Belford

BERWICK NEWSPAPERS,1923

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BERWICK ADVETRISER, 18TH SEPTEMBER

RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL

The Rural District Council met in the Board Room of the Workhouse, Belford, on Wednesday afternoon, Dr Macaskie, Medical Officer and Mr T. Dodd, Surveyor and Sanitary Inspector, were present.

INCREASE OF CANCER

Dr. Macaskie reported that he had received a circular from the Ministry of health dealing with the question of cancer, in view of the great and increasing amount of suffering and death due to this disease. The circular was a long one but he submitted important points. During the last 20 years cancer has increased by 20 per cent and tuberculosis had declined by 38 per cent.

The High Street, Belford, in the early 1900s. Reference: BRO 0515/39

The disease may to a certain extent be prevented by the removal of rough stumps of teeth or bad fitting dental plates, a change of habit in pipe smoking and attention to the functions of the stomach and bowels. Cancer in the early stages may be quite painless. This is a danger and leads to delay in seeking medical advice being generally sought too late.

ANOTHER SERIOUS FARM FIRE AT LADYKIRK

STEADING GUTTED AND EIGHT STACKS DESTROYED

Within a week from the last outbreak of fire on a farm in the Ladykirk district, another configuration took place in the early hours of Saturday morning on the farm of West Ladykirk, occupied by Mr Fleming. The fire had got a good hold on the steading buildings when it was discovered shortly after two o’clock and the farmer immediately came off by motor to Berwick to summon the fire brigade.

The Berwick brigade left shortly after three o’clock and proceeded with the hand pumping engine to the scene of the outbreak, but on arrival there it was found that the Ladykirk House engine was already in attendance and there was not much water available for playing upon the fire. Farm workers and others in the district rendered every assistance to the brigades whose energies were devoted to pulling down the burning grain from the stacks and keeping the fire within bounds. Happily, the wind was favourable to the work of fighting the fire, otherwise the whole of the farm buildings hight have been wiped out. Some difficulty was experienced in getting the horses and stock from the stables and byres as the animals were scared and almost unmanageable. They were all got safely out, however, but the buildings were entirely gutted.

Eight stacks of new grain were entirely destroyed, and the damage done to buildings and machinery is considerable.

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL ADOPTS SCHEME FOR OFFICIAL’S SUPERANNUATION

FARMERS’ UNION OPPPOSES ADDITIONAL BURDEN ON RATES

A special meeting of the Northumberland County Council was held in the Moot Hall, Newcastle, on Thursday morning, under the chairmanship of Sir Francis D. Blake, Bart., for the purpose of considering the adoption of the Local Government and Other Officers’ Superannuation Act. 1922, particulars of which we have already published.

The Chairman moved the adoption of the report of the establishment Committee which recommended the adoption of the Act, to come into operation on March 31, 1924. He regretted that the attendance was small, as the matter was one of considerable importance. When they remembered that their staff, which was administering the pensions of police and teachers, had no pension themselves, it became an increasing obligation on the Council to make some provision such as was now proposed. So far as he knew, Somersetshire was the only County Council which had rejected the Act, but the decision had been reached by such a small majority that it was being re-considered. What was going to be the position of a county which rejected an Act, which, in his opinion, was a measure of justice? Would they have command of the best officials and servants if they were one of the only counties to reject the pension. He thought it was in their own interest, as well as in the interests of those who gave long, faithful and valuable service, that they should adopt the Act. The salaries of the staff at the present time compared but poorly with those in other parts of the country, and especially in their own immediate neighbourhood. The cost to the rates was less than a halfpenny in the £.

Mr R. Browell, while offering no objection to the scheme as a whole, asked if the Act made provision for workmen, and, if so, what would be the actuary’s report as to the cost, if workmen were included in the scheme.

The Chairman replied that the Act did provide for workmen, but if the Council wished to consider this inclusion it would have to be under a new scheme, based upon the actuarial report. He was under the impression that the great trade unions of the country had not welcomed the Act as being of much assistance to workmen.

Mr Browell said he did not know what attitude the trade unions had adopted, but he wanted to be assured that the County Council would look as favourably upon a scheme for the officials and staff.

The Chairman replied that he could not pledge the County Council.

