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Hesketh Rectory
Hesketh Bank
April 1945

My Dear Friends,
Some of you may get this by Easter. Anyway, a victorious Easter wish to every one of you. I append a special Easter message for the Troops.
May the Joy of our Lord be yours.
From yours very sincerely
A P THORNE

EASTER is the earnest of Victory. The Devil spent an active and enjoyable time on the first Good Friday; he vented his spite on God and he showed how beastly men could be. But the Devil's plans miscarried and he got a shock when Christ rose from the dead. Showing that the last word is always with God. The Devil is clever but not All-Clever; he is powerful, but not All- powerful; for him at the end there is defeat, utter and complete. But for those who fight on behalf of Righteousness there is ultimate triumph. Easter means that for your cause, because it is God's cause, the end will be Victory. Christ came to His triumph through suffering, bodily and mental, and He understands and shares your toil and anguish now. He is with you in the fight against evil. Nothing can Him affright; the gates of Hell shall not prevail; He shall rise for ever and ever. As you have shared His toil for the cleansing of the world from evil, may you share the Joy of His Victory.
MR CHURCHILL in the House of Commons, 27th Feb., on his return from Yalta. "The Great Powers must seek to serve and not to rule. Joined with other States, both large and small we may found a world organisation which, armed with ample power, will guard the rights of all States, great or small, from aggression or from the gathering of the means of aggression. I am sure that a fairer choice is open to mankind than they have ever known in recorded ages. The lights shine brighter and shine more broadly than before. Let us go forward together."

POINTS FROM LETTERS
W Bailey (Mar 19th) writes from the London area and, incidentally would probably be pleased to hear of the lorry load of household goods we have recently sent from Hesketh Bank to help our neighbours there.

Robert Sharples (SEAC Feb 15th) has actually seen TEA growing, being picked, and roasted in the factory ready to be shipped to England. He has assisted in the operation by repairing the engine that drives the factory. For his reward he got 2lbs of Tea which he has sent home to his mother. Robert wishes to be remembered to John Coulton (Mill Lane), Sydney Cookson, Albert Taylor. He looks forward to the day when they are all on the cricket pitch again, Ex-Servicemen V the Rest.

Thomas Bond (Feb 25) alludes to his engagement (mentioned elsewhere in this number). He says he met Miss Curwin at the Con. Depot at Bromborough last November. He sends his best wishes to W Ainscough and he is sorry he could not attend his party when on leave. Also he sends good wishes to G Taylor and his Tank. He saw J Bond when on leave. He says he is looking well and fatter than ever. Thomas sends his congratulations to J Taylor and R Baxter on becoming Petty Officers.

R Miller (Mar. 8th. HMS Clare) writes his first and very welcome letter to us. He cannot, of course, say much but we understand and appreciate letters from everybody, however short. Bert wishes to be remembered to Fred Carr, Leslie Bramwell, Jim Sutton, Wm Melling, Wm Ball (Newarth), and last but not least his cousin Tom.

Tom Brewer (CMF) has now changed over to Infantry, as his Regiment has been split up, quite a change from RA. He has just come down from the mountains where they were snowed up for a while. Most of his friends are Scotch, so he has joined the Black Watch along with them.
For the benefit of his friends we append Tom's address; Pte T Brewer, 1499976, A Coy, 8th Batt, No LRTD, CMF

John Jackson (Mar 8) writes from Deal again, and desires to thank Mrs Hoyle for all the work she has done for us while in Hesketh Bank. He also wants to thank Arthur Taylor for his greetings and specially Harry Hoyle, Bill Ball (Newarth), Raymond Bailey. (To the latter 'I hope he has beaten me after all.)

R H Wignall (Dover Mar.7) would like to be remembered to Leslie Bramwell, and Ted Baybutt, with special reference to football seasons with the Southport and District League, also to Gordon Iddon. Here is his address, Ronnie, - Gnr G Iddon, 4806801, 452/1st Mountain Reg. RS, BLA

Joe Power (Mar 1st) tells an amusing story of one of the many Dutch civilians who are helping in the War effort, Joe and a Corporal were in charge of twelve Dutch civilians. The job was to examine cartridge cases and cordite for dampness. The Colonel looked in one day, and, walking over to the Dutchman, watched him taking out the cordite. Wishing to see it for himself, he held out his hand expecting the Dutchman to give him the cordite, instead of which he discovered the Dutchman putting down the cordite and giving the Colonel a most hearty handshake. The sequel appears to have been three rather red faces and exit by Joe Power to laugh outside. Joe has seen 'Song of Bernadette' which he likes very much.

Harry Buck (BLA Feb 28) has recently had a two-days visit to Paris, a very wonderful city, he says, with its historic buildings including Napoleon's tomb, and the Eiffel Tower, a great feat of engineering. He thanks 'Country Lad' for yet another interesting story.

