Berwick

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 4TH FEBRUARY 1921

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MILITARY NOTES

Competition for Lady Armstrong’s Cup

It has been found impossible, owing principally to the expense involved, to run a football competition for the above trophy, which was recently presented to the 7th Northumberland Fusiliers. Instead to save travelling it was decided to put the trophy for competition in connection with the miniature range competition at present being run. Competing platoon teams will thus fire on their own ranges and neutral referees have been chosen to see that the conditions are fulfilled to the letter. For this purpose Major Smail, Jobling, Booth, and Capt. And Quartermaster Price have been selected. The competition commences tonight (Friday) at the Drill Hall, Berwick, when 13 Platoon will shoot No. 14. 

The former Drill Hall in Ravensdowne, Berwick, which was used for the Lady Armstrong Cup in 1921.  © Copyright: Graham Robson, Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0).

CADETS’ DANCE 

To augment the funds of the Berwick Company, Northumberland Fusiliers’ Cadets, it has been decided to promote a dance, and the date fixed is Thursday, March 10th. C.S.M. Tilley and C.Q.M.S. Boal are undertaking the duties of Joint Secretaries, and the services of the following have been secured to act on the Committee, viz.:- Major H. R. Smail (chairman), Capts. F. B. Cowen, M.C., E. H. Crow, E. D. Mackay, A. J. Kennington, and D. Hebenton, Sergts. H. G. Patterson, Ridpeath,  M.M., and R. J. Swanston, D. C. M., and Messrs M. H. Blackett, A. C. A. Steven, and A. A. Crisp. 

DEPOT NOTES 

C.S.M. McClennan, M.C., D.C.M., formerly of the Depot, Berwick, and lately of Dumfries, who is under orders for India, has been made the recipient of a handsome silver spirit flask from the officers, N.C.O.’s, and men of the territorials there. Mrs McClennan, who is a Berwick lady, received at the same time a silver purse. We understand C.S.M. McClennan will be at Berwick Depot for a short period of duty before going aboard. 

A draft of 39 men are leaving the barracks on Thursday (today) to join the details of the battalion at Devonport. 

Gen. Sir Francis Davies, G.O.C. in C. of the Scottish Command, will visit the Depot, Berwick, on Tuesday next, and hold an inspection. 

On Friday next Major-General Robertson, the G.O.C. the Lowland Division, will also pay a visit of inspection to the Depot. 

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

His Father’s Maintenance

John Thompson, 75 Middle Street, Spittal, a stoker, was asked by Berwick Guardians to show reason that, he being of sufficient means, and being the son of Matthew Thompson, now an inmate of Berwick union, why he should not maintain his father. He did not appear. 

Mr Peters, appearing for the Guardians, said the man had been paying under a verbal agreement to the Guardians, and his payments had been very irregular. This was the reason the case had been brought. A return of his wages had been secured from his employers at the gas Works, and this, up to the 20th January, showed that he had been earning on an average £5 1s per week. He was a married man, with a wife and three of a family, the eldest of whom was 14 years of age. The cost of his father’s maintenance in the Workhouse was 15s 2d per week. The verbal agreement under which the man had previously paid, was based on a much smaller rate of earnings. He had then agreed voluntarily to pay 4s weekly, and he now asked that the Bench fix the amount which they thought he could reasonably be expected to pay. Ordered to pay 6s per week and court costs. 

NORHAM & ISLANDSHIRES RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL

The District Roads The Best In the County

The Surveyor then submitted his report and estimated on the amount of road material required during the ensuing year. The report was as follows:- 

