The front cover shows members of The Golden Ballersteam (Bonus Round winners) inputting their next destination into the What3Words appat the Treasure Hunt on Sunday 24 September. See page 19 for a report, and pages 22-23 for more photos. Cover designed by Matt Hill.
Photo by Matt Hill.
Ihopethatthisisthelastissuethatwillbealittlelaterthanplanned.I’mstill recoveringfromtheoperationonmygallbladder-buteveryweekIcanfeel improvements.MaybebytheendofOctober...
So,ImissedtakingpartintheWhat3WordsTreasureHunt,butwiththe photosonpages22and23IcanalmostfeelthatIwasthere.Thereisalsoa reportonpage19,andofcoursethecoverisfromtheevent,too.StMary’s FayrewasalsoaneventwhereIhadtositonthesidelines,butmanagedto findsomereadingfromtheBooksStall.Thereisareportandphotoson pages12-13and21.IhopetobeattheOctoberWoodfest(seepage2, opposite)whereIshouldbeabletocontributefortheApplePressing-and I’llcertainlybeattheSecondGeneralMeetingofLauntonEnvironmental Societyon25October(seepages10and30-31).
ThereisareportfromtheSpeedwatchGrouponpage38,andadetailed accountfromallSpeedwatchsessionsinAugustonpages28-29,with somequestionsforreaders.
ThereisnewsofbigchangesforLaunton’sfootballteamsandachance forlocalbusinessestosponsorteamstrips,allonpage17,andpages3233featuresthefirst(Ihope)ofarticlesfromJennieFairweatherabout dogsanddogtraining.Thereisallthenormalcontentaswell.
Groupemail:village.help@launton-pc.gov.uk
PHONENumbers:9:30amto5:00pm LauntonLines
AmonthlynewsletterforLaunton.Publishedaroundthefirstofeachmonth bytheLauntonCommunityCommunicationsGroup©2023LauntonLines email:launtonlines@launton.orgwebsite:https://launton.org/launton-lines/ TheLauntonLinesCommittee2023-24
Chair:JonSpinage|
|Editors:RobertCornford,MattHill|Treasurer:CarinaCollins AssociateEditor:KathyGilbert|
|
Contact:JoanPacker
Phone:07922042133
ParishHallCommittee:ChristineMassey; AudreyDeeley;LynneHarper;JoanPacker; SimonTurner;RobertCornford
Would you like to sponsor an evening’sfloodlighting at StMary’sChurch 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 JoanPacker on 01869 241694 by 20 October 2023 for entry in the November 2023 issue of Launton Lines.
7 September | Sponsored by his family, to celebrate the 95th birthday of Ray Neaves who has lived in the village for 18 months
21 September and 18 October | Remembering Mum and Dad - Eddieand HelenCannonon what would have been their 98th birthdays.
We miss you every day. With love from Nellie[Shirley], Terry, Mike, Val, and all the family.
9 October | SimonProcopiou - Happy 40th birthday. How did this happen! Lots of love, Mum
Launton Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 7 September 2023 at 7:30pmin Launton Parish Hall
Councillors present MrAndrewBriant, MrsAbigailDowman, Mr EdSanders (Vice Chairman)
Apologies MrsLesleyThompson, MrSimonTurner (Chairman), MrsJaquelineWebber
In attendance The Clerk, MrsJaneOlds; District Councillor GemmaCoton; 4 members of the public; MrRichardWalker (participated as a Councillor after his co-option)
No report had been received. If anyone has any queries, please contact East West Rail directly at the 24 hour helplineat 03457 11 41 41 or at publicinformation@ewralliance.co.uk
Councillor Cotonreported that the Local Plan consultation was due to go out for six weeks’ public consultation in mid-September. The CDCExecutive has approved consultants for the design of the Bicester Market Square. CDCwas currently exploring alternatives for their office space as much of the current building was under-used. No report had been received from Councillor Corkin(OCC).
The Council was pleased to co-opt and welcome RichardWalker as a Councillor following the vacancy left after the May election.
The Finance Report is available on the Parish Council website. The External Auditor Report and Certificate has been received and is available on the Parish Council website at https://www.launtonpc.gov.uk/financial-information/accounts-2022-23/
All planning applications, which include the links to Cherwell’s Planning Portal, are put on the Parish Council website when received (www.launton-pc.gov.ukin the Agenda and Minutes section).
If a villager has concerns or comments about a planning application, they are welcome to come along to Parish Council meetings to bring them to the attention of the meeting. Villagers are also welcome to contact Councillors or the Clerk to make comments.
Guidance on how the Parish Council can respond is on the Parish Council website: www.launton-pc.gov.uk/planning-applications
Parish Hall
The Council is currently awaiting the Lease document for signing. Once the legal work is completed, the Parish Council will take over
the running of the Hall, but we are pleased to say that the current Management Committee has agreed to continue for the time being to help with the transition.
The OCCHighways Officer has agreed to look into the specifications for new speed indicator devices together with new white gates at the entrances into the village using S106funds already available. The pavement on the Bicester Road outside the Church is now complete. The kissing gate to the right of the Church will be painted in due course. This may mean that there will be restrictions to the public right of way towards the field for a couple of days to let the paint dry, but we hope there won’tbe much disruption. Thanks also go to our footpath wardens for tidying up the foliage along the path to the field.
There were 154 responses to the consultation. 138 supported the proposal, 15 objected and one who objected, but (according to the OCCreport) nominally expressed support.
The implementation was rather more swift than we had anticipated! We hope to have speed indicator devices in place in due course.
The team made seven, one-hour, outings in August and recorded 25 vehicles exceeding the speed limit. However, one of the main purposes of Speedwatchis to deter drivers from speeding through the village, and the monitoring, with the team in their hi-visjackets, is definitely having an effect. The team will be out highlighting the new speed limit in the next few weeks.
Our SpeedwatchCo-ordinator would love to hear from you if you are able to help - don’tcomplain about the speed - come and join the team!
Contact speedwatch@launton-pc.gov.ukfor more information. And see page 38 for a report on the programme, and Pages 28-29 for the data from August sessions.
