BERWICK ADVERTISER, 20 FEBRUARY 1920

BERWICK SCHOOLS OPEN AGAIN

Everyone will be glad to know that the schoolchildren are back again to their work. A few weeks ago we drew attention to the educational loss which the town was suffering through the impossibility of keeping the schools open. One master says that he will feel the effects of the closure for five years to come-through the children having missed instruction in passing through their standards which it will be normally assumed they have had. Reckoning from the break-up for the summer holidays at the end of July, 1918, into February 14th, 1920, is 80 weeks. Of these 80 weeks, what with holiday as and Saturdays and Sundays, and what with illness, the schools have been closed as nearly as makes no matter 40 weeks.

A photograph of pupils and staff at Spittal County Primary School in 1921. A year earlier in 1920, some these pupils would have suffered an infection which necessitated the closure of all schools in the borough.

This is a matter which requires the combined consideration of the parents, the teachers, and the Education Committee. When we last wrote on the subject, some teachers seemed to consider that they were being blamed for their schools being closed. Nothing could be further from the truth. But teachers are more and more demanding, and rightly demanding, representation on Education Committees. They are the real educational experts of Berwick, and if this is not fully recognised at the moment, it will be before long. It is impossible to deal with such a serious problem as the closing of the schools without the help of the teachers. They themselves would be the last to claim that the only time they should be consulted by the Education Authority is when their own salaries are under consideration. The town will be the poorer if the teachers are not asked to share in joint control in everything that affects the education of their pupils.

We, therefore put before the Education Committee, the parents, and the teachers, the following suggestions for what they are worth. Firstly, is it not possible to reduce the risk of infection by spraying or disinfecting the schools, so that even if infectious a disease is about the school is about the safest place for the children to be in? Next, is it not possible when an epidemic is threatened, for each child to take part in breathing and gargling exercise first thing in the morning, much as if they were going thorough physical drill? The mouth and the nose are the parts of the body most sensitive to infection, and they can both be easily and systematically cleaned with a solution of permanganate of potash, if the teachers will look after it. The drill might take place in the play-ground. As time goes on the teachers will become more and more responsible for their pupils’ health. They will, we think, increase their knowledge of hygiene, and under medical supervision they could watch the children closely to detect the first symptoms of illness. Even without medical supervision they might as it is when an epidemic is threatened take their temperatures each morning. This might not be book learning, but it would be real education, which would never be forgotten. We only offer these as suggestions, in the hope that all concerned will apply their minds to keeping the schools open for the longest possible period each year.

There is one other matter which we have refrained from mentioning until the schools re-opened. It is absurd to close the schools and allow places of entertainment to remain open. It seems very hard on business enterprises that they should have receipts reduced by the children, who are valuable patrons, being locked out. The risk, however, can easily be insured against, and we recommend the Education Authority to issue a notice that, if there is another epidemic, places of entertainment as well as schools will have to be closed to the children. This is a matter which cannot be allowed to rest. The proprietors of places of entertainment must be given fair notice of what will happen, so that they may make preparations for it. They will pass the cost of insurance on to the public, and we are sure that the public will see that it is cheaper to pay the insurance bill than allow these places to keep open as possible centres of infection.

LOCAL NEWS

We draw our readers’ attention to the entertainment advertised for next Wednesday evening in aid of Berwick Infirmary. The work carried on there deserves to be more widely known. During the past months the patients admitted have frequently overtaxed the resources and additional beds have had to be obtained.

A current photograph of the front of Berwick Infirmary.  With the exception of the modern vehicles and signage, a similar scene would have been witnessed by those carrying out improvement work there in 1920.  © Copyright Rod Allday – Creative Commons Licence.

The Committee is thus face to face with increased establishment charges and present prices spell a higher cost of maintenance. It is to be hoped there will be a “bumper house.”

Lord Tweedmouth is running Boy Ben in the Waterloo Cup and was present at the banquet after the draw on Tuesday night. Boy Ben is an Australian dog, imported by Mrs Pape, but running as the nominee of Lord Tweedmouth. There have been many stories about his importation, though it was never intended that there should be any mystery about him. He was a fair performer in Australia, where all the coursing is in enclosures and, judged by the trails he has been given since his arrival in England, he is not at all likely to create a record by winning the Waterloo Cup for Australia. He is undeniably fast, but, like all enclosure dogs, he works his hare loosely, and does not run out his courses at all cleanly. He won his first course at any rate, as also did Mr J. R. Marshall’s nomination, Fullecourt.

This Week in World War One, 7 May 1915

Berwick Advertiser title 1915

 

 BERWICK ADVERTISER 7 MAY 1915

 

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

THURSDAY

 

Before the Mayor ( Thos. Wilson, Esq.), and Captain Norman, R.N.

It-Is-Far-Better-To-Face-The-Bullets-Than-To-Be-Killed-At-Home-By-A-Bomb

Bright Lights- Mr Wm. Kirk Hawkins, cabinet- maker, Berwick, was charged that he did unlawfully allow a bright light to show in his window in Hide Hill, Berwick, at 11.10 p.m. on the 30th April. The charge was brought up under the Defence of the Realm Act. Defendant said, in pleading guilty, he was quite unconscious of the offence. The Chief Constable said it was the third time the defendant had been cautioned. Sergeant Wilson said he saw a very bright light coming from one of the bedrooms in the top window. He stood several minutes, but the light never went up. Witness rang the bell, and defendant put his head over the window complained and asked what he wanted. Witness told defendant the light was too bright, and told him to put it out, and defendant called down and told him to be more civil. Defendant said he had been very careful, and was sorry to be there that day under such circumstances. Fined 12s 6d, the Mayor stating that in future cases persons brought up for the same offence would be more severely dealt with.

