Berwick Journal

BERWICK JOURNAL, 2ND APRIL 1925

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NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY ALDERMEN RE-ELECTED

County Ald. D. H. W. ASKEW: As a public man County Ald. Askew, of Castlehills, Berwick, followed in the footsteps of his father, the late Mr Watson Askew Robertson, of Ladykirk and Pallinsburn. Ald. Askew, who was formerly a barrister on the North-Eastern Circuit, represented Berwick on Northumberland County Council prior to his appointment as a County Alderman. He was Sheriff of Berwick 1910-1911; and High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1912-13. He is a J.P. for Berwick and for Northumberland. He is a staunch Churchman and Unionist.

County Ald. G. G. REA: County Ald. Rea, of Doddington, Wooler, is one of the best-known Border agriculturists, and second to none as a Judge at Stock Shows. He takes an active part in public affairs, being in addition to a County Alderman, Chairman of the County Agricultural Committee, a County Magistrate, Chairman of Glendale Rural District Council. He is an active member of Central and Associated Chambers of Commerce and is one of the Northumberland representatives on the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England.

BERWICK TOWN COUNCIL

Opening of Askew Houses

  • That this Council do hereby, in pursuance of the Honorary Freedom of the Boroughs Act, 1885, confer the Honorary Freedom of the Borough upon David Hugh Watson Askew Esquire of Castlehills, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Justice of the Peace, Town Councillor from 1910 to 1912, Sheriff of the Borough in the year 1910, County Councillor from 1907 to 1912 and County Alderman since 1912, in recognition of the long and eminent services rendered by him to the Borough, for the courteous an kindly interest shown in and assistance given by him to all movements having for heir object the prosperity of the inhabitants of the Borough and the Welfare of the State and for his unfailing generosity to all good causes. And that the said David Hugh Watson Askew be and he is hereby admitted being an Honorary Freeman of the Borough accordingly.
  • That this Council do hereby, in pursuance of the Honorary Freedom of the Boroughs Act, 1885, confer the Honorary Freedom of the Borough upon William Haggerston Askew Esquire of Ladykirk in recognition of the public spirit displayed by him towards the amelioration of the social conditions of the people and to mark the close association of his family with the Borough for the long period of nearly 200 years, and the great interest taken by them in the welfare of its inhabitants. And that the said William Haggerston Askew be and he is thereby admitted to be an Honorary Freeman of the Borough accordingly.
  • These motions were moved by the Mayor. Ald. Darling seconded – Agreed.
  • The Mayor stated that the opening of houses at Tweedmouth, the gift of Mr Askew, would take place on 8th April. After the handing over of the houses by Mr Askew and the formal opening by Earl Grey, there would be a meeting in the guild Hall when the Freedom would be given to the brothers Askew. Special invitations had been sent to the Councillors, their wives and lady friends. Of course, he stated, the public could come to the Guild Hall. He would be very pleased to see a big crowd at Tweedmouth.
  • Councillor Adams said it was a great pity that the ceremony had not been arranged for a Saturday so that more people could have got to it.
  • The Mayor remarked that the Council had nothing to do with those arrangements. He said that the Sheriff and he would like to see them all turn up to see the gift handed over.

MIDDLE ORD ESTATE SOLD

On Saturday in King’s Arms Hotel Assembly Rooms, Berwick, Mr W. J. Bolam offered for sale by auction the highly attractive freehold residential agricultural and sporting estate known as Middle Ord, situated in the Parish of Tweedmouth, and comprising a charming and conveniently sized residence with garden, pleasure grounds and grass lands, and including Middle Ord Farm, the whole extending to 386 acres or thereabouts, including over 120 acres of the finest old pasture land to be found in Northumberland. There was a large attendance present.

