenewtermofofficewillbefive.IfCouncillorswantto continueinoffice,theymuststandforre-electionattheendoftheirterm. VillagersareactivelyencouragedtoapplytojointheParishCouncil,andit isalwaysgoodtowelcomenewmembers.Ideally,allagegroupsanda widedemographicshouldberepresentedonaCouncilandwe’vebeen luckyenoughtohavethisinthepast.Therearesevenseatsonthe Council,soifmorethansevenpeoplestand,therewillbeaballotandthe sevencandidateswiththemostvotesgetelected.

AParishCouncilisthelocalauthoritythatmakesdecisionsonbehalfof thepeopleintheParishandmakesrepresentationsontheirbehalftoother bodies(e.g.onplanningmatters).Itisthelevelofgovernmentclosestto thecommunity,withCherwellDistrictCouncilandOxfordshireCounty Councilaboveit.Asitistheauthorityclosesttothepeople,theParish Councilisinvariablythefirstplacepeoplewillgowithconcernsorideas. Forthisreason,itisavitalpartofanycommunity.

WhocanbecomeaParishCouncillor?

AnyresidentofLauntonwho:

hasoccupiedasownerortenantanylandorotherpremisesinthe Parishareaduringthewholeofthe12monthsbeforethedayof nominationandthedayofelection;

isatleast18yearsold;

isaBritishcitizen,aneligibleCommonwealthcitizenoracitizenof anyothermemberstateoftheEuropeanUnion(thishasn’t changed!).

Also,you’dneedtomeetatleastoneofthefollowingfourqualifications:

1. youare,andwillcontinuetobe,registeredasalocalgovernment electorfortheParishinwhichyouwishtostandfromthedayof yournominationonwards;

2. yourmainoronlyplaceofworkduringthe12monthspriortothe dayofyournominationandthedayofelectionhasbeeninthe parish/communityarea;

3. youhavelivedintheParishorwithinthreemilesofitduringthe wholeofthe12monthsbeforethedayofyournominationandthe dayofelection;

4. youhaveoccupiedasownerortenantanylandorotherpremisesin theParishduringthewholeofthe12monthsbeforethedayofyour nominationandthedayofelection.

WhatdoParishCouncilsdo?

ParishCouncilsmakeallkindsofdecisionsandmakerepresentationsto otherlocalandnationalbodies,onissuesthataffectthelocalcommunity: fromworkingontheParishHallproject,liaisingwiththeEWRTeam,the Policeandotherservices,creatinganemergencyplan,arrangingthe mowingoftheroadverges,managingsomeoftheopenspacesand campaigningforanddeliveringbetterservicesandfacilities,to commentingonplanningapplicationsandrepresentingtheParishin meetingswithassortedexternalbodies,workingwiththeCountyCouncil ontrafficmattersandengagingwithotherlocalParishCouncilson mattersthataffectusall.

Therearelimitedpowerstomakedecisions,butParishCouncilsdohave theabilitytonegotiatewith,andthepowerto influence,thoseotherorganisationsthatdomake thefinaldecisions.

Moreinformationandanominationform:

Pleaseseehttps://www.launtonpc.gov.uk/elections-2023/orcontacttheLaunton

ParishClerk,JaneOlds

email:clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk

post:13OakClose,Bicester,OX263XD

orphone:07305303889

NoticeoftheAnnualGeneralMeeting ofFriendsofIslandPondWoodLimited

16 March 2023

Launton Parish Hall at 7:30pm

FeaturingtheAnnualReportfor2022/2023 andinformationonfutureplansforthewoodland.

MeettheDirectorsofFIPWLimited, andCommitteeMembersoftheFriendsandFamiliesGroup.

Aftertheformalbusiness,therewillbethechance forinformaldiscussionandsharingideasforthefuture, andrefreshments.

Oneofthemostimportant decisionsyouwillmake ischoosingtherightaccountant.

Contact us today foraFREEinitialmeeting.

We will proactivelylisten toyourbusinessneeds andcreatepersonalisedsolutions.

email@stackandjones.co.uk

Tel: 01869 277973

Unit4,WillowsGate,StrattonAudley

Bicester,Oxon OX279AU

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

WinterworkintheWoodland

IslandPondWoodbiodiversityboostproject

FollowingonfromourannouncementinNovemberabout obtainingasubstantialfundingopportunityfromTrustfor

Oxfordshire’sEnvironment(TOE)foranewlyestablishedIPWBiodiversity Boostproject,thisinitialfundingwillsupportyearoneofafive-yearwork programdesignedtoincreasethebiodiversityofthewood.

Tree thinning

WehavehadthepleasureofworkingwithAlchesterTreeandGarden Serviceswhohaveundertakenandcompletedthetreethinningwork,whilst caringforourbeautifulwoodlandintheprocess.

KeithandhisapprenticeHenry,alongwithKieran,managedtoremove morethan100trees.Weoftensaythatthewoodlandisasourceoflearning forallages:onthisoccasionitwasthefirsttimeHenryfelledatree-andin totalhefelled12treeshimselfduringtheweekandgottospendalotof timeusingthesaw,timberprocessingandchipping.

Hedgerowmanagement–continuewiththerotationalcoppiceofthe hedgerowstoencourageregenerationandamosaicstructure

ValeCountrysideVolunteers(VCV)havealsobeenwelcomedbacktothe woodsthiswinteraspartoftheaboveproject.Theyhavealreadybeenhard atworkundertakingtwosessionsinNovembertocontinuetherotational hedgerowworks,encouragingregeneration.Theywillbebackagaininlate Februaryfortwomoresessions.AbigthankyoutoKateNealforleading thesessions.

HabitatPondcreation–installationofawildlifefriendlypondthat willbefencedtolimitdisturbance

TLJenkinsLandscapinghavedoneafantasticjobwithinstallingour habitatpondintheclearingthatKeithandHenryhelpedcreate.Luckily, theyhadgoodweatherthistimetogettheponddugandthefencingupso, asthepondfills,wecanstartlookingatthewildlifethatwillbeattractedto thissafespace.

