Northumberland Archives

BERWICK NEWSPAPERS, 1923

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 6 JULY 1923

BOYS’ BRIGADE LIFE AT SEAHOUSES

LIEUT.-COL. PARMETER INSPECTS

On the glistening ridge of the Northumberland coast at Seahouses, some three hundred sturdy specimens of British youth, members of the Newcastle Battalion Boys’ Brigade, radiant and ruddy from training under canvas, were on Thursday inspected and congratulated by Lieut.-Colonel N. L. Parmeter, T.D.

The lads, who are under the command of Cadet Lieut.-Colonel Gerald A. France, were drawn up in line as Lieut.-Colonel Parmeter, who was accompanied by Captain Waugh, of the Territorial Association, arrived. The “march past” and saluting of the flag was carried through, and in addition to noting the personal turn-out of the unit, the Lieut.-Colonel witnessed a smart display of battalion drill and a squad exhibition of physical training under Lieut. Tocock.

Seahouses, Main Street c.1900. Reference: BRO 426-1208

Addressing the boys, Lieut.-Colonel Parmeter expressed his appreciation of the efficiency he had discovered upon his first visit as inspecting officer for the county. Such training, he observed, was of fine assistance in after-life, and not the least valuable influence was that of discipline. The brigade was controlled by voluntary officers who, he reminded them, devoted great time and effort towards the welfare and upliftment of the lads, and he urged the latter to realise that fact and to show their appreciation by their actions and behaviour.

Other battalion officers present at the inspection were Cadet major W. Lunn, M. C., Cadet-Captain and Adjutant N. Stewart, and Cadet. Major F. R. H. Laverick (medical officer).

Apart from the essential duties and precautions, the brigade members during the week were granted the maximum amount of freedom. Swimming parties were organised under competent charge, and in the afternoon and evening leave was invariably given. There were multifarious attractions in the camp itself. An inter-company football competition was held. A route march to the picturesque castle at Bamburgh proved a red-letter event, and a small excursion sailed round the Farnes. The inhabitants of the village too were treated to a camp concert in the large marquee.

LOCAL NEWS

An attractive Guide Book to Berwick-on-Tweed has been published under the auspices of the Town Council by Martin’s Printing Works. The guide, which is well advertised and illustrated, hives an interesting historical account of the town, and gives much valuable information to the visitor. There is also a few notes on the industrial side of the town and the necessity of an improved harbour is emphasised.

The Following are the official figures of unemployment in Berwick and district for the past week: Berwick, 288 men ( last week 227),  3 boys ( last week 1 ), 53 women ( last week 26), 3 girls (2 last week); Coldstream, 12 men (13 last week), 2 women ( 1 last week ); Duns, 13 men ( 16 last week), 3 women ( same as last week); and  Eyemouth, 49 men (same as last week), 2 boys ( same), 115 women (same), and 4 girls (same).

How traffic on a railway may become dislocated as a result of a minor mishap was demonstrated on Thursday last at Berwick station when the points of the up line near the signal cabin on the Bridge went wrong. What made matters worse was that a large crowd of Sunday School children, who were to have gone from Berwick Station with the afternoon train, were held up until repairs were effected. Golfers going with the slow to Goswick were also held up, and after waiting about the platform they discovered a “relief train” had run from Tweedmouth leaving them stranded. They however managed to get to Goswick by motor.

Berwick Railway Station early 1900s. Reference: BRO 1636-10-013

The annual report of the directors of the Berwick and Tweedmouth gaslight Company, which has just been issued, states that the works and plant during the past year have been maintained in good order and repair. The nett profit realised is £1327 3s 2d; of this sum the directors recommend that £1086 be disbursed as a dividend. The dividend warrants will be sent out on July 25th, and the bankers will pay their value on presentation. The directors retiring by rotation are Messrs R. p. Lee, R. R. Riddell, and H. R. Peters. They are eligible for re-election and offer themselves accordingly. The auditor (Mr Stokoe) also solicits his re-appointment.

