BERWICK ADVERTISER, 8TH AUGUST 1926

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BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

THURSDAY

Before the Mayor, Major A. Tower Robertson, T. Purves, Ald. T. Wilson, W, T. Hofarth, H. Lockhart, and J. Peacock, Esqs.

THE THIRD REQUEST

Capt. A. F. Watt made application for a dancing licence from 11.30 pm to 1am on 6th August for the Palais de Danse at Spittal. The bench pointed out that this was the third request. Capt. Watt said he had had a special request from some people from Galashiels.

1852 Map- Section of Spittal

Supt. Shiel objected as he thought they were just the ordinary dances. He was informed that after 11 o’clock one night there were only 4 couples or so in the place. Late hours at such a place in his opinion were not in the best interests.

A SCRAP

John Flannigan, Hatters Lane, Berwick, was charged with unlawfully assaulting and beating John Lyall, 94 Castlegate, Berwick, on 28th July.

George Flannigan, another hawker, residing at the same address was similarly charged.

Mr W. S. A. Robinson of Mr Smith’s office appeared on behalf of the complainant, and Mr. H. R. Peters appeared for defendants who pleaded guilty.

John Lyall, a carter, said Flannigan’s stable was next to his stepfather’s. On Wednesday shortly after 2pm, John Flannigan’s car came into the yard. He came into the stable and said, “Shift the b—– carts out of the road” Complainant shifted Flannigan’s cart and his own cart further back. When complainant was trying to move the carts, Flannigan said he was “as weak as a b——kitten.” That led to words and Flannigan offered to fight him. He then struck him in the mouth. The other Flannigan then rushed forward and accused complainant of aggravating an old man. He thereupon struck him (Lyall) and knocked a tooth out. Roland, his stepfather was brought on the scene.

Mr Robert Roland, master carter, 74 Castlegate said when coming down to his stable he met his stepson who made a complaint. He went to the stable and asked G. Flanningan why he had struck the boy. He replied “He was too b—– impudent. He deserved it.” He did not challenge the Flannigan’s to fight.

Thos. Jas. Mills, 38 Bridge Street, aged 12, a schoolboy said in company with Lyall and another companion he was in the stable yard and witnessed the assault.

Geo. Flannigan said Lyall and his father had words. He then saw Lyall square up to his father, and he struck Lyall with the flat of his hand. The latter returned with his stepfather, and he told him he had struck Lyall because he had threatened to strike his father.

Mr Peters suggested that the trouble arose through Lyall refusing to move the carts.

The bench after consideration found both the defts guilty but decided to deal with the under the first offenders Act. They would be bound over in the sum of £20 for six months.

WOOLER

BANK HOLIDAY

Something like record crowds visited Wooler over the weekend, all the hotels, etc., being crowded, and beds were almost impossible to obtain. The numbers arriving by motors, chara-a-bancs, cycles, etc., caused the town to be unusually busy. On Sunday at mid-day, the Pegswood Brass Band enlivened the place with selections of music in the Market Place, which was listened to by a considerable crowd. In the evening the

Main Street, Wooler. Ref No: BRO 426/1228

Amble Symphony Orchestra also rendered a fine selection in the Market place, which was highly appreciated. The streets were very animated on Monday, the motor traffic being exceptionally heavy. The various amusements were well patronised, the golf course, bowling green and tennis courts al being fully occupied. Picnic parties and trips to places of interest attracted others. At night, a good company attended the movies at the Drill Hall. Fortunately, the weather was ideal all through the weekend.

TENNIS DANCE

The annual summer dance in connection with the Wooler Tennis Club took place in the Archbold Hall on Thursday night last. The Hall was tastefully decorated, and quite a large number attended, including a number of visitors to the town. The music was provided by Matt Bagnall’sNewcastle Orchestra, which gave every satisfaction. The general arrangements of the committee under the superintendence of Mr. E.

Archbold Hall, Wooler
Archbold Hall, Wooler, pictured in 1911. The building was demolished in the late 20th Century. Ref: BRO 426/1225

Middleton, hon. Secretary were faultless. Messrs. T. Newton and J. Mills acted as M. C’s, and Mesdames Newton and Greathead were in charge of the supper room. The proceedings were quite a success.

