BERWICK NEWSPAPERS, 1923

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 14TH SEPTEMBER

SCREMERSTON FLOWER SHOW

Scremerston Horticultural Society held their tenth annual show in the Institute on Saturday and established a post-war record as regards entries. The numerous exhibits wee nicely laid out and were admired by the crowds of interested visitors present during the afternoon.

The show was opened by Mr J. A. Kilpatrick, Manager of the Scremerston Colliery, the Secretary and Committee greatly regretting that Mr John Black, Broomhouse, who was to have performed this duty, was unable to be present owing to illness. Capt. J. E. Carr presided, and others on the platform wee Capt. R. E. Carr, R.N., and Rev. J. Lightfoot, Mr John Black, Broomhouse, and Mr James Thomson, Secretary. Introducing Mr Kilpatrick, Capt.Carr expressed pleasure at seeing such a large number of people present.

BRO 0515-211 SCREMERSTON

Mr Kilpatrick said there were one or two little points he wished to emphasise. He understood that the number of entries was very high- between 500 and 600 – and that this was a post-war record. That was very gratifying indeed. The second point was that Mr Richard Thomson had won the shield for the third time in succession. (Applause). Mr J Wilson, the runner-up, had been runner-up for the past two years. (Applause). Speaking as a layman, as one who knew very little about flowers or vegetables, he thought that the show was rather extraordinary, especially when one took in to account the lateness of the season.

Mr Kilpatrick then handed the shield to Mr Thomson amid applause, reading the names of previous winners out as he did so.

WASTE PAPER IN THE STREET

The Watch Committee report of July 30 stated:- With reference to the question of the deposit of waste paper in the streets the Town Clerk submitted a letter from the Under Secretary of State stating that the following bye-law has been allowed in Birmingham, viz.: No person shall throw down or deposit and leave in any street any newspaper or any paper bag, wrapping or sheet such as is likely to create a litter in or to affect or tend to affect injuriously the amenities of the street. Before allowing a similar bye-law to Berwick-on-Tweed the letter further stated that the Secretary of State would require to be informed of the circumstances which are thought to render the bye-law necessary and would also require an undertaking that liberal provision of receptacles would be made in the streets into which the public could deposit their waste paper and also that the Council would do everything in their power to upload the bye-law and prevent it becoming a dead letter. It was agreed to recommend that the Town Clerk submit evidence of the necessity for such a bye-law, and that an undertaking be given as required by the Secretary of State with a view to the bye-law being made.

Early 1900s photograph of the High Street, from the Scotsgate Arch. BRO 1636-2-9

Councillor Bolus moved the adoption of the report, saying – I think this is absolutely necessary. You can go down High Street, Church Street, or up in Castlegate and you will find paper flying about over the houses and shops. I think this regulation is very necessary so that every person will understand that they must not make the streets in such a disgraceful state.

Councillor Campbell, who seconded, said that this summer the condition of the streets through the quantities of waste paper flying about was really so bad that not only residents, but people visiting their native town on holiday had spoken about it. These people when they come back were struck, after living in other areas, with the litter we had in our streets. It was no fault of the Sanitary Authority officials for it could happen even half an hour after the carts had been round. He was convinced they could make out a case to amply satisfy the Secretary of State of the necessity for such a bye-law.

TWEEDMOUTH

The Norman Hall at the West End has had the electric light installed and the hall has been thoroughly cleaned and decorated for the winter session.

We hear that Mr Thos. Wright, son of Mr and Mrs George Wright, Dock view, Tweedmouth, who went to the United States recently has been successful in obtaining employment with the Canadian Pacific Railway Company at Chicago. Mr Wright, who is well-known in the town, started life as a clerk with Messrs Carter and Son, and was later with Messrs Simpson in Alnwick.

On the occasion of her marriage and departure from Tweedmouth Co-operative Society, Mrs Ford (nee Miss Maggie Howie) has been made the recipient of a very nice 40 piece set of china. The gift was subscribed for by the whole staff of the Society, amongst whom Mrs Ford has been very popular. She was in the clerical department at thee Store for many years.

BODY ON SPITTAL BEACH

About 6.30 p.m. on Sunday evening, when Thomas Johnston, a Spittal labourer, was walking on the beach at Hallowstell Fishery, near Spittal Point, he noticed a parcel lying on the beach about four yards from where high-water mark was showing. The parcel had evidently been left by the tide, which was receding at the time.

Johnston cut the string and opened the parcel and was shocked to find wrapped in the clothes the body of a healthy-looking male child. From the size and condition of the body the child had evidently lived, and it had not been in the water any length of time.

The police wee informed, and Sergt. Barclay, Spittal, took charge of the body and conveyed it to the mortuary. In view of certain facts which have come to light it was considered advisable that full enquiry should be made into the case, and on Tuesday, after the Coroner (Mr H. R. Peters) had heard only evidence regarding the finding of the body, he adjourned the inquest until the 3rd October, stating that he would then call a jury.

It is probable that sensational evidence may be given at the adjourned inquest, which may lead to a serious charge against some person or persons at present unknown.

DEATH OF MR AND.MARTIN

The death took place in Berwick Infirmary on Sunday of Mr Andrew Martin, farmer, Town Farm, Tweedmouth, a leader in the Baptist de nomination at Berwick and one well-known to farmers on both sides of the Border. Mr Martin, who was a native of the district, was born at Marshall Meadows. He came to Berwick to work as a traveller with Mr Anderson, seedsman, and later he left there and started business in partnership with Mr Wm. Scott as seedsman in bridge Street, Berwick.

It is some fifteen years ago since Mr Martin took Tweedmouth Town Farm, and he certainly has done much to improve this 300 acre arable holding. At the farm he had thoroughly up-to-date threshing and grinding plant installed and in fact the farm has recently been self-contained, a blacksmiths and joiner’s shop having been fitted up on the premises. It will be remembered that during the war, when the Government was calling for supplies of barley, Mr martin, by putting on several tractors on his holding, cut a big crop of barley and marketed it within fourteen days of the time cutting was commenced.

Mr Martin certainly knew how to farm, and he was a very good judge of horse flesh. He kept fine types of animals on his farm, and believed that only the best results could be got by working with the best of stuff either in horseflesh or other things.

In politics Mr Martin was a staunch Liberal and in him Castlegate Baptist Church has lost a staunch supporter. He took a great interest in all that pertained to the welfare of the congregation, and in the Deacon’s Court he was a prominent figure.

The funeral took lace to Tweedmouth Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon, when there was a large following of townsmen and farmers.

Leave a comment