Old Berwick Bridge has recently re-opened after essential repairs and a further £250,000 has been allocated for maintenance during 2019/2020. It is a well-used crossing of the Tweed, popular with visitors and locals alike and it has a very well documented history – including a record of all the names of the people who built it and what it cost.
Increase in costs for tide work
The old bridge has linked both sides of the Tweed at Berwick for about 380 years. According to Fuller’s History of Berwick work ended on the 24 October 1634 having taken “twenty-four years four months and four days”. The construction was a major feat of engineering – working around tides and the powerful surges of the river. Although at times convoluted, both the King and the Guild saw the building of permanent crossing of the Tweed at Berwick as a crucial investment and symbolic too.
Supplies of building materials for Berwick Bridge, 1613
The building of a stone bridge over the Tweed at Berwick marked the end of hostilities with Scotland on the accession of James VI of Scotland to the English throne in 1603. Berwick had been, for centuries, a town at war. From 1482 to 1601 it had a Governor appointed by the Crown and was occupied by a large garrison. The crown paid for repairs to the castle, the fortifications and the old wooden bridge (which was often washed away in floods) as it was a strategic military base.
Summary bridge accounts 1612-1613 (H1/1)
The Earl of Dunbar – George Home – who held a series of royal appointments in Scotland and England under James I/VI had been granted the fortifications of Berwick when the garrison was disbanded. He was instrumental in making the case for the building of a stone bridge, proposing how it should be funded and appointing, for life, the bridge surveyor and designer, James Burrell. Home’s funding scheme gave way to other arrangements but Burrell stayed the course.
Particular payments for work beginning the 11 May 1622
The “particular accounts” for the building of the bridge from 1611-1635 (H1/1-4) survive in the borough archives – volumes that Fuller cites extensively in his History of Berwick. The other side to the story is found in records held at The National Archives (such as The Exchequer Pipe Rolls – declared accounts for the building of Berwick Bridge ref: E 351/3585) as this was a crown enterprise. Indeed, the bridge building accounts held in the Berwick Archives might not be so”particular” had they – and the works – not been routinely audited by royal inspectors. These included the Bishop of Durham and the poet Fulke Greville in his role as Chancellor of the Exchequer (Source: The History of the Kings Works Vol IV (part II), Colvin et al pp.774-775, HMSO 1982).
Payment to Foulke Reynards Master of the good ship the “Boweringe of Stavering” for freight of oak trees, coal, oakum, holly wood, rope and steel from Newcastle to Berwick, to John Wylde the pilot from Newcastle to Berwick and to Henry Scott and his “fellowes for their pains and their bote” in helping the ship up Berwick River, 1614
The accounts describe materials used at different points in the construction, the use of oak from the royal estate at Chopwell near Blaydon, the freight of coal, oyster shells and stone by sea, and the people – men, women and boys (all named) – who built the bridge.
Timber from Chopwell Woods, 1613
The accounts for subsequent repairs by Guild and the Town Council are also held by the Berwick Records Office to 1835 as Bridge Account volumes, later as part of the annual reporting of accounts.
Today the bridge is the smallest of the three that span the Tweed at Berwick but in it’s day it would have made a significant impact on the landscape. It was clearly a source of civic pride as funds were routinely levied on the burgesses for it’s upkeep – in addition to the Crown costs of around £13,000 which is the equivalent of about £1.5 million today.
Illustration depicting the bridge about 1799 from Fuller’s History of Berwick
Returning
from the war as well as going to it, is accompanied with changes; and Mr
Hollingsworth’s welcome return to the island, after so nobly leaving school and
family, three and a half years ago, to do his bit at the war, relives Mr
Pearson, who has acted as temporary head master during his absence.
Three and a
half years is a considerable time in the life of the school children; and while
they had not forgotten their teacher at the war, and were proudly conscious of
the heroism displayed in his absence from them, nevertheless they had also
learned to love their present teacher; and to make friends of his wife and
daughter; it was only natural they should wish in parting to show these
feelings in the form of parting presents. We do not wonder at these feelings
existing, for anyone who knows Mr Pearson readily come to perceive that,
besides being an able teacher and a strict disciplinarian, he is remarkably
fond of his scholars.
On the
afternoon of Friday last, the master being previously told to expect visitors,
there duly appeared in the School, the Vicar, accompanied by a number of former
scholars, and the ceremony of presentation proceeded. The Vicar gracefully
presiding, the top boy, Master A. Crawshaw, with neat speech, expressed the
kind wishes of the scholars for their teacher and his family, and in token of
their good feeling asked the Master to accept of the following mementos. To the
teacher himself, leather collar box and ebony-backed hair brushes; to Mrs
Pearson, roll of music.