We hope that some of you managed to get to the exhibition about the proposed development held on 2 September at the Sports and Social Hall. If you didn’tmanage to get to the exhibition, a website has been developed with all the information which was available at the exhibition - see https://www.greencorehomeslaunton.co.uk/
It is understood that the full application (the previous application was just the ‘outline’) which will include the detail of the development layout and actual plots will be submitted in the autumn. At that point, the Parish Council will consider the application and will also invite the developers to the meeting.
The next meeting will be on Thursday 5 October in the Parish Hall, starting at 7.30pm. If you’dlike to chat with a Councillor, do come along after 7.15pm.
We are trying to reduce our printing and paper use, so if you would like hard copies of the agenda or any of the meeting papers, please let the Clerk know well before the meeting. The agenda and papers will be available to view via the data projector during the meeting.
Suggestions for agenda items for the 2 November meeting need to be with the Clerk by 19 October and items for the 7 December meeting by 23 November.
If you’re not signed up to our mailing list to receive news from the Parish Council, you can find a signupform at the bottom left hand menu of the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk/
Thepublicconsultationdatesforthelocalplanhavenowbeenpublished. TheconsultationwillrunfromFriday22Septemberforsixweeksandclose on3November.ThelocalplansetsouttheplanningpoliciesforCherwell andsothisconsultationperiodisareallygoodtimetohaveyoursayon howyouwantCherwelltogrowandchange.Ifyouhaveanyquestions aboutthelocalplanorhowtoaccesstheconsultationpleasedon’thesitate togetintouch.
TheCherwellexecutivehaveapprovedhiringTownCentreregeneration consultantstolookatMarketSquareinBicester.Theconsultantswillbe lookingat:
therelocationofparkingandwiderimpactsofparkingwithinBicester
trafficmovementandflowsthroughMarketSquareandaroundthe TownCentre,includingaccessforexistingbusinesses/users
afulldesignoftheMarketSquarepublicrealmimprovementprojectwith fullbusinesscaseforthecapitalexpenditureandfuturerevenueimpact fromchangestocarparkingincomeandanyfuturecosts
AsalwayspleasedogetintouchwithanyquestionsorissuesonCherwell's workandservices.Ouremailsaregemma.coton@cherwell-dc.gov.ukor julian.nedelcu@cherwell-dc.gov.ukorphoneuson01869717712.
GemmaandJulian
There was great excitement at our meeting on 13 September!! As you may know, on the third game of Bingo, if the line is called in fewer than twenty numbers, the jackpot can be claimed. We each pay an extra 10p into this fund at each meeting and it has been mounting up for months.
SandraSmith from Bicester, who joined us at the beginning of this year, called the line in eighteen numbers and so, much to her delight, took home an extra £51.30! We were all very pleased for her.
Before this, we had a drink in the bar and a lovely lunch of jacket potato, ham, salad and quiche followed by cheesecake and cream and a
cup of tea or coffee. A lot of hard work goes into the shopping and preparation of this and we appreciate it very much. And, of course, it is all free to members.
By the time you read this, we hope to have had another two members join us. If you would like more info, just give me a ring.
The Watercolour Classes will run on all Mondays in October (2, 9, 16, 23, and 30) in the Parish Hall from 2pm. We have space for new members at £8 per session. Here is a painting from a current class member.
If you would like to join the class, please email Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com
The Community Caféwill be open on Tuesdays 3, 10, 17, and 31 October, and closed on Tuesday 24 October for half term. Volunteers needed to help run the Café.For more info, please contact Celiafor a chat. (contact details above)
Thank you to all our helpers, supporters and people who came and made such a wonderful afternoon on 2 September.
We were so lucky to have a sunny afternoon and the front garden of the Old Rectory looked beautiful, so our first thanks must go to Tom and BeckySowlerfor hosting us again.
Huge thanks must go to our removal team: they lifted and moved tables, chairs and trestles at the beginning of the day and at the end. Thank you so much, we couldn’thave done it without you all.
Everyone who looked after a stall, books, cakes, plants, tombola, toys, games and craft and raffle gave up their time to organise the items in the morning and helped ensure all the people who attended had a good time, thank you. Plus our excellent refreshments team who did a splendid job and it was lovely to see people relaxing and enjoying a drink and a slice of cake.
The children’sgames were popular and thank you to all children and
Oneofthemostimportant decisionsyouwillmake ischoosingtherightaccountant.
Contact us today foraFREEinitialmeeting.
We
email@stackandjones.co.uk
Tel: 01869 277973
Unit4,WillowsGate,StrattonAudley
Bicester,Oxon OX279AU
adults who helped to complete the stained glass window.
Thank you too, to all who donated raffle prizes or items for the stalls and all the wonderful cakes.
The Floral Inspired Display in the Church was - inspiring - and as always there were so many creative ways of interpreting the theme, from embroidered cushions to “smell the fragrance,” from lego flowers to hand made flowers. Our thanks to all who entered.
The wonderful photos we have (some are on page 21) show the rich colours and array of ideas, so thanks must also go to our photographer for recording them.
Thank you to our first aiderand to all the people, and any I might have forgotten, who helped to make this event happen. We raised just over £900 for StMary’s.
Thank you for all your support.
The StMary’sEvent Team
Email: events@stmaryslaunton.org.uk.
150 Years Ago: TheBicesterHerald, 1873
5 September
Henry
Reeves, labourer, Launton, and MrAlfred Fenemore, farmer, Quainton, his employer, were summoned by The Guardians of the Bicester Union, to repay the amount of £2, had by the defendant Reeves by way of a loan. MrGeorgeReynolds, Relieving Officer, Bicester, said he had given Reeves medical relief on the 24th September to the amount of £3, and £2 was relief by way of loan. The case was adjourned till the first Friday in October, the defendant having paid the amount and promised to pay the remainder at Michaelmasnext.
26 September
WANTED A Situation as Agricultural Engine Driver, and to make himself useful on a farm; three years experience. Good character. Apply John Hicks, Launton, Bicester.
100 Years Ago: TheBicesterAdvertiser,
Friday 7 September
BICESTER PETTY SESSIONS No Light GeorgeTack, Launton, was summoned for driving a trolley without a light at Launton on August 23rd.Defendant pleaded guilty to having no lights, but said he could not help it. P C Quelchsaid he stopped defendant on the Blackthorn Road, and asked him why he was driving without lights. Defendant replied that his candle had burned out just by John King’shouse. Defendant further stated that Sergeant Woodwardsaw him start from Charlton-on-Otmoorwith his lights all right. Defendantexplainedthathehadhadtroublewiththecandles.Fined5s.
