Web Transcript © 2003 Hubmaker. All rights reserved.
Reproduction by any means strictly prohibited.

No: 295
RECTOR'S WEEKLY NEWS
January 10th 1946

My dear Boys and Girls,
Things have not panned out since hostilities came to an end quite as satisfactorily as one hoped, or even expected. The world at large is still very much at sixes and sevens. The nations, even those that were firm allies throughout the war, now seem suspicious of each other, and individuals are restless and irritable. We all have a very hard task before us to rebuild world outlook upon a sure, firm and lasting foundation. And each one of us must contribute our full share to the realisation of this desire. We have no right to let things slide and leave our children a heritage of strife and disorder. Each one of us must ask himself, or herself, "What do I intend to do to bring the world back to sanity and Peace?" At the least you can attach yourself more closely to your Church or Chapel and give your active support to those who are in a position to make their influence felt. There is always strength in numbers. Think these things over. The night is far spent, the day is at hand, and with the day comes the opportunity, which certainly must not go by default. A proper little sermon this week, but I know that you will recognise how necessary it is to write it now. With my love and all my prayers, ever your affectionate friend,
L.N.FORSE.

HOME FRONT NEWS
Mrs. Hunter, of Hunters Farm, Mere Brow, died very suddenly last Friday night, and was buried at Tarleton on Tuesday. She was 74 years of age. Mrs. Alice Sutton, Marshes Lane, Mere Brow, died on Tuesday, and was buried at Tarleton on Friday. She was 83 years of age.
Dr.Herbert Croft, who has been ill almost since he returned from Burma, is in Southport Infirmary. Mrs. Margaret Coulton, Hesketh Lane, the house where Mr. Findley the Southport Dentist had his surgery, has sold this house for £2,300 and has bought the half of Philip Barron's old house, which he divided into two, for £1,150, from Mrs. Boston, of Rufford, who bought it last year. Harry Crook, who has been very ill in Germany, has returned home, still looking unwell, and very thin.
The Annual New Year's Dance took place in the Schools on New Year's Eve. As usual the room was crowded to suffocation, but although dancing was difficult, everyone seemed to enjoy it. The Church Bells were rung - full peal - at midnight; "Old Lang Syne" was sung in the Schools; the rector wished all present a Happy New Year - and did not forget those who were away in HM Forces - and the Dance finished at about one o'clock. Messrs. Hothersall and Sons,of Preston,are selling by Auction at the Cock and Bottle, Ascrofts Farm, the property of the Executors of the late George Sutton, of Mere Brow. Tarleton Flight ATC went to Southport on Thursday evening to a Christmas Party given to the Southport Squadron,ATC. The Mayor of Southport was present.
The rector gave his usual Epiphany Party to the Altar Servers on Monday last. Each lad was asked to bring a girl friend, and there were about 40 present, all told. The usual Conjuror, Epiphany cake with its fifty-odd candles etc. and games till well turned midnight. The infant daughter of Mr.and Mrs. (nee Ruth Howard) Richard Baldwin, Jenkinsons Farms, Sollom, was christened on Sunday in Tarleton Parish Church with the name of Linda. This is their second child. Mere Brow Church Tea Party and New Year's Social last Monday night in the Mere Brow Schools. It is rather interesting to note that while the rector was writing this NL the wireless announced that HMS Bulolo, on which Bill Ball (Scoot) served throughout the war has just been put out of commission, after five years' War Service, and returned to the Merchantile Marines. Lord Louis Mountbatten went on Board to thank the crew and say `goodbye`to the ship.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS
Gunner Dan Stazicker writes from CMF "My group is 26, and I am hoping to be on my way home by the end of January. I am now stationed in Milan. I was posted here as a painter when my old regiment was broken up, and I am busy painting stalls, signs and boards in the Fun Fair, for the amusement of all release personnel who come through this camp on their way home. I have not seen any Tarletonians yet, but I am keeping my eyes open." Sapper Jimmy Harrison writes from MEF "I am now stationed in Alexandria, in what used to be the 8th Gen.Hospital. It is now Transportation House, and I daresay a few Tarleton boys have been here at one time or another. I am now in a Port Maintenance Company, and find the work very interesting. We came overland to get here, across France to Toulon, from there to Alexandria, across the Med. Then by train to Ismalia, where I spent a week, and then back here. I was surprised to find the amount of food here in Alex. It is good, and dear, but at least it is unrationed." Sergeant Harley McKean writes from MEF "I have received the Christmas NL. I enclose a photograph which I had taken a few days ago. I sincerely hope that in the near future my address will be Mr. Harley McKean, Tarleton, and not Sgt. McKean, MEF. I am in Group 27 for demob, so it will not be long now."