Joe Eastham's letter written just before Christmas must have got mislaid. However we thank him very much for it. He received the Nov NL on Dec 11th so it took about six weeks to reach him. Once more he describes his jungle life, in a tent made out of a parachute, which they obtained after the dropping of supplies. Plenty of game out there, not the 'Marsh' game, but tigers and wild elephants etc. Recently some of the boys came in with a python stuck on a pole, it was about 16 foot long. When they skinned it they found a small monkey inside.

NEWS FROM THE VILLAGE.
A notable 'Bring and Buy' Sale and Concert was held in the Chapel School on March 17th. It yielded the amazing profit of £300 (probably a little more) for the Welcome Home Fund. The opener was Mrs T Johnson and Mrs T Mortimer presided. The whole affair was a great success. The attendance was so big that many of us could not get even standing room for the opening ceremony but had to stand in the porch or even outside. When we did eventually squeeze in we had to be careful not to tread on anybody's corns! There were Stalls all over the place, Cake, Pound, Drapery, Agriculture, Jumble, Ice Cream and Minerals, to say nothing of the Tea upstairs which was truly marvellous. I noticed two enterprising folk in the old rostrum enjoying their tea. Then there was a grand Concert at night presided over by Mr Robert Miller, of Hoole. The Artistes were Miss L Bennett (Soprano), Miss M Robinson (Contralto). Both of these ladies were winners at the Freckleton and Walmer Bridge Musical Festivals. Mr W Woodford entertained us with his conjuring, and Mr T Taylor with his Monologues. The Hesketh Male Voice Choir were in good form with Mr Joe Watkinson as Conductor and Mr L Sewell as Accompanist.

Albert Foster of Fermor Road has bought the bungalow opposite his land in Moss Lane for £1,500

We are sure that all our readers will sympathise with Mr William Abram (father of Hugh) in the loss of his little finger, caused through an accident with his new circular saw. He was obliged to be in Preston Infirmary four days, but is now home and none the worse in himself. He has our best wishes and condolences.

Kenneth Baxendale (Station Road) has been wounded, but not seriously we are thankful to say. He is progressing favourably.

By the kindness of Jimmy Baxter, Whist Drives have been recently held in his shop on the Brow, and have yielded £45 for the Welcome Home Fund.

One afternoon recently down Guide Road, a very unusual sight was to be seen, nearly all the farmers of the village armed with spades and digging for all they were worth. At first we might have thought it was a gold rush, but no, they were making a trench for the water main.

Hesketh Bank WVS has been again to the fore, this time in organising its share of the 'Good Neighbours' scheme, to help the bombed out in the London area. They organised four depots, very kindly lent by Mr John Ashcroft (the old Firewatchers' hut at top of Chapel Road) Mrs Carr's barn (Moss Lane) and Mrs Edmondson's farm at Shoreside and Mrs Cookson's at Hundred End. A wonderful amount of household goods from a teapot to a harmonium were brought by the donors themselves to these four places. Mrs John Bramwell and Mr Leslie Carr carted them all to the top of Chapel Road, and the West Lancs lorry from Ormskirk came to collect them on March 19th, a truly great gift, which reflects great credit on the donors and the WVS organisers. The lorry men said it was the best load they had got from the area.

HUNDRED END NEWS.
Two engagements are announced this month.
Ernest Richard Eatough and Nellie Blundell, both of Hundred End Lane, and Gunner Tomas Bond, Meany Gate Farm, Moss lane and Vera Curwin, of Bromborough, Cheshire.
On Feb 27th a Social was held in Hesketh Moss Sunday School for the Welcome Home Fund, and £13 was raised. This was the most successful of the three Socials got up by the young ladies.

ROYAL VISIT TO PRESTON, MARCH 7th.
There was much excitement last week in the village when it was learned that the King and Queen would pass through Tarleton on their way to Preston from Ormskirk. Tarleton old Church was a grand sight, flags and bunting were hung everywhere, and crowds of people gathered together to see the royal visitors pass by, many did without their dinners to see them as they were due in Tarleton at quarter past twelve. School children lined the route with Union Jacks. It was a lovely sight and every one had quite a good view. The Queen was dressed in blue and she wore fox furs and pearls. The King was in the uniform of an Air Marshall. (One little boy told his mother the Queen had some grand beads on)

BLA MEN
Anyone who arrives in Preston between 10pm and 4am should go to the RTO's office and tell him to ring Hesketh Bank 230 and to ask the Rector of Tarleton to fetch them home. The first Hesketh Bank boy to make use of this service was George Taylor. Other BLA men who have been on leave since our last NL are Tom Rimmer, Chapel Road, and Clarence Iddon, Chapel Road.

BROTHERS MEET IN GERMANY
Harry Baxter and Jack Baxter have both met in Germany. They say they are both fit and well. We hope it won't be long before they meet in Hesketh Bank for good, we wish them the best of luck.
Mr Edward Moss sold by auction last week the large house at the corner of Moss Lane, 'Richmond House', to Mr Sergeant of Tarleton for £1,700.