(Full article can be read in Berwick Advertiser, 28th September 1923)

MILITARY NOTES

The Depot are holding a “Cinderella” dance in the Barracks Gymnasium commencing at 7.30 pm on Friday 28th, in aid of the Borderers’ Club, Edinburgh. The main feature of the dance will be the music, as a band of seven players has been engaged for the evening.

Honorary members of the Sergeants’ Mess, Depot King’s Own Scottish Borderers, are requested to return their membership cards for revision as soon as possible to enable fresh roll to be completed.

BERWICK WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILING

The Berwick Detachment, 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, will provide a guard to honour at the unveiling of the Berwick War Memorial on 11th November, and ranks who wish to parade that day are being asked to notify Sergt. Loder immediately as drills will have to be held during next month to practice parades. Earl Haig will inspect the guard of honour after the memorial is unveiled. The Depot K.O.S.B. are finding the guard of honour for Earl Haig.

War Memorial, Castlegate, Berwick-upon-Tweed. © Copyright J Thomas – (cropped image) Creative Commons Licence 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0).

The near relatives of the fallen who have not yet applied for reserved seats at the unveiling should do so without delay to Lieut-Col. W. B. Mackay, 23 Castlegate. The accommodation is very limited and after the 30th September, it will be strictly allotted according to applications received and the requirements of other quests. The committee most earnestly desire that no relative entitled to a seat should be excluded, but seats cannot be reserved unless application is made before the end of this month.

WAR MEDALS

It is officially stated by the War Office that 13,158,964 medals for services in the Great War hane now been distributed. This total is made up as follows:-

1914 Stars                           363,825

1914-15 Stars                    2,057,913

British War Medals          5,465,442

Victory Medals                  5,050,367

Distinguished Conduct Medals   33,070

Meritorious Service Medals         29,223

Military Medals                                129,828

Territorial War Medals                  29,296

But one great difficulty that still faces the War Office in the matter of distribution is the fact that so many men entitled to awards have not kept their Record Offices informed of their correct addresses. As a matter of fact hundreds of medals are still being returned through the Post Office to the War Office or Record Offices because those entitled cannot be found. All men who have not received their medals are due should communicate with the Officer-in-Charge of Records of the particular regiment in which they last served, giving full name and regimental number.

BERWICK LABOUR PARTY

MR GIBBON REVIEWS THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN

At a general Committee meeting of Berwick Labour Party, held on Friday, 21st Sept., Mr Gibbon, District Organiser, who was present, reviewed the recent election campaign.

At the commencement of his address he reported on the financial position of the election funds, which was very satisfactory, a small balance being left in hand after all expenses had been paid. In course of his speech Mr Gibbon said a large number of people had been disappointed with the measure of support Labour had received in the recent election. In his opinion Labour did exceedingly well seeing this was the first time this Division had been contested. A few years ago when contesting a constituency for the first time they considered they had done well f they secured one in five of the votes cast at the first time of asking. They would have done even better if they had had cars to convey their supporters to the poll.

In some cases voters had seven miles to walk to the polling stations, a distance which meant that only the ablest of people had the opportunity to record their vote. Every endeavour should be kade to have this state of affairs altered and an adequate number of polling stations provided.

Labour workers, Mr Gibbon said, had every reason to congratulate themselves on the fight they had been able to put so early in their life as a political party in this division.

BERWICK NEWSPAPERS, 1923

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BERWICK JOURNAL, 7TH JUNE 1923

TWEEDMOUTH FEAST TO BE CELEBRATED IN CANADA-

BERWICK MAN’S LETTER

(To Editor “Berwick Journal”)

13 Reynold’s Place, Toronto, Canada.

Sir- Following up a suggestion made in “Berwick Journal” last year, I have discussed here with several Berwickers, the holding of a picnic in Toronto at Tweedmouth Feast time. The proposal and arrangements are being made to hold pic-nic at High Park, Toronto, on Saturday, (Tweedmouth Feast Eve), July 21, to which all natives of Berwick and district are cordially invited.

Tweedmouth Feast, 1965 Programme. Ref: BRO 1864/18/10

I have received promises from quite a number, (but as there may be many in this District of Canada whom I am unable to communicate with, I would be pleased to have you publish this letter in your widely read Paper, so that anyone who gets the “Berwick Journal” out here – ( and every Borderer does) – may know of the coming event, which will link us up with our Homeland at Tweedmouth Feast-time.

Those who read “Berwick Journal” at Home, and have friends out  here, might please send them out word; and anyone here wishing to be present can obtain particulars on phoning me at North 7241.

