BERWICK ADVERTISER, 23RD JUNE 1922

24/06/2022 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK BOARD OF GUARDIANS

SCALE OF RELIEF UNDER ARTICLE XI REVISED

On the recommendation of the Workhouse and Finance Committee the Board agreed to continue the granting of unemployment relief under Article XI. They also agreed to reduce the present scale from 15s per week for a single man to 12s per week, and for a man and wife from 20s to 17s 6d per week, and from 5s for each child to 3s per week.

BOARD’S UPKEEP OF CHILDREN COSTS 15s A WEEK

It was intimated that the Carlisle Union were willing to take three children from the Berwick Union at present in Gateshead Home, and also two at present in the Workhouse for the sum of 15s a head for week.

The inmates were stated to be in the sick wards 13 men, 12 women, and two infants, a total of 27; and in other parts of the house 11 men, three women and two children, a total of 16, making a total of 24 men as against 23 last year, 15 women against the same number last year, two children against none last, and two infants against one last ear, a total of 43 inmates of all classes against 39 last year – an increase of four. The casuals numbered 19 as against 18 for the corresponding last year.

The Board agreed to continue for another year certificates of exception under the National Unemployment Insurance Acts.

RESOLUTIONS

Resolutions on the subject of war bonuses to Poor Law officers were submitted from Newmarket Union and from the National Poor Law Officers’ Association. That from the Newmarket Union urged that steps be taken to reduce the bonuses to Poor Law officers, and also called for the removal of the anomaly under the Poor Law Superannuation Act of 1896, whereby superannuation was 25 per cent higher than for other members of the community. The Poor Law Officers’ Association on the other hand, urged that this resolution be not supported as the scale of bonuses was regarded as fair to guardians and officers, and that it was unfair to compare the 1896 Act with claims for civil servants. The Board agreed to send both resolutions to the House and Finance Committee for further consideration.

A resolution from the Romford Union urging amendments in the Lunacy Acts was allowed to lie on the table. Some of the amendments suggested were that the terms mental hospital and mental patient should be substituted for asylum and pauper lunatics.

Another resolution from the National Union of Assessment Committee regarding the Removal of Machinery Bill was referred to the Assessment Committee.

Miss Greet gave notice of motion that two delegates and the Medical Officer be appointed at the next meeting to visit the Asylum at Morpeth to inspect the patients there chargeable to the Union.

SPORT

GOLF

The new putting course seems to have taken on with members of the Magdalene Fields Club and the general public, who are allowed to use it on the same terms as members of the club.

BERWICK GRAMMAR SCHOOL

On Friday evening the Berwick Grammar School boys played a foursome match together with the Old Boys’ Association- thus forging a new link between the Past and Present of the school. While all concerned thoroughly enjoyed the game, to the boys it was particularly pleasant and instructive, and they are eagerly looking forward to a return match. The Magdalene Fields club kindly allowed the players the courtesy of the greens. The match resulted in a win for Councillor J. Colin Campbell’s side by four matches to two. The details were as follows:- Mr J. C. Campbell and A. D. Patterson beat Mr James Richardson and J. D. Crosbie. Dr. P. W. Maclagan and R. W. Glahome beat Mr W. R. McCreath and W. Parkinson. Mr John Crisp and Roy Campbell tied with Mr C. Lee and Ivan Crisp. Mr I. Torrance Smith and Melville Caverhill beat Mr James Gray and Douglas Henderson. Mr R. S. Eaton and John Stoddart beat W. Patterson and J. D. Williams. Mr R. F. S. Morrison and Stanley I. Ballard tied with R. T. Renwick and Fred Stott.

THE MAYOR’S GOLF PRIZE

The Mayor (Dr Maclagan) who takes a great interest in the boys’ golf has offered a golf prize to the Grammar School. The draw for the prize is as follows: – 1^st round-S. I. Ballard (29) v. D. Henderson (19). 2^nd round- J. Stoddart (26) v. J. D. Williams (26); W. Grieve (15) v. F. Stott (18); W. Patterson (60 v.. R. W. Glahome (scr); R. T. Renwick (9) v. M. Caverhill (23); A. D. Patterson (6) v. winner of 1^st round; J. D. Crosbie (5) v. G. Martin (11); Roy Campbell (17) v. W. Parkinson (11); Ivan Crisp (110 v. A. E. Fletcher (23).

