BERWICK JOURNAL, 20TH DECEMBER 1923
CHRISTMAS NOVELTIES
Seldom have we seen such novelty as characterises Xmas and New Year productions of Alpha Publishing Co., 2 Scrutton-St., Finsbury, London, E.C. 2. In this enterprising Firm’s 1924 Calendars are unique designs, while their Xmas cards, Postcards, Toy Books, Picture Books, etc, are as fine as anything we have seen; and, moreover, moderate in price. There is, undoubtedly, good quality and good value. Original indeed are the silver and metal horse-shoes, and other attractive and realistic and quaint devices and shapes, even to old boots and wish-bones. Most useful are the Engagement Calendars, while Stationary Calendars carved on wood and mounted against velvety background will be most popular. The Magic Drawing Book is a new idea, enabling the children to draw pictures with ordinary pencil, simply rubbing it across a seemingly blank page. Alpha Series Humour, Usefulness; and the Firm is taking pride of place in production, and will command success among both young people and old.
LOCAL NEWS
A small free gift sale was held in Salvation Army Rooms, Quay Walls, Berwick, on Thursday. The hall was tastefully decorated, and the tables bearing the good things were nicely laid out. On the work stall, one saw many hours of hard work on the part of friends and members of the Corps; and the cake and candy stall bore sweetmeats, cakes, fruit etc. In adjoining room tea was served. At 3 pm the opening hour there was a fair number present. Mrs Strachan, who performed the opening ceremony, was introduced by Capt. Golder. Mrs Strachan said: – “Dear friends when your officers called to ask me if I would open your free gift sale, I felt rather afraid, as I have never performed such a duty before, but on remembering that I had been amongst you before, and that I was coming among homely people, I consented. I do assure you that I am very pleased to be among you again, and esteem it an honour to do anything, however small to help forward the work of God. I understand that the result of today’s sale will be used for the funds of Local Corps. All Christian Institutions must have money to carry on their work, or that work would come to a standstill. None of us would like to see the noble work done by your Corps come to an end. I therefore hope that the preparation for today’s effort will result in a bountiful harves and that the workers will experience the joy of seeing their stalls emptied and their cash boxes filled before very long. I have very great pleasure in declaring the sale open.” In proposing a vote of thanks to Mrs Strachan Capt. Golder said they were all much indebted to her in coming to open their free gift sale. She said friends were required to carry on the work of the Corps, unless these were forth coming the work would have to stop; and this none of them wanted to see. After this purchases were made freely and stallholders kept busy. Stallholders were: Work Stall- Capt. Golder, Miss Moor; Cake and Candy Stall- Mrs Henderson, Miss Henderson, Miss Moor, Miss Gibson; Bran Tub, etc- Miss Johnstone, Miss D. Aitchison, Lennie Walker; Teas-Mrs Shiell, Mrs Douglas, Mrs Walker, Mrs Patterson, Lt. Hoyland. During the afternoon Capt. W. Douglas late commanding officer was present.
The Red Lion Inn, Castlegate, Berwick, was the venue of a gathering of rather unique interest on Tuesday night, the occasion being the first annual dinner of the Salmon Lodge (No.4606) of the R.A.O.B. The “Buffaloes,” as they are familiarly known, have been making steady progress with the furtherance of the Order both in town and district, with the result that more Lodges have been consecrated since the introduction of the Order to Berwick some years ago. Constitutionally they are sound, being stalwart upholders of King and Law, while with such noble examples in their ranks as Mr Baldwin, the Prime Minister, and Bishop Weldon, the Dean of Durham, comments are needless. Tuesday evening’s proceedings were most happy, representatives being present from Morpeth (Sir John Leach Lodge), Spittal (Albion Lodge), Royal Berwick Lodge, with visiting brethren also from Norham, where negotiations are proceeding for the opening of a Lodge. Primo W. Taylor C.P., occupied the chair, and after dinner, which was served in a noteworthy manner y the host and hostess (Bro. Ridpeath and Mrs Ridpeath), proposed the loyal toast, “The King,” thanking all present for their attendance on the auspicious occasion, and extending a kindly welcome to representatives from other Lodges.
NEW YEAR’S DAY
How New Year’s Day is celebrated all over the world is fascinatingly described in “Cassell’s Children’s Book of Knowledge” -Part 39, just published.
In China the shops are closed several days, while people make merry with feasts and fireworks, and general exchange of gifts and good wishes. In preparation, every debt must have been paid; every house swept and cleaned; and each person furnished with holiday clothes and a supply of preserved fruits, sweets, and ornamental packages of teas to give to his friends.
Japanese New Year festival is perhaps, even gayer. Everyone provides himself with new clothes and takes 3 days off from work to visit his friends or entertain them at his Home. Every gatepost is adorned with dark green pines and feathery light green bamboos, while over the doorways hang vivid red lobsters and crabs, and scarlet tangerine-like fruits, symbolical of long life and happiness. Streets are thronged with happy children playing battledore and shuttlecock the whole day long, and everyone beams with joy, bowing and wishing the compliments of the season even to perfect strangers.
In France, New Year’s Day is a more important holiday than Christmas. French peasant children put one of their sabots on the hearth for a gift at Christmas; but grownups in France exchange gifts at New Year Festival, at which time there are family parties, with much merrymaking, and general exchange of visits.
Scotland celebrates New Year’s Eve with a heartiness nowhere surpassed. The old tradition that to be “first-foot” in a house brings luck for the whole year, sends throngs of midnight revellers into the streets on New Year’s Eve,” each with his box of cakes and “spiced ale,” for in order to ensure his host a bounteous year he must not enter empty handed