Farming

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 20TH JULY 1923

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57 YEARS ON THE RAILWAY

RETIRAL OF MR GEORGE YOUNG AND PRESENTATION BY FELLOW WORKMEN

After fifty-seven years spent in the service of the North British Railway Company, Mr George Young, 8 Infirmary Square, a well-known figure at the Loco. Sheds at Berwick, retired at the beginning of the month, and on Thursday evening, in the Oddleffows’ Hall, a company of some forty fellow workmen under the presidency of Mr Joe Gray assembled to make a parting gift in token of the respect and esteem in which Mr Young was held.

The front of Berwick Railway Station
An early 20th Century postcard of the front of the Berwick Railway Station

Mr Gray briefly explained the object of the gathering, saying they were there to do a little honour to the oldest servant of the Railway Coy. at Berwick station, a man who they all held in the highest respect and esteem. Personal, said Mr Gray, I have always been closely associated with Mr Young. He was my driver at one time, and the friendship we formed on the footplate was not one to be readily broken.

A letter read from Mr J. P. Grassick, the Loco Running Superintendent of the L. and N.E.R. Coy. at Cowlairs, Glasgow, showed how much the long and honourable service of Mr Young was appreciated. “I cannot allow the occasion of your retiral from active service to pass unnoticed,” wrote Mr Grasswick. “Your work has been appreciated, and you enter upon your period of rest after a strenuous career with the best wishes of your employers. Personally, I have to thank you for services well rendered, and I hope you will belong spared to enjoy the remainder of your days in peace and comfort, freed from stress and turmoil of modern railway life.” The reading of the letter was received with applause.

Mr William Ewing, the foreman at Loco. Department, Berwick, then made on behalf of the employees at the sheds the presentation of a handsome silver lever watch, albert and medallion to Mr Young, along with a small sum of money remaining in the presentation fund. In a speech where the good qualities of the recipient were eulogised, Mr Ewing told of the ready way the employees had subscribed to give some little token to Mr Young as a memento of the many years he had been amongst them. He hoped Mr Young would accept the gift in the spirit in which it was made, and there was no need to assure him that he had left the Company’s service with the good wishes of all who had esteemed and appreciated his companionship and service in the past. (Applause).

Berwick Railway Station during World War One

Mr Young replied in a speech full of happy reminiscences of his past life on the railway, some of which we reprinted below, and he also told of one or two instances which were not of such a pleasing nature, when accidents had nearly brought about his end and the end of others. I started life as a boy under Mr Cargill in 1866, said Mr Young, and well I remember asking him for a start. I was just a little fellow then – fifteen years of age – and it was like looking up toa giant, for Mr Cargill was not a small man by any means. However, I was fortunate, for he started me at the handsome salary of 10d per day – ( laughter) – which was 2d a day more than was usually given to boys starting. Their wage worked out at ¾ per hour or 4s per week. Well, I was fortunate because I got 5s per week, but I wonder what some of you young chaps would say if you were asked to work for that now-a-days. (Applause). Mr Young also mentioned that there were only other two men alive today who had started life with him at Berwick Station. One was Mr Thos. Aird, coal merchant, who was then a fitter, and the other was Mr David Lawson, a native of Berwick, who had risen to be stationmaster at Shettleston, Glasgow, and who was now retired. During the time he had been on the railway he had worked under five different general managers, five loco. Superintendents, and fourteen loco. Foremen. He also mentioned that the father of Mr Ewing, their present foreman, had worked on the same footplate with him. Mr Young concluded a very interesting speech by thanking his fellow workmen for the honour they had done him.

A FEW REMINISCENCES

A DASH FOR SAFETY

A thrilling experience I have had, said Mr Young, was when I was running the 10 o’clock express between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Just at Winechburgh tunnel a goods train broke an axel and the damaged axel flew in front of my train. There was no time to draw up, and the only safety lay in putting on speed in the open of shifting the obstruction. We put on full steam. There was no Westenhouse brakes to apply and stop in time then, and when we hit the wreckage, we happily shifted it from the line. I was handsomely rewarded by the passengers, who subscribed for myself and the fireman the sum of £2 15s – quite a lot in those days.

