June 2021
Issue 248
Spring Days in Launton
Photo s
by El
la R a yner
Over May our staff photographer, Ella Rayner, was at large around the village and focussed her lens away from rain and mud to the flowers, trees and shadows of the season. Who would know from these pictures that it has been a month of overcast skies and rain.
The front cover shows the Parish Council Meeting held outside the Parish Hall on Thursday 20 May as the government had failed to extend regulations allowing virtual Parish Council meetings, and Covid-19 regulations did not allow the meeting to be held inside. See Parish Council report on pages 4-6. Photo by Robert Cornford
The Editor writes …
So we’ve had the coldest and wettest May since records began: and it was only in April that we were all wishing for rain. That’ll teach us! As we wait for the slow release from lockdown, all focus in on 21 June when we all hope many restrictions will be lifted. Certainly, we can see the beginning of life stirring in the undergrowth of the village. Football is being played, and I hope to have a report from the Clubs in the next issue. The pubs are open for more normal hours (the torrential rain interspersed with hailstones didn’t make outdoor gathering easy: at least we can now move inside when the heavens open). In this issue there are signs of a return to more normal life: The WI is organising a programme of speakers (page 7); PHIP is planning a mini-market outside the Parish Hall on 3 July (see page 9); The Village Players have a date for an open air Summer Show on 14 and 13 August (see pages 10-11 and the back cover); St Mary’s now has most services back in the church (page 12); and Friends of Island Pond Wood (FIPW) are planning working parties and summer activities (page 23). Page 16 has results of the local elections in May. Finally, please support our advertisers. They need you as much as we need them.
Robert Cornford Launton Village Support: Contact Details
A Support Group for Launton. Group email: village.help@launton-pc.gov.uk PHONE Numbers: 9:30am to 5:00pm 07522 231 100 - Janice 01869 241755 – Lesley 01869 247171 - Jane Olds (Launton 01869 242685 - Nick Cherry, Medical Parish Council) Runner
Launton Lines
A monthly newsletter for Launton. Published around the first of each month by the Launton Community Communications Group © 2021 Launton Lines
email: launtonlines@launton.org website: https://launton.org/launton-lines/ The Launton Lines Committee 2020-2021 Jon Spinage, Chair Jenni Walker, Advertising Manager Robert Cornford, Editor | 241883 Michael Stack, Treasurer | 242600 Kathy Gilbert, Associate Editor Shirley Johnson, Distribution | 369269 Contact the Parish Council To book the Parish Hall Council Clerk | Mrs Jane Olds Contact: Joan Packer Address | 13 Oak Close, Bicester, Phone: 07903 610405 OX26 3XD Parish Hall Committee: Christine email | clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk Massey; Audrey Deeley; Lynne Harper; Joan Packer; Simon Turner, Robert Cornford Phone | 01869 247171
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 June for entry in the July 2021 issue of Launton Lines. During this socially distanced time, we can also remember those to whom we are close but from whom we are physically far away. 4 May | Sponsored by Jim and Sally Harris to celebrate the birth of their granddaughter Rose Yvonne. Congratulations to parents Carly and Dan 21 June | Sponsored by Maureen and Bob Roberts in memory of their respective fathers Joseph Baker and Cyril Roberts
Launton Parish Council Meetings held on Thursday 29 April 2021 at 7.30pm online via Zoom and Thursday 20 May 2021 outside the Parish Hall at 7.30pm
Meeting 29 April 2021 Councillors present Mr James Allpress, Mr Mike Murphy, Mr Ed Sanders, Mrs Lesley Thompson, Mr Simon Turner (Chair) Apologies Mrs Lizzie Chisholm In attendance The Clerk, Mrs Jane Olds; three members of the public The 29 April meeting was convened to approve the year end accounts and consider the Parish Hall lease. Launton Lines May 2021 | Page 4
Finance The Finance Report was available on the Parish council website. The Statement of Accounts was agreed and the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) completed. As the Council’s income was over £25,000, the rules require that the Parish sends all the documents to the External Auditor for scrutiny. The Period for the Exercise of Electors’ Rights [under which electors and other interested parties have the right to inspect the accounts and question the auditor] will be from 3 June until 14 July. Village Matters Parish Hall Following a discussion and explanation, the Parish Council considered the Lease and the Agreement for Lease and agreed to enter into both agreements and to sign them when required. It is hoped that the Solicitors will be able to provide the final documents for signing before The Rev’d Verena Breed leaves the Benefice.
