From A Musical Jubilee show. Top: Food, Glorious Food. Bottom: Synchronised Swimming. A review is on pages 33-35, and more photos on pages 35 and 43.
The front cover shows some of the recent growth on a wildflower meadow on Grange Farm after restoration following East-West Rail work. It is amazing how quickly nature can regenerate, and we wait to see what the line and bridges looks like in five years time. Cover designed by Matt Hill. Photo by Peter Cox
The Editor writes …
This August issue will - I fear - be a little late, by 2 August I hope: apologies, but the heat - and a number of visitors - set me back. This issue wraps up our Jubilee coverage with a report of the Players’ Summer Show (pages 10-11), a review (pages 33-35) and photos on pages 2, 35 and 43. And we report that the show raised £1,400 for the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Our cover is a photo from Peter Cox of a meadow on Grange Farm showing vigorous signs of recovery after East-West Rail work - a happy message there! There is an update on Friends of Launton Parish Hall becoming a registered charity (pages 28-29) and a listing of events planned to the end of the year. There is also more news about the imaginative What3Words Treasure Hunt on 25 September linking the innovative geolocation app to a traditional village-wide Scavenger Hunt (page 7). And also in the future, news of St Mary’s Fayre on 3 September at the Old Rectory (page 31) and an entry for an arts competition (page 24). Pages 20-21 tell of a visit of far-flung Massey cousins to the village, and a meet-up with local family members. There are also regular reports from the Parish Council, the WI, the Over 60’s, and the Historical Society Please continue to support our advertisers: we now print 650 copies each month and need their support to keep on producing and distributing Launton Lines.
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 247171 - Jane Olds (Launton Parish Council) 01869 241755 - Lesley | 01869 242685 - Nick Cherry Pharmacy Runner
Launton Lines
A monthly newsletter for Launton. Published around the first of each month by the Launton Community Communications Group © 2022 Launton Lines email: launtonlines@launton.org website: https://launton.org/launton-lines/ The Launton Lines Committee 2021-22 Chair: Jon Spinage | Editors: Robert Cornford, Matt Hill | Treasurer: Michael Stack Associate Editor: Kathy Gilbert | Distribution: Shirley Johnson | Advertising: Jenni Walker Contact the Parish Council Council Clerk | Mrs Jane Olds Address | 13 Oak Close, Bicester, OX26 3XD email | clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk Phone | 01869 247171
To book the Parish Hall Contact: Joan Packer Phone: 07922 042 133 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 August for entry in the September 2022 issue of Launton Lines. August 7 | Sponsored by Clare Farmer. Birthday wishes Louise - always in our thoughts. Lovingly remembered from Mum and all the family August 18 | Sponsored by Carol Hill and family in memory of Irene Tompkins on what would have been her birthday.
Launton Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 7 July 2022 at 7:30pm in the Launton Parish Hall Councillors present Mrs Abigail Dowman (until 8.18pm), Mr Ed Sanders (Vice Chairman), Mrs Lesley Thompson, Mr Simon Turner (Chairman), Mrs Jaqueline Webber Apologies Mr Andrew Briant In attendance The Clerk, Mrs Jane Olds; Cllrs Gemma Coton and Angus Patrick (CDC) (until 7.42pm); 4 members of the public Councillor Resignation It was with great regret that the resignation of Kyle Michael was received shortly before the July meeting. The Council would like to thank Kyle for his contribution to the work of the Council. It is likely that the co-option will be considered at the 1 September meeting. If you are interested in putting yourself forward for co-option, please see the Becoming a Councillor page of the Parish Council website at https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/becoming-a-councillor/ or have a chat Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 4
with one of the current Councillors. East West Rail Mr Singh sent a written report. The construction team were due to carry out low level construction works on Sunday 10 and Sunday 17 July near Charbridge Lane. The drop-in session at the Parish Hall was scheduled for Wednesday 20 July from 2pm to 6pm. The Bicester Road bridge was due to be closed overnight between 9pm and 5am from 18 to 20 July. Access would be maintained for cyclists and pedestrians. Reports from District and County Councillors Councillors Coton and Patrick made a joint report. Bicester Village is currently running a consultation about their proposals for the use of the sports ground opposite the main development. The London Road railway crossing is still causing concern. CDC will be creating a new web page to give guidance on how it can help in the cost of living crisis. Both Councillors were making more investigations into the Gigaclear charges and contracts. Finance The Finance Report is available on the Parish Council website. The Parish’s fixed assets, including the dog bins, benches, rubbish bins and bus shelters will be inspected by the Councillors this month ready for them to report on their condition next month. 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 any villager has concerns or comments about a planning application, they are welcome to come along to Parish Council meetings to bring them to the attention of the meeting. Villagers are also welcome to contact Councillors or the Clerk to make comments. Guidance about how the Parish Council is able to respond is available on the Parish Council website at https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/planningapplications Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 5
Parish Hall The application has been submitted and is available on the CDC planning portal with the reference number 22/01777/F. Members of the PCC, the Playing Field Association and the School attended a meeting to update the groups on the progress of the application. Emergency Plan There’s still time to let us know if you have a special skill or are able to help in the event of an emergency - please see page 30 for more information. Parish Path Warden The Parish Council would like to thank John Boulton who has recently stood down as Parish Path Warden, for his sterling work in supporting the village in his quest to ensure that many of the public footpaths around the village have remained in good order over the last few years. His diligent work has been so gratefully received - he will be a hard act to follow! Anyone interested in taking up John’s mantle will be welcomed - please get in touch with Jane (clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk) Agenda items and dates of the next meetings Please note that the 4 August meeting has unfortunately had to be cancelled due to an unusual number of Councillor absences and no other date could be arranged, so the next meeting will be on Thursday 1 September in the Parish Hall, starting at 7.30pm. If you’d like to chat with a Councillor, do come along on 1 September after 7.15pm. The October meeting will be on 6 October. We are trying to reduce our printing and paper use, so if you would like hard copies of the agenda or any of the meeting papers, please let the Clerk know well before the meeting. Suggestions for agenda items for the 1 September meeting need to be with the Clerk by 18 August and for the 6 October meeting by 22 September. 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/ Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 6
What3Words Treasure Hunt comes to Launton
