BERWICK NEWSPAPERS, 1923

BERWICK JOURNAL, 12 APRIL 1923

ST. MARY’S CHILDREN’S CONCERT

St. Mary’s Church, Castlegate, 1980’s Ref: BRO 1497-101

On Easter Monday and Tuesday the children of St. Mary’s Berwick, gave a very excellent programme in the operetta “Zurika, the Gipsy Maid, or captive Pricess,” by Clementina Ward. Monday, to a packed house; Tuesday, to a good audience.

The programme each night opened with one verse of God Save the King, with Harry Manuel standing with the Union Jack and calling the audience to attention.

KING AND QUEEN HONOUR BERWICK LADY

The King and Queen have sent autographed portraits of themselves to rev. A. H. Kelk, Rector of Goldsborough, Yorks, and Mrs Kelk, as souvenirs of the christening of the infant son of Princess Mary and Viscount Lascelles. The latter have given Mr and Mrs Kelk a handsome silver inkstand, with facsimile inscription “From Mary and Lascelles.”

Mrs Kelk is a native of Berwick, and member of old Family of Berwick Freemen. She was Miss Bessie mark, daughter of the late Mr Kingston Mark, Church St., Berwick, who at one time held important Government position in Woolwich Dockyard, and was intimate friend of late Duke of Cambridge.

BEFORE BERWICK BENCH-CHILDREN’S COURT

At a Children’s Court on Wednesday, before R. Boston, Esq., Miss Henderson, T. Bolus, C. Forsyth and G.N. Broadbent, Esqs., a Berwick boy, remanded a fortnight ago on a charge of throwing stones from a catapult, and to be medically examined, was again before Court.- Mr Wallace, probation Officer, handed in a letter from Dr T. P. Caverhill, which stated that 7 years ago when in Haddington, he had attended the boy after an accident when he suffered from a fractured skull. This was the cause of his present condition, and he was practically not responsible for his actions. – Mr Wallace said the boy’s parents had no control over him, and were anxious to get him into a home.- The case was adjourned for another fortnight in order that Supt. Halliday might get into communication with the Committee in Newcastle, and to make further enquiries.

FORD FARM STUDENT FINED-DRUNK INCHARGE OF A MOTOR CAR

At Kelso Police Court yesterday, Provost Middlemas presiding, Alistair Paton, farming student, Ford Westfield, Cornhill, was fined 40s, or 20 days in prison, for being drunk while in charge of a motor car in Kelso Square on 6th March.

The case had been adjourned from a fortnight ago, owing to Mr Guthrie, the Burgh Prosecutor, desiring to withdraw the summons, because the accused had already tho?? his assize through being convicted for a similar offence committed on the same day at Galashiels.

The Provost held that the two cases were quite distinct, and imposed the penalty stated above.

LOCAL NEWS

“The Anchorage,” Woolmarket, Berwick, to be sold by public auction, is one of Berwick’s best-known houses, for it was the Home of Dr Johnston and his daughter, Mrs Barwell Carter,

The Anchorage, Woolmarket, 1959 Ref: BRO 1250/205

who for so many years welcomed Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club within its walls, on the Club’s annual visit to Berwick. Dr Johnston was Founder of the Club, and each year his daughter showed and explained many of the personal treasures of this gifted Citizen.

BERWICK TOWN COUNCIL

A meeting of Berwick Town Council was held on Tuesday evening. Present: The Mayor; Ald. Cowe, Wilson; Couns. Brewis, Morrison, Blench, Dickinson, Anderson, (Mrs) Edminson, Lockhart, Martin Bolus, Boston, Watt, Dudgeon, Redpath, Stuart; with the Clerk (Mr Twigg), the Land Steward (Mr Bolam), the Accountant (Mr Gibson).

Apologies were intimated from the Sheriff and Coun. Lyall. The Mayor expressed regret that Coun. Lyall was not able to be out yet but hoped he would soon be among them again. (Hear, hear).

CONDOLENCES

The Mayor made feeling reference to the bereavement suffered by Ald. Boston and Mr Adam Aird, both of whom had a long connection with the Council, and on his motion it was agreed to send a letter of condolence to Ald. Boston. The members showed their approval by rising to their feet.