PULLED A MAN OUT OF WAY OF EXPRESS

Another thing I remember, said Mr Young, happened shortly after that at Berwick station near the turntable. A St, Margaret’s driver named George Fortune – he is dead now, poor fellow – got right in the way of the express which was coming along. I saw his danger and clutching him succeeded in pulling him off the line. He did not escape injury, for he got a glancing blow from the buffer of the engine, which broke seven of his ribs, but he soon recovered and lived to a good age. Had I not reached him he would certainly have been knocked down and cut to pieces.

A PERSONAL ACCIDENT

I was nearly killed many years ago, said Mr Young, but it must not have been to be. I was starting a pumping engine which was used to be at the Sheds when my coat got into the belt. I did not pull it clear quick enough and I was carried round the shafting until I was stripped of clothing, and then I was flung senseless against the wall. Had I been thrown the other way I would have assuredly been killed outright, for I would have fallen into the well. As it was, I was very seriously injured about the head, legs and arms, and to this day I carry the marks on my legs. All the inspectors who examined the machinery in motion where I was caught could not credit that I could be carried round the shaft as I was and escaped alive.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

MONDAY

Before C. L. Fraser and Chas. Forsyth, Esqs

A MORALISING TRAMP

John Kelly, vagrant, no fixed abode, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Marygate at 9.5 p.m. on the 15th June. He pleaded guilty.

P. C Jefferson said the man was drunk, getting in front of motor cars and behaving in a foolish and disorderly manner.

Kelly was asked if he would promise to leave the town if he was discharged and he said, “I can promise nothing. I might just get drunk again and get into mischief. I do not think a day or two at Newcastle would do me any harm. It is the only way for you gentlemen to protect yourselves. I don’t believe in making promises if there is a possibility of breaking them. A man who habitually takes drink should not make promises.

Dr Fraser – Then there is no other option than to send you to prison for seven days.

Mr Forsyth – With hard labour.

Prisoner – With all due deference to you, sir. I don’t think they can give me hard labour. I am 62 years of age.

Dr Fraser – I don’t think he is sober yet.

Prisoner – Oh yes, but I will be better at Newcastle. It is twenty-one years since I was in Berwick last, and I hope it will be as long again before I am in it.

Dr Fraser – I hope so, too.

With a “Thank you, gentlemen,” prisoner went below to the cells prior to his trip to Newcastle.

SPORT

FOOTBALL

INFIRMARY CUP

Owing to the majority of the Spittal Hearts’ team being unable to be present at the Pierrots’ stand on Friday night the presentation of medals has been postponed.

Spittal Rovers, Infirmary Cup Winners, 1925. Ref; BRO 1887/41/3

It is hoped to send out circulars to all teams within a 25 miles’ radius of Berwick, and if a satisfactory entry is obtained to play one match per week throughout this season for the Cup. The rules, which are comparatively few, bar players who have played for Berwick Rangers or Coldstream during the season. The competition is strictly amateur, and teams will be paid minimum travelling fares for 12 players. Layers must play for one team only in the competition.

CYCLING

TEN MILE CYCLING RACE ON NORTH ROAD

The Tweedside Cycling Club held their 10 miles road trial over the North Road on Thursday evening last under handicap conditions, when a large assembly lined the footpath out by meadow House to see the finish of the race. The feature of the handicap was the wonderful riding of J. H. Kirkup, a Millfield lad aged nineteen, who had the fastest time of the evening, 25 mins, 44 secs. actual. The prize winners and times were as follows: – 1, P. Gleig, 29 mins. 46 secs., less 6 mins., 23 mins. 46 secs.; 2, J. Tennant, 29 mins, 16 secs., less 5 mins., 24 mins. 16 secs.; 3, J. H. Kirkup, 25 min. 44 secs, less 1 min., 24 mins. 44 secs. E. Young, who was scratch, covered the distance in 25 mins. 59 secs., or 15 secs, longer than Kirkup. Other young riders’ times were :- T. Clazie, 28 mins. 30 secs., less 4 mins., 24 mins, 30 secs.; L. B. Dickinson, 31 mins. 17 secs., less 5 mins., 26 mins. 17 secs.; and A. Aird, 31 mins. 45 secs., less 4 mins., 27 mins, 45 secs. Kirkup, it will be remembered, was the rider who won the double event in the half mile and mile last years at the Tweedside Cycling Club Sports. He is riding wonderfully well this year, and those in the know look upon him as a coming champion.

