November 2020 Issue 241 The Scarecrow Issue
The most popular scarecrows by public vote, from the Scarecrow Trail in mid October. Clockwise from top left Captain Underpants 9 Chestnut Close The Jolly Postman Bradley Cottage, Bicester Road and the three parts of Delivering to the Community, Tenaya, Bicester Road
Happy Birthday To You! Norah Edwards had her 100th birthday on 27 September this year with a cake, a glass of fizz, and a card from the Queen. There is a brief account of her life so far from her daughter, Maureen Clark, on page 17 of this issue, and last month there were birthday wishes from the Over 60s Club. Photo from Maureen Clark
A recent wedding at St Mary’s under restricted circumstances. Life will gradually get back to normal! Photo from St Mary’s Church Front cover shows the three “most popular” (after public voting) scarecrows from October. See pages 8-9 for a report on the Trail, and the up-to-date fundraising total, and pages 23-25 for photos of all scarecrows. All photos by Ben Smith
The Editor writes …
Autumn has finally arrived with rain and wind and lots of leaves, and with the clocks going back and darkness falling by 5pm we know that Christmas isn’t far away. This issue is a bridge between the seasons, with a full photo record (pages 23-25) of the 42 official and three later entries into the Scarecrow Trail, a report on the event (pages 8-9), and the front cover features the most popular entries. It was strange that Launton’s streets seemed busier than Sheep Street over the weekends of the Trail. It was very interesting to walk round and see who counted as a Hero. We also feature other October events. Page 47 covers the Apple Pressing (very autumnal), the virtual London Marathon (usually a spring event) ending at The Bull in the rain, and the Churchyard clean-up that used to be over the weekend before Guy Fawkes Day so that the collected rubbish moved straight onto the village bonfire just across the road. Pages 26 and 27 have photos and a report of the working party around the Island Pond, and page 28 a report of the Parish Clerk winning a national volunteering award: we are a fortunate parish! This month there is a record number of photos (I counted 69) and I must thank Ben Smith for providing all the scarecrow pictures: they are a record of the event, and can remind us of how bright the sun was for at least part of the time. On the back cover is a poster for another village-wide event for Christmas - Launton’s Window Wonderland, and see pages 34 and 35 for more info and the entry form. And it’s time for the regular report from Victoria Prentis, our MP (page 11). Danny Cunningham (pages 38-41) asks if Patience is a Virtue, and Tony Jeacock, The Ex-Launton Boy tells about his experience of funerals through his life (pages 42-44). There are also regular reports from EWRA (page 22), The Parish Council (pages 5-7), The Vet’s Voice (pages 36-37) and a welcome back to The Grumpy Old Men of Launton on pages 30-31. Finally, please support our advertisers. They need you as much as we need them. Robert Cornford
Launton Lines
A monthly newsletter for Launton. Published around the first of each month by the Launton Community Communications Group © 2020 Launton Lines
email: launtonlines@launton.org The Launton Lines Committee 2019-2020 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 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: 07903 610405 Parish Hall Committee: Christine Massey; Audrey Deeley; Lynne Harper; Joan Packer; Simon Turner, Robert Cornford
LIGHT UP A LIFE
Would you like to sponsor an evening’s floodlighting at St. Mary’s Church in memory of a loved one, to give thanks for the birth of a child, or to celebrate a baptism, birthday or wedding? A minimum donation of £10 is suggested which can be Gift Aided. Please contact Joan Packer on 01869 241694 by 20 November for entry in the December 2020 issue of Launton Lines. During this socially distanced Christmas, remember those to whom we are close but physically far away.
5 November | Sponsored by Lynne Harper. In loving memory of my late mother Ivy Brooks on her birthday 7 November | Sponsored by Roger Thomas. In loving memory of Adrienne Susan Thomas on her birthday 7 November 1944, for ever in our hearts and minds, greatly missed by all her family. Rest peacefully in Heaven. 15 November | Sponsored by Pat Mitchell in loving memory of her late husband Keith. Thank you for so many lovely memories over the years - Happy Birthday. 20 November | Sponsored by Mary Brydon to wish Florence Maw a Happy 10th Birthday, with love from Nana 30 November | Sponsored by Mary Brydon to wish Esme Maw a Happy 13th birthday, with love from Nana
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Launton Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 1 October 2020 at 7.30pm online via Zoom Councillors present Mr James Allpress, Mr Chris Fox (Vice Chair), Mr Mike Murphy, Mr Ed Sanders, Mrs Lesley Thompson, Mr Simon Turner (Chair) Apologies Mrs Lizzie Chisholm In attendance The Clerk, Mrs Jane Olds; nine members of the public East West Rail No report had been received this month. Reports from District and County Councillors No reports had been received. Finance The Finance Report was available on the Parish Council website. Planning All planning applications, which include the links to Cherwell’s Planning Portal, are put on the Parish Council website when they are received (www.launton-pc.gov.uk - in the Agenda and Minutes section). If a villager has concerns about a planning application, they are welcome to come along to Parish Council meetings to raise those concerns. Planning Consultations The ‘MHCLG Planning for the Future’ and the ‘Transparency and Competition: a call for evidence on data on land control’ consultations were considered at an additional meeting on 8 October. The Council’s responses to these consultations are available on the Parish Council website at https://www.launtonpc.gov.uk/consultation-responses/ Village Matters Parish Hall The Parish Council Solicitor has agreed that the suggested changes to the Lease were sensible, but as the document still referred to the ‘Landlord’s Neighbouring Property’ which was not correct, further discussions needed to take place with the Diocesan Board of Trustees (Oxford) Ltd. The Hall Committee had worked very hard to make sure the Hall Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 5
could re-open in a Covid-secure way and it is now available to hire for a maximum of 16, provided the hirer’s risk assessment is acceptable. War Memorial Councillors Thompson and Sanders volunteered to help clean the War Memorial, which, we hope you agree, looks so much better. The gold dove cleaned beautifully and much of the lettering came up very well. Thanks go to the Councillors and to Derek Turner who provided the water and vegetation cutting equipment. Facebook and mailing lists The Parish Council has its own Facebook page. Please ‘like’ our page at https://www.facebook.com/LauntonParishCouncilPage/ We try to post useful information on there as we receive it but we also use the Parish Council website to keep everyone as up to date as possible. However, we are unable to monitor it 24 hours a day and so if you would like to contact us or have an opinion about something, email (or even a letter) is the best way to get in contact. You may also like to sign up to our mailing list which is at the bottom of the left hand menu of the website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk. This will only be used for Parish Council and essential village news - please sign up! Agenda items for the next meeting Please let the Clerk have any items for the next agenda by 22 October, with any items for the December agenda by 19 November. Dates of next meetings Thursday 5 November and Thursday 3 December currently both on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/76605157135 (meeting ID: 766 0515 7135). Both start at 7.30pm. As with in-person meetings we will start at 7pm for anyone who wishes to raise anything with the Council, look at planning applications or at other meeting papers, and will then start the formal meeting at 7.30pm. Full minutes, once agreed, are available on the Parish Council Notice Boards in the village (by The War Memorial, and on the front wall of the Parish Hall), and on the Parish Council website at www.launtonpc.gov.uk Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 6
Advanced Warning of Road Closures We fear this will be a regular feature of Launton Lines for months ahead. This is the most up to date information as we go to print, but check on the Parish Council website www.launton-pc.gov.uk/road-closures/ From 8 October to 6 November, the road through Stratton Audley Park to Poundon continues to be closed. Between 3 and 27 November, the Bicester Road to Marsh Gibbon (the road beyond Station Road, not Launton’s Bicester Road) will be closed for East/West Rail to drill trial holes to determine the depth and location of the existing high pressure gas main. Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor. Between 9 and 13 November there will be two way signals on Charbridge Lane which will then be changed to multiway signals between 16 and 23 November. Between 9 and 27 November, there will be a road closure and two-way signals on Twyford Road, Marsh Gibbon Road, and Stratton Audley Road, all in Poundon. Between 9 and 11 November a two-way traffic light system will be on Bicester Road, Launton, OX26 6EP for three days. Road closure from April 2021 very advanced warning On current advice, Station Road will be closed for construction work on the bridge to replace the level crossing, from April 2021 for “about a year”.
