Though the first part of the Stannington Sanatorium Project has drawn to a close our work with its records has not. After the cataloguing and part-digitisation of a staggering 5041 patient files and digitisation of 14,671 radiographic images we have been given a grant by the Wellcome Trust which will enable us to fully digitise the patient files and re-package them in conservation-grade materials. Through this time the patient files will still be searchable through our online catalogue (http://www.northumberlandarchives.com/catalogue/ ), and at the end of our year’s project a redacted image of each file will be available alongside its reference.
To mark the close of the project’s first phase we are pleased to announce we have put together an online exhibition to allow the records to be explored. The exhibition uses three sections to tell the story of the Sanatorium. In the first part, ‘Examining the patients’, where you can click on parts of a body to explore some examples from the patient files of how Tuberculosis affected different areas of the body and how each case would be treated. In ‘Tour Stannington’ you can click on links for different parts of the building to learn about the different rooms that comprised the Sanatorium, the stories of the staff and patients and their life in the Sanatorium. Click on ‘Gallery’ to find all of the images from the exhibition in one place – those of the buildings, staff and patients, and medical images of patients each labelled with the type of Tuberculosis the patient suffered from. We hope you enjoy looking at through the result of the hard work that went into the first phase of the project. The exhibition can be viewed here: http://northumberlandarchives.com/exhibitions/stannington/index.html
Our new project assistant and digitisation assistant are beginning their new roles, and another post will follow in the New Year. The second part of the project by its nature will have a different outlook to the first, but look out for new blog postings of how it proceeds over the coming months. If you have any enquiries regarding the Stannington Collection please contact the archives at archives@northumberland.gov.uk
The arrangements for the above sale, in aid of Red Cross and Relief Funds, to be held at Wooler Auction Mart, on Wednesday, 22nd Dec., are now well advanced. A very hearty response has been made to the appeal, and would be contributors are reminded that notice of their gifts should be forwarded to the secretary (Mr R. S. G. Thompson, Auction Offices, Glanton), not later than Saturday first, the 11th December, as inclusion in the catalogue cannot be guaranteed after the date. To the present time the contributions include 6 fat and store cattle, about 140 fat and store sheep, fat and keeping pigs, a donkey, fat and stock poultry, dogs, potatoes, oats, feeding stuffs, sheep dip, seeds, farm implements and harness, and a large quantity of domestic and other useful articles. The catalogue, price 3d, can be had on application to the Secretary, or can be purchased on the day of the sale.
Red Cross Donkeys, Gallipoli 1915
The sale will open by Mrs Burdon of Wooperton, and the Hon. F. W. Lambton of Fenton will be chairman. Present indications point to very successful sale, and the committee will be able to hand over a goodly sum, which will be supplemented by many handsome donations already advised, to the various worthy objects which they are supporting.
BERWICK GIRL ACCIDENTLY SHOT IN LEG BY A SENTRY ON THE OLD BRIDGE
An accident took place on the Old Bridge, Berwick, on Sunday night about 6.40 pm., Nora Loft, a young woman residing at 25 Ravensdown being badly wounded in the leg above the knee by a bullet from the rifle of a sentry.
It appears that about 6.40 James Edward Allan, Post Office, Chatton, left the town in charge of a motor car by way of the Old Bridge, and upon reaching the sentry box on the top of the rise was challenged by one of the sentries on duty there. Two men were upon duty, they being Private McLary and Private W. Fortin, and on Mr Allan’s car approaching, McLary challenged it and called upon them to halt. It is stated that the challenge was given three times, but the car failed to draw up, and McLary immediately the car had passed fired apparently with the intention of hitting the back tyre.
Miss Loft, who was on the footpath on the opposite side of the bridge, received the bullet in her leg about the knee the bone being broken by the force of impact. Assistance was at once rendered to the unfortunate young woman, and she was placed in the car and driven to the Infirmary by Mr Allan, and under the care of Sergeant McRobb, her wound receiving the attention of Dr C. L. Fraser upon arrival at the institution. We understand that Miss Loft’s condition has improved over night.