BRO 426-359

The auctioneer in his opening remarks said he had the privilege to offer for sale the well-known state of Middle Ord, which had been in the occupation of

THE GREY FAMILY

For generations. The district of Tweedside had been in habited by men from earliest history, who knew the value of the land in Tweed valley. Many had realised the wisdom of their foprefathers and there were Tweedside farmers who could trace their families from the earliest period. In the field Lot 8 there had been undoubtedly

A ROMAN CAMP

And anyone keen on excavating would no doubt find antiquities of great value. Other camps had been found and relics including an urn of great value had also been found. In 1781 Middle Ord and West Ord had passed into the hands of John Grey of Heaton from the Trevelyans, and in 1788 Middle Ord passed to Geo. Grey and West Ord to John Grey. The Grey family had been in occupation for 138 years. Middle Ord was situated in excellent surroundings. It was off main road, had plenty of outside accommodation, and there was hunting and sporting facilities. Possession of the mansion house would be given on 5th June. In considering the buying of the estate the letting of the grass parks should be consider. Then the Rating Act should also be considered, for where £100 was previously paid £25 was now paid. It was a situation ideal for a diary. There was a quarry on the estate, where they could get their own stone. In Berwick the produce was over 300 cows per day.

The estate would be offered first and if not sold Lots 1 and 12 would be offered. If they were not sold Lots 1 and 2 would be offered. Then 2 to 12 would be in one lot, and if they were not sold, Lots 2 to 11 would be sold separately.

The estate was first offered, and the first bid was £10,000, and £12,000 was reached by 4 further bids, when the lot was withdraw.

Lot 1, Middle Ord Farm and farm buildings, two cottages together with 250 acres of arable, pasture and woodland, and Lott 12, comprising the mansion house, walled garden, policies, and two cottages, extending to 8.759 acres, were then offered.

The mansion house and premises are in the occupation of Mrs Dixon-Johnson at an annual rental of £100; £725 is the gross rental.

First bid was £5000and at £75000 was knocked down to Mr Robt. Whyte, S.S.C., Leith, acting on behalf of a client.

Lots to 11 were then offered as a whole. Lot 2 consists of an arable field, 4.615 acres, with apportioned rental £11 3s 5d; Lot 3 valuable old pasture field, 394 acres, apportioned rental £9 10s 9d; Lot 4, valuable old pastures field, 5, 793 acres, apportioned rental £14 0s 6d; Lot 5, valuable old pastures field, 13.823 acres, apportioned rental £33 9s 3d; Lot 6, valuable old pasture field and woodland, 20.130 acres, apportioned rental £48 14s 8d; Lot 7, valuable old pasture field, 21.043 acres, apportioned rental £50 18s 10d; Lot 8, valuable old pasture field and woodland, 41.948 acres, apportioned rental £36 3s 9d; Lot 9, valuable old pasture field, 10.830 acres, apportioned rental £26 4s 4d; Lot 10, valuable old pasture field, 11.062 acres apportioned rental, £26 15s 7d; Lot 11, valuable old pasture field and woodland, 21.304 acres, apportioned rental £51 11s 6d.

Lots 2 to 11 are let along with other land to Messrs Scott of Middle Ord Farm. Net rental is £292 with gross rental, £308.

First bid was £4000 and at £4900 the lots were withdrawn.

Lots 2 to 11 were then offered separately.

First bid for Lot 2 was £150, and at £230 was knocked down to Lady Osbourne.

Bidding started at £100 for lot 3, and at £170 was withdrawn.

Lot 4 was withdrawn at £200. Bidding started at £150.

First bid for Lot 5 was £400, and at £510 was withdrawn.

£500 was first bid for Lot 6 and after 8 further bids, was withdrawn at £800.

Bidding for Lot 7 started at £500 and at £630 was withdrawn.

For Lot 8, on which is the old Roman Camp, there were no offers.

There was good bidding for Lot 9, first bid was £300, and at £400 was knocked down to Mr Clark, West Ord.

Lot 10 was also knocked down to Mr Clark, West Ord, the figure being £425. £350 was the first offer.

First offer for Lot 11 was £500, and at £580 was withdrawn.

CAT INN FIELD

Immediately after the sale of Middle Ord, a valuable old pasture field near the Cat Inn, was then offered by Mr Bolam. Area is 4.365 acres and is at present in the occupation of Mr Clark at an annual rental (apportioned) of 312. It was part of the Haggerston Castle Estate, sold in July 1919.

First bid was £100 and after four further bids it was withdrawn at £130.

