Berwick Advertiser, 7 May 1925

BERWICK BOUNDS RIDING

Record Attendance

The annual Bounds riding of the Borough took lace from the Parade on Friday, at mid-day, when a large number of people assembled to see the commencement. Mr Moffat, junr., formerly of West Edge, acted as horseman for his seventeenth time and proceeded round the bounds on the usual course which cannot be followed by the cars. The procession taking the road was formed of twenty-four cars, a motorcycle and sidecar, pedestrians, and two pedal bicycles. The weather was quite genial and last year’s numbers, a record, were exceeded for 131 people partook of the refreshments provided at Whitadder Bridge (Corporation Arms), as compared with 122 last year, and the cars were two more than 1924.

Riding of the Bounds, 1985. Ref No: BRO 2103-1-1985-7513-004

The occupants of the vehicles were as follows:- The Mayor, Ald. T. Wilson, the Sheriff, Coun. H. Stuart, the Mayor’s Chaplain, the Rev. G. R. Russell, and the Town Clerk, Mr J. W. Porter; the Mayoress, Mrs Wilson, Mrs Souden, Mrs Redpath and Coun. Mrs Edminson; Ald. Boston, Mrs Boston, Miss Boston, and Mrs Bolus; Coun. And Mrs Lyal, Mrs Lyal, senr., Miss Lyal and Miss Nan Lyal; Couns. D. Redpath, W. Anderson, J. C. Campbell, T. Bolus and Davis; Coun. Liddle, Coun. Thorburn, Mr J. Gray, Coun. Morrison, and Mr T. Buglass; Mr Aird, Mrs Aird, Miss Aird, Mrs Simpson, Mrs Henderson and Mr T. Hogg; Counc. Dickinson, Mrs Dickinson, Mrs Ironside, and Mrs Hamilton; Mr Gibson, Mr D. Boyd, Mr seals, Supt. P. Halliday, and Mr R. Smeaton; Mr S. Brown, Mrs Thorburn, Mrs Williams, Mrs Wells; Coun. How and Mr George How and party; Mrs Carmichael and Mr J. W. Carmichael, Treasurer; Mrs Sloan, Mrs Elder, Miss McConville, and Mrs Fulton; Mr J. Huffam, Mr Davidson, Mrs Buglass, Mr Davison; Miss Edminson, Mrs Gibson and Miss Gibson; Coun. Dudgeon, Mrs Dudgeon, and Miss Ross; Mrs Evans, Mrs Mace and Mrs Purves; Mr and Mrs Hair, master Hair, master Boston; Mr Short, Mr Rowley, Messrs P. Boston and James Temple; Mr and Mrs Young, Mr and Mrs A. M. Garden.

AT MORDINGTON

In the course of the annual riding of the Bounds of Berwick on 1st May, by the Mayor and his Councillors, the old custom of presenting the Mordington school children with oranges was carried out. The long procession of cars halted at the School, and the Mayor handed over the oranges to the accompaniment of hearty cheers from the children. A few of the children had also the pleasure of being photographed along with the Mayor and Mayoress. The Rev. Hugh Fleming moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Mayor for his thoughtfulness in keeping up the old custom and for his kindness in providing the oranges.

MR BORTHWICK’S LAST DAY IN SPITTAL SCHOOL

Presentation From Scholars And Staff

On Thursday, April 30th, Mr T. W. G. Borthwick completed his engagement as headmaster of Spittal Council School and bade farewell to his scholars and staff. There were also present three of Mr Borthwick’s former assistants – Mrs Johnston (head teacher of Duddo School), Miss Johnson (now retired) and Mrs McCallum, his first pupil teacher, and Mrs R. Thompson, wife of the Assistant Master.