On 25 September 2022 the newly-established charity Friends of Launton Parish Hall (FoLPH) will be running a family event in the village to raise money for the Parish Hall project, and for people to have some fun. The event is an updated Treasure Hunt, using the digital geolocation app What3Words (www.what3words.com). What3Words has divided the surface of the earth into 3 metre squares, and each square has a unique 3-word address - so the front door of The Bull is ///inkjet.severe.hiding. What is the event? The event is an up-to-date Scavenger Hunt around the village, using What3Words to find the locations. Organiser Jon Spinage has devised a twolevel Hunt (one for families with young children, and a more extended route for the more experienced teams). There are five parts to the event: A quiz to find the final element of each 3Words location clue; Find the 3 metre square, and go to it; Search at each 3Words location for the answer to a question (“What is the number on the phone pole?” “What type of tree is in the field?”); A traditional Scavenger Hunt - mainly suitable for children - of items to be collected during the event; Return to the Parish Hall by 3.30pm and submit answers and Scavenger Hunt records online through Googleforms. The event will run between 1.30pm and 4pm, starting at the Parish Hall where home-made cakes and refreshments will be on offer for all. We expect to announce the winning team by 4.15pm. Teams of up to 6 people can enter: entry costs £5 for adults and £2.50 for children if pre-booked (cost on the day will be £6 adults and £3 children), and includes the first drink and cake, with additional refreshments available. The only kit needed by each team is a phone with the What3Words app installed, and access to Googleforms for submitting answers, and a couple of hours to follow the Hunt. We will provide each team with an entry pack
(supported by East-West Rail) and all who take part and complete the trail will get a personal certificate. More information will be available in next month’s Launton Lines. Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 7
The regular report from our Cherwell District Councillors for August 2022 Thank you once again for the great reception we have had from Launton residents. As ever we have enjoyed chatting to you and seeing how we can help. There are just a few updates from the district council this month: Boundary Review The second consultation stage of the Community Governance Review (CGR) is now live and runs until Friday 9 September. The recommendation is that the boundary between Ambrosden, Bicester, Blackthorn and Launton is altered so that part of Launton parish moves into Bicester. You can find out more about the review, as well as having your say on it here: https://letstalk.cherwell.gov.uk/community-governance-2021 If you would prefer to have your say in paper form please let us know and we can facilitate this. District Council Motions We are delighted that three motions were unanimously passed at the full District Council meeting on the 18th July. The resolution of these motions seek to help residents who are currently struggling with these difficult times. The motions that we passed were: A motion to declare a food poverty emergency A motion declaring a cost-of-living crisis Refugee Crisis motion You can find more information about the motions on the Cherwell website, as well as the resolutions that were passed, here: https://modgov.cherwell.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=114& MId=3645&Ver=4 Cost of Living As set out in the above motions, we are aware that the cost of living is becoming increasingly difficult for many residents and would like to Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 8
support you in any way we can. Cherwell District Council have a dedicated support page, which is updated as new advice and help becomes available. https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/118/communities/977/helpwith-the-cost-of-living If you are struggling at all please get in touch with us and we will do our best to get you the right support. Keep In Touch Finally we just wanted to say please do keep in touch! We love hearing from you and want to support residents in any way we can. Even if it not necessarily a district matter, we will try and point you in the right direction of who can help the best. Emails: gemma.coton@cherwell-dc.org.uk or angus.patrick@cherwelldc.org.uk or call us on 01869 717712. Cllrs Gemma Coton and Angus Patrick
The Launton Watercolour Classes We have restarted the Launton Watercolour Classes with David Meeks as Tutor.
The picture on the right was one of the subjects we tackled recently. We have a good number of people but there is space for two or three more if anyone is interested. We meet at 2pm on Monday afternoons in the Launton Parish Hall, £8 per session. Please email Paul.Ebberson@gmail.com if you are interested. Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 9
Launton Village Players Update
A Musical Jubilee
We performed A Musical Jubilee on the afternoons of Saturday 16 July and Sunday 17 July - both very warm, but we were lucky enough to avoid the heatwave which followed on the Monday and Tuesday! The refreshments included ice creams, strawberries and cream, homemade cakes plus Pimms and Prosecco, which were all very popular. The show was for families and included lots of songs from the last 70 years, from Oklahoma! to Don’t Stop Me Now. We had poems, monologues and sketches which reflected events that happened during Queen Elizabeth’s reign, and also a guest appearance from Wylie, a very clever and talented little dog who has appeared on TV! With a reference to the London 2012 Olympics we did some synchronised swimming, and the show ended with a really good Last Night of the Proms singalong with lots of flag waving from both cast and audience members! As well as celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee we were also
On 25 August, at 7.30pm, in St Edburg’s Church, Bicester, we will be holding one of our regular Repertoire Evenings, to which new players are always welcome. We especially need string players (Grade 8 and above). If you want more details, email the address below:
committee@trinitycamerata.org Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 10
raising money for the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, so thank you everyone who came along and supported us by buying tickets and being our audience, or by helping with the actual event. It was a real team effort. There is a review of the show on pages 33-35, and some photos on pages 2, 35 and 43. We are happy to announce that a donation of £1,400 is to be sent to the Disasters Emergency Committe Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Thank you again to all who helped make this happen.
Pantomime 2023
We now turn our thoughts to our 2023 pantomime Hickory Dickory Dock, written by Rod and Nikki Fine, with original music by Steve Webber and directed by Julia West, which will be performed during February half term next year. As usual our story contains lots of magic, a baddie to boo and heroes to cheer, as well as all the usual traditional family pantomime elements you would expect. We are holding a Welcome Evening for the Pantomime on Sunday 25 September at 7pm in Launton Parish Hall. There are lots of ways to get involved, whether on stage or behind the scenes: if you would like to find out more about LVP, or are interested in joining us, do get in touch and come along to chat to us. We’d love to meet you: no previous experience is necessary! Drop us a message on Facebook or email us at info@launtonvillageplayers.org.uk Thank you.
