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Enderby's successful 'wings for victory' week during African victory Plans for the 'wings of victory' week were underway for May. The vicar noted; "I have consented to hold a special service in our church on May 9th at 11 O'clock, in connection with the 'wings of victory' week. The usual organisations in the village will be invited. I shall be glad to welcome them all and hope for a large congregation and a good collection towards the village's effort. Our target for the week is a big one, but I am sure we shall all do what we can to support the various items that have been arranged so that the target will be reached." The vicar's letter for June reported success; "Enderby reached the target in the 'wings for victory' week. It was the result of the small investments and gifts of the many, and not the large investment of the few, which is all to the good. I think the allied victory in Africa helped considerably towards reaching the target. The news is brighter, brighter now than it has ever been throughout the war. Eventhough we may still have to go through dark periods, this victory has brought final victory much nearer. Let us pray that we may be more worthy of the sacrifices which have been made on our behalf and the country which we hold so dear." Mrs. Hibbert provides more light on this success in the Mothers Union section; "I feel I must thank Mrs. Church and all the collectors for their untiring effort during 'Wings for Victory' week in Enderby. The target for the whole village was £10,000 which was reached. As our street savings group averages a weekly collection of between £50 and £60 we thought that we had made a high target in asking for £500, but the magnificent sum of £1,323/19/0 was realised. I do thank you very much, both collectors and investors, for making it such a wonderful effort. The news in North Africa has cheered us all so much, but in our joy that this battle is over let us not forget the sacrifices that have been made to bring it about. What trials those brave men have been through! Our little troubles are nothing in comparison, are they? So let us offer up a prayer in thankfulness, not forgetting those whose loved ones have made the supreme sacrifice. In all the rejoicing of a victory there is something of sadness, for victory is never won without sacrifice." Those who gave their lives The parish notes of May brought sad news; "Mr. Eric Illson has died in active service overseas and leaves behind a widow and young children. To the widow and relatives we express our deep sympathy. Mr. Illson lived the greater part of his life in Enderby and was much liked by his friends... News has come through of the death on active service of Mr. Mitchell. Before he joined the forces he lived with Mr. and Mrs. Belton. To them, and particularly to the widow, we offer our sympathy." Earlier in February the notes included; "We regret to record the death of Mr. Cyril Browne (RAF) who was killed on active service in the Middle East, and much sympathy is felt for the mother and sisters in their great loss." The Mothers' Union letter for July started "It was with deep sorrow that we heard the news of the death in action of Mrs. Hulbert's son in North Africa." The parish notes explained that she had "received news that her son (Edwin Heath, by a former marriage) was killed recently in active service in Tunisia. It was very sad for he was killed only a few days before the end of hostilities in North Africa. Mrs. Hulbert had a very comforting and appreciative letter from her son's commanding officer. The sacrifice of precious lives is the price that has to be paid for the liberation of the world from the forces of evil." August's Obituary stated;"Very much sympathy is felt for Mrs. Harvey in the loss she sustained by the sudden death on active service in this country of her son... The local branch of the British Legion... attended the funeral service and the Last Post and Reveille were sounded at the Churchyard when the body of the late Mr. Alfred Harvey was laid to rest." The Comforts Fund gives a 'nest egg' to Enderby soldiers The December edition read "The Comfort Fund Christmas Gifts will be signed for on Friday, December 17th in the Church School, from 7-9pm. The efforts for the Comfort Fund have been so good lately that we shall be able to disburse the sum of 15/- to each person serving with the forces. Those who are serving abroad will have a little nest egg waiting for them when they return. It isn't a fabulous sum, but considering the large number of serving men and women from Enderby it shows they are not forgotten, and especially so at Christmas time." |
