Berwick Advertiser

This Week in World War One, 1 October 1915

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Berwick Advertiser title 1915

 

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 1 OCTOBER 1915

 

THE SCREMERSTON FLOCK DISPERSION

A NOTABLE SALE

 

On Friday, Messrs John Swan and Sons sold at Heatherytops Farm, Berwick, the noted flock of Border Leicester sheep, which have been got together in recent years by the Scremerston Coal Company. The sale was rendered necessary by the fact that the three farms – Heathery Tops, Oxford Farm, and Sandbank – which the Company presently occupy in the neighbourhood of their mining operations, are to be given up, and the further fact, that Mr J. Evelyn Carr, the managing director of the Company is presently with the forces in France. Mr Carr, very pluckily, shortly after war was declared, joined the ranks of the London Scottish, and spent a considerable time of last winter in the trenches. He got twice wounded early in the year, and was home for a considerable time recuperating. Immediately he got better, the old martial spirit revived, and he is again on the other side of the Channel, fighting for his country – this time in the commissioned ranks of the Sherwood Foresters. Everyone admires his plucky action and high public spirit, but in the circumstances it was necessary that his home responsibilities should be considerably curtailed. While he will retain his active association with the colliery, it was considered desirable to give up the farms, which like the colliery are all on the estate of the Greenwich Hospital (practically the Admiralty), and to dispose of the pure-bred sheep. The decision has been received with a good deal of regret in the district, for Mr Carr and the Company have proved not only excellent neighbours, but have done not a little to promote the cause of pure-stock breeding in their northern corner of Northumberland.

 

SHIP ASHORE NEAR THE LONGSTONE

 

On Saturday morning, during foggy weather, the Leith steamer Britannia went ashore on the Crumstane Rock, near the Longstone, Farne Islands. The Seahouses lifeboat went out to her assistance, but the crew did not leave the vessel. Lloyd’s Seahouses agent telegraphed on Monday that the Britannia had been abandoned. The vessel is expected to become a total wreck. The crew landed in their own boats and proceeded to Berwick. The Britannia is one of the Leith-Hull line of trading steamers, the managers of which are Messers Currie and Co., Leith. She was bound from Newcastle to Leith with a general cargo. The vessel became a total wreck and disappeared on Sunday evening.

Farne Islands as seen from Seahouses. Tony Hisgett, Birmingham - Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License.
Farne Islands as seen from Seahouses. Tony Hisgett, Birmingham – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License.

 

DAMAGE TO ROADS BY RAIN

 

It was reported that Holy Island had been visited with a downfall of rain so heavy in character that considerable damage was caused, especially to the roads. These were quite washed out. The road material lying ready to be applied would help matters a little. It was proposed to apply this season if possible 60 tons 1½ inches machine tarred stones, and the Surveyor stated that a future report would be submitted as to the method of their repair and maintenance.

Early 1900s photograph of Castle Street, Holy Island. © Berwick Record Office - BRO 0426-1072.
Early 1900s photograph of Castle Street, Holy Island. © Berwick Record Office – BRO 0426-1072.

 

The Surveyor explained that at present everything was being taken to the Island by means of carts as they did not wish to run any risks owing to the war. The rain did great damage, lasting 2½ hours. The roads which were not in very good condition before were badly washed out. At a future date when things were more normal he would be pleased to propound a scheme to the Council for the better maintenance of the roads.

The Surveyor’s suggestion was agreed to.

 

BURGLARS ENTER TWEEDMOUTH INN

 

About 3 a.m. on Monday the King’s Arms Inn, West End, Tweedmouth, occupied by Mrs Norris, were burglarously entered. The marauders obtained entrance by breaking a pane of glass in one of the downstairs windows, releasing the catch, and raising the bottom half of the frame. Five large bottles of whisky were stolen and about 8s worth of coppers. Not content with this the intruders obtained a pint glass and had a drink of rum and left the rum cask running. The prints of bare feet were plainly discernable on the seats below the window pointing to the fact that the robbery was not a drunken spree, but one which had been prepared. Two soldiers and a woman were seen in the vicinity of the house about midnight, and we understand two soldiers, who are in custody at the Barracks, are under suspicion.

Early 1900s photograph, looking towards the West End, Tweedmouth from the Berwick Bridge (Old Bridge). Unknown photographer.
Early 1900s photograph, looking towards the West End, Tweedmouth from the Berwick Bridge (Old Bridge). Unknown photographer.