Meeting 20 May Councillors present Mrs Abigail Dowman, Mr Kyle Michael (co-opted at meeting), Mr Ed Sanders, Mrs Lesley Thompson, Mr Simon Turner (Chairman), Mrs Jackie Webber Apologies Mrs Janice Hawes In attendance The Clerk, Mrs Jane Olds; four members of the public The 20 May meeting had to be postponed so that it was legal to meet outside with more than six people following the relaxation of the ‘Roadmap’ restrictions on 17 May. However, due to the ongoing restrictions, it was not possible to meet indoors and allow the public in so, we met outside in the gales and rain! [See front cover photo] Due to the situation of the meeting, the agenda was kept as short as possible. Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman Councillor Turner was elected as Chairman and Councillor Sanders was elected as Vice Chairman. Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 5
New Councillors We welcomed our new Councillors - Abi Dowman, Janice Hawes (who had sent her apologies) and Jackie Webber - to the meeting. The Council was also pleased to welcome Kyle Michael who was co-opted at the meeting. Scheme of Delegation Following the Government’s refusal to extend the legislation to enable Parish Councils to hold meetings online, and to avoid having to hold any more meetings outside than was necessary, the Parish Council agreed to a scheme of delegation to enable the Parish Council to continue to work, albeit in a limited way. Once the restrictions lift (whenever that may be but not before 21 June) we will be back to normal meetings [on the first Thursday of the month] in the Parish Hall. Agenda items and dates of the next meetings The 3 June meeting will be an informal advisory meeting held at 7.30pm so that the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Clerk can gauge the feeling of the other Councillors and act accordingly. It will use the usual Zoom link - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/76605157135 (Meeting ID: 766 0515 7135) If possible, the 1 July meeting, and subsequent meetings, will be in the Parish Hall. Agenda items for the July meeting need to be with the Clerk by 17 June and items for the 5 August meeting by 22 July. If you’re not signed up to our mailing list to receive news from the Parish Council, you can find a signup form at the bottom left hand menu of the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk/ Full minutes of Council meetings, once agreed, are available on the Parish Council Notice Boards by The War Memorial, and on the front wall of the Parish Hall, and on the Parish Council website at www.launtonpc.gov.uk In future issues of Launton Lines we will introduce all the Councillors, both new and long-serving, and give them a chance to describe themselves and their ideas and vision for the village. Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 6
Launton Women’s Institute report for May 2021
Yet another month has passed but we are now seeing signs that we could be edging back to better times. The Committee has been able to draw up a tentative programme of speakers for 2021 and this has been forwarded on to the Membership. Of necessity this schedule has had to be flexible: we will start these events via Zoom before resuming our monthly meetings in the Parish Hall as soon as we are able. We suspect that most organisations are finding life very difficult at the moment - to plan for an unknown, shifting future. Our aim, of course, is to try to keep everyone’s spirits up whilst in no way throwing caution to the winds. We have already had a social get-together via Zoom which was fairly well attended: also, as I write, we are planning a walk round Island Pond Wood and then rewarding ourselves with tea and cake at The Bull. On checking with Karen that we would be welcomed there, she was really up-beat, excitedly telling me that they had just held their first Quiz Night since the restrictions have started to lift! Evidence that there is life post-pandemic. Painting & Decorating Members were given a threemonth renewal subscription Specialist “holiday” - a gesture from National to acknowledge the effect of the virus on local activities. Thus the 2021-22 subscriptions became due on 1 April and we are pleased to report INTERIOR - EXTERIOR that we have had a very satisfactory renewal level. PRIVATE - COMMERCIAL So, let us all eagerly celebrate Contact these small glimmers of hope for a Mobile: 07947 822794 positive, healthy future.
R J WAKELIN
Celia Manderson
email: rjwakelin@outlook.com Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 7
We hope you managed to find and unscramble your clue and use it to download the Certificate of Knighthood. The answer was “congratulations”. You may also have been counting the suns as you went around. Did you find all 40 of them? We wanted to take this opportunity to publicly thank everyone who has just supported the Quest. Firstly, to the display makers - we were amazed at how varied the displays were and, as a visitor said, “what a creative village” we have. Many people commented on the “wonderful displays” and “great displays of creativity” as well as telling us “love all the imagination that has gone into them,” and also “loved…Rudolph the red nosed dragon!” We know first-hand that creating the displays can be hard work, and it has been lovely to hear from some of you that this has given you something to do together as a family and made the effort worthwhile. Secondly a thank you to Ben Smith who has done a fantastic job taking photos for us at each event. Thank you so much for getting around all the displays before any rain fell on them and being kind enough to provide such wonderful pictures. Lastly, to thank all those who have supported St Mary’s Church and the Bicester Refugee Support Group with financial donations. During the Launton Quest we have managed to raise £553.86 which will be split equally between the two charities. Your donations have been appreciated by both organisations who have been hit by the pandemic. Finally, a huge thank you for all your support over the events that we have run in the past year during what has been a difficult time for us all. We hope that we have been able to fill a space in lockdown where there was not much available that was different to take part in and that we have given everyone some enjoyable things to do in the village.
Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 8
Cakes, baked good, plants and garden produce all on offer outside the Parish Hall on 3 July For the first time since 12 September last year there will be tables outside the Parish Hall on the morning of Saturday 3 July, and the Hall may also be open (depending on government advice and regulations) for refreshments. And the toilets will certainly be open for those attending the market. Donations can be accepted on site from 9.00am on Saturday 3 July. Sale starts at 10am, and ends at 12 noon. The market will have cover (tents and gazebos, in case of rain or superheated sunshine) and a number of specialist tables: There will be tables for Garden Produce Cakes, biscuits and sweet items Plants (with the fete not being on Savoury baked goods like scones, this year there must be surplus straws or quiches seedlings and rooted cuttings) Jams, Pickles and Chutneys If allowed by Covid-19 regulations at the time, we will also offer refreshments (maybe in the Hall, maybe in an outdoor café). “We plan to have either stalls outside and refreshments inside, or maybe the other way round if the weather changes!” explained the organisers. Pricing will be by donation, as in the past. We will have a card reader set up, and will accept cash - but we don’t plan to give change so come prepared. The past PHIP events have been very successful but have depended on the generosity of people who give goods for us to sell as well as people who come to buy. Donations can either be left before the day with Jackie and Steve Webber at 7 West End Close (call ahead on 01869 242607) or on the day after 9.00am outside the Parish Hall (just give us a chance to get the tables set up). If you are bringing any cakes, baked good, jams, chutneys or pickles, please can you complete an ingredients form (see page 15 of this issue) and attach a copy to each item supplied. The event will be raising money for the Parish Hall Improvement Project (PHIP) and will make a donation of 20% of the money raised to Christian Aid Week (see page 14 of this issue of Launton Lines). Robert Cornford | Information Officer PHIP Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 9
Launton Village Players
Another Opening, Another Show
Launton Village Players are planning a summer variety show to take place on August 14th and 15th in the open air of the garden of 51 West End, Launton by kind permission of Bob and Maureen Roberts. There will be matinee performances on each day at 2.30pm. This will be a show of sketches, some songs, poems and a monologue. (One sketch involves a bicycle which doesn’t get ridden but is an essential piece of equipment!) We are hoping to celebrate the return of live entertainment in Launton. Tickets (£10 adult and £5 child) will be on sale online from June 26th and more information will be on our website www. launtonvillageplayers.org.uk We are organising the show to be socially distanced and have many Covid mitigation measures in place, such as hand sanitisers and
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contactless payment methods, and our seating stewards will advise on social distancing. We hope the sun will shine but if you do come along please bring your own chairs or rug to sit on, and sun hats and sun cream - or rain coats and wellies. If you live in Launton we encourage you to walk if possible as parking will be limited. We do have space for disabled parking and a few spare chairs for anyone who cannot bring one. If you have any questions please contact us on 01869 277625 or by email at tickets@launtonvillageplayers.org.uk Any profits from the shows will be donated to the Hummingbird Centre in Launton. We look forward to seeing you, government guidelines allowing… See the back cover of this issue of Launton Lines for more details of the show. The LVP team
Tuesday to Friday 8am to 5pm | Saturday 8am to 3pm | Sunday 9am to 1pm | Closed Monday Tel 01869 252619 | 1 Station Road, Launton, OX26 5DS | info@thebluetexel.co.uk | www.thebluetexel.co.uk
Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 11
News from St Mary’s Church for June 2021
OUR ANNUAL MEETING (APCM) Our Annual Meeting (comprising the Vestry Meeting and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting) is due to be held on 8 June 2021 starting at 7.30pm via ZOOM. Copies of relevant paperwork are available from the Church porch between 30 May and 8 June. If you would prefer to receive a digital copy,please contact Celia Evans, PCC Secretary on mandc.evans@outlook.com All are welcome - please contact Revd Peter for the Zoom link.