The LVP Team Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 11
LAUNTON OVER 60s CLUB REPORT: July 2022 We now have 33 members and there was a good turnout of 29 at our meeting on 11 May. On 22 June we had our Summer Lunch. It was decided to provide a similar salad to the one we had at our Easter Lunch in April but this time, instead of hot cross buns and Easter Eggs, we had strawberries, meringue and ice cream - what a treat. I am sure we all appreciated the hard work that had gone into this. One of the results of our recent questionnaire, was that members would occasionally like a slight change to the content of our meetings. So, following our lunch, we had a quiz comprising twenty general knowledge questions. The winner was Edwina Ralston from Bicester who was duly awarded first pick from the prizes on the raffle table! We continue with normal meetings throughout July with the Bingo jackpot now £13.60. Going up all the time and just waiting to be won.
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Sadly, at the beginning of July, we heard the upsetting news that Joe Aris had passed away. Joe had been a member, with his wife Helen, since the start of 2020 although we were only able to have meetings in January and February that year. But when our meetings resumed in August 2021, we all enjoyed his company. Our thoughts are with Helen and her family. Pat Court | 01869 244900
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News from St Mary’s Church for August 2022 You are warmly invited to our August Services, all of which are in St Mary’s, Launton
7 August
8.00am 11.00am 14 August 6.00pm 21 August 11.00am 28 August 11.00am
BCP Holy Communion Family Service - all welcome Evensong Holy Communion Morning Prayer
It is always advisable to refer to the Facebook page for St Mary’s Church Launton for the most up-to-date information in case any last minute changes have been necessary, or please contact Revd Peter revpeterwright@gmail.com 01869 573177 or 07966 531 921 or one of the Churchwardens at St Mary’s Joan Packer j.packer779@btinternet.com 01869 241694 Celia Manderson celiamanderson@aol.com 01869 571735
<<<<<<<<<<|>>>>>>>>>> The Community Café is now closed for the summer break. It will reopen on 13 September in the Parish Hall. We look forward to seeing you again then.
<<<<<<<<<<|>>>>>>>>>> PLEASE NOTE - AN IMPORTANT DATE FOR YOUR DIARY ST MARY’S FAYRE will be held on 3 SEPTEMBER 2022 It will be held in the front garden of The Old Rectory and in the Church and Churchyard. FULL DETAILS WILL FOLLOW ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE and see pages 31 and 24. Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 14
Fix My Street Did you know that you can tell Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council about highway road defects, about overgrown verges and dangerous hedgerows, as well as other hazards, by using http://fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ There is also a phone app which is available for both iOS and Android systems, so you can take a picture and quickly upload it to the FixMyStreet system. Don’t leave it for someone else to do: if you see something which needs reporting, please do it! It’s far better to have problems or issues reported multiple times than not at all.
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Launton WI Report for July 2022
For various reasons members attending this meeting were somewhat depleted, but this did not detract from the enjoyment of the evening. Following the singing of Jerusalem the official business was quickly carried out. Then those with birthdays in July, [what a busy month!], were read out - Cathy, Celia, Chris, Jane, Lynne, Maretta and Pat - all having received hand-made cards. On a very sad note we heard that Joe, the husband of Helen, our recently retired President, has passed away. We all signed a card for Helen at this sad time. Our speaker was Jane Dickinson whose topic was Women in Oxford. She gave interesting insights into various women, some famous, some not so famous but were part of Oxford life both recently and historically, and who were ‘achievers’. She also told us where some of the blue plaques relating to these women are to be found. Jane is an excellent speaker whose talks vary, depending on who she is researching at the time, so the next time her talk may be about completely different women. Sadly, so far no Launton women have featured, but ‘watch this space’! The competition ‘My Heroine’ was won jointly by Hilary and Sherie. The next meeting is on 11 August in the Parish Hall, starting at 7.30pm when Jo Faulkner-Harvey will speak on ‘Homeless Oxfordshire’. New members and guests are always welcome at the meeting. Joan Packer Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 16
Joe Aris Joe Aris sadly passed away in the John Radcliffe Hospital on 3 July 2022, after a short illness, aged 83 years. He was a much-loved husband, Dad, and Grandad, and will be missed by all who knew and loved him. The funeral service was held on 25 July 2022 at North Oxfordshire Crematorium, Tackley. We hope to include a longer obituary notice in a future issue of Launton Lines.
Wheelchair for community use
I have in my shed a folding wheelchair, donated by a villager who is moving, that she wants to be available for village residents who may need the temporary use of a wheelchair back from hospital, or with temporary mobility issues. If you could use it, please call me on 01869 241883.
