History

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 25TH NOVEMBER 1921

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DEVELOPMENT OF BERWICK

The second article in the “Edinburgh Evening News” dealing with Berwick was as followed:- Linked up with the development project previously outlined there is another scheme which the unemployment emergency may force into speedy practical operation. Local authorities everywhere are finding great difficulty in providing work for the unemployed, the cost of which can be absorbed, in the largest possible proportion, in wages, but Berwick, although its unemployment problem is not so acute as in many places,  could at once address itself to a work of improvement which meets that qualification. What is proposed is the levelling and laying out of a promenade on the low-lying sea cliffs which, extending within the borough for three miles from north to south, skirt the area that has been suggested for town-planning and continue for some distance on the Spittal side of the river.

This line of sea front, is uneven just now, but it has beautiful turf. There is at present only a narrow and ill-defined path, but a beautiful promenade could be made which would greatly enhance the attractiveness of the town. There is reason to believe that more will be heard of this proposal in the near future.

SCHEME OF RECONSTRUCTION

With regard to the houses which have been scheduled as unhealthy and call for reconstruction, it is proposed, if and when reconstruction takes place, that the first areas to be dealt with will be those from the ramparts between the Scotsgate and Wallace Green, and between High Street, Church Street, and the Town Hall.

Elevation of Houses in Wallace Green from Sanitary Report Ref: E.26-7-18a

Wallace Green should be hallowed ground for patriotic Scots. When Wallace was executed in 1305, one half of his body was ordered to be exposed on Berwick Bridge, and, according to tradition, his left arm was buried in the Wallace Green.

Berwick is justly proud of its Town Hall, which, dating from about 1755, has a tetrastyla Doric portico and a tower surmounted by a spire 150 feet high and occupies a commanding position at the foot of High Street, but the wit of man could not have conceived a more inconvenient situation for it. To make the bottom corners reasonably safe for traffic would entail carrying back the frontage on both sides of the street a very considerable extent.

Such a project could not be undertaken all at once. Building lines should, however, be laid down, and any rebuilding made to comply with them, so that the improvements could gradually take shape. It is from the spire of the Town Hall that the curfew bell rings at eight o’clock every evening, Berwick being one of the few remaining towns where this ancient custom is observed daily as a reminder of a bye-gone age is the existence of the old wooden stocks in a conspicuous place to the right of the Town Hall entrance.

THE SCOTSGATE

The original war memorial scheme having been dropped, the Scotsgate at the top of high Street has been given a fresh lease of life. The Scotsgate was once the most important of all the gates, and originally was in architectural harmony with the ramparts, of which it forms part, but the present structure has neither architectural nor antiquarian value.

A public improvement embodying a much needed widening of the road was proposed by the War Memorial Committee for the removal of the Scotsgate, and on the wall face which would require to have been built after the demolition, it was intended to place large bronze tablets depicting a naval and a military incident in the Great war, together with the names of the 450 gallant townsmen who fell. But a cry of “vandalism” was raised, and the scheme fell through.

War Memorial, Castlegate, Berwick-upon-Tweed. © Copyright J Thomas – (cropped image) Creative Commons Licence 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0).

Instead of one memorial for the whole borough, Tweedmouth and Spittal went forward with memorial of their own, and Berwick is now to have its memorial in the shape of a bronze figure of Victory on an open space in front of St. Mary’s Church in Castlegate.

INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION

Only a moderate shipping trade is now carried on at the harbour, but a case could  be made out for Berwick greatly extending its harbour and vitalising its industrial activities.

Berwick is probably the nearest British port to the Baltic, and an important development of the timber trade suggests itself as the only one consequence of future harbour extension. Berwick is admirably situated to be a busy seaport and an inland distributing centre. Much of its present prosperity depends upon its service to the agricultural communities in Berwickshire and Northumberlandshire. As matters stand there is a considerable import of timber for the well-known saw mills at Tweedmouth.

Other local industries are connected with fishing and agriculture. There are important implement works in the town proper and a big manure facture at Spittal. The corn and cattle markets rank very high in the country, and before the war more barley was exported coastwise than from any other port in the Kingdom. Pride of place should probably be given to the fishing industry. The salmon fisheries have always been famous and the herring fishing with its attendant trades of curing, smoking, and coopering is carried on in the town on a large scale. This has unfortunately been a disastrous season for the herring fishery, and Spittal feels particularly sore about it, because improved accommodation for the fishing boats has only recently been provided.

INADEQUATE RAILWAY STATION

When one considers the importance of Berwick as a railway centre, its position as the terminus of the North British and North eastern systems and the splendid enterprise of the former company some 70 years ago in erecting the Royal Border bridge with its 28 noble arches, one is amazed to find the content with such a mean, inadequate, and squalid railway station. A new railway bridge outside the station has, however, just been completed, and it may be assumed that this is the first stage in the erection of a properly equipped station.

