Launton Lines Issue 235 for May 2020

Issue 235

May 2020

Details of the groundwork being done on a new badger sett as part of the East-West Rail project. Eventually the work will be covered with earth. We hope the badgers will not be put off by the smell of the plastic pipe. Photo by Billy Walker.

The final photo in the post box saga.

Andy Lincoln (former postie in Launton and now Cover Line Manager in the Bicester office), and Parish Councillor Chris Fox post the first letter in the new box on 2 April.

Hooray!

Photo by Robert Cornford

Front cover shows one view of groundwork on the new badger sett being built as part of the East-West Rail project, to the north-west of Station Road. The photo was taken from the footpath from the end of Yew Tree Estate to the old farm crossing on the railway line behind Grange Farm. See a second photo of the same work on page 2. | Photo by Billy Walker

The Editor writes ‌ This month we are back to normal with a printed edition delivered to every household in Launton, and the additional online version at www.issuu.com. See page 20 for an outline of our ongoing plans for Launton Lines as we navigate the unexpected. Many and especial thanks to the band of delivery volunteers who make this task a part of their daily exercise: if anyone else would like to join the delivery team, do let me know at editor@launton.org.

This issue is the last one (I hope) to cover the saga of the new post box. On page 2 (facing) we mark the posting of the first letter at 11am on 2 April. Many thanks to ex-Postie Andy Lincoln and Parish Councillor Chris Fox for seeing this project through. I am also pleased to see that Dipesh at Costcutter has cleared the parking at the shop front, so the Post Box stands clear and proud on Bicester Road. The shop has been successful in keeping shelves stocked with the basics, and with a very attractive range of biscuits and cookies too.

This issue has an update on pages 26-7 from The Help for Self-Isolating Launton Residents Group (they must find a shorter name for it), and repeats on pages 10-11 the information from April's issue on support and help available, and on pages 12 and 13 the main takeaway menus from The Bull and The Black Bull/The Launton Arms. I urge readers to support both pubs as they try to make it through the disruption. The food from both is excellent.

There is news of changes in pre-school and nursery provision in Launton.

Pages 4-5 report from the Playgroup that it will have to close as the lease has been terminated on its premises attached to the school, and on page 32 the school announces its planned Nursery provision for next year.

Victoria Prentis reports on page 33 and many regular contributors return.

Pages 41-2 follow up the 100th Birthday for Iris Burden reported in March.

Robert Cornford

Launton Lines

A monthly newsletter for Launton. Published around the first of each month by the Launton Community Communications Group Š 2020 Launton Lines email: launtonlines@launton.org The Launton Lines Committee 2019-2020 Jon Spinage, Chair Jenni Walker, Advertising Manager Robert Cornford, Editor | 241883 Michael Stack, Treasurer | 242600 Kathy Gilbert, Associate Editor Shirley Johnson, Distribution | 369269

Contact the Parish Council Council Clerk | Mrs Jane Olds Address | 13 Oak Close, Bicester, OX26 3XD email | clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk Phone | 01869 247171

To book the Parish Hall Contact: Joan Packer Phone: 07903 610405 Parish Hall Committee: Christine Massey; Audrey Deeley; Lynne Harper; Joan Packer; Simon Turner, Robert Cornford

LIGHT UP A LIFE

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

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

Please contact Joan Packer on 01869 241694 by 20 May for entry in the June 2020 issue of Launton Lines.

May 1 | Sponsored by Lynne Harper in loving memory of her mother Ivy Brooks, whose funeral took place on April 14th.

The service was conducted by Revd. Peter Wright, and Ivy’s family wish to express their grateful thanks to him for his support.

May 30 | Sponsored by Clare Farmer.

Lovingly remembered - my daughter Louise, and sister Wendy.

The Closure of Launton Playgroup

It is with a very heavy heart that Launton Playgroup has to announce that it will be closing its doors on 21 July 2020 unless it can find another location.

We have had an eviction notice served to us to vacate our building from the solicitors of the Diocese and Launton school governors, to enable the school to extend their current provision.

Launton Playgroup won an extensive grant a few years ago of £195,000 to build a new permanent home and to enable Launton School to extend their playground. We subsequently signed a 25-year lease to enable us to continue to provide for our children.

Continued on page 5  Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 4

We have been shocked and disappointed that this has now been taken away from us. Launton Playgroup has a high standard of trained Early Years staff and was financially secure for the foreseeable future which just adds to the shock that this could be happening.

It is a very worrying time for the staff who now find themselves in a very uncertain situation for their futures. In this time of Covid 19 it is now all but impossible to find and then negotiate for premises that would let us continue. It will also be very difficult to vacate our building under the Covid regulations that are in place.

Launton Playgroup has been in the village for nearly 50 years and has successfully provided a very high standard of care and provision for the community’s children. We have always accepted 2-year olds as part of our policy of supporting parents in a return to work, which is an increasing demand given the recent DofE directive for 2-year-old funding. The school, however, have given notice that 2-year olds will not be accepted in their provision.

Launton Playgroup has a “good” rating in the most recent Ofsted inspection, which is a minimum that our staff strive to achieve at LPG. It would appear that we have no choice in the current circumstances but to accept this.

We would like to thank all our past and present parents for their support over the years. Staff and committee have been amazed by the huge support that we have received from the community over the years.

Launton’s Village Players have included us with their Panto performances and we have been making decorations for them for some years: they have also made donations to the Playgroup to buy and maintain equipment for our children. The 2019 Launton Fete made us one of their fundraising causes and gave us money for a waterproof storage shed and equipment.

There have been many groups who have given their support and donations to us and, as we are a registered charity, this has been tremendously helpful to enable us to maintain the high standard of our lovely setting for all the children and their learning experience.

The Committee thanks all the staff for their dedication and flexibility in their positions as Early Years practitioners without which the Playgroup would not have been as successful and well thought of as it is. It is their hard work that has enabled us to provide for children in Launton and Bicester and many other local villages.

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 5

Launton Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 2 April 2020 at 7.30pm online through Zoom Councillors present Mr James Allpress, Mrs Lizzie Chisholm, Mr Chris Fox (Vice Chairman), Mr Mike Murphy, Mr Ed Sanders, Mrs Lesley Thompson, Mr Simon Turner (Chairman) Apologies None In attendance The Clerk, Mrs Jane Olds; two members of the public.

Reports from District and County Councillors No District or County Councillors attended the meeting.

Finance The Finance Report was 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 a villager has concerns about a planning application, they are welcome to come along to Parish Council meetings to raise those concerns.

Elections As you are probably aware, the Parish and District Council elections have been postponed for a year and are now scheduled to take place on Thursday 6 May 2021. The usual term of office is four years, but as this current term has been extended for a year, the next term of office will just be three.

