Issue No 1 January 2016

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News and heritage for Brookenby Community

REVIEW OF 2015 Goodbye 2015 and what a year it has been. Firstly on a personal note and as Chair of Wolds Events I must give a big thank you to all our volunteers: Dave Clark, Sue Jessop, Sarah McCready, Kate Robinson, Steph Smith, Pam Thirde along with the editorial team. We would also like to thank Ian Burgess in Binbrook without whom it would cost a fortune to copy The Patch. A word of appreciation too, to our advertisers who provide the funds. The Patch has had an excellent year with stories coming in from all eras and from around the world including contributions from: David Bishop, Bertie Booth, Chris Boxhall, Colin Brothers, Rosemary Dorricott, Ray Haycock, John and Josie Lewis, Robin Sadler and Wim Slengen Other thank you’s need to go out to Margaret Quaggan and numerous volunteers who helped put together the very successful Anzac Day in April with visitors from all over England and two from Australia. The village also welcomed many other Australian visitors during the year including Jeff & Olive McKay, Linda Pope and John Herlighy, and Mr and Mrs Rod Lindroth. Anzac Day produced many fantastic moments but the highlight for many was the flyover of the BBMF Lancaster despite the strong winds. If you would like to see it again the flypast is available on You Tube. And talking of flypasts many were moved by the final flights of the Vulcan; a thing of beauty as well as a deadly warbird. Other heritage events included talks organised by the Women's Institute. First there was Squadron Leader Ruth Shackleton who gave an inspired talk on her journey from Air Hostess to Team Manager for the Red Arrows. Then in October Air Commodore Jake Jarron gave a fascinating insight into being a military attaché in Moscow in the 1990’s. Locally, both the hostelries which had closed have reopened and are currently going from strength to strength. In Brookenby we are indebted to Steve and Karen for working so hard to make The Bar @ Brookenby a success. If you have not done so already, why not drop in and find out what events and activities The Bar is putting on during 2016. The Colebrook School of Dance continues to expand which has necessitated the hiring of another room; not only good for the community centre but brings people into the village and income to The Bar. Another community centre resident, The Limelight Theatre, has had a busy year. Apart from their weekly drama sessions for juniors and seniors, they have had productions of Wizard of Oz, and The Rocky Monster Show. Plans are already in place for the next show which will be “Pirates of the Curry Bean”. Brookenby’s Young People Project continues once a week and has had its own heritage art project. This is currently installed in the community centre foyer so please take the time to have a look at this very clever piece of work.

St Michael and All Angels Church are still very active in Brookenby and continue to be involved in many activities in the village including the ANZAC event. And if you want something to do on a Wednesday why not pop along to the Brookenby Coffee Morning and Thrift shop. And so what’s in store for 2016? Well, all of Brookenby’s community groups have plans for the coming year and The Patch looks forward to reporting them to you. Happy New Year! Jon.

A Special Thank You Jon and Wolds Events would like to give special thanks to Paul Espin who voluntarily gave up his time to produce many video interviews associated with Anzac Day 2015. Thanks to him, we now have many personal histories for future generations to enjoy. He engages with people in a very sympathetic manner and his work can be found on the web at www.livingthroughww2.com We look forward to working with him and his partner, Bev, in the future. For those of you who missed the showing of the film of Anzac Day 2015 it will be shown again in April this year as will the Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire film of Operation Manna. Look at for details in February’s Patch.

