The cover photo is from the 2026 Launton Pantomime, Treasure Island and shows the glorious costume of Libby, the magical librarian of the town of Launhaven, played by BethHeale.A review of the show is on pages 24-27, and a note of auditions for the next show from The Village Players on page 11, and a collage of photos from the show is on pages 20-21. Cover designed by Matt Hill. Photos by KimBenson.
The Editor writes …
Our front cover is from the Pantomime TreasureIslandperformed in February by Launton Village Players. It shows BethHeale as the Good Fairy, Libbythe Magic Librarian. Elsewhere in this issue is a review of the show (pages 24-27) and a photo collage on the centre spread (pages 20-21). And page 11 has an invitation to audition for the Players’ next show, Frozen the Musical.
Away from Pantolandlife in Launton has gone on: a scooter was dumped in the Island Pond Wood (page 8); the Speedwatch group get ready for the better weather and lighter evenings (page 10) and is looking for more volunteers; The Village Spring Clean (page 13) is at the end of the month; and there is news of the Island Pond Wood AGM (page 6) and of the woodland Working Party finds on pages 30-31, with photos. The AGM of the group that includes LauntonLinesis covered on page 23, where the group has to make plans for a drop-off in advertising income.
On the leisure side, the Eighth TytheBarn Quiz features on the back cover (page 40) and on page 34 - a fundraiserfor StMary’sChurch and the Friends of the Parish Hall. StMary’s also announces on page 33 plans to raise money to repair a damaged window in the church porch. The Launton Christmas Tree project wraps up for the year and celebrates its fundraisingtotal on page 28. We have a new advertiser this month. Raw Paw produces all-natural and ethically-sourceddog treats, and it’slocal as well (page 8). Please support all our advertisers - we need them to keep Launton Lines going.
Contact the Parish Council Wenowhavealocumclerk,Gill Peacock.You can contact the Councilbyemailatclerk@launtonpc.gov.uk or on the Council’smobile at 07305303889.
To book the Parish Hall
Contact:JoanPacker
Phone:07922042 133
Parish Hall Committee: The Parish Council has now established a new Management Committee
LIGHT UP A LIFE
Would you like to sponsor an evening’sfloodlighting at St. Mary’sChurch in memory of a loved one, to give thanks for the birth of a child, or to celebrate a baptism, a birthday, or a wedding?
A minimum donation of £10 is suggested which can be Gift Aided. Please contact JoanPacker on 01869 241694 by 20 March 2026 for entry in the March 2026 edition of Launton Lines.
4 April | Remembering our dear Dad on his heavenly birthday. Love and remembered every day, forever in our hearts.
Love from Sharon, Samantha, Steveand families.
LAUNTON PARISH COUNCIL
Notes from the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 5 February 2026 at 7.30pm in Launton Parish Hall.
In attendance: CllrGemmaCoton(CDC) and 5 members of the public.
Reports from District and County Councillors
GemmaCotongave an update about CDC'sattempts to unblock housing for which permission has been granted but is not being developed, which should help CDCmeet its 5-yearhousing land supply problem. She also spoke about a Government consultation on local government reorganisation and the attempts to make the London Road traffic underpass acceptable to the Treasury.
Governance and Consultations
The new job advert and job description drafted by the locum Clerk, LauntonLinesMarch2026Issue303|Page4
Gill Peacock, were approved and the recruitment process for a permanent Clerk is underway.
There are still vacancies for two Councillors, details of which may be found on the Parish Council website.
Finance
The Finance Report is 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). There were no new applications this month.
If a villager has concerns or comments about a planning application, they are welcome to come along to Parish Council meetings to bring them to the attention of the meeting. Villagers are also welcome to contact Councillors or the Clerk to make comments.
Guidance about how the Parish Council is able to respond is available on the Parish Council website at https://www.launtonpc.gov.uk/planning-applications/
Parish Hall
A grant of £20,000 for solar PVhas been awarded by the National Lottery's "Awards for All" fund. A second application to the FCC Communities fund is still pending; the Advisory Working Group is responding to questions from FCCabout heating options.
If you would be interested in joining the Parish Hall Management Committee to help with the Hall management, please contact Simon Turner (simon.turner@launton-pc.gov.uk) for more information.
