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No: 277
RECTOR'S WEEKLY NEWS
July 26th 1945

My dear Boys and Girls,
My chief work nowadays seems to be tabulating you all so that I shall know exactly what you each want in the way of a house or a job when you get demobbed.
I can see already that these post-war problems are going to be the toughest job I have so far been up against, and if in one or two cases I fail in satisfying all your wants at any rate you will know that my failure has not been due to want of trying.
But life is full of dismal failures in spite of every effort to achieve success. I look back upon a ministry of 40 years; 40 years of unflagging zeal to give to the souls of my brother men that which alone is of eternal worth. My successes have been few; my failures many. Still I plot on with faith, with hope and, I trust, with charity.
So, too, you can trust me to plod on, in the face of many failures, to do my utmost for your temporal needs, to see you well housed, in good jobs, and living contented lives.
But the success, or failure, of my mission in life - to spend and be spent in the service of my fellows - can only truly be judged when I have been long dead. And you, or your children, will be my judges.
With my love, my blessing and all my prayers, ever your devoted servant and shepherd, L.N.FORSE.

HOME FRONT NEWS
Audrey Mary Lund, daughter and only child of John Lund (Butcher, Hoole) died very suddenly on Monday morning last. She was just twelve years old and was attending Ormskirk Grammar School. She was buried at Hoole on Wednesday. Among the very large number of wreaths was one from her schoolmates.
The Banns of Marriage between Nannie Howard, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Howard, Coe Lane, and Dennis Stanley Forshaw of Southport, were called for the first time on Sunday morning. They are to be married at Southport.
Our Church Schools held their annual sports on Wednesday afternoon in the rectory grounds. Large attendance of parents present. Tea on lawn during the sports at small charge to parents. Proceeds for our Welcome Home Fund. As a result Mr.Corless, the Headmaster, has handed the large sum of £15 to the Treasurer of the Fund.
Rufford Show on Saturday afternoon. It poured with rain the whole time. 7000 paid for admittance. This was the 606th anniversary of the show. Chief attraction was model aeroplanes. Prizes for those flying furthest. Longton Sunday School Tea Party also on Saturday. Silcocks in attendance. On Friday the rector took Mrs. Hodge, (Hesketh Lane, mother of Jack) back to Childwell Hospital, Liverpool, and also called to see Mrs. Barlow (mother of Hazel) who is seriously ill in the Women's Hospital, Liverpool.

