Berwick Advertiser

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 21ST JANUARY 1921

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HUNT BALL AT HAGGERSTON

The North Northumberland Hunt Ball at Haggerston Castle on Thursday evening last passed off very successfully. Over 300 were present, and the many coloured dresses of the ladies mingled with the huntsmen’s “pink” made a gay scene. Everyone was loud in praise of the excellent music of Archibald Joyce’s band, and the supper arrangements were generally voted splendid. This year the supper accommodation was increased by the provision of tables in the corridor near the dining-room. After dancing was over, the grounds, lit up with electricity, presented a busy scene, well over 100 motor cars waiting to convey the guests home. 

There were some very beautiful dresses worn. Mrs Leyland was a stately figure in black velvet. Heavily draped in the skirt, the material was caught at the back to form the train, and the edges of the V-shaped bodice were jet-trimmed. The right shoulder was fastened with an ostrich pom-pom of shaded magenta, and a similar adornment clung to the left hip. A floating piece of black tulle hung from each shoulder, and the sleeves were of tulle, while diamond ornaments gave distinction to this beautiful toilette. 

GLENDALE NOTES

WOOLER

There is every prospect of the Comrades’ ball again being a success. It will be held in the Archbold Hall tonight (Friday), Allan’s Band from Berwick will provide the music. 

Invitations have been sent out for a whist drive and dance, the proceeds of which are to go towards providing a treat for the members of the Parish Church choir in the summer. 

The weather keeps as changeable as ever. The week commenced mild and wet, but on Tuesday and Wednesday the wind was mainly from the N and NW which caused it to be much colder, but the return of sunshine was welcome. 

SUCCESS OF A WOOLER DOG FANCIER 

At the National Dog Show held in London on Wednesday, in the Border terrier Class, Mr John Strother’s bitch was awarded a first, a second and a championship. Mr Strother is to be congratulated on his success. 

WOOLER WAR MEMORIAL 

In order to assist the funds for the Wooler and District War Memorial the Belford Cinema Company are giving the entire proceeds of an exhibition of pictures to be held in the Archbold Hall on Wednesday next, 26th inst. Tickets may be had at the usual shops. 

Wooler War Memorial © Copyright –  Barbara Carr.  Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0. 

DR BARNARDO’S HOME 

On Sunday last the Rev. T. L. Gomersall took the services in the Parish Church when he appealed on behalf of Dr Barnardo’s Homes, of which he is northern secretary. On Monday night a public meeting was held in the Archbold Hall at which the Rev. D. Mayes presided, there being a fair attendance. 

The photograph above is the memorial to Dr Barnardo’s Children, in Tower Hamlets Cemetery, London.   In 1921, the Rev. T. L. Gomersall, took the service in Wooler Parish Church, when he appealed on behalf of Dr. Barnardo’s Homes.  ©  Copyright – Irid Escent. Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0. 

Mr Gomersall was present and delivered an interesting address on the work carried on by the Barnardo Homes. The lecture was illustrated with lantern views. The lecturer expressed his gratitude for all that people in Wooler had done for the homes as they had always responded splendidly to their appeals. Owing to the extra cost of food, etc., they needed funds more than ever if they were to maintain the ever-open door. A collection was made on behalf of the Homes. The following sums were received on behalf of the above in connection with Mr. Gomersall’s visit to Wooler. Collections in Parish Church, £2 10s; collecting box, 14s; collection at meeting in the Hall, £3 10s. Total, £6 14s. 

CHILDRENS COURT

WEDNESDAY

Before the Mayor, Chas. Forsyth, Alex. Darling, Thos. Wilson, Esqs., and Miss A. Henderson. 

Eight Berwick boys were charged with playing football in Coxon’s Lane on Sunday, 9th Jany. All pleaded guilty. P.C. Latto said about four in the afternoon he saw the boys playing football in the street near Rampart House. He later visited the parents and told them their boys would be reported. The Superintendent said there were numerous complaints about boys playing football in the streets and several windows had been broken. There was no excuse for this conduct, as there were plenty of open spaces for the purpose of football round about the town. The mothers of several of the boys attended, and in reply to questions by the mayor, they said they boys had left home to go to – Nurse Evans’ Bible Class and they never heard anything about them until the police called and said they had been kicking a ball about. The Mayor delivered an admonition and lectured the offenders on Sunday observance. They were all dismissed on paying of costs – 4s each. 

