SPRING BIG GAME 2019 : HMG APPEAL TO SHOBDON LDVs.....

The Spring Big Game 2019 ("Shobdon:Cockpit of History") duly took place on Saturday, 23rd March 2019. Full reports will follow in the usual way, but our AVBCW historians would be remiss if they did not record immediately the written appeal cleverly made by Senior Captain Barrington Maynard (aka Alan), C-in-C Government Forces situated at Shobdon Court, to his Local Defence Volunteers immediately before the battle:

Confidential

To:  Mr Grace (the Younger)                     FROM : Senior Captain Barrington Maynard

        Mr Hodges                                                  North West Regional Commander

        Mr Jones                                                     HMG

                                                                                               

Sir,

The moment of trial is upon us. After months of peace under the benign rule of HM Government, Shobdon is about to be invaded by foreign hordes. The Communist atheists have somehow inveigled the unworldly and gullible Anglicans to join forces and attack Shobdon. However, you may rest assured that His Majesty’s forces will defend your land vigorously against this unwanted and unwarranted aggression, and as commander of those forces I look to you to join me in this task.

I am aware that there has been a certain amount of discord locally, regarding the Bateman claims. I do not pretend to know what the outcome of this case will be, nor when it will be decided. This unlooked for conflict has greatly disrupted all business, including the law, as you well know. What I will say is that only His Majesty’s High Court has the power and authority to pass judgement, not some collection of leftward-leaning bishops, and certainly not the Communist Party.  The Communist teaching is that ‘all property is theft’, which means it would never be granted to any claimant. Indeed, anyone claiming the estate would automatically be identified as a member of the gentry, put up against the nearest wall, and shot! You should also beware of any ‘offers’ from the invaders, as the following intercepted messages show.

TELEGRAM COMINTERN TO WINTERS

MOST IMMEDIATE+ATTACK SHOBDON AUTHORISED. STOP+SEIZE SHOBDON COURT.STOP+DESTROY SHOBDON AIRFIELD. STOP+LIQUIDATE ALL IN SHOBDON INSTRUCTIONAL CENTRE.STOP+ CAPTURE ALL CAPITALIST IMPERIALIST PERSONS PROPERTY SHEEP AND SECRET DOCUMENTS. STOP.+ NO MERCY FOR NON-PROLETARIANS.STOP+NO EXCUSES FOR FAILURE.STOP+LOCAL COMMISSAR PERSONAL INITIATIVE AUTHORISED FOR TEMPORARY TRUCES OR ARRANGEMENTS WITH DECLARED PROLES AS NECESSARY+ FORWARD THE REVOLUTION+ACKNOWLEDGE+ENDIT.

TELEGRAM WINTERS TO COMINTERN

TOP SECRET+ACKNOWLEDGED. STOP+ATTACK SHOBDON AUTHORISED.STOP+NO EXCUSES FOR FAILURE.STOP+CONFIRM TEMPORARY TRUCES OR ARRANGEMENTS AS NECESSARY WITH DECLARED PROLETARIANS. STOP+FORWARD THE REVOLUTION COMRADES+ENDIT.

There are some slanderous tongues that whisper the local LDV is reluctant to fight, or might seek some opportunity to defect. The fate of the traitor Captain Morgan, and the knowledge that any disloyalty to His Majesty would certainly disqualify any claimant, should quash such rumours.

I am confident that you and your men will fight valiantly for your land, and I wish you good luck in the coming ordeal.

Barrington Maynard