Local News 

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Harry Rowlands paraded the Union Flag, Grace Atkins the Brownie colour and Jacob Connolly the cub colour at the annual service of remembrance in the Memorial Hall on Sunday, 9 November at 4pm.  There were some 80 people present for the service that was led jointly by Rev Pauline Bicknell of St Luke’s Church and the Rev Yolanda Burns of the United Reformed Church.  The wreaths were laid by Gordon Buck, who is a former bandsman with the fifth West Yorkshire Regiment, and Peter Millard.  The organ was played by Brian Staveley and the bugler was Chris Stoneham. 

Tea, coffee, orange squash and biscuits were served after the service in the supper room to give people the chance to socialise and exchange memories, reminiscences and news.

HEST BANK LADIES
Hest Bank Ladies visited Archer’s farm and coffee shop for their November meeting.  They were informed about the history of the farm, which was organic prior to it being fashionable, and the creation of the coffee shop.  After the formal meeting they were able to sit and socialise over a cup of coffee.

LUNCHEON
George Dobson was the guest speaker at the Bare and Hest Bank Ladies Luncheon Club November meeting.  He told the 38 members present about “His trip to Moscow”, which he described both beautifully and amusingly.  Mrs Jackson, the club president, welcome the members to the meeting and it was agreed that the club would send get well messages to members who were ill or injured and unable to attend the meeting.

There was a second male guest at the meeting, who was Rev Jason McCullagh.  He is the minister of the United Reformed Church on Broadway and he was scheduled to be the speaker at the meeting in May 2009.  However, he will be moving to Scarborough in the spring next year and will be unable to address that meeting. 

The next meeting will the Christmas meal when Derek Morgan will talk about “A day in the life of a flower shop”.  Any ladies who would like the experience the club should contact the club secretary, Mrs Enid Clarke on 01524 415207.

PANTOMIME
The festive time of the winter solstice, Hanukkah and Christmas approaches and the school pantomime is rising phoenix style following the handover to a new production team.  It might be difficult to imagine that a theatre tradition that traces its roots back to the to the comedie de l’ arte would have anything new but we can expect a freshness.  That is what Liz Brewster, who directed the pantomime for quarter of a century told me two years ago when she hoped for a new team to ensure that it stays fresh, enjoyable and continues to enable children to gain in confidence.  At the celebration for her late husband, she said she hopes this year’s pantomime is a success and she is looking forward to enjoy it as a member of the audience. 

This year’s pantomime is Snow White and will play on three evenings starting at 7pm on Thursday, 27; Friday, 28 and Saturday, 29 November with a matinee starting at 2pm on the Saturday.  Tickets, which cost £4.50 for adults and £2.50 for children and concessions, are available from the school.  All are welcome to boo the baddies and cheer the goodies.

OVER SIXTIES
Nan Beattie was the winner of the games of dominoes at the first meeting of the Over Sixties Club in November.  Joyce Kuzniar secured second place, Barbara Wynn came third, Margaret Holland held fourth place and Joan Hunter took fifth place.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The November meeting of the Slyne with Hest Horticultural Society, which was held in the Memorial Hall, was the annual general meeting.

Mr G Hearsey, Chairman, welcomed members and thanked them for attending.  Mrs Edith Walker, secretary, reported a successful year that included two shows, a summer outing, a social evening and a charity plant sale.  Mr R Walker, treasurer, presented the accounts and reported a healthy financial position.

Mr D Mowle reported that the schedules for the shows continue to be assessed so they reflect current popular garden activities.  Amending the schedules enables members to display their continuing and new enthusiasms

Following a discussion about the future, it was agreed that one of the lectures each year could be substituted by an informal workshop on gardening topics, for example vegetable growing or patio pot cultivation.

Officers elected were:

 
A vote of thanks was given to Mr and Mrs Walker for their hard work on behalf of the society.  Various suggestions were made to lighten the secretary’s burden.

EQUIPMENT FUND 
At the first meeting of the Equipment Fund in November Margaret Holland won the games of dominoes with Barbara Wynn coming second.  Jean Connor lost the cut and so came third, whilst Grace Graham gained fourth place and Ellen Ezard managed fifth place.

AUTUMN CLUB
There were 54 members and two guests at the November meeting of the Autumn Club to hear Mr Stanley Walmsley’s informative talk on campanology entitled, “Ringing through the Ages”.  He showed his sense of fun as he called on the audience, in true school masterly fashion, to answer questions.  He finished his presentation by recruiting three members of the audience to take a bell each and within two minutes learn to play three tunes. 

