Northumberland Archives

New Kids on the Block!

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Back in October, Northumberland Archives was lucky enough to attract two fantastic new Archive Assistants – Jemma and Helen. (Hang on – has somebody let Jemma and Helen write the intro?) We asked them to interview each other to find out how they’ve found their time settling into their new roles.

Jemma: What do you enjoy most about being an Archive Assistant?

Helen: I am enjoying how interesting the job is. I have been surprised at the variety of material we hold here – it means that every day I learn something new or come across something that piques my interest.

I’m also enjoying the social side of the archive – there is a lovely atmosphere behind the scenes and everyone has been supportive and keen to pass on their knowledge.

Jemma: What have you found your interests are when working with such a range of archive materials?

Helen: I have found I am particularly drawn to people’s personal testimonies from the past. Reading a letter or a diary, which sometimes mix an account of momentous events in the world with the everyday news of, for instance, what is for dinner or what happened at school or work, feels like a little bridge is created to the past.

Outside of work I write fiction and I am finding it quite inspiring to read people’s stories from long ago and get a little insight into everyday lives.

Jemma: What has been your biggest challenge when working at the archives?

Helen: The biggest challenge has not so much been any singular thing but everything! There is so much to learn that I feel we’ve had to accept not being totally sure what we’re doing for a little while. It has helped to hear more experienced members of staff saying that they are still learning even after working here for years.

Jemma: What was the most surprising/unexpected find for you here?

Helen: When we first arrived we were encouraged to search for anything we fancied looking at just to get used to using the catalogue. I looked up Ovingham, the village I was brought up in, and was interested to discover that we held a newspaper article about a poet who had lived in Ovingham. The article itself was interesting – written in the 1930s it was about Dora Greenwell a poet who was particularly known for writing hymns and who lived in the village for some time in the 1840s – but perhaps more interesting to me was the volume that the newspaper article was stored in. When I went to get the article out I discovered that the clipping was actually in a scrapbook about Ovingham made by a woman, Eliza Charlton, who lived in the village throughout the 20th century. Her entries started with articles and photos about the village school and progressed through various local events to pieces on the WI in the 1980s. I was delighted to come across some names I recognised in the latter part of her scrapbook.

Jemma: What should the public know about Northumberland Archives that you didn’t know about before working here?

Helen: They should know that we have a huge amount of items in our collection so there is bound to be something that interests them. On a pragmatic note, they might be interested to know that they can access Ancestry and Find My Past on the computers here for free and that there’s a lovely café in the museum downstairs!

Helen: How has the reality of working in the archives differed from your expectations? Has anything surprised you?

Jemma: I didn’t expect to be able to physically access so many materials daily and I think this may have been the biggest surprise to me, as well as the enormous amount housed here that is accessible to the public. I knew this would be an interesting job, I just didn’t realise how fascinating it would become.

Helen: What attracted you to work here?

Jemma: My interest in history has always been there from school, but recently my interest in local history has increased massively after starting a family tree. I soon found myself wanting to explore more than just the names in my family history and I wanted to find out about their houses, their towns and their livelihoods. It was this that made me really want to help and be a part of someone else’s journey.

Helen: What is your favourite part of the archive – what have you found most interesting?

Jemma: My favourite part, or place, in Northumberland Archives is the strong rooms where they store all the documents and items. I find the rooms peaceful, as is the search room where the public can access. An aspect of the Archives that I’ve found the most interesting is the information on coal mining – be it maps, photographs, transcripts or diaries of those who have worked in a Northumberland colliery. Having family who have worked in collieries in this area and specifically in Woodhorn colliery itself, makes every bit of information surrounding this topic interesting to me and it feels a little bit personal too.

Helen: Is there anything you’ve struggled with?

Jemma: Learning how to approach different family histories when customers request help was more difficult than I anticipated. More times than not it isn’t straight forward and sometimes people are starting from the beginning, with no previous family knowledge and so it becomes a bit of a hunt. However, when you help someone from this starting point it feels like you’ve made a real achievement.

Helen: What are you looking forward to mastering?

Jemma: The organisation and work that goes into the full process of obtaining documents to them becoming accessible to the public is extensive. The staff here are excellent and because of the hours of work and enjoyment that goes into each collection, everyone has their own little interest or expertise in an area. I’m really looking forward to carrying out each bit of this process and then from there developing my own area of knowledge…which would be around Northumberland’s coal mining history (my Grandad would be proud).

