SCREMERSTON PEACE CELEBRATIONS

SPORTS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS

TEA FOR CHILDREN AND RETURNED FIGHTING MEN

On Friday matters looked ominous from a climatic point of view for the Colliery Village’s Peace Celebrations. Saturday morning, however, broke fine and the effect of the rain of the previous day was to improve the cycling and tracks at the Institute Field. The celebrations commenced with children’s sports and before they were concluded a very large crowd had gathered. The kiddies as usual entered with zest into the events and fully demonstrated that in Scremerston there is any amount of rising talent. Capital form was shown in running events, but what caused most amusement was “duck apple.” There the adults thoroughly enjoyed the antics of the youngsters.

In the amateur sports, which were confined to a radius of ten miles, there were capital entries. Unfortunately there were a good many abstentions, and in one heat of the mile cycle handicap E. Brown had actually a ride over. There was a most unfortunate accident in the half mile cycle handicap, J. R. Smith, when spurting colliding with M. Locke (Scremerston) at S.E. corner. The former seemed a likely winner. The Allerdean man was able to turn out for the mile handicap, but the accident had had a great effect on his riding and a young wheel man in Edward Young won rather easily, with Smith as second.

In the flat events A. Middlemas was fancied for both the 100 yards and 440 yards. However, in the former J. Patterson, off nine yards, won somewhat easily, but the Tweedmouth man succeeded in the final of the latter. Hendry, Mordington, gave him a fine run for his money, however, and the finish was quite the best of the afternoon, being won by inches only. Hendry looks good for long distances only, but he certainly put up the gamest possible fight in his efforts to win.

Most of the fun of the meeting took place after tea when the tug-of-war caused much enthusiasm, Hope’s win being a popular one, and such events as the pillow fight, obstacle race, ladies’ race, and veterans race caused any amount of merriment. During the whole afternoon the quoit handicap was watched with great interest by many.

In the course of the afternoon some of the school children, who were prettily attired, danced round the maypole. Miss Mowitt and Mr Mason were responsible for their training and they did great credit to the organisers. Mr Mason played the accompaniment on the harmonium and both he and Miss Mowitt deserve credit for adding this charming item to the programme.

During the proceedings the Scremerston Band, under bandmaster Whitfield, rendered a delightful selection of music.

LOCAL NEWS

We shall be glad to hear of the County Council getting a move on over Berwick Bridge. The Government is trying to cut down expenses, but they will hardly try to economise in that direction.

It is proposed to divert a good deal of traffic from the railways to road motors and if that is done, the widening of the bridge will be more necessary than ever.

Following on the cutting of crops along Low Meadows, several sportsmen have been trying their luck with the gun. There has been little doing however. Birds are much more scattered than last year and are rather wild. It was quite common last year for sportsmen to set up “coveys” in practically every field, but many meadows this season have been well beaten without showing a feather.

On Tuesday afternoon on the invitation of the Mayor, a meeting of ladies was held in the Council Chamber to allot the districts to be collected for the Berwick War Memorial.

The intention is to canvas the town thoroughly, beginning on Monday, 22nd, September. There was a good turn-out of ladies, and it is expected, by this means, to realise a substantial sum for the War Memorial.

Harvest Thanksgiving Services were held in the Bankhill Church on Sunday last. The pulpit, gallery and windows were beautifully decorated with flowers, fruit, corn, wheat etc., by the ladies of the congregation. Appropriate sermons were preached at both services by the Rev. R. Leggat to large congregations. At the evening service, Miss Jenny Cowe rendered the sole “Oh Rest in the Lord,” accompanied on the organ by Miss Maggie Cowe. At the close of the service the fruit and flowers were distributed  to the sick of the congregation and the Military Hospital.

On Thursday last Capt. Aplin, R. N., Inspector of L.S.A., visited Spittal, and inspected the crew of the Life Saving Apparatus. The Brigade was exercised in the usual way and after the inspection Capt. Aplin expressed his satisfaction with the display given. Berwick Life Saving Apparatus crew were exercised next day, under deplorable weather conditions, when satisfaction was also expressed with the smartness of the men. During last week Capt. Aplin visited several stations in the Division and presented the Long Service Medal to one of the members of the Holy Island Apparatus Crew. He was accompanied by Commander Carr, R.N., Scremerston.