BERWICK ADVERTISER, 24TH NOVEMBER 1922

25/11/2022 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK DIVISION ELECTION

DECLARATION OF THE POLL AT ALNWICK

Scenes of Great Enthusiasm In The Constituency

Bonfires, band, and cheering crowds welcome

Mr. Philipson as member For The Division

Alnwick was all agog on Thursday last, when the counting of the votes took place in the Town Hall. Counting started after eleven, and by mid-day a huge crowd gathered in the Market Place. The declaration was expected to be between half-past one and two o’clock, but it was announced shortly before two that the declaration would at least be another hour. Rumours were current that a re-count was taking place, but this was not a fact. About five minutes past four Mr H. Graham Lester, deputy acting Returning Officer, announced the result from the Town Hall steps as follows:-

HILTON PHILIPSON……………….11,933

Walter Runciman……………………7,354

And added. “I declare Mr Hilton Philipson to be the candidate elected for this Division.” (Loud cheers).

Appearing on the Town Hall steps, the new member said he must first of all propose a very hearty vote of thanks to the Returning Officer for the very efficient way in which he and his staff had carried out their duties. He was rather nervous, and he could not very well thank them properly, but he could only say that he was overjoyed by the way in which the people of this constituency had shown that they still wanted all moderate people to work together. (Cheers). He was quite sure that they would agree with him that the fight had been a good fight, a straight fight, and a clean fight. He thanked them very very much from the bottom of his heart, and he hoped that he would justify the confidence they had placed in him. (Cheers).

MR RUNCIMAN CONGRATULATES NEW MEMBER

Mr Runciman then spoke, saying – I wish to second the vote of thanks to the Returning Officer for the courtesy and kindness with which he has conducted today’s proceedings; and in doing so I wish to be the first to publicly congratulate Mr Philipson on becoming the member for this constituency. (Cheers). He has every reason to be proud of a constituency with such a history as this. (Hear, hear). I am glad to think that, although you have not chosen me as your member, you have at least chosen a Northumbrian. (Hear, hear, and cheers). Before passing within the hall Mr Runciman shook hands with the new member.

Mrs Philipson, who responded to calls for a speech thanked the electors in similar terms to what she used later at Berwick.

Berwick Town Hall early 1900’s (c) BRO 426-294

Mr Philipson was then carried shoulder high through the crowd to his motor car. Mr and Mrs Philipson, accompanied by cheering and excited crowd, proceeded slowly in their motor car up the step cobbled slope of Bondgate Hill to the committee room near the Corn Exchange, and Mr Runciman went to his committee rooms in the old “Officers” mess” near Bondgate Tower, where both addressed and thanked their workers.

Mr Philipson, speaking from an upper window, thanked the ladies first and then the Service men. “The way in which my comrades have stood by me has absolutely astounded me,” he said. “I thank everyone for all you have done, and let me say I will never let you down.” (A voice: “Good old lad.”)

Tumultuous cheering and the singing of “He’s a jolly god fellow” followed.

Huge crowds waited at the Town Hall, Berwick, for the election result, and at 4.20 this was announced by the Mayor. The result was greeted with loud cheers. Hand-bills giving the figures were printed at the “Advertiser” and circulated in the town.