The season that is closing has not been a favorable one for road upkeep. The changing conditions and more exacting nature of the traffic on our highways makes it imperative to approach the maintenance problem in a different manner to that adopted years ago, when motoring and motor haulage was not so great the nature of this traffic is greatly increasing, and the roads occupy a place of great importance in the industrial life of the district. The quantities given in this estimate are the very minimum required, and I trust in the forth coming season there will be a better supply available than there has been for some time past. Regarding the method of application of material, I beg to suggest that the Council continue to make and use tarred chips upon the roads now being thus treated. This method gives us a very good wearing surface that suits all traffic. As instructed by you, I carried out some short stretches of tar painting as an experiment. From my observations of what was done, I find that as a preservative of the road surface it is certainly good. For motor car, motor haulage, and motor char-a-banc traffic it is of the utmost benefit. It is beneficial in the saving of the machine or car, and it is beneficial to the comfort of the users through the surface being fairly smooth. It is also a benefit to those having to keep up and pay the cost of maintaining a road, in the fact that the tar painting increases the life of a road. Of course, I would point out that a good road is smooth, and that it is an important matter in a district such as this. Tar painting makes a road smoother than before painting: It is becoming recognised generally as an economical method of road preservation, and I would not like the Council to altogether discard tar panting because of its chances of getting slippery a few days in the year. My opinion is the benefits outweigh the occasional inconveniences. I would suggest that I treat the matter in an experimental manner for another season. 

Ruston Proctor steam roller No. 38591.  A similar steam roller would have been used in the tar painting of the roads under the control of Norham & Ilandshires Rural District Council, in 1921.  © Copyright: Geni, Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 4.0).

The total quantity of stones estimated to be required is 5550 cubic yards, and 750 tons ¾ in. chips and dust. 

In reply to Mr Wood, the Surveyor said these estimated quantities were 500 cubic yards up on those of last year, the extra material being for the Duddo, Grindon Bridge, Ord and Sandbanks (Scremerston) roads. It was agreed to forward the quantities required to Mr Hogg, Kyloe Quarry, and get his estimates. At present the chips are taken from Kyloe to the Norham depot to be treated with tar, and the suggestion was made by Miss Greet that a tar depot might be made at Kyloe to save the expense of carting the chips likely to be required for use on road in the Kyloe area to Norham and back. Mr Wood agreed it was ridiculous to take the chips to Norham for tar treatment and then bring them back to Kyloe, but he suggested, with the approval of the council, that they wait Mr Hogg’s reply before taking any step in the matter. 

Mr Collingwood thought that the roads treated with tar chips were excellent and far away in advance of the roads kept up by the County Council, whose roads were a disgrace to the County. 

Mr Wood – The roads in this district are the best in the County. 

SPORT

Badminton

BERWICK V. NEWCASTLE

The Officers’ 7th N.F. Club played their most important match so far this season on Saturday last, when they tried their strength against the Newcastle Club, and came successfully through the test, beating the visitors by 9 matches to 7, 19 sets to 18, and 469 games to 394. The Newcastle Club were handicapped by having a man short over the 4 couples. Their strongest couple were Professor Hounte and Mrs Davidson, who played with fine combination, and beat all the Berwick couples, though Miss Mackay and R. Bishop succeeding in taking them to 3 sets. The visitors adopted different tactics, standing more on a level in the courts than the home couples, whose combination was, on the whole, good, one player guarding the back line and the other playing well up. The Newcastle ladies placed their shots more skillfully than the Berwick ladies. Berwick’s strongest couples were Mrs J. E. Carr and the Rev. J. H. Cutherbertson, and Miss Mackay and R. Bishop, each couple winning 3 out of the 4 matches played, Mr Cuthbertson, playing well forward, specialised in tricky shots at the net, combining well with Mrs Carr, who was as steady as a rock on the back line. Miss Mackay and R. Bishop also played a well-combined game, the former hitting with vigour from the back line, and the latter getting in a record number of brilliant “smash” shots that were quite unreturnable. Miss Caverhill and J. A. Herriot played steadily, but Dr Caverhill was not up to his usual form, though his partner, Mrs Fedden, played a steady game at the net. Ther was quite a crowd of spectators in the gallery, and after the match friendly games were also played between the teams. 

