BERWICK ADVERTISER, 16 FEBRUARY 1923

17/02/2023 by Northumberland Archives

BELFORD HALL ESTATE SALE

REALISES BETWEEN £70,00 AND £80,000

Belford has never in all its long history had such exciting days as last Thursday and Friday, when the Belford Hall Estate, divided into 177 lots, was put up for auction by Messrs John D. Wood & Co., London, and practically the whole of the village changed hands. The sale was the one absorbing topic of conversation. The Memorial Hall, west Street, where the sale took place, was crowded both days, even standing room being occupied on the Thursday afternoon. Some were in their seats long before the sale opened and, bringing lunch with them, sat the whole day through, intensely interested in the bidding and the fate of the various lots put up. The auctioneer’s remark that he knew of no district in the whole of England where land had been more tightly tied for generations than in Northumberland was certainly applicable to Belford, where for generations the Squire has held sway and freehold was unknown. For over 200 years the estate has been in the hands of the Atkinson-Clark family, and it is only within the last ten years that any portion of it has been parted with. Some months ago the estate changed hands, being bought by Mr Place, timber merchant, Northallerton, from the Atkinson-Clark family. Almost immediately tenants were acquainted with the change and given an opportunity to purchase their houses, shops, farms, etc. Many did so, and in the weeks prior to the sale negotiations for various parts of the estate were completed, tenants generally being satisfied with the new owner’s reasonable demands. Others preferred to await the sale and did so with no little anxiety as to what the future held in store. There is no doubt Belford was anxious. Shopkeepers and businessmen realised that their living was in the village. If they did not buy, other people would, and they might be turned out. Elderly people living in houses were afraid they would have to turn out and leave the village where they wished to end their days. This anxiety was common to the whole village, and one of the most human touched at the sale was the sympathetic applause from the audience when the fall of the auctioneer’s hammer decided the bidding in favour of a tenant.

High Street, Belford c.1900. Ref: BRO 515/40

Mr Place accompanied by his agent, Mr J. Cleghorn, Wooler, was present throughout the sale on the platform with the auctioneer and took a keen interest in the business. An army of solicitors and clerks from Berwick, Newcastle and Alnwick were present ready to tackle the initial stages in the enormous amount of conveyancing work the sale of so many lots involved. There was a great run on the handsomely got up particulars of the sale, the whole of the 650 copies printed being distributed, and will no doubt be treasured as a reminder of the memorable sale.

The sale included nine farms, varying in size from 50 to 845 acres. Chesters farm, 217 acres, was purchased prior to the sale by Mr G. Scott, whose family have held it for over sixty years. Sionside farm, 333 acres, was also purchased privately by the tenants, Messrs Bowmer, Westhall, 175 acres, and Craggyhall farm, 196 acres, and Belford Moor farm, 845 acres-the largest on the estate-and Westroad farm, 50 acres, and Bricksheds farm, 70 acres, went to buyers from further south in the county. In addition to the farms, the lots included some 112 houses or cottages of varying sizes, 22 shops, two licensed premises, the post Office, Belford Quarry and Maltings, and numerous gardens and acres of accommodation land- in all about 3100 acres, producing an income of about £5000 per annum.

Among premises not offered for sale, having been purchased at various times during the past ten years, were:- The Blue Bell Inn, the Salmon Inn, the Bank, Mr Pringle’s shop in market Place, Mr Tully house in West Street, which he recently enlarged and improved; Mr Bolton the watchmaker’s shop, High Street, which he has occupied for over 30 years, and which, along with house next door and his own shop

Market Place, Belford c.1900. Ref: BRO 426/944

premises, has been bought by Mr Young, baker, High Street; the Police Station, the Primitive Methodist Church in West Street, bought by Mr Young, baker, whose family for generations has been prominently identified with Primitive Methodism in the district. The gas and water supplies, which belonged the estate, were originally included in Belford Hall lot, but were taken out of this, having been purchased by the District Council. The auctioneer said he knew of no better way to protect the interests of the users of water and gas than for the Local Authority to purchase them.

