BERWICK ADVERTISER, 19 DECEMBER 1919

20/12/2019 by Northumberland Archives

SCOTCH CHURCH 200TH ANNIVERSARY

DEDICATION OF MEMORIALS AT ST. ANDREWS

MAYOR AND COUNCIL ATTEND THE SERVICE

More than usual interest centred round the services of the Church of Scotland at Berwick on Sunday last, when after having been decorated and enhanced by the installation of electric light, the Church celebrated its 200th anniversary. Occasion was also taken to unveil memorial tablets to the members of the congregation who had fallen in the war, the Officers, N.C.O.’s and men of the K.O.S.B., and of the 2/10th Royal Scots, who during their stay in Berwick had worshipped in the Church.

THE UNVEILING

The ceremony was performed by Major McAlester who, in the course of his address, said there were three tablets to be unveiled that day to the glory of God and in memory of those had fallen. The first was in memory of the officers, N.C.O’s and men of the 2/10th Royal Scots who had fallen in the war: the second or central tablet in honour to those members of the congregation who had laid down their lives; and the third in memory of the officers, N.C.O.’s and men of the K.O.S.B. Of the Royal Scots he felt that he did not need to say more than that they were a Lowland Regiment, the first regiment of the line, with a long and honourable history of which the nation was proud. Of the 2/10^th battalion he could speak.

Still standing, St Andrew’s church (Church of Scotland), Wallace Green, Berwick-upon-Tweed. © Author: mattbuck, Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license.

On the 22nd October, 1914, this Battalion was raised at Bathgate, and from thence they proceeded to Berwick. They were in Berwick for three Christmases, and had the proud boast that of all the new battalions of this country’s Armies they were the best behaved. They had hoped to go overseas as a Battalion, but this was not to be, the battalion becoming a feeder. During the war they sent no less than 42 officers and 2,000 men to the fighting line. Many had gained honours in the war, and many, alas, had not returned, having fallen in the cause of Justice and Freedom. The second tablet was raised to the memory of the fallen of the congregation, those who had answered to call and returned not. In the list were the names of fathers, brothers, and sons of the congregation, and their loss had brought painfully home the calamity of war. It was no longer a fight in a foreign country. They had struggled for the existence of their own country and right- and right had triumphed.

ORD

Ord War Memorial Fund benefitted to the extent of £16 by a Block Test, in which competitors on payment of one shilling, were asked to guess the weight of a fat bullock fed by Mr Hogg, East Ord. The bullock, which weighed 83 stone 8lbs. was on exhibition in Sandgate, Berwick, on Saturday. There were four guesses within one pound of the weight. Mr John Turnbull, Berrington Lough, guessed 83st. 9lbs, 1lb. over, and Messrs M. Kirkup (Ord Moor) Geo. Douglas (East Ord), and C. J. Dixon ( Ord Gardens), all guessed 83st. 7lbs., 1 lb. under correct weight. Prizes of £3, £2, and £1 offered will be divided between these four, each getting 30s.

LOCAL NEWS

Under the new Education Act the duties in regard to the physical care and development of school children will be considerably enlarged. There are many recommendations as to how the physical welfare of the children might be secured. One of these is playgrounds for organised games; and some part of the playground attached to every school to be cemented or tar-paved for the purpose of physical exercises in the open air. Another suggestion is that in country schools, where the children mostly come from distant places, there should be some place provided where they could take meals under civilised conditions. At present, as far as children in elementary schools are concerned, we now spend in Northumberland over £200,000 per annum to supply teachers, and only £4,000 upon the physical welfare of the children. The establishment of clinics or dispensaries is also regarded as being necessary. At these clinics, in addition to such minor ailments as sore eyes, ringworm, scabies, and verminous conditions, attention would also be given to defective teeth, defects in eyesight, and diseases of the throat, nose and ear. It is further suggested that the county should be divided into districts and clinics established at certain centres, such as Alnwick, with sub-centres at such places in the northern part of the county as Berwick, Cornhill, Belford, and Wooler. The closest co-operation is also advocated between Child Welfare Committees and Health Visitors and School Medical Officers. By these means it is hoped to remedy physical defects in children, and so render their mental development more efficient. There is no doubt that children physically unfit cannot derive the same benefit from school attendance as those who are perfectly fit.