Village Matters Parish Hall Discussions between the PC and PCC solicitors are still on-going, but it is hoped that the final concerns would be resolved very swiftly.

Parish Hall Car Park The Clerk had contacted the Garrison parent and the Highways team, but unfortunately nothing could be progressed until it was possible to meet to discuss the project in person.

East / West Rail Before the postponement of the Bicester Road closure on 18 March, the Clerk had made strong representations to the Network Rail team to ask Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 6

them not to close the road during term time (particularly to safeguard the safety of the children who have to use the bridge to get to and from school by foot or bicycle) and to co-ordinate with us if a closure over the railway bridge were needed. They have assured us that they will take our concerns into account when arranging future works.

Post Box The post box has finally been installed, has been re-painted and has been commissioned. Many thanks to Councillor Fox for his tenacity.

Station Road Drainage Issues The Highways and Drainage team have produced a schedule of works for the issues.

Public Art in Launton There will be a further meeting once we are able to meet again.

Footpath between the Playing Field and Yew Tree Field No further progress had been made.

Agenda items for the next meeting As Parish Councils are now able to hold meetings virtually via online platforms, Jane will need to have items for the next agenda by 23 April with any items for the June agenda by 21 May. Dates of next meetings Thursday 7 May and Thursday 4 June via Zoom at the following url https://us02web.zoom.us/j/76605157135 (meeting ID: 766 0515 7135) at 7.30pm. Note that the May meeting has reverted to the normal day (first Thursday of the month) as there are no elections this year.

As with in-person meetings we will start at 7pm for anyone who wishes to raise anything with the Council, look at planning applications or at other meeting papers, and will then start the formal meeting at 7.30pm.

Full minutes are available on the Parish Council Notice Boards in the village (by The War Memorial and on the wall of the Parish Hall), and on the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk See page 9 for more information and updates.

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 7

CHURCH NEWS May 2020 Suspension of Community Café and Church Services One of the most important decisions you will make is choosing the right accountant.

Contact us today for a FREE initial meeting.

We will proactively listen to your business needs and create personalised solutions. email@stackandjones.co.uk Tel: 01869 277973 Unit 4, Willows Gate, Stratton Audley Bicester, Oxon OX27 9AU

In line with Government advice, Community Café sessions have been suspended until further notice.

The Church of England has also taken the decision to suspend Sunday and midweek public worship until Government advice changes.

Worship and ministry will continue in other forms (for example, with online streaming of some services) and you are invited to contact Revd. Peter for more information, or just to talk: Phone 01869 572272 Mobile 07966 531921 email revpeterwright@gmail.com See Peter’s letter on pages 28-29..

The following websites can also offer help and support. www.stedburgschurch.org/ www.oxford.anglican.org/coronavir us-covid-19/livestream/

Launton Congregational Chapel

There will be no Sunday services at Launton Chapel because of the Coronavirus, for the foreseeable future.

We will advise readers when services start again Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 8

Additional information for the Parish Council Report continued from page 7

The Parish Council has recently set up an email mailing signup list. This is on the left hand menu of the Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk. If you’d like to receive email notification just add your details. This will only be used for Parish Council and essential village news - please sign up!

The Annual Parish Meeting scheduled for Thursday 21 May has been postponed until later in the year: watch in Launton Lines for a new date. All village groups can give a short report and all villagers are welcome to attend.

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.

If there is anything specific you would like to add to the agenda for the Annual Parish Meeting when it is held, please let The Parish Clerk, Jane Olds, know. email clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk

A letter we have received

Dear Editor, Could you run a competition to find an alternative to the word ‘unprecedented’: the over-use by commentators, politicians, and talking heads is driving me bonkers! Maybe they like it because it has five syllables and so, when spoken, lends gravitas to their utterances. Let’s work together to eradicate this verbal virus.

A generous prize of a single toilet roll would be a suitable reward I think.

The Editor replies.

Sounds like a good idea, especially as many readers will have time on their hands to

come up with answers. Replies to editor@launton.org

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 9

These two pages are repeated from last month with some updated information.

See also the update report on the group on pages 26-27

LAUNTON VILLAGE HELP FOR THOSE IN ISOLATION

village.help@launton-pc.gov.uk | Phone 0844 879 7710 WHO ARE WE? A voluntary group of over 100 Launton residents in association with Launton Parish Council. We formed to help you if you are isolating and need any assistance.

HOW TO CONTACT US If you need help please make contact with the local volunteer named on the leaflet.

Alternatively, email unless urgent or unable to do so. We may not be able to respond immediately, but we will regularly check emails and reply as soon as possible.

EMAIL at any time to village.help@launton-pc.gov.uk PHONE: 9.30 to 5.00 to any of the following 07522 2311000 - Janice 01869 241755 - Lesley 01869 247171 - Jane Olds (Launton Parish Council Clerk) Rev Peter Wright St Mary’s Church Tel: 01869 572272 Mobile: 07966 531 921 Email: revpeterwright@gmail.com HOW WE CAN HELP PICKING UP SHOPPING OR MEALS We can arrange to have your shopping or pre-ordered meals picked up from local stores/pubs and delivered to your door. (See page 11 facing for contacts) POSTING MAIL We can arrange to collect your mail and deliver it to the post office to be sent.

MEDICATION/PRESCRIPTIONS Under your guidance we will collect and deliver medication GPs are currently only seeing urgent cases. Please DO NOT go into the surgery or to hospital if you have Coronavirus symptoms. Stay home and call 111 or contact the pharmacy.

FACEBOOK GROUP Help for self-isolating Launton Residents.

Check regularly for updates and useful links

We Are Here For You

How do I arrange for my shopping or meals to be collected?

Contact your preferred supplier with your order and make payment. Ask when your order will be ready for collection and contact your volunteer to arrange collection.

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 10

Supplier

Offering

Orders via

Payment via

Costcutter

Shopping orders over £10

01869 321825

Card payments over phone

The Bull

Meal Delivery (self-isolated 01869 248158 only) or collection. See page 12 following.

Card payments over phone

The Black Bull Meals (call for details). See or The Launton page 13 following.

Arms

01869 248846

Card payments over phone

The Blue Texel Food orders over £5

01869 252619

Card payments over phone

Please call for menus or see more details of these and other outlets. Information on the offer from the two pubs is on pages 12 and 13.

For groceries, write the list before making contact with your volunteer. Call your volunteer with the list and they will shop for you. Try not to leave it until you run out of something in case there is a delay in getting the shopping.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING PAYMENTS You must never give out your PIN or card to any volunteer under any circumstances.