This is only a snippet of the full article in the Berwick Advertiser.

BELFORD IN THE OLDEN DAYS

In the old days Belford was often mentioned in history as a stage in the journey between England and Scotland. Queen Margaret stopped there. Raids from the Borders often reached the village and houses were destroyed. In the reign of Charles I. it is described as “the most miserable beggarly town of sods that ever was made in an afternoon of loam and sticks. In all the town not a loaf of bread, nor a quart of beer, nor a lock of hay, nor a peck of oats and little shelter for horse or man.” In the 18^th century Belford, like many another village, was visited by the plague, the dead being shovelled hastily out of sight in their clothes on Belford Moor. Before the union of 1603, Belford was still a collection of clay-daubed hovels.

High Street, Belford c.1900. Ref; BRO 515/39

The earl of Hertford, in one of his retaliatory expeditions against the Scottish Borders – the one in which he burned the nunnery at Coldstream- was nearly captured at he lay at Belford, but the Scots managed to carry off his chaplain. Whether he was ransomed or died on the spears of jeering Scots is not recorded. At Cockenheugh Crag, about two miles west of Belford is Cuddie’s Cove, a traditional resting place of St. Cuthbert. Along the High Street of Belford, in more recent years, stone residences and shops were built; and a fine old cross, largely, is not wholly, post-mediaeval, stands in the Market Place. The Church of St. Mary, which stands behind the Market Place, dominates High Street. The sacred edifice was rebuilt in 1827. This church was an ancient chapelry in the parish of Bamburgh. The chancel arch (though not its jambs) is original 12^th century work, with zig-zag ornament; and there is said to be some old masonry in the chancel. An old Gazetter of 1823 printed in Berwick states that the church is a neat edifice, near which are vestiges of a chapel and of a Danish camp. The population of Belford in 1823-100 years ago-was 931.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 24TH NOVEMBER 1922

25/11/2022 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK DIVISION ELECTION

DECLARATION OF THE POLL AT ALNWICK

Scenes of Great Enthusiasm In The Constituency

Bonfires, band, and cheering crowds welcome

Mr. Philipson as member For The Division

Alnwick was all agog on Thursday last, when the counting of the votes took place in the Town Hall. Counting started after eleven, and by mid-day a huge crowd gathered in the Market Place. The declaration was expected to be between half-past one and two o’clock, but it was announced shortly before two that the declaration would at least be another hour. Rumours were current that a re-count was taking place, but this was not a fact. About five minutes past four Mr H. Graham Lester, deputy acting Returning Officer, announced the result from the Town Hall steps as follows:-

HILTON PHILIPSON……………….11,933

Walter Runciman……………………7,354

And added. “I declare Mr Hilton Philipson to be the candidate elected for this Division.” (Loud cheers).

Appearing on the Town Hall steps, the new member said he must first of all propose a very hearty vote of thanks to the Returning Officer for the very efficient way in which he and his staff had carried out their duties. He was rather nervous, and he could not very well thank them properly, but he could only say that he was overjoyed by the way in which the people of this constituency had shown that they still wanted all moderate people to work together. (Cheers). He was quite sure that they would agree with him that the fight had been a good fight, a straight fight, and a clean fight. He thanked them very very much from the bottom of his heart, and he hoped that he would justify the confidence they had placed in him. (Cheers).

MR RUNCIMAN CONGRATULATES NEW MEMBER

Mr Runciman then spoke, saying – I wish to second the vote of thanks to the Returning Officer for the courtesy and kindness with which he has conducted today’s proceedings; and in doing so I wish to be the first to publicly congratulate Mr Philipson on becoming the member for this constituency. (Cheers). He has every reason to be proud of a constituency with such a history as this. (Hear, hear). I am glad to think that, although you have not chosen me as your member, you have at least chosen a Northumbrian. (Hear, hear, and cheers). Before passing within the hall Mr Runciman shook hands with the new member.

Mrs Philipson, who responded to calls for a speech thanked the electors in similar terms to what she used later at Berwick.

