Berwick Petty Sessions

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 2ND JULY 1925

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NORHAM BOAT RACES

Norham Boat Races were held on the Tweed on Saturday, fine weather favouring this popular annual event in the district. The cold wind was not felt on the riverside, where it was nice and mild, and though the sun only shone in blinks, it was very pleasant throughout the day, and the beautiful woods on the Ladykirk side of the river made a fine background for the racing events. There were, however, fewer people at the races than last year, and the gate unfortunately was down by some £5. This was no doubt owing to the many other events on in the district- Coldstream Sports and the Workers’ Gala at Wooler, etc. Sport was better than last year, and there were some very keen races. The river was divided into the two courses- English and Scotch, by means of floating buoys, and this plan worked well, there being practically no fouling owing to one competitor getting out of his course into his opponent’s. There was the old keen rivalry between Norham men and their neighbours from “Hurklie” and great was the rejoicing in Norham when it was a Norham man who carried off the Championship stakes, wresting the honour from its Horncliffe holder, the stalwart Tom Robertson.

Norham Castle on the River Tweed. Ref: BRO 515-178

Berwick Pipe Band, looking very smart in their fine uniforms, played selections down by the river side during the afternoon, to the great enjoyment of spectators of the races. One of the most interesting features of the races was the great keenness of the small boys who had come to watch. The youngsters not only helped by selling programmes, but took keen interest in the races, swarming round the good-humoured judge to ask time and again in anxious tones “Have they rowed for the cup yet?” The older ones kept their programmes marked up to date, and in between races discussed among themselves who was going to win the next event as well as debating whether to spend their last coppers on another bottle of lemonade or a pie. The tiny tots wee perhaps more interested in the gaily coloured balloons being sold on the river side, or the coloured canaries which fluttered in the breeze, worrying their mothers till they bought them either a balloon or canary to amuse them.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

THURSDAY

Before A. J. Dodds, C. Forsyth, D. H. W. Askew, G. N. Broadbent, Esqs., Miss Henderson, and major A. Tower Robertson.

RIDING ON THE FOOTPATH

John Fleming, Norham, was charged with unlawfully riding a bicycle on a footpath set aside for pedestrians, on the Ord Road at 5.30 pm on 24th June.

P.C. Lindsay proved the case. Defendant said the road was rough. Witness thought the road in fair condition.

Defendant said his chain was liable to come off and the road was rough. He did not intend to do any harm.

The Bench reprimanded defendant but dismissed the case.

A DANGEROUS PARACTICE

Mr. Dodds said, before the press retired, he wished to remark on the dangerous practice of riding cycles at extreme speed when going round corners, particularly Bridge Street, and into Sandgate and round by the Garage.

Bridge Street, Berwick-upon-Tweed, dated 1959. Ref No: BRO 1250-147

Perhaps the Police would keep an eye on anything of the kind for at any moment a child crossing the road might be run over and killed.

1st K.O.S.B. BAND VISITS BERWICK

The Band of the 1st K.O.S. Borderers visited Berwick on Thursday, and by permission of Col. P. A. V. Stewart, C.B.E., D.S.O., and Officers of the Regiment, gave two performances in Berwick Corn Exchange. In the afternoon the attendance was very poor, owing no doubt to the many other attractions on in the town. In the evening there were a few more present, but the building was more than half empty. Among those present were Major C. F. Kennedy, Commanding Officer at the Depot, Berwick, and Mrs. Kennedy, Capt. B. C. Lake, Lieut. Watt, Lieut. J. B. Vans Agnew, Lieut. D. V. Kennedy. The band is well worth going to hear, and Berwick people missed a treat by not turning out in larger numbers. The items at the evening performance were greatly enjoyed and several were encored with great enthusiasm.