At the outset Mr R. Thompson, Assistant master, addressed the scholars, and in a few well-chosen words expressed the sorrow of scholars and teachers in parting with their Headmaster, who had not only been an inspiration in his teaching, but also a good friend. He reminded the scholars of some of the mottoes which Mr Borthwick had so often kept before them, from amongst which he chose two – “The Best I can,” to keep before them while at their daily lessons and their work in after life; and “Play the Game,” with its wide application to all activities whether in the playing field, in the workshop, or in every other sphere in contact with their fellows. After drawing the analogy between the captain leaving the vessel of which he might well be proud, he concluded by reading the inscription on the bureau, the gift to Mr Borthwick from the scholars and staff. This was: – “Presented to Mr T. W. G. BORTHWICK by the Staff and Scholars of Spittal Council School in recognition of faithful service as Headmaster for 43 years. April 30th, 1925.

Spittal Council School – Standard V Class

Mrs Johnston (Miss Mary Noble), who was a scholar, pupil teacher and certificated teacher under Mr Borthwick, spoke of the great esteem in which he was held. He was not only their headmaster; he was also their friend and was always ready to continue their education. School, under Mr Borthwick, was always more of a family circle than merely a conventional combination of headmaster and staff, and he always showed great consideration for others. She would never forget the valuable lessons she learned from Mr Borthwick.

MR BORTHWICK’S REPLY

Mr Borthwick, in relying, said: I must first of all thank Mr Thompson for the kind things he has said about me, and I also thank Tom White, the scholars, and the teachers for presenting me with this handsome bureau. I cannot think of anything which would have been more useful. Every time I open the bureau and sit down to write with the superb Swan fountain pen you have given me, I shall think of you all, remembering especially this afternoon and our most touching expression of affectionate regard. How proud, too, shall I be when I show the bureau to my friends and watch them read the inscription on it. I cannot say I feel happy this afternoon; indeed, for several days I have felt quite sad at heart at the thought that my work among you is at an end. We have been so happy together. Never again shall I have the pleasure of meeting you every morning to go through an interesting day’s routine of delightful lessons. When you go home this afternoon I would like you to tell your parents how deeply I regret giving up my work; and also tell them that I shall always remember how loyal they have been to me. When I happen to meet you I hope you will continue to give me your usual pleasant smile of recognition.

The children then sang the master’s favourite hymn, beginning “New every morning id the love our wakening and uprising prove.” Though some parts of this hymn were rather difficult for the children to understand, he advised them all to learn it by heart, because as the grew older and pondered over the meaning of the various verses they would find great help and solace if they tried to carry out every day the teaching of this hymn.

PRESENTATION TO MRS BORTHWICK

Mr Thompson then called on Annie Renton, one of the senior girls, to present a handsome leather hand-bag to Mrs Borthwick.

Borthwick Family Ref: 13-1-32-3

Mr Borthwick, in replying for his wife, said there was no one more loyal to the children of Spittal than Mrs Borthwick. It was no use going home to her and making a complaint about them. She would never admit that it was their fault. To Annie Renton, the scholars and the staff she tendered her heartiest thanks.

FAREWELL TO SCHOLARS

The 300 children, beginning with the youngest, then filed past, and Mr Borthwick shook hands with each in turn bidding them good-bye. Many of the girls, and not a few of the boys, were in tears, and Mr Borthwick himself found it very difficult to conceal his emotions.

Mr and Mrs Borthwick afterwards entertained the staff and visitors to tea.

FAREWELL TO STAFF

In saying farewell to his staff, Mr Borthwick expressed himself as follows:  – This is my last session as your headmaster, but before I go I would like to thank you al for your loyal and willing co-operation at all times. No one could have had more agreeable colleagues. Of our united success I need say very little. You have all seen His Majesty’s Inspectors’ reports from time to time and can share with me the satisfaction of knowing that our work has on every occasion been appraised at a high value. We have been a very happy family, for I cannot recall a single occasion when there has been any unpleasantness. I am sorry to say good-bye, but it is a great satisfaction to be assured that I part from you knowing that, in days to come when we look back on the years we have spent together in this school, it will be a fragrant and delightful memory.

Spittal School- Ref No: P45-11

The members of the staff present were Mr Robert Thompson, Mrs Clements, Miss Lee, Miss Brewis, Miss Harris, Miss Davidson, and Mr John Rutter. Miss Rea, who is absent on sick leave, expressed regret at not being present.

