4th K.O.S.B UNDER CANVAS
In Magdalene Fields, Berwick.
Young “TERRIERS” Looking Fit
Camped on a sheltered spot of the Magdalene Fields near Magdalene Fields House, the 4th Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers are able to go to sleep at nights under canvas, with the call of the sea in their ears and fresh sea breeze in their nostrils.
Berwick has not been favoured by visits of Scotch regiments in Peace times in the past, but it is only fitting that the re-constituted 4th Battalion of the K.O.S.B. Borderers, which is so closely associated with Berwickshire county, should favour a seaside town practically on their own seaboard. The men seem highly pleased with their surroundings and already some of the younger lads who only recently joined are looking smart and fit, while the sea air is giving them a hardy bronzed look.
THE ARRIVAL
Early last week preparations to fix camp were made on the site and by Friday evening there was compact little canvas settlement tucked away under the hill. The main body of men arrived on Saturday evening and marched into camp to the music of the pipes. The pipers in the Battalion band, by the way, were greatly admired by the townspeople as they swung through the streets in their smart Buceleuch tartan kilts and plaids.
COMRADES FETE AT ORD
A TOTAL OF £216 REALISED
The Garden fete organised by the members of the Women’s Section of the Comrades of the Great War, was held on Thursday last at Ord House, the use of the grounds having been kindly lent by Lady F. G. Osborne, President. Although there was little actual sunshine, the weather was good, and the beautiful grounds were looking their best. A large crowd of people, some 800 or more, were present and spent an enjoyable afternoon and evening. There were plenty of attractions to pass the time, and as the primary object of this as of all such functions was to raise money, once past the gate, those present found that wherever they went, there were traps well baited to hold their attention and tempt their purses. The numerous side-shows were kept busy all the time, and the various stalls did a brisk trade. The ices and tea were largely patronised. There was Clock Golf and Bowling on the tennis lawns, a Shooting Range, Aunt Sallies, Hoop-la, Fish Ponds etc., ranged round the front lawns. In the park beyond were the tea tents, and here also many indulged in the fascinating “Bumble Puppy”,” and in the evening a programme of sports was carried out. Tired of wandering round ample seating accommodation was to be had on the lawn, and a pleasant time spent in listening to the delightful music of Allan’s Band, who kindly gave their services at a merely nominal charge. Another attraction was the series of concerts arranged by Lady Osborne, and held in the Garden Room in the grounds during the afternoon. The following artists took part:- Miss Fyson, Mr Maxwell, the Rev. A. E. Warr, Coldstream; Mrs Marrow, Mrs Walter Scott, and Mr J. C. Collingwood. A very amusing dialogue entitled “The Milkmaid” was also acted by Lady Osborne and Miss Joan Leyland, Haggerston Castle. A long queue was always to be found waiting near the fortune telling tent, and also at the Greenhouse, where “Professor Sarbolinky” held forth on Phrenology and Graphology. Considerable amusement was also caused by Capt. Allenby’s successful attempts to dispose of the surplus cakes from the tea stall.
In the evening after sports were over dancing was begun on the tennis lawns, and kept up with vigour to music supplied by Allan’s Band till after 9 p.m. It was then that the refreshments stall under a sweeping old lime tree on the lawn got busy, and the assistants under Lady Osborne had a great run on the excellent lemonade and the variety of cakes.
LOCAL NEWS
Hardly a day goes past without a block occurring on the Old Bridge, occasioned by large motor wagons and char-a-bancs attempting to pass.
It is one policeman’s job to regulate the traffic, and this is by no means easy, as often when a car coming from the English side is let away over the bridge, another appears over the rise at the Berwick end, coming in the opposite direction, and wordy arguments ensue as to who has the right of way. Sergt. McRobb has to act as peacemaker and arbiter in many disputes, and it often happens that he has to make one of the two cars retreat to allow the other to get safely across.
Tweedmouth Feast Sports Committee, who recently ran such a successful foot handicap on Union Park held a meeting in the Thatch House, under the presidency of Mr David Watson, on Tuesday evening. There was a large attendance, and Mr Makins, treasurer, presented the financial statement. This showed the total income of the sports to be £85 3s 4½d, expenditure £71 8s 0½d, leaving a balance of £13 15s 4d to the good. It was unanimously agreed to carry this sum to reserve for next year’s meeting, and the Treasurer was instructed to have it banked in the joint names of Mr Watson, Mr Elvish, and himself. A short discussion took place as to whether the sports next year should be held in the afternoon or evening, and the general feeling was that next time the sports should take place in the afternoon. The officials were re-elected, and agreed to carry on until the Committee were re-constituted in April next. Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr Robertson, Mill Farm, who gave the use of Union Park free, and to the members of the Committee who had stood guarantors for the money to carry out the sports. It was intimated that Mr Roberson had kindly offered the field to the Committee to run a five-a side football competition, for which a local sporting gentleman is offering medals. The proceeds from the competition will go to the sports fund.
THE AUTUMN RAIN STORM
CROPS LAID, CAMPS WRECKED, AND FIELDS FLOODED
Cold stormy weather, savouring more of the middle of November than of August, was experienced on Tuesday night, when a rain storm of great severity broke over the district. From seven o’clock onwards the rain fell without a stop, and half a gale from the sea springing up, as rough a night as has been known for some time was experienced.
Herring boats at sea experienced the full force of the weather as they rode the storm out at their nets, and on shore matters were little better. As reported elsewhere, the camp of the 4th Battalion, K.O.S.B., in the Magdalene Fields, suffered severely. Five marquees were laid flat, and during the night the lot of the men under canvas was not an enviable one.
Considerable damage, it is feared, has been done to crops, and to exposed gardens and allotments. Grain crops on the farms and meadows round about, which were well advanced, are badly laid by the rain and wind, and hay which was still out in the cole, has not been improved by the downpour.
The Tweed, as was to be expected, came down in heavy flood on Wednesday morning, and all the forenoon the flood continued to wax. Low lying fields and grass parks on the river banks in the upper waters were flooded in several places, and the surface of the muddy torrent which swept to the sea was dotted over with gates, pailing stobs, trees, and old wood.
Herring boats lying at the Quay had to put out double head ropes to keep them from being swept away, and in fact one boat at the upper berth, near the old bridge,
was torn from its moorings and cast on to the “grid” of the bridge, where she remained fast for a time, straining badly in the current. She ultimately got off, and proceeded to the dock jetty, out of the swirl of the tide.
So strong was the current in the river on Wednesday that no boats were allowed off from the boathouses. The motor service between Berwick and Spittal was also suspended. A coble which evidently had broken its moorings further up the river was swept to sea during the forenoon. The carcases of several lambs were also noticed being taken down with the flood.