AUSTRALIA’S CALL

BAMBURGH MAN’S SUCCESS IN FARMING

“This country appears to be over-crowded, and to find so many young men unemployed and hanging about the city streets is a sad and depressing reflection on present-day life when one knows that in Australia there are thousands of acres ready for settlers to enjoy a new and glorious life. The kind of men wanted are only those who are determined to work hard, and to make a home for themselves in that fertile country. Fired by that ambition, emigrants are almost bound to succeed.”

These sentiments were voiced to a “Newcastle Daily Journal” representative by Mr George Waddell, a Western Australian farmer, who, with his wife, is at present on a visit to Tyneside, renewing old friendships. Mr Waddell, who was born in the parish of Bamburgh, fifty-eight years ago, at one time followed the plough, and later was a servant on the railway company in Newcastle as a rolleyman.

SUCCESS IN TWELVE YEARS

It should be noted that Mr Waddell was forty-six years of age when he decided to seek his fortune in Western Australia, and within the space of twelve years, by reason or hard, unremitting labour, he has built up one of the most successful farming businesses in that fertile area, 200 miles from Perth, Quarendin Vale, Belka. What was once a stretch of 1,000 acres of rough forest land, obtained from the Australian Government, has now been converted into a wheat-growing farm, yielding satisfactory returns.

Having visited the recent Royal Show, Mr Waddell said the bulk of the farm machinery there displayed was not applicable to western Australia wheat farming conditions. Out there, farm appliances are manufactured on a larger scale, teams of five to six horses being employed as a rule on one implement. The harvesting machines, for instance, are built on altogether different lines, as only the heads of the grain are cut and harvested, the “straw” being left standing in the field to be used as fodder or burned.

HORSES PREFFERED

The farm tractors are not yet much in vogue on the large fields of this Western Australian State. Most farmers, chiefly on grounds of economy, pin their faith to horsepower. Personally, Mr Waddell prefers the Clydesdale horses, of which he owns 25, because of their power and activity.

While the disposal of the wheat is now free and independent, Australian farmers in Mr Waddell’s area have formed a voluntary co-operative wheat pool by which about 80 per cent, of the wheat produced is dealt with.

With regard to the labour question, Mr Waddell stated that no women are employed in field work. With so many labour-saving appliances now in use six men can work quite well a wheat farm of about 1,000 acres. One experienced man is required to handle a team of five or six horses engaged in field operations. Seldom does a farm hand require to work more than eight hours a day.

Dear Tom: The Words of War

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During the early 1900s Charles Fenwick Thorp and his nephew, Andrew Fenwick Thorp, penned a series of letters discussing a diverse range of topics, from the First World War to horse racing. The Thorp family were deeply rooted in the affairs of Northumberland, and held large swathes of property across the county. They often sat on various council and governmental boards, and ran a prominent legal firm from their base in Alnwick. The letters penned by Charles and Andrew during this period had been addressed to, and received by, a “dear Tom” (most likely Charles’ younger brother.) These men were the uncles and cousins of Robert and Collingwood Thorp – decorated soldiers whose war-time letters we also hold in our collection. This  particular selection of letters, written predominantly from the home front, have been painstakingly transcribed and researched by our volunteers, and the originals can be viewed here.