SERVICES IN JUNE
We are happy to be continuing with our return to Church during June and have planned the Services shown below. These will be held in the Church except for the two on 6 June which will be delivered via Zoom. To aTTENd IN ChURCh - plEaSE CoNTaCT ThE ChURChwaRdENS To RECEIVE a Zoom lINk - plEaSE CoNTaCT REVd pETER
We are still paying meticulous attention to Government Regulations and Guidance, taking account of the prevailing situation.
Our planned Services are as follows 6 June
8.00am 10.00am
13 June 20 June 27 June
6.00pm 11.00am 9.30am
BCP Holy Communion via Zoom Family Service via Zoom “How does a shamrock relate to the Trinity?” Evensong In Church Morning Prayer In Church Holy Communion In Church
In light of current uncertainties, please refer to Launton Church Facebook page for up-to-date information, or contact Revd Peter revpeterwright@gmail.com 01869 573177 or 07710 531 921 Or one of the Churchwardens Joan Packer j.packer779@btinternet.com 01869 241694 Celia Manderson celiamanderson@aol.com 01869 571735 Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 12
Christian Aid Week Collection 2021
There has been a Christian Aid Week collection in Launton for at least 50 years: it has raised over £20,000 since 1978. In 2020 it didn’t happen because of Covid-19 - the first year that it has missed. 2021 will not see a door-to-door collection, but Christian Aid Week will still happen in Launton, with a difference. www.justgiving.com/fundraising/christianaidweeklaunton is the online donation platform, and people in the village have also offered to be collecting points for drop off donations: just put your donation in an envelope, mark it “Christian Aid” and drop into any of the following. If you want a receipt, or to Gift Aid your donation, write your name and address on the back of the envelope. The drop-offs are: 1 The Spinney; 38 Sherwood Close; 27 The Glades; 19 Blenheim Drive; 2 Ancil Avenue; 8 West End; 44 Sycamore Road. The organisers of the PHIP Bake, Cake and Produce sale (see page 9) will also give 20% of the money raised at the sale to Christian Aid Week in support of Mary Brydon, the collection organiser for over forty years. Thanks to all supporters in 2021.
Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 13
CAKE, BAKE AND PRODUCE STALL – SATURDAY 3 JULY 2021 10am – 12noon IN FRONT OF THE PARISH HALL We are required to list ingredients of the food we provide so we would be very grateful if you could complete the form below. We apologise for the need for this and hope it will not deter you from donating – we really do value your help.
Please complete this form(s) by ticking the relevant ingredients, detach and include with your donation(s)
FLOUR
FLOUR
EGGS
EGGS
FAT
FAT
OIL
OIL
SUGAR
SUGAR
OTHER Please specify
OTHER Please specify
OTHER Please specify
OTHER Please specify
Thank you for your donation Before the day, please drop your goods with Jackie Webber at 7 West End Close or on the morning of the sale, drop at the Parish Hall after 9.00am
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We K e e p O u r Fingers Crossed for 21 June when, we hope, pubs and clubs can reopen (with care) and there can be live performances and pub quizzes and team games and Aunt Sally and some singing and a social life.
Local Election Results from 6 May
The results from the local (District and County Council) elections held on 6 May were announced over the following weekend.
Cherwell District Council: Launton and Otmoor Ward Simon Paul Thomas Mackenzie Holland, Conservative, 1407 Elected Joanne Clare Howells, Labour, 405 Calum Alexander Miller, Liberal Democrat, 1016 Electorate: 6,398 Turnout: 44.62 % Rejected Ballot Papers: 27 Oxfordshire County Council: Ploughley Division Ian Corkin, Conservative, 1991 Elected Joanne Clare Howells, Labour, 439 Fin MacEwan, Green, 363 Paul Wheatley, Liberal Democrat 255 Electorate: 7,693 Turnout: 39.97% Rejected Ballot Papers: 27
Bicester Dance Academy Grange Farm Mews, Launton At BDA we centre our teaching around the needs or each individual child, developing creativity, sensitivity, and finesse. Now, after lockdown, as your children are rekindling friendships and socialising in bigger groups again, here at BDA there is a tangible energy and warmth within our community, offering support and encouraging friendships. We’ve got some great classes perfect for both you and them with Adult classes in Ballet and Tap for all levels and experience! www.bicesterdanceacademy.co.uk 07738 614 652 Studios 7C, Grange Mews Station Road, Launton sarah@bicesterdanceacademy.co.uk Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 16
Let’s Look At Launton: Second Edition
In 2003 Pat Tucker wrote this book about Launton in conjunction with the Launton Historical Society. It’s full of historical facts about areas of the village and houses/buildings etc. Pat describes it as a companion to take on walks round the village … entertaining as well as enjoyable. Although it was published nearly 20 years ago, most of the information is still relevant, interesting and thought provoking, and will be of interest to all those who have moved into Launton since it was published. Lesley Thompson has copies if anyone wants one £4.00 each (money goes to The Historical Society). See the Launton Community Group facebook page for details, or contact Lesley on lesleydlcw@gmail.com
Grange Mews News June 2021
Commercial Offices, Industrial Units and Storage for Lease Hooray, Launton Transport and Travel have their first private hire organised for this weekend, with the maximum number of guests for a wedding. This really does indicate normality is on its way. Cherwell Valley Buses successfully continue to deliver students to places in west Oxfordshire, too. The daily, weekly and six-weekly checks they do are far beyond what most of us do to our cars, and demonstrate their concern with safety. We are in the process of uprating a 1,200 sq. ft office, replacing lighting with LEDs, brand-new carpeting and a complete paint job. This Unit has 3 phase electricity and our fibre to the site broadband: the previous tenant did their British and European sales through this broadband using VoIP. 213 Performance, a longstanding tenant, continue to use this, trading extensively with the USA and Europe. On the home front we are pleased that The Hummingbird Centre plan to reopen in August, with their stalwart support. To Mechelle, who has never stopped, and the team, welcome back.