TO FREE FREEMEN’S ESTATE

In accordance with notice given a month ago, Coun. Edminson was to have moved :- That in view of the necessity of the provision of a site for Housing in connection with the recent gift of Mr W. H. Askew, the Town Council as Trustees of the Freemen’s Estate instruct the Farm and Works Committee to consult with the Freemen of the Borough in order that steps may be taken either by the promotion of a Bill or otherwise to free the lands included in the First Three Schedules of the Settlement Act from the restrictions against the sale of such lands.

The Mayor suggested that in view of the recommendation from the Farm and Works Committee, to the meeting, she should defer her motion until then. This she agreed to do.

The farm and Works Committee reported: – In connection with the question of Road Works, etc., for the purpose of developing lands in Schedule 3 of the Corporation Act, 1843, for building purposes, the Town Clerk reported receipt of a letter from the Charity Commissioners expressing the opinion that they see no reason to dissent from Counsel’s opinion on the subject, taken in 1906. The opinion in question was that such an expenditure is lawful. The Committee agreed that a meeting be held with the Freemen’s Committee in order to discuss whether action cannot now be taken to obtain the removal of the restrictions upon the transfer of lands included in the first three schedules to the Act.

The mayor moved the adoption of the report and explained that the matter came up on the letter from the Charity Commissioners. Coun. Bolus seconded.

Mrs Edminson withdrew her motion.- Agreed.

SPORTS AND PASTIMES

With opening in Berwick Town of 1923 Golfing Season has come the usual wandering about the Course by people – (especially children)- who have no right to be there, but who are, apparently and unfortunately, allowed to go about wherever they like on the Course, and to do very much as they please. Such a state of things makes for trouble. Indeed, a serious accident has already occurred, whereby a youngster was struck on the face by a golf ball. The child has no right to be where it was at the time and was unseen by the players until the accident occurred.

Magdalene Fields Golf Course, 20th Century Aerial photograph, Berwick-upon-Tweed

No blame can be attributed to the golfers. But the management of the Course must take reasonable steps to stop the continuous trespass, which has become not only a nuisance but a danger. In case of accidents, the Law will not protect them unless they are able to show that reasonable steps have been taken to warn the Public. Indeed, in the matter of trespass the Law will hold that there is no trespass until the trespasser has been personally warned off the place.

Among latest improvements as Goswick Golf Club House is the erection of a smoke-room, which will help to lessen congestion in the luncheon and tea-room, where, hitherto, people have sat on after meals, and kept others waiting unduly for their food.

A Border lady, whose people belonged to Duns says her father played golf at the age of 93. Lord Joicey, who often motors over from Ford Castle to play on Goswick Course, is 77, and thus has a long way to go yet. We hope to see him enjoying Golf at 93.

Congratulations to Wooler Golf Club on getting into 2nd Round of Northumberland County Contest for “Newcastle Chronicle” Cup. Wooler (Geo. Tully and R. Redpath) beat Tynedale (W. Raisbeck and J. Turner) by 4 up and 3 to play- very creditable victory. Prompter hopes they’ll do well next round.

This Week in World War One, 25 August 1916

Berwick Advertiser title 1915

 

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 25 AUGUST 1916

 

THE FREEMEN’S ACADEMY

 

It is hoped that the Freemen may give an attentive ear and serious consideration to the timeous and admirable suggestion made by Mr Charles Forsyth as to opening he Corporation Academy to a wider circle of fee paying pupils. It is when one contrasts the finely equipped elementary schools – palatial to a degree, which have been erected in many of the larger towns in Scotland, and the concentration and co-ordination of educational institutions, which a few years ago were run as separate units, that one realises how far Berwick is behind the times. Let some of the Berwick people visit a reasonably sized Scottish town and inspect the facilities and benefits which the children there enjoy, and he will return to the Border town a little crestfallen.

Statue of Andrew Carnegie, Pittencrieff Park, Chambers Street, Dunfermline, Fife. © userkilnburn wikimedia commons.
Statue of Andrew Carnegie, Pittencrieff Park, Chambers Street, Dunfermline, Fife. © userkilnburn wikimedia commons.