DAYLIGHT CINEMA VAN AT WOOLER

A Daylight Cinema Van which is touring the Berwick Division under the auspices of the Berwick-upon-Tweed Division Conservative and Unionist Association, visited Wooler on Friday last. The van stood in the Market Terrace, and Mr. Courtnay from the Central Office delivered addresses before fairly large audiences. Films were shown of colonial scenery, eminent statesmen, including Mr. S. Baldwin, at work, etc.

BERWICK JOURNAL, 1ST JULY 1926

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ROUND THE TOWN, NOTES AND COMMENTS

(BY THE MAN IN THE STREET)

OUR ROADS – When a town like Berwick has so many motorists passing through the authorities should see to it that the roads are in a fair condition at least. A motorist frequently judges a town by its road and if Berwick is ever so judged, it must have an unenviable reputation. Despite what one or two tradesmen are fond of declaring, the visitors to Berwick are certainly a source of revenue to the inhabitants of the town, and a fairly considerable source, so that Berwick should take care to make the town attractive.

Early 1900s photograph of Berwick High Street, from the Scotsgate Arch. Ref No: BRO 1636-2-9

The remarks of some motorists who have had the painful experience of driving down Castlegate and Marygate, would make the ears of the Councillors burn. Castlegate as far Scotsgate is, I understand, practically a County road, but it can be repaired by the Berwick Council which has to pay part of the cost. Bridge Street, another shocking street, is so narrow that the authorities contend it cannot be repaired without stopping all the traffic, which could not be diverted along the quay without breaking the bank of the river. So, Bridge Street, at any rate, has to remain unrepaired until the new bridge is across the river. I suspect also that Castlegate will not be repaired until just before the new ay is opened up; meanwhile Berwick will be getting a bad name for itself.

METHUSELAH– Berwick is said to be behind the times in many ways. One of these ways came to my notice this week. A lady at present staying in the town wished to have a little more information about Berwick, and so, going to a shop that carries on business as a newsagent among other things, she askes for a guide to Berwick. She paid the sixpence asked and walked out. She became quite delighted with Berwick. According to the Guide, steamship trips were running from the old quay to Holy Island, the Farnes, Dunbar and other delightful parts. Another advertisement informed one of the interesting fact that pottery was made at Scremerston. Unfortunately, when the lady happened to glance at the date of the guide, she found it had been printed in 1907. I am not sure if they were right in supplying that guide at the shop, but it is another of those little things that give the town a name for being second class.

Photograph of the Berwick Quayside early 1900s
Ref No: BRO 1636-5-6

CAFEITIS – This is a strange modern disease which has already got many of the city workers in its grip and which is slowly becoming prevalent in Berwick. Inmost cases the disease commences with unmistakable symptoms in the neighbourhood of 11 in the morning. Then, those workers in the happy position of be able to slip away from work for fifteen minutes glance furtively at the clock. At the stipulated time they unobtrusively don a hat and saunter out into the street and into one of the excellent cafes that have recently sprung up in Marygate. Here they sit and chat for 15 minutes, sipping coffee and smoking a cigarette. After this they return to work and despite the break get through all their business by the time the lunch hour arrives and do it better than before being smitten with this pleasant malady. There are those in Berwick who fancy this morning coffee habit is a sign of slackness or wasting time. I rather disagree; the short break has the same effect as playtime does on school children; it freshens one, sharpness one’s faculties and is such a change for routine workers that the daily round becomes imbued with more life. Berwickers have not developed the habit to a great extent, but from recent observations I am inclined to think that it is a habit that will become as popular here as it already is in the cities.

Early 1900s photograph of Marygate, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Berwick Record Office, BRO 1636-3-16

A MOTHERS’ MEETING – The meeting of the Guardians to discuss Porr Law Reform was little better than a mother’s meeting. After talking for a solid hour, one suggestion was adopted and absolutely nothing was done about the matter for which the Board really met. The meeting was the strongest argument. I have ever heard in favour of the abolition of Guardians; not one of those present properly understood the matter, one or two confessed their ignorance and others displayed it. Moreover, this is a matter that the Board should have considered and arrived at a decision upon months ago; most of the boards throughout the country considered the matter at the end of October or the beginning of November last. There was one Board which considered the matter earlier than any other Board and decided all Boards should be abolished- and then retracted at the next meeting and decided they should not. As it is, Berwick Board has now put off discussing the question until July 19. There seems a chance that some decision may be arrived at then although it seems to me that the Board cannot spend its time to any purpose because the Reform is coming, whichever way they decide, and all they can usefully do is to suggest means of operating the new machinery.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 3RD JUNE 1926

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THE COAL CRISIS

LORD JOICEY ATTRIBUTES IT TO 7 HOUR DAY

The survey of the coal situation made by the Lord Joicey at the annual meeting of the Newcastle and Gateshead Chamber of Commerce- when he was unanimously re-elected president- is worthy of special attention.

