BERWICK NEWSPAPERS, 1923

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BERWICK JOURNAL, 12 APRIL 1923

ST. MARY’S CHILDREN’S CONCERT

St. Mary’s Church, Castlegate, 1980’s Ref: BRO 1497-101

On Easter Monday and Tuesday the children of St. Mary’s Berwick, gave a very excellent programme in the operetta “Zurika, the Gipsy Maid, or captive Pricess,” by Clementina Ward. Monday, to a packed house; Tuesday, to a good audience.

The programme each night opened with one verse of God Save the King, with Harry Manuel standing with the Union Jack and calling the audience to attention.

KING AND QUEEN HONOUR BERWICK LADY

The King and Queen have sent autographed portraits of themselves to rev. A. H. Kelk, Rector of Goldsborough, Yorks, and Mrs Kelk, as souvenirs of the christening of the infant son of Princess Mary and Viscount Lascelles. The latter have given Mr and Mrs Kelk a handsome silver inkstand, with facsimile inscription “From Mary and Lascelles.”

Mrs Kelk is a native of Berwick, and member of old Family of Berwick Freemen. She was Miss Bessie mark, daughter of the late Mr Kingston Mark, Church St., Berwick, who at one time held important Government position in Woolwich Dockyard, and was intimate friend of late Duke of Cambridge.

BEFORE BERWICK BENCH-CHILDREN’S COURT

At a Children’s Court on Wednesday, before R. Boston, Esq., Miss Henderson, T. Bolus, C. Forsyth and G.N. Broadbent, Esqs., a Berwick boy, remanded a fortnight ago on a charge of throwing stones from a catapult, and to be medically examined, was again before Court.- Mr Wallace, probation Officer, handed in a letter from Dr T. P. Caverhill, which stated that 7 years ago when in Haddington, he had attended the boy after an accident when he suffered from a fractured skull. This was the cause of his present condition, and he was practically not responsible for his actions. – Mr Wallace said the boy’s parents had no control over him, and were anxious to get him into a home.- The case was adjourned for another fortnight in order that Supt. Halliday might get into communication with the Committee in Newcastle, and to make further enquiries.

FORD FARM STUDENT FINED-DRUNK INCHARGE OF A MOTOR CAR

At Kelso Police Court yesterday, Provost Middlemas presiding, Alistair Paton, farming student, Ford Westfield, Cornhill, was fined 40s, or 20 days in prison, for being drunk while in charge of a motor car in Kelso Square on 6th March.

The case had been adjourned from a fortnight ago, owing to Mr Guthrie, the Burgh Prosecutor, desiring to withdraw the summons, because the accused had already tho?? his assize through being convicted for a similar offence committed on the same day at Galashiels.

The Provost held that the two cases were quite distinct, and imposed the penalty stated above.

LOCAL NEWS

“The Anchorage,” Woolmarket, Berwick, to be sold by public auction, is one of Berwick’s best-known houses, for it was the Home of Dr Johnston and his daughter, Mrs Barwell Carter,

The Anchorage, Woolmarket, 1959 Ref: BRO 1250/205

who for so many years welcomed Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club within its walls, on the Club’s annual visit to Berwick. Dr Johnston was Founder of the Club, and each year his daughter showed and explained many of the personal treasures of this gifted Citizen.

BERWICK TOWN COUNCIL

A meeting of Berwick Town Council was held on Tuesday evening. Present: The Mayor; Ald. Cowe, Wilson; Couns. Brewis, Morrison, Blench, Dickinson, Anderson, (Mrs) Edminson, Lockhart, Martin Bolus, Boston, Watt, Dudgeon, Redpath, Stuart; with the Clerk (Mr Twigg), the Land Steward (Mr Bolam), the Accountant (Mr Gibson).

Apologies were intimated from the Sheriff and Coun. Lyall. The Mayor expressed regret that Coun. Lyall was not able to be out yet but hoped he would soon be among them again. (Hear, hear).

CONDOLENCES

The Mayor made feeling reference to the bereavement suffered by Ald. Boston and Mr Adam Aird, both of whom had a long connection with the Council, and on his motion it was agreed to send a letter of condolence to Ald. Boston. The members showed their approval by rising to their feet.

TO FREE FREEMEN’S ESTATE

In accordance with notice given a month ago, Coun. Edminson was to have moved :- That in view of the necessity of the provision of a site for Housing in connection with the recent gift of Mr W. H. Askew, the Town Council as Trustees of the Freemen’s Estate instruct the Farm and Works Committee to consult with the Freemen of the Borough in order that steps may be taken either by the promotion of a Bill or otherwise to free the lands included in the First Three Schedules of the Settlement Act from the restrictions against the sale of such lands.

The Mayor suggested that in view of the recommendation from the Farm and Works Committee, to the meeting, she should defer her motion until then. This she agreed to do.

The farm and Works Committee reported: – In connection with the question of Road Works, etc., for the purpose of developing lands in Schedule 3 of the Corporation Act, 1843, for building purposes, the Town Clerk reported receipt of a letter from the Charity Commissioners expressing the opinion that they see no reason to dissent from Counsel’s opinion on the subject, taken in 1906. The opinion in question was that such an expenditure is lawful. The Committee agreed that a meeting be held with the Freemen’s Committee in order to discuss whether action cannot now be taken to obtain the removal of the restrictions upon the transfer of lands included in the first three schedules to the Act.

The mayor moved the adoption of the report and explained that the matter came up on the letter from the Charity Commissioners. Coun. Bolus seconded.

Mrs Edminson withdrew her motion.- Agreed.

SPORTS AND PASTIMES

With opening in Berwick Town of 1923 Golfing Season has come the usual wandering about the Course by people – (especially children)- who have no right to be there, but who are, apparently and unfortunately, allowed to go about wherever they like on the Course, and to do very much as they please. Such a state of things makes for trouble. Indeed, a serious accident has already occurred, whereby a youngster was struck on the face by a golf ball. The child has no right to be where it was at the time and was unseen by the players until the accident occurred.

Magdalene Fields Golf Course, 20th Century Aerial photograph, Berwick-upon-Tweed

No blame can be attributed to the golfers. But the management of the Course must take reasonable steps to stop the continuous trespass, which has become not only a nuisance but a danger. In case of accidents, the Law will not protect them unless they are able to show that reasonable steps have been taken to warn the Public. Indeed, in the matter of trespass the Law will hold that there is no trespass until the trespasser has been personally warned off the place.

Among latest improvements as Goswick Golf Club House is the erection of a smoke-room, which will help to lessen congestion in the luncheon and tea-room, where, hitherto, people have sat on after meals, and kept others waiting unduly for their food.

A Border lady, whose people belonged to Duns says her father played golf at the age of 93. Lord Joicey, who often motors over from Ford Castle to play on Goswick Course, is 77, and thus has a long way to go yet. We hope to see him enjoying Golf at 93.

Congratulations to Wooler Golf Club on getting into 2nd Round of Northumberland County Contest for “Newcastle Chronicle” Cup. Wooler (Geo. Tully and R. Redpath) beat Tynedale (W. Raisbeck and J. Turner) by 4 up and 3 to play- very creditable victory. Prompter hopes they’ll do well next round.

A Year in the Life of a Village: Acklington in 1900 – Part Two

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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

12 Acklington C of E Log Book, ref. CES 1/3/1

13 Marriage Register of Acklington St. John the Divine, ref. EP 161/26

Etal Peace Commemoration Hall

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NRO 5192/25

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)

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