LauntonLinesMarch2026Issue303|Page5
Village matters
With OCChaving declined to sort out the vandalised speed indicator device on Station Road, the Parish Council is negotiating with them about the way forward. Further road gullies have been cleared and moreclearancesarescheduled;thereisapparentlyaproceduralproblem withfixingtheroaddrainonBicesterRoadnearSherwoodClose.
VillageSpringClean
Our annual Spring Clean and litter pick will be taking place on Saturday 28 March between 10amand 12 noon from the Parish Hall, with refreshment provided by the WI.Do come and join us! See page 13 for more information.
Agenda items and dates of the next meetings
The next meeting will be on Thursday 5 March 2026 in the Parish Hall, starting at 7.30pm. If you’dlike to chat with a Councillor, do come along after 7.15pm.
Suggestions for agenda items for the 2 April meeting need to be with the Clerk by 19 March and items for the 7 May meeting by 23 April. If you’re not signed up to our mailing list to receive news from the Parish Council, you can find a signupform at the bottom left-hand menu of the Parish Council website at www.launton-pc.gov.uk/
FIPWLtdAGM
Please join us for our Annual General Meeting on Thursday 19 March in the Parish Hall. Doors open 7.45pm- meeting starts at 8.00pm.
We will have a guest speaker talking about
The agenda will cover the minutes of the 2025 AGM and any matters arising; presentation of the Annual Report; and any other business. We invite everyone in attendance to stay after for a drink and nibbles.
Annual IPWmembership is due for renewal at the AGM. The fee remains at £10 per individual or £20 per family.
Cash and card payment will be accepted.
We thank you in advance for your continued support.
Launton WatercolourArt Group
The Watercolour Art Group normally meets on Mondays in the Parish Hall between 2pm and 4pm.
In March we meet on all Mondays - so 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 in the Parish Hall. We have some new joiners this season, and more will always be welcome.
Here is a recent picture of the group watching the tutor, David Weeks, at work
If you are interested in attending the watercolour art group, please emailPaul.Ebberson@gmail.com
Scooter dumped in the Woodland
The scooter, dumped in The Island Pond Wood between the middle pond and the cut through to The Millennium Stones, was reported on Tuesday 17 February around 9am, and the police picked it up around 11am.
Rob Dowman, from the Friends of Island Pond Wood, said, “A big Thank You to the villager who picked it up. We couldn’tsee any petrol or oil leakage from where it had been dumped and their quick action will have minimised the risks of further leakage and any pollution.
“We want to remind people using the woodland that if you spot anything like this then please, first thing, report it to the police on the non-emergency number 101. Please also emailus at fipwlimited@gmail.comto alert us, and please let us know the police incident reference number.
As we are volunteers, we can not always get down to the woodland straight away, so we appreciate your support in reporting anything you notice.”
FROM STMARY’S CHURCH
(Sung) Please refer to the StMary’sChurch Launton Facebookpage for any necessary amendments and also for Easter week Services, or contact:
LENT COURSE
This began on 16 February and runs for the subsequent five Mondays (until 23 March) taking the place of the usual Fellowship Group.
COMMUNITY CAFE
The relaunchedCommunity Caféwill run until 24 March. We are actively looking for pre-schoolersplus carersto join our welcoming group from the general Community who come to enjoy a congenial cuppaamong friends. If you are in either category, please contact us below or just come along on a Tuesday in term time from 9 - 11am.You will be most welcome!
Launton Community Speedwatch
The Community Speedwatch program is designed to educate drivers of the need to reduce their speed on local roads, particularly around schools or where there are other driving hazards. It is a community initiative designed to educate and not penalise drivers who may simply not appreciate the speed they are doing.
There have been some recent social media comments complaining about the speed of vehicles through the village and the absence of speed monitoring. It has also been observed that average speeds have crept up with a number of vehicles triggering and passing the reactive speed signs well in excess of 30mph.With the early morning and evening rat runs now occurring during daylight hours and improving weather conditions the Speedwatch teams will soon be out and about in Launton.