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 15 OCTOBER 1920

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LONGRIDGE FURNITURE SALE

Moderate Prices for Fine Future

£1,000 For A Carpet

Mr Robert Donkin, auctioneer, Rothbury, acting in conjunction with Messrs Anderson and Garland, auctioneers, Newcastle, conducted the first day’s sale at Longridge on Tuesday, where in excellent weather, there was a large turnout of bidders, drawn from a wide area. Antique dealers from Edinburgh, Newcastle, Durham, Whitley Bay, and Berwick, along with a large assembly of district residents took part in the bidding, which was at times of a spirited description. While certain lots made good money others went comparatively cheaply. The highest figure of the day was given by Mrs Deuchant, of Middleton, who paid £1,000 for a large and beautiful pile carpet.

The effects were auctioneered in the large drawng room, and the work was gone through by Mr Donkin in his usual expeditious manner. The principal bures were Mr Hall, Newcastle; Mr Home, Whitley bay; Mr Dover, Berwick; Mr Nelson, Edinburgh; and Mr Jos. Ewart, Berwick. Mr Collingwood Thompson, jun., was also an extensive buyer. He got a beautiful ebonised Italian cabinet, richly inlaid with ivory and with enamel mounts, at £30. Mr Dover, Berwick, got a similar inlaid Italian secretaire at £34, and Mr Ewart became the owner of a fine china cabinet, with Dresden china pillars and panels, at £24. The Louis XV settee and fauteuils, upholstered in silk damask with carved and gilded frames, and also the window seats to match, went at £31 and £13 respectively to Mr Nelson, Edinburgh.

Time Line For Longridge Towers:

1875-1879

1875  – Foundation stone laid

Built by Sir Hubert and Lady Jerningham

Cost about £140,000

Coat of Arms in the entrance are for the Stafford Family

Family Home

1879 – completed

BRO 1944/LA9/25 Image dated 1969

1879-1920

House built by Sir Hubert & Lady Jerningham. Family home costings c 140,000 (c 6 ¾ million today). Foundations laid in 1875

1902

            Lady Jerningham dies & leaves property to husband for his lifetime

1914

            Sir Hubert dies 3 April

  • 1920- Estate sold and house bought by Collingwood Thompson for £6000
  • Apr 1924- Miss Gordon Smith moves her school from Berwick to here
  • 1938 – Miss Smith moves school to Ava Lodge
  • 1939-1945 Requisitioned by military
  • 1946- Purchased by Carr Rock Holiday Camp Co Ltd in Spittal to becomes a hotel
  • 1949-still a hotel
  • 1951- became a convent
  • 1983 – became Longridge Towers School

LOCAL NEWS

Coroner Peters held an inquest without a jury on Monday night touching the death of Andrew Hastie, the infant son of Mr James Hastie, 61 West End, Tweedmouth, who was found dead in bed beside his mother on Saturday morning. James Hastie, the father, said he last saw the child alive about 7.50 a.m., when it turned over in the bed beside its mother. He took some breakfast to the mother in bed about nine o’clock, and then noticed the child had not moved. He noticed it had a blue mark behind the ear, and when his wife asked him to sit beside the fire with it he observed that something was wrong, as the child never moved. He formed the opinion that it was dead, and, handing the child to his wife, he ran for his mother-in-law, at the same time sending a girl for the doctor. The child had never ailed a day previously. Dr T. P. Caverhill gave evidence of having conducted a post mortem examination. There were no marks of violence, and he found the thymus gland to be enlarged. This was the primary cause of death, as the pressure would produce convulsions. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

Berwick’s newly formed Opera Society met for practice in the Old Welcome Hall, high Street, on Wednesday evening. H.M.S. Pinafore is the work chosen for the winter’s session.

Speculation is still rife as to what the new owner of Longridge Towers ( Mr Collingwood Thompson, Jr.,) intends to do with the mansion house. Before anything is settled, the Berwick Town Council Housing Committee might do worse than make an offer for the stones of the mansion and use them for putting up some of the new houses in the town that are so badly wanted.

TWEEDMOUTH

Mr Calder, “Border View,” has bought Coldingham Law and will shortly be retiring from the Woodyard to take up farming.

The most interesting event of the week to Tweedmouth inhabitants has been the erection of the handsome War Memorial.