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
Parish Councillors Trip Out with East West Rail
In May, myself and another Parish Councillor were taken on a tour of the East West Rail compound route on the haul road, from Compound A1 in Launton to compound A4 at Twyford. Compound A1 at the roundabout is the biggest and busiest area and it is hard to believe that this area was once a green field full of grazing sheep and will be returned to this when the project is finished in the future. This will be the final work in this area before EWR leave the area. A1 is the main hub for work in this area and includes site offices, storage for materials, maintenance, parking provision, and welfare facilities for construction staff. On route we saw the foundations were in place for the structural support for the new footbridge at Grange Farm, which is being installed over the summer and opening, together with the footpath network, in autumn 2021. We travelled under the new bridge in Station Road Launton, near Compound A2, which, whilst not as busy as A1, seemed to cover just as much land. Some areas of flood mitigation were seen here including a large field to the north of the new bridge. We were able to gain a better perspective of the route of the new road being constructed from the village out towards the crossroads.
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The dual crane lift for the bridge tops was a unique event which attracted many EWR employees: no one had seen this manoeuvre performed before! The two Launton bridges are the biggest on this phase of the line. Up the haul road we passed bridges in varying states of rebuild, from reinforcement with concrete to removal of the top ready for re-build. At Compound A4 we saw a huge amount of equipment storage as well as aggregate, rail infrastructure and topsoil, and sorted piles of waste from the old lines, fencing, greenery etc. Also, near A4 is the future cross-over site with HS2 which will be handed over by EWR for a period of time, then they will work together to finish the cross-over arrangements. We visited the Charbridge Lane site and also the Charbridge Way area where the new footbridge has been installed at Jarvis Lane: this is the same type bridge that we will see near Grange Farm in the next few months. EWR are hoping to do more tours for villagers who are interested. If you are keen to attend, please register your interest with the Parish Clerk Tel 01869 247171 Email clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk Lesley Thompson
Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 19
East West Rail: A Progress Report in Pictures
Above: Work continues on the base for the flyover on Charbridge Lane Below: On the roadway beams at Station Road bridge
Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 20
Seen Round the Village in May A useful stump on the edge of our pond provides a dry base for the nest of a Canada Goose, who probably knows more about water levels than we do Photo by Peter Cox
Chestnut candles caught by the rising sun Photo by Robert Cornford
Has anyone noticed that the signpost at the crossroads has been adjusted - perhaps to reflect that Station Road is currently a No Through Road, or perhaps to confuse any invading forces. Photos by Robert Cornford (left) and Lesley Thompson (above) Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 21
East West Rail Report for June 2021
We asked EWR to update us on some key areas of work. When will the Grange Farm footbridge be installed, and footpaths reopened? Why did they have to close the Bicester Road Bridge so suddenly last month? When will the final work be done on the Bicester Road bridge: coping stones and vehicle restraint? Are there any plans to open the works to public visitors? Here are the answers The installation of the new footbridge, north of Grange Farm, is set to commence on the weekend of 6-7 June with a planned completion date to open as a public right of way in September or October 2021. Until this time there will continue to be heavy plant and machinery in the area to carry out the earthworks. This will mean it will be unsafe for members of the public to use the bridge and approaches. We’ll update you next month on the progress and hopefully provide a definitive date of the opening. The emergency closure of Bicester Road, Launton for the Allotments Access was due to a machine breakdown on the night of the planned works therefore an additional closure was quickly required which is classified as an emergency closure as it’s within the usual notice periods. We are currently undertaking snagging works to the entrance and await the results of the independent audit that is carried out before any road is brought into public highway use. These are expected within the next few weeks, then allowing the new entrance to be opened to the public. The coping works and installation of the vehicle restraint system on the Bicester Road, Launton bridge will only commence once the closure on Station Road, Launton has come to an end. The road closure on Bicester Road, Launton is currently planned for March 2022, which the local community will be kept updated on. On public visits to the site, with the current Covid-19 restrictions in place we have had to limit public consultations; however as Covid-19 restrictions begin to lift the team would like to resume our events. Public engagement events to inform and update residents on our works will depend on all restrictions being lifted from 21 June under the Government’s roadmap. [There is a report on pages 18-19 of this issue of a visit by two members of the Parish Council to the EWR site served by the Launton compounds, as far as Twyford.] Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 22
As the fine spring weather arrived in April but has been followed by