THE RECEPTION OF THE NEWS

The constituency generally was staggered at the size of the majority. Those who remembered the last general election did not expect the result before 4 o’clock, and when ballot boxes have to be collected from like Holy Island it is not surprising that Berwick is not among the first results to be declared. That was the real reason for the delay, but when it was announced that a recount was necessary no one was surprised. The rumour ran that Philipson was in by 5, 9, 10, and 15 and other small majorities, which squared with the expectations of the man in the street. Mr Philipson’s own people knew how well he had polled: most of those not in the know expected Runciman to get in by a very small majority, but a recount with Philipson leading seemed not outside the bounds of possibility. The actual figures, as we say, were staggering. There is no getting away from it that the result is a great blow not only to Mr Runicman, but to Viscount Grey. With Sir Donald Maclean defeated, and Mr Asquith over 70, Mr Runciman, if returned, would frequently have acted as leader of the Wee Frees in the House of Commons, so that it is a double loss to him. It is no disparagement to Mr Philipson to say that there would have been advantages to Berwick and the constituency to be represented by one who had been a Cabinet Minister, and was still young, as politicians go. The constituency, however, decided to give a younger and untried man a chance, and there can be no doubt that the votes of the ex-Service men and the ladies brought this about. Mr Runciman is a powerful speaker, a good businessman and courageous. Over confidence was probably his undoing. When he first spoke in Berwick he had a very poor meeting, and he said openly that if Berwick didn’t want him other constituencies would be glad of him. When you are wooing it doesn’t do to take too much for granted. There has been a good deal of bitterness on both sides, and there is no denying that in many quarters Mr Runciman had to face for reasons good or bad considerable personal unpopularity. When that is so, scandal and malice get in a double blow, and spiteful rumours with no foundation undoubtedly did him a great deal of harm. Both candidates being Liberals did not induce their supporters to carry on the contest any more pleasantly, and even in 1906 there was less ill-feeling. In connection with the ex-Service vote, it will be remembered that, without setting foot in the constituency, Capt. Watson-Armstrong in 1918 polled 4397 votes again Sir Francis Blake’s 6721. Mr Philipson has taken his success with great modesty and has now to win his spurs by service in the House.

ENTHUSIAMS AT HIGH PITCH IN BERWICK

MR PHILIPSON’S CAR DRAGGED THROUGH CHEERING CROWDS BY EX-SERVICE MEN

Scenes of unparalleled enthusiasm were witnessed in Berwick on Thursday night, when Mr Philipson arrived to thank the electors. A huge crowd gathered in Hide Hill and Sandgate shortly before six o’clock and numbers of supporters and ex-Service men, who had proceeded to the Bridge End, held up Mr Philipson’s car and, fixing ropes to it they towed it though cheering crowds to Sandgate.

BRO 0426-355 Hide Hill, showing the King’s Arms Hotel, Berwick-upon-Tweed

The member and Mrs Philipson, standing up in the body of the car, acknowledged the cheers and shook the hands of hundreds of enthusiasts who clambered on the footboards. Never in the history of the constituency, since young Edward Grey was dragged in his carriage round the town after defeating Earl Percy, has such a scene been witnessed.

Mr and Mrs Philipson and their friends had difficulty in making their way through the crowd to their committee room. Cheer upon cheer went up, and the young member, towering above the seething crows, could be seen forcing his way to the passage and shaking hands with supporters.

The sash window of the committee room having been removed, the member addressed the crowd from there.

Mr Philipson (who had to stand some time before cheers died down) said- I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me in helping to win this election. (Loud cheers). You have shown me hat, after all, “old soldiers never die.” (Laughter and cheers.) I must thank all of you for what you have done. It is you who have got me into Parliament. (Cheers)…………………………………………whole speech can be read in the Berwick Advertiser

Mrs Philipson (in response to an insistent demand from the crowd) made a neat little speech, which was distinctly heard by all. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, she said. (Cheers). It is a proud moment for me today; for first of all I am proud to think the object his father wished for him- (Loud cheers which drowned part of the sentence)- that he should strive to have the family name of Philipson honoured in the North had come to pass today. (Loud cheers). Secondly, I particularly wish to thank you men and women- (cheers)- who have voted for him for having given him his chance- his first chance in the beginning of his political career- to work in your interests and in the interest of the country. (Loud Cheers) I thank you all, and I promise to help him all I can. (Cheers). Mrs Philipson, kissing her hand to the huge assembly, stepped back from the window amid deafening cheers.

Mr and Mrs Philipson were again dragged in their Austin through the town, and after traversing the north part a return was made to the King’s Arms headed by a piper (Mr James Chisholm). A further speech was made in the King’s Arms, this can be read fully in the Advertiser.

AT THE CONCERT

Thanks to Mr Hilton Philipson’s kind consideration, the concert arranged by Mr W. S. Moor for the evening was a success. In the excitement of the election seats had not booked up too well, and the concert party on arriving in the midst of Berwick rejoicings concluded the affair would be a wash-out. However, Mr Philipson announced in his speech from the King’s Arms Hotel that he and Mrs Philipson would come along to the concert about 9 p.m. This turned the attention of the crowd to the concert, with the result that there were few vacant seats in the Corn Exchange.