Tweedmouth War Memorial

The beautiful carved figure which crowns the monument was raised into position on Wednesday morning, and the work of erection is now complete, though there is still a good deal to do to the site. The memorial, to be unveiled on Sunday, 24th October, by Capt. Hon. W. J. M. Watson-Armstrong, looks very well in position, and will doubtless be greatly admired by everyone.

NORHAM AND ISLANDSHIRE RURAL

DISTRICT COUNCIL

The Rural District Council then met, with the addition of Dr McWhir, temporary medical Officer, and Mr J. R. Lake, Surveyor and Sanitary Inspector. In the absence of Mr J. R. Wood, Mr E. Waugh presided.

The Clerk intimated that the Finance Committee recommended that a rate of 1s 10d in the pound be levied for the half year. This was the same rate as last year. Special contributions were also asked from Holy Island, £10; Norham, £10; Shoreswood, £1. These were sealed.

Plans from the Haggerston estate for alterations to cottages at Fenwick were submitted as under:-

Four deaths have been registered in the district since the Council’s last monthly meeting. This represents an annual death rate of 9.98 per 1000. In view of the prevalence of small pox in Glasgow and of the frequency with which cases crop up in widely separated parts of the country, it may be well to point out that children who have never been vaccinated may be exposed to special risks during the approaching winter. It is a matter for regret that few adults in the district appear to have availed themselves of the Council’s offer of free vaccination; as the part played by vaccination in lessening the ravages of a particularly loathsome disease cannot be too strongly emphasized.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 30 APRIL 1920

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BRIGHTENING UP SPITTAL

Councillor Edminson asked if anything was going to be done for Spittal this year. The place wanted a little cleaning up before the visitors arrived. They wanted to brighten the place up somewhat. The shoulder of the “prom” was in a dilapidated state and there were some palings which needed attention. She also suggested that the tree-guards might have a coat of paint to freshen them up, and asked if anything was going to be done in levelling and cleaning up at the new Fish Quay.

The Mayor – That is for the Harbour Commissioners.

Councillor Edminson – It looks a very untidy place, and is very dilapidated. Situated at the entrance to the town, it does not help to attract visitors, and I think something might be done to clear the place up and make it pleasing to look at.

Councillor Hadley – Has the Sanitary Inspector anything to do with the filling up of the new quay.

The Mayor – He has to do with anything which is a nuisance.

Councillor Hadley – Then I would suggest that he takes a walk round there when he has time.

Mr Boyd said the last time he had visited the place there had been a nuisance, but it had been covered up by ashes. It was a regular tip for all manner of things. He did not think there was anything he could object to as a nuisance.

Councillor Edminson – It has an evil look and a terrible smell. (Laughter).

Ald. Boston – The Harbour Commissioners are taking it in hand.

Ald. Short – I think tonight we might endeavour to meet Mrs Edminson’s suggestion about the clearing up and painting.

The Mayor – Her remarks will be brought up at the Works Committee.

Ald. Short – I hope so. With our blessing. (Laughter)

Councillor Edminson – We have got our spring cleaning done inside, sir, and we want to get started cleaning outside. (Hear, hear, and laughter.)

URBAN SANITARY AUTHORITY

OVERCROWDING AT EAST ORD VILLAGE

At East Ord village, four cottages of a poor type, for which Mr Adam Scott, 6 Winchester Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne, acts as agent, call for attention. One of these – a wrenched single apartment hovel – shelters two adults and five children whose ages range from 2 to 9. There is no drainage.

With regard to these cottages, Mr Lake reported that the owner had died, and the present proprietrix was resident in America. A new agent, Mr A. Scott, Newcastle, had been appointed. Mr Wood recalled that many years ago, the late Dr Paxton had reported these cottages. It was agreed to draw the attention of the new agent to the defects.

OTHER COTTAGES

Two cottages owned by Miss Lilly, East Ord, present objectionable features. One, a single apartment dwelling, with a capacity of 2304 cubic feet, accommodates four inmates – two adults and two lads of 16 and 20 respectively. The second, which is of similar size, is occupied by two women, a young man, and a girl of 11. Dr McWhir drew attention to the fact that in this case the privies were 100 yards away from the cottages.

