St GEORGE FOR ENGLAND April 2021

In this edition England, Kingdom, Commonwealth: time to celebrate St George’s Day Visionary England – the Lake District The continuing battle for the English countryside Britain’s famous steam locomotives

THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF St GEORGE – The Premier Patriotic Society of England Founded in 1894. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Patron: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II £3.50 BATTLE OF BRITAIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”

Official Newsletter of the Battle of Britain Historical Society 2013 Ltd

“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”

Head Office: Calais View, Channel Way, Fairlight, East Sussex TN35 4BP

Editor and Managing Director: Graves Registrar: Membership Secretary: John Pulfer BEM JP Steve Maddock Margaret Pulfer Tel: 01424 814866 Tel: 01895 676004 Tel: 01424 814866 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Historian: Nick Hall Tel: 01427 668122 Battle Officia Email: [email protected] of B l NewAUTUMN / WINTER 2017 ritain Histo sletter of the rical Society 2 Issue 156 013 Ltd 100 years of the RAF We are now recruiting new members to join the “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few” Head Of fice: Ca lais View Editor , Channel W and Managing ay, Fai John Pulfer B rlight, East Su Tel: 01 EM JP Di 424 814866 rector: ssex TN Always Remembered … Never forgotten Email: john Graves Reg 35 4BP Battle of Britain Historical Society 2013 Ltd. atbo Steve M istrar: [email protected] addock Historian: Tel: 01895 676004 Official Newsletter of the Nick Hall stevewmaddock@ Membership Secretary: Margaret Pulfe Battle of Britain Historical Tel: 01427 668122 gmail.com Society 2013 Ltd Email: scam Tel: 01424 814866r pton.1943@ Email: bobh btinternet.com [email protected] Members will receive bi-annual 24 page colour newsletters. SPRING / SUMM ER 2018 Issue 157 The Society has four main aims… • To ensure the Battle of Britain is never forgotten •

Head Office: Calais View, Channel Way, Fairlight, East Sussex TN35 4BP

Editor and Managing Director: Graves Registrar: John Pulfer BEM JP Membership Secretary: Steve Maddock Margaret Pulfer • To erect plaques in places where the “few’ were educated • Tel: 01424 814866 Tel: 01895 676004 Tel: 01424 814866 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Historian: Nick Hall Tel: 01427 668122 Email: [email protected] AUTUMN / WINTER 2018 Issue 158 • To look after the final resting places of the “few” • • To erect granite memorials to the “few” •

LIFE MEMBERSHIP STANDARD MEMBERSHIP CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP UK Life members - GB £400 UK members under 18 Years - GB £12 Annual Membership Corporate Members - GB £500 Overseas Life membership - GB £500 UK members over 18 - GB £24 Annual Membership Corporate Sponsor - GB £1500 Overseas members all ages - GB £36 Annual Membership

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Margaret Pulfer Email: [email protected] Tel: 01424 814866 Web address: www.battleofbritain1940.net


 

 
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Contents

Vol 19. No. 1 – April 2021 Front Cover: The Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace

4 From the Chairman 5 Editorial 7 My England St George for England 8 Dambusters The Official Journal of The Royal Society of St George 10 Branch News Overseas Reports The Society stands for: 16  I Respect for the Monarchy; Duty to our Sovereign and our Country; 16 St George’s Tax I The cause of England and Englishness. In accordance with our Constitution, the Objects 17 Origins of Easter Traditions of the Society are: Memories of the Battle of 18 News 33  One Britain To foster the love of England and to strengthen England and the Commonwealth by spreading the knowledge of English history, traditions and ideals. England’s Railway Heritage 34 Two To keep fresh the memory of those, in all walks of 38 Letters to the Editor life, who have served England or the Commonwealth in the past in order to inspire 39 Heritage of the leadership in the future. Commonwealth Three To combat all activities likely to undermine the strength of England or the Commonwealth. William Wilberforce 40 Four To further English interests everywhere to ensure that St. George’s Day is properly celebrated and to provide focal points the world over where English 33 men and women may gather together.

41 Obituaries 20 A Saint for all Nations 42 Book Review 23 Cinematic England 43 50/50 Club 25 Book Review 47 Membership Affiliations 27 Overlooked England 28 Visionary England 48 Our Branches 32 England’s Veterans 18 50 Shop Window

17 28 34

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 3 FROM THE CHAIRMAN

THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF St GEORGE last year by people that they have loved and The Premier Patriotic Society of England nurtured. Founded in 1894. I should imagine that marrying into the Incorporated by Royal Charter. Royal Family is an enormous challenge, Patron: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and we can only admire those who rise to Chairman: Joanna M. Cadman it so well. To always present yourself well, Published at: The Royal Society of St George, RSSG, P.O. BOX 397, Loughton, IG10 9GN, England to make the right choices and say the right Telephone: 020 3225 5011 things (or not say what you want to say) E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.rssg.org.uk must be completely exhausting from time to Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ time, but there has never been one word of RoyalSocietyofStGeorge Twitter: @RSStGeorge complaint or self-pity from any of the senior Join us on LinkedIn – the Royal Society of StGeorge Official Group Royals. Maybe they are all “trapped”, but Opening times: Monday to Thursday, 10.30 am to 3.30 pm they recognise that they are born into, or Editor: Stuart Millson married into, a life of service and get on with Editorial Address Rumbeams Cottage, Ewhurst Green it. Whilst in some ways they do live a life of Nr Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 7RR incredible privilege, their life and activities Telephone: 01483 268627 are largely choreographed and controlled by E-mail: [email protected] protocol and tradition and is certainly not as George Andrews, FCIB FCIS FCIArb – President Emeritus Disney would portray the life of a Royal. We Vice Presidents The Earl of Aylesford JP How are you? look up to them, we admire them, their words, The Lord Cope of Berkeley PC THINK WE MUST, almost all of us, be clothes, children and houses fascinate us, and The Lord Butler of Brockwell KG GCB CVO side-swiped and punch drunk by now. Clifford James Trowse – Past Chairman we are more stable as a country because of Mr B M Cronan It’s probably a good thing that most of us them, as well as being admired and respected Mr C P Fairweather I (well, me anyway) didn’t take on board the throughout the world for our constancy. Mrs Esme Robinson Sir Henry Paston-Bedingfeld Bt enormity of a pandemic when it started. If you Her Majesty has devoted much of her life His Excellency Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Dalton GCB had told me a year ago that we would be in the building the Commonwealth into a family of RAF (retd) third lockdown now, that we would have spent equals that represents over a 2.4 billion people Past Presidents: William R Firth Christmas, our birthdays, a long grey winter, from all corners of the globe, something she John Clemence QPM and now a second Easter without our loved Members of Council should be rightly proud of. Chairman – Joanna M. Cadman ones, I think I would have found it very hard to So whatever words of criticism and self Deputy Chairman – Nick Dutt take. It has all anyway been very hard to take, justification come out of Hollywood, we can Vice Chairman – Christopher Houghton but we seem to be almost institutionalised now Honorary Treasurer – Alastair Clement FFA FFTA have complete faith in our Royal Family. We Honorary Secretary – Michael Riley and live with the restrictions imposed on us by know that they welcomed Meghan – you only Chaplain to the Society – Revd. Roderick Leece the pandemic with resignation. And if that is have to remember the wedding, and the joy General Secretary – Elizabeth Lloyd all that we have had to do, we have been lucky. Website Manager – Christopher Houghton on the faces of the Queen and Prince Philip or North of England Co-ordinator – Michael Riley So many people have lost family, friends and the wonderful moment when Prince Charles Youth Representative – Dennis Stinchcombe MBE livelihoods in this last year and face the future walked down the Chapel to meet Meghan, Membership affiliations – Lloyd James with loss and uncertainty. Schools and Projects – Nick Hinchliffe took her arm, and walked with her to her City of London – Paul Herbage, MBE husband to be – to know that everyone wanted Young Professionals Network – Cdr James Nisbet The Queen Young Professionals Network – Farah London her in the Family, everyone could see how It will be Her Majesty’s birthday this month Council member – Lt. Col. Leslie Clarke much Prince Harry loved her and joined in that Council member – Alan Broomhead and the Royal Society of St George will send love. And that went for the rest of us as well. Administration Centre staff her, our Patron, our very best wishes for long General Secretary – Elizabeth Lloyd life and happiness. Next year the Queen will Membership Secretary – Jade King England’s History and Heritage have reigned over us for seventy years and Charitable Trust Members And while I am talking about our pride in Chairman – Bob Smith has done so with unswerving steadfastness, Secretary – Shirley Hankers grace and dignity. She has never put a foot our Queen and Royal Family, I will reiterate Treasurer and Trustee – Lloyd James wrong; she has never neglected her duty or the my pride in our country, its history and Trustee – Nick Dutt heritage, whatever its flaws. We have a need Trustee – Dennis Stinchcombe promise she made to us to serve her country Trustee – Chris Houghton and the Commonwealth for as long as she to recognise all of the past, the bad as well as Trustee – Michael Riley the good, and learn from it. We cannot build Trustee – Nick Hinchliffe lived. She has unceasingly been a role model a sound future without a clear understanding Special Responsibilities to us all. Standard Bearer – Lt. Col Leslie Clarke It has been a very hard year for Her Majesty of who we are as a country and where we Deputy Standard Bearer – Major Robert A Peedle MBE TD sit in the world. Wiping people and events Yachting Association – Bob Smith as well for a number of reasons. She has also had to suffer the separations and fears out of history doesn’t stop them existing, Photography – Fred Pearson and Georgina Burges and I question how we can make the world This Journal is sent free to all full members and is available caused by the pandemic, and will have felt for purchase at £3.50. Opinions expressed in articles or very keenly the inability to go out among her a better place and give our children a better advertisements are those of the authors and advertisers people as she always has in times of crisis understanding of what would make it so, if and the contents do not necessarily reflect editorial or we try to sanitise our inheritance. We need to official RSSG views. This Journal may not be reproduced before. The Duke of Edinburgh is just out of in whole or in part without the permission of the Editor. hospital – the longest stay he has ever had – build our future on the past, not try to change Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements are those leaving her without her friend and ally of so it or hide it. of the authors and advertisers and the contents do not necessarily reflect editorial or official RSSG views. We many years, just when she must have needed reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or article him the most. This won’t be the first time 2021 without giving a reason. E&O.E. that the Royal Family has been attacked, and There is Spring in the air and a tentative but Design and Reprographics: Jim Duggan growing hope that we may be moving back Tel: 01233 632969. Mob: 07714451952 I know that they will face this crisis as they towards a life outside. Where we can see each Printed by: The Gemini Print Group, Shoreham-by-Sea always do, with dignity, but I can only imagine Tel: 01273 464884 how deeply hurtful it must be to them all, but other again, share meals and experiences, particularly the Queen, for the family to be travel, spend time with our families – even hug ISSN Number: ISSN 2046-8369 seemingly betrayed as they have been in the those we love!

4 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND at the Cenotaph on 24 April, accompanied forget a lovely hour with him over a cup of tea by my Deputy and Vice Chairmen, two at the Little Ships Club, where Council used other members of Council and our Standard to meet. He was a true gentleman, courteous, Bearer. I am in discussion with our Parade wryly self-deprecating and with a lovely Commander about the small chance that we sense of humour, and he loved and served the may be able to have a Corp of Cadets with Society so well over a number of years. us, as they can now meet for training, but so I hope that, when we emerge from the last much depends on the health of the country as year of isolation, we will be able to hold a a whole that this remains a remote possibility. service of thanksgiving for George’s life in Rest assured though, that the Royal Society of our Society Church of St George in Hanover St George will be at the Cenotaph to honour Square, if his family are in agreement. our glorious dead, as we have been for so And, of course, we have lost our Honorary many years and will continue to be. member the lovely Captain Sir Tom Moore We are looking forward to holding our to the pandemic, such an irony when he was Battle of Britain lunch at the RAF Club on the beacon of hope and resilience last year. He 17 September. As with everything else that we came to stand for the good in us all, the ability plan at the moment, we don’t know what form to smile in the face of adversity, and to get up this will take, whether social distancing will and do something about it. still be in place, so at present we are not able These are just two of the people known to put a price to the function, but would ask to us that we cannot see or talk to anymore. you to let the office know if you are interested There are so many of them – Tim Brooke in attending so that we can keep you in touch Taylor for one, with that wonderfully So, as we stick our heads outside and sniff with our plans. It will be so good to see you. understated sense of humour and that the air, the Society is starting to plan. endearing habit of laughing at his own jokes. Almost inevitably, the St George’s Day In Memoriam You will be able to think of, and know, so Parade at the Cenotaph cannot take place this Last November we were very saddened to many more. It has been such a sorrowful year. year again – at that stage in April, assuming learn of the death of our past President and But we are coming out of it, summer will all goes to Boris Johnson’s plan, we will be President Emeritus George Andrews. To my come, we will meet again. In the meantime, able to meet outside in groups of six, but regret, I didn’t know George as well as I my very best wishes to you all. that’s it. So, on your behalf, I will lay a wreath would have very much liked to, but will never Joanna

EDITORIAL This sainted isle HE ANCIENT JELLING STONE the saintly soldier became, for the people monument in Denmark, which dates of England, a knight in shining armour Tfrom the tenth-century, is profoundly valiantly defending damsels against dragons important to the Danish people. Marking – usually on an English village green. (A the beginning of the Viking transition from far cry from the reality of George as the a worship of the old Nordic gods to the man of action in the army of the Emperor embracing of Christianity, the stone depicts Diocletian!) the face of Christ – yet a Christ who looks Yet St. George was not the only hero remarkably like a Viking. To make the capable of defeating evil. . . . Tucked new religion their own, the creators of the away near the Fowey River, at the monument deliberately shaped it to the hamlet of Golant, Cornwall, is a church contours of their cultural identity, something dedicated to an early Celtic Christian – St. St. Martha’s Church, near Guildford which the mediaeval English managed to Sampson, who was reputed to have fought considerable success in their adoption of St. a hideous, gigantic worm on Bodmin of Christ’s Apostle, St. Andrew – the sea George as their Patron Saint. Moor. Meanwhile, on the Surrey Hills, St. breezes blowing through the ragged arches The real George the Martyr was, as Martha’s church (not far from Guildford) of the still-proud remains. we know, an officer in the Roman Army, records the exploits of a saint whose skill Just like the Viking Christian converts, whose loyalty to his Christian beliefs fired with needle and thread ensured that another we have made our own version of a religion; the imagination of successive generations dragon was defeated, this time by being our shires, villages and towns, all bearing of knights, crusaders and holy men from bound up in what must have been a very the signs and symbols of the saints we have across the European world. Adopted by complicated knitting pattern! And in rural, taken to our English and British hearts. Christian societies from as far and wide as coastal Suffolk, just outside the village Russia, Renaissance Italy and even Ethiopia, of Walberswick, are the ruins of a church Stuart Millson

Corrections and clarifications Mrs. Marian Werner of London (one of our the December edition. ‘He’ is in fact a ‘she’: ‘Cuthbert Orde’ – which was, in fact, long-standing members) wrote to advise Ursula Fanthorpe. (Yes, we did know this ‘Sammy Allard’ as drawn by Orde. We us of a gender mistake, in relation to really!). apologise to Battle of Britain author, Geoff U. A. Fanthorpe, mentioned on page 7 of And on page 26, a caption appeared – Simpson, for this error.

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 5 The Beauty of England

Windsor Castle My England Carl Portman [email protected]

HE BEAUTIFUL COUNTY of Shropshire is oft overlooked by the Tmasses, especially when choosing a holiday in England. The good folk of that county often prefer it that way and can enjoy its bounty at their own leisure. Shropshire was home to some very famous people including the poet Wilfred Owen, Clive of India, Mary Webb, Percy Thrower (anyone remember him?) and none other than the great naturalist Charles Darwin himself, born as he was in Shrewsbury. Way back in 1992 when I was living in Shropshire, I hosted a visit from a Russian chess player, and he was very keen to visit one specific place in the county that he had heard a lot about. Ironbridge. In particular he wanted to visit the Ironbridge itself and stand upon it, which he duly did to his great delight.

The bridge is the world’s

first cast-iron bridge, built Photograph of the Ironbridge by Jeremy Smith over the River Severn near Coalbrookdale day of escape from the hard work and poet To think that in 1779, right there in the J. C. Prince once wrote: birthplace of the Industrial revolution in Shropshire, such a beautiful structure was The bridge is the world’s first cast-iron Once more the ponderous engines are at being erected. At the same time – over in bridge, built over the River Severn near rest, Austria, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was Coalbrookdale by Abraham Darby III Where Manufacture’s mighty structures rise; composing his sublime music. There was between 1777 and 1779. This bridge is still Once more the babe is pillowed at the history being made all over Europe, and in use today and is recognised the world breast, England and the Iron Bridge occupied over. It was a significant development Watch’d by a weary mother’s yearning eyes. centre stage. Both Mozart and the bridge are because at the time, roads were in a very in our hearts and minds to this day and will poor condition and the most efficient form A single arch of the Iron Bridge had a be far into the future. Shropshire’s county of transport was a barge, using a canal span of just over 100 feet, and the rise of motto is Floreat Salopia which means, ‘may system and of course the River Severn. forty-five feet consisted of five massive Shropshire flourish’. Personally, I could not Vessels laden with everything from coal cast-iron ribs. The weight of the iron think of anything more appropriate for this to wool, cheese, lead and raw materials in the whole interlocking structure was glorious English county. for building, would busily traverse the proudly stated to be precisely 378 tons. It The Ironbridge Gorge Museum is now waterway under the bridge. Sometimes you was repaired many times, but still stands, a UNESCO world heritage site and I can might find a coracle on the river, which is testament to the vision of its maker and the thoroughly recommend a visit. a practice that has almost died out now, toil of the workers assembling it. It was sadly. actually a toll bridge until 1950 when it Imagine the intense, back-breaking labour was then handed over to Shropshire County in filthy conditions. Sunday was the one Council. Carpe diem

2021 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Friday, 17 September – Battle of Britain Luncheon – RAF CLUB, Piccadilly ALL DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO CONSIDERATIONS OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 7 DAMBUSTERS The Lancaster bomber and Operation Chastise RIOR TO THE OUTBREAK of With the modifications completed to World War II, British war planners had twenty-one Lancasters the RAF tentatively Pstudied how they might incapacitate scheduled the operation, named Operation Germany’s industry if the UK were again in Chastise, between 14 and 16 May 1943. conflict with Europe. One suggestion was At this time the water levels in the dam to blow up the dams to create breaches that reservoirs would be at their highest. A breach would cause catastrophic flooding. at this time would cause the greatest possible Unrelated to the British war planning, flood damage.Veteran Wing Commander aircraft designer Barnes Wallis also pondered Guy Gibson was selected to command the the issue. By 1941 he calculated that a new Number 617 Squadron of Number 5 shockwave would cause the most damage, Group. Gibson selected twenty-one crews especially if the bomb detonated underwater from various group squadrons which were to A breach is shown in the Eder Dam on the Weser River in a photograph taken the day following against the dam. The problem was the be based at Scampton in the East Midlands. the attack Germans knew their dams were vulnerable to The crews were told that the mission would a torpedo attack and had installed antitorpedo be against targets that would require low- nets. Wallis wanted to find a way to deliver level flying, at night. Mohne and Eder breached an explosive small enough to be carried by an Trials using unarmed bombs allowed Martin’s bomb veered too far off centre existing Royal Air Force plane, yet be able to Wallis to calculate that the bomb would need before exploding, leaving Mohne Dam still evade the antitorpedo defences. to be released at a height of sixty feet while undamaged. Young’s bomb struck the dam Wallis calculated that a bomb skipped flying at 220mph. The RAF did not possess and sank before exploding. Although the across the water’s surface would avoid the a bombsight or altimeter accurate enough for bomb hit the target, it appeared not to have nets. He designed a cylindrical, air-dropped such an attack. caused any damage. Maltby noticed the dam bomb that was sixty inches long with a Wing Commander Charles Dann solved was beginning to crumble when he released diameter of fifty inches. the bombsight problem. He made a hand-held his ordnance. After four bounces, the bomb Early in 1943 tests showed that the Avro- triangular device from wood with a sighting struck the dam and sank before detonating. Lancaster heavy bomber was capable of hole at the top. The base had nails in place The resulting explosion, as with the previous carrying the bomb. The Lancaster, which which, when lined up with the dam’s towers, four, caused a geyser of water. After ordering carried a crew of seven men, was a very set the release point for the bomb. The height Shannon to prepare for his run, Gibson successful aircraft. It was powered by four issue was solved by the use of two spotlights, noticed a large amount of water pouring off 1,280hp Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. With one on the nose and the other behind the the other side of the dam. He then spotted a cruising speed of 200mph it had a range bomb bay, both angled to create a figure of a massive hole in the structure. Calling of 2,530 miles. It could carry a payload of eight pattern visible from the front of the off Shannon, Gibson notified Group 5 that 14,000 pounds. starboard wing. Mohne Dam had been breached. Sending Maltby and Martin home, he ordered the Modifications others to follow him to Eder Dam. When Wallis’s bomb design was approved Testing The Eder dam was breached after three modifications to the Lancaster were needed Testing began on 16 April at Reculver. On strikes. The five aircraft turned for home. to accomodate it. Powered by American-built 11 May dummy bombs were dropped for the Merlin-28 engines, modifications included first time. Two days later the one and only removal of the bomb-bay doors, installation test with a live bomb took place. Massive flooding of special arms to hold the bomb and The RAF decided to proceed with A reconnaissance flight the same day showed hydraulic gear to drive a belt which produced Operation Chastise on 16 May. The main massive flooding behind Mohne and Eder the backspin of 500rpm which Wallis had targets were were the Mohne, Eder, and Dams. Eighty-seven percent of the water calculated would produce the necessary spin Sorpe Dams. Alternate targets were the held in Mohne and seventy-five percent of to make the bomb skip across the water, thus Lister, Ennepe, and Diemel Dams. the Eder reservoir had been released. The evading the anti-torpedo nets. At 21:00 on 16 May 1943, the crews of flight revealed that power stations, factories, the first wave boarded their aircraft. Due to roads, bridges, and pumping stations were their longer route, the second wave left first destroyed or damaged over a large area. In at 21:28. The first wave departed eleven addition, gas, electricity, and water supplies minutes later. The third wave did not take off were severely interrupted. The casualties, until 09:00. the following day. the majority of which were foreign workers, After making a test run, Gibson lined up totaled 1,341 Mohne Dam and dropped his bomb. After The effect on the German war effort three bounces, it sank and exploded. The has been a source of debate among British bomb detonated too far from the dam. No military experts. Some believed that the breach occurred, but the explosion destroyed heavy losses No. 617 Squadron incurred, the antitorpedo nets. Hopgood’s plane was which amounted to eight Lancasters and hit by the dam’s flak guns on his approach, fifty-six casualties, were ineffective given which resulted in the bomb being dropped that the Germans had patched up the gaps in late. It bounced over the dam and landed Mohne and Eder by October. near the power station behind the dam. Other military experts hold that the strikes The bomb exploded destroying the power had a positive result largely because of station. Hopgood’s Lancaster caught fire and the number of workers and the amount of blew up, but its three crewmen were able to construction materials the Germans had to Wing Commander Guy Gibson escape. Two survived and were captured. commit to rebuild the dams.