Berwick Station, although a poor affair, occupies a proud site, the ruins of the old Castle having been demolished to make way for it. Only a fragment remains of that famous fortress, the scene of grim battle and weighty council that decided much in Scottish history.

Railway poster from the 1930s, shows the punishment of Isabella, Countess of Buchan, in the 1300s.
Ref: BA/W/6

The present booking office stands on the site of what was the great hall of Berwick castle in which Edward I assembled the gathering of nobles which decided as between Bruce and Baliol for the Scottish Crown. The same English King has a sinister connection with the Castle by having shut up for four years in a wicker basket with its walls the Countess of Buchan for placing the Crown upon the head of Bruce at Scone.

THE ANCIENT WALLS

Upon whatever lines Berwick of the future chooses to develop it will for ever possess peculiar charm as one of the few walled towns that remain in Great Britain. Only scant relics exist of the Edwardian walls, but the earth-works of the Elizabethan Walls, now converted into a well-appointed grass-banked promenade, encircle the old town for about a mile and a half, and afford land and sea views of rare beauty and interest.

For all their romantic charm the Walls have seriously contributed to the congestion of buildings and hindered expansion, and for proper expansion it would be necessary to make openings through them without obstructive archways. No one dreams of destroying the Walls, but to cut a slice here and there would open out the town and would not obscure the fact that they were once continuous. From the Walls many interesting landmarks of the town can best be viewed, including two places which this year are entitled to centenary notice. Berwick barracks have now reached the 200th year of their age.

Fuller’s engraving of Berwick Barracks 1799. Ref: BRO 1637-04

The other place of centenary interest is the Pier, which was completed in 1821. It is about half a mile length, and is one of the favourite walks of the townspeople, who have peculiar affection for their lighthouse, a noble building on the end of their Pier, dating from 1826.

Berwick stretches its burghal sphere of influence to the south side of the Tweed to embrace Tweedmouth and Spittal. Access to Spittal is obtained by a ferry, the landing stage of which might with great advantage be made more convenient for the public.

The southern suburbs of Tweedmouth and Spittal, the latter enjoying much popularity as a holiday resort, displaying those wholesome pro-pressive tendencies which, in an increasing degree are today characteristic of the whole borough. A new atmosphere is being created in Berwick, and while little can be done immediately, the spirit of progress has awakened, and in due course will make itself felt.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 14TH OCTOBER 1921

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HORNCLIFFE MEMORIAL HALL

OPENING CEREMONY

What may be termed as Horncliffe’s completion of her memorial schemes to her fallen sons was the opening of the Memorial Hall on Thursday. Favoured by delightful weather, there was a crowded attendance within the building when Mr Alec. Ritson, Thornton, declared it open in fitting terms.

There still remained a debt of £200 to be cleared off, however, and immediately after a sale of work, for which preparations have been going on for many months, followed. Business was very brisk during the afternoon, which augured well for the effort being successful.

Horncliffe War Memorial © Eric Musgrave (WMR-33471)

THE OPENING CEREMONY

Capt. F. C. H. Allenby, R. N., presided, and in calling upon Mr Thornton to declare the hut open, made fitting reference to those who had returned after enduring hardships for the sake of those at home. He mentioned that they had collected the sum of £583 to date for the Memorial and the Hut, and he hoped that at the end of the day they would be able to raise the greater part of the £200 to clear off the debt still standing on the building. They could not, he proceeded, have selected one more fitting than Mr Ritson to declare the Hall open. He was always willing to help and serve the community. He much regretted that he suffered from ill-health, but he had served his country to the best of his ability in the War. He knew he felt deeply he was unable to serve in the trenches. He remembered a service friend of his telling him that he wished all men would only do their duty in the sphere they were told off for, and Mr Ritson had always done his duty in his own sphere, rather than call on other people to do it. (Applause).

