How different was life in Northumberland over 100 years ago?
Picking a village in mid-Northumberland – Acklington – I decided to investigate the history of the village to see how different it was in 1900. To do this, I carried out research on the British Newspaper Archive, before heading back into the actual Archives to cast more light on the happenings in the village at this time.
April 1900
Admitted to the School this month were:6
· Lily Davidson of Acklington Station
· Frank [Francis] Birkett of Acklington Station – the son of John and Zenobia; John was the Railway Signalman at the Station
· Dorothy Potts of Acklington – the daughter of Robert and Annie; Robert was the Village Blacksmith
Four baptisms took place at the Church this month:7
· Robert Thomas, son of Adam (Labourer) and Elizabeth Mather, of East House
· Caroline, daughter of James (Shepherd) and Henrietta Jeffery, of East House
· Gladys, daughter of Mary Ann Isabella Parker, single woman, of East House
· John William, son of John (Miner) and Isabella [Clapperton], of Acklington Park
One burial took place in the Churchyard this month:8
· William Clapperton, aged 1 day, of Acklington Park
Another death occurred in the parish on Thursday 26 April. Mr. John F. Brewis of Morpeth was found dead on the path that led from Acklington Station to the River Coquet. He was a keen angler and had gone on Wednesday morning to fish at Felton. More details would be revealed at his inquest in May…
May 1900
The inquest was held at the Railway Hotel in Acklington, and was reported in the Morpeth Herald. Mr. Brewis was 65 years of age, and had left Felton at 7.45pm to catch the last train from Acklington to Morpeth at 8.45pm. His body was found 300 yards from the Station, having died from heart failure, presumably from rushing for the train. Brewis was noted as a talented organist, having been made the organist of Morpeth St. James when he was only 13 years old. He was buried in Morpeth churchyard.
Admissions to the School this month were: 9
· George, Bella and Alexander Davison of Chester House, who had previously attended Felton School
· Edith Hammond of Cavil Head, who had previously attended Ulgham School (cousin of William Smart)
· William E. Smart of Cavil Head, who had also previously attended Ulgham School (cousin of Edith Hammond)
· John and Andrew Johnson of Cavil Head – sons of Samuel and Isabel; Samuel was employed as a Hind at Cavil Head Farm
· William and Thomas Wilson of Morwick, who had previously attended Newham School
Attendance at School is noted as being low, and a special sale was held at the Mart on the 10th which caused several absences.
When the Relief of Mafeking was announced on 16th, the news arrived in Acklington just after 10pm, announced by the ringing of the Church and school bells. The Morpeth Herald reported that the village street became lively, and that on Saturday (the day after news broke), the village was decorated with flags. On the Sunday, a large congregation assembled in the Church, representing nearly all the families in the district. In the School Log Book, it is noted that there was a half holiday on 21st May in honour of the Relief.10
Two baptisms took place at the Church this month:11
· Robert Thomas, son of Elizabeth Robson, single woman, of Acklington
· Francis Susannah, daughter of Margaret Briggs, single woman, of Cavil Head
June 1900
A gathering of cyclists took place in Felton for a Church Parade, in aid of the Felton St. Michael and All Angels restoration fund. 200 cycling clubs were represented, including Acklington’s, and there was a crowd of over 300 cyclists.
School attendance varied this month, and on Friday 8th June, children were given a day’s holiday to celebrate the occupation of Pretoria.12
The London Evening Standard reported the death of Mary Jane Tate, aged 69, second daughter of the late Thomas Tate of Bank House, Acklington. The event had occurred in Durham on the 10th June.
