Berwick Petty Sessions Archives - Page 12 of 14

This Week in World War One, 18 February 1916

08/03/201819/02/2016 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 18 FEBRUARY 1916

A BLESSING FOR BERWICK-UPON-TWEED

Mr Winston, The Eyesight Specialist, has been persuaded to remain another week until Saturday, 26^th February.

In consequence of numerous applications from those whom he was unable to attend to during the last five days of his sojourn in Berwick, Mr Winston has decided to remain another week with us, and give those who have not yet had the opportunity of interviewing him the advantage of his free advice.

Retinoscopy at the School Travelling Ophthalmic Clinic, Australia. Dated 1st January, 1914. © State Records New South Wales, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

NOT AN OCULIST

It must be distinctly understood that Mr Winston does not pose as an oculist, that, is, according to the dictionary, “once skilled in diseases of the eyes,” but he claims to be, and is justified in doing so, the most expert specialist Optometrist or Optician in England. He has tested the eyesight of no fewer that a hundred thousand people in London alone during the past five years, and has fitted glasses to sixty thousand of them in his store, 72 Regent Street. The chemist is not an optician, neither is the doctor, nor the oculist even. Their education and experience have taught them the nature and use of drugs with regard to ailments, but for impaired vision the scientific optician is the man.

WOMEN WORKERS

Mr Winston has found during the past week that the strenuous work the war has thrown upon women has considerably affected their eyes – probably previously weak- and has produced in numerous cases those terrible headaches from which so many women suffer. He has in the majority of cases recommended a cheap pair of lenses to use when they are at work, but which they need not use and – as they think – disfigure themselves afterwards. Make the most of the opportunity of seeing Mr Winston, as he will not be able to stop in BERWICK ANY LONGER THAN FEB. 26^th inclusive.

Mr Winston can now be seen by anyone from 10 to 1 or 2 to 7.30, at the CORN EXCHANGE, BERWICK-ON-TWEED, and they can obtain advice perfectly free of any charge. So do not neglect an opportunity which may never occur again. Special appointments can be arranged by post. N.B.- A written guarantee with all work for ten years.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

USING THE ROOM OWING TO THE RATS

Elizabeth Gleig, Berwick, married, was charged with allowing the chimney of her house in East Street to be on fire on Thursday, 10^th inst.

Police Constable Watt stated that the chimney was very dirty and clouds of smoke issued. He could see these from the top of Hide Hill. It burned for a quarter of an hour. On proceeding to the house he found it was the room chimney which had caught fire, and a young boy had been using an old tray to create a draught. The defendant told him that the chimney had not been swept for two years, and that the fire was not often kindled.

The defendant stated that since her husband joined the army she had using the room, as the kitchen was infested with rats. She had been two years in the house, and as she never used the room until recently the chimney had not been swept.

She was fined 2s 6d.

LOCAL NEWS

Local Fancier’s Important win – Showing at Crufts Great International Dog Show, held in the Royal Agricultural Hall, London, February 9th, 10th, and 11th, Mr David Black, Berwick, successfully brought out a smart home-bred bull dog puppy, and won second prize Dog Puppies (14 entries), third prize Junior Dogs, and v.h.c. Maiden Dogs (18 entries). Crufts is acknowledged to be the greatest dog show held throughout the year, and some idea may be gathered from the fact that the total entries reached the enormous number of 3,235. It is interesting to note that this show was honoured with double Royal patronage, both the King and Queen being first prize winners with their exhibits.

Irish Woolfhound 'Felixstowe Regan,' who was the winner of the Dog CC at Crufts,in 1916. — Irish Woolfhound ‘Felixstowe Regan,’ who was the winner of the Dog CC at Crufts,in 1916.

Engine Derailed on Border Bridge – On Wednesday morning a North British goods engine went off the rails as it was proceeding from Tweedmouth to Berwick. The engine had just entered on the second arch of the Royal Border Bridge when it became derailed, the result being that it blocked both lines. The 7.45 train from Edinburgh was delayed half an hour at Berwick ere [sic] one of the lines was cleared. The traffic had to be conducted on a single line all forenoon, and a break-down gang from Tweedmouth were busily engaged with a crane replacing the engine on the metals. The cause of the accident is unknown, and fortunately no one was injured.