BERWICK JOURNAL, 2ND APRIL 1925

NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY ALDERMEN RE-ELECTED

County Ald. D. H. W. ASKEW: As a public man County Ald. Askew, of Castlehills, Berwick, followed in the footsteps of his father, the late Mr Watson Askew Robertson, of Ladykirk and Pallinsburn. Ald. Askew, who was formerly a barrister on the North-Eastern Circuit, represented Berwick on Northumberland County Council prior to his appointment as a County Alderman. He was Sheriff of Berwick 1910-1911; and High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1912-13. He is a J.P. for Berwick and for Northumberland. He is a staunch Churchman and Unionist.

County Ald. G. G. REA: County Ald. Rea, of Doddington, Wooler, is one of the best-known Border agriculturists, and second to none as a Judge at Stock Shows. He takes an active part in public affairs, being in addition to a County Alderman, Chairman of the County Agricultural Committee, a County Magistrate, Chairman of Glendale Rural District Council. He is an active member of Central and Associated Chambers of Commerce and is one of the Northumberland representatives on the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England.

BERWICK TOWN COUNCIL

Opening of Askew Houses

  • That this Council do hereby, in pursuance of the Honorary Freedom of the Boroughs Act, 1885, confer the Honorary Freedom of the Borough upon David Hugh Watson Askew Esquire of Castlehills, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Justice of the Peace, Town Councillor from 1910 to 1912, Sheriff of the Borough in the year 1910, County Councillor from 1907 to 1912 and County Alderman since 1912, in recognition of the long and eminent services rendered by him to the Borough, for the courteous an kindly interest shown in and assistance given by him to all movements having for heir object the prosperity of the inhabitants of the Borough and the Welfare of the State and for his unfailing generosity to all good causes. And that the said David Hugh Watson Askew be and he is hereby admitted being an Honorary Freeman of the Borough accordingly.
  • That this Council do hereby, in pursuance of the Honorary Freedom of the Boroughs Act, 1885, confer the Honorary Freedom of the Borough upon William Haggerston Askew Esquire of Ladykirk in recognition of the public spirit displayed by him towards the amelioration of the social conditions of the people and to mark the close association of his family with the Borough for the long period of nearly 200 years, and the great interest taken by them in the welfare of its inhabitants. And that the said William Haggerston Askew be and he is thereby admitted to be an Honorary Freeman of the Borough accordingly.
  • These motions were moved by the Mayor. Ald. Darling seconded – Agreed.
  • The Mayor stated that the opening of houses at Tweedmouth, the gift of Mr Askew, would take place on 8th April. After the handing over of the houses by Mr Askew and the formal opening by Earl Grey, there would be a meeting in the guild Hall when the Freedom would be given to the brothers Askew. Special invitations had been sent to the Councillors, their wives and lady friends. Of course, he stated, the public could come to the Guild Hall. He would be very pleased to see a big crowd at Tweedmouth.
  • Councillor Adams said it was a great pity that the ceremony had not been arranged for a Saturday so that more people could have got to it.
  • The Mayor remarked that the Council had nothing to do with those arrangements. He said that the Sheriff and he would like to see them all turn up to see the gift handed over.

MIDDLE ORD ESTATE SOLD

On Saturday in King’s Arms Hotel Assembly Rooms, Berwick, Mr W. J. Bolam offered for sale by auction the highly attractive freehold residential agricultural and sporting estate known as Middle Ord, situated in the Parish of Tweedmouth, and comprising a charming and conveniently sized residence with garden, pleasure grounds and grass lands, and including Middle Ord Farm, the whole extending to 386 acres or thereabouts, including over 120 acres of the finest old pasture land to be found in Northumberland. There was a large attendance present.