Mr Pearson, in returning kind knowledgements for himself and family testified the pleasure he had in receiving these gifts was the conviction that they were spontaneous and affectionate. Though leaving the Holy Isle he would never forget it, never forget the kindnesses he had received from all the people; and especially would never forget his beloved pupils. Thus ended the programme, according to plan; but the vociferous cheering, first for himself, then for his wife, and then for his daughter, which came neither from programme nor from plan, but from their heart, was perhaps the best part of a most pleasant meeting.
LOCAL NEWS
Congratulations to Gunner Robert Leach, 106th Siege Battery, R.G.A., husband of Mrs Leach, Bishop’s Entry, Berwick, who has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the Field in France. He joined up in June, 1917, and has been over 15 months on active service in France, and has had the good luck not to be wounded, though he has seen much heavy fighting.
The Military Medal, awarded to Gunner Robert leach from Berwick
Before enlisting he was Secretary to the Co-operative Society, Ltd., at Tweedmouth, and was also at one time in the office of the Borough Surveyor, Mr R. Dickinson. His younger brother has been in the army since out-break of war, but is now demobilised. They are the sons of Mr Leach, Main Street, Tweedmouth
It is expected that the new Sanatorium which the Northumberland County Council have decided to build at Wooler, will be ready for occupation in about twelve months. The total cost will be £55,804, and the building, which will be timber, lined and covered with asbestos when completed will house 500 patients. At present, however, it is only proposed to erect a building large enough to provide for 144 patients. When the question of building the new Sanatorium was discussed at the recent meeting of the Council, one member advocated “holding their hands,” as there were two excellent houses which would shortly come into market, and which would be suitable for a sanatoria. We understand that one of the houses referred to is on the banks of the Tweed, and not many miles from Berwick.
TWEEDMOUTH JOTTINGS
The brothers Private James Yourston, 1st K.O.S.B., and Private Andrew Yourston, N.F., have been home to Main Street, Tweedmouth, on leave together. Private James Yourston enlisted in the 7th N.F. in 1914, and went to France with the local Battalion. He was wounded shortly after his arrival on the Western front, and was out of action for a considerable time.
He had the honour of being awarded the D.C.M. while in the first battles, and was presented with the same at a public gathering in some time, and is returning back to his unit, Berwick. He has been in the 1st K.O.S.B. for some time and is returning back to his unit, which is now in Germany. Private Andrew Yourston now demobilised joined the 7th N.F.’s early in the war, and went through much of the campaign with the 7th, being later transferred to the 14th N.F. He also has been wounded, but is now fully recovered from all the ill effects of the war in general. He is a baker to trade, and intends commencing with his old employers the Co-Operative Society, as soon as convenient.
DUDDO
Although the fighting was finished it was thought that as the boys could not be at home for Christmas they would be delighted to receive a present from home to show them that they were remembered. Accordingly subscriptions were asked for and a ready response was given. Owing to the food regulations, etc., the usual parcels could not be sent, but instead a gift of money, socks and cigarettes, or money alone to the value of 10s was sent to each man. The answers received from the men showed how much they appreciated the kind thoughts of those at home.
One feature of the Christmas season in Berwick was the extraordinary number of service men on leave, several not having spent Christmas at home for the past few years. The shops on Christmas Eve were very busy, and the great shortage of fruit, especially apples, as well as the exorbitant prices asked were the subject of much comment. Children lamented the scarcity of sweets, as “two ounces” only was the general rule in most shops.
(c) BRO 2103-4-458 Santa at Berwick
The weather on Christmas Day was stormy and disagreeable
during the forenoon, but cleared away fine later in the day. Things were very
quiet on the whole in the town. At night some children dressed up as “Mummers”
went from house to house singing. This is a custom that is not often observed in
Berwick. Services were held in some of the churches.
THE WORKHOUSE
The inmates of the Workhouse were treated to a good dinner of roast beef and plum-pudding on Christmas Day. As is customary tobacco was given to the smokers and sweets to the non-smokers. Mr Stirling, Tweedmouth, kindly supplied beer, and aerated waters were also sent in.
(c) BRO 1541-01 Entrance to the Workhouse
There are only 33 inmates at present a marked contrast to the years before the war when there were generally well over one hundred.
THE INFIRMARY
The patients at the Infirmary were entertained to dinner
and tea on Christmas Day by Dr. C. G. Maclagan, chairman of the House Committee.
During the afternoon gifts were distributed from a prettily decorated Christmas
tree in one of the wards. Some members of Committee and a few friends’ including
the Mayor and Mayoress, Lady Wilkie-Dalyell, Miss Wilkie-Dalyell, and Miss
Maclagan, were present. The tree and evergreens which added so greatly to the
festive appearance of the wards were kindly given by Lady Wilkie-Dalyell. There
were not quite so many children amongst the patients as on former occasions.