storms and rain in May, and Covid-19 restrictions are beginning to ease, volunteer working parties are once again starting to be organised. We had two very large piles of wood chip kindly donated and delivered near to the paths in the wood. As the weather was dry, we were able to arrange two Saturday morning working parties to spread the wood chip on key areas of the path near the pond and west side of the wood. Many thanks to those who donated the wood chip and volunteered with wheelbarrows etc. (see the cover photo on the May issue). Hopefully visitors to the wood will have appreciated the improvement. Going forward further maintenance sessions will hopefully be organised, Covid-19 restrictions permitting. Members will be notified of other working party dates in the very near future. ALL ROOFS, GUTTERS & CHIMNEYS We also had an excellent committee meeting of the newly HOUSE MAINTENANCE | REPOINTING formed FIPW Friends and Family group. Lots of exciting INTERNAL & EXTERNAL DECORATING events are being planned. Watch PATIOS | DECKINGS | FENCING out for future announcements on Facebook, Launton Lines, phone or electricity posts round the FOR A PERSONAL SERVICE CALL village, and other sites. PETER N. SOUTHAM As always, if you would like to be 01869 278333 a member and support the work in the wood, please feel free to OR contact me for membership 07721 633 220 details. peteroofer@aol.com Tony Meacock (07802 626 381) INSURANCE APPROVED Friends of Island Pond Wood Ltd Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 23
A Vet’s Voice: Mighty Meko’s Miraculous Recovery
Meko is a very lovable male chihuahua owned by a very dear, long-term client named Rita. Unfortunately, Meko is afflicted with allergies so, without medication, he gets scurfy, itchy, red skin plus watery eyes and sore ears. Over the years we’ve managed to get most of these under control, but flare ups are inevitable. Earlier this year Meko had a stay at the practice to help his owner who was struggling to medicate his ears. After a few days Meko’s eyes became sore as his corneas began to spontaneously ulcerate. This is a very painful condition as the outer layer of tissue on the cornea broke down leaving pitted lesions which failed to respond to treatment. As Saturday arrived, Meko’s corneas were dangerously at risk of rupturing with a real risk of losing his eyes altogether. Fortunately, we could get Meko to see Ophthalmic specialist Vet Mike Rhodes who pulled out all the stops to save Meko’s eyes. Using an operating microscope and tiny instruments he was able to perform a delicate operation where he created a sliver of healthy cornea from beside the ulcer. This fragile corneal tissue was transferred across the ulcer and stitched in place using tiny sutures to create a patch known as a corneoconjunctival graft. Then came the long wait to see if the graft would survive and then whether Meko would be able to see at the end of it all. Meko remained hospitalised for some time so we could intensively medicate his eyes. Initially, he was unable to see through the repaired corneas which had a hazy cloudiness because of fluid build-up in the corneal tissue. Mike had checked his retinas before surgery and was reasonably confident that his eyes were functioning, but it all depended on the grafts “taking” and the corneas healing themselves back to as normal as possible. It’s been a long few months since the surgery with lots of dedication from Rita and her friend who religiously medicated his eyes multiple times daily. Most of his aftercare has been overseen by Vet Helen who has had specific extended training in ophthalmology. She kept the specialist informed of progress and between them all the results are amazing! Incredibly, Meko can now see again. He’s happy content and comfortable. He has a friend called Scarlett - a Pomeranian who is even smaller than he Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 24
is! They get on famously and are both great company for Rita. Meko may need lubricating drops in his eyes for the rest of his life but that’s a small price to pay for his eyesight which could have been lost forever! Enjoy your pets Jason Williams | Bicester Vets Left: Meko and Scarlett with vet Sarah
Top right: Meko’s eye one day after surgery Bottom right: Meko’s eye one month after surgery Photos from Bicester Vets
Peace of mind for pet owners...
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Yew Tree – Playing Field Footpath Update
The Parish Council has received an email from Beth Rutherford, the Countryside Access Officer at Oxfordshire County Council. We all hope that all the work on the footpath will be completed before autumn this year, although the water and the mud is currently almost as bad as it was last winter. “This is an ongoing project which is being led by Cherwell District Council. CDC have cleared the vegetation which will allow our team in to clear the ditch as directed by CDC. The work is planned for later this summer. The vegetation clearance had to be done early to avoid disturbing any nesting birds later in the year. This is the reason for the gap between the veg clearance and the ditch clearance. When our team come in they will be clearing the ditch so it can hold a greater volume of water, which will hopefully prevent the water lying across the footpath.”
Launton Parish Council
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
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Road Closures Report correct at 12 May 2021 16 January to 24 December 2021: Charbridge Lane road diversion - a
temporary road has been constructed to enable the building of the road bridge over the railway (EWR). 28 March to 17 June: Marsh Gibbon, Bicester Road will be CLOSED for rebuilding the bridge (EWR). Until 25 March 2022: Station Road, Launton will be CLOSED from beyond Grange Farm for the construction of the new overbridge and road alignment (EWR). 10 May 2021 to 6 August: Twyford, Steeple Claydon Road will be CLOSED for bridge repair works (EWR). 29 May - 30 May: Stratton Audley Park (from A4421 junction) CLOSURE and 2-way traffic lights for resurfacing, road markings and kerb works 5 June - 6 June: Stratton Audley (north) - Pool Farm crossroads to Godington turn CLOSED for HS2 works. 28 August to 2 September: Bicester, London Road Crossing will be CLOSED to facilitate alterations to the signalling system and operation of the level crossing (EWR). 31 August to 15 October: Marsh Gibbon: Station Road will be CLOSED for reconstruction of the bridge (EWR). These closures are correct as at 12 May 2021. There are updates on the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk/road-closures/ This information is correct as we go to print but is subject to changes. Please don’t shoot the messenger!