Corn exchange, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Ref No: BRO 1636/4/11

The conductor is Band master M. T. Kingston Jarvis. The selections from Tannhauser were very fine and also the selections from Greig. Very amusing was the wedding ceremony introduced into the descriptive piece by Lotter, the parson being represented by the bassoon, while the responses of the bride and bridegroom were taken by the flute and trombone. The Musical Jig-Saw cleverly worked in some 52 melodies ending with that fine Selenelle “1812” Overture by Tchaikovsky. The evening programme was: Grand selection from “Tannhauser,” Wagner: xylophone solo, “Orchid Blossoms.” Underhill, soloist, Musician barber (encored0; first selection of gems from Gilbert and Sullivan Operas, arrd. Godfrey; descriptive, “A Southern Wedding,” Lotter (encored); excerpts from “Greig’s Works” selection, “A Musical Jig-Saw,” arrd. Aston; a Military Tattoo by Col. Mackenzie Rogan, late Director of Music, Coldstream Guards; regimental march, “Blue Bonnets o’er the Border.”

TWEEDMOUTH NOTES

The annual picnic of the Tweedmouth Scotch Church Sunday School took place to Hawick on Tuesday (Mid-summer Day), by char-a-bancs. Never before has a Sunday school trip made this journey by buses, so one can imagine how pleased the youngsters greeted the idea and how they looked for the day to come. At about 8.30 in the morning the children began to gather at the church, and at nine o’clock about a hundred were marched down to the “Alley” in the West End, where eight buses were lined up. Never before has any party had a better send off than the 200 adults and children who made the journey. The West End was like a Feast Monday.

The journey was made via Coldstream, Kelso, Denholm and the outskirts of Jedburgh. At halt was made just a mile out of Hawick for dinner, but owing to a misunderstanding other arrangement had to be made and dinner was served in St. John’s Church Hall, in Hawick about one o’clock. After this the company adjourned to the Public Park, where races were held for the children and adults. The tug-of-war caused much excitement, especially among the older members. During the afternoon many took advantage of other amusements in the Park, such as bowling and putting. After the races many took the opportunity of visiting the War memorial and the Wilton Museum. About 5pm all sat down to tea in St John’s Hall.

Shortly after six a start was made for home after everybody had spent a most enjoyable day. A short halt was made in Kelso, and home was reached shortly after nine.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 20TH JULY 1923

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57 YEARS ON THE RAILWAY

RETIRAL OF MR GEORGE YOUNG AND PRESENTATION BY FELLOW WORKMEN

After fifty-seven years spent in the service of the North British Railway Company, Mr George Young, 8 Infirmary Square, a well-known figure at the Loco. Sheds at Berwick, retired at the beginning of the month, and on Thursday evening, in the Oddleffows’ Hall, a company of some forty fellow workmen under the presidency of Mr Joe Gray assembled to make a parting gift in token of the respect and esteem in which Mr Young was held.

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

Mr Gray briefly explained the object of the gathering, saying they were there to do a little honour to the oldest servant of the Railway Coy. at Berwick station, a man who they all held in the highest respect and esteem. Personal, said Mr Gray, I have always been closely associated with Mr Young. He was my driver at one time, and the friendship we formed on the footplate was not one to be readily broken.

A letter read from Mr J. P. Grassick, the Loco Running Superintendent of the L. and N.E.R. Coy. at Cowlairs, Glasgow, showed how much the long and honourable service of Mr Young was appreciated. “I cannot allow the occasion of your retiral from active service to pass unnoticed,” wrote Mr Grasswick. “Your work has been appreciated, and you enter upon your period of rest after a strenuous career with the best wishes of your employers. Personally, I have to thank you for services well rendered, and I hope you will belong spared to enjoy the remainder of your days in peace and comfort, freed from stress and turmoil of modern railway life.” The reading of the letter was received with applause.

Mr William Ewing, the foreman at Loco. Department, Berwick, then made on behalf of the employees at the sheds the presentation of a handsome silver lever watch, albert and medallion to Mr Young, along with a small sum of money remaining in the presentation fund. In a speech where the good qualities of the recipient were eulogised, Mr Ewing told of the ready way the employees had subscribed to give some little token to Mr Young as a memento of the many years he had been amongst them. He hoped Mr Young would accept the gift in the spirit in which it was made, and there was no need to assure him that he had left the Company’s service with the good wishes of all who had esteemed and appreciated his companionship and service in the past. (Applause).