BERWICK JOURNAL, 5TH FEBRUARY 1925

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BERWICK WAR MEMORIAL

“Berwick Journal” Fund Opens Today

5,000 SHILLINGS REQUIRED AT ONCE!

The Sacred Duty of the Town and ITs People.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS THE POPPIES BLOW

BETWEEN THE CROSSES, ROW ON ROW,

THAT MARK OUR PLACE, AND IN THE SKY

THE LARKS, STILL BRAVELY SINGING FLY.

SCARCE HEARD AMID THE GUNS BELOW.

WE LIVED, FELT DAWN, SAW SUNSET GLOW,

LOVED AND WERE LOVED; AND NOW WE LIE,

IN FLANDERS FIELDS.

………………………………………………………………

IF YE BREAK FAITH WITH US WHO DIE,

WE SHALL NOT SLEEP, THOUGH POPPIES GROW

IN FLANDERS FIELDS.

“Berwick Journal” in its leader Column in the issue of this Paper of Jan.29, 1925, said-

“As regards Berwick’s Unfinished War Memorial; if we could afford it we would give the money still required-willingly and cheerfully; we would consider it a privilege and an honour to be allowed for any further reward than the happy satisfaction of having been able to complete, in all humility, so sacred a duty, so long overdue on the part of this Town of ours.

We appeal again to the Memorial Executive and to the Citizens to at once take the final and resolute step to complete the undertaking so that the Memorial under the shadow of the Service Tree may fittingly and decently stand this Summer, and for all time, worthy of our gallant Comrades. We are prepared to open the columns of “Berwick Journal” to raise a Fund to accomplish the end in view; and we are prepared to give 100 Shillings to such a Fund.”

A CITIZEN ON-THE PRIVILEGES OF CITIZENSHIP

Parade, Berwick, 1st Feb., 1925

(The Editor, “Berwick Journal.”)

Dear Sir, -Your Leader in Thursday’s “Berwick Journal” struck the right chord, and I hope there will be a quick and generous response to your Appeal.

Like you and many others, I am profoundly disappointed that our War Memorial is still unfinished, and that the sum subscribed so far is not only in adequate for the purpose but is even insufficient to liquidate the amount already spent.

Berwick’s War Memorial Ref: BRO 426/445

Many of us have already subscribed- (some of us as much as we can afford, some of us much less than we can afford)- but whether we have subscribed well or poorly the need to complete worthily the Memorial is obtrusively insistent.

Hitherto, I had regarded it as a privilege on the part of the Town to establish Memorial to our Heroes, but it looks as if the Town now requires its sense of Duty stirred- a distinction not to our credit.

But from whatever point of view the matter is regarded, I hope your effort will be crowned with success, and as an earnest of that wish I enclose 100 Shillings to your Fund. Yours truly John Brough.

MAYOR’S MESSAGE

The Worship the Mayor of Berwick-upon-Tweed (Ald. Thos. Wilson, J.P.), writes us-

Dear Sir, – With reference to the note in your issue of Thursday last that you are prepared to open the columns of the “Journal” to raise a Fund to complete the Berwick War memorial, I have pleasure in accepting your offer. The War Memorial Committee are extremely anxious that our Memorial should be completed as soon as possible. Tenders have been received for the necessary work, and it is hoped that instructions will be given within the next few days for the work to be out in hand forthwith.

I trust that the inhabitants of the Borough will respond to the Appeal, and that through the Fund you propose to open the money required to complete the Memorial will be raised without delay. Yours faithfully Thomas Wilson, Mayor.

SHERIFF’S SUPPORT-Berwick, Feb.2, 1925

Dear Mr Editor, – Your announcement in “Berwick Journal” last week, – re Completion of Berwick War Memorial-about opening a Shilling Fund through the medium of your Paper, is a noble proposal, and should get the same generous support as you had in your War-Time Efforts for Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Funds.

I have pleasure in subscribing 200 Shillings. Yours truly Henry Stuart, Sheriff.

POSITION OF AFFAIRS

We are informed that about £250 is wanted- that is 5,000 Shillings; and it works out at only about 4d or 5d per head of the population of the Borough! Surely Berwick-upon-Tweed is not going to allow this our overdue Duty to remain any longer overdue. Let us show at once that such is not our intention; and that we mean to have the Memorial complete and in decent, proper and perfect order this Summer.

