Berwick Advertiser

Berwick Advertiser, 7 May 1925

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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 ADVERTISER, 5TH MARCH 1925

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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.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 1ST JANUARY 1925

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THE PASSING OF NED CUTLER

AN INTERESTING LINK WITH THE PAST BROKEN

In passing of Edward Martin, or “Cutler Ned” as he was perhaps best known, Berwick has lost an old standard and a link with the past. Ned, who was never the same after the death of his wife in 1922, has been in failing health and very feeble for some years and has been practically an invalid for a considerable period. He died on Saturday at the age of 94.

Some fifteen years ago “Ned” was going strong and never missed a day at his accustomed stance outside the shop of Messrs Redpath and Son, drapers. High Street in fact was not complete in those days without “Cutler Ned.” The old man was ever ready for a “crack,” but no matter how much he talked or how long the yarn was that he was prevailed upon to spin, his cutler’s wheel never ceased to revolve merrily.

High Street, Berwick-upon-Tweed. c.1900. Ref: BRO 426/294

Many a time he told his inimitable angling stories to his acquaintances, the emery wheel meanwhile filling in the gaps with a steady “bizz.” How often he told of a big fight he had with a heavy sea trout just below Canty’s Bridge and ultimately lost it. If his auditors were not mistaken, the grinding wheel was wont to give an extra angry “bizz” when this unfortunate ending of the story came.

He used to tell with great glee, of how he once put a number of Spittal men on their guard that Temple, the bailiff, was watching them as they passed down the river en route to the “babbin” while Ned was fishing from the Pier. Temple, who was a bit of a tough nut, threatened on the occasion that he would throw Ned into the river, but the old hearty laughed in his face and told him to get on with the business.

There were few, if any, could come up to Ned at wielding the rod, either on Tweed or Whitadder. He prided himself that he knew every inch of either stream from Ellemford to Berwick, where trout were likely to lie. He scorned the use of waders for many years and candidly told other anglers that he had no use for such new-fangled notions. Twenty years ago, he could be seen whenever he had a slack day, casting a line as true as a dart with a long rod from the bank.

Royal Border Bridge, over the River Tweed, Berwick-upon-Tweed, c.1900. Ref: BRO 426/569

It was rather fun to the youngsters to stand a little way behind him and hear him reasoning with himself quite audibly how best to get a big fellow to rise, which he knew was there, though not a movement showed on the surface. Ned was a born angler, there was not the slightest doubt about that. Times came when even his attention to business gave way before the call of the tinkling of waters over mossy stones.

Ned was not a native of Berwick, though he might almost have been counted as one. He was born in 1830 and for a time worked in Glasgow, where he met his wife. The pair decided on a runaway marriage, the popular vogue in those days, and in 1851 they arrived at Lamberton Toll, and there were made one through the instrumentality of the Priest, William Thompson. The certificate is in the hands of the family to this day. It is the usual Border marriage certificate and is certified at the end as follows: “Married by me on the 3rd of January 1851-William Thompson.”

There were eight children of the marriage, four sons and four daughters, all of who are in good positions in England.

Ned had a host of good stories always ready to tell of people and happenings in Berwick up to fifty years ago. The high times old angling cronies had in Mrs Tim’s and Taffy Jack’s hostelries were well worth preserving, but as the families of the worthies who used to foregather are still in the town, silence is best.

GLENDALE PLOUGHING AND HEDGE CUTTING COMPETITIONS

The interesting ploughing and hedge-cutting competitions promoted by Glendale Agricultural Society will be held at Doddington, weather permitting, on Thursday, 8th January, when it is anticipated there will be keen competition in all classes. There are five classes in all for ploughing, prizes being offered for work done by any type of plough, swing ploughs and wheel ploughs. Special prizes are also offered for best start, finish, and two classes for hedge-cutting and laying, and all the North- country experts are certain starters.

THE STORM ON THE BORDERS

FLOODS AND DAMAGE BY GALE

Though Berwick and the surrounding districts got off comparatively lightly in the great storm of wind and rain which swept the country at the weekend, other parts of the blast, and damage was done in several occasions.

The Tweed rose rapidly inconsequence of torrential rain in the West country, and at Melrose it was said to have risen like a wall of water. Many portions of low lying haugh and fields abutting the river, were under water and scenes at the caulds and salmon ladders were such as not to be readily forgotten.

At the river flood gauge near the Chain Bridge the water rose to about three-quarters of an inch below the abnormal mark of the flood of some seven years ago. Numbers of spawned salmon, sickened by the density of the flood were noted about the shallows, turning on their backs. Large quantities of fencing and fallen timber were washed down the river, to provide a welcome Yule log for the poor, who were out by times to see what was going. The Tweed got above its banks in the vicinity of Horncliffe and Norham and flooding took place.

Union Chain Bridge, c.1900’s. Ref: BRO 426/1137

The river was at its highest flood level in the early hours of Sunday morning, and it is still running big and red.

Monday night saw a repetition of the gale, though rain hardly fell in such quantities. A stiff breeze was blowing about eight o’clock in the evening and this steadily freshened until it blew a gale towards midnight. Some damage was done to old properties in the town, slates and chimney tops being shaken from their fastenings. Wireless aerials too came in for a rough handling with the blast. A heavy blast of rain laid the wind considerably ere morning.

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