Issuu

Issue 232

February 2020

Sights around Launton over the last month

 Reality, or just wishful thinking: see the report on pages 16-17  An area at the top of the Woodland after recent rain. Photo by Ella Rayner

The ongoing saga of the new post box - continued As we go to print for February 2020 the new post box has still not appeared. The picture on the right of the box we had been promised was first printed 23 months ago. This has now changed, but the Post Office can not tell us what type of box we will be getting, just it will be a “proper box” rather than the current “lamp” style. Watch this space for updates. Front cover shows the boardwalk and bridge in The Island Pond Wood on Friday 17 January, after a period of heavy rain. The walkway is above the water - an improvement on the previous bridge: see above for another picture in the Woodland. Photos by staff photographer Ella Rayner

The Editor writes ... It looks from Met Office reports as though we may be in for a cold spell, just in time for photos for The Snow Queen (see report on page 27 and the back cover). It certainly feels chilly as I am writing this. To make us all feel the need of the coming Summer, the PHIP report on page 12 looks forward to a Strawberry Tea and Games at the end of June, as well as the Fourth Grand Tythe Barn Quiz on 13 March. Both the PHIP report (page 12) and the Parish Council report (pages 6-7) give some fairly positive news about the Parish Hall. This issue also has a regular report on page 9 from MP Victoria Prentis. Looking to a nearer future page 15 has an alert for the School Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday 21 March. There is also an introductory article about Bicester Green (the recycling, upcycling, repair and refill centre) on pages 20-21 and I hope we’ll have regular updates from them. And talking about repairs, there is a flurry of material about potholes (pages 2, 16-17, 18, 46). As well as Peter Cox’s regular updates on village businesses in Grange Mews News (page 14) this month we feature the new StoneLily Hair Salon (pages 30-31 and photos on page 24) and discover it has been in the village for nearly eight years. Next month I hope to cover the Costcutter shop. We have a mid-season update (pages 40-41) from the Football Club, with a photo on page 47 of the Under 11 Team celebrating their first silverware of the season. There are regular contributions from The Parish Council (pages 6-7), The WI (14-15), The School Reporters (22), The Playgroup (26-27) and The Ex-Launton Boy (42-43). Thanks to eagle-eyed staff photographer Ella Rayner for the front cover. And this is just some of the content. Enjoy reading. Oh, and this is the second issue to go online - see page 5. Robert Cornford

Launton Lines

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 February for entry in the March 2020 issue of Launton Lines. February 25 | Congratulations to Iris Burden on your 100th birthday from all your friends at Launton Over 60s Club February 29 | Happy Birthday to Tamlyn Cornford on your 40th (and 10th) birthday from all the family

Friends of St Mary’s Launton We had an interesting and productive meeting in the Parish Hall on 16 January, following the Open Evening on 21 November last year. There were some lively discussions around the three items on the agenda fundraising, membership and formation of a committee to carry forward the work of the Friends group. As there was no time for feedback on the evening, ideas for membership and fundraising are being collated and will be available for a committee meeting on Monday 9 March. If anyone unable to attend the January meeting is interested in joining the committee, please contact Celia Evans or Hilary Bradshaw on these emails mandc.evans@outlook.com or hilaryannbradshaw@hotmail.com. Once again, thank you for your support in moving this forward and helping to preserve our historic building.

Hilary Bradshaw and Celia Evans Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 4

Launton Lines goes online

The issue for January 2020 (Issue 231) was the first to be published online, available through the publishing website issuu.com. This is the second. It is identical to the printed edition and is produced as a single file which you can page through, so keeping the feeling of the printed version. We will continue to produce the printed edition and distribute it free to all addresses in the village. There has been some good feedback and comments: “Online was easy to use...”, “Easy to read and great visually...”, “...seems nice and smooth...”, “Great to see this is now available online! Welcomed by those of us who live nearby but outside the village itself.” To find the online edition type the following into your web browser. https://issuu.com/search?q=Launton%20Lines This should bring up a listing of all issues. Alternatively, you can sign up on issuu.com (www.issuu.com) and be alerted when each issue of Launton Lines is published in future. Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 5

Launton Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 8 January 2020 at 7.30pm in Launton School Hall Councillors present 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; Seven members of the public (three left 8.27pm); Mr James Allpress (participated as a Councillor after Item 8 from 9.30pm) Reports from District and County Councillors Councillor Ian Corkin sent his apologies together with a written report which is available on the Parish Council website. Finance The Finance Report was available on the Parish Council website. The Council considered the detailed budget and agreed the level of £35,413 for the year 2020/21. This took into account the additional expenditure on the school speed limit, an increase in the cost of the dog bin emptying, and the likelihood of the Station Road bus shelter needing repair. The Parish had been given the Tax Base figure by CDC which was estimated at 541.4 and following the calculations, agreed to increase the Precept to £22,403. which was an increase of £1,563. The annual cost to a Band D household would be approximately £41.38 – an increase of £3.03 over the whole year. Governance The Council was pleased to co-opt and welcome Mr James Allpress (from Station Road) as the Councillor to replace Mrs Jeanne Walker. 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. Village Matters Parish Hall Lease The Parish Council agreed the Agreement to Lease and the Lease at the meeting subject to the precise wording of a clause regarding the timing of the rent. Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 6

All three of the architects’ proposals received were competitive so the Council has asked for feedback from the Parish Hall Improvement Project group. East West Rail The Council had received an invitation to the Phase Two Project Launch in Milton Keynes on 26 February. It was hoped that one Councillor would be able to attend. Post Box The Parish Council has received confirmation that the ‘traditional-style’ box is not available and so we will have to have a more modern style pillar box. It was hoped it would be installed shortly. Station Road Drainage Issues Both the Clerk and Councillor Ian Corkin had been following up the flooding and drainage issues on Station Road with the OCC Highways team. It’s extremely frustrating for all concerned, but we’re still working on it. Charbridge Lane Roundabout Crossing It had been reported to OCC Highways that there were safety concerns about using the crossing at the Charbridge Lane roundabout. There has been a small review and OCC has agreed so some minor improvements including better signage warning drivers of pedestrians crossing the road and to the cutting back of the vegetation on the swan neck (on the allotment side of the road) to improve visibility. Please let us know if you still have concerns so that we can feed it back to the Highways team. Agenda items for the next meetings The Clerk requested that she receive all items for the February agenda by 23 January, and for the March meeting by 23 February. Dates of next meetings Thursday 6 February and Thursday 5 March, both at 7.30 pm in the Parish Hall Councillors and the Parish Clerk are normally available before the start of the formal meeting, from 7pm, to meet the public. Public plans and correspondence are normally available for viewing and comments, including paper copies of planning applications, and to hear informal discussions on agenda items 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 Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 7

CHURCH NEWS February 2020

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

Sunday 2 February 8am Holy Communion (BCP) | 11am Family Service Tuesday 4 February Community Café, The Parish Hall: 9am-11am | 2.30pm-4.30pm Sunday 9 February 6pm Evensong Tuesday 11 February Community Café, The Parish Hall: 9am-11am | 2.30pm-4.30pm Sunday 16 February 11am Holy Communion Tuesday 18 February School half term: no Community Café, Sunday 23 February 11am Holy Communion Tuesday 25 February Community Café, The Parish Hall: 9am-11am | 2.30pm-4.30pm Wednesday 26 February 10.30am Ash Wednesday Service Sunday 1 March 8am Holy Communion (BCP) | 11am Family Service

