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No: 306
RECTOR'S WEEKLY NEWS
May 2nd 1946

My dear Boys and Girls,
There was no News Letter last week for three distinct reasons.
1. Holy Week is the busiest week of the year for all parsons, and with a lot of other work in addition I simply could not write it.
2. My typewriter broke down and had to go to Preston to be repaired. The shop I went to lent me another, a very old Underwood, and I have had to spend days getting used to it.
3. There were not sufficient letters from the lads away last week to make even a page of "Extracts."
However, more letters have come to hand this week and so here is the NL. But I have to say to the younger lads that if they wish me to continue sending the NL that they must do their part, and send me frequent letters. The elder lads were very good, as all know, and in their time in the Forces I always received between twenty and thirty letters each week. So sit down at once and write, if you wish to receive a News Letter next week.
Well, all the news is overleaf, and so now you had better turn overleaf, read the latest from Tarleton, then what the lads have to say, and then sit down and write a letter to your old and devoted friend, L.N.FORSE.

HOME FRONT NEWS.
Mr. Robert Latham, JP., former Chairman of the West Lancashire RDC, and of the Tarleton Parish Council, died last Sunday aged 85 years. He was buried at Tarleton, the service being in the Methodist chapel, which the rector attended, and afterwards the rector took the Committal Service at the graveside. Members of the Lancashire Constabulary carried the coffin to the grave.
Mr. Thomas Spencer, father of Mrs. Bert Melling, died on Good Friday very suddenly, and was buried at Tarleton on Easter Monday. He was 72 years old.
PC Robert Davies, the HB policeman, has been promoted Sergeant and is taking over duty at Great Harwood.
Mr. Andrew Pollard, the clogger, Hesketh Lane, has sold his house, the Poplars by auction. It fetched £2,895, and was bought by Mr. James Garlick, of Garlick's Café.
Mrs. Buck Iddon (nee Alice Fazackerley) gave birth to a baby boy on Thursday but it only lived for a day. The rector being away it was christened with the name of Thomas by Dr. Herbert Croft. The baby was buried in Tarleton churchyard on Saturday by the rector. The mother is doing well.
Tom Wilcock went for his medical on Thursday and passed A.
Robert Latham, Blackgate Lane, is home from Palestine on Class B Release.
The ATC have erected quite a large Club Room in front of the two small huts used by them in the school playground.
Nellie Fazackerley, Gatcliffe Farm, was married on Easter Monday to John Blundell, Moss Lane, Hundred End, in Tarleton Parish Church, The rector officiated. Reception and wedding breakfast in the schools. 108 guests.
Irene Hague, the Smithy, Church Road, was married on Tuesday in Tarleton Parish Church by the rector to William Ball (Scoot) Moss Lane. Reception and wedding breakfast in the schools. Honeymoon in Isle of Man.
As usual the school children took the service in Tarleton Parish Church on Palm Sunday. There were forty girls in the choir in cassocks and surplices, young Jim Whittle (John's son) and Roy Barron (Tom, the newsagent's son) read the Lessons, and John Trafford, of Doctor's Lane End, Sollom, said the prayers.
The rector has now got his car back from Morrison's garage where it had a thorough overhauling, and he is now able, once again, to fetch home lads stranded at Preston Station in the early hours of the morning.
The following is the second list of the names of those who have sent subscriptions to Miss Kathleen Topping towards the gift we intend to present to Miss Evelyn Webster to mark our appreciation of the colossal task she has performed so well in addressing, stamping and sending the 100,000 envelopes containing the NLs sent to those serving in HM Forces.
Hugh Rowland, Margaret Moss, Henry Moss, Thomas A. Harrison (Holmes), Elsie Winstanley, Hubert Tindsley, John Tindsley, Mick Melling, Herbert Parkinson, Harry Cookson, David Hanson, Thomas Coulton, Maurice Haskell, William Barker (Moss Lane), John Rowland, John Hornby BEM, Hoole, Lawrence Hunter (Hoole), Harry Price, William Hull, Walter Rawsthorne, Roger Watson, Harry Hindley (Moss Lane), George Almond, Hugh Melling, Leslie Clarkson(Bretherton), Frank McKean, Thomas Tindsley, Miss Gore (Hesketh Lane PO), Thomas Rigby (Toll Bar), Mr. and Mrs. Richard Burns (Birkdale-was Dick Burns of Tarleton), Robert Iddon (Hesketh Bank), Stanley Johnson. Subscriptions towards this testimonial to Miss Evelyn Webster should be sent direct to Miss Kathleen Topping, Ferndale, Church Road, Tarleton, who is the Hon. Treasurer of the Fund; they should not be given or sent to the rector.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Spencer, Whittles Farm, Church Road, have adopted the baby girl of Mrs. Hugh Prescott who died when the child was born. Mr. Hugh Prescott already had four children, the eldest being thirteen. She is now looking after the home.