LADIES’ MEDAL

There was a better entry for the ladies’ medal played over the Magdalene Fields course on Tuesday evening, 17 taking part. A high wind made good scoring difficult. The best card returned was a net score of 80 by Miss C. E. Purves. The best scratch score amongst the low handicaps were recorded by Miss Marshall with 96. Those qualifying for the match play for the Officers’ Cup are Misses C. E. Purves, K. Grant, Marshall, and J. Stirling.

TENNIS

DUNS v. BERWICK

The mixed doubles match against Berwick, played at Duns on Saturday, resulted in a win for Berwick by 7 matches to 2, 14 sets to 4, 99 games to 54. Details were:-

Miss Romanes and P. Deas ( Duns) beat Miss Tate and capt. Dover, 6-3, 6-4; lost to Mrs R. W. Maling and M. E. Maling, 0-6, 4-6; lost to Mrs Hutchinson and R. W. Maling, 2-6, 2-6.

Miss B. Laidlaw and T. F. Walton (Duns) lost to Mrs Hutcheson and R. W. Maling, 2-6, 1-6; lost to Mrs R. W. Maling and M. E. Maling, 0-6,0-6; lost to Miss tate and Capt. Dover, 4-6, 4-6.

Miss C. Fair and W. Easton (Duns) beat Miss Tate and Capt. Dover, 6-4, 6-4; lost to Mrs Hutcheson And R. W. Maling, 3-6, 3-6; lost to Mrs R. W. Maling and M. E. Maling, 3-6, 2-6.

EVENING TOURNAMENT

The Berwick Club held an evening tournament on the Pier Field courts on Thursday last. There were nine couples entered for the mixed doubles and six for the ladies’ doubles. The winners of the mixed doubles were Miss Middlemas and J. Fleming who beat Miss Cowe and J. Patterson 6-5 in the final. The ladies’ doubles were won by Miss K. D. Mackay and Miss Oswald, who defeated Miss Walker and Miss Buglas 6-1 in the final.

ACTIVITY AT THE DOCKS

There was great activity at the Dock on Wednesday morning, when a favourable tide, full at 11.21 a.m., allowed five boats to be safely berthed within two hours. The “Hibernia,” which is a regular trader with Scremerston coal to the South of England and the Continent, was one of the first arrivals, and as soon as she was berthed began coaling operations At the depot on the south side of the dock. She is taking on board a cargo of 328 tons for Plymouth. Wagons of coal awaited her arrival, and all hands were soon busy transferring the cargo. Alongside of her lay the “Horsham,” which arrived light on the same tide, and will also ship a cargo of 470 tons of Scremerston coal for Bremerhaven.

Photograph of the Berwick Quayside early 1900s Ref: BRO 1636-5-6

The next arrival was a dainty little sailing yacht from the Tyne with the 1^st Tyne Sea Scouts aboard flying the Scout flag at the mast. The scouts are on a three weeks’ cruise, and have been as far north as Montrose and St. Andrews, where a pleasant time has been spent. The yacht is on her homeward journey, and on leaving Berwick will call at Holy Island, and then compete in a yacht club race to Blyth. She is a trim little craft lent to the scouts by her owner, Mr Anderson of Tyneside.

Then followed the steamer ”Orion” with a cargo of wood from Sweden for the Woodyard. She arrived in the bay on Tuesday, and the large craft was safely piloted up the river and berthed on the north side of the dock, where she will unload.

The last arrival was the motor drifter “C.S.L.” from Frazerburgh which brought a cargo of oats for Clarabad Mills.

The Danish sailing vessel “Gloria” arrived on Monday with a cargo of ice, which was also being discharged on Wednesday morning.

NOTES FROM SPITTAL

Spittal has always been a popular place for West Country children and in pre-war days it was the custom to give them a day at the seaside. Of late years owing to the war and railway restrictions this has not been possible, but this year the Railway Companies have seen their way to grant concessions and the public are taking full advantage of these. Last week Kelso Sunday Schools visited Spittal and on Monday Melrose Sunday Schools had their annual outing there.

