Berwick Advertiser

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 23RD JUNE 1922

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BERWICK BOARD OF GUARDIANS

SCALE OF RELIEF UNDER ARTICLE XI REVISED

On the recommendation of the Workhouse and Finance Committee the Board agreed to continue the granting of unemployment relief under Article XI. They also agreed to reduce the present scale from 15s per week for a single man to 12s per week, and for a man and wife from 20s to 17s 6d per week, and from 5s for each child to 3s per week.

BOARD’S UPKEEP OF CHILDREN COSTS 15s A WEEK

It was intimated that the Carlisle Union were willing to take three children from the Berwick Union at present in Gateshead Home, and also two at present in the Workhouse for the sum of 15s a head for week.

The inmates were stated to be in the sick wards 13 men, 12 women, and two infants, a total of 27; and in other parts of the house 11 men, three women and two children, a total of 16, making a total of 24 men as against 23 last year, 15 women against the same number last year, two children against none last, and two infants against one last ear, a total of 43 inmates of all classes against 39 last year – an increase of four. The casuals numbered 19 as against 18 for the corresponding last year.

Berwick Workhouse Plan

The Board agreed to continue for another year certificates of exception under the National Unemployment Insurance Acts.

RESOLUTIONS

Resolutions on the subject of war bonuses to Poor Law officers were submitted from Newmarket Union and from the National Poor Law Officers’ Association. That from the Newmarket Union urged that steps be taken to reduce the bonuses to Poor Law officers, and also called for the removal of the anomaly under the Poor Law Superannuation Act of 1896, whereby superannuation was 25 per cent higher than for other members of the community. The Poor Law Officers’ Association on the other hand, urged that this resolution be not supported as the scale of bonuses was regarded as fair to guardians and officers, and that it was unfair to compare the 1896 Act with claims for civil servants. The Board agreed to send both resolutions to the House and Finance Committee for further consideration.

A resolution from the Romford Union urging amendments in the Lunacy Acts was allowed to lie on the table. Some of the amendments suggested were that the terms mental hospital and mental patient should be substituted for asylum and pauper lunatics.

Another resolution from the National Union of Assessment Committee regarding the Removal of Machinery Bill was referred to the Assessment Committee.

Miss Greet gave notice of motion that two delegates and the Medical Officer be appointed at the next meeting to visit the Asylum at Morpeth to inspect the patients there chargeable to the Union.

SPORT

GOLF

The new putting course seems to have taken on with members of the Magdalene Fields Club and the general public, who are allowed to use it on the same terms as members of the club.

BERWICK GRAMMAR SCHOOL

On Friday evening the Berwick Grammar School boys played a foursome match together with the Old Boys’ Association- thus forging a new link between the Past and Present of the school. While all concerned thoroughly enjoyed the game, to the boys it was particularly pleasant and instructive, and they are eagerly looking forward to a return match. The Magdalene Fields club kindly allowed the players the courtesy of the greens. The match resulted in a win for Councillor J. Colin Campbell’s side by four matches to two. The details were as follows:- Mr J. C. Campbell and A. D. Patterson beat Mr James Richardson and J. D. Crosbie. Dr. P. W. Maclagan and R. W. Glahome beat Mr W. R. McCreath and W. Parkinson. Mr John Crisp and Roy Campbell tied with Mr C. Lee and Ivan Crisp. Mr I. Torrance Smith and Melville Caverhill beat Mr James Gray and Douglas Henderson. Mr R. S. Eaton and John Stoddart beat W. Patterson and J. D. Williams. Mr R. F. S. Morrison and Stanley I. Ballard tied with R. T. Renwick and Fred Stott.

THE MAYOR’S GOLF PRIZE

The Mayor (Dr Maclagan) who takes a great interest in the boys’ golf has offered a golf prize to the Grammar School. The draw for the prize is as follows: – 1st round-S. I. Ballard (29) v. D. Henderson (19). 2nd round- J. Stoddart (26) v. J. D. Williams (26); W. Grieve (15) v. F. Stott (18); W. Patterson (60 v.. R. W. Glahome (scr); R. T. Renwick (9) v. M. Caverhill (23); A. D. Patterson (6) v. winner of 1st round; J. D. Crosbie (5) v. G. Martin (11); Roy Campbell (17) v. W. Parkinson (11); Ivan Crisp (110 v. A. E. Fletcher (23).