8 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND The Royal Society of St George Established in 1894 | Incorporated by Royal Charter | Patron: Her Majesty The Queen

The Royal Society of St George is partnering with Harney & Sons Tea Company to produce, market, and sell the Imperial Windsor Blend Tea, in support of the Royal Society’s educational programmes for young people. The Royal Society of St George (RSSG), a charitable organisation, was founded in England in 1894 with the goal of fostering English values and the English way of life. From its inception, it has enjoyed the support of prominent public figures in England and throughout the British Empire. Its first Royal Patron was Queen Victoria; since then the society has enjoyed the patronage of every reigning monarch, including the current British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The Society’s Charitable Trust actively provides financial support to help young people fulfill their scholastic and career potential. Harney & Sons is a celebrated gourmet tea company located in Millerton, New York. Founded in 1983 by John Harney, it has grown from a hands-on cottage industry into one of the leading gourmet tea companies in the USA. It is still a hands-on family business now headed by John’s sons, Mike and Paul Harney. Harney & Sons has produced The Imperial Windsor Blend exclusively for The RSSG. The Imperial Windsor Blend is a medium bodied tea with briskness and a wonderful aroma, containing black teas with rose petals. The partnership will produce, market, and sell the Imperial Windsor Blend tea globally, with particular emphasis on promoting the tea to its direct, branch, and affiliate members throughout the world. In return for the exclusive right to market and sell this RSSG-supporting blend, RSSG will receive a quarterly royalty of 10% of gross sales, allowing The RSSG to build its support programmes and assist more young people, needed now more than ever. About The Royal Society of St George The objectives of The Society as laid down in its Royal Charter are to: • Foster the love of England and to strengthen England and the Commonwealth by spreading the knowledge of English history, traditions and ideals; • Keep fresh the memory of those in all walks of life who have served England or the Commonwealth in the past, to inspire leadership in the future; • Combat all activities likely to undermine the strength of England or the Commonwealth; and • Further English interest everywhere to ensure that St. George’s Day is properly celebrated and to provide focal points all the world over where English men and women may gather together.

UK ORDERS – please order via our Shop Window on our website www.rssg.org.uk or via the order form on page fifty-one of this Journal All UK enquiries to the RSSG Administration Centre – telephone 020 3225 5011 or email: [email protected]

USA, CANADA, INTERNATIONAL AND BULK ORDERS – please contact Harney & Son’s distribution agent, Mark Cooper via telephone - +164 65 29 93 11 - or via email – [email protected]

The Royal Society of St. George The Premier Patriotic Society of England Incorporated by Royal Charter: Patron: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN Battle of Britain Luncheon Friday, 17 September 2021 – Time: 12.30pm for 1pm

Venue: The Royal Air Force Club, 128 Piccadilly, London, W1J 7PY Price – To be confi rmed Price includes: Sparkling wine reception, followed by an excellent three course meal fi ne wines served throughout, coffee and mints Guest Speaker – To be confi rmed Please come and join us at our Annual Luncheon Dress: Men – lounge suits – Ladies – smart attire – Medals may be worn Please contact the offi ce to reserve your place at this very popular event at: The Royal Society of St George, Administration Centre, P.O. BOX 397, Loughton, Essex, IG10 9GN, England Telephone: 020 3225 5011 Email: [email protected] Website: www.rssg.org.uk Facebook page – www.facebook.com/RoyalSocietyofStGeorge – Twitter account – @RSStGeorge

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 9 NEWS FROM AROUND THE BRANCHES

BATH ship to be, by his estimation, at a depth of twenty-four feet and rising rapidly. Pam Preece Hastening back on deck, he and First In the absence of any Branch activities Officer Ligtoller immediately started to to report, hopefully for not much longer, get passengers into the lifeboats, trying not I turned to Somerset’s Forgotten Heroes entirely successfully, to stick to the custom by Roger Evans. There I found some of, “women and children first”. Once, two interesting characters and their stories, such lifeboats were fully loaded permission was as that of Herbert John Pitman who was sought and given for them to be launched. Third Officer on the ill-fatedTitanic . He Herbert Pitman’s first instinct was to stay was born at Sutton Montis, near Castle Cary, on board ship to help with further lifeboat November 1877, so would have been thirty- launches but was ordered to stay on one of four at the time of setting sail. As the ship the lifeboats being launched and take overall was considered to be unsinkable, not a lot of command of both. Ordering the oarsmen to notice was taken of the messages received pull well away from the stricken vessel they warning they could encounter ice. Belting could only look on helplessly at tragedy along at full speed when the look-out unfolding before their eyes. People were in spotted this hulking great iceberg the Titanic the water crying and screaming for help but was going too fast to take avoiding action. there was nothing they could do for fear of Meanwhile, Herbert Pitman had finished his being overwhelmed and capsizing. watch at 08:00 pm and retired to his bunk. Jolted awake by a crunch and tearing sound, Rescue his first thought was that the anchor had Ordering the two boats under his command been lowered, but why? Donning a dressing to be lashed together so they would not drift gown he went up on deck to find out what apart in the darkness, the survivors waited was going on. Nothing much it appeared, so patiently for help to arrive which it did Lady Georgiana Cavendish. portrait by Thomas he went below to his cabin to get properly in the form of the Carpathia. Undaunted, Gainsborough dressed. He was in the middle of this when Herbert Pitman continued his career at sea. the Fourth Officer burst in to tell him they He retired to the village of Pitcombe where Georgiana Spencer had bit an iceberg. Fully dressed and back he died in December 1961 and is buried Not so long back, the aristocracy, as well as on deck, Herbert Pitman found the lifeboats in the local churchyard. As a postscript, royalty, had little if any choice as to whom being prepared for launching. All seemed I read on Wikipedia that the Carpathia they would marry. However, they usually calm with no hint of the panic to come; after took on board the Titanic’s lifeboats as had some idea in advance as to when it all they were on an unsinkable ship, weren’t well as her surviving passengers as they would be. Georgiana Spencer, according to, they? were considered too valuable to jettison. ‘Passionate Lives’ by Evelyn Hall-King was They were handed over to the ship’s only told of it by her mother on the actual Women and children first representatives in New York from where morning of the day itself. I am sure there On receiving orders to go below to they seem to have vanished from history. was a good reason for this and the best I can investigate how much damage had been Not surprising really; why would you want come up with is, that William Cavendish, caused by the collision, Herbert Pitman to keep such graphic reminders of that tragic the fifth Duke of Devonshire, was cold, found the water in the bowels of the event. aloof and a frightful snob, once declaring that his cousin Henry Cavendish could not

William Cavendish, fifth Duke of Devonshire, Titanic departing Southampton on 10 April 1912 painted in Rome by Pompeo Batoni, 1768

10 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND be described as a gentleman because, “he Duchess. Georgiana was in Bath when a worked for a living”. In contrast, Georgiana little bird whispered in the Duke’s ear about was a warm, happy-go-lucky teenager, being her pregnancy. It didn’t take him long to two days shy of her seventeenth birthday on confront and tell her she must go abroad to her wedding day, who might have kicked up have this child. Unfortunately for him Bess one almighty fuss if she had had a chance to had to go too. She could not live with him learn something of her intended. That it was while his wife was absent. A baby girl was a brilliant match materially, there can be no born and the two ladies rattled round the doubt. The Duke was enormously wealthy Continent for a couple of years. Georgiana and in the very highest ranks of the nobility. missed her children very much and sent them notes, little presents and souvenirs Fashion Icon from wherever they happened to be. In time, Georgiana became a fashion icon Eventually, they were summoned home. The with whatever she wore being copied by little girl was farmed out to Charles Grey’s those who could afford it, especially the parents to be cared for. No way was any huge hats, one of which she wore in a child other than those he had fathered be Gainsborough portrait, that today is known raised under the Duke’s roof. as a picture hat but then as a Devonshire hat. Shortly after she married, Georgiana However, it took time. Scarcely more than became addicted to gambling. She lost newly-weds, a contemporary saw the Duke huge amounts and was often seen being and Duchess in a London park and recorded Bess in 1787, painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds handed into her carriage weeping bitterly it in a letter to a friend. after another evening of heavy losses at the Elizabeth (Bess) Foster card tables. She cadged money from anyone We saw the young and handsome In her day to day life, she was generous, she could, family, friends, even servants, Duchess of Devonshire walking in such charitable, gave lavish entertainments eventually resorting to money lenders. A and undressed and slovenly manner. Two and universally loved by all with the very slippery slope! of her curls came quite unpinned and possible exception of her husband. Then fell lank on one of her shoulders; one the Duke did fall deeply in love, with shoe was down at heel, the trimming of Georgiana’s best friend, Lady Elizabeth Last years her jacket and coat was in some places (Bess) Foster. Bess fell pregnant and, in The Duchess’s last years were not very unsewn; her cap was awry and her cloak, the time-honoured manner, went abroad happy. She suffered crippling headaches which was rusty and powdered was to give birth. On her return the baby was and eye problems, with blindness in one eye flung half on half off. She had hold of the passed off as being fathered by an unnamed resulting in her wearing an eye patch. It was Duke’s arm who is the reverse of herself, French Count but when Bess soon fell not long before she morphed from a rosy- for he is ugly, tidy and grave. pregnant again with no sign of a foreign cheeked beauty with red-gold hair into a fat, Indeed, they were as chalk and cheese. sire, the truth was obvious to all. Whether coarse skinned frump. If Georgiana tried to show her husband any Georgiana had any say in the matter or She adored her children and tried to affection he was deeply embarrassed and not (probably not) Bess moved in with the create for them the happy and loving brushed her off and her giddy, frivolous Devonshires and her children brought up atmosphere she and her brother and sister manner annoyed him immensely. One with the legitimate offspring. had grown up in. She still supported the thing they did wholeheartedly agree on was Whigs but did not go out in the streets to support of the Whig Party. In the run up to Charles Grey canvas as before. She died aged forty-nine a 1784 election, Georgiana was so enthused Charles Grey, a handsome young Whig had genuinely mourned by all those who had and supportive she was out in the streets been trying his luck for years and finally known her. It goes without saying that the trading kisses for votes. succeeded in his aim to seduce the lovely Duke and Bess married.

FENLAND The Chairman thanked members for National Chairman Joanna Cadman and their support in the first part of 2020, which Robert Peedle, together with our Chairman Peter Dennis, Press Officer from March onwards had been a terrible Brian Kierman, to affiliate the Wisbech Fenland branch held their AGM via year, with all functions and activities Sea Cadets to our Society. It is hoped Zoom on 19 January 2021. The following having to be cancelled. We can, however, that a framed certificate of Affiliation officers were elected for the coming year: confirm that current membership stands and Membership will be presented to the Chairman: Brian Kierman; Vice Chairman: at sixty-three, of which nine are founder Commanding Officer as soon as possible Peter Dennis; Secretary: Tracey Kierman; members. in 2021. Treasurer: Colin Harvey; Press Officer: On 3 February 2020 Robert Peedle MBE It is planned to have another Zoom Peter Dennis; Almoner and Standard visited us to create a two page spread in the meeting sometime in March when, it is Bearer: John Smith; Chaplain: Rev. David Journal on the branch and the Fenland area. to be hoped, we can plan a programme of Addington. On the same date, we were joined by events for the latter part of the year.

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE ADVERTISING RATES BY APPLICATION TO HEAD OFFICE The Administration Centre, P.O. BOX 397, Loughton, IG10 9GN, England [email protected] Tel: 020 3225 5011

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 11 GLOUCESTERSHIRE Patron: Mr. Edward Gillespie, OBE, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Gloucestershire President: Councillor Pam Tracey, MBE Chairman: Mrs. Pat Ayres, MBE Sadly the pandemic restrictions continue to affect our lives, even though there is now light at the end of the tunnel. We were hoping to re-start Branch activities with our annual New Year Lunch in January but that fell by the wayside. Normally we begin detailed planning for our St George’s Day Service at least six months before the day, but with the announcement of another lockdown at the end of 2020 and the prospect that it would continue for several months, planning for the 2021 Service was put on hold. Finally we took the sad decision in early February that we would have to abandon the Service for this year too.

Nairac winners Whilst our four 2020 Nairac winners received their Award cheques by post last April, we still want to present them with their Certificates in person, not only to make it a special occasion for them but to give our members a chance to meet them. We are tentatively planning an event in August to which we will invite them, their families and friends. One of the Awardees, young carer Brian Kobani, gained the place at Imperial College for which he had worked so hard and we hope he will be able to take full advantage of that opportunity as restrictions are lifted. Another 2020 Nairac Awardee, Heather Kent, was one of three finalists for the Young Litter Hero Award 2021 run by the UK’s Keep Britain Tidy Network. It’s wonderful that our young Snowdrops at Cerney House Gardens people are being recognised for their work asking for nominations for the 2021 Awards appearing, along with a few hellebores and for and in the community, which is what the which would also be presented at our other intrepid plants. It’s amazing how they Nairac Awards aim to do. We are currently August event. survive even the hardest of frosts. This Whilst the committee has morning I heard a busy woodpecker – why continually communicated don’t they have headaches? We used to see through the lockdowns by a lot of wrens in our garden but then they email and telephone and seemed to vanish, so it was wonderful when occasionally with Zoom a pair was intrepid enough to nest under meetings, it hasn’t been the our back porch a year ago and I’ve spotted same as meeting to face to one in the garden just now. Hopefully that face. Zoom meetings can be means they are coming back along with our unpredictable with talk-overs, ‘normal’ life. It won’t be long before the empty chairs, phones ringing Forest of Dean is carpeted with bluebells. (or other happenings) in the With the impressive vaccination roll-out background and connections as a result of the brilliant hard work by failing. We look forward to scientists, volunteers, armed forces and so getting together again as a many others, there’s definitely cause for committee and Branch events optimism. resuming as soon as possible. For further information about the Branch At least nature carries and its (hoped soon to be resumed) activities on regardless. The clumps contact Margaret Fuller, Branch Secretary, of snowdrops in the garden on 01291 625069 or [email protected] were a joyful harbinger of or see the Branch’s page on the National Heather Kent, Young Litter Hero spring and now daffodils are website.

12 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND Councillors David Thornewell and Roger Mitchell fly the flag at Holy Trinity, Larkfield, Kent

NORTH DOWNS President, Group Captain Patrick Tootal, OBE At the time of writing, the continuing Covid crisis has meant that the branch’s normal activities have been suspended. However, we have tried to “tick over” as best we can – beginning with a flag-raising ceremony at Holy Trinity Church, Larkfield. For some years now, the flagpole at the church had been somewhat neglected – with not even the flag of the Diocese being flown. Now that Holy Trinity has joined with the Church of St. James the Great, East Malling in a new benefice, the time seemed to be right to put Larkfield on the map again. With funds donated by East Malling and Larkfield Parish Council, three new flags have been procured: the Union Jack, the banner of St. George and the white horse banner of Kent – the “Invicta” flag. The new parish figure of the “unknown soldier” stands close to the Holy Trinity flagpole, so local councillors thought it an ideal setting for the first of their flag-raising events. But this is not the only ambition for the church and community: plans are being formulated for a regular work-party to tidy the churchyard and ensure that gravestones, trees and wildlife are all conserved. Alongside the old village school building nextdoor, Holy Trinity and its environs are the only listed buildings in Larkfield. So – a conservation campaign worth pursuing. Finally, our recruitment drive has – as you can probably imagine – not been a roaring success at this time of uncertainty. But we have managed to bring in one new member! Welcome to the fold – to hardworking Liberal Democrat Councillor, Roger Mitchell, pictured in the photograph (above, Roger is on the right) with Cllr. David Thornewell, Parish Council Chairman. St George and the Dragon at East Malling Church, Kent

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 13 SEAHAVEN BRANCH President: Laurie Holland; Chairman: Bob Peedle, MBE; Secretary: Linda Wallraven. As with all branches another lean period with not a great deal to report but in view of the Government’s roadmap, we are now able to start planning for a function on Monday 12 July to commemorate the founding of England in 927AD by King Athelstan. Then in August we hope to have our annual picnic in Bishopstone. Just hope that things plan out as they should in the battle against Covid-19 and life returns to near normal soon. We are all pleased because the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, who has been a superb supporter of our branch, retires in August and he and Margaret have kindly agreed to join us. So we look forward to welcoming Sir Peter and Lady Field into the fold. Sir Peter received a knighthood (KCVO) in this year’s New Year’s Honours list, a well deserved award which we all applaud. Now we have the chance to get active again as a branch we can start to plan to be in a better position to raise funds in order to help local charities and worthwhile projects. We are now waiting to get the opportunity to present a certificate from the RSSG Charitable Trust to the Newhaven Youth Football teams following the match funding to help with equipment. Sir Peter Field KCVO JP with RSSG Chairman The number of teams they support has risen considerably and had stretched their resources. cutting our Anniversary Cake in January last year

WATERLOO (1896–1952), and Commonwealth realms This has shown Europe and the rest of We were proud to see our President, since 1952. It recognises distinguished the World how resilient and innovative Lieutenant Colonel Nana Kofi Twumasi- personal service to the Monarch Britain can be. Our Health Service and Ankrah, RVO, on two occasions recently, Our Chairman, Bob Smith, wrote to Care professionals; scientists; uniformed as Equerry to the Queen. The first was TA TA (the name by which he is usually Services; armies of volunteers and when he stood near to our Monarch for called) congratulating him on being awarded kind-hearted citizens have been in the the Trooping of the Colour ceremony, this great honour. frontline of this battle and performed with televised at the unusual venue of Windsor distinction. Castle quadrangle; the second, pictured At Christmas our President wrote We must remain safe and share these here at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, We are coming to the close of a precious moments with those few loved in Westminster Abbey, commemorating the challenging and eventful year, in which ones we are able to see. In the absence of lives of those who fought and died for our we have endured a pandemic and large gatherings, we should connect to all country, so that those who were left could the economic and social fallout of its our people in whichever way possible as live in Peace. relentless restrictions. It’s unlike anything a gesture of community and friendship. And what do the letters after his name many of us have ever faced; however the We look forward to a brighter New signify? The Royal Victorian Order (RVO) great British public have stoically carried Year, with several new vaccination is awarded at the discretion of the Monarch on despite the hardship, as we have in programmes combined with other of the United Kingdom and the Dominions years gone by. initiatives that aid us on the long road to recovery, and we all hope for a brighter and more joyful 2021.”

2020 Branch Subscriptions As our Members were unable to enjoy any of the activities during 2020 the Committee unanimously decided to waive subscriptions for the year. However the Membership were given the choice of voluntarily paying this year’s subscription, in which case the monies would be donated to NHS Charities Together, again chosen and agreed unanimously by the Committee. The response has been staggering, around £1500, and should our total be matched by the Royal Society of St. George Charitable Trust, the contribution to this well-deserved charity will be no less than £3000.

2021 Events Whilst a full programme of events is waiting The Patron of the Royal Society of St. George, Her Majesty the Queen together with the President of to be put into effect, we just have to be the Royal Society of St. George Waterloo Branch, Lieutenant Colonel Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah, RVO patient and stay safe. Patience is a virtue!

14 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND WILTSHIRE BRANCH Neil passed away peacefully at home on 27 September 2020. His funeral was blessed Branch Patron: Colonel James Arkell, TD with sunshine as his coffin was draped in Chairman: Mr Lloyd James the Union flag for his service in the Royal Secretary: Mrs Pat Wallington Engineers. Upon this sat a small flower Treasurer: Mrs Peggy May arrangement of white flowers with a red cross. In Memoriam It is with much sadness that the Branch Chris Wannell reports the loss of three of its keen members Chris and his wife Audrey were former and supporters all of whom will be missed members of the Wiltshire Branch. Born by us all. The sympathies and prayers of all in 1941 in Chippenham Chris’s interest in the Wiltshire Branch members are with their fire engines as a boy led him to join the loved ones. Auxiliary Fire Service in the early 1960s and he became a retained Fireman before Jane Henderson moving to Wootton Bassett. As a Branch Council member Jane brought Chris and Audrey married in 1967 and her characteristically cheerful and positive have two children Heather and Martin. Chris outlook to meetings and was a willing help worked as an Engineer at St Ivel in Wootton with various events. Bassett where he became a Councillor in the Born Inez Rosemary Jane on 11 April Neil Sutcliffe with wife Ann on the left at Henley early 1970s and a founder member of the 1945, Jane, as she was known to us, Royal Regatta Carnival Committee in 1971. Chris served as a Councillor for forty years and was especially enjoyed music. This included 2020 and was much loved by her husband playing the piano, composing and singing, twice Mayor of Wootton Bassett. Ian whom she had been married to for Chris remained a retained Fireman until particularly as part of Bristol Choral forty-nine years, their daughters and Society, Malmesbury Abbey Choir and 1996 ending his career as Officer in Charge grandchildren Lily, Rachael, Sophie and of the local fire station. After his retirement Malmesbury Singers. Ewan. Jane also enjoyed gardening and had he raised more than £100,000 for the Fire many friends from her teaching career at Fighters Charity through his work with his Redland High and Clifton High School. Jane Neil Sutcliffe 1943 fire engine named “Martha” that he also had many friends from East Hampstead In addition to being a keen supporter of our bought and restored in 1975. Chris received College, from her role as Chairwoman Branch activities, members may know Neil the Fire Charity Lifetime Achievement of the Old Girls Society, as Parish office well for arranging attendance at the Henley Award in 2018. secretary in Malmesbury, on the PCC and Royal Regatta on alternate years. Neil very Chris enjoyed visiting steam fairs with his with Probus. kindly sponsored our day membership of four grandchildren Bradley, Poppy, Daisy Faith also played an important part the Remenham Club, securing one of the and Holly and was a keen supporter of in Jane’s life as she regularly attended best vantage points and best ways to enjoy a steam rallies as far away as the Great Dorset Malmesbury Abbey where her funeral perfect English day out. Steam Fair and Isle of Wight Steam Rally. reflected her social nature, passion for music Neil was born on 5 August 1934 in Chris passed away on 8 February 2021 and strength of her faith. Blessed with a Surbiton, Surrey. After studying Agricultural and his funeral on Friday 26 February warm and sunny afternoon many local Engineering at Chelsea Polytechnic he saw his coffin carried through Royal people lined the path of the cortege to the completed his National Service from Wootton Bassett high street on the back of Abbey. 1956–1957 with the Royal Engineers on his beloved fire engine “Martha” closely Jane passed away on 3 September Christmas Island. He married Ann in 1961 followed by his 1930s fire engine “Belinda.” and they had a son Ian in 1966. Flags were flown at half mast at fire stations Having started off with a horticultural across Dorset and Wiltshire as a mark of contracting business Neil became interested respect for this former Fireman and great in buying and selling antiques at markets. charity fundraiser. This started off as a side line that eventually ended up with him running his own antique shop in Twickenham and restoring furniture at home in Surrey to sell. Neil’s interest in rowing resulted in him winning cups at various regattas on the Thames in the 1950s and his talent for rowing also saw him cox the Molsey Boat Club. He and Ann enjoyed attending Henley Regatta virtually every year up until her passing in 2015. They also enjoyed Scottish Country Dancing together for many years. In 2003 Neil and Ann moved to Evershot, Dorset. They became involved in the church, village events and supported the Cattistock Hunt. Neil made many new friends locally and particularly enjoyed the Thursday night banter over the odd glass of wine at Summer Lodge hotel which they Mourners line streets for firefighter and former Jane Henderson lived next door to. mayor Chris Wannell ©Swindon Ad

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 15 OVERSEAS BRANCH NEWS

CALIFORNIA and entertainment by singer Laura Angelini for the rest of the evening. Royal Society of St George California Ratu Muda Princess Karen honours Joey Zhou with President’s Award Cantrell, Chairman of The Royal Los Angeles, California, USA, Society of St George, California, and Christopher Alan Chambers, 22 November, 2020. The Royal Society Lord of Skighaugh, presented the of St George, California, held a special award (below right). ceremony, The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation Official PPE Donation Ceremony Presentation, to honour Joey The Royal Society of St George, Zhou with the President’s Volunteer Gold California donated 1,900 medical Service Award. gloves and 2,000 medical masks He was presented with an Honorary along with a cheque for $300.00 Membership to The Royal Society of St to UNA USA Coachella Valley, RSSG CA. presentation to UNA USA Coachella Valley, George, California, at the Four Seasons The items were presented by The Royal Bertil Lindblad – President and to Jim Hotel Los Angeles in Beverly Hills (below Society of St George, California Chairman Scheibel – Vice President, pictured above. left). After the ceremony, guests enjoyed Princess Karen Cantrell. Member and Roccie Hill is also Secretary of the UNA dinner in the garden of Culina Restaurant genealogist Roccie Hill attended the USA Coachella Valley Chapter.

