Berwick Board of Guardians

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 17 DECEMBER 1915

BELFORD

Interesting Railway Connection – An interesting link with pre-railway days remains in Belford district in the person of Mr John Lockhart, who worked on what is now the Great East Coast route before a train had run from Newcastle to Tweedmouth. Mr Lockart, who is in his 92^nd year, enjoys good health. His failing eyesight prevents him reading much, and so he is out of doors as much as possible. He lives with his son in one of the station cottages. Born at North Berwick in 1824, Mr Lockhart has thus lived in five reigns. He came of a long lived stock. His father was 80 when he died, and his grandmother, whom he remembers, was 95.

For no less than 62 years Mr Lockhart worked on the line as platelayer, and for 50 years he lived in one house at Beal, where he had charge of a section. He worked for a year under the contractors who were making the railroad, and the next year he saw the first train which made the journey to Tweedmouth. Most of the coaches were open, and the seats ran the whole length of the carriage. He took the first ticket that was booked from Scremerston to Tweedmouth, and lost it before he reached his destination.

A man of strong religious convictions, he has contributed a great deal to the training of young people in the Sunday Schools of the district. Mr Lockhart is certainly the oldest ex-railwayman in the northern portion of the North Eastern Company’s district, and during his long years of service he was a most conscientious worker.

HOLY ISLAND

Quaint Wedding Customs – Great interest was displayed in a wedding which took place on the island on Saturday. The bride was Miss Elizabeth Wilson, eldest daughter of Mr Wilson, churchwarden and school manager, and the bridegroom was Mr George Richardson, of Berwick. The bride was accompanied by her sister, Miss May Wilson, as bridesmaid. The Rev. Irvine Crawshaw conducted the service which was choral, the choristers assembling to honour the bride, who was formerly a chorister.

Immediately after the ceremony, the quaint custom of jumping the “Petting Stone” was performed by the bride, and on her arrival at her home another quaint custom was observed. A plate filled with cake was thrown over the bride’s head for good luck. The good fortune depends upon the plate being broken. The honour of throwing the plate and cake was allotted to the daughter of the local schoolmaster, and great was the glee of the children as they scrambled for the cake. There was a large number of handsome wedding gifts.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS – BERWICK WORKHOUSE

BUTCHER MEAT AND FISH CONTRACTS

A report of the Workhouse and Finance Committee showed that consideration had been given as to the selection of tenders for the supply of butcher meat, etc., for the ensuing quarter, and that it was agreed to accept the tender by Messrs Hogarth at the sum of £94 0s 2d.

In answer to queries by Mr Turnbull, it was explained that the only other was £101 18s 2d, and that the following were the quotations given by Messrs Hogarth:- Flanks 12s 6d, necks 14s, haughs 9s, carcases of mutton 10s, all per stone; suet, 8d per lb.; joints, 1s 2d per lb.

It was recommended that the contract for the supply of fresh fish be given to Jane Willock at 7d per lb., and fish for officers (varied) at 8d per lb. from the same contractor.

It was also recommended that the contract for bread be given to J. B. Geggie at 7¾d per four lb., and good seconds at 7½d.

GIFT OF MAGAZINES

The report by the Workhouse Committee showed that magazines had been received for the inmates from Mrs Kennedy, High Greens, and it was agreed to acknowledge receipt of same with thanks.

WORKHOUSE MATTERS

The report of the Workhouse Committee also showed that orders had been issued for the supply of one load of straw for the garden; also an easy chair for the laundress room, and that a cheque for £10 be granted to the Master to meet petty expenses.

All the above recommendations were unanimously approved of on the motion of Mrs Willits.

Berwick Advertiser 17 Dec 1915 Dudgeon Advert — Berwick Advertiser 17 December 1915 Christmas and New Year Cakes

HINTS FOR THE HOME

Save your potato peelings. If these are dried in the oven, they will help to make the fire burn up very quickly, and one cannot be too economical just now, can we?

Never put a fork into a chop or steak when frying or grilling, as it lets out the juice or flavour of the meat.

Before putting milk on the fire or gas to boil, rinse the saucepan out with water. This will prevent it from burning.