Your volunteer will explain how to pay when you call them. If you can’t reach your volunteer, or if you have problems that can not be solved by your volunteer, please call Janice or Jane (phone numbers on the opposite page).

How do I arrange for medication to be collected?

Call your volunteer to make arrangements. Make sure you know when the medication will be ready to collect, and where from, before calling your volunteer.

Laundry and Ironing If you need help with laundry or ironing Shangri-La are offering a free collection and delivery service in Launton. Their price list is on page 27 of this issue of Launton Lines, or call 08448 797 710.

OTHER USEFUL NUMBERS

Langford Medical Practice 01869 248585 www.alchestermedicalgroup.co.uk Bicester Health Centre 01869 249333 www.bicesterhc.co.uk Montgomery House 01869 249222 www.montgomeryhousesurgery.co.uk Jardines Pharmacy (Langford) 01869 323008 Jardines Pharmacy (Bure Park) 01869 324965 Ahmeys Pharmacy (Market Sq) 01869 240460 Age UK Oxfordshire 01865 411288 Volunteer Driver Service 0300 303 125 Milk and More 0345 606 3606 Monday, Wednesday, Friday Milk Delivery, Chris James 01442 822275 mob 07842 426793 Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 11

The Bull Inn, Launton

SPECIAL TAKEAWAY MENU Monday to Saturday Free Home Delivery to Launton Residents Self-Isolating MAINS

Breaded Whole-tail Scampi £8.00 Served with garden peas and chips Beer Battered Fish & Chips £9.50 Line-caught Cod in home-made beer batter. Served with garden peas and chips Beef Chilli con Carne £8.00 Home-made classic Mexican chilli con carne.

Served with rice and garlic ciabatta bread Five Bean Chilli £8.00 Home-made classic Mexican chilli with five beans.

Served with rice and garlic ciabatta bread

For daily home-made specials see our Facebook page PIZZAS

Two for £18 | All our pizzas are hand-stretched and made to order, with a home-made tomato base.

The American £10 Chorizo, Ham, Pepperoni, and Cheddar Cheese The Vegan £10 Falafel, Red Onion, Mushrooms, and vegan cheese The Hawaiian £10 Ham, Pineapple, and Cheddar Cheese Margherita £9 Classic Cheddar Cheese and Tomato

BURGERS

Two for £17 | All our burgers are in rustic Ciabatta rolls with salsa, tomato, and red onions, and served with chips and onion rings.

The Bull Burger £9.50 Home-made beef burger topped with Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Falafel and Salsa Burger £9.00 Grilled Halloumi and Mushroom Burger £9.00 Southern Fried Chicken Burger £9.50 Topped with BBQ sauce and Cheddar Cheese The Ultimate Chicken Burger £9.50 Chicken breast topped with Cheddar Cheese and Streaky Bacon

SUNDAY ROAST TAKEAWAY

Traditional home-cooked Sunday Lunch. Choice of Beef, Chicken, Pork, or Nut Roast. Served with Seasonal Vegetables, Roast Potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding, Stuffing and Gravy. Adults £9.00 Children £4.50 Call us on 01869 248158 to order all items Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 12

The Black Bull

(Soon to be The Launton Arms) Keep up to date with what we can offer at

facebook.com/bblaunton

You can continue to shop with us at

the-launton-arms.myshopify.com

where we have an online order and delivery service for the village only, offering drinks, takeaway food and extra grocery items for those stuck in isolation.

You can also call us on 01869 248846 during times displayed on our Facebook page.

We send our best wishes to all, and stay safe.

Kyle and the team And don't forget that we offer takeaway pizzas: on a hand made thin crust traditional Italian Base Basic (sauce and cheese) £8.90 Margherita (just sliced tomato) 9.20 Farmhouse (ham & mushroom) £9.90 Hawaiian (ham & pineapple) £9.90 Pepperoni Delight (double pepperoni & cheese) £10.20 Ham & Egg (ham & 2 free range eggs) £10.20 Veggie (pepper, onion, mushroom, sweetcorn) £9.90 Chilli BBQ Beef (beef, peppers & spicy BBQ sauce) £10.90 Hot One (meatballs, pepperoni, jalapeños & hot sauce) £10.90 BBQ Chicken (double chicken & onions with BBQ sauce) £10.20

Big Meatie (chicken, ham, pepperoni, meatballs & spiced beef) £11.90 Or Make Your Own Start with two Basic toppings included and add as many as you like for just £1 a topping, from this list Sliced Tomato Sweetcorn Onions Spiced Beef Pineapple Mushrooms Chicken Jalapeños Pepperoni Extra Cheese Ham Baked Beans Meatballs Fresh Egg Anchovies Bacon Peppers

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 13

Deaths in the village in March and April 2020 We have had notifications of the following deaths of current or former village residents, listed in alphabetical order.

Dave Anders died on Sunday 22 March, and the private funeral took place on 6 April at Garford Crematorium near Abingdon. See page 25 of this issue for a brief notice.

Ivy Brooks, age 105, died on 26 March and the funeral took place at Oxford Crematorium on 14 April. See page 14 of this issue, below, for a brief notice.

Jean Castle, age 91, died suddenly on 31 March and the funeral took place in St Mary’s Churchyard on 23 April. She had lived in one of the terrace cottages in West End for many years. We hope to have more information from her family in a future issue.

Bryan Court, age 82, died in hospital on 10 April and the private funeral took place on 28 April. See page 19 of this issue for a brief notice.

Jane Hackling, age 93, died on 11 March and the funeral took place at Oxford Crematorium on 7 April. She had lived on Bicester Road and has been described as “a delightful lady to talk to, always very elegantly dressed and was a great supporter of Cancer Research UK in the village.” She regularly attended Launton Congregational Church, and gave The Hackling Cup for the Best Adult Flower Arrangement at the Launton Church Fete. We hope to have more information from her family in a future issue.

Pam Rees, age 86, died on 4 March and the funeral took place at Oxford Crematorium on 2 April. She had been living in Wyndham Hall, having been resident in Launton in the past. We hope to have more information in a future issue.

Ivy Brooks (Lynne’s Mum)

Ivy Brooks who for many years lived in The Poplars and was most recently in a nursing home in Witney died peacefully at the nursing home (not from Corona virus) on 26 March 2020, age 105. The funeral was on 14 April 2020 at Oxford Crematorium. A service for family and friends to celebrate her life will be held in St Mary’s Launton at some point in the future.

Ivy was more generally known in Launton as Lynne’s Mum as her sight had become so poor that she could not go out unaccompanied and was usually with her daughter Lynne Harper.

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 14

St Mary’s Church, Launton

In line with Government Coronavirus advice the Church of England has suspended regular public worship, including Sunday services.