LAWN TENNIS

Spittal Tennis Club played their return fixture with Belford on Wednesday evening, when Belford ran out winners by 78 games to 71. The visitors were entertained after the match.

The match arranged with Mrs Leather’s team and the Berwick Club for Monday was postponed.

Mrs D. M. Dodds has taken over the secretarial duties of Berwick Tennis Club from Miss K.D. Mackay.

This week’s “Lawn Tennis” gives a description of R. D. Watson’s fight with W. M. Johnston in the singles championship at Wimbledon. Watson is described as a left-handed player with a free style and a penchant for hard hitting and volleying. He was a potential champion some years ago, but never got enough play in championship company. Now he is by no means in his first youth, and having filled out somewhat, has not the staying power he might desire. Nevertheless, he fought a plucky uphill fight, doing better in the first two sets than the score indicated, and compelling the American to go all out to win in the third.

Tennis Courts at Berwick-upon-Tweed. c.1900. Reference: BRO 426-457

The score in this set was at one time 4-2 in Johnston’s favour; it looked to be going 6-2, when Watson, mainly by means of daring drives (equal to Johnston’s best) which often beat the American completely, whether he stayed back or came up, drew level at 4-4 and again at 5-5. Watson then gained the lead at 6-5 and was a little unlucky to lose it, and ultimately the set at 7-9. In the last three games, however; he was pretty thoroughly “cooked.” Johnston must have been glad to find in him such an unexpectedly doughty opponent. The encounter served as a good “turn-up” for harder ones in store.

R.D. WATSON SELECTED

The team chosen to represent England in the International match with Ireland, on July 16 and 17, will include R. D. Watson, the well-known Northumbrian player, who gave an excellent display against W. M. Johnston, the American crack, at Wimbledon last week.

WOOLER GOLF COURSE

EXTENSION TO EIGHTEEN HOLES

FORMAL OPENING

Brilliant weather favoured the formal opening of the extended golf course from one of nine to a full course of 18 holes on Thursday last by Mr Noel Villiers, the president of the Club. There was a large assembly of well-known golfers present from all parts of the county, including representatives from Alnwick, Rothbury, Warkworth, Coldstream, Morpeth, Wallsend, Gosforth, etc., in addition to a strong contingent of local players. Amongst those present were Mr A. B. Collingwood, ….. Tower; Ald. G. G. Rae, C.B.E., both presidents; Dr Dey (Captain), Mrs Dey, Mr T. and Mrs Dodds, Earle; Dr Fulton, Lord Bennett, Chillingham Castle; Mr St. Paul Butler, Berry, Ho. Secretary of the Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs, with which the Wooler Club is affiliated; Mr A. Greathead, Vice-Captain; Mr C. W. Redpath, Hon. Secretary; Mr J. S. Mason, Match Secretary, etc.

In declaring the course open, Mr Villiers briefly described the history of the Wooler Golf Club since its formation in 1893. The late Ald. G. Rea was its first President, Mr A. H. leather Culley its first Captain, Mr R. G. Stewart its first Treasurer, and the present Ald. G. G. Rea acted as Secretary. At that time there were about 70 members, since which it has gone on progressing until now, when it has a membership of over 170. They had been fortunate in their landlords, first the late Earl of Tankerville, then the present Earl and Mr Bruce, who had always treated them very well. They now had to thank Mr T. Dodds for allowing them to play over his land, and who had rendered every assistance to the Club. Thanks, were also due to the Greens Committee and their groundsman on the satisfactory manner in which the course had been laid out, the work of laying the greens and clearing the fairway, etc. Perhaps the greens might not be up to the standard of the old ones, but he expected they would be so by another year. They could congratulate themselves on possessing a beautiful course, which was second to none for its lovely surroundings with the magnificent panoramic views to be obtained. Full advantage had been taken of the natural hazards. Golf had many advantages over other more strenuous games. Having dealt with the introduction of golf into England, Mr Villiers referred to the presence of Mr Harrison, the County Amateur Champion, and said no doubt he and the other players would receive a hearty welcome. He concluded by wishing the club continued success and then drove off a ball at the first tee amid cheers.