Royal Border Bridge ealry 1990s. © Berwick Record Office - BRO 515 377 — Royal Border Bridge early 1900s. © Berwick Record Office – BRO 515 377

THE PLAYHOUSE

Average houses have been present during the past week and have greatly appreciated the programme provided. For the coming week the management have arranged a bill of exceptional merit. “The Counterfeiter” a new and powerful Sexton Blake drama will be screened on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and being full of exciting incidents and movements from start to finish, it should indeed prove a popular choice. The latter part of the week will provide a film of no mean order entitled “Every Woman Should Know.” The picture is a revelation of highly skilled acting, and being essentially a morality play, should these times, with all their disturbing element, create quite a sensation. In it, woman descends into the lowest depths, following the lure of vanity, flattery, vice and evil, only at the last moment to turn aside from the path of sin and embrace the spirit of God, which has ever followed her. This week’s vaudeville performance stars the “original Pimple,” formerly of “Tom White’s Arabs” fame. Patrons would be well advised to see this screaming turn.

This Week in World War One, 21 January 1916

08/03/201822/01/2016 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 21 JANUARY 1916

CONCERT BY BEAL SCHOOL CHILDREN

A very interesting musical exhibition was given by the pupils of the Beal School on Friday afternoon the whole performance testifying to the careful tuition imparted by the head teacher, Mr W. F. Blackham, and his assistant, Miss M. Reid. Since his appointment Mr Blackham has evinced much zeal and careful attention in the discharge of his responsible duties, and the result was that the short musical programme was most capably sustained on Friday, adding a pleasurable feeling in the minds of the distinguished ladies of the district, who graced the proceedings with their presence. Mrs Leyland, Haggerston Castle, presided, and there were also present, the Hon. Lady Lambton, Miss Joan Leyland, Mrs Patinson, Lowlyn, and Mr M. A. Coates, estate agent.

A recent photograph of the former Schoolhouse at Beal.

These gave several dainty and beautiful prizes of books, knitting cases, work baskets, etc., to the pupils who had gained distinction in their studies. Mr Blackham said he was sure that they were all very pleased to be present on that occasion to receive these prizes, and they meant more than their actual value to the successful pupils. Some might be disappointed, but he hoped those who had not been able to secure a prize would go away in the resolve and determination that they would obtain one next year. By doing so they would help themselves, and lead to better results in the school next year. (Applause.) He had received an apology from the Vicar, the Rev. W. C. Harris, who had kindly sent two prizes.

LOCAL NEWS

Concert – A Concert organised by Mr Ferguson was held in the Archbold Hall, Wooler, in aid of British prisoners in Germany. The hall was crowded, most of the leading families in the district being represented. The performers were Miss K. Vincent, Mrs C. E. Brown, Mr W, Adamson, and Captain Collingwood, also the Pom Pom Pierrots, consisting of Mrs Collingwod, Miss Collingwood, Miss Ivy Fenwick, Miss Walker, Capt. Collingwood, and Mr Ferguson. The accompanists were Miss Vincent, Mr Smith, and Mr Ferguson. The proceeds amounted to about £24, the event being a great success.

Archbold Hall, Wooler (c) Berwick Record Office Ref: BRO 0426-1225

Mr George Lumsden, who has completed 50 years as a member of Berwick Board of Guardians and Norham, and Islandshires Rural District Council, is in his 78^th year, and one of the oldest active cyclists on the Borders. For 34 years he farmed Shoreswood Farm, near Norham; and in his younger days was a keen hunting man. He can remember the last person – a woman – in Berwick stocks.

BERWICK AND LORD DERBY’S SCHEME

Arrangements for New Groups

Active arrangements are being made in Berwick for the accommodation of the new groups about to be called up under Lord Derby’s scheme. It is understood that the Royal Scots occupying the huts on the Parade will be transferred to various halls in the town, and that the new recruits will be accommodated in the vacated huts. The mobilisation of the new men should materially add to the number of soldiers in Berwick. Some 200 turned up at the Barracks on Thursday and were dispatched to their various regiments in the course of the day. A further number of recruits were expected to arrive for the K.O.S.B. by train on Thursday night.

Fuller's engraving of Berwick Barracks 1799. BRO 1637-04 (c) Berwick Record Office. — Fuller’s engraving of Berwick Barracks 1799. (c) Berwick Record Office. Ref: BRO 1637-04

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

At Berwick Petty Sessions on Friday, before Messrs A. L. Miller (presiding) and A. J. Dodds, Mark Rutherford, an ex Police Superintendent, was charged with unlawfully wounding his wife, Isabella Rutherford on the previous day at lodgings at 17 Dock Road, Tweedmouth.

The Chief Constable explained that it was a case of unlawfully wounding, and he would ask for a remand until Thursday.

The complainer gave evidence to effect that the defendant struck her on the left hand side of the head with a walking stick. He had been drinking for some time past, and they had quarrelled. There was a large knob on the head of the stick, and a doctor had to be called to dress the wounds.