Robert Cornford
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LAUNTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Julie Ann Godson entertained us on Thursday 30 June with tales of scandalous events in Oxfordshire’s High Society past where women were central to the story. We heard about Elizabeth I visiting Cumnor Place day and night to see the court dreamboat, Robert Dudley. Elizabeth had made Robert the Master of the Queen’s Horse. But gossip began in London and this increased no end when, on 8 September 1560, Robert’s wife was found dead. The rumour mill was in overdrive. Was it an accident? Suicide? His wife hadn’t seen Robert in a year and might have heard the rumours. Was it perhaps natural causes? She was thought to have an illness. Whatever the truth, it caused a great scandal and, even if it were now possible after his wife’s death, Elizabeth could not risk a marriage with Robert Dudley. We also heard tales of Chastleton House where, in 1651, a wife saved her Royalist husband from the Roundheads after the Civil War battle of Worcester. She plied the Roundheads with beer so he could escape, taking their horses. Even closer to Launton, we heard about the active love life of Frances, Lady Jersey, a mistress of the future George IV when he was Regent. Frances was said to have charm, beauty and sarcasm, obviously a heady mix. But the public liked Caroline of Brunswick, the Regent’s wife, and Frances was shunned. She was dubbed the minx of Middleton Stoney by Julie Ann. Julie Ann is always a lively speaker who adds spice and humour to her talks and this was no exception. We hope she will speak again in the future. By the time you read this, members will have had an evening excursion to Pendon Museum on Thursday 28 July where we will see a model railway layout and landscape and buildings (on a scale of 4mm to the foot) and communities based on the Vale of the White Horse on a summer afternoon sometime in the 1930s - it promises to be a great excursion. Meanwhile, our meetings in the Parish Hall will start again at 7.30 pm on 29 September when John Tyler will speak about the Lost Forest of Bernwood. All are welcome. For further information about the Historical Society, please contact cathyprocopiou@hotmail.com Gwen Skinner Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 18
Launton Speedwatch update There has been a very encouraging response to the request for residents to join the Launton Community Speedwatch (LCS) group. The group has now been registered on the national Community Speedwatch program and I would like to thank those who have already expressed an interest in being involved. As members are added to the program we will arrange the necessary equipment and organise on-site training. For more information see the website at https://www.communityspeedwatch.org Further updates will be provided as the program progresses. David Jones | LCS Group Coordinator
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The extended Massey family of Launton, Sussex, New Zealand and Canada
A couple of months ago Mary Brydon noticed a message on social media about two ladies (one in New Zealand, the other in Sussex) who discovered through DNA testing that they must be cousins, and that their common ancestor was a
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man named Charles Massey. This was a complete surprise to them both. We (The Launton Historical Society) recognised the name of Charles’s father, which was mentioned in the social media post, so we decided to get in touch to see if we could help extending their search further along this ancestral line. We established that they were both descended from a couple who married at Launton parish church in 1809 and who went on to have a large family, and those children also tended to have large families in their turn. It was not difficult to find some distant cousins who lived locally. So we organised a coffee morning here in Launton for the two cousins to meet part of a new family. The photo opposite shows Christine (from Launton), Prue (from Sussex), Lynne (from New Zealand), and Janet and Jenny (from Bicester) at the recent visit. Janet and Jenny are daughters of the late Rae Lapper (née Massey) and are first cousins once removed from Christine, and also of Kath, who unfortunately was unable to join us. They are all descended from a Richard Massey, while Lynne and Prue have discovered they are descended from Richard’s brother William. Lynne knew little about her grandfather, who is supposed to have died in the 1920s, but whose death has not yet been traced. However, he is known to have lived under a different name, but no death of a Charles Massey or a Charles Burrows (his other name) has yet been found that can resolve this mystery. Prue found that the father she loved was not, in fact, her biological father: this man was, in fact, the son of Charles Massey (or Burrows). He became a spy in WW2 and was decorated. He divorced his first wife, had an affair with Prue’s (married) mother, married again, and had three sons in Canada; he abandoned them, divorced their mother and married for a third time. Yes: Prue and Lynne are in contact with these Canadian cousins too. Only because these two ladies took DNA tests did they uncover their unexpected past and find that they have a great many more relatives than they knew about. They enjoyed their brief visit to Launton and are looking forward to pursuing
this side of their genetic heritage. Prue is planning to return soon, and we have no doubt that Lynne will visit Launton again the next time she makes a trip over from New Zealand. Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 21
Parish Council Fixed Assets
Have you ever wondered what the Parish Council owns around the village? Here is the list of Fixed Assets for the year ending 31 March 2021. The listing for 2021-22 is being finalised. Can you identify all the dog and litter bins, and the street benches and bus shelters? Bus shelters and benches x 3 Community defibrillator Data projector and case Dog bins x 11 Land at The Poplars Laptop computer Litter bins x 9 Litter pickers x 20 Local Council Administration Handbook 12th Edition No Ball Games sign Noticeboards x 3
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Open space at The Glades Parish Hall Furniture Roadside village gate x 3 Salt Bins x 4 “Silent Soldiers” for Remembrance Day Speed Activated Signs x 2 Street Benches x 6 Village Pump and fencing Wall at the War Memorial site War Memorial West End footpath to The Closes
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St Mary’s Fayre
What Autumn Means To Me FREE TO ENTER Entry closing date: Saturday 20 August 2022 Your entry needs to be illustrating “What autumn means to me”. It could be any art form: painting, flower arrangement, model, photo, ... Your entry needs to be brought to St Mary’s Church between 10am and noon on 3 September and can be collected between 4pm and 5pm that same day. (more details to follow) Please return the entry form below to either of the following By email: events@stmaryslaunton.org.uk By post: St Mary’s Fayre, Mayflower, Hare Leys Farm, Launton OX26 5AB Telephone: 01869 277625 ------------------------<<<<<<<<<<<<<||>>>>>>>>>>>>>-------------------------
“What Autumn Means to me” Entry Form Contact name: .............................................................................................. Contact address: ........................................................................................... Postcode: .................................................................................................... Contact email address: ................................................................................. Please choose the class/classes you are entering and mark with a tick: Aged 6 and under (on 3 Sept) ..........
Aged 7-11 (on 3 Sept) ........................
Aged 12-16 (on 3 Sept)...................... Adult .................................................... Please label your entry with a title plus the age class you are entering. Every entry will be awarded a certificate on the day and small prize for helping make a wonderful display in the Church for people to enjoy. By submitting this entry form you are agreeing to the following: Your details being held for the duration of this event Official photos to be taken of your display Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 24
Work on the Yew Tree Footpath
Before BEFORE (last winter) and AFTER (26 July 2022) when Oxfordshire Countryside Access Team had built a boardwalk across the ditch that doesn’t drain because it was blocked in the building of Yew Tree Close.
After
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Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 25
For the third month in what seems decades, there are no planned road closures in Launton in August. But do keep an eye on Gigaclear on Station Road and Bicester Road. You can also register for Gigaclear updates at www.gigaclear.com/mycommunity
Watch this space for the future.