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Bicester Foodbank 2020/2021 This year has been a difficult for us due to the Covid-19 pandemic and having to restrict people entering the Foodbank. We have been very busy and have had to start a delivery programme and I would like to thank drivers from OBC who have given their time and use of their cars to help. We were given a new unit in February 2020 at The Beacon in Wesley Lane but because of the virus we were unable to commence the work of fitting it out until much later. We eventually moved into the unit on 7 December and it is so good because there are no stairs and it is all under one roof. We praise and thank God for the generosity of the man who owns the unit and for some of the councillors in Bicester for their monetary donations. The Foodbank started in 2006. It has been running for 15 years now, and this last year has been the busiest in its life. So far we have given out 4,524 parcels in 2020/2021. Our clients have to get a voucher from a recognised agency, such as Citizens Advice, Childrens’ Centres, Doctors, Health Visitors, Church Ministers, Police, Schools and many more. If people want to donate food to help support the foodbank, they can do it at Tesco, Sainsburys, or Lidl, or deliver to us at The Beacon. We also have many organisations giving us goods - like branches of the WI, local churches and schools, and other groups. We received an email from one of our clients who told us she had a job to put the food away as her children were so excited to see so much food. She also told us that she had been eating only their leftovers since Christmas and this was February. It was quite emotional to receive such an email. We have had other people who say they miss coming into the Foodbank as they find talking to us helps them through their troubles. We were delighted this year to have had a visit from the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Amanda Ponsonby, who presented us with a certificate in recognition of our work within the community. Janet Ray Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 28
150 Years Ago from The Bicester Herald 16 June 1871 LAUNTON CONGREGATIONAL CHAPEL. To the credit of those who have oversight of the affairs of this place of worship, it ought to be said of late the chapel and school premises have presented a greatly improved appearance. In the hands of a thoroughly united and energetic committee the much-needed work of renovating the chapel - inside and out - has been done, and on Sunday June 11, and Wednesday June 14, the re-opening services were held. The preachers on Sunday were the Rev WH Dickenson in the afternoon, and the Rev JS Darley in the evening; each of them preaching to good and respectable audiences. On Wednesday, the Rev AT Shelley, of Aylesbury, preached a most appropriate sermon. Afterwards, tea was provided in the nicely renovated school-room. [...] Provisions were plentiful and of first-class quality. At 6.30 a public meeting was held in the Chapel, which for its enlarged, cleanly and lively aspect was much admired. The chair was taken by the minister the Rev WH Dickenson, who at once proceeded to the financial statement. The new lamp or chandelier which lights up the whole Chapel, the plasterer’s, joiner’s and painter’s work, together with sundry expenses connected with the cleaning of the chapel, amounted to £14 9s. Towards this the sum of £10 was available, being the legacy of the late Mr William Fenemore, of Launton Fields, left by him for chapel improvements, thus leaving £4 9s to raise. He would leave it to the meeting whether this small sum should be paid off at once, as it was intended by the committee to have the seats painted, so as to finish the work of restoration, and they should like to pay off the old before they incurred any new debts; it was for the meeting to decide. He then called upon Messrs T Young, of Wretchwick, F Griffin, of Blackthorn, and the Rev JR Brown, Weslyan minister, and Mr G Hewiett, of Bicester, who all spoke with power and effect. Mr Hewiett proposed that the debt should be cleared off, and started the collection with a generous donation. After the collection the Chairman announced that all was raised. Votes of thanks to the speakers, the friends who provided the tea, and to the workers closed the proceedings. After singing and prayer the meeting dispersed, and thus closed one of the happiest times in Launton for a long period. The harmonium was well played by Master Charles Cubbage, a young amateur, and the singing efficiently assisted by friends from Bicester. Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 29
Food for thought
Food banks are in the news these days. Given the rate at which they’ve grown, that’s hardly surprising. Think about this: Imagine being so poor that you need to use a food bank. Imagine having to choose between heating and eating. Imagine, in one of the world's richest countries, a young footballer has to shame the government into feeding hungry school children over half term. This is poverty in Britain today. Isn’t it great to have food banks? A lifeline for the ones at the bottom those who’ve fallen on hard times. Generous volunteers working to stop poor people from starving. These selfless souls helping families gripped by poverty. What a marvellous country we live in, where the poor can rely on the voluntary labour of kind people to keep them from starvation. Just thinking about it makes you feel warm inside. Why are people so poor? What has happened to the welfare state? There was a time when people had enough support that food banks didn’t exist. Back then, poor people had enough money to buy food. Now, we praise the work of food banks. We don’t question why there are over 2,000 of them
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across the country. Or why “Children in Need” happens every year? Or why charities are fund raising for things that used to come out of the taxes we paid for healthcare, social care, schools, youth centres, women’s aid centres and more? In 2000, food banks hardly existed. They’ve grown quickly since the financial crisis in 2008 and after ‘austerity’ was introduced by the 2010 coalition government. In the UK today, around 60% of food banks are coordinated by the Trussell Trust, a Christian-based charity. In 2004, it had just two food banks. By 2012, there were 252. In 2021, it has around 1,200 food banks. There are also over 900 independent food banks, making a total of over 2,000. Covid-19 has made a bad situation very much worse. In September 2020, the Trussell Trust reported that over half of its food bank users in March 2020 had never previously needed one. By June 2020, they had helped nearly 100,000 households that had never used a food bank before. Over 14 million people in the UK live in poverty - one in five of our fellow citizens. Recent figures show the dramatic rise in the number of emergency food parcels given out by the Trussell Trust: April-September 2015 - 506,369; April-September 2020 - 1,239,399 Last year, the Trussell Trust supplied 1,900,122 three-day emergency food parcels - that’s nearly 2 million parcels. Their chairman described the situation as: “shocking in 21st century Britain”. Their chief executive added, “We have been seeing rises in food bank need for the past five years but this 89% increase - with the number of families coming to food banks doubling - is completely unprecedented and not right. People need to be able to put food on their table. The government must put urgent support in place to ensure that people already struggling to keep their heads above water can stay afloat.” It’s not ‘food poverty’. It’s just poverty. It’s serious, widespread and growing. ‘Universal Credit’ is a major problem. It’s had a huge impact on the lives of poor people. In areas of full Universal Credit roll out, food banks saw a 30% increase in demand. The Trussell Trust estimates that around a third of their referrals come from people suffering from benefit delays or changes, the main reason for a referral (47%) simply being people’s low incomes. And later this year, this shameless government is planning to remove the Covid-related £20 a week extra payment to those on Universal Credit, making the poor even poorer, at a stroke. Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 31