Some of the letters pre-date the First World War by two years, and go on to trace the build up to one of Europe’s darkest periods. The letters penned by both Andrew and Charles are therefore hugely significant; as one writer pours out the emotions of a young man about to enter the First World War whilst the second relays the fears of an old man left behind. Andrew’s letters begin by giving us an unfiltered insight into the concerns and joys of a young gentleman in the year 1912. In these letters he discusses money, capital and prospects. He plans care-free excursions and debates the standard of horse racing. He considers his future, with a dose of melodrama, giving the pros of becoming a farmer or the cons of hiding abroad. But Andrew’s letters turn painfully serious as the years progress and he becomes acquainted with the fragility of life. In August 1914 Andrew is twenty-four years old, the world is on the brink of war and he has decided to write a will. Perhaps the most upsetting aspect of his correspondence is his sincere belief that “the war won’t last more than a year.” This is a 24 year old man actively preparing for his own death.

Charles letters, in comparison, predominately cover the period during war. Within them he informs his brother of the whereabouts of his two sons, referred to as John and Arthur, as well as the military activities of their common nephew Andrew. These letters provide small snippets of family news mixed with wry observations about turnips, the war effort and the physical weight of military uniform. Charles even gives a play-by-play account of the location and route of “Zeps” or zeppelins across the English countryside. How Charles feels about the impending doom of war is difficult to decipher. He is initially proud of his younger relatives for having entered the service of their country, and is eager for them to see action, but he also frets about the dangerous position of Andrew on the continent. He finds the process of war frustrating, labelling it “vexing,” and he tries to continue with his day-to-day life as much as possible. Charles is a complex character; full of paternal instinct, strong views and a haunting foreboding that the war will leave an irreversible mark on his family. These letters give us a fascinating insight into how ordinary Northumbrians were affected by war and loss.

Charles Fenwick Thorp

Charles Fenwick Thorp was born in 1857 at Ellingham, Northumberland. He was the eldest son, and first child, of Reverend Charles Thorp the elder and his wife Isabella Frances Fenwick. The Thorp-Fenwick’s had numerous children, all of whom were born in Ellingham. They were Mary Isabel, George, Robert Edward, John, Thomas, William and Frances.  In the 1871 census this huge household had eight servants; including a governess, two nurses, a groom and a gardener.

Charles Fenwick Thorp, and his brother Robert, studied at the Mount School in Northallerton under the Edwin Brittlestone MA Clergyman. Charles pursued his education and, like his father before him, became a reverend taking up residency in Beadnell in 1887.

He married his wife, Jane Booth, in her home town of Warlaby, Northallerton on the 13th September 1894. A few years later, in 1897, Charles was appointed Chaplain of the Northumberland Fusiliers, 1st Battalion situated at Alnwick. In 1901 Charles and Jane were residing at Beadnell Vicarage with their young son Charles Arthur Robert Thorp, whom had been baptised at Beadnell on the 18th July 1899. The couple subsequently went on to have two more children; Frances Victoria Thorp (born 1901) and John C Thorp (born 1904).

Charles moved his family into The Rectory in Ovingham at some point before 1911. This property had ample space to live and entertain, with ten rooms. Charles and Jane remained in Ovingham for almost fifteen years, and most of Charles’ war time letters were written from this residency. Charles died in 1935, at Aldbrough St John in Yorkshire, leaving behind effects equalling £226 2s 1d. The executors of his will were his widow Jane and Thomas Alder Thorp – presumably “dear Tom.”

The Rectory

Ovingham-on-Tyne

Northumberland

April 3rd 1916

 Dear Tom

 I have sent Mother’s cheque by this post to Office, and asked them to pay in balance £10 to my acct on 14th. Very many thanks; I fear I shall be asking you for some help for last half of this month and then shall be clear, but will write you.

 Andrew and a party of 40 had another walk out 8 miles and were all stiff after it.

 These beastly Zeps been about 3 nights, last night only 6 miles away from here at Stamfordham and Ponteland then Northwards, did you have them.

 Yours ever

 Signed:  Chas. F. Thorp

 

A crater caused by a bomb during the Zeppelin Raid at Bedlington, Northumberland on 14th April 1915. NRO 07990/2/32. Letters from Charles, REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT

 

The Rectory

Ovingham-on-Tyne

 May 1st 1917

 My dear Tom,

 Can you help me to get these papers put in order again.  Off Bigge’s payment comes 5 shilling Inc tax he deducts it before he sends it. Papers came this morning.  Both boys left this morning for Bradfield we had to be up at 5. On acct of trains. It was vexing!  Arthur had to go up to London last week and back again, to have his interview and medical exam at Admiralty, they began last week and were taking those who would go either into Navy or Marines first.