“I do not think,” he said, “that many people really know the cause of the coal trouble. In my judgement, it was caused chiefly by the passing of the Seven Hours Act in 1919, which compelled coal owners to employ 280,000 extra men without getting a single ton of increased production. It meant an addition to the weekly pay bill of about £500,000 or £26,000,000 per annum, equal to 2s per ton on 260,000,000 tons.

“Our own concern,” continued Lord Joicey, “paid in rates and taxes a sum of £34,932 in 1914. Last year we paid £48,255, National health and unemployment insurance cost us £59,483 last year, as compared with £8,150 in 1914, whilst the Welfare Fund, to which we paid nothing in 1914, cost us £18,208 last year.”

Ref No: BRO 1944/1/2251/7 Blackhill Colliery

Between 1914 and 1925 the rates of Durham County were increased by over £700,000, and this with the 2s per ton already mentioned, meant an additional cost of about 3s 3d on each ton of coal produced. Instead of reducing expenditure as they promised, members of the Government added to it. “This expenditure by the Government and by local authorities must be curtailed if we are to see business improve.” “I do not believe in subsidies,” said Lord Joicey, reverting to the coal problem. “No industry can be carried on for any length of time excepting on an economic basis. In 1919, the Seven Hours Act played havoc with us, and in 1921 we fixed wages on a reasonable figure. In 1924 we gave an advance of 10 per cent.

“What we have done in connection with the present difficulty is this:

We have offered to revert to the eight hours day with a reduction of 10 per cent in wages- to take off the 10 per cent given in 1924. The wages in Northumberland and Durham have always been fixed in accordance with the prices ruling but having got under the national system the men refuse to recognise that, and the result is that the coal trade, in all exporting areas, is being carried on at a great loss.

“ I feel sure that the national system of fixing wages is noy one that will commend itself to the exporting districts.

“I always regret that we, have not settled with our own men in Northumberland and Durham. We have got on very well with them, and there has always been good feeling between us.

I feel quite sure that if we had an opportunity of dealing with our own men we should in all probability have come to some arrangement that would have enabled us, at any rate, in the North to carry on the export trade.

COAL RATIONING ORDERS

Information has been received by the Town Clerk from the Mines department, in regard to the coal emergency. This is to the effect that the supply of caol for household purposes is now absolutely prohibited, unless authorised by a permit in writing form the local authority, or unless it is purchased in small parcels not exceeding 28 lbs a week which are taken away by the purchaser. The quantity authorised by a permit must not exceed 1 cwt. per fortnight, unless a greater quantity is justified by exceptional circumstances, the nature of which must be shown on the permit.

As a general rule, apart from hospitals, and similar institutions, permits for household coal should be issued only where there are no means of cooking food, except by coal fire, or in case of sickness or infirmity.

THE SCREMERSTON MINERS APPEAL

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Sir- It is a matter for regret and anxiety that, so far, no settlement has been reached in the coal trade dispute. Every generous mind sympathies with the miner in is present plight. Whatever the merits of the case it is clear that the longer the struggle lasts the deeper and more acute will be the sufferings among poor families. No true hearted man or woman can look on without feelings of distress especially in view of the unmerited hardships which innocent boys and girls will have to endure, unless Christian charity springs to their aid.

Ref No: BRO 515-209 Scremerston Colliery

The great need of our age is Good Will and Love. It would be a disaster of the first magnitude if the boys and girls in the coal fields (who will be the workers and wives in a few years) should learn bitterness and hate at this time through hunger and want.

We, the undersigned, have been authorised by the local branch of the Miners’ Union to issue this appeal for help to all men and women of good will and charity in the district. Please send donations immediately. Help is urgently needed. The Union funds are exhausted. The money will be disbursed to needy cases only. Every contribution will be thankfully received and acknowledged by Rev. J. Lightfoot, Vicarage, Scremerston, or Rev. Roy Russell, 4 Warkworth Terrace, Berwick.

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