Northumberland Archives

BERWICK NEWSPAPERS, 1923

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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.

Red Lion, Berwick-upon-Tweed, 1959. Ref BRO 1250-30

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

A Year in the Life of a Village: Acklington in 1900 – Part Four

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October 1900

The Morpeth Herald reported on the Harvest Festival in the village on Saturday 13th October, noting that the celebrations had begun last Thursday with evensong, and that the anthem, ‘Sing a Song of Praise’, was sung at all services, and the Church tastefully decorated.

The children were given a holiday on 5th on account of the election of an M.P. for Wansbeck Division, and the school was closed on 26th because of a special sale at the mart.

Mr. John Spence, a Miner from Pegswood, was fined for using a gaff [a large iron hook attached to a pole or handle and used to catch large fish] to catch and kill salmon in the River Coquet at Acklington. 23

One burial took place in the Churchyard this month: 24

· Isabella Smith, aged 19 years, of Whitefield in Chevington

Churchyard, Acklington St. John the Divine
Author’s Own

November 1900

Admitted to School this month were: 25

· Nellie and Evelyn Foster of Acklington Park, who previously attended Heaton School

Reported in the Morpeth Herald on Saturday 3rd November was the flooding caused by a bad storm the previous evening. The River Coquet rose to ‘a great height’ at Felton, making the riverside footpath to Acklington Station impassable to foot passengers into the morning.

Three baptisms took place in the Church this month: 26

· Alexander, son of Alexander (Policeman) and Eleana Woodcock, of Morwick

· George Edward, son of George (Miner) and Elizabeth Summers, of Maidens Hall [?], Chevington

· John Crisp, son of William (Miner) and Jane Summers, of Acklington

One burial took place in the Churchyard this month: 27

· Alexander Henderson, aged 68 years, of High Angerton

December 1900

The Annual Acklington School Feast was held at the school and reported in the Morpeth Herald on Saturday 29th December. Tea was served at 3-3.30pm, and while the children played in the playground, the parents and friends had their tea. Mrs Rudge, the Vicar’s wife, gave out prizes at 5.30pm, mainly books and games. The room was then cleared for a concert (the money raised helped to pay for the Feast), followed by a dance.

The Log Book reports that the School received an Aid Grant of £25 (approx. £1,999 today) on 2nd, which went towards:

· Improvement of Staff – £10 (approx. £786 today)

· Replacing broken windows in Schoolhouse – £10 (approx. £786 today)

· Two new desks, board and easel – £5 (approx. £395 today)

A half-holiday was held on 13th as the Christmas Fat Stock Show was held [presumably at the Mart], and the School broke up on 20th for two weeks holiday. 28

On 22nd December, the Morpeth Herald reported that a special prize for best shorthorn bull had been won at the late Amble Show by Mr. D. Brewis of Acklington High Park with “King Edgar”. The prize was awarded at the Felton and Warkworth Agricultural Society by its patron, J.G. Riddell of Felton Park.

Two baptisms took place in the Church this month: 29

· Emma, daughter of John (Miller) and Elizabeth, of Guyzance Mill

· John Murray, son of John Murray (Farmer) and Margaret Ann Thompson, of Barnhill, Acklington parish

One marriage took place in the Church this month: 30

· John George Heckels, aged 41, a Surveyor of Broomhill, married Jane March, aged 25, of Bank House

Being able to use both primary and secondary sources made for a fascinating journey through the history of the village. This type of research project could be carried out for any town or village, but perhaps would be more successful for a smaller area, such as has been done here, as there is not too much detail to wade through, and the research can be more focussed.

A picture will emerge of a place in the past, and its people, that are really not too distant from us at all. 31

References

23. Newcastle Courant, Saturday 27 October 1900

24. Burial Register of Acklington St. John the Divine, ref. EP 161/19

25. Acklington C of E Admission Register, ref. CES 1/4/2

26. Baptism Register of Acklington St. John the Divine, ref. EP 161/1

27. Burial Register of Acklington St. John the Divine, ref. EP 161/19

28. Acklington C of E Log Book, ref. CES 1/3/1

29. Baptism Register of Acklington St. John the Divine, ref. EP 161/1

30. Marriage Register of Acklington St. John the Divine, ref. EP 161/26

31. Additional details on school children and families alongside the Admission Register information, has been taken from the 1901 Census, available on www.ancestry.com

BERWICK NEWSPAPERS, 1923

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BERWICK JOURNAL, 6TH DECEMBER 1923

BERWICK’S NEW BRIDGE

NORTHUMBERLAND APPROVES OF THE SCHEME

Northumberland County Council met on Monday in Moot Hall, Newcastle, to consider reports of Finance Committee and Bridges and Roads Committee relative to proposed new Bridge at Berwick, together with estimates of capital expenditure.

Now structure is proposed to be erected North Tweedmouth Station on Great North Road, and will cross from Knowe Head directly into Marygate, main street of Berwick, spanning the Tweed between Royal Border Bridge and Berwick Bridge. Estimated cost of the bridge and approaches, acquisition of land and buildings, is £160,000, including £10,000 for contingences. Ministry of Transport has agreed to find 75 per cent of the cost, or £120,000, and County Council 15 per cent., or £24,000. Berwick is to make a contribution of £10,000, ad this leaves a balance of about £6,000, to be charged equally between County Council and Berwick. County’s estimated share of the cost is thus £27,000, and Berwick’s total contribution is £13,000.