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Brookenby Parish Council

1. Draft Central Lincolnshire Local Plan An Extraordinary General Meeting was held on 10th November 2015 at which the Council resolved to make comment on the draft highlighting the following: “We object to the housing allocation and also the allocation for economic growth. As a former RAF base Brookenby inherited legacy issues and an unusual mix of housing tailored around the rank infrastructure of the RAF in the 1930/1940’s rather than our community needs of today. There has been piecemeal infill development which amounts to nothing in redressing the balance of the housing stock and delivering a sustainable community with a reasonable level of social services and facilities. “Vital to the prosperity and success of our community is the industrial/commercial area. This area has always been treated as an afterthought and has had almost no investment at all in the last 25 years. More people are now employed by SME businesses rather than large businesses in the UK and slowly our industrial/commercial area is filling with small local businesses employing local people. “We would like to see a plan broadly based on the original local area plan with clearly defined residential and industrial/commercial areas. We would like to see the industrial/commercial areas receiving the maximum support for job creation perhaps as an enterprise zone. “With regard to the residential housing balance, again we would like to see a plan more akin to the original local area plan where there is allocation for a substantial increase in housing stock. As former RAF Binbrook, Brookenby parish shares services with Binbrook village such as a primary school, post office, pub, take away and shop. We would like to see our local shop re-open and much greater use made of our community centre. The original local area plan envisaged the building of around 120 new homes, however with the current build density and given the fact that the brown field site is surrounded by open agricultural land, we would envisage in increase in housing stock of circa 100%. 2. Planning Applications “Attached is a plan which is almost identical to the original 1990’s local area plan and clearly sets out the residential, industrial and community land.” Sam Coulam, Clerk to the Council The following notification of refusal of Planning Application on the grounds stated has been received from West Lindsey District Council in regard to land situated at York Road/Norfolk Road: “Whilst the proposal would be located in a village able to support the surrounding village facilities, this does not outweigh the detrimental impact that the proposal would have on the open space that it has been proposed on. The allocated open space contributes to the character of the village and the amenity afforded to the residents

therefore a development of this type would be damaging to the protection of this open space and to thesensitive area of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).”

BINBROOK BOOK READING CLUB

We have held an inaugural meeting, and books have been distributed. We are now registered as a group with the North East Lincolnshire Library Service and our first 'official' books ordered from them. Our first real meeting will be on Tuesday, 12th January, 2016, at The Plough, Binbrook at 10.00 am. I shall telephone those who contacted me earlier but were too late for the first meeting. If anyone else is interested in joining us, we still have one or two vacancies. Please ring Eileen on 398181 for more information, or alternatively just turn up at The Plough on 12th January.

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Wolds Events supporting The Bar@Brookenby

Presents WattnoAmp and Friends

so bright clothes please, and at least one summer song! Contact Jon on 079883 23902 or Tony on 078335 51209 or email: jon.ferryman@gmail.com Alternatively, drop in the The Bar, have a drink and talk to Steve or Karen

Mixing up ‘60s, ‘70s and pub songs. Wanna play? Then get in touch! Banishing the winter blues, the theme for Sat 16th January is “Summer”

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Sir Elton in Lincoln

He is probably one of the most recognised and bestselling British artists of all time, and on 10th June 2016 at 5.00pm, Sir Elton John will be performing at the Lincolnshire Showground. I know that’s six months away but tickets have just gone on sale through Ticketmaster with prices starting at £44.50.

Elton John first met his song-writing partner, Bernie Taupin,

in 1967, after they had both answered an advert in NME for songwriters. Bernie was born near Sleaford and went to Market Rasen Secondary Modern school when his family moved near Market Rasen. He spent a great deal of time in the Aston Arms pub playing pool and this is supposedly the venue where he got the inspiration for “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting”, one of Elton John’s famous hit songs. Only 17 years old when they met, by the early 1970’s he’d made enough money to buy a picture postcard cottage in Tealby from where he wrote the songs for Elton John’s classic album ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Considering the influence Lincolnshire had on his lyricist, Elton John has only played once before in the county, at the Starlight Rooms, Gliderdrome, Boston. The likelihood

The photo on the right is of Elton and Bernie in the dressing room at the Starlight Rooms courtesy of warrenfyfenews.com

of his playing here again is pretty remote so make the most of this opportunity and grab some tickets quick!!

See David Bishop’s article on ‘The Taupin Trail’ at page 10

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A.R. Needham Butchers (Ltd) of Grimsby Quality meat delivered to your door Free delivery for orders over £30. Call 01472 342795 or 351246 for further details.

This traditional Scottish event is generally celebrated on 25th January and the customary fare for the supper is: “Tatties, Neeps and Haggis”. Well, it’s pretty easy to find the potatoes and turnips but what about the haggis? Go on-line? Make your own? Never fear, Meridian Meats of Louth

Burns’ Night Supper

have just won a gold award for their “Lowland Haggis”, which they started making last year just for fun. So now we all have the possibility to have a highland fling, toasting the lassies and replying to the laddies; probably best to leave the bagpipe playing to the professionals though!