Berwick Town Hall early 1900’s (c) BRO 426-294

Mr Philipson was then carried shoulder high through the crowd to his motor car. Mr and Mrs Philipson, accompanied by cheering and excited crowd, proceeded slowly in their motor car up the step cobbled slope of Bondgate Hill to the committee room near the Corn Exchange, and Mr Runciman went to his committee rooms in the old “Officers” mess” near Bondgate Tower, where both addressed and thanked their workers.

Mr Philipson, speaking from an upper window, thanked the ladies first and then the Service men. “The way in which my comrades have stood by me has absolutely astounded me,” he said. “I thank everyone for all you have done, and let me say I will never let you down.” (A voice: “Good old lad.”)

Tumultuous cheering and the singing of “He’s a jolly god fellow” followed.

Huge crowds waited at the Town Hall, Berwick, for the election result, and at 4.20 this was announced by the Mayor. The result was greeted with loud cheers. Hand-bills giving the figures were printed at the “Advertiser” and circulated in the town.

THE RECEPTION OF THE NEWS

The constituency generally was staggered at the size of the majority. Those who remembered the last general election did not expect the result before 4 o’clock, and when ballot boxes have to be collected from like Holy Island it is not surprising that Berwick is not among the first results to be declared. That was the real reason for the delay, but when it was announced that a recount was necessary no one was surprised. The rumour ran that Philipson was in by 5, 9, 10, and 15 and other small majorities, which squared with the expectations of the man in the street. Mr Philipson’s own people knew how well he had polled: most of those not in the know expected Runciman to get in by a very small majority, but a recount with Philipson leading seemed not outside the bounds of possibility. The actual figures, as we say, were staggering. There is no getting away from it that the result is a great blow not only to Mr Runicman, but to Viscount Grey. With Sir Donald Maclean defeated, and Mr Asquith over 70, Mr Runciman, if returned, would frequently have acted as leader of the Wee Frees in the House of Commons, so that it is a double loss to him. It is no disparagement to Mr Philipson to say that there would have been advantages to Berwick and the constituency to be represented by one who had been a Cabinet Minister, and was still young, as politicians go. The constituency, however, decided to give a younger and untried man a chance, and there can be no doubt that the votes of the ex-Service men and the ladies brought this about. Mr Runciman is a powerful speaker, a good businessman and courageous. Over confidence was probably his undoing. When he first spoke in Berwick he had a very poor meeting, and he said openly that if Berwick didn’t want him other constituencies would be glad of him. When you are wooing it doesn’t do to take too much for granted. There has been a good deal of bitterness on both sides, and there is no denying that in many quarters Mr Runciman had to face for reasons good or bad considerable personal unpopularity. When that is so, scandal and malice get in a double blow, and spiteful rumours with no foundation undoubtedly did him a great deal of harm. Both candidates being Liberals did not induce their supporters to carry on the contest any more pleasantly, and even in 1906 there was less ill-feeling. In connection with the ex-Service vote, it will be remembered that, without setting foot in the constituency, Capt. Watson-Armstrong in 1918 polled 4397 votes again Sir Francis Blake’s 6721. Mr Philipson has taken his success with great modesty and has now to win his spurs by service in the House.

ENTHUSIAMS AT HIGH PITCH IN BERWICK

MR PHILIPSON’S CAR DRAGGED THROUGH CHEERING CROWDS BY EX-SERVICE MEN

Scenes of unparalleled enthusiasm were witnessed in Berwick on Thursday night, when Mr Philipson arrived to thank the electors. A huge crowd gathered in Hide Hill and Sandgate shortly before six o’clock and numbers of supporters and ex-Service men, who had proceeded to the Bridge End, held up Mr Philipson’s car and, fixing ropes to it they towed it though cheering crowds to Sandgate.

BRO 0426-355 Hide Hill, showing the King’s Arms Hotel, Berwick-upon-Tweed

The member and Mrs Philipson, standing up in the body of the car, acknowledged the cheers and shook the hands of hundreds of enthusiasts who clambered on the footboards. Never in the history of the constituency, since young Edward Grey was dragged in his carriage round the town after defeating Earl Percy, has such a scene been witnessed.