LADIES’ MEDAL

There was a better entry for the ladies’ medal played over the Magdalene Fields course on Tuesday evening, 17 taking part. A high wind made good scoring difficult. The best card returned was a net score of 80 by Miss C. E. Purves. The best scratch score amongst the low handicaps were recorded by Miss Marshall with 96. Those qualifying for the match play for the Officers’ Cup are Misses C. E. Purves, K. Grant, Marshall, and J. Stirling.

TENNIS

DUNS v. BERWICK

The mixed doubles match against Berwick, played at Duns on Saturday, resulted in a win for Berwick by 7 matches to 2, 14 sets to 4, 99 games to 54. Details were:-

Miss Romanes and P. Deas ( Duns) beat Miss Tate and capt. Dover, 6-3, 6-4; lost to Mrs R. W. Maling and M. E. Maling, 0-6, 4-6; lost to Mrs Hutchinson and R. W. Maling, 2-6, 2-6.

Miss B. Laidlaw and T. F. Walton (Duns) lost to Mrs Hutcheson and R. W. Maling, 2-6, 1-6; lost to Mrs R. W. Maling and M. E. Maling, 0-6,0-6; lost to Miss tate and Capt. Dover, 4-6, 4-6.

Miss C. Fair and W. Easton (Duns) beat Miss Tate and Capt. Dover, 6-4, 6-4; lost to Mrs Hutcheson And R. W. Maling, 3-6, 3-6; lost to Mrs R. W. Maling and M. E. Maling, 3-6, 2-6.

EVENING TOURNAMENT

The Berwick Club held an evening tournament on the Pier Field courts on Thursday last. There were nine couples entered for the mixed doubles and six for the ladies’ doubles. The winners of the mixed doubles were Miss Middlemas and J. Fleming who beat Miss Cowe and J. Patterson 6-5 in the final. The ladies’ doubles were won by Miss K. D. Mackay and Miss Oswald, who defeated Miss Walker and Miss Buglas 6-1 in the final.

ACTIVITY AT THE DOCKS

There was great activity at the Dock on Wednesday morning, when a favourable tide, full at 11.21 a.m., allowed five boats to be safely berthed within two hours. The “Hibernia,” which is a regular trader with Scremerston coal to the South of England and the Continent, was one of the first arrivals, and as soon as she was berthed began coaling operations At the depot on the south side of the dock. She is taking on board a cargo of 328 tons for Plymouth. Wagons of coal awaited her arrival, and all hands were soon busy transferring the cargo. Alongside of her lay the “Horsham,” which arrived light on the same tide, and will also ship a cargo of 470 tons of Scremerston coal for Bremerhaven.

Photograph of the Berwick Quayside early 1900s Ref: BRO 1636-5-6

The next arrival was a dainty little sailing yacht from the Tyne with the 1st Tyne Sea Scouts aboard flying the Scout flag at the mast. The scouts are on a three weeks’ cruise, and have been as far north as Montrose and St. Andrews, where a pleasant time has been spent. The yacht is on her homeward journey, and on leaving Berwick will call at Holy Island, and then compete in a yacht club race to Blyth. She is a trim little craft lent to the scouts by her owner, Mr Anderson of Tyneside.

Then followed the steamer  ”Orion” with a cargo of wood from Sweden for the Woodyard. She arrived in the bay on Tuesday, and the large craft was safely piloted up the river and berthed on the north side of the dock, where she will unload.

The last arrival was the motor drifter “C.S.L.” from Frazerburgh which brought a cargo of oats for Clarabad Mills.

The Danish sailing vessel “Gloria” arrived on Monday with a cargo of ice, which was also being discharged on Wednesday morning.

