Berwick Advertiser

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 3RD JULY 1924

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BORDER MARRIAGE HOUSE

THREATENED WITH DEMOLITION

The celebrated Border Marriage House at Lamberton, on the Great North Road, between Ayton and Berwick, was under discussion at the east District Committee meeting at Ayton on Thursday last. This historic relic passed some time ago into the hands of the Scottish Board of Agriculture when they acquired Lamberton for the purpose of a small holding settlement. It was then in rather poor repair and more recently, at the instance as is understood of the occupants, it was condemned by the Medical Officer of Health for Berwickshire as unfit for human habitation. Correspondence between the East District Committee and the Board of Agriculture followed, and the subject of what was to be done engaged the attention of the Committee on more than one occasion. The position taken up by the Board practically amounted to this: they had no use for the house in connection with their scheme and could not or would not see their way to expend anything upon its repair for letting purposes. In the long run they virtually asked the Committee to issue a closing order and put an end to the matter.  On Thursday this came before the Committee in the usual course.

Lamberton Toll Postcard. Ref: BRO 1550/52

Mr Coupland, Sanitary Inspector for the County, on being asked his opinion, said he considered it would be rather a pity to issue a closing order in this case and that it would have been preferable if means could be employed to compel the proprietors to put it into order. The Chairman asked if they were obliged to issue this closing order, to which Mr Coupland replied that it was unfortunate that the Committee had not taken action under Section 25 of the Housing and Town Planning Act (Scotland) 1919 and issued an order to the proprietors to have it put into order. If they failed to do so, the Committee could then proceed to execute the necessary repairs and charge the proprietors with the cost. This statement appeared to cast a new light upon the matter and Mr Usher remarked that he did not see that the Board of Agriculture should be allowed to neglect its duties any more than a private individual. It was also pointed out that a closing order, if carried out, involved demolition, and also threw upon the Committee the onus of providing alternative accommodation. The question arose as to whether the Committee could rescind its former minute on the subject, out of which the present proceedings arose. The Joint Clerk (Mr T. P. Doughty) gave it as his opinion that the Committee could not there and then do so, but he was under the impression that this could be done at next meeting, by there being put on the agenda in a regular way a notice to rescind the minute in question. The Board had said they were not prepared to carry out the repairs required to make the house habitable, and on June 23rd, 1923, the Committee practically resolved that a closing order would be granted. The Chairman (Mr K. G. Turnbull) said the Clerks might look into the matter and see if it was practicable to proceed under Sec.25, and thee matter could be taken up fresh at next meeting.

Dr McWhan said he had formerly represented the house as uninhabitable, and he was of the same opinion still. He did not think it was necessary to take any action until certain circumstances changed.

Mr Campbell Renton – if any accident happens, whose is the liability?

This set the discussion o another task. Mr Anderson stated that the gable had sagged away 1 ½ feet from the roof, and Mr Doughty in allusion to the legal aspect of the matter said he did not think it was ever contemplated when the Act was passed that an owner could come to an Authority and ask for a closing order. Dr McWhan said there was for too much tinkering with old property. The place would have to be practically rebuilt. Mr Coupland said that as matters stood they would have to find the occupants a house.

The Chairman – But we can’t find them a house.

Mr Campbell-Renton – I understand they are simply “squatters.” They are paying no rent.

Mr Hogarth protested against taking down an old landmark if it could be helped and was supported by one or two members. Eventually Mr bell moved that a closing order be issued and was seconded by Mr Russell. Mr Hogarth moved that the Committee do not issue a closing order, and was seconded by Mr Patterson, Chirnside, who said that in view of the admitted scarcity of houses in the district the Committee should not do anything to lessen their number unless they had no other course.

Mr Anderson – Closing the house does not mean demolition?

Mr Coupland – Yes it does.

Mr Usher moved that the matter be continued until next meeting and that in the meantime the Clerks should look into the question of the practicability of another line of procedure. This was seconded by Mr Cockburn and the other motions being withdrawn, became the finding of the meeting.

MARRIAGES AT LAMBERTON

Lamberton got its name – like many other places in the Southern shires of Scotland – from an early Saxon settler, Lambert, whose “tun” it became (says “Weekly Scotsman”). He must have squatted here early, before the reign of David I, as in the charter which that king gave to Berwick one of the witnesses is William de Lambertourn.

Sheldon Historical Sketches, 1849

“On each side of the road,” says Sheldon in his Historical Sketches (1849), “stand two old houses in which the Hymeneal knot id tied a la Gretna. Here comes many a bachelor and spinster, and to avoid the expense and delay of a church marriage are instantly buckled together by the priest of the Castle gate, who for a crown piece and a gill of whisky ties many couples fast…… Half a mile to the north of the dry dyke once stood the ancient church and village of Lamberton.”

