Northumberland Archives

Not just Beef and Plum Pudding!

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The traditional image of Christmas Day in the workhouse is of inmates sitting down to beef and plum pudding. Reports in local newspapers confirmed this but also highlighted that there were many more treats and gifts provided by local shop keepers and wealthy patrons.  

The Morpeth Herald reported that Christmas 1864 was a very happy one in Morpeth workhouse. A Christmas tree was exhibited for the entertainment of the children and was laden with oranges, apples and sweetmeats of various kinds. After they had feasted on the pretty vision of the tree, the fruits were distributed to the excited infants. Mr Robert Oliver, baker of the town, proudly presented each inmate with a piece of his ’monster loaf’.

The Hexham Courant reported on workhouses in Hexham, Rothbury and Haltwhistle. In 1877, the children of Hexham workhouse enjoyed a treat of tea and oranges provided by the Waddilove family of the parish. The festivities took place in the boys school room which was decorated in a neat and tasteful manner with holly, evergreens and Chinese lanterns. On Christmas Day, the Hexham inmates received an unexpected treat after lunch. The band of the Hexham Rifle Corps, on their way back from a performance, entered the workhouse yard. To the great delight of inmates, they played a selection of music ending with Auld Lang Syne. The following year, it was agreed by the Hexham Guardians to give the inmates a tea on New Years Day instead of beer with their Christmas Dinner. This was readily welcomed by all. 

The Morpeth Herald reported that Alnwick workhouse enjoyed a happy Christmas in 1888. There was the usual dinner of beef and plum pudding, but residents were also given sweets. Smokers were gifted tobacco and those who didn’t smoke received tea and sugar. All children received sweetmeats and oranges. In the evening, all inmates were treated to tea with fruit and cakes which was followed by musical entertainment. The children received toys, cakes and buns and all the older inmates were given a glass of punch at the close of the evening. 

In 1889, residents of Haltwhistle workhouse were reported to have received their usual Christmas breakfast treat of fruit loaf, cheese, tea and coffee. Dinner was the usual beef and plum pudding then after the meal, there was entertainment in the dining room which had been beautifully decorated for the occasion. Inmates were treated to a performance of Little Red Riding Hood by Miss Saint’s Sunday School class. After the show there was singing and dancing then a tea similar to breakfast finished off the lovely day. 

In December 1903, there was a lovely treat for the younger members of Alnwick workhouse. Her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland gave an afternoon tea and gifted a Christmas tree to the children. The tea took place in St. Michael’s Guild Room in Alnwick and 25 children were present under the supervision of the Matron and the School Superintendent. They had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and received gifts of sweets and toys. Her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland, Lady Margaret and Lady Victoria were present during the festivities. 

In 1904, to go with the beef and plum pudding, Alnwick inmates also feasted on mutton, pork and mince pies. Half a barrel of ale was supplied by the Alnwick Brewery Company and Messrs T. Dixon & Son, Confectioners, supplied all the children with sweets. The Duke’s forester sent evergreens for the adornment of the dining hall. Mrs Bosanquet of Rock Hall sent a Christmas letter conveying seasonal greetings and words of encouragement and hope for the future. Lady Margaret and Lady Victoria Percy gave presents of cake, tobacco and flowers. 

BERWICK JOURNAL, 3RD DECEMBER 1925

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BOARD OF GUARDIANS

Xmas Presents For Poor Children

Miss Greet said that Miss Henderson and Mrs. Millar were collecting subscriptions of 1s from the Guardians for Christmas presents for the children in the Workhouse. Mrs. Millar would take the subscription.

It was agreed on the suggestion of Miss Greet that the annual additional Christmas relief be given to the outdoor poor.

Christmas and New Year Dinner

The Clerk said they would require to appoint a Committee to look after the question of the Christmas an New Year’s Day dinners

Mr. Bolas moved accordingly.

Capt. Collingwood said he would like to move that they follow the old custom. every inmate received a glass of beer on Christmas Day.

Mr. Summerfield said the custom was to give them a pint.

Mr. Clerk said he was very much against the Guardians providing any inmates with liquor. They should not encourage drink.

Mr. Walker said he would support Mr. Summerfield and give them a pint of beer.