The auctioneer in his opening remarks said he had the privilege to offer for sale the well-known state of Middle Ord, which had been in the occupation of

THE GREY FAMILY

For generations. The district of Tweedside had been in habited by men from earliest history, who knew the value of the land in Tweed valley. Many had realised the wisdom of their foprefathers and there were Tweedside farmers who could trace their families from the earliest period. In the field Lot 8 there had been undoubtedly

A ROMAN CAMP

And anyone keen on excavating would no doubt find antiquities of great value. Other camps had been found and relics including an urn of great value had also been found. In 1781 Middle Ord and West Ord had passed into the hands of John Grey of Heaton from the Trevelyans, and in 1788 Middle Ord passed to Geo. Grey and West Ord to John Grey. The Grey family had been in occupation for 138 years. Middle Ord was situated in excellent surroundings. It was off main road, had plenty of outside accommodation, and there was hunting and sporting facilities. Possession of the mansion house would be given on 5th June. In considering the buying of the estate the letting of the grass parks should be consider. Then the Rating Act should also be considered, for where £100 was previously paid £25 was now paid. It was a situation ideal for a diary. There was a quarry on the estate, where they could get their own stone. In Berwick the produce was over 300 cows per day.

The estate would be offered first and if not sold Lots 1 and 12 would be offered. If they were not sold Lots 1 and 2 would be offered. Then 2 to 12 would be in one lot, and if they were not sold, Lots 2 to 11 would be sold separately.

The estate was first offered, and the first bid was £10,000, and £12,000 was reached by 4 further bids, when the lot was withdraw.

Lot 1, Middle Ord Farm and farm buildings, two cottages together with 250 acres of arable, pasture and woodland, and Lott 12, comprising the mansion house, walled garden, policies, and two cottages, extending to 8.759 acres, were then offered.

The mansion house and premises are in the occupation of Mrs Dixon-Johnson at an annual rental of £100; £725 is the gross rental.

First bid was £5000and at £75000 was knocked down to Mr Robt. Whyte, S.S.C., Leith, acting on behalf of a client.

Lots to 11 were then offered as a whole. Lot 2 consists of an arable field, 4.615 acres, with apportioned rental £11 3s 5d; Lot 3 valuable old pasture field, 394 acres, apportioned rental £9 10s 9d; Lot 4, valuable old pastures field, 5, 793 acres, apportioned rental £14 0s 6d; Lot 5, valuable old pastures field, 13.823 acres, apportioned rental £33 9s 3d; Lot 6, valuable old pasture field and woodland, 20.130 acres, apportioned rental £48 14s 8d; Lot 7, valuable old pasture field, 21.043 acres, apportioned rental £50 18s 10d; Lot 8, valuable old pasture field and woodland, 41.948 acres, apportioned rental £36 3s 9d; Lot 9, valuable old pasture field, 10.830 acres, apportioned rental £26 4s 4d; Lot 10, valuable old pasture field, 11.062 acres apportioned rental, £26 15s 7d; Lot 11, valuable old pasture field and woodland, 21.304 acres, apportioned rental £51 11s 6d.

Lots 2 to 11 are let along with other land to Messrs Scott of Middle Ord Farm. Net rental is £292 with gross rental, £308.

First bid was £4000 and at £4900 the lots were withdrawn.

Lots 2 to 11 were then offered separately.

First bid for Lot 2 was £150, and at £230 was knocked down to Lady Osbourne.

Bidding started at £100 for lot 3, and at £170 was withdrawn.

Lot 4 was withdrawn at £200. Bidding started at £150.

First bid for Lot 5 was £400, and at £510 was withdrawn.

£500 was first bid for Lot 6 and after 8 further bids, was withdrawn at £800.

Bidding for Lot 7 started at £500 and at £630 was withdrawn.

For Lot 8, on which is the old Roman Camp, there were no offers.

There was good bidding for Lot 9, first bid was £300, and at £400 was knocked down to Mr Clark, West Ord.

Lot 10 was also knocked down to Mr Clark, West Ord, the figure being £425. £350 was the first offer.

First offer for Lot 11 was £500, and at £580 was withdrawn.

CAT INN FIELD

Immediately after the sale of Middle Ord, a valuable old pasture field near the Cat Inn, was then offered by Mr Bolam. Area is 4.365 acres and is at present in the occupation of Mr Clark at an annual rental (apportioned) of 312. It was part of the Haggerston Castle Estate, sold in July 1919.

