©Kirton News 2024

Perfect Poppies

The knitted Poppy display inside Frampton Church this November to remember all who lost their lives at War. What a wonderfully unique tribute.

An apology

Kirton News would like to apologise to Kirton Bowls club for an advert that appeared incorrecty within the November 2024 edition. To remind readers, greens at the club close in September for winter maintenance until the following May as outdoor bowling in a summer sport.

Regret for a Life - A short story by Bill Crewdson

One evening George was looking particularly miserable, so Harold asked him what was up. "I've met this girl" he said, and I really wanted to go and see her tonight but I'm on standby for the Brig".' Not to worry mate, said Harold "I'll stand in for you if you like, if that's ok with Bill" He knew it would be, because he and Bill were good mates. "I've been stuck in stores since I got here so I'd welcome the chance to get out for a bit, but knowing my luck nothing will happen.

Just after midnight Harold was woken by Bill who said "Come on mate, look lively, we' been called out! They raced outside to the Brigadiers staff car a big Ford Zephyr6, then it was off to HQ to pick up the Commander. "All hells let loose " said Bill "someone rang the news desk at the Belfast Telegraph to say that a soldier has been kidnapped by the IRA, the Brig wants to go to the soldiers unit in central Belfast to speak with the location Commander, it's not a good area to be in, there's been a lot of rioting during the night and there are still a lot of people on the streets,

The place they going to was an RUC Police station that the Army was sharing.

When they arrived they could see a large crowd of surly looking men and boys all milling about a short distance away. No one within the station seemed to be aware of their arrival, for the big wooden gates were closed and there was no sentry in front of them.

"Jacobs " said the Brigadier, a short dapper man with Quick intelligent eyes and a way of speaking that reminded Harold of the celebrated Clement Freud. "Nip around the back and tell those idiots we're here!

It was with much apprehension that Harold stepped from the car for the crowd seemed nearer than before and much more aggressive. As he ran round the corner of the building he slipped and fell heavily and the Stirling Sub-machine he was carrying went off, and as is the way of such weapons at times, emptied its full magazine into the crowd.

The mob scattered immediately but to Harold's horror one body remained on the ground, that of a young boy of about twelve. The next thing he knew was that a detachment of soldiers in full riot gear appeared and held back the crowd whilst others dealt with Harold and the unfortunate young boy.

The court of enquiry which ensued declared a verdict of misadventure on the death of the boy, and Harold narrowly es aped a Courts Martial, but resigned from the service a broken man.

The young boy's family had strong ties to the IRA and boasted that the organisation would find out the name of the soldier responsible for their son's death and he would be called to account.

In the years that followed Harold managed to put his life back together, he met and married Brenda, they had two children, Richard and Mary, he studied hard and gained the relevant qualifications to become a Civil Servant and landed a post at the M.O.D.

Now many years later, as he stands on his doorstep on this chilly winter night he wonders wheter the past has caught up with him at last.

A he tiptoes down the hall and pushes gently at the sitting Room door, all the lights go on and the first thing he sees is his wife and family and all their friends , and the big banner that said: "Happy Retirement Harold!"