One marriage took place in the Church this month:13
· Marshall Summers, aged 20 years, a Miner of Sunderland, married Helen Summers, aged 17, of Acklington, the daughter of John Summers (Miner)
6 Acklington C of E Admission Register, ref. CES 1/4/2
7 Baptism Register of Acklington St. John the Divine, ref. EP 161/1
8 Burial Register of Acklington St. John the Divine, ref. EP 161/19
9 Acklington C of E Admission Register, ref. CES 1/4/2
10 Acklington C of E Log Book, ref. CES 1/3/1
11 Baptism Register of Acklington St. John the Divine, ref. EP 161/1
12Acklington C of E Log Book, ref. CES 1/3/1
13 Marriage Register of Acklington St. John the Divine, ref. EP 161/26
The building now generally known as Etal Village Hall began its life in 1926 as Etal Peace Commemoration Hall, its construction having been instigated by Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Joicey in memory of those lost during the Great War, and to encourage “Reading and Study, and the promotion of rational Recreation” amongst local residents.
The “Club”, as it is described, was open to people over 16 on an annual subscription basis, and was overseen by a committee made up of some members nominated by Colonel Joicey and others to be elected at an annual meeting.
The larger part of the hall was set up as a games room and contained a billiard table, the smaller section behind the wooden partition was described as “The News Room” and contained books, newspapers, and a “Wireless Receiving Set”. Both were open every weekday from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.! Unsurprisingly, one of the rules specifies “The comfort of readers must not be disturbed by unnecessary noise” Only the person specifically appointed by Colonel Joicey was allowed to move the billiard table or to operate the wireless.
All of these fascinating period details come down to us because the hall is fortunate enough still to possess the original document of Standing Rules and Regulations drawn up for the opening of the hall in January 1926, printed up as a poster and framed for display ever since. It’s a fantastic starting point for the heritage project being undertaken by some members of the current hall committee this year, but they are hoping for more!
Have any of the older members of your family passed down any memories of the early days of Etal Hall? Perhaps you recognize the names of the original committee members whose signatures are still visible at the foot of the rules document? They are: J.L. Weatherhead (Hon. Sec., Treasurer and Librarian) Wm. Mole, J. Tully, A. Wilson, R.Guthrie, Wm Gusthart and T. Wallace.
We are especially interested to find out about how the hall may have been used in the 30s, 40s and 50s, as so far we have very little archival evidence for this period.
Meantime, dear reader, please take note, the next time you attend an event at Etal Hall, as Rule 5 very clearly states: “No gambling or bad language will be tolerated on the premises, and the committee shall have power to suspend or expel any member guilty of misconduct.”
You have been warned!!!
(Please contact Helen Moffit on 01890 820566 if you have any information to offer the project, or email hmoffitsvq@btinternet.com)
In order to secure a Public Hall for Burnmouth, a bazaar is to be held at Berwick. Mr John Anderson, Nulla Ghar, is Chairman of Burnmouth Hall Committee; Mr John Kinross, Schoolmaster, is Secretary; and Mr Thos. Barnfather, Stationmaster, is Treasurer. There are few spots on East Coast that can boast of such natural beauty as Burnmouth Village, mecca of Artists. Facing the sea yet shrinking from it into the shadow of the imposing Berwickshire Cliffs that rise to a height of 200 or 300 feet, stand the red-tiled cottages of the fishing community of this rock-bound coast- rich at every turn with picturesque scenery which Nature has bestowed with lavish hand. In Burnmouth Village there are some 400 inhabitants, and it is proposed the Hall be erected of the benefit of the whole community. By the efforts of the people themselves, about £150 have been raised since last March, and it is hoped the Bazaar in Berwick will make up the amount necessary. The young people, amongst whom are 60 ex-service men, have no place of meeting for recreation and social intercourse, and they have a special claim on public support, if village life is to be quickened, and the evenings made bright after a heavy day’s toil upon the sea. Truly indeed has it been said that the hardy fisherman’s calling in the vasty deep is “Lives o’ men.”
IN AND ABOUT SPITTALSPECIAL AND EXCLUSIVE
TO THE BERWICK JOURNAL
Interest on Sunday afternoon last was largely centred on that part of the foreshore to which the Manure and Gas Works are immediately adjacent; groups of people watched the incoming tide, which being “Spring tide,” and one of the highest of its kind, forced itself with great power against the massive concrete cubes, which Messers McCreath had provided as a barrage against the tide in their efforts to protect their works. So great was the force of the waves that it undermined the foundation of sand and brought the cubes toppling down as if they had been mere paving setts. Men laboured the whole day (Sunday) filling the sand bags and placing them in position, in an endeavour to prevent a further inroad of the unrelenting tide. Messrs Dixon’s works, now discarded, serves only as a breakwater, and while it holds will afford some protection to the works lying behind; but the tide is already running underneath the foundations in places, and a collapse of part of the superstructure at any moment would not be surprising. The angry sea running last week produced a marked effect not only on Dixon’s premises, and the approach to McCreath’s but also to the foreshore of the gas works.
1852 Map, Section showing Spittal
Here the foreshore has been used as a “tip” by the company for years, for the refuse from their works, consequently tons upon tons of rubbish have been banked up to a height of 10 or 15 feet, and this embankment has acted as a breakwater to the works. Gradually this debris, however, is being swept away, hundreds of tons at a time come crashing down under the impetus of the incoming tide, and should the erosion continue, the gas works, which are practically at sea-level will become inundated; indeed, that portion of Spittal lying north of St. Helen’s Terrace would appear to be none too safe from flooding, as the level it occupies is extremely low. The reclaiming of the foreshore now becomes a pressing question. What is needed is a strong concrete wall to form an efficient breakwater, and as a foundation would be difficult owing to the sandy nature of the bottom, such a project would be costly. How is such cost to be borne? Would it pay the proprietors of the several works involved to be at the cost of such a wall and so save their works, or would it pay such proprietors better to remove their works elsewhere?
BRO 426/879 St Helens Terrace, showing Industrial Spittal.
Evidently Messrs Dixon after spending something approaching £1000 in a vain attempt to save their works have thrown up the sponge. Should the remaining proprietors follow Messers Dixon’s lead, then the prospect for Spittal is none too good from the working man’s point of view, as many earn their daily bread in the various works. Is the question of the erection of a wall not one of wider interest than affects the effected property owners merely? Does it touch the Borough? Or wider still the Nation? On whoever the onus does rest, prompt action is necessary. The efforts which Messers McCreath are putting forth the sea is treating as puny, and it looks as if they, like their neighbour Dixon and co, are only spending time and money fruitlessly. Something solid on a substantial foundation is the correct remedy.
LOCAL NEWS
The first German trawler in Tweed Dock since the beginning of October arrived on Sunday last, having come direct from Bremerhaven, which port she left on the previous Friday. The “Dr. Asnas,” of Rostock, she took aboard 120 tons of bunker coal from Scremerston, motor lorries being engaged the whole of Monday conveying the coal from the pit. She left again for the fishing grounds on Tuesday afternoon.
Scremerston Colliery
The Glasgow steamer “Cretan” arrived in the Dock on Monday light, from the north, and sailed again on Wednesday with a cargo of barley, from Messrs H.G. McCreath and Sons. On Tuesday afternoon the schooner “John Sims,” Gloucester, arrived in the Dock in charge of 2 Spittal cobbles up the river. She is from Fewey with a cargo of China clay for Chirnside Paper Mills.
BERWICK’S NEW RAILWAY COY. HAS 7500 ENGINES
There is a stir in railway circles over the colour schemes to be adopted for locomotives and carriages now that uniformity is the order of the day as the result of all great railways of England and Scotland being combined into only 4 groups. Our own Coy., London and North Eastern, has come to a decision in regard to the change, and as its locomotives go through the “shops” for painting or repairing the passenger engines are being turned out in a green livery and goods engines in sober black. In both instances the new “trade mark, “L. & N.E.R.” appears in bold letters on the tender or other suitable position.
London, Midland, and Scottish Railway Coy. alone owns well over 10,000 locomotives and 25,000 passenger vehicles, which is world’s record, while London and North-Eastern possesses more than 7,500 engines and 20,000 “coaching vehicles.”
BERWIC NATIVE IN NEW ZEALAND.