 A nice little expense!!  But he traveled up by night and spent one night at Pinner.

 Yours ever

 Signed:  Chas. F. Thorp

 I sent Mothers cheque to Office today to redeem mine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letters REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT

The Rectory

Ovingham-on-Tyne

 July 15th 1917

 My dear Tom

 Do you think Office can advance me £20 into Bank till Aug 1st to keep me right there and carry me on. On Tuesday will do I expect I shall be 4 or 5 overdrawn there by then.  I enclose cheque for £25.

 Jenny saw some of raid in London she was at Lord Roberts workshops, seeing over … at the time; lot of damage done.  Arthur and his companions at … in Burlington House were sent into basement and not told reason, much disgusted saw nothing.  Arthur went up top of St Paul’s one evening and saw the damage to GPO and other paces.

 We are getting parched up here hardly any turnips.

 Yours sincerely

 Signed:  Chas. F Thorp

 Andrew and 400 been removed from Criffeld into Hanover!!!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letters, REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT

The Rectory

Ovingham-on-Tyne

Sept 6 1917

 My dear Tom

 Can the Office help me with £20 this month. Arthur has gone off to the R N College Keyham, Devenport as a Cadet, will be there till Feb. before going to sea proper as Mids. They are crammed there and on board the “Vivid” in the time and if satisfactory are passed on as Midshipmen. He passed his exam quite well.  7th for Navy of the 50 accepted, 90 were in. 1st out of 20 for R Marines and 8 for Indian Army “Quetta.” His outfit is heavy in clothing line etc. And has to have sextant and telescope as soon as he begins work at College.  Mother is helping with outfit but Mary says they are very short till Nov. So I may have to ask for help in Oct. too in advance. And the times are awful.  If the £20 can be paid in by Sat will do. I still have to allow it, rate of £50 a year while at Keyham; ? ? …. pay it.

 What a mess these Russians are making of it.

 Yours sincerely

 Signed: Chas. F. Thorp

 

Andrew Fenwick Thorp

Andrew Fenwick Thorp was the only child of Robert Edward Thorp (the younger brother of Charles Fenwick Thorp.) His father, Robert, had been born to the Reverend Charles Thorp and Frances Fenwick in 1861. He had married Andrew’s mother Alice Maud Hanning, a Gateshead native, in the October of 1889 at Newcastle Upon Tyne. In the following year the couple welcomed their only child, Andrew. Sadly Andrew was orphaned young in the most tragic of circumstances, with his mother dying soon after his birth and his father being lost “at sea” in 1899. Following the death of his parents Andrew was placed in the care of his grandmother, Isabella Frances Fenwick Thorp, and brought up in the family’s spacious seat of Dene Head House in Ryton. In the 1911 census this house was listed as having 17 rooms, including a kitchen, and a large body of staff.

In Andrew’s letters he frequently refers to a ‘G.’ This appears to have been an affectionate nickname for a woman to whom he is very attached, but not yet betrothed.  In a draft of Andrew’s will, dated the 15th February 1912, her full identity is revealed to be Gwendoline Katherine Leonore Maclean. In this particular draft he leaves all his worldly effects to ‘G’ and, if she should pre-decease him, his cousin Charles Arthur Robert Thorp. A Gwendoline Maclean can be found residing in Northumberland in the 1911 census. This Gwendoline had been widowed in 1909 and had returned to the family seat of Shorestone Hall, along with her young son, to live with her father, brothers, sister-in-law and six female servants. One of her brothers was a theatrical actor. Gwendoline’s son had been born in Bangalore India; this was perhaps explained by her first husband coming from a family of British military personnel. This Gwendoline was most likely the ‘G’ in Andrew’s letters, as her brother is named as an executor in drafts of Andrew’s will and often referred to by Andrew as a “close friend.”