THE FEAST was observed on Sunday, and as usual, a large number of Bicester people visited the village. MrG Tack distributed hot baked potatoes and apples according to custom.
Friday 14 September
A meeting of the CirencesterConservative Benefit Society was held in
the schoolroomon Thursday September 6th, when it was decided to form a lodge, after hearing an address from MrClayfield.The following officers were appointed: Master, MrW Hackling; Treasurer and Secretary, MrA JB Matthews; Entrance Guardians, MrC N Simonsand MrJPenn.
Friday 21 September ROUND THE SQUARE
I have great respect for the people of Launton. Always I find Launtonitesin the forefront of local happenings. In sporting circles the village is among the best known in Oxfordshire, and in many other ways it has claims to fame. At Launton, I believe, there is a “Black Bull”, where amid mirth and merriment, old customs are not allowed to lapse. Quite recently the anniversary of the Old Launton Feast was kept up with due spirit, and if the parochial joking which was once the inevitable accompaniment of these annual rejoicings was no longer much to the fore as in former days, the baked potatoes and roasted apples - regular Launton Feast dishes - were thoroughly enjoyed. How long ago is it, at Launton, a goat, purchased for 5s, was dished up as mutton and eaten as such by the unsuspecting company that assembled round the festive board? When did the practice of serving hedgehogs as leverets cease? A correspondent thinks that these deceptions should be placed on record if only to show that people do not always realise what they are eating with relish... If the Launton feasters enjoyed their goat and their hedgehog dish, the laugh was certainly not against them.
Friday 28 September
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH The harvest festival services in connection with the congregational church were held on Sunday last, then the Rev TSmith preached two eloquent and appropriate sermons to large congregations. The Anthems were well rendered by the choir. The sale of vegetables etc. took place on Monday, and the sum of money, together with the collections, amounted to £6 8s10d.
OnourcustomarysecondThursdayofthemonthwemetinthe
ParishHallandproceedingsbeganwithvariousbusinessmatters,including newsofoursupporttotheParishCouncilforgrantapplicationstowardsthe refurbishmentoftheHall.Therewasalsoanup-dateonsocialevents,always seeminglyinvolvinggoodcompanyandfood!Asever,wereceivenumerous requestsforhome-madecakesforthevariouscharitableeventsintheVillage andmembersarealwaysextremelygenerouswiththeirtimeandtalents. Thismonth’sbirthdays,markedwithahand-madecard,wereforHilary, Eleanor,Jackie,andHelen.
WewerethenprivilegedtohearatalkfromLizWoolleyonChildrenin OxfordshireduringWW2.Sheisanextremelyeruditespeakerandalwaysvery entertaining.Sheisalocalhistorianspecialisinginaspectsofthehistoryof OxfordshireandOxford,concentratingparticularlyinhertalkonhowchildren wereimpactedbyevacuationduringtheWar.
OurnextmeetingwillbeonThursday12October.ThespeakerwillbeJohn TylerintroducingustothelandoftheKomodoDragon-Indonesia.New membersarealwayswelcome–email launtonwi@oxfordshirewi.co.ukor phone Hilaryon 01869 241989. Meetings in the Parish Hall start at 7.30pm.
Heating&PlumbingServices
Installation-Maintenance-Servicing
Yourlocal,regularandreliable
DomesticandCommercialwindowcleaning usingpurewaterandaReach&Washsystem. Weclean: Windows
On24September,onwhatturnedouttobeabetterdaythantheforecastgave ushopefor,theteamscameagaintotheParishHallandenteredtheannual What3WordsScavengerHunt.WhilesittingintheHall,adultsandchildren alikesolvedcluestofindthemissingwordsfromtheWhat3Wordslocations. Teamsthensetoffintothesunshinetofindtheanswersandtocollectthe scavengeritems,suchasaclover,amapleleafandamushroomortoadstool. Oneteambravelyenteredthebonusroundwherethecluesweremorecryptic. Allteamshadamaximumofanhourandahalfto completetheHunt.
Attheend,theteamsreturnedtotheHallfor well-deservedrefreshmentsandsubmittedtheir answerstoJonandCathyformarkingwhilethey hadachatovertheirteaandcake.Thewinning teamswere:Forthestandardround“The Elements”(amixedteamfromLongCrendon andLaunton);andforthe bonusround“TheGoldenBallers”(allLauntonians) Welldonetothem,andtoallwhoentered.Therewasa goodfeeling,andeverychildwasawardedacertificate formakingitbackhavingcompletedtheroute.
Manythankstoallwhohelpedsetupandclearup,and toJonSpinagewhocameupwiththeideaandworked onquestionandanswersheets,andmuchmore.Many thankstootoTescowhodonatedprizes,andtoallwho donatedcakesandotherprizes.
Itwasagreatafternoonandthankyoutoallforhelping toraisefundsforFriendsofLauntonParishHall.TheTreasurerisstill workingoutthefinalfigures,buttheamountraisedattheeventwasabout£85 forfunds-andalotofpeoplehadalotoffuninthesun.
Wemayrunitin2024again:toregisterinterestvisitlaunton.org/hunt.Ifyou wanttotrytheHuntinyourowntime,emailhunt@launton.orgforacopyof thepackinreturnforadonationtoFoLPH.Photosofwinningteamsare above,withmorepicturesonthecoverandonpages22-23.
RobertCornford|CommunicationsOfficer,FoLPHOur summer picnic at Pat’s at the end of August was a feast - in the rain. But there was shelter, indoors and out, and a good time was had. Here are some photos. We reconvened in September to hear StephenBarker speak about the Oxonand Bucks Light Infantry on the Sommein 1916. More about that next month.
For the rest of this year: on 26 October TimHealywill speak about ‘Apples!’. This is intriguing - Timis an excellent speaker who last came two years ago to tell us about drovers’ roads. Then on 30 November, MarieLouiseKerrwill speak about the Romans in Oxfordshire. Our schedule for 2024 is filling up, beginning in January with the former chef at Chequers telling us about his work with four Prime Ministersfrom MargaretThatcher to GordonBrown. Everyone is welcome to our meetings, at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall on the last Thursday of the month: there is a small entry fee and refreshments are provided.