Lamberton Toll weddings are very interesting, as the show, perhaps better than any, how popular and extended were Border marriages at a certain period. From distant towns and scattered villages from isolated hamlets and farms, a wonderfully large number of young couples made Lamberton the Mecca of their desires, a Mecca only to be reached after a long and weary journey over roads none too well kept in those days.

One marriage certificate I have shows the parties lived in the borough of Tynemouth; another, South Shields; and one came from the little cluster of houses – Rochester-on Watling Street. This latter pair had to walk miles to the south before going east through Rothbury to reach Longframlington, where they turned left-handed to get on the Great North Road – even then they were 60 miles from the Borders. These are only a few of the several cases which could be brought forward to prove that distance was no object to the old-time lovers.

Some would no doubt get a kindly lift, others would go by the stagecoach, or other cheaper stage waggon. The majority went there is little doubt, on “Shanks, his pony.” The principal reason for this pilgrimage seems to have been that a deeply-rooted objection to marriage in a church prevailed in the northern part of England by night.

An amusing story is told of a pair who arrived at the house with the priest before a fire had been lighted in the “parlour.” A match was hastily put to the “coal fire,” but the chimney being cold and damp, refused to draw, and belched out volumes of smoke into the room, until it was like to choke them all. The bridegroom being touched in the wind, bore it worst of all. He became so distressed with the smoke and the slowness of the priest that he shouted. “Hoots, man: that’ll de. How much de ye want?” and, after throwing down the fee, he seized his bride and rushed for the open air -half-married.

Lamberton Toll Marriage Certificate, dated 1846. REF: BRO 1766/1

Like most of the other places where Border marriages were celebrated, Lamberton provided cases for the Courts of Law. Some were of bigamy, largely through ignorance. How an obliging disposition, when it runs counter to the laws, may end in disaster, was demonstrated in a case which came before Mr Justice Cresswell at Durham, when Jospeh Atkinson pleaded guilty to having married William Brown and Catherine Cossar at Berwick-on-Tweed. The couple had made their way to Lamberton, but on arrival found that Atkinson had gone to Berwick. They followed and ran him to ground in the Old Hen and Chickens in bridge Street. At first, he refused to tie the know unless they returned with him to Lamberton, but they declared that their relations were possibly following, and further pressed argument and drink on him until, when the night was far spent, he complied. On returning home he entered the transaction as having been performed at Lamberton. At his trial all his pleadings were of no avail, and he was sentenced to transportation for seven years.

According to an informant, most of the priests were either tailors or shoemakers living in Berwick. An old weaver told me of a wedding at which after a supper and a taste of the tollman’s whisky – which seems to have figured largely both before and after the ceremony-the newly-wedded couple were rolling merrily away in their carriage when the candles in the lamps set fire to the woodwork. “it was a bonny hullabaloo,” in his words, “on fire and no water anywhere near.”

The Lamberton Toll marriage certificates possess are in several forms. Some, neatly printed, have been taken from a book with counterfoils. Others have been given an important legal look by the heading “This is to certify,” or “Whereas this witness,” in highly decorative penmanship. Others again are on any odd piece of paper which might be at hand. Still, they served their purpose as well as if they had been signed by a bishop or an archdeacon and were quite as much thought of years ago as any very special license is today.

They were perfectly good legal evidence, and were accepted as such in the law Courts, and as evidence of presumptive age, I know of at least one case where a Lamberton Toll marriage certificate secured the old pension for a man who could not produce a certificate of his birth and who did not know where he had been born.

As a regiment of soldiers was stationed at Berwick, to say nothing of the militia, Lamberton came in for a handsome share of their marriage fees. So did the Berwick Magistrates. These extracts from the Register of Marriages at Berwick in the 17th century show the mayor or a Magistrates officiated.

“Thomas Houghes, Captain under the command of Colonel George Fenwick, in the Garrison at Leath, in Scotland, and Grace, daughter of Mr John Saltonstall, late Alderman of Berwick, before Stephen Jackson, Miar for this year.”

The entries generally are “quaint” as regards spelling, and it is very noticeable that a very large number of officers and men took away wives as souvenirs of their stay in the Border town which is neither English or Scottish.

In the last week of the last year when toll marriages were valid the local press contained a paragraph indicative of the rush to be in at the finish.

“There were, we are informed, no fewer than 13 marriages celebrated on Sunday week, and 8 on last Sunday, while we have no doubt that a large number are still pending to be completed before the departure of the present year.”