NOTES FROM SPITTAL

Spittal has always been a popular place for West Country children and in pre-war days it was the custom to give them a day at the seaside. Of late years owing to the war and railway restrictions this has not been possible, but this year the Railway Companies have seen their way to grant concessions and the public are taking full advantage of these. Last week Kelso Sunday Schools visited Spittal and on Monday Melrose Sunday Schools had their annual outing there.

Spittal Beach, 1900s

The journey was made by special train by Kelso, a non-stop run from St. Boswells accomplishing the distance in little over an hour. There were some 300 children and fully another 200 adults, from Melrose and district. A pleasant day was spent on Spittal sands or in visiting Berwick and shortly after 6 p.m. all entrained once more at Tweedmouth station for the return journey. The youngsters, many of whom had not seen the sea before, were all tired with their day, but happy in the possession of spades, or pails filled with pebbles or shells, or sand, and local shops appeared to have done quite a good trade with shrimp nets. On Wednesday next another trip from the same district visits Spittal, and will include Sunday Schools from Newton Earlston, etc.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 9TH JUNE 1922

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DEATH OF MR WILLITS

47 YEARS HEADMASTER OF THE BRITISH SCHOOL

The death of Mr H. W. Willitts, formerly headmaster of the British School, Berwick, took place on Sunday after a short illness following a seizure he had over a week ago. The news was received in the town with the deepest regret and none felt it more than those who had passed through his hands during the 47 years he was headmaster at the British School. All over the world where old boys and girls are scattered the news of Mr Willits’ death will come as a personal grief. To know Mr Willits was to gain daily evidence of the interest he held in the well-being of his “boys,” as he familiarly called them, to feel the kindly sympathy he took in their work, and to know that at the times he was most stern, he sought to correct some tendency which might in later life prove the undoing of his pupil.

Mr Willits was the eldest son of the late Mr John Willits, S. S., who for many years acted as manager for Messrs Rennoldson and Capper, timber merchants, Newcastle-on-Tyne, his mother being one of the well-known family of Woodroffe of Surrey. He began his scholastic career as a Pupil Teacher in the Jarrow Chemical Coy’s School at South Shields, and passing the Queen’s Scholarship Examination in the First Division at Christmas, 1868, he later occupied the sixth place in Boro’ Road College. During his stay there he was awarded the only certificate given in his year for School Management, and he left as the second man of his year.

In 1871 he was appointed teacher in the School at New Marske, one of the forty-two schools maintained by Jos. Pease, Esq., and while a student gained certificates in Chemistry, mathematics, Physiography, mechanics and Drawing. After spending five months at New Markse he was appointed to the Berwick British School, on the special recommendation of the late Sir H. E. Oakley, H. M. Inspector for British Schools in the North of England. During his stay in Berwick Mr Willits has had some tempting offers, but all of these he has declined to accept. Away back in 1874 he was invited by Sir H. E. Oakley to become an Assistant Inspector to reside in Durham, but he declined the position.

As a young man, Mr Willits was an adept at rowing and an active and enthusiastic member of the B.A.R.C. For six years he served as a volunteer with the 3rd Durham Artillery Volunteers. He was travelled much abroad, visiting various countries as Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Germany and Spain, and the information thus gathered has been most helpful to him in his profession, and to the pupils under his instruction, to whom he was ever ready to impart knowledge of the customs and life on the Continent. A keen bowler, he was one of the most enthusiastic members of the Berwick Bowling Club up to 1902, when he met with a serious cycling accident which prevented him from taking further part in his favourite game. In 1896, Mr Willits attained his semi jubilee at the British School, and was on that occasion made the recipient of a handsome gold watch and chain as a token of respect and esteem.

Berwick British School, plan, April 1858. Ref: NDE 08-01

He took an active part in the various organisations in those days, being for thirteen years Secretary and Treasurer of the North Northumberland Teachers’ Association. He was also associated with the Kiln Hill Sunday School, where he conducted a large Band of Hope for many winters, and for fifteen years discharged the duties of Superintendent. Mr Willits was a lifelong abstained and he was always been most assiduous in inculcating temperance principles in the minds of his scholars. He has acted as president of Berwick Choral Union and was vice-president of the old Debating Society which used to meet in the Bankhill Church Vestry. Mr Willits was a staunch Presbyterian and was Senior Elder of the Wallace Green congregation, of which denomination he had been a trustee for 32 years.