A hot cloth put round the mould will help the jelly or ice to come out without sticking.

Pudding clothes should never be washed with soap. Soak them in cold water, and well rinse in hot and dry in the open air.

When stoning raisins for the pudding this year, rub a little butter on the fingers and knife, and this will relieve that task of raisin-seeding of its discomfort.

Hot milk is an excellent restorative for those who are over-exerted, and many of us feel like this just now at the end of a strenuous day, and sometimes, half the night.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 19 NOVEMBER 1915

BERWICK’S OLDEST DOCTOR DIES

The Late Dr Daniel Heagerty

We regret to record the death, after a short illness, which occurred on Sunday, of Dr Daniel Heagerty, M.D., Medical Officer of Health for the Borough of Berwick-on-Tweed. The deceased was a native of Passage West, County Cork, Ireland, and was 76 years of age. The late Doctor was registered as a medical practitioner on May 30th, 1867, and was a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh, 1867), and also a Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh, 1867). For some time deceased practised in Prudhoe, and also in Bellingham. He came to Berwick 35 years ago when he purchased the practice and house of the late Dr Davidson at Tweedmouth, and five years later he succeeded the late Dr Fluker as medical officer to the Borough and also to Berwick Board of Guardians. Dr Heagerty in politics was a Unionist, and was one of the original Directors of Berwick Unionist Club. He was also an old official of Berwick Bowling Club, and a member of St. David’s Lodge of Freemasons, Berwick.

The late Doctor was married twice, and of the first marriage there were two sons and a daughter, Maude, who is married. The eldest son served his apprenticeship with Mr W. Carr, chemist in the shop now occupied by Mr N.M. Craig in High Street. *The other son was apprenticed to Mr Jas. Stevenson, architect, Berwick, but afterwards went on to the stage. Of the second marriage there is one son, who is at present serving with the Northern Cyclist.

The Doctor was known to a wide circle of friends and his sudden removal has come with surprise and regret. We are sure the sympathy of our many readers will be extended to the relatives in their sad bereavement.

*The other son mentioned in the article above, was Travers John Heagerty, born in Prudhoe, Northumberland, on the 5th of March, 1874. Travers took the stage name Henry Travers, and went on to become a highly successful actor, making his Broadway debut in 1901. He died in Hollywood, California, on the 18th October, 1965, aged 91.

BILLIARDS

Match at Etal

An interesting billiard match was played at Etal on November 6th, when the wounded Tommies quartered at the Manor there played a returned match with Milfield. As will be seen from the appended list of scores, the soldiers showed that they could play billiards as well as fight. The game opened by a very closely contested trial of strength between Private Evans and Mr Wilkinson, in which the latter proved victorious only by 6. The next game resulted in a win by Private Squires over Mr Stothart by 30 points, but the Milfieldonians were far from being disheartened, seeing that their champion, P.C. Hurst, on whom their hopes they fixed, had yet his turn to come. He played next, having as opponent Private Neal. The latter proved much his superior, and the gallant policeman was only able to add a paltry 32 points as against a 100 to the soldiers’ scores. After this the Tommies had not much fear as to the result, for Private Swinburn met Mr Steel in the next game ended in another victory for the Tommies by 44 points. Then came Corporal Walker, who easily beat Mr Waugh by a majority of 54, and the last of all was played by Private Haldane and Mr Brown, in which the victors’ man proved a little successful and won by 14 points. The final scores were:-

Soldiers, 580; Milfieldonians, 404

After the game the visitors were entertained to tae by their victors, thanks to the kindness at the Manor Hospital of the Commandant, Miss Grey.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Heroic Lifeboat Rescue at Berwick

Sir – I wish through the medium of your columns to make public the deep sense of gratitude the crew of the Lifeboat feel towards their comrades of Spittal who so gallantly came to their assistance last Wednesday morning. Four or five times had the Lifeboat tried to make the harbour, both under sails and oars, and each time was she washed out by the spate on to the Bar. The men were spent with fatigue, cold and wet to the skin, and had little strength left. When the ferry boat was seen to leave Spittal, a last effort was made, this time under double banked oars, to get closer to the pier.