The journey was made by special train by Kelso, a non-stop run from St. Boswells accomplishing the distance in little over an hour. There were some 300 children and fully another 200 adults, from Melrose and district. A pleasant day was spent on Spittal sands or in visiting Berwick and shortly after 6 p.m. all entrained once more at Tweedmouth station for the return journey. The youngsters, many of whom had not seen the sea before, were all tired with their day, but happy in the possession of spades, or pails filled with pebbles or shells, or sand, and local shops appeared to have done quite a good trade with shrimp nets. On Wednesday next another trip from the same district visits Spittal, and will include Sunday Schools from Newton Earlston, etc.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 2ND SEPTEMBER 1921

05/09/2021 by Northumberland Archives

BRIDGE TO BRIDGE SWIMMING RACE AT BERWICK

T. ORMISTON WINS “VISCOUNT GREY” TROPHY

A crowd of some three thousand people watched the Bridge to bridge race held in the Tweed on Thursday night last under the auspices of Berwick Amateur Swimming Club and they were privileged to see one of the best races ever held for the trophy presented by Viscount Grey. The only regrettable feature in the proceedings was the poor collection taken, this only being a little over £3, or practically a contribution of £1 per 1000 of those who witnessed the race. As the Swimming Club depends largely on public support for the providing of prizes and running these races, it is hoped greater financial help will be I future extended by the public, otherwise the Club will have to cut out the Bridge to Bridge race and School Gala from their annual programme.

Nine competitors entered for the race. L. B. Dickinson, T. Ormiston, A. P. Hall, A. Erskine ( Kelso), E. J. Denholm, G. Adamson, W. Brotherton, W. Graham and Joe Renton, and when the lot got off their mark in a bunch it was soon evident that the race was going to be keen one. Ormiston and Dickinson swam neck to neck until about thirty yards from the Boathouse when Ormiston drew ahead by about two lengths and Erskine came level with Dickinson, Hall being close up. Up to thirty yards from the Royal Border Bridge Ormiston kept adding to his lead and then Dickinson made a wonderful spurt. He came up hand over hand on Ormiston who only crossed the line a yard and half ahead. The time for the race was 12mins, 12 secs., and a great cheer went up as the men finished.

WOOLER AS A HEALTH RESORT

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

A RUN OVER THE CARTER BAR

The advent of the motor car and char-a-banc have been the means of opening up the country surrounding Wooler, and it is ow possible to do a hundred-mile journey in the district comfortably in one day. It was my privilege to take a trip over the carter Bar a week or two ago in an easy-riding char-a-banc at a very reasonable cost.

Other trips are run during the season to Bamburgh (half-day), Scotland, Edinburgh, etc. These have been largely taken advantage of by visitors, and have added quite a fresh interest to Wooler. Our company, when I went, numbered some twenty-six souls, composed mostly of visitors, with a sprinkling of natives, and a most agreeable company we were. Leaving the Market Place just after 10 a.m. in dull, but fine, weather, we were soon rattling along the road at a steady pace, admiring the scenery as we went. The Haugh Head was soon reached. The old building was for long occupied by the late Kitty Jobson as a beer-house, and before the battle of Flodden (1513) was the head-quarters of Lord Surrey, leader of the English troops, which were camped on Wooler Haugh. The next place that engages attention is Lilburn Tower, the seat of Mr A. B. Collingwood, and its prettily wooded grounds. The dainty lodge at the West entrance looked very pretty with its floral decorations. Hedgeley, with its pretty little cottages, and Crawley Dene are soon left behind, and we are next brought into touch with the ravages of the late war, as Roughley Wood was denuded of its timber and now presents a dreary aspect. A brighter scene awaited us, for Runside Moor was a blaze of purple heather, there being hundreds of acres of it without a break. Our first stopping place was Rothbury, and by the time we had reached there the mist had lifted and the sun began to make its appearance.