ON LEAVE
George Wait, Frank Timperley, Bill Wright, Leslie Bramwell, John Webster, Jimmy West, Billy Whittle, John Pickervance, Alan Jay, John Smith (late of Sollom, now of Hoole).
Wesley Guild Tennis Club beat Bank Hall on Wednesday last by 60 games, score being 94-34. An unknown car was found abandoned in the New Road on Sunday morning. Police making enquiries.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS
Bdr. Dick Blundell writes from India Command "At the moment I am at a place called KALYAN, about 30 miles from Bombay, and except for an occasional route march am having a cushy time. Last Monday I got a pass to go into Bombay which I found very interesting but very far from my liking. I agree with Sergt. Ernie Ball when he says that Indian Rlys.are far from being de-luxe models. This seems funny because quite a lot are pulled by electric engines. Fruit is in abundance, the food is good, and we have an excellent cook who really can make a cup of `char`(tea). Remember me to Stan Quinlan, Rowland Bros., Vernon Ogden, and the rest of the locals wherever they are."
Dvr. John Caunce writes from CMF "We are now in a field at BOLOGNA. I have now been away 2 years 3 months, and it really seems like 5 years. I have got rid of all my boils and am now doing quite well. From what I can see I do not think it will be long before we are all back home. Anyhow I do not think it will be long before I get on leave and I shall, of course, make straight for the rectory."
Dvr. Fred Taylor writes from CMF "I am with my Officer who is running two Hotels for the lads of the Division. We are at a place called VELDON in Austria. If any Tarleton lads are round Veldon and ask for the 6th Armd.Div.Troops' Leave Hotel, and ask for me, I will get them a real feed, and it will not be like an Army dinner. I have a nice spring bed to sleep on, and I hope it lasts for some time."
Pte.Arthur Barron(Church Road) writes from New York "The trip make was to New York and I quite enjoyed seeing this wonderful place. I have certainly seen plenty of places since I joined the Army. Now we are off, I believe, to Charlston, South Carolina. Please convey, via the NL, my best wishes to all in the Forces."
Dvr. Tom Coulton (Fermor Road) writes from SEAC "After five months in the steaming, stinking jungle, I am now enjoying 14 days' leave at Darjeeling. The most majestic scenery I have ever seen, and food comparable to pre-war. Played football yesterday at St. Paul's. I am receiving the NLs very regularly. Please note Darjeeling is 9000 feet above sea level."
Trooper Alec Barnish (Hoole) writes from CMF "I am stationed at the Palace Hotel in KIFFISIA, about 9 miles from Athens. Last Thursday I spent a lovely day on the beach at ALIKI, getting in plenty of swimming. I think that my next visit to you will be made in a civvy suit for I am sure that I shall be in this country until my release group comes along. It is No.24. My very best wishes to all the boys and girls in the Forces, and all your helpers."
Pte. Arnold Bailey writes from N.Ireland "After a long sea and land journey during which we eat our iron rations, we have landed at a camp which goes by the name of `World's End Camp`. The life here is grand. We get up at 6.30 and from then until 6.15 pm. we do nothing but square bashing and lectures. We get one or two tests on guns etc. I am just about getting settled down here now."
Dvr. Robert Noble writes from CMF "I am back with the RETD now, and it is nothing like being at the Palace, but I suppose we have to put up with such changes. It is miles from anywhere. When I was at the Palace we started running trips to Anzio beach - we paid tribute to the lads who died there. I have also seen the Cassino Cemetery. I am waiting to hear who gets the Berlin Medal."
Pte.George Farrington writes "We arrived here from Edinburgh last Saturday and I am very fortunate as I am only about 15 miles from home. I am hoping to be here for quite a time as our Unit is doing quite a lot of escort duties on and around the docks. As a matter of fact I can get home about 5 nights a week."
Gunner Harold Aspey writes "We are having a very nice time here. It was a Militia Camp and is very up-to-date. Our work nowadays consists of gardening and painting the huts. Next Wednesday we are having a big sports meeting for the regiment alone. Some days we get very good lectures, very good indeed. I'm in A Group 31, so I would like to know when I am to be demobbed."
PO Harold Rawlinson, RAF, writes "Numerous people have commented on the regularity of the NL, and you must have a most commendable system. I now find myself in a really good job - even for Flying Training Command. I am Deputy Commander of the Gunnery Flight and, as the name implies, we teach gunnery as opposed to straight flying. Having a few real fighter aircraft to play with makes a very pleasant change too!! Doubtless you have seen some of our aircraft over Tarleton. Some of the Instructors frequently make cross-country formation trips to Blackpool."
Gdsn.Aubrey Smith writes "I am getting quite settled again with the Army routine. We finish here on August 1st and then I shall be re-joining my own Unit. I'm in Group 32 for demobbing so I shall have to do at least another twelve months. We had a terrific thunderstorm here last Saturday just like an Artillery Barrage, and with our camp being in the midst of a wood it made many of the chaps think, and talk, of a tree being struck by lightning - rather an unpleasant conversation, don't you think?"
Joe Rimmer, a Bevin boy, writes from his Mine "There is a lot of difference down the mine in the atmosphere than there was in the middle of winter. It won't be long before I and a lot more at the hostel get our annual holidays. I see that my old schoolmate Norman Wright is expecting to get home, so if he manages to get his leave sharp I may get to see him."