Surveying–commissioningabaselinesurveyofthesitetoestablish thecurrentlevelofbiodiversityandhabitatconditionfortreesto growandanunderstorytoestablish.

ThebaselinesurveyswillbecarriedoutbyFutureNature,thewildlife consultancybranchofBBOWT.OurnewcommitteememberAnnawillbe

helpingwithsomeadditionalsurveys,andtherewillbeanopportunityin thefutureforeveryonetogetinvolvedandlearnaboutwildlifesurveys.

Footpath-Completionofthework

WhilstTLJenkinsLandscapinghavebeencarryingouttheHabitatPond works,theyhavealsobeenabletofinishtoppingupthefootpathand rollingit.ThisworkhadtostopjustbeforeChristmasduetotheminus10 degree“coldsnap”andthecoveringofsnowwhichmeanttheylostthe path.Iknowplentyofpeoplehavesaidtheyhaveappreciatedtheuseof thepathinthebadweather.

Manythanksforyoursupportandpatiencewhilewehavecarriedoutthe works,includingthesafetyneedtoshuttheWoodlandwhilstthe machinerywasinthere.

Therearesomephotosoftheworkonpage2,theinsidefrontcover.

FriendsofIslandPondWoodTeam

AletterreceivedinsupportoftheNo17Bus

DearSir/Madam

RegardingtheNo.17Aylesbury/Bicesterbus,Iusethis busonaregularbasisasdoesmydaughterandwebothfind itaverygoodserviceandfeelveryluckytohaveit.

LivinginLauntonandbothofusnotbeingabletodrivewe wouldbelostwithoutitandverymuchhopethatitwillbe abletocontinue.

Kindregards.

Mrs.A.O.Witney

CHURCHYARD COURTESY

Everyoneiswelcometovisitthechurchyard,whethertobringflowers, tidyagrave,orjusttoenjoythepeacefulspace,butpleaseremember:

Respectthegravesbynotsteppingonthemorclimbingonthemonuments

IfyourdogdoesitsbusinessPICKITUP,BAGITandTAKEITTO THENEARESTDOGPOOBIN.Donotleaveitinthechurchyardfor someoneelsetopickup,orworsetostepinit!

Dog fouling is an offence so please act responsibly!

JoanPacker Churchwarden

DavidWarrinerSquire12-11-1922--24-1-2023

ItiswithsadnessthatthefamilyannouncethedeathofDavidSquireat CherwoodHousecarehome.Hewasakind-hearted,generousgentleman.He hadagreatsenseofhumourandatwinkleinhiseye,especiallyfortheladies. Hewasmostlyveryeasy-goingbuthecouldbestubborn.

DavidwasborninHuddersfield,Yorkshire.HewaseducatedatAysgarthand Oundleschools.HejoinedtheRAFin1942andwastransferredtoCanada whereheearnedhiswings.OnreturningtoEngland,hemarriedhisForces sweetheart,Jean,in1944.Theyhadtwosons,PeterandJonathan.They movedtoTubbendens(nowSquireHouse)inStationRoad,Launtonin1980, whereheretiredtolookafterhiswife.

Afterherdeathin2003hemovedtoThePoplars.Hemademanyfriendsin thevillage,particularlyDaphneBellman,whoheoftenfrequentedthepub withforlunch.Hewasafamilymanandalwaysenjoyedgrandfamilygettogethers.Hehadfivegrandchildrenandeightgreatgrandchildren.Hewasa manoffaith,aregularchurch-goeratLauntonandCaversfieldservices.

Davidwasakeenfollowerofsportsparticularlycricketandrugby,andinlater years,ladiesfootball.Heenjoyedpainting,marquetry,swimming,anddogs.

LauntonOver60sClubreportforFebruary2023

TheNewYearhasstartedwellforusandwehavehadfournewmembers joinusalready:Julia,Nancy,andTedfromLaunton,andSandrafrom Bicester.Ifanyoneelsewouldliketocomealong,theywillbemadevery welcome.Thedatesandtimesofourmeetingscanbefoundinsidetheback coverofLauntonLines,intheDiaryDates.

Wehavehadthreemeetingssofarthisyearandon15Februarywehadour firstlunch.Twenty-sixpeoplecamealongandweenjoyedadrinkinthebar andthenahotlunchofjacketpotatoeswithsavourymincefollowedbyred berrystrudelandfreshcream.Complimentstothechef!Alotofhardwork. WethenhadaninterestingtalkfromJaneOlds,ClerktotheLauntonParish Council.Sheexplainedwhathappensattheirmeetingsandencouraged anyonewithquestionsorproblemstocontacther.Herdetailscanbefoundat thebottomofpage3ofeveryissueofLauntonLines.

OurAnnualMeetingwillbeheldon15Marchwithreportsfromthe Chairman,TreasurerandMembershipSecretaryTheCommitteewillthenbe electedforthecomingyear.

PatCourt01869244900

ManyvillagerswillrecallhimsittingattheendofThePoplarswithabagof Werthersoriginalsweetsanddogbiscuits.Heenjoyedhavingachatand givingatreattothedogs.Hejoinedinvillagelifeandwasafoundermember oftheIslandPondWood,acollectorforthePoppyappeal,andatinshaker forSSAFA.

Upuntiltheageof93,heregularlytravelledtoBicesteronthebus. Unfortunately,afallfollowingoneofthesevisitsendedwithabrokenhip. Davidremainedlivinginhisbungalowuntiltheage of99withsupportfromcarersandthefamily.He spenthisfinalyearhappilyinCherwoodHouse carehome,aplaceheknewwell,andwhereseveral membersofstaffrememberedhimfromwhenhe visitedhiswifedaily20yearsago.Hecelebratedhis 100thbirthdaylastNovemberandreceivedhiscard fromtheKing. Thefamilywouldliketothankeveryonefortheir kindwordsandmessagesofsupport.Thefuneral washeldonMonday20February.