AT THE BARRACKS
A splendid dinner of the usual Christmas fare was served at mid-day to the
men at the Barracks on Christmas Day. A great many men are off home on their
twelve days leave. During the course of the dinner Major McAlester, the Officer
Commanding, visited the Dining Hall, which was most tastefully decorated, and
wishing them all the compliments of the season gave the men some words of good
advice.
MALARIA CAMP
The majority of the officers, non-commissioned officers
and men are away on Christmas leave, large batches leaving daily. A most
excellent dinner was served on Christmas Day, with the usual fare, and greatly
enjoyed by all present.
POST OFFICE
The work at the Berwick Post Office this year has been greatly in excess of last year, but not up to the standard of the pre-war period. Saturday was a busy day, but the posting on Monday were very heavy. The 24th and 25th Dec. were as usual very busy days. A special feature was the heavy postings of letter packets due no doubt to the increased parcel rates which make it cheaper to send a smaller parcel at letter rates. The Christmas Cards also came more into favour this year. The temporary assistants employed this year were women and they did their work well; as did the whole of the regular staff.
BERWICK’S FIRST V.C.
On Monday morning Mr and Mrs Huffam, of 119 High Street,
received word that their youngest son, Second Lieut. James Palmer Huffam, 5th
Duke of Wellington’s, attached 2nd battalion had been awarded the Victoria
Cross. The news was received in a wire from their son’s Commanding Officer
congratulating them upon the award, and Mr Huffam has since received the
following letter from Lieut. Col. Pawlett.
2nd Batt, Duke of Wellington’s Regt.
19 December, 1918
Dear Mr Huffam, – I hardly know whether to congratulate you
or thank you on the occasion of the honour bestowed on your son –
congratulations are on the occasion of the honour- to you as the father of such
a boy, and thanks for the award coming to the Regiment. We have been anxious
for some time whether this well merited reward was coming through for one who
so richly and deservedly earned it, but now we are happy to think it has and
your boy is alive and well at the last of the fighting. I cannot express a
small part of the pride we all feel in having so noble a hero as your son as a
member of our Battalion which bears such a noble name and record. May you and
your gallant son live long to enjoy the fame which he has earned so nobly. This
is the brightest Christmas greeting I can send from my Battalion and may you
enjoy many more. Yours sincerely J. PAWLETT, Lt,. Col., Commanding 2nd, The
Duke of Wellington’s Regiment.
The non-commissioned officers and men of “C” Coy., have also telegraphed to Mr Huffam, their congratulations on the Second Lieut’s winning the V.C.
NORHAM
ANOTHER NORHAM LAD’S RETURN FROM GERMANY
Private Murray Gregor, N.F., returned to his home on
Saturday night from Germany. He was taken prisoner when the Huns began their
great offensive on March 21st last, and was sent into Eastern Prussia, where he
worked at first down a mine, but was afterwards put to do farm work, for which
he received a mark a day. The Huns, he says, were cruel taskmasters, and
especially did he find them so while working down the mine. He speaks very highly
of the parcels sent out by the Northumberland Prisoners’ of War Fund Committee,
which he declares kept, him alive for he could get very little to eat
otherwise. Private Murray Gregor previous to being taken prisoner had seen much
fighting, often being employed in the dangerous work of sniping. His two
months’ leave will, we trust, bring about a great improvement in his state of
health. Before joining up he was a forester on the Ladykirk estate. There are
now four lads in our village who have been prisoners of war in Germany, viz.,
Sergt. Marshall, Corpl. H. Moody, Private T. Tait and Private Murray Gregor.
There are many young lads going about our village in khaki or blue, home for their twelve days leave. The boys in blue are Petty Officer J. White, Stoker J. Cowe, Seaman J. Bell, and Seaman Jas. Wilkinson; whilst in khaki we notice Private G. Strother, N.F.; Private R. Swan, N.F.; Private Drummond, R.G.A., and the returned prisoners of war. A dance has been arranged by some of the young ladies of the village for New Year’s Eve, at which is expected a fair gathering of the boys. The proceeds of this dance are to go towards the Welcome Home Fund
RATIONS TO CONTINUE
ANOTHER BOOK LIKELY TO FOLLOW THE CURRENT, ISSUE
The coupons
book will continue in use for some months, and a fresh edition will probably
follow the current issue after March.
The forecast
for rations may be assumed up as follows:-
MEAT – Home
produce short until the spring, in view of which imports are economised so as
to build up reserves.
BUTTER –
Increase not likely until cattle are put to grass, when more milk, now very
short, will admit of increased dairy output.
MARGARINE –
An ounce may be added to the weekly ration early in the New Year.
SUGAR – Ration
to be increased to 3/4lb weekly from the end of January.
JAM –
Revision expected second week in January; may lead to coupons being dispensed
with.
Generally, if
jam is the first article to go off the ration list, margarine will be the
second, and sugar and butter will follow as conditions improve.