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The August 2022 communiqué of the Grumpy Old Men of Launton
What a month we’ve been through! Some (well, actually all) of us can remember the glorious summer of 1976, and we have been disturbed at the panic that set in over the heat from the last month. We all survived over eight weeks of sweltering heat before anywhere in the country was air conditioned. We enjoyed the unseasonal summer weather and none of us remembers any concern for people’s health, until the rains came when we recalled the discomfort of the newly appointed “Minister for Drought” (it was Dennis Howell) watching the rain fall and his ministerial appointment being washed away. Summers were better in the old days! We have also learned from a village sage that the black birds mentioned in last month’s piece are neither rooks nor crows or even ravens but the common Jackdaw. “They have bred prolifically this year and have as usual emerged as fledglings from the many unused chimneys in greater numbers than usual. They are very noisy and gregarious in their flocks and will be recognised by many as the smaller (jack meaning small) of this group of corvids and as they mature will show a very recognisable grey wig on the nape or the back of the head.” What a clear explanation! Grange Mews News August 2022
Commercial Offices, Industrial Units and Storage for Lease We mentioned Sarah and the Bicester Dance Academy presentation at The Mill at Banbury in the last edition of Launton Lines. On Sunday 10 July a host of Launton and local parents and grandparents gathered for what turned out to be a two-hour spectacular performance. Of interest is the fortune CDC have spent in Banbury while Bicester continues to be the poor relation with limited amenities. The saga of the Mercedes car continues: It has now been trashed and dumped on our site; the CPSOs weren’t really interested, but were in another A3 dumped car with no plates. The same owner was going to remove it but... CDC were not interested until I told them that the tyres had the valves removed. CDC will deal with cars if two tyres are flat and the car is damaged or junk left inside it. The windscreen was smashed too. CDC now have two cars to deal with. Hummingbird wisely postponed their July activity: we wish them well for the new date of 7 August.
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
Friends of Launton Parish Hall (FoLPH)
As reported in the July issue, FoLPH has secured charitable status (Registered Charity Number 1199171) and confirmed the change of name to Friends of Launton Parish Hall. The founding Trustees have invited two other people to join them - Helen Beard and Miles Penhallow - and will be looking to expand the experience and skill base. If you are interested in offering yourself, contact folph@launton.org. FoLPH has plans for a series of community and fundraising events for the rest of the year: Measuring the sunflower competition from the May Day Market: Saturday 24 September What3Words Treasure Hunt: Sunday 25 September (see page 7) Harvest Fair (cakes, baked goods, produce, plants, and we hope apple pressing): Saturday 1 October Film Night in the Hall (title to be decided): Friday 18 November Early Christmas event (Christmas Songs and Quiz): Friday 9 December The planning application for the improvement work was submitted to
WE ARE NOW BICESTER’S LONGEST-ESTABLISHED INDEPENDENT FAMILY-OWNED & RUN FUNERAL DIRECTORS BICESTER’S ONLY INDEPENDENT FAMILY FUNERAL DIRECTOR
A caring traditional 24 hour service Provided by Mr Hancock and his team personally
Private Chapel Of Rest
Jaguar Fleet of Funeral Cars
Perfect Choice Funeral Plans
Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 28
Cherwell District Council on 16 June. The consultation period is now passed, and we hope to have a decision by 11 August. The advisory Working Group established by the Parish Council has been working with the architects to produce detailed building plans so we can go ahead with applications for funding once planning permission is secured. As soon as we have detailed plans we will arrange a consultation meeting for the village community. We are also looking for any volunteer Project Managers in the village to work in pushing the whole project through. Any volunteers? There has been a meeting of all main users of the roadway by the Hall (School, LPFA, Hall Committee, PCC, and PC) to consider plans for the roadway. All agreed with the County Council idea that there should be ‘shared space’ for vehicles, pedestrians, buggies, mobility scooters, cyclists, and wheelchairs in the road area outside the Hall, rather than a road and separate raised footway. ‘Shared Space’ is now a preferred solution for mixed-use areas around the world.
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An Emergency Plan for Launton
We are currently in the process of updating the village’s Emergency Plan. Under normal circumstances, of course, major emergencies are handled by the emergency services, by County and District Councils, by public utilities and voluntary agencies in a combined response, but there can be times when we may need to help ourselves - particularly if there is an issue affecting a large area. Our Plan isn’t intended to be a substitute for these services, but it is there to increase the short-term resilience of the community in the event of an extreme event. This could be a fire, flood, loss of water, loss of power, or snow. In addition, the Plan is to cover situations, such as the recent pandemic, where there is a need for community support at a local level. Experience has shown that those who have spent time planning and preparing for this are better able to cope, and can recover more quickly. Community emergency planning enables groups to provide more effective support. It provides information to responding agencies (the emergency services, relevant local authorities, etc.) who are coordinating responses on a wider scale. Our current plan is available on the Parish Council website www.launton-pc.gov.uk/emergency-planning and now needs refreshing. We need you! If you have a special skill, or a useful vehicle - whether that’s being able to use a chainsaw, have a 4x4 or a tractor, can administer first aid, or volunteer to make tea at a reception centre (to name but a few) - we’d love to hear from you. We will hold your details securely, and will, of course, only contact you if we need to put the plan in place. But this could be at any time - in fact Bletchingdon’s was only implemented recently because of a fire, so it’s always good to be prepared. Please get in touch with any of the following Jane Olds - clerk@launton-pc.gov.uk or Lesley Thompson - lesley.thompson@launton-pc.gov.uk or Abi Dowman - abigail.dowman@launton-pc.gov.uk Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 30
ST MARY’S FAYRE SATURDAY 3 SEPTEMBER
TO BE HELD IN THE FRONT GARDEN OF THE OLD RECTORY 2.00pm - 4.00pm Stalls to include
Books
Cakes
Plants
Produce
Toys
Other Attractions Tombola
Raffle
Children’s Activities and lots more
Refreshments
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We would also like to mount an exhibition of items entitled
What Autumn Means To Me
Your entry can be any art genre Please see entry form on page 24 for details
ST MARY’S FAYRE Proceeds to St Mary’s Church Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 31
How do your sunflowers grow?
At the May Day Fair this year PHIP gave away sunflower seeds, compost, pots and instructions to grow in the pot then plant them out after the risk of frost. On 24 September we will take a measuring pole to all the plants and check the height. The person with the tallest plant will win a prize. Here are sunflowers growing in West End. The tallest is already over 1.6 metres and adding centimetres each day.
