Christmas

1 JANUARY 1915

BAMBURGH

WHIST DRIVE

To raise funds to provide comfort for our troops, a whist drive and dance was held in the school room, Bamburgh.  The following were the prize winners:- Ladies – 1^st, Miss D Littlefair; 2^nd, Miss Mamie Weatherstone, 3^rd Miss J I Lawson; 4^th, Miss A Graham; sealed prize, Mrs A Campbell; consolation prize, Miss Sinton.  Gentlemen – 1^st, Mr W Clark; 2^nd, Mr G Herbertson, 3^rd Mr W Carse, 4^th, Mr Jas Nesbit; sealed prize, Scout Geo. Oswald; consolation prize, Scout A Hird.  The Scouts and Territorials doing duty locally were entertained to dinner by Mr and Mrs Little of Bamburgh Castle Inn, and Miss Smith, of the Victoria Hotel, has provided a similar treat for them.

NORHAM

TROOPER’S LETTER

The following letter has been received from Trooper A Charlton, Northumberland Hussars (brother of Mrs Brown, School House, Norham), who is at the front:-

“December 20^th, 1914,- The mince pies were champion.  Jim and I and the boys had a jolly good tea; no use waiting until Christmas Day, as we are into business any moment. The North East Coast raid will have scared the people of Norham, and mind what a champion target your house and church will make, so look out for future events. Bob and Jack will have a lively time in the trenches at Blyth, but they ought to see ours, waist-deep in water, then we are liable to depart this world at any minute.  Black Marias came within a few yards of our billet the other day, and last night hundreds of our guns were playing on the German trenches, the fire lighting up the whole line. What a lovely sight to see; but should not have liked to have been within, as their loss must have been enormous. I fully expected to be at home by Christmas, but am afraid we shall consider ourselves lucky if we manage by next Christmas.”