Harold Baybutt, of Sollom, was married last Saturday in Hesketh Bank Methodist Church to a HB girl, name unknown.
Teddy Silcock, eldest son of Herbert Silcock, the proprietor of the Round-a-bouts and Fair Ground, who comes every year to Tarleton for our Field Day, is to be married in Tarleton Parish Church on June 12th to Anita Williams, whose parents are also in the 'Show' line of business. Silcock's Fairground will be coming to Tarleton on June 11th for a fortnight, for the Church and Methodist Field days. Teddy is a very old friend of the rector who has known him since he was a tiny baby twenty-three years ago. The Wedding breakfast and reception will be in the schools, honeymoon at the Isle of Man.
While in the Army of Occupation William Stazaker of Rufford became engaged to a young Belgian widow, named Madeleine Louise Bellot, living in Brussels. She has now come to England - to Rufford - and they are to be married very shortly.
Tom Dickinson is home on leave from the Navy.
Elizabeth (Bessie) Boston, Becconsall Lane, HB, was married last Wednesday at HB Chapel to Richard Spencer, Farmer, of Freckleton. 300 guests at Reception. Honeymoon at Hoylake.
Longton and District Light Horse Show took place on Saturday. There were 450 entries, of which 220 were in the jumping section.
Nurse Freeeman is in hospital suffering from appendicitis. She has been operated upon, but is still very ill.
Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Fleet have left Bank Bridge and have gone to Wales to take charge of a Café. Sidney Fleet, who was in the Merchant Navy, married Mary Pye of Bank Bridge. He has just been demobbed.
William Ainscough, aged 22, Hundred End, home on agricultural leave, found a car parked outside the Fermor Arms, Rufford, took a joy ride in it, smashed into another car on the Liverpool Road, near Tarleton, left the scene of the accident, went on to Morrison's Garage, where he found Dr. Ashton's (Croston) car parked, took that and went a joy ride, was caught by police and fined £42.10s at Chorley and had his licence suspended for twelve months.
At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, held on Wednesday evening, Mr. Bailey resigned his position as Churchwarden and the rector appointed Mr. John Coulton jnr. in his stead. Mr. Arthur Dandy was re-elected as People's Warden. Several demobbed Church lads, including James Parkinson, John Caunce, John Robinson, and Ernie Ball were elected Sidesmen.
While old Mrs. Edgar was out for an hour yesterday midday, someone broke into her house, ransacked every drawer, broke open the electric meter and also stole a gold watch. Whoever was the thief left a bicycle with a punctured tyre outside the house. So far no arrest has been made.
At Bretherton and Croston they are building some Norwegian houses. They are a kind of prefabricated house, the lower part brick and the upper part wood. So far no new houses of any kind have been built in Tarleton, but in last Thursday's Daily Post there was an advertisement by the West Lancs Rural District Council asking for tenders for the construction of 32 houses in Sutton Avenue, Tarleton, and 8 houses in Tabby Nook, Mere Brow.
When the rector was at North Western Command HQ at Chester on Wednesday last, a Staff Officer told him that when Rommel was chasing our lads back across the desert, they rested for a short breather and no sooner had they sat down than he, the Staff Officer, saw a lad take a book from his pocket and begin to read it. Rather curious to know what was holding the lad's attention at such a moment, the Staff Officer went up to him and asked him what he was reading. It was the rector's News Letter. When the rector was introduced to the Staff Officer on Wednesday he, the Staff Officer, said "directly I heard your name I knew the parish from which you came, because I have read one of your NLs". He then told the rector about the incident recorded above. The question the rector would now like to ask is "Who was the lad reading the NL in the desert?"
Tom Spencer, son of Mr. and Mrs.George Spencer, Curacy House, now of Moss Lane, was married last week in Ireland to an Irish girl whom he met when his ship was based on a Northern Ireland port. His bride comes from Eire.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS.
LAC Freddy Coupe writes from Montreal "I left Goose (Labrador) about a week ago, and arrived safe and sound in Montreal. I shall be staying here till I am sent home and hope to get to England in May. I have not received any mail since I arrived here as it will all be going to Goose. I am glad to be away from all the ice and snow of Labrador and to be back in civilisation. It is very warm here where I am. I've been into Montreal once or twice, and it certainly looks OK, but things are very expensive."
Corpl. Fred Taylor writes from CMF "I have just been up for a talk with the CO about Class B release; but I turned it down because I have only about three months to do for Class A, and that is better than being tied for six months with Class B. It is just like summer here but for all that I would sooner be in the old village of Tarleton. Please remember me, through the NL, to all my friends."
Corpl. Kenneth Nicholson writes from his ship HMS Colossus "We are all enjoying ourselves in South Africa, and many marriages have taken place. When we hear of the food shortages at home, and look at the food we can get ashore, it makes one wonder just what International Food Dumps could mean to the world. Corpl. Harry Price writes that he has travelled more miles than any Tarletonian. Rather a rash statement if he includes the Navy in his statement, as many members will agree. To all now serving I send the greeting 'a speedy return'."
Dvr. Thomas Sutton (Holmeswood Hall Farm) writes from BAOR "I've been in hospital for two weeks, and have had an operation. I feel alright now only my leg is a bit swollen through the injections, and I am resting in a convalescent hospital here in Brunswick. The weather here is perfect, too good to be inside. I quite agree with an extract from one of my friends, Robert Bond, in which he says that the B Class release is not being fairly dished out. For instance, I know of one man who was got out on B release for work as a Porter at a railway station. They can't tell me that this work is more important than that of an agricultural worker."
LAC Walter Rawsthorne writes from BAOR "When I got back to my Unit, after being in hospital for a fortnight, I found that part of the Unit, including my section, had moved to Hamburg, so I went back to my original section, and so I am still here in good old Ghent. But in a few days' time I shall be leaving here, and also my wife. Still it won't be a long separation as I shall be demobbed by the end of May, or early June, and she will joint me in England. I shall be sorry to leave this town which has been my home now for nine months. I have really grown to like it. My wife is looking forward to taking up her residence in England. Her brief visit last year showed her that we are much better than the people over here think, not quite so stiff and sedate."
Corpl. Hugh Melling writes from BCOF "At the moment I am in a Transit camp about 12 miles outside Madras. I've been here nearly six weeks waiting to move to Japan. I've been into Madras two or three times but wasn't very impressed; like every other place in India, it stinks! I understand that when we get to Japan we are to take over an aerodrome near Hiroshima, so I don't suppose that there will be much life there. Hiroshima, you will remember, was the town that received one of the atom bombs, I don't know when I shall be released, but if the RAF keeps to its promise I expect to be home about October. Remember me to all the other Tarletonians."
Dvr. Billy Whittle writes from BAOR "Just for the moment the food here has gone 'off colour'; we've been cut down to half rations and, believe me, I'm feeling the pinch. This cook we have here is about as sympathetic about it all as a brick wall. I've told him more than once that his heart is made of granite. What I would like to know is, how come so many releases in Class B? There's a snag somewhere, surely, or shall we call it a spot of 'red tape' in the various Ministries that have to deal with the matter."
Pte. W. Briggs (worked for Arthur Balshaw, Plox Brow) writes from Cambridge "We have been moving about so much lately that I do not know whether I am on my head or my feet. I think that one or two NLs must have been lost in the post. I received one last week which was posted to me before Christmas. It was covered with addresses of camps all over England. However, I think we shall be stationed in this place for some time to come. Please remember me, through the NL, to Bob Howard."
Pte. Barbara Coupe, ATS, writes from Leeds "I am being demobbed next month (thank goodness) and I shall then have done 3 years and 10 months. We are getting 4 days' leave on Friday, and I am going to Scarborough with my friend, so if the weather is kind to us we should have a good time. If you have a spare corner in the NL could you remember me to all in the Forces and wish them a speedy return."
Charlie Wright (Chuck) writes from Port Gordon, Scotland "Well I am demobbed at last, and back in Civvy Street once again. I have been home just one week now, and my wife has given birth to a baby son, so I reckon I have my hands full. Both are doing well. I am spending a few weeks up in Scotland while the wife gets on her feet again. Then I am coming to good old Mere Brow again. I would like to be remembered to all my old friends in the Forces, especially Charlie Wright, RAF, Tommy Sutton, and the rest and here's hoping that they all get a speedy demob."
Gunner Harold Aspey writes from Rainham, Essex, I am now very near Dagenham and Barking, and only about 14 miles from London. This camp is not as good as the one we have left. Please remember me to all the boys and girls who are still in the Forces."
Jack Parker (Liverpool) writes "I have found myself a job as a male nurse at Broadgreen Hospital. One more thing - the most important - Peggy and I have decided to be married on April 29th."
Pte. Robert Ball (Hesketh Bank) writes from Catterick Camp "Although this camp is pretty deadly, I am glad to say that I, myself, have a good billet and good food, but there is very little entertainment, and wherever you go there is nothing but soldiers. If there are any local lads in this camp I should like to see them. I'm at the fire station at the camp entrance, you can't miss it. I believe that James Sutton is in this camp, but so far I have not managed to find him. Remember me to Frank Foulds, Frank Taylor, Jackie Sutton and Arnold Bailey via the NL."
Pam Fairey writes from the Anchorage, Hesketh Lane, "Just to let you know that I am now finally released from the WAAF and am on demob leave. Also to thank you very much for sending the NL. No matter what else failed they always turned up, and I am going to miss them. Civvy Street seems to have changed very much, but I expect that I shall get adjusted to it in time."