We hope that the refurbishment work on the Parish Hall will soon be starting, and when that happens we have plans to meet in StMary’s Church for those few months, as it’sso close to the Hall and is a pleasant meeting space.
GwenSkinner
Clockwisefromtop left: Insidethechurchwith theartsandcraftson display;Toysand tombolastallswithSt Mary’sinthe background;Thebook stall;Aflowerpainting;A sunflowerwith sunglasses,byMolly Messenger;Adisplayof livesunflowers;Flowers madeofpaper,metal,wool,stamping, andfromsugarcraftpaste-allby MarettaDowman;Abonsaifuscia;A fieldofcraftedpoppies.
AllphotosbyMattHill
Captions for this spread, clockwise from top left on this page: Teams gather in the Parish Hall; Collecting the Hunt Packs; Solving the clues in the Hall before setting off; A Team on Station Road; Families took part in the sunshine; Finding one of the "Treasures" - a manhole cover; Deep in thought by the Chapel; Follow the path to the very end - in the Island Pond Wood; A scavenger bag fills up with treasures; A team is off in search of the next treasure; Checking a location on paper and on screen; Back in the Hall there are refreshments - tea (or coffee) and home-made cakes.
There is a report on the event, with photos of the two winning teams, on page 19. The cover of this issue is also from the Treasure Hunt.
Monster visits the Parish Hall
Thisratherimpressiveplaydough snakepaidavisittothe
CommunityCafeintheParish Hallrecently,courtesyofoneof theafternoonvisitors,freshoutofschool.Whynotcallintothedrop-in
CommunityCafeintheParishHallandseeifhemakesareturnvisitinOctober?
TherearetwosessionsonTuesdaysduringterm-time.9.00-11.00amforyoung children,theircarersandallfromthecommunity-acongenialmeetingplace.2.304.30pmforallchildrenafterschool,theircarersandsiblings-alivelysessionwith craftactivities.
Sunseton
3September
PhotobyIan Jones Ithasbeen abumperyear forHawthornfoodfor Redwingsand Fieldfares
PhotobyPeterCox
AcarcrashedonBlackthornRoad on23Septemberwithahighpoliceand emergencypresence
Thekissinggateonthefootpath betweenthechurchyardandManor Farmwasrefurbishedon15September
FoLPHisnowayearoldasaregisteredcharity,and helditsAGMonZoomonFriday29September.All Trusteesarepreparedtocontinue.
TreasurerCathyProcopioureportedthatFoLPHhad £35,969.62inthebankattheendofthereporting year,andtheCharityCommissionreporthasbeendone.Wehavealmost completedregistrationforGiftAid.
Registered Charity Number 1199171
Officershavebeenelected:CeliaEvanscontinuesasChairforanotheryear,but thenwishestostanddown.JackieWebberwaselectedVice-Chair.CathyProcopiou willcontinueasTreasurer,andisjoined,asco-treasurer,byJackieWebber. ThenextTrustees’meetingwillbeon10November.
FoLPHEventscalendar
TheSeptemberevent(What3WordsTreasureHunt)tookplaceinunexpected sunshine(seepages19and22-23ofthisLauntonLinesforareportandphotos). Friday20October|BeetleDriveTherewillbeavariationonthetheme(aHall Drive)butwillbeafamilyeventandachancetomeetnewpeople.
Saturday25November|BoogieWoogieBellasAverytalentedgroupoflocal ladieswillentertainusfortheevening.Don’tmissit!
Saturday6January2024|Twelfth
NightEventPlansareverymuchin theearlystageforthisbutgetthedate inyour2024diaries.
Saturday6April2024|ASpring FairattheHall. Wearewaitingtoconfirmadateinthe SpringforTheSixthTytheBarn Quiz.Thisisalwaysagreateventinthe FourteenthCenturyTytheBarn.
MoreinformationonFoLPHEvents willbeinLauntonLinesandFacebook.
ThenextFoLPHOpenMeetingison
Thursday19Octoberat7.30pminthe ParishHall.Docometocatchupwith thisexcitingstageintheplansforthe
ParishHall.Theleaseshouldbesigned bythen,andatimetableforworkbe available.AllFoLPHmeetingsareopen toeveryone.
AllourObedienceTrainingispartof TheKennelClubGoodCitizenDogScheme. Jennie,ourInstructorisanApprovedInstructor (AcademyofDogTrainingandBehaviour),Agility ClubApprovedInstructor,UKAgilityInstructor.
SaturdayClassesatanewvenueinGrendonUnderwood AgilityClass,startsat12noon
ThursdayClassesinArncottVillageHall
PuppyFoundationAssessment,under6months,starts6.45pm
BronzeAward,fordogsage6+monthsstartsat7.30pm
RallyObedience,foranydogwithsomeobediencetraining startsat8.30pm
Hoopersclasses,TheBarkPark,Launton,Mondaysfrom11am
EvenasayoungdogAva’sownersnoticedearlysignsofproblems.Shewas stillgrowingwhentherewereclearindicationsofdifficultygettingupfromrest andsomehindlimbstiffnessduringmovement.BeingaBerneseMountain Dog,shewasexpectedtogrowtoover30kgsoanythingaffectinghermobility couldbecomeabigproblem.
In2020,inthemidstofCovid,Avahadhipx-raysperformedtotrytofind therootoftheproblem.Theseshowedaconditioncalledhipdysplasiawhich isadeformityofthehipjointwhichoftenleadstoarthritis.“Dys”meansbad orabnormalwhilst“plasia”meansgrowthordevelopment;soHipDysplasia (HD)meansabnormaldevelopmentofthehipjoint.UnfortunatelyforAvait wasaffectingbothherhips.
Thehip(coxo-femoral)jointconsistsofthesocket(acetabulum)atthesideof thepelviswhichisdesignedto“cup”aroundtheball(head)ofthefemur.This ballandsocketshouldallowthejointtomovebothbackwardsandforwards forwalkingbutalsotosplayoutwardslikefrogs’legs.