Tanya Gardener BSc (Hons), Dip.Couns Counselling

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January at RAF Binbrook

After the excitement of Christmas, January tends to be a month of reflection. On that note we give you some January dates that are milestones in the history of RAF Binbrook. January 1944 In January 1944 RAF Binbrook bid farewell to 1481 (B) Gunnery flight. Interestingly enough 1481 Target

Towing and Gunnery Flight then reappear at RAF Ingham in March 1944 until December the same year. I am sure someone with more knowledge than myself can drop me a line with an explanation of what a gunnery flight actually did. They seem to be forgotten units of the military world especially considering the hazardous job they had to do. Often flying underpowered aircraft, knowing that a trainee would be firing live rounds at a drone a few hundred yards behind seems a recipe for disaster. And yet it was a vital job if air gunners were to be properly prepared for the job in real combat. The flight at RAF Binbrook flew Miles Martinets, Westland Lysanders and Wellingtons with the former being the first British aircraft specifically designed for target towing. Just as a note, there were two other variants of the Martinet; a two seat trainer, of which only a couple were built and a forerunner to modern aerial warfare, a remote control drone version. 69 of these were constructed plus 17 others converted from the 1,700 out in service. January 1952 In January 1952, 617 Squadron (the Dambusters were stationed at RAF Binbrook from 1946 until 1955), started to say goodbye to the famous Lancaster bombers with which the squadron had performed such feats as the famous raids on: the Dams, the Saumur Tunnel and the German battleship, Tirpitz. They were to re-equip with an aircraft that was in many ways more remarkable than the Lancaster; the Canberra. English Electric’s Canberra first flew in May 1949, just four years after the end of WWII. Designed as a jet age replacement for the beautiful Mosquito, the type proved to be so successful that it won many world records for altitude and distances and so versatile that differing marks performed roles as varied as reconnaissance, nuclear and tactical strike aircraft. Its high speed and altitude made it an extremely popular export and was sold to many air forces around the world including being built under licence in the US where it was known as the Martin B57. The Canberra saw active service in many conflicts around the world including the Falklands War when an Argentinean Canberra was shot down by a Sea Dart missile fired by HMS Cardiff. The RAF retired its last Canberra in June 2006, 57 years after the first flight, however, there are still three Martin’s doing sterling work for NASA. We will be doing a further article on the Canberra in March to celebrate the arrival of the first of the mark, here at RAF Binbrook in 1951. January 1957 101 Squadron were another unit that were disbanded at RAF Binbrook this time at the end of January 1957. 101 Squadron had been a bomber squadron all through the war starting on Blenheims before moving onto Wellingtons and then specialising as airborne radio jammers in Lancasters. They were actually the first squadron to convert to the aircraft featured above, the Canberra, but in January 1957 they took a break before reforming in October 1957 as part of the V-bomber force using Vulcans based at RAF Finningley. Also, January 1957 saw the end of 109 Squadron. This squadron had originally been formed in November 1917 but did not see action in WWI. Reformed in December 1940 it went on to fly a variety of aircraft mainly in the use of electronic warfare including over 5,000 sorties as a marker squadron using Mosquitoes. They were finally disbanded as a Canberra bomber squadron after seeing action in the Suez Campaign, mainly due to the growth of the V-bomber force.

22nd January 1988 Flight Lieutenant Neil MacLachlan, was an Ex RAF Binbrook Lightning pilot who went on to fly with the Red Arrows. Despite the care taken, display flying has its risks and he was sadly killed 27 years ago at RAF Scampton practising an inverted low level manoeuvre. The following article and photos are from the Mid-Argyle and Kintyre News: “On 12 July 2011 the Royal Air Force Red Arrows paid a visit to Clachan, West Kintyre, when its pilots performed a fly-past to honour a comrade who lost his

life 23 years previously. The elite aerobatic team’s visit coincided with the final stage of a Remembrance project carried out by local primary school pupils and led by the former local Church of Scotland minister. Encircling the hilltop are the remains of what is believed to be an Iron Age fort, and within it stands a memorial cairn, erected by friends in memory of Flight Lieutenant Neil Duncan MacLachlan.”