House maintenance Repointing Internal and external decorations Patios Decking Fencing For a personal service, call Peter N Southam 01869 278333 07721 633 220 peteroofer@aol.com Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 32
“A Musical Jubilee”: Singin’, Actin’, and Dancin’ us through Her Majesty’s reign
On 16 and 17 July, the skies promised a glorious, cloudless, hot weekend that demands a lazy lie down with a long glass of your favourite tipple. Not so for our Launton Village Players (LVP) who in soaring temperatures treated us to a nostalgic trip through time, showcasing songs and sketches from the 1950s to the present day to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Moreover, in line with the LVP’s mission, any profits raised were donated to the DEC Ukraine Appeal. Thanks must go to Julia West (Director) and Celia Evans (Producer) and the whole LVP crew. The event took place in an outdoor theatre at Hare Leys Farm, which had been thoughtfully prepared for everyone’s comfort and it was a such a warm welcome from the Front of House team - in every sense of the word! I attended with my Dad, who in his 80s is not quite as light and quick on his feet as he used to be (although could still leave many of us behind I hasten to add, in case he reads this!) so I was at first very grateful that accessible parking had been made available. Further, on walking in, we found small gazebos had been put up to shelter us from the baking afternoon sun so we popped up our camping chairs before visiting a food and drinks stall packed with goodies of cakes, cream teas, strawberries and cream, ice creams, and various drinks. My Dad and I stocked up on ice cream and Pimms and put in our strawberries and cream order for the interval - and very nice too! Miles Penhallow kicked off proceedings and masterfully compèred (and acted, and sang in various numbers) directing us on our journey through the decades, delivering a few quips along the way resulting in some giggles and groans! The show had been beautifully constructed, deploying the ‘power of three’ for each decade, which I feel had been composed with great attention to dynamics, diminishing to solos, and augmenting to small groups and full ensemble. Every piece and performer enhanced the show and as ever, positively ‘infected’ the audience with their own evident enjoyment. The full company numbers raised the proverbial roof: Oklahoma! made a powerful start, with some thigh slaps and do-si-do’s, popping a smile on our faces and getting us in the mood. There’s No Business Like Show Business was a rousing end to Act 1. Be Our Guest launched us back into the show for Act 2 in the 1990s, and the heavenly harmonies created through the Song for the Commonwealth A Life Lived With Grace (2020s) was a fitting end to the show, before the Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 33
audience joined in for a Last Night of the Proms tribute with flags a-waving. The staging was simple, making use of minimalist props that each cast member cleared off stage, demonstrating attention to detail in rehearsals, to maintain energy throughout. Simplicity of numbers like Food, Glorious Food were happily enhanced by pictures of massive dinner plates and various foods held up by cast members. The 1980s’ Films in 40 seconds was an absolute riot, with fabulous costumes and props portraying films such as Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Dirty Dancing (that final lift - just brilliant!). Perhaps most innovative of all, was Synchronised Swimming (Giles Conway with his armbands, ‘trying’ his teammates’ patience - Daisy Ash, Sarah Nixey, Julia West, Beth Heale) - some lovely pointed feet, excellent choreography, brilliantly executed! All of this skilfully supported by the expertise of the Band musicians (Giles Conway, John Nelson, Simon Turner, Sarah Turner and Steve Webber) even though at one point a naughty gust of wind nearly attacked Steve on the keyboard (all was saved by speedy actions from Sarah!). The whole show hugged you from start to finish in a warm blanket. Highlights for me included Elvis’ return with the Song of the King (Launton theatregoers will remember the wonderful production of Joseph), a joyful rendition of Thank You For The Music (Nicky Roberts with Cathy Procopiou, Charlie Newell, Christine Townsend, Edwina Ralston, Eileen Penhallow and Jackie Webber) which is a difficult song to sing, showing off some nice technique from chest to head voice, and My Blackberry is Not Working originally by Ronnie Corbett and Harry Enfield which was a really strong, well timed performance by Simon Turner and the ever impressive Miles. Shout outs obviously have to go to Miles for sheer ‘tigger’ style effort and enthusiasm (how did he do all that in that heat?) and Wylie the dog (and trainer Beth Heale!) for the Britain’s Got Talent Audition number where Wylie treated us to all manner of clever tricks - he’s rather excellent on a skateboard! Also, to John Stephens, who at 93 years old, recited an amusing monologue of The Queen’s Jubilee Visit by Gordon Kerr-Smith in a most acceptable Lancashire accent. John needed no props for his piece, settled himself downstage centre and created a high status performance through taking his time, and taking his space, compelling every audience member young and old to hang on to his every word. Wonderful. There is one performer especially who moved me, and that was John Nelson’s Edelweiss singing with guitar. You could hear a pin drop through this most beautiful, powerful performance making this song uniquely his Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 34
own. Faultless. And quite extraordinary. I looked to my Dad throughout as a barometer of the success of the show, as these last 70 years represent most of his life. Given the smiles, toe tapping and hearty singing of Land of Hope and Glory, Jerusalem and The National Anthem at the end I’d say it was a definite hit. The very best of British. Bravo. Reviewed by Allison Ford-Langstaff
The audience gathers in shade for the Sunday performance Almost all the company find some shade for the cast photo in the garden
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DRIVEWAY GIVEAWAY A FUNDRAISING EVENT IN AID OF Support for Local Ukrainian Refugees and Friends of Island Pond Wood (and the environment) A big thank you to everyone who supported our “Farewell” fundraising event. Your generosity contributed to a total of £420 now shared equally between the above two good causes. Many thanks, also, to our helpers: Amy and Chloe Bradford, Ed Hamill and Vicky Lewis. It wouldn’t have been the fun it was without you.