BERWICK JOURNAL 6TH NOVEMBER, 1924

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BERWICK’S NEW COUNCILLORS

Coun. Alex. Robertson is a native of Edinburgh and was educated at George Watson’s College and Milton Public School, where his father, who dies a few years ago, was Headmaster. When he left school, he went to well – known seed merchants in Leith to serve his apprenticeship. Having completed his apprenticeship and acquired a good knowledge of the seed trade, at the age of 19 he received an appointment with Messrs Thos. Carter and Sons, Seed merchants, Berwick. For many years he was a faithful servant of this local firm. Some years ago, he served his connection with this firm and launched out on his own as a seed merchant, being appointed agent for Garton, the famous world seed growers. His business had brought him into contact with a large number of farmers on the Borders, and he is a familiar figure at Berwick Corn Market.

Coun. Robertson is a member of Wallace Green Church, and is a Unionist, being a member of the local Unionist Club. He has been a prominent member of Berwick Town Golf Club. He is a member and has been President of Berwick St. Andrew’s Club, and also the Burn’s Club. He is a member of Wallace Green Literary Society, and has delivered a paper to this Society, and also St. Aidan’s Society.

On several occasions Coun. Robertson has been approached to stand for the Council, but until this occasion he has been unable to see his way to accept. Although he has taken up till now on active part in public affairs, he has always been interested in the welfare and development of Berwick, and he foresees the possibilities of making Berwick a prosperous town again.

A most popular candidate in Mr James Thorburn, Barrack Warden, was returned at the top of the poll for the North Ward. A man of most engaging manner, Mr Thorburn has taken a keen interest in the life of Berwick since he has come amongst us, and that he is an acquisition to the municipality is undoubted.

Mr Thorburn is a native of Melrose, and there he had his early training. He began life’s battle by serving his apprenticeship to the grocery trade in his native town. Imbued with martial spirit, he enlisted into the 18th Hussars, at Berwick-upon-Tweed. He was afterwards transferred to the 20th Hussars and proceeded to India with that regiment. For 6½ years he served in Central India, and was afterwards transferred to Egypt, where he served for 18 months. He returned to the regiment at Cantebury and served on various home stations. In 1906, at Shorncliffe, he was promoted Sergeant; and on 1st January 1914, he received an appointment as Quarter-Master-Sergeant and was transferred to the Northern Cavalry Depot at Scarborough.

There his ability as an accountant and clerk was put to the fullest test. The Great War was declared in August of that year. When we look back with a true perspective to those days, we can now appreciate more fairly the noble work that was done behind the lines. Mr Thorburn would have dearly loved to have gone on active service for his King and Country, but his services were required at home. There was a mobilization of great forces then, unprecedented in the annals of this country. Between 3rd August 1914 to January, 1915, Mr Thorburn put through to the front no less than 12,000 men, in addition to 1600 reservists called up on the outbreak of war. During the war, at Scarborough he had to feed from the Depot no less than four regiments of Hussars overseas with horses, stores and men; but afterwards he was transferred as Quarter-Master-Sgt. to 5th Reserve Cavalry Regiment at Tidworth, where 4 Hussars and 5 Yeomanry Regiments, about 4,000 strong, were catered for. Mr Thorburn had a staff of 20 clerks under his direction, but he spared not himself night nor day. His services were appreciated at their true value in Higher circles, and he was strongly recommended for commissioned rank. Nature, however, imposes her limitations upon poor mortals. The strain of this great work of organization told its tale. Mr Thorburn was literally carried from his work into hospital, where he had to undergo a severe operation. He is now, one might say, a memorial to a surgeon’s skill. It is a marvel that he is here today, and able to take such a prominent part everyday life. He has the indomitable spirit. Mr Thorburn was declared medically unfit for service overseas, and his ambition to bear His Majesty’s warrant was shattered.

After 24 years’ active service, he resigned from the Army. He received an appointment as Barrack warden at Strensall Camp. After serving about 3 years there, he received a transfer to permanent appointment as Barrack Warden at Berwick-upon-Tweed in July 1921. It seems a coincidence that Mr Thorburn’s military life should begin and end at Berwick-on-Tweed.

Mr Thorburn has been an active member of the Berwick Branch of the British Legion, and he is also a member of the Northern Area of the British Legion at Newcastle. He also assists Mr Elder in the Coxon’s Lane Mission Sunday School and is also an enthusiastic member of Wallace Green Literary Society, at which he has frequently taken part in the debates. Mr Thorburn confesses to a keen passion for the game of bowls but ranks his ability at the summer game very modestly. Members of Berwick Bowling Club hold a higher opinion of him. He is regarded as a coming man in the game.