Mr Willits retired from the head mastership of the British School in March, 1918, owing to having passed the age limit, and he was then made the recipient of a well filled wallet as a token of esteem and regard from past and present pupils of the school.

Mr Willits was predeceased by his wife, a gifted lady and talented political organiser, a few years ago, and he felt her loss very keenly. He stayed more in the town after her demise, residence at the little bungalow nestling on the banks of the Whitadder at New Mills, where the worthy couple had often resided during Mrs Willits’ lifetime, being too pregnant of memories. He is survived by a grown-up family- Henry, who is a bank manager with Barclay and Co.; John, who during the war held the rank of Commander, and was engaged on convoy work; Fred, who holds an important position in West Africa; Janet, who is in the British School; and Annie, who is married and is in New Zealand.

LOCAL NEWS

Fri. June 9, light up 10.48 p.m. summer time.

Saturday being the King’s birthday the bells in the Town Hall were rung during the day, and the Town Flag and Union Jack were displayed.

Bishop Ormsby, Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, who was seriously ill for so long, received the most cordial of ovations at the Diocesan Conference on Wednesday, May 31st.

Lieut.-Col. The Hon. H. E. Joicey was present at the 14th (King’s) Hussars’ annual dinner at the Grand Hotel on Wednesday, May 31st.

Mr and Mrs Hugh Miller, of the Katzin-Miller Repertory Company, have been spending a holiday in Berwick this week. More information can be found by visiting the Berwick Friends website: http://www.berwickfriends.org.uk/history/hugh-miller-actor/

Hugh Miller (left) and Henry Oscar in a scene from the British film The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel (1937). Oscar was playing the role of Robespierre and Miller was his secretary De Calmet.

Mr Philip Maclagan, son of Dr P. G. Maclagan, London, and nephew of Dr C. G. Maclagan, Mayor of Berwick, has had a picture hung in the Royal Academy exhibition this year. The picture has been purchased by Mrs Winston Churchill.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 12TH MAY 1922

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ANGLER’S FIND IN WHITADDER.

GOLD MEDAL LOST FIVE YEARS AGO

DISCOVERED IN WADING SHOE

There was no one more annoyed than Mr James Linton, Berwick, five years ago, when he lost from his watch chain in the waters of the Whitadder the gold medal awarded to him in 1906, when he won the championship of Berwick and District Angling Club. On Monday the medal was restored to him, a little damaged no doubt after its long stay in the river bed, but still in fair condition, and the story of how it was recovered is not without interest.

To begin with it was in the summer of 1917 that Mr Linton lost his medal. He was having his holidays at the time and had been fishing on the Gainslaw side of the Whitadder above Canty’s Bridge. He believes the medal broke from his watch chain either as he was coming over the fence at the end of the Plantation or else while he was fishing down the flat opposite Mr Knox’s cottages. From that day to this week the medal was given up as lost by Mr Linton.

Reference: BRO 1550-031

Then came the finding of it which is very curious. An angler fishing up the Gainslaw bank on Saturday afternoon last stepped into the water at the muddy bottom opposite Canty’s Hole. After fishing for a few minutes he felt what he thought was a stone in his wading shoe. On coming to the bank later he was surprised to find inside his shoe a little medal, shaped like a cross, with thistle embellishment, which was tarnished and blackened by immersion in the mud. He polished it up and then discovered the inscription on the back: “Berwick and District Angling Club, won by James Linton, 1906.” Evidently the medal had lain in the mud for years, and when the angler’s shoe had sunk in the mud it had slipped in between the side of the shoe and the wader.

Mr Linton was very pleased to have the badge handed back to him and although it has been damaged, apparently through having been trodden on, he is having it re-mounted.

NASTY CYCLING ACCIDENT AT BERWICK.

TWO BOYS BADLY HURT

While cycling down the hill at Prior House, Berwick, on Thursday night May 3, a lad named Conlin, residing in Mount Road, Tweedmouth, came into violent collision with a little boy named darling, who resides at Murton, and who had run on to the road in front of the cycle.

