Author: Launton Parish Clerk

Tragedy at Bicester Motion

Launton Parish Council is devastated by the awful events at Bicester Motion. Our deepest sympathies are with the families, friends and colleagues of the three people whose lives have been so tragically cut short, and of course our thoughts are with the two firefighters who are in hospital. The bravery and professionalism of the emergency services are an inspiration to us all.

The Parish Council will be leaving a floral tribute at The Garth and will be making a donation to the Fire Fighters Charity.

Buses serving the village are to continue!

Oxfordshire County Council is pleased to announce that the bus service through the village is being maintained – with two services now being provided.

Following Red Rose’s withdrawal of their commercial service 17, increased funding from Oxfordshire County Council has been provided to maintain a service between Bicester, Launton and Aylesbury, but this will be two-hourly instead of hourly. Marsh Gibbon, Edgcott and Grendon Underwood are served by school time buses on both school and non-school days.

Buckinghamshire Council have kindly agreed to divert their existing service 18 (Buckingham – Bicester) via Launton. A revised timetable will be in operation, partly due to disruption caused by a new HS2 road closure near Calvert. This service is operated by Langston & Tasker.

Oxfordshire County Council are funding a new Saturday service on route 18. This service will not serve Charndon and Calvert during the period of the HS2 road closure. The Saturday service will be operated by Red Rose.

Tickets will be accepted on both services between Launton and Bicester.

Overall, therefore, the service remains broadly hourly between Launton and Bicester with similar hours of operation – although for the first five months the headway between the two services will not be even due to the HS2 road closure referred to above. Links to Aylesbury are maintained, albeit at a reduced frequency, and a service to Buckingham is restored.

It is important that villagers make the best use they can of the bus service to secure its continuation. With maximum single fares currently £2, and MyBus day tickets for unlimited travel at £6.50 (£3.50 for under 19s), there’s never been a better time to try it out.

The timetable will be available shortly.

Bicester Heritage January 2025 Scramble

Bicester Heritage will be opening their doors again on Sunday 5 January for the first Scramble of 2025.

The Scramble promises visitors the chance to experience historic motoring at its best, through a curated display of classic cars, open workshop doors and lots of surprises for the family along the way.

You will be able to visit the many industry-leading specialist businesses based in their restored historic buildings at Bicester Heritage. Family and dog friendly, the Scramble is a wonderful way to while away the weekend hours in the company of some spectacular machines.

Local residents and their families are more than welcome to attend the event and make the most of a 50% discount on full price tickets with the promocode: BristolBoxkite

Go to https://bicesterheritage.co.uk/events/2025-january-scramble and click on the ‘get your tickets’ button to book tickets.

Select your tickets and use the Access Key with the code BristolBoxkite

For further information see https://www.facebook.com/BicesterHeritage, or contact the events team directly at: events@bicestermotion.com

Keep an eye on the Bicester Heritage website and social media pages for the latest information and release of tickets.

Clerk Vacancy

August 2025: the vacancy has now been filled.

Original text (25 September 2024):

Due to the resignation of the current Clerk, the Council now has a vacancy for a Parish Clerk.

More information is available at https://www.launton-pc.gov.uk/clerk-vacancy/

Bicester Heritage StreetCar Festival – 8 September

Bicester Heritage is opening their doors on Sunday 8 September for their  new StreetCar Festival

Doors open at 10am and tickets are £10 per person, and £5 for 14-17 year olds, plus booking fee.  Children under 14 are free when accompanied by an adult pass holder but do require a pass. Each ticket includes a hot beverage.

There’s also a local resident discount just use ‘ Resident ‘ at the Eventbrite checkout.

StreetCar is Bicester Heritage’s programme celebrating grassroots motorsport across the UK.  They will have a number of activities for attendees to spectate and take part in – using their own car! Their team will also be on hand to encourage attendees to have a go and explore opportunities that being part of the motorsport community can offer.

They will have a range of static displays, activities for all ages and local food vendors along with all the action.

More information can be found on their website

Councillor Resignation

The Parish Council has received Richard Walker’s resignation as a Parish Councillor.

The Council would like to thank Mr Walker for his valued contribution to the village.

The resignation means that the Parish now has a vacancy. The Election Office at Cherwell District has been notified and the notice has been issued.

If an election is not called by ten electors within 14 working days (by 20 August), the Council will be able to co-opt at a future meeting.

More information about the process is available on the Becoming a Councillor page

Vegan Campout at Bicester Heritage: 26 – 29 July

The Vegan Campout is taking place between 26 to 29 July at Bicester Heritage.

It is a family event aimed at the vegan community and the event organisers are working closely with the Cherwell District Council Safety Advisory Group.

The organisers will be monitoring sound levels constantly to ensure that they stay within the limits set, however the team have set up a residents’ hotline (which will be in operation between 22 July and 31 July) for any immediate concerns.  Contact 07365 710491.

You are also able to log noise issues via a web form at https://adahub.net/messages.php?accesstoken=nKoccTaLNmVgO7z

If you have any questions in advance, the team will be pleased to help.

Please contact either:

  • the Production Manager – Paul O’Neil (07896 327069) or
  • the Assistant Production Manager – Laurence Aldridge – (07988 341028)

OCC Climate Change Survey

Oxfordshire County Council is working on a climate engagement plan across Oxfordshire to further action on carbon reduction and climate resilience at a local level.
Their Climate Engagement Survey is now live and they need your help to get as many responses from across the county as possible.
Use the link below:

Bicester Heritage October 2024 Scramble

Bicester Heritage will be opening their doors again on Sunday 6 October 2024.

The Scramble promises visitors the chance to experience historic motoring at its best, through a curated display of classic cars, open workshop doors and lots of surprises for the family along the way.

You will be able to visit the 45 industry-leading specialist businesses based in their restored historic buildings at Bicester Heritage. Family and dog friendly, the Scramble is a wonderful way to while away the weekend hours in the company of some spectacular machines.

Local residents and their families are more than welcome to attend the event and make the most of a 50% discount on full price tickets with the promocode: BristolBoxkite

Go to https://bicesterheritage.co.uk/events/october-scramble-2024 and click on the ‘get your tickets’ button to book tickets.

For further information see https://www.facebook.com/BicesterHeritage, or contact the events team directly at: events@bicestermotion.com

Keep an eye on the Bicester Heritage website and social media pages for the latest information and release of tickets.