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Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 7
The organising committee would like to say a huge thank you to all who put together a scarecrow “hero” for the Trail. It was truly inspirational with such imagination and creative talent. We had 42 official scarecrows but even after the closing date three people contacted us to ask if it was all right to display a scarecrow even though they knew they would not be on the trail map. It was an amazing response and each and every scarecrow was different and incredible. We have had heroes from NHS staff to Disney heroes, from historical heroes to groups of heroes and lots who were sat on walls, hedges and even telegraph poles! Our three winners are (in no particular order) No 31 Delivering to the Community at Tenaya, Bicester Road No 30 The Jolly Postman at Bradley Cottage, Bicester Road No 19 Captain Underpants at 9 Chestnut Close Congratulations to them, and to all of our entries; you are all wonderful as is proven by some of the lovely comments that have been made about the Scarecrow Trail. Here are a few; “Enjoyed our walk today... Fabulously creative scarecrows... Lots of fun for all the family. A lovely community thing to do... A lovely pick-me-up for the community... Proud to live in the village... Fabulous idea and so much time and effort put in by everyone to make the scarecrows, well done... Thank you Launton... Hopefully it will happen again next year... Being new to the area we had a great afternoon looking around your beautiful village... What a lot of fun this was! Thank you to everyone involved” And this is just a small sample. 2020 has been a strange and difficult year and our aim was to put a smile on people’s faces and all of the scarecrows have achieved that. We could pick out examples of scarecrows that certainly put smiles on our faces but that would extend this article by another two pages as all the scarecrows did succeed in that, so in a way they are all winners. Photographs can be seen in this edition of Launton Lines and also on the website launton.org/scarecrow Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 8
Another big thank you must go to the businesses that have supported us, in particular StoneLily, Sun Wah Take Away, Blue Texel and the S&H Coffee Shop and Gifts. Please support them as they have us. Our last and another important thank you, is to all of you who have donated and have helped us to maintain the life of the lovely St Mary’s Church: your generous donations are really appreciated. At the time of writing the total amount raised stands at £1480 which is marvellous. The JustGiving page for the Trail (www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/st-marys-launton) is open until 10 November and the final amount will be confirmed in the December Launton Lines. Although the Scarecrow Trail was a fundraising event it was also much more than that; it was a community event and even though we are socially distanced and separate, we came together to take part in, to share in, and enjoy Launton’s Scarecrow Trail. Thank you all very much. Scarecrow Trail Organising Group (for St Mary’s)
Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 9
Launton Village Support
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The Launton Village Support group which was set up at the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown is continuing to help and support villagers. Thank you to all our volunteers who have signed up or given their contact details to be part of this support group. If you would like more information, or would like to volunteer your help or specific skills, see contact details below, or look at the Parish Council website www.launton-pc.gov.uk/launtonvillage-support/ Or visit the Launton Village Support Facebook page If you need help from one of our volunteers, contact details are: email anytime to village.help@launton-pc.gov.uk Phone between 9:30am and 5:00pm to 07522231100 - Janice 01869 241755 - Lesley 01869 247171 - Jane Olds (Launton Parish Council)
Launton Congregational Chapel
There will be no Sunday services at Launton Chapel because of the Coronavirus, for the foreseeable future. We will advise readers when services start again Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 10
The quarterly report from our MP, Victoria Prentis
As we continue to respond to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, I know from emails and conversations I have had with constituents that many remain nervous about the situation, especially those who were shielding throughout lockdown. It is vital that we all continue to be careful and take necessary precautions, including regular hand washing, wearing a mask in public places, and maintaining social distancing. I know some constituents find these new measures frustrating and restrictive but none of these decisions have been made lightly. It is important that we do all we can to keep people safe, keep pressure off the NHS as we enter the flu season, and avoid further lockdown restrictions. We are all trying to avoid another national lockdown. Business goes on and life must continue. A few weeks ago, I visited Hook Norton Brewery to discuss how their local pubs have adapted to implement the guidelines to become Covid secure and make sure all those visiting feel safe. In September I went for lunch at the new Lock 29 by the canal in Banbury, who have persevered to open their doors despite coronavirus, helping people escape the everyday and enjoy a meal out. A couple of weeks ago I enjoyed opening the new Sainsbury’s store in Heyford Park. The development continues to grow; plans have been submitted recently about how they will deal with traffic around the area, including a proposed bus gate in Middleton Stoney. I will meet Cherwell District Council soon to discuss constituents’ concerns about the proposals and hope to be able to discuss alternative solutions to help traffic as the area continues to grow. I have also been involved in the ongoing discussion about the Bicester Pioneer roundabout. Local organisations, including the Bicester Bike Users’ Group and Bicester Traffic Action Group, have contacted me to express concern about the proposed 50 mph speed limit. I can understand their point of view given the housing developments either side of the road thevillageclinic.co.uk and I will continue to monitor the situation closely. Acupuncture If you have specific concerns (national or local) that you want to raise, please Chinese Medicine get in touch either in writing or email to victoria.prentis.mp@parliament.uk. Blackthorn 01869 253552 I am always happy to help. info@thevillageclinic.co.uk Victoria Prentis Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 11
Act of RemembRAnce 2020 At LAunton’s WAR memoRiAL 11 novembeR 2020 Please note the special arrangements for this occasion in line with current Covid restrictions. In order to keep everyone safe it is requested that we participate in this year’s Act of Remembrance from home, apart from the representatives invited to lay wreaths on behalf of the community. Those with access to the internet can watch the Service via Zoom on the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89515027218 Meeting ID: 895 1502 7218 The Service will be recorded and subsequently made available on YouTube
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Contact
Telephone: 01869 243264 Mobile: 07947 822794 Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 12
The Launton Lines Mini-Noticeboard Domestic Help Local Rel iable Lad y DBS chec ked Referenc es availa ble Cleaning | pe t c a r e dog walk ing help for t he elderl y Reasona ble rates Teleph
one Pame la on 074850 71837 or email to pamelaco peman@o utlook.com for more in formation
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Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 13
100 Years Ago: from The Bicester Advertiser