BERWICK LADY IN AFRICA

We are glad to hear from a well-known and talented Berwick lady in South Africa-Miss Helen Wallace, East London, daughter of the late Mr Jas. Wallace, Master of Berwick Art School and noted Border Artist of his day. Miss Wallace holds high place as Art Mistress and Artist in South Africa, and her work is notable in the Colonies as well as in the Homeland. Miss Wallace, who belongs to a talented Border Family, tells us she always looks forward with great pleasure to the arrival of her copy of “Berwick Journal.”  We reciprocate all the good wishes she sends us.

BERWICK BIGAMY CASE

A charge of bigamy remitted by the Berwick Magistrates to the Northumberland Assigns, for trial by jury, had a curious termination when it came before Mr Justice Talbot, at the Moot Hall, Newcastle, on Wednesday. The defendants were held not to have committed the offences alleged against them, and the facts disclosed left the presumption that the marriage which formed the subject of the charge was strictly and legally constituted.

Moot Hall, Newcastle.

There were two defendants, both of whom had been on bail. Mary Ann Riley, aged 26 years, was charged with having committed bigamy with William Mavin, at Berwick, on Oct.1, and William Mavin, described as a labourer, 24 years of age, was charged with having aided and abetted the woman Riley in committing bigamy.

Both defendants entered a plea of not guilty.

Mr Muir, counsel for the prosecution, addressing his Lordship, said:- neither of these prisoners was represented in the police court proceedings, my Lord, and in the course of those proceedings the female prisoner, Riley, made a statement that the man Riley, whose name she bore and who purported to be her husband, was already married to a woman named Maggie Lee, of Gateshead, when he went through the form of marriage with her.

His Lordship – That cuts at the root of the offence of bigamy.

Mr Muir – Yes, my Lord. In law she was a single woman at the time she was “married” a second time. In those circumstances, I propose to offer no evidence.

His Lordship, addressing the jury, said that before the offence of bigamy could be committed the person involved had to be already lawfully married. It turned out that this woman accused of having committed bigamy was, in point of fact, not lawfully married to the man whom she thought was her husband. Under those circumstances, when she went through the second ceremony, she was a single woman, and therefore the offence of bigamy had not been committed. Very rightly, no evidence was to be offered by the Crown, so the jury would find the prisoners not guilty.

The jury thereupon returned a formal verdict of not guilty, and the defendants were immediately discharged.

MARSHALL MEADOWS ESTATE IN THE MARKET

Marshall Meadows Estate was offered for sale by public auction in the King’s Arms Hotel, Berwick, on Saturday, by Messrs Thos. H. Sanderson, Son, and Townsend, auctioneers, Newcastle, on behalf of the Trustees of the late Mr Swanston.

King’s Arms Hotel, Berwick. Ref: BRO 426/359

The Estate is situated 3 miles north from Berwick on the Great North Road. The estate, which has a long frontage to the seacoast, has a charming private bay, which is connected to the headland by a subterranean passage.

Postcard showing the cliffs and subterranean passage to Marshall Meadows. Ref: BRO 1636/9/58

A special feature of the estate is the walled garden with its fruit trees and bushes which are in excellent condition; and there is also a large vegetable garden.

There is a fishing shiel on the estate for the persons engaged on the salmon sea fishing. There is a large bed of rich red standstone underlying the estate.

The mansion house is substantially built of stone. On the ground floor are dining room, drawing rooms, library, and smoke room, and domestic quarters while on the first floor is the billard-room, 9 bedrooms, 2 dressing rooms, 3 bathrooms with bath, housemaid’s pantry, etc. On the second floor are 3 bedrooms, attic, boxroom, and servants’ bathroom.

The salmon fishing is let at an annual rental of £80, and 20 for the shiel.

The home farm comprises an area of about 166.359 acres. It is let on a 12 years’ lease at £400 per annum, which expires on Nov. 11 next. This is excellent land, and the farm is in a high state of cultivation.

Total receipts, which include estimated rental of mansion house and grounds, £200, amount to £700, and outgoings total £89 17s 1d.