RESUSCITATION OF SHEPHERDS’ SUPPER

For several years prior to the war it was the custom to hold an annual supper in connection with the Belford Union and District Show, but if memory serves us right, this important function has been suspended since 1913. However, the Committee, having become pretty hopeful of the awful carnage being over, decided to resuscitate the supper, and on Thursday evening of last week this event took place in the Blue Hotel Assembly Room, when a company numbering approximately one hundred and twenty assembled in the old Hostelry to partake of the excellent supper catered by Mr and Mrs Davison. The room was beautifully decorated for the occasion, and the tables were tastefully set out with floral and other decorations which, on entering, thrilled one with pleasure. Dr. Macdonald presided, and the first item on the programme being the supper. He wasted no time in opening the way for a commencement with the good things provided. After supper had been partaken of the Chairman proposed the toast of the King, and this was responded to by the singing of the National Anthem. A concertina solo by Mr Moody was next given, which called forth an encore. The toast of the Army, Navy, and Air Force was given and responded to by Mr Ross.

Then followed songs by Messrs Mountjoy and Moody. The toast of the Shepherds was given by the Chairman, and this Mr T. Hall responded to. Mr Mountjoy gave another song, and then Mr T. Hall, one of the joint secretaries read the financial report of the Show, which showed that there was a balance of £130 in hand. Mr Moody gave selections on the concertina, one-stringed fiddle, and mouth organ. Mr J. Guthrie followed with the toast of the Judges, and this was responded to by Mr H. Bowmer. A monologue, “The Coster’s Conversion,” was next given by Mr Mountjoy, and was followed by a toast, “The Farmers,” by Mr J. Clark, which was responded to by Mr Summerfeld. Mr J. Robinson gave “The Strangers,” and Mr Davison responded. An innovation, which caused no small degree of merriment, was given by Messrs Moody and Summerfield with a dancing dolly. By request, the Chairman proposed the health of the returned soldiers and sailors, and the toast was responded to by Mr D. Elliott. The Chairman then proposed votes of thanks to Mrs Davison, her staff of willing assistants, and all others who had taken part in making the event such a great success. The closing items were the singing of “God Save the King,” and “Auld Lang Syne.”

SPORT NEWS

A COMPLAINT FROM HOLY ISLAND

We have received a long letter from “Fairplay” in regard to the Holy Island – Rangers match protesting against the inference which he draws from our report on the game that Holy Island were guilty of rough play. He informs us “that the Islanders as a rule are very considerate in their play, and no doubt being young and strong, their strength has been taken for rough play instead of their being allowed full justice for their zeal and interest in the game.”

We accept the statement of our contributor that this may be partly responsible for the impression left with the majority who attended the match, but would point out to him that the rules of football are now specially framed to protect less strenuous players from the attacks of zealots whose strength over-balances their good judgment. A few of the islanders, just like members of other teams, are too prone to “take the man” when tackling, and this once introduced into a match leads to incidents which are not in the best interest of the game. As our correspondent “Fairplay” remarks, “they are young and strong,” and we trust with age they will learn to use the strength with which they are endowed legitimately. Holy Island, like many other young teams, would improve greatly in developing along scientific lines instead of following the doctrine of the survival of the fittest.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 5 DECEMBER 1919