News from StMary’sChurch

Services in March 2023

You are most welcome to join the March Services listed here. The first three dates are Services in StMary’s while the fourth Sunday is a Team Communion Service to be held at StEdburg’sChurch, with Bishop Stevenas celebrant.

Services

5 March 8.00amBCPHoly Communion

11.00amFamily Service - all welcome

12 March 6.00pmBCPEvensong

19 March 11.00amHoly Communion

26 March 10.30amTeam Communion at StEdburg’s Bishop Stephen

PleasecheckontheFacebookpageforStMary’sChurchforthelatestinformation orcontactoneoftheChurchwardensatStMary’s

JoanPacker j.packer779@btinternet.com01869241694 CeliaMandersonceliamanderson@aol.com01869571735

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 1.30pmin Launton, at 2.30pmor 7.30pmat StEdburg’s.

Anyone wishing to join the course in Launton should contact Celia, as above, or for the Bicester StEdburg’ssessions contact Susanin the Church office (01869 323458)

The Community Café is open on Tuesdays during term time - so every Tuesday in March. Please do come along.

TheQuarterlyReportfromourMP,VictoriaPrentis

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’scommitment 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’sTurkey-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’sbrutal

Simon Nash

Installation-Maintenance-Servicing

07483864571

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’shistoric 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 Vikawho 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. Vikais 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

HelenAriswas welcomed back as president due to GayeCornfordbeing 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 HarditSinghMalik‘The Flying Sikh of the First World War’. Harditwas privately educated in India until, at the age of 14, he came to England where he attended Eastbourne College and then BalliolCollege at Oxford, and he also played cricket for Sussex.

In 1916 Hardit’sprofessor at Oxford managed to get him a commission in the Royal Flying Corps as an ‘honorary’ 2nd Lieutenant where he learnt to fly SopwithCamels. [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

Harditdied 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 WIwill 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

JoanPacker

HickoryDickoryDock: Launton Village

Players Pantomime 2023

On Saturday 18 February, I saw the Launton Village Players’ latest work - Hickory DickoryDock. Playing on the nursery rhyme, Rod and Nikkiwrote a ‘Fine’ and innovative script that brought Launtoniato Bicester for a comedicshow 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 DickoryDock began.

ChrisCook (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 (BethHeale) 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 Penhallowand 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’smagic and, I for one, was very happy to see the first of many traditional “thigh slap” panto moments. The children’schorus (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

thing that is a cheese sandwich. [Author note: if Dame Lily is stopping by, I’dlike 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 NickyRobertsstarred as Jessie, who entered with an enthusiastic yee-hawand kept her accent up with conviction throughout the show. Tom’seye 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’tgo any further without introducing my favourite bit of the show – the iBad(a prop of sheer beauty!). It is as it sounds, an iPadfor villains! The audience guffawed at the pun, which was built on by Dick and Dock (Rod Fine and DanChilvers) as they desperately repeated “Hey Siri” only to be met by Silly – the iBad’s unhelpful assistant. The voiceoverof 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 Danwere perfect in their roles, and I hope for their sakes they avoid cacti in the future!

Second stop: the North Pole. The children’schorus 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(NickyRoberts) 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 (ChrisCook and MarcusLamb) 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’shouse - the chosen charity offering a suicide prevention service and empowering young people. Unfortunately, I didn’twin but I was still thankful to be supporting such a worthwhile cause. Glowsticksin hand, we settled into our seats as the music started up

once more and Silly on the iBadopened 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 SteveWebber) and stole the limelight with their ukuleles -Ialso picked out a glorious bassline played by Simon Turner. SarahTurner showed her skill on a variety of instruments, while GilesConwaykept beat with the percussion and John Nelson showed his musical prowess on the guitar and ukulele. Finally, our heroes restored Princess Leilani’s(CathyProcopiou) 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 JuliaWest 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’sHouse by Hickory DickoryDock.

A Vet’sVoice: Pepper’sPredicament

Pepperisan11-year-olddomesticshorthairedcat(amoggy).Shewasseen earlyinJanuaryinthepracticehavingbeenvomitingandfeelingunwell.Vet KyrafoundthatPepperhadlostasignificantamountofweightandhada heartmurmur.Bloodteststocheckforpossiblecausesoftheillnessshowed thatPepperhadanoveractivethyroidgland.Thyroidhormone(T4)should usuallymeasurebetween10and60butinPepper’scaseitcameoutat198!! Hypermeansincreased(likeinhyperactive).Pepper’sconditioniscalled hyperthyroidismwhichmeansincreasedlevelsofT4hormonefroman overactivethyroidgland.Thankfully,inmostcasesthisiscausedbyabenign processcausingabnormalbutnon-cancerousgrowthoftheglandswhichare locatedintheneckjustbelowthethroat.However,asmallpercentageof casescanberelatedtocancerousgrowthoftheglands(adenocarcinoma). Theproblemwithbeinghyperthyroidisthatthehormonespeedsup metabolism.Itcausesthehearttoracewhichcanleadtoheartfailureover time.Itmakescatsfeelhungrierandtheyofteneatravenouslybutstilllose weightdespitetheincreasedfoodintake.Somecatswillgetdiarrhoeaand occasionallycatsbecomehyperactiveoraggressive.

It’sreallyimportanttotreathyperthyroidcatsbothtoimprovetheirquality oflifeandtopreventtheprogressionofheartdisease.WhenIfirststarted vettingthetreatmentwasatabletgiventhreetimesaday!Understandably, thiswasreallydifficultinmanycats.Thesedaystherearetopicalgelsthat absorbthroughtheskin,oralliquidmedicineaswellastabletsonceortwice daily.Allthesemedicationsarelifelongasthemedicationdoesn’tcurethe patientbutsuppressesthehormoneproduction-stopthemedsandthe hormonebuildsupagain.