Enderby carnival week The September parish notes looked back to Enderby's carnival; "Our carnival week in aid of the Royal Infirmary and Local Comforts Fund was a great success. On Bank Holiday Monday the Carnival Queen (Miss Hinton ) was crowned by Mrs. Wm. Young, who was supported by Dr. Drury and Mr. Jackson. The weather being favourable, the scene was very pretty and was witnessed by a large crowd. Then followed a parade of the Home Guard, G.T.C., Girl Guides and others, headed by the Band. The collectors were very busy and also very successful. There was a crowded dance in the Co-operative Hall to end a very pleasant day. On Tuesday a large crowd watched the boys and girls racing, and they afforded a lot of fun especially the sack and three legged races. Other arrangements for each day of the week, terminating with a Cricket Match at Carlton Hayes Hospital and a Dance in the Co-operative Hall were all well patronised, and I am informed that the amount realised to date is £520 with other sums to come in - indeed a wounderful effort." The problems of a lych gate The lych gate that had been built recently seems to have been badly placed and involved in an accident. December's edition tells us all about it; "The Church Council has to bear the cost of removing the Lych Gate. After the damage to it by a passing 'bus a Church Council meeting was held in my absence through illness, and it was decided to have the structure moved away from the roadway to prevent any further damage. It was pointed out that the Church would be held responsible for any injuries sustained by any person or persons who were traveling in a 'bus or other vehicle colliding with the lych gate. So the Church Council had no alternative in the matter. No one seemed to realise until the roof of the lych gate was being put up that that portion of the structure would overhang the public highway. I have written several letters to all concerned and have not been able to get anyone to admit responsibility. Some parishioners seem to think that we ought to have put the matter into the hands of a solicitor, but if we had "lost the case" we should have had all the trouble and expense for nothing. However, I did write to the Diocesan authorities, but although they were not able to give us a grant from Diocesan funds' the Chairman of the Diocesan Board of Finance sent me a personal cheque for £10, and the Bishop a cheque for £3/3/0- Mrs. A. L. Taylor has also kindly given me a cheque for £2/2/0. For these gifts I am truly grateful. The 'Bus Company paid for their share of the damage, but there is still an amount of about £60 to be found. It would be a considerable drain on our general Church Funds to find this sum, and so I decided that as it was not practicable in war-time to organise a Bazaar or similar effort I would "sit in Church" to receive gifts towards this amount for which we are responsible, and to couple with it the matter of the repairing of the roof on the North side of the Church. The plumber reports that the roof is badly in need of repair in certain places and must be attended to very soon otherwise water will come through into the Church. The builders have made a very good job of the Lych Gate, in fact it looks better now than it did before. Several parishioners have remarked upon this. The entrance from the road has a nicer appearance, and the hand-rail is now by the wide part of the steps." A regular advertiser Shipley's were long time advertisers with the magazine;
A time of illness for the vicar The Rev. Hibbert was being laid low by an illness but the magazine gives little detail; In January he wrote "My illness has been rather a long and trying one. I had hoped to be about and carrying on my usual duties before this time.. but the nature of the illness and the time of year are against a quick recovery." August's letter began "I am writing this short letter on the eve of my going into the Infirmary. It is connected with my illness of last November." September's parish notes noted "we all hope the vicar will be soon amoungst us again, and wish to offer our very sincere sympathy to him and Mrs. Hibbert in their sad loss recently sustained." (Although it does not elaborate on the nature of the loss). In October's edition he could announce; "I am glad to be at home again after a long absence. On coming out of the Infirmary I was ordered a complete rest." |
A look back over the last ten years The Rev. Hibbert had limited space to record the events
of the last 10 years;"At the end of my ten years' stay at Enderby
I wrote at length in the Magazine about the various happenings that
had taken place during those ten years. By the time you receive this
number of the Magazine I shall have completed another ten years. Twenty
years is a fairly big "slice" out of one's life, and with
the resignation of the Rev. R. L. Greaves of Huncote, I find myself
now the veteran in this Rural Deanery, not in age, but in length of
service. Since coming to Enderby I have seen four Vicars (or Rectors)
of Cosby, Countesthorpe, and Peatling Parva, and three Vicars (or Rectors)
of Narborough, Broughton Astley, Bruntingthorpe and Arnesby. |