Speedwatch operators are all volunteers who give just an hour a week, or more if able, to monitor vehicle speeds through Launton. Speedwatch sessions are then programmed to fit with the availability of each volunteer. If you would be interested in joining the team or would like more info, just e-mailthe Speedwatch co-ordinator at Speedwatch@launton-pc.gov.uk
Contactusnowforafree,noobligationquote 01296770005 or 07702 498 942 www.wallacewindowcleaning.co.uk enquiries@wallacewindowcleaning.co.uk
MemberoftheFederationofWindow Cleaners
All our Obedience Training is part of The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Jennie, our Instructor, is an Approved Instructor (Academy of Dog Training and Behaviour), Agility Club Approved Instructor, UK Agility Instructor and Accredited UK Scent Sport Instructor. AgilityandHooperclassesatGrendonUnderwood
IntroductiontoMantrialingandIntroductiontoTracking are also offered at a day and time to suit the trainer, yourself, and your dog.
Housemaintenance
Repointing
Internalandexternaldecorations
Patios
Decking
Fencing
For a personal service, call
Edis currently struck down with a vicious long term cold that has blocked his brain and slowed down his creative juices. He apologises that there is no LESupdate for March, but reports that there is steady progress being made on developing the Environmental Legacy Fund (ELF) to establish a Trust to buy some land to create a new wildlife and rewildingarea for the village.
There is a draft constitution, a bank account has been set up, and plans will be discussed at the next LESopen meeting on Friday 27 March.
MOP XIIFriday 27 March 7:30PMat the Parish Hall. For more information about these plans, and other ways of tackling global warming, contact Edat launtonenvironmentalsociety@gmail.com
For February, Launton WIhad a gin evening with gentlemen in attendance
Thespeakers RachelHicks and AndrewParsons, cofounders of Sky Wave Gin, based at Bicester Motion.
Someofthe gentlemen visitors waiting to sample the gin.
Come to the Hall at any time. Sign up for a route then collect your kit (litter pickers, gloves, hi-viz tops, and rubbish bags provided)
Refreshments from Launton WI when you return to the Hall.
All welcome to take part - especially families (we have child-friendly litter pickers). And you might feature on a LauntonLinescover for April or May.
Launton School reporting for March . . .
Today some year 5 children are speaking to us about the Girls’ Football Festival they recently took part in.
On Thursday we played football in a festival at The Cooper School. We went to the school on a coach. There were 12 girls who went from Launton School, from years 4, 5 and 6.
One of the PE teachers from The Cooper School spoke to us about the tournament and how the morning was going to work. It was a 5-a-side tournament, and we had two teams, each with a sub. There were five schools taking part. Unfortunately it rained and we all got wet.
Some of the Cooper School students helped us to warm up before the games. We had to do side steps, open the gates, and shooing the chickens. They also refereed our games.
Each game was six minutes long and we played on the astroturf.If a team won their game, they got a point and moved to the next round. Launton Team 1 lost one game, drew four games and won three games; Launton Team 2 lost two games, drew three games and won one game. In between our games we were able to have a small break and a snack.
Both our teams were always playing at the same time, so we weren’table to cheer each other on. At one point we had to play each other, and the game ended in a draw.
After the festival we got back to school in time for lunch. We didn’twin the tournament, but we really enjoyed taking part, even if it was raining!
Rebecca, Robyn, Orlaithand Layla– Year 5
Friends of Launton Parish Hall
Change of Open Meeting Date
We have had to change the date of the Open Meeting booked for Wednesday 4 March to a new date of Wednesday 18 March in the Parish Hall at 8.00pm
At our Open meeting in February we were pleased to welcome 11 visitors, including 6 gentlemen. Our speakers were RachelHicks and AndrewParsons, cofounders of Sky Wave Gin, based at Bicester Motion. There are photos on page 12. With a name inspired by the big skies and bold waves that have shaped their epic journeys and outdoor pursuits, the Sky Wave adventure began eight years ago. The story began when they attended a ‘make your own gin’ experience that Andrewwas given as a gift. The result was so successful that it inspired them to continue with further months of meticulous research until finally the first bottles were ready. To their amazement this Signature London Dry Gin was crowned The World’s Best Contemporary London Dry Gin at the World Gin Awards and was also awarded 2 stars by the Great Taste Awards. It was selected for the highest possible, coveted MASTER category at the Gin Masters, alongside Double Gold, Gold and Silver international medals including a Silver award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Sky Wave gins combine quality produce, with globally-sourcedpremium botanicals.Oxfordshire growers provide rhubarb and apples, while village hedgerows are foraged for blackberries. Complementing their local heritage, natural mineral water from Oxfordshire’shistoric Blenheim Palace is used in every blend for a smooth balanced finish. Madagascan vanilla pods, Moroccan coriander and ginger from across Asia add to their gin’sinternational flavour palettes, while giving a firm nod to Racheland Andrew’spassion for travel.