19 November 1920 PRIMROSE LEAGUE CONCERT A most successful concert-meeting was held in the Schoolroom, Launton, on Thursday last week, under the auspices of the Launton and Ambrosden Habitation of the Primrose League. The room had been tastefully arranged, and an excellent stage had been erected and decorated by Mrs Lewis Penn. Arrangements were successfully carried out by Miss Coombes, the Hon Sec, assisted by a willing band of workers. The programme included an amusing sketch Life in Lodgings by Mlle de Bergerac. The part of Cleopatra Jane, a lodging house servant, was ably sustained by Miss Barbara Barfield, her oddities and quaint expressions causing roars of laughter. Miss Joan George ably sustained the part of Miss Bruce, an actress. Miss Margery Phipps, who was prevented from singing by a cold, rendered pleasingly a couple of pianoforte solos. Mrs Bleazby sang in good style Bird of Love Divine and Valley of Laughter, while Miss Honor King delighted the audience with her clever dancing. Mr Leonard Lincoln rendered a couple of monologues in an impressive manner. Miss Shaw and Mr Harold Hurst received a well-merited encore for their pianoforte duet and the former also sang a couple of songs, which were encored. During the interval, Mr WJ Joel, Hon Sec of the Divisional Council of the League, gave an explanation of the principles and working of the League. The Primrose League, he said, was established to uphold and maintain religion, the constitution, and the British Empire. By religion they did not mean any sect or creed, but all religious and as much the religion of the weekday as the Sunday‌‌ By the constitution they meant orderly and regular government by Parliament elected by the people... [illegible]... evening concerts, whist drives and other entertainments, so as to brighten and make more endurable the dull life of the villages. Then there was the education
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side, which taught all members and others the way to become good citizens. The women had now got votes, and he hoped that they would use them for the best candidate and not evade their responsibilities by not voting. Their present Member, Captain Terrell, had done a great deal and was now doing much to help his constituents both individually and collectively as an agricultural community. He hoped all present would join the League, and then he wanted every member to propose another member between then and April 19th, Primrose Day. On the motion of Mr Joel, a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to those who had provided the Concert, to Miss Coombes and all those who had helped in any way. (The Primrose League was a Tory support organisation, named after the favourite flower of the former prime minister, Benjamin Disraeli; his grave at Hughenden, close to High Wycombe, was planted with primroses. Mrs Lewis Penn was the wife of the builder, who employed a very large number of men - in fact, probably the largest single employer in Launton for many years. The business has become part of the Jewson group now. Miss Coombes was the daughter of a man who had served many years in the army, then ran a shop in Launton, before holding a number of jobs in the village - taking the census, collecting local rates etc. His daughter taught at the school for a while, then moved to Bicester. See also the School Log Book entry for November 1920 on page 16.)
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100 Years Ago: the School Log Book for November 1920 Wed Nov 3 Ex[amine]d Registers. FM Burton. Fri Nov 5 Ordinary routine during the week. Average for the week 80.5. Thurs Nov 11 Two minutes silence was observed in School as on “Armistice” Day. The children were very reverent. A concert was held in the evening on behalf of the “Primrose League”. Fri Nov 12 Average for the week 82.1. Fri Nov 19 Average for the week 82.0. Beautiful weather prevailed during the past week. Tues Nov 23 Miss James, “Choice of Employment” Officer, visited the school this morning to enquire about “leavers” at the end of this term. Thurs Nov 25 Miss Pheasant paid her monthly visit as usual to inspect the cleanliness of the children. Fri Nov 26 Average for the week 84.6. Attendance very good during the past week.
Grange Mews News November 2020 Commercial Offices, Industrial Units and Storage for Lease
I wrote in May that one of many EWR badger setts had been built on Grange Farm. Despite being completed and handed over to the badgers by EWR some weeks ago there has been no activity there. How far did the colony have to stray for some peace and quiet? And if they ever return will it be to a newly-dug warm and dry hole in the restructured railway banks, ignoring the EWR construction? I am not sure if everyone realises how much we owe to the Parish Council who negotiated the restriction of EWR traffic on Station Road. The use of the existing rail bed for a “Haul Road” has enabled tonnes of material to avoid Launton while stockpiling huge amounts of material for the new bridge which will replace the level crossing. Even Stratton Audley has 7.5 tonne trucks passing through. Moving into newly-refurbished offices from a smaller space is Justin Bucknell Electrical - the lighting detail is amazing. Come and see. The office is also alarmed by their own security system. We provided our own fibre 100Mb broadband for them, as indeed to many offices at Grange Mews. We do now have a small office ready for use.
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
Norah Edwards 100th Birthday
We asked Maureen Clark for some information about her mother (Norah Edwards) whose 100th birthday was on 27 September this year, and whose birthday picture is on page 2. Here is what she told us: “Mum was born in Oxford in 1920. Her parents were Emily and James Williams. James, her father, was a corporal in the army during the 1st World War. Norah grew up in Oxford and went to school in Holywell near Longwall. She left school in 1934 and became a housemaid. “She met my dad (Trevor Edwards) when she moved to Milton Common to become a barmaid. They were married in Tiddington and lived in a house which my father and his family had built. They had two daughters: my late sister and myself. We moved to Headington in 1967 and then Mum moved to Launton in 1991 to live near me after losing my dad, and lived in The Glades. Mum later moved and now lives with me. “Unfortunately, not all the family could come along on her birthday because of Covid-19 but they all came along on different days. Mum has two granddaughters (my daughters) and a grandson (my late sister’s) and all together now has 6 great grandchildren.” THE BLUE TEXEL FARMSHOP BUTCHERS & DELICATESSEN From our Farm to your Fork Fresh, local & seasonal produce
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OPENING HOURS TUESDAY - FRIDAY 8AM-5PM | SATURDAY 8AM-3PM SUNDAY 9AM-1PM | CLOSED MONDAYS Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 17
THE LATEST NEWS FROM ST MARY’S CHURCH
At last we have some really positive news for all of us longing to be back in Church again! The logistics during the restrictions mean that we are currently, and will still, join together with our sister Churches - St Peter’s of Bucknell and St Laurence’s of Caversfield, and have been following an agreed pattern of worship to provide the best support that we can, albeit via Zoom. You may know that since early July we have been opening our buildings for private prayer and while this will continue, now that some restrictions have been revised we are moving to some greater freedom in opening up for some participating Services, welcoming you back into Church. Happily, in light of this, in November we will be trialling the gradual opening up of our Churches with all of them rotating to host services, with a recording subsequently being made available on YouTube. There will also be additional services as listed below. Thus the pattern for this coming month will be: 1 November 2020 8.00am BCP Communion Zoom 10.00am Family Service Remembrance via Zoom 3.00pm P All Souls In Launton Churchyard 8 November 2020 9.30am P Holy Communion At Caversfield: then on YouTube 6.00pm Evensong Remembrance via Zoom 15 November 2020 9.30am P Holy Communion At Bucknell: then available on YouTube 10.00am P Morning Prayer At Launton 22 November 2020 9.30am P Morning Prayer At Bucknell 10.00am P Holy Communion At Launton: then on YouTube 29 November 2020 10.30am P Holy Communion for Advent Sunday Benefice Service at St Edburg’s. Priority to attend this Service will be given to people from the Villages Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 18
Bold type indicates an event at St Mary’s P = Open to you to attend. Please contact the relevant Church Warden if you would like to attend one of these Services Bucknell
Kate Hedges
Caversfield Tina Shaw
d_hedges@btinternet.com
01869 242169
tina@inceptionglobal.com
07772 132421
Launton Joan Packer j.packer779@btinternet.com 01869 241694 Celia Manderson celiamanderson@aol.com 01869 571735
All information is correct at time of issue but since circumstances might be subject to change you are advised to check on our Facebook page for any revisions. Or, you could check with the churchwardens above. For further information, or just for a chat, please feel free to contact Rev Peter on revpeterwright@gmail.com or 01869 573177.
