Web Transcript © 2004 Hubmaker. All rights reserved.
Reproduction by any means strictly prohibited.

Hesketh Rectory
Hesketh Bank
August 1946

My dear Friends,
I am anxious to keep a list of demobilisations correct and up to date.
If any mistakes or omissions have been made, I shall be grateful if you yourselves or your relations will very kindly let me know direct at the above address. So far as I can tell there are still thirty three names to which this newsletter is still being sent. To those thirty three friends we send our remembrances and greetings. We hope to see you home soon.
Yours very sincerely,
A.P.THORNE.

DEMOBILISATIONS.
The following have been demobilised since our last issue:- Harry Buck, Fred Burton, William Harrison, William Stringfellow, James Sutton, Nicholas Taylor, (Newarth), Harold Taylor, Wilfred Taylor, (both Station Road), Jeffery Wright.

CHAPEL NEWS.
Hesketh Bank Chapel Choir Anniversary was held on Sunday July 7th. The Preacher was the Rev. W.H. Phipps in the morning and in the evening. In the afternoon the Choir rendered Schubert’s “Song of Mirian”, with Miss E. Newsome, Soloist, Mr. T. Coulton, Conductor, Mrs. R.C. Wright, Organist and W.E. Howard, Chairman. In the evening Miss Newsome sang again, and there were Anthems by the Choir. Offertories were in aid of choir Fund.

THE KEEPING OF SUNDAY.
(Neither the editor nor the Committee of the News Letter accepts responsibility for the views expressed in this article. They appear simply as an expression of an opinion).
There has been much discussion in neighbouring towns as to the advisability of the opening of cinemas on Sunday and many people are disturbed by the trend of public opinion. It is a question affecting not only the towns; as anyone who has occasion to visit Preston any Sunday will see that the trains from the surrounding countryside are filled with picture-goers.
Perhaps it would be to our advantage if we were quite clear as to the purpose of Sunday, when we may know if we keep it worthily. Sunday is a day for WORSHIP; and unless we have devoted part of the first day of the week to worship we have not “kept” Sunday, no matter what we have left undone or stayed away from. Worship first, that is essential; then the Rest, that is , an escape from our everyday job - not because we dislike our daily work, but because a rest from it, a change of occupation, is good for us, enabling us to return to our daily work with increased vigour.
We realise that we must ”move with the times”, even if we desire to change the direction of the movement, and so we very tentatively make a suggestion which you can think over. At some future date it is hoped to build a Village Hall. We should like to see our young folk in Church or Chapel on Sunday evening before we adjourned to the Hall for a pleasant evening social of music, quiet games, community singing, etc., say from 8 or 8.15, closing with five minutes family prayers at 10 o’clock. I am sure that if some of the women of the Church and Chapel, or the members of the W.I. took the matter up, they would make a great success of it, and the young people of the village, say those over 16 years of age, would neither need to trapes the dark lanes during the winter months or go to Southport or Preston to get warm in the cinemas.
Some of the older people will be shocked at the idea; never mind if it shocks them into thinking of something better, and doing something about it. In the meantime, think it over and discuss it among your friends.
ONLOOKER.

THE BRITISH SOLDIER.
Field Marshal Lord Montgomery’s Tribute -
An unconquerable figure, his immense capacity for adapting himself to the unexpected, his phlegmatic calm in the face of the unknown, and his sturdy refusal to be carried away by the temporary storms and stresses of the moment, made him a rock-like figure in battle. Of all soldiers the British was the best-honoured, and his love for children, his personal cleanliness, his honesty and self-respect were appreciated by friend and enemy alike. His instinctive sympathy made him the best representative of his country abroad.
Confidence in Britain. Mr. Averell Harriman, the new United States Ambassador to Britain, speaking recently in London said: “I have confidence in the Britain of the future, the development of a full life for the people on this small but great island - the important roll it will play in the development of a just world. Britain is strong, too, in its unique association with the Dominions and in its forward looking attitude towards the Empire.
“The high qualities shown by the British people earned success in war and give assured promise for the future in peace. Britain comes out of this war depleted in physical assets but rich in human qualities - the greatest asset a nation can possess.