06/12/2019 by Northumberland Archives

THE HORNCLIFFE WAR MEMORIAL

We shall all be the better of the example of Horncliffe. A public meeting was held there last Saturday to discuss the projected War memorial. There was the inevitable difference of opinion as to whether it should be useful or purely monumental. After a free discussion it was generally agreed to go on with a public hall and reading room. One cannot but feel that there is something in the objection that a hall for the amusement of the living is a selfish form of memorial to the dead. That objection disappears if it is met in the spirit which Capt. Allenby voiced. “The hall was to commemorate the men who gave them lives for ours. It was by their sacrifice we would be able to enjoy the hall.” The hall will not be a centre of continuous dissipation or frivolity. It will enter into the life of the village. Quiet and thoughtful evenings will be spent there, and indeed evenings of that kind will out-number the others. But grave or gay, all the evenings will go to make up the life of the village, and it was for that life as a whole that the men gave their lives. As Capt. Allenby finely said, we must not only think of these men in our solemn moments, but in our pleasures as well.

What would make the memorial even more eloquent of Horncliffe’s regard for the fallen would be the carrying out of the suggestion that the hall should be built by the voluntary labour of the villagers. Horncliffe stone would be quarried and put together by Horncliffe people. Such a memorial, we are convinced, would be admired from near and far for many a day to come, and we hope that it will be successfully carried through.

ST. ANDREW’S DAY

BERWICK CLUB REVIVED

Berwick St. Andrew’s Club was revived this year, after having been dormant for the period of the war, and a company of some 26 members and friends sat down to the 36th annual dinner and gathering in the King’s Arms Hotel, on Monday evening.

Pictured on the right of the photograph is an early 1900s image of the King’s Arms Hotel (with the flagpole), where the Berwick St Andrew’s Club was revived in 1919. Ref: BRO 426 355

A typical Scottish dinner was served up in a manner reflecting great credit on Mr Scott, the genial host, and was very much enjoyed. The Haggis was played into the room in the customary way by bagpipe music, supplied by Mr G. H. Ballard. jun. Dinner having been done full justice to, the Scottish anthem “Scots Wha Hae” was sung by the company. The patriotic toast having been given by the President, County Alderman Darling proposed the toast of the Imperial Forces, referring to the splendid response made by Scots from every part of the globe to succour the old country in its time of need.

The toast was replied to by Commander Carr and Major McAlester, D. S. O.

SPORTS, AMUSEMENTS, &c

FOOTBALL

FRIENDLY AT SHIELFIELD

Berwick Rangers will engage Holy Island at Shielfield on Saturday, in a friendly fixture. The committee endeavoured to get Duns to play in a Border League tie, but owing to the rather stupid arrangement which allows teams to fix their own dates, this could not be managed. Duns having previously fixed up a friendly at home. This is the first time the “Seaweeds” have visited Shielfield, and a good game is expected. The Rangers team will be:- Cairns or Douglas; Daniels and Crombie; Brison, Walkenshaw, and J. Piercy; Jackson Piercy, Moffat Matthews or Scobie, Gilchrist, and T. Purves. The reserve player is Spence.

LOCAL NEWS

A very pretty wedding took place at Tweedmouth Parish Church this week, when Miss Mary Valentine Todd, daughter of Mr and Mrs Todd, Mill Strand, Tweedmouth, was married to Mr R. W. Wheatley, of the Detective Service, London. The Rev. P. G. Peacocke officiated.

Tweedmouth Parish Church © Copyright Walter Baxter, Creative Commons Licence.

The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a grey dress with black picture hat, and was attended by two bridesmaids, her sister, Miss Gladys Todd, in shell pink, and Miss Alice Wheatley (sister of the bridegroom) in navy blue. The duties of best man were discharged by Mr Harry Stowe, of the London City Police Force. After the ceremony, a reception attended by 80 guests, was held in the Norman Hall. The bride, who was employed with Messrs J. I. Cairns, High Street, prior to her wedding, received many presents. Part of the honeymoon was spent at Glanton before Mr and Mrs Wheatley proceeded south to London.

VAGRANT’S LONELY END

DIED IN SHED ON CEMETERY LOANING

On Sunday morning John Westle, a vagrant, believed to have hailed from the Bamburgh district, was found in a dying condition by Mr John Strangeways, a market gardener, in a shed in Mr Hettle’s field on Tweedmouth Cemetery Loaning.