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Developments off Gavray Drive and possible impacts for Launton We have received the following from friends in Langford Village, and thought readers in Launton would be interested, especially in the light of the recent flooding in Launton. “The Gavray Drive developers are back! They’ve submitted a ‘scoping’ report (ref 20/02469/SCOP) to the council for plans to build 202 houses. This is fewer than last time which is good but even so the plans show two blocks of houses to be built on the nature Conservation Target Area (CTA). This land should be reserved for biodiversity improvement, not housing and all the havoc that construction work brings with it. We approve of their promise not to build on the Local Wildlife Site which is contained within the larger conservation area, and also to fund a Wildlife Management Plan. See facebook pages ‘Gavray Meadows Wildlife News’ to see all the wonderful wildlife that needs protection and ‘Save Gavray Wildlife Meadows Campaign’ for latest details. “We suggest that the density of the housing west of Langford Brook is increased to make up the shortfall of excluding the two blocks from the CTA. We say that the problems of noise and air pollution from the dust, the damage to the road and nuisance to residents from lorries bringing in material to raising the land out of the flood plain, should all be considered in the developer’s environmental assessment. We are very concerned about the impact of development on the flooding that affects settlements along the course of Langford Brook. “The scoping report reference on the CDC website is 20/02469/SCOP. There is a diagram of the plans on the final page. Let the Cherwell planners know your opinion by e-mail to bernadette.owens@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or in writing to The Planning Dept, Bodicote House, Banbury, OX15 4AA or enter the reference into the council’s planning register and comment there: https://planningregister.cherwell.gov.uk/ “Although the website gives 3 November as the date of the meeting to consider the document, we’re sure that submissions and comments can be made after that date.” Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 20
Save Gavray Meadows is an umbrella organisation covering a group of Bicester residents and their supporters who since 2012 have campaigned tirelessly for a secure future for a series of ancient wildlife-rich meadows on the edge of the town. Their local mandate is significant: a petition to protect the meadows raised 1500 signatures in 2014. The meadows include damp hay meadow grasslands, ancient hedgerows, ponds and mature trees and are home to rare butterflies, great crested newts and other protected species. They are highly valued by the local community as a green lung in the rapidly expanding town. Working alongside experts in ecology and planning, the group has achieved notable successes in preventing inappropriate development of the site and continues to push for housing on the adjoining land to be designed sensitively and to provide a means to fund essential habitat management for the site."
Congratulations to the organisers of the Scarecrow Trail! Well done to all those people who made scarecrows! It was amazing to see how many people took part in the trail. At times it was not easy to keep to social distancing, as one choreographed one’s way along the pavements. Luckily the weather was good over the two weekends of the trail and the number of people walking the route was astonishing. The scarecrows were excellent and Birchwood Therapy some people had put a lot of -------thought into their design. Kirsty has reopened, Choosing a favourite was next to adhering to all current coronavirus regulations, offering a wide range of treatments and impossible. therapies tailored to your needs. A lovely event to cheer us up in Call me at your convenience to arrange an appointment. these troubled times. Tel: 07812 942 787 PT email: kirstyanders@yahoo.co.uk Grange Mews, Launton, OX26 5EG See pages 8-9 for a report, and the -------difficult choices that people made over Kirsty Anders their “favourites�. Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 21
EWR update for November 2020
We have received some concerns regarding the clearance of vegetation along Station Road. The reason behind this was to facilitate the tie in from the existing road to the new road (and bridge). All vegetation clearance along the route has undergone a thorough review with all necessary disciplines within EWR; Environment, Ecology, Arboriculture, Construction, Earthworks and Design. We have constructed ecological compensation sites along our line of route. These wildlife refuges include features such as ponds, tree planting, wild flower meadows, features used by reptiles and amphibians during hibernation, a bat house, bat and bird boxes and artificial badger setts and otter holts. Please be assured that we also have long-term management plans for all the habitats we have created, to ensure that they are managed so they continue to provide high quality habitats into the future. In Bicester, one of these refuges will be located adjacent to Charbridge Lane but construction will not commence until the works in that location have been completed. A year-long closure will soon be installed on Station Road. The confirmed dates will be circulated as soon as possible. Station Road requires a year-long closure to enable the construction of the new overbridge embankments and tie ins. While the new embankment is under construction, it encroaches onto the footprint of the existing roadway. Please note that Station Road will not have the same layout in the future. When it is reopened, it will be in its new configuration with the new bridge. Although this work is essential, we apologise for the inconvenience caused by this necessary closure. We have a project plan in place that identifies work to be done by each team. However, the road closures are approved when the best opportunity to conduct the required works arise. At times there may be delays due to weather, Covid, works from other organisations within the area, and other unforeseen circumstances which require teams to seek extensions. We deeply regret the impact this has on local residents and try our best to reduce disturbance caused by these late changes. We try to provide as much notice as possible, but we also have to wait for local authority approval for our traffic management measures before they can be announced. Rest assured, we always try to keep the Launton Parish Council updated on upcoming works, and have circulated notifications explaining the need for closures: see www.launton-pc.gov.uk/road-closures/ Thaina Said | bsaid@ewralliance.co.uk Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 22
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
The Scarecrow Trail Gallery: Scarecrows Numbers 1-16
9
10
11
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14
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16
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17
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Scarecrows Numbers 17-31 (two characters from No 31)
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31
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31
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Scarecrows Numbers 31-42, and three late entries
42
39
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41
L1
L2
L3
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At the Island Pond working party on 26 September, left shows Michael Stack at work on one of the iris clumps,
and right has the Blake family at work on the reeds at the back of the pond. Photos by Maureen Roberts Below, from Station Road is a reminder of recent October rain, and of how waterlogged Launton can get, with a view from Folly Cottage, looking out on the EWRA site. Photo from Peter Cox
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News from the Woodland
It has been a difficult year organising work sessions in the woodland. Covid-19 has meant no sessions in spring and early summer and although July was fine and dry, allowing us to hold two sessions, the rains came down in August. This resulted in having to delay the cutting and raking up of our meadow area at the top of the wood till early September and in consequence delayed our annual pond session until late September. Raking up the long grass in the meadow is quite a tough job but the small team of eight managed it in a couple of hours (see the cover of last month’s issue). By doing this each year we hope to reduce the nutrients in the soil and so encourage the wild flowers. We have also distributed Yellow Rattle seed in small trial areas which help to control the grass. Our annual pond maintenance session finally took place on Saturday 26 September, starting at 10am and lasting three hours. With 14 volunteers, and needing to maintain social distancing, we had to split the work with some members working in and around the pond area and others working elsewhere removing tree suckers. A small boat was borrowed, which allowed access to the pond from the water, enabling us to remove caught up fishing tackle as well as some tree branches on the island. We have a 2-year cycle of reed management, and this year we cut back the reeds starting from the near side and finishing at the middle of the pond. We also cut back the iris clumps and grass growing along the pond edge by the entrance and some of the large overhanging willow branches, so the area is now more open for the fishermen (see photos on the facing page 26). If you would like to become a member and join us then email islandpondwood.launton@gmail.com or find us on Facebook. Maureen Roberts