Dr Dey, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr Villiers, referred to the valued services rendered to the Club during the ten years he had been president, and on behalf of the members of the Club presented him with an antique silver bowl. Mr Villiers, in reply, said he was much surprised to receive their gift, which would remind him of many pleasant times spent amongst them, and although he was leaving the immediate neighbourhood, he would not be so far away but that he might continue to meet them occasionally. (Cheers)

Subsequently a series of competitions took place, and a feature of the play was the brilliant performance of Mr J. J. Harrison, the Amateur Champion of Northumberland, who went round the 18 holes in 69, or one stroke below bogey, thus winning the scratch prize. The second best was 79, returned by A. Henderson, of the Wooler Club, who is a promising player.

The visitors were entertained to tea by the Wooler members, the tables being presided over by the ladies of the club, who are always ready to render assistance in this or any other manner for the benefit of the Club. The prizes were afterwards presented by Mr R. F. Henderson, and one of the Morpeth representatives viced the feelings of the visitors for the kind hospitality shown them that day, which had been such an enjoyable outing.

DEVICE FOR SPEEDING-UP LOCOMOTIVES

Hailing from the United States, an appliance known as the “Booster,” for the speeding-up of locomotives, is shortly to be adopted for the first time on British railways. The London and North-Eastern Company, says Modern Transport, have decided to instal it on one of their Great Northern “Atlantic” passenger engines working to and from King’s Cross.

The “Booster” consists of a small auxiliary steam engine, which is placed under the footplate of the locomotive. This drives the axle of the small trailing wheels by means of spur gearing. The engine driver admits steam to the “Booster” cylinders when starting a heavy train or when climbing a steep gradient, but when the speed attains about 20 miles per hour, the “Booster” is automatically cut out of action.

Like an automobile in low gear, the “Booster” applies its extra power smoothly, avoiding the jerks that a big engine otherwise must give when getting into motion. It is claimed for the “Booster” that it is as good as an extra pair of driving wheels without their extra weight.

Newcastle Babies Hospital at Blagdon Hall, Stannington, Northumberland, 1939-1944

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This blog has been researched and written by Shelley Lanser, one of the volunteers on our maternity care project. Project volunteers are researching maternity care in Northumberland with particular focus on Castle Hills Maternity Home, Berwick, and Mona Taylor Maternity Home, Stannington. We are also researching in less detail some of the other Maternity Homes in the county. This blog tells the story of the evacuation of Newcastle Babies Hospital to Blagdon Hall during World War Two, an initiative of Lady Ursula Ridley. Lady Ridley was also involved with Mona Taylor Maternity Home, making an address at the opening in 1943.

The project is supported by the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Bright Charity and the Northumberland Archives Charitable Trust. We will be posting more blog content from the project over the coming months. 

The Newcastle Babies Hospital has an interesting history, beginning first as a daycare facility for children whose mothers were working in munitions factories during World War I. It was located in a house at 33 West Parade, on the corner of Westmorland Road, in the west end of Newcastle. It later became a place for aiding sick children, many malnourished, and teaching “Mother Craft” which included teaching mothers how to breast feed. Eventually it was a hospital where doctors performed surgery and where residential facilities were provided for the mothers so they could assist in caring for their sick child; two more houses were acquired to accommodate this need. The hospital was amalgamated into the Royal Victoria Infirmary in 1944.