Linda and Andy Murray
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
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You say you want a revolution . . . I grew up during a revolution in popular music, which I’d like to share with you. I hope you like my choices. During my teenage years in the 1960s our great bands emerged. They included the Beatles, Stones, Who, Kinks, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd. Here’s how bad it was before then. In 1962, An English Country Garden, originally an 18th century folk tune, was released. The lyrics were a list of flowers, including lupins, roses, foxgloves, daffodils and forget-me-nots. It reached Number 5 in the charts. The main theme of many other ‘hits’ was: “I love. You love me. Oh, how happy we will be.” This would soon be swept away by a wave of talent - people like John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Pete Townsend, Ray Davies, Jimmy Page and Syd Barrett. Their early hits were also uncomplicated. Some were just cover versions of blues songs, like the Stones’ Come On (Chuck Berry) in 1963 and Little Red Rooster (Big Willie Dixon) in 1964. However, their new work would quickly evolve into seriously original pieces of music. These were complex, vibrant, political, full of social comment. Similar musicians emerged in the US, although three of these are Canadian - Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Brian Wilson, Jim Morrison, Robbie Robertson. I’d like to show you how quickly these great British bands broke from the simple pop song format and became trailblazers for a new type of popular music. Let’s start with the Beatles. In 1962/3 their singles included, with very ordinary lyrics, Please Please Me, Love Me Do, and She Loves You. Who’d have thought that only four years later they’d issue an album like Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band? Everything about it was revolutionary, even the sleeve. It was truly ground-breaking in the use of technology, incorporating influences from Indian classical music, circus, music hall, psychedelia. Memorable tracks included Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Lovely Rita, Good Morning, Good Morning and A Day in the Life. If you discover nothing else, you’ll know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall. The Rolling Stones made a similar transition. By 1968, they had produced Beggars Banquet, including the track Sympathy for the Devil. This isn’t pop music in any recognised sense. It’s deep, covering major historical events. It includes Jesus Christ and his dealings with Pilate, the killing of Tsar Nicholas during the Russian Revolution, the carnage of World War 2, it asks who killed the Kennedys. It’s anything but a pop song, but that’s my point. Great bands move with the times. We saw the same with the Kinks. In 1964, they had a hit with a regular Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 37
song, You Really Got Me. In 1966, they made a fine single called Waterloo Sunset about two lovers crossing the Waterloo Bridge. However, by 1970 came the unforgettable Lola. It’s a song that presents a romantic encounter between a young naïve man and a large possibly trans woman or crossdresser that he meets in a club in Soho. It’s full of mystery and suggestion. We were reminded that girls will be boys and boys will be girls. Why? Because it's a mixed up muddled up shook up world. Except for Lola. It’s sobering to recall that Lola was released just three years after the Sexual Offences Act 1967 became law, which de-criminalised homosexual sex acts between consenting men over 21. The Who went through a similar transition from simple to seriously complex musical output - from My Generation in 1965 to something as wonderful as the rock opera Tommy in 1969. Most of us know about the deaf dumb and blind kid who plays a mean pinball, and his sexual predator, wicked Uncle Ernie. It was so impressive that it became a film directed by Ken Russell, starring Elton John and Roger Daltrey. Then came Quadrophenia. In America, Neil Young’s Ohio raged about the state police killing four antiVietnam War demonstrators at Kent State University. Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi condemned the destruction of nature by giant corporations, citing deforestation, and the use of DDT (a chemical that was eventually banned) on apple crops to stop spotting. She noted, sooner than many observers, that “you don't know what you've got ’til it's gone”. Then there’s Dylan telling senators and congressmen to get out of the way before they get hurt, because The Times They are a-Changin. All these songs carry an overtly political message. They want to bring about change. They’re not just ‘pop songs’. To illustrate the evolution that great bands can achieve, let’s finish with Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. Led Zeppelin’?s first album in 1969 was a largely blues-based album, including two tracks from Big Willie Dixon. Three years later, Led Zeppelin 4 included classics like Stairway to Heaven and When the Levee Breaks. Pink Floyd started in 1967 with a single about a man who stole underwear from washing lines. By 1973, they released the mesmerising Dark Side of the Moon. In 1975, they released Wish You Were Here, a moving tribute to Syd Barrett, underlain with a major putdown of the music industry. All these musical choices are mine. You may disagree with many. That’s your privilege. However, if they’ve stirred an interest, I hope you find time to dig a little deeper. Danny Cunningham Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 38
Memories of an ex-Launton Boy
This month the ex-Launton Boy reports he has succumbed to Covid-19, and mulls on his experience of childhood diseases. He remembers whooping cough, and gathering in the sickroom of ill children to catch (and so get over) common childhood diseases, and recalls having his tonsils removed at 14. He remembers the school dentist, and the glorious taste of NHS Orange Juice Concentrate. Finally he recalls the 2017 exercise on pandemic preparedness, and the inaction that followed the research. Well, it got me in the end, for as I pen this month’s offering I am in my seventh day of having contracted Covid, having felt as if I have been run over by a battle tank and then pulled through a hedge backwards, and all after having had five vaccinations against Covid. I suspect I may have contracted it during one of my many sessions of exam invigilating at one of our local Academy schools during this summer term. And to make things worse, my wife, Julie, has tested positive today, and guess who’s getting the blame! One might expect at my time in life that the body might by now have become immune to most transmittable diseases, but clearly that is wishful thinking. Having been brought up as a child in Launton, like most I would imagine, we were brought up quite methodically to be aware of cleanliness and personal hygiene, although that having been said, it didn’t stop us from picking up most of the childhood ailments that were prevalent at that time and very much doing the rounds in the village, so close a knit society was it back in those days. Those who remember me as a child and a very young teenager will remember I was so skinny, there being more fat on a greasy chip than there was on my entire body. But it would seem, and I have photographs to prove it, I was a tubby and bouncy baby, up until the age of two years when I contracted whooping cough, and the weight just fell away and never came back until much, much later in life, and hey - how it came back, but all in the wrong place, around my middle. I can still vaguely remember that whooping cough and how my dad used to come into my bedroom in the middle of the night to rub my back during those severe coughing bouts, and he having to be off to work at 6’clock in the morning. Mum was probably exhausted from feeding Cliff, my baby brother at the time. Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 39