InHDthedeformityofteninvolvesashallowsocketandadeformedball. Thesesimplydon’tfitassnuglyastheyshouldsoinsteadofthejointrotating smoothly,itslidesandbumpsaroundcausingtraumawhichleadstojoint inflammation(arthritis).Thebodyrespondsbyformingscartissueinan attempttotightenthingsup,butinseverecasesthisonlyaddstothestiffness andreducedrangeofmotion.
Allinall,thehipsbecomestiffandpainful,thedogstrugglestogetuporeven towalk,themuscleswaste,thejointsbecomelessmobile,andqualityoflife becomesaffected.AfterafollowupsetofX-rayslatelastyear,Avawas referredtoaspecialistforassessment.TheyadvisedsurgeryduetoAva’ssize, herageandtheseverityofherproblem.InJanuarythisyearshehadaTotal HipReplacementonherrighthipjointwhichwasthemostseverelyaffected. Boththeacetabulumandthefemoralheadwerereplaced,andAvabeganthe longroadtorecovery.
Avawasachampionduringthistime.Becauseofhersizeherownersuseda baby’splaypenasarestrictedareaforhertorestforthefirst12weeks.Shewas takenforregulargentleexercisetoencouragehealing,andstrengtheningthe tissuesaroundthejoint.Followupx-raysat6weekswereverypositiveand Avahasgonefromstrengthtostrength.
Avaisnowsevenmonthsonfromhersurgery.Sheisverylivelyandis behavinglikeapuppyagain!Shelovesrunningaroundthefieldwhichshe
hasn’tbeenabletodoforyears.She’seven startedcockingherlegtowee-whichisunusual forafemaleanywaybutespeciallyasshe’d neverdonethisbefore!Herownersarethrilled despitethatshecannowjumponthesofas! Ava’ssurgerywasverycostly(haveImentioned thebenefitofpet insurance!),andthe recoverywasintenseand timeconsuming.Any decisionforabigsurgical procedureisdifficultandworryingbutinAva’scaseit hasbeenahugesuccesswhichhastransformedherlife andgivenherownersbacktheiractive,fundog.
WelldonetoAvaandwelldonetoherownersfor committingtoimprovingAva’squalityoflife.
Enjoyyourpets!
JasonWilliams|BicesterVets|September2023
Peaceofmindforpetowners...
CompassionateandCaringatalltimes
Longopeninghoursforyourconvenience
24houron-sitenursingcareasstandardforallourhospitalisedpatients
24hourEmergencyserviceprovidedbyourvetsatourpractice
Aservicethat'ssecondtononefromNorthOxfordshire'smostestablished, independent,specialitysmallanimalhospital.
Every month the Launton SpeedwatchTeam are on the road there are records from their work, which are shared with the Parish Council. Below is the report for August 2023. Does anyone have an explanation for activity on 9 August when there were significantly more vehicles (about 25%) on the Bicester Road out of the village, and a great many more identified as speeding. This was before the 20mphlimit was in place. Was there an accident or other problem on the A41that made more drivers divert through Launton? Or was there an event in Bicester Heritage that increased the traffic? Or were there road works in the village that had slowed down drivers, who then tried to make up time in increasing speed as they left the village? All ideas welcome.
Parish Council Report for Bicester Launton SpeedwatchGroup
Reporting between 01-08-2023 and 31-08-2023
Summary for this Period
Number of Sessions in this reporting period: 7
Total Vehicles exceeding limit: 25
DVLAValid Vehicles**: 18
Maximum Speed recorded in 30 limit: 44 mph(+46%)
Maximum Speed recorded in 20 limit: 44 mph(+120%)
Reported to TVP: 25
**DVLAvalid vehicles means that the vehicle registration and Speedwatchrecorded details match those held on the DVLAdatabase. Differences may occur in descriptions of the make (Land Rover or Range Rover) or colour (silver or grey), or of course if the vehicle is not currently registered on the DVLAsystem.
22-08-202316:30-17:30BicesterRoad-CornerBicesterRoadandTheSpinney
17-08-202316:30-17:30BicesterRoad-CornerBicesterRoadandTheSpinney
16-08-202316:00-17:00BicesterRoad-CornerSkinnerRoadandBicesterRoad
11-08-202315:00-16:00BicesterRoad-CornerBicesterRoadandTheSpinney
09-08-202316:30-17:30BicesterRoad-CornerBicesterRoadandTheSpinney
03-08-202308:30-09:30StationRoad-GrassareaoppositeBlenheimDrive
Totalsinreportingperiod 2516191.54%
Note on headings in table
Date: Date of Session
Time: Time and duration of session
Location of Session: Where the recording team were standing
Direction: direction traffic was moving
OL: number recorded as Over the Limit
Total: total number of vehicles recorded in session
%: percent of total vehicles Over the Speed Limit
We at Launton Environmental Society (LES) are on a journey to do our bit to solve the Global Warming problem. The wheels are finally rolling. Our First General Meeting was on Wednesday 13 September. And, I must say it went quite well.
6.375
In April, when I was asked to “think about re-starting LEG”. (Launton’soriginal environmental group) my reply was, “I’vebeen thinking and researching just that. However, I can’tdo it by myself”. The reply was “We’llhelp”, and they are helping! We would still be kneeling at the starting blocks without my six trusty helpers. Also, to make a difference we need a lot more than a ‘Group’ of people, more like a ‘Society’ (so LES, not LEG). How many people? My initial goal is 300! We are getting there. By the end of the September meeting our membership had climbed to 74. A really good start, but we do have a long way to go.
Why not ‘join’ us on our journey? Are you too busy? Well, No worries!
Joining up will not take up more than a few minutes of your time. And it is painless. You don’teven have to go to meetings. We aren’teven planning on having regular monthly meeting but when we do have them they will be at least 6 weeks apart, and attendance is not mandatory. They will be more like ‘pep talks’ than ‘meetings’. Do come when you can: if you can’tmake it, no apologies are necessary. Our meetings are meant to be educational - or at least informative. The First General Meeting topic was ‘Fire - Friend and Foe’. Admittedly we didn’ttalk much about the ‘foe’ bit, WILDFIRES. They have been all over the headlines, and justly so, for weeks if not months this year. The emphasis was more on the positive, inspirational and uplifting bits - on helpful Innovations and Initiatives. Like the drones being used in Canada that can start extinguishing the fires before they get out of control. About the drones equipped with infrared cameras that locate
distressed and injured wildlife as seen on EarthxTV(Freeview, Channel 79). How the Fire Spotters in California with their 1,000 plus cameras are training AI to actually do the job more precisely than they can. Like the volunteers in Australia who work with ‘Woodlands for Wildlife’ managing woodland by having ‘controlled burns’ to help stop naturally and man-made fires from getting out of control. Like the volunteers in Launton who are doing their bit to turn things around. And you could be one of them.