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And finally the weather! In January 1945 RAF Binbrook had some snow. Well, quite a lot of snow actually with Binbrook experiencing drifts of 21 feet and it took the sustained efforts of the whole base to keep one runway operational. In January 1948 12 Squadron, who had been given the duty of long range meteorological surveys, must have known something was in the air as they decided to relocate to RAF Hemswell and did not return until March. There was also weather issues in 1949, err 1950, umm 1951, 1952 & 1953, again in 1954, err 1955…..and so on. Ah we don’t get winters like they used to…except in 2010!

Wave” comes to Lincoln Castle this Year

14-18 NOW is a First World War art project, commemorating the centenary of the war. Probably its most famous commission is the “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red”, by Paul Cummins and Tom Piper, which was installed at the Tower of London during 2014. The amazing sight of thousands of bright red ceramic poppies can be enjoyed locally as of part the iconic art installation will be coming to Lincoln Castle between 28 May and 4 September 2016. Lincolnshire was chosen because of its many connections to WW1; tank, aircraft and munitions manufacturing, its military aerodromes

and the many battalions in the Lincolnshire Regiment who fought at the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The touring sculpture is only part of the original installation of 888,246 poppies, as many of the original poppies were sold, raising money for armed forces charities. The remainder have been divided into two tours; the one coming to Lincoln is called “Wave” and the other simultaneous poppies tour, is called “Weeping Window”. A definite date for your diary!

Photo of “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red” during its deconstruction at the Tower of London.

A Plea For Used Postage Stamps

The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) are appealing for used postage stamps from the UK or abroad. RNIB provides over 60 services to blind and partially sighted adults and children and cannot keep these services going without financial help. Every day 100 people in the UK will start to lose their sight so your help will be greatly appreciated. Stamps can be sent to: 6 Mulberry Drive, Crowle, Scunthorpe, DN17 4JF.

Christmas Caroling Raises Money for the Homeless

It was a good turnout for the Christmas tree lighting and Caroling on Friday 11th December. As the weather was a bit inclement we had to make do with “Ahhing” at the Christmas lights from the comfort of The Bar. Music was

provided by the All Angels Singing Group with customers heartily joining in. A total of £16.00 was raised to go to the Nomad Trust in Lincoln. Many thanks to the singing group, Steve and Karen for the mince pies and Lynn for the delicious mulled wine.

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Advertising rates (All rates based on A4 page size format) Size per annum (12 issues) per single issue ‘business card’ size £25 --- ｼ page £60 £7 1/2 page £105 £10 Full page £180 £18 Advertising material can be distributed separately with each publication for £8 per item. To have an ad inserted or to arrange deliveries of flyers, contact Tony on 399876, e-mail anthonyprice1946@sky.com or deliver to 21 Dale View Road. All material to be submitted by 9.00 am the 25th of each month for inclusion in the succeeding month’s issue. Community News is an independent non-profit making venture under the direction of Wolds Events and supported entirely by advertising revenue.