Thereisalsotheoptionofusingradioactiveiodinewhichabsorbsintothe thyroidglandsandspecificallyknocksoutthecellswhichareoverproducing. Thisrequireshospitalisationforaweekorsoinashieldedcatteryunitwhilst theradioactivitydeclines.Inmostcasesthisprovidesapermanentcurefor theconditionmeaningthatongoingmedicationisusuallyunnecessary.

Finally,it’spossibletoremoveoveractivethyroidglandsinafiddleybut generallysafeoperation.Thereisasmallriskofupsettingcalciumlevelsin thebloodiftheassociatedparathyroidglandsaredamagedorinadvertently removedatthesametime,however,inmostcasestheprocedureiseffective

andcatstendtorecoverquicklywiththyroidlevelsreducingquickly.

Pepper’sownersoptedforsurgeryafterafewweeksoftreatmenttoreduce thelevelsofT4hormone.Boththeenlargedglandswerecarefullydissected outtakingcarenottodamagetheparathyroidglands.Pepperrecovered uneventfullyandwenthomethenextdayafteraprecautionarycalcium bloodtestprovedtobenormal.

I’mpleasedtosaythatPepper’sconditionhasnormalisedassherapidly regainedthehalfkilogrammeshehadlostduringherillness.Sheishappy andwell,andnowsheleavesalittlefoodinherbowlshowingthather ravenousappetitehasresolved.

ThereisasmallchancethatPeppermaydevelopotherthyroidtissue elsewhereinthebodyinwhichcasetheconditionmayrecurinayearor two.Mostcats,however,willremainwellafterthyroidectomyandwewish Pepperalongandnormallife.

Enjoyyourpets, JasonWilliamsBicesterVets

Peaceofmindforpetowners...



CompassionateandCaringatalltimes



Longopeninghoursforyourconvenience

24houron-sitenursingcareasstandardforallourhospitalisedpatients

24hourEmergencyserviceprovidedbyourvetsatourpractice

Aservicethat'ssecondtononefromNorthOxfordshire'smostestablished, independent,specialitysmallanimalhospital.

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

LauntonFootpathNews

Themapontheleftillustratesthe reportonpage36ontherealignment offootpathstothenorthofStation RoadfromGrangeFarmtothenew footbridge.

Thephotobelowshowsthenewgates onfootpath 262/7/10 from the back of the Church. The gates are across thenewaccessroadtoTheTythe Barn,onthewaytoCharbridgeLane.

Recent deaths in the village

LauntonLinestriestorecordsignificanteventsinthevillage.Wetrytolist births,marriages,civilpartnerships,anddeathsaswegetinformation.Tohave alistingincluded,justcontactlauntonlines@launton.orgordropanoteinat 36WestEnd.Thereisnochargeforsuchreporting,andiffamiliesorfriends wanttosubmitlongerobituariesormemorialpieces,wewillusethem.

Thislistingisinalphabeticalorderandgivesinformationthatwehave

ValBox(oneofthreeformerresidentsofSherwoodCloseinthislist)

HazelMargaretCannonaged103years

BarbaraJeffriesaged83years(oneofthreeformerresidentsof SherwoodCloseinthislist)

MonicaMatthewsaged98years(oneofthreeformerresidentsof SherwoodCloseinthislist)

SueMayaged79years

DavidSquireaged100years(seepages18-19ofthisissue)

GrangeMewsNewsFebruary2023

CommercialOffices,

Atlast,thePRoWhasbeenfinishedbyEWR(Ihavebeeninformed), althoughthefloodingproblemhasnotbeensolved andEWRhavebeeninstructedonbehalfofOCCtoputdownhardcore asapalliative,butwithextrawaterflowingofftherailwayditches theexcesswaterwillstillbethereinhighrainfall, asthewaterbacksupacrossthewalkway.OCCdonotseemconcerned. IfIhadbeenlistenedtotherewouldhavebeena100%interesting walkableroute100%ofthetime,manymonthsago.

Iamnotsurewhenorifthereisanofficialopening, butitwillneedtobeclosedordivertedforsafetyreasons whenthebuildingcompanystartthenewhigh-qualityhousing. Willthefinalroutegothroughthenewestate?

Ormaybebythescenicrouteinsteadofthroughthenewhousing?

TheRamblershadapreferenceforthescenicroute asdidOCCoriginally.

Thishasbeenaveryexpensivedrawn-outprojectsoontoberedundant.

Launton Footpath News

AtthebeginningofFebruary,thefootpath262/7/10fromthebackof theChurchacrosstoCharbridgeLanewasre-openedtowalkers.Asign warningofpedestrianscrossingwillbeplacedonCharbridgeLanelater.

TheOCCCountrysidemaphasmoreinformationatthisurl: https://publicrightsofway.oxfordshire.gov.uk/standardmap

NewsaboutthecompletionandopeningoftheStationRoadfootpath headingtowardsthenewfootbridgeandthediversionoffootpaths27213,272-20and272-21tojoin272-11,isstillnotdefinite.

Seetheroughplanonpage34tohelpexplainwhatishappeningwith thesefootpaths.AllchangesarebeingdoneunderaTransportandWorks ActOrder(TWAO).EWRareintouchwiththelandownerssotheyare awareofwhatishappening.

Theroutesshowninblueonthemaponpage34arethenewroutesthat arebeingprovided.Notethattherouteoverthenewrailwaybridgehas alreadybeenacceptedandaddedtotheDefinitiveMapsoisshownin purple.

Therouteshighlightedinredarethepathsthatarebeingextinguished. Thereareafewremedialworkstobeundertakenbeforeacceptingthe newroutesbutassoonasthesearecompletedthechangeswillbemade ontheDefinitiveMapandthepathswillbeopenedforpublicuse.

