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This is an extract from a newsletter published in Hesketh Bank, Lancashire, in March 1944 ...

Hesketh Rectory
Hesketh Bank
March 1944

My Dear Friends,
Once again I want to thank our good correspondents for their letters. Twelve of these have reached me this month up to February 23rd, and if at any time I do not acknowledge them in the Newsletter, please do write and tick me off. Also, do not forget to notify me of any change of address. We are grateful to our friend Mr Barton for writing the special message this month.
God bless and prosper you all,
Yours very sincerely,
A P THORNE

Once again it is my privilege to send you a word of greeting, As I think of these letters coming to you from your own village, I think of that marvellous creature - the spider. There it is - swinging about in the breeze - reaching out here - exploring there - now dropping lower - now rising higher until, its purpose achieved, it disappears into some crack high up in the wall. It is able to do all this because of a fine thread which keeps it in contact with its home. There does seem to be a close connection between these letters and that thread, doesn't' there? They are that which bind you to your loved ones whilst you are far away. I can well imagine that such letters can be a source of strength in temptation; of companionship in loneliness; of refreshment in moments of despondency. Though you are wanderers on the face of the earth, you have one fixed point - your home - and to it you are anchored by a thin thread of a letter. May I push the figure a little farther? We are pleased to remember that you have been trained in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord". If you are anchored to one fixed point - your home - you are likewise anchored to another - God. And sometimes it is by the finest of threads. Opportunities for fellowship in God's House may be few; the regular means of Grace may often be denied you. Yet you need not feel cut off from God. Wrote one lad to me: "It is Sunday and there is no chance of a Service. So I sat by my lorry, pulled out my New Testament and read a bit. Then I said my prayers". He was strengthening the link that bound him to God.
Yours most sincerely,
W B BARTON

Points from Letters.
Bob Iddon is having a successful and happy, if strenuous, time in South Africa. The last we heard of him he was busy digging banana trees in the bush and transplanting them to the site about the huts. Bob tells us that the wild monkeys were very interested in the work.
Harley McKean (Jan 14th) sends thanks for Christmas Greetings, and a special thank you to the War Comforts, mentioning Mrs Bramwell in connection with the latter for her hard work for the troops.
William Melling (Jan 26th) tells of his few days leave up in the hills of India. It took him three days to get there, and during his leave he managed to get half-way up Mount Everest. So he must have attained a height of at least 14,000 feet, as high as Mont Blanc. Nevertheless William says that he prefers old Hesketh.
Bert Price (Feb 7th) sends special greetings to Robert Sharples, Jack Banks and Doris Whiteside, and he desires to thank particularly the Bowling Club, War Comforts, and Douglas Iddon for all their work for the benefit of the troops.
Thomas Bond (Jan 26th) writes very cheerily from Scotland after his leave. He thanks all those who got up the Fancy Dress Dance for the NL.
Ann Wright writes from Cambridge. She gives us a glowing account of Trinity College grounds packed with snowdrops and crocuses. The girls in her office love to read the NL after her, so we are glad it helps other people as well as our own. Ann wishes to be remembered to Ruby Carr and "will Ruby please give Subaltern Benkendorff all best wishes from the SMI".
W Bailey says that a parson in the Portsmouth area asked for the loan of his NL to show to some committee in his parish, so that they might start a similar effort for their lads.
Ralph Whitehead (Feb 4th) writes to say that his brother Harry and he are still together. He sends his remembrances to all the lads.
Ernest Buck reports that the parts of London he likes best are Kew, Richmond and Hampton Court. He saw quite a lot of the suburbs, such as Cockfosters, Ascot and Kempton Park, when they had cricket or football teams. Ernest has been recently responding to requests for stage hands in various local theatres. It must have been interesting work to get behind the scenes and see how things are done. So far he has only met one Hesketh lad in London, John Coulton (Newarth) at Euston Station a year ago. Ernest sends his best wishes to Dick Townsley.
Ronnie Whiteside's (Dec 30) letter reached us on Feb 21st. It is good to hear what an excellent Xmas dinner he had, turkey, pork, roast potatoes, and plum pudding and wine. He sends remembrances to the old work crew Ted Baybutt, Leslie Bramwell, and Gordon Iddon.
Rector also acknowledges a letter from Robert Sharples (written Jan25th, India) We are glad that he has received all the NLs up to November. We hope the others will come along.
Martin Wright (Feb. 18th) writes about a stiff course he has been through recently. Twelve of them were in for the examination, and only four out of the twelve got through. Martin was one of the lucky ones, and all four were from Lancashire, which fact he points out, disproves the old saying, "Lancashire born and bred, strong i' th' arm, and weak i' th'ead"! He is now a "Class II Tele-mech", short for Telecommunication Mechanic. While on the course Martin was lucky enough to spend an afternoon in London, his first visit to that wonderful world.

News from the Village.
We deeply regret to tell you that Harold Wignall (The Green) has been killed in action in Italy. The sad news reached his parents on Feb 21st. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to them, and their family, and to Harold's friends in their bereavement.

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