VISCOUNT GREY AT BERWICK

A LONG AND THOUGHTFUL SPEECH

For some weeks Berwick has been a centre of political interest, on account of Viscount Grey’s return to active politics in support of Mr Walter Runciman in his candidature for the Berwick-upon-Tweed Division, and on Monday night the Corn Exchange was filled with an audience drawn from all classes of opinion in the constituency. The daily and Sunday newspapers have been prophesying that Viscount Grey was to assume the leadership of the Independent Liberals, and again that he was to announce an alliance with Lord Robert Cecil. Neither of these things came off. The meeting was arranged in support of Mr Runciman, and the main thing that came out of Viscount Grey’s speech was that he was in entire sympathy with the Independent Liberals and Mr Runciman. Whether he will be able to remain in the background time will show. There was a large gathering on the platform, and the list we give of those present will also be interesting for its omission of some who have been prominent Liberals in the past, but who are not at the moment “Independents.” In addition to the two prominent speakers there were: – Mr. R. C. Bosanquet, president of the Berwick-upon-Tweed Liberal Association ( in the chair) and Mrs Bosanquet; Mrs Runciman; Sir Walter and Lady Runciman; Mr G. W. Hindmarsh, chairman of the Executive; Ald. T. Wilson. J. P.; Messrs Gerald France, M.P.; Wm. Macdonald, Rock; Rutherford, Seahouses; A. Mitchie, Alnwick; J. Clark, Belford; the Rev. C. L. Stowe, Berwick; D. Elliot, Belford; Mrs Richardson, Berwick; Messrs R. Boston, Spittal; J. Boston, Spittal; Ald. P. Boston, Spittal; W. Nelson, Lowick; J. H. Culley, Kirknewton; T. L. McAndrews, Amble; Miss Boston, Spittal; Messrs F. R. Padley, Wooler; J. Seals, Berwick; A. Younger, Allerdean; Councillor Dudgeon, Berwick; T. Elder, Berwick; Ald. J. Elder, Berwick; Miss Hume, Alnwick; Messrs H. Dowsett, Northern Liberal Federation; D. Elliot, Alnwick; C. Hindmarsh, Alnwick; H. W. Willits, Berwick; J. Cleghorn, Wooler; F. Hindmarsh, Alnwick; J. B. Beveridge, Tweedmouth; T. Morrison, Berwick; J. J. Simmen, Berwick; lady Robson; Miss Gregson, secretary Women’s Liberal Association; Mr W. A. Edwards, secretary Berwick Divisional Liberal Association, and Mrs Edwards; Mr J. Macnab, Beal.

Image from the Berwick Advertiser 4 December 1858, opening of the newly erected Corn Exchange, Berwick-upon-Tweed.

When the party filed onto the platform, amid cheers, there was a pause for a flashlight photograph, and then Mr Bosanquet welcomed Viscount Grey on his return to the constituency from which he had been taken during the war, assuring him that their love and pride and confidence in him were unabated. A rapturous welcome greeted Viscount Grey when he rose. There was a marked improvement in his appearance since he last spoke in Berwick at the War Memorial Meeting. He was more vigorous in his gestures, and had much less difficulty in referring to his notes, which were brief. At one point he was speaking with uplifted arm, and there was another disturbing flash from the camera, which should never have been allowed. We give below a full report of the speech. There was no lack of ability in the Government, he said, but great ability was combined with extreme instability of policy, which had shaken the confidence of people both at home and abroad. We saw it in their treatment of Russia, Mesopotamia, the French Government and the Labour Party, with whom they had played fast and loose over Nationalisation. His most important remarks were on Ireland, and it is a pity that they were not made months ago. We should clear our minds, he said, of sentiment and gush and face the facts of the situation, instead of pretending to be generous after our policy of reprisals had failed. His only reservation to admitting Ireland as a full partner to Dominion partnership was that the naval defence of both islands should be under one naval authority. His last topic was unemployment, and the only permanent remedy in his opinion was good trade. Nationalisation was not the remedy but labour should have its share in the management of industry- an important admission. The speech was well received. There was silence while Lord Grey spoke of nationalisation, loud applause when he said that time had shown the South Africans that in negotiating with them we had been speaking in good faith and that what we had promised had come true. References to Mr Gladstone and Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman were also cheered. Indeed one felt that at the back of Viscount’s Grey’s mind was the thought of what a difference it would have made if Home Rule had been accepted, as it was first offered by the great leaders he had a served under.

TWEEDMOUTH RATEPAYERS’ MEETING

In the absence of Alderman Elder, Councillor Brewis presided over a large and orderly meeting of Tweedmouth ratepayers in the Mitchell memorial Hall on Wednesday night. Supporting him were Councillor Watt, Mr T. Douglas, Mr D. Watson, Mr Eales, and Mr Bradford. Apologies were sent by Councillor Lockhart and Mr Trainer.

Councillor Brewis, in his opening address, touched on various topics. With regards to the Glasgow Steel Company he thought the non-Freemen were wrong in commencing their activities when the negotiations with the Council were at a critical stage. He thought it was only when the Company saw that the Freemen and non-Freemen could not agree among themselves that they decided to go elsewhere. He could assure any industrial company that wanted to establish themselves in their neighbourhood that Tweedmouth could supply them with a site and equal railway facilities.

The opening of the housing scheme on Monday was a great event for Tweedmouth. The cost to Tweedmouth was a penny in the pound, and the income taxpayers in the country found the rest. They welcomed the new residents. Unfortunately they would not see the whole scheme carried out; in fact, full consent had not yet been obtained for the present addition of twenty-four.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 29TH JULY 1921

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TWEEDMOUTH FEAST FESTIVITIES

Splendid Racing on Land and Water

Rain Spoils Cycle Races on Monday

The time honoured festival of Tweedmouth Feast was celebrated this year on a much more ambitious scale than has been the rules for some years past. There were amusements for all, from the round-abouts and side shows in the West End for the youngsters and the frivolous, to professional and amateur races on the flat, cycle races, and a salmon coble regatta.