Atthemomenttheroutealongthenorthsideofthetrackiswithina fencedarea,theouterfencewillberemovedinduecourse.Thepaths shouldopenbeforethefenceisremovedsoagapwillbemadetoprovide accessontofootpath272/13.

Wehopethisishelpful.

Wearealsothinkingofholdingacelebrationvillagewalkinthesummer towelcometheopeningofthefootpathsandourreturntofreedom!

Watchthisspace.

LesleyThompsonandBobRoberts

Youcancontactusviaemail:lesley.thompson@launton-pc.gov.uk

LearningaboutForcesinYear5atschool

Wehavebeenlearningaboutforcesandtheeffectsofdrag,push,pulland gravity.Wecarriedoutanexperimentonair-resistancebymakingparachutes outofpaperbagsofdifferentsizes.Theywere15,20,25or30centimetres deep.Ourgroupuseda30centimetrebagandmadesurethatthestringand anytapeusedwereofthesametypeandlengthssothatwecouldmakegood comparisonswiththerateoffallforotherbagsizes.Wewerebeingfair becausetheweightswerethesame.

Weconductedtheseexperimentsintheclassroomingroupsoffourorfive children.Wedroppedtheparachutefromthesameheighteachtime.We timedhowlongittooktheparachutetoreachthefloorandthencompared thetimesforeachsize.

Anotherexperimentforairresistancewasconductedoutsidewithdifferent sizedpiecesofcardboard.

Wehavelearntaboutbuoyancyandweknowthatthiskeepsshipsafloat.If wedroppedapencilshapedobjectinwaterweknowthatitwouldmove fasterbecauseofitsshapewhichismoreaerodynamic.

Thisprincipleappliestoracingcars.Theirshapehelpsthemtogofaster. Cyclistsusethisprincipletomakethemselvesintoastreamlinedshapeto helpthemtogofastertoo.

Welearntalotaboutforcesandenjoyedourexperiments.

Benjamin,Clarence,KieraandSofiaYear5LauntonSchool

Last month we gave advance notice of the return of the popular

TYTHEBARN QUIZ

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

DooRs wIll opEN AT 7pmfoR A 7.30pmsTART

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 Costcuttershop – cash only, please Cakes, tea and coffee will be served in the interval

Proceeds split between StMary’sChurch and The Friends of Launton Parish Hall

150YearsAgo,fromTheBicesterHerald1873

14thMarch.PETTYSESSIONS.DrunkandDisorderlyatBicester.John Bannister,labourer,Launton,whodidnotappear,waschargedwithbeing drunkinthepublicstreetsofBicester,onFebruary27.PCNichollswason dutyinthetownonthenightinquestionandsawtheaccused,whowas drunk,runningagainstpersonshemet.Heranagainsttworespectable females,andontheofficerremonstratingwithhim,he(Bannister)calledhim aliar.Theaccusedwasdetainedincustodytillthefollowingmorning.Five previousconvictionsagainstBannisterwereputin.Forthepresentoffences hewasfined5s;policefee2sandcosts9s-16s[total]-orfourteendays’ imprisonment.

TheWhitchurchSandMan’sReputation.WilliamBuckingham,higgler [peddler],Whitchurch,whodidnotanswertohissummons,waschargedwith allowingahorseandcarttostandunattendedatLaunton,onFebruary19.PC StockfordwasondutyatLauntonabouteighto’clockatnightincompany withPCBurgessoftheBucksconstabulary,whenhisattentionwascalledtoa horseandcartfilledwithsandstandingnearTheBullpublic-house.He watchedthehorseandcartfromeighttoninewhenthedefendantcameoutof

WEARENOWBICESTER’SLONGEST-ESTABLISHED INDEPENDENTFAMILY-OWNED&RUNFUNERALDIRECTORS BICESTER’SONLYINDEPENDENTFAMILYFUNERALDIRECTOR

Acaringtraditional24hourservice ProvidedbyMrHancockandhisteampersonally

TheBull.IfanythinghadturneddownfromtheWest-endofLauntona seriousincidentmighthavehappenedasitwasaverydarknight.Eight previousconvictionscommittedinBucks,principallyforallowingcattleto stray,werebeforetheirWorships.Fine8s,police8s6d,costs10s,and1sfor PCBurgess,whowasinattendanceasawitness,orsevendays’imprisonment.

INCONNECTIONWITHTHECONGREGATIONALDAY

SCHOOL,LAUNTON,apublicteaandserviceofsacredsongtookplace onWednesdaylast,March12.Intheafternoonagoodnumberofthefriends andsupporterssatdowntoacapitaltea,thetablesbeingpresidedoverby MesdamesCubbage,Showler,AFennore,Cross,Sansome,andMissMoxey. IntheeveningtheChapelwaswellfilled,andtheserviceofsong,illustrative of“Bunyan'sHolyWar”,wasgiven.TheRevJSDarley,ofMarshGibbon, tookthechair,andafteraskingtheDivineblesing,madeafewremarksasto thelifeandlaboursofthatgreatman,JohnBunyan.Thereadingsweregiven inaclearandimpressivemannerbyRevWHDickenson,andthemusical partwassunginamasterlywaybythechoirofBicesterCongregational Church,undertheskillfulleadershipofMrJohnHodges.MrsDickenson presidedattheharmonium.Theinterestofthemeetingwaskeptupformore

thantwohours.Atthecloseaheartyvoteofthankswasgiventothe chairman,reader,andchoirs,andotherfriendswhohadtakenpart.Onthe followingday,theannualtreattothechildenoftheschool,innumberabout 60,wasgiven.Afterteatheeveningwasspentinrecitationsandsingingby thechildren.Thefollowingistheprogramme:Chairman,theRevWHDickenson.

Singing,“Comesoftandlovelyevening.”

Recitation,“Thethreewarnings”byArthurCubbage.

Singing,“BeforealllandsinEastorWest.”