During this period you are welcome to join us in spiritual Holy Communion on Sundays, and for Morning and Evening Prayer daily, from your own home.

Please contact Revd Peter Wright for more information, or see page 14 opposite: Email:revpeterwright@gmail.com Tel:01869 572272 Revd Peter Wright Vicar, St Mary’s Church, Launton

Launton Community Café The Café is CLOSED for the duration of the Coronavirus emergency.

ROYAL FOOTCARE Professional and affordable foot care in the convenience of your own home

Watch Launton Lines for updates on plans for the future.

For information on future Café plans contact Rev’d Peter Wright revpeterwright@gmail.com or phone 01869 572272

Everyone is welcome in normal times to the Community Cafe Come to meet friends and neighbours

“your feet are in safe hands” Sharon Ball S.A.C. DIP.FHPT S.A.C. DIP. FHPP Registered foot health practitioner // www.royalfootcare.co.uk

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 15

Launton Women's Institute

April is the month when Launton WI has its birthday meeting, traditionally celebrated with a fish and chip supper and lots of delicious puddings. It’s always a popular, fun and sociable evening. But sadly not in 2020. As has happened with so many other events, we have had to postpone it, but hope to hold it later in the year.

Fortunately we were able to hold our Annual Meeting in March (as reported by Lesley in Launton Lines, which was published online) where Helen was re-elected President and the original Committee returned, with Celia continuing as Secretary and Gaye as Treasurer.

We have a programme for the rest of the year but obviously it will depend on what develops. Celia will keep members informed through email and also do check our website (www.launtonwi.webs.com) for updates.

Meanwhile take care and stay safe, and let’s hope it won’t be too long before we can meet up again.

Gaye Cornford

Not The Grange Mews News May 2020 Commercial Offices, Industrial Units and Storage for Lease

Many walkers will have found the gateway closed other than when the Mews Site is open for business. There has never been a public footpath through the yard and the numbers were making a safety and security problem for our tenants.

I looked back at the records of early discussions with East West Rail in 2014 when four parties (we at Grange Farm, OCC, The Ramblers, and National Rail) planned a new route to use the footbridge to be established at the Grange Farm Crossing, and so give direct access onto Station Road, where no current access exists, other than through Yew Tree Close, This is not something that will happen tomorrow, but we look forward to moving forward a little faster than current progress on the East West Rail scheme to rejoin Oxford with Cambridge, a route I remember travelling, and on to Newmarket, in 1957.

We hope to provide readers with an update on the progress with the flower meadows and the new badger setts next month.

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

Ragna Massey: A message from the ex-Launton Boy, Tony Jeacock I was advised over the weekend that Ragna Massey, who was married to and much later divorced from the late Tom Massey of 4, Green View, Station Road, Launton, died on my wedding anniversary this year, on 30 March. She went back to Norway to live several years ago and was the mother to Karen (who died some years ago I believe) and Bjorn and Benta, the latter two of whom have lived in Norway for some years now, with children and grandchildren of their own.

Apparently Ragna had developed dementia and was living in a residential care home. One morning, she thought she was capable of getting out of bed herself and subsequently fell, breaking a leg. She underwent an operation on the Friday, which she came through alright, but then died on the Monday. She was a well-known and popular character in the village during my childhood. Benta still keeps in touch with my sister Elaine, having been friends from childhood.

THE BLUE TEXEL FARMSHOP BUTCHERS & DELICATESSEN From our Farm to your Fork Fresh, local & seasonal produce

STATION ROAD, LAUNTON OX26 5DS www.thebluetexel.co.uk 01869 252619

OPENING HOURS TUESDAY - FRIDAY 8AM-5PM | SATURDAY 8AM-3PM SUNDAY 9AM-1PM | CLOSED MONDAYS Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 17

Keith Mitchell | 15 November 1936 – 4 March 2020

Pat and family would like to thank all of you who sent flowers and cards and telephone calls for their kind thoughts. We would like to give special thanks to the District Nurse Team and Bicester PA & Care who all made Keith’s last weeks at home possible - they are a fantastic committed group of people. We would also like to thank our greatest friends who provided comfort and support during Keith’s illness and we greatly appreciate all of their kind words and actions. We will be forever grateful for the support and comfort they gave. Another Thank You is due to all those who made a donation to the Alzheimer Society in his name; we hope that their continued research will find a cure for this dreadful disease.

Keith died peacefully in the home that he loved. Due to this Coronavirus lock down we were unable to hold a wake for him, but are hoping to have a family and friends gathering later on in the year to celebrate his life and achievements.

Thank you all and keep safe

AERIALS

SUPPLIED, ERECTED & REPAIRED SINCE 1962

Contact PAUL W. EWERS Telephone Brill 01844 237131 Mobile 07956 509166

Anytime

C B BATHROOMS Experienced Bathroom and Shower Installer and Tiler General Plumbing and Heating Maintenance Leadwork Specialist Chris Barrett 11 Spindleside, Southwold, Bicester, Oxon OX26 3XH Home | 01869 250861 Mobile | 07773 853 640 Email | barrett.c3@sky.com

Bryan John Court Bryan died in hospital on Good Friday, 10 April. His private funeral was held on 28 April. He would have been 83 on 16 May 2020.

Bryan had been married to Patricia for 58 years: they moved from north London to Launton in 1962 and have lived happily in Ancil Avenue since then. As well as his wife, he leaves two children - a daughter and a son - and two grandsons and a granddaughter. “He was a good, kind man and we will all miss him very much.�

In Launton, Bryan was an active member of the Friends of Island Pond Wood, working alongside others at many bramble-busting days, and was at most of the working parties in the wood until the end of last year. He also enjoyed socialising at the Over 60s Club and, although not on the committee, was a great help there.

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 19

Island Pond Wood - A Pre-history We usually give a monthly report in Launton Lines about the activities of the Friends which covers work sessions and the like. A combination of wet winter weather and the COVID-19 lock down means that not much has happened recently. On the plus side many more people are using the woodland as part of their daily exercise walk, some of them visiting the wood for the first time. Therefore it seems appropriate to publish some pictures from the Ed Hamill archive (page 23 opposite) to show what the wood looked like in 1999 before it became a wood.

Then, it was just a rather unloved open field. The only tree of any size was the oak on the far side which is why we more recently cleared the area underneath it and installed the picnic table. The pond and island were there of course although the pond was rather smaller than it is now. What are now three large willows by the pond were very much smaller back then.

We’ll continue the story in future issues of Launton Lines.

