MEMORIAL TO GRAMMAR SCHOOL F.P’s

Who fell in the War

Beautiful Tablet Erected By Sir Francis Blake

In the history of Berwick Grammar School, the ceremony performed within its walls when Dr Maclagan, Chairman of Governors, unveiled a Memorial tablet, presented by Sir Francis Blake, to the memory of the 32 former pupils who fell in the war, is perhaps the most sad. Still, in the glorious example of self-sacrifice left by the men who laid down their lives, there was a feeling of pride and an inspiration to emulation given to the pupils who now occupy the benches.

Some time ago, Sir Francis, who is an old pupil of the school, made an offer to the Governors to perpetuate the memory of the fallen by the erection of a fitting memorial. This offer was accepted and the tablet which is now placed over the fire-place in the south wall of the school is indeed a work of art. The memorial, which is framed in walnut with panels of laurel leaf design in enamel, is flanked on either side with figures symbolic of Victory and fame and on the top scroll are the County Shields. The central pane is a beautiful shade of cobalt blue and in relief silver letters the names of the fallen, with dedicatory inscription are set out in artistic fashion.

LOCAL NEWS

The temporary bridge over the railway at Berwick Railway Station is now nearing completion. On Sunday last the large steam crane from St. Margaret’s, Edinburgh, arrived and swung the heavy iron girder spans on to the wooden pile piers which had been erected on cement bases two weeks ago.

Large crowds watched the operations, and again on Monday workmen were busy fixing the staying girders and fitting the planking for the road bed. A considerable amount of work is yet to be done and it is not likely that the bridge will be open for traffic for a fortnight or three weeks yet.

BERWICK AND DISTRICT HARRIERS

Resuscitation of Club Fully Justified

The annual general meeting of Berwick and District Harriers took place in the White Horse Inn, Castlegate, on Friday evening, when Councillor W. J. Dixon, the President, presided over a large attendance. An apology for absence was intimated from Mr E. H. Crow.

The Hony. secretary, Mr W. McA. Urquhart, read the annual report, which was in the following terms: —

Your Committee has much pleasure in reporting that, in the first season of the revival of the Club since the Great War, the enthusiasm displayed by the younger and active members fully warranted the re-starting of the Club, which thereby has permitted athletes to participate and enjoy the undoubted benefits to be derived from cross-country running. The Committee only hope that the membership may be increased this season, and that once having joined, members will maintain their enthusiasm throughout the season.

Notwithstanding the fact that the night chosen for training runs, namely, Wednesday, were not favoured with the best of weather, the attendance at these weekly events showed an average of nine for the season, the largest number to turn out being 22. The attendance medal was won by J. S. Beveridge.

SCREMERSTON

The fancy dress carnival arranged for Friday and Saturday last in aid of the Scremerston and Ord Nursing Association was cancelled at the last minute, mainly owing to the threatened coal strike. The news of the postponement of the strike reached Scremerston late on Friday afternoon, but by then all arrangements for the carnival had been declared off. The dance arranged for Friday evening was, however, held in the Workmen’s Institute. The attendance was good, excellent music being supplied by Mr Whitfield’s orchestra. The committee desire to express their thanks to all who assisted in making the event a success and hope the Nursing Association will benefit by over £10.

One of the prettiest stations on the N.E.R. line this year is Scremerston. The borders on the up and down platforms are gay with flowers of all hues. There is an unusual good selection. Tall hollyhocks form a background for beautiful Cosmos of all shades, snap-dragons, and there is a specially fine show of Love-lies-Bleeding, a plant rarely grown in gardens now-a-days. The edging of lovely blue Nemesias or gay Schizanthus adds to the wealth of colour.