 

The days of educational institutions run for one particular class is a thing of the past – the desire is to extend educational facilities in all directions. Mr Andrew Carnegie, in opening the Scottish Universities to poor students, has emphasised this, and has proved a national benefactor. The Freemen need not for a moment think they are running any risks if they act on the commendable suggestion Mr Forsyth makes; but, on the other hand, if the Corporation School is maintained for a small section of pupils, which is getting more attenuated each year, it will tend to bring deserved public criticism on what may be genuinely regarded as a scandal.

 

LOCAL NEWS

 

The N.F. and the V.C. – The Northumberland Fusiliers, whose curious notion that they were not eligible for the V.C. has just been removed by the War Office, are one of the British regiments in existence, and have a bewildering wealth of distinctions. Well do they deserve their nickname of the “Fighting Fifth” ( “the ever-fighting, never-failing Fifth”), for since their baptism of fire at Maestricht, two centuries and a quarter ago, they have been in the thick of it in almost all our wars, and boast no fewer than 18 battle honours. For an amazing feat at Wilhelmstahl, when they took double their own number of enemy prisoners, the Fifth were granted the very rare honour of a third colour, and for another exploit they are privileged to wear roses in their caps on St. George’s Day.

Northumberland Fusiliers at Thiepval Sept 1916 © Brooks, Ernest (Lt) - Imperial War Museum - IWM_Q_1349
Northumberland Fusiliers at Thiepval Sept 1916 © Brooks, Ernest (Lt) – Imperial War Museum – IWM_Q_1349

 

The erroneous impression that no Victoria Cross can be gained by the Northumberland Fusiliers used to be an actual fact in the case of the Brigade of Guards. When the medal was instituted it was not everywhere received in the spirit intended. The Guards’ officers decided that all men in the brigade were equally brave; this crystallised into a tradition, with the result that no recommendations for the V.C. were ever forwarded to Headquarters from a Guards regiment. But with new men came new manners, and now the Guards as well as the “Fighting Fifth” stand an equal chance with the rest of the Army.

The War Hospital Supply Depot in Bridge Street, Berwick, will open to the public on Saturday first, when everyone should take the opportunity of seeing the great work done here for our wounded soldiers and sailors.

 

BERWICK BOARD OF GUARDIANS

HOW THE WAR AFFECTS US

 

A meeting of the Berwick Board of Guardians was held in the Board Room of the Workhouse on Monday. Mr James Mowitt (chairman) presided, and other members present were Miss A. E. Henderson, Mrs J. G. Willits, the Rev. Robert Leggat, the Rev. W. M. Smythe, Dr Wm. Smyth, Mr James Chisholm, Mr Geo. W. Glahome, mr Thomas Aird, Mr George Morrison, Mr F. Richardson, Mr Geo. A. Turnbull, Capt. J. C. Collingwood, Mr John R. Wood, Mr Ed. Waugh, Mr Mathew C. Robertson, Mr Aaron D. Morton, Mr James H. Armstrong, Mr George R. Lumsden, Mr Robert Boston, and Mr John A. Stewart; also attending Mr Robert Smith, acting clerk, and Mr A. H. Banks, Workhouse master.

SOLDIER AND SAILOR LUNATICS

The Plymouh Guardians forwarded the following letter:-

Dear Sir,

           Soldier and Sailor Lunatics.

Since the outbreak of war, a number of lunatic soldiers and sailors have been transferred to the Borough asylum and made chargeable to the poor rates of this Incorporation under the provisions of the Army Annual Act, section 91. The Guardians are of opinion that it is highly improbable that more than a small proportion of the men in question, would have become lunatics, had It not been for the stress and strain of the war, and under the circumstances, they consider that their maintenance should be a national and not a local charge. They also consider it is very undesirable that men whose mental facilities have become deranged while serving their country, should be classified as pauper lunatics, and are, therefore, urging the Association of Poor Law Unions of England and Wales to take whatever action they may deem advisable, either by deputation or representations in Parliament, with the object of bring about such alteration in the law, as shall remove from the statute book, the provision which enables soldiers and sailors on their discharge from the army and navy as lunatics, to be made a charge upon the poor rates. The Guardians will be glad to hear that your Board are prepared to support them in this matter and that they will instruct their Association Representatives accordingly.

Yours truly, W.H. DAVY

Clerk to the Guardians.

Captain Collingwood, Mr Richardson, and Mr Armstrong supported the terms of the letter, and I was unanimously agreed to approve of same.