Bob Roberts

Launton Lines through the Coronaviris pandemic

We heard on Monday 27 April that our regular printer, OxUniPrint in Kidlington, were back at work with restricted capacity. Before hearing this we had expected that the May issue would be online only.

We have had reports that, while an online issue is useful for some there are many readers who are not online users, and indeed some who just like a print copy, and who have been asking for a return to the print issue.

Indeed, we had an email that asked “Is this (the April online issue), as I fear, the thin end of the wedge to stop printed copies?” The answer to this is DEFINITELY NOT. We are committed to maintaining the print edition and having it delivered free to all households in the village. To make sure this happens, please can you (our readers) make sure you support our advertisers as it is mainly through them that we are able to continue with the print edition.

Enjoy this May 2020 edition of Launton Lines whether in print or online.

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 20

From the Island Pond Wood Archives A view of the field from the pond, looking south-east.

From the Island Pond Archive - see page 22 opposite. Photos by Ed Hamill The pond and its island, looking north-east.

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 21

Some pictures from the village in April 2020

1 Photos 1, 3, 5 and 6 by Staff Photographer Ella Photos 2 and 4 (“Social Distancing West End Style�) by Andy Ng

6 Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 22

5

2

3

4 Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 23

Seen around the village this month

All photos by Ian Jones

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 24

Dave Anders, formerly of West End, Launton We are sad to announce the death of Dave, on Sunday 22 March 2020.

In these difficult times, a memorial service will be arranged at a later date in Radley church following the small family funeral, which took place on Monday 6 April at Garford crematorium.

Dave and Lyn spent 35 very happy years in Launton. The family is eternally grateful to Sobell House for their support, which enabled Dave to stay at home, as he wished.

We have many fond memories of so many good friends in Launton.

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The Help for Self-Isolating Launton Residents

The Help For Self-Isolating Launton Residents Group was started on 15 March, just before the Government announced that the country would start social isolation. Since then the group has grown to over 220 members, some of whom are happily helping their friends and neighbours in Launton with everyday jobs such as shopping and giving moral support too.

The group is supported by the Launton Parish Council and is affiliated with Oxfordshire All In who are an organisation who map and coordinate the efforts being made across the county to help those who are most vulnerable or in isolation. They are creating one central hub with all the relevant information communities and individuals need to give support or get support. www.oxfordshireallin.org So far our volunteers have helped their neighbours with shopping, with collecting from the local businesses in the village or adding items to their own supermarket shopping. We have also helped one or two other people in different ways: it’s good to have friends around the village.

There is a limit to what we ask our volunteers to do, but they are all ‘eyes and ears’ in the village and one or two issues have cropped up that we have been able to flag to other organisations to help with.

One difficulty we have encountered is getting information about the community help to residents who have sight difficulties and cannot read the information. If you know of anyone in the village who you think might need more help or just a friendly call, please contact us. If you know anyone who needs help, or lives alone, encourage them to tell their next of kin or family about the Help ... Group, we also know of a couple of residents whose relatives live away and they have been asking if there is any local help available for their loved ones.

This is a time when we have all learned to look out for each other, not only the older residents in the village, anyone can be ‘isolating’ for all sorts of reasons, not able to get out and about or feel unable to shop as they used to. We are so lucky to live in a community where so many lovely people are helping each other; let’s hope it lasts way beyond this Covid-19 period.

The change in lifestyle has been with us for a month or more now: if you have any issues that you need help with or just a chat with someone, there is help available Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 26

Age UK have a help line 01865 411288 for advice and support And our village Vicar, Reverend Peter Wright is available to chat, not only about spiritual issues, he will try to assist you in any way he can; see his letter on pages 28-9 of this issue.

Telephone landline: 01869 572 272 Telephone mobile: 07966 531921 email: revpeterwright@gmail.com There are also many ways to get in touch with the Help Group: Facebook: Help For Self-Isolating Launton Residents email at any time: village.help@launton-pc.gov.uk Phone between 9:30 to 5:00: 07522 231100 - Janice 01869 241755 - Lesley 01869 247171 - Jane Olds (Launton Parish Council)

Lesley Thompson On pages 10 and 11 of this May issue the editor has repeated the original information about the Help ... Group with some updates.

thevillageclinic.co.uk Acupuncture Chinese Medicine Blackthorn 01869 253552 info@thevillageclinic.co.uk Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 27

A letter from the Reverend Peter at St Mary's Dear Friends, The St Mary’s Church building has had to close during the coronavirus outbreak, in line with country-wide directives, but the church itself is still very much alive and active.

We now hold our Sunday service at 9.00am each week via ‘Zoom’. This is a very easy to use video-conferencing application which can be accessed on a PC or smart phone and the link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4666427332.

There are also other services available to livestream both within the Bicester Team and from across the Diocese on Sundays and throughout the week (https://www.oxford.anglican.org/coronavirus-covid-19/livestream/) We are also recording services, sermons and reflections which can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_9RebnX8Uz6uhCoT7HpEA/, or just by Googling “Bucknell, Caversfield & Launton YouTube”. We have people joining in services who have not been to church for a long time, and some who have never been to church. All are welcome, and details of services with the above links and other information can be

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 28

found on Facebook (the page is St Mary’s Church Launton).

For those who are not online we can arrange delivery of paper copies of orders of service, readings and our weekly information sheet (which includes prayer requests), and can also keep in touch via telephone.

We have also been keeping in touch with our church families and have been providing craft activities for Sundays. We look forward to seeing many of the things the children have made when we return to church.

I continue to pray for individuals in the village who have requested prayer and for the whole parish. If there is someone you would like to be prayed for, or you would like some guidance on how to begin to pray and meditate, please let me know. You are always welcome to contact me directly if I can be of help, or just for a chat – contact details below.

Blessings, Rev Peter Email: revpeterwright@gmail.com Tel: 01869 572272

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A Vet’s Voice: Vetting Through the Coronavirus Pandemic

The Covid-19 crisis has created an unprecedented situation where many things are so different, that it’s hard to believe they will ever be the same again. The way we live and work has had a monumental shake-up which is likely to stay with us for many months to come.

As the coronavirus pandemic progressed in the UK and the lockdown came into being, there was a mad rush to adapt the way we worked at the vets, to minimise the risk to staff and clients alike. We only had one person who could realistically work from home and we were advised that we should keep the practice open to provide essential, non-routine care for animals.

We hurriedly ramped up our already strict hygiene regime; we locked the front door allowing only staff into the building and reduced our staff numbers dramatically utilising the government’s furlough scheme. We were encouraged to provide phone or video

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consultations to minimise the need for clients to travel to the surgery.

What we soon discovered, however, is that many pets still need to be physically seen and examined to allow a good level of certainty over their problem and its cause; and thus enable us to treat it in the most suitable way.