Mr Philipson, introduced by Mr W. S. Moor as “our new M.P.,” had a great welcome, the concert party lining up on stage and leading the audience in singing “For he’s a jolly good fellow.” When the cheering quietened down, Mr Philipson again thanked the electors for the honour they had done him that day in putting him in the very proud position of member for the Division. “I cannot,” said Mr Philipson, “possibly hope to compare myself with Lord Grey – (cries of “Question”)- but I will do the utmost I possibly can – (applause)- and try to justify the confidence you have so lavishly given me today.” (Applause). Continuing, Mr Philipson said – I am told that never in the history of this town has there been such a demonstration as tonight. If you want to give three cheers for the people who made this possible, you ought to give them to yourselves and not me. (Applause).

Led by Mr Pike, the audience gave three lusty cheers for Mr Philipson, who afterwards left the Corn Exchange.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 17TH MARCH 1922

18/03/2022 by Northumberland Archives

SALE OF CORPORATION ACADEMY

MR J.I.CAIRNS ACQUIRES THE PREMISES AT £3,150

In the Assembly Rooms of the King’s Arms Hotel on Thursday afternoon, Mr W. J. Bolam conducted a sale of property, chief among which was that part of the Corporation Estate known as the Corporation Academy, situated between High Street and Bankhill. There had numerous enquiries made regarding this property prior to the sale, and judging from the very large attendance present when the sale opened, there was great interest in the town in regard to its final destination.

When bids were invited they came readily and the price mounted rapidly. Some of those present at the close of the sale were very much surprised to learn that Mr J. I. cairns had become the owner, as he was seen to leave after bidding up to £2,100, but he secured the lot at £3,150, Mr Hugh Percy, solicitor, having taken up the bidding on his behalf. Mr Cairns also became the owner of the condemned dwelling at 30 Golden Square, which abuts to the rear on the Academy premises, Mr Nelson, Berwick, bidding for it on his behalf.

The conditions of sale were read by the Town Clerk, Mr D. S. Twigg, after which Mr Bolam invited questions upon any point arising in the conditions.

Mr P. M. Henderson – Are we clearly to understand this property comes under Schedule 4?

The Town Clerk – We have the full consent of the various Government Departments who have approved the sale, and so far as I know that is all the consent that is necessary to sell.

Proceeding to sell the property, Mr Bolam said it was a somewhat sad occasion to be met to take part in the selling of the old Academy. The Academy had played an important part in the history of the town. Its pupils had gone to all parts of the world, and generally they had done well wherever they had gone. Circumstances however had arisen which had caused the school to be closed, and much though they might regret selling the old school they could not help it. Times had changed from those of the old days and they found they could not afford to run the school. That was the reason it was being offered. It was a beautiful site, probably the finest site ever offered in Berwick. There are no limitations to its development, and it would indeed make a splendid site for a hotel. A gentleman in the room, he knew, was going to bid for it for that purpose. The area of the site was over 2,000 square yards, and he specially drew the attention of prospective purchasers to the fact that the last plans prepared for the New Bridge showed the road being brought out only a little way below this property. A great many strangers had been making enquiries about the property and he hoped Berwickers would not forget their old fighting spirit, and by bidding keep the strangers out, and secure the site for some local industry. One point which he wished to make clear was that the windows of Bankhill Church Hall which overlooked the playground were only allowed to do so under agreement and they could be closed at the will of the owner.

The Bankhill entrance which the Corporation had been paying 1s per year for had now been redeemed, and the purchaser of the property would get uninterrupted passage to Bankhill free. The only thing the site needed was a side entrance, and the lot he would offer later in Golden square would afford an entrance of 30 feet in width. In regard to the reserve price the Corporation was in the hands of the Ministry of Health, who had fixed it. No doubt their reserve would be reached, but he wished to make it clear that they could not deal with anyone after the sale if the reserve was not reached. If they could not effect a sale they must go back to the Ministry for further consent to reduce the reserve price.