With good weather pleasant and happy day may be spent and many tales of “Ye Olde Towne” talked over by those who though thousands of miles away are with “Berwick Journal” and the Homeland in spirit in this Great Annual Re-Union of Tweedmouth Feast – yours, etc., Wm. Hogg, Sir.

This letter from our old friend Mr Hogg brings joy to us, for Berwickers and Borderes in Canada are going to do a very good thing- celebrate Tweedmouth Feast some thousands of miles from Home; and this is a thing which might be done by Natives of Borderland now in every Colony and Outpost of Empire. It is one of the best way of linking up with Home, and at opportune time, when Tweedmouth Feast brings many Exiles back again to their “Ain Folk”.

We give here a photograph of Mr Hogg and another Berwicker, Mr Alec. Barrie, sent Home to us from Canada, where it was recently taken.

Many old Berwickers and Borderers will remember well the faces above portrayed, and they will kindle many happy memories of Auld Lang Syne – Editor, “Berwick Journal”.

BELFORD

The past week has had little else to record, but election fever. Not probably in the entire history of the Berwick Constituency had a contest been fraught with more excitement than that on Thursday last. The supporters of each candidate were all for a time equally confident of the final issue. Many were the prognostications from day to day, but even the best forecast came a long way off the result. The fact of the matter was that it was not a question of politics at all, but rather of sentiment, and when the result of the polling was declared there is no doubt, that the figures for the Conservative candidate surpassed by far the most sanguine anticipations of her most enthusiastic supporters.

MABEL PHILIPSON, REF: BRO 85

A Constituency so traditionally Liberal has not turned Conservative on the question of politics. Belford which at one time actually voted 99 per cent. Liberal was on this occasion as red wellnigh as it was possible to be. The wave of sentiment caught on all over ere the polling day, and from that, and that alone, Mrs Philipson received her very handsome majority. On Friday night she was enthusiastically received at every at every village from Alnwick to Berwick. At Belford her car was met by some of the younger stalwarts, and ropes being attached, it was hauled through the village to the Market Cross, from where Mrs Philipson addressed a great crowd. Mrs Philipson very unfortunately had completely lost her voice and could only whisper to her husband the message she wished him to convey to her supporters, whom she ardently desired to thank. The car was afterwards gain taken in tow and pulled well up the North Bank. Certainly not in the memory of any Belfordian can there have been greater excitement evidenced than that seen-on Friday night. Long before the arrival of the candidate the Street was thronged with an expectant crowd, and her appearance was greeted with the greatest enthusiasm. Mrs Philipson spent some time amongst the crowd, shaking hands with those whose acquaintance she had made at the previous election.

SPITTAL MAN KILLED TODAY

ON RAILWAY NEAR TWEEDMOUTH

As we were on the point of going to Press, we were informed that a Spittal man has been killed this day on the railway near Tweedmouth.

It seems that the engine driver of a south going train some time after noon saw what appeared to be a body on the line south of Tweedmouth, and he drew the attention of some workmen who had been on the line in Scremerston direction; and they found the dead man badly mangled and mutilated, having been, apparently, run over by a passing express train.

The unfortunate man is Jas. Laidlaw, aged 52, fisherman, Spittal, who used to live in Princes St. alone, but who has, for the past 6 weeks, been living with his sister Mrs Thompson, 52 Middle St., Spittal.

Laidlaw has been ill for some time, and depressed, and was, we hear, to go to Edinburgh infirmary for an operation.

The remains were conveyed to Berwick Mortuary; and an inquest will be held by the Coroner.

BERWICK WEDDING TODAY

OGG – HOLMES

A wedding of much local interest was solemnised in Wallace Green Church, Berwick, today, the contracting parties being Miss Phoebe Holmes, 3rd daughter of the late Coun. Ralph S. Holmes and Mrs Holmes, bridge Street, Berwick, and Mr James Edward Ogg, Cockburnspath. The Church was tastefully decorated with palms, plants and greenery.