Welcome to the Launton Costcutter Store Nixson and Sagarika Annamale who have moved here from working in retail stores in Cambridge, and are living above the shop. Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 27
Launton Parish Clerk wins national award
Jane Olds, Clerk to Launton Parish Council, has won a national award for volunteering from the Society of Local Council Clerks (see the SLCC press release reprinted below). Anyone who has had dealings with Jane will know that she does an incredible amount of work for the residents of Launton, over and above what she is paid to do, and won't be surprised to learn that this approach extends to everything she does: as Bicester Town Council's Chief Officer, Sam Shippen, said when nominating Jane for the award, “We in Oxfordshire are very very lucky to have her as part of our gang!” Congratulations, Jane, on a well-deserved award. Parish Clerk receives top national award Jane Olds, the Clerk to Launton, Caversfield and Wendlebury Parish Councils has received a prestigious award from her professional body. The Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC), which represents the clerks to over 5,000 town, parish and community councils in England and Wales, has awarded Jane the Bryan Metcalf Award for Volunteering at its Virtual National Conference last week. This is awarded in memory of one of the SLCC’s greatest and longest serving volunteers and presented to a clerk who has demonstrated exceptional voluntary service to the SLCC. In congratulating Jane, SLCC Chief Executive Rob Smith said “Jane's efforts are typical of the excellent work being undertaken behind the scenes by town, parish and community council clerks across England and Wales to support their colleagues in effectively representing and serving their local communities, especially during the difficult and challenging times of the pandemic”. Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 28
Crimewatch Update for October from Thames Valley Police
First of all, a report on the speedwatch on Blackthorn Road that was carried out in September. Unfortunately, it was done just as the traffic lights were installed for work on the access to the new housing on Blackthorn Road, so all traffic flows were disrupted and there was no valid data to report. We will try again in the future. The following is a message from Thames Valley Police that we have been asked to reprint. Rural crime is an issue for large areas of the Thames Valley, and we know that it can have a huge impact on our rural communities. However, these crimes tend to go unreported. We’re reaching out to our rural communities and encouraging you to report anything you’ve seen, however big or small, which can help us tackle agricultural, equine, wildlife and heritage crime. Did you know that you can report a crime in your area, or pass on any information that you may have, on our website? It’s quick and easy to do and it can be done whenever is most convenient for you. After all, you know your community best and you’re most likely to know when something doesn’t feel right. Whether it’s something suspicious you’ve spotted in your local area or something you’ve overheard which may point to organised crime, we want to hear about it. It can sometimes be difficult to know whether something that you’ve seen is a crime and whether you should get in touch. But we’d encourage you to contact us, as we can use this information to build a better picture and to target our resources effectively. By working together, we can prevent opportunistic and organised crimes taking place in our communities. If you see something, report it on our website: www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/
Thomas Bailey PSCO C9446 | Bicester Neighbourhood Team email: Thomas.bailey@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 29
The First Communique for Some Months from The Grumpy Old Men of Launton
It’s been so long since we last put pen to paper that we can’t remember what we were talking about all those months ago, or where we were. What a time we have had to live through. No meeting for months, then only meeting in gardens until pubs were cleared for social activity, then a short period of semi-normality in summer when the sun shone so we could sit not too close - in pub gardens and shout to each other at the next but one table. Maybe you can see why we found it difficult to carry on normally. Over the months we have seen that Covid-19 has brought out the best - and sometimes the worst - in our little group. The pessimists have become - if possible - even more pessimistic, looking into a black hole from where their vision never escapes. Meanwhile the optimists - always wanting to see the best in every situation - have found it so difficult to find anything to be positive about so have begun to slip into a low-level of depression. But we have stopped being in a permanent state of low-level conflict about Brexit. Now that Boris has Got Brexit Done we’re looking with astonishment as it seems to be Not Getting Done. We thought we had difficulty reaching
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decisions as a group, but now we see that we are a model of clear thinking compared to the cabinet. We have also been delighted that the beauty spot in the North East of the country that one of us knows from his younger days has returned to the public eye. We refer of course to Barnard Castle, where the very clever Dominic Cummings felt he had to drive to in order to test his eyesight on the very pretty views available. “Why couldn’t he go to Consett?” asked one of us from that neck of the woods. Then he answered his question, “No-one would go to Consett to test their eyesight: there’s nothing worth seeing there!” We are almost agreed that Dom is single-handedly responsible for destroying public support for the early united response to the pandemic. Mind you, there are others challenging for this award now. We have almost agreed that “Test. Trace. Isolate.” are three words we dare not discuss as it gets us over-heated. So maybe The Baroness Harding (Dido to the popular media, Diana Mary on her birth certificate – how do people come by such odd monikers?) is the main challenger. We hope that this is only the first of a new stream of reports from the front line of our discussions.
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Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 31
A call to action on traffic through the village
This photo was taken on 22 October on Bicester Road, after an accident earlier in the week. The driver causing the damage apparently locked his car and ran off (possibly because his car was immobilised as well), but has been traced. So there should be some resolution to this accident. But what about all the others that have yet to happen? This has brought very directly to many the ongoing problems caused by both the number and the speed of traffic through Launton. We asked around for some responses. “It’s been since about 2000 that I’ve noticed the traffic.” “I recall an annual Parish Meeting discussion about traffic control like chicanes, traffic lights, sleeping policemen and many others and somehow nothing happened.” “I first noticed the ‘rat run’ traffic through to the A41 at the same time as the roundabout
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at Rodney House was ‘improved’, so people were trying to avoid it.” “The traffic starts at about 6 in the morning, and during the day you often have to wait minutes to be able to cross Bicester Road.” “Thank goodness for the traffic lights on the railway bridge: at least they mean there is a regular break in the flow of traffic from Bicester so you can get out of the side roads.” Look around surrounding villages and there are many examples of calming: sleeping policemen of different designs (Chesterton and Bucknell); chicanes (Aynho); single-width priority systems (Buckingham Road in Bicester, and Chesterton - again); reduced speed limits (Islip). Why is there nothing proposed or even tried out in Launton? For how much longer do we have to live in a village that is hostage to through traffic? How many times must cars parked (quite legally) on Blackthorn or Bicester Roads have minor damage (mirrors knocked off, scrapes along the offside) caused by other drivers travelling too fast. The photo of the recent damage shows us clearly the damage that traffic can cause. What needs to happen to get a response on traffic calming from Oxfordshire Highways? We hope that the Parish Council will be able to use this incident to see some action to control the volume and speed of traffic in Launton.