We sampled two of their award winning gins with everyone agreeing how delicious they were. Sky Wave also produce a zero alcohol version. We will arrange an evening outing to their outside Bar 101 at Bicester Motion in the summer.
Our next meeting on Thursday 12 March will be Mothers, Mobiles and Money with JaneFinnerty, Association of CountrywomenWorld Wide and will tell how the WIsupports women across the world. It will also be our AGM. If you would like to join our friendly committee please contact Hilary, our Secretary, at 01869 241989.
EleanorShakespeare
Launton Community Communications Group
AGM on Wednesday 25 March
8.00pmin the Parish Hall
An Open Meeting for all in Launton to report back on LauntonLines, the Launton Community FacebookGroup, and the Launton.orgweebsite
There will be the normal agenda with reports from each channel, the financial report for 2025, and open discussion on future ideas. The funding - particularly of LauntonLines- has also become an important issue as we have lost a number of long-term advertisers. In many cases they have moved on to social media (including our own Facebookgroup and pages) which is a no-or low-cost channel.
How should we respond to this situation?
Increase advertising rates, which have been the same for the past 5 years
Start charging village organisations (like The Village Players or Launton FCor Sports and Social) for advertising activities and events
Cut down the length of LauntonLinesto cut the print cost
Make LauntonLinesonline-only, saving all printing costs
Ask the Parish Council to increase their grant, currently £170 a month
Look for other sources of funding
We are particularly aware of inconsistencies in the past, where we have charged the pubs and The Coffee Shop for adverts but have given free advertising space to Sports and Social. Having been without The Bull for some months, we are very aware of how important such social spaces (like The Bull and The Village Coffee Shop) are to the Launton community, and we want to support them. How should we decide on when and who we charge for space in LauntonLines?
Come to the AGM on 25 March and have your say, and contribute your ideas. We need to find a solution if LauntonLinesis to continue.
And we are still looking for a Chair. Could it be YOU?
RobertCornford
Treasure Island Panto Review
ADashofStageMagic,aWealthofCommunitySpirit
There is something rather special about walking into a full house for the 39th annual pantomime from the Launton Village Players (LVP). An unmistakable Bicester buzz in the air. It starts in a cold, dark, damp car park, rain misting under the lights, where cheerful marshals magically appear, all smiles and high-visjackets, guiding to your spot and asking if you know the way. Of course you do! Everyone does. For these are seasoned audience members, devoted fans who’vebeen coming for ten, twenty years or more. And they arrive with a special kind of excitement that only a long-standing, local amateur show can create: the joy of returning to something they love, and the added thrill of seeing local colleagues, friends and family up on the stage. Perhaps even a debut from a brand-new young performer…more on that later. There’ssomething wonderfully heart-warming about it all. It’slike pulling on your favourite woolly hat and gloves: comforting, familiar, and exactly what you need in the forlorn, flagging depths of February. An afternoon or evening of comfort, of warmth, served up exactly as you’vebeen looking forward to. You know what you’re going to get – oh yes you do! And, if you’re lucky you might catch a flying sweet, or win a cheeky prize and, as has become customary in recent years, you’llcertainly find yourself waving a glow-stick wand after the interval, grinning from ear to ear. Thisyear,theVillagePlayersaredonatingallprofitstoDementiaActiveand DementiaOxfordshire,localcharitiessupportingpeoplelivingwith dementiaandtheirfamilies.WithnearlyamillionpeopleintheUKaffected, everybitofhelpmattersandhere,aperformanceinvitinglaughs,boosand cheersturnsintosomethingmeaningful:alocaltreasure,forthecommunity.
So, to sum up Treasure Island: written by husband-and-wife duo Rod and NikkiFine, we were whisked off to the wondrous land of Tresoria.What follows is a classic chaotic romp, as the baddie, Captain Hook, who naturally has managed to abscond with Libby, the magical librarian’s wand, must somehow be apprehended and returned to Storyland.Happily, via the secret sea, aboard a pirate ship named the Miserable Herbert (teasing a well-earned name upgrade later) and plenty of theatrical huffingand puffing, justice was eventually served.