CORN EXCHANGE AND ITS ROOF LIGHT

 

If there is one conspicuous feature about our Corn Exchange it is its noble commanding  dome, and the brilliance of the light streaming down through the expansive and glittering canopy. No wonder there were reasonable apprehensions and fears at the approach of the recent grand concert held on behalf of the Berwick Improvised Hospitals, for it was realised that unless the interior light could be sufficiently obscured the blaze of illuminant penetrating to the sky would be an infringement of the emergency bye-laws, possibly leading to the upsetting of the very laudable object aimed by the  promoters. It was at such a critical juncture that Mr Angwin, manager of the Electrical Supply Company, came to the rescue of the local committee.

Image from the Berwick Advertiser 4 December 1858, opening of the newly erected Corn Exchange, Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Image from the Berwick Advertiser 4 December 1858, opening of the newly erected Corn Exchange, Berwick-upon-Tweed.

 He so manipulated and arranged the lamps of the  Corn Exchange that these fully met the  requirements of the Chief Constable. The lighting  of the Exchange if deprived of its usual brilliance  on the other hand presented a mellow and homely  effect, and was certainly in this respect in  consonance with the strenuousness of the critical  times in which we live. The result of the concert  was a most pronounced success, and Mr  W.J.Dixon, on behalf of Colonel Fraser, R.A.M.C.  (T.), made a neat little speech of thanks. the  appearance of Boy Scouts, under the command of  Scoutmaster R. C. Clements, was an attractive  feature, and they lent material assistance in the  sale of programmes.

 

RIDING BERWICK BOUNDS

THE MAYOR’S BANQUET

 

The 307th time of Riding the Bounds of Berwick was observed on Monday when a large crowd assembled on the Parade to watch the start. There were only six equestrians as compared with nine on the previous year, while there were nine drawn vehicles containing citizens who preferred the more sedate and leisurely mode of travelling. Ideal weather favoured the  function.

BRO 1944/1/149/1 Riding of the Bounds, Parade, Berwick-upon-Tweed, 1952
BRO 1944/1/149/1 Riding of the Bounds, leaving the Parade, Berwick-upon-Tweed, 1952

Sharp to the mid-day hour the horsemen set off by the way of the fields, the brakes proceeded by Church Street, High Street, Castlegate and North Road. As usual  at Mordington the school children were lined up in expectation of their usual supply of oranges from Chief Constable Nicholson of which they received an ample share engaging in an amusing scramble as the fruit was thrown amongst them. At Canty’s Bridge the horsemen indulged in their usual races. At the Inn a supply of refreshments on a liberal scale were served out.  On returning to Berwick a short halt was made at the Town Hall where the Mayor returned his thanks to those who had accompanied him in the historical ceremony, and in return hearty cheers were raised for thee Mayor, the Mayoress, and their little daughter.

The horsemen were:- Mr John Lauder, Burnbank, Foulden; the Messrs Waites, Castlehills and Mr Collingwood, who was accompanied by Miss Collingwood.

BERWICK EDUCATION COMMITTEE

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

TEACHERS’ POWERS

 

A monthly meeting of Berwick Education Committee was held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall on Wednesday morning. The Chairman, Mr W.J. Dixon, presided, and others present were:- Ald. Greenwood, Capt. Norman, R.N. Messers C. Forsyth, A.J. Dodds, Jos. Watson, E. Brewis, A.D. Watt, J. McDonald, W. C. Richardson, along with the Clerk ( Mr Jas. Gibson) and the Borough Treasurer, Mr T.C. Smith.

THE LATE SERGEANT JONES

The Chairman, prior to the commencement of the business, made the following feeling reference to the death of Sergeant L. S. T. Jones of the 7th N.F., who has been killed in action:- before proceeding with the business of the meeting I refer with the deepest regret to the sad death of Sergeant L. S. T. Jones of the 7th N.F., who was killed in action on 26th April. As a teacher in St. Mary’s School he was beloved alike by his fellow teachers and the children. The Education Committee have lost a good and competent teacher and the borough a useful and promising citizen. As President of Berwick and District Harriers I was intimately associated with him in this branch of sport, he being one of our best and gamest cross-country runners. Only a few weeks ago he was second in a military cross-country run at Blyth. I ever found him a keen and genuine sportsman, and as a sportsman he has died the most glorious death a man can die- fighting for his King and Country. I now move a resolution that a letter be sent to his relatives from this Committee expressing our sincere sympathy with them in their sad bereavement, and our admiration of his gallant conduct; and ask Captain Norman, a Manager of St. Mary’s School, to second the resolution.

Captain Norman in seconding said:- Mr Jones was a teacher of great ability and much promise, devoted to his work, and became a great favourite of staff and scholars alike during his four years service as certificated assistant. His work has been commended by Inspectors, especially in drawing, in which he was highly qualified. His interest in the boys led him to form a drill and gymnasium class. He entered thoroughly into and took a leading part on the games and sports. In promoting swimming, and football, and harriers races his efforts were unceasing. I am sure that the boys as well as the teachers of his school will very keenly feel his loss; and I should like to extend these remarks by saying that a man of that sort is a most serious loss not only to his own immediate circle, but to the community in which for the last 4 years he has been usefully engaged.

The resolution was unanimously adopted, the members the while standing.

 

In Memory of
Sergeant
LEON STANLEY TREVOR JONES
1384, 1st/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers who died 26 April 1915, aged 25. Nephew of Mrs. E. M. Memmott, of 55, Meersbrook Road, Sheffield. Remembered with Honour, Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

(Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

Memorial T L F Jones
Photograph Marc Ryckaert, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.