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St Mary’s Church are excited to announce a new event in Launton!
With Christmas approaching fast and many people looking for different ways to celebrate this year, St Mary’s Church are happy to introduce Launton’s Window Wonderland. We’d love as many people as possible to join in. To enter, simply complete the entry form on the facing page with your details and the Christmas carol (or traditional Christmas song) you would like to base your window display on. Please be as imaginative as you can! How you interpret your Christmas carol or song, as a window display, is totally up to you. The dates of this event are 10am Saturday 12th December to 8pm Saturday 26th December 2020. We ask that windows be displayed for the duration of this period and lit up from 4pm to 8pm each day where possible. Of course, there is nothing stopping you keeping your display up longer! Details of the route will be in December’s Launton Lines. You can try to guess the name of the Christmas carol or song each window display is based on. If you enjoy walking our Window Wonderland, then please consider making a donation for St Mary’s Church. Further details of how to do this will be in December’s Launton Lines and on www.launton.org/windows. If you love Christmas and would like to join in and create a window display, then please complete the entry form opposite with your details and the name of your chosen Christmas carol (or traditional Christmas song). More guidance and useful information can be found on the website www.launton.org/windows. We look forward to enjoying another Launton Village community event Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 34
FREE TO ENTER
Entry closing date: Monday 16 November 2020 Decorate a window in the theme of your chosen Christmas Carol (or traditional Christmas song) Windows to be displayed from 10am Saturday 12 December until 8pm Saturday 26 December 2020 Please have your windows lit between 4pm and 8pm each day where possible
Please return this form to either of the following By email: windows@launton.org By post: Launton’s Window Wonderland, Mayflower, Hare Leys Farm, Launton OX26 5AB Tel No: 01869 277625 Further guidance and useful information can be found here www.launton.org/windows Contact name ............................................................................................... Christmas carol or song ................................................................................. Contact address ............................................................................................ Postcode ...................................................................................................... Contact email ............................................................................................... Please have your window display at the contact address above and ensure it is visible from the pavement so people do not have to enter your garden. By submitting this entry form you are agreeing to the following: Your details being held for the duration of this event Your address details to be on the official trail map Official photos to be taken of your window display Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 35
A Vet’s Voice: Winston’s near-death experience Winston, a 6 month old miniature Dachshund, hadn’t been with his new owner very long when one morning he wouldn’t eat and was retching intermittently. He collapsed at the end of his walk and was rushed into the practice. He was depressed, hypothermic (cold body temperature), was struggling to breathe and his gums were pale from shock. Chest x-rays showed a very alarming picture Winston’s stomach was only partly in his abdomen and mostly in his chest! The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle which separates the chest from the abdomen. It keeps the lungs and heart sealed in the chest cavity and it helps to inflate the lungs, especially when increased oxygen is needed such as during exercise. It appeared that Winston had a hole in his diaphragm which had allowed some of his abdominal organs to be sucked into the chest. The stomach had a build-up of gas which couldn’t be released and as the stomach enlarged, the lungs became more compressed. If this continued Winston would asphyxiate and die. Vet Cliff quickly took over from colleagues Kyra and Lauren who had made a start stabilising Winston. With the owner’s permission they prepared to anaesthetise the critically ill puppy. Things then took a turn for the worse as
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Winston crashed; his heart stopped, and he became lifeless. Regular CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training suddenly paid off as one nurse started chest compressions, someone else put a tube in his airway and drugs were prepared to try to bring him back. Incredibly, after some amazing work, Winston’s heart restarted and the anaesthetic went ahead to perform the surgery. Winston’s stomach, along with his spleen, duodenum and pancreas were all in the chest cavity squashing his lungs into a third of their normal volume. Vets Cliff and Lauren carefully pulled the abdominal organs back through a large hole in the diaphragm. Head Nurse Louise and Trainee Nurse Becky provided invaluable assistance whilst monitoring Winston’s vital signs and managing the automatic ventilator which was breathing for him. Thankfully, they were able to suture the large defect in the diaphragm which we presume was there from birth (congenital), though this can happen after major trauma like an RTA also. The lungs were gently reinflated to fill the restored chest cavity and finally the large abdominal incision was closed. Winston made a slow but steady recovery over the afternoon. Despite having died briefly before undergoing a major operation, Winston made a miraculous recovery. By the next morning he was eating chicken enthusiastically and breathing well. 2 days later he was strong enough to go home and now appears to have made a complete recovery. Winston’s case is rare and though we believe he was born with the defect, he presumably had lived a pretty normal life until the stomach started to blow up in his chest. This case is heart-warming because Winston recovered, despite the odds being against him. However, if it weren’t for the teamwork and rapid responses of Jackie on reception who recognised how serious the problem was and rushed him through for treatment, the nurses and animal care assistants who rallied around and played their roles in the live-saving CPR and the vets who ultimately performed the lifesaving surgery; without all of these people working together as a team, the outcome could easily have been poor. I have much admiration and gratitude for the NHS and key-workers who got us through the summer crisis, but I’d also like to give a clap to everyone in our team, most of whom worked right through lockdown, to ensure that pets have had the care they needed and deserved. Enjoy your pets
Jason Williams | Bicester Vets Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 37
Patience is a Virtue
There is a well-known saying - Patience is a virtue. It comes from the Bible. I’m not a religious person but there’s a growing number of things I need to be patient about. I’m in my late 60s and my wife rarely if ever complains that I’m driving too slowly. However, an increasing number of drivers disagree. On my bumper, when I’m doing 30mph in a 30mph zone, I can usually find the following types of patient motorist: teenagers, young women, whitevan drivers, 4x4 drivers, pick-up truck drivers. In this case, my definition of patience is - ‘staying within the law’. My best example of patience is a pick-up truck driver that overtook me on Bicester Road, only to pull into a drive 200 yards further down Bicester Road! Maybe the government hasn’t finished its recruitment drive for the 20,000 police officer posts it allowed to disappear between 2010 and 2020. Once they’re all in place, maybe some of them could police the quality of driving in and around Bicester/Launton. I won’t hold my breath. Drivers speeding through the village is something that I’ve lost patience over. Elsewhere, they use speed retarders. Try speeding through Bucknell. As a patient person, I’m waiting for a similar arrangement for the rat run known as Bicester Road, Launton. I understand that volunteers are needed as kamikaze pedestrians - people who will literally sacrifice their lives so that we collect enough ‘accident points’ to justify the authorities ‘looking into’ slowing down traffic speeding through here, way over the legal limit. Drive through Bucknell and be astonished at the state of your suspension if you’re dumb enough to speed. Stupid people need to have their cars wrecked before they get the message. They need physical barriers - things in the road. Otherwise, boneheaded drivers will ignore the law. You may need to exercise patience at the Blue Texel, where the emphasis is on your safety. There’s a strict limit on the number of customers allowed in at any one time. However, once in there, you will have their best attention. The expanded range of cheeses is impressive, the home-made sausage rolls are as tasty as ever, the prestige wines are straight from a French (and sometimes an English) vineyard, the excellent meats are as locally sourced as they’ve always been. You might Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 38