 

This Week in World War One, 24 September 1915

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Berwick Advertiser title 1915

 

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 24 SEPTEMBER 1915

 

HINTS FOR THE HOME

 

Here is a good recipe for potted meat. Stew 1lb of stewing beef until tender. Pass this through a mincing machine. Season with salt and pepper, and work in also about 2oz of butter. Press the mixture into potted meat jars, and cover with melted butter.

Above a WW1 advert for potted meat and fish paste, both are still popular today!
Above a WW1 advert for potted meat and fish paste, both are still popular today!

 

When putting on kid gloves, always begin by buttoning the second button, then, when buttoned to the top, you can easily fasten the first button without tearing the kid. Never remove the glove by pulling the fingers, but by drawing the part covering the wrist over the hand.

When the hands are very dirty, use potato instead of soap. This will remove the dirt more quickly, and soften the skin at the same time.

When cut bread and butter is left over from meals, place it with a serviette which has been dipped in cold water. Place the food in a cool place and it will keep quite fresh and moist.

To prevent the juice from boiling over in a fruit tart, sprinkle the fruit with cornflower.

Never throw away your candle ends. Place these in a bag, and you will find them useful for ironing day. If the iron is occasionally passed over the bag, it will give the article a beautiful gloss.

 

THE PLAYHOUSE

 

 Good programmes still continue to be submitted at the “Playhouse.” This week an excellent vaudeville turn is seen in “Stowe Brothers,” who present a novel acrobatic act. “Ashes” was the bioscopic feature during the first part of the week, while, commencing on Thursday, the feature will be “A Woman’s Triumph.” The latter is a fine film with a beautiful and impassioned story from the works of Sir Walter Scott. The feature films for next week’s programme are particularly good. At the beginning of the week the star film will be “The Link in the Chain,” a tense drama in three parts. The story is woven round the theft of a necklace. The charge is laid on an innocent man, who suffers imprisonment while his friends toil incessantly to prove his innocence, and they eventually do so to the undoing of the unscrupulous and the righting of the innocent. Commencing on Thursday next the feature will be “Temptation.” an intensely dramatic photo-play in three parts. The synopsis, which is a lengthy one, could not receive justice here owing to lack of space, but suffice it to say that it is a story of strong passions, full of sensations and thrills. Interest is held throughout because of its realism. “Harmon,” the dancing musician is the turn for next week. For further particulars see advertisement on front page.

 

RABBITS AS FOOD

 

Attention has been called to the value of the rabbit as an article of food during the present high prices of meat. Land owners and farmers, who have a sufficiency of hands left, should see to it and keep the adjacent towns as liberally supplied as possible, and meet the needs of the poorer inhabitants. The cutting of the harvest has tended to make the supply more liberal, but in Berwick on Saturday it was not equal to the demand, prices ranging from 1s 4d to 1s 10d per pair.

The above photograph is of Halliwells Butchers, Selkirk, Scotland, with a string of rabbits hanging outside, a rare sight these days! © William Stafford – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic License.
The above photograph is of Halliwells Butchers, Selkirk, Scotland, with a string of rabbits hanging outside, a rare sight these days! © William Stafford – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic License.

 

RECRUITING MEETING AT WOOLER

 

Northumberland Fusiliers Cap Badge WW1.
Northumberland Fusiliers Cap Badge WW1.

 

About a 100 of the 6th Northumberland Fusiliers including the Band arrived at Wooler on Monday afternoon on their recruiting tour. They were encamped on Turvelaws haugh for the night. In the evening a meeting was held in the Archbold Hall at which Mr Noel Villiers of Weetwood presided. Addresses were delivered by the Chairman, Sergt.-Major Walsh, Rev. Lothian Gray of Sprott, Dunbar, and colonel Napier. As a number of meetings have already been held here, both Wooler and district having responded well to the call, recruits were invited to come forward, but apparently without result. A dance took place after the meeting to music supplied by the band. An officer’s wife expressed her disgust at seeing so many young men in civilian clothes dancing saying she felt ashamed of them.