The priests actually did a roaring trade up to the last legal day, and numerous announcements appeared in the first numbers of the local “weeklies” of the next year.

BERWICK NEWSPAPERS

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 3RD APRIL 1924

BERWICK NEW STATION

(FROM THE BERWICK DEBATING SOCIETY MAGAZINE)

Much ink has been spilt and hot air wasted over the necessity of having a new bridge over the river Tweed at Berwick, and while all are agreed that this proposal is of vital importance to the future development of the town, many differences of opinion are noted as to the location of the structure. The many expressions of interest in the scheme from all sections of the community is indeed gratifying and angers well for the future of the borough. This, however, regrettable that during all the discussions on the future welfare of the town, little or no comment has been made on the proposed new Railway Station at Berwick.

The front of Berwick Railway Station
An early 20th Century postcard of the front of the railway station

Rightly or wrongly, a traveller arriving at a town on his first visit, sizes up the importance of that town at the moment he steps off the train. It is, therefore, most essential that this ancient and prosperous Border town should have a railway station fitting the importance of the locality served. It will be agreed that the necessity of having a modern station at Berwick has been apparent for many years past. The low, dark platforms of inadequate length for modern through East Coast trains, the ill-lit waiting rooms and other conveniences, the acute curves whereby passenger trains entering the station from either direction are compelled to travel at a greatly reduced speed, and the “back street” entrance to the present structure do not give the town the status it deserves. The proposed alterations, is gratifying to note, will dispense with many of these very serios disabilities. Platforms are to be lengthened, extra waiting rooms introduced, and the acute curves minimised to such an extent that non-stopping trains will be able to pass Berwick at a much greater speed. No notice, however, appears to have been taken of the present station entrance, and no proposals have apparently been made whereby the new station will have the imposing main street entrance so essential to a railway station of first-class importance. Those of us who have visited Alnwick cannot fail to have noted the splendid railway station at that town. No necessity to enquire the way to the station at Alnwick, and no unsightly hoardings reminding us that “Boxo” puts a man on his feet, and that “Crushem” salts makes grandad an athlete of no mean ability. It is, of course, agreed that the proposals of the Railway Company are admirable so far as utility in railway working is concerned. Local trains will, it is understood, be started from a suitable platform for that class of train, thereby obviating the present method whereby passengers for different trains are frequently seen threading their way along narrow platforms among innumerable fish and luggage barrows.

Berwick Railway Station early 1900s. © Berwick Record Office – BRO 1636-10-013

Utility, however, from the viewpoint of the Railway Company is quite a different matter to the utility of the residents of the town served by the railway station. Representation should be made urging the necessity of having an entrance to the new station direct from the top of Castlegate. The plan obtaining at the present moment appears to be, a front street entrance to cattle docks, and a back passage entrance for the passengers. This order of things should, of course, be reversed in the new station. Another sore point to the artistic eye at Berwick Station is the disorderly array of shacks and huts of all descriptions which, in many cases, obstruct what would be one of the most beautiful views in this country. Some months ago, the writer was in conversation with a gentleman who had arrived at Berwick Station from the South at 4am on a beautiful summer morning. Glancing westwards from the train in crossing the Royal Border Bridge the sight that met his eye was the most gorgeous it was possible to imagine, and it was made clear from the traveller’s remarks and in all his travels which, by the way, extended to many countries, he had never experienced the thrill which he experienced on glancing up the silvery Tweed that morning. Now, Mr Editor, except from passing trains, how many of us have been privileged to view this most wonderful landscape. The placid silvery Tweed at high-tide, the surrounding country one mass of colour, away in the West can be seen the Eildon Hills and Hume Castle, while to the South, Cheviot and Hedgehope Mountains stand grim and forbidding. All this grandeur is. However, unfortunately obscured to the visitors at Berwick Station by an array of shacks built near the end of the Royal Border Bridge. In the building of the new station, it would be gratifying to know that these unsightly little buildings were to be removed with a view of leaving an unobstructed view of the river Tweed and surrounding country from the end of the platforms.

Royal Border Bridge early 1990s. Ref: BRO 515 377

Another anomaly in the present arrangements is the system whereby the exit from the goods warehouse and coal sidings also serves as the ordinary passenger exit from the station to the town, but this would, of course, be obviated if the Castlegate entrance were adopted.