Mr and Mrs Philipson and their friends had difficulty in making their way through the crowd to their committee room. Cheer upon cheer went up, and the young member, towering above the seething crows, could be seen forcing his way to the passage and shaking hands with supporters.

The sash window of the committee room having been removed, the member addressed the crowd from there.

Mr Philipson (who had to stand some time before cheers died down) said- I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me in helping to win this election. (Loud cheers). You have shown me hat, after all, “old soldiers never die.” (Laughter and cheers.) I must thank all of you for what you have done. It is you who have got me into Parliament. (Cheers)…………………………………………whole speech can be read in the Berwick Advertiser

Mrs Philipson (in response to an insistent demand from the crowd) made a neat little speech, which was distinctly heard by all. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, she said. (Cheers). It is a proud moment for me today; for first of all I am proud to think the object his father wished for him- (Loud cheers which drowned part of the sentence)- that he should strive to have the family name of Philipson honoured in the North had come to pass today. (Loud cheers). Secondly, I particularly wish to thank you men and women- (cheers)- who have voted for him for having given him his chance- his first chance in the beginning of his political career- to work in your interests and in the interest of the country. (Loud Cheers) I thank you all, and I promise to help him all I can. (Cheers). Mrs Philipson, kissing her hand to the huge assembly, stepped back from the window amid deafening cheers.

Mr and Mrs Philipson were again dragged in their Austin through the town, and after traversing the north part a return was made to the King’s Arms headed by a piper (Mr James Chisholm). A further speech was made in the King’s Arms, this can be read fully in the Advertiser.

AT THE CONCERT

Thanks to Mr Hilton Philipson’s kind consideration, the concert arranged by Mr W. S. Moor for the evening was a success. In the excitement of the election seats had not booked up too well, and the concert party on arriving in the midst of Berwick rejoicings concluded the affair would be a wash-out. However, Mr Philipson announced in his speech from the King’s Arms Hotel that he and Mrs Philipson would come along to the concert about 9 p.m. This turned the attention of the crowd to the concert, with the result that there were few vacant seats in the Corn Exchange.

Mr Philipson, introduced by Mr W. S. Moor as “our new M.P.,” had a great welcome, the concert party lining up on stage and leading the audience in singing “For he’s a jolly good fellow.” When the cheering quietened down, Mr Philipson again thanked the electors for the honour they had done him that day in putting him in the very proud position of member for the Division. “I cannot,” said Mr Philipson, “possibly hope to compare myself with Lord Grey – (cries of “Question”)- but I will do the utmost I possibly can – (applause)- and try to justify the confidence you have so lavishly given me today.” (Applause). Continuing, Mr Philipson said – I am told that never in the history of this town has there been such a demonstration as tonight. If you want to give three cheers for the people who made this possible, you ought to give them to yourselves and not me. (Applause).

Led by Mr Pike, the audience gave three lusty cheers for Mr Philipson, who afterwards left the Corn Exchange.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 27TH OCTOBER 1922

28/10/2022 by Northumberland Archives

THE GENERAL ELECTION

The break-up of the Coalition makes election prospects in Berwick very complicated. Sir Francis Blake, who supported the Coalition, is retiring, and Mr Hilton Philipson, who has consistently spoken of himself as a Liberal, has until now had the support of the Unionists in the constituency. Will he continue to get it? A meeting of the Unionist Association has been called for Saturday, by which time Mr Bonar Law will have announced his programme at Leeds and Mr Lloyd George will be speaking the same day. It was announced on Wednesday morning that the Conservative headquarters had decided not to bring out further candidates against any Coalition Liberals who are willing to give general support to Mr Bonar Law’s Government. By Saturday both Mr Hilton Philipson and the Unionist Association should know where they stand. There is no such doubt as to Mr Runciman’s position. He will have the support of the Independent Liberals, and there will be no Labour candidate to detach votes from him. Either there will be a straight fight between Mr Runciman and Mr Philipson or a triangular contest between Mr Runciman, Mr Philipson and a Conservative. Until we know more as to what is to happen it is, useless to go into possibilities.