The story, of course, delights in meandering a non-linear course through all manner of sub-plots, introducing a veritable buffet of characters:
imagined and familiar, including a delightful cameo from MaryPoppins, played simply ‘spit spot’ by LizHill, which I thought was a particularly charming touch and a lovely nod to the magic within the story.
Panto staples were all present and correct: the irrepressible Dame ‘Marigold’, a cleaner (naturally!), her daughter Bonniewho promptly falls for cabin boy, Roger, as they bond over a shared passion for adventure. Chaos was fuelled by duos Solomon Smeeand SimeonSimm(a special mention to DanChilverson opening night, whose infectious energy warmed up the audience) and the two fisherman Pat and Natwith their tubs of ‘catch’ shared with us. Add some sand witches (more on them later), sand devils, villagers, seahorses(again, more later), pirates, seagulls, a hilarious nonsensical mayor, a sea monster primed for the classic “It’s behind you!”, plus a rogue albatross and Pollythe Parrot and pretty much anyone else who can be stuffed on stage without complaint.
Eventually, order is restored, Roger gets his own pirate ship, and the Miserable Herbert is rechristenedthe Jolly Roger (boom boom!). He and Bonnieare thus destined to set sail and live happily ever after. One can never truly review this performance by what happens on stage alone. The care and thought behind, and around the stage are beautifully organised ‘MaryPoppins-like’ in their cheerful efficiency. From the warm, “Hello” of the ticket scanners to the impeccably managed Front of House teams handling drinks, snacks, raffle tickets, and puzzle sheets for children (and the young at heart), everything sparkles with thoughtful inclusivityin mind. That off-stage magic sprinkled through the full show schedule from Wednesday 18 to Saturday 21 February, including a specially designed “Relaxed Performance”.
On opening night, as we took our seats, the lights danced across an enchanting seaside scene. The set painting by Penny Stephensand SaywardBurns punched well above its weight, bringing Tresoriato life with charm and precision. In Launhaven, pastel-coloured houses, in cheerful shades of yellow, orange, purple, blue and green stood in pleasing symmetry, backed by rolling green hills. A nostalgic wooden pier led the eye toward shimmering waters, instantly transporting us to the coast. Other scenes were equally detailed, such as the pink-hairedtroll perched on a shelf in the delightfully candy-coloured Launhavenlibrary, resplendent among a vibrant array of books. While the principal characters carried the storyline, it was the chorus LauntonLinesMarch2026Issue303|Page25
numbers that truly shone. “Digging” was a cheerful highlight, brought to life with multi-coloured spades and inventive, high-energy “spadeography”. Sweeping arcs and upward flourishes were visually striking, quickening the pace and building momentum, further enhanced as the chorus lifted their eyes outward, confidently connecting with the audience. The pirate-themed“What Shall We Do with the Wretched Stowaway?” in Act 2 was arguably the strongest ensemble of the night. Driven by drums, textured with an onstageclarinet, and largely sung a capella, it was a triumphant display of creativity. Simple, yet effective choreography of turns, claps and skips was performed with impressive unity. The Sand Witch dance, as the witches menacingly circled Captain Hook in their golden satin gowns, was acted with intent and thoroughly enjoyable. Musically, the band, led by musical director SteveWebber, consistently deliver flawless performances and are vital in supporting the mood on stage and through scene changes. From those first tinny strains of those familiar band sounds, they add to the ‘woolly hat’ feel, delightfully oldschool and instantly toe-tapping. Composition was strong, especially in “Feeling”, the duet between Bonnieand Roger, which featured gorgeous harmonies. Sound effects were also beautifully timed, with touches like the sourcedCarnival of the Animals adding welcome, musical depth.
Wardrobe and costumes are often impressive, and in recent years have expanded their creativity. This year didn’tdisappoint. Costumes were a riot of colour and invention: orange and green skirts, some floral, mint scarves and generally bold, striped ensembles. Details like marigold gloves and sponges on the Dame’sgloriously outrageous outfits, and a small open book tucked on the librarian’swig, were a playful testament to a clearly hardworkingand imaginative team.
It was lovely this year to see younger performers given genuine acting opportunities as well as delighting their families with dance numbers. A particular highlight was the fluorescent green seahorsesagainst the pitchblack stage: a brilliantly staged ensemble, enhanced by a glow-sticked audience conjuring shapes. The moments when the children’schorus pulled the boat through the waves to the rippling arpeggios from Carnival of the Animals was genuinely magical.
