PRIZE DAY AT ST. MARY’S
SCHOLARS GIVE DISPLAY IN PLAYGROUND
The annual prize distribution to pupils attending St. Mary’s Church of England School took place in the playground on Thursday afternoon, when there was a large attendance of parents and friends present. Happily, apart from two showers in the afternoon weather conditions were good and the youngsters assembled, garbed in summer frocks, appeared to thoroughly enjoy the programme of singing, dancing, recitation, and drill which was gone through. The applause which followed each item was in every case well deserved and showed the appreciation of the audience.
Present at the ceremony were Mr G. N. Broadbent and Mrs Broadbent, Mr Chas. Forsyth and Mrs Forsyth, Mr Robt. Carr, Mr W. B. Dickinson, the Rev. S. E. R. Fenning (who presided), etc. The programme submitted by the children was very good indeed, the quaint old folk dances being exceedingly well executed. We feel convinced that the girls’ team which danced “If all the world were paper,” could have easily won at Wooler last week, where that dance was made the test piece at the dancing competition at the Workers’ Union Gala. “Gathering Peascods” was another dance smartly done. The singing was very nice, though the boys were just a little strong for good harmony. The most pleasing item was “O wert thou in the cauld blast,” which though rather a difficult song for youngsters to harmonise in, was done very well indeed. Misses I. Elliot and M. Richardson performed creditably as the piano in the duet “The Merry Skaters.” Though little Janet Renton suffered from stage fright at first in her recitation “Hiawatha’s Childhood, “she did remarkably well at the second attempt and deserved all the applause she got. Mary McRobb also recited “The Pied Piper” clearly and with wonderful expression.
SEAHOUSES
The usual tranquillity of the village of Seahouses was upset in Wednesday afternoon, June 28th, when it became known that one of its well-known inhabitants had been found dead. The person in question, Mrs Elizabeth Langley, widow, was found by her daughter hanging from a hook, in the basement of the house in which they live in harbour View.
Assistance was promptly procured from the fish stand, where the fish and crates were being sold, and which is only a few yards from the house, but this alas was too late. Mrs Langley for many years kept a pop shop facing the harbour, and was well-known and respected. She has been in poor health for some time. – Mr Hugh J. Percy, deputy coroner, held an inquest on the body of deceased on Thursday at the Police Station, North Sunderland. Evidence of identification was given by Robert Langley, son of the deceased, and by William Norris, who stated that he went into the cellar below the house with Mrs Langley’s daughter (who was unable to attend the inquest) and removed deceased’s body, which was hanging by a cord. Life was quite extinct. – A verdict was returned that deceased committed suicide by hanging herself whilst temporarily insane.
LOCAL NEWS
During the week the large double decker motor bus which was running between Spittal and Berwick has been withdrawn. We hear that the drivers have found great trouble in passing horses, which being unused to meeting such a high affair, either showed a desire to sit down or shie on to the pavements. Messrs Thompson Bros., we see, have started a new covered in bus, which in bad weather should be a great advantage to people travelling between Berwick and Spittal.
Mr R. W. Michael, the tenant of Kerchesters, on Tuesday last week treated all the people on his farm- men, women and children, to the number of sixty- to a motor drive to the coast. Starting at nine o’clock, the first stage was by Ford and Lowick to Bamburgh-a fine long run, which, in delightful weather, was greatly enjoyed. A few hours, all too brief, were spent on the fine beach, and in viewing the great castle and the surrounding beauties- besides other generous entertainment in the form of luncheon, provided by Mrs Michael. The second stage was taken in the afternoon, from Bamburgh to Spittal-an enjoyable drive along the coast. At the latter place the party had tea and a couple of hours were agreeably spent; the third stage was started- from Spittal to Kerchesters via Cornhill- the homeward journey being completed at about nine o’clock.
ALNWICK CASTLE TO BE CLOSED
It is reported on good authority that the Duke of Northumberland is immediately to close Alnwick Castle on account of high taxation.
As a matter of fact, the shootings and fishings were let some time since, and the household at the castle, which formerly numbered little short of 100, has been considerably reduced of late.
It has customary to keep a few rooms open for the Duke and Duchess, and their family, when in the North; but they are not usually in residence at this season of the year.
The Duke is at present in France.
Alnwick Castle was commenced by Ovo de Vescy in 1096, and rebuilt by the Percies in the 14th century. It has been their principal residence ever since.
The Duke only recently let Syon House and sold his lands in the London district.
PIGEON FLYING
BERWICK CLUB
Berwick and District H.S. flew their fifth old bird race from Bournemouth, 349 miles, on Saturday, July 1st. Mr Maidment liberated 41 birds at 5.45 a.m., wind S.W. The winners were :- R. Jeffrey, 1463, and R. Sutherland, 1452. The race is a record from Bournmouth to Berwick, the birds flying close on 50 miles per hour.
TWEEDMOUTH CLUB
Owing to the birds beating the officials to the winning post the Tweedmouth Homing Society’s race from Bournemouth on Saturday came to a rather unsatisfactory ending. The birds were liberated from Bournmouth on Saturday morning and none of the officials at Tweedmouth expected them to arrive home within seven and a half hours least. Conditions for flying, however, were favourable and five birds landed in a bunch without anybody being ready to receive them 6 hours and 40 minutes after having been let off. They averaged a speed of 1512 yards per minute over the journey of 348 miles. A meeting of the Society was therefore held on Monday night when it was decided that the fairest way out of the difficulty was to share the prize money equally amongst the owners of the five birds first home. Those sharing the prize money were Messrs Hay and Nelson, Mount Road; Gilchrist Brothers, Howick Terrace; P. Matthewson, Mount Road, and Speedy Brothers, Mill Strand ( 2 shares). The Bournemouth race having completed the races for old birds, the cup formerly belonging to the old Homing Club of Tweedmouth for the best average over all the long distance races was awarded to Messrs Hay and Nelson. The pools in the Bournemouth race were shred in the same way as the prize money. The young birds races will commence in August.