THIS YEAR’S JOKE.
Mr. Adolph J. Sabath, Chairman of the House of Representatives (U.S.A.) Rules Committee, stated in the House, “During all these years Britain has never done anything for this nation. We have saved her twice at great sacrifice”. Thank you, Mr. Adolph J. Sabath. You have evidently forgotten the time when Britain fought alone, giving America time to prepare. Mr. Sabath is a Jew; perhaps he could tell us of a nation which has done more for the Jewish race than has Britain. But possibly Mr. Sabath is annoyed that Britain objects to her lads being kidnapped and murdered by Jews in Palestine. No, Mr. Adolph J. Sabath we are not impressed by your sentiments, but we should rejoice to hear that you have now condemned outrages and murder even when committed by a Jew.

COST OF VICTORY PARADE.
The Minister of Works stated in Parliament that the works expenditure of his department on preparations for the victory celebrations would be in the region of £100,000, not including expenditure on personnel marching in the procession, entertainment, or hospitality. The amount if timber used would be 25 standards and the total labour employed would be 226,500 man-hours for building workers and 145,000 for engineers.

YOUR MONEY GOES UP IN SMOKE.
The river fireworks displays in connection with the victory celebrations in London cost £27,000 according to Supplementary Estimates published as a White Paper on 28th June.

THE COST OF BREAD RATIONING.
Dr. Summerskill (Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food) stated in the House of Commons that a scheme of bread rationing would need between 1,500 and 2,000 extra staff at local Food Offices at a yearly cost of about £350,000.

FRIUTS OF VICTORY - BREAD RATIONING.
An’ a very nice way of celebrating victory awm sure! Now aw knows as whatever Party hed getten into th’Government it wouldn’t a bin easy but don’t think as onybody con deny as at th’present th’food situation is in a bonny muddle. Happen Ben Smith weren’t very capable, but Herbert Morrison flies off to America, so does Strachey, an then we’re to ev bread rationing. What for? Bakers don’t seem to think it necessary. We managed ‘bout it in th’darkest days o’ th’war. Happen it’s to convince th’Americans as we ev no hidden stocks o’ wheat; they of course ev fed well all th’time, they’ve ner gone short o’ nowt. Happen it’s to find clerical jobs for another 2,000 in th’Ministry o’ Food. Happen it’s to …… but ne’er mind what the reason is, it isn’t going to save much bread - not more than 7% at most says Strachey, an all th’humbug for that, when th’bakers know more could be saved without th’trouble this scheme will be. Of course Strachey gives a sop to th’ “workers”. But you’ll notice th’housewife gets neither th’Industrial Ten nor owt extra to feed herself’ on. But then theer isn’t an election due for a bit Oh! Shan’t we hear then what a wonderful woman, what a grand “worker”, what a saviour of her country th’housewife is then. At th’ present moment hoo can queue for hours or go short o’food, or manage as best hoo con, so far as th’Government cares. Of course th’M.P.s ‘ll not go short. They’ll be able to get their meals in th’House of Commons dining room and then go home to enjoy their rations. Aw wonders how much queuing-up the residents of Downing Street do. Aw still reads about banquets and garden parties. However, we’re th’patient British public an’they think as we’ll stand for owt - an’ by gum, aw thinks the’re reet.
They can’t even organise th’distribution o’ th’ration books in a sensible fashion. Folk hed to go to th’Methosist Schhol an’ wait over an hour to get their books. An’ th’Ministry hed months th’arrange that. Th’Ministry o’Food seems to hev come to th’conclusion as th’ordinary folk exist for their convenience an’ as public should be grateful to th’Ministry for letting us ev a bit of food. Perhaps aw’d better finish before aw let mesen go on what aw think on th’Ministry.
LANCASHIRE LASS.

THE OLD CHURCH.
On Sunday, July 7th, special services were held in the Old Church, Becconsall Lane. The Church has been thoroughly repaired and decorated, and cleaned, and asphalt paths leading from the gate to the porch and on the north and south sides of the Church have been laid, which all to the convenience of everybody and the more worthy appearance of the Churchyard. For the 10.30 service we had hoped to have our own Hesketh Bank Band as usual but unfortunately it has not yet reorganised, so the Rufford band very kindly stepped into the breach and played us to and from the morning service.

Prepared for web viewing by Mere Brow Local History Society