BERWICK ADVERTISER, 1ST OCTOBER 1920

02/10/2020 by Northumberland Archives

MEMORIAL TO GRAMMAR SCHOOL F.P’s

Who fell in the War

Beautiful Tablet Erected By Sir Francis Blake

In the history of Berwick Grammar School, the ceremony performed within its walls when Dr Maclagan, Chairman of Governors, unveiled a Memorial tablet, presented by Sir Francis Blake, to the memory of the 32 former pupils who fell in the war, is perhaps the most sad. Still, in the glorious example of self-sacrifice left by the men who laid down their lives, there was a feeling of pride and an inspiration to emulation given to the pupils who now occupy the benches.

Some time ago, Sir Francis, who is an old pupil of the school, made an offer to the Governors to perpetuate the memory of the fallen by the erection of a fitting memorial. This offer was accepted and the tablet which is now placed over the fire-place in the south wall of the school is indeed a work of art. The memorial, which is framed in walnut with panels of laurel leaf design in enamel, is flanked on either side with figures symbolic of Victory and fame and on the top scroll are the County Shields. The central pane is a beautiful shade of cobalt blue and in relief silver letters the names of the fallen, with dedicatory inscription are set out in artistic fashion.

LOCAL NEWS

The temporary bridge over the railway at Berwick Railway Station is now nearing completion. On Sunday last the large steam crane from St. Margaret’s, Edinburgh, arrived and swung the heavy iron girder spans on to the wooden pile piers which had been erected on cement bases two weeks ago.

Berwick Railway Station early 1900s. The arches of the old road bridge which carried the main road traffic over the railway can just be seen in the background. © Berwick Record Office – BRO 1636-10-013

Large crowds watched the operations, and again on Monday workmen were busy fixing the staying girders and fitting the planking for the road bed. A considerable amount of work is yet to be done and it is not likely that the bridge will be open for traffic for a fortnight or three weeks yet.

BERWICK AND DISTRICT HARRIERS

Resuscitation of Club Fully Justified

The annual general meeting of Berwick and District Harriers took place in the White Horse Inn, Castlegate, on Friday evening, when Councillor W. J. Dixon, the President, presided over a large attendance. An apology for absence was intimated from Mr E. H. Crow.

The Hony. secretary, Mr W. McA. Urquhart, read the annual report, which was in the following terms: —

Your Committee has much pleasure in reporting that, in the first season of the revival of the Club since the Great War, the enthusiasm displayed by the younger and active members fully warranted the re-starting of the Club, which thereby has permitted athletes to participate and enjoy the undoubted benefits to be derived from cross-country running. The Committee only hope that the membership may be increased this season, and that once having joined, members will maintain their enthusiasm throughout the season.

Notwithstanding the fact that the night chosen for training runs, namely, Wednesday, were not favoured with the best of weather, the attendance at these weekly events showed an average of nine for the season, the largest number to turn out being 22. The attendance medal was won by J. S. Beveridge.

SCREMERSTON

The fancy dress carnival arranged for Friday and Saturday last in aid of the Scremerston and Ord Nursing Association was cancelled at the last minute, mainly owing to the threatened coal strike. The news of the postponement of the strike reached Scremerston late on Friday afternoon, but by then all arrangements for the carnival had been declared off. The dance arranged for Friday evening was, however, held in the Workmen’s Institute. The attendance was good, excellent music being supplied by Mr Whitfield’s orchestra. The committee desire to express their thanks to all who assisted in making the event a success and hope the Nursing Association will benefit by over £10.

One of the prettiest stations on the N.E.R. line this year is Scremerston. The borders on the up and down platforms are gay with flowers of all hues. There is an unusual good selection. Tall hollyhocks form a background for beautiful Cosmos of all shades, snap-dragons, and there is a specially fine show of Love-lies-Bleeding, a plant rarely grown in gardens now-a-days. The edging of lovely blue Nemesias or gay Schizanthus adds to the wealth of colour.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 26 AUGUST 1920

28/08/2020 by Northumberland Archives

FORD WAR MEMORIAL

IMPRESSIVE DEDICATION SERVICE

The old grey stone church at Ford, with its appearance of serene antiquity, must, in past associations with the historic castle, have witnessed many a solemn scene through the long centuries, but surely none so solemn as that on Sunday evening last, when the magnificent war memorial to the sons of the parish who fell in the Great War was unveiled and dedicated. Nineteen made the supreme sacrifice, a son of the Castle, as well as lads from the farms and villages, and on Sunday the relatives and friends of the men met to commemorate their loved ones, and in doing so to draw inspiration from their heroic example.