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Binbrook & District Women's Institute December Report. Thursday 7th January 2016 Speaker Ken Sloan – Subject – Search & Rescuing with Abbie (Abbie the dog will be joining us for Ken's Anecdotal talk) Thursday 4th February 2016 Speaker / Demonstrator - Jenny Johnson Subject – A Crafty Evening Multi talented craftswoman Jenny will be passing on her skills in card making during a have -a- go session. December has been a members only time, starting with our Christmas party meeting on the 3rd. It has become something of a tradition for me to put together a list of possible speakers for our next programme year and let every member choose who and what they would like to listen to, have -a-go at and go out to visit etc.etc. From the 40 speaker suggestions, I will now contact members most wanted and hopefully they will agree to come to Binbrook. We all wish last years NAFAS flower arranger Caroline Jackson to come here to do a workshop, the top taster session was New Age Kurling with Archery the 2nd choice. All eleven Out & About ideas were ticked, So watch this space to see where we end up during 2016/17 and what speakers we have chosen. A member volunteered to take the table full of large carrier bags filled with donated newly brought items to the Grimsby Woman's refuge. This is the 3rd year we have arranged to do this, the refuge staff are very grateful. They like the items unwrapped so that each person whether an adult, child or teenager receives an appropriate gift at Christmas or through the year whenever the need is most. It was nice to see and speak to new people at the Binbrook Christmas fair. Now you have met us, do join us on the 1st Thursday of most months, you can be a visitor as many times as you like, you will be greeted at the door and invited to enjoy yourself, remember you do not have to live in Binbrook to come along. We have members who travel in from many of the surrounding villages & hamlets. Roll-a-Penny results, Under 12's winner Declan, scoring 200. Adults, Karen Thompson. Score 540 On the out & about agenda for later this month, the group Carol Service at Grasby and our posh Christmas meal at the Advocate Arms in Market Rasen. See you all next year... Bunny. Monthly meetings, 1st Thursdays of the Month 7 pm for 7.15pm start. Binbrook Village Hall – Plenty of Parking . Members FREE. Visitors £3.80 Refreshments included. Optional raffle 50p per ticket. For more information phone Marina 01472 399501 or Bunny 01472 399009

Community Group Reports Brookenby Camera Club The Brookenby Camera Club met for their last meeting of 2015. We watched a 15 minute video by a photographer on YouTube. He did an autumnal woodland scene. He then proceeded to Photoshop his work. He introduced more colours and some of the sun's rays coming through the trees.We had a discussion on his work and we unanimously agreed his natural photograph was the best. The Club has had an interesting year. We have now got a reliable computer thanks to David Hockley. Dr. Michael Edwards kindly sold us a printer at a favourable price. We now have a group of members who enjoy each others’ company and we are looking forward to the New Year. Our next meeting will be on 6th January 2016 at 7-30 pm new members are welcome. The Club room is in the west wing of the Centre. John Brackenbury St Michael & All Angels Services for January: 3rd – Holy Communion - Anglican-led; 10th – Methodist-led service; 17th – Family Service; 24th – Methodist-led service; 31st – Methodist-led service. All services begin at 10.30 am. Limelight Theatre (RATS) 2015 was a relatively slack year for the theatre club. We only managed to put on two main performances with 'the Wizard of Oz' and 'The Rocky Monster Show'. The latter had to be postponed several times for various reasons and resulted in a knock-on effect delay to all other items under consideration. Hopefully 2016 will see a return to our usual four productions over the year. We already have a major musical comedy lined up with 'Pirates of the Curry Bean' and there are plans afoot for some regular variety nights featuring songs from musicals. We have relatively few older members at present as 3 of our stalwarts left for university this autumn. So, if you're looking to audition for a part in any up-coming productions then please be in touch with Ann on 07903 322990.

