Heard on the Crossroads

This is a new feature in Launton Lines that sets out to bring together topics that have been overheard in discussions in the village. Do you have a contribution? Send it to editor@launton.org

Where to go for sausages?

Since the Blue Texel closed earlier in the summer people have been wondering where else they can go for quality meat. One of the faceboo kposts at the time said, “So it’ll be back to Lidl and Aldi”. But if you care about the quality of what you eat, returning to the cut-price supermarkets won’t be something you’d do. There has been a series of expeditions to look for a replacement - for quality sausages and tasty chops, for succulent steaks and free range chicken. We’ve visited a number of places, and top of the list so far has been Boarstall Meats, which is actually in Brill. The address is Touchbridge, Brill, HP18 9UJ, and to find it go on the Thame Road (B4011) and take the first left after the right turn to Boarstall.

So far people report on super sausages (Honey and Mustard and Traditional both have thumbs up), lovely Barnsley chops, really tasty Bavette Steak, and bacon to die for. They have barn chickens, and can supply free range if you phone ahead to order. And - we’re told - it’s where The Bull now go for their meat. Give it a try! The shop is open Thursdays and Fridays 8am-5pm and Saturdays 8am-1pm.

Is 20 really plenty?

There has been a lot of talk about the 20mph limit across the village. Apart from the perpetual comment “If only it was enforced …” and “20 will mean 30 when 30 meant 40…” we have noticed some slower traffic through the village. It looks like the biggest problems have been in Station Road where there are so many cars parked solid along the road around Sharpes Cottages and in the run up to the crossroads that it is difficult for vehicles to pull in to let those coming in the opposite direction to pass. There has been some gridlock over this in those locations, when cars are lucky to travel at 2mph let alone 20. The other unexpected impact has been that pedestrians actually expect traffic to be at 20, when it’s not. This can lead to some near misses. And finally, some people seem to think that enforcing a 20 limit will result in an increase in dangerous overtaking as frustrated drivers are driven to get past what they see as an unnecessary block on their progress. Most people seem to think that it’ll take about a year for drivers to get used to it and then stick to the limit. Let’s hope so!

Golly... look in the gulleys

The recent rain has shown just how blocked most of the road drains are in the village. The main gulleys on Launton Road were cleared earlier in the year, but those in West End and Station Road are still clogged. Let’s hope there is not too much rain over the winter to fill the roads, and the drains and the sewers.

Pothole heaven

People have been waiting patiently for the resurfacing - or could it be rebuilding - of the main roads passing through the village. It does no good to make promises that can’t be kept. You only have to travel into and back from Bicester on the Red Rose 17 bus to realise how appalling the road surface is under the bus.

Crossroad listener