RESULT OF BERWICK SOLDIER’S OVER INDULGENCE
The Coroner has concluded his enquiry at York into the circumstances attending the death of Mr Wm. Kelsey (35), of 14 Armstrong Avenue, Newcastle, managing director of the Hylton Forge, Sunderland, who died from a bullet wound received whilst travelling in the 2.20 pm East Coast express from King’s Cross to Edinburgh, between Doncaster and Selby. In connection with the occurrence the police detained Private J. D. Tait, 3rd Coldstream Guards whose home is at Berwick-on-Tweed, and who was returning from France on a few days leave. Tait is alleged to have fired the fatal shot whilst showing his rifle to the occupants of one compartment. The bullet passed through the rear partition and struck the deceased, who was in the next compartment, in the arm and chest, severing important arteries, and he died in the York County Hospital the same day. It appears that Tait was drunk, and had a bottle of whiskey which was frequently passed round on the journey. Tait ultimately got up, took his rifle from the rack, pulled the bolt back, and closed it again, and the weapon immediately went off. The bullet passed through the back of the compartment above the seat. The Coroner, Mr J R Wood, in summing up, said the only question in that regrettable occurrence was whether there was culpable negligence on the part of Tait. The jury found a verdict of “Death from misadventure”, the Foreman adding: As this is not the first case of this kind the jury are strongly of opinion that all ammunition should be taken from every soldier before leaving for home. They also desire to express their sympathy with the relative of Mr Kelsy. Mr Straker said the relatives of the deceased had already personally expressed their sympathy with Tait, in the sad position in which he was placed. The Coroner said he was very glad the jury had seen their way to take the view they had. All he would say to Tait was “Follow the example of your King.” Tait returned with the police to Selby where it is understood he will be discharged from custody.
RAPHAEL TUCK’S CHRISTMAS SPECIALITIES
Once more Messrs Tuck have issued a fine collection of highly artistic novelties, comprising a varied array of Christmas and New Year Cards, Christmas Autograph Stationery, Calendars, Gift Books, Toy Books for the children, Art Novelties and Christmas Postcards of every description.
A Christmas postcard showing a group of soldiers on the march in World War One. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
In face of the many difficulties with which the art printer is confronted at the present time, Messrs Tuck have made a most remarkable effort to upload the reputation which has been worthily won in seasons past. British art, British enterprise, and true British perseverance has resulted in a production of art novelties which equal if they do not excel the many lovely cards of former years. A special series of Patriotic Christmas Cards in keeping with the spirit of the times is also introduced, an important feature throughout the entire collection being the appropriate greetings and wording suitable not only to the period of peace and goodwill but mindful in its chastened note of the sacrifices which this World’s War has entailed upon the Nation.
Sir, – May I venture through your columns, to make an appeal on behalf of the fifty men from our Borough who are serving with the Northern Cyclists in Lincolnshire? The Captain of their company writes that mufflers, mitts, and gloves would be most useful to them, and the Committee of the Guild of Aid have requested me, as their President, to ask you to kindly make this known. They would be very grateful if friends could let them have, as soon as possible, 50 mufflers and 50 pairs of mitts or gloves. They can be sent, either to
WW1 Sirdar wools knitting patterns.
me, or to the Townhall, and will be forwarded at once. May I state for the information of any who may not know the working of our Guild of Aid, that, although we are now affiliated to the War Office scheme, which will send us word, from time to time, of its special requirements, that we also gladly receive any Tuesday afternoon from 3 to 3.30. at the Townhall, any comforts, socks, mitts, gloves, mufflers, etc., and these are distributed as the need arises, or requests are made.
This month we have sent 50 pairs of socks to the Tyneside Scottish through Mrs Crosbie; 30 pairs of socks to the 1st Garrison Battalion, the Royal Scots, through Miss Wilkie-Lalyell; and 25 shirts and 25 pairs socks to the Belgian soldiers in the trenches.
Through the kindness of Mrs Leyland, in giving us a donation of £2 for the purchase of material, a parcel is being made up and will be sent shortly to the Serbian refugees.
To carry on this work all sorts of woollen comforts, material, and money are required, and for these we make an urgent appeal to the public. The smallest donation of money will be gratefully received by Miss Miller, Longstone View.
Money is needed for the material, and the carriage of all parcels not connected with the Government scheme, so, for this we earnestly ask the men of our town and district, whose women are so nobly giving of their time in making the various garments.
Trusting that I have not taken up too much of your space, and thanking you for your courtesy in inserting this letter.
Believe me,
Yours sincerely,
ISABELLA H. PLENDERLEITH
Mayoress
BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS
THURSDAY
Before the Mayor (Ald. J.W.Plenderleith), H. G. McCreath, Esq., A. J. Dodds, Esq., Thos. Purves, Esq., D. W. H. Askew, Esq., Robt. Boston, Esq., and Alex. Darling, Esq.
THEFT OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS
Mary Ann Weatherburn, married woman, Berwick, was charged with the larceny of a quantity of household goods the property of Robert Grieve, on the 30th October, 1915.
Chief Constable said this woman was apprehended on warrant the night previously. Grieve, the prosecutor, lived near this woman, and was absent frequently, being a salmon fisher and rabbit catcher. He had been missing things from his house, and suspected the accused. A warrant was taken out, and her house was searched. Grieve would speak to the articles being his. He would ask for a remand to next Thursday so that they might attempt to recover other goods.
Robert Grieve gave evidence of having missed certain articles from his house in Hatter’s Lane. He was frequently away from his house having been employed first as a salmon fisher and later as a rabbit catcher. Mrs Weatherburn lived next to him in Hatter’s Lane. He identified the forks produced as his; they were over one hundred years old. The plates produced were also his, he having purchased them in 1873 from the late Mr Andrew Thompson.
Sergeant Wilson spoke to having received a warrant for the search of the house of the accused, and the recovery of one of the articles produced in Court. He later went round the pawnshops and recovered the two plates at Mrs Macmillan’s.
This being all the evidence proposed to be led to justify a remand, the Chief Constable moved accordingly.
The Mayor – have you anything to say against your being remanded?
Accused – yes, your worship. I am quite innocent of having taken them.
The Chief Constable asked that the accused be allowed out on bail. In the ordinary course she would have to go to Newcastle, but as she had a young infant, he would ask their worships to liberate her on bail.
Bail was fixed at five pounds, the accused entering into it on her own recognisance.
LOCAL NEWS
The N.E.R. Women Clerks – Not to be Withdrawn after War. – As the result of a deputation representing the clerical staff on the North Eastern Railway to the railway directors, it is stated that Sir Alexander Kaye Butterworth had promised to reply in writing with regard to the application for an advance of 25 percent in wages. Sir Alexander also undertook to inquire into the question of allowances to dependants of enlisted men and the proposal to grant them a war bonus. He declined to give an undertaking that women clerks would be dispensed with after the war, but said that male clerks would be reinstated, and that the necessity now imposed upon the company of employing women would not be exploited.
Pictured right women worked in many occupations on the railway in WW1. This photograph shows them as carriage cleaners.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A SHOP KEEPER’S COMPLAINT REGARDING LIGHTING
Sir,- The local administration of the regulations for the lighting of shops has at last become intolerable. Since the end of summer we have been worried and bullied and threatened by the police. Some have even been fined. So great has become this tyranny that the faintest glimmer of light at times, even the opening of a door results in a visit from a policeman.
With this state of affairs prevailing in my neighbourhood you can imagine my amazement the other night when I came across a shop in the middle of High Street ablaze with light. Both windows, and they are exceptionally high ones, were illuminated from ceiling to floor. No action would appear to have been taken in the case, for the offence has been repeated nightly. And the firm to which this special privilege has been granted is a multiple one, strangers who have not yet contributed a penny to our rates.
Are the police granting favours to some shops to the disadvantage of others? Are they discriminate as to which shops shall be lighted? If so then there is an end to the respect due to those who keep the peace.
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