Another very urgent reform necessary in the building of the new station at Berwick is the necessity of affording sufficient room for the standage of cars and taxis at the station entrance. At present the cars are obliged to line up any old how as near to the station portico as circumstances will permit, with the result that the turning of a car or taxi while foot passengers are passing to and from the station is a hair-raising thrill for the spectators who view the feat from a safe point of vantage. This, Mr Editor, is an antiquated and obsolete arrangement, suitable no doubt for ancient horse-drawn vehicles, but quite up safe for the present means of road transport using the railway station premises. In the new station we should therefore insist that the entrance from the town be made sufficiently wide to accommodate the large number of vehicles which meet all the East Coast express trains. Another item of importance, although not directly connected with the actual structure of the station, is the complete absence of a Sunday passenger train from Berwick to stations North. Can you name another town of equal importance so served, Mr Editor? Surely if towns like Kelso, Alnwick, and Hexham are worthy of a Sunday service, then, in an even greater degree, must out town need a service.

Another matter the visitor to our railway station must surely notice is the absence of train destination indicator boards on the platforms. The system adopted at Berwick, of lusty-lunged individuals bawling the destination or next stop of the train is, to say the least, reminiscent of the small wayside stations, and misleading when more than one train occupies the platforms.

I hold that the inhabitants of Berwick, who are justly proud of their town, should have a say in the very important work that is about to be undertaken at Berwick Station. Let us make it clear that any make-shift will not meet with our approval, and that our ancient town, which is one of the most famous on the great East Coast route, is well worthy of a railway station harmonising with the natural grandeur of the famous Borders.

BERWICK NEWSPAPERS, 1924

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 3RD JANUARY 1924

MILITARY NOTES-DEPOT NOTES

Lt. J. Watt, M.C., has taken over the duties of Adjutant at the Depot in succession to Capt. B. C. Lake, who has been appointed Officer in Charge of training at the Depot. Capt. E.W.T. Agar, M. C., has also arrived and takes over the position vacated by Capt. Campbell, who has gone to the War Office. Capt. Agar is from the 1st Battalion, and the new Adjutant from the 2nd.

Sergt. Abbot has returned to the Depot after his course at Hythe and he appeared once more in the orchestra at the Hogmanay dance given by the Sergeants in the Gymnasium. The hall was tastefully decorated, and everything went through without a hitch. Excellent music was provided at the dance by Mr N.P. Allan’s orchestra and there was abundance in the way of light refreshment. The New Year, as is customary, was “piped” in and the company sang “A Guid New Year” and “Auld Lang Syne.” The dance was voted a great success by all who took part in it.

On New Year’s night, the Sergeants and honorary members of the Mess had their new Year dinner and social evening. There was a full attendance, and the evening was pleasantly spent with song, reminiscence, and toasts.

Colour Sergt. McKellar has been promoted C.S.M. and has been posted to the 1st Battalion. He will be leaving the Depot shortly and his going is regretted by all.

LOCAL NEWS

Christmas has come and gone, but it has left happy memories with some 400 poor children in the town, who on Friday, 28th December, were entertained in Wallace Green Hall. The ladies who promoted the treat wee Mrs Fulton, Miss McConville and Misses McAdam, and they had the assistance of a large band of willing workers, male and female. The tea tables were heavily laden with good things, and it was found necessary to have two sittings for tea as many more children turned up than were at first expected. Tea over, a lengthy programme of music, song and dancing was gone through to the delight of all present.

Still standing, St Andrew’s church (Church of Scotland), Wallace Green, Berwick-upon-Tweed. © Author: mattbuck, Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license.

When father Christmas appeared in the Hall to dismantle a large Christmas tree, heavily laden with gifts and illuminated with coloured lights, the scenes of enthusiasm were such as to make the heart glad. Every child received a present and, judging from the happy faces, every child was perfectly satisfied. After the tree had been dismantled Mr Seals called for three cheers for the ladies who had given the treat, these were given with great gusto. The following contributed to the programme during the evening: – Dancers; Misses Black, Elder, Isaac, Crow, McLaren, Whittle, King and Casey. Pipe selections were given by Mr Heckles, and comic songs were sung by Mr Dudgeon. Miss Todd and Miss Wilson played the accompaniments, and Mrs Thompson led the children in singing all the latest songs. As the children retired each received an apple, orange, toffee, and cake. The promoters thank all who helped in gifts and in service, and thanks  are also due to Messrs Knox, Bridge Street, who did the lighting arrangements, and the trustees of Wallace Green Church for the use of the hall.