My friends, this month I want not only to bring a little more of home to you, but particularly to talk of one memory which must above all others rank first in your minds, and here it is. The girl I left behind. Remember the walks in Springtime down the winding old road which led to the river, the hedgerows, covered with a mantle of snowy white blossom, here and there, patches tainted with the pinky cream of the beautiful wild rose, and the splashes of deep purple coming from the pretty flower of the Night Shade. A chaffinch or a Yellow Hammer with their lovely plumage add a touch of tropical beauty to your happy surroundings, and you sat by the river's edge and tossed little tufts of grass on to the incoming tide. You watched the glorious sunset, the long rays of golden light stretching high into the heavens the billowy white clouds, their fringes tipped with gold, orange and bronze, and the reflections of it all on the silvery water with the background of a blue sky was indeed a lovely scene On the way home you would stop for a while and she would stroke the soft nose of old Dobbie, the grey mare, who in spite of her five acres of sweet green pasture, seemed to prefer to hold her head well over the five barred gate and view the surroundings through two half closed sleep grey eyes. The only sign of life she showed was the occasional whisk of her tail as some troublesome insect would try and settle on her dew covered jacket.
Remember too, the night at the dance and they played your favourite tune, the soft coloured lights the rose in her hair and she wore that pink crinoline frock that you liked so much, and as you waltzed dreamily across the floor to the strains of that haunting melody, you felt that you were the only two persons in the whole wide world, the walk home afterwards and you stopped for a little while under the old oak tree, and up above in the clear blue sky, the old man in the moon winked his eye and smiled.
Remember on a winter's night with the rain beating against the sitting room window, you sat in front of the fire, her head resting on your shoulder and you planned your little home, and be it farm or cottage, she always insisted that there must be roses round the door.
The excitement of packing your bags for the first holiday together, the trip on the boat, and as she leaned over the rails, wearing the red jumper with the scotch kilt, and the wind blowing her auburn hair across her face, you thought how lovely she looked and what a lucky fellow you were.
Remember as you got into bed at night, and her photograph on the dressing table seemed to smile at you, and you smiled back as you pulled the bedclothes over you.
The time you were in bed with flu and she came to see you, and on hearing her footsteps on the stairs landing, your head stopped aching, and your temperature flew back to normal, and always after that you were a firm believer in 'Love is Better than Medicine'. Remember the night at the party and the blonde girl with the large blue eyes would insist on turning them every time you looked in her direction, and you were seen, with the result that there were tears on the way home.
Remember when you told her of the little troubles that had arisen during the week, and the wonderful way she smoothed them out, and here's one that always amuses you, though you never told her, the night she sang at the concert, and just before she got the top note you wished you could have been miles away.
They are all grand memories, friend, are they not? Memories that nothing on this earth can take away, memories that have helped you through the long dreary months of separation, but in concluding friends, I do hope that the time is not far distant when you will be once again walking down the old winding road, hand in hand, where the honey suckle, and the pinky cream wild roses bloom.
Country Lad

HESKETH BANK ENTERTAIN WOUNDED SOLDIERS AND SAILORS.
Funds were raised by Mr Douglas Iddon from among his friends in Hesketh Bank to provide entertainment for the inmates of Wybourne Gate Home at Birkdale, and the entertainment he provided was on a generous scale,, worthy of the village he represented and of his organising ability. A number of people from Hesketh accompanied him to the Home to play whist and there were prizes for all at the Home, both patients and staff. The Matron presented the prizes and Mr Duncan was MC After refreshments an excellent concert was given by Messrs J Watkinson, Wm Iddon, T Johnson, H Hunter and D Wignall. Mrs W Iddon was the accompanist. Thanks were enthusiastically given to the promoters of a most pleasant evening.

RECHABITES
The Juvenile Branch provided a tea and entertainment for the members in the Chapel School on Thursday, 15th March. After tea a cinema entertainment was given, Sister H Ford, the District Superintendent presided. There was a full attendance and a very enjoyable evening was passed.

MARSH NEWS. MARCH 17th, Saturday.
During the last month, the weather has been quite mild, and as yet we haven't had the equinoctial gales! The Spring tides are just getting past their 'height', and the salmon fishermen have been able to take their 'lodging' boats to the month of the Douglas, during the calm spell. They are now anchored, ready for the fishing season. Now that the tides are lower, the fishers intend to try their luck one or two tides this next week. 'Lot' Dawson has brought his lodging boat to the Hesketh side of the Ribble, this season.
John Hornby (The Walk) tells me his son John caught with rod and line his first salmon this season, about a fortnight ago, weighing above 20 lbs. The farmers are getting on well with their spring work. Quite a lot of oats have been sown, and also some peas, as well as preparing the ridges for caulies. In fact, some caulies have been planted.
Wild fowl shooting, has of course, finished. On the whole it hasn't been as good as last year. I haven't had particulars of everybody's total, so will let you have these in my next!
DL

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