FIRST LIST

We shall give in next issue of “Berwick Journal” the First List of Subscribers to this Fund, which we have opened, and we trust it will be such a 1st list as will at once make it manifest and clear that the money required is going to be fully forthcoming, and that speedily. We hope with the Mayor that “the money required to complete the Memorial will be raised without delay.”

One thing is certain that if the same sort of generous support as was given to the War-Time efforts made by us, (as referred to by the Sheriff in his letter above), is given to this Appeal, Berwick will soon be in a position to complete what must be very close to the heart of every good citizen.

SACRED DUTY

“Many of us have already subscribed,” as Mr John Brough points out in his letter to us, but that is not preventing patriotic citizens like Mr Brough from expressing themselves as ready and willing to do all they can. That’s the spirit we like. “He who gives quickly gives twice” is an old proverb; and it never had more force than in this Appeal which we make to the Public today. If there be any who may not have yet subscribed, the opportunity now presents itself; and if there be those who having subscribed will join others now in doing more we shall be grateful, and theirs will be the happy satisfaction in helping to the final accomplishment of a sacred Duty which rests on our Town- rests on evry man, woman, and child.

Berwick’s War Memorial with railings

THE CHILDREN’S CHANCE

This is an opportunity for the children-our future men and women-to share in the completion of the Memorial; and thus, to have for all time the proud and fragrant memory that they, too, helped to rear the Town’s Monument to the gallant lads who saved and made secure, for the youngsters, the Homeland. We invite the practical co-operation of parents and guardians and teachers in this direction.

ALL THAT IS WANTED.

Collecting cards may be had on application at “Berwick Journal” Office, 25 High St. Berwick. Every penny given goes to the Fund; all expenses are borne by the Promoters, so that all that is required is for the People to do their share-the early realisation of the money required.

It is up to Berwick-upon-Tweed to see that before Summer arrives, the War Memorial standing at the top of Castlegate, under the shadow of the Service Tree, is fitting and perfectly completed, so that it may stand for all time worthy of our gallant Comrades to whose memory it is reared.

TWEED IRON WORKS-STOKOE FAMILY

During the past weekend, what may be correctly termed that last link in a family connection with a well-known local firm, recently dissolved, was broken when Mr Jos. Stokoe, of Foundry House, Tweedmouth, completed his last duties for the firm-Messrs Robertson and Coy., Tweed Iron Works, better known as the West End Foundry- after 46 ½ years faithful service. The name of Stokoe has been associated with Tweedmouth, and the above-mentioned firm for well over half a century, and no family was more respected, or held in higher esteem. The father Mr Jas. Stokoe, who retired 12 years ago and died at Hexham a few years later was with the firm for 45 ½ years, in the important position of manager. Mr Thos. Stokoe, son, completed 41 years with the firm, and also had an official position for the greater part of his long period of service. Mr Jos. Stokoe, the last to sever the long, honourable family connection at the past weekend, was also in charge of certain departments of the works and was looked upon as a trustworthy servant by his employers. We often hear and read of long service records with business firms, but for a family record with one firm the Stokoe’s will take some beating. The have seen the works in all its stages. In the height of prosperity, when large numbers of men were employed, and young men looked upon it as an honour and the first step to a successful career in life, to serve their apprenticeship in any section of the industry at one time carried on. Their productions have gone all over the world and made a name for the firm and its workmen second to none in British industry. But keen competition brought the dreaded and long looked for depression on the whole place, and for the last few years the usual activities began to languish and die until the firm was reluctantly compelled to cease their operations all round and close the doors. Many have served the firm for long periods, but for a family record, the name of Stokoe stands well out in the foreground.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 1ST JANUARY 1925

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THE PASSING OF NED CUTLER

AN INTERESTING LINK WITH THE PAST BROKEN

In passing of Edward Martin, or “Cutler Ned” as he was perhaps best known, Berwick has lost an old standard and a link with the past. Ned, who was never the same after the death of his wife in 1922, has been in failing health and very feeble for some years and has been practically an invalid for a considerable period. He died on Saturday at the age of 94.

Some fifteen years ago “Ned” was going strong and never missed a day at his accustomed stance outside the shop of Messrs Redpath and Son, drapers. High Street in fact was not complete in those days without “Cutler Ned.” The old man was ever ready for a “crack,” but no matter how much he talked or how long the yarn was that he was prevailed upon to spin, his cutler’s wheel never ceased to revolve merrily.