Capt. Collingwood said the Guardians supplied the Christmas dinner and there was a subscription taken for the New Year’s dinner.

Mr. Bell said he wished to know whether it was a free gift or if it came off the rates

Miss Greet- It was provided by the Board at Christmas.

Capt. Collingwood said he wishes to say onward. people in the house got what they wanted in the past. he thought one glass of beer on Christmas Day would do no harm to anybody. he thought a glass of beer just makes all the difference to their Christmas.

Mr. Bradford asked how many in the house would take a pint of beer.

Mr. Banks- 50 all told.

Capt. Davidson said it was hardly fair to take it off the inmates.

A vote was taken and resulted 6 off the rates and 15 against.

Capt. Collingwood said seeing there was no generosity about them he asked if they would accept the offer from him to supply the liquor.

CHRISTMAS CHEER

Dr. Saleeby writes- It would be swell for most of us, dietetically as well as economically, if dried fruits, particularly sultanas, currants and raisins, were to play a larger part in our diet. For this reason I am pleased to see effort is being made to induce British house wives to use Australian fruits this year for their Christmas puddings.

The grape, the fruit of the vine, is an age-long friend of man, if rightly used. It notably retains its virtues when dried; the water is gone, but the precious ingredients-chief among them sugars, a prime source of energy and heat-remain. Sultanas, raisins, and currants are highly to be commended for their rich food value and digestibility, and we are fortunate in being able to obtain large supplies of them from Australia, where our British ideas and sanitary conditions obtain.

The Christmas pudding is a most nutritious innocent, and digestible achievement of the culinary art, and I have never discovered why we can only have it once a year. Those who say it is indigestible forget that, before we reach it, most of us have already eaten too much; the pudding is not to blame. the various dried forms of grape are amongst its most agreeable and beneficial ingredients, ad I only wish all grapes were so wisely used.

SNOW, FROST, THUNDER and LIGHTNING

On Friday morning the inhabitants of Berwick were surprised to see a flash of lightening and to hear a loud peal of thunder.

On Sunday morning and afternoon there were heavy falls of snow and the district was covered in snow. The frost broke, however on Sunday night, and much of the snow had disappeared by Monday morning.

The “blizzards,” the culminating achievements of the month, began in the small hours of Wednesday, when a storm burst out of the North-East and swept the Cheviots. From that morning till Sunday afternoon frost and snow have been alternating, the snow being for the most part, drifted by strong wind. In the country there were scenes that reminded one of old-time Christmas cards.

The roads were badly blocked in the Alnwick district. Vehicles wee stranded in snow drifts and had to be dug out.

Two charabancs left Alnwick for Felton on Saturday night, but had not got very far before they were embedded in a deep bank of snow. Help was secured, and the vehicles were dug out. The shivering occupants had to return to the market town, where they were stranded until the road was forced at midnight. The snow ploughs were kept constantly at work. roads to the surrounding villages were in an even worse state, snow lying hedge high. Motors and horse drawn vehicles were frequently trapped in the snow, and volunteers were kept hard at work digging them out.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 5TH NOVEMBER 1925

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BERWICK WAR MEMORIAL

FINAL MEETING OF COMMITTEE

What may be regarded as the final meeting of the War Memorial Committee was held on Wednesday last, 28th October. The Mayor presided, and there were present Councillors Bolus and Robertson, Dr W. B. Mackay, Mr R. Dickinson, Mr D. Hebenton, Mr J. W. Boal, Mr P. M. Henderson, Mr J. W. Carmichael (Hon. Treasurer), and Mr J. W. Porter (Hon. Secretary).

At the outset the Mayor referred to the death of Mrs Steven, and paid a tribute to the excellent services rendered by her in connection with the raising, through the columns of the “Berwick Journal,” the money required to complete the Memorial. He added that but for the keen interest by her, the Fund, instead of showing a credit balance as was the happy position at present, would probably have indicated a debit balance. In addition, it would not have been possible to provide the improved type of railing, flagging, etc., necessary to complete the Memorial. he moved that a letter of sympathy be sent to Mayor Steven expressing the Committee’s appreciation of the service rendered by her. The Committee agreed to this by standing.

