Farm Workers

This Week in World War One, 30 June 1916

by

Berwick Advertiser title 1915

 

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 30 JUNE 1916

 

WOMEN FARM WORKERS

 

In many parts of the country there appears to exist a suspicion that, if women register their names for farm work, they may be subjected to some form of compulsory service.

The War Office and the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries desire to assure all women who

Women's Land Army. © Henry George Gawthorn (1879-1941), UK government, in the public domain.
© Henry George Gawthorn (1879-1941)

are engaged in work on the land, or who may be willing to undertake such work, that the registration of their names for that purpose will in no way be used to compel them to undertake either agricultural or any other form of work. Such work is entirely voluntary. In no case will they be expected to work on farms outside their own neighbourhood unless they are willing to do so. But it is necessary, in order that the most sufficient use may be made of their services, to have a list of the names and addresses of women who are prepared in the national emergency to undertake work in the place of the men who are fighting in the trenches. As there is a great need for the services of patriotic women who are willing to assist in the home production of food, it is hoped that all women who can see their way to offer their services, either whole or part time, will at once have their names registered at the Local Labour Exchange or by the village Registrar.

Board of Agriculture and Fisheries,

4, Whitehall Place, S.W.

23rd June, 1916

LOCAL NEWS

 

 A Big Smash. – On Monday afternoon a number of army motor vans were going through Bridge Street, one of the tyres of a van skidded, precipitating the vehicle through the plate glass windows of Mr Thomson, baker. The large front glass window as well as the side window were smashed.

Accident. – On Tuesday afternoon a woman named Swinney, 176 Main Street, Tweedmouth, slipped while taking clothes off a rope in a back yard, fracturing her left ankle. Nurse Davidson was called, and the woman was removed to the Infirmary.

Midsummer Holiday. – Tuesday was observed in Berwick as the annual Midsummer holiday, when all places of business were closed. Like its predecessor of 1915, the war put a damper on the usual observances – no railway facilities in the way of cheap, excursions being offered. That being so, far distance travelling was out of the question to the vast majority.

Old photograph of salmon fishermen below Chain Bride, near Horncliffe, Berwick-upon-Tweed. © Berwick Record Office, BRO 426 1125.
Old photograph of salmon fishermen below Chain Bride, near Horncliffe, Berwick-upon-Tweed. © Berwick Record Office, BRO 426 1125.

Notwithstanding these drawbacks the general public made the best of the circumstances – some went boating, some went fishing, some went cycling, others went in either for bowling or golf, while a goodly number made the Chain Bridge their rendezvous – where the Berwick Boy Scouts were having a picnic. There was quite a number of parties squatting here and there on the green sward. With their attendant fires to boil the kettle for tea and notwithstanding the cheerlessness of the day seemed to be enjoying themselves. The weather throughout the day was dull and scarcely in keeping with the leafy month of June. All are looking forward with eager anticipation to next midsummer holiday, when it is hoped the war clouds will have rolled away and everything back to usual conditions.

 

HOW TO GET TO HOLY ISLAND

 

Now that summer has come, and readers of the “Advertiser” will be planning their outings on Thursday afternoons, as well as for longer periods, a word as to Holy Island will not come amiss. Comparatively few of the inhabitants of Berwick and neighbourhood have visited this most interesting place; in many cases because they do not know how to make their visit suit the tides, going and returning. A safe rule is to cross on an ebbing tide in preference to a flowing one. If going by train leaving for Beal after 1.10 p.m. (from July 1st onwards), and returning by last train Spring tides (high water at from 1 to 4 p.m.), should be avoided, and a day chosen when the tide is full about 10 to 12 o’clock.

Early 20th century photograph showing the crossing of the sands at Holy Island. © Berwick Record Office, BRO 426 1059.
Early 20th century photograph showing the crossing of the sands at Holy Island. © Berwick Record Office, BRO 426 1059.

 

If going by either of the morning trains, and returning by last train, high water any time between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. will suit.

Holy Island conveyances meet the 7.40 a.m. or the 1.10 p.m. trains, from Berwick, single fare 1s each, or for four persons or upwards conveyances will be sent to meet any train at the same fare. Conveyances can be ordered from any of the following :- Mr R. Bell, Post Office, Holy Island; Mr James Brigham, Holy Island; Mr Geo. Wilson, Northumberland Arms, Holy Island; Mr Thomas Fender, Holy Island.