Cpl.Ronnie Sergeant writes from BAOR "I have managed to get through Christmas alright; it was rather boring here, all that it amounted to really was two days with nothing whatever to do except eat and recover from an excellent Christmas dinner. I am now stationed in a small village 15 miles from LUBECK. From what I read in the NL I see my cousin Ted Barnish is only about 40 miles from here. I will look him up sometime. I would be pleased if through the NL you would send my best wishes to all my cousins and brother-in-law Eric Edmondson, also Nick Forshaw, and may we all very soon be happily together again in civvy street." Dvr. John Caunce writes from CMF "I cannot send you my address yet but I hope to be posted to a coy. in a few days. We are having plenty of snow today(Christmas Day). We had a service in Church this morning and I had a talk with the Chaplain. Afterwards who should be serving on my table by the Chaplain himself. He even asked me if I could eat any more, but as I had just eaten TWO dinners and a sweet, I had to refuse. I am still in Austria, and I think that the Coy. we shall be going to will still be in this country. This will make the fourth Christmas Day I have spent away from home." Pte. Jack Parker writes from Shillong, India, although he heads his letter with his home address at Liverpool, "I am not yet home despite the address given above. I have started out on the journey home, but there is a delay at Pandu reception camp in Assam because of lack of boats at Bombay. I scrounged a five days' pass for Shillong - 68 miles from Pandu. I am writing this from Shillong, and go back to Pandu on Christmas Eve. My brother,ex-pow, is stationed at Burscough. I am writing this letter in the Toc H here." Gunner Tom Fazackerley writes from Chendwara, India Command, "We had a first class meal on Christmas Day, and were waited on `hand and foot` by our officers. They brought cups of tea round to us at 7.30 while we were in bed, and at 8.30 we had real egg with plenty of bacon and beans. We had a smashing Christmas dinner, turkey, roast potatoes, green peas, Yorkshire pudding, apple sauce, Christmas pudding with custard, half a pint of beer and five cigarettes. It was a boiling hot day, with plenty of dust flying about, and the Padre took the Service in the open air, and used an old boxing ring for a pulpit." Cfn.T. Mason (Rufford) writes from Antwerp "I had an accident to my right hand the Tuesday before Christmas and I've been left-handed ever since. I am still bandaged up, complete with a sling. Still in spite of being handicapped I've had a decent Christmas. I am still receiving the NLs regularly, and still find it very interesting, more so than the Ormskirk Advertiser. My Group is 26, which I hope comes out in February, and I suppose that means that I shall be struck off the mailing list." Gunner Arthur Harrison writes from 94 Brit. Gen. Hosp., BAOR "As you will see I am still in hospital at HAMBURG, and am pleased to say that my ear is much better. My group is 24, so I was hoping to be out this weekend. I asked the ear specialist how long I should be here. He told me about ten days. We had a lovely Christmas dinner, and the nurses, sisters and Red Cross staff tried to make it cheerful, but there was no entertainment. Please say for me through the NL to all who are still in HM Forces `God bless you, and a speedy return home`. When I leave here I shall have to go to a RHU and get my demobs from there, so that will be a little delay."
AC2 Bert Rawlinson (Bretherton) writes from Upper Benefield, Nr. Peterborough, "Well, here's the letter I promised. The camp is an old American aerodrome, and we do our training on the runways. We get good food here, and although it is very much out of the way I don't think it is going to be too bad. I am writing this letter lying on my bed, so excuse the writing. I did not get to see you when I was home for Christmas, but I was very busy darting about, but will visit you on my next leave."