The medical professional whose name is most prominent in connection with the Babies Hospital is Dr. James Spence, eventually Professor Sir James Spence. Dr. James Calvert Spence held the first Chair of Child Health, which made him the first Professor of Paediatrics in England. He was also a founding member of the British Paediatric Association. His involvement with the Newcastle Babies Hospital provided the foundation for his practice of social paediatrics.  In the last Annual Report of the hospital, in 1945, he reiterated his view that care of children should always include a Paediatrician working along with surgeons and other specialists; also that the mother should be admitted to hospital along with the child. [1]

Ursula Ridley, Viscountess Ridley OBE, wife of Matthew White Ridley, 3rd Viscount Ridley, shared a long history with the Newcastle Babies Hospital. Lady Ridley’s name first appeared in the Annual Report in 1925 as a vice-president and she was asked to join the Hospital House Committee in 1925, after a garden fete she had organised had raised £100. She was elected Chairman in 1930.

Due to the location of the hospital being so close to the Elswick Works of Vickers Armstrong, in 1939 the threat of World War II caused the Committee to consider moving the hospital to another location.  Lady Ridley offered use of a wing at Blagdon Hall. In 1820, a former Lady Ridley had built a 10-bedroomed nursery wing at Blagdon to house her ten children. This wing also had a large nursery at the end of the corridor.  The Ministry of Health agreed this was a suitable location but told them not to move until receiving a telegram instructing them to evacuate. The telegram never arrived and the Committee took the decision to move on the 1st of September, 1939. An out-patient facility remained at West Parade. In 1943, this out-patient facility became part of the Children’s Clinic at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and 33 West Parade reverted to its original function as a day nursery.

The day before the move to Blagdon Hall, estate workmen removed furniture and members of Stannington WI “rallied in force” to scrub the floors and lay lino. On moving day all the cots and beds were brought to Blagdon, followed by nurses and babies transported in the cars of Committee members. Later that day, a Mr. Cowell arrived with a baby requiring immediate surgery for pyloric stenosis. The surgery was performed on a bath rack across a bath with instruments Lady Ridley sterilized in a kettle on the kitchen fire. The patient recovered. Soon after, most of the trained nursing staff had been called up for service and Lady Ridley found herself assisting in an operation performed by Mr. Wardill. The Matron gave encouragement and instructed her to “splash a lot” when she scrubbed up. After this, Lady Ridley had full charge of the theatre and assisted at most all of the operations.

There was no resident House Physician at Blagdon Hall, but an on call rota of doctors made the 20 mile return journey on a weekly basis. One particularly heavy snow storm required digging out the car to go for provisions and found Dr. Spence putting on gum boots to walk to Blagdon. The handicaps of distance, weather and war were somewhat offset by the benefits to the children of the gardens at Blagdon. Mixing the different age groups to create a family atmosphere also aided in the children’s psychological improvement. During the five years the hospital was at Blagdon and in a time before antibiotics, 48 surgeries were performed for pyloric stenosis, with one death; and 44 operations for cleft palate and hare lip, with one death, in an operating theatre that was less than ideal.

Over time, the hospital premises spread from its original wing, ending up with 36 rooms for children and eight single rooms for mothers; over 300 mothers stayed at Blagdon between 1939 and 1944. It had been noted that mothers who were involved with the care of their sick child developed a new competence and confidence compared to mothers who weren’t able to leave their other family commitments to stay at the hospital. This involvement of mothers was a feature of children’s hospital care that was to continue after the hospital became part of the Royal Victoria Infirmary.

On the evening of 22 August 1944, a fire broke out in the hospital wing at Blagdon Hall, necessitating removal of all the children. Dr Spence happened to be on site and he was aided by two R.A.F. men who saw the smoke from the Great North Road and came to help. The children were sent to other hospitals the next day but a few months later the Blagdon hospital was able to re-open with places for 12-14 long stay cases aged between one and seven years. However, in October 1943, the Sister in charge, Sister McFarland, had to retire due to ill health. A Sister Woodward came out most days from the Royal Victoria Infirmary, but after she also retired it was no longer practical to continue the unit. The Newcastle Babies Hospital at Blagdon was formally amalgamated into the Royal Victoria Infirmary in 1944.