want to try one of their succulent pies. You just have to be patient. East West Rail is already testing our patience. They seem to be on performance-enhancing drugs. They’ve built a small town on the other side of the bridge. In double quick time, they’ve rapidly exposed the allotments opposite to public gaze. They’ve fenced off routes into the field at the back of the church. They’ve done the ‘deveg’ work up Station Road as part of the preparation for the new bridge building in 2021. Once Station Road is blocked off next spring, I’ll be joining other villagers waiting patiently for the work to be finished. Despite the obvious inconvenience, I’m all for reinstating original rail tracks and I’m sure that it’ll be a lovely job. A lack of patience sent me up to Hannah’s osteopathy practice at Grange Mews. There was I valiantly trying to lift a few slabs of concrete. I woke the following morning to find that the correct adverb was ‘stupidly’, not ‘valiantly’. Hannah confirmed that I’d strained my back and that I’d need to be patient for a couple of weeks while it mended. She recommended various exercises to help that along and I’m doing much better from exercising the right amount of patience. She’s excellent. Patience also needs to be exercised in looking after the cat. The cat isn’t our cat, although it is. It blagged its way into our world when we moved here from Kent 5 years ago. Its previous owner wanted to get rid of it after he bought 2 yappy little dogs, which the cat loathed. He sided with the dogs. The cat sided with us. Here, it’s turned opportunism into an art form. Its charm lies in being silvery, fluffy and cute. It could probably blag a meal from any number of houses in our avenue, just by curling its tail round somebody’s leg, while looking careworn and abandoned. I have to remember that when it’s wailing for food, it’s probably already had a ‘snack’ from one of our neighbours. Exercising patience when feeding him, despite the cat condemning me for it, means that he doesn’t put on extra weight, which keeps me out of the vet’s bad books, and keeps him trimmer than he would otherwise be. As a more mature person, I understand better why young people have children, and not old codgers like me. Grandparental duties are a joy, Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 39
so long as they are time limited. These duties are perfect examples of the principle of patience being a virtue. Why do 3-year olds respond to your every assertion with the word ‘Why’? Why does the world revolve around the needs of children? Why can’t they grow up with the same words that guided my transition to adulthood? When I said: “Mam, I’m bored?” I can still hear the reply “Go and play outside”. “But you won’t be able to see me, Mam”. “That’s the whole idea son”. In my days, it was: “Mam, I’m hungry”. “Make yourself a jam sandwich”. “Mam, it’s cold outside”. “Put your other jumper over the top”. “Mam, it’s dark outside”. “Play under a street light”. Children used to be an asset. They could be used to clean chimneys, work in cotton mills, pick pockets on crowded streets. These days, it’s the parents that have to provide the entertainment, the animated experiences, daily! No wonder there’s new terminology – ‘over-parenting’, ‘helicopter parenting’, ‘child-centred learning’, ‘rugby tots’, ‘sing and sing’, ‘baby ballet’. Gone are the days when I could have put a tired and cranky child outside and hosed it down with the garden hose. Or sent it up to the top of the tall ladder to pick those apples on the highest branches that I couldn’t quite reach. How things have changed. These days, children are a major liability. As they grow up, they just ask for more and more money. They bleed their parents dry. They forget that when I was younger, I got free university tuition. I also got a generous grant to support me. At the end of term, I had money left over. University accommodation was reasonably priced. Campus beer was cheap. Transport was cheap. When I finished university, there were plenty of properly paid jobs to apply for. Yet, despite these burdens, I didn’t complain. By contrast, today’s children are so pampered. They tell me how to pronounce ‘quinoa’ and they feast on avocados at £1.50 a go as if they were jelly babies. While they’re biting into their lentil burger, I’m biting my tongue, patiently avoiding talking with their parents about the merits of a vegetarian diet. What was wrong with tripe and onions? I’m glad that I’ve avoided getting Covid-19. I’ve been tested twice, and both came back negative. However, I’m still waiting patiently for the Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 40
government’s contracted out Test/Trace/Isolate (T/T/I) system to work. Like many people, I was astonished to discover recently that the system, costing billions of pounds of your money and mine, is using a version of Microsoft Excel dating from 2007. It recently ‘lost’ almost 16,000 positive test records, leaving these people to circulate in the community, spreading the virus. Experts can’t believe that after eight months, there isn’t a functioning T/T/I system. They continue to use private companies like Serco that literally can struggle to run a public swimming pool. It’s like they want the system to fail. They continue to deny the local NHS and local public health authorities the resources to replace this flawed system. I recognise that patience is a virtue, but when I see daily the incompetence of the unscrupulous chancers in Downing Street, my saint-like patience wears down to the thickness of gossamer on an autumn morning. Patience truly is a virtue. Danny Cunningham
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MEMORIES OF AN EX-LAUNTON BOY
This month the Ex-Launton Boy writes of two very different service-based funerals he has recently attended, and then muses on his experience of funerals in Launton in his youth where, as he puts it, “No-one in the village back then ever died in obscurity”. Today, as I write my piece for Launton Lines, I want to report a day of contrast and then compare it to Launton life as I recall it in the 1950’s and 60’s. In my capacity as the Welfare Officer to the Medway Branch of the Royal Engineers Association (having served in the Corps of Royal Engineers during my military service), I am very much involved in the arranging of funerals when one of our number departs for the Squadron Bar in the Sky. It involves liaising with the bereaved family, the Undertakers, the Garrison Church Padre (if the Garrison Church is the chosen venue for the funeral service) and therefore the organist, the Verger, the choirmaster, the Branch Standard Bearer and the Bugler for the sounding of Last Post and Reveille. In addition there is the florist for a fresh REA Branch wreath and mustering members of the Branch as funeral attendees and approaching the RSM of 1RSME for a contingent of serving Sappers to also attend. All this is dependent upon me having the contact details of the relatives of the deceased in the first place, without which nothing can be discussed or negotiated from the Heating Plumbing Servicing Association’s perspective. Domestic Oil and Gas Today, I had two contrasting Servicing funerals, both of which took place at the Medway Crematorium, so the Installation and Maintenance Garrison Church, Padre, etc. was not required, although both the Standard Gas Safe Registered Bearer and the Bugler were required Oftec Registered for the afternoon funeral. The morning funeral was quite “A local Business strange in that the deceased had only, during my time, attended at from Launton” most two monthly REA meetings Phone: 07483 864 571 and they were quite some time ago. Sadly, no-one, including myself,
Simon Nash
Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 42