Berwick Railway Station during World War One

Mr Young replied in a speech full of happy reminiscences of his past life on the railway, some of which we reprinted below, and he also told of one or two instances which were not of such a pleasing nature, when accidents had nearly brought about his end and the end of others. I started life as a boy under Mr Cargill in 1866, said Mr Young, and well I remember asking him for a start. I was just a little fellow then – fifteen years of age – and it was like looking up toa giant, for Mr Cargill was not a small man by any means. However, I was fortunate, for he started me at the handsome salary of 10d per day – ( laughter) – which was 2d a day more than was usually given to boys starting. Their wage worked out at ¾ per hour or 4s per week. Well, I was fortunate because I got 5s per week, but I wonder what some of you young chaps would say if you were asked to work for that now-a-days. (Applause). Mr Young also mentioned that there were only other two men alive today who had started life with him at Berwick Station. One was Mr Thos. Aird, coal merchant, who was then a fitter, and the other was Mr David Lawson, a native of Berwick, who had risen to be stationmaster at Shettleston, Glasgow, and who was now retired. During the time he had been on the railway he had worked under five different general managers, five loco. Superintendents, and fourteen loco. Foremen. He also mentioned that the father of Mr Ewing, their present foreman, had worked on the same footplate with him. Mr Young concluded a very interesting speech by thanking his fellow workmen for the honour they had done him.

A FEW REMINISCENCES

A DASH FOR SAFETY

A thrilling experience I have had, said Mr Young, was when I was running the 10 o’clock express between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Just at Winechburgh tunnel a goods train broke an axel and the damaged axel flew in front of my train. There was no time to draw up, and the only safety lay in putting on speed in the open of shifting the obstruction. We put on full steam. There was no Westenhouse brakes to apply and stop in time then, and when we hit the wreckage, we happily shifted it from the line. I was handsomely rewarded by the passengers, who subscribed for myself and the fireman the sum of £2 15s – quite a lot in those days.

PULLED A MAN OUT OF WAY OF EXPRESS

Another thing I remember, said Mr Young, happened shortly after that at Berwick station near the turntable. A St, Margaret’s driver named George Fortune – he is dead now, poor fellow – got right in the way of the express which was coming along. I saw his danger and clutching him succeeded in pulling him off the line. He did not escape injury, for he got a glancing blow from the buffer of the engine, which broke seven of his ribs, but he soon recovered and lived to a good age. Had I not reached him he would certainly have been knocked down and cut to pieces.

A PERSONAL ACCIDENT

I was nearly killed many years ago, said Mr Young, but it must not have been to be. I was starting a pumping engine which was used to be at the Sheds when my coat got into the belt. I did not pull it clear quick enough and I was carried round the shafting until I was stripped of clothing, and then I was flung senseless against the wall. Had I been thrown the other way I would have assuredly been killed outright, for I would have fallen into the well. As it was, I was very seriously injured about the head, legs and arms, and to this day I carry the marks on my legs. All the inspectors who examined the machinery in motion where I was caught could not credit that I could be carried round the shaft as I was and escaped alive.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

MONDAY

Before C. L. Fraser and Chas. Forsyth, Esqs

A MORALISING TRAMP

John Kelly, vagrant, no fixed abode, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Marygate at 9.5 p.m. on the 15th June. He pleaded guilty.

P. C Jefferson said the man was drunk, getting in front of motor cars and behaving in a foolish and disorderly manner.

Kelly was asked if he would promise to leave the town if he was discharged and he said, “I can promise nothing. I might just get drunk again and get into mischief. I do not think a day or two at Newcastle would do me any harm. It is the only way for you gentlemen to protect yourselves. I don’t believe in making promises if there is a possibility of breaking them. A man who habitually takes drink should not make promises.

Dr Fraser – Then there is no other option than to send you to prison for seven days.

Mr Forsyth – With hard labour.

Prisoner – With all due deference to you, sir. I don’t think they can give me hard labour. I am 62 years of age.

Dr Fraser – I don’t think he is sober yet.

Prisoner – Oh yes, but I will be better at Newcastle. It is twenty-one years since I was in Berwick last, and I hope it will be as long again before I am in it.

Dr Fraser – I hope so, too.

With a “Thank you, gentlemen,” prisoner went below to the cells prior to his trip to Newcastle.