ST GEORGE’S TAX

Gift Aid Questions Did you know that if you don’t pay tax and The above are just a few things I’ve come gift aid your charity donations you will be across as a Tax Adviser, which I thought S George’s liable for the tax on that donation? I have some people may find helpful. If you have a ax seen this several times where people have particular query regarding tax please email T very kindly gift aided their charity donations me at [email protected] or write NE OF OUR “DEARLY LOVED” only to be stung for the tax on it when filing to me at 36 Weedon Road, Stratton-St- institutions is HM Revenue and their tax return. Customs, which is quietly going Margaret, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN3 4EG. If O This happens because HMRC agree to there’s any common queries I will address through many significant changes to give the charity the tax that was deducted them in the next edition of this journal or modernise and take advantage of technology from the amount the taxpayer has donated. reply to your questions personally. to collect tax from the taxpayer. However, if the amount donated wasn’t Lloyd James taxed because the taxpayer had no tax Personal Service Companies liability in that year, the taxpayer is liable One significant event taking place this for the amount of tax HMRC gave the April is the requirement for medium and charity, causing a liability for the taxpayer large businesses outside the public sector when originally there was none. to determine the employment status and High Income Child Benefit Charge liability to tax and national insurance of This is another one that has caught people people that provide services through their out since any child benefit received by own limited company or other intermediary. parents starts to be claimed back by HMRC A large or medium organization is one that if one parent has income over £50,000. fulfils any two of the following: turnover However, pension contributions and gift of more than £10.2 million, a balance sheet aided charity donations are not included total of £5.1 million and more than fifty when determining if the £50,000 level has employees. been reached.

16 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND ORIGINS OF EASTER TRADITIONS

What have eggs and bunnies to do with Easter? Jim Duggan

ASTER IS THE MOST important Victorians adapted the tradition with are unknown, and there are a number of Christian festival of the year being satin-covered cardboard eggs filled with different theories. Ethe celebration of the resurrection of Easter gifts. This has now developed into One theory is that the Easter bunny Jesus Christ. the tradition that many people enjoy today. originated in Germany which had a tradition The Bible says that Christ died on the The first chocolate eggs appeared in of an egg-laying hare named “Osterhase” cross (deemed to be on Good Friday). France and Germany in the nineteenth or “Oschter Haws.” The rabbit would lay According to the Bible, Jesus was then century, but they were bitter and hard. As colouful eggs as gifts to children who were resurrected and came back to life on the chocolate-making techniques improved, good – so the children would make nests following sabbath (Easter Sunday). hollow eggs like the ones we have today in which the bunny could leave his eggs. Easter is on different dates each year, were developed. Eventually, the custom spread to become a between 21 March and 25 April, depending They very quickly became popular and widespread Easter tradition. on when there’s a full moon in Spring. remain a favourite tradition with chocolate- A more likely explanation, is that in the There are some modern traditions to mark lovers today. Middle Ages, Maundy Thursday before Easter which are very common – such as Easter was typically the end of the business Easter eggs, the Easter bunny and chocolate. The Easter Bunny year and therefore when farmers would have Where do these modern traditions come The story of the Easter Bunny is thought to pay their dues to landowners. Due to the from? to have become common in the nineteenth Lent-time fasting leading up to Easter, they century. had a surplus of eggs, so they would often Why do we have Easter eggs? There’s a lot of history behind the pay these dues with cooked eggs and hares A lot of us may enjoy eating chocolate eggs mythical story of an egg-bearing rabbit on they had killed in their fields. at Easter, but originally eating eggs was not Easter Sunday. The Easter bunny actually This combination of the hare and eggs allowed by church leaders during the week has a long history in the Christian holiday – thus became enshrined in people’s minds. leading up to Easter (known as Holy Week). and even in pagan traditions. By the seventeenth century, parents were So any eggs laid that week were saved The Bible has no mention of a mythical telling their kids the eggs came from Easter and decorated to make them Holy Week hare who delivers eggs to children on the bunnies. eggs, that were then given to children as day of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. The Nowadays, children might enjoy Easter gifts. exact origins of the Easter Bunny folklore egg hunts as part of the Easter holiday.

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 17 NEWS England’s bright future St Ives pupils gain fifteen scholarships to their senior schools

fifteen scholarships to a wide variety of different senior schools. Scholarships were gained in a range of disciplines, from Drama, Art, Sport and Tennis to Academics and also an all- rounder scholarship. The diversity of the scholarships proves the breadth and depth of the education that St Ives offers and the strength of character of its pupils. Mrs Kay Goldsworthy, St Ives Head Teacher, said: “We are so proud of all our pupils who have done so well to gain places at their chosen senior schools and to have Kent-based producer sets out been awarded so many scholarships is plans for a dog’s life! phenomenal. This year has been particularly FILM-MAKER AND TV PRODUCER, tough due to many exams taking place Daniel Markham, has partly abandoned his online, so I want to congratulate everyone usual media world during the lockdown for their resilience and versatility. These are period. YEAR SIX PUPILS at St Ives School in remarkable qualities that will benefit the Believing very much in the restorative Haslemere, Surrey are celebrating incredible pupils as they go to their senior schools and power of walking and the enjoyment of the scholarship results this year. In a year group beyond. Their schools will be very lucky to Kent countryside close to his home in East of sixteen pupils, the children were awarded have them!” Malling, Dan has concentrated his energy in a new “dog-whispering” and training Defending the English to keep the Green Belt, ministers have also service: making sure that canines receive the countryside imposed targets for new houses for each benefit of a more disciplined, psychological district, ignoring Green Belt designations. approach to life. For further details of Arbitrary housing numbers threaten the Targets are to be hit by making land the Markham approach to dog ownership green belt. available in new “Local Plans”. In my and training, Dan can be contacted on: THE IDEA OF GREEN BELTS goes back own district of Tonbridge and Malling the 07904 394843. at least to Victorian times when Ebenezer town is surrounded by Green Belt which Howard, who proposed garden towns, also extends to most of the western part of being repeated all around London. It was talked of the need for green girdles around the district. The Council drew up a draft once said that to save the countryside the our cities. Local Plan with a target of 696 homes towns must be made fit to live in. With so The idea gathered pace between the two a year and proposed to “release” some many brown-field sites available, the call wars, especially for London, as a way to land at Borough Green to achieve that. to use such areas first for any new housing stop urban sprawl, with the old London But now the figure has been increased to schemes must be renewed. County Council buying land to preserve it 1440 homes per year which would mean David Thornewell, Chairman, as green open space. With the introduction finding even more land. This pattern is East Malling and Larkfield Parish Council of a planning system in 1947 the idea was to designate land as Green Belt as a permanent feature and the London Green Belt came into being. It has broadly continued ever since and has helped keep green areas and countryside in the outer London boroughs and the districts beyond, such as in Surrey and Kent. Within what is now Greater London, I recently walked from Bexley Station to the River Cray passing the through water- meadows to the wonderful Five Arches Bridge. Here people were enjoying picnics and even venturing into the water. I am certain that without the Green Belt such scenes would not exist. Further out into Kent countryside the Green Belt helps protect the wonderful Darent Valley, also with a river walk, and stretches down to the old market Town of West Malling with its Abbey established by Norman Bishop Odo. He was also responsible for Rochester Keep and the Norman parts of its Cathedral. But now this wonderful legacy of protected countryside is at risk. Picture: S. Millson Although the Government says it wishes Ancient bluebell woodland at Trottiscliffe, near West Malling in Kent

18 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND Veteran walker completes 100-mile charity challenge Carrying the Roast Beef of Old England The latest issue of the society magazine wrote about the old days and I ran across this picture (below), which I thought I’d share. Quite a change from Then to Now Sumner Hunnewell Arnold, Missouri, USA WALKING WONDER JEFFREY LONG has walked 100 miles, despite undergoing cancer treatment, to raise money for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and the RNLI. His challenge was completed this weekend as he walked ten miles on Saturday followed by ten miles on Sunday around his Jeffrey Long setting off from RAF Linton-on-Ouse local area. earlier this year. Photo: RAF Benevolent Fund Eighty-nine-year-old Jeffrey, from Bingley, took on the challenge in ten-mile after take-off from the RAF station killing chunks, and had planned to finish in the eleven people. summer. But his plans were delayed when Jeffrey still suffers with a back injury he needed to take some time out following which ended his career as a paratrooper but an operation on his hand to treat skin he doesn’t let that or his cancer diagnosis cancer. This is in addition to also receiving stop him stepping out for charity. In 2018, treatment for blood cancer, which often left the veteran fundraiser walked 100 miles to him fatigued. mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force, Jeffrey said: “It has been hard with the taking a route between RAF stations in the cancer operation. It is nice to get it done south and raising more than £1,600. before Christmas and I am proud to have Aaron Tillyer, Community Fundraiser for raised more than £2,000 for the charities.” the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “Jeffrey’s Before greater lockdown restrictions enthusiasm just cannot be dampened! His were brought in, Jeffrey chose routes to determination to get out there and raise pay tribute to two ill-fated RAF crews. He awareness and funds for the charities he walked along the Leeds to Liverpool canal supports is irrepressible. to Bradley War Memorial to pay tribute to “On a serious note, without the incredible Reproduced from The Sphere - Saturday, a Polish crew who were killed in an aircraft efforts of supporters like Jeffrey the Fund 30 April 1910 crash during the Second World War. He also would not be able to continue the work it Taken from the British Newspaper Archive took an eleven-mile route from RAF Linton- does supporting RAF personnel, past and on-Ouse to the street in York where in 1945 present, especially during these difficult Carrying the Roast Beef of Old England an ill-fated Halifax bomber crashed soon times.” The procession passing Lord Halsbury at the festival dinner of the Royal Society Of St George drawn by H. M. Paget Coronavirus Covid-19 – is it on the retreat? The festival dinner of the Royal Society Many thanks to our member Glynn – which Andy very kindly agreed to. It is of St George was held in the Connaught Jones, who saw this cartoon in The Daily delightful, a perfect reflection of our times, Rooms, Great Queen Street, last Saturday Telegraph at the end of December and wrote thank you Andy for making us smile. evening. The society was founded in 1894 to Andy Davey asking if we could use it Editor to promote patriotism in all classes of Englishmen. The courses of the dinner were both English and colonial. A baron of Devon beef was the main dish, and this was brought in the hall under a canopy preceded by fifers and drummers playingThe Roast Beef of Old England. Lord Halsbury presided. Among those present were Lord Halifax, the Bishop of Peterborough, Mr. Harold Cox, who replied to the toast. Lord Desborough. and Sir Gerard Noel, Admiral of the Fleet. Mr Howard Ruff, the honorary secretary, may be congratulated upon the great success to which the Society of St George has now attained

How The Daily Telegraph (©) saw the struggle against the Covid monster!

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 19 A SAINT FOR ALL NATIONS

Tigray Escarpment in northern Ethiopia Saint George for Ethiopia! By Stuart Notholt

S MOST READERS WILL KNOW, in the fourth century and in 330 it became the Muslim incursions. It’s just possible that the Saint George gets around. In addition second country in the world (after Armenia) Portuguese enhanced the local repute of St Ato being Patron Saint of England, to adopt Christianity as a national faith. Its George – Portugal has George as a patron, his patronage extends to Catalonia, Georgia, rich and distinctive Christian tradition is alongside the Virgin. Moldova, Palestine and Lithuania. But heavily flavoured by Old Testament Judaism, Whenever and however he got there, St perhaps nowhere is he venerated more than in which is not surprising when one learns George seems to have taken quite a shine the vast and ancient land of Ethiopia. that the Ethiopian Emperors claimed direct to the place, and vice-versa. Addis Ababa’s Ethiopia is unfortunately best known descent from the Biblical King Solomon and cathedral is dedicated to Saint George, St to most people for the terrible famines the Queen of Sheba. George’s Sports Club is a leading football of the 1980s, brought on by a pernicious team, the banner of the Ethiopian Emperors cocktail of drought, war, and communism. The legendary Prester John features George slaying the dragon, and there’s But Ethiopia has much else going for it. Those great explorers, the Portuguese, started even a rather good beer called Saint George, It’s widely believed to be the site of the taking an interest in the region as early as brewed by a firm founded by a Belgian. emergence of early Homo Sapiens, is the land the fifteenth century. They came in search of St George was certainly around by the where a goatherd noticed his flock become the fabulously wealthy African ruler Prester thirteenth century, when he took a key role in invigorated after eating a certain bean and John, with whom they sought an alliance building the marvellous complex of churches so gave the world coffee, a country that against the Omani Muslims, Portugal’s in the town of Lalibela. In a stupendous celebrated the start of the twenty-first century main rivals for control of the emerging task, these were hewn from the living rock in 2007 (Ethiopians have no truck with the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean trade routes. between the seventh and the thirteenth newfangled Gregorian calendar) and is the Prester John proved mythical, but contact century. This construction method means last resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, was made with actual Ethiopian rulers, the churches are found in trenches and pits which is housed in a modest chapel in the diplomatic relations were established, and with the rock around them excavated to town of Axum. Christianity came to Ethiopia the Portuguese helped Ethiopia resist various create magnificent church structures – truly a wonder of the world. The most splendid of the Lalibela churches is Biete Giyorgis, the Church of Saint George. This incredible cruciform structure is hewn into its own pit (one accesses the church by descending a spiral path to the base) and was sculpted under the direction of King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela – for whom the town is named – after Saint George visited him in a vision instructing him to do so. With help from St George and a small army of angels, the church was completed in a single night, and Ethiopian guides can point out to visitors the still extant hoof prints of George’s horse near the church entrance. Intriguingly, many of the churches carry crosses and other symbolism of the Knights Templar, hinting at a very old link to Western Christianity. The Templars were noted masons and architects, as well, of course, as being big fans of St George. Did they too have a hand in Lalibela’s construction?

The scramble for Africa St George has come to the country’s aid in St. George, top centre, leading his troops into battle at the Battle of Adwa 1896 more recent times, too. During the Scramble

20 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND The Battle of Adwa is commemorated to this day as a national holiday, with public celebrations held across the country. Each year Ethiopians celebrate the courage of past heroes, quaff Saint George beer, and of course give thanks for the aid of their great patron – Saint George!

Menelik, first Emperor of Ethiopia Apparently, Solomon took a fancy to the Queen, and persuaded her that if she took anything of his, then he could sleep with her. The wily King fed Sheba a spicy curry, and later, in bed and thirsty, the Queen was rash enough to take a glass of water. The resulting union begat Menelik, first Emperor of Ethiopia, who returned to Jerusalem as an adult and (for motives not entirely clear) removed the Ark of the Covenant from the Temple and took it to Ethiopia. The author was privileged to attend a service there on St George’s Day and experience the mesmeric quality of Ethiopian St. George’s Day - In Ethiopia worship, heavy with incense, hypnotic for Africa in the late nineteenth century his long reign came to a tragic end in 1974 chanting, and archaic musical instruments virtually all of Africa was carved up by the when a Soviet-backed regime deposed and of the sort King David must have played major European powers. By the 1890s, the subsequently murdered him, establishing a thousands of years ago. Italians had established colonies neighbouring tyrannical one-party socialist state, which Ethiopia in Somaliland and Eritrea – Eritrea in turn was overthrown in 1991 following a Stuart Notholt is Grand Prior of the Order of to this day has some very fine art deco prolonged civil war. St. George. www.george.st architecture as a result – and had clear designs on the big prize, the Empire of Ethiopia itself. The Italians made their move in 1896. It was a catastrophe. Modern artillery proved no match for Ethiopian warriors, some of them clad in medieval armour and armed with rusty muskets or spears. At the Battle of Adwa on 1 March 1896 the Italian expeditionary force was smashed, suffering the biggest single defeat ever experienced by a European army at the hands of Africans. The survivors didn’t stop running until they had made it back to the Eritrean coast. How did Ethiopia manage to achieve this stunning victory? Well, of course the Ethiopians had a strategic ally – St George! In a painting of the battle held by the British Museum, George can be clearly seen leading his troops into battle, hurling spears into the Italian lines from a halo of red, gold, and green, the Ethiopian national colours.

Liberation of Ethiopia Unfortunately, the Italians wouldn’t take “no” for an answer, and in 1935 they were at it again. This time they were more successful – St George, it would appear, was not available on this occasion to aid the defenders against aerial bombing and poison gas. The Emperor Haile Selassie fled to London, Ethiopia became part of Africa Orientale Italiana and the title of Emperor was claimed by the Italian King Victor Emmanuel III. However, following Italy’s entry into World War II, South African and other Commonwealth forces, together with Ethiopian patriots, liberated Ethiopia in 1941. Emperor Selassie was returned to power, but St George’s church, hewn out of solid rock, located near the town of Lalibela

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 21 CINEMATIC ENGLAND ‘Cry God for Harry, England and St George!’ Stuart Millson

the present; a voice for Britain in the closing At the Globe Playhouse, the master of acts of the Second World War. ceremonies (played here by Leslie Banks, the treacherous Mr. Wilsford character in A vintage period of British film-making Went the Day Well?) asks us to imagine The years 1943-44 constituted a vintage the “vasty fields of France” – and like period of British film-making. Michael a magician, casting a spell, says to the Powell and Emeric Pressburger were busy audience: “On your imaginary forces . . . making A Canterbury Tale; a film in which work!” And so, we are with the audience at mediaeval England, and the hermits, hymns, The Globe, watching, it seems, a film of a martyrs and mysteries of Chaucer’s age play, or at least a film of Elizabethan actors are rediscovered in a modern wartime and stagehands bringing their play to life setting. Meanwhile, before a rumbustious Alberto Cavalcanti and audience. Before Ealing Studios found The obvious choice for the long, though, the themselves on a similar drama has left the sort of pathway with venture, and for the leading confines of the The Halfway House, role, was the dashing British theatre, and has a fable concerning become a screenplay benevolent ghosts in actor, Laurence Olivier in its own right – a Welsh valley, who with Henry later enable a weary group fighting in real of travellers to come to terms with their fields under the blue skies of France . . . or, lives and the stresses of war. Both films, more accurately, the blue skies of County imbued with messages of redemption and Wicklow, Eire! Ironically, the filming for the historical discovery, conveyed a sense of famous cavalry charge by the French took FILM BEGINS TO ROLL on the benediction; and, in their own way, fortified place on neutral Irish soil. cinema projector, and a wartime our spirits at a time of uncertainty. But it Aaudience, no doubt one that includes was felt that Britain needed a true, flag- History-book setting many off-duty servicemen and women, finds waving morale-booster, with battles and But even then, not everything is quite as it itself transported high into the air above the heroes, and an unmistakable message of seems; and occasionally, the acting (such spires and huddled houses of Elizabethan victory, and the wartime Government was as the scene at Southampton, and after the London – a city still dominated by the Tower keen for such a film to be made. war at the French court when Henry woos of London and surrounded by fields. Vessels Renee Asherson’s Princess Katherine of and traders are at anchor on the Thames, a A dashing British actor Valois) takes place in a surreal picture-book, gust of wind blows through some trees and a The obvious choice for the venture, and or history-book setting – an audacious banner flutters above The Globe Playhouse, for the leading role, was the dashing artistic attempt to marry Shakespeare’s royal on the southern bank of the river. . . . British actor, Laurence Olivier; and it fell Oustide the dreamworld of the cinema, to this commanding presence of the stage the London of 1944 endures the long war: and screen to direct this most stirring ruined streets and rationing, blackouts of Shakespeare’s histories. Olivier was and bombing – and still the city refuses assisted by technicians and specialists, to be defeated; its Roman foundations such as Associate Producer, Dallas Bower; and Regency squares, unconquered by Editor – Raymond Beck; Director of any foreign invader. The cinema provides Photography, Robert Krasker; Art Director, a welcome relief from the day-to-day Paul Sheriff; Special Effects master, Percy drudgery of the Home Front, but the film Day; and Scenic Artist, E. Lindegaard. that is unfolding is a film about conflict: With support from the Government, and the battles and strife, though, of an earlier a screen dedication to: “The Commandos age, the struggle of “the warlike Harry” and Airborne Troops of Great Britain, the – King Henry V of England – to secure spirit of whose ancestors it has been humbly his place in history by a daring invasion attempted to recapture . . .” the epic pageant of the Kingdom of France. The “picture” of Henry V is probably the film that made (as cinemagoers might have said in those Olivier’s name (at least, in terms of popular days) is the story of Shakespeare’s Hal, the recognition) and which is always referred Prince who once frequented the taverns of to whenever the wartime British cinema Cheapside with that ale-quaffing rogue, Sir is discussed. Winning the acclaim of the John Falstaff, yet who rose to the challenge film industry – and also guaranteeing the of destiny set before him to become one of composer, William Walton, his place in our greatest kings and leaders. The message cinema history, this Technicolor production for a wartime nation could not be mistaken: distributed by Eagle-Lion used, not just the “On, on you noblest English. . . . Cry God most innovative “big-screen” techniques for Harry, England and St George!” A cry of the time, but all the clever theatrical from history, perhaps, but also a voice for invention of a William Shakespeare. A model of an English soldier at Agincourt

22 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND progress for King Henry with the world of of a united Britain, with clan and class, as the illuminated mediaeval chronicle. From one. Nowhere can this compelling concept the Elizabethan theatre, to mediaeval art, to be seen more clearly, in British cinema, than the wide vistas so loved by the twentieth- in Olivier’s great film. century film-maker and cameraman,Henry V truly unites us within time and space. The essence of Shakespeare True to the spirit of Shakespeare, and What, though, has brought all of these undoubtedly with the tastes of the English disparate elements together to fight audience in mind (the English love humour for a king? The machinations of court, and absurdity), the film brings us the ecclesiastical and dynastic circles, and the ordinary, sometimes comic and cackling ambition of one man: this is where the seeds voices of the everyday people, not just the of the campaign are planted; this is the heroic words of kings and commanders. very essence of Shakespeare. The political There are the absurd, sometimes part of the story, set out in a conversation disconcerting characters of Pistol, Corporal (comically done) between the Archbishop Nym and Mistress Quickly, the tavern- of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely – the associates of Falstaff; and young George latter played by that superb theatrical, Cole has a role as a young urchin – and one Robert Helpmann (he would play a dazzling could probably go into any district, or pub in role, three years later, in The Red Shoes) London, today, and find such people! – is highly entertaining. With grandeur and natural authority, the King enters with Regional, national archetypes his noblemen, and learns that he has been Olivier also brings to the fore regional, presented with a “gift” from the son of national archetypes from across our islands: the French King, Charles. The Dauphin, Posthumous portrait of Henry V an extremely Welsh soldier, Fluellen, a incidentally, is played in a haughty, austere sight of the great army of French knights, Cambrian Captain in Henry’s English army and sinister manner by Max Adrian (he bearing aloft the fleur-de-lis, that would – or should that be, British army . . . “Look took the role of composer, Delius in Ken descend upon them at the field of Agincourt. you!” exclaims Fluellen (with his leek Russell’s 1960s’ film biography). The gift, Olivier’s screenplay, often described as symbol!), played brilliantly by that effortless however, is a taunt against England’s young “jingoistic”, may not show us the bloody master of accents and characters, the well- monarch, the consignment of tennis-balls face of war, in the way that Kenneth loved Esmond Knight. Another notable from the Court of France stirring indignation Branagh’s version, and a more recent BBC name of the period, Niall MacGinnis (film- and revenge in the heart of Henry. No King remake tried to do. But then again, such buffs may remember his role in Michael of England should be treated thus – and a depiction was never the intention of the Powell’s bleak story of Shetland islanders, Henry can be “no King of England if not film-makers. The Edge of the World) gives a fine lead to King of France”! his men, as an Irish officer, Macmorris. And Casualties and tragedies who else but John Laurie (Private Frazer, of Heart-stirring passages by Shakespeare What Olivier does show his audience is course, in Dad’s Army), one of the country’s An invasion fleet is mustered at the port the truth of Shakespeare’s words, from most celebrated actors from North of the of Southampton (an interesting parallel which we may conjure our own pictures Border, for the role of Jamy, a loyal Scottish to what was actually happening on the of the casualties and tragedies of conflict; captain in Henry’s ranks. They say that South Coast at that time) and there follows and – most notably – the great stresses, World War II was the people’s war – a war one of the most heart-stirring passages strains, and responsibilities of command by Shakespeare; an evocation of the great that rest upon the shoulders of a king. And English fleet – ships like fortresses, and so there is the famous night-scene, in which numerous, that it seems as though a city has Henry dons a cloak and walks through appeared on the waves: his encampment as an ordinary member “Play with your fancies, and in them of the army, trying to find out what his behold upon the hempen tackle, ship-boys men truly think of their leader. (In those climbing; Hear the shrill whistle which doth days, very few ordinary soldiers would order give to sounds confused; behold the have recognised their king, especially in threaden sails, borne with the invisible and such a disguise.) It is a poignant moment creeping wind. . . . O, do but think you stand in the play, and a “democratic” one for upon the ravage and behold a city on the the purposes of the film – upholding the inconstant billows dancing; for so appears wartime ideal of everyone, of whatever this fleet majestical, holding due course to social rank, belonging to one another. Harfleur.” During the Blitz, it was not unusual for King Once more into the breach George VI to visit the people in the bombed- out streets; and there are many moving The capture of the town of Harfleur is the photographs of him and the Queen Mother, first objective, although the actual siege standing alongside their subjects. Perhaps a (notwithstanding Henry’s famous cry to part of this English-spirit-in-adversity finds his men, “once more into the breach, dear an echo in Olivier’s work? friends . . .”) was a hard-fought, hard- won, miserable affair, with many in the English ranks succumbing to sickness and St Crispin’s Day illness. From Harfleur, the army ventured But the fame of the film,Henry V, rests deep into the French countryside, heavily upon the sequence in which the Battle of

Laurence Olivier outnumbered, although as yet with no Agincourt (25 October 1415) takes place. t

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 23 The battlefield today A sense of unity and anticipation of great for British productions). As armourers and if - watching the tide of events - you wish deeds to come prickles through the scene, men-at-arms busy themselves by the tents for some gateway to be opened up, allowing as Henry invokes St Crispin’s Day, the and fires of the camp; as the cavalry – the you to leap into the film! However one meaning of valour, and the great names of flower of French nobility – breaks into a reacts to it, the viewer cannot doubt that England. At this point, Olivier is Henry V: gallop; as a mass of arrows, shot from the Henry got his own back against the French this is, surely, what the King must have been bows of English archers whooshes into the for those insulting tennis-balls. like in real life! sky; and as swords clash and the English flag is carried into the heart of battle, the A great victory “To-morrow is Saint Crispian. symphonic score, with the great Agincourt Agincourt was a great victory for this Then will he strip his sleeve and show his Song (“Deo Gratias Anglia!”) as its country (although we were helped by the scars, peroration, matches the mood at every twist French mud that put a stop to the French And say ‘These wounds I had on Crispian’s and turn. cavalry charge!) And it was after our day.’ Taking inspiration from the music of deliverance in those foreign fields, that St Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot, long ago, and re-casting such tunes as George was formally enthroned as Patron But he’ll remember, with advantages, Watkin’s ale and the delicate Rosa Solis, Saint of England – King Henry V assuming What feats he did that day. Then shall our by the late-sixteenth/early seventeenth- “the port of Mars”, becoming a warrior- names, century composer, Giles Farnaby, Walton’s king, and the stuff of legend. Agincourt, Familiar in his mouth as household words– contribution enhances the historical force Trafalgar, Waterloo, the Battle of Britain: Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter, of the action and events; creating an the names of the military encounters that Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and overwhelming atmosphere of against-all- made the country what it was – surely they Gloucester – odds-heroism, pageantry and Englishness. will echo for all time, or at least, for as long Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb’red. At times, the music, the words, the drama as people appreciate history, or care about their past – and their future? This story shall the good man teach his son; are so magically at one, that it is almost as And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, Some observers have questioned whether From this day to the ending of the world, Olivier was right to use the story of an But we in it shall be remembered- English assault against France and its We few, we happy few, we band of monarchy, and the humiliation of the French brothers . . . crown: we were, after all, allies of the Free . . . And gentlemen in England now-a-bed French during the Second World War. But Shall think themselves accurs’d they were there can be no doubt that this remarkable not here, cinematic work of art, and the spirit which And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any glows from it, made a profound contribution speaks to the final great push of the war: the That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s British and Allied landings that marked the day.” beginning of the end for the continental power that had enslaved all Europe. As we The music of William Walton look at another film, the black-and-white footage of the D-Day invasion force, edging Yet while Shakespeare’s words stir our toward the Normandy coast in the June of blood, another magnificent force is at 1944, the words of Shakespeare and the work in the film: the music of Sir William “warlike Harry” seem to echo. . . . Walton (played by the London Symphony Orchestra, and conducted by the great “Once more unto the breach, dear Muir Mathieson, a musician whose name friends, once more; or close the wall up with frequently appears on the list of credits William Turner Walton our English dead.”

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24 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND BOOK REVIEW Post-War England From cold winds to white heat – the Britain that was . . .

Winds of Change: Britain in the Early would be storm-force, rattling venerable at Birch Grove, the Macmillan family home Sixties, Peter Hennessy, Allen Lane, 2019, national institutions, uprooting many of in Sussex, are fascinating. 603pp the old certainties of post-war Britain, and As expected, de Gaulle vetoed the UK’s blowing and tossing the ship of state in application for membership, in January directions that he was powerless to control. 1963, but the shift towards Europe and away In this third part of his trilogy, which from the Empire had been set in train and follows Never Again: Britain 1945-51 was an historic moment. The speed and (1992) and Having it so Good: Britain in the scope of the retreat was also astonishing, Fifties (2006), Peter Hennessy paints a vivid with twenty-six countries achieving picture of the country, independence, within its government and the Commonwealth, people at a time of Macmillan was a believer in a in just ten years. great social change. planned economy When it came At the centre of it all to domestic policy, is Harold Macmillan Macmillan spelt and his attempts, through what he called his out what needed to be done: Increase “Grand Design”, to reposition the country so productivity, eliminate restrictive practices, it could prosper economically and continue take advantage of new technology and bring to play an important part in world affairs. Britain up to date in almost every sphere of In terms of GNP Britain lagged far behind life. Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands, Macmillan was a believer in a planned and Macmillan’s top priority was to take economy, a philosophy which towards the the country into the EEC (then comprising end of his life brought him into conflict six member states) with all the benefits for with Margaret Thatcher, and in September trade that joining the increasingly influential 1961 he launched the National Economic bloc offered. He also viewed a strong Development Council (NEDC) to bring EEC – with Britain a key player – as an together management, trades union and essential bulwark against the expansion of government. This attempt at co-operation Stephen Garnett is reminded of a time communism, then regarded as a threat both was the idea of the Chancellor of the when Britain faced challenges with economically and militarily. The author Exchequer, Selwyn Lloyd. Unfortunately, hope allows us to eavesdrop on the Cabinet so too was the deeply unpopular “pay T WAS ON 3 FEBRUARY 1960 that meetings, and subsequent Parliamentary pause”, which restricted wage increases to UK Prime Minister Harold Macmillan debate, in which Macmillan put his case for between two per cent and two-and-a-half spoke to the South African parliament opening negotiations, with much discussion per cent and was an important cause of the I about the effect membership would have on shock defeat suffered by the Conservatives in Cape Town, famously warning them that “The wind of change is blowing through British agriculture, on our relations with the at the Orpington by-election on 14 March this continent”. Having led the Conservative Commonwealth and on national sovereignty. 1962. A swing of thirty per cent saw the Party to election victory in 1957 following Liberal Party take the formerly safe Tory Charles de Gaulle says “non” the resignation of Anthony Eden over seat by a majority of more than 7,000. Four the Suez crisis, Macmillan – First Earl of Of course, it wasn’t only the Cabinet, months later, in what became known as the Stockton and a veteran of the Somme – had Conservative Party, Opposition and, “Night of the Long Knives”, Macmillan been victorious again in October 1959, ultimately, fifty-million Britons that sacked a third of his Cabinet, with Reginald increasing the government’s majority Macmillan had to convince: the great barrier Maudling replacing Lloyd at the Treasury. to 100 seats. The party had campaigned to UK membership was the resident of the Age of satire under the slogan “Life’s better under the Elysée Palace. French president Charles Conservatives”, citing a strong economy, de Gaulle opposed British membership This undercurrent of discontent was low unemployment and a rising standard of for a variety of reasons. Our history as a reflected in the satire boom, with writers, living. maritime nation with strong trading links to actors and comedians using humour to poke However, even as he made that speech, the Commonwealth and our very different fun at those in authority. On television, just a few months after the country had agricultural sector made us incompatible That Was The Week That Was, presented by voted for him, the popularity of Macmillan and a potentially destabilising and divisive David Frost, produced by Ned Sherrin and and his government was already on the influence. He did not want to risk France first broadcast in November 1962, broke wane, with an increasing number of people losing her dominant position in the bloc. new ground by making fun of political in the country questioning whether a sixty- He was suspicious of the effect our close figures. It had great appeal for the increasing six-year-old, tweed-suited Edwardian who relationship with the United States would number of educated, idealistic young people packed his Cabinet with fellow Old Etonians have on our commitment to the European in Britain who had benefited from the was the right man to lead Britain into the “project” – and he felt some personal opportunities offered by the Education Act 1960s. At the same time, developments in resentment at what he perceived as France’s of 1944. Four bright Oxbridge graduates the UK, Europe and the USA were setting exclusion from the Anglo-American nuclear (Peter Cook, Jonathan Miller, Alan Bennett daunting challenges that would force partnership. The accounts of their meetings and Dudley Moore) were also creating a stir Macmillan to brace himself against winds of and the verbal duelling that took place at on stage, first in Edinburgh then in London change much closer to home. Many of these the Chateau de Rambouillet, the President’s with their satirical revue Beyond the Fringe.

summer residence in the le-de-France, and This included Peter Cook’s brilliant parody t

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 25 of Macmillan, considered quite shocking at Iron curtains, Cuban missiles the time. The ageing Macmillan was often The ability of the Prime Minister’s driver compared unfavourably with JFK, whom he to locate a phone box was never put to the met for the first time in March 1961. test, but there were numerous flashpoints In the opening chapter of the book, Peter between East and West in the early Sixties: Hennessy describes his teenage years in the the ongoing crisis in Berlin (the wall was Cotswold village of Nympsfield. Although erected in August 1961), the unmasking in many ways life in the rural community of spies on both sides of the Iron Curtain, had not changed much from how it was the belligerence of Khrushchev in Moscow before the war, even people living in a and the fear of a Soviet pre-emptive strike remote settlement such as that (during the or sudden military advance into Western winter of 1962–63 the village was cut off for Europe. But it was the Cuban missile two weeks under eight feet of snow) could crisis in October 1962, made even more not escape the ever-present threat posed by dangerous by the shooting down of a a more permanent chill: the Cold War. The US spy plane flying over the island, that Harold Wilson 350 souls who called Nympsfield home brought the world to the brink of nuclear taking us back to that unforgettable summer would have been astonished to learn that war. As tensions rose, the author, then a when, stoked by hostility to the government, just twenty-five miles away, near Corsham schoolboy, set off with some friends for a the national newspapers made household in Wiltshire, was a top-secret bunker that walk in the Black Mountains, “thinking that names of figures such as Stephen Ward, was to be used by the government and up to if the world was going to end, this was as Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice-Davies. 4,000 officials in the event of a Third World beautiful a spot as any in which to finish The public couldn’t get enough of what War. Codenamed “Stockwell”, it was ninety one’s part in it”. the author describes as a “heady cocktail feet underground and in sixty miles of So much happened during 1963 it is of sex, secrecy and scandal” and rumours tunnels comprised 800 offices, dormitories, unsurprising that the author devotes a swirled about other Establishment figures kitchens, signals areas, sick bays, etc. whole chapter to those twelve months, and being up to no good. When Lord Denning’s For those who didn’t live through the many of the events and people involved eagerly anticipated report was published period it must be difficult to understand how continue to colour our view of the early part in September people queued to purchase the threat of nuclear war was always there of the decade. The year began badly, with copies, and although it wasn’t overly critical in the background, its likelihood rising and De Gaulle vetoing the UK’s application of Macmillan, the whole business, as well as falling and rising again in tune with events. for EEC membership, causing Macmillan his poor health, weakened him, precipitating It certainly exercised the minds of those in to write in his diary: “All our policies at his resignation a month later. Amidst government, as the preparation of that huge home and abroad are in ruins”. A few days all the scandal in high places, what was nuclear bunker demonstrates. But if the later, Hugh Gaitskell, leader of the Labour possibly Macmillan’s greatest achievement existence of that 240-acre site would have Party, died suddenly; following a ballot he was overlooked: the vital contribution he shocked and alarmed the British people, was replaced by Harold Wilson. In March, made to a Partial Test Ban Treaty which the way in which the Prime Minister was the Beeching Report, The Reshaping of prohibited future atmospheric testing by the to be informed of a likely nuclear attack if British Railways, was published. One of nuclear powers. at that moment he were travelling in his car the great delights of this book is the way The author gazes far and wide – the Great would probably have provoked derision – or that the author, as well as given us facts Train Robbery, domestic nuclear power, disbelief. The plan was to use the AA radio and background information, occasionally Maudling’s “dash for growth” – and is link to inform the PM’s driver, who would inserts personal anecdotes. Steam railway especially entertaining in dealing with the then take Macmillan to a phone box so that enthusiasts will enjoy his memory of an political intrigue that eventually led to the he could call Downing Street. This led to encounter he had at Tebay station in the appointment of Sir Alec Douglas-Home some concern about what would happen if Lake District in August 1961. as Macmillan’s successor. It is good to the Prime Minister or his driver didn’t have be reminded of some of the key political the four pennies needed to make such a call, Profumo affair shakes the establishment figures of the time: Lord Hailsham, Rab and whether it would be sensible to take out The biggest story of the year was what Butler, Iain Macleod, Enoch Powell and AA membership as drivers would then be became known as the “Profumo affair”, others. It is easy to see why Harold Wilson’s given keys and access to AA boxes across and Peter Hennessy expertly – and often famous “white heat” of technology vision, the country. humorously – analyses all the ins and outs, linking science and socialism, had such wide appeal, resulting in a Labour victory in the General Election of October 1964. To read the account of the lively campaign that preceded the vote is to realise what a powerful speaker Wilson was (“We are living in the jet-age but we are governed by an Edwardian establishment mentality”). The Beatles, package holidays, Telstar, CND, Doctor Who . . . it was a lively, colourful, exciting period on so many levels. Those of us who lived through it should be grateful to Peter Hennessy for reminding us how lucky we were.

Stephen Garnett is a former editor of the quarterly magazine This England and writes from Cheltenham. (This article first appeared in The Brazen Head – www.brazen-head.org)

26 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND OVERLOOKED ENGLAND

The passing of time David Bennett

HE BRITISH HOROLOGICAL Masefield said: “Miss Cain has one of the Institute was founded in 1858 to most beautiful voices I have ever heard and Tpromote the art, science and craft of behind a beautiful voice you will also find making time pieces. intelligence”. It moved to its present home, Upton Hall The post office speaking clock remained near Newark Nottinghamshire, in 1972. in service from 1936 to 1963 when it was This elegant building, standing in its own replaced. grounds, houses a vast collection of time Even in these days of digital equipment pieces brought together by the members and mobile phones, the speaking clock still since 1858. exists. In 2015 twelve million people rang The Institute’s library has historical books the service. Today’s voice is Sara Mendes da on the construction and manufacture of time Costa who said she is proud to be the voice pieces, amounting to 5000 volumes in a of what she sees as ‘a part of our heritage variety of languages. and culture’. It also runs workshops for the Dudley Giles, chief executive of the construction and repair of timepieces, Institute, said: “The speaking clock is a providing accommodation for students great British institution. It was in service attending short courses and taking on 24 July 1936 and remained in service examinations in this highly-skilled subject. for twenty-seven years. It was then Housed within this magnificent institution replaced by the next generation, which is the first speaking clock produced by used quartz technology and the voice the GPO eighty years ago, an ingenious of Pat Simmons. That was followed by combination of mechanical and electrical the voice of Brian Cobby before Miss parts. The public could pick up a phone to Mendes da Costa won a competition with be given an accurate time check by the voice Children in Need to become the new voice of Ethel Cain, an exchange operator from in 2006”. Croydon who was chosen by competition. More information on the BHI can be One of the judges, Poet Laurate John found on their website, www.bhi.co.uk.

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 27 VISIONARY ENGLAND

New light on the Lakes Derek Turner celebrates the land of Wordsworth, Wainwright and Beatrix Potter, as he explores “England’s Switzerland”.

E HAD BEEN DREAMING The Lake District – “England’s cagoules. These images were unappealing, about Andalusia. But plans Switzerland”, Manchester’s playground, especially when juxtaposed with thoughts Wsometimes must be altered, and stamping-grounds of Wordsworth and of Spain. Our prior experiences had been so one August evening we found ourselves Beatrix Potter, magnet to millions of grey days around Ambleside, trooping in entering into Ulverston, 1,300 miles tourists, subject of a billion photos, noted everyone else’s damp wake, reading the from Andalusia, and even more distant for traffic jams, tea-shops, lake cruises, same rain-spotted information boards, climatically, culturally, and historically. mint-cake, and hikers in fluorescent and taking the same photos.

28 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND I had also come here on a coaster, coming year William Wordsworth was born in alongside at Silloth on Christmas morning, Cockermouth, a lawyer’s son who would and had vague remembrances of cold, become the area’s greatest interpreter empty streets, flour mills and the smell of and publicist, and England’s Romantic- fertilizer. The effect of such impressions had in-Chief. His Prelude recalls a childhood hitherto been to make us defer exploration spent chiefly outside, by the Derwent which when there were so many other places, “flowed along my dreams”, or out on screes and so little time. But as I plundered my and slopes, catching woodcock, robbing bookshelves, the District soon loomed into ravens, or just rhapsodising – epic walks, shape – and by the time we were climbing summer swims, ice-skating, cliff-climbing, to our cottage through lanes of bruised wild winds, “distant Skiddaw’s lofty bracken, the great glitter of Morecambe height . . . bronz’d with a deep radiance”. Dove Cottage (Town End, Grasmere) – home of Bay below and sheep-smelling hills rising Presently he started composing poetry William and Dorothy Wordsworth, 1799–1808 up all round, any lingering regrets were to “find fit utterance for the primary and vanquished. simple feelings” (Dictionary of National Granite-gleam of toughness The ninety-square-mile District was Biography), developed democratic Behind all Romancing, and even when the divided historically between Lancashire, sympathies, met Coleridge and Southey, weather is fine, the District feels unyielding. Cumberland and Westmorland, but in and settled with his sister at Dove Cottage Even Beatrix Potter’s treacly tales have 1974 it was all subsumed into the new overlooking Grasmere. a granite-gleam of toughness, her Peter county of Cumbria (to considerable local His penchant for recreational walking Rabbits, Jeremy Fishers and Jemima Puddle- chagrin). There are sixty-four lakes, was much mocked – “His legs were ducks anatomically correct under all the including Windermere, England’s biggest pointedly condemned”, joked English anthropomorphism, product of a lifetime at over ten miles long and nearly a mile Opium-Eater Thomas De Quincey, observing and depicting fauna and flora. wide, and Wast Water, its deepest at 258 who moved into Dove Cottage after the She had a special interest in fungi, and in feet – a product of high rainfall, plus the Wordsworths, and improbably became editor 1897 presented a paper to the Linnaean impermeability of volcanic rocks. Some of the Westmorland Gazette. Wordsworth’s Society of London on “Germination of waterbodies still hold Ice Age relicts character was also assailed, particularly when the spores of the Agaricineae”. An even like Arctic char and vendace, fish rare his poetry strayed into bathos (notoriously, solider achievement was that she was able to elsewhere and threatened even here by “SPADE! with which Wilkinson hath tilled bequeath 4,000 acres of the area to the nation non-natives. There are 180 mountains of his lands”) and his politics turned Tory. upon her death in 1943, courtesy of Mr. Tod, over 2,000 feet, including Scafell Pike, His outlook was ridiculed by, among many Tommy Brock, and the Tailor of Gloucester. England’s highest at 3,209 feet. others, William Hazlitt, who scoffed that Less comforting animals were Richard This strongly marked landscape is Wordsworth “sees nothing but himself and Adams’ Plague Dogs, the labrador Rowf and sparsely populated outside the summer the universe”. Some moderns are even less the Jack Russell Snitter of his searing 1977 season, with its largest town, Kendal, having forgiving, like Rebecca Solnit in Wanderlust: anti-vivisection novel, experimental subjects fewer than 30,000 permanent residents. A History of Walking (2000) – “He went who escape from an animal research centre Small wonder the area has attracted from being a great Romantic to a great to live wild for a while aided by another tod, superlatives since the English started to take Victorian, and the transition required much the starving stoniness the perfect setting for an aesthetic rather than utilitarian interest renouncement”. Solnit even regrets he did not the moral desolation of the experimenters. in landscapes, at that eighteenth century die in his late thirties, which might admittedly This was for centuries a frontier zone cultural cusp when Augustan tastes were have been inconvenient for him and his whose clouded hills could at any moment toppled, wilderness turned into scenery, and family, but would luckily have left “his unleash moss-troopers and reivers. It got emotion and self-realisation began to be image as a radical intact”. Notwithstanding co-opted into wider wars, one Civil War exalted over reason and restraint. such charitable considerations, legend telling how Sir Robert Philippson Wordsworth’s Weltanschauung – an amalgam (aka “Robin the Devil”) of Belle Isle on Screes and slopes of love of nature, fascination with the past, Windermere rode right into Kendal’s parish In 1769, Thomas Gray could still find slightly philistine patriotism, and unbounded church in angry, unsuccessful search of these mountains “very rude and awful sentimentality – still permeates the Lake one Colonel Briggs, a Parliamentarian who with their broken tops”, but the following ambience and England’s view of itself. had besieged his house. A century later, on Midsummer’s Eve in 1745, twenty-six respectable witnesses saw a Jacobite army on Souther Fell, a place no force could possibly have been, a fata morgana for a time of anxiety. An American incursion But in April 1778, there was an actual incursion, when John Paul Jones landed at Whitehaven – a shipbuilding, trading and whaling port linking the “Three Kingdoms” of England, Scotland and the Isle of Man – with thirty men from the USS Ranger. He hoped to torch hundreds of ships as they languished at low tide, crammed in tightly between the piers. But the wind was against them, and the sky was already paling when they made landfall. Jones and The beach at Morecambe his party landed at the southern fort and

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 29 spiked its cannon, while half of his force pointing out to sea, and the ‘Gothick’ went to the northern part of the harbour archway of an excise house framing the to set the ships alight. The latter resorted channel, and ships and submarines heading to a public house, ostensibly to get a light into Barrow-in-Furness. Just off Roa is the for their incendiaries, but seem to have ruined Piel Castle on Piel Island, an outpost been sidetracked by the stock. When Jones of the English Church Militant, built by the rejoined them, he found no ships had been Abbot of Furness to guard against Scottish burned because no-one had a light. Even raids. when they finally obtained one, their arsons went awry, most of the fires fizzling out, The riddle of the sands and others quickly extinguished by locals – Another instance of old interest in this area who had been alerted by a Ranger crewman is the extant post of Guide to the Queen’s apparently anxious about anyone getting Sands, which has existed since 1538, a post- hurt. Jones withdrew ignominiously, taking Dissolution assumption of an old monastic just three prisoners and leaving behind a responsibility. The Duchy of Lancaster pays Roa Island lifeboat station few hundred pounds’ worth of damage, the Guide a nominal £15 per annum (plus Back on terra (very) firma, the area’s and a reputation as dastardly pirate. (The rent-free use of a twelve-acre farm) to lead farmers have always scratched subsistence town only pardoned travellers across from soil lying like the thinnest of coverlets him in 1999.) The Morecambe Bay at over rock, their farms surviving only with seriocomedy continued Lancaster assizes passing low tide. Until the subventions. The last English wolf was as he headed to more death sentences than railways came in the supposedly killed here in 1390. Below their Kircudbright to kidnap 1860s, this was an angled, drywalled ‘pastures’ and ‘yow’ pens, the Earl of Selkirk, only anywhere else in England important route, but it the ancient pedlar tracks and corpse-roads to find him away from was always hazardous over the tops and down into Yorkshire lie home, meaning he had to make do with the across 120 square miles of mudflats, where thick coal seams, mined from the thirteenth family silver, including Lady Selkirk’s still- the rivers Keer, Kent, Leven (there is a century, and presently being revived after a hot teapot, which she gave up after a short separate Guide to the Leven Sands), Lune, decades-long hiatus. but probably strained interview. Ribble and Wyre commingle in shifting This was also a District for criminals, quicksands and racing tides. As recently as the Lancaster assizes passing more death 2004, twenty-one illegal Chinese cocklers A mining disaster sentences than anywhere else in England were cut off and drowned – victims of Whitehaven was epicentre for an industry between the mid-eighteenth and mid- exploitation as much as the early eighteenth that brought crucial employment, with nineteenth centuries; about 265 were hanged century Sambo, “a faithful negro, who, some mines stretching miles out under the in the Castle’s “Hanging Corner” between attending his master from the West Indies” sea, but also multiple disasters. The pits 1782 and 1865. (The assizes also covered died at Sunderland Point near Lancaster, at Whitehaven, says the Durham Mining Manchester and Liverpool.) Smuggling was and was buried out under the sands. The Museum, have “probably the blackest common, and a hint of old watchfulness present Guide, fisherman Cedric Robinson, record in the annals of coal mining”. The can be gleaned at Roa Island, reached by appointed in 1963, has occupied the position twentieth century bears grim testament. a narrow Victorian causeway just above longer than any of his twenty-four precursors. In 1910, 136 men and boys were killed the water, and sometimes below it, flanked Seeing pictures of him in action, probing in a single explosion. In 1922, there were by salt marsh with a beached trawler and with his tall staff while throngs wait for his thirty-nine – in 1928, thirteen – in 1931, lifeboat, and a dinghy tied to a garden wall. word, one thinks of ancient images – St. twenty-seven – in 1941, twelve – and At the end of the causeway rises an early James and scallops, fishers of men, finders of in 1947, 104. The 1910 explosion was Victorian inn and a thicket of masts, cannon The Way. the biggest ever mining disaster in the county, and sixty-four Edward Medals were awarded to rescuers, the most ever for one incident. Details still stab; when the mine was unsealed after four months so bodies could be recovered, one corpse was found cradling his teenage son and his son’s friend in his arms. Another man had taken off all his clothes and folded them beside himself, the insufferable heat not preventing neatness. They also found chalked messages showing some had survived the explosion, to sign off miserably afterwards in stifling, Stygian timelessness. While men lived like Morlocks below, far above tramped self-exiles and sensation- seekers, revelling in the area’s otherness. These men were as different from miners in their expectations and outlook as Keats, whose Hyperion references Castlerigg stone circle near Keswick – Scarce images of life, one here, one there, Lay vast and edgeways; like a dismal cirque Piel Castle showing the keep and the inner and outer baileys Of Druid stones, upon a forlorn moor. . . .

30 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND named after him, in 1825; since 2016, it is officially Utqiaġvik, emblematic of ongoing de-Englishing), and President of the Royal Geographical Society. His Monument, a replica lighthouse, crowns Hoad Hill over his hometown, offering aptly vast maritime and montane panoramas.

Stan Laurel Another Lakes-forsaker was Stan Laurel, born Arthur Stanley Jefferson in Ulverston in 1890, to a vaudevillian family. (See St George for England, December edition, 2020.) Brats, Tit for Tat, Saps at Sea, Way Out West, and all the rest play on continuous reel at the town’s Laurel and Hardy Museum, as visitors are reminded of the boys’ brilliance, or inspect the photographs, typescripts, bizarre L. & H. merchandise, and things young Stan knew, including a mangle from an outhouse where he spent hours in punishment for high-spiritedness. Yet while Santa Monica became Stan’s residence, and his Englishness a comic prop, part of him always looked homewards, Ruskin’s View at Kirkby Lonsdale because he took Ollie there in 1947, and Ollie told the North West Evening Ruskin his eagle eyes failed in old age, he found Mail “Stan had talked about Ulverston for himself “in a grey mist”, like those he had Then there was Ruskin, looking out from the past twenty-two years.” the turret of Brantwood in search of seen so often descending over arêtes and We too will return, cured at last of anti- impressions – Turner, trying to capture peaks, seeing maps increasingly only in Lakes ennui, old ideas augmented by new particular lights on particular stones before mind’s-eye. In his posthumous Memoir lights – “England’s Switzerland” under all colours altered – Aleister Crowley, an of a Fellwanderer, he wrote wistfully of a an azure empyrean, blood-warm walls, unexpected alpinist, disdainful of the rising final walk, slipping and stumbling in rain Whitehaven cormorants holding out wings generation of “rock gymnasts” he ironically on an ascent made often before – of how towards the Kingdom of Man, the sun despised as self-publicising – Arthur his “silent friends . . . shed tears for me that declining superbly over a stupendousness Ransome, Soviet-sympathising author of day.” of slopes, thickly-treed hillsides tumbling the so-British, so-bourgeois Swallows and Some north-westerners sought escape down to lakes like mercury, black- Amazons books – and Donald Campbell, rather than entrance, like John Barrow faced sheep on bald sides leading up to who died on Coniston Water in 1967 while (1764-1848), knighted son of an Ulverston incomprehensible viewpoints. trying to set a world water-speed record in tanner. His career encompassed whaling in Bluebird K7 (his body was only found in Greenland, comptrolling in China, Auditor- Derek Turner writes for The Irish Times and 2001, and his head is still missing). general of the Cape Colony, Permanent The Spectator. He is also editor of the new Secretary to the Admiralty, promoter of online magazine, The Brazen Head. Wainwright – and the spell of the fells Arctic exploration (Alaska’s Barrow was www.brazen-head.org Another Lakes-lover was Alfred Wainwright (1907-1991), son of a stonemason from Blackburn, who succumbed to the fells’ spell on 7 June 1930, staring out from Orrest Head, above Windermere: I was totally transfixed, unable to believe my eyes . . . I saw mountain ranges, one after another, the nearer starkly etched, those beyond fading into the blue distance. Rich woodlands, emerald pastures and the shimmering water of the lake . . . this was real. This was truth. God was in his heaven that day and I a humble worshipper. He spent much of his remaining sixty- one years tramping the fells’ every inch, like them externally forbidding, describing and drawing his routes in seven Swiss-lens sharp Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells, now standard reference works – each dedicated unusually, such as “The men who built the stone walls” or “Those unlovely twins, my right leg and my left leg”. When Cormorant at Whitehaven

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 31 ENGLAND’S VETERANS Armed forces and veterans’ breakfast clubs Bob Peedle MBE, Fellow RSSG

in the Infantry and RE(EOD) he finished to: homeless temporary accommodation, as a WO(2). He kindly gave me a briefing homeless and low-income family’s food paper he had written and the following are parcels and essential clothing and household abridged extracts. goods. We have also arranged volunteer training, (mental health First aid, DBS, I started one in June 2017 and at our first safeguarding etc). We have met venue costs, time we had eight for breakfast at Frankie drop-in refreshments, mobility and transport and Benny’s Diner in Eastbourne. Christmas for older and isolated veterans for healthcare 2019 saw 110 attending and now in 2021 appointments and social occasions. We can there are over 350 veterans and family help with signposting to legal, financial, social members as part of the Breakfast Club family. services and housing. I am employed by the NHS as the Veterans’ We referred fourteen cases for knee surgery Champion for Kent, Surrey and Sussex for to the Chavasse clinic (one of only two in Primary Care. I therefore have dealings with the country) and eight referrals to the NHS GPs and Community services to highlight and TILs service for mental health related issues. steer the healthcare needs of veterans across We still have 30 open cases on the books. the area. During our breakfasts one pattern During the Covid 19 period we had seen an of conversation is about issues of physical increase in cases from isolated veterans and and mental health. Members speak to me in HESE CLUBS ARE FREE to join, mental health issues. Our work continues. The confidence to see if I could help. From this an the only cost is that of the food for Drop-In centre has been recognised with a idea of a Drop-In centre grew. Tbreakfast. Started by Mr Dereck J nomination for the English Veterans Awards as Hardman in 2007 in Kingston-Upon-Hull. Blue Van Armed Forces Veterans’ Drop-in a finalist. We have reached the stage where A network has now developed not just in A suitable venue for the Drop-In was found the NHS Mental Health Trust, the Acute Trust the UK but in many other countries giving and funding application raised £2000. So the Physiotherapy and local GP Surgeries refer a total of about 400 clubs. Derek writes on ‘Blue Van’ Veterans’ Drop-In was born in March veterans to us for ongoing support. his website “We have seen first-hand the 2018. In November 2020 Major General John We have a ‘buddy tree’ to help ensure huge positive impact the Breakfast Clubs Moore-Bick CBE DL, former High Sheriff of contact is maintained with our more isolated are having on the lives of so many veterans East Sussex became our Patron. veterans. We also have several laptops and and their families. The mutual support they The name Blue Van comes from the tea van tablets available to loan out keeping people afford and the connections they are making, that frequented the Soltau military training area in contact or to help with home schooling. even outside the clubs, is incredible.” in Germany. It was renowned for turning up Another venture is Veterans aid to Civil To get an idea as to how these clubs in the wettest miserable places with hot food Community (VACC) where veterans volunteer to undertake works for other Charities and operate I spoke to a local veteran, Steve and drinks. A life saver to many a wet cold hungry soldier. It was associated with coming organisations. The last was the refurbishment Scudder, who started the Eastbourne and together and chatting and laughing over a hot of the assault course at Parkwood Scout District club in 2017. Steve joined the brew and bratty. Camp. Some remember building it whilst regular Army as a boy soldier but an injury So far the Drop-In centre has managed to serving twenty-five years ago. resulted in his discharge. On his recovery help sixty-four people, but that in itself is a The Blue Van venue is currently held within he joined the TA and after 34 years service sad figure. Funding to date has contributed a community hub, however it has limitations on availability and lack of facilities of less able veterans. We need to find our own premises which is dependent on any grants we are able to secure.

Project overview The aim is to build on our successes of Blue Van activities to provide focal point for meetings, social and supportive gatherings and signposting to specific and specialised professional services as well as being an administrative base for the charity. It will also be a base for our volunteers and welfare team. We are also fortunate to have a qualified mental health Nurse working with us at the grassroots level. It is planned that the new home will also have space for skills and therapy sessions, clinical and creative.

The Blue Van Hub Project is Registered charity No 1193342. This is a fine example of the work of volunteers supporting our veterans. Having interviewed Steve Scudder on the local radio, I have developed considerable respect A group of Veterans’ Aid volunteers helping out at the Parkwood Scout Camp and admiration for his vital work.

32 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND MEMORIES OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN Spitfire pilot described five victories in one day, on BBC By Geoff Simpson

Ronald Fairfax Hamlyn

ONALD FAIRFAX HAMLYN died in 1991. He was a Yorkshireman Rwho, as a Sergeant Pilot, flew Spitfires in the Battle of Britain with No 610 (County of Chester) Squadron. In July and August 1940 the squadron was based at Biggin Hill before moving to Acklington in Spitfire shooting down a Messerschmitt 109 Northumberland for a relative rest. During the Second World War, RAF them. I got under one Me 109 and gave him in flames and pieces began to fly off. personnel gave anonymous BBC radio talks two bursts, Smoke started to pour out of him Finally, as it went down, more pieces came on their experiences. Ronnie Hamlyn was and he went down out of control. Suddenly, off, all burning. As it tumbled down towards one of them. His turn came in August 1940 tracer bullets started whizzing past my the Thames Estuary it was really a bunch as the Battle of Britain moved towards machine. I turned sharply and saw an Me of blazing fragments instead of a whole its climax. He described how he had shot 109 attacking one of our pilots. I turned on aircraft. It was an amazing sight.” down five enemy aircraft, one Junkers Ju 88 the attacker and gave him a quick burst. Hamlyn joined the RAF to train as and four Messerschmitt 109s, on Saturday, Immediately he began to slow down and the a pilot in 1936. He served with No 72 24 August. aircraft began to smoke. Squadron and joined 610, initially on Speaking of his fourth and fifth victories “I pressed the gun button a second time attachment, in June 1940. The standard he said, “When we spotted the fighters and the Me caught fire. I fired a third time work of reference, Men of the Battle of [escorting the Ju 88s] we pulled up towards and the whole machine became enveloped Britain by Kenneth G. Wynn, credits him, during the Battle of Britain, with eight enemy aircraft destroyed (including the five on 24 August), one probably destroyed and two damaged. Hamlyn was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) on 13 September 1940. Later in the war he commanded two Air Sea Rescue (ASR) squadrons and received the Air Force Cross (AFC). He was posted to the staff of Bomber Command as ASR Officer, a role to which Air Chief Marshal Harris, the leader of the Command, attached great importance. In 1957 Ronnie Hamlyn retired from the RAF as a Squadron Leader. In 1990, although he was extremely ill, he invited me to his home in Sussex, so that I could interview him (I kept it very short) for an article I was writing. It came out that I had done a charity parachute jump under the auspices of the Red Devils, the Parachute Regiment display team. His response was, The RAF hero (pictured with his hands clasped in front) pictured with the No 276 air sea rescue “That’s an experience you’ve had and squadron. © Spink/BNPS I haven’t. I never needed to.”

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 33 The Battle of Britain class locomotive, Sir Archibald Sinclair, kept on the Bluebell Railway in Sussex. The locomotive was named in honour of the Secretary of State for Air during the Battle of Britain. During service on British Railways all the Merchant Navy and some of the West Country and Battle of Britain locomotives were re-built, losing their air-smoothed casings in the process. Sir Archibald Sinclair is in re-built condition. The Bulleid Society is seeking funds for repairs England’s Railway Heritage Locomotive names added romance, says Geoff Simpson ETWEEN THE WARS the “Big locomotive” before the start of their journey When the V class of 4-4-0 wheel Four” railway companies put much might well find romantic thoughts in their arrangement express engines appeared they Beffort into emphasising the glamour, minds inspired by names including King were all named after public schools and, romance, comfort and speed of long Arthur (the N15s became the “King Arthur” in some cases, including Eton, Sevenoaks distance rail journeys. This was a time when class), Queen Guinevere, Merlin, Excalibur, and Dover, more public relations value was air travel was threatening to become a rival. Morgan le Fay (an enchantress in the obtained by arranging naming ceremonies The railways were pioneers of the nascent legend), Sir Lancelot and Sir Bedivere. The at local stations, during which pupils art of public relations. As early as 1925 the Southern nearly slipped up when it included clambered over “their” engine. Southern Railway appointed a newspaper Sir Mordred in the list of planned names, A sour note came when the school journalist, John Elliot (later Sir John), as but it was realised in time that he was often apparently objected to having a member public relations assistant to the General represented as a traitor or the result of an of the class named Uppingham and Manager, Sir Herbert Walker. The Southern incestuous relationship involving King the nameplates were replaced with pursued a policy of naming express Arthur, and the locomotive concerned Bradfield. Sometimes the names were locomotives and it was Elliot who suggested became Sir Valence instead. severely truncated to fit onto nameplates, giving the N15 class names of places and Leatherhead, for instance, represented St characters associated with the legend of A maritime salute John’s School, Leatherhead. King Arthur. The Southern’s Lord Nelson class were all In 1937 Richard Maunsell retired as The Southern,was transporting named after famous maritime commanders. Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Southern holidaymakers from London’s Waterloo Those selected, including Sir Francis Railway and was replaced by Oliver Bulleid, station to west country destinations such as Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh and Robert Blake, very much an original thinker. In passing, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Bude, and Ilfracombe. were safely long dead. With controversy he also gained the reputation among his There was no station at Tintagel, a major over the outcome of the Battle of Jutland staff of being highly approachable. This base for Arthurian leisure, but the line to still fresh in the public mind the thought went further. One teenager who wrote a fan Wadebridge and Padstow took you within of recognising Earl Jellicoe was rejected, letter to Bulleid during the Second World reach. though the London, Midland and Scottish War was astonished to receive a personal Those who went to “look at the Railway honoured him on a locomotive. reply which included an invitation to call

34 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND An oddity of the selection was that the squadrons used were generally those on the No 11 Group, Fighter Command order of battle for 3 November 1940, after the Battle had officially finished. So some squadrons missed out that had been in the front line during the intense fighting of late August and early September. Only two squadrons from the November list were omitted. One of those was the Polish No 302 Squadron, based at Northolt. Two Battle of Britain locomotives were completed at Brighton works in November 1948 but the opportunity to link with the contemporaneous unveiling of the Polish Air Force memorial at Northolt was not taken. The socially prominent No 601 Squadron, “The Millionaires’ Mob”, by November no longer in No 11 Group, was selected. The Great Western Railway was obsessed with buildings. There were series of Castles, Halls, Granges, Manors, Abbeys, and Courts. Over 300 mixed traffic locomotives Mallard: The LNER A4 streamlined Pacific, Mallard still holds the steam locomotive speed record of received a “Hall” name. The jocular forecast 126 mph set in 1938. The locomotive was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and the footplate crew that entered railway history consisted of Driver Joe Duddington, Fireman Tom Bray and Traction Inspector that the last to emerge from Swindon Works Sid Jenkins. © National Railway Museum would be called “That’s All” proved to be unfounded. on Bulleid at his office. The visit took place at the regulator of a Merchant Navy, Bert Most powerful of all the Great Western and correspondence was maintained for almost hit the ton and was convinced that he express locomotives were the thirty several years. would have achieved it if his regular fireman members of the King class. I wonder if had been with him. any thought was given to providing the Merchant Navy class class with a different generic name and While the war was on Bulleid wanted Battle of Britain including, Queen Elizabeth I and Queen to build a major new class of express With the smaller West Country class, when Victoria. passenger engines though they were the locations being used became a little designated “mixed traffic” to get round obscure, the railway had the inspired notion restrictions on materials. Another ploy of remembering the Battle of Britain in 1940 Sandwich and Spearmint was the decision to name them in honour with names including squadrons, airfields, Racehorses were a major theme for the of Allied victories. A mock-up of a River aircraft and personalities associated with the London and North Eastern Railway. This Plate nameplate was created. However, Battle. did lead to impressive A3 class engines when the class started to appear in 1941, victories were in short supply and so the Merchant Navy class was born, paying tribute to the shipping companies that had used Southampton docks before the war and whose crews were now playing an heroic part in the war effort. Cunard White Star, Union Castle, Ellerman Lines and Canadian Pacificwere among those selected. The “Merchants” also inadvertently paid tribute to a wartime “delicacy”. Mr Bulleid had given them an air-smoothed casing and to some railwaymen and many enthusiasts they became “Spam Cans”. In 1967 steam working came to an end on the main lines out of Waterloo. In the last days many enthusiasts travelled on the trains and, feeling regret at the timid speed limits, hoped that a Merchant Navy might achieve 100 mph. The top driver, Bert Hooker, recalled to me how, in the minutes before departure from Waterloo, drivers would stand by their cabs at Waterloo and suited “city types” would sidle up and pass over a cash-laden envelope, with comments such as, “I trust that we are in for a good run today driver”. Battle of Britain: A nameplate of the Battle of Britain class, Winston Churchill, receives attention. The

On one occasion, racing across Hampshire locomotive hauled Sir Winston’s funeral train in 1965. © National Railway Museum t

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 35 Nameplates: Locomotive nameplates from the National Railway Museum collection in this picture include: The York and Ainsty (LNER Hunt class), Valour (the GCR, one of three main line railways to have a First World War memorial engine, was a constituent of the LNER), Sir Daniel Gooch (GWR Castle class), Channel Packet (SR Merchant Navy class), Drake (LMSR Jubilee class), Sir Lamiel (SR King Arthur class) and City of Manchester (LMSR Coronation class). © National Railway Museum roaring up and down the country carrying McKillop apparently was very small, were plenty of engines with the names of names such as Sandwich (winner of the St causing many to puzzle how he had LNER directors and senior managers. Ledger in 1931) and Spearmint (first home the strength to fire and then drive huge Titled ladies were recognised on the in the 1906 Derby). locomotives over long distances. London, Midland and Scottish Railway. As For a time Spearmint, based in Most of the 4-6-0 Sandringham class a youthful enthusiast, I sometimes wondered Edinburgh, was the regular mount of were named after stately homes or football who Lady Patricia was among locomotives Driver Norman McKillop, a considerable teams. Birds were also favoured on different of the Princess Royal class honouring character who wrote articles for the classes. I well remember being invited on to female members of the Royal Family. specialist press under the nom de plume. the footplate of the A1 class Pacific, Kestrel, Now I know that no 46210 was named Toram Beg, “Wee Norman” in Gaelic. at King’s Cross. In that deferential age there after Princess Patricia of Connaught (1886-

N15: In 1950 Dr Ben Brooksbank photographed the 10.54 Summer Saturday express to Bournemouth West about to depart from Liverpool Street: British Railways Britannia class locomotive, Coeur-de-Lion, between London’s Waterloo. The locomotive is no 30773 Sir Lavaine of duties at Liverpool Street station, London in 1960. The “Brits” hauled the express the King Arthur class. Ben Brooksbank / Bournemouth express at trains between Liverpool Street and Norwich. Ben Brooksbank, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

36 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND Schools class locomotive, Stowe, on the Bluebell Railway. In the background is West Country class, Blackmore Vale, still with its air-smoothed casing. Photograph by Steve Pilcher, The Maunsell Locomotive Society 1974), youngest child of Prince Arthur, a more. The locomotive, Malta, became used on the first example of the class son of Queen Victoria, who was Governor- Malta GC, to mark the honour awarded to of British Railways “standard” express General of Canada from 1911 to 1916. In the Mediterranean island. Other Jubilees engines introduced in 1951. Many of the 1919 Patricia voluntarily relinquished her carried the names of Royal Navy ships and class received the names of distinguished Royal style when she married a commoner, Admirals, including Jellicoe. figures in British history but the female Commander the Hon Alexander Ramsay. After the “Yangtze Incident” in 1949 sex was only otherwise represented from She became Lady Patricia Ramsay, but when the sloop, HMS Amethyst escaped our past and legend by Boadicea. Names continued to be regarded as a member of the after being fired on (causing fatalities) and chosen included Clive of India, William Royal Family. trapped for three months under Chinese Wordsworth, William Shakespeare, Charles guns, a Jubilee was re-named Amethyst. Dickens and John Bunyan. There was no Silver Jubilee Naval types may recall the message sent room however, for Florence Nightingale, The LMSR Jubilee class had a member after the escape, by King George VI, Edith Cavell, Jane Austen or the Brontë named Silver Jubilee, in honour of that “Please convey to the commanding officer sisters. event in the reign of King George V in and ship’s company of HMS Amethyst Fortunately many of the named 1935, but went on to provide a geography my hearty congratulations on their daring locomotives from the steam era can still lesson for passengers and train spotters with exploit to rejoin the Fleet. The courage, skill be seen on the main line or at preserved many names associated with the Dominions and determination shown by all on board railways around the UK. Often though the and Empire. If you are nostalgic for that have my highest commendation. Splice the nameplates you see will be reproductions, era, study the list of class names and be Mainbrace.” the originals being considered to have too reminded of, New Hebrides, Gwalior, Bihar The name sacrificed to make room for much historic and financial value to be and Orissa, Straits Settlements and many Amethyst was Britannia and this was risked in public.

HELP YOUR SOCIETY – BY MAKING A DONATION IN YOUR WILL The Society and our Charitable Trust are helped greatly if there are Legacies and Bequests. By making a posthumous gift of money or property you may also reduced your Estates inheritance tax liability. The options for a donation, in your Will, are: • A Legacy of a specific sum; • A Bequest of specific property; • A Bequest of the residue of your Estate or a Share of it with other charities or individuals. What to do to help us in your Will: lf you wish to include a donation in your WILL please consult your Solicitor. A simple form of Legacy might include the following words: “l hereby bequeath, free of tax, the sum of £ ...... to The Royal Society of St George (P.O. BOX 397, Loughton, IG10 9GN, England). Essex lGL0 1LA, England). OR to The Royal Society of St George Charitable Trust (Registered Charity No.: 263706) and the receipt of the Hon Treasurer or other proper Officer for the time being of The Royal Society of St George shall be a complete discharge of such Legacy” This wording can easily be adapted to cover the Bequest of a Property or of All, or Part of, the residue of your Estate. ln any case of doubt please ask your Solicitor or get in touch with the Society’s Administration. This is especially appreciated if you intend to lay down conditions as to how the Bequest should be used.

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 37 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor, Dear Editor, I have just received the December magazine The painter and poet and thoroughly enjoyed reading the article Congratulations on the December 2020 from Halifax and District on their Trafalgar issue of St. George for England – the cover Day zoom dinner and the article on Nelson. photograph was stunning. I totally agree with the comments in the last The magnificent painting by George section – Heroes – regarding how our heroes Arnald, The Destruction of L’Orient at are being denigrated currently, surely this the Battle of the Nile, reproduced on page goes against, certainly Society Objects one, fourteen, brought to mind Felicia Hemans’ two and three, if not all four! poem, Casabianca, stating “The boy stood I was also reminded of the 200th on the burning deck”. The deck was that of Anniversary dinner in the British Embassy Your Britain, Fight for it Now. A wartime poster L’Orient, the boy only twelve years old. She in Kuwait, 21 October 2005, which I by artist, Frank Newbould broke the metre in the last line of the poem, attended. The dress was formal and the Monarchy, with its ancient lineage, is vitally to give emphasis to “the young faithful speech was to be given by a Naval Lt important in binding us all together in this heart”. Commander, who was in Battle Dress Kingdom, whatever our individual and Mrs Marian Werner, Finchley, London fatigues and made the most of apologising family origins. As the premier patriotic and for this fact, being due to the airline that royalist society, the RSStG is well-placed to flew him to Kuwait losing his luggage provide a focus for celebration of this great containing his dress uniform, advising us heritage. Dear Editor all, to great laughter all round, was the Many left-leaning academics seem to Andy Smith, Journalist and Historian, RAF! disregard – if not deprecate – the stubborn Vice-President, The Royal Society of St. His speech was how Health and Safety at fact that the English people constitute a work would have affected the battle, how George, North Downs Branch, Ashtead, Surrey. specific ethnic group, not dissimilar to the we may well have lost due to H&S and how Jews, Japanese, Inuit or Uyghurs. Numerous Nelson may not have been shot as he would observers, native-born or foreign, have have to be wearing body armour! Dear Editor, recognised this, not only George Orwell, The seat to my left was empty for the I was delighted to read the article about but also E. P. Thompson, Asa Briggs, earlier part of the evening, the occupant was Robin Hood in the latest issue of the J. B. Priestley, Geoffrey Gorer, Kate Fox to be the Spanish wife of a guy I knew, who Society magazine. I worked at Nottingham (Marsh), Nirad Chaudhuri, etc. A major part was a schoolteacher and delayed by marking Castle for thirty-two years as a museum of the officially defined “white” British, they test papers. When we spoke after she arrived assistant, meeting visitors and informing are differentiated from other ethnicities. and I asked her how she felt attending a them about the wonderful history of the site Several urban areas of England are now celebration of Trafalgar, she asked “why, and its art and cultural exhibits. I also had occupied by communities who speak what happened”! the marvellous job of conducting tours of another mother-tongue, while religions of It is with much regret that I have not kept the incredible sandstone caves in the rock overseas origin overshadow membership of any programme, the menu or photos of this beneath the Castle. In my last few years their national church, but they still number event, but seem to have kept the BBF Poppy I had the pleasure of playing my part in the millions inside their ancestral homeland, ball in November that year and I still have Robin Hood legend. I enclose a picture of morally entitled to protect and promote my RSSG Kuwait sweatshirt! those legendary storytelling days. Long live their own cultural traditions undamaged and David Morris, Orpington the legend of Robin Hood and Nottingham unvilified. Castle. D. L. W. Ashton Dear Editor, David Steele Congratulations on another excellent issue of St. George for England. I thought the range of topics covered was Dear Editor, exceptionally good and the production of the Stan Laurel’s highest quality. I was particularly interested spirit lives on! to read in the latest issue that in the first half Thank you for of the twentieth century there was an active publishing my branch of our society in South Wales. It is article about Stan rather disappointing that, nowadays, while Laurel in your we still have RSStG branches in far-flung December issue. corners of our former Empire (and beyond), The pleasure I we have much less of a presence these days gained from writing within the British Isles, other than here in the piece was England. Would it not be good if we had enhanced when, branches of our Society throughout the during the period of my research into his Kingdom again? life and career, I experienced my very own There are surely many people Laurel and Hardy moment. throughout these islands who love England Having placed some pots in the kitchen and want to join us in celebrating our sink and turned on the tap to do some history and heritage, and who cherish washing up, one of the plates was resting the values and cultural identity that we at such an angle that when the water hit it a define as “Englishness”. Indeed, many stream shot straight up and squirted me in of the residents of Wales, Scotland and the eye. Despite my wet face, imagining that Northern Ireland are of English/Anglo- I was in a Laurel and Hardy scene I couldn’t Saxon ancestry. Furthermore, the English David Steele in his merry Nottingham days! help but chuckle.

38 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND Seventy years after they made their final born between Wales and Scotland is ipso this process for the sake of our children and film together, Stan and Ollie are still making facto “English”, especially if they never so grandchildren? us laugh! regard themselves. David Ashton Stephen Garnett, Cheltenham Although our Royal Society is explicitly monarchist, it is not “party-political”. It respects HM The Queen as Governor of the Dear Editor, Church of England, but is not “sectarian” Hello and Bonjour from a chilly Loire Dear Editor, and welcomes members who are not Valley. Our Society has Chartered Aims and practising Anglicans. It rightly defends I read with interest the article on Objectives designed to defend the strength English culture and indigenous customs for Nottingham’s claim to Robin Hood. This in of our national homeland against all forms their distinctive contribution to the multi- the December 2020 issue of the magazine. of attack, respect past achievers as examples cultural world, and yet includes supporters Some time ago a close relative lived for future generations, and promote the at home and abroad who are not personally in Edwinstowe, which is the location of inherent values of our people. Some suggest of English ethnicity. (After all, you do the Robin Hood visitor centre, etc., she that in the current climate, such objectives not have to be an East Asian Mahayana advised me that as far as Robin hood was should be rewritten, ignored or discarded, Buddhist to oppose the damage to Tibet concerned, more of the forest was located whereas others realise that they are needed from Han immigration.) in the now South Yorkshire area rather than more than ever and should be proclaimed The Society has no colour, gender or class Nottinghamshire in the “good old days”. without fear or favour. bar to membership. It therefore ticks every There was also a considerable area of the Externally, the now much derided legitimate box of “equality, diversity and forest in Derbyshire. Borders have changed “English Empire” of 1894 has sadly inclusion”. over many years so those living in South become a “Commonwealth” containing Let us have no illusions, however, Yorkshire may have a case for living in several republics with regimes not just about how these criteria are being abused “Robin Hood Country”. hostile to English human rights but with incrementally to undermine patriotism, That, of course, depends upon if he was recent histories of persecution, conflict attack our history and its heroes, with ever a real person at all, rather than coming and even horrifying atrocities. Internally, English identity itself being targeted, from an amalgam of local thieves, forest- HM Government officially divides the first for marginalisation and finally for dwellers etc. I’m not going to get into that population into ethnic groups that exclude elimination. argument! English-speaking “whites”, thus ruling out Are we not are morally entitled, and Regards the anyhow contentious claim that anyone indeed duty bound, to expose and oppose Arnold Dearing

HERITAGE OF THE COMMONWEALTH Sydney Town Hall Gregory Lauder-Frost, FSA

AINSTAKING RENOVATIONS competition, won by J. H. Willson. and built cubic metres (210,000 cu ft) of sandstone have recently been completed at that from 1869 to 1889. Following Willson’s from underneath the building. Pmagnificent Victorian structure and death design was completed by successive Pictured here is the Grand Organ by pride of Australia, the Sydney Town Hall. City Architects Hill & Sons, the world’s largest entirely The Sydney Town Hall is a late Renovations were undertaken primarily to mechanical pipe organ and it is one of only nineteenth-century heritage-listed town upgrade the mechanical, hydraulic, electrical two full-length 64′ organ stops in the world hall building in the city of Sydney, the and communication services within the (the Contra-Trombone in the pedal), the capital city of New South Wales, Australia. building. The renovations, completed by other being in Atlantic City (USA). All still The Town Hall design was the result of a Kell & Rigby, included removing 6,000 used today and in fine condition.

Sydney Town Hall Sydney Town Hall organ

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 39 WILLIAM WILBERFORCE (1759–1833) A leading English abolitionist Jim Duggan

Continuing our occasional series of notable English men and women, eighteen years he regularly introduced William Wilberforce was a deeply religious English member of parliament anti-slavery motions in parliament. The and social reformer who was very influential in the abolition of the slave campaign was supported by many members trade and eventually slavery itself in the British empire. of the Clapham Sect,which Wilberforce joined in 1790, among whom was his best in the social round of student life and friend and cousin Henry Thornton and other pursued a hedonistic lifestyle, enjoying abolitionists. They raised public awareness cards, gambling and late-night drinking of their cause with pamphlets, books, rallies sessions – although he found the excesses and petitions. In 1807, the slave trade was of some of his fellow students distasteful. finally abolished, but this did not free those During his time at Cambridge University who were already slaves. It was not until he began a lasting friendship with the 1833 that an act was passed giving freedom future prime minister, William Pitt the to all slaves in the British empire. Younger. Despite his lifestyle and lack of Wilberforce’s other efforts to “renew interest in studying, he managed to pass his society” included the organisation of the examinations and was awarded a Bachelor Society for the Suppression of Vice in 1802. of Arts degree in 1781 and a Master of Arts He worked with the reformer, Hannah More, degree in 1788. in the Association for the Better Observance In 1780, while still a student, Wilberforce of Sunday. Its goal was to provide all became member of parliament for Kingston- children with regular education in reading, upon-Hull, sitting as an independent. personal hygiene and religion. He was Pitt became Prime Minister in December closely involved with the Royal Society 1783, with Wilberforce a key supporter for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. William Wilberforce by John Rising, 1790, pictured of his minority government. In the 1784 He was also instrumental in encouraging at the age of 29 election Wilberforce was returned as MP for Christian missionaries to go to India. ILLIAM WILBERFORCE Yorkshire. He was twenty-four years old. Wilberforce retired from politics in 1825 was born on 24 August 1759 in His dissolute lifestyle changed completely and died on 29 July 1833, shortly after Kingston-upon-Hull, the son of a when he became an evangelical Christian. the act to free slaves in the British Empire W passed through the House of Commons. wealthy merchant. His grandfather, William His Christian faith prompted him to become had made the family fortune in the maritime interested in social reform, particularly He was buried near his friend Pitt in trade and in sugar refining. the improvement of factory conditions in Westminster Abbey. Wilberforce was a small and sickly child. Britain. He attended Hull Grammar School from In early 1787, Thomas Clarkson, a fellow 1767.Wilberforce did well at the school, graduate of St John’s, Cambridge, who had until his father’s death in 1768. His mother become convinced of the need to end the was struggling to cope, and the nine-year- slave trade after writing a prize-winning old Wilberforce was sent to a prosperous essay on the subject while at Cambridge, uncle and aunt with houses in both St James’ called upon Wilberforce with a published Place, London, and Wimbledon. He copy of the work. This was the first time attended an “indifferent” boarding school the two men had met; their collaboration in Putney for two years. Due to his aunt would last nearly fifty years. Clarkson Hannah’s influence he became interested visited Wilberforce on a weekly basis, in evangelical Christianity. His staunchly bringing first-hand evidence he had obtained Church of England mother and grandfather, about the slave trade. The Quakers, already alarmed at these nonconformist influences working for abolition, also recognised the and at his leanings towards evangelicalism, need for influence within Parliament, and brought the twelve-year-old boy back to urged Clarkson to secure a commitment Hull in 1771. Wilberforce continued his from Wilberforce to bring forward the case education at nearby Pocklington School for abolition in the House of Commons. from 1771 to 1776. Influenced by Methodist On 12 May 1787, Wilberforce spoke scruples, he initially resisted Hull’s lively with William Pitt and the future Prime social life, but, as his religious fervour Minister William Grenville. Pitt challenged diminished, he embraced theatre-going, his friend: to give notice of a motion on the attended balls, and played cards. subject of the Slave Trade. Wilberforce’s In October 1776, at the age of seventeen, response is not recorded, but he later Wilberforce went up to St John’s College, declared in old age that he could “distinctly Cambridge. Left independently wealthy remember the very knoll on which I was by the deaths of his grandfather in 1774 sitting near Pitt and Grenville” where he and his uncle three years later he had little Wilberforce was buried in Westminster Abbey made his decision. next to Pitt. This memorial statue, by Samuel inclination or need to apply himself to Wilberforce was persuaded to lobby Joseph was erected in 1840 in the North Choir serious study. Instead he immersed himself for the abolition of the slave trade and for Aisle

40 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND OBITUARIES

Betty Griffiths A tribute, by Miss Susan Ruckes

staff for permission to put a St George’s flag on Essex for almost all her life. When a wartime the table. bomb destroyed her house, she, and her mother Betty would have loved the cover picture were rescued from the garden shelter by an Air of Her Majesty the Queen, (St George for Raid Warden, a neighbour. She never forgot England, December 2020) a couple of years his kindness. His granddaughter still lives her senior, who always sets an example to the in Ilford and knew Betty well. Betty and her nation. Betty shared the Queen’s love of dogs. mother took shelter for a while in the Church They were Betty’s family, after her mother Hall. died in 1986. Christian faith RSSG Membership She had a strong Christian faith and was Betty and I joined the Royal Society of St an inspiration to all of us. She has strong George at about the same time and then views and was not afraid to express them, attended the St George’s Day Banquet at especially at the Bible Study and in the London’s Guildhall. We later attended many church newsletter. Unable to go out during events with her friends, Frank and Mary the pandemic, Betty telephoned other church Gilbert. members to encourage them, especially one At one event we met Bob Sewell, who Ghanaian member, who lives a distance away invited us to join the City of Westminster in Dagenham. Branch. This led to Betty’s friendship with Betty watched the neighbourhood change Bob and Diane Sewell, Stan and Brenda around her over the years, but during the Sadler, Bud and Diana Geisler. When no pandemic she appreciated the kindness of her longer meeting these friends, Betty wrote them “new” neighbours, of all faiths and some of long interesting letters. Someone described none. Shopping mysteriously appeared on her her as a modern Jane Austen. The characters doorstep! “jumped” off the page. One of her last requests I’ll quote from Betty’s article in the May Born 2 June 1928 – Died 21 October 2020 from the hospital was for notepaper and 2020 Church Newsletter: – Trafalgar Day envelopes as she had many letters to write. “Her Majesty, God bless her, has said that Near her home was The Drive (formerly we live in challenging times. They’re not T GEORGE’S DAY won’t be the same Eastern Avenue) Methodist Church, such an only challenging, but they’re also downright without Betty’s card and telephone call. important part of her life. Betty was the first frightening and we just don’t know how long SBetty used to decorate her house with baby christened there. The church closed to they’re going on, do we?” flags and bunting. She would invite friends and services for most of 2020 but was opened Sadly, COVID took our Betty and two neighbours to celebrate on the day. When age specially for her socially distanced funeral on other church members where Hitler failed to. and infirmity took their toll, Betty would take Friday 13 November 2020. I shall fly my St George or Union Flag on her close friends to a carvery, asking the restaurant Betty lived at the same address in Ilford, birthday this year.

The Late Trevor Hill have worked tirelessly to further the interests and his brother had a wager on who would of the Society both locally and nationally. be first to have a son. I did not win that race, Trevor with Joan’s support was at various it was a dead heat, both me and my cousin times Honorary Secretary and Chairman. Trevor arrived at precisely the same time.” Trevor and Joan have seen the Branch Trevor attended boarding school in through some challenging times, initially the Hereford, and later in Broadstairs. In 1946, he attendance of twenty guests at a function, joined the Navy where he progressed to their was considered a good result! However with Fleet Air Arm until 1949. initiatives such as sponsoring young people; Trevor had a range of jobs in civilian life, recognising service to the Community and including with British Rail, Manweb and British to local organisations, encouraging service Oxygen. While working as a photographer to England and the Commonwealth, over the he met Joan Richards who was working in years they came to see Branch events attracting Woolworths. As part of her job she had to over 250 guests attending celebrations at The demonstrate various items for sale, including Monastery. Manchester. children’s yo-yos and it seems she caught Trevor was born in Hampstead, London on Trevor’s eye! A relationship blossomed and 15 February 1929 and would have celebrated they were married on 14 June 1952. For his ninety second birthday last month, he has over sixty‑eight years they shared a loving E ARE DEEPLY saddened to an older sister June who survives him. relationship along with their family, children, announce the death of Trevor Hill, The racing driver Graham Hill is Trevor’s Susan and Nicholas, and five grandchildren, and Wa Vice President of the Greater first cousin, who states in his autobiography, lived in Rhyl, Sale, and Hale Barns. Manchester Branch of the Royal Society of St. “It’s appropriate, I suppose that my entry into In addition to all Trevor’s work for the George. the world was a race, with my Mother and her Royal Society of St. George, a considerable Trevor and his wife Joan have been sister-in-law both pregnant at the same time, in amount of his time was taken up with golf

members of the Branch since the 1960s and the same Hampstead nursing home. My father which had been a passion since he was t

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 41 OBITUARIES fourteen years old. On moving to Sale Trevor Greater Manchester, recalls: “It was thirty-five Trevor Hill into words? His gift for life, joined Mere Golf and Country Club, and years ago since I was High Sherriff and your his unique personality, humour, warmth served as Captain in 1984, he was a gifted speaker at the annual St George’s Dinner, the enthusiasm. The great welcome, the huge gin player reaching an enviable four handicap. warmth of the reception by Trevor and Joan and tonics and generosity of spirit of he and was the start of a very long friendship and dear Joan. It is due to Trevor and Joan that I Warm tributes witness to Trevor’s dedication to our Royal became involved with the Royal Society, it Amongst others, the Chairman of the Greater Society which only thrives today because of started in the Bull’s Head in the 1980s, where Manchester Branch, Mrs Anne Sykes, their efforts and enthusiasm.” Trevor and Joan got me hooked, finally I ended JP, DL, paid tribute to Trevor’s long and Michael Riley, Council Member and up President! When I served as a member distinguished service to the Society shared Honorary Secretary says: Objective four of the of the ruling council, Trevor was always with and supported by his wife Joan. Together Society’s Royal Charter reads “To ensure that there advising me quietly in his home. He is over the years they have kept the Society St. George’s Day is properly celebrated” few especially well remembered too, within the alive in Greater Manchester and have been people have fulfilled that decree with as much Yorkshire branches. From a small beautifully an inspiration to Council and members alike. enthusiasm and determination as Trevor and organised series of St George celebrations in Trevor leaves a rich legacy of service which Hill. the 1980s Trevor saw his beloved Manchester we can only try to emulate. Finally, Bill Firth Past-President Branch grow to dinners for well over 250 with Col. Sir John Timmins, Past Branch commented: “How can you hold a ray of Royal visitors. Acorns to mighty English Oaks. President and former Lord Lieutenant of sunshine in your hand? How can you put Thank you, Trevor, for the inspiration.” George Andrews A tribute of a fine President who sadly passed away in November, 2020 Words taken from an article published in St George for England in 2013 on the occasion of the handover of the Presidency to John Clemence eventually, in 1993, Chairman. He served the Presidency to John Clemence he said: “It has Society in this capacity until 1997 when he been a privilege for me to have served our became Vice President and then President. Society as President for the last fourteen years. George’s career was in banking and he I have met so many interesting people and spent most of his early life overseas, his first attended so many memorable ceremonies and appointment being in Rangoon. At the age pleasant functions during this time. of twenty-eight he was in Calcutta when To me, England is not just a nation; it he asked permission to return home to get is a comcept, an attitude of mind, a way of married. He then returned to Nairobi, in life,a knowledge of when to maintain those Kenya, where he learned to speak Swahili. standards that are such a necessary part of our He specialised in tea and jute. George also lives. This, to me, is what the Royal Society of worked in Singapore and Australia. St George maintains and promotes so well. Prior to this, George served in the At a recent ceremony, the Council awarded Infantry, training at Belfast and serving in me with a badge, suitably inscribed. I am the Gloucestershire Regiment in Jamaica and deeply grateful and I shall be proud to wear it British Honduras (now Belize). He played with honour. Rugby – not very well (his words) and later I am succeeded in the post by John took up fencing– Foil, Epee and Sabre. Clemence, a past Chairman of this Society. Amongst his hobbies was amateur dramatics, I wish him every success and happiness and EORGE ANDREWS joined the mainly farce-comedy and then for some years I know that he will serve the Society well as Society in the late sixties and was played in pantomime at the Hazlitt Theatre in your President” Gquickly asked to join the Council. Maidstone. George was also Past Master of his George, we salute you. You were a He was subsequently promoted to Deputy Livery Company. wonderful President and a staunch and loyal Chairman, followed by Acting Chairman and At the time that George handed over the supporter of the Society.

BOOK REVIEW Anglofiler’s Booknotes NGLAND HAS USUALLY had some Matters (Constable 2021) records relatively They Are? (History Press 2018) has provided form of censorship, for good or ill. recent but deplorable examples of controls a “chatty” geographical tour that surveys EScrapping the Obscene Publications Act on freedom of expression, from universities our history and character, warts and all, eventually led to depraved addiction to levels to mass-media, mainly designed to establish. comparatively mild and sympathetic compared of industrialised, televised smut and deviation. monitor and police universal conformity over to other current observations on our partly Some have tried to revive anti-blasphemy “race and gender”, with heretics defamed or imperial heritage. At least he recognises that legislation to protect not Christianity but other “cancelled” for civic courage and dissident the English are a distinctive “ethnic group”, religions from trenchant criticism, while the opinions. like the Poles, Somalis or Chinese whether or old laws against sedition to prevent “class” Much of this targets traditional “native” not they live alongside us here or in their own war have been increasingly replaced by patriotism and “family” values in our ancestral homelands. enactments ostensibly designed to prevent homeland, and our respect for past achievers. We are notoriously reluctant to “blow our “racial” friction. own trumpet” too loudly, but the problem now Andrew Doyle’s Free Speech and Why It Derek J. Taylor’s Who Do the English Think is whether we have much of a trumpet left.

42 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND The Royal Society of St George 50/50 Club Join our 50/50 Club, help the Society raise much needed funds and win yourself some money!

• The 50/50 Club takes the form of a monthly Lottery. • To enter you can pledge to sponsor individual numbers between 1 to 400, for £5.00 each, per calendar month. (MINIMUM DURATION ONE YEAR). • There is no limit to how many numbers one person can sponsor but numbers will be allocated on a strictly First-Come-First-Served basis. • On the First Monday of each calendar month three numbers will be drawn from those numbers sponsored within the preceding month. • 50% of monies collected from those sponsored numbers will be given as prize money, with the other 50% going to help The Society to achieve its Four stated Objectives and contribute to the Charitable Trust. The prize money will be split into three prizes as follows 60% 30% 10%. THE MORE PEOPLE WHO JOIN, THE BIGGER THE PRIZES – SEND IN YOUR FORM TODAY! SPONSORSHIP FORM Please complete and forward it with your cheque or completed bankers order form to: The Royal Society of St. George, P.O. BOX 397, Loughton, IG10 9GN, England Please Print Name: ...... Branch: ......

Address: ......

...... Post code: ......

Tel no: ...... Email: ...... q I note that my details will be added to the RSSG database and will be used by the Society in connection with my membership and for no other purpose. They will not be shared with a third party. To enter you can pledge to sponsor individual numbers between 1 to 400 for £5 each per calendar month. MINIMUM DURATION 12 MONTHS. I/we wish to sponsor the following number/numbers in the Royal Society of St. George 50/50 club, commencing date:

...... at £5 per month for 12 months. NUMBER/NUMBERS I I I I I I I I NOTE: If the number requested is unavailable the nearest available will be allocated. I/we enclose a cheque made payable to The Royal Society of St George 50/50 Club for I number/s for 12 months = £……… or please fill in Bankers Order form for I number/s for the next 12 months.

BANKERS ORDER FORM – please print your bank details.

To the Manager: ...... Bank PLC / Building Society ......

Full address of branch: ......

...... PostCode: ...... Please pay to The National Westminster Bank now and on each month until cancelled the sum of:

In words ………………………………………… pounds sterling. Commencing Month: ……………… 2019.

To credit: The Royal Society of St George 50/50 Club. Account No. 66797586 / Sort Code 52-41-42. Please print your account details.

Your Account Name:......

Account No: ...... Sort Code: ......

Signature: …………………………………………….Date: ………………………………………... If you require additional forms, please feel free to copy as required. Full copy of 50/50 rules available upon request. If any further information is required, please contact The Administration Centre, PO Box 397, Loughton, IG10 9GN. Tel:020 3225 5011 Thank you for your support ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 43 The Royal Society of St. George Incorporated by Royal Charter Patron: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN Chairman: Joanna M. Cadman.

WREATH LAYING CEREMONY AND CADETS PARADE Omni Lifetime Planning Ltd specialise in Wills, THE CENOTAPH, WHITEHALL, LONDON Trusts, Asset Protection, Probate, Powers of SATURDAY, 24 APRIL 2021 Attorney and Funeral Plans. EVERYONE WELCOME We offer a 50% discount to members bringing the We are pleased to confi rm the details of our Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony at the cost of a single will down to £75 and a pair of mirror Cenotaph wills down to £125. This year the event will be taking place on Saturday, 24 April 2021. We, the members of the Royal Society of St. George and guests, will meet at 10.15 am www.omni-lifetimeplanning.co.uk at King Charles Street, (nearest underground station Westminster) prior to the Service Tel: 01727 220053 of Remembrance and Wreath Laying scheduled for 11 am. mail: [email protected] Around 500 Members of three Cadet Forces, accompanied by music from their band, will be on Parade and the Salute will take place immediately afterwards At approximately 11.30 am our offi cial party will move on to Westminster Abbey for a wreath-laying service at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior which will take place at around 12 noon A luncheon will take place at the Cellarium in Westminster Abbey at 1 pm. £45 per person Further details from the Administration Centre Copy date for the August 2021 Please apply to the offi ce for tickets, menu choices edition of reath layin cereony Please tell your family and friends and join us in London on this spectacular occasion which is held annually to remember all those who have served our country and the Commonwealth as part of our Society’s St. George’s Day Celebrations. St George for England Please contact Liz to order your wreath by 31 March 30 June 2021 RSSG, PO Box 397 Loughton IG10 9GN nable toTelephone: roceed 020 this 3225 year5011 de to Covid To submit copy contact Stuart Millson Email: [email protected] Website: www.rssg.org.uk Tel: 07956 035821 Facebook page – www.facebook.com/RoyalSocietyofStGeorge - Twitter account - @RSStGeorge email: [email protected] Join us on LinkedIn – The Royal Society of St. George Offi cial Group.

DO YOU SHOP ONLINE? If your answer is yes, then you are in an ideal position to help raise funds for our Charitable Trust – and at no cost to you. Read on...

If you buy goods online or participate in grocery home shopping, then please check out the “easyfundraising” scheme below, as our Charitable Trust can get a donation every time a purchase is made through it by you. Simply go to: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/royalsocietyofstgeorgecharitabletrust If you then wish to participate, sign up with the Royal Society of St George Charitable Trust as your chosen charity, and continue shopping online as normal using this site as your portal. There are over 2000 participating stores which include; John Lewis, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Amazon etc. It’s absolutely free to you and our Charitable Trust can gain donations from the participating retailers of up to 2.5% or more of the value of your shopping when you use it. What’s more, they will send you a confirmatory email once the participating retailer has processed your transaction, letting you know how much has been donated to the Royal Society’s Charitable Trust on your behalf.

44 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND Application for UK Membership to the The Royal Society of St. George

Please complete this form and the privacy statement and send to:

The General Secretary, RSSG, P.O. Box 397, Loughton, Essex IG10 9GN, United Kingdom

Telephone: 020 3225 5011 email: [email protected]

I wish to apply for Membership of the Royal Society of St. George.

Title: ………………………………………... Full Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………… Postal Address: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………..………. Post ode: ………………………………… Telehoe No: ………………………………………….. mail: …………………………………………………………………………… ate of Birth: ……………………………………… uatio otioal: ………………………………………..……………………………………………...…

(Joint Member) I wish to apply for Membership of the Royal Society of St. George.

Title: ……………………………………….. Full Name: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….… Telehoe No: ………………………………………… mail: ………………………………………………………………………….… ate of Birth: ……………………………………… uatio otioal: …………………………………………………………………………………………

Please give your reasons for wishing to join the Society on a separate page and submit with this application form. Where /how did you find out about The Royal Society of St. George?

Member Branch Internet Journal Other ………………………………………………………………….

Membership Fee*: Joining Fee Annual Fee Full Single £ 15.00 £ 20.00 Full Joint £ 15.00 £ 30.00 Youth (under 18 on January 1st) £ 0.00 £ 5.00 Life £ 500.00 N/A Joint Life £ 750.00 N/A

I/we would like to make an additional Donation of £…………….

Please arrange with your bank to pay your annual fee by: Standing Order Alternatively, you can pay by Bank Transfer to: Account No. 00003854 Sort Code: 40-52-40 Or by PayPal using: paypal.me/rssg to [email protected]

You may also pay by cheque, making it payable to: The Royal Society of St. George

*Note: Published fees are for UK only. Please contact the Society Office for other rates and appropriate payment methods.

Please read and sign page 2

Revision: 6th March 2021 This page is part of the Membership Application Form and concerns your personal privacy Pae elaratio The Royal Society of St. George (RSSG) will hold certain personal information (known as ‘Personal Data’) about you. Personal data is iformatio from hih ou as a idiidual a e idetified. ithout this iformatio the is ot ale to ilude ou i its memershi.

The iformatio e ill retai aout ou detit ad otat details: That iformatio roided ou o ae of this form Ad if ai diret deit or stadi order: etails of a aout. additio e retai details of our memershi te ears of memershi ad susritio amets.

o ill this formatio e used Authorised ersos ithi the admiistratio of the roess this iformatio i order to ommuiate romote ad maae its atiities ollet aual susritios ad for eeral admiistratio. f ou hoose to elo to a rah of the authorised memers of the rah admiistratio ill also roess our iformatio i order to arr o similar atios at rah leel.

The RSSG will ensure: • our iformatio ill e roessed fairl ad leall. • f for some seifi urose further ersoal data is reuired it ill ot e olleted ithout otifiatio ad terms of use. • esitie ersoal data as defied i the eeral ata Protetio eulatio ill ot e olleted or roessed the ithout a full elaatio of its urose ad our eliit ritte oset. ho do e share our data ith ith the folloi eetios the ill ot share our data ith a third art: • There is seifi ritte oset ou. • From time to time it is necessary for the member’s database to be accessed for maintenance and upgrades by the service provider. This aess is roteted a leall idi odislosure areemet. • f ou are i a artile i the t. eore for lad oural or esite ut ol ame rah ad oset hoto

teratioal urretl the ol atiit that rosses iteratioal oudaries is data ie oerseas memers ad the distriutio of the oural. f a eet arises reuiri our data e set the eod the the it ill ol our ermissio or leal sruti.

o lo ill e ee our data our data ill remai o the dataase for as lo as ou are a memer. he ou leae our data ill e truated to ame rah ears of memershi or date of leai ad the ateor of the reaso for ou leai.

hat rihts do ou hae. roof of our idetit: • ou hae the riht to see the ersoal data that is held aout ou ad hae a o roided to ou or someoe else o our ehalf i a eletroi format ad at o ost. • f ou eliee our ersoal data e hold is iaurate ou a as to hae it orreted. • here ou hae ie oset for the to roess our ersoal data ou a ithdra that oset at a time. • ou a reuest our ersoal data e deleted

Consents To iform ou of forthomi eets e eed our ermissio to sed ou details of those eets: e oset to reeii mail or tet romotioaladertisi material of eets

(indicate your consent by ticking this box) f the oiet ishes to ulish a amed hotorah of ou e ill as ou for our ermissio. f ou atted a futio ad do ot ish to aear i a hotorah the lease iform our hotoraher

By signing this form I/we declare that I/we, understand and agree with the principles and terms of The Royal Society of St. George and agree to further its Objects as set out in the Royal Charter (as published in the Journal and at www.rssg.org.uk) and have read, understood and accept the privacy notice on this page:

iature: ate:

oit memer iature: ate:

For Junior member applicants only (under 18 on January 1st):

Paretuardia iature: ate:

Revision: 6th March 2021

This page is part of the Membership Application Form and concerns your personal privacy Pae elaratio MEMBERSHIP AFFILIATIONS – DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE The Royal Society of St. George (RSSG) will hold certain personal information (known as ‘Personal Data’) about you. Personal data is iformatio from hih ou as a idiidual a e idetified. 20% DISCOUNT OFF TRADITIONAL AFTERNOON TEA AND ITALIAN NEW FOR 2020 – A FREE PERSONAL TAX REVIEW ithout this iformatio the is ot ale to ilude ou i its memershi. DISHES AT AVISTA, the Italian Restaurant at the MILLENNIUM HOTEL Contact Lloyd James, a qualified tax adviser with twenty years LONDON MAYFAIR. The iformatio e ill retai aout ou experience in tax Telephone 020 7596 3399 for the Italian food or 020 7596 3329 detit ad otat details: That iformatio roided ou o ae of this form for a free tax review and if I can save you tax I will do so at a for the Traditional Afternoon Tea, which starts from £14.95 10% discount to my usual fee which starts at £90 per tax return Ad if ai diret deit or stadi order: etails of a aout. per person and is served daily from 2.30 pm to 5.00 pm. Your only for RSSG members. additio e retai details of our memershi te ears of memershi ad susritio amets. membership card will need to be presented to take advantage Telephone Lloyd on 01793 827620 or of the above. email [email protected] o ill this formatio e used Authorised ersos ithi the admiistratio of the roess this iformatio i order to ommuiate romote ad maae its 15% DISCOUNT ON ACCOMMODATION AT MILLENNIUM HOTELS. 15% DISCOUNT OFF THE ENGLISH TOASTMASTERS ASSOCIATION atiities ollet aual susritios ad for eeral admiistratio. f ou hoose to elo to a rah of the authorised memers of To take advantage of these discounts on accommodation and TRAINING COURSE The English Toastmasters Association are offering the rah admiistratio ill also roess our iformatio i order to arr o similar atios at rah leel. leisure break packages please state that you are a member of the Royal Society of St George when telephoning Monica 15% DISCOUNT off their fees to become a Toastmaster. The normal cost of The RSSG will ensure: Sanchez at Millennium Hotels direct on 0207 596 3138 training, annual membership and joining fees add up to £2,450 • our iformatio ill e roessed fairl ad leall. or emailing Monica at [email protected]. from the 1st April 2014, which includes £100 joining fee and • f for some seifi urose further ersoal data is reuired it ill ot e olleted ithout otifiatio ad terms of use. £250 annual membership fee. • esitie ersoal data as defied i the eeral ata Protetio eulatio ill ot e olleted or roessed the ithout MANY DISCOUNTS ON BOOKS AND TOURS: The courses are being offered at 15% LESS at £2082.50, A a full elaatio of its urose ad our eliit ritte oset. • 25% off Breese Books when ordered online. The largest SAVING OF £367.50. Training includes 3 full days after which further training is available on demand within the annual ho do e share our data ith producer of new Sherlock Holmes novels in the style of Conan membership fee. Meetings are held throughout the year with ith the folloi eetios the ill ot share our data ith a third art: Doyle. Please visit www.baker-street-studios.com and quote “RSSG25” two special meetings including breakfast and luncheon. These • There is seifi ritte oset ou. two special meetings are held in April close to St George’s Day • 15% off historical location guide books ordered online such and in October around Trafalgar Day at the County Hotel in • From time to time it is necessary for the member’s database to be accessed for maintenance and upgrades by the service provider. as Downton Abbey, Inspector Morse, Midsomer Murders, Harry This aess is roteted a leall idi odislosure areemet. Chelmsford, Essex close to the Association’s HQ in Danbury. Potter and James Bond. Please visit www.baker-street-studios. Further training is available on demand and included in • f ou are i a artile i the t. eore for lad oural or esite ut ol ame rah ad oset hoto com and quote “RSSG15” the annual fees covering such subjects as marketing as • £50 off specialist detective tours to various areas related a Toastmaster, Masonic Ladies Festivals and Corporate teratioal to filming e.g. Downton Abbey, Inspector Morse, Midsomer Functions. With prices charged by Toastmasters generally urretl the ol atiit that rosses iteratioal oudaries is data ie oerseas memers ad the distriutio of the oural. Murders etc. Please visit www.detective-tours.com for more ranging from £250.00 to £750.00 per event, this is wonderful f a eet arises reuiri our data e set the eod the the it ill ol our ermissio or leal sruti. information. work for the right person and is greatly rewarding regardless of • £50 discount off Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery events the type of work that is undertaken. Please see: o lo ill e ee our data for small, medium and large party sizes. Please visit www. www.englishtoastmasters.co.uk our data ill remai o the dataase for as lo as ou are a memer. he ou leae our data ill e truated to ame rah ears of murder-mystery.com If a Branch or group of members would for full details, email: [email protected], like to organise a trip to film locations or have a period costume telephone (01245) 222392 or 07971 409977. memershi or date of leai ad the ateor of the reaso for ou leai. murder mystery please telephone Dr Antony Richards on (01223) 473025 hat rihts do ou hae. 10% DISCOUNT WHEN VISITING THE NATIONAL FRUIT COLLECTION roof of our idetit: at Brogdale Farm, Brogdale Road, Faversham, Kent ME13 8XZ. A number of festivals and events are held celebrating British • ou hae the riht to see the ersoal data that is held aout ou ad hae a o roided to ou or someoe else o our ehalf MRFLAG.COM Ltd 15% DISCOUNT fruit, encouraging people to discover a wider variety of i a eletroi format ad at o ost. delicious heritage fruit to eat and grow at home. These include • f ou eliee our ersoal data e hold is iaurate ou a as to hae it orreted. on all products except sewn flags. Telephone Kath the Sales Manager on (01792) 650044 or email Kath at sales@mrflag. a Blossom Weekend, Cherry Festival, Cider Festival and Apple • here ou hae ie oset for the to roess our ersoal data ou a ithdra that oset at a time. com and state that you are a member of The Royal Society of Festival. They also offer courses on planning a fruit garden, • ou a reuest our ersoal data e deleted St George. growing and pruning throughout the year. Guided walks are also available. For further details telephone (01795) 536250 or Consents visit www.brogdalecollections.co.uk To iform ou of forthomi eets e eed our ermissio to sed ou details of those eets: 10% DISCOUNT FROM OF CABBAGES & KINGS e oset to reeii mail or tet romotioaladertisi material of eets a source of design-led gifts and homeware by British based HOTEL AND CAR HIRE DISCOUNTS: artists, designers and crafts people. Please visit www. • 20% - 30% discount on hotel accommodation below similar (indicate your consent by ticking this box) ofcabbagesandkings.co.uk and enter code “ST GEORGE” offers available on public websites. f the oiet ishes to ulish a amed hotorah of ou e ill as ou for our ermissio. when checking out. • 20% discount on car hire through Alamo and National f ou atted a futio ad do ot ish to aear i a hotorah the lease iform our hotoraher • Your Society also benefits by receiving 2.5% on every 10% DISCOUNT FROM KNIT WITH ATTITUDE booking made with no extra cost to you. a small independent yarn shop that specialises in eco-friendly Please visit: www.membertravelspecials.com/RSSTG.aspx By signing this form I/we declare that I/we, understand and agree with the principles and terms of The Royal and ethically produced yarn and accessories for hand knitting and help your Society by making this your preferred means of saving money when booking hotels or car hire. Society of St. George and agree to further its Objects as set out in the Royal Charter (as published in the and crochet. To receive a 10% discount please visit: www. Journal and at www.rssg.org.uk) and have read, understood and accept the privacy notice on this page: knitwithattitude.com and enter discount code “St George” in JOHNSONS STEAK HOUSE OFFER A 10% DISCOUNT OFF YOUR your shopping cart before checking out. Alternatively please quote this code when visiting the shop at 127 Stoke Newington MEAL TO MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ST GEORGE AND iature: ate: High Street, London N16 0PH. THE MILITARY FROM TUESDAY TO THURSDAY The newly built Steakhouse and Bar at Church Farm, Church Street, Old Hurst, Huntingdon, PE28 3AF serves home grown OMNI LIFETIME PLANNING LTD produce reared on the farm. Lunch is served Tuesday to oit memer iature: ate: 50% DISCOUNT ON WILL WRITING Saturday from 12 pm to 3 pm and dinner from 5.30 pm to 9.30 Bringing the cost of a single will down to £75 and a pair of pm with a Sunday Carvery available from 12 pm to 3 pm. For For Junior member applicants only (under 18 on January 1st): mirror wills to £125 for Society members reservations please telephone: 01487 824658 option 3, Email: www.omni-lifetimeplanning.co.uk Tel: 01727 220053 [email protected] or contact through Facebook Paretuardia iature: ate: email: [email protected] @johnsonsfarmshop.

Revision: 6th March 2021

BRANCHES LIST

BRANCHES IN ENGLAND Halifax Southend-on-Sea Geraldine Carter, Hon Secretary Mrs V Weaver, The All-Party Parliamentary Group Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] The House of Commons Tel: 01702 748 702 Haslemere (Membership is only open to Lords, MPs and Sussex staff of the Palace of Westminster) Sara Jane Gray, Chairman., Email: [email protected] Arun Agarwal, Interim Committee Email: [email protected] Barrow in Furness Mrs S Hankers, E.mail: [email protected] Mr. D. Ward, Huntingdon Swale Email: [email protected] Col (Retd) DH Bristow OBE DL, Mr Paul David, Acting Secretary Tel: 01480 383166 Tel: 01795 471 876. Bath & District Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Rev. Robert Webb Chairman The Tower Of London Tel: 01225 484042 Leeds Cllr Wyn Kidger, Chairman (Membership only open to Yeomen and employees of the Tower of London) Blackburn and East Lancashire Email [email protected] Mr John Williams, Chairman Leicestershire Warwickshire Mr. A. Clive Benfield, Email: [email protected] Mr. Leon R. Spence, Chairman, Email: [email protected] www.rssgblackburn.org.uk Tel No: 0116 319 9508 Email: [email protected] Waterloo Bolton Mr. Bob Smith, Chairman Lowestoft Mr. Chris Houghton, Chairman Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Mr Brian Caton Email: [email protected] Wessex North Dorset City of Birmingham Dr Jack Skelton Wallace, President Maritime Wessex Mr D Reynolds, Chairman Mobile 07923 962 650. Tel: 01747 825 388 E-mail: saintgeorgeinbirmingham@hotmail. Chairman Mr. Mark Buckley Email: [email protected] com E-mail: [email protected] Wiltshire Website: www.rssgbirmingham.org.uk North Downs Mr. Lloyd James, Chairman Mr. S. Millson, Chairman, Email: [email protected] City & County of Bristol Email: [email protected] Mr D Stinchcombe, Email: [email protected] North Surrey Mr. Roger Felgate, Chairman City of Liverpool Email: [email protected] Mr B K Boumphrey, Email: [email protected] Northumbria Branch Mr. A .J. Nicholls, Chairman, City of London Email: [email protected] Mr. Steven J. Turner, Honorary Secretary Nottinghamshire Email: [email protected] Mr. Colin Slater MBE JP Hon. MA, President Email: [email protected] City of Wakefield Mr. Reg West, Secretary. Tel: 01924 864 799 Radford OVERSEAS BRANCHES Mr Phil J Harwood, City of Westminster Email:[email protected] Abu Dhabi Mr. Alan Broomhead, Chairman, Mr. Paul Billany, Secretary Email: [email protected] Rushmoor Email [email protected] Lt. Col Leslie G.A. Clarke - Chairman Adelaide Danbury Telephone: 01483 810 492 Mrs D Bone, Email:[email protected] Mr. Richard Palmer FMETA C.Inst.S.M.M. Mobile: 07710 230 379 President The English Toastmasters Email: [email protected] Bangkok Association, Seahaven Ms Laura Smith, President Mobile: 07971 409 977 Mr. Robert A. Peedle MBE TD.,Chairman Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: 01323 899 985 Website: www.englishtoastmasters.co.uk Brisbane Email: [email protected] Mrs V Skinner, East Anglia St Neots Email: [email protected] Mr B Chapman, Mr. John Stannard, President British Columbia Email: [email protected] Tel: 01502 512 734 Mr. Shawn Wade, President Email: [email protected] Seven Hills Email: [email protected] Mrs. Christine Hirst, Chairman Fenland Telephone 0113 253 5647 California Mr. Brian Kierman, Chairman Email: [email protected] Princess Karen Cantrell, Chairman Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01945 463 774 Sheffield Mrs Margaret Jennifer Clark, Secretary Carolinian Gloucestershire Telephone: 0114 264 0524 The Honorable Randy L Potts, Hon Chairman Mrs Margaret Fuller Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Shropshire Costa Blanca Greater Manchester Mr. David Knott, Chairman Mr. R. G. T. Hunt MBE, Chairman, Mr. M. J. Riley, Tel: 01743 368 552 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

48 ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND BRANCHES IN ENGLAND Halifax Southend-on-Sea Dar Es Salaam South Florida St George’s Society of New York Geraldine Carter, Hon Secretary Mrs V Weaver, Mark Golding – President Mr Terence Wright, Chairman Executive Director The All-Party Parliamentary Group Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] [email protected] E.mail: [email protected] Clare Risman The House of Commons Tel: 01702 748 702 Haslemere Sydney Executive Director (Membership is only open to Lords, MPs and Delaware (USA) Sussex Mr P M Cavanagh, Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] staff of the Palace of Westminster) Sara Jane Gray, Chairman., Mr. Andrew A. Lundgren, Email: [email protected] Arun Agarwal, Interim Committee Email: [email protected] Texas The St George’s Benevolent Society of Email: [email protected] Cheryl Rios, Honorary Secretary Barrow in Furness Mrs S Hankers, E.mail: [email protected] Hamilton Denmark Email: [email protected] Mr John W.S.Naismith, President, Email: Mr. D. Ward, Huntingdon Swale Mr. Simon C Mears, President [email protected] Email: [email protected] Col (Retd) DH Bristow OBE DL, Mr Paul David, Acting Secretary Toowoomba Email: [email protected] Tel: 01480 383166 Tel: 01795 471 876. Mr. Bob Anderton, President, Bath & District Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Devonport AFFILIATED SCHOOLS Rev. Robert Webb Chairman Warwick The Tower Of London Mrs Elizabeth Page, Staff and children of Camelsdale Primary Leeds Mr P Munson, Tel: 01225 484042 (Membership only open to Yeomen and Email: [email protected] Cllr Wyn Kidger, Chairman Email: [email protected] School Email [email protected] employees of the Tower of London) Camelsdale Primary School, School Road, Blackburn and East Lancashire Zimbabwe (Harare) Georgia Camelsdale, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 3RN Mr John Williams, Chairman Warwickshire Mr. Brian Heathcote, President, Leicestershire Col. John T. Trout, Treasurer School Tel No: 01428 642177 Email: [email protected] Mr. A. Clive Benfield, Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Mr. Leon R. Spence, Chairman, School email: www.rssgblackburn.org.uk Email: [email protected] Ms Charlotte Christian, Commander Tel No: 0116 319 9508 [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Waterloo Head Teacher: Sarah Palmer Bolton Mr. Bob Smith, Chairman Lowestoft UK AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS Mr. Chris Houghton, Chairman Email: [email protected] Gold Coast St George’s Primary School, Wallasey Email: [email protected] Mr Brian Caton Mr. Graham Rumble English Toastmasters Association St George’s Road, Wallasey, Merseyside Mr. Richard Palmer FMETA C.Inst.S.M.M. Email: [email protected] Wessex North Dorset Email: [email protected] CH45 3NF Mobile 07971 409 977 City of Birmingham Dr Jack Skelton Wallace, President Tel: 0151 638 6014 Maritime Wessex Halifax & Nova Scotia Email: [email protected] Mr D Reynolds, Chairman Mobile 07923 962 650. Tel: 01747 825 388 Email : [email protected] Chairman Mr. Mark Buckley Email: [email protected] Carol Dodds, President Website: www.englishtoastmasters.co.uk E-mail: saintgeorgeinbirmingham@hotmail. Headteacher: Mr. Bernard Cassidy com E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Shropshire War Memorials Association Wiltshire St Ives School Website: www.rssgbirmingham.org.uk North Downs Mr Clive I Blakeway Mr. Lloyd James, Chairman Jakarta Mr. S. Millson, Chairman, Email: [email protected] Three Gates Lane, Haslemere, Surrey Email: [email protected] Eamonn Sadler, President City & County of Bristol Email: [email protected] Tel: 01952 550 205 GU27 2ES Email: [email protected] Mr D Stinchcombe, Stourbridge Society of St George School Tel No: 01428 643734 Email: [email protected] North Surrey School Email: [email protected] Kansai Mr Keith Harris, Mr. Roger Felgate, Chairman Email [email protected]. Head Teacher: Kay Goldsworthy City of Liverpool Email: [email protected] Mr A Gibson Mobile 07973 266 842 Gildersome Primary School Mr B K Boumphrey, E.mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Northumbria Branch Website: www.stgeorgekansai.com The Commonwealth Games Council Town Street, Leeds LS27 7AB Mr. A .J. Nicholls, Chairman, Commonwealth Games England, Tel: 0113 201 2450 Kuala Lumpur & Selangor, City of London Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Head Teacher: Mrs C M Hoyle Sally Addington, President Mr. Steven J. Turner, Honorary Secretary Tel: 020 7831 3444 Email: [email protected] Nottinghamshire Email [email protected] Email: [email protected] Mr. Colin Slater MBE JP Hon. MA, President Victoria Cross and George Cross Website: www.stgeorgesmalaysia.com Association Email: [email protected] AFFILIATED UNIVERSITIES City of Wakefield Mrs Rebecca Charlotte Maciejewska, Lisbon University of Bolton Mr. Reg West, Secretary. Tel: 01924 864 799 Radford OVERSEAS BRANCHES Email: [email protected] Mrs B Neasham MBE, Mr. Aris F. Mattheou Mr Phil J Harwood, The Countess Mountbatten’s own Legion City of Westminster Abu Dhabi E.mail: [email protected] Executive Director, External Relations Email:[email protected] of Frontiersmen Mr. Alan Broomhead, Chairman, Mr. Paul Billany, Secretary Michael Simpson, Interim Committee, University of Bolton Deane Road Bolton Email: [email protected] Legion Major Derek Bristow OBE DL MStJ BA Email: [email protected] Rushmoor Email [email protected] BL3 5AB Lt. Col Leslie G.A. Clarke - Chairman Chartered MCIPD Adelaide Madrid Public Affairs Officer, International and Tel: 01204 900 600 www.bolton.ac.uk Danbury Telephone: 01483 810 492 Mrs D Bone, Email:[email protected] Dr F. E. F. Price MBE Home Commands Mr. Richard Palmer FMETA C.Inst.S.M.M. Mobile: 07710 230 379 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] President The English Toastmasters Email: [email protected] Bangkok AFFILIATED CADET GROUPS The Order of St. George Association, Seahaven Ms Laura Smith, President Mombasa Sea Cadets Staines and Egham Mobile: 07971 409 977 Email: [email protected] Stuart A. Notholt, Grand Scrivener The Lammas Park, Wraysbury Road, Staines, Mr. Robert A. Peedle MBE TD.,Chairman Mrs.V. Knight, Hon. Secretary, Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: 01323 899 985 Email: [email protected] Middlesex TW18 4TT Website: www.englishtoastmasters.co.uk Brisbane Phone Number: 01892 871 662 Email: [email protected] Mrs V Skinner, Mrs Janet Barlow (Secretary) Telephone: 01784 469064 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] East Anglia St Neots Email: [email protected] Mr B Chapman, Mr. John Stannard, President British Columbia Nassau OVERSEAS AFFILIATED Wisbech Sea Cadets T.S. Falcon 373 Email: [email protected] Tel: 01502 512 734 Mr. Shawn Wade, President Mrs Sally Varani-Jones, PO Box CB-12883, ORGANISATIONS Officer in Charge: Jade M Merson, Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Nassau, Bahamas 19 Sandyland, Wisbech PE13 1NX. Seven Hills St George’s Society Of Toronto [email protected] Mobile: 07341 337135 Mrs. Christine Hirst, Chairman Robert Baines, President Fenland California Email: [email protected] Telephone 0113 253 5647 Tel: 416 597 0220 Mr. Brian Kierman, Chairman Email: [email protected] Princess Karen Cantrell, Chairman Paris Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Andrew M.G. Simpkin, President Email [email protected] Over recent years, we have witnessed Telephone: 01945 463 774 Sheffield Email: [email protected] Website www.stgeorgesto.org the loss of some branches, most recently, Mrs Margaret Jennifer Clark, Secretary Carolinian The Society of St George, Philadelphia Gloucestershire Bradford and Plymouth. We would like Telephone: 0114 264 0524 The Honorable Randy L Potts, Hon Chairman Port Elizabeth Women’s Branch Mr Roger Brown, Secretary, Mrs Margaret Fuller to maintain our strength as a society, so Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Sandra Strang, Secretary/Scribe Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] if there is anyone in those districts who Shropshire Costa Blanca The St George’s Society Of Baltimore might like to come forward with fresh Greater Manchester Mr. David Knott, Chairman Mr. R. G. T. Hunt MBE, Chairman, Sabah Limited proposals for rekindling a branch, please Mr. M. J. Riley, Tel: 01743 368 552 Email: [email protected] Mr M Steel, MJS-Services, Mr. Harry T Aycock, President, contact our Administration Centre Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] [email protected] Email: [email protected]

ST GEORGE FOR ENGLAND 49 All items are available to order on our SHOP WINDOW website www.rssg.org.uk

Payment may be made via PayPal to our email address, [email protected] If you don’t have a PayPal account please type paypal.me/rssg into your internet browser and click to take you to payments, by cheque or please call us on 020 3225 5011 to place your order over the phone. • All major credit or debit cards are accepted For branch officers' regalia, please contact the office

Ref: RSSG003 Ref: RSSG05A Ref: RSSG05B Ref: RSSG05C Ref: RSSG006 Miniature medal with Metal Gilt Enamel Pin Badge Metal Gilt Enamel Pin Badge Metal Gilt Enamel Pin Badge presentation pouch. Metal Gilt Enamel Bar Brooch Butterfly Clutch Fastener Screw Back Fastener Bar Pin Fastener 38mm x 27mm Medal to be worn on the 23mm x 25mm 23mm x 25mm 23mm x 25mm right breast. £10.00 £7.00 £7.00 £7.00 MEMBERS ONLY 23mm x 80mm MEMBERS ONLY MEMBERS ONLY MEMBERS ONLY £39.50 MEMBERS ONLY

SPECIAL PRICE £5 off now only £17.50

Ref: RSSG062 St George Pin Badge Ref: RSSG007 Ref: RSSG025 Butterfly Clutch Fastener Hand Painted Heraldic Plaque Elegant Rose Brooch 20mm x 20mm Ref: RSSG13A (Armorial Bearings) 45mm x180mm with Presentation Box £5.00 Multi-Motif Shield Tie – Polyester £59.50 40mm diameter £15.50 MEMBERS ONLY £22.50

Ref: RSSG014 Ref: RSSG010 Ref: RSSG011 Tie Slide Black Embroidered blazer badge Navy Blue Embroidered blazer in Presentation Box with gold coloured wire badge with gold coloured wire Ref: RSSG012 53mm x 28mm 100mm x 114mm 100mm x 114mm Navy Polyester Members £17.50 £19.00 £19.00 Tie with Armorial Bearings MEMBERS ONLY MEMBERS ONLY MEMBERS ONLY £15.50 MEMBERS ONLY

Ref: RSSG029 Ref: RSSG030 Ref: RSSG009 Large Blazer Button Small Blazer Button Red Enamel Cuff Links Ref: RSSG031 Ref: RSSG032 20mm diameter 15mm diameter in Presentation Box 2ft by 3ft St George’s flag 3ft by 5ft St George’s flag £4.50 £3.50 18mm diameter with eyelets with eyelets MEMBERS ONLY MEMBERS ONLY £19.50 £4.00 £6.00 Ref: RSSG15B Ref: RSSG016 Ref: RSSG15A 5 St George’s Day Greetings Cards Pack of 5 red RSSG window/car stickers 5 Blank RSSG Cards with Envelopes with Envelopes 77mm x 72mm 150mm x 150mm 150mm x 150mm £2.50 £5.00 £5.00 MEMBERS ONLY MEMBERS ONLY MEMBERS ONLY

Ref: RSSG018 Ref: RSSG017 Ref: RSSG022 A5 Menu Covers with Armorial Bearings Full Membership Certificate St George’s Day Envelope Stickers Packs of 10 £5.00 2 A4 pages – 130 stickers MEMBERS ONLY MEMBERS ONLY £2.50 £6.00

St GEORGE FOR ENGLAND DecemberApril 20192017

The Royal Society of St George Celebrating our past – looking to the future NEW

In this edition The Patron Saint of England Rudyard Kipling William Harvey Hot Cross Buns ● Ref: RSSG072 Imperial Windsor Tea Blend

THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF St. GEORGE – The Premier Patriotic Society of England Founded in 1894. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Patron: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II £3.50 Loose Leaf Black Tea with Rose Petals Ref: RSSG024 Ref: RSSG019 Makes 30-40 cups. Past copy of the St George for England England my England Book Ref: RSSG021 Net Weight 4oz/112g Journal A Treasury of all things English by Favourite Poems of England 1 tin £10.00 Please contact the office for availability Gerry Hanson By Jane McMorland Hunter 2 tins £17.00 £3.50 £9.99 £14.99 Box of 6 tins £45.00

UK Shop Window Order Form Please complete the order form and return it with your payment to: RSSG, P.O. BOX 397 LOUGHTON IG10 9GN. Please make your cheques payable to “The Royal Society of St. George”. Ref No. Description Qty Size Colour Price Total Price

ALL PRICES INCLUDE POSTAGE AND PACKAGING FOR UK ORDERS. INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS PLEASE ORDER VIA OUR WEBSITE OR EMAIL YOUR ORDER TO US AT [email protected] FOR PRICES, POSTAGE AND PACKAGING International Customers are responsible to pay for any additional costs such as duties, local taxes or custom clearance fees which may be imposed in their country of residence

NAME ...... ADDRESS...... COUNTY...... POSTCODE ...... EMAIL ...... TEL: ...... DATE ......

Total amount of Cheque £...... If you require any further information, please phone 020 3225 5011 or Email: [email protected] Payment may be made via PayPal to [email protected], by cheque or please call us on 020 3225 5011 to place your order over the phone. All major credit or debit cards are accepted For branch officer's regalia, please contact the office Journal Advertising: Mechanical Data Full Page Colour Price Rate £400 Type Area / Half Page Colour Price Rate £250 Trim Size / Full bleed Non bleed Quarter Page Colour Price Rate £150 Full Page 297 x 210m m / 303 x 216mm 265 x 190mm Eighth Page Colour Price Rate £100 Half Page 130 x 190mm Quarter page 130 x 92mm Extra insertions discounts: Eighth page 62.5 x 92mm 1-3 insertions an extra discount of 5% 4-6 insertions an extra discount of 10% Bleed allowance 3mm 7-12 insertions an extra discount of 15% Vital matter 6mm from edge of page on all sides

Classifieds Production Data All classified advertising must be pre-paid – Files can be sent on disk. – To ensure correct output of The cost is 50p per word with a your files please send by post a laser or crom alin minimum charge of £10 (20 words) proof. – Software – All prices are exclusive of VAT InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop.

Publication Dates Copy Date Deadline Essential Information April 28 February August 30 June All Prices shown are exclusive of VAT December 31 October

Contact – Elizabeth Lloyd Tel: 020 3225 5011 E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.rssg.org.uk The Royal Society of St. George P.O. BOX 397, Loughton, IG10 9GN, England

Are you interested in the Royal Society of St George? Application form on our website at www.rssg.org.uk Would you like to join us? Or telephone the office on 020 3225 5011

Royal Society of St George Mission Statement and Vision

Royal Society of St George Royal Society of St George Vision Mission Statement To be widely recognised as the premier English We will deliver our vision statement by supporting patriotic society; attracting members from all walks the increase of our active Branch network throughout of life; celebrating important dates in English history; England, the Commonwealth and across the world; supporting and encouraging the young; sharing and encouraging sustainable membership growth with the maintaining our Culture; Heritage and traditions; aim of doubling our membership by 2025; increasing awareness in the Society and what it stands for having a voice on issues that affect our country; and particularly amongst the young; ensuring the financial supporting charitable causes. security and stability of the Society with an effectively and efficiently run back office operation; and standing up for and representing our country, its history and traditions, on TV, radio and in the press and social media.