Chapel Services

Launton Congregational Chapel services in February 2020 will be held between 3pm and 4pm on these dates. All are welcome to join us. There is no obligation to take Communion. Come and join us for quiet reflection before the start of another busy week. Sunday 9 February Communion Service Sunday 23 February Chapel Service Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 8

The Quarterly Report from Victoria Prentis, MP It’s great to be back in Parliament. Regardless of how you voted in December, the election result has provided us with a clear way forward. After three years of uncertainty, the Prime Minister has wasted no time in cracking on with Brexit and we will now be leaving the European Union at the end of January. We have a lot of work to do in this Parliament to secure our trading relationships with the rest of the world, set up a new ‘points based’ immigration system to ensure greater fairness among applicants regardless of their countries of origin and to level up our infrastructure focussing both on transport links close to home (like East-West rail) and those across the Midlands and the North that have long been overlooked. I’ve wasted no time since my return to Parliament in leading the effort to scrap HS2 to free up funds, and I am ever hopeful that the Government may listen. An ambitious programme of improvement for our public services is also underway, with measures set out in the Queen’s Speech before Christmas and more to follow in the Chancellor’s March budget. From increasing funding for our much-needed NHS, to raising school standards, improving access to apprenticeships and Higher Education, and helping local businesses on Bicester’s main shopping streets and elsewhere, there’s a huge amount for us to be getting on with as MPs. Longer-term challenges also need to be tackled, notably on adult social care and in our criminal justice system, but I’m confident that with a strong parliamentary majority and real political resolve, we will now be able to have the grown-up conversations we need on these sensitive subjects. I started with a word on the decisive election result and it’s with another that I will end. No matter how you voted, I work for you. Whatever your concern, you can get in touch by emailing me direct (Victoria.prentis.mp@parliament.uk). You can also call my parliamentary team (020 7219 8756) to national issues or my constituency office (01869 233 685) to discuss any local difficulties. Since my election in 2015, I’ve helped constituents with over 23,500 pieces of casework and counting, and I’m always happy to help where I can. Victoria Prentis Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 9

Cats do better than us – get over it

I’d started feeling poorly since soon after Boxing Day. I thought it was a ‘winter bug’ to begin with. Then there was lots of coughing and sneezing, blocked throat, a sense of choking while trying to sleep. I guessed that I’d got it from my generous wife who’d been rehearsing these symptoms for the past week already, and that it would soon pass with paracetamol, lots of liquid and rest. However, by 2nd January it was time to involve the GP. By then I could barely speak and ached across my ribs like I’d been punched. The doctor confirmed that it was an infection rather than a virus and it needed a week’s worth of antibiotics, three times a day. I sought sympathy from the cat but was firmly rebuffed. He saw nothing different in me and demanded to be fed. After that, he cleared off, returning only to luxuriate in any of the warmer places in the house, until it was time for his next feed. This seemed to be solid evidence for the argument that cats do better than we humans do. However, ever the sceptic and techno-geek, I logged into a little-known website: catsdobetterthanus.org, which was happy to confirm my query. It listed pages of evidence for why cats do better than we stupid humans do. It even has pages entitled ‘Why do we have to do this?’ and ‘Isn’t it so obvious already?’, as if it was too much trouble for them to spell it out. Undaunted, I still wanted further proof, even during my period of sleep deprivation, choking fits, non-stop coughing, high temperature, lack of appetite... that cats really, really, do better than us. I took sympathy in comforting liquids like hot blackcurrant cordial, decaffeinated tea and a reputable brand of chicken soup – Heinz Cream of Chicken. While waiting for my soup to heat up in the microwave, I idly glanced at the contents. Expecting the main item listed to be, wait for it, chicken. No chance. The main ingredient was water. Then lurking among the cornflour, oil, dried skimmed milk, flour, yeast and onion extracts, other flavourings and a range of phosphates, I discovered the star ingredient – 3% chicken. That’s just the kind of evidence you need to encourage vulnerable and doubting shoppers to buy brands you can trust - Heinz 3% Chicken Soup (cream of). I ranted about this to the cat, who was singularly unimpressed. Despite all Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 10

the data, all the compelling evidence, he lifted his leg and casually licked his rear. It was like he knew that he could do better than us. Whether you or they are ill or not, cats have never heard of amoxicillin. They’re very law-abiding animals too and, unlike some humans, don’t do drugs. You don’t see cats hanging around on street corners to score drugs. Soon it was time for the domestic beast to pester me for yet more grub. I duly reached for his ‘slop of choice’ - Felix brand cat food. I just had a sense that I’d missed something here, some piece of evidence to challenge those lazy people at catsdobetterthanus.org. On the sachet, I could find nothing. The ingredients were missing. Maybe the contents were of such poor quality that the firm was too embarrassed to publish them. Maybe the website catsdobetterthanus.org were being too smug by half. I reached for the Felix box the sachets came in and there on the base was further information about this ‘complete pet food for senior cats’. And that’s where the wheels crashed off my argument. I sank into a pit of inconsolable doom. Unlike for the chicken soup, the first item on this list was ‘meat and animal derivatives (of which chicken 4%). So if you’re a cat, not only do you get an extra 1% of chicken, you get other items of meat thrown in for good measure. The message could hardly be clearer. If you want more chicken for your money, if you want to join the winners, fill the kettle and wait for it to boil. Empty your Felix chicken sachet into a suitable container. Just add water. Enjoy! Danny Cunningham

Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 11

Parish Hall Improvement Project Report February 2020

The Parish Council Lease package is about to be released from the hands of the various solicitors and will happen, we are confident, by the end of this financial year - so by early April 2020 - unless some significant last-minute problem comes to light. The first document to be signed by the Diocese and the Parish Council will be The Agreement to Lease which will cover the period until the Hall can be brought up to the Energy Performance Certificate Level E that will then allow The Lease to be activated. The Parish Council has also begun considering the management of the Hall once they take it over. Initially the most important issue has to be who will handle the bookings. I know we all hope that Joan Packer can be persuaded to continue and train up a new generation. The Parish Council has met three possible architects each with different packages of skills and experience, and are due to make a choice soon. Current fundraising has been continuing: the total is currently just over £13,000. With the decision of The Village Players to donate all the profits from their 2020 Pantomime The Snow Queen to PHIP there should be a significant increase soon. The other major fundraiser is the Fourth Grand Tythe Barn Quiz on Friday 13 March, devised by Chris Frost and presented by Chris with technical support from Jon Spinage. Doors will open at 7pm, quiz starts at 7.30pm, and 50% of profits will go to PHIP, 50% to St. Mary's Church. There will be soup and breads, and then cakes from village bakers, and a cash bar. Tickets (£10 each) go on sale from 24 February at Costcutter. More details in the March issue of Launton Lines, but start putting together your team of between 4 and 6 members now, and save the date. Then we will be putting on another Film Night in the Parish Hall: the main attraction will be Cabaret!. Come along to your very local movie palace for a night out of decadent entertainment. Tickets available in advance from 1 March from The Bull Inn and on the door on the night (£5 adults £3 under 16): refreshments will be available. Doors open 7.15 for 7.45 For summer we are planning Strawberry Tea and Games on Sunday 28 June at The Parish Hall on a Sunny (we hope) Summer Afternoon, featuring Strawberries, Cream, Scones, Games, a variety of Drinks, and FUN. And, we are confident, the lease package will be done by then! Robert Cornford | Publicity Officer, PHIP Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 12

NEWS FROM ST MARY’S CHURCH Our next Interactive Family Service is on 2 February at 11am When we’ll start to look forward to welcoming Spring time, talking about Birds. About their songs...