GUARD FALLS OUT OF A VAN

A rather peculiar accident occurred on the main line near Cockburnspath on Friday morning whereby James Burrell, a North British Railway goods guard, sustained injuries and suffered greatly from exposure. 

It appears Burrell was looking out of his van when the “hill pilot” was giving the goods train of which he was guard, a “shove up” the hill near the distant signal at Cockburnspath. Whether the door of the van flew open or a rough shunt caused Burrell to lose his balance is not clear, but the fact remains that he was shot out of his van without anyone having observed the accident and the train proceeded to Berwick. 

© Copyright – Ben Brooksbank. Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0. 

It was only when the train checked through Berwick that Burrell was missed and immediately a light engine and van was sent north and various stations asked to send out search parties. Three hours after the accident Burrell was found lying on the lineside near Cockburnspath in an injured and exhausted condition. Medical aid was summoned from Dunbar and he was then brought on with all speed to Berwick, where he was admitted to the Infirmary. On examination it was found that he suffered from fractured ribs and minor injuries, but he was very much exhausted owing to the long period he had been exposed. 

SPORT

TWEEDSIDE LEAGUE

Grindon United (h), 7; Horncliffe, 0. 

A very exciting game was played before a small attendance of spectators at the Home Park, Grindon, when the United secured a glorious victory over Horncliffe. The visitors won the toss and decided to play with the sun in their favour. The homesters opened strongly, scoring two goals in the first five minutes. For a short time some mid-field play was witnessed. Graham once more proved himself an able leader and led some strong attacks against the visitors’ goal. At times the visitors attempted to raid the home goal, but their attacks were feeble, compared with those of the United, and seldom got past Brown, who gave a fine display. At half-time the score was: – Grindon, 4: Horncliffe,0. 

On resuming Grindon pressed hard. Bell made some fine saves, but the ground being greasy caused bad shooting. The homesters kept pressing to the finish, and when the final whistle blew Horncliffe had to retire from the field beaten as above. The scorers were: – Graham (4), Waters, Wedderburn, Dalgliesh. The game was refereed by Mr J. Hume. 

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 7TH JANUARY 1921

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LOWICK WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILED

Sunday, the 2nd day of January 1921, will be a never-to-be-forgotten day in Lowick and parish, for on that day the memorial was unveiled in honour of the brave lads who went forward at their country’s call to make the great sacrifice. The memorial has been erected in the Market Place, opposite the Post Office, and is of Aberdeen Granite, with a Doddington Freestone base. The site is an ideal one, and the memorial standing 11 ft. 6 ins high, looks well and lends beauty to its surroundings.

Lowick War Memorial which was unveiled in 1921, amidst great ceremony.  © J Thomas – Geograph – Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

It was early evident the work of the Committee had been appreciated, for people came from all parts of the parish, many carrying wreaths. About 2 p.m. the crowd numbered anything from 800 to 1,000 persons. Promptly at 2.10, the procession was formed up at the churchyard gates and singing the hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers,” moved slowly forward as follows: Buglers, Comrades of the Great War (under Capt. Gee and Sergt. Pringle), relatives of the fallen, Sunday School children, Church congregations, Church Officers and Choirs; Major Rea, Capt. Elliott, Capt. Alexander, Mr R. Barber, the Rev. C. V. Gee, and the Rev. G. Tait, followed by the general public.

On arrival at the memorial, the procession formed into a square with military precision. On the platform were the Rev. C. V. Gee, the Rev. G. Tait, Major J. G. G. Rea, Captain Elliott, Mr R. Barber, Capt. Alexander, and Capt. Gee.

LOCAL NEWS

Arrangements are being made for the distribution of guaranteed pure fertile Italian Queen bees during season 1921, at a cost of 11s 6d for each delivery during May and up to June 25th, and 8s 6d each for July and August. Beekeepers should apply not later than January 25th to the Director of Education, The Moothall, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

There is prevalent in London and throughout the country a rather mysterious infection, which causes swelling of the glands around the angles of the jaws and sometimes in front of the ears. At first it was supposed that the condition was mumps; but now it is evident that there is a difference. Happily, the glands seem to subside of themselves in a period of a few days or weeks. The nature of the condition is not clear; by some it is regarded as a complication of “influenza.”