Conlin was heavily thrown, sustaining a broken collar bone, and the boy darling, who got the full force of the impact, had his leg badly fractured and torn. Darling was conveyed to Berwick Infirmary by motor ambulance and detained, while Conlin, who was severely shaken but less seriously injured, was conveyed home.

LOCAL NEWS

The people of Berwick are beginning to find out the delights of the new pathway along the sea-banks running north from Dod’s Well. The “Primrose Banks” have always been popular, but the going was rather too rough to be frequented much as a regular walk. Now, thanks to the labours of men out of work during the rigours of winter the rough places have been made smooth and the way plain, and with glorious sunshine tempering the sea breezes, a stroll along this path is delightful. As the path winds in and out following the many indentations the sea has made, glimpses of the coast-line can be had from Holy Island and the Farnes up to the point south of Eyemouth. On Sunday the sea was of a glorious blue, with a fringe of dancing white as the waves beat on the rocky shore or dashed into the caves and caverns at the foot of the grassy banks. The coast is nearly all rocky northwards to the “needle Eye,” save for one stretch of sand, rather un-get-at-able because of the steep banks. There is only one objectionable feature to this new walk, and that is a heap here and there of old tins, broken bottles and china that had apparently been tipped over the banks before this new development was thought of.

NORHAM BOATHOUSE FARM

SELLS FOR £1600

On Saturday afternoon Mr W. J. Bolam, auctioneer, Berwick, offered for sale in the King’s Arms Assembly Rooms, Norham Boathouse farm, situated on Tweedside, and extending to 46.695 acres, the property of Sir F. D. Blake, Bart. The adjacent salmon fisheries were not included in the sale and the property was sold subject to all rights of ownership of such fisheries and to all rights of access thereto and to all usage’s enjoyed in connection therewith. Mr Bolam described the farm as one of the best little farms on Tweedside and has the advantages of a gravitation water supply. He also referred to the quarry which would be of some value as houses and cottages would have to be put up some day in the neighbourhood.

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

Referring to the reduction in the rate of income tax, Mr Bolam explained that farmers would not feel the benefit of that reduction this year, as the instalment payable in July, 1922, was really in respect of the income for the year ending 4th April, 1922. The basis of taxation of agricultural holdings would in future be on one year’s rental instead of two, or on profits, at the option of the tenant- a privilege enjoyed by no other section of the community. The financial year for tax purposes commenced on April 5th, and tax was payable in two instalments, on January 1st and July 1st, so that the tax actually due in respect of the year commencing 5th April, 1922, was not payable until January 1st, 1923, and July 1st 1923. He mentioned this as there seemed to be some uncertainty in the minds of agricultural tenants on the subject. As to rating relief, nothing definite had so far been promised, but Mr Bolam gave it as his opinion that the authorities would not be able to withstand the pressure of opinion so freely and strongly expressed at all recent meetings of agricultural societies, and he thought it certain that at no distant date some measure of relief must be given to occupiers of agricultural land. These two items had a very important bearing on the question of valuation of land, and he thought intending purchasers should bear them in mind.

Bidding started at £1000 and rose fairly rapidly to £1600, when the farm was knocked down to Capt. Davidson, Charlton Hall, Chathill, Norham, some time ago.

SALMON COBLE IN DANGER OFF BERWICK

THREE MEN RESCUED BY LIFEBOAT

Berwick lifeboat was summoned by the Coast Guards on Thursday night to assist three salmon fishers who had gone to the line fishing in the bay in a salmon coble, which was in danger of being swamped by the choppy sea set up by a westerly gale which was blowing.

NU 00583 52641 from NU 00567 52677

The plight of the men was also seen by a schooner, which was lying in the bay, and that vessel bore down to windward and protected the frail craft from the force of the wind squalls. The lifeboat was launched very smartly, and under sail soon reached the coble, taking the men aboard and the boat in tow. The men, who are employed at Blakewell fishing bat, were Henry Wilson, John Wilson and Thomas Wood, and they were little the worse of their experience when landed.

The rescue was watched by large crowds in the fields and on the Walls and Pier.

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