Image 8 - Lifeboat - RNLB Matthew Simpson - Left to Right - Not known, Not known, Not known, John Wood, Knot known, Jack Lough, George Lough, Bartholomew Lough, Thomas Martin (possible), Not known, Not Known, Alex Patterson Lough. — Image 8 – Lifeboat – RNLB Matthew Simpson – Left to Right – Not known, Not known, Not known, John Wood, Knot known, Jack Lough, George Lough, Bartholomew Lough, Thomas Martin (possible), Not known, Not Known, Alex Patterson Lough.

The Spittal men laid their plans with skill and acted with daring that one could only admire and inwardly applaud. They were determined to get a line to the Lifeboat at the risk of their lives, and they did it. All honour to them! I have reported their brave conduct to the proper quarters, and do not doubt they will be suitably rewarded. The names of the men who were in the ferry boat are as follows: – Prideaux Emery, John Patterson, Barty Lough, Robert Laidlaw, John Wilks (“Laffan”), and Thomas Johnston. On the Pier, Johnston Crombie and William Emery,- Believe me, yours truly,

C.L. FRASER, Hon. Sec.

DANGERS OF BERWICK’S UNFENCED WALLS

A Fatal Fall at Cattle Market

Borough Coroner Wm. Weatherhead and a jury held an inquest on Friday afternoon in the Board Room of the Workhouse, Berwick, concerning the circumstances attending the death of Gordon Kenward, District Valuer of the Inland Revenue, Berwick.

BA-U10-2 SHEET , 1852 cropped. Pictured above the layout of the Berwick Workhouse, where the inquest on Gordon Kenward was held in the Board Room (centre of image). © Berwick Record Office.

Nelson Kenward of Waldron, Sussex, farmer, whose deposition was taken at the deceased’s house identified the body as that of his son, aged 30 years.

Leonard Purdoe, of Berwick-on-Tweed, surveyor, said he knew deceased well, and left his house with him on Sunday, 31st October, about 8.30pm. They went down the street, and he left him nearly opposite the Red Lion Hotel about 8.40.

James Alexander Miller, insurance inspector, said he saw deceased in the Red Lion on the Sunday night mentioned. They both left the hotel about 9.25pm. Deceased said good night to witness in the High Street and proceeded homewards. That was in the archway of the Red Lion. Deceased then went up the High Street. There was no mud on his clothes then.

Robert Renton, N.B. Railway goods checker, deponed that he was proceeding home about ten o’clock on the Sunday night mentioned. As he was passing the Cattle Market his eye caught something lying inside the market grounds about twenty feet from the gate and below the Ramparts. He went for the Police and P.C. Crombie returned with him to the spot. Crombie climbed over the railing, and it was discovered it was a man that was on the ground. The ambulance was summoned by a man named Marshall, and witness proceeded to get the key of the gate, Crombie remaining beside the body.

Police Constable Walter Crombie said the last witness came for him about 10.15pm at the top of West Street. From what he told him he (witness) went to the Cattle Market, climbed over the railing, and found Kenward about 18 feet from the gate. He was lying on his right hand side about four or five feet from the wall. He was bleeding from a wound above the left eye, and one on the right side of the head. The deceased got up on his feet and walked with his assistance to a sand bin. Before that witness had sent for the ambulance and the key for the gate of the Market. The ambulance removed the deceased home. Deceased’s clothes were covered with mud. When witness returned to the Market he found near to where deceased was discovered two handfuls of grass and moss.

By the Jury – Deceased asked witness where he was. Witness told him asking how he got there,. Deceased replied “I don’t know.” He wanted to walk home but could not do so.

Dr Taylor, Berwick, deponed that he saw the deceased between 1 and 2 on the morning of 1st November. He found a wound below the left jaw, another on the left eyelid, and a large excariation on the left cheek. There was a small wound on the right side of the scalp. He was partially conscious, and next day lapsed into complete unconsciousness, never regaining consciousness. Death occurred on Thursday, 11th inst., in the afternoon. The cause of death was, in witness’ opinion, severe concussion of the brain, arising from the injuries sustained through the fall.

A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned.