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Hesketh Rectory
September 1943

My Dear Friends,
Already a good deal of the Harvest is safely gathered in, and so far, the rain has not harmed it. We may well look forward to an excellent ingathering for which we must thank God. Here is a Harvest thought for you - and for us. “Be not weary in well-doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” The war is not won yet, but we are well on our way, and if only we all do our duty, and trust in God, all is well. We do not forget you - Press on !
Yours very sincerely,
A.P.THORNE.

Hesketh with Becconsall C.E. School,
September, 1943.

My Dear Friends,
The School is proud of you, and it is grateful for the Lessons in unselfishness and devotion that you are unconsciously teaching. The children of Hesketh know that they are able to live their lives in safety because of the sacrifices you and your comrades are making. Even children can realise that man’s worth consists in what he is himself, and not in his rank or possessions. Because of what you are and do, the children of future generations will enter into a richer and fuller inheritance.
When things look black remember that you belong to a people that stood and fought alone against the concentrated power of evil, and whether conditions are grim or gay you are in the thoughts and prayers of your folk at home.
May the God of All Power give you high courage and a contented mind, a sensitive understanding and a vision of His Eternal Purpose.
Yours sincerely,
L. GORING.

POINTS FROM LETTERS:
Stan Johnson writes from North Africa and says that the scenery out here takes a lot of beating, but that, in spite of its beauty, he still prefers the view from his own bedroom window in Hesketh Bank.
Arthur Taylor tells us from India how surprised he was for the first time to see a plough and all carts pulled by bullocks and Indian homes made of bamboo and thatch.
Roger Watson received our first Newsletter during the first week of July. He wishes to be remembered to all his friends, particularly Malcolm Parkinson, Richard Rymer and Freddie Coupe.
Bob Iddon writes from Capetown, and says he is glad to be enjoying civilisation again, seeing the Cecil Rhodes Memorial, and the top of the great Table mountain. He has had the good fortune lately, to meet Jack Marsden, of Tarleton, aboard his ship at the end of July.
Harley McKean has so far only received the March and April notes. He also has had luck in meeting his brother Richard, (R.A.F.) in the Middle East. How nice for brothers to meet after nearly two years!
Harry Buck says in connection with Mrs. Thorne’s message, that he cannot thank the War comforts enough for all they have done.
James Bloor sent us the first ‘Ait-Mail’ letter we have received. His first three N.Ls. arrived all together. He says that all the boys will join him in returning thanks-a-million for these N.Ls.
Annie Wright reports that it has been 85 in the shade at Cambridge, and that she returns many thanks for the N.L’s and for the kind donations from the War Comforts.
Tom Hurst, from North Africa, tells of some dirty places, also of women walking with loads on their backs followed or proceeded by men riding on donkeys, - the wrong way round, Tom thinks. He has not seen a drop of rain since he left England, but he has seen far too much sand! On the other hand he is surrounded by fields of grapes, melons, and lemons, and he closes by telling us about his simple Church service every Sunday morning, which makes him feel very near those at home.
Horace Hornby thanks Mrs. Thorne for her ‘lovely letter’. He hopes to be home soon, and wishes especially to be remembered to Stacey Gautry on his joining up.
Ernest Buck names the Newsletter “Manna from Heaven”, and Samuel Long says it is “a breath of country air”. The latter sends his greetings to Tom Iddon, Tom Hurst, J.W.Parkinson and Jim Coulton.
Sam is taking a course as an Air Fitter for the Fleet Air Arm. He says it is pretty stiff, especially the Maths! Seeing it is 22 years since he left school. (All the more credit to him.)
We acknowledge also with many thanks letters from Roger Ward and Thomas Bond. James Buck, recently joined up, sends his thanks for the News-letters.

NEWS FROM THE VILLAGE:
We are glad to see Leslie Brewer home, but at the same time very sorry that he has been discharged because of illness. We hope that he will soon be all right again.
Hesketh Bowling Club has had a record entry this year, with 105 members, and every Handicap has been well supported, with entries up to 80.
R.H. Taylor won the first handicap, J.Baxter won the Garlick Cup and the Sagar Cup. Robert Taylor (Tarleton) won the first open handicap in aid of the fund for members of the Forces, and Bobby Cookson the second.
The League handicap singles were also played at Hesketh Bank and was won by Hugh Ball (Tarleton). The President day handicap (Mr. Johnson is President this year) was won by Richard Iddon.
Hesketh ‘A’ team are sure winners of the League this year , and there has been some good bowling. Every member of the Club wishes you all a speedy return.
At a recent Dance at Banks one of our Committee came across one of his old friends, and in the course of an interesting chat enquired if he had got married yet. He replied “How strange that you should ask me that. I have only just returned from my honeymoon.” He then introduced him to his wife, a girl from Banks. We wish both Mr. and Mrs. John Taylor much happiness.
Harvest time is here again , and the farmers in our village are very busy. Mr. Sam Slinger has had eight tractors and binders cutting his record crop of corn.
Mr. John Miller, the grand old man of Guide Road is again the leading stacker on his farm. You can’t keep a good man down.
The following have been home on leave:
J. Garlick, Bert Miller, Fred Burton, Doris Whireside, Harry Hoyle, Herbert Wignall (Agriculture), J. Measham, (Agriculture), George Taylor (Agriculture), Malcolm Parkinson, James Latham, James Woodhead, Nicholas Taylor, Jack Basset, Malcolm Taylor, John Parkinson, George Iddon, Gordon Iddon, William Ball (Newarth), Leonard Ball, Horace Hornby.
The following Christenings have taken place:
Robert Malcolm, son of Mr. and Mrs. C Wright, and William Roy, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.Coulton, both at Hesketh Chapel, and Jane, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nick Whiteside, all on Sunday August 29th.
John Taylor (Navy), (Moss Lane) has been married to Ruth Sutton of Banks, at the Banks Methodist Gospel.
Dick Fowler, Becconsall Lane, was married to Philis Dawson, Chapel Road, at the Church on August 14th.
Much sympathy is felt with Mr. and Mrs. H Baybutt of Tarleton on the death of their little child, aged 20 months, likewise with Mr. And Mrs. John Parkinson, whose child was still-born.
Mrs. H Buck of Primrose Farm, died after an operation at Preston Infirmary. She was a most helpful member of the W.V.S.
Our special day of Prayer at Hesketh Church is on Sunday, September 12th. We hope all the Services will turn up well, and likewise the inhabitants.
The Home Guard journeyed to Rossall on Sunday, August 29th.
The Women’s Bowling section held a tournament on Wednesday August 25th. They had a “Bring and Buy” Sale and raised £40 for the Comforts Fund. Mrs. A. Wignall was the winner, and Mrs. Clegg was the opener.
Hoole Agricultural Show on August 21st was a huge success. It raised about £2000 for the Red Cross. Our friend George Formby was at the Garrick, Southport, the week before he set sail for Africa.
Stacey Gautry, Chapel Road, has joined the Navy. John Rinmmer, Chapel Road, has had his “medical”. James Baxter has got his discharge.
On the first Sunday in August collections were made at the Chapel for the Red Cross. The preacher was Mr. Spencer, of Freckleton. The Band attended morning and evening and accompanied the singing.

Is it?
“It is as different to pay income-tax twice as to avoid paying it at all,” says an income-tax collector. Our difficulty is to pay it once.

From an Advertisement.
“New creations in perambulators and baby carriages.” But that is where they are usually put.

Barbarism.
A dance band leader says he is teaching six young schoolboys to play the saxophone. Has he no sense of shame?
Choice of words.
“We eat more sanely thanks to the war,”asserts a speaker.
“Rationally” is the word surely!
Encouragement.
The meteor flag of England
Shall yet terrific burn,
Till danger’s troubled night depart,
And the star of peace return.

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