However the relationship between Andrew and “G” did not last the war. Instead, at some point between October and December of 1919, Andrew married Mary Primrose Deane in Dublin. Their only child, Juliette Maeve Isobel Primrose Thorp, was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 1925.

Dene Head House

Ryton on Tyne

 Sunday March 31st 1912

 Dear Tom

 I am sorry I have taken such a long time in writing to you but I haven’t had any real time to do things during the week.  I have been carefully over the draft you sent me several times and I am quite sure now that it expresses my wishes exactly and I can think of no alteration or improvement to be made in it.  I never saw you at the Point to Point but I saw your sister and Colin.  Were you there?  The racing was a bit poor I thought. But there was plenty of rank and beauty about.  Roger Marshall and I had a great time. 

I am coming down to Monkhouse at Easter.

 Yours affect

 Signed:  Andrew Thorp

  Northern Conservative Unionist Club

Newcastle upon Tyne

May 29th 1912

Dear Tom

Can you give me any idea of exact amount of capital I am ever likely to have. After five months in the works, I am afraid I don’t think I can go on with it much longer.  Certainly not for 5 years.  At the end of that time I should either have to sit for several exams which my maths would plough me in I am afraid, or else I should have to go to sea and take my tickets which is not much of a life especially down in the engine room. Can farming be possibly made to pay in England. I don’t want to go abroad.  It seems to me that quite a fair average of farmers, who had nothing very much to start on, have managed to make a living out of it.  Do you know what sort of price I ought to pay for mud-pupilling.  I have not told my people of this at present, I am afraid it will be a great disappointment for them my not getting on with the works as I think they had visions of my becoming a manager in 5 years. 

Yours sincerely

Signed:  Andrew Thorp

 Patten Arms Hotel Warrington

Dated Aug 6th (War-Time – assumed 1914)

 Dear Tom

 I am quartered here till Saturday night when I(crossed through), we leave for Blundelsands.  I shall send my address there to you as soon as I can.  I am in the 3rd bat. of the South Lancs regiment.  I feel I ought to make a new Will.  It is not fair to my people to leave everything to G before I am even engaged really to her.  One never knows what may happen in times like these.  So will you draw one up leaving everything I’ve got to Mary in the 1st instance and if she is dead to Arthur, yourself and Frank Long had better be executors as the War won’t last more than a year or so and I can make a new one if I come through.  The executors had better have £100 each.  I will tell you where to send this for my signature as soon as I know.  At present it will only be police work and guarding the Mersey but we expect to have all to go to Belgium.  We have sent off two drafts already to the other two batts.

 Yours affect

 Signed:  Andrew Thorp,  2nd Lieut, 3rd batt, South Lancs

 

We would like to extend a special thanks to the volunteers who have transcribed and listed these wonderful letters, and for their brilliant research which has brought these individuals to life.


 

First World War Stannington – John Atkin’s story

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During the First World War Stannington Sanatorium continued to run, but there is no doubt the lives of those there were affected by it. We can gain an excellent insight into that time through the lives of a family closely connected with it, the Atkin family. Here we will look at the Philipson Farm Colony manager John Atkin’s wartime farm, and will follow this with another post that will look at his son Robert’s war and a project exploring the men of Stannington village in WWI, and unveil sanatorium nurse Hilda Currie’s (Robert’s wife) album of photographs.

 

John Atkin from Hilda Currie's photograph album (NRO 10361/1/286).
John Atkin from Hilda Currie’s photograph album (NRO 10361/1/286).

John Atkin

John was born on the 28th March 1858 in Rothbury. On the 1861 census we find him living with parents Robert and Joanna in Corbridge. Robert was a Blacksmith from Corbridge, and Joanna was from Rothbury. John had a sister, Isabella, and his 11-year-old uncle Adam lived with the family. This would be a big and busy household as Robert and Joanna would go on to have another six daughters and five sons, and apprentices and visitors also shown on the census. John followed his father into the Blacksmithing trade, and married Margaret. The couple are found on the 1881 census living in Stargate, near Ryton, with John working as a colliery Blacksmith. Their son Robert was born there in 1882, though the family had moved to Scotswood-on-Tyne by the birth of daughter Minnie two years later.