As an example, we would commonly be presented with a lethargic cat who isn’t eating well. This patient might have something quite simple like a tummy bug but equally could be suffering from heart disease, kidney failure, diabetes, cancer or many other possible ailments. For this reason, we have tended to err on the side of caution and recommend examining the pet unless the diagnosis is clear and the treatment straightforward.

Over the past month we have seen many animals whilst keeping their owners at a safe distance. We applaud these owners who have waited patiently in their cars whilst we have taken their beloved pets away for examination and treatment. It can be quite an emotional wrench to hand over your pet, especially when they are ill, but owners have adapted amazingly to our “new normal” way of working which has helped a great deal.

So now we find ourselves 1 month into lockdown and the practice continues to provide much needed examinations and treatment of ill animals, as well as supplying essential medicines to sick patients with ongoing conditions. I am so pleased that our practice has been able to continue to operate throughout the pandemic and that we can provide job security for our employees when so many businesses and jobs are under threat. I have great admiration for all the staff who’ve supported the practice and kept coming to work even though they were anxious about their own wellbeing. Their dedication to the care and welfare of animals fills me with pride and gratitude every day.

Most of all, I hope that you, your families and your pets will remain well throughout these strangest of times.

Enjoy your pets and stay safe Jason Williams | Bicester Vets Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 31

Launton Church of England Primary School

expanded NURSERY provision Places are available from September 2020 Excellent quality nursery provision in a caring and stimulating environment.

Expertly planned curriculum focused on improving individuals’ early learning and development.

Education will be led and managed by highly qualified teachers with high staffing ratios.

Well-resourced, purpose-built setting.

Extensive grounds in which to explore, play and learn.

We look forward to welcoming families and staff from Launton Playgroup for further information about nursery places for children from 3 years email: office.3085@launton.oxon.sch.uk all children currently in Launton Playgroup will be offered a place in nursery email: office.3085@launton.oxon.sch.uk for information The school intends to maintain and extend existing provision, honour all existing places and written offers of places for September, and extend hours subject to demand.

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 32

The Quarterly Report from Victoria Prentis, MP for North Oxfordshire Over the past few weeks, our way of life has changed substantially.

I want to thank all those who are following government advice and staying at home, and particularly those who are helping others. By shopping for family, collecting prescriptions for neighbours or ringing someone who is alone, you are enabling the most vulnerable to stay home.

But I specifically would like to thank those who are staying positive and cheering up those around them. With the recent decision to extend lockdown and social distancing measures for another three weeks, it is clear this disease will continue to affect our day-to-day lives. Understandably, an extension of existing measures is a worry to many who are missing loved ones and struggling with adapting to the new reality.

In north Oxfordshire, I would like to thank the small businesses, volunteer organisations and charities that have changed their primary focus to help with the Coronavirus Response. So many pubs, cafĂŠs and restaurants have made their supplies available to buy directly, to alleviate pressure on larger supermarkets. Or they have adapted their service model to provide takeaways. Many engineering and production companies have tailored their efforts to design and build ventilators or personal protection equipment to aid our NHS. Several food banks have introduced a delivery service to allow the vulnerable to remain shielded.

These small changes make an enormous difference. They help us to protect the progress we have already made and safeguard a happy and healthy future.

The advice is simple. Stay Home, Protect the NHS, and Save Lives. Please do not visit family or friends; only shop for necessities as infrequently as possible and work from home where you can. Simple but essential steps that, if we all follow, will help us beat Coronavirus.

Please do stay safe, stay home and look after your loved ones. My team and I continue to operate as normal, so if you have any specific concerns please do not hesitate to get in touch via victoria.prentis.mp@parliament.uk or visit my website: www.victoriaprentis.com.

We can only beat this together.

Victoria Prentis | MP for North Oxfordshire Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 33

Whatever Happened to the British Car Industry? Driving into the Future

Last month’s article described the decline of the British owned car industry. We saw foreign owned firms, like Honda, Toyota, Nissan and BMW/Mini, taking over as mass market car producers. This month, we consider what the future might look like. For us as car users, there could be excitement ahead. For the UK car industry, the future looks much more uncertain.

An Electric Future The trends are becoming clearer. Diesel sales are falling, petrol sales are flattening, while hybrid (usually petrol-electric) and all-electric car sales are rising. Some cities, including London, Bristol, Birmingham, York and Oxford, plan to ban cars with poor emission standards, starting with diesels. Some firms, local authorities and supermarkets (e.g. Tesco in Bicester) are starting to install charging points for electric cars. Car makers have promised to introduce new all-electric cars, with a longer range, better performance, and more affordable prices, as battery technology advances. This should make electric cars more practical and more attractive for the majority of motorists.

However, how will their batteries will be recharged? Some people could do it from home, but for many homes it’s not easy to get a charging point near to them. Think about people living in blocks of flats, for example. One major hold-up could be the government’s slow response to developing a comprehensive infrastructure of charging points across the land, to help those without domestic access to a charger.

If broadband speeds, mobile signal strength and road surface quality are any guide, leaving aside their response to the coronavirus crisis, we might wonder how well the government would lead this infrastructure revolution. They’ve set a target date for banning the sale of diesel, petrol and hybrid vehicles (now brought forward to 2035). We now need an infrastructure for charging electric cars. A BBC report recently noted that the speed of installing charging points would have to radically increase, to cope with demand. It estimated that “the UK needs to have 25 million charging points for electric vehicles - the equivalent of installing 4,000 a day”. Right now, there aren’t even 25,000 places to Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 34

charge electric vehicles. Compare that to Norway, where they plan to sell only electric cars by 2025. They’re also already encouraging electric car sales by building a charging infrastructure countrywide and exempting electric car prices from VAT. The car companies look more organised and better placed to “go electric”. For instance, in Oxford, the Mini Electric has already started being built and is available for you to order. Their owner, BMW, expects to have a dozen new electric models by 2023. VW wants to launch 70 electric models over the next decade. The electric vehicle, therefore, could become the norm by 2030. Let’s hope the government doesn’t disappoint forward-thinking drivers who are keen to “go electric”.

We need a good answer to this vital question: “Where are all the batteries going to come from?” The batteries in the Mini Electric, for example, are imported from Germany, still nearer than the other big supplier – the Far East, mainly China. Some industry commentators are pressing for a UK “gigafactory”, to make batteries here for all the UK-based companies wanting to make electric cars. Otherwise, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has threatened to leave and make its electric cars nearer to where it can source its batteries. Having a substantial UK battery supplier could persuade UK car makers to invest in production here, instead of abandoning Britain for another country that can supply them with their most vital component – the battery.