And then of course, I, along with many other kids in the village would go down with chicken pox, measles and mumps. Being so scrawny, my body found it particularly hard to cope with some of those particular nasties, and nasties they were too. By the time the chicken pox spots had manifested themselves it was too late, not having appreciated that we were at our most contagious the day before the spots appeared, meaning we had contaminated God knows how many more in the village already. It came to remind me of woodworm, in that once you have spotted the woodworm holes, it is much too late, because the holes are not as a result of the woodworm burrowing in, but rather burrowing out of the wood. As a child I always thought that any pain above the neck was the most difficult to cope with. I would often get a migraine over my right eye which was excruciating and I got the distinct impression that my mother thought I was exaggerating the level of pain I suffered. And although there was next to no meat on my body, I was tall for my age which resulted in me suffering immensely with growing pains in my legs. Sometimes I would cry myself to sleep at night, so severe was the pain, but as my migraine pains seemed not to be appreciated for their intensity, I said nothing and suffered for long spells at a time, usually at night time. And then the bouts of severe tonsillitis decided to put in an appearance on many occasions, so severely that during them, I was unable to attend school, and I loved school. Thank goodness my tonsils were eventually removed at the Radcliffe Infirmary when I reached fourteen years of age. As with most children in the village and beyond, going to the doctor and going to hospitals was not a particularly enjoyable experience. Many who have now reached senior adulthood still suffer from ‘white coat syndrome’ when simply going for a blood pressure test with no needles or other invasive measures being taken. Childhood memories linger, and for my generation perhaps none more so than the visit to the school dentist, all of whom seemed to be of a mid-European extraction (excuse the pun), and possibly trained by Dr. Mengele. It was for most of us kids, quite a terrifying experience. That having been said, there was the, or perhaps more accurately, there were the occasions when visiting the clinic as a child that were, certainly for me anyway, moments to look forward to and thoroughly enjoy, and that was when we got the old NHS Orange Juice Concentrate. Never Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 40
before or since has orange tasted so exquisitely good to the taste buds. The NHS has come a long way since it was established at the time I was born, especially as far as medical science and operation procedures are concerned. But, I think there have been certain medical practices from the past that have been abandoned that perhaps ought not to have been. There is nothing like enough medical practitioners at all levels, whether brain surgeons or consultants, nurses or paramedics and certainly GP’s. In days gone by hospitals operated on more or less military style with a hierarchy, the top to which some could aspire to and others fit in at other levels. Then they introduced ‘civilians’, in the form of business managers and private contract cleaners ... and it all started to go wrong. How often do we hear from members of the public, “Bring back Matron”? With the relatively sorry selection to choose from regarding our next PM, I doubt any of them will make much of a difference if any in bringing health and social care closer together, yet until they are on an equal footing and treated with the level of urgency, the system will only get worse and more and more would be patients will not get seen (in time). Not many people will be aware of the major exercise that took place in the UK in 2017 that was designed to see how ready we were at all levels of emergency services nationwide in the event of a pandemic hitting us. The result of the exercise determined that as a nation, we were woefully unprepared, but government officials would not release that information publicly for fear it could create a national state of panic. That is understandable on the one hand, but on the other hand, realising the situation being as it was, the government then proceeded to do nothing at all about it. Thus when the pandemic came we were quite unprepared for it when we need not, and ought not to have been. So when you see, hear and read comments like, “Get this done”, “Get that done” and “Let’s get it done”, all that has been ‘done’ is the UK, and by those who have brought about the situation in their own respective and collective ways that is resulting in a PM Leadership campaign, to dish out more of the same. Do I sound cynical? Maybe the Covid has got to me. ... or maybe not. Keep healthy and stay SAFE! Tony Jeacock | The Ex-Launton Boy | August 2022 Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 41
Diary Dates: August 2022
In the current situation, it is difficult to be specific about village events. Listed are those we know are planned - but check with organisers nearer the date if you plan to attend.
AUGUST 2022 Monday 1 Watercolour Art Class, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 2 Rubbish Collection: recycling and garden bins | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wednesday 3 Over 60s Club Meeting, Sports and Social Hall, starts at 1.45pm, ends about 3.30pm | Home Guard Living History Group, Parish Hall, 8pm Thursday 4 Parish Council Meeting cancelled this month Sunday 7 St Mary's Church, Holy Communion (BCP), 8am; Family Service, 11am | Hummingbird Centre Summer Festival and Dog Show, Launton Playing Fields, 12 noon - 4 pm | Weekly Quiz, The Bull, 8pm Monday 8 Watercolour Art Class, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 9 Rubbish Collection: garbage bin | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Thursday 11 WI Meeting, speaker Jo Faulkner-Harvey on Homeless Oxfordshire, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Friday 12 SCOTS Night at The Bull, from 5.30pm Sunday 14 St Mary's Church, Evensong, 6pm | Weekly Quiz, The Bull, 8pm Monday 15 Watercolour Art Class, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 16 Rubbish Collection: recycling and garden bins | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wednesday 17 Over 60s Club Meeting, Sports and Social Hall, starts at 1.45pm, ends about 3.30pm Saturday 20 FINAL DATE FOR COPY FOR THE SEPTEMBER 2022 ISSUE OF LAUNTON LINES: SUBMIT TO launtonlines@launton.org | FIPW Working Party in The Woodland, 10am Sunday 21 St Mary's Church, Holy Communion, 11am | Weekly Quiz, The Bull, 8pm Monday 22 Watercolour Art Class, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 23 Rubbish Collection: garbage bin | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Thursday 25 Launton Historical Society Social evening from 7.30pm Sunday 28 St Mary's Church, Morning Prayer, 11am | Weekly Quiz, The Bull, 8pm Monday 29 Summer Bank Holiday | Watercolour Art Class, Parish Hall, 2pm-4pm Tuesday 30 Rubbish Collection: recycling and garden bins | Rock Chorus, Parish Hall, 7.30pm Wednesday 31 Over 60s Club Meeting, Sports and Social Hall, starts at 12.30pm, with lunch and the bar open Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 42
A Musical Jubilee In a Launton Garden in July
Wylie the dog and keeper Beth Heale entertain the audience A review of the show is on pages 33-35, and more photos on pages 2 and 35 All photos of A Musical Jubilee taken by Bob Roberts for Launton Village Players The Song of The King, featuring Elvis and the dancing chorus, from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Launton Lines August 2022 | Page 43
A working party in the Island Pond Wood on 9 July - cutting back brambles and blackthorn on the footpath on the southern side of the woodland. Photo from the Friends of Island Pond Wood Ltd.
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 © MMXXII 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.