could put a face to him and thus we knew virtually nothing about him other than the fact that he had served in the Corps of Royal Engineers and as such, he was deemed to be ‘family’. Having been notified of his death through a vague connection with a distant family member, we had no contact details and so we were unable to discuss family needs or desires. We didn’t even know who the undertakers were, so that avenue for further information was blocked. Nonetheless, I gathered a number of Branch members together with the RSM and a Squadron Staff Sergeant and we dutifully attended in the hope that we might learn something more of the deceased from the eulogy. Imagine then our astonishment when eight of us veterans with just five family members entered the chapel of the crematorium, were met with a lovely piece of classical music. The music ceased, a moment of silence, and then another piece of classical music, The March of the Slaves I believe, at which point the curtain closed on the coffin. That piece of music ceased and we, along with the family mourners poured out. Not a single word was spoken throughout and as a result, we knew no more about him when we came out than before we went in. I found that not only astonishing but also remarkably sad. To think that someone should leave this life, this world, in such relative obscurity! By way of contrast, the afternoon funeral at the same venue had the maximum possible thirty mourners inside the chapel and the rest of us, most of us being veterans (other than the Standard Bearer and the Bugler who were an integral part of the service) remaining outside with the chapel doors left open so we were able to observe. There was an excellent eulogy plus other voiced contributions which enabled us to have a clear picture of the deceased and his lifetime achievements, for although having served in the Corps of Royal Engineers, he had never become a member of the Royal Engineers Association, where such stories and reminiscences are discussed and elaborated on over several pints. So, before their respective funerals today, we knew nothing of one and relatively little of the other, but after the funerals, we still knew nothing about the one whilst learning a fair bit more about the other. Now why would I contrast this with the Launton I knew in the 1950’s and 60’s? Quite simply because, back then everybody but everybody knew everybody in the village! It was an extremely tight-knit community. If Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 43
someone hadn’t been seen for the best part of the day, someone would come knocking at the door to check that everything was alright. And when someone in the village died, the whole village knew who it was and all about it, and on the day of the funeral, those not attending the funeral service would nonetheless demonstrate their respect for the deceased and the bereaved by drawing all their curtains closed in every front-facing window in their houses for the allotted time that the funeral cortege was scheduled to pass by. If people were caught out in the street or in their front gardens, they would stop what they were doing and stand to attention with hats off and heads bowed as the funeral procession passed by. I shall never forget my dad’s funeral. He was a quiet man, somewhat shy I would say, and not one for going out and socialising in pubs and such like. He was popular in the village many years previously when invariably he was the coach driver taking the villagers on their annual summer daytrip to the seaside and taking the Oxford Speedway supporters to Cowley on Thursday nights during the speedway season, but as I said, that had been many years since. Yet on the day of his funeral, St. Mary’s Church in Launton was packed to the rafters with villagers who came to say their final farewells to dad. It moves me even now to think of it. And, in the pubs in the evenings after the funerals had taken place, much of the talk would be about the person who had been buried that day. Such stories from the past joined with peals of laughter, for the deceased had during their lifetime in the village done much to be laughed at through fondness of memories. No-one in the village back then ever died in obscurity. People do not have to set the Thames on fire, but they should leave a footprint to indicate that they had at least been here and we should all be caring and sensitive enough to notice their footprint and acknowledge and celebrate the leaver thereof. I have in my capacity attended many funerals during the past eight years. That said, I sincerely hope that I never have to bear witness to another that is shrouded in such obscurity as that one this morning. And may they all rest in peace. Keep healthy and stay SAFE! Tony Jeacock | The Ex-Launton Boy | November 2020 Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 44
150 Years Ago: from the School Log Book November 1870
Tues 1 Nov Rev JC Blomfield from 9.30 to 10.20. Wed 2 Nov II Stdd Tables not satisfactory. I have adopted the plan of letting them write them out 1 column at a time and then learning them. Thurs 3 Nov Rev JC Blomfield from 9.30 to 10.15. Fri 4 Nov Av for week 85.2. Mon 7 Nov Wet morning. I was very much pleased with III Std Spelling this morning. Taught the boys of this Std Division. Tues 8 Nov Rev JC Blomfield from 9.30 to 10.30. Wed 9 Nov Taught words to Beautiful Land of Rest in preparation for Xmas Entertainment. Thurs 10 Nov Rev JC Blomfield from 9.30 to 10.30. Fri 11 Nov Av for week 85.4. Mon 14 Nov Began to have fires regularly in School. Dismissed at 4 instead of 4.30. Tues 15 Nov Rev JC Blomfield from 9.30 to 10.30. Wed 16 Nov Began to teach III Std Division. Thurs 17 Nov Rev JC Blomfield from 9.30 to 10.20. Fri 18 Nov Av for week 88.6. Mon 21 Nov Very wet this morning. 87 present. Tues 22 Nov Very stormy, 94 present. Rev JC Blomfield did not take his lesson. Wed 23 Nov Ordinary progress. Thurs 24 Nov Rev JC Blomfield from 9.30 to 10.20. Fri 25 Nov III Std make good progress in Division. Mon 28 Nov IV Std have progressed a step further in Long Multiplication. Tues 29 Nov Rev JC Blomfield from 9.30 to 10.20. Wed 30 Nov Ordinary progress. Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 45
Diary Dates: November - December 2020
With the slow revival of almost all community activity and events, we have decided to hold off including Diary Dates until we come out the other side of restrictions. The main information to carry forward are online Parish Council meetings via Zoom (see page 6). The next meetings will be on Thursday 5 November and on Thursday 3 December. There are some services at St Mary’s that are now open for attendance, and some also at other churches in the parish grouping with Caversfield and Bucknall; there are also some services on Zoom. All are listed on pages 18 and 19. As every year, the Remembrance Service at the War Memorial will be at 11am on Wednesday 11 November, but this year physical attendance is only for representatives laying wreaths from the community - otherwise attend at a distance by Zoom (see page 12 for more details). The deadline for submission of entry forms for Launton’s Window Wonderland in December is Monday 16 November (see pages 34 and 35 for more details). The first lighting of windows will be at 10am on Saturday 12 December. The Health Walks are continuing, every Tuesday, starting at The Bull at 2pm. Football has restarted with a programme of training and matches. But many other activities are still on hold. The other date to list is the copy deadline for the December issue of Launton Lines. This will be Friday 20 November: send words and photos to launtonlines@launton.org.
Many apologies from the organisers for having to cancel the Hallow’een Cake and Produce Stall on 30 October, which was planned to raise funds for The Parish Hall Improvement Project (PHIP). We were too uncertain about which tier of Covid alert level Oxfordshire might be in, and so of any restrictions on attendance. Maybe next year we can return to the idea. Launton Lines November 2020 | Page 46
Around The Village in October 2020 Left:
at the Apple Pressing Day 3 October, in the rain.
Photo by Lesley Thompson
Right:
two of the finishing groups taking part in the virtual London Marathon, at The Bull 4 October, also in the rain. Photos by Robert Cornford Left : work in the Churchyard Clean Up on 24 October Joan Packer with a fork full of cuttings Reverend Peter loosening ivy from the yew at the lych gate Martin Evans at work with a distant bow saw Photos by Robert Cornford
Below: in the churchyard
during the Scarecrow Trail, the Reverend Peter and his alter ego. The question, “Which is the scarecrow?” Photo from Celia Manderson
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Entry form on page 35
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 Š MMXX Launton Lines. We reserve the right to edit articles submitted for inclusion.