About their journeys... About their food... We’ll hear stories, sing songs and talk about feeding birds Please come along and JoIn Us!!! All Church Services are listed on page 8 of this issue

Launton Community Cafe The Cafe is open during school terms. It will be closed for half term on Tuesday 18th February. It will be open on Tuesdays 4th, 11th, and 25th There are two sessions: between 9am and 11am between 2.30pm and 4.30pm For information on future plans contact Rev’d Peter Wright revpeterwright@gmail.com or phone 01869 572272 Or come to a Tuesday meeting

Everyone is welcome Come to meet friends and neighbours

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

“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 February 2020 | Page 13

Launton WI Meeting Thursday 9 January 2020 We started the New Year meeting in the Parish Hall singing Jerusalem with Gwynne as usual on the piano. Posies were presented to two members with January birthdays. We then had a session on general administration, finance and information. Helen asked if we had all enjoyed our Christmas party evening at the Sports and Social Club and everybody agreed we had and that we should try and hold it there again this year. Our guest speaker for the evening was Mike Lusada who takes tours round Bicester Heritage. This was a very interesting talk on the history of the site, which started back in 1909 when a brave pilot was trying to land his box kite plane made from string, metal and canvas on skis in a hurry! We also learned the war history and that the airfield was the home for training the Blenheim aircraft pilots in WWII. Now the emphasis is on the motor industry with lots of work being done for the future. Our competition â€œSomething beginning with Jâ€? was won by Kathy with a

Grange Mews News for February 2020 Commercial Offices, Industrial Units and Storage for Lease

As I write the snowdrops are showing a carpet of white, but daffodils, in the so far warm winter, are still being a little coy. Launton Travel (01869 248691) is today part of an Oxfordshire convoy of coaches journeying to Newcastle with Oxford United supporters, for we hope a sporting game of soccer. They operate hires locally as well for those interested in coach travel. Talk To Keith or Martin.* Following on with hiring, we also have Bicester Car and Van Rental on site: Duncan (01869 343150) and his fleet of vehicles for short or long term hire are very popular: we are pleased to see the success that they are making. Further hiring available: Shine and Glow have teams (and individuals) of excellent cleaners with a base at Grange Mews. There are first class reports of their efficiency and effectiveness- they can be contacted on 0330 133 1575. (Ed. Don't confuse with Shine and Glow Nail Bar in Swindon) *Post script, a well fought draw at Newcastle, much enjoyed by the Oxford United followers. I have as yet no reports of the journey home.

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

box of Joss Sticks, and we also had a Bring and Buy table to raise funds for the group. Our next meeting will be on Thursday 13 February at 7.30pm when Peter Richardson will tell us about Preparing your Garden for Summer . The competition is “Something beginning with U” and we will have a collection for The Bicester Food Bank. We will be in the Parish Hall and we would welcome any new members who would like to join us. Jane Leach | January 2020

A Thank You from the Lions Club The Bicester Lions Club has asked Launton Lines to pass on a thank you to all those in the village who supported their Father Christmas collection. The sum collected was £440, the highest collection from the village. They say, “All the money we raised is spent on charity, mainly in the Bicester area where there is a great need at present, and we are very grateful for all the help we had.”

The 2020 LaunTon SchooL eaSTer egg hunT The school’s annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday 21 March 2020, 12–3pm. Please join us for an afternoon of family fun, including the egg hunt, Mother’s Day hunt, and lots of games to play. Limited tickets available on the day

£4.50 per child. We look forward to seeing you there. Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 15

Potholes: a personal view pothole (noun) 1. a deep natural underground cave formed by the erosion of rock, especially by the action of water. 2. a depression or hollow in a road surface caused by wear or subsidence. 3. a massive crater that appears overnight usually on either West End or Bicester Road that attracts my front nearside wheel and causes me to eff and blind. Occasionally on a Sunday morning, Iâ€™ll venture out on my bike in an attempt to keep fit and blow the cobwebs away. Recently I managed to navigate the various potholes in West End and headed to Stratton Audley, (yes, I got wet near Launton Station), and up to Poundon. My route took me through the hamlet of Charndon (population 862 at the 2011 Census including Calvert), what a joy, Main Street has been completely re-surfaced, no pothole, no speed bumps just a lovely smooth road surface. Local Osteopath in Launton Hannah is committed to helping you restore your mobility and keep you moving, through hands-on treatment and exercises. Hannah specialises in all types of pain, including low back pain, neck pain, hip pain, stress, injuries, and pain prevention. Call on 01869 640 315 or book online at https://hannahosteopath.business.site Book a free 15-minute assessment to see if osteopathy could help you. ď ´

Grange Mews, Launton OX26 5EG Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 16

On returning to Launton all the potholes in Bicester Road and West End had been circled with white paint, which made me laugh thinking it was someone making a point, but I have been reliably informed that it was someone in a Council hi-vis jacket, so perhaps they will be filled in, although they haven’t been as I write today, on 20 January 2020. How much through traffic does Charndon get to warrant resurfacing? West End probably has more traffic than Charndon, let alone the traffic flow Bicester Road. How come Charndon has a new road surface? From Charndon Parish Council minutes “It has been confirmed that Main Street is still going to be resurfaced. Bucks CC has been allocated £4 Million from HS2 for highways work.”. Launton is not close enough to HS2, we can’t change the route of HS2, so what do we have to do to get a new road surface? Peter Beasley Was the page 2 photo a fiction, a dream, a reality, or wishful thinking?

The Blue Texel Farm Shop offers a fantastic selection of meats, sausages and much more, as well as a well-stocked deli counter of accompaniments for your winter meals, dinners and parties.

Enjoy the coziness of the winter days ahead..

1 Station Road, Launton, Bicester, Oxon, OX26 5DS | 01869 252619 | www.thebluetexel.co.uk

Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 17

What have the Romans ever done for us? Another view on olam foraminis. Launton Lines has been sent this illustration from two sources over the past few weeks - surprisingly both from people who have some involvement with engineers and neither living in West End. Is it meant as a comment on the excellence of Roman road construction, or on the ability of engineers to mess up a practical design built from experience? But ask yourself: Have you ever seen a Roman Road with potholes like those in West End.

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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

Crimewatch: December 2019 and January 2020 The following crimes have been reported up until 22 January 2020.

 Attempted theft from vehicle in Fringford around 0305 on 9th January. A person was seen trying car door handles Theft of Ford Transit van from Station Rd Blackthorn overnight 17th  January into 18th January. There were also several reports before Christmas and between Christmas  and New Year’s Eve of persons acting suspiciously around vehicles in Launton, but there were no reported thefts from vehicles.

Special and very public thanks to Ann Ansell ... ... who has been delivering Launton Lines for some years to all the houses in The Glades, and has had to give up for health reasons. On top of all this service, she has also managed to recruit a replacement, so The Glades will continue to have their copies delivered every month. Thank you, Ann, from all of us at Launton Lines and from all the residents of The Glades.

Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 19

An Introduction to Bicester Green At the heart of Bicester Green is the desire to reduce the volume of waste headed for landfill, or ‘The Tip’ as it is often referred, we look at what we can utilise, upcycle, reuse, or repair - and now refill. We exist for our volunteers and because of our volunteers, not only in our woodwork, electrical repair and bike workshops but also in our shop and throughout the organisation. Our core purpose is to upcycle, re-use, repair and recycle and you could say that being a volunteer with us or any organisation takes on the same philosophy. Many of our volunteers bring their own set of skills which can be re-used, repurposed or used in a different way altogether. Volunteering is fun, rewarding and social. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, circumstances and backgrounds, and have many skills to share, or simply a willingness to learn a new skill. Giving a couple of hours a week or a couple of hours a day, any contribution can make a difference. Our wonderful volunteers in the wood workshop are busy working on reconditioning furniture and making mud kitchens from reclaimed materials, volunteers in our bike workshop continues to recondition bicycles for sale under the guidance of our bike mechanic, and most recently our Household Electricals project has begun in earnest and will engage our volunteers in delivery. But if the heart of Bicester Green is diverting waste from landfill, then the very heartbeat of Bicester Green is our team of dedicated volunteers. Pop along and chat to us. One of our converted shipping containers is dedicated to our shop. It’s a treasure trove of all things reclaimed, repaired, reconditioned, repurposed and of course refillable, from hairdryers to coffee tables, printers to screws, and hand tools to gardening tools, we’ve got it covered. Come and take a look. Did you know? We offer various SESI household cleaning products as refills. This means you bring your own container to Bicester Green, refill it with Non-bio laundry liquid, Fabric conditioner, Biological laundry liquid, Non-bio laundry powder, Washing-up liquid, Hand soap, All surface cleaner, Vinegar for cleaning, Dishwasher powder, Bicarbonate of soda, Cream cleaner, Shampoo, Conditioner and Body wash, and save the Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 20

single-use plastic heading into the ary we’ll ru b e F 5 1 y a rd On Satu ocean. Prices are very reasonable pair cafes re r e th o 0 7 r e v o g in in jo be and the products are all vegan, is to fix as im a e th ix F ig B e h T r fo ossible on p cruelty free and natural. s a s m e it l a ic tr c le e y n a m ur Big Fix O ! K U e To find out more about Bicester th s s ro c one day a m a 0 Green from 1 r te Green and try SESI Refills for s e ic B t a e b l wil !! te a d e yourself call in to see us (Monday, to 2pm - save th

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10am-5pm, and Saturday 10am-4pm) at The Yard, The Garth, Launton Road, Bicester, OX26 6PS, follow us on Facebook.com/BicesterGreen, or visit www.bicestergreen.org.uk. Please use info@bicestergreen.org.uk or 07909 633382 for enquiries. Celia Cornforth

Mulberry Property Developments take over Burrows Field Site One of our readers has written to us with information from the Land Registry.

Title Number : ON351743 Address of Property : land on the north-east side of Blackthorn Road, Launton, Bicester Price Stated : £7,110,000 Registered Owners : MULBERRY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED (Co. Regn. No. 07253372) of Units 3-4, Twigden Barns, Creaton Road, Creaton, Northampton NN6 8LU. The reader then continues: https://planningregister.cherwell.gov.uk/Planning/Display/19/02419/REM has a lot of detail including the layout plans and shows a reduced number of dwellings (65 instead of the original 72, but still very tightly placed) on the site. As this land had an agricultural value of perhaps £200k, the uplift in value on the granting of planning permission was of the order of £6.9m. It is hardly surprising that the land owners and their development partners (Manor Oak et al) were prepared to spend a substantial amount in their quest for planning approval. Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 21

The School Reporters: IMPS

e had a Year 6 visit to The Horton Hospital in Banbury to learn about the Injury Minimisation Programme for Schools. It is shortened to IMPS because the name is so long. We travelled to the hospital by coach and when we arrived we walked in single file to a classroom. There the Instructor gave us a scenario using a dummy. The dummy was called Mrs Green and she had collapsed with a bag of shopping which contained glass jars which had broken. We learned about the ‘Doctors’ ABC which helps you to do all the right things with an injured person. They are: Danger

Response Shout Airway

T W

his will help us to help others if we are ever Breathing in a situation where someone is taken ill. CPR e all had a chance to practice CPR on dummies and to put a dummy in the correct recovery position. We were involved in different scenarios to help us work out what we should do to help someone who had been taken ill. e know how to call an ambulance and the police if needed. The ambulance service will give you directions on what to do until they arrive and this might save a person’s life. This is very valuable training for all of us because someone’s life might depend on us. hile we were being trained, we were reminded of the importance of wearing cycle helmets when we ride our bicycles and what might happen to us if we don’t. We also learned about the importance of not pulling jagged objects out of cuts as this may cause further damage if it is not done by a doctor. he training was very interesting and we know that we are not too young to help others and that we could help to save a life.’

W W T

Amelia, Katelyn, Lucas and Riley

Year 6 Reporters Launton School

Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 22

Activities in the past few weeks Fundraising at The Bull over Christmas, Karen, Santa, and Mechelle from The Hummingbird Centre. Karen says, “We raised £803 for Hummingbird over Christmas. I’m so delighted. Altogether at The Bull we have now raised over £16,000 for local charities and on behalf of charities that mean a lot to our customers!!”

Jack’s Maggot Band playing at the LGA Barn Dance in the Sports and Social Hall on 25 January. See also page 47.

The Panto Wardrobe Crew at work in the Parish Hall on a Sunday in January. Clockwise from top left: Jan Sandy, Gaye Cornford, Cathy Procopiou, Jackie Webber, Lesley Thompson, Cherie Parrott, Irene Thomas, and some machines. Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 23

StoneLily Hair Dressing

At work with Stone Lily’s Louise Bucknell Louise opens up the salon, with the landscaping in the foreground  Inside, with the tools of her trade - mirror, s cissors and comb  Outside the front windows with stylish lighting and the name etched on glass  Louise at ‘her’ chair in the salon See pages 30-31 for more about the new village business

Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 24

A Terrifying Aussie Christmas see pages 34-35

Jason Williams writes on pages 34 and 35 about his holiday in the New South Wales bushfires. Photos by Jason Williams

Launton Lines Febuary 2020 | Page 25

Some of our work at the Launton Playgroup

How much of the list on page 27 can you find in these pictures?

Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 26

New Year Report From The Playgroup

First week back! Our theme has been “Winter and Arctic Animals” We have made play dough snowmen ... Looked at arctic animal footprints in the snow (play dough) ... Made our own penguins ... Created small world arctic animals with ice ... Painted ice with various colours and brushes ... Hidden snowy gems/treasure in the sand to dig and find ... Prepared own hot chocolate drinks after a cold afternoon outside ... And lots of free flow play, too... See our photos on page 26.

The Village Players Pantomime The Snow Queen

The show is really taking shape - the words, the music, the dances, the songs, the costumes, the hats, the props, the set, and the programme. The wardrobe team took over the Parish Hall for a day to draft, cut, fit and sew, and the set has seen a steady stream of painters to realise the creation of our new Designer, Sarah Cousins. As well as a new set designer we also have a new script writer this year, as Julia West (was Julia Evans) takes on the role. Box Offices have been busy at The Bull in Launton and Coles Books in Bicester; some afternoon shows have almost sold out, but there are still tickets for most performances. And, if you really can’t get to see any of the scheduled shows, there is always the Dress Rehearsal which this year is being run as a Preview Show at 7.30 on Wednesday 19 February with reduced price tickets on the door. Times and prices for other shows are: Thursday 20 February, 10am and 2.30pm, prices Adult £10, Child £5 Friday 21 February, 2.30pm and 7.30pm, prices Adult £12, Child £6 Saturday 22 February, 2.30pm and 7.30pm, prices Adult £12, Child £6

In a change from previous years, and by a vote of all members, this year all profits will be given to the Launton Parish Hall Improvement Project, to make sure that the Players’ rehearsal and performance space remains vibrant and available. See the ad on page 48. Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 27

Launton Lines Noticeboard Domestic Help Local Lady has availability Cleaning | Ironing | Cooking | Care Animal Care and Walking Experienced and DBS-checked