High Street, Berwick-upon-Tweed. c.1900. Ref: BRO 426/294

Many a time he told his inimitable angling stories to his acquaintances, the emery wheel meanwhile filling in the gaps with a steady “bizz.” How often he told of a big fight he had with a heavy sea trout just below Canty’s Bridge and ultimately lost it. If his auditors were not mistaken, the grinding wheel was wont to give an extra angry “bizz” when this unfortunate ending of the story came.

He used to tell with great glee, of how he once put a number of Spittal men on their guard that Temple, the bailiff, was watching them as they passed down the river en route to the “babbin” while Ned was fishing from the Pier. Temple, who was a bit of a tough nut, threatened on the occasion that he would throw Ned into the river, but the old hearty laughed in his face and told him to get on with the business.

There were few, if any, could come up to Ned at wielding the rod, either on Tweed or Whitadder. He prided himself that he knew every inch of either stream from Ellemford to Berwick, where trout were likely to lie. He scorned the use of waders for many years and candidly told other anglers that he had no use for such new-fangled notions. Twenty years ago, he could be seen whenever he had a slack day, casting a line as true as a dart with a long rod from the bank.

Royal Border Bridge, over the River Tweed, Berwick-upon-Tweed, c.1900. Ref: BRO 426/569

It was rather fun to the youngsters to stand a little way behind him and hear him reasoning with himself quite audibly how best to get a big fellow to rise, which he knew was there, though not a movement showed on the surface. Ned was a born angler, there was not the slightest doubt about that. Times came when even his attention to business gave way before the call of the tinkling of waters over mossy stones.

Ned was not a native of Berwick, though he might almost have been counted as one. He was born in 1830 and for a time worked in Glasgow, where he met his wife. The pair decided on a runaway marriage, the popular vogue in those days, and in 1851 they arrived at Lamberton Toll, and there were made one through the instrumentality of the Priest, William Thompson. The certificate is in the hands of the family to this day. It is the usual Border marriage certificate and is certified at the end as follows: “Married by me on the 3rd of January 1851-William Thompson.”

There were eight children of the marriage, four sons and four daughters, all of who are in good positions in England.

Ned had a host of good stories always ready to tell of people and happenings in Berwick up to fifty years ago. The high times old angling cronies had in Mrs Tim’s and Taffy Jack’s hostelries were well worth preserving, but as the families of the worthies who used to foregather are still in the town, silence is best.

GLENDALE PLOUGHING AND HEDGE CUTTING COMPETITIONS

The interesting ploughing and hedge-cutting competitions promoted by Glendale Agricultural Society will be held at Doddington, weather permitting, on Thursday, 8th January, when it is anticipated there will be keen competition in all classes. There are five classes in all for ploughing, prizes being offered for work done by any type of plough, swing ploughs and wheel ploughs. Special prizes are also offered for best start, finish, and two classes for hedge-cutting and laying, and all the North- country experts are certain starters.

THE STORM ON THE BORDERS

FLOODS AND DAMAGE BY GALE

Though Berwick and the surrounding districts got off comparatively lightly in the great storm of wind and rain which swept the country at the weekend, other parts of the blast, and damage was done in several occasions.

The Tweed rose rapidly inconsequence of torrential rain in the West country, and at Melrose it was said to have risen like a wall of water. Many portions of low lying haugh and fields abutting the river, were under water and scenes at the caulds and salmon ladders were such as not to be readily forgotten.

At the river flood gauge near the Chain Bridge the water rose to about three-quarters of an inch below the abnormal mark of the flood of some seven years ago. Numbers of spawned salmon, sickened by the density of the flood were noted about the shallows, turning on their backs. Large quantities of fencing and fallen timber were washed down the river, to provide a welcome Yule log for the poor, who were out by times to see what was going. The Tweed got above its banks in the vicinity of Horncliffe and Norham and flooding took place.

Union Chain Bridge, c.1900’s. Ref: BRO 426/1137

The river was at its highest flood level in the early hours of Sunday morning, and it is still running big and red.

Monday night saw a repetition of the gale, though rain hardly fell in such quantities. A stiff breeze was blowing about eight o’clock in the evening and this steadily freshened until it blew a gale towards midnight. Some damage was done to old properties in the town, slates and chimney tops being shaken from their fastenings. Wireless aerials too came in for a rough handling with the blast. A heavy blast of rain laid the wind considerably ere morning.

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