The chairman reminded members of forthcoming social event, viz. a shopping trip to the Trafford Centre, the carol concert at the Ashton Memorial and the Christmas party at the Headway Hotel.  The next meeting of the club will be on Monday, 12 January.

NORMAN BREWSTER
There were some 60 thespians and other theatre lovers at the celebration of Norman Brewster’s life that was held in the Memorial Hall on the third Saturday of November.  This impromptu gathering clung to true theatrical tradition by being not only “all right on the night” but excellent.  The entertainment was provided by DW Karaoke (see, http://dwkaraoke.co.uk/) so there was plenty of dancing with prancing whilst the dedicated performers could demonstrate their aptitude to entertain through song.  There was plenty of scrumptious food in the Jacob’s Join and a well run bar.  Congratulations are due to the organisers for arranging this fitting memorial to Norman and raising funds for Stage Struck.

CUPPA AND A CHAT
The people at the monthly cuppa and a chat in the church institute enjoyed looking at the old photographs of the village.  Whilst nobody present could remember the village from the beginning of the period (1800) some people could recall the village of the 1950s.  The challenge in finding people with long memories of the village is that many people moved here as adults but there are a select few who were born, educated and continue to live here.

The next cuppa and a chat will be on Wednesday, 10 December in the church institute from 2:30pm until 4:30pm.  There will be mince pies and carols.  There is also an intention to make the event welcoming to children and their parents after school with the opportunity to decorate gingerbread biscuits.  Although this monthly event is run by two churches it is open to all villagers as an inclusive social function. 

CRAFT FAIR
There will be another craft fair in the Memorial Hall on Sunday, 14 December from noon to 4pm.  This presents another opportunity to buy Christmas presents without leaving the village.  What a great way to reduce one’s carbon footprint whilst striving for a greener lifestyle.  You might even find a treat for yourself or something for everyday life.

ORGAN RECITAL
The United Reformed Church is holding an organ recital during the evening of Sunday, 14 December starting at 6:30 in the Church Institute.  Tickets cost £10 each, which includes a meal.  Tickets can be obtained from members of the congregation.

CEILIDH
The United Reformed Church held a ceilidh in the church institute on the third Saturday of November.  This enjoyable family event was attended by 56 people who also devoured a delicious hot pot supper.  Music and calling was provided by the Northern Lights Ceilidh Band.  Over £200 was raised for Christian Aid.

NO PARKING
There is a propose traffic regulation order to ban parking at the junction of Peacock Lane and Hest Bank Lane.  This will result in 25 metres of double yellow lines alongside the kerb.  The parish council has striven arduously for at least the last two years to regulate parking in this area.  Cars parked on this bend cause an obstruction for other road users and as most also partially or wholly on the pavement they cause a hazard for pedestrians, since it is sometimes impossible for the fit and agile to walk on the pavement.  Those people pushing buggies, prams or wheel chairs and the frail with walking aids are more frequently forced to walk in the road.

There is a prima facie case for some action to be taken.  However it is enforcement that is required.  If one consults the Highway Code (2007 edition) rule 243 states, intra alia, “Do not stop or park ... opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space...” and rule 244 states, intra alia, “You must not park partially or wholly on the pavement..."

If these rules had been enforced there would not be the need to deface our village streets with double yellow lines.  Can we expect the proposed traffic regulation order to be enforced or do we gain the invincibility that Mr Toad merely imagined once we abandon our vehicles along the village highways?

SCOUT POST
Do you enjoy the pre-Christmas exercise or would you like someone else to delivery your local Christmas cards this year and help the village uniformed organisations at the same time!

Lonsdale Scout Post Stamps, costing just 20p each, will be available from 27th November at;

• The Londis in Slyne
• The Post Office in Hest Bank
• Newsagents on Princess Cresent, Bare
• Londis, Seabourne Road, Bare
• via local Scout and Guide groups

Scouts, Cubs & Beavers all over the county will then sort and deliver your cards in time for Christmas.  For a full area of delivery see maps on the posting boxes and notice boards.  Basically the whole of Lancaster and Morecambe are covered.  Villages north to Burton in the North and east to Betham in Yorkshire are also included.

In Hest Bank, Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Brownies and Rainbows will be busy throughout December sorting cards and for their efforts receive a share of proceeds which helps to keep the Scout Hut up and running.  Let the children and adolescents do you a good deed this Christmas!"