Tweedmouth Feast, 1966. Ref: BRO 1944-1-4597

The crowd in the town over the weekend was well up to previous standards, and from the Tyneside area large number of old Twampies and Berwickers came back to observe the old ceremony. At the Sports, perhaps the crowd was slightly smaller than in previous years, but the running made it well worth the while of those who patronised the event. Tweedside Cyclists had a great night on Tuesday, and seldom has finer racing been seen.

The Feats of 1921 will be remembered as one crowded weekend of first class sport.

TWEEDMOUTH SHOW,

BERWICK HORSE PROCESSION INCLUDED,

A SUCCESSFUL START TO A NEW VENTURE

When the question of reviving the old time Berwick Horse Procession came up this year, the Committee with a knowledge of past difficulties, decided that to be a financial success, the procession could never be revived on quite the same lines as in pre-war days. The idea of a show to include the horses and other agricultural classes was mooted and taken up enthusiastically by a go-a-head committee with Capt. J. E. Carr as chairman and Mr Ralph Bradford and Mr J. B. Beveridge, Tweedmouth, as secretaries. Last year an attractive programme of sports was arranged for Tweedmouth Feast Saturday, and the Committee, knowing that no better day could be chosen for launching a new venture in Tweedmouth, decided to incorporate the procession and the Show with these sports. During the past few months , a great deal of work has been put into arrangements for Tweedmouth’s first Show – as the inhabitants on that side of the water proudly term it, and the Committee saw the reward of their labours in the successful gathering on Saturday last in Union Park, Tweedmouth. Weather conditions were favourable and a large number of people from the Borough and district assembled off the field to inspect the stock in their pens or see them parade in the ring.

BERWICK AMATEUR ATHLETIC SOCIETY

Rain Blasts Spoil Annual Sports Festival

A Flat Racer’s Day and Cyclist’s Wash-Out

The annual athletic festival held by Berwick Athletic Society was this year spoiled to some extent by the gale which prevailed and the drenching showers of rain which swept over the field at intervals. As might reasonably be expected there was a falling off in the “gate” receipts, and officials tell us that this year the enclosure was dvoid of many of its usual patrons, while country people, too, did not attend in such large numbers as usual.

The heavy rain of the previous night had rather improved the track than otherwise, and all would have been well for competitors had only the weather remained on its best behaviour. Rain, however, fell at intervals, and although it did not interfere with foot racing to any great extent, still the greasy state of the grass rendered cycling extremely hazardous. Many a good cycle race was spoiled by the back markers side-slipping when making their winning-spurts at the bend leading to the home straight, and after the second heavy shower, men who were giving away big starts took no risks. No one could blame them, as several nasty smashes had taken place previously. Fortunately there were no serious results.

The organisation was again this year well-nigh perfect, and the marksmen and officials deserve every credit for the expeditious manner in which the events were run off. Particularly we would give them credit for the way they got through the numerous heats in the boys’ and girls’ races. It was essentially a youngsters’ day. Their races had an entry which promises well for future sports, and heats were all the more interesting because everyone was a tryer.

FETE IN FORD CASTLE GROUNDS

A Fete in aid of the Ford, Etal, Pallinsburn and Milfield Nursing Association was held in the grounds of Ford castle on Thursday last in fine weather. A large gathering of people was present from the district, char-a-bancs running at intervals from Alnwick, Wooler and Berwick. The Fete was opened at 2 p.m. by Lady Francis G. Osborne, Ord House, who was introduced by Mrs Charles Mitchell, of Pallinsburn, Vice-President of the Nursing Association.

Ford Castle Ref: BRO 515-89

Lady Francis, who was accompanied by Lord Francis G. Osborne, was received with cheers. Her remarks were as follows: – Ladies and gentlemen, – If we read the newspapers of today we see there is a great movement on foot to improve the general health of the community – better housing, Infant Welfare Centres, School clinics, all are part of the same scheme. But the district nurses were at work long before such things were thought of. When we look back over their years of work we see how good it has been, and how useful, for it has enabled those people who could not otherwise afford it, to have the benefit of trained nursing in their homes in time of sickness. The expenses of running the Association are increasing and the subscriptions do not cover them, that is why this fete is being held in these beautiful grounds of this historic castle, kindly lent by Lord Joicey. I appeal to you, ladies and gentlemen to open your hearts, your hands, and your purses and make it a huge financial success for the benefit of your friends and neighbours in their time of sickness. I know declare it opened.  (Applause.)

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