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Enderby provides beds and a cot for Leicester Royal Infirmary In January the Rev. Hibbert recalled the moment when Enderby brought help to the Infirmary; "The dedication of the bed No. 3 took place at Leicester Royal infirmary on November 20th. The bed is in the Apreece Ward, the other beds are in Rodgers and Odames Ward, and there is a cot in the hall of the Children's hospital. Several parishioners and friends assembled in the board room, and later proceeded to the Apreece Ward. The order of service was very short. A hymn was sung, a scripture reading by the Rev. W Simpson, I dedicated the bed and offered a prayer, then Mr. Jackson performed the unveiling ceremony. After the blessing, all parties returned to the board room and afterwards there was an inspection of the infirmary. The inscription above the bed reads as follows:- Enderby and Lubbesthorpe Bed No.3. Endowed as a tribute to the work of the infirmary through the efforts of the parish under the organisation of the British Legion..." Britain's Bells The vicar was able to squeeze in a poem into the February edition as he explained; "As I wrote such a long letter for the December magazine and fairly long one last month I want to 'let you off' with a moderately short one this time. There will then be room to insert the few verses about 'Britain's bells' which Mrs. Bates showed to me and has allowed me to insert in the magazine. The verses were composed by her husband who has been serving overseas for quite a long time. How joyfully the bells of Britain's churches will ring when victory comes! Like many other wives and mothers Mrs. Bates longs for her husband to come home, and their daughter Muriel, is most anxious to see her daddy again. It seems a shame that so many fathers are not able to be with their children when they are at such an interesting age as is Muriel." Have you heard
them ringing, Adolf ? Can you read the tales they tell ? Tales of glories,
joys and sorrows, How we Britons love those Bells ! Day of prayer on 5th anniversary of the war September's vicar's letter started with the mention of another national day of prayer; "My dear friends, Sunday, September 3rd, has been appointed by authority as ta day of national prayer. It will be the fifth anniversary of the outbreak of the war. We have gone through trying and troublesome times during the past five years, and much anxiety and distress have been experienced, but now the road along which we travel seems brighter with hope, the allied armies are pushing ahead from many different directions and there is every indication that victory will not be very long delayed. This is not to say that the war is almost finished, because there may yet be some severe encounters, but thanks to tremendous efforts and good leadership we are indeed approaching the last stages of war. We have reason to thank God for His many mercies to us, as we enter on a sixth year of war we humbly thank Him, and call upon Him for His continued help and guidance as we go forward towards victory and make our plans for peace and post-war reconstruction." |
Enderby Girls Training Corps does well The vicar was glad to insert a short report on the work of the G.T.C. in Enderby. It noted; "The G.T.C. recently had its general meeting to discuss the activities of the girls.(The vicar being one of those listed as at the meeting).. The committee was impressed by the amount raised for various charities by the girls since last January. Altogether £79/10/0 has been given to charity. It was also noticed that a number of the cadets who were once regular attendants are now obliged to miss parades owing to working at nights on munitions. Altogether it was a very satisfactory meeting." Enderby Cadet Force goes camping The first mention of a boy's cadet force in Enderby in the magazine appears in September; "The Enderby contingent of the Cadet Force spent the August Bank Holiday week in camp at Broom Leys, Coalville. The weather was excellent and the boys thoroughly enjoyed the camp life. On sports day I attended the camp and saw an enthusiastic gathering. I had a word with the Padre and he told me that one of our altar server had served for him at Holy Communion on the previous Sunday. I was told also, that out of 300 boys in the camp only four turned up for communion and those four were the Enderby boys." Those who gave their lives The parish notes for September mention two deaths; "News has been received by Mrs. Harrision that her son, Harold, has been killed in action in Italy. He was in a very famous regiment which has been in some severe fighting. Harold was a most likable young man, and loved his home where he will be very much missed. As a boy he passed through our Sunday School, joined the Church Lad's Brigade and later became a member of the Home Guard. We extend our deep sympathy to his mother and father and to the members of the family. Sincere sympathy is also extended to the wife (formerly Miss L Price) and family of Private N.B. Hurst, who has died in Burma on active service. Mrs. Hurst, with true devotion, went to live near her afflicted son, and now there is this added sorrow. May all these troubled ones find comfort in the fact that the Heavenly father knows and cares for them in their distress!" The vicar's letter for February included; "Miss Grace Manning's fiancé, serving with the 8th army, has died of his wounds. We offer our sincere injury". Indeed, he noted a gift to the church from a couple whose;"son is a prisoner of war, so like many others they have their own troubles to bear." The bishop came when there was an unexploded bomb near the church! The Rev. Hibbert answered a