Poverty affects mental and physical health. Over a quarter of adults in the poorest fifth of the population experience depression and anxiety. Coping with the effects of poverty is distressing. If your life is precarious, unpredictable, then you’ll be stressed. Looked at the other way round, people with poor physical or mental health are more likely to have low income or income loss, increasing their need to use a food bank. Food banks offer more than a three-day emergency food parcel. Many also provide vital signposting services for people facing poverty. Volunteers can offer emergency finance advice and welfare support. They can suggest other groups and support services, even cookery courses. Sadly, poverty often brings social isolation. How good must it be for someone in a crisis to get a warm welcome and non-judgemental chat with a food bank volunteer. Deciding to visit a food bank must be traumatic. People often feel a stigma when they’re in financial crisis. A Child Poverty Action Group report confirmed this. People accepting help from a food bank felt it was ‘shameful’ and ‘embarrassing’ that they’d been driven to the food bank after exhausting all other possible avenues of support. When I was young, much of this safety net was provided by the local council’s housing and welfare teams. That’s much harder now due to cuts in funding from central government. The Children’s Society chief executive has said: “The Children’s Society wants to see significant extra investment in local welfare assistance so councils can provide much needed emergency support. We recently found more than half of councils (63%) were forced to reduce spending on these schemes between 2015 and 2019 yet more people than ever need the help they can provide. No child should face destitution as a result of this pandemic. The Government must step up and protect vulnerable children and families.” Just like the brilliantly successful vaccination programme, the solution is local. The vaccination centre at Bicester Heritage is a good example. Frittering away £37 billion on the privatised national Test and Trace system pains me, when the local public health services and local GPs could have done a far better job, costing far less money. To tackle poverty, those billions could have supported our local councils, linked to our GP services, to begin the hard work of pulling people out of poverty. Poverty isn’t inevitable. Nobody should be priced out of shopping for what they need and using their own money to pay for it. I respect the huge efforts put in by an estimated 40,000+ volunteers at food banks. Their annual Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 32
voluntary labour is calculated at more than 4 million hours! Despite the wonderful job that food banks are doing right now, even the people who run them would rather that they didn’t need to exist. I do question why, in modern Britain, all that wonderful work is necessary, when a solution is available. That solution would include: building more houses, including council housing; reducing rents; building more homeless shelters and refuges; making higher benefit payments; setting a higher minimum wage; offering greater job security; providing free school meals for every pupil; providing free pre-school provision to allow more parents to work if they choose to. The NHS needs more money, including a generous double figure pay rise to all its staff, not the insulting 1% being offered. It needs financial incentives to recruit more NHS staff, to tackle the staffing shortage of around 100,000 posts. It’s little short of a miracle that the bruised and battered NHS has stood up to the pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic. I salute their efforts. Isn’t it scandalous that some of these staff get so little pay that some of them have been forced to use food banks? Food for thought. Danny Cunningham
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Memories of an Ex-Launton Boy: March winds
and April showers bring forth May’s flowers
This month the Ex-Launton Boy remembers early cuckoos, the Barnado’s fundraising photobook from his youth, and some military charities. Well, we had precious little wind in March and very few showers in April, if any at all in some parts, especially down here in the South East. We’ve had frosts every morning throughout April leaving many of my seedlings way behind where they should be for this time of year. The garden is partially in flower but not by as much as I hoped. I wonder if anyone in Launton has heard the first cuckoo of the year yet. As I believe I have mentioned before, where I lived at number 2, Green View, Station Road, Launton, during my childhood every year without fail, from the back garden we would hear the first cuckoo of the year in April/May and always coming from the same place, at the bottom left hand side of The Green at the back of our house. The cuckoo comes in April Sings its song in May, Changes its tune in June And in July, it flies away Although the last line was usually somewhat improvised with a broad Oxfordshire, Launtonian accent! I spotted an advertisement on TV the other day (how I hate those things), which surprised me somewhat as I did not realise the organisation being advertised was still around. I am referring to Dr. Barnardo’s Home for children, many of whom had been abandoned by their natural parents and some, genuine orphans. And seeing that advert whisked me away back to my childhood in Launton and an aspect of it which I had forgotten about. I am sure those of you who were around then, in the 1950’s / 60’s will remember how each year at Launton School we were given little glossy black and white booklets of detachable black and white photographs of children. Above the perforations to aid a clean tear there would be a dotted line for each photograph to enable one to enter the donor’s name and the amount of donation in exchange for a photograph of one or other of the children depicted. Black and white photographs of children of all colours and ethnicities, all looking happy and pristine. Not only would we try (successfully) to ‘sell’ a photograph or two to our parents, but some of us would go door knocking asking for donations in Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 34
exchange for a photograph, and generally speaking people were quite generous, especially as they were probably visited by several children during the course of the week. We would diligently take the stubs and whatever photographs remained, together with the donations collected to school the following week, with a degree of competitiveness, each one wanting to have ‘sold’ and collected more than anyone else. Some of us would even ask for an advance on our weekly pocket money so that we could make some purchases ourselves in order to look as having been extremely successful. We often wondered exactly how happy those smiling children looking back at us from the printed pages were. We felt so happy that we had got our parents and a nice, safe and secure home to go back to at the end of each school day and most of us realised just how lucky we really were compared to those trusting young orphans. On the one hand, I am so glad that Dr. Barnardo’s is still going, but on the other hand I do so wish that such homes and institutions were no longer necessary. There are a lot of nasty and undesirable people in the world today, which has probably always been the case, but there are so very many more nice people, caring people, in the world. This comes to light in particular when you look at the vast number of genuine charities throughout the UK alone. Looking at military charities alone, in which I am particularly involved, we have over two hundred different military charities in the UK. Some of them duplicate that which others do to some extent, but most of the old regiments that are sadly no more, nonetheless maintain their own charitable Associations. Most people might think in terms of the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes and that is all. But SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) is one of the oldest military charities around, and I know for a fact that there have been a number of Launton residents from the past, especially survivors of the two World Wars and Korea who have benefitted from its assistance . On a different tack, I know my sister Elaine has done her bit for Cancer Research and maybe a few others too. Launton was always a very charitable village, and I would like to think that it continues to be so. And now I am led to wonder whether the pupils of Launton School still get their little Dr. Barnardo’s booklets of photographs to take home and ‘sell’ to their mums and dads for a really excellent cause. Keep well and stay SAFE!