PLEA FOR BERWICK’S OLD BRIDGE

Ald. J.R. Hogg, expressed the opinion that a very excellent arrangement had been made with Government in the matter of the grant for £12,00. Without at all infringing on politics, on might fairly say £120,000 spent in our own country on bridges was a much better proposition than 120 millions spent in Mesopotamia or some other part if the world. At the same time he wished to put in a plea for the Old Bridge.

BERWICK’S OLD BRIDGE. Ref: BRO 426-97

He did not see a word in the report as to what its fate was to be. He saw it was stated in the report of bridges and Roads Committee – “The existing bridge would be costly to repair, and even if repaired, would be unsafe for the purposes of modern traffic.” That looked as though the old Bridge was going to be derelict.

Chairman – Oh, no.

Ald. Hogg- I am very glad to have that assurance. The Old Bridge at Berwick does not possess the interest of the Old Bridge at Ayr, which was immortalised by Burns and saved from destruction by Lord Rosebery, but it has a peculiar interest of its own. For 300 years it has been one of the leading means of communication between England and Scotland, and served its purpose long before express trains and motor cars were thought of. As an antiquary, apart from any other interest, I should be extremely sorry if the Bridge were not maintained- certainly for foot passengers, and as a picturesque feature of the landscape.

Rev. Alex. Campbell-Fraser expressed the hope that the best artistic authorities would be consulted in regard to the architecture of the bridge. Berwick had suffered very much in the past from vandalism. The railway Station was in the Great Hall of the Castle. One would like to know out of regard for that very fine view entering Scotland from the Railway Bridge, that they had got the very best artistic taste to guide then in the matter.

DETAILS OF THE OLD BRIDGE

Coun. T. B. Short mentioned the interesting fact that he had the wage records, the cost, and every detail connected with the construction of the Old Bridge. It was done under the direction of Dean and Chapter of Durham, Palatinate.

On North side was a fault in the river bed, and they noticed in coming across the Bridge that the middle arch was at one side. That was the highest arch. It was done to span where they could not get foundations. 171 oak trees were put into one of the piers. They were from Chopwell and were taken round by ship to Berwick. The time the Bridge took for construction was 24 years, 4 months and 4 days. It was started with direct labour, but eventually Dean and Chapter became so impatient that they let the last 5 arches, with the result that they were done in less than 6 months.

BERWICK OLD BRIDGE, BRO 426-81

“If we want the work done speedily,” was the lesson he pointed, “it will be well to remember this, and let this contract.”

Reports and recommendations of the 2 Committees were then voted upon and unanimously adopted.

TODAY’S THE POLLING DAY- WHO GOES IN?

This day (Thursday) from 8 am – 8pm – that is “Round the Clock” – the ballot boxes in Berwick Division Polling Booths ( from Berwick Bounds to Amble Coast, from well west of Norham’s Castle Steep away to the Back of Beyond in among the Cheviots), will be “telling the tale,” as the clock ticks out the seconds, marks the minutes, and throbs the hours of the twelve – one half of a whole day – specially allotted to the process and progress of voting. If there is a voting power equal to every 2 seconds of the 12 hours that will give a total poll of 21,600. At any rate, there may be about 20,000 scraps of paper silently secreted in the uninteresting looking tin boxes standing unconcernedly in the voting places but settling all the same a most important matter – who is the winner in Berwick Division.

So far as can be gathered it seems to be a case of what the “3-Card Trick Man” says when he puts down his trio “Find the Lady.” This Election in Berwick Division is called a Woman v. Woman Fight, which justifies Capt. Robson’s statement that he is “The Only Man in the Field.”

In an appeal to women on behalf of her husband, Mrs Iris Robson says Conservatives wish to tax cheap foreign goods coming into our Country. The sooner this is done, the better for the Trade of Britain and for the Workers of our own Country.

Mrs Penny calls upon the electors to “Support the Common People,” which is quite as it should be for this is an Election for the Common.

BERWICK DIVISION POLLING DAY

How Things Are Going

[From Our Own Correspondence]

(By Phone and Wire)

CAPT.ROBSON GETS HORSE SHOW

Capt. Robson was early astir and along with Mrs Robson, visited the Liberal Committee Rooms, about 8.30. Capt. Robson took the opportunity of thanking his workers for all they had done. He was presented with a horse shoe decorated in the party colours, while Mrs Robson was made the recipient of a beautiful bouquet of violets tied in blue ribbon.

MRS PENNY AT BERWICK POLLING STATION

Mrs Penny paid a visit to the Town Hall about 11 o’clock, and had a talk with some of her workers, before proceeding on a tour of the constituency. Before her departure Miss Gaul presented her with a sprig of white heather.

BERWICK TOWN HALL, EARLY 1900’s. Ref: BRO 426-294

BOUQUET FOR MRS PHILIPSON

Mrs Philipson left Berwick this morning at 9.30 on a tour of the constituency. Before her departure she was presented with a beautiful bouquet by Miss May Younger, on behalf of the Ladies Committee. There was a good crowd in Hide Hill to see her away and received rousing cheers as the car drove off. The car was tastefully decorated with the party colours.

BERWICK DIVISION FIGHT

(Result in the Berwick Journal 17th December)

Mrs PHILIPSON (Con)……10636

Capt. Robson (Lib)…………8767

Mrs Penny (Lab)……………2784

          Majority………………1859

LAST BY-ELECTION RESULT

Mrs Philipson (C.)……………12,000

Capt. Harold Robson (Lib)…..5,858

Mr G. Oliver (Lab)…………….3,966

           Majority…………………6,142

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