Whilst cataloguing plans in the Berwick Archives I came across Mr John Wood of Spittal who was, in May 1899, applying for planning permission to build a small building in the garden of his house ‘Woodville’, Spittal.
I was immediately interested because not only was he asking permission to put up a building but he was also acting as his own architect and had produced plans with specifications. These plans were very eye-catching because they showed a very individual approach to just how decorative the plans should look. He was obviously a very go-ahead man with his own ideas about planning and business.
Another reason for my interest was that whilst walking along the promenade at Spittal I was pretty sure I recognised his building. Builders were busy doing some renovation and this drew my attention and the building was much the same as the plans but no longer had a door opening on to the promenade.
Woodville is a semi-detached substantial house and interestingly both houses have a patio perched up high on the roof with ornamental railings. Very much rood terraces.
Later Linda brought out John Wood’s diary and there we discovered the building he proposed was to be a café. This is interesting as it is very close to the present café on the promenade which was built in the 1920s or 30s. Mr Wood was ideally placed to provide refreshments to visitors enjoying a stroll along the promenade. In July he writes, in his diary, that the ‘shop’ is ready to open. Disappointingly he does not use the name café but it seems to be the same building.
JOHN WOOD’S DIARY
Extracts from 1899:
May 8th 1899: Plans passed to build restaurant on promenade. Began to build in brick taken from the removal of the wash house building, in a situation bordering on the roadway.
July 12th 1899: Opened shop on promenade.
Martha brought out John Woods art books and we all enjoyed looking through the books that contained many highly decorated pages together with local information and the familiar ornate handwriting.
Dinah Iredale-volunteer