SPORT

FOOTBALL

INFIRMARY CUP

Owing to the majority of the Spittal Hearts’ team being unable to be present at the Pierrots’ stand on Friday night the presentation of medals has been postponed.

Spittal Rovers, Infirmary Cup Winners, 1925. Ref; BRO 1887/41/3

It is hoped to send out circulars to all teams within a 25 miles’ radius of Berwick, and if a satisfactory entry is obtained to play one match per week throughout this season for the Cup. The rules, which are comparatively few, bar players who have played for Berwick Rangers or Coldstream during the season. The competition is strictly amateur, and teams will be paid minimum travelling fares for 12 players. Layers must play for one team only in the competition.

CYCLING

TEN MILE CYCLING RACE ON NORTH ROAD

The Tweedside Cycling Club held their 10 miles road trial over the North Road on Thursday evening last under handicap conditions, when a large assembly lined the footpath out by meadow House to see the finish of the race. The feature of the handicap was the wonderful riding of J. H. Kirkup, a Millfield lad aged nineteen, who had the fastest time of the evening, 25 mins, 44 secs. actual. The prize winners and times were as follows: – 1, P. Gleig, 29 mins. 46 secs., less 6 mins., 23 mins. 46 secs.; 2, J. Tennant, 29 mins, 16 secs., less 5 mins., 24 mins. 16 secs.; 3, J. H. Kirkup, 25 min. 44 secs, less 1 min., 24 mins. 44 secs. E. Young, who was scratch, covered the distance in 25 mins. 59 secs., or 15 secs, longer than Kirkup. Other young riders’ times were :- T. Clazie, 28 mins. 30 secs., less 4 mins., 24 mins, 30 secs.; L. B. Dickinson, 31 mins. 17 secs., less 5 mins., 26 mins. 17 secs.; and A. Aird, 31 mins. 45 secs., less 4 mins., 27 mins, 45 secs. Kirkup, it will be remembered, was the rider who won the double event in the half mile and mile last years at the Tweedside Cycling Club Sports. He is riding wonderfully well this year, and those in the know look upon him as a coming champion.

AUSTRALIA’S CALL

BAMBURGH MAN’S SUCCESS IN FARMING

“This country appears to be over-crowded, and to find so many young men unemployed and hanging about the city streets is a sad and depressing reflection on present-day life when one knows that in Australia there are thousands of acres ready for settlers to enjoy a new and glorious life. The kind of men wanted are only those who are determined to work hard, and to make a home for themselves in that fertile country. Fired by that ambition, emigrants are almost bound to succeed.”

These sentiments were voiced to a “Newcastle Daily Journal” representative by Mr George Waddell, a Western Australian farmer, who, with his wife, is at present on a visit to Tyneside, renewing old friendships. Mr Waddell, who was born in the parish of Bamburgh, fifty-eight years ago, at one time followed the plough, and later was a servant on the railway company in Newcastle as a rolleyman.

SUCCESS IN TWELVE YEARS

It should be noted that Mr Waddell was forty-six years of age when he decided to seek his fortune in Western Australia, and within the space of twelve years, by reason or hard, unremitting labour, he has built up one of the most successful farming businesses in that fertile area, 200 miles from Perth, Quarendin Vale, Belka. What was once a stretch of 1,000 acres of rough forest land, obtained from the Australian Government, has now been converted into a wheat-growing farm, yielding satisfactory returns.

Having visited the recent Royal Show, Mr Waddell said the bulk of the farm machinery there displayed was not applicable to western Australia wheat farming conditions. Out there, farm appliances are manufactured on a larger scale, teams of five to six horses being employed as a rule on one implement. The harvesting machines, for instance, are built on altogether different lines, as only the heads of the grain are cut and harvested, the “straw” being left standing in the field to be used as fodder or burned.

HORSES PREFFERED

The farm tractors are not yet much in vogue on the large fields of this Western Australian State. Most farmers, chiefly on grounds of economy, pin their faith to horsepower. Personally, Mr Waddell prefers the Clydesdale horses, of which he owns 25, because of their power and activity.