The village was quite alive, as our friend, Mr R. Donkin, was holding one of his periodical sales of lambs at the spacious mart buildings. After a short stay our journey was resumed through a well-wooded district by way of Thropton, Hepple Old Town, etc. Numerous pretty cottages were passed with happy and smiling inhabitants, who invariably greeted us with a wave of the hand. The scenery begins to change as we ascend the somewhat steep banks. The surrounding hills, bathed in the now bright sunlight, were looking splendid, their sides being here and there covered with heather in full bloom. Our next break was at the old-time village of Elsdon, which nestles in a pretty valley a few miles from Otterburn. The village green is of considerable dimensions, and there is no suspicion of over-crowding. Like all Border villages, Elsdon has a history dating back hundreds of years, when the feuds between the English and Scotch were common. The old church contains some old tablets, fine old windows, and other interesting features, which we had not time to thoroughly examine. Our friend, Mr Brannen, of the Hotel, saluted us as we passed his comfortable hostelry. Otterburn was soon reached, where the famous mills are situated and the noted wraps made. Some time was spent in this pretty, old-time village, and a number of us had lunch at the old-fashioned inn. The church and the pretty chancel was surveyed, while others took a stroll up the burn-side which, although only a tiny stream, rose on one memorable occasion, flooding the hotel and other buildings to the depth of several feet. Between here and Catcleugh the scenery becomes wilder and more romantic. The County Council are making an effort to improve the road over the Carter Bar, but, judging by the few hands employed, it will take some time to complete the job. With so much unemployment here is a chance for putting a few extra hands in useful work. At Catcleugh is the large lake constructed by the Newcastle Water Company. The fine stretch of water with scarcely a ripple on its surface formed a fine setting to the surrounding hills with their craggy peaks or rounded tops. The road leading to the Carter Bar, which is the deciding line between England and Scotland, is in places very steep and the surface not of the best, but much improved on what it was a year ago. On reaching the bar a halt was called to admire the wide and magnificent view. Hill and valley, woodland scenes and heather-clad hills make up a panorama of surpassing grandeur. Several snapshots were here taken, which ought to be interesting mementos in days to come. After a short stay, we resumed our journey. The ride was through a nicely wooded district into Jedburgh, which town also has a history.

BRO 1796-1-10 High Street, Kirk Yeholm early 20th century

The ruins of the old Abbey proved a great source of attraction, and also the old Castle on the hill, from the top of which a charming view of Jedburgh and neighbourhood is obtained. After a refreshing cup of tea, the homeward journey was resumed, passing through the villages of Morebattle and Yetholm as the sun was setting in the West, Kirknewton, nestling snugly at the foot of the College Burn and surrounded by hills looked most peaceful. Wooler was reached soon after 9 p.m., the party all having spent a memorable and enjoyable day’s outing.

EX-SOLDIER WISHES TO JUMP BERWICK BRIDGE

An unusual case came before Mr A. J. Dodds and Mr Walter Hogarth at Berwick Police Court on Tuesday. P. C. Lindsay gave evidence that at about 9 p.m. on the night before (Monday) he received a complaint off the disorderly behaviour of James Ohlsen, a painter, of Leith, who had been working I the town, and cautioned him. Ohlsen then went over the bridge towards Berwick. He took some money out of his pockets and attempted to climb up over the bridge. P.C. Lindsay then apprehended him and locked him up, and he was brought before the Bench charged with being drunk and disorderly. Ohlsen pleaded guilty. He regretted having caused trouble, which was due to his having had some drink, and stated that while serving in France he had been buried and ever since had been subjected to fits. He was fined 5s or 7 days.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 23 JULY 1920

24/07/2020 by Northumberland Archives

TWEEDMOUTH JOTTINGS

On Monday afternoon, while driving down the Main Road at High Gate, a horse belonging to Robert Norris, Tweedmouth, took fright to such an engine blowing its whistle, and bolted down Main Street. A man named James Douglas, who was on the cart, fell off, and was cut and bruised about the head, and, continuing its career, the horse came in contact with a stationary motor car. Norris, who had kept his head, managed to draw the frightened animal up. The mud-guard of the car was torn off. Douglas, who was stunned by his fall, was taken to Berwick Infirmary for treatment. He is doing as well as can be expected.

TRACTION ENGINE GOES ON ROUND A CORNER ON ONE WHEEL

THE DRIVER’S PLUCK

On the morning of Thursday last a serious accident was averted by the presence of mind of an engine driver named Jack Morrison. He was bringing a traction engine and mill from Tweedmouth Station to Messrs Bain’s down the South Side of the High Gate when a gear pin on the engine became detached, and the engine commenced to free wheel at great speed down the hill. Knowing the danger of running down Main Street, where there are always children playing about, Morrison made up his mind to take the hairpin turn into Shielfield, the hill there being calculated to stop the engine’s career.

Photograph of the Berwick Bridge. The “Bridge Toll House” stood near to where the sundial is situated at the Berwick end of the bridge. © Copyright Chris Morgan, (CC BY-SA 2.0) https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3098053.

The traction engine took the turn at great speed, going round practically on one wheel, and then Morrