Page 5 - November pages 1 to 48

From the Editor

Dear Readers,

It’s that time of year when the weather reminds us that summer is well and truly over, winter
cometh. It’s also the time of year when we remember those who gave their lives in conflict
defending our freedom. Lives lost not only in the better known conflicts such as the 1st and 2nd
World Wars, Korea, Falklands, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc; but also those ongoing today that we are
involved with.

Whilst we bemoan, with a tad justification, the impacts of the recent lockdown and potential
future restrictions as we fight a different kind of enemy, perhaps we should also take a few
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minutes on 11 November to reflect on the years of deprivation, rationing, restrictions and sheer
physical danger endured by communities during the major conflicts of the past. Yes, the recent
restrictions are inconvenient, but is nothing compared to that experienced by those often
labelled our ‘greatest generation’.

After saying this, todays communities are also demonstrated a little of the fortitude and
community spirit shown by that generation too, let’s hope we carry this forward into the future.
The content in this edition leans heavily towards remembrance. Details of this years RBL Poppy
appeal is explained by Carol on page 28. As well as the traditional remembrance services, ‘Help If
We Can’ are dedicating a memorial to lives taken by the virus. Details are on page 15 along with
Remembrance Day arrangements at Quedgeley.

A few weeks ago I stumbled across an item that I thought would be a relatively ‘exclusive’ story
for Hardwicke Matters. As I was researching the item, up popped my ‘exclusive’ in local and
National newspapers as well as BBC news. It is of course the story of the Bristol Blenheim crash in
September 1940. We cover it briefly on page 9, Help If We Can are co-ordinating a possible future
memorial so we will try and track its progress in the future.
Information on the Stroud Food Bank is on page 17 and 38, an essential facility at the moment for
many.

Of course, the other commemoration this month is the gunpowder plot, celebrated in true Brit
fashion by hurling explosives around the sky and setting fire to…well…things. I say this as the days
of ‘penny for the guy’ seem to have disappeared (...ask your parents!). The plot is covered on
page 39 with a few short anecdotes scattered around this edition.

Nice to see a few more captions on the back page - made I chuckle. I look forward to next months
offerings, I can think of one already...doubt it would be allowed nowadays though.
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Well I best continue my search for that HM ‘exclusive’. Please take extra care on November 5 ,
and as always STAY SAFE

See you in December – the Editorial Team

hardwickematters.co.uk
Unfortunately the website was not updated last month due to a lack of time and
manpower hopefully it will be back soon this month (we are always looking for help)
webmaster@hardwickematters.co.uk
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