Some of the people arriving at the First General Meeting might have felt somewhat ‘useless’ when it comes to solving the Global Warming problem. I can safely say that no one left that meeting feeling that way. They’veall seen our Solution. YOU can too!.
Come along (and not necessarily alone - bring a friend) to our Second General Meeting. This will be on Wednesday 25 October at 7:30pmat the Parish Hall. The sub-title for that meeting will be ‘Up with People’ (see the flyer on page 10). And it is going to be very uplifting!
Stop at our Think Tent at The October Woodfestin Island Pond Wood on Saturday 14 October (see flyer on page 2). Together we CAN turn things around.
Thank you for taking the time to read this…
EdHamill,The family of a former editor of Launton Lines has given a wheelchair to be available for short-term use by residents of the village, if recovering from an accident or operation or needing some support with moving around.
If you think you could use it, contact the following:
Editor@Launton.org or phone 01869 241883
Oneoftheproblemspetdogownershaveisthatthereisnolegislationto ensurethatDogTrainingClubshaveInstructorswhoarequalifiedtotraindogs andtheirhandlers.JoorJoeBloggs,withnotraining,canstartdogtraining classesanywhereintheUK!So,afterover20years’ofexperience,myadviceto youasadogownerwhetherofapuppyoranolderdog,istoaskquestions beforesigninguptoanyclasses.Whatarethequalificationstheinstructorhas forteachingdogtraining?Dotheyownadogthemselves?Howlonghavethey beentrainingdogs?Arebabypuppiesputintothesameclassasadultdogs?Are theylistedwiththeUKKennelClub?Andfinallywhatexactlyaretheygoingto teachyouandyourdog?Isthereanyevidenceoftheirsuccessintrainingdogs?
BeingaDogTrainingInstructorisnotjustgettingapaperqualification.Itis beingabletounderstandwhateachdogandhandlerneeds,whichcanonlybe learnedovertime,gainingexperienceinteachingdifferentbreedsofdogpedigreeorcrossbreed.TrainingaCavalierKingCharlesSpanielismucheasier thanaterrier;aGermanShepherdiseasiertotrainthanaBorderCollie.So experienceintrainingdifferentbreedsofdogsisveryimportant.Someonewho
hasjustfinishedanonlinedogtrainingcoursewillnotalwayshavethe experienceoftrainingdogsinreallife!Eachdogandhandleryoutrainwilleach needdifferentwaystohelpthemlearn.Howtohelptheoldladywholovesher dogdearlyandwantstostopitpullingheronawalk;orthepersonwhothinks alltheyhavetodofortrainingistoshoutatthedogandbullyitintodoing whattheywantittodo!Thesetwopeoplemaybeinthesameclass!I sometimesthinkweshouldcallourselves‘peopletrainers’!Thedogsareeasyto train-it’sthepeoplewhocanbedifficult,eachwiththeirownideasoftraining. Istartedmyclubover20yearsagoandhaveseendogtrainingchange dramaticallyovertheyears!GonearetheBarbaraWoodhousemethodsof checkchains(fear),bullying,compulsionand‘SIT’!Now,weashumans understandthatmakingtrainingfunandreward-basedishowweshouldbe teachingourdogs.Societyhascometorealisethatdogshaveemotions,too; theyfeelfearandpainaswellasloveandcompassion.Dogslearninthesame waysaswehumansdo.Ifyouarepatientandlearnhowtomotivateyourdog intodoingwhatyouwantittodo,youwillsucceedinhavingthedogyouwant.
JennieFairweather|FairWeatherDogTrainingClubGreencoreputonarealisticviewoftheproposalsatLSSC, whicharestillwithCherwellDistrictCouncilforfinalconsultation. Itisinterestingthattherearealready earlyapplicationsofinterestfromwithinLaunton.
EarlyinSeptemberCherwellBusinessAwardsheldtheirGalaDinner andAwardsatChestertonHotel,thefirsttimeintenyears thatwehavebeenabletohost250peopleinapurpose-builtroom. Welldonetotheproprietorandstafffortheirwork. TheAwardsraised£4,000forcharityonthenight.
Inparticular,heartycongratulationstoGailChurchwho, atBicesterWills,wontheSmallBusinessAward amongstiffcompetitionfromBicester,KidlingtonandBanbury.
Fromaverysmallbeginning, GailexpandedtoBicesterandbeyondfromGrangeMews, anexampleofthequalityoffirmsoperatingfromhere.
pacox@grangemews.co.ukandourwebsitewww.grangemews.co.uk
Volunteerworkingpartieshavebeenbusyinthewoodlandlastmonth,with twoworksessions,on21and30September.Bothhavefocussedonthearea aroundthepond-cuttingthepathandthereeds,trimmingthetreesround thepond,andclearingmarginalvegetation(includingthealways-growing clumpsofirisis)toencourageregenerationorkeepthemundercontrol.The toptwophotosoppositeshowworkon30September.
Abigthankyoutoallthevolunteerswhocameouttohelp.Ournextsession isTuesday10Octoberstartingat10am.Thetaskwillbecuttingback vegetationandpruningtreesandgettingreadyfortheAutumnfeston14 October(seetheinsidefrontcover).
EarlierinthemonthwegatheredatTheLauntonArmsforoneofthefinal sessionsofTheVillageCoffeeShopforthehandingoverofascythe purchasedfromacakefundraiserattheCoffeeShop.Thebottomphoto oppositeshowsFIPWChairRobertDowmanholding the scythe with - on his
- JenniWalker and AnnaJonesfrom the Coffee Shop, and to his
WEARENOWBICESTER’SLONGEST-ESTABLISHED INDEPENDENTFAMILY-OWNED&RUNFUNERALDIRECTORS
BICESTER’SONLYINDEPENDENTFAMILYFUNERALDIRECTOR
Acaringtraditional24hourservice
ProvidedbyMrHancockandhisteampersonally
left
right members of FIPW.