Telephone for information 07485 071 837 For Sale

1 Oven and hob: £75.00 1 Dishwasher, 6 place setting: £75.00 1 Franke sink taps and waste disposal: £90.00 1 Wash handbasin and unit with taps: £95.00 For details please contact 01869 572338 Grand Tythe Barn Quiz Friday 13 March 2020 | Doors open 7.00 | Quiz at 7.30pm

Tickets (£10) from Costcutter Shop from 24 February Fundraising for the Parish Hall Improvement Project and St Mary's Church Soups, Breads, Village Cakes, Cash Bar Competing for the Wise Owl Trophy

Launton Watercolour Group

We meet in the Parish Hall on Mondays at 2pm - 4pm We are now back for the year ahead of 2020

This month, meetings will be on 3, 10, 17, and 24 February For more information phone 249725 or email johnandpatsystephens@gmail.com Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 28

100 Years Ago: from The Bicester Advertiser for 13 February 1920

TWO CONCERTS Two very successful concerts were held in the school on February 5th and 6th in aid of the Nursing Fund. The room was literally packed on both nights. Doctor Long and Mr F G Golby from Bicester delighted the audience with humorous songs and acting, as also did Mr Enser, who was thoroughly appreciated. “The Magpie”, by request, fairly bringing the house down. Mrs Lewis from Bicester, also kindly sang several songs, which were greatly enjoyed. Local talent was represented by Mr H Hurst, who played some brilliant pianoforte solos, Miss I Savin and Miss M Marriott. A number of children from the infants school, under Mrs Waine’s able tuition and direction, gave delightful performances, songs, recitations, drills, etcetera. ALL ROOFS, GUTTERS & CHIMNEYS

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Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 29

StoneLily Hairdressing, a new(ish) business in the village

We went along to talk with Louise Bucknell who is the owner of StoneLily, the new hairdressing salon in Launton, in what many still call “The Old Post Office”. Louise grew up in Bicester, but earlier generations of her family have links with Launton, and Louise and her family now live in Sycamore Road. In fact, her first salon in Launton was in a Log Cabin in their garden. Louise grew up with her Grandparents in Longfields Bicester, and went to BCC for secondary school. Her introduction to hairdressing was “when my Nan got me a job when I was just 13 years old, as a Saturday Girl in Jade Hair Design in Bicester”. Louise left school at 16 and started training at Salon Scandinavia in Sheep Street. After qualifying she moved to a salon in Thame where “I did a lot of work with events like weddings at different venues around Thame – places like the Belfry and Le Manoir. “Then, in August 2012 I set up my a little bit hectic as we bought the own business at my home, building and the house next door Stonelily Hairdressing. The and started work on planning and following year I got married to converting the old post office Justin Bucknell, who had his own into our new salon. The planning electrician business also based in and design was done by my the village. husband Justin with a little bit of “I first opened the salon in input from me, and we opened Launton in August 2012 with quite our doors on 1 December 2018. a lot of my customers who “Through the months since followed me from Thame. I was we’ve been working on the area very busy, and over the following outside, providing an off-road years I had my two children, now parking area, and landscaping the age 2 and 5. It was quite a mad front onto Sherwood Close with time! The business was beginning to outgrow my home and then the seating and planting. Over Christmas we had extra lights in old post office came on the addition to the cherry tree in the market, at the same time as my younger son was born. Things got front. We’d like to do more to Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 30

the grass area and bench but sadly we do not own the land “Many people have said nice things about the salon. They like the brightness and the lighting, and say it adds a touch of class to the entrance to the village. And it’s certainly a very nice place to work.” There are now five stylists working at the StoneLily salon: Louise, Emma, Tina, Chantelle and Joanne. Louise’s younger sister Gemma works for the business taking the salon’s bookings, and also works as office manager for Justin’s business, Justin Bucknell Electrical. The family is very settled in the village with all the children attending Launton School. “We’re always interested in welcoming new clients to StoneLily, especially from the village. I have some clients that have been coming to me for 13 years, since I worked in Thame - but it’s always good to meet new people as well. Over a quarter of our customers are men - and we always welcome more.” And the last question: Where did the name StoneLily come from? “My Great Grandmother (my Dad’s Dad’s Mum) was called Lily Stone, and I’ve always loved the name. She died in 2012 just before I opened my first salon in Launton, and I named it after her - StoneLily.” Check out our website www.stonelily.co.uk and our Acupuncture social media Facebook and Instagram accounts Chinese Medicine facebook Stonelilyhairdressing Blackthorn 01869 253552 Instagram @stonelilyhairdressing info@thevillageclinic.co.uk See page 24 for some photos. Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 31

The Month Ahead at Launton Sports and Social

After a hectic end to 2019, the start of 2020 sees the Launton Sports and Social Bar revert to its usual opening hours which are: Monday - Friday | 4.30pm - close Saturday and Sunday | 12.00pm - close Any ad hoc changes will be announced on our Facebook page. The bar is open to everyone with no membership required. Sky Sports and BT Sport are shown in the bar so you can watch all domestic and European football plus many other sporting events. We have a new full-size championship standard pool table which is proving extremely popular and is used by our two pool league teams on a Monday evening. In February we will continue to offer our regular Friday promotion from 4.30pm until close where all drinks will be priced at ÂŁ2.50. This includes all draught/bottled beer, medium wine/prosecco and single spirit/mixer. Donâ€™t forget the regular Sunday night bingo sessions which are open to all with free admission.

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The Big News is that we have started the redecoration of the bar area and this will extend into the Hall thereafter. We have therefore postponed the 1980’s Disco on 1 February and plan to reschedule this in due course. Again, check the LPFA Facebook page for updates: www.facebook.com/LauntonPlayingFieldsAssociation/ Dave Barrett

And an additional appeal to Launton Lines readers: Tesco Bags of Help in the main Tesco store has a slot to vote for our appeal for kitchen refurbishment. We are one of three community projects open for the current three-month window with the possibility of getting grants of up to £2,000, £1,000, or £500 depending on which project gets the largest number of votes. So next time you shop at the main Tesco make sure you ask for your Bags of Help counters, and then put them into the LPFA Kitchen appeal slot at the voting point. There could be money for our Kitchen fund at the end of the period.

PODIATRY/CHIROPODY ALDRED CASEY MEDICAL LTD Nail Care | Chiropody | Diabetic Foot Check | Nail Surgery Biomechanics/Musculoskeletal Assessments | Orthotics Podiatry/Chiropody is provided by Miss Joanne Casey M.Ch.S, BSc (Hons) and Associates at our clinics in Stratton Audley and Banbury. We have over 20 years experience in both NHS and Private Practice. Patients can be sure to receive the best care and advice possible for their feet. Our podiatrists are HCPC registered and are members of The College of Podiatry. We also offer home visits on request. Visit our website at www.aldredcaseymedical.co.uk To book an appointment please contact us using the details below, or email enquiries@aldredcaseymedical.co.uk In Stratton Audley: The Old Post Office, Cherry Street, Stratton Audley OX27 9AA

Phone 01869 278088

In Banbury: Marlborough Road Clinic, Suite 4 Borough House, Marlborough Road, Banbury OX16 5TH

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A Vet’s Voice: A Terrifying Aussie Christmas