Police Sergeants Wilson and Moore also gave evidence as to apprehending the accused on the charge, the defendant being conveyed to the Police Station in a cart.

Mrs Colthard gave evidence to the fact that the defendant and his wife had been lodging in her house at 17 Dock Road and that she heard them quarrelling on the day mentioned.

The accused was remanded till Thursday morning.

This Week in World War One, 24 December 1915

08/03/201825/12/2015 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 24 DECEMBER 1915

FAILING TO EDUCATE

Jane Williamson, widow, Berwick, was charged with having failed to send her son John, aged 10 years, to school, as required by law. She pleaded guilty.

Mr Thos. Barker, School Attendance Officer, said the boy was a pupil at the Roman Catholic School, when he did attend, but which was not often. He had made 22 attendances out of 144, therefore being no fewer than 122 times absent. The boy was neglected by the mother, and since October 15 he had not attended school once.

Accused made a statement that she had been frequently out of the town and had visited Edinburgh several times to see her daughter who was in the Infirmary there.

Mr Barker said the case had been four times before the Education Committee prior to proceedings being taken.

The Chief Constable having been asked by the bench to state what he knew of the boy, said the mother went about the countryside collecting old clothes and selling plants. The boy was simply running about wild and the mother evidently thought she could put everyone at defiance.

Mr McCreath (who presided in the absence of the Mayor) – Have you anything to say. This is something horrid, neglecting your child like this.

Accused replied that she had nothing further to say.

In passing sentence of 7s 6d, or seven days, Mr McCreath said she must really consider her child in a matter of this kind. She must see that the boy in future went regularly to school, and should her case ever come up before the Bench again she would be more severely dealt with.

FROM THE TRENCHES TO FREEDOM

On Wednesday morning, Corpl Chas Mace, 7th Northumberland Fusiliers, third son of Mr Charles Mace, joiner and undertaker, Berwick, was admitted to the Freedom of the Burgh. Corporal Mace is home at present upon short leave from the front and took this opportunity of entering the Freedom. The Mayor, Ald. J W Plenderleith in welcoming Corporal Mace said he had already earned promotion in the regiment to which he belonged, and they hoped that might soon be still further advanced, also that in any vocation in life to which he might be called, be it civil or military, he should continue to uphold the traditions of the ancient Burgh.

PIPER LAIDLAW, V C.

Loos Hero’s Welcome in Northumberland

Piper Daniel Logan Laidlaw, V.C., the first Berwickshire native and the first member of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers to win the V.C. in the war, was received with much enthusiasm on the occasion of his return from hospital to his home at Doddington. Before leaving Wooler Station he took the opportunity to urge on the crowd assembled the need for more men, so that the Germans might be pushed back in France at the earliest possible moment.

Under the village Cross at Doddington the vicar (Rev. J. G. Shotton) presented an address of welcome.

The Hon. F. W. Lambton of Fenton, formerly of the Coldstream Guards, said Piper Laidlaw had shown not only valour, but also initiative and touch of genius which enabled a man to do the right thing at the right moment. Initiative was one of the symptoms of the true soldier which we wanted to see encouraged and from his own experience in the Army he knew how much the men appreciated it.

After thanking the inhabitants for the address, Piper Laidlaw was carried shoulder high to his own cottage. His wife and four children accompanied him.

All the residents of the village were entertained to tea and a concert, at which Piper Laidlaw played on the pipes “Blue Bonnets over the Border,” with which he rallied his comrades at Loos, and “Standard on the Braes of Mar” with which he accompanied their charge.

Piper Laidlaw is a native of Swinton, Berwickshire, and on his homeward journey to Doddington, he was welcomed by his aged parents, who now live at Whittingham.

PRESENTATION OF LIFEBOAT AWARDS

Postponement of Ceremonial

The ceremonial, under the auspices of the Berwick Branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, of presenting the silver medal to James Jamieson, second coxswain of the Berwick Lifeboat, and who acted as coxswain on the occasion of saving 6 lives from the motor boat, Redhead on Wednesday , November 10th last., the monetary awards to the members of the crew and the Spittal fishermen, who so gallantly assisted in getting the lifeboat into the harbour, as well as a vote of thanks on vellum to the Hon. Secretary, Dr C.L. Fraser, for acting as second coxswain, was to have taken place in Berwick Playhouse on Thursday afternoon (23d instant).

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

At the last moment, however, it was decided to postpone the function owing to the limited attendance of the public due to the fact that with the approach of Christmas, there was no usual half holiday.

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