While the disposal of the wheat is now free and independent, Australian farmers in Mr Waddell’s area have formed a voluntary co-operative wheat pool by which about 80 per cent, of the wheat produced is dealt with.

With regard to the labour question, Mr Waddell stated that no women are employed in field work. With so many labour-saving appliances now in use six men can work quite well a wheat farm of about 1,000 acres. One experienced man is required to handle a team of five or six horses engaged in field operations. Seldom does a farm hand require to work more than eight hours a day.

BERWICK NEWSPAPERS, 1923

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 27TH APRIL 1923

INQUEST OF THE LATE MARK THOMPSON

VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH

In Howick Reading Room of Thursday last Mr Hugh J. Percy, deputy coroner for North Northumberland, held an inquest touching the death of Mark Thompson, whose body was washed up by the sea near Howick on Wednesday morning.

Hector Thompson, of 5 Old Colliery, Scremerston, deposed – I identify the body of deceased as that of my brother, Mark Thompson, late of 7 Derwentwater Terrace, Scremerston, a motor driver, and a single man aged 34 years. I identify the body by reason of a long blue scar on the left leg which he got as the result of an accident about six years ago. He has had no troubles – mental or physical, and he was always healthy and in good spirits. He left Scremerston in charge of a motor lorry bound for Howick on the 21st March. He was dressed in blue overalls. I have never seen him since.

BRO 0515-211 Scremerston, showing colliery in the background

Robert Dixon Gray said – I live at Howick Red Steads. On the 22nd march I was on the highway near to Howick Lodge when I saw a man dressed in blue overalls about 34 years of age, clean shaven, about 9.30 a.m. In answer to his inquiry I directed him to where a wrecked submarine lay on the rocks near to Howick Point. He left me going in that direction. The tide would be low about 11 o’clock. He was quite sober and in normal cheerful spirits.

Benjamin mason said – I am a roadman, and when on the Howick to Craster road about 7 a.m. on the 18th April I looked over on the beach and saw the body of a man lying. He was naked and the head off the body and nowhere to be seen. I gave warning at once to the police. The body was about 15 years below high-water mark. The tide was about half ebb.

P.C. A Robertson, Longhoughton, said :- I was informed at 11p.m. on the 23rd March that Mark Thompson was missing from Howick Red Steads, and that he had left his work the previous day to go and see the submarine. I searched the submarine but found nothing. On the 16th April the overalls (produced) were washed up on the beach near to Howick Point. I examined the body on receipt of the report and found the headless body of a man with a scar on the left leg. The body was bruised but had no serious wounds. The right hand was off.

Reference; OS 1st ED ROLL 7 Howick, showing Howick Red Stead.

The Coroner reviewed the evidence up to the finding of the body, headless, one hand off, and battered about by the sea and rocks. That body was identified to his complete satisfaction by reason of a scar on the left leg, as being that of Mark Thompson. That was all, really, that they knew about the case, or probably could ever be told. The utmost he could do was to infer from the evidence, and piece together, probabilities of what had happened. There were three alternatives; one was that Mark Thompson had met his death by foul play through the agency of some person, but he (Mr Percy) saw no probability of any such thing having occurred, and in any case, Thompson was a man who probably could hold his own in any interference with any person. There were also the alternatives of accident and suicide. Mental troubles or physical troubles did not apply in the least to Mark Thompson. He was cheery and of happy disposition. That was borne out by the witness Gray, who told them that he was cheerful and in normal spirits when he left him to go and see the submarine. They knew the position of the submarine; they knew there were dangers, and they knew how fierce and terrible were the suctions and currents of the sea at that particular place, and he did not think he would be erring if he drew the following inference from the evidence :- That in trying to get aboard, or being aboard, he slipped off, and was perhaps stunned or hurt and was unable to get up, and was sucked under the water and drowned.

A verdict was returned that “deceased was accidentally drowned whilst inspecting a wrecked submarine at Howick Rocks on 22nd March 1923.”