This Week in World War One, 17 September 1915

by

Berwick Advertiser title 1915

 

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 17 SEPTEMBER 1915

 

BOY DROWNED AT BERWICK QUAY

 

Shortly after noon on Monday, George Grieve, 13 years of age, son of James Grieve, baker, 1 Palace Street, Berwick, was discovered in the Tweed near the Leith Dock, and is supposed to have taken a fit, to which he was subject, and fallen from the Quay into the water.  Thos. Laidler and James Burgon, who were salmon fishing close by, went to the spot with a boat and lifted Grieve from the water. He was conveyed to the Fish House, where artificial respiration was tried for some time, but on the arrival of Dr Taylor, who examined the boy, life was found to be extinct. The body was taken home on the Police ambulance

The Inquest

Coroner Weatherhead and a jury held an inquest on the body in the Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon.

James Grieve, baker, identified the body as that of his son, George, aged 13. His son was subject to fits, and took them frequently.

 

 

Photograph of the Berwick Quayside early 1900s © Berwick Record Office BRO 1636-5-6
Photograph of the Berwick Quayside early 1900s © Berwick Record Office BRO 1636-5-6

 

William McPhee, private of the 210th Royal Scots, said he was on sentry duty on the Quay guarding the transport waggons for the Royal Scots. He knew the deceased and had taken him away twice from the edge of the Quay on Saturday. Shortly after twelve on Monday he saw deceased standing behind one of the transport waggons. He turned to go to the other end of his beat, and on looking round he saw some boys running and one of the boys informed him that there was a boy in the water. He turned out the remainder of the guard, and on going to the spot he saw deceased in the water. By that time a boat was a few yards from deceased, which had come from the other side of the river. The body was lifted into the boat. He heard no shout from the deceased nor did he see deceased fall over.

Thomas Laidler, salmon fisher, West End, Tweedmouth, said he was fishing at the other side of the river where the deceased fell in. He heard some boys shouting for help, and he rowed a boat over with John Burgon and saw deceased lying under water on the bed of the river. He got off the boat and lifted the deceased into the boat. The water was about three and a half feet deep. He conveyed deceased to the Salmon Stairs.

By a juror- I never heard the splash or saw deceased come to surface. It took me two minutes to row across.

Dr J. Cleasby Taylor stated that he was called to the Fish House, where he examined him. Life was then extinct. Deceased was frothing considerably at the mouth and nose, and it appeared as if deceased had had a fit and been unable to extricate himself. The cause of death was drowning.

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.

 

MOTOR ACCIDENT NEAR BERWICK

 

 The first serious accident since the lighting restrictions came into effect at Berwick occurred on Tuesday night, two men being injured by being knocked down by a motor car. The accident took place in the dark near to Castlehills Lodge, on the Canty’s road. A motor car belonging to Mr Wm. Askew, of Ladykirk, was returning from Castlehills to Ladykirk, when it overtook and knocked down three harvest labourers. Two of the men, named Arthur Jackson and Edward O’Neil, were bruised, one of them somewhat badly. The car was proceeding at a very slow pace. The men were conveyed in the motor car to Berwick Infirmary, where they were detained. It was found that no bones were broken, and one of the men had escaped uninjured, while the other two were bruised.

Berwick Advertiser 17 September 1915. John Mosgrove Advert
Berwick Advertiser 17 September 1915. John Mosgrove Advert

 

DEATH OF MR JOHN ROBERTSON

 

We regret to record the death of Mr John Robertson, for many years senior traveller with the firm of Messrs Redpath and Son, draper, etc., Berwick. Outside of business Jack Robertson, as he was familiarly called, was best known in cycling circles. He was the founder of the Tweedside Cycling Club in 1893, was its first secretary, and at the time of his death held the office of president. He was a member of the recently formed Berwick Athletic Society, and served on the committee. Mr Robertson has been in failing health for some time, and passed away at his residence 1 West End, Tweedmouth, on Wednesday. Much sympathy will be expressed for his widow and family. His eldest son is serving with the 7th Northumberland Fusiliers somewhere in France. The funeral takes place on Sunday at Tweedmouth Cemetery.

Leon Georget Pictured above is road and track racer Léon Georget (2 October 1879 – 5 November 1949)
Pictured above is road and track racer Léon Georget (2 October 1879 – 5 November 1949)

Leon Georget was known as The Father of the Bol d’Or, having won the race nine times between 1903 and 1919 in Paris.  He also won the Bordeaux to Paris in 1903 and 1910. This image originally formed part of the George Grantham Bain collection which is now in the procession of United States Library of Congress‘s Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID ggbain.04379.

 

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