The “Alnwick Gazette,” in which many people understand that Mr Charles Percy has an interest, last week stated that there was a considerable expression of opinion in the constituency – “now that the Conservatives have adopted an independent course- that a Conservative should stand for the Berwick Division. The name of a sitting Member of Parliament, resident in our own district (Alnwick), has frequently been mentioned as the right man to do successful battle on behalf of the Conservative party.” Some people have assumed that the sitting member of Parliament resident in Alnwick might possibly be Mr Charles Percy himself. He heads the list of five candidates at the poll at Tynemouth in 1918 with a majority of about 450 votes over the next candidate, and he announced some time ago that he would not recontest the seat. This would not prevent his standing as an Independent Conservative candidate for North Northumberland with or without official support.

HOLY ISLAND

The new hostess at No. 10 Downing Street will probably be Lady Sykes (ness Miss Isobel Law), Mr Bonar Law’s eldest daughter. She was married to major Sir Frederick Sykes in May, 1920, and the couple, it will be remembered, came by aeroplane to Holy Island for their honeymoon.

On Friday evening the harvest thanksgiving festival was held in St. Mary’s Parish Church. The church was most elaborately decorated with beautiful fresh flowers, abundance of fruit, vegetable, corn- perfect in taste and beauty. Certainly the churchy has never looked prettier; the font was laden with flowers, green sprays and vegetables making a pretty border round the bottom. The pulpit had handsome sheaves of corn as a background, with apples in rows round the front and bunches of black grapes hanging to each lamp, and different coloured flowers and green covering the body of the pulpit. The altar, too, was magnificent with lovely white flowers and brass brightly polished, and apples in rows in front of the altar rails and two huge sheaves of corn with white loaves round them.

St. Mary’s Parish Church. REF: BRO 426/1108

The fisherman’s aisle was decorated with the harvest of the sea, the “lines” with fish attached hung prettily from each pillar. The oars and small boat and seaweed made it exquisite. The next most touching site was a pretty cross of flowers and greens placed by loving hands below each memorial tablet of departed friends. The Rev. H. Haslam, Vicar of Beadnell, preached a very inspiring and striking sermon to large congregations, while the choir rendered a pretty anthem- “Oh, Lord, how good and manifold are Thy works”- in perfect style. The hearty singing of harvest hymns and Psalms brought the service to a close, the organist (Miss Bell) doing her part exceeding well. The services on Sunday at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. were conducted by the Vicar.

FALL IN BIRTH AND DEATH RATES

The Medical Officer’s quarterly report for period ending 30^th September, having been printed and circulated, was taken as read. The report, adopted without comment, was as follows: – There has been a marked fall in the Birth Rate as compared with the preceding quarter and “a most remarkable fall in the Death Rate. This latter is in keeping with similar fall noted all over the country. The small number of deaths in infants (4), including only two from infantile diarrhoea, is due to the cold damp summer. Infectious disease in the borough remained slight in amount. Six cases of scarlet fever occurred and all were removed to hospital, as was the one case of diphtheria. The new Hospital Wards have been in use during the period and have proved to be very convenient and comfortable. The Child Welfare Centre continues to be well attended.

The births in Berwick were 13 boys, 17 girls, a total of 30; in Tweedmouth, 8 boys, 9 girls, a total of 17; in Spittal, 2 boys, 4 girls, a total of 6; making a total for the whole borough of 23 boys, 30 girls- 53.

The deaths in Berwick were 4 males, 10 females, a total of 14; in Tweedmouth, 5 males, 7 females, a total of 12; in Spittal, no males, 3 females, a total of 3; making a total for the Borough of 9 males, 20 females-29. The ages at death were:- Under 1 year, 4; 1 to 5, 3; 5 to 15, 1; 15 to 45, 5; 45 to 60, 7; 60 to 70, 1; 70 to 80, 4; 80 to 90, 3; 90 upwards, 1.