The entrance area to Tweedmouth Cemetery, where not far away in a nearby field Mr John Westle, a vagrant, believed to be from the Bamburgh area was found dying in a shed. © Copyright Graham Robson, Creative Commons Licence.

He died shortly after being discovered. The deceased is well-known in the town, where he has frequently been known to beg food. We understand he used to be a farm labourer at Scremerston.

THE INQUEST

On Monday afternoon Mr P. M. Henderson, coroner, conducted an inquest without a jury in the Board Room of the Workhouse touching the death.

P.C. John McGregor Young said about 10.30 on Sunday, on information received at Spittal, I proceeded to the shed on Cemetery Loaning in a field occupied by Mr Hettle, market gardener. I took with me a horse and cart, and on arrival I found deceased lying in the shed quite dead. I know the deceased well, and he went about Spittal begging. Deceased was lying with his clothes, which were in rags, all undone. He also had his boots off, and there was practically no foot in one sock. His body was very much exposed, and he was lying huddled up.

Dr. C. G. Maclagan said he saw the body of the deceased at the Mortuary on Sunday afternoon, and, along with Dr. P.W. Maclagan, he conducted a post mortem. There were no external marks of violence, but the feet were a bit swollen. The body was very emaciated, and there was extensive pleurisy of the left chest, the lung being practically collapsed. The heart was thereby affected. There was also traces of tuberculosis in both lungs. The immediate cause of death was failure of the heart’s action caused by the cold.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 31 OCTOBER, 1919

01/11/2019 by Northumberland Archives

MILITARY NOTES

TO CELEBRATE THE PASSING OF THE VOLUNTEERS

Captain C. L. Fraser, V.D., commanding “B” (Berwick) Company, 4th Northumberland Fusiliers (Vols.), is organising a dinner and smoking concert for all ranks of the Company for Thursday, (6th November, as a wind-up to the movement in the town.

SECOND STAR

In the 4th Bn., K.O.S.B. (T.F.), 2nd Lieut. W. C. Crozier is announced in “London Gazette” as promoted Lieutenant.

DEATH OF A VETERAN FUSILIER

FORMERLY INSTRUCTOR AT BELFORD AND CHATTON

Many inhabitants of North Tyne and Glendale will be sorry to hear of the death of Sergeant-Instructor R. Biddlecombe (“Dick” as he was more familiarly called), who passed away in his 72nd year at Stort Hill, Bishop Stortford.

Dick Biddlecombe joined the 5th Fusiliers about 1867-8, and was finally discharged in 1899, after a total service of 32 years, 13 of which were served as an Instructor with the 1st V.B.N. Fusiliers, 12 years with “I” Company at Corbridge, and 1 year with “C” Company at Belford and Chatton.

A man of splendid physique, robust health, and of powerful build, Dick Biddlecombe never failed to do his duty, and, no matter what the weather, he always made the long journeys to his outlying sections up North Tyne, and in Glendale, and thereby gained the confidence and respect of both officers and men with when he served. He was the possessor of the Afghan and the Long Service and Good Conduct Medals.

Sergt. Instructor Biddlecombe was buried at Great Haileybury Churchyard, on the 17th October, Major H. Perry, R.A.F., formerly Sergt.-Major 1st V.B.N. Fusiliers, being the sole representative of his old comrades at the funeral.

The deceased leaves a widow and three daughters, who are totally unprovided for, to mourn the loss of a good husband, and father, who was also a splendid type of what a Fusilier should be.

LOCAL NEWS

Alnwick Urban District Council entertained the Duke of Northumberland to luncheon on Monday on the occasion of the Town’s welcome to returned soldiers. At the luncheon, Mr R. Henderson, the Chairman, referred to the rumour that the Duke was likely to become Viceroy of India. The Duke, responding, gave the assurance that there was no truth in the rumour. The climate of Northumberland could hardly be described that day as extremely good, but it was quite good enough for him, and he intended to remain there.