I imagine you all understand that Christmas in Australia is very different to the UK version: however, we had no idea how different this one was going to be. The fires in eastern Australia had been well reported and it was no surprise when we arrived in Sydney to smoky skies and poor air quality. The eastern coast of Australia has a very long group of mountains called the Great Dividing Range which includes places like the Snowy Mountains in the south and The Blue Mountains to the west of Sydney. These mountains are primarily covered by massive eucalypt forests and form a barrier between the coastal strip and the inland areas. Three years of drought had left these bush areas tinder dry and as the weather hotted up, the fires became more widespread. This area is vast and much of it is inaccessible, so the thought of putting out these bushfires is pretty hopeless. We spent Christmas on the south coast of NSW and daily we heard reports of main roads being blocked by new outbreaks of fire. The really scary experience started on New Year’s Eve morning. We woke to an incredibly

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Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 34

strong hot westerly wind like the feeling of opening your fan oven to check your potatoes! Fire had roared through the nearby village of Mogo with reports that the village had been destroyed. Our neighbour calmly asked us if we were “staying or going”, which really brought home the fact that many people were leaving their houses to gather at evacuation zones for safety. Within two hours a beautiful bush covered headland called Pretty Point was ablaze, and many homes had been lost. We were huddled on a beach with several hundred people, submerged in a smoke haze and an eerie orange light, not sure what was happening. Thankfully, a change in the wind turned the fire back on itself which saved some areas but put others at risk. After several hours the major emergency was being controlled and we drove back to check on my family’s homes which thankfully were OK. The next day we were able to drive back into Mogo and were thrilled to see my sister’s shop untouched by the blaze only to find her partner’s house and art studio razed to the ground; just ashes under a twisted tin roof. It was a great relief that no one in the area had lost their lives but what became apparent over the coming days was the devastation of animals and habitat that these fires have caused. The numbers killed by the fires will be calculated over time but potentially many tens of thousands of animals will have been killed or fatally injured. Those that survive have nothing to eat and smaller creatures have nowhere to hide from predators. I’ve heard reports that a third of the already depleted population of koalas has been lost and their very specific habitat will take months if not years to regenerate. Scores of volunteers, vets and wildlife experts are doing what they can, but the scale of the carnage is hard to imagine. It’s a pretty sorry tale with massive losses of houses, businesses, livestock, wildlife and currently about 30 people. The weather has been milder, and some rain has finally come but it will take days of soaking rain to put out the blazes that continue to burn. From now the rebuilding begins; rebuilding lives, communities, habitats and homes. Australians have a resilience and a determination, and we trust this will see people through this incredible natural disaster. It’s certainly a Christmas we won’t forget in a hurry. Jason Williams Bicester Vets There are some pictures from Jason on page 25 Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 35

MORE THAN JUST MARTIAL ARTS AND LOCALLY BASED IN LAUNTON

Reporting abandoned vehicles Before Christmas a reader noticed a vehicle apparently abandoned in the lane that runs from Launton Road down the side of Homebase. A couple of weeks later it was still there and he informed the police. They said that it was not their responsibility and he should inform the Council. So he did and received the following response.

To enable us to log a report of an abandoned vehicle, the vehicle MUST fall under the We have a range of different following criteria: classes to offer everyone One criteria from the list below: for adults and children 2 or more wheels missing  2 or more windows missing  Adult classes no number plates  Qigong Tai Chi evidence of forced entry  Latino dance (salsa etc) Or two items from the list below: Judo (Senshu judo club) 2 or more flat tyres  Vinyasa flow yoga missing fuel cap  unlocked or insecure  Yoga and mindfulness poor general condition  Physio led matwork pilates full of rubbish/hazardous material or  Physio led chair based pilates combustibles (for less mobile) internal damage including radio missing  Children’s classes location (e.g. abandoned in a haphazard  way – not just parked in a regular fashion) Judo (Senshu judo club) If you believe the vehicle to be abandoned Dance based on the criteria above we will also need Kids yoga (coming soon) the following information to be able to deal with the vehicle: Self defence (coming soon) Make, model, colour and registration  Call or text number of vehicle Laura Scarlett-McAllister The location where the vehicle has been  abandoned on 07900 866 423 vehicle that has been in the same position for www.dojosportsbicester.co.uk Asome time must also meet the criteria above. We cannot log a report of an abandoned vehicle Dojo Sports Ltd, Unit 7c, that does not meet the criteria, regardless of Grange Mews, Station Road, how long it has been in a specific location. Launton, OX26 5EG Watch this space! Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 36

150 Years Ago from The Bicester Herald February 1870 4 February 1870 COUNTY COURT George Ancil, carter, Launton, v John Foster, coal dealer, Bicester Claim 14s 6d for carting, which Mr Foster disputed, alleging that 3s was charged per ton for carting coal to Swifts House instead of 2s 6d, the price agreed upon, and also that he had a set-off of 3s for damages incurred by the plaintiff not finishing his work. His Honour said he could not entertain the claim for damages, and the other dispute was only about 6d, there was no defence at all, and he should make an order for the amount claimed, together with 3s costs of the plaintiff’s attendance. 11 February 1870 BICESTER PETTY SESSIONS MISBEHAVIOUR AT THE BULL INN, LAUNTON John Massey and Thomas Cox, labourers, of Launton, were summoned for having been drunk at Launton, on the 29th ult, and refusing to quit a certain public-house there when requested by the landlord to do so. There was a second charge against the two defendants for doing damage to the property of Mr Joseph Freeman, the landlord, to the value of 2s, by breaking a form. Mr Freeman’s case was that between ten and eleven o’clock on the night in question the two defendants came into his house in a state of inebriation. In consequence of their condition he refused to draw them any beer. They remained there for about three quarters of an hour and he repeatedly told them to go out. As they were leaving the house one of them proposed to blow the candle out, and Massey returned to do so but was prevented. When they had been in the house about a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes, and Mr Freeman had gone to draw some beer, a form was broken. On his return he saw Massey on the ground and Cox standing near. PC Stockford was called to speak as to the state of the two men and proved hearing Mr Freeman order them out several times. The defendants both denied being intoxicated. Massey said he was sitting on the form at the time. Cox said that the form was broken with Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 37

their weight and he had been sitting there with another person twenty minutes before it broke. George Smith, Joseph Bannister and Henry Long all swore that the defendant Massey was not sitting on the form at the time, but it was his cousin of the same name; and they also stated that the form was broken simply by the weight of those sitting on it. The Bench convicted Massey of being drunk, and, having been before them six times previously, he was fined 10s, costs 11s, police 2s. No conviction was recorded against the other defendant on paying the costs 6s. The second charge, that of wilful damage, was dismissed. 25 February 1870 DEATH FROM DROWNING AT LAUNTON In last week’s Herald we gave a brief notice of a melancholy event which occurred at Launton, and terminated fatally to Sarah Ann Freeman, daughter of Mr Joseph Freeman, publican, Bull Inn, Launton. An inquest was held on Saturday morning last, at Mr William Parrott’s beer-house, before William Brunner Esq, coroner. The jury, of whom Mr H Sansom was foreman, were sworn and having been to view the body, Emily Hazell, aged eight years, daughter of Mr Edward Hazell, butcher, Launton, was brought into the room and in answer to the coroner said that on Thursday afternoon a little after two, she and Sarah Ann Freeman were on the “Moat” sliding. There was no one else there. She saw that there was a hole in the ice, and the wind took Anne Freeman away, and she fell down and went into the hole. She (witness) cried out and laid hold of her, as she was in the water, and Freeman pulled her in. Mr Francis M Shouler, machinist, Launton, said: That on Thursday afternoon between two and half-past he was in the road when he heard screaming in the field, and saw several boys running about holloaing. Expecting that something was the matter he jumped over the gate, and ran towards the lads who told him there was something moving in the “Moat”. He ran towards the spot, taking his coat off as he went, and when he arrived at the place he saw two children in the hole, just under water. They were lying side by side, their heads together. He immediately got out the one nearest to him, and after holding her up, Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 38