An Uncertain Future The future of car manufacturing in Britain remains unclear. Some signs are not good. Worryingly, big-selling Ford doesn’t make any cars or vans in Britain. It’s closing its engine plant in Wales later this year. JLR recently announced job losses. Honda, in 2015, were planning to build their 2021 model Civic exclusively in Swindon, to sell around the world.

Now they’re closing the plant, losing 3,500 direct jobs, plus many thousands more in the supply chain. Nissan, whose Sunderland factory is the biggest in Britain, employing 6,000 workers, won’t produce the new model X-Trail there, but back in Japan.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is the leading car industry representative body. It’s extremely concerned about the terms for Brexit. It says that the car industry is the UK’s biggest exporter Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 35

of goods and depends on “free and frictionless trade afforded by the EU single market and customs union.” It warns that a ‘no deal’ Brexit would impose tariffs costing £4.5 billion a year and end the seamless movement of goods. It could cause havoc with the carefully organised just-in-time production processes at UK assembly plants like Cowley. Over half the components in UK-made cars come from the EU, on trucks from the Continent, and arrive just minutes before being fitted into each car - justin-time! With a botched Brexit deal, those trucks could face substantial delays at customs checkpoints. This uncertainty affects planning for future production. It might explain why investment in Britain’s car industry has plunged from £2.5 billions annually over the previous 7 years, down to around £100 millions - effectively zero investment.

Car makers are clearly anxious. Locally, so should we. BMW employs 850 staff at its Swindon body plant and 5,000 workers making Minis in Oxford. BMW also has a Mini plant in the Netherlands that could build what Oxford currently builds. As Honda’s decision about its Swindon plant has shown, nothing is certain.

Who Wants to Own a Car? Recently, our attitude to car ownership has changed radically. Around 90% of new car sales are either leasing or what is called PCP (Personal Contract Purchase). These schemes make it easier for more people to drive brand new cars. However, you’re not buying the car outright.

You’re either buying a part of it (PCP) or none of it (Leasing). However, you do get a nice new car, you pay monthly for its depreciation, often over three years, and then do it all over again! The car makers love the idea. It helps production planning and makes sure you repeat your ‘purchase’ every three years. It makes more people ask the question – “Why buy something that depreciates so quickly?” So, they dump that problem on the financial division of the car company of their choice.

In major urban areas where a lot of travelling is done by bus/tram/tube, cars may rarely be needed. This makes it easier to justify hiring a car, sometimes even on a daily basis, rather than paying lots of money to have one 24 hours a day, every day. If you can hire a bike in the city on request, why not a car? You can pay for many taxi fares and still be better off than paying for a 24/7 car that you hardly use.

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 36

Put Your Feet Up on the Dashboard I’ve chosen to say little about “autonomous” vehicles, because they won’t be available for the mass market for some time yet. The website This is Money reported on a recent survey of more than 100 car industry experts. They thought it would be at least 2032 before fully autonomous vehicles were ready for sale to private buyers. I’m not that comfortable about cars that can “drive themselves”, while we put our feet up on the dashboard. Given the raft of accidents and fatalities in the US involving “autonomous vehicles”, I’m happy to wait a lot longer to greet driverless cars here in Launton. Maybe I’m just old fashioned and unadventurous.

The Future - In a Word We may well be heading for a bright new electric car future. Just don’t expect your electric car to be built in Britain, offering well paid jobs for local people. At least, not until we get more clarity about a UK supplier for car batteries and a detailed plan for a charging infrastructure.

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Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 37

MEMORIES OF AN EX-LAUNTON BOY

This month the Ex-Launton Boy starts with the advantages of being over 70 and so ushered to the front of the Aldi queue on Saturdays. He moves across the decades: when he was approaching his sixth birthday in 1953 he remembers being frightened as he realised he was getting old, then recalls the permanent threat of the nuclear holocaust and the four minute warning through his growing up. He muses on the village looking-out-for-neighbours in the 1950s through the smallpox epidemic in the early 1960s when he had to have two doses of the vaccine before being judged “naturally immune to smallpox”. He regrets the move away from looking out for others, with the “There is no such thing as society” society. Then he is heartened by the evidence that this may be changing, but wonders if he will be around long enough to see the impact of changes. Some serious stuff this month!

Age certainly has its compensations I have recently discovered, albeit in rather unfortunate, and for some, tragic circumstances. (I can get to the front of the Aldi’s shopping queue on a Saturday morning).

For one thing, there is no longer the need to be part of the so-called rat-race. If one has made reasonable provision for retirement other than relying solely on the rather inadequate State pension, one doesn’t have Heating Plumbing Servicing to be too concerned for one’s Domestic Oil and Gas Servicing self as to whether one is going to be able to put bread on the Installation and Maintenance table next week. My heart bleeds nonetheless for those Gas Safe Registered who are currently rather less Oftec Registered fortunate due to circumstances which, for many, are beyond “A local Business their control, so for example shut out of work due to the from Launton” Coronavirus lockdown.

Phone: 07483 864 571 I have commented many times in the past about the nature of Email: simonnashserv@aol.com village life and Launton in

Simon Nash

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 38

particular, when I was a young boy. When for example, if someone in the village had not been seen for the best part of a day, someone would come a knocking to check that everything was alright. I wouldn’t know what the experience back then was like in the cities and towns, but I have a sneaking suspicion that perhaps their communities were not quite as close-knit as those of the surrounding villages, although I stand to be corrected.

Sadly, during the Thatcher years, there appeared to be a gradual drift away from caring for one’s neighbours and others, not helped by her assertion that “there is no such thing as society”.

Those somewhat older than myself will no doubt recall how communities, towns, cities and villages alike, came very much together during WWII. Isn’t it a shame that it takes national tragedies to trigger compassion for our neighbours, for that is what seems to have happened!

This Coronavirus has brought out the best in some people whilst sadly the worst in others, but thankfully, the former seems to be in the majority. There are many documented examples of more and more people looking out for each other, both in towns and villages.

There are a number of ‘heroes’ emerging here and there but none more so than those who are unselfishly placing themselves in the front line in our hospitals, care homes, blue-light emergency services and other ‘essential’ workers in their dedicated service to us all. I think the greatest tribute we can collectively pay them is to ensure that we abide by the instructions coming out of government, regardless of our own personal political persuasions, and no-one could ever consider me to be a Tory. I, along with many others, question the modus operandi of this government, but now is not the time for party politics, tempting though that might be.

