REV RON GREENALL: World War II, plays and shipping routes

St George and William Shakespeare dominate my first two pictures and comments.
Rev refs April 23 2018 William Shakespeare, penny sweets, Saint George, the construction of the Suez Canal., victory celebration party in Sleddon Street Preston at the end of that war, local production of Guys and Dolls by Lancaster Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (LADOS)Rev refs April 23 2018 William Shakespeare, penny sweets, Saint George, the construction of the Suez Canal., victory celebration party in Sleddon Street Preston at the end of that war, local production of Guys and Dolls by Lancaster Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (LADOS)
Rev refs April 23 2018 William Shakespeare, penny sweets, Saint George, the construction of the Suez Canal., victory celebration party in Sleddon Street Preston at the end of that war, local production of Guys and Dolls by Lancaster Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (LADOS)
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It was in the mid-14th century that St George was chosen as patron of The Order of the Garter and by the early 15th century, he was accepted as Patron Saint of England.

His special day is, of course, April 23.

Rev refs April 23 2018 William Shakespeare, penny sweets, Saint George, the construction of the Suez Canal., victory celebration party in Sleddon Street Preston at the end of that war, local production of Guys and Dolls by Lancaster Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (LADOS)Rev refs April 23 2018 William Shakespeare, penny sweets, Saint George, the construction of the Suez Canal., victory celebration party in Sleddon Street Preston at the end of that war, local production of Guys and Dolls by Lancaster Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (LADOS)
Rev refs April 23 2018 William Shakespeare, penny sweets, Saint George, the construction of the Suez Canal., victory celebration party in Sleddon Street Preston at the end of that war, local production of Guys and Dolls by Lancaster Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (LADOS)

William Shakespeare’s birthday is April 23 and he died on the same date 52 years later.

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In his lifetime, he wrote close to one-tenth of the most quoted lines ever written or spoken in English drama and is the second most quoted writer in the English language.

He wrote 37 plays and 154 works that we know of and his plays are made up of 884,429 words in total.

Until I did this research for you, I did not realise the multiplicity of spellings of his name, more than 80 in all I am told.

Rev refs April 23 2018 William Shakespeare, penny sweets, Saint George, the construction of the Suez Canal., victory celebration party in Sleddon Street Preston at the end of that war, local production of Guys and Dolls by Lancaster Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (LADOS)Rev refs April 23 2018 William Shakespeare, penny sweets, Saint George, the construction of the Suez Canal., victory celebration party in Sleddon Street Preston at the end of that war, local production of Guys and Dolls by Lancaster Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (LADOS)
Rev refs April 23 2018 William Shakespeare, penny sweets, Saint George, the construction of the Suez Canal., victory celebration party in Sleddon Street Preston at the end of that war, local production of Guys and Dolls by Lancaster Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (LADOS)

Spell check tells me I am right in the one I use today!

Now to a local production of Guys and Dolls by Lancaster Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (LADOS) some years ago.

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Many of you will recognise the drummer, Dr Tony Hindle of Garstang, and possibly some other cast members.

Just as Shakespeare brought the theatre alive, so do amateur dramatic societies keep the live theatre alive for us today and what better time than The Bard’s birthday to thank them for the contribution they make to today’s society.

Rev refs April 23 2018 William Shakespeare, penny sweets, Saint George, the construction of the Suez Canal., victory celebration party in Sleddon Street Preston at the end of that war, local production of Guys and Dolls by Lancaster Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (LADOS)Rev refs April 23 2018 William Shakespeare, penny sweets, Saint George, the construction of the Suez Canal., victory celebration party in Sleddon Street Preston at the end of that war, local production of Guys and Dolls by Lancaster Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (LADOS)
Rev refs April 23 2018 William Shakespeare, penny sweets, Saint George, the construction of the Suez Canal., victory celebration party in Sleddon Street Preston at the end of that war, local production of Guys and Dolls by Lancaster Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (LADOS)

Do you remember the penny sweets shown in my fourth picture?

At a time when the debate ranges wide as to scrapping penny and two penny coins, these immediate post-war sweets are a reminder what you could get for a penny of your pocket money at that time.

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Back still further in history with my next picture for it was this week in 1859 in Egypt that work began on the construction of the Suez Canal.

I was given the picture I use many years ago with the caption, “The world’s most mileage and time saving construction in history”.

Rev refs April 23 2018 William Shakespeare, penny sweets, Saint George, the construction of the Suez Canal., victory celebration party in Sleddon Street Preston at the end of that war, local production of Guys and Dolls by Lancaster Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (LADOS)Rev refs April 23 2018 William Shakespeare, penny sweets, Saint George, the construction of the Suez Canal., victory celebration party in Sleddon Street Preston at the end of that war, local production of Guys and Dolls by Lancaster Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (LADOS)
Rev refs April 23 2018 William Shakespeare, penny sweets, Saint George, the construction of the Suez Canal., victory celebration party in Sleddon Street Preston at the end of that war, local production of Guys and Dolls by Lancaster Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (LADOS)

Before air cargo took off, shipping was the only means of mass transportation of goods, so we can realise the importance of the venture and from my picture the enormity of the undertaking.

In the Second World War, this was a vital supply line for troops as well as food and other materials.

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My last picture for today is of a victory celebration party in Sleddon Street Preston at the end of that war.

Does this bring back some memories of flags, food fun and rejoicing?

Our street was just a short distance from here so this does bring back memories for me.