Mr Robt. Kerr, Christchurch, New Zealand, (Native of Berwick-upon-Tweed), writes us from the Colony – Out here we have a large number of men and women out of work, partly owing to so many coming from Overseas, which we workers rightly or wrongly resent. The difficult thing is to find work. Sometimes it means displacing local men, and then comes friction. I think, however, we are in a position to help, as we grow much what we use. But Protection is the workers’ watchword although we have a large Free Trade population. We all love cheapness! The seamen’s dispute has had bad effect on business; they object to a reduction of wages, but most trades have been reduced, no doubt the “bonus” cut of our Civil Servants has cost the Hon. W. F. Massey many seats in the General Election. Labour gained 8 seats, now holding 17 places; Liberals hold 25; and Reform 38 – a great surprise to all Mr Massey lost his majority through the wages cut, but he is an honest man and struggled manfully during the war period to keep our finances in a buoyant state. Had he been a juggler in finance we might have been worse off than we are now. Outlook is good for a bountiful harvest as most crops are looking well. We have an Industrial Exhibition of local industries, showing how much we can make, which is really good. Only many workers today, don’t think they ought to try to excel to make our products worthy of a place in the world’s markets. Instead of indifferent work through carelessness and inefficiency, we now have the opportunity. Our temperance friends left no stone unturned in their endeavour to get National Prohibition, even to bringing “Pussyfoot” Johnson and Dr Mary Armour from America, but all to no purpose – they lost by 16,000 odd votes.
One by one my old Berwick acquaintances out here are dying. I miss my old friend Tom Smail, as he always had some news of the old place. There is a Stoddart family out here who are much interested in Borderland news. They tell me their late father was a great man for fishing.
All good wishes to “Berwick Journal” and North Northumberland News,” and also to “Berwickshire News,” for 1923.
NEW ROAD AT TWEEDMOUTH LIKELY TO BE ABANDONED
The proposal to make a new road at Tweedmouth from the 5 arches through Union Park, is now likely, we understand, to be abandoned. It will be remembered that some months ago the Council decided to purchase for that purpose, from Lady Francis Osborne, Ord House, the field adjoining Union Park, on the north side, extending to 10 acres. The purchase price was about £2,000, the Council agreeing to bear the cost of conveyance. An impasse has risen over the payment of the negotiating fees, claimed by Mr W. J. Bolam, agent for Lady Osborne.
BA-U10-04-02 Tweedmouth Section of the 1852 OS Map for Berwick showing West End, Union Park area.
The sanitary Authority last week agreed to the following report of the Works’ Committee: The Committee further considered the question of the negotiating fees amounting to £42 11s charged by Mr W. J. Bolam in connection with the proposed acquisition of land at Tweedmouth from Lady F. Osborne. The Town Clerk reported that the vendors’ solicitors refused to complete the purchase unless the negotiating fees in question be paid, and it was agreed to recommend the Council to refuse payment of the fees.
Following this decision, Mr Andrew Martin, Tweedmouth Town farm, of whose holding the field in question formed part, began to plough up the land on Tuesday, so that it would seem the negotiating are now definitely broken off.
VIOLENT PRISONER AT SPITTAL
Jas. Allan, engineman, Fowberry Moor, was charged with having been drunk and incapable in Billendean Road at 4 pm on March 3; and also, with doing wilful damage to 15 panes of glass and the frame of the door in the Police cells, to the amount of £2 10s.- Sergt. Barclay said he was motor cycling down Billendean Road when he found Allan lying in a helpless state. He put him into the side car and conveyed him to the Police Station at Spittal. About an hour after Allan had been locked up witness heard a disturbance and on going to the cell, found that Allan had broken 15 panes of glass in the cell window. Later there was another disturbance, and witness found him using the cell bed as a battering ram against the cell door, which was badly damaged.
Supt. Halliday- He was quiet enough on his way to the Police Station. I think the surroundings must not have suited him.
Fined 10s on the first charge, £1 on the second, and ordered to pay the damage, a total of £4.
