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This is an extract from a parish newsletter, published in June 1945 in Hesketh Bank, Lancashire ...

Hesketh Rectory
Hesketh Bank
June 1945

My dear Friends,
So Victory-in-Europe has come at last, and we rightly say first, Thank God, and then we add, Thank you who have fought for it! Nor must we forget that it is the People鈥檚 Victory, so many steadfast men and women have stuck it out. God give us grace to go on sticking it out till the end, and that end is not only Victory in the Far East but the true and lasting victory of an abiding Peace.
The words of the Bible, read on VE Sunday evening, did express our thoughts so well, Isaiah XXV.9 鈥淎nd it shall be said in that day, Lo, He is our Lord. We have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.鈥�
There is only one thing remaining to be done, and for that we echo the old words of the Prayer Book 鈥淣ot only with our lips, but in our lives鈥�. There is a lot to be done, if we are to prove our thanksgiving, and that is THANKSLIVING. We look forward to you helping us to do that at home. May that be soon. God bless you all.
Yours very sincerely,
A.P. THORNE.

To Members of H.M. Forces connected with Hesketh.
We thank Almighty God that by your courage, labours, and devotion to duty Victory over an evil and cruel enemy has been achieved. Many of you have suffered much and have given much for the accomplishment of this end, and we pray that the people and Government of this country will never forget the debt owing to you.
In the midst of our rejoicing we remember with pride those who have given their earthly lives for their country鈥檚 Freedom and Honour, and we pray that in the Paradise of God where they rest from their labours they may know that their sacrifice has not been in vain. We thank you for what you have done for us. We wish you a happy and prosperous future.
The COMMITTEE of THE NEWS LETTER,
VE DAY, 8 MAY 1945.

A MEMORABLE WEEK.
Monday the 7th was a day of expectancy; everybody was waiting for the news of Germany鈥檚 unconditional surrender, and in the evening the news came over the wireless that Tuesday, the 8th of May, was to be Victory in Europe day. On Tuesday the Village was gay with flags and bunting and cheerfulness abounded. In the evening at 7.30 a thanksgiving Service was held in the Chapel: the service was conducted by Mr. N. Rimmer and the preacher was Mr. Robert Wright. There was a good attendance. At 8 o鈥檆lock the same evening the Church was full for a service of thanksgiving taken by the Rector who spoke of the goodness of God, the steadfastness of the people during the years of war, and of our need of dedication to the service of God.
On Wednesday evening in connection with the Chapel Young People鈥檚 Fellowship two plays were given by the Hesketh Bank Dramatic Players in the Chapel School. The plays, which reached a high standard of presentation, were 鈥業dols鈥�, by Phoebe M. Rees and 鈥淭he Dark Lady of the Sonnets鈥� by George Bernard Shaw. The Artistes taking part were Mrs. Sunter, Mrs. ?ill, Miss J. Wright, Mrs. L. Ashcroft, Miss E. Boston, Mrs. J Coulton, Miss M. Wareing, Miss C. Taylor, Messers L. Redford, D. Wright. Recitals were given by Miss Constance Worrall. Mrs. J. Ball (Cottom鈥檚 Farm) was chairman. The proceeds were for the welcome Home Fund.
The C.E. School was gay on Wednesday evening. The ladies of the Newsletter Committee had spent a day lavishly decorating the schoolroom in the National colours in preparation for the Dance and Whist drive, the latter 鈥榬un by鈥� Mr. Douglas Iddon, which they had organised for the evening. It was a splendid success, there was a delightfully happy atmosphere about this function, and the organisers must have felt well rewarded for all their work by the pleasure they had given and the appreciation they had earned. 拢8/15/9d was added to the Newsletter fund.
On Thursday (Ascension Day) there was a scholars鈥� Service at 9 a.m. when thanks were given for the great Victory the Allies had won in Europe.
On Sunday morning at Hesketh Church there was a large congregation, including many members of the Civil Defence Forces, for a Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication.
A collection for the red Cross amounted to nearly 拢10.

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