There was a fairly good attendance at the sale. The auctioneer, Mr Townsend, said the Trustees were most anxious to sell. They had taken the unusual step of publishing the upset price, which was £9000, and if the received an offer of £9000 and no more were forthcoming, be would sell. The estate night be divided into 3 classes. There was the farm, which was one of the best in the neighbourhood. If any of them had seen the stackyard recently they could form some idea of its productive quality. Then there was the fishing which at the present time was let at £100. It was a good little fishing. And lastly there was the mansion house. The farm and fishing were being offered at a very low figure. He was of opinion that a house similar to the mansion house could not be built for less than £10,000 today, and if they put the farm down at 32,000, and the fishing at £1,000 they were getting the house for £6000.

There was no offer, and the estate was withdrawn. Solicitors for the vendors were Mr C H Bernard Aylwin, Esq., 32 Finsbury Square, London, E.C.2, and Jas. T. S. Doughty, Esq., Writer, Ayton.

BERWICK NEWSPAPERS

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BERWICK JOURNAL, 28TH FEBRUARY 1924

LORD ARMSTRONG SELLS LIFE POLICIES

It is understood, says “London Express,” that the peer whose life policies, amounting to £320,000, were sold by auction on Thursday for £104,910, is Lord Armstrong, of Bamburgh and Cragside, North Northumberland. He is a great-nephew of famous founder of shipbuilding and armament firm of Armstrong, Whitworths, on Tyne, at Elswick, and he was at one time a director of the firm. Lord Armstrong resigned that position in Feb., 1908.

Lord Armstrong did not succeed his great uncle in the title, but he was heir. First Lord Armstrong left a fortune of the gross value of £1,399,946, and by his will he bequeathed all his real estate, household effects as heirlooms, and all live and dead stock to his great nephew (who was created Baron Armstrong in 1903), and his heirs entail. Residue of the estate, after payment of a number of bequests and annuities, was left in trust to his great nephew for life, with the remainder to his children. Present Lord Armstrong took active interest in a number of ventures that were unsuccessful. He also interested himself financially in a number of syndicates, including an early wireless telegraphy undertaking, a drug and drink cure enterprise, mining and oil scheme.

Permission to sell heirlooms was given by the Courts to Lord Armstrong in 1910. The pictures and drawings realised £29,032. Further interest in his financial affairs was aroused last year when he announced that he was closing Cragside, famous Northumberland estate of the family, and was going to live at “The Cottage,” formerly the residence of his estate agent in the grounds.

There was considerable speculation (says “Graphic”) as to ownership of insurance policies for sums amounting with bonuses to upwards of £320,000 “on the life of a nobleman born on May 3, 1863,” sold by auction by Messrs H.E. Foster and Cranfield, of Poultry, London, realising in all the sum of £104,910. It was stated this is the biggest block of policies on a single life that has ever been offered publicly in London.

“Who is the nobleman?” people were asking for, even in these days of heavy taxation, a transaction of this size was so unusual as to give rise to curiosity. The auctioneers had not disclosed his identity. “He is travelling abroad for his health,” was all the information they gave.

I am able to say the nobleman is Lord Armstrong, whose great uncle, first Lord Armstrong spent nearly a million on the restoration of historic Bamburgh Castle, rare pile formerly the home of Tom Forster and Dorothy Forster, of Jacobite fame, frowning from an eminence over North Sea. Cragside, too, is one of England’s show places. It is built on a site of surpassing loveliness and was regarded by the old shipbuilder as the masterpiece of his career. It was into this heritage that the 2nd Lord Armstrong entered some 23 years ago.

For many years Lord Armstrong has been the patron of good causes in London and the North of England. His generosity was proverbial. He heaped splendid benefactions on Durham College of Science at Newcastle, which was then rebuilt and re-named Armstrong College, and he gave £100,000 to Newcastle Infirmary. He also gave generously to London hospitals. Appeals for help, and for personal assistance, were seldom made to him in vain.

His son and heir, imbued with the same philanthropic desires as his father, astonished his friends early in life by becoming violently Socialistic. The last time I heard from him he was Vancouver Correspondent of “Montreal Star,” and he told me he was working 10 hours a day.