Unveiling of Berwick War Memorial – Ref: BRO 1555-01

The Hon. Treasurer submitted a statement showing a credit balance of £33 9s, and he was instructed to supply to the Press a complete statement after all the accounts have been paid.

It was agreed that the Mayor and Mr Dickinson should be authorised to obtain suitable tubs and trees for the memorial. It was reported that the flagging had been completed, and that steps were taken to have the turf re-laid.

The Secretary intimated that the Mayor elect proposed to lay a wreath on the memorial on Armistice Day, and that a short service would be conducted by the vicar of Berwick. It was agreed that as the memorial was now practically completed, the Mayor, as Chairman of the Committee, should hand over to the Mayor-elected at the conclusion of the ceremony the key of the gate leading to the Memorial.

Dr Mackay moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor for the services rendered by him in connection with the War Memorial, and intimated it was pleasing that the Memorial should be completed and free from any financial liability during his year of office. He also moved a vote of thanks to Councillor Bolus, who had taken an active interest in the Fund during the years he held office as Mayor.

A vote of thanks was also passed to the Hon. Secretary and the Hon. Treasurer for the services rendered by them.

ARMISTICE DAY AT BERWICK

The Mayor-Elect of Berwick-upon-Tweed, Ald. Alexander Darling, J. P. will place a wreath on the War Memorial at 11am on Armistice Day. It was been arranged to form a procession, which will leave the Town Hall at 10.40am and proceed by Marygate and Castlegate to the War Memorial.

On arrival there the Mayor-Elect will stand at the foot of the steps facing the Memorial, and those accompanying His Worship will form a circle facing the Memorial. The local school children will be in attendance, and the inhabitants of the Borough are cordially invited to be present at the short service, which will be conducted by the Rev. R. W. de la Het, Vicar of Berwick-upon-Tweed, supported by the local clergy and ministers. The Mayor’s Chaplian will deliver a short address. the time table is as follows:

10.40 – Leave Town Hall

10.45 Arrive at War Memorial- Hymn, “O God our help in ages past.” Prayer-The Vicar. Short address by the Mayor’s Chaplain. “The Last Post”

11.00- Silence

11.02-Reveille. It has been arranged for two rockets to be fired, marking the two Minutes’ Silence-one at 11am and one at two minutes past 11. The Chairman of the War memorial Committee (Ald. Wilson will hand over to the Mayor-Elect the key of the gate leading to the Memorial. The National Anthem will be sung and afterwards an opportunity will be given for placing of wreaths on the Memorial. At the conclusion of the National Anthem the Mayor-Elect will return to the Town Hall.

The War memorial has now been completed. The paths have been laid, and the grass inside the circular wall of the War Memorial has been re-laid recently, and the public, in passing round the memorial on Armistice Day are urged to use the paths, and to refrain from walking upon the grass.

FUNERAL OF CAPT. A. R. W. S. CLARK KENNEDY

The funeral of Capt. A. R. W. S. Clark Kennedy, who died at Chillingham on the 14th of October, took place the following Friday there and was attended by his father , General Kennedy, the Earl of Tankerville, Lord Ossulston, the Rev. F. Long of Chatton, Capt. E. G. Pape, Dr Jaboor, of Wooler, and many others. The service was performed by the Rev. Dr Bowick, Vicar of Chillingham, and the grave was covered with wreaths from the Earl and Coutess of Tankerville, Capt. and Mrs Pape, Lord and Lady Ossulston, Mr and Mrs A. Clark Kennedy, Mr and Mrs T. H. Robb, Miss Waddington, Mrs Rutter, Mr Henderson, Nurse Wilson, etc. The deceased officer served in the early part of the late war with the armoured cars, and was present at the battle of Ypres. After being in hospital with a broken arm, he went out to the Dardanelles as an aviator, also on the Egyptian Western Front, and down the Red sea, where he contracted the disease which eventually proved fatal. He was lent to the French command in Morocco at their special request, in order to help to locate the place where the Germans were landing arms to raise the Southern tribes. This was successfully accomplished after several French officers had failed to do so. Capt. Clark Kennedy, who was formerly in the Scots Guards, was in his 42nd year. He is descended from the old family of Kennedy, of Knockgray, in Galloway.

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