BERWICK ADVERTISER, 8TH AUGUST 1926

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.

Bigger than a Cardboard Box

Most of the documents we take in here at Northumberland Archives are small enough to fit into one of our archive boxes, sometimes we get slightly larger items. This recently re-housed item might be our biggest yet? 

SANT/GEN/BRI/2/8

And here we are putting it in its new home!

A two person job, but if anyone wants to have a look at this particular poster it is available for download via our shop, head to our website shop, or just click this link Search Results 

Linton School in Wartime

Linton School celebrates its centenary this year and we have previously looked back over the school’s eventful first year which coincided with the General Strike of 1926.

Now we have moved forward to the 1930’s and the build up to World War II.  Selected entries from the school log book read as follows:

May 12th 1937 – (coronation of King George VI) The following programme of events was followed today.

10am – 12 noon: Broadcast of Coronation procession and service listened to by children in school hall.

1pm: Procession of children, boy scouts etc. round village.

1.30pm: Children’s sports on the Welfare Field, followed by tea in the Welfare Institute.

Children under 5 received Coronation mugs.

June 12th 1937 – A combined sundial/birdbath was handed over by Mrs Gustard of the Women’s Institute as a Coronation memorial.

June 23rd 1937 – The headmaster was absent today, attending a conference on Air Raid Precautions in Ashington.

Nov. 11th 1937 – A short Armistice Service was held in the school hall this morning, which was open to the public. A fair number attended.

Jan. 28th 1938 – Mr Tait left today to accompany the East Northumberland Schools football team which plays Manchester Boys tomorrow, in the fifth round of the English Schools’ Shield. Two boys from this school, Joshua Gray and Ronald Mitchell travelled to play on the team.

June 16th 1938 – School will be closed tomorrow to allow a party going to the Glasgow Exhibition. 30 scholars and 7 adults will be travelling. (June 20th – This was an enjoyable day with excellent weather).

July 1938 – the first indication of tensions in Europe cause by Hitler’s Germany is shown by the following memorandum concerning air raid precautions which is inserted into the school log book at this point.

Sept. 27th 1938 – The children of the school were fitted with respirators today.

March 1st 1939 – Joshua Gray travelled to London to play in an International Trial match, North v. South.

May 17th 1939 – a party of children took part in the North of England Musical Tournament. Infants and juniors were successful for the third year in succession, winning trophies and banners.

Aug. 31st 1939 – Instructions were transmitted by wireless that the school should be ready to receive children being evacuated from Newcastle and Gateshead tomorrow. Ordinary timetable was abandoned.

Sept. 1st 1939 – A party of approximately 73 children, 3 teachers and 6 helpers arrived at noon from St. Lawrence’s Roman Catholic School in Newcastle. They were given a warm drink and assigned to billets in Linton, Ellington Village and Ellington Colliery.

Sept. 2nd 1939 – A further party of mothers and children arrived and all were assigned to billets.

Sept. 6th 1939 – A party of 120 children, headmaster Mr. Nichols and staff arrived from St. Columba’s Roman Catholic School in Wallsend. They were also found accommodation in Linton, Ellington Village and Ellington Colliery.

Sept. 11th 1939 – School reopened today on a ‘two shift’ system. Linton children were accommodated between 9am and 12:30pm and evacuated children from 1:30pm until 5pm. An evening play centre was also instituted from 6-8pm with a rota of home and visiting teachers being arranged to supervise.

Sept. 15th 1939 – Mr. Nichols, the head of St. Columba’s was compelled to leave this afternoon, suffering from a nervous breakdown.

Sept 18th 1939 – The second week of the two shift system which was switched around, the evacuated children attending in the morning this week.

Sept. 20th 1939 – The Roman Catholic Bishop of Newcastle & Hexham, Dr. MacCormack visited school this morning and expressed his keen appreciation of the way the children from Newcastle and Wallsend are being provided for.

Oct. 17th 1939 – The air raid siren at the colliery sounded at 1:57pm today. Children who live in Linton were dispersed to their homes, while those who live at a distance were taken down into the cellar until the all clear signal was given at 3:25pm. School was abandoned for the day.

Nov. 8th 1939 – A further party of 34 children and 3 staff were evacuated from Tynemouth and arrived today. 20 were found billets in Linton and 14 over at Ellington Village.

Dec. 18th – 20th 1939 – Christmas parties held for all local and evacuated children.

Jan. 3rd 1940 – School opened after the Christmas holidays with 101 present out of 121 in the County school and 38 of 60 evacuees.

Jan. 8th 1940 – More evacuees have returned home, so that there are now 56 in the school.

It is interesting to note that the school log book details that over 220 children were evacuated to Linton in 1939, but by 8th January1940, that number was down to 56. No other comments were made regarding the reasons for children returning to Tyneside, and by October 1940, only 17 evacuated children remained at the school.

However, with lower numbers of evacuees, the school days then seemed to settle down to a little more like normality with very few mentions of the War (apart from air raid warnings), indeed the next few entries for the January and February of 1940 were all about the weather and the massive snowfalls of that winter.

This particular log book continues with entries regarding noteworthy events up until 1953 and can be viewed in our search room – Ref. CES 176/1/2

Linton School in 1962.  Photo Ref.  CES/176/5/17