Contemporary nods were sprinkled throughout, playful references to modern life that kept the script fresh without losing the traditional charm. The writing also made clever efforts to mix things up: an introductory
narration by a band member, birthday shout-outsbrought forward, and a sheer abundance of puns all deserve admiration. One of my personal favourites was the delightfully daft introduction of the witches, bearing names like ‘Cheese & Pickle’, ‘Cucumber’ and ‘Sardine & Marmalade’ (though one sincerely hopes that last combination exists in name only!). The inevitable reveal that they were, in fact, ‘sand witches’ drew satisfying groans and laughter; while the recurring audience refrain responding to “Now”, with a hearty “Back to your Book, Hook” added to the fun.
By the rousing finale, we’dhad knee slaps, leg kicks and audience interactions as we sang, clapped and waved our glow stick wands – it was impossible not to feel buoyed. Boos for Captain Hook, cheers for the heroes and enormous whoops for the chorus said it all. Throughout, the audience, young and old, was enraptured. It’sthis blend of tradition, community spirit and unabashed fun that makes the evening feel less like watching a performance and more like coming home to one. And in a cold winter season, that kind of shared joy is ‘practically perfect’ in every way.
We now have a final total donated from the purchase of Christmas trees, sponsorship of Christmas trees by local businesses and families, and donations to the Just Giving Page. The total is £2131 - a fantastic amount. This money, which was raised in memory of IsobelJennion, will enable the Island Pond Wood management team to fund a project which will be discussed at the IPWAGM on 19 March (see notice on page 6).
PS. We agreed that we will need more Christmas decorations made for Christmas 2026, so if you are twiddling your knitting needles and fancy making a few more decorations (including sewing and other materials), we would be very pleased to receive them. We will also need to replace a couple of sets of lights that stopped working. Enjoy the spring weather, if it ever arrives!
The Christmas Tree Elves
PAWS WITH PIP DOG TRAINING TIPS
SpringWalks:SettingYouandYourDogUpforSuccess Springisalmosthere(hallelujah!)whichmeansbrighter mornings, longereveningsand-hopefully-less mud. Sonowistheperfecttimetoreset yourwalkingroutineand aimforcalmoutingswhichleave you bothfeelingrefreshed.
Some of the area by the ditch in the side wood, after clearing brambles
Planting the donated tree by the pond Someoftheday’s booty on display
After a 3-hour session, the ditch is almost looking like a stream
The garage door on display after being lifted from the stream bed
Island Pond Wood Working Party report
The wet weather has interrupted our maintenance activities in the wood this winter. The January work session was abandoned due to heavy rain but we did have coffee and cake under cover in Ed’sgarage. In February
the weather was kinder, we planted a donated tree near the pond, removed a fallen tree and cut back more bramble by the side wood ditch. Moving further up the ditch towards the picnic table we originally thought we had found a road sign, once the vegetation was removed we discovered an up and over garage door buried in the ditch! We also found a golf club, golf balls and other items - why do people throw their stuff away in the countryside? Even more annoying were the 35 full dog poo bags thrown into the hedge that our volunteers had to clear up.
The new scrapes installed last autumn have reduced the flooding of the footpath past the pond but there is more work to do. We will continue our efforts to clear the ditches to reduce flooding in the wood to enable residents to enjoy the wood throughout the winter.
We thank our volunteers for joining in with our activities who enjoy a few hours in the fresh air, friendly banter and refreshments. Do consider joining us, on the second Tuesday of the month, if only for the banter and refreshments: we would love to see you.
THE GALE The top half of a fir tree in front of the Rectory was blown off by the wind on Tuesday. It broke nearly all the telephone wires in its fall, but these were all repaired by 4pm.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT Ivy Rose Penn, aged 13 years, daughter of Mr AlbertPenn, bricklayer, of Launton, met with a serious accident shortly after mid-day on Friday. She was playing outside the school with other girls, one of whom shouted out “Look out! Here’sa motor.” The girl, however, ran straight against the radiator of a motor van, which was going slowly in the direction of Launton. The van, belonging to MrHerring, grocer, Bicester, was driven by MrWalterTuffrey, who was accompanied by MrCyrilHayward.The van was pulling up within a few yards, the girl lying unconscious at its rear. She was taken into the school, and there attended to by Nurse Richardson, and later by DrHolmes.She was eventually removed home, and as she did not recover consciousness, she was on Saturday morning taken to the RadcliffeInfirmary, where she still lies in a serious condition.