MEDICAL OFFICER’S QUARTERLY REPORT

In his report for the quarter ended 31st March, 1923, the Medical Officer (Dr P. W. Maclagan) stated:- There were registered during the period 63 births and 32 deaths, giving a birth rate of 20.48 and a death rate of 10.33. This is a higher birth rate and a lower death rate than the previous quarter and compared with the quarter ended March of last year we have 19 fewer births and 25 fewer deaths. The exceptionally low death rate for this quarter is a good start for 1923. Twenty-one patients were admitted to hospital during the quarter. These consisted of 19 borough patients, viz., 14 scarlet fever, 4 diphtheria, and 1 encephalitis lethargica, and 2 patients (one scarlet fever) and one (diphtheria) from Norham and Islandshire district. All the scarlet fever and diphtheria patients have made good recoveries. The case of encephalitis lethargica is the first of the kind reported in this borough. This patient was a roadman chiefly employed on the Paxton road. He had been admitted in the first instance to the Infirmary for observation and treatment, but when the nature of his illness became evident, he was transferred on the 10th March to the Isolation Hospital. Encephalitis lethargica is a notifiable infectious disease and was therefore removed to the Isolation Hospital. It is only very slightly infectious, and no further cases need be anticipated. Three months ago, there were one or two cases of smallpox in Northumberland, and I considered it advisable to make chickenpox notifiable in order that I might be in a position to receive notice of any suspicious case. There have been no fresh cases of smallpox in the County and I do not think it necessary to continue this precaution.

BERWICK PETTY SESSION’S

CHILDREN’S COURT – WEDNESDAY

Before D. H. W. Askew, G. N. Broadbent, Chas. Forsyth, Theo. Bolus. Esqs., and Miss Henderson.

A Berwick boy who has been remanded on two occasions on a charge of discharging a catapult on the Walls and was detained for certification under the Mental Deficiency Act, again appeared before the bench. The boy, who was accompanied by his father, sobbed bitterly during the hearing.

The Superintendent outlined the case and said since last Court he had written to the Committee of the Feeble-Minded Colony at Prudhoe Hall, enclosing the certificate from Dr Caverhill, which had been previously presented to the Bench. Mr Mitchell, the representative of the Committee, was now present and would be prepared to give the bench any further information.

The father of the boy asked permission to give the bench certain information in the course of which he said, while his son was at school, he (witness) had not been satisfied with what he was learning. He went to the school and saw the former headmaster, Mr O’Connell, who put the boy on a form and made him read from a book. The boy read what he was told to read all right. Mr O’Connell said the boy was doing all right. Even when Mr Johnston was headmaster witness was told that the boy was ding fairly well. Still witness was not satisfied with what the boy had picked up. He could hardly write his name, or say his a.b.c’s. It was entirely due to the serious accident he had sustained 11 years ago at Haddington when his skull was fractured.

Reference: OS 3RD ED 102 NW Section showing Prudhoe Hall, c.1924

Mr Bolus – You told us at a previous court the boy had learned nothing, yet you tell us now that the teachers were satisfied with him.

Witness – That was what Mr O’Connell told me.

Mr Bolus – Your statement today is contradicting what you said then.

Witness – What I meant was that the boy had not learned as he should have learned, all through his accident.

The Superintendent – But you agree to the boy going to this home.

Witness- I think it will be the best thing for him, but his mother is very cut up about it.

The Superintendent – I quite understand her feelings, but you agree it will be for his good to go there.

Mr Mitchell, of the Prudhoe Hall Colony, read Dr Caverhill’s certificate which stated that he had attended the boy at Haddington over nine years ago after a serious accident. This accident, in Dr Caverhill’s opinion, was the direct cause of the boy’s mental condition, which he found to be deficient. In his opinion the boy was not responsible for his actions.

Inrepky to a question by the Chairman, the father said he was prepared to contribute 4s per week towards the boy’s keep at Prudhoe Hall, the figure mentioned by Mr Mitchell.

Miss Henderson and Mr Askew assured the father that the boy would have every chance at Prudhoe, which was charmingly situated and had very fine grounds. In addition to being taught a trade the boy would get plenty opportunity for sport, cricket, football, etc. Miss Henderson kindly offered to have a talk with the boy’s mother and tell how well he would be looked after there, and that every facility would be given for his parents to see him from time to time. The bench made the necessary order for the boy to go to Prudhoe Hall and dismissed the charge of discharging stones from a catapult.

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