First bid was £100 and after four further bids it was withdrawn at £130.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 5TH MARCH 1925

BERWICK’S NEW BRIDGE

For the benefit of our readers we give this week a composite photo view of the Tweed valley looking up the river, and showing the view which will be obtained when the new bridge is in position. We also give below a plan of the bridge and its approaches, which will enable the public at a glance to understand the line upon which it is taken, and the properties which will have to be demolished to make way for the approach roads to either end of the bridge.

As already stated in these columns, the new ferro concrete bridge being built, is one of four spans, the longest span of which is that between the Walls at the New Road, and the fishing bat just above the Old Bridge. This span, which is believed to be the largest span of any ferro concrete bridge in existence, is no less than 360 feet. The other spans get less as they go towards the Tweedmouth side of the river. In the original plans for the bridge it was intended to have ornamental stonework facing up the piers, but this was cut out in the revised estimates, and as a result the bridge will be one of what we might term “open work design.”

In comparison with other modern bridges, the design cannot be said to be out of place in this stretch of the river where there are three crossings, and in fact, as it signalises the modern idea in construction, the Tweed valley at Berwick will now possess what few towns possess, an existing comparison of the work of Jacobean builders, the work of builders plying their tools under the direction of the great engineering genius, Stephenson, and the modern work of Messrs Holloway Brothers, London, who have practically made history as bridge builders in France and Flanders since the war.

The only stone work about the bridge will be the parapet walls which will be executed in Doddington stone. The estimate for the erection of the bridge and its approaches was £160,000, which left for contingencies £8800. Since the estimate was agreed to, however, there was an additional £600 allowed in the estimate for erection, owing to workmen having to be paid at a higher rate of pay than was estimated. This has been agreed to by the County Council and the Town Council of Berwick.

Royal Border Bridge early 1990s. Ref No. BRO 515 377

The actual work in the erection of the bridge was started in the second week in January this year, and though floods have in a measure hindered the work since, it is expected that the bridge will be completed within the time specified, viz., 2½ years. The bridge will be on a gradient of one in fifty-one, rising towards the Berwick side.

The total length of the bridge will be 1,405 feet, with a width of 46 feet, made up of a 30 foot roadway and two footpaths, each 8 feet wide. There will be two river piers in the bridge and three land piers, all composed of mass concrete, the foundation level generally being from 15 feet to 20feet below the river bed. The remainder of the structure consists of a simple decking supported by columns.

The main stand consists of an arched rib, which is 10 feet 6 inches deep at the springs, and about 7 feet deep at the crown. these ribs are in the form of a hollow box form their springing point to approximately a third point of the span, leaving the centre portion solid. Four of the ribs are transversely across the bridge, each two centre ribs being 5 feet wide, and the side ribs 3 feet 6 inches wide. From these ribs a series of uprights of varying dimensions are carried up to support the coping, which consists of transverse beams 7 inches wide by 20 inches deep. The longitudinal beams connecting the uprights are 10 inches wide by 36 inches deep. The structural members of the remaining arches are in comparative proportions.

THE APPROACHES

The plan below shows where the two new roads branch off from the Tweedmouth end of the New Bridge towards the Five Arches, and also through the field behind the West End, where the Housing site will extend shortly. The main south road sweeps through the housing site at the point where the Rangers F.C. have their field now, and the line runs through the old properties at the top of Kiln Hill, and through the Knowe Head. So far as the approach road at the Tweedmouth end is concerned, it only runs from the corner of Town farm stackyard and the Commercial Inn to where the bridge ends behind the Union Hotel on the high ground. Outside of the bridge scheme, however, it is now proposed to cut away a big portion of the Commercial Inn and the properties abutting on the Meadow Field, and also a portion of the Meadow Field itself, to straighten out the main road on the west side. On the east side of the main road, a strip of the Brewery, a strip of the yard of the Angel Inn, the properties from there to, and including the Queen’s head, will be demolished to bring the line of the road in conformity with the west side. This, of course, is a scheme of road improvement and does not come under the Bridge and approaches estimate. The dotted line on the plan shows the line of the reconstructed road from the Queen’s head to the Knowe Head.

At Berwick side of the river, as will be seen, the entire north side of Golden square is to go.