[Historical note. Ivy Rose Pennsurvived the accident. She married in 1937 and was living with her husband and two elderly evacuees in a house next to her parents in Station Road during World War 2.]
200 Years Ago: from Jackson’sOxfordJournal
4 March 1826
Oxford Assizes Crown Side..... John Taylorwas indicted on suspicion of having stolen a mare, the property of RobertMay, of Launton. The prosecutor, the Rev RobertMay, lost the above mare on the 27th of June; she was worth 35lor 36l; he afterwards found her in the possession of MrThosWhite, who lives at Brinklow, below BrinklowLocks, and works horses on the Grand Union Canal. The prisoner sold the mare to White for 24l10s; fifteen guineas were paid down, the other was to be paid in a few days. He told White he bought the mare of a man named Goodman.
The prisoner had lived seven years in the service of MrWhite, and had often been entrusted to buy horses and many other things for him; he
had been entrusted with 100lat a time. The prisoner called on the ostler of MrWhite, and told him the mare was to be worked down the lower length of the canal towards Brinklow.The case was very clear cut against the prisoner, who made no defence. – Death recorded.
[Historical Note: There is no record at Oxford prison of anyone being hanged in 1826 (but a man was hanged there is 1827 for horse stealing). Unable to trace John Taylorwith so little information. Likewise, Rev RobertMay. He was not a rector of Launton church, and we have no record of his living here or owning land here, nor any other newspaper item referring to him.]
Coffee,CakeandChat
On Saturday 11 April and Saturday 18 April StMary’sChurch is organising 2 coffee (or tea) mornings with cake and the chance to sit and chat. Both will be in the Parish Hall from 9.30am until 11.30am.
The focus of the morning is to raise some funds for a window in the porch of the Church which is broken. We’re not sure how it got broken but fortunately some of the pieces that fell out were retrieved by our Churchwarden.
Looking back at the history of the Church this window was placed in the porch in the late nineteenth century, but also contains some medieval glass. As the Church is a Grade 1 listed building there are, rightly, strict rules to follow about any repair to any part of the Church and the first thing we need to do is to obtain a Conservator’s Report on the broken window.
The Church porch will be open on both mornings so you can have a look but we will also have photos of the window on display in the Hall.
We do hope you will come along and join us, and any donation for this repair would be most welcome.
Thank you for all your support.
andStMary’sChurch
invite you to the Eighth Grand TytheBarn Quiz on Friday 20 March from 7.00pm, in the gorgeous 14th Century Launton TytheBarn.
Tickets are £10 per person, available now from the Costcuttershop. Teams of up to 6.
Home made cakes and tea or coffee in the interval and the TytheCash Bar.
Competing for The Wise Owl Trophy, and a Wooden Spoon (see page 40 for more details)
Spring Fair at The Parish Hall
Saturday 9 May 10am- 12 noon
Cakes, other baked goods, jams, marmalades, chutneys.
Plants, produce, cuttings, seeds and seedlings.
Grow a Sunflower competition.
Refreshments
Memories of an ex-Launton boy
This month the ex-Launton Boy remembers the roads and railways of his youth, and looks forward to travelling on the Oxford-Bletchleyline. My goodness, how my car suspension is going through it these days with the number and state of the potholes in our roads, which seem to be getting progressively worse day by day and very little being done about it, despite the additional funds released by central Government to Local Authorities for the purpose of. But it isn’tsimply down to Central and Local Government budget constraints why we are suffering these highways and byways problems, felt even more on our urban roads. We seem to be constantly having our roads dug up for the installation, repair, general maintenance of water, gas, electricity mains or new cable communications being laid and then the road surfaces being very poorly back to how they should be, only to crumble and sink or give rise to unwanted humps creating havoc for motorists and cyclists alike.
Add to that, so-called traffic-calming speed bumps and ‘sleeping policemen’, some constructed in such a way as to be positively dangerous. That said, compared to when I was growing up in Launton in the 1950’sand 60’s, there is far more traffic using the roads these days, some of which, indeed far too many of which have heavier and heavier axle weights due to the amount of freight they are shifting, freight which should, in my opinion, be on the railways and not the roads.