On New Year’s night the Long Room of the Corn Exchange was comfortably filled when a whist drive was held under the auspices of the Berwick-upon-Tweed Public Bowling Green. Mr R. Logan officiated as M.C. This was a new role for Mr Logan and he fulfilled the duties very courteously and efficiently. Before commencing play Mr M. L. Walker, the President of the Club, on behalf of the Committee, wished the company a Happy and Prosperous New Year. This was reciprocated with one shout — “the same to you, Mr Walker.” Extra prizes were given on this occasion, the successful winners being: — Ladies — 1, Mrs Thompson, 234; 2, Mrs Hendry, 231; 3, Mrs Cowperthwaite and Miss Morton tied with 226 and on being drawn Mrs Cowperthwaite was successful; booby, Miss Drummond, 188. Gentlemen — 1, Mr T. Harbottle, 254; 2, Mr H. Jamieson, 231 Mr R. Butler, 226; booby, Mr Duncan, 191. At an interval in the proceedings the usual supper was served and much enjoyed. Mr Walker presented the prizes, and before the proceedings terminated intimated their next whist drive would be held in about a fortnight’s time.

On Wednesday evening, 22nd December, St. Andrew’s Church Woman’s Guild held their Christmas tea, at which the members of the congregation and children of the Sunday School were entertained. During the evening the Rev. J. Scott Morrison was presented with a wallet containing Treasury notes by Miss Tait, on behalf of the Guild and members of the congregation. Mrs J. Sanderson was also presented by Miss Bella Gemmel with a brush and comb on behalf of the Children’s Choir, and with a picture from the Rev. J. Scott Morrison for services rendered in training the children. Suitable replies were made by both recipients. There was a large gathering present. A splendid tea and varied programme of songs and recitations was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Fruit was served to the children, kindly provided by the Rev. J. Scott Morrison and Mr Landels.

CORNHILL

In the January “Border Magazine” “Herd Laddie” tells the following Border anecdote: — “One of the Askews, a former squire of Pallinsburn, was a very eccentric person, who frequently went about the district dressed with a threadbare black velvet suit and carrying under his arm a big old-fashioned umbrella green with age. Nothing gave him greater delight than people mistaking his social position, and at dinner parties he was wont to relate some of the ridiculous remarks made to him.

The Blue Bell Inn, Pallinsburn, where one of the Askew’s, a squire, had his encounter with the carter and his horse. © Andrew Curtis – Geograph –  Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).

The following is said to have been his favourite: — One day he was sauntering down the steep bank between Pallinsburn and the Blue Bell Inn, when he met a lame carter with a very hard-up horse. The horse was struggling up the hill with the load of lime, and the carter was assisting it for all he was worth by pushing behind the cart. On seeing the old squire, and not knowing who he was, shouted, “Come and gies a sheet (push), man.” “Sheet yursel,” was the tardy response. “ Eigh! Yur just some auld lazy deevil,” was the disappointed rejoinder.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 24 DECEMBER 1920

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

CUSTOMS PECULIAR TO BERWICK

(LET’S US HOPE!)

Dear Sir, – This old town, in many things, seems to be “a law unto itself.” To an incomer there are, now and again, what might be termed “different ways of doing things”; but, really, the other evening there came “a startler.” Thus am I compelled to write, in order to convey to these “Christmas Waits” (?) how such extraordinary conduct appears to a stranger.

To be informed that there were men waiting at the door, begging a Christmas Box, for doing work they are PAID to do – making a house-to-house visitation – came as a surprise. Ugh! I refer to the scavengers of the town. Their work, no doubt, is lowly – but mighty useful all the same. Still, surely when night comes on, ‘tis a pity to go around doing still more lowly work. Can they not trust to the generosity of the inhabitants, who surely would remember those to whom we owe so much, in the same way as the postman, milk boy, baker’s boy, et., or any other dependent, whose faithful services throughout the year are never forgotten?

Or is it that the salaries of the scavenger are so meagre and inadequate that they resort to begging? There must be something wrong somewhere. Surely real Scotch pride might be expected to be found amongst workers in the Borderland – I am, Sir,

“ASTONISHED RESIDENTER.”