Ford Church, where in August 1920, a dedication service took place for the “magnificent war memorial” dedicated to the sons from the Ford area who fell in WW1. © Mollie, Wikimedia Commons.

It was a glorious summer evening, and in the brilliant sunshine from far and near, came motorists, cyclists, and those afoot, in such numbers that seating accommodation was quite insufficient, and many had to stand at the back of the church and in the entrance porch, throughout the service. As the waiting crowd filed slowly into the church, there floated through the building the soft tones of the Largo Appassionata movement, with its solemn staccato accompaniment from Beethoven’s second Sonata, played on the fine organ by Mr. J. H. Binks. Seats were reserved for the relatives, and the pews in the south aisle, neath the memorial were occupied most fittingly by the Comrades of the dead heroes who were fortunate enough to return from the war, and who paraded under Comrade T. Henry, Crookham. The beautiful service, specially drafted for the occasion, was conducted by Bishop Neligan, Rector of Ford, printed copies having being distributed amongst those present. The lessons were read by Lord Joicey, Ford Castle, and the sermon preached by Professor Albert A. Cock, University College, Southampton, who took the place of Bishop Welldon, Dean of Durham, who was unable to fulfil his promise to assist.

LOCAL NEWS

Capt. Alfred Goodson, who is to marry Miss Joan Leyland, is a Yeomanry officer, and is the eldest son of Sir Alfred and Lady Goodson, of Waddeton Court, Brixham, as well as Kilham, Mindrum. Sir Alfred Goodson, who was knighted in 1915, says the “Daily Mail,” a Manchester and London merchant and manufacturer, and a director of Goodsons, Ltd. He was at one time with Messrs Hitchcock, Williams and Co., of St Paul’s churchyard, and afterwards started business in the mantle trade., building up a huge business. A member of the Council of the National Pony Society, he is specially interested in horse breeding and agriculture, and has taken many prises with his hackneys, including the hackney championship. He owns a great deal of property in the Knutsford district of Cheshire. Captain Graham Leventhorpe, D.S.O., of the Royal Field Artillery, who is to marry Mrs Geoffrey Lambton, Mr and Mrs Leyland’s other daughter, is a fine cricketer. Mrs Lambton was first married in June 1914, and her husband was killed at the front early in September of the same year. Their daughter, Monica, was born after his death.

Visitors on the Magdalene Fields Golf Course on Monday evening were greatly interested in witnessing a match between two ex-soldiers who had both lost an arm in the war. One was minus the right arm and the other had had his left arm taken off at the shoulder. Both men drove and approached the greens much better than several of the most experienced players of the club could do, and they very seldom pulled a ball into the rough. A Berwick golfer, asked for his opinion on the men’s play, remarked he would not like to be giving a small handicap to either of them. The peculiarity of the play of the man who lost his right arm, was that he played right handed with his wrist in front of the club. Though his stroke was more of the nature of a “pull” than a “drive,” he got marvellous results.

NEW BRIDGE AT BERWICK STATION

THE WORK COMMENCED

Operations have been started by the North British Railway in the preliminary work connected with the erection of a new bridge carrying the Great North Road over the railway at Berwick Station. A large number of workmen are now engaged shifting the tracks of water and gas mains and preparing the foundation for supporting the piers.

Royal Border Bridge ealry 1990s. © Berwick Record Office – BRO 515 377

The new bridge which, it is understood, will be constructed of steal, will provide a sweeping approach to the North Road—an improvement which will be greatly appreciated by motorists. It will be so constructed as to fit in with plans for the new station which the Company proposes to build when labour and material are more easily procured.

A portion of the parapet of the old stone bridge has been removed, and as work on the construction of the temporary bridge progresses other portions of walling will be taken down. The work is attended with some difficulty as the continuous run of traffic north and south cannot be held up. Workmen digging foundations and shifting the water mains are frequently stopped until the lines are clear. Telephone and telegraph wires are also being reconnected to new poles.

The present stone bridge, which is in a tumble down state, dates back to the time when the station was built. Originally the road from the town led down by the bank to the coal and implement dock and up the sunken road between the present stone bridge and Tommy the Miller’s field. The original stone of the retaining wall of this portion of the great north road is still visible from Tommy the Miller’s.

In those days the top of Castlegate was much different to what it is now. The river side of Tweed Street and a part of the landward side were grassy banks known as the Windmill Hole. It was no easy way of finding one’s way into the town in the dark and one such case occurred where a gentleman riding into the town on horseback fell over the banks at Windmill Hole and was seriously injured.