Causes of death were:- Whooping cough, 1; phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis), 3; cancer, malignant disease, 4; organic heart disease, 5; pneumonia (all forms), 1; other diseases of respiratory organs, 2; diarrhoea and enteritis (under 2 years), 1; appendicitis and typhlitis, 1; congenital debility, etc., 3; violent deaths excluding suicide, 1; other defined diseases, 7; total, 29.

Of Infectious Diseases there were the following cases:- Scarlet fever, 6; pneumonia, 3; tuberculosis, 2; erysipelas, 2; diphtheria, 1; total, 14. Removal to hospital, 6 cases.

LOCAL NEWS

With a strong sea running and a stiffish south-easterly gale combining to make conditions bad enough for a wreck, Berwick lifeboat crew were summoned for a practice on Thursday afternoon. After a smart launch, the boat proceeded down the river under oars. When the end of the Pier was reached sails were hoisted, and the boat ran for a considerable distance out to sea, bearing towards the Farnes.

Light House and Berwick Pier REF: BRO 1636/7/13

She then turned round and made for home, after having been out for about an hour. The bar was somewhat difficult to negotiate. A crowd at the River View Works at Spittal Point were interested in the practice, as well in watching the inroads of the sea, the waves are high tide breaking on to the roofs of the works. Groups of people on the Walls and Pier watched with admiration the lifeboat crew undertake their unpleasant task in answer to the rocket’s summons.

A very successful dance, organised by the dressmakers of Messrs Paxton and Purves, Ltd., was held in the King’s Arms Assembly Rooms on Wednesday night. About 38 couples were present. Everything was conducted in a very business-like way, and a great deal of the success depended upon the non-dancing friends of the organisers who assisted in the preparation and serving of supper.

Paxton & Purves, 1960’s REF: BRO 1944/1/3443/2

There was no “sitting out,” the enticements of the orchestra under the direction of Sergt. Parker were much too strong, for the very latest and best music was played in perfect time. At one o’clock everyone made for home tired but happy.

On Tuesday and Wednesday last week a meeting for retriever trials in connection with the Scottish Field Trials Association was held on the Mellerstain estate near Gordon by permission of the Earl of Haddington. In the trials on Tuesday, Capt. H. Liddell Grainger’s dog, “Troop of Faskally” (Labrador) was placed 4^th in the open stakes for all ages. The non-winners’ stakes were decided on the Wednesday at the farm of Darlingfield, Gordon. Colonel Trotter, Charterhall, acted as one of the guns. The hole of the “work” took place over ideal ground for the purpose, principally among roots, and, notwithstanding the bad season, it provided a fine variety of game, especially partridges.

A COMPLAINT AS TO DIRTY WAGGONS

The Committee of the Berwick Branch of the National Farmers’ Union agreed at their meeting on Saturday to send a resolution to their Executive expressing the hope that railway companies would exercise proper care in the cleansing of waggons and that a supply of sawdust be available at all stations for those who use it. The discussion arose out of a complaint made by Mr J. Rand Gainslaw, that sheep he had purchased at Wooler were put into a filthy waggon and he had been charged for sawdust that had never been put in the waggons. If thousands of sheep were coming to the sales the railway company ought to be prepared for the traffic. Mr W. Davidson, East Learmouth, moved the resolution, which was carried, an amendment by Mr J. B. Barr, Moneylaws, to take no notice of the dirty waggons, as this was a rare occasion, being lost by 7 votes to 2.

Mr Davidson urged the importance of sawdust being put into the waggons as perhaps more cruelty was done to animals by not putting in sawdust than in any other way. If sent in waggons to England without sawdust, sheep could not walk when they got out.

Mr J. R. Wood supported Mr Barr. Were owners of stock inclined to pay for sawdust? There were two sides to consider. He knew that on trucks of sheep arriving at Wooler sales the railway company had put men on there and then to get the waggons cleaned to get the sheep away from the sale. On one occasion he had had the choice of getting his stock home the night of the sale if he used a dirty waggon or of waiting till the next day to get a clean waggon. It was often to the benefit of purchasers of sheep to get them away the same night. Had Mr Rand taken any steps to bring his case before the railway company?

Mr Rand- I thought it was a suitable case for the National Farmers’ Union to take up.

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