LOCAL NEWS

In response to an urgent appeal for the Russian Relief and Reconstruction Fund, to relieve the distress in Russia, the pupils of the Girls’ National School on Monday last took a collection at their school concert, amounting to £1 1s 6d.

© Author: Unknown.  Source: International Committee of the Red Cross.  Wikimedia Commons.

In Russia the conditions of the people are terrible, says the appeal, owing to the shortage of food, the scarcity of clothes and the expensive fuel. Typhus ravages the people, and the death rate has averaged 30,000 per month. The shortage of fuel is more especially felt just now when often the thermometer registers 25 to 27 degrees below zero.

The leasing of the Mariner’s Cottage on the North Road, Berwick, to Mr Lyal Irvine, Tweedmouth, calls to mind how these two cottages got their name. Many years ago, in the time of the Lamberton Toll marriages, an old sailor, named Capt. Sharpe, becoming tired of a life on the ocean wave, came to live at the cottage, and being a bit of a sea lawyer he took up the duty of “Lamberton Priest.” On the end of his cottage facing the road he put up a board, which announced that he was prepared to tie the happy knot, and each day he attended at Berwick station to ascertain if any couples had arrived wishful of being tied up at Lamberton Toll.

Pictured is Lamberton Toll, REF: BRO 515-296.

When given notice, he was prepared to hire the carriages to convey the contracting parties to “Gretna.” Sharpe was known to the people of Berwick as the “Ancient Mariner,” and the cottage soon became known by the name it now bears.

Next week, commencing on Monday, the Northern Entertainments Coy. will present in the Queen’s Rooms their smart revue musical comedy “Lizzie.” A treat is certainly in store for patrons of the “Queen’s” as this talented Company have performed to large houses recently. A special matinee will be held on Monday first, when, owing to the limited accommodation in the gallery, intending patrons should make sure of a seat by booking early.

NOTES FROM SPITTAL

In the November number of the “Lifeboat,” the journal of the R.N.L.I., there is a very interesting article on a new device used for launching lifeboats, known as the “Platform Lift Launching Method,” which, we understand, is to be adopted at Spittal when the new motor lifeboat comes to the river. The platform system has been adopted at Sunderland, and it is specially suited to rivers where the difference between high water level and low water at spring tides is over twelve feet. Shortly the system is this. The boathouse is built on piles above the river with a well channel between the side piles in which the boat will float at any state of tide. The lifeboat is placed on a platform inside the house, which can be raise or lowered from or to the “well” by wire ropes and winches manipulated by man power or by petrol engine power. When the boat has to be launched the crew enter the craft in the boathouse, and at a given signal the winding gear is released, and she sinks down into the well between the piles. The boat is still moored to her platform carriage, but when a slip chain is released and the landward end of the platform tilted up by the winches, she glides into deep water down between guide rails. The motor can be started as soon as the vessel leaves the platform. When the boat returns she is backed in on to her platform, and once secured with the slip chain can be raised to the boathouse above by the winches. When man power is used to lower and raise the boat, two men at the crank handles can lower her safely, but it needs eight men to raise her. When funds permit, however, the Institution intend to put in petrol engines at the boathouse, where this system prevails, and this will save a great amount of manual work.

SPORTS, AMUSEMENTS, & C.

FOOTBALL

BERWICK RANGERS’ MATCH ON CHRISTMAS DAY

The Rangers hope to be well patronised on Saturday, as they have gone to considerable expense in securing a visit from the Edinburgh Civil Service Strollers – one of the best amateur teams in Scotland. The kick-off will be at 2.15. The Rangers will put a good team into the field, the majority of them cup players, but names cannot be given yet, as the Committee are waiting to see what players are at home in the town for the holidays. The Rangers are holding a whist drive and dance in the Corn Exchange on the 27th, and are looking for a bumper house.

ISLANDSHIRE FOR LOWICK

Lowick Rovers engage Holy Island at Lowick on Christmas afternoon. A good game is sure to be the outcome. Rovers: – E. Henderson; Carr and Foreman; Swan,Weddell, and Waters; Dalgleish, Henderson, Robertson, Harmiston, and Murray. Kick-off 2.30 p.m.

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