At 12 o’clock on Saturday while George Easton was driving a motor car from Spittal to Berwick the steering gear went wrong while near the Carr Rock. The car swerved and dashed over the wall on to the shore, where it turned over.

Early image of the Carr Rock Ref: NRO 683-10-104

The glass wind screen was smashed, but the car was little the worse and was hauled back to the roadway later and taken to Berwick. The driver escaped without injury.

About five o’clock on Saturday morning a railway smash took place on the North-Eastern Railway line on the embankment near the Tunnel, Tweedmouth. An N.B. goods train was run into by a North-Eastern engine and van, with the result that two waggons were derailed and the “down” line blocked.

The former Tweedmouth North signal cabin was situated just south from where the N.B. goods train was run into by a North Eastern engine and van

The breakdown gang was soon on the scene and the work of clearing the line was carried out with expedition. Traffic was again running over the line at ten o’clock.

BERWICK COUNTY COURT

BERWICK MAN SUED FOR RENT OF A CONDEMNED HOUSE

William Denholm hay, secretary of the Craigmillar Brewery, Edinburgh, sued Alexander Kilgour, Cobbler, Hide Hill, Berwick, for the sum of £6 8s 8d, being amount charged for rent for half-year of a house in Castlegate, portion of rates payable, and the expense incurred in replacing gas brackets removed.

Mr. H. R. Peters appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Kilgour conducted his own defence.

Mr Peters, in outlining the case, said the sum sued for was for the half-years rent to 12th May, 1919, and the proportion of rates payable by the tenant, £5 15s; and also the expenses incurred by the landlord in renewing the gas brackets, which had been taken away by Kilgour, this being 13s 8d. On making an examination of the place after defendant left, he discovered that Kilgour had removed all the brackets from every room except an upstairs room.

Judge Greenwell – You are therefore not in a position to throw much light on the subject. (Laughter).

Mr Peters – A portion of the gas piping had the appearance of having been cut away in the passage.

The Judge – They were not the tenant’s fittings.

Mr Peters – No. It was quite clear they had been taken off. I wrote to the defender, but I got no reply. He had not paid the rent which was still owing.

Defendant – I would just like to say I entered this house in August, 14 years ago. There were then no gas fittings in the house, and I was forced to burn a paraffin lamp. Later I put in the gas brackets at my own expense, and also a meter. The brackets are my own property and this is the bill (handling a receipted account up to the Judge) which I paid to Mr Cairns.

The Judge – What have you to say to this, Mr Peters?

Mr Peters – I cannot go back 14 years.

The Judge – From what defendant has told us, the fittings are certainly his. Now, Mr Kilgour, will you tell us why you refuse to pay the rest?

Defendant – The reason I refuse to pay the rent is that in 1915 my boy contracted diphtheria, owing to the conditions at the house, and was sent to hospital. I laid the case before the late Mr Macadam, Sanitary Inspector. I had spoken to Mr Peters several times before his about the house, but he would do nothing. I might mention that the drain was inside the house.

Judge Greenwell – There is nothing in that which would affect the claim.

Defendant – The Sanitary Authority condemned the house, and Mr Peters got a letter saying the house was condemned. I got notice to quit; but at the time I could not get a house, and I had to remain in occupation.

The Judge – That does not absolve you from paying rent.

Defendant – Am I supposed to pay the rent when the house was condemned?

The Judge – Yes, you lived in it, and you will therefore have to pay the rent for it.

Mr Peters – He is out of the house now.

Defendant – I would never refuse to pay rent to any landlord, but this house was condemned. I could not get another house, and I would not turn my wife and child into the street when it was condemned.

The Judge – That was your misfortune in not being able to get another house; but so long as you occupied it you are liable for the rent I must give judgement for plaintiff for the rent and rates, £5 15s, payment to be made at the rate of 10s per month.

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