I don’tsuppose there are many people in Launton these days who remember that not only did we have our own village railway station, albeit a mile or so beyond the village, but we also had railway sidings there, where freight for locals could be transported to and collected from. It was immediately on the Marsh Gibbon side of the level crossing on the Launton side. I can never remember whether that was on the ‘up’ line or the ‘down’ line, but my description should be enough to enable you to visualise where it was, complete with buffer.
The heaviest lorries we had coming through the village back then were those which stopped off at each of the many dairy farms in the village to pick up the full milk churns from the roadside platforms outside the farm main entrances and to drop off the empties to be collected the following day when again full to the brim with fresh milk.
Bearing in mind that Britain invented railways and trains, originally for carrying freight in the form of minerals rather than passengers, taking over from the much slower canal barges which until then had done a fantastic job for trade, it is incredible that we seem never to have initiated and developed a proper integrated transport policy.
Just imagine for a moment, had the majority of those branch lines been kept, with each major and medium-sized town having its’ own railway freight depot to which large rail freight consignments could be delivered, for much lighter axle-weighted vehicles to then deliver within say, a fifty miles radius, there would be little need for juggernauts on our roads. Less weight on the roads thus a lot less damage to our roads and much more pleasant car and/or coach journeys all round. Traffic would almost certainly be more free-flowing on the open road and a great deal less stressful.
I remember clearly how very well maintained our country roads in Oxfordshire used to be. Launton’sroads were regularly maintained and resurfaced and I remember how people had to drive carefully for abouta weekafterwardstoavoidflyingroadchippingsinalldirections, and the smell of melting tar during the hot summer months. LauntonLinesMarch2026Issue303|Page36
Fascinating isn’tit, when looking around the country and seeing how many of those old branch lines have been taken over by steam preservation societies and how profitable they mostly seem to be, so much so that many have been able to extend their track so as to link up with main line stations, albeit almost exclusively being passenger carrying services these days.
But it is not just old branch railway lines that have enjoyed and are enjoying a new breath of life, as I recall during my nine years of living in Wiltshire before moving here to Kent, how the one-time un-navigableKennettand Avon canal was being worked on, largely by work-experience unemployed youths during the Thatcher years.
They still hold the Devizesto Westminster Bridge canoe race every Good Friday, setting off from DevizesWharf, but back then, every now and then the team crews had to lift the canoe out of the water and carry it some distance before finding another stretch of navigable water. Those restorers did a fantastic job, especially on the stepped flight of twenty nine locks at CaanHill just west of Devizes, so that today the canal is navigable along its entire length until it merges with the River Thames at Hungerford. Something to be really proud of!
And I remember just how proud we were of our own village station at Launton. We kids just loved it, occasionally helping to open and close the level crossing gates and pulling on the less resistant signal levers on the outdoor signal bay (no signal box at Launton). The station ticket office always smelled of paraffin from the Aladdinheater inside and, when a steam train rolled in, the smell from those big beasts made you want to bottle it and take it home. And when there were no trains, there was the singing sound of the telegraph wires and the occasional ‘ting-ting’ on the bell to tell the Station Master how far away the next train was and whether it was on the up or the down line. All this was mingled with birdsong, rustling leaves in the trees and the occasional road vehicle trundling over the level crossing. It’sgood that the East/West line is being re-established on the one hand, but such a pity that Launton station is now no more than a distant memory. That said, I’m looking forward to the day I can drive up on our awful roads to take a nostalgic journey along the Oxford - Bletchleyline as we used to call it, and what is more, I would love to share it with my brother Cliff, with whom I shared many of those railway experiences when we were kids. Keep healthy and Stay SAFE!
TonyJeacock, MInstRE | The ex-Launton boy | March 2026
Photos from EllaRayner, RobertCornford, and ChrisMorley
The events in the Woodland through the summer reminds us of warmer days to come.
Sunday 22 February saw the first full meal offered in The Bull since Chrisand Sue took over. Chrisreports, “The first Sunday lunch went well - of course we had a few teething problemsbut we learn from them. Given that we went from 0 to 52 covers overnight . . . we’re learning from our errors, and will do better each week.
Here are the pork roasts we offered for our first lunch. In the future we’llhave foods like Irish lamb stew on colcannonat lunchtime. Then later we’llstart week nights with theme menus like steak or pizza.”