It was in Feb., 1923, announcement was made that Lord Armstrong of Cragside, and Bamburgh, had gone to live in a “cottage” in consequence of burden of present day taxation.

I have been much surprised (wrote Lord Armstrong at the time) at the exceptional interest aroused by my closing the Mansion-house at Cragside, and retiring to the smaller house in the grounds which was for some years occupied by my late steward.

For many other landowners have been compelled from motives of enforced economy to adopt a similar course- where indeed they have not been forced to take the more drastic and tragic alternative of selling their ancestral acres, and thus in many cases severing lifelong associations with a district hallowed to them by friendships and mutual goodwill and by cordial relations with all classes of their neighbours.

The reason for the step that I have taken may shortly be stated to arise from the desire “to make ends meet,” a not unworthy ambition, though apparently one less esteemed by governments and public than it was in the old days before the war. Among the causes that have led to this decision I may enumerate the following: –

  1. The very heavy income-tax which takes 9s 6d in the pound (last year it was 10s 6d) off my rent roll, though that remains the same as it was in pre-war days.
  2. The tithe that I pay now amounts to about 1s in the pound, which is more than 100 per cent. Increase on the pre-war amount.
  3. Estate wages, which before the war amounted to from 21s to 26s a week, with house and coal, now reach from 42s to 50s a week, with similar perquisites, in spite of which increase I believe that my estate staff is less well off now than formerly.
  4. All rates have largely increased.
  5. Increased management expenses.

These items, together with the great increase in the cost of the necessary upkeep of farms and cottages, absorb most of the income from my landed estates.

The, with reference to my personal estate, my income from industries, in which I am largely interested, has roughly decreased since the war by two-thirds, while interest on mortgages has increased by 1½ per cent., and in some cases 2 per cent. I am further mulcted by the injustice of having to pay super-tax on my insurance premiums.

I would further point out with all these reductions from my rent-roll that charges on the estate for pensions and allowances naturally remain the same. It is for these reasons that I have been compelled to forego the upkeep of a large domestic establishment such as a house the size of Cragside entails.

An aerial view of Cragside, near Rothbury, and its surrounding area. This picture was taken in 1910, From the high angle it shows the Coquet Valley, Coquetdale. This photograph is part of a larger collection taken by local commercial photographer John Worsnop. John Worsnop took over the Rothbury based family photographic business in 1874. NRO 01449/541

I am aware that a similar complaints have frequently been published before, though they seem to have fallen upon deaf ears if one can judge by the immense number of begging letters with which I have been inundated since I made this announcement.

These appeals come from all quarters of the British Isles and the Continent, and are of a varied description. Some ask for gifts and loans varying in amount from a few pounds to hundreds; others propose that I should join them in mercantile adventures; and I receive invitations to set up in life young couples anxious to enter the state of matrimony-all of which present a pitiful though curious phase in human psychology.

In conclusion, I should like to add that I can see but little hope for landowners and their dependants, or for the survival of those honourable traditions which have for so long been associated with land tenure in this country, unless in the near future we have a substantial reduction in the burden of taxation.

Failing this relief, estates will, of necessity, be constantly changing hands. Though many of the new owners will prove worthy successors to their predecessors, in the majority of cases the estates will fall into the hands of land speculators who will care nothing for the welfare of the people dwelling thereon, while their sole object will be personal gain, thus bringing blight and disaster on our countryside.

North Northumbrians will be interested to learn that a new but flourishing company has been founded in British Columbia by Capt. Hon. William Watson-Armstrong, son of Lord Armstrong, aim of which is importation of high grade British manufactured good, and also establishment of import and export business with Ceylon, India, and countries of the Orient. The concern, which is registered under name of Messrs William W. Armstrong and Co., 912, Birks Buildings, Vancouver, has agencies for several, British firms. For 2 years Capt. Armstrong was on staff of “Vancouver Sun.” With him in partnership is Mr A. O. Barratt, also a Northumbrian. Capt. Armstrong, who was born in Oct., 1892, is now 31, and was an Officer in 7th N.F. He gained a First Class in Part II. of Historical Tripos at Cambridge. His University career was most successful. Previously he was placed in 1st Division of 2nd Class of Inter-Collegiate Examination in History, and in Part I. of Historical Tripos. He won Bowen Prize of his College for Modern History.

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