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Hesketh Rectory
April 1943

My Dear Friends,
We sincerely hope that you have received Newsletter No: 1, and we need hardly say how pleased we shall be to get any (lawful) news from you. We would particularly welcome news of any entertaining experience you have had. My first reply was from Malcolm Taylor, and he very kindly gave us a word of appreciation as from the lads, of the launching of our little ship, for which we thank him. The Easter Season will be with us when you get this letter, so with it I send you all most hearty Easter greetings. It is the oldest season of our Christian year, and it tells us all of a real living Saviour and Friend. On East Day we shall be singing these words:
"Jesus Christ is risen today! Alleluia!" I hope you will be able, somewhere, to sing them too.
Yours very sincerely,
A P THORNE

Here is a bit of news which will no doubt interest all of you, particularly the boys in the Navy. Dick Baxter, who has been on leave, has received a parchment from the Admiralty which has the following words inscribed. "By the King's Order the name of Able Seaman Richard Baxter, HMS Eclipse, was published in the London Gazette on 23rd June, 1942 as mentioned in a despatch for distinguished service. I am charged to record His Majesty's high appreciation". The scroll is signed by the First Lord of the Admiralty. (Well done, Dick, all the people at home are proud of you.) Recently Dick has been transferred to another ship.

Good news has also been received by the parents of Billy Stringfellow, who had been reported "missing". He is now safe, and is a prisoner of war in Japanese hands.

William Hamilton has been off work with a very badly crushed thumb, but he is now getting ready for work again. Also Jimmy Sharples has been off with 'flu, but is now back at work.

Sydney Iddon's horse has been getting excited. It took fright at the threshing machine down Guide Road and ran away. It managed to break three bikes, but fortunately both Sydney and his horse got off unharmed.

Robert Iddon has arrived safely in Africa. He is going in for a Commission. Ralph Iddon has wired home that he is safe and well. They had not heard from him for a very long time.

The following have been on leave since the last Newsletter; Jack Baxter, Walter Bassett, Wm Coulton, Corp Burton, Bert Price (who has been made a lance-corporal since he was last home, congratulations!), James Garlick, Tom Miller, William Ball (Army), Nick Taylor, Harry Baxter, Jimmy Baxter, Ernie Buck, Bill Ball (Shore Road) and Austin Barton (embarkation leave.)

Bill Ball's (Newarth) submarine has been mentioned again on the wireless as having sunk more enemy ships.

Robert Sharples has arrived safely overseas, and we wish him a safe journey home again.

Our Home Guard has now reached a high state of efficiency, and great credit is due to all concerned in the achievement.

The Red Cross section for the village are doing fine work with the collection of the Rural Pennies. They are making a big effort next month, and we wish them the best of luck.

Mr David Carr died on March 27th. He was a man liked by everyone in the village, and we shall miss his cheery greetings on the road. To his four sons in the Forces and to his widow and daughters we send our sympathy.

Mrs Cookson, who for the last few years has resided in Penwortham but spent the greater part of her life in Hesketh, was buried in the Churchyard at Hesketh on April 6th. In days gone by she was a very active worker on behalf of the Church, and now she has been brought home to rest among those she loved.

Our sympathy goes out to the relatives of Mr Hunter (a former resident in Moss Lane and Chapel Road) and of Mrs Southworth (Hesketh Lane), not least to old Mr Moss (opposite the Chapel) on the sudden death of his wife aged 81. She was a dear old lady and we shall miss her genial presence.

Jack Buck (Brick Lane) has lost his only child (4 months). Added to this trouble, he himself is in a Sanatorium, but we hear he is improving, and putting on weight.

Mr John Taylor has resigned his position as Councillor on the WLRDC after several years service, but we are glad to say that he is now Chairman of the Parish Council, having succeeded Mr William Iddon in that position.

A Men's Meeting is held each Monday evening during Lent in the Rector's study, when questions relating to religion and life are informally discussed, to the accompaniment of pipes, cigarettes and refreshments. All men are invited, and we wish that more would take advantage of this opportunity of asking "Any Questions".

Mr Herbert Parkinson is becoming famous as a Broadcaster. He was "on the air" last year, and so far this year has broadcast twice, on March 7th and April 4th. Mr Stansfield, the well-know authority on dogs, and a former resident of Tarleton, was also "on the air" on April 4th. Evidently this district has something worth while to tell England.

RISING HESKETH POPULATION: The following new arrivals are herewith recorded.
Mr Mrs Rae (Olive Rimmer) a son (William)
Mr Mrs G Winn, a daughter (Pamela)
Mr Mrs Hunter (Janie Waring) a daughter (Barbara Frances)
Mr Mrs McFord, a son (William Eric)
Mr Mrs W Topping (Nellie Leadbetter) a brother for Winnie
Mr Mrs Neary (Margaret Baybutt) a daughter (Maureen)
Mrs Baldwin (Mary Coulton) a daughter (Sheila)
Mr Mrs T Hurst (Janey Gooden) a son

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