Recitation,“Theyoungmouse,”byJamesReeves.

Singing,“Underaspreadingchestnuttree.”

Recitation,“JohnGilpin,”byThomasCubbage.

Singing,“Catchthesunshine.”

Recitation,“ThebattleofBlenheim,”byJoshuaJeacock.

Singing,“Thefrost.”

Recitation,“Thetwoweavers,”byEdwinJarvis.

Singing,“Bekindtothelovedonesathome.”

Recitation,“Thewindinafrolic,”byJamesColes.

Singing,“O'erthefoamingbillows.”

Recitation,“Teakettlesconcert,”byFlorenceBricknell.

Singng,“Nativeland.”

Recitation,“LordUllin'sdaughter,”byThomasCubbage.

Finale,“GodSavetheQueen.”

TheDaySchoolisdoinggoodworkunderthemanagementoftheTeacher andthespecimensofworkdonebythechildrenelicitedheartyandsincere commendation.

[Editorialnote:theMissMoxeylistedamongtheladieswhoservedtheteaswasateacher atthedayschoolbeingrunbytheCongregationalistsinthebuilding-nowaprivatehouseknownasChapelSchoolHouse.Thenumberofpupilswasneververygreatandtheschool hadtoclosefromtimetotimewhentheteacherleftandareplacementhadnotarrived.It finallyclosedin1881.ThehighnumberofpupilsquotedprobablyincludedmanySunday Schoolchildren,whootherwiseattendedtheChurchofEnglandSchool-thepresentschoolduringweekdays.]

PETTYSESSIONS.RobbingEmployeratLaunton.ElizaAustin,15, domesticservant,anativeofBlackthorn,butmostofhertimeaninmateofthe BicesterUnionPoorhouse,andSarahCartwright,amarriedwomanofLaunton, werecharged-Austinwithstealingcoals,potatoes,andmilk,ofthevalueof1s, thepropertyofMrFrederickMansfield,farmer,Launton,hermaster;and Cartwrightwithreceivingthearticlesknowingthemtohavebeenstolen.Mr Mansfielddeposedthattheprisoner,ElizaAustin,wasinhisservicetillthat morning.SarahCartwright,wasamarriedwomanlivinginthevillage.In consequenceofinformationhereceivedonSunday,March2,he,onthenextday, hadaconversationwithElizaAustin.Hesaidtoher,“Ann(althoughhername wasEliza,theycalledherAnn)howcameyoutogivethosecoals,potatoesand milkaway?”Shesaid,“Ididgivethemaway.”Heaskedherhowmuchcoal.She said,“Threeorfourknobs.”Hethenasked,“Howmanypotatoes,theytellmeit washalf-a-peck?”Shereplied,“Notquiteasmuch.”Inreplytoanotherquestion astothequantityofmilkshehadgivenaway,theprisonersaid,“Onequart.”The witnessdidnotholdoutanyinducementorthreattoinducetheprisonertomake thesestatements.Hesaidnothingaboutthepersontowhomshehadbeengiving thesethings,nordidtheprisoner.

PCStockfordwassentfortoMrMansfield'shouse.Hewentandprosecutortold himwhathadoccurred,andsentforAustinintotheroomwherehewas.She camecryingverymuchandsayingshewouldneverdoitagain,butnothing occurredinhispresencetoinducehertomakethatstatement.Theofficerasked herwhatshehadbeendoing,andshereplied“Ihavebeengivingmymaster's coal,potatoesandmilkaway.CartwrighttoldmeifIwouldgivehersomething shewouldseethatIdidnotwant,andshouldnotgointotheworkhouseagain; butshouldhaveahomethere.”Witnessthenaskedherhowmuchcoal,potatoes andmilkshegaveaway.Shesaid,“Threeorfourknobsofcoal,eightorten potatoesandaquartofmilk.”Fromwhattheprisonertoldhimhewentin companywithMrMansfieldtoWilliamCartwright'shouse,andsawtheprisoner, SarahCartwright,there.Assoonastheygotintothehouse,MrsCartwrightsaid, “Iwilltellyouthetruthaboutit.”Shethensaid,“IsentmylittlegirltoMr Mansfield'sonSundaymorningtoaskiftheywouldgivemesomemilk;andshe broughtbacktwolittleknobsofcoal,fivepotatoes-threewererotten-and abouthalfpintofmilk.IthoughtMrsGuntrip(MrMansfield'shousekeeper)had givenherthemasshehadgivenmealittlecoalandmilksixweeksbefore,whenI wasillandwewerestarving.”MrsCartwrightmadeastatementtothe magistratesineffectthesameasgivenbyPCStockford.MrsCartwrightwas discharged.Austinpleadedguilty,andelectedtobetriedbytheBench.Shewas sentencedtofourteendays’imprisonment.

THEIRPLAYWASJUSTTHETICKET.

Theplay,JusttheTicket,byJohnWaterhouse,presentedbyLauntonPlayers, wasjusttheticketforLauntonaudienceswhopackedthevillagehallfora two-nightrunlastFridayandSaturday.

LauntonPlayershavebeenpresentingcomedies,inwhichtheyspecialize, twiceyearlyforthepast12yearsunderthedirectionoftheirproducer,Mr ArthurGold,andthisyear’sspringproduction,afarce,isconsideredoneof theirbest.

Thestagepropswereexceptionallygoodandtheproductionransmoothly onbothnights.Itwasatwo-actplaywithfourscenechangeswhich representedalotofback-stageandoff-stageeffort.

Theset,alivingroomscene,waswell-madebutthechiefinterestinthestage propswasinthelarger-than-lifesizeostrichandtheowlwhoseeyeslitup. TheostrichhassincebeenpresentedtoAmbrosdenSchool.