When the new Station at Berwick does come—it has been promised so long that some fear it will never materialise—considerable alteration will be made in the “lies” and ground near the old castle. If excavations go on, antiquarians may find some interesting remains of olden days unearthed, as hereabouts the network of underground passages and chambers have never fully been traced.

NOTES FROM SPITTAL

The Admiralty Certificate of honourable mention in dispatches has been awarded to James Patterson, for having sighted an enemy submarine and assisted in its destruction while serving on one of H.M. mine sweepers. The certificate was handed over by Lieut.-Commander James Toohey at the Customs House on Monday.

Once more the lifeboat has come back to Spittal, and now rests on the sands below Sandstell Road. It is the intention of the lifeboatmen to erect a temporary shed over the boat and carriage to save it from the weather, and also from the attentions of the children, who in their curiosity have been climbing about it and doing minor damage.

Image 8 – Lifeboat – RNLB Matthew Simpson – Left to Right – Not known, Not known, Not known, John Wood, Knot known, Jack Lough, George Lough, Bartholomew Lough, Thomas Martin (possible), Not known, Not Known, Alex Patterson Lough.

The permanent house for the new motor lifeboat has not yet been started, but we believe it will be erected near the east side of the ferry landing on the high ground. A trolley line is proposed to be laid below the lifeboat house leading down to low water mark, and the motor boat will be lowered from the house by electrically driven winches and davits, with its carriage on to the trolley lines when launching. Though the full particulars of the proposed lifeboat house are not available, it may be taken that it will be thoroughly up to date and fitted with the latest time and labour-saving devices.

An open race was to have been flown from Alnmouth on Saturday, but owing to the heavy rain the birds were returned by rail, the weather being so bad for liberation. The race will be flown on Saturday first. The club programme will be concluded on Saturday, when the Nottingham Y.B. race will be flown. The birds will be liberated at 9.45 a.m., ringing today (Friday) 2 p.m. The Vice-President (Mr Morton Boston) has kindly given the first prize.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 20 AUGUST 1920

21/08/2020 by Northumberland Archives

4th K.O.S.B UNDER CANVAS

In Magdalene Fields, Berwick.

Young “TERRIERS” Looking Fit

Camped on a sheltered spot of the Magdalene Fields near Magdalene Fields House, the 4th Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers are able to go to sleep at nights under canvas, with the call of the sea in their ears and fresh sea breeze in their nostrils.

Berwick has not been favoured by visits of Scotch regiments in Peace times in the past, but it is only fitting that the re-constituted 4th Battalion of the K.O.S.B. Borderers, which is so closely associated with Berwickshire county, should favour a seaside town practically on their own seaboard. The men seem highly pleased with their surroundings and already some of the younger lads who only recently joined are looking smart and fit, while the sea air is giving them a hardy bronzed look.

THE ARRIVAL

Early last week preparations to fix camp were made on the site and by Friday evening there was compact little canvas settlement tucked away under the hill. The main body of men arrived on Saturday evening and marched into camp to the music of the pipes. The pipers in the Battalion band, by the way, were greatly admired by the townspeople as they swung through the streets in their smart Buceleuch tartan kilts and plaids.

COMRADES FETE AT ORD

A TOTAL OF £216 REALISED

The Garden fete organised by the members of the Women’s Section of the Comrades of the Great War, was held on Thursday last at Ord House, the use of the grounds having been kindly lent by Lady F. G. Osborne, President. Although there was little actual sunshine, the weather was good, and the beautiful grounds were looking their best. A large crowd of people, some 800 or more, were present and spent an enjoyable afternoon and evening. There were plenty of attractions to pass the time, and as the primary object of this as of all such functions was to raise money, once past the gate, those present found that wherever they went, there were traps well baited to hold their attention and tempt their purses. The numerous side-shows were kept busy all the time, and the various stalls did a brisk trade. The ices and tea were largely patronised. There was Clock Golf and Bowling on the tennis lawns, a Shooting Range, Aunt Sallies, Hoop-la, Fish Ponds etc., ranged round the front lawns. In the park beyond were the tea tents, and here also many indulged in the fascinating “Bumble Puppy”,” and in the evening a programme of sports was carried out. Tired of wandering round ample seating accommodation was to be had on the lawn, and a pleasant time spent in listening to the delightful music of Allan’s Band, who kindly gave their services at a merely nominal charge. Another attraction was the series of concerts arranged by Lady Osborne, and held in the Garden Room in the grounds during the afternoon. The following artists took part:- Miss Fyson, Mr Maxwell, the Rev. A. E. Warr, Coldstream; Mrs Marrow, Mrs Walter Scott, and Mr J. C. Collingwood. A very amusing dialogue entitled “The Milkmaid” was also acted by Lady Osborne and Miss Joan Leyland, Haggerston Castle. A long queue was always to be found waiting near the fortune telling tent, and also at the Greenhouse, where “Professor Sarbolinky” held forth on Phrenology and Graphology. Considerable amusement was also caused by Capt. Allenby’s successful attempts to dispose of the surplus cakes from the tea stall.