Wallace Green Church, Ref: BRO 1636/9/5

As the bride leaning on the arm of her mother (who gave her away) came up the aisle the “Bridal March” from Wagner was played. The bride wore a charming dress of white satin broche (draped) and caught at the side with a brilliant and pearl buckle; the yoke and sleeves were embroidered with pearls. Her shoes were of silver, and her bouquet was of white laburnum and forget-me-nots. She was attended by 3 bridesmaids, Miss Doris S. Holmes and Misses Marjory Mc. C Willits and J. and G. Patricia Willits (nieces). Miss Holmes wore a smart dress of aluminum grey broche crepe-de-chene, trimmed with steel ornaments. She wore a black picture hat and carried a black and silver brocade bag with ivory top. The little bridesmaids looked dainty in white crepe-de-chene dresses and lace hats with pink ruching carrying ivory topped white satin bags.

The best man was Mr R. Oliver, Jedburgh.

The bride’s mother was attired in black charmeuse and wore a hat of black with Birds of Paradise tails.

The bride and bridegroom were recipients of many beautiful presents. The scholars of Cockburnspath and a number of friends presented the bride with a canteen of stainless cutlery in a beautiful framed oak case, with suitable inscription, on the occasion of her marriage. Miss Holmes has been a teacher in the school for 8 years, and has taken a great interest in her work, and has been much appreciated by the community. The Staff at Cockburnspath Post Office and late staff Oldhamstocks Post Office, presented the bridegroom with a beautiful smoker’s cabinet in polished oak, with bevelled glass panels and doors.

The staff of Messrs R. Holmes and Son, presented the bride with a beautiful entrée dish Mr R. Smith made the presentation.

BERWICKSHIRE MAN’S FIRM SENT,

1,400 of its Staff To The War

VICTORIA CROSS WON BY A WORKER

“To the glorious memory” of the 85 members of the Staff of William Whiteley, Limited, who made the supreme sacrifice in the War, a Memorial was unveiled on Friday on the firm’s premises, at Westbourne-grove, London, by Field-Marshal Lord Methuen.

Worked in bronze, the Memorial represents the figure of a recumbent warrior, wrapped In a Union Jack with Britannia at the head and Charity weeping at the foot. Behind is a marble tablet bearing the names of the fallen.

Every member of the Staff, numbering 5,000, was present at the Service, held beneath the central dome, the 4 circular galleries, being draped with the flags of the Allies. The Store was closed for half an hour.

Mr John Lawrie, Managing Director pf the Firm (noted Berwickshire Native, who lost his only son after gallant and distinguished deeds in the field), said 1,4000 of its employees went to the War, 13 won distinctions, and on was awarded Victoria Cross.

After unveiling the Memorial, Lord Methuen said we had had to face relentless enemy with patience, courage, and chivalry, and we had now among us an insidious foe that would do its upmost, not only in England, but in Europe, to destroy what had been handed down to us. The future was full of anxious thought. We had hitherto trusted to our great Navy, but that would be in the air. He was not one of those soldiers who wished to see this country a military nation, but he did feel what we had to do today was to see that our country had always a perfect assurance it was in a proper state of defence. We had no greater duty than to bring up our young as we should wish our forefathers to have brought us up. We should inculcate in them love of Country and love for God.

At the conclusion of the ceremony upwards of 100 beautiful wreaths were placed at the foot of the Memorial.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 16 FEBRUARY 1923

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BELFORD HALL ESTATE SALE

REALISES BETWEEN £70,00 AND £80,000

Belford has never in all its long history had such exciting days as last Thursday and Friday, when the Belford Hall Estate, divided into 177 lots, was put up for auction by Messrs John D. Wood & Co., London, and practically the whole of the village changed hands. The sale was the one absorbing topic of conversation. The Memorial Hall, west Street, where the sale took place, was crowded both days, even standing room being occupied on the Thursday afternoon. Some were in their seats long before the sale opened and, bringing lunch with them, sat the whole day through, intensely interested in the bidding and the fate of the various lots put up. The auctioneer’s remark that he knew of no district in the whole of England where land had been more tightly tied for generations than in Northumberland was certainly applicable to Belford, where for generations the Squire has held sway and freehold was unknown. For over 200 years the estate has been in the hands of the Atkinson-Clark family, and it is only within the last ten years that any portion of it has been parted with. Some months ago the estate changed hands, being bought by Mr Place, timber merchant, Northallerton, from the Atkinson-Clark family. Almost immediately tenants were acquainted with the change and given an opportunity to purchase their houses, shops, farms, etc. Many did so, and in the weeks prior to the sale negotiations for various parts of the estate were completed, tenants generally being satisfied with the new owner’s reasonable demands. Others preferred to await the sale and did so with no little anxiety as to what the future held in store. There is no doubt Belford was anxious. Shopkeepers and businessmen realised that their living was in the village. If they did not buy, other people would, and they might be turned out. Elderly people living in houses were afraid they would have to turn out and leave the village where they wished to end their days. This anxiety was common to the whole village, and one of the most human touched at the sale was the sympathetic applause from the audience when the fall of the auctioneer’s hammer decided the bidding in favour of a tenant.