AboveisthepaintingTheHuntintheForestbyPaoloUccellointheAshmolean thatLauntonSchoolpupilsstudiedduringtheirvisit.Belowareperspective worksdoneafterthevisit,applyingwhattheyhadlearnedtoLSLowry’swork.
TheLauntonpupilstriedproducingtheirownversionsofJohnPiper’sJune Landscapefordifferentmonths.
Our class visited the AshmoleanMuseum. We were looking at the pictures that are there and we concentrated on two in particular. The first one was The June Landscape by John Piper. It was modern and, at first, we didn’tlike it because we didn’tunderstand it. Our instructor told us about the painting which helped us to understand what the artist had painted. We chose our own months of the year and created landscapes like Piper’s.We chose February, May and November. Once we had done this, we began to understand what Piper was trying to do. His picture was like looking into the cool sea.
We spent a lot of time looking at Uccello’s The Hunt in the Forest. Uccellomeans bird. We liked this painting very much. We found out that when it was x-rayed it was discovered that the artist had used mathematics to create this picture. The scene goes towards the vanishing point. We made ‘soundscapes’ in response to this painting and we chose dogs barking, horse sounds and the rustling of the trees. It was fun to do this. Did you know that this painter used gold leaf on the tops of the trees to reflect the light of the moon? There was action in this painting with the deer, dogs, hunters, and their horses. We made postcards which were inspired by the paintings and recorded our work in our art books.
We had all visited the museum before with our families and enjoyed the visits. We liked visiting again with our class.
Erin, Olivia, and Sebastian Year 3
Editor’snote: Uccellomapped out a grid on the panel’ssurface, fixing a central vanishing point. The huntsmen’sspears, the cut branches and logs and the area of water denote this coherent space, where there are the receding forms of men and animals; our gaze is drawn deep into the forest. Uccello’spainting is an early example of the effective use of art, with the participants, including people, horses, dogs and deer, disappearing into the dark forest in the distance. It was Uccello's last known painting before his death in 1475.
ThismonthwecelebratethefirstyearofoperationoftheLauntonCommunity Speedwatch(CSW)group.Inthistime,andalthoughsessionsareonlyscheduled onceortwiceaweek,over90vehicleshavebeenrecordedontheSpeedwatch systemexceedingthespeedlimitatspeedsupto44mph.Anumberofmonitoring siteshavebeenestablishedonBicesterRoad,BlackthornRoadandStationRoad butthefocusmaybeonvehiclesenteringorleavingthevillageatanytime.
Withtheintroductionofthe20mphspeedlimitinSeptembertherewillbea periodofadjustment,particularlyfordriverspassingthroughLaunton.Thefocus oftheSpeedwatchprogramatpresentisthereforeeducationandreinforcementof thenewsigns,whichsomepeoplehaveadmittedtonotevennoticing.
IthasbeenobservedthatthepresenceoftheSpeedwatchteamsdoescontribute toloweringtheaveragespeedofvehiclesthroughthevillage.Thisisthereforean importantpartoftheSpeedwatchprogramingeneral.Theavailabilityofadditional memberstotheLauntonteamwillenableustoincreasethenumberofsessions andvisibility.(Seepages28-29forafullreportofactivityinAugust.)
IfyouwouldliketojointheLauntonCSWteampleasecontacttheco-ordinatorat Speedwatch@launton-pc.gov.uk.
This month the ex-Launton Boy starts with remembering some of the people and families who lived in the village when he was a boy, including SandraJestywho he was at school with. Then he moves on to the farms and farming families of Launton, and how the small family farms created the landscape he grew up in and played in. He remembers the butcher's shop (now sadly no more) with its own abattoir (of great fascination to boys returning from school), and summer holidays spent making camps in the hedgerows. He muses on what fields can tell of their past, and specifically the field behind the house where the family lived. Finally he regrets the passing of family farms and local shops which do so much to hold a village together.
I was saddened to read of the death of Mrs. EileenJestyin last month’s combined edition of Launton Lines.
The last time I saw her was in Launton in 1972, when I had not long left the army and got married the first time round. As I recall, I bumped into her somewhere between the Chapel and the phone kiosk in Station Road and I remember distinctly commenting to her about how young she looked and hadn’tchanged in the six years I had been away, unlike most other I knew in the village.
I do believe she was Welsh and very attractive and just a couple of years or so younger than my mum. She had a daughter, Sandra of my age, who had very red hair (ginger). The last time I saw Sandra, she was working at Jobling’sgarage in Launton Road, Bicester. Sandrahad a young brother, Stephenif I remember correctly and their father was Reg Jesty.When I knew them as a
family, they lived in Sherwood Close (before it was effectively re-built) in the last house on the right going into the Close on the corner of the ‘T’ junction. Whereas most other houses there had significant gardens to the rear, theirs was predominantly to the side.
I haven’tseen Sandrain years, so I do so hope she is healthy and still around. Stephen, I have not seen since we were at Launton school and I am now wondering what happened to him.
Bearing in mind the fact that I knew every living soul in the village when I was a child and young teenager, I wonder to myself how many ofthosepeoplearestillaroundandstillinLaunton.NotmanyBenny,I don’tsuppose.Onethingisforsurethough,therehavebeensomereal charactersthathavecomeandgone.
Watchingaprogrammeafewdaysagoontelevision,Isawhowthere appearedtobeagrowthinsmallfamilyfarmsinScotland.Thelivestock farmsweretendingnottoselltheirproducetothelargeconglomeratesbut instead,sellinglocally,servingtheirowncommunities.Ifoundthewhole thingquitefascinatingandatfirst,novel,untilIstoppedandthoughtfora moment.ThinkingbacktomychildhoodinLaunton,inthedayswhenwe hadatleastsixindividualfarmingfamilies,ifnotmore,notcountingBill Freeman’ssmallholdinginBlackthornRoadontheedgeofthevillage.
AsdescribedinmuchearliercolumnsIhavesubmitted,meandmybrother Cliffusedtohelpout,askids,onTommyAncil’sfarm,particularlyduring thehaymakingseason,loadingthemownhayupontothehaywagonswith ourownpitchforks,andthenbackatthefarm,loadingthehayfromthe wagonintotheelevatorwhichtookthehayupanddroppeditofftheend ontothegrowinghayrickthatBobAncilwouldbebuilding.