The Taupin Trail by David Bishop

More diary reminisces from David Bishop, an air traffic controller stationed at RAF Binbrook during the 1980’s. This time he is on the trail of Bernie Taupin. “Life carries on and the ATC Examination Board visit looms on the horizon, why am I getting worried? I have nothing to fear, except fear itself if I mess up! In dull moments at work, the Training Team chuck questions at us and we all have to do mock exam questions. They are beginning to get really tedious now, as the questions asked are getting more and more obscure, a trip to Market Rasen to raise the humour level is looking more and more on the cards. I found out that Market Rasen apparently takes its name from the Anglo-Saxon version of this name, meaning "plank"! I decide that this weekend I will do a little more exploring of what is now my local area and Rasen it is, bearing in mind, it has two famous ex residents that being: Bernie Taupin, lyricist to Elton John, and the little known Rod Temperton, a De Aston pupil (when it was a grammar school), who wrote the title track on the second biggest selling album of all time, Michael Jackson's “Thriller”. Now you see why Air Traffickers are highly intelligent individuals and are always asked to join pub quizzes, due to our ability to remember mind bogglingly useless facts! Armed with a few bits and pieces on Market Rasen gleaned from the Station Library, I intend to head off this coming Saturday morning to explore, weather permitting, that favourite lyricist of mine, Bernie Taupin. Setting new standards for a Saturday morning I am up at 0730, I even manage to have breakfast. In front of me are my notes, maps and a full English breakfast, two slices of toast and a pot of tea. The major plan is to find the pub! Secondary plan is to find the school he went to, Market Rasen Secondary Modern and a coffee shop not too far away from it, the location he used when he bunked of school. Being a pub, I thought it was a bit silly arriving too early, that is, around 10am, so school and coffee shop to find first. Onwards and upwards to the car I go, map of the area in one hand and a map of Rasen in the bundle tucked away in my briefcase. Down the hill I go, right turn onto the B1203 and next stop Market Rasen. Driving down I hope to be able to park fairly close to where the 1203 joins the main east/west road, so if I wander too far it will be easy to locate my car. Prior planning prevents ‘deleted word’ poor performance! I failed miserably on the parking, I drove up and down Queen and King Streets trying to find somewhere to park and eventually found a place not far from what appeared to be Market Rasen Railway Station, didn’t know it had a railway station! Not good planning when I realised Saturday is market day. At least I managed to have a good look around and got my bearings. First stop, a Café – any Café will do; get some updated planning done over a coffee and ciggy! That proved to be as difficult as finding a parking place. My initial thought of Market Rasen is confirmed. Nice place but severely lacking in most, if not all amenities! I honestly thought I had been transported back in time... Famous race course and little else worthy of note! Looking rather professional with my briefcase, I get some weird looks from the locals. I catch my reflection in an old advertisement mirror and I can confirm that I have no horns on my head, or a tail coming out of my rear and I look normal in jeans, shirt, jacket, but I did polish my shoes! Coffee in hand, I find a free table by the door and I go though my notes when a rather nice lady walks in. She looks around the place in a not particularly hurried way and I catch her eye and I beckon her to join me and have a coffee, pointing to my papers I ask if she could help me? Love too, she replies without an accent. Stage one completed... on with Stage Two; I explain who I am and what I am doing. This leads onto another coffee each. She then informs me that in 1974, the Secondary school became a Primary school but the pub is still there and they do play on the fact that Bernie Taupin drank there. As for the Coffee Shop, she had no idea! As I cannot pick up an accent I ask her, do you come from around here as you seem to be very knowledgeable on the local geography? Indeed I do, came the reply. Rasen, born and bred but left when I was eighteen to go to university and only really come back for birthdays and that sort of thing. I only popped into the cafe to see if my mother was in; she’s out and about doing some shopping. I now live and work in Birmingham as a Jewellery designer. Looking at my watch and it’s only just gone 11; I mention I am now looking for another coffee shop. This one is where Bernie Taupin used to bunk off to. I did my best to describe it as an early Wimpy sort of a place that had one of the first jukeboxes in Rasen, sort of a greasy spoon place that was sometimes frequented by Greasers! Hang on a minute, Bev said, I’ll call my mother, see if she is at home – she knows everything. Bev comes out of the telephone box and drops more bad news. The place closed down years ago, late sixties/early seventies. Crashed and burned again I say. This is not going particularly well. What’s the next place then Bev asks? I say, hopefully third time lucky, the pub! Aston Arms Pub to be exact and I explain to her that it was the inspiration for the Elton John song "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting". You are in luck; it is just down there she replies pointing to the road behind us. Amazing, sometimes it can go right. But as it is way too early to visit a pub I ask, what else is there to see in this place? I ask her how far away is Owmby by Spital? Beverley replies about 10 miles I think, why? That is where Bernie Taupin moved

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to when his father decided to go it alone and be self employed, I reply. Too far really eh? Instead Bev takes me on a visitor attraction tour of this old market town. We take in The Corn Exchange, Church Mill, her old school - De Aston School, which she informs me was the old grammar school. That was the place Bernie Taupin’s older brother went to. We then visit a fantastic old building, The Wesleyan Centenary Chapel. As my car is parked up just a little further down the road, I suggest we pick up my motor and drive to the pub; the main attraction that I wanted to see. Arriving at the Aston Arms Pub it is not what I really expected inside. I expected a spit and sawdust sort of a place but this was not it. Looking around the place, from the car park, I notice it is in a well, a residential area really.... Filled with excitement, like a little boy we go through the entrance and the first thing I notice is a framed newspaper article on the wall inside, that commemorates the pub’s role in creating “Saturday Nights Alright for Fighting”. This place is just like the side view from the Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy album sleeve. Primary objective achieved!! I get Beverley’s telephone number and home address then she goes her way and I jump into the car, but not before asking for directions out of Market Rasen!”