High Street, Belford c.1900. Ref: BRO 515/40

Mr Place accompanied by his agent, Mr J. Cleghorn, Wooler, was present throughout the sale on the platform with the auctioneer and took a keen interest in the business. An army of solicitors and clerks from Berwick, Newcastle and Alnwick were present ready to tackle the initial stages in the enormous amount of conveyancing work the sale of so many lots involved. There was a great run on the handsomely got up particulars of the sale, the whole of the 650 copies printed being distributed, and will no doubt be treasured as a reminder of the memorable sale.

The sale included nine farms, varying in size from 50 to 845 acres. Chesters farm, 217 acres, was purchased prior to the sale by Mr G. Scott, whose family have held it for over sixty years. Sionside farm, 333 acres, was also purchased privately by the tenants, Messrs Bowmer, Westhall, 175 acres, and Craggyhall farm, 196 acres, and Belford Moor farm, 845 acres-the largest on the estate-and Westroad farm, 50 acres, and Bricksheds farm, 70 acres, went to buyers from further south in the county. In addition to the farms, the lots included some 112 houses or cottages of varying sizes, 22 shops, two licensed premises, the post Office, Belford Quarry and Maltings, and numerous gardens and acres of accommodation land- in all about 3100 acres, producing an income of about £5000 per annum.

Among premises not offered for sale, having been purchased at various times during the past ten years, were:- The Blue Bell Inn, the Salmon Inn, the Bank, Mr Pringle’s shop in market Place, Mr Tully house in West Street, which he recently enlarged and improved; Mr Bolton the watchmaker’s shop, High Street, which he has occupied for over 30 years, and which, along with house next door and his own shop

Market Place, Belford c.1900. Ref: BRO 426/944

premises, has been bought by Mr Young, baker, High Street; the Police Station, the Primitive Methodist Church in West Street, bought by Mr Young, baker, whose family for generations has been prominently identified with Primitive Methodism in the district. The gas and water supplies, which belonged the estate, were originally included in Belford Hall lot, but were taken out of this, having been purchased by the District Council. The auctioneer said he knew of no better way to protect the interests of the users of water and gas than for the Local Authority to purchase them.

This is only a snippet of the full article in the Berwick Advertiser.

BELFORD IN THE OLDEN DAYS

In the old days Belford was often mentioned in history as a stage in the journey between England and Scotland. Queen Margaret stopped there. Raids from the Borders often reached the village and houses were destroyed. In the reign of Charles I. it is described as “the most miserable beggarly town of sods that ever was made in an afternoon of loam and sticks. In all the town not a loaf of bread, nor a quart of beer, nor a lock of hay, nor a peck of oats and little shelter for horse or man.” In the 18th century Belford, like many another village, was visited by the plague, the dead being shovelled hastily out of sight in their clothes on Belford Moor. Before the union of 1603, Belford was still a collection of clay-daubed hovels.

High Street, Belford c.1900. Ref; BRO 515/39

The earl of Hertford, in one of his retaliatory expeditions against the Scottish Borders – the one in which he burned the nunnery at Coldstream- was nearly captured at he lay at Belford, but the Scots managed to carry off his chaplain. Whether he was ransomed or died on the spears of jeering Scots is not recorded. At Cockenheugh Crag, about two miles west of Belford is Cuddie’s Cove, a traditional resting place of St. Cuthbert. Along the High Street of Belford, in more recent years, stone residences and shops were built; and a fine old cross, largely, is not wholly, post-mediaeval, stands in the Market Place. The Church of St. Mary, which stands behind the Market Place, dominates High Street. The sacred edifice was rebuilt in 1827. This church was an ancient chapelry in the parish of Bamburgh. The chancel arch (though not its jambs) is original 12th century work, with zig-zag ornament; and there is said to be some old masonry in the chancel. An old Gazetter of 1823 printed in Berwick states that the church is a neat edifice, near which are vestiges of a chapel and of a Danish camp. The population of Belford in 1823-100 years ago-was 931.

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