TheproductionwasafamilyaffairwithMrsEiraGoldtakingaleadingpart andMrArthurGolddoublingupasproducer,amemberofthecast,andas stageelectrician.Theirdaughter,MrsPatMitchell,madetheostrich.Another familyeffortwasbyMrArthurWhitakerandhissons,StephenandAndrew, whotookthepartofMorrisDancers.NewcomerstotheproductionwereJo LangfordandRogerAlderton.Therewasafineperformanceinanotherlead rolebyJackAncil.ItwasstandingroomonlyforlatecomersontheSaturday nightproduction,arecommendationinitself.

[photo:JackAncilwithostrich]

Launton Historical Society - February 2023

At our January meeting we heard DrSimon Wenhamtalk 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 WilliamFerguson(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 MrsBeetonreally die of syphilis?) Lesser conditions than these were dangerous for the vulnerable. Those working in industry faced occupational hazards, such as – ‘phossyjaw’ , a necrosisof 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

education. In the next centurythe 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. JosephBazalgettebuilt 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 DrWenham’stalk, 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 DrChristopherYoung talk to us on a local matter - the memorials in StEdburg’schurch in Bicester, and on 30 March MelanieKing 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.

GwenSkinner

CanyousparesometimetohelpLauntonLines

Wearestilllookingforsupport

inthefinancialsideofrunningLauntonLines .

Doyouhaveafinanceorbook-keepingbackground?

Orareyoujustnotscaredofnumbers?

Canyouspareabout3-4hoursamonthofyourtime?

Canyouproduceinvoicesforadvertisers?

Canyouthenfollowupinvoicesandgetpaymentin?

Wanttoknowmore?Contactlauntonlines@launton.org

Memories of an ex-Launton Boy

Thismonththeex-Launtonboymusesontheearlyyearsofhisworkasanapprentice carpenterandjoiner,andworkingonroofsinthecoldwinterof1963.Heremembers howhegottoworkbackthen-onabikeorwheelingahandcart-andthetoolsofhis tradewithnotapowerdrivenoneinhistoolbag.Heismovedtothesethoughtsby watchingroofersatworkinthewinterof2023,countingallthewhitevanstheyuseto gettotheirworkandthepre-fabricatedmaterialstheyworkwith.

Havinganidlemomentortwotheotherday(whichisquiteanunusual eventforme),Iwaswatchingsomerooferstilingtheroofsofaterrace ofbrandnewhousesunderconstructionandittookmebacktothedays ofmyyoungapprenticeshipasacarpenterandjoinerinLauntonwith thevillagebuildingfirm,LewisPenn&Co.AsIstoodtherewatching andshiveringinthebitterlycoldmorningwhereeverythingwascoated inalmostaquarterofaninchthicklayerofglisteningwhitefrost,I thoughtaboutthatJanuaryin1963when,afterhavinghadtheluxuryof acentrallyheatedschoolclassroom,thereIwasontheroofofthe stablesatTusmorePark,theestateofLordBicester,barelyabletohold myhammerinmyfreezingcoldhands,nevermindknockingnailsin. Man!Thatwascold,Ibelievethecoldestwintersince1947,theyearin whichIwasborn.

Anyway,castingmyeyesdownfromgazingattheroofersscurrying aboutthescaffolding,Inoticedtheircarsandvansparkeduponthe buildingsiteandnotedthemakesandmodelsonshow.Suchalotof moneytheymusthavecost,eventhebeautifullysign-writtenworksvans wereinpristinecondition.

AndagainIthoughtbacktomyyoungapprenticeshipdaysand rememberedthatwegottoandfromwork,ifitwasrelativelylocal,on ourbicycleswithourrespectivetoolbagsfulloftoolsslungacrossour handlebars.Icanevenrememberifweweredoingajobwithinthe villageitself,wehadabigoldhandcartwithiron-rimmedwheelswe wouldpushthroughthevillagewithourtoolsaboard,alongwiththe materialswewouldbeusingonthejob.Noluxuriesforusbackthen.

Andwhataboutthetoolstheyusetodaywiththereliableoldclaw hammerseeminglyanalmostobsoletepieceofequipmentthesedays, replacedbythemagazine-fillednailgun,inadditiontowhichloadsof

differentcordlesspowertoolsareusedinsteadofold-fashionedballhandledcarpenter’sscrewdriversandbattery-drivencircularsawsinstead ofhandsawsandevenelectricplanesreplacingthegoodoldStanley smoothingplaneandJackplane?

Evenbuildingmaterialsarethinnerandmorelight-weightsuchasroof rafterswhicharriveonsiteintheformofpre-castrooftrussesmadeof 3x11/2inchtimbersinsteadoftheheavier4x2inchtimbersusedfor cuttingindividualrafters.Allveryfineandmodernbutbecausethe strengthinthestructureisobtainedthroughthetriangulationofthe timbermembersusedintherooftrussconstruction,theydonotlend themselvestothepossibilityoffutureloftconversionstocreate additionalaccommodation.Thinkingback,Iwasinvolvedinanumberof thoseduringmyapprenticeship.Andthere’sanotherthing:acarpenter andjoiner’sapprenticeshipwasforfiveyearsbackinthe1960’s.Ionly servedthreeofthoseyearsandobtainedmyIntermediateCity&Guilds qualification,uponwhichIlefttojointheBritishArmyintheCorpsof RoyalEngineers.Thesedays,theydosixmonthsatcollegeandcomeout callingthemselvesqualifiedcarpentersandjoiners.MorelikewoodbutchersfrommuchoftheworkIhaveseen.Itseemstomethatasa nationwearelosingmanyofourtraditionalartisanskillsthroughsocalledmodernisationoftoolsandbuildingtechniques.Yetdespiteallthis modernisation,wearestillbuildingfartoofewhousesforournation’s needsandwherewearebuilding,wearedoingsowithoutupgradingthe infrastructuretoaccommodatepopulationincreasesinsuchareas.It seemstomethatthesedaysthepowersthatbeknowlittleifanythingof joined-upthinking.