head downwards, for a few seconds to drain the water from her, set her on the bank. He then went and got the other one with the assistance of George Smith, a lad who worked for him and who had just arrived. He did not know who the children were when he took them out. He took the one he took out last in his arms and was carrying her away when the boys told him “That is little Freeman you have got, Mr Shouler.” When he got about sixty or seventy yards from the moat the child stretched out her arms as he was carrying her and he believed she died at that time. The previous day (Friday) he measured the water at the place, as the “Moat” had the reputation of being very deep. He found that there was about two feet four inches of water and one foot three inches of mud. The hole was about five or six feet long and two or three feet wide in the widest part. The ice bore to the very edge of the hole and he had been given to understand that the ice was broken by some boys in a dispute as to playing “hockey.” The coroner addressed the jury to the effect that he considered there was no possible doubt as to the affair being an unfortunate accident. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death.” Hazell was insensible when she was taken from the water. Happily the efforts used to resuscitate her were successful, Freeman’s case was considered hopeless, and less perservering efforts were made to revive her, which is to be regretted. [Historical note: The weather was truly wintery at that time; in the school log book, the headmaster had noted on the 11th February “Severe frosts and snow all week,” and on the 14th “Very rough and cold. Biting east wind and snow all day kept many away from School.” Unfortunately the school was closed on the day of the accident, 16th February. “Afternoon school… [closed] … from 1 to 3pm today to allow time for getting the room ready for a concert this evening. 17th Holiday - room being cleaned.” Emily’s father ran a butchery business from their home in Blackthorn Road - at the house now known as Holywell Cottage. It was still the usual practice at that time to hold inquests close to where the tragedy had occurred; in Launton’s case, this was usually The Bull Inn - which, of course, would not be appropriate as it was Sarah Anne’s home. The inquest was probably held instead at the Fox and Hounds, (now Naworth House, Bicester Road), the usual alternative if The Bull could not be used.] Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 39

Mid Season Update from Launton FC As we are nearing the mid point in our league season Launton Football Club continues to grow from strength to strength. All us volunteers have been battling through the weather (well mostly the rain!) to continue to provide opportunities for young people across Bicester to develop their skills and most importantly, enjoy their football! We’ve had many games postponed due to waterlogged and unplayable pitches and no doubt this will cause some fixture congestion in the coming weeks and months. Many of our youth teams took the step to move away from the ‘leafy’ Witney & District Youth League and test our boys in the more ‘?industrial’ Oxford Mail League at the start of this season. For many of us this has been a step up in terms of competition and challenge and we are pleased to report that our young people have taken that challenge on and represented the village, their teams, and their families in the best fashion possible. One example is our Under 11s, who started the calendar year off on 5 January with a cup win away against Mansfield Road beating them 3-2 to win their first trophy of the year: League C Trophy. (see photo on page 47) Our Under 14s (Athletic) managed to get to the Quarter Finals of the County Cup but got knocked out by A league opposition: but they are currently top their league and are pushing for promotion to the Oxford Mail B league. Our younger teams, including our new U7s group are all progressing well. We will be attending Launton Fete again on 13 June and are already looking towards the Summer where we will hope to recruit new players at U6 and help ensure our club continues to thrive and grow. As an FA charter standard club, all coaches have to maintain a minimum standard of qualifications and continue to develop their coaching skills on an ongoing basis. All coaches are qualified to FA level 1 standard, a number have or are progressing to level 2, and we even have one coach (Antony Barrett) who has just begun his UEFA B coaching qualification. We wish him the best of luck with this as he will be the first coach at the club to achieve this standard! Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 40

In other news, anyone using the LPFA facilities will notice in the coming weeks the introduction of advertising banners around the men’s pitch as we continue to try and find new ways of injecting much needed funds into the men’s, ladies’?, girls’ and boys’ sections of the Club. If you are a local business and would like to enquire about advertising please contact Gareth Lucas-Howells (his email is garethlh1@gmail.com) and he’ll be pleased to help. All funds raised go directly back to the club and help ensure we can continue to develop our coaching capabilities, provide good facilities and equipment and support young people across the area. Lastly, after a hiatus last Summer (largely to give us all some respite!) we will be running our annual boys tournament on 6 and 7 June, with the girls’? section running theirs two weeks later! We do appreciate your patience with additional traffic and disruption during these times as we expect to host over 100 teams during the course of the weekend. As ever, there will be pinch points (before 9am, around 1pm, and again around 4pm) on each day with cars arriving and leaving the event but we will endeavour to minimise any disruption to the village. All are welcome to come and watch some football and take advantage of our ‘Aussie BBQ’ run by Heating Plumbing Servicing Nathan Marsh (a genuine Aussie!) and of course drinks at Domestic Oil and Gas Servicing the bar and tea and coffee both of which will be available Installation and Maintenance all day. We hope for sunny Gas Safe Registered weather and, most importantly, no rain that weekend!!

Simon Nash

Onwards and Upwards! Launton FC

Oftec Registered

“A local Business from Launton” Phone: 07483 864 571 Email: simonnashserv@aol.com

Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 41

MEMORIES OF AN EX-LAUNTON BOY

This month the ex-Launton Boy considers New Year Resolutions (and the breaking of them), and muses on his first awareness of events outside the village, in 1956, and wonders if anyone still has any snow chains in their garage. Well, here’s hoping you all had a very Merry Christmas and your stockings were filled to brimming and you didn’t run out of Alka-Seltzer. Julie and I had a very enjoyable Christmas which would have been better if we could have shared it with our respective children and grandchildren. Christmas isn’t quite the same without your family around you. And so the Monopoly remained locked away as did the Trivial Pursuits, the Snakes and Ladders, the game of Ludo. Does anybody still play those games these days I wonder? And as far as the television was concerned, no matter what channel one turned to, and there are more than enough to choose from, all one had was repeats, but not only that, they were repeats of repeats of repeats. Slightly repetitive I thought! And when either looking out or venturing outside, not a single snowflake to be seen anywhere other than on the many Christmas Greetings cards lined up on every available piece of shelving or picture framing. I can’t even remember when we last had a White Christmas. Mind you, down here in the South East it has meant far fewer train cancellations due to the wrong snow being on the rails, especially the third rail from whence the electrical power is obtained in order to put the trains in motion. Meteorologically speaking, many of those Christmas songs from yesteryear that we once sang so lustily seem now to have faded somewhat into relative insignificance. I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas; Sleigh Bells Ring! Are You Listening? (aka Winter Wonderland); In the Bleak Mid-Winter, and even that wretched song of the snowman flying through the air. Climate change and all who are and have been responsible for causing it have got an awful lot to answer for. Still, things could be far worse for us when you look at what is happening in Australia at the moment with the forest fires and elsewhere within the Asian continent where by contrast, there are terrible floods. We really should not complain I suppose, but it would be nice to have a ‘White Christmas’ once in a while. Anyway, that’s Christmas done and dusted for another year. Now it’s a case of how long before we break our New Year’s resolutions, those of us who have in all good faith made them in the first place. It would be interesting Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 42