It was agreed to send these to the Housing Committee for consideration.

Several dingy, badly lighted dwellings are to be met with on the Green; and in one of the single apartment type, for which Mr James Simmons, East Ord, acts as agent, there are five occupants – a widow and four children, whose ages range from 6 and 16.

Mr Lake reported that this cottage belonged to a Miss MacDonald, residing in England, and Dr McWhir, while agreeing with Mr Wood that the over-crowding was not so serious as it might have been with persons from 18 to 20 years, yet condemned it from a moral point of view.

It was agreed to defer action to a later date.

ORD NOT A MODEL ENGLISH VILLAGE

To the traditional tidiness of the English village, East Ord can lay little claim. Five privies which belief their designation, occupy places of prominence on the Green, three ash-pits utilised by eleven tenants, and a quota of piggeries, hen houses, and coal houses are also dotted round this open space, that, with a little attention, might be made one of the best rural recreation grounds in North Northumberland.

REF: BRO 0426-1185 East Ord Village c.1900

Mr Wood did not think that the Council could interfere with the privies, as the people were allowed to erect them. The only ground for the Council to complain was if they constituted a nuisance, which Dr McWhir and Mr Lake said they certainly did, Mr Lake adding that in summer the privies were most objectionable. This question was referred back to the Medical Officer and Mr Lake.

LOCAL NEWS

At a meeting of the May Horse Procession Committee, held in Berwick on Monday night, it was decided not to hold the Horse Procession this year, in view of the fact that the Northumberland Agricultural Society are holding the County Show at Berwick this year. It was felt that too many calls would be made upon tradesmen in the town should they be asked to subscribe to the two objects. Cost of prizes having advanced so much it is possible that, should it be decided to hold the Procession next year, the event will be more on the lines of the Norham and Paxton games. The idea is to hold a show in the Fields and charge for admission, and it is also suggested the Show might be brightened by having jumping and driving competitions.

An interesting ceremony took place in the Girls’ C. of E. School, Parade, on Friday afternoon, when the Vicar, on behalf of the Managers, teachers and scholars of the School presented Miss A. D. Shields with a wedding gift consisting of a silver tea and coffee service. The Vicar and Headmistress (Miss M.R. Richardson) both spoke of the service so ably and ungrudgingly rendered by Miss Shields during her thirteen years’ connection with the School, and wished her much happiness in her future life. Miss Shields, in a charming little speech, expressed her thanks for the beautiful gift, and referred to the happy relations which had always existed between her and the other members of the staff. Hearty cheers were given by the scholars for Miss Shields and the Managers, several of whom were present, and the proceedings were concluded by the singing of the National Anthem. Teachers and scholars parted from Miss Shields with very real regret and their affection and hearty good wishes go with her into her new sphere of life.

HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT

SURVEY TO TAKE PLACE SHORTLY

An extraordinary meeting of the Berwick-on-Tweed Employment Committee was held in the Board Room of the Employment Exchange, Berwick, on Saturday, when Councillor W. J.Dixon presided. There were also in attendance The Mayor (Councillor T. Bolus), Messrs T. S. Elder, W. Joures, Jas. Kean, J. Makins, Geo. Martin, A. C. Parkes, R. C. Rennison, W. R. L. Blakiston, Divisional Controller, Newcastle, and Mr R. Tipping, secretary.

The object of the meeting was to prepare for the survey of the harbour, which is now definitely decided upon, and the Chairman intimated that a copy of the Department’s minute had now been received. It was in the following terms:-  “The Committee should be informed that a reply has now been received from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, who state that arrangements are at present being made for the conducting of surveying operations, which will be put in hand as soon as possible.”

In view of this official assurance, the Chairman proposed that a Sub-Committee be formed to meet the Government Surveyor when he arrived and lay all the information available at his disposal.

After discussion, it was unanimously agreed that the following Sub-Committee be appointed to meet the Surveyor if, and when required:- The Chairman ( Councillor W. J. Dixon), Councillor T. Bolus ( Mayor), Mr J. Makins, and Mr Geo. Martin.

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