BURNS ANNIVERSARY
The place of honour at the Burns anniversary gathering of the Bradford and District Caledonian Society was occupied by Mr J. R. Noble, late of Spittal. He served his apprenticeship at the “Berwick Advertiser” Office, and has, for the past three years, been employed by the Bradford and District newspaper Co., Ltd. His father, the late Mr John Noble, was at one time President of the now defunct Spittal Burn’s Club. During the course of his address, Mr Noble seldom referred to his notes, and quoted from memory many of the outstanding passages in the poet’s works. We take the following extracts from the “Bradford Daily Telegraph” of the 26th January :- Bradford and District Caledonian Society last night celebrated the Burns Anniversary by a dinner at the Market Tavern. Dr MacIlraith presided over a company of over 100. Fraternal greetings were received from Tweedmouth and many other kindred societies.
The toast, “The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns,” was proposed by Mr Noble, who said that even now new gems of thought continued to flash out from the poet’s exquisite verses, which, amid the changing scenes of life, retained their original freshness. They had to carry their minds back to the conditions that prevailed in Scotland in Burns’s day to appreciate fully the motive of many of his works. The ministers preached the wrath of God in every sermon, they forbade amusement, they stamped out the New Year festival, and universal gloom settled over the land. It was due to Burns more than anybody else that the best part of the people’s nature had not withered into sterility, for he did much to brighten and humanise religion and bring back to the life of the people some of the joy they had lost. It was the passionate and poignant love songs for which the world best loved Burns. They carried the fragance of the heather hills to distant lands. It was Robert Burns, peasant, poet, patriot, and prophet, who enshrined the characteristics and ideals of a great race in immortal verse, and his influence shall endure “till a’ the seas gang dry and the rocks melt wi’ the sun.” (Applause).
LOCAL NEWS
Berwick Esperanto Club has started. Soon the star-shaped badge, which is the world-wide symbol of the speakers or those who “hope” to speak Esperanto, will become familiar in the town. Esperanto means “one who hopes” – and every member of the newly forms Berwick Club is hopeful that the study of this easy and fascinating international language will “catch on” in the town. Between 20 and 30 members have joined. Some are at the alphabet stage, while others, more familiar with the language, can already speak and write it. More members will be welcomed. Meetings are to be held each Wednesday evening in the hall of the Primitive Church, Walkergate. Officials have been elected. Dr C. T. Gauntlet, who has made a study of the language, becomes the Club’s first President, and Mr R. Trotter and Mr J. Strachan, Vice-Presidents. Miss Gaul is Secretary and Treasurer, and the Committee members RE Mrs J. Bishop, Miss H. Gray, and Messrs D. Storar and Lyall. A small subscription of probably 2s 6d will be asked from each member to cover expenses in connection with the use of the room each week.
On Friday night the members of the Border Union Lodge of Good Templars held a Burns’s celebration at their weekly meeting. After the usual business was concluded the members, to the number of about 50, adjourned to the room downstairs and partook of a splendid supper, the principal dish being “haggis,” and then a short programme by members was gone through. Brother Clarke gave a reading. “Life of Burns,” and some of Burn’s songs were sung by Sister Borthwick, Brothers Borthwick, Morecroft and Hastings; while a humorous reading was given by Brother Evans. An enjoyable evening was brought to a close with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” The Border Union Lodge is the oldest lodge in the Borough and at present is in a flourishing condition. Every week sees new members being added to its roll. A hearty welcome is offered to all wishing to join. Meetings are held in the Lodge Room in the Good Templar Hall Friday night at 8 p.m.
SUPERINTENDENT’S LICENSING REPORT
The Superintendent’s annual report was in the following terms: I have the honour to present this my report on the carrying out of the Licensing Acts in the Borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed. There are in the Borough: – 44 full licenses, one beer on, four beer and wine off, and two beer off; making a total of 51, and showing an average of one license to about 255 inhabitants – the population of the Borough being 12,994. There are four registered clubs in the Borough with a membership ranging from 108 to 250. During the year 1922, proceedings for drunkenness were taken in 71 cases and 66 convictions resulted, being a decrease of 50 proceedings and 51 convictions when compared with the number similarly dealt with during the year 1921. The figures for 1922 are equivalent to 5.07 convictions per 1000 population as compared with 9. convictions per 1000 in 1921. I have served Notices of objections on the licenses of the Berwick Arms, Marygate, and the George Inn, Church Street. Thee premises I consider are structurally deficient and unsuitable for licensed premises. There are no applications for new licenses.
THE PRESERVATION OF NORHAM CASTLE
Work has been commenced in connection with excavating, etc., at Norham Castle. It was to have started last summer but owing to the illness and subsequent death of Mr Romanes, the proprietor of the Castle, it was delayed. It was understood that Mr Romanes was in the act of transferring the Castle and grounds to H.M. Office of Works when his illness took place, and it was rumoured that the whole scheme was to have been dropped. That has not, however, been the case, as there are now labourers busy digging around the Marmion Arch, and erecting scaffolding just inside, along the wall facing north which is pierced with
portholes. Its is estimated that the work will be spread over a period of six years, and as well as giving employment to a large number of men it should bring a lot more visitors to see the romantic old ruins. The main idea seems to be to clear away all accumulations from the walls and foundations, and thoroughly repair and point with cement the whole of the walls. The work is being undertaken by H.M. Office of Works. The work is not in full swing yet, owing to the difficulty of finding a place to put the old rubbish.
TERMS OF LEASING FOR COMMON LODGING HOUSE
The Workhouse Committee at a special meeting had considered the question of a part of the Workhouse being leased to the Berwick Sanitary Authority for use as a common lodging house. A letter from the Town Clerk of Berwick stated the matter had been before the Public Health Committee of the Sanitary Authority, who requested the terms of the lease. The Workhouse Committee recommended to the Board that they lease the aged women’s block of the Workhouse premises and the lunatic ward to Berwick Sanitary Authority as a common lodging house. The terms of the lease were submitted, the lease to be for 10 years, the rent to be £25 per year, payable half yearly, the Authority to pay rates and taxes, and carry out necessary alterations to cut off this portion of the premises from the Workhouse, to the satisfaction of the Guardians, to provide gas and water supply, and a separate entrance from Brucegate, to keep in repair, not to sublet without the consent of the Guardians, and not to suffer any nuisance to tenants in neighbouring houses, etc.
Mr Bolus moved the adoption of the Committee’s recommendation. He knew that the Mayor and the Medical Officer for the Borough were very anxious that there be a model lodging house in the town. Such a place would be an acquisition to the town and an acquisition to the Board, as men could go there at very reasonable cost without coming to the Workhouse for the night. In making the lodging house a certain amount of money would have to be spent to make it to meet the requirements of the Inspector. In view of the expenditure one of the objections the Sanitary Authority might raise was what would happen if the Workhouse premises had to be sold. This was why they recommended a lease of 10 years. Mr Bolus thought that in the event of this taking place the men of good financial standing, might but the place, or the Corporations might but the place.
BADMINTON-SINGLES TOURNAMENT
The ladies of the Officers 7th N.F. Club held a singles tournament on Thursday afternoon in the Drill Hall, Ravensdowne. Sixteen players took part, the winner being Miss M.B. Cowen (minus 5) in the final by 11 points to 10 after a very keen game. Prizes were presented by Miss M. Oswald, West Coates.