Tony Jeacock | The Ex-Launton Boy | June 2021 Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 35
100 Years Ago: from The Bicester Advertiser 1921 3 June MARRIAGE Leney-Harper On June 1st at Launton Parish Church, by the Rev O'Reilly, very quietly, Walter Leney, of Warsash, Hants, son of the late Mr Alfred Leney and Mrs Leney, of Dover, to Ethel Harper, daughter of Mr and Mrs Richard Harper, of Launton, Oxon. 17 June BIRTH Freeman May 27th at Launton, the wife of Mr T Freeman, of a daughter. DEATH Massey June 9th at Launton, Annie Florence, wife of Mr Reuben J C Massey, aged 29 years.
100 Years Ago: from the School Log Book for June 1921 Friday 3 June Ordinary routine of work during the past week. A great deal of blackboard work in Arithmetic has been done this week. Average for the week 83.9. Harry Cox has been admitted to school. Cecil Barone has been absent 2 weeks on holiday in London. Wednesday 8 June Miss Pheasant came as usual to inspect the cleanliness of the children. One child was excluded for sore head. Friday 10 June A Bartlett Esq, HMI, visited the school this morning and inspected the children in their work. He was very satisfied with everything they did. Average attendance for the week 82.3. Friday 17 June The weather has been very hot this week, but the children have worked well. Improvement in the neatness of Arithmetic in their Exercise books has taken place this last few months, and the boys are drawing their maps very well. Average for the week 81.4. Arthur Horace Taylor and Leonard Cecil Taylor are exceedingly backward in their work, the former suffering from St Vitus’ Dance. Friday 24 June Average for the week 82.8. Wednesday 29 June Mr Halliday, organiser of handicraft, visited the school to-day. Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 36
150 Years Ago: from the School Log Book for June 1871
Wed 7 June Opened School again but there were so few present that I sent them away again. Mon 12 June Admitted A Cross. Ordinary progress. Tue 20 June Government Report came. The number of failures very much larger than usual. [Full HMI report appears on pages 456-7 of the log book] “83 children were presented for examination of who, 36 were under Seven years of age. With this number of Infants in the room I am surprised that the Master has been able to effect anything like efficiency either in Discipline or Attainments. His work, therefore, is not to be judged of by the passes of the children or by their attainment. There is considerable room for improvement in the School, but I think the Master can and will effect it under fair circumstances” The Grant has incurred a reduction of £20 under Article 32 (a), no candidate having passed the required examination. F Tompkins (candidate from Marsh Gibbon). Failure. Mon 26 June to Fri 30 June Ordinary progress.
The Grumpy Old Men of Launton Are Stirring We mean we are stirring as in starting to move and talk and plan - not that we’re trying to create trouble. The weather in the last month hasn’t really encouraged us to meet up - but now the pubs can welcome us indoors to sit in front of a fire to keep warm, we’ll have to learn to peel off all those layers of clothing before going indoors. We were pleased to hear that the Parish Council is up to full numbers and we are all agreed that we hope they will be able to persuade the powers that control these things to do something about the flow of traffic on Blackthorn and Bicester Roads. If it’s possible to put trafficcalming speed bumps on the new access road into the allotments (looks like there are two in the short stretch) why not on the speed run that goes through the village? Just asking! Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 37
Diary Dates: June-July 2021
It seems that the extended period of release from lockdown will be with us until at least 21 June (and there may be changes after then) so we have continued to list only those public events that we know will be going ahead (subject to changes in government advice) as we go to print. Two of the three pubs (The Bull and The Launton Arms) are now serving both drinks and food outside and inside on restricted hours to small seated groups with the next step increasing the number of people. The Playing Field Bar is also open for drinks and big-screen television watching. The Bull Inn had its first Sunday Quiz. Grassroots Football restarted in March with matches and training continuing on The Playing Fields, and it looks as though Aunt Sally may start up soon. The Countryside Craft Centre in West End has a forward programme of shows every second Sunday with a growing number taking part. BCOS is still planning a Covid-compliant Mikado, but the government seems determined to put a stop to amateur singing so it’s up in the air at the moment. The Village Players have their Summer Show scheduled for 14 and 15 August (pages 10-11 and the back cover), and PHIP is planning an open-air market outside the Parish Hall on 3 July (page 9 and page 14 for the ingredients listing). In the past we have listed Parish Council meetings via Zoom but owing to what appears to be government absent-mindedness, law allowing Parish Councils to meet virtually has lapsed (see page 6), but they hope to meet in the Parish Hall from 1 July. Most of the services at St Mary’s will now be in church (page 12). The other date to confirm is the deadline for the July issue of Launton Lines. It will be Sunday 20 June: send contributions (words and photos) to our new email at launtonlines@launton.org. Hope we can return to a proper listing from July.
Launton Village Support We have been working together as a group for 14 months now. Much has been achieved and much support and friendship given and received. Life is moving on now, but we will still be here to offer help and support, and we hope you will too. The group activity is much quieter now but if anyone needs help, advice or support, please shout: contact details are on page 3. Keep safe and enjoy the summer which I feel is just around the corner. And thanks to everyone for their help and support. Lesley, Jane, and Janice Launton Lines June 2021 | Page 38
Launton Dog of the Month
As we’ve been outside and walking a lot more we’ve got to see and know many of the dogs of the village. Launton Lines wants to feature our canine stars in the months ahead. Here is the fifth report. Dog’s Name: Bella Age: 2 years Gender: Female Breed: Hungarian Vizsla How long in Launton: 8 months One interesting fact: Bella is both a sweetie and a thug I came from: Newcastle, via Hungarian Vizsla Welfare Habit: Beating up cushions Favourite food: Sardines Favourite game or toy: yellow spiky ball Favourite walk: Hampton Poyle to Kidlington, over the Cherwell River If you would like your dog to feature in this column please email Kathy Gilbert, kathleengilbert533@googlemail.com or phone The Dog Of the Month on 07812 604 032
A stunning late May sunset over Bicester, viewed from Launton. “Red Sky at Night, Shepherd's Delight” says the rhyme, but we’ve not seen many delighted shepherds over the past month. Photo by Janice Hawes
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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 Launton Village Facebook Page and Group 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 (01869 369269) Launton Lines is also available online from January 2020 on www.issuu.com © MMXI 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.