This Week in World War One, 16 June 1916

by

Berwick Advertiser title 1915

 

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 16 JUNE 1916

 

THE PLAYHOUSE

 

The film being shown at the Playhouse this weekend is “Whoso is without Sin.” It is founded upon the ideal prize story, and is a tale for saints and sinners – exhibiting some modern pharisees and a penitent woman. The variety programme is of exceptional interest being Pharos, the world famous Egyptian illusionist. He shows a programme of Oriental splendours, and is assisted by Ibhar. He presents in rapid succession the most startling and baffling series of magical problems ever presents to the public. From Monday to Wednesday of next week there will be a splendid comedy drama in three acts, entitled “The Pretenders.” It is an exclusive film from the well-known firm of Harma and Co., London. It is particularly noteworthy for magnificent scenery, and contains a thrilling story of two wealthy young people, each pretending to be of a humble station in life.

Berwick Playhouse 1958. Copyright Berwick Record Office BRO-1250-123.
Berwick Playhouse 1958. Copyright Berwick Record Office BRO-1250-123.

 

The girl gets locked out of her home and has to break in. The young man sees her, and concludes she is a thief. A burglar also breaks in, and after a furious struggle is overpowered by the young man. A detective comes on the scene and finishes by arresting all three! Subsequent explanations secure the release of the girl and the young man. A few weeks later they meet again, and in the privacy of the conservatory come to an understanding which leads to a happy ending. The third series of “Greed” will also be shown. It deals with the evils of cheap construction, a slight explosion causing a badly built subway to cave in, carrying with it a loaded tram and scores of people who were in the street above. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday the film will be “White Star.” It is the finest sporting drama ever filmed – a story containing a magnificent blending of human pathos, laughter and thrills, combined with perfect photography. It is an all British romance of the turf and stage, and contains an exciting plot to poison a favourite race horse – White Star. The vaudeville entertainment is in the hands of Arthur Canworth, banjo expert, who introduces the one and only bass singing banjo in the world.

BERWICK TRIBUNALS

 

JAMES YOUNG

James Young, baker, Seahouses, appealed for his son, Richard Thomas (22), confectioner and general dealer. The local Tribunal disallowed the appeal as it was not a certified occupation; that an older man should be obtained, and that female labour could be utilised. As to supplying the needs of the fishers it was contended that fishing was diminishing, and it was not essential the Young should be retained for this purpose.

Herring girls with barrels in Northumberland. © Berwick Record Office BRO 426- SL 104.
Herring girls with barrels in Northumberland. © Berwick Record Office BRO 426- SL 104.

In his appeal Mr Young said he had contracts to supply the military with bread. The nearest baker was seven miles away, and he supplied a radius of seven square miles, embracing 5000 people, and a number of small shops. At the time of the herring fishing he supplied a large number of boats. If his son was taken he would be left with one man and an apprentice. His foreman was 42 years of age, and he had another lad (19), who was going to the army.

In answer to the Military Representative he said he had supplied as many as twenty boats. Each boat generally carried a crew of seven men.

The appeal was dismissed.

 

MRS P. MCLAUGHAN

Mrs P. McLaughan, widow, appeared in support of the appeal for her son, Hugh McLaughlan (23), 38 Bridge Street, a horse driver with Messers Elder, agricultural implement makers. She stated that she had one son in the navy, the claimant in the appeal, one son (16) incapacited through disease in the arm, and one daughter four years of age. The appellant’s weekly wage went to the whole support of herself. She also received an allowance of 15s weekly from the son in the navy.

By Mr Hogarth – The appellant was refused as medically unfit for the navy. If he had joined the navy she would probably have had an allowance the same as she has for the other boy.

The Tribunal decided that he should serve.

 

LOCAL NEWS

 

Farm-Workers War Wages – The recent agricultural hiring fairs in Scotland show that farm servants wages have about doubled in the past few years. In Roxburghshire, Berwickshire, and Dumfrieshire, wages are now very high, but not so high as in some counties further north, where the Farm Servants’ Union held meetings urging the men to stand out for a standard wage of £70 per year. The men acted largely on this advice, and one considerable farmer states that his single men now cost him £100 a year. In Berwickshire, besides some perquisites, 24s to 28s per week was given, whereas in 1906 the rates were 13s to 15s. other counties exhibit similar advances.

Early 1900s farming scene showing a horse drawn reaper. Author 'Whatsthatpicture,' Hanwell, London. © Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Early 1900s farming scene showing a horse drawn reaper. Author ‘Whatsthatpicture,’ Hanwell, London. © Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

Foxhunters and Farmers – At a meeting of the Hunt Secretaries Association held at Messers Tattersall’s, the following resolution was unanimously passed: – “That the thanks of the Hunt Secretaries’ Association be recorded to all the farmers and poultry-keepers for their great help during the past season, enabling hunting to be carried on successfully under very difficult circumstances, and it is hoped, owing to the difficulties arising from the war, that they will do all in their power to continue their loyal support to the various hunts in the future.