THE BIDDING

Offers being invited the lot was started at £1,000, and by bids of £100 it rose rapidly to £3,000, when the ardour of bidders began to cool. At £3,100 bids of £50 were taken, and at £3,150 the hammer fell to Mr Hugh Percy, solicitor, Alnwick, who was bidding for Mr J. I. Cairns.

The freehold premises at 30 Golden square, which were closed by the local Authority as unfit for habitation in 1914 and ordered to be demolished in 1915 ( the latter order however having never been enforced) were then offered. Starting at the modest sum of £5 the price rose to 350, when Mr Jas. Nelson, Berwick, bidding on behalf of Mr Cairns, got the fall of the hammer.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 3RD MARCH 1922

04/03/2022 by Northumberland Archives

DEATH OF MR EDWARD WILLOBY

THE LAST INMALE LINE OF OLD

BERWICK FAMILY

The death of Mr Edward Willoby, which took place at the residence of his sister, Mrs Anderson, Dunbar, at the week-end, removes one of the few old “standards” of Berwick, and also the last of the male line of a family which has been resident in the town since the sixteenth century. Mr Willoby’s health has been steadily failing since the death of his sister last April. He sometime ago disposed of the furnishings of the house in Ravensdowne and went to live with his widowed sister to whom he was very much attached. The end was not altogether unexpected by his more intimate friends.

AN OLD BERWICK FAMILY

Mr Willoby was the second son of the late Mr Edward Willoby, solicitor and Clerk to the Borough and County Magistrates, Guardians and Rural District Council, who died in 1893. His great grandfather was Borough Treasurer in 1763 and Town Clerk in 17765 and 1800, his grandfather, Mr William Willoby, succeeded to the post. Mr Willoby’s mother was a Miss Jane Gray prior to her marriage and he had one brother William, who died in 1885, and two sisters, Miss W. Willoby, who died last year, Mrs Anderson, who still survives. A tablet to this branch of the family was erected in Berwick Parish Church in November last.

Mr Willoby’s forebears having been Freemen, he, as a boy, attended the Corporation Academy and in after life always maintained a kindly interest in it. He was made a Freeman of the town in July 1866, and from that date was never non-resident until recently.

The Corporation Academy, now The Leaping Salmon public house, Berwick upon Tweed. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

AS ESTATE AGENT

Mr Willoby did not follow the legal profession of his forefathers, but set out on his own as an estate agent soon to cultivate an extensive business. He acted as local estate agent for the Duke of Northumberland and had supervision of the Magdalene Fields. Many will remember how at intervals he used to ride round the fields on horseback examining the fences. He was a great horseman and in connection with his business he used to make long journeys into Northumberland in the saddle. He had charge of the Coupland estate owned by the Culley family and was well-known in Glendale by the tenantry. For long too he has acted for the Askew family, when their estate was more extensive than now, and in the North Northumberland. Mr Askew and he were close friends. He never aspired to municipal honours or anything likely to take his mind off his business and that, no doubt, was the secret of his success as an agent.

A SPORTSMAN

From his earliest boyhood Mr Willoby was keen on sport. He had no particular fancy but if anything he had leanings towards rowing and fox hunting. He was one of the original committee of the Berwick Amateur Rowing Club in 1869 and an active member at the time when William Grey, Thomas Darling, and others trained on occasion late and early and could beat all comers at the regattas. Mr Willoby was most successful rowing in pairs. His brother William, who was also a good oarsman, was a member of the club at this time and between the two of them they won many prizes.

Berwick Rowing Club Boat House. BRO 0426-440

Readers who can take their memory back over twenty years will remember how keenly Mr Willoby followed the Northumberland and Berwickshire Hunt. If a meet was within riding distance of Berwick, he attended it in blue coat and white buckskin breeches. To see Mr Willoby coming up Hide Hill to his stables at the top of Woolmarket after the hunt, the horse tired and mudstained was as familiar a sight twenty years ago, as the old King’s Arms bus. He liked a gallop in the afternoons of summer days out by the Murton and Unthanks way.

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