to look back over the years and conduct a little self-examination as to what and how many such resolutions have been made and how many were kept and what benefits were derived therefrom. Having commenced smoking at around nine years of age and smoking like a blast furnace during my military years, I made so many New Year’s resolutions to stop smoking but, year upon year within a couple of days the resolve disappeared out of the window, with a promise to make a more determined effort next year. Well, I eventually succeeded fifteen years ago and yes, I believe I have benefited from it in as much that food tastes so much nicer and I am still able to propel myself on foot up and down stairs without wheezing when I get to the top, unlike some of my peer group. Interestingly, people seem reluctant to be as vociferous as they once were about their New Year’s resolutions, perhaps in recognition of their own respective human frailties resulting in the failure to keep them. So here we are, another Leap Year, but this time, as a nation, taking a bit of a leap into the dark. I have to admit to being somewhat disturbed by it all. Oh for those days of childhood innocence when all this went above our heads quite unnoticed. That said, I remember becoming very aware of current affairs at a very young age indeed. I clearly remember Suez and the Hungarian uprising in the same year of 1956 when I was approaching nine years of age and I recall being very concerned about it all. I can remember the petrol rationing albeit that it didn’t directly affect my parents as at that time dad hadn’t yet acquired his first car. On the one hand, I believe childhood innocence is such a precious thing and should be held onto for as long as is healthily and safely possible, for once it is lost it can never be recovered. On the other hand, I am very much encouraged by the fact that it is the young, indeed the very young who are putting governments to shame over matters such as global warming/climate change. Long may they keep it up and may we hope that governments will sit up at last and really take notice and do something positive about it. You never know, we might then begin to enjoy White Christmases again. I remember clearly how picturesque Launton used to look under a blanket of pure driven snow. Does anyone still possess those snow-chains once prevalent on motor vehicle wheels enabling progress to be made while driving on compacted snow? Happy New Year everyone! Tony Jeacock | The Ex-Launton Boy | February 2020 Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 43

Diary Dates: February 2020-March 2020

FEBRUARY 2020 Saturday Sunday

1 Launton Artisan Food Market, Parish Hall, 9am-12 noon 2 St Mary’s Church, Holy Communion (BCP), 8am; Family Service, 11am | Bingo at The Playing Field Hall. 8pm-9.45pm Monday 3 Watercolour Painting Group, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 4 Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am-11am; 2.30-4.30pm | Launton Health Walk, starts at The Bull, 2pm Wednesday 5 Over 60s Club Meeting, Sports and Social Hall. Doors open 1.45pm for refreshments at 2pm, closes about 3.30pm | Home Guard Living History Group, Parish Hall, 8pm Thursday 6 Parish Council. Public Session 7pm, Council Meeting 7.30, Launton Parish Hall Friday 7 Saturday 8 Sunday 9 Congregational Chapel Communion Service, 3pm | Trinity Camerata Sunday Afternoon Concert, St Edburg's Church, Bicester, 3.45pm | St Mary’s Church, Evensong, 6pm | Bingo at The Playing Field Hall. 8pm-9.45pm Monday 10 Watercolour Painting Group, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 11 Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am-11am; 2.30-4.30pm | Launton Health Walk, starts at The Bull, 2pm Wednesday 12 Thursday 13 WI Meeting, Speaker Peter Richardson Preparing your garden for summer, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Friday 14 SCOTS Night at The Bull from 5.30pm Saturday 15 The Big Fix at Bicester Green, The Yard, The Garth, 10am-2pm Sunday 16 St Mary’s Church, Holy Communion, 11am | Bingo at The Playing Field Hall. 8pm-9.45pm Monday 17 School half term this week | Watercolour Painting Group, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 18 Community Café closed this week - School half term | Launton Health Walk, starts at The Bull, 2pm Wednesday 19 Over 60s Club Fish & Chip lunch, Sports and Social Hall. Bar opens 12 noon Lunch from 1pm | The Snow Queen Launton Panto Preview Dress Rehearsal, Cooper School Performance Hall, 7.30pm | Home Guard Living History Group, Parish Hall, 8pm Thursday 20 FINAL DATE FOR COPY FOR THE MARCH 2020 ISSUE OF LAUNTON LINES: SUBMIT TO launtonlines@launton.org | The Snow Queen Launton Panto, Cooper School Performance Hall, 10am and 2.30pm Friday 21 The Snow Queen Launton Panto, Cooper School Performance Hall, 2.30pm and 7.30pm Saturday 22 The Snow Queen Launton Panto, Cooper School Performance Hall, 2.30pm and 7.30pm Sunday 23 St Mary’s Church, Holy Communion, 11am | Congregational Chapel Communion Service, 3pmLaunton | BingoLines at TheFebruary Playing 2020 Field Hall. 8pm-9.45pm | Page 44

Monday

24 Back to school after half term | Watercolour Painting Group, Parish Hall, 2pm4pm | Launton Historical Society, Speakers Paula and Bob Hessian, History of Weston-on-the-Green. Grange Mews Board Room, 7.45pm Tuesday 25 Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) today | Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am11am; 2.30-4.30pm | Launton Health Walk, starts at The Bull, 2pm Wednesday 26 St Mary’s Church, Ash Wednesday Service, 10.30am Thursday 27 Friday 28 Saturday 29

MARCH 2020 Sunday

1 St Mary’s Church, Holy Communion (BCP), 8am; Family Service, 11am | Bingo at The Playing Field Hall. 8pm-9.45pm Monday 2 Watercolour Painting Group, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 3 Community Café, Parish Hall: 9am-11am; 2.30-4.30pm | Launton Health Walk, starts at The Bull, 2pm Wednesday 4 Over 60s Club Meeting and AGM, Sports and Social Hall. Doors open 1.45pm for refreshments at 2pm, closes about 3.30pm Thursday 5 Parish Council. Public Session 7pm, Council Meeting 7.30, Launton Parish Hall Friday 6 Saturday 7

To list your own events, go to www.launton.org/calendar

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The February 2020 Communiqué from The Grumpy Old Men of Launton

We were gathered for a convivial post-festive get together and were talking about how to make sure that our village doesn’t get any worse when one of us said the words “broken windows”. “We don’t suffer from that in Launton, except maybe in a greenhouse after some kids have been playing football,” we all cried out. He explained it as the idea that you need to fix the small problems in a place, because if you don’t then everyone will just let things go and before you know it all the windows have broken glass in them. Another one said he’d seen it at work in North America: New York was a really messy city - litter and dog mess, graffiti and oveflowing trash cans, blocked gutters on the roads and potholes you could lose a bus in. Go a few hundred miles north to Toronto, and it was a different planet. What was it that made it so clean and open and attractive? OK, no litter, and emptied rubbish bins and no potholes... but why? Because there was no litter, there was no litter. Because there were empty bins there were empty bins. We got interested in applying this idea to potholes. Why were Toronto’s potholes filled in so quickly? What was the link between no litter and no potholes? There had been big surveys done in North American cities, and the researchers came up with the idea that a clean place stays clean because it is clean, and because it is clean the people look after it in all sorts of ways: they don’t drop litter; they don’t spray graffiti; they empty their rubbish bins; they make sure their potholes are filled; and they make sure that, if there is a broken window, it gets repaired. So we decided that there must be a link between the dog mess on the footpath from The Closes to West End and the potholes on West End. Maybe we need someone painting round the dog mess with a white spray can. Generally we agreed the village doesn’t look too bad - not too much graffiti, the litter is generally under control and usually the rubbish bins get emptied. But why are there so many, and such deep and ever-expanding potholes? What are we doing wrong? How can we become Canadians? Or maybe we need to change Launton into a city. At that point we called a halt. The questions were just becoming too hard to think about. Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 46

Football and Barn Dancing - Activity in January

 First Silverware of the year: Launton FC Under 11s celebrate winning the Oxford Mail League C Trophy on 11 January.  Some of the dancers at the LGA Barn Dance on 25 January in the Sports and Social Hall. See also Jack’s Maggott Band on page 23

Launton Lines February 2020 | Page 47

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.

Launton Lines Newsletter February 2020