GOSWICK

On Christmas Eve upwards of seventy children and adults from Goswick Station, Goswick Farm, Windmill Hill, Cheswick, Cheswick farm, and Broomhouse, were entertained to a tea and Christmas tree in the E.P. Church, Goswick. After an enjoyable repast each child was handed a present from the Christmas tree. Mr Stinton, Wireless Station, acting as Santa Claus in a most appropriate way. Thereafter games were indulged in and songs and recitations by the following ladies and gentlemen added to the enjoyment of the evening: – Messrs Beattie, Wilson, Stinton, and Moffatt, Mrs Wye, and Miss Beattie. Miss Wedderburn contributed a violin solo. A doll given by Mrs Ash was raffled and won by Miss Olive Grahamslaw. Mrs Chirnside presided at the organ. Those responsible for the organisation of the affair were: – Mrs Whye, Mr and Mrs Chirnside, Mrs J. Grahamslaw, Mr and Mrs Beattie and others.

BERWICK TOWN COUNCIL

A special meeting of Berwick Town Council took place in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall, on Friday evening, when the Mayor (Ald. Wilson) presided, and there were also in attendance Aldermen Boston, Maclagan, and Cowe, Councillors Redpath, Stuart, Morrison, Dudgeon, Campbell, Dickinson, Davis, and Anderson; along with the Town Clerk (Mr J. W. Porter) and the Borough Accountant (Mr Jas. Gibson).

The Mayor announced that the only business which had brought them together was to consider and if necessary pass a resolution, “That an emergency having arisen through an outbreak of small pox the Council make a temporary order that for a period of three months the Infectious Diseases (Notification) Act 1889, shall apply to cases of chickenpox within the borough of Berwick, and that the order shall come into operation at the expiration of one week from the publication of the advertisement viz., on the 5th day of January, 1924.

Berwick Town Hall early 1900’s. BRO 426-294

Alderman Maclagan – As chairman of the Public Health Committee I beg to move the adoption of this resolution. You will know that there have been five cases of smallpox at Morpeth area, and that is rather near to us. Norham and Islandshires made chickenpox notifiable some time ago and now they have made it notifiable for twelve months. If I had been consulted before the motion was framed, I would have been in favour of making it notifiable here for six months, but I am afraid it is too late now for moving that. I have discussed it with the Medical Officer, and he agreed with me six months would be much better than three, but it was thought best by reason of expense to limit it to three months. This period proposed would end in April, and it was usually April and May when outbreaks of infectious disease occurred, but in the end of March if it was necessary notice could be given to extend the period for another three months. The idea of making chickenpox notifiable was that mild cases of smallpox resemble chickenpox closely, and if notified and seen by a medical man he was able at once to distinguish between the two and so stamp out smallpox as soon as it appeared.

Alderman Boston seconded, and the resolution was agreed to without discussion. The whole proceedings only occupied four minutes-surely a record for Council business.

FORMER BERWICK TRAVELLER

SENT TO PRISON FOR EMBEZZLEMENT

Sheriff Crole passed sentenced of eight months’ imprisonment at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday on a well-dressed young man, Percy Wainwright, in custody, previously residing at 8 Kirkhill Road, Penicuik, who admitted that between April 24th and August 5th, while acting as agent and collector for the Humber Fishing and Fish Manure Company (Limited), Hull, he embezzled sums amounting to £366 6s 6d.

An agent on wainwright’s behalf stated that accused was employed by the Company from June, 1919, and part of his work was to collect accounts. One matter which might have some bearing on the case was that Wainwright seemed to have spent more money on entertaining his customers than he ought to have done.

The procurator-Fiscal said that Wainwright appeared to have been doing quite well for his firm, but had become financially embarrassed. He had certainly made the most of it, for at the time of his arrest he had only 3d left. Except for his disposal of his wearing apparel, he had nothing to live upon.

Wainwright is well known in Berwick. During the latter period of the war and until two years ago, when he left for Loanhead, he worked the Berwick and north Northumberland districts. He resided at the Castle Hotel and attended all the stock and grain markets and as side lines he held agencies for several companies. He was a keen golfer and was often seen on the Magdalene Fields Course. Since removing to Penicuik, he has frequently come back to attend Berwick market and it is only a few weeks ago since he was in the town.

FOOTBALL

EAST OF SCOTLAND LEAGUE

Berwick Rangers (h)….3 Gala Fairydean….1

Jack Frost held sway at Union Park on Saturday. Despite the fact that two tons of sand had been used, the field was in a dangerous condition, melted snow, frozen hard, making the foothold treacherous and even where the sand had been liberally used in the goalmouths the going was none too good. Under the circumstances the teams are to be congratulated on the display given. The game never lacked interest up to the last kick and it was fortunate that no one was hurt, there being no heavy charging indulged in. Brown was accidently kicked on the head by Purves in the second half but after attention and some of the hot drink which the Rangers had at the interval, he was able to resume amid applause.

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