TheButcher’sshoponthecrosshaditsownabattoirwherewekids walkinghomefromLauntonschoolwouldstopandlookthroughthe boreholeconvenientlydrilledthroughoneoftheheftygatepostsandwatch sheep,probablyproducedbyvillagefarmers,andpigsbeingstunnedbefore beingslaughtered,soweknewwhereourfoodcamefromatanearlyage, unperturbedaboutit.
Wehadaccesstoeveryfarmer’sfieldsinandaroundthevillage,provided
weabidedbythecountrysidecodewhich,becauseofthewaysinwhichwe wereallbroughtupbackthen,wedid.Inthesummerholidayswewould wanderfourorfiveandsometimesevenmorefieldsaway,makingcamps inthethickerhedgerowswhichthegirlswoulddutifullykeepcleanand well-preparedforourpicnics,whilstweboyswouldbeupinthewillow treescuttingbowsandarrowsforahuntingexpedition.
Ofcourse,whenconglomeratefarmingcompaniesarrivedonthescene, intentononethingonly,i.e.maximumyieldatleastcostwithbyandlarge littlethoughtforlocalcommunityrelations,thefreedomtowander enclosedfieldswasfrowneduponandwastantamounttotrespass.Sucha shame,becausebackthenwekidsexperiencedavaluableelementtoour education,theoutdoorsbeingpartofthegreatuniversityoflife!
HowmanytimeshaveIheardfromthelipsofpeoplewhohadnothing likemychildhoodsay,“Afieldisafieldisafield–sowhat?”
Fieldshavehistoryandstoriestotell.TakeTheGreeninLaunton,atthe backofwhatwasmyhomethroughoutmychildhood.Lookingatit closely,itwaspossibletodiscerntheundulationsofthemedievalstrips fromthefeudalsystemoffarming.Thesewouldhaveproducedthecrops tosustainthevillagepeopleofLaunton.Anditwaspossiblefromachange incolourationofthegrasstoseetheremainsofwheretheLaunton Grasshopperscyclespeedwaytrackoncewas.“Justafield!”Idon’tthink so.AndnowIamgiventounderstandthatithasallbeenbuiltover.Such ashame!InmemoryoftheLauntonGrasshoppersCycleSpeedwayteams overaspanofyears,theycouldhaveatleastnamedoneoftheroads, GrasshopperGreen,forexample.
Justasitwouldbefantastictoseeareturntotraditionalshopsinatown’s run-downHighStreetsinsteadofsprawlingout-of-town‘super’stores,so itwouldbefantastictoseethesmallfamilyfarmsreturningtovillagesand becomingonceagainanactualpartofthevillage.Itallhelpstocreatea close-knitandcohesivesociety,whichisafterall,whatvillage-lifeshould beabout.
KeephealthyandstaySAFE!
TonyJeacockMInstRE|Theex-LauntonBoy|October2023
Inthecurrentsituation,itcanstillbedifficulttobespecificaboutvillageevents.Listedarethosewe knowareplanned-butcheckwithorganisersnearerthedateifyouplantoattend.
October 2023
Sunday1StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion(BCP),8am;HarvestFamilyService,11am|Weekly QuizatTheBull,8pm
Monday2WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm|StMary'sChurchFellowshipGroupMeetingin theChurch,2.30pm
Tuesday3RubbishCollection:garbagebin|CommunityCafé,ParishHall:9am-11am;2.30pm-4.30pm| RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm
Wednesday4BanburyRoadRoundaboutOCCconsultationonfutureplans:WeylandHall(8-10NorthSt, Bicester),11:00am-2:00pmand4:00pm-6:00pm
Thursday5ParishCouncilMeeting,PublicSession7.15pm,CouncilMeeting7.30pm.LauntonParishHall
Sunday8TrinityCamerataAnnualFamilyConcert,StEdburg's,4pm|StMary'sChurch,Harvest Evensong,6pm|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm
Monday9WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm
Tuesday10RubbishCollection:recyclingandgardenbins|CommunityCafé,ParishHall:9am-11am; 2.30pm-4.30pm|IslandPondWoodWorkingParty,.10am|RockChorus,ParishHall, 7.30pm
Wednesday11Over60sClubMeeting,SportsandSocialHall,startsat1.30pm,endsabout3.30pm
Thursday12WIMeeting:JohnTylerspeakingonVolcanoesandDragons,ParishHall,7.30pm
Friday13SCOTSMeeting,TheBull,from5.30pm
Saturday14StMary'sChurchyardCleanUpfrom9.30am|OctoberWoodfest,IslandPondWood, 1.00pm-4.00pm
Sunday15StMary'sChurch,HolyCommunion,11am|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm
Monday16WatercolourArtClass,ParishHall,2pm-4pm|StMary'sChurchFellowshipGroupMeeting intheChurch,2.30pm
Tuesday17RubbishCollection:garbagebin|CommunityCafé,ParishHall:9am-11am;2.30pm-4.30pm| RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm
Thursday19FINALDATEFORCOPYFORTHEOCTOBER2023ISSUEOFLAUNTONLINES:SUBMIT TOlauntonlines@launton.org
Friday20LauntonSchool,INSETday|FoLPHHall/BeetleDrive,ParishHall,7.30pm
Sunday22StMary'sChurch,MorningPrayer,11am|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm
Monday23HalfTermbreakstartstoday,backtoschoolon30October
Tuesday24RubbishCollection:recyclingandgardenbins|CommunityCaféclosedthisweekforhalfterm |RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm
Wednesday25Over60sClubMeeting,SportsandSocialHall,startsat1.30pm,endsabout3.30pm| LauntonEnvironmentalSocietySecondOpenGeneralMeeting,ParishHall,7.30pm
Thursday26LauntonHistoricalSocietywithTimHealeyonApples!,ParishHall,7.30pm
Sunday29StMary'sChurch,JointVillagesAllSouls'Service,6pm|WeeklyQuizatTheBull,8pm
Monday30BacktoLauntonSchooltoday,halftermover.
Tuesday31RubbishCollection:Garbagebin|CommunityCafé,ParishHall:9am-11am;2.30pm-4.30pm |RockChorus,ParishHall,7.30pm