In the evening after sports were over dancing was begun on the tennis lawns, and kept up with vigour to music supplied by Allan’s Band till after 9 p.m. It was then that the refreshments stall under a sweeping old lime tree on the lawn got busy, and the assistants under Lady Osborne had a great run on the excellent lemonade and the variety of cakes.

LOCAL NEWS

Hardly a day goes past without a block occurring on the Old Bridge, occasioned by large motor wagons and char-a-bancs attempting to pass.

It is one policeman’s job to regulate the traffic, and this is by no means easy, as often when a car coming from the English side is let away over the bridge, another appears over the rise at the Berwick end, coming in the opposite direction, and wordy arguments ensue as to who has the right of way. Sergt. McRobb has to act as peacemaker and arbiter in many disputes, and it often happens that he has to make one of the two cars retreat to allow the other to get safely across.

Tweedmouth Feast Sports Committee, who recently ran such a successful foot handicap on Union Park held a meeting in the Thatch House, under the presidency of Mr David Watson, on Tuesday evening. There was a large attendance, and Mr Makins, treasurer, presented the financial statement. This showed the total income of the sports to be £85 3s 4½d, expenditure £71 8s 0½d, leaving a balance of £13 15s 4d to the good. It was unanimously agreed to carry this sum to reserve for next year’s meeting, and the Treasurer was instructed to have it banked in the joint names of Mr Watson, Mr Elvish, and himself. A short discussion took place as to whether the sports next year should be held in the afternoon or evening, and the general feeling was that next time the sports should take place in the afternoon. The officials were re-elected, and agreed to carry on until the Committee were re-constituted in April next. Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr Robertson, Mill Farm, who gave the use of Union Park free, and to the members of the Committee who had stood guarantors for the money to carry out the sports. It was intimated that Mr Roberson had kindly offered the field to the Committee to run a five-a side football competition, for which a local sporting gentleman is offering medals. The proceeds from the competition will go to the sports fund.

THE AUTUMN RAIN STORM

CROPS LAID, CAMPS WRECKED, AND FIELDS FLOODED

Cold stormy weather, savouring more of the middle of November than of August, was experienced on Tuesday night, when a rain storm of great severity broke over the district. From seven o’clock onwards the rain fell without a stop, and half a gale from the sea springing up, as rough a night as has been known for some time was experienced.

Herring boats at sea experienced the full force of the weather as they rode the storm out at their nets, and on shore matters were little better. As reported elsewhere, the camp of the 4^th Battalion, K.O.S.B., in the Magdalene Fields, suffered severely. Five marquees were laid flat, and during the night the lot of the men under canvas was not an enviable one.

Considerable damage, it is feared, has been done to crops, and to exposed gardens and allotments. Grain crops on the farms and meadows round about, which were well advanced, are badly laid by the rain and wind, and hay which was still out in the cole, has not been improved by the downpour.

The Tweed, as was to be expected, came down in heavy flood on Wednesday morning, and all the forenoon the flood continued to wax. Low lying fields and grass parks on the river banks in the upper waters were flooded in several places, and the surface of the muddy torrent which swept to the sea was dotted over with gates, pailing stobs, trees, and old wood.

Herring boats lying at the Quay had to put out double head ropes to keep them from being swept away, and in fact one boat at the upper berth, near the old bridge,

Herring boats© Berwick Record Office. BRO 1887-25-4.

was torn from its moorings and cast on to the “grid” of the bridge, where she remained fast for a time, straining badly in the current. She ultimately got off, and proceeded to the dock jetty, out of the swirl of the tide.

So strong was the current in the river on Wednesday that no boats were allowed off from the boathouses. The motor service between Berwick and Spittal was also suspended. A coble which evidently had broken its moorings further up the river was swept to sea during the forenoon. The carcases of several lambs were also noticed being taken down with the flood.

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