Thentherearethosemodernhousesbeingbuiltwithtimberframeswith justtheouter-skinoftheexternalwallsbeingconstructedoftraditional brickwhiletheinnerskinofthecavitywallsaretimberframescoveredin amembranewhich,ifpuncturedduringorafterconstructionwillcause enormousproblemstotheoverallstructure.Then,oneisprettylimited astowhatonecanhang,andwhere,ontheseinternal“walls”tomake thedwellingthatmuchmorehomely.

Andhaveyounoticedmanyofthenew-buildestatesunderconstruction areadvertisedas‘architect-designed’,asiftheymightotherwisehave

beendesignedbyafloristorsomething.Andhoweasilypeopleare fooledwhentheygointotheshow-houseoftheso-called‘executive style’home?Theylookverylargefromtheoutside,withtheimpression theymustbeprettybigontheinsidetoo,andsureenough,thefurniture displayedineachroomoftheshow-houseprovesthepoint...untilthe buyermovesintheirownfurnitureandfindsthereisnotenoughroom toswingacat.Wherepeoplehavebeensuckerediswhenthefurniture intheshow-househasbeenscaleddowninsizetogivetheimpression thatwhenone’sownfurnitureismovedin,thereremainsplentyof roomtomovearoundin.ScandalousIcallit!Notliketheolddays whenyougotwhatyousaw.Somuchdeceptionofonesortoranother thesedays,likethelargepacked-fullbagsofcrisps,untilyouopenitand findthecontentsfillbarelyhalfofthebag,therestofthedeceptive roombeingtakenupbyfreshair,whichwearepayingfor.

Andwhileonmoneyforfreshair...Idon’tknowifyouhavethisin BicesterbutintheMedwayTownsinKent,inthePayandDisplaycar parkswhichoperateonacoin-onlybasis,ifonewants£1.50’sworthof time,forwhichthereisacharge,butonehasonlya£2coin,thereisno waythemachinewillgiveanychange.Ifthatisn’tanoutandoutconI don’tknowwhatis.YetdespitethemillionsofpoundsayearMedway Councilreceivesthroughparkingchargesandfines(andyes,itdoesrun intomillionsayearasIdiscoveredthroughtacklingtheCouncil),the potholesinMedwaykeepgrowing:somearesolargeanddeepthatthey areextremelydangerousandevenapotentialthreattolife.Sowhat happenstoallthattrafficparking/offencesmoneycollected,Iask!But ofcourse,onereceivesnocoherentanswersfromtheLocalAuthority.

RollonMay,sayI,whenhopefullywecangetshotofthemandget somefairandhonestCouncillorsinplace,iftherearesuchthings.

IambeginningtosoundlikeaGrumpyOldManandthatisnotmy remithere,soIapologise.Iwilljustfinishoffbysaying,Iamsovery gladthatIdon’thavetogoscramblingoverscaffoldingonfreezingcold morningsoranyothertimeforthatmatter.TerraFirmaforme!

KeephealthyandstaySAFE!

Diary Dates: March 2023

Inthecurrentsituation,itisdifficulttobespecificaboutvillageevents.Listedarethosewe knowareplanned-butcheckwithorganisersnearerthedateifyouplantoattend.

MARCH2023

Wednesday1Over60sClubMeeting,SportsandSocialHall,startsat1.45pm,endsabout 3.30pm

Thursday2ParishCouncilMeeting,PublicSession7.15pm,CouncilMeeting7.30pm,Parish Hall

Sunday5StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion(BCP),8am;FamilyService,11am|Weekly QuizatTheBull,8pm

Tuesday7RubbishCollection:garbagebin|CommunityCafé,ParishHall:9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Thursday9WIMeeting:AnnualMeetingandpresentationoftheCompetitionTrophy,Parish Hall,7.30pm

Friday10SCOTSMeeting,TheBull,from5.30pm

Saturday11VillageSpringCleanUp,StartattheParishHall,10am-12noon

Sunday12StMary'sChurch,BCPEvensong,6pm|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday13WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm

Tuesday14RubbishCollection:recyclingandgardenbins|CommunityCafé,ParishHall: 9am-11am;2.30pm-4.30pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Wednesday15Over60sClubMeeting,SportsandSocialHall,startsat1.45pm,endsabout 3.30pm.ThisisalsotheAGMoftheClub

Thursday16FourthGrandTytheBarnQuizforFoLPHandStMary'sChurch,TheTytheBarn, CharbridgeLane.Doorsopenat7.00pmfor7.30start|IslandPondWoodAGM, ParishHall,7.30pm

Sunday19StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion,11am|TrinityCamerata,Beethoven,Wagner, Brahmsconcert,StEdburg'sChurch,3.45pm|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm

Monday20

FINALDATEFORCOPYFORTHEAPRIL2023ISSUEOFLAUNTONLINES: SUBMITTOlauntonlines@launton.org|WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall, 2pm-4pm

Tuesday21RubbishCollection:garbagebin|CommunityCafé,ParishHall:9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Wednesday22LauntonCommunityCommunicationsGroup(LauntonLines,thefacebookpages, andthewebsite)AnnualMeetingonline,8.00pm

Saturday25PhoenixSingerswithTrinityCamerata,Puccini,Mozart,Brittenconcert,St Edburg'sChurch,7.30pm

Sunday26StEdburg’sChurch,TeamCommunion,10.30am

Monday27WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm

Tuesday28RubbishCollection:recyclingandgardenbins|CommunityCafé,ParishHall: 9am-11am;2.30pm-4.30pm|RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm

Wednesday29Over60sClubMeeting,SportsandSocialHall,startsat1.45pm,endsabout 3.30pm

Thursday30LauntonHistoricalSociety,MelanieKingonCanonionscureearache?Medical advicefromthe1700s,ParishHall,7.30pm

Friday31LastdayofSchool:EasterHolidayuntil14April-backtoschoolon17April