Nearly all the information in this post comes from a book written by Lady Ursula Ridley, The Babies Hospital2. This book was privately printed and presented to Lady Ridley by the Board of Governors of the United Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals in 1956, when Lady Ridley was still Chairman of the Babies Hospital House Committee. This presentation was on the occasion of a visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother to the Babies Hospital on October 31 of that year.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Calvert_Spence, accessed 27 June 2023.

2. Ridley, Ursula, The Babies Hospital, Andrew Reid and Company, Strawberry House, Newcastle, 1956.  ZRI 85 [NRO 12793]

Image Ref: ZRI 85

BERWICK NEWSPAPERS, 1923

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BERWICK JOURNAL, 21ST JUNE 1923

DEATH OF JOHN DICKSON

The death took place on Friday night at his residence in West End, Tweedmouth, of Mr John Dickson, a native of Edinburgh, but a resident of Tweedmouth for 23 years. Deceased, a butcher to trade, was an ex-Cameron Highlander, before coming to Berwick, and was engaged for some years with an imported meat firm in High Street, Berwick. When war broke out in 1914 he joined the KOSB.’s straight away on the 9th of August, and was soon on the Western Front, taking part in many important engagements, as he also did in Russia before the termination of the loop drawn out campaign. He was once gassed, and on another occasion had both feet frozen, and used to think even with these troubles, that he had come through the great ordeal very fortunate compared to thousands of others. Since demobilisation he has been less fortunate in keeping himself in regular employment, and at one time signed on to go with the Government War Graves Department, where bodies were being exhumed on the open battlefields and decently interred in specially prepared cemeteries, where it is now possible for relatives of deceased to go and find the graves of their dear ones. Mr Dickson was there 12 months, the full period of his engagement. He also served for some time at the KOSB. Depot in the Barracks, cutting and distributing meat rations to the soldiers. Latterly he found employment with the L. and N.E.R. Coy. at Tweedmouth, as a mason’s labourer, but with many others was discharged some time ago under the plea of economy, and redundancy of staff. Although only in his 44th year he has had a very chequered career, but proved himself a straight Britisher all through, willing to fight for the Empire, or work for an honest living whenever opportunities presented themselves either way, but like so many of our ex-service me, the privilege to work was often denied him. He was married to the 3rd daughter of the late Wm. Dryden, West End, Tweedmouth, the famous oarsman who rowed at Tweedmouth Feast Regatta for 50 years and was presented with a beautiful clock from the late Ald. Robt. Marshall, to commemorate his Jubilee as an oarsman on the Tweed. For some time past he has been in failing health, and seven weeks ago he took to bed, and never again rallied, death taking place as stated above on Friday night last from heart failure. Deceased was interred on Monday afternoon in Tweedmouth Cemetery, with full military honours. A detachment of KOSB from the Depot were present, comprising firing party, pall bearers, pipers and following party, while the coffin was covered with the Union Jack. There was also a large following of the general public, amongst them being many ex-service men. Amongst the relatives were deceased’s father, brother and sister, from Edinburgh, Mr Robt. Lowe, Mr John. Murray (Brothers-in-law), Mr Wm. Murray (East Ord), Mr Wm. Murray, jun., Mr John Murray, jun., Mr John Brigham carried out the duties of undertaker; while Rev, P. G. Peacocke, Vicar, officiated at the burial. Deceased leaves behind a widow and family of 5, 2 of whom are still at school; and to the bereaved ones we now tender our sincere sympathy in their sad loss.

BERWICK BARRACKS ACCIDENT

WELL-KNOWN INSTRUCTOR INJURED

On Tuesday, while C.S.M. Brisbane, K.O.S.B., was instructing recruits in the Gymnasium at Berwick Barracks, and was demonstrating the back heel kick from a high bar, he slipped and fell to the ground, landing on his head. He was rendered unconscious for some time. The medical Officer examined him, and it is

Fuller’s engraving of Berwick Barracks 1799. BRO 1637-04

satisfactory to learn that no bones are broken. It will be some time before C.S.M. Brisbane is out and about again. He came from the 2nd Batt. To the Depot in April, 1922, and is a fine soldier. He id well-known golfer on Berwick Town Course. We wish for him speedy and complete recovery.

TWEEDMOUTH GETS MORE HOUSES

Good progress is now being made with the erection of the new houses on the site at the top of Sunnyside, Tweedmouth, on Berwick and Scremerston-road. The scheme, which originated with Capt. J. Evelyn Carr, is designed to augment the housing facilities in the Borough, by private enterprise. A site, capable of accommodating 8 houses, has been purchased, and 2 houses are at present being erected, and will be ready at an early date.

The accommodation of the houses is: Living room, scullery, pantry, coal house, bathroom, and 3 bedrooms. Each house has a veranda and is fitted with hot and cold water. The living room is 16 feet by 12 feet 6 ins. The houses are made of rock faced blockers to the sill course and rough cast above. They have a coronet projecting over the eaves, and the roofs are tiled.

The view the site commands is an admirable one, and will, it is expected, appeal both to Berwick people and workers at Scremerston. All the fittings in the houses will be of the latest design, and everything is planned out for the convenience of the housewife.

The houses will be of the non-parlour type and, we understand, will qualify for the Government subsidy. If that is the case they will be cheap houses for the purchasers

Contractors for the scheme are: Builders, Messrs P. Whitlie and Sons; plasterer, Mr D. Watson; plumber, Mr Staple; painter, Mr Little. Messrs Patterson and Gray are the architects.

SAM LEWIS AND MR LAMBETON

SAM LEWIS

Sam Lewis, the great money-lender, once did a very considerate thing for Hon. Geo. Lambton- he had him arrested and lodged for 24 hours in Holloway Gaol. Mr Lambton naturally did not at the time realise the act was prompted by a friendly spirit. But 2 years later he learned the motive. Rather against his inclination he had been going to Canada to start a new course of life, and Lewis, his principal creditor, on learning this, had him stopped at Liverpool, and made it a condition of his release that he should promise not to leave England. Thus Mr Lambton was restored to a racing career- to the subsequent gratification of all lovers.

MR LAMBTON

Mr Lambton, who is brother of Hon. F. W. Lambton, Fenton, Wooler, tells what Mr Lewis, and “Why he had Me Arrested,” Mr Lambton says – Mr Lewis played very important part in my life, as one action of his probably altered the whole course of it. At last, the time had come when I was stone broke with no money left. No man was ever so fortunate in an elder brother as I was , but there was a limit even to his endurance, and after having saved me many times in my financial difficulties he arranged that I should go out to Canada, where my uncle, Lord Lansdowne, was Governor-General, as a member of his staff, so that my affairs could be straightened out and myself settled down to a more useful life. On the afternoon of my departure for Liverpool to join the boat I was arrested and taken to Holloway Gaol in the suit of Mr Lewis, who was my principal creditor, under the law of “Ne exeat regno.” After 24 hours I was released on giving my word that I would not leave England, so my Canadian trip was knocked on the head. At the time I was greatly surprised at Lewis’s action and thought he had behaved badly, and it was not till 2 years later that he told me the true history of the affair.

Ford Castle, Ref: BRO 426-1025

It was this on hearing the rumour that I was being sent to Canada he went to Marcus Beresford (a member of Waterford Family, who once owned Ford Castle, Berwick), who was a great friend of mine, and asked him if it was true and also if I really wanted to go myself. Marcus said yes, but that I hated the idea of leaving England, and that in his opinion I was quite unsuited to the life that I was intended to lead there, so Sam said, “Well, I shall stop him going, but it must be a secret between us two,” and until Sam told Marcus never breathed a word to me.

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