However the family were divided on the 1891 census. John was living at Newburn Hall, Lemington, the sole occupant of a house, and was working as a Blacksmith. Margaret is harder to locate, but it is likely she was a patient in the Royal Infirmary in Newcastle at the time. During her stay there Robert and Minnie had gone to stay with their grandparents Robert and Joanna in Corbridge, the house still busy with aunts and uncles Joanna, Minnie, Matthew, James and Jane, and three visitors.

A 1910 photograph of the Atkin family of Corbridge kindly sent to us by John's Great-granddaughter. John and Margaret are 4th and 5th from left at the back, with Robert on the far right.
A 1910 photograph of the Atkin family of Corbridge kindly sent to us by John’s Great-granddaughter. John and Margaret are 4th and 5th from left at the back, with Robert on the far right.

John became the farmer at Whitehouse Farm in 1900, and on the 1901 census Margaret, Robert and Minnie are all present at Whitehouse, with Robert employed as a farmer’s son. However John was not there. He was boarding with the Nylander family at Newburn Hall, and working as a Blacksmith. Perhaps this was a transition, or he was supporting the family while the farm was still being set up. Five years later the Philipson Farm Colony was established by the PCHA, and John was asked to remain and train the boys in agricultural skills. John grew crops, raised livestock, and he and Minnie kept hundreds of chickens, with the eggs sold to the sanatorium. They also supplied the sanatorium with milk, and sewerage from the sanatorium was used as manure on the fields.

John gave a talk to the Newcastle branch of the Rotary Club, published as an article in the August 1918 volume of the Rotary Wheel magazine, in which he described his endeavour to maximise yield from the farm. At the end of the First World War this was vital as the country became affected by food shortages. John argued these were caused by the farmers’ preference for producing only sheep or cattle, though he felt “they could hardly be blamed for adopting a system that pays them best”. A reliance on imported wheat meant:

“The doctrine of the cheap loaf has carried the day, and we are now paying for it in millions – the neglect of this most important industry has brought us almost within measureable distance of defeat.”

He then described how he had taken on and run Whitehouse farm. The first year’s profits were entirely used in rates, taxes etc., perhaps suggesting why John had found work Blacksmithing again. He turned over more fields to hay, and made a 100% profit on poultry farming. The fields, once drained, produced better crops, and in eight years the yearly value of the farm’s produce rose from £400 to £1200. This was with the help of the boys from the farm colony, and they took the ideas learned from John with them into their adult careers, and even overseas.

John felt that “Well-cultivated land is a national asset, and at any time like the present is equal in value to many Dreadnoughts”. He felt the war would revolutionise farming, and though it did not bring many ‘back to the land’ as he suggested it did bring about greater use of machinery: “In many farm operations the motor will supersede the horse”. However his most important argument for farming to help the war effort lay in the diversity of stock and crops he had introduced in his own farm:

“We scour the world for eggs that might be produced at home … Organisation, co-operation and modern appliances will, I am convinced, make the farming of the future an industry such as it has never been in the past in our country”.

This seems to have worked, as the National Farmers’ Union statistics show that only 50% of eggs and 19% of wheat consumed in Britain originated here in 1914, compared to 87% and 83% in 2013.

John beside an apple tree from Hilda Currie's photograph album (NRO 10361/1/233).
John beside an apple tree from Hilda Currie’s photograph album (NRO 10361/1/233).

The family moved to The Birches in Tranwell Woods, and John built the family a home there in 1910, named White House after the farm. The family lived there for many years. Robert’s granddaughter recalls her father’s memories of following John around his different pursuits, such as beekeeping (never wearing a hat) and growing apples for shows. He also won trophies for shooting with the Hexham Volunteers. His huge greenhouse in which he grew tomatoes and chrysanthemums was destroyed during the Second World War.

We will continue the story with Robert, Helen and Helen’s photograph album in a future post.

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