Humshaugh said farewell to its oldest resident today. John Bradshaw was 101. His funeral and burial were held at St Peter’s Church.

John was originally from the North West of England. In 1940 he enlisted into the East Lancashire Regiment and spent most of World War Two with the Royal Signals in India. After the war John married Mildred, who would be his wife for 55 years.

As you can see from the pictures, John featured prominently in our village’s fight to save the Post Office, which used to be housed in the shop. John was a sprightly 92 when he rode his trusty trike in our protest march in August 2008. He was also interviewed by TV news crews from Tyne Tees and BBC Look North about how he would manage if the Post Office closed.

As most of you will know, the Post Office couldn’t be saved but the groundswell of support in that incredible demo nearly 10 years ago enabled us to go on and save the shop by making it into the successful, community-run venture it is today.

“The General” is considered to be Buster Keaton’s finest silent film. This restored, high definition version has an orchestral soundtrack.

Union solders have stolen The General, a Confederate train manned by Johnnie Gray, who was unable to enlist in the Confederate army because he is needed as an engineer. The Union plans to use the train to supply its soldiers in a sneak attack against the Confederates. But now it’s up to Gray and his love, Annabelle Lee, to reclaim The General, recross enemy lines, and warn the Confederates. Running time: 67 minutes.

After the interval a fascinating B movie from much closer to home will be screened.

The Humshaugh Oil Buying Group has burst through the two million litres barrier with this month’s delivery (February 2018). The group was set up in November 2011 and has steadily increased its membership in Humshaugh and the surrounding area. Deliveries reached one million litres in April 2015. Here are some more statistics from the group’s organiser Brian Earl:

• 75 monthly orders have been placed (missing only one month, June 2015).
• 2,839 individual orders were processed.
• A total of 2,008,945 litres were ordered.
• The savings to members are in excess of £80,000.
• The total value of the business placed with the oil suppliers is over £900,000.

Brian Earl (right) who runs the oil buying group. (Newcastle Journal)

Brian is now looking for a deputy to stand in when he’s away on holiday or unable to process the order.

“It only needs a dedicated email address, lots of emails, maintaining an Excel Spreadsheet, and dealing with the oil supplier(s) once a month,” Brian explains. “Please contact me if you’re interested.”

You can e-mail Brian on humshaughoilbuyinggroup@btinternet.com or call on 01434 689123 or 07500 045711.

Woody Allen and Dianne Keaton star in this month’s Humshaugh Arts Programme Film Night movie “Play It Again, Sam”. The 1972 romantic comedy is being screened at Humshaugh Village Hall on Friday February 9th. Buy your tickets at the shop.

A mild mannered film critic is dumped by his wife and his ego is crushed. His hero persona is the tough guy played by Humphrey Bogart in many of his movies and the apparition of Bogart begins showing up to give him advice. With the encouragement of his two married friends, he actually tries dating again, with less than satisfactory results, until he relaxes.