One thing is for certain, once this is all over, and it will come to an end, the world will be a very much different place to that which we have grown up in. It will be an opportunity for us to inhabit a much more cooperative and caring world and for us as a nation to turn away from the isolationism that has been gnawing away at us as a result of populism and blaming everyone else for our own selfLaunton Lines May 2020 | Page 39

induced shortcomings over recent decades. I say it will provide us with such opportunities: the question is, will we take them or will we return to the greedy “I’m alright Jack and to hell with you” culture?

And then there is the difficult question of our own and the world’s economies, and what will be the devastating low base from which we must all recover, and how long will it take and what will be the resultant shape? I am in my seventy-third year and I am asking myself, will it be resolved within my lifetime?

I still remember approaching my sixth birthday and thinking, “I’m getting old” and it frightened me. Added to that, my generation went through our formative years living with the threat of the nuclear holocaust and the four-minute-warning scenario. The young of today have a different threat hanging over their heads, but no less frightening. I also recall during the early nineteen sixties a national epidemic of smallpox breaking out and the fact that there was an incredible shortage of the smallpox vaccine available. The outbreak was more prevalent in Wales and only people being subjected to risk were being vaccinated due to the shortage. As a member of the Launton Handbell Ringers, we were due to go on our annual visit to St. David’s in Pembrokeshire and so my GP agreed to vaccinate me.

I had to report back to him within so many days to check that it had taken and upon doing so, I was advised that it hadn’t. He then proceeded to vaccinate me for a second time and again I had to report back within so many days to see if it had taken, whereupon he exclaimed that I “had been wasting time as you are naturally immune to smallpox”. He told me I could carry it and infect others. However, when in the army, before being posted overseas, I was obliged to have another smallpox vaccination, and what do you know, this time it took. That begs the question, once someone has been diagnosed with the Coronavirus and then thankfully recovers therefrom can they then get it again in the future?

Let us hope that a successful vaccine is discovered very soon and that we can all take advantage of it as soon as possible thereafter.

In the meantime, keep healthy and stay SAFE! Tony Jeacock | The Ex-Launton Boy | May 2020 Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 40

Iris Burden, a life full of interest and excitement

Our March 2020 issue included a report and some photos of the 100th Birthday cake and party at the Community Café for Iris Burden. It promised more about Iris’ exciting life in a future issue. Since then some things have interrupted us but here is the piece based on information provided by her family and from an article in The Nursing and Midwifery Council News for May 2007.

In 1939 war had been declared on Germany. Iris was nineteen then and full of a sense of vocation. “You had to really want be a nurse then” she says.

“It was quite gruelling”. The system for weeding out the unwilling, Iris explains, was simple and effective. “After three months at pupil training school (PTS), we were allowed to go home for four days. Before we left, Matron would give each of us such a talking to, we’d all end up in tears. If you were brave enough, you’d return the following week, to sign a threeyear nurse-training contract. Once you’d signed, there was no going back because you had to pay a five-pound penalty to break the contract, and none of us had five pounds. We only got thirty shillings a week and that had to stretch to uniforms, books, and the cost of exams.”

Iris did return after her four days at home and has fond memories of her time at the Leicester Royal. Matron was feared, because she was really in charge of the hospital. Each morning, Iris remembers, matron would do a round of every ward at the hospital - and woe betide the nurse who didn’t meet her standard.

Once she’d qualified as a nurse, Iris went on to train as a midwife - but she says the strict attitudes towards midwifery at the Royal meant she didn’t immediately enjoy it.

Iris decided to offer her services in the one place she was sure to be free from midwifery and she joined the army. In 1944, she left for Italy where she spent a few months in a transit hospital in Naples before being sent to a military hospital in Bari and found themselves caring for wounded British soldiers and Yugoslav partisans - Tito’s men.

Shortly after the war ended, Iris was posted to India. It was 1946, during the last days of the Raj, and it was Iris’s job to help close down British military hospitals, some of which were handed over to local doctors and nurses. There she had to stand her ground with some of the patients. “If you were a nurse in charge of a ward, you’re higher in rank than any patient. Some of the old officers thought they could come and go as they pleased. But they couldn’t in my ward - I was the boss”.

Iris Burden, an exciting life... continued on page 42 Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 41

Diary Dates: April-May 2020

With the closing down of almost all community activity and events, we have decided to hold off including Diary Dates in issues until we come out the other side of restrictions. The only information to carry forward are online Parish Council meetings via Zoom (see page 7). The next meetings will be on Thursday 7 May, and Thursday 4 June.

The other date to list is the copy deadline for the June issue of Launton Lines. This will be Wednesday 20 May: send contributions to launtonlines@launton.org.

There were two separate April issues of Launton Lines. A Special Coronavirus Issue was produced (8 pages) in print and distributed in early April. The main April issue (48 pages) was published online on 31 March on issuu.com. Now our regular printers are back at work we plan to continue producing a regular printed issue for distribution around the beginning of each month.

Iris Burden, an exciting life... continued from page 41

Iris then returned to England in 1949.

Back at home, she completed her midwifery training in Birmingham. But she soon got itchy feet “I wanted to go abroad again, I just wanted something different.” Through a friend of a friend, Iris managed to find work at a small hospital in Basra, Iraq, which back then was little more than a small mud village, miles from a British army base to the south. She spent five years as matron at the hospital, during when she also set up a midwifery training school.

From Basra, Iris moved to Khartoum in Sudan. There, she worked first as assistant matron, then as matron at a leprosy clinic. “I was in charge of looking after hundreds of people, it was pretty hard work”.

In Khartoum Iris met and married her husband Eugene, who was working there as a chemist. Their son Richard was born in Khartoum but Iris continued working in Sudan for three years, before returning home to England, where she spent the rest of her career as an orthopaedic nurse at the Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot. But she continued working for some time after retirement age, and in 2000 she shifted to part­time work: “I was finding it difficult spending so much time away from my husband, and he started needing my help at home more and more”.

Iris finally retired in December 2006, and shortly after moved to Launton.

Quite quiet and restful after her early working life.

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 42

Some of the Launton Food Heroes this month

Above: Tony, the Master Butcher and Master Baker, in The Blue Texel Shop and Delicatessen, towards the end of a busy day.

Below: Howe and Co Fish and Chip Van has visited Launton every Saturday. To track its location go to https://howeandcofishandchips.co.uk/location/launton/

Launton Lines May 2020 | Page 43

Children’s NHS Rainbows on display at The Black Bull

Photo from The Black Bull/The Launton Arms 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 Facebook page www.facebook.com/launtonvillage Launton Lines is delivered free to every address in the village. It is funded by its advertisers and Launton Parish Council. Further print copies are available at £1.00 per copy from Shirley Johnson.

Launton Lines is also available online from January 2020 on the Issuu.com publishing website. © MMXX Launton Lines. We reserve the right to edit articles submitted for inclusion.

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