persistent question in November; "One of the regular members of the congregation has asked me repeatedly 'when are you going to invite the bishop to preach in Enderby?' The bishop has paid us three visits. He administered the roite of confirmation here soon after he came to Leicester; he most thoughtfully visited the village during the time when we had an unexploded bomb in the field near the church and at the same time he visited Mr. Gillard." More evacuees are welcomed in Enderby In the review for 1940, you can see that evacuees had already come to Enderby to escape bombing raids. August's edition alludes to more arrivals; "It is not giving any secrets away to mention that we have in our village several evacuees. They received a warm welcome when they arrived, especially in the first instance as regards a really good meal. I trust that our parishioners will make them as happy and comfortable as possible whilst they are with us. Double Summertime Throughout the war announcements such as this were included; "Double summertime ends on Sunday, August 13th. At any rate, that was the time originally announced." |
Salute the soldier week and August activities Raising funds seems to have been a constant task as we find in the vicar's letter for August; "'Salute the soldier week' seems to have been very satisfactory, certainly from a financial point of view. The schools and the street savings groups did very well. The junior school children gave an interesting display one afternoon to a crowded audience. August week will again be a busy week on behalf of the Infirmary and the comforts funds. And the farmers, I understand are getting up another effort for the red cross. For those who are not able to go away for the August Bank Holiday week there will be something catered for them in the village and neighbourhood. I hope that the efforts will be successful in every way, for the objects are most worthy ones." In September, the Rev. Hibbert mentioned some of the events in September; "The weather was wounderfully fine for the Gymkhana on August bank Holiday Monday, for the weeks of efforts on behalf of the infirmary and comforts funds. There was a large crowd of people on the Monday and I understand that the effort was most successful financially. Miss. Heather Donisthorpe crowned the carnival queen in the school recreational field on the opening Saturday, and Mr. Ronald Tree MP, was the opener at the Gymkhana. At the end of his letter he could note in a PS to his letter; "I have just heard from the Farmers' efforts for the Red Cross amount to £540; Whist Drive and Dance £66/15/0; Gymkhana £473/5/0. A splendid result." Enderby's efforts for the Red Cross Mrs. Hibbert wrote in June to say thanks; "Thank you all for so generously sending so many books to swell our target of 750. Actually 800 books and Magazines were collected. Many of the books were sent at great sacrifice to the donors, and will be much appreciated by the Red Cross. Again, many thanks both to the givers and to those who worked so hard to collect them. Also, I should like to state here the total reached for the Penny-a-Week Red Cross Fund. We started in April last year, and so the year ends this April, and the magnificent sum of £408/9/4 was reached. Many thanks for all your generosity and the work put in by the collectors, as well as to those who help me in the opening of the tins and counting up the money each month. It all means a sacrifice of precious time to do this splendid work, but we are repaid by the grateful thanks of the Red Cross, and for all this wonderful organisation does for the services. Many in this village speak so highly of what the Red Cross has done for them in regard to their loved ones. I should like to exceed £400 next year, so if possible let us try to make it £500. If any of you would like to get up concerts or dances for the same I should be grateful. Last year several sums came in from various sources like that. Mr. Biggs'effort was splendid, and I should like to thank the children and others who made various things and sold them for the Fund, and also helped in other ways, not forgetting those children from the Junior School who sent £7. Again, many thanks on behalf of the Red Cross and S. John Fund to you all." 21 years of service to Enderby A special notice
was put in the September edition which announced; "In November
next the Rev. H.V. Hibbert will have completed 21 years faithful and
devoted service as vicar of Enderby. At a meeting of the Church Council
it was unanimously agreed that some recognition of the manifold ways
in which he has served the parish should be made...". By the November
edition a similar note said that the 'vicar's testimonial' was going
splendidly with £46/10/0 to date. Enderby's Nurse Here and there in the magazine the vicar mentions a village nurse. In September we see an example; "The nurse is leaving Enderby. Parishioners generally will be very sorry to lose her, for she had endeared herself to all whom she came into contact by her pleasant manner and nursing efficiency. We wish her much happiness and good success in her new sphere of work." |
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