Photos of Bernie Taupin and the Aston Arms courtesy of eltonjohnscorporation. wordpress.com

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The Bar

Since opening The Bar last August, Steve and Karen have made tremendous efforts to make it a success and we know that many of you have supported them in their efforts. With drinks at social club prices, and a warm friendly atmosphere, why not come along and partake of their hospitality?

Already Bingo and open mike nights have been established as regular features.

Opening times are Thursday to Sunday evenings and during the day at weekends.

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Times Gone By

100 Years Ago – January 1916 1. UK: Two million more women are employed now than a year ago. 3. New York: US industrialist Henry Ford returns home from abortive peace mission to Europe. 4. London: Home Secretary Sir John Simon resigns over proposal to conscript single men. 5. Washington: War debate starts in the Senate. 6. Parliament votes overwhelmingly in favour of introducing military conscription. 9. Middle East: British forces defeat 60,000 Turks in Tigris battle. 10. London: Herbert Samuel becomes Home Secretary in succession to Sir John Simon. 12. London: House of Commons gives second reading to Military Service Bill. 13. UK: Miners vote overwhelmingly against conscription. 14. Balkans: Montenegro capitulates to Austrian troops. 17. Central Asia: Russia begins offensive against Turks. 20. Balkans: Montenegro rejects Austria’s peace terms and resolves to continue fighting. 23. London: Announced that British Museum and Natural History Museum will close for the duration of war. 24. Central Asia: Russians inflict heavy losses on Turks at Erzerum. 27. UK: Labour Party conference votes heavily against conscription. 27. London: Royal Assent given to Military Service Bill, the Trading with the Enemy Bill, the Munitions Bill and the Parliament Bill (extending life of Parliament by one year). 28. Cameroons: French and Belgian forces capture Yaounde, capital of German colony, Kamerun. 31. US: President Wilson says the US Navy is ready for war if it comes.

75 years ago – January 1941 1. Italy: The RAF bombs Taranto and Naples as well as Italian bases in Libya. 2. Eire: German planes bomb neutral Eire along a 100 mile front. 3. Libya: Australian troops launch a major assault on the Italians at Bardia, taking 5,000 prisoners. 4. US: German actress Marlene Dietrich becomes a US citizen. 5. Libya: Bardia falls; 25,000 men and six generals are captured. 6. UK: Amy Johnson, who became the first solo flyer to Australia, Is feared drowned after an aircraft she was flying ditched into the Thames estuary. 7. Libya: British and Commonwealth troops capture Tobruk airport. 8. UK: The Communist Daily Worker is closed for being defeatist. 9. Abyssinia: The RAF bombs Italian positions as tribesmen attack on the ground. 10. Malta: British bases on the island are bombed by Italian and Luftwaffe planes. 13. Zurich: Irish novelist James Joyce dies in exile in Switzerland. 14. UK: New price controls introduced to prevent food profiteering. 15. Abyssinia: Emperor Haile Selassie is reported to have returned to help anti-Italian rebels. 17. Glasgow: Churchill says “We will not fail mankind at this turning point in our fortunes”. 20. Washington: Roosevelt is inaugurated for his third term as President. 21. Rumania: An attempted coup by the Fascist “Iron Guard” fails amid bloody riots and massacres. 22. Libya: An Australian cavalry regiment takes the capital Tripoli. 23. North Africa: 100,000 Italian prisoners have so far been taken in the North African campaign. 27. Eritrea: British and Commonwealth troops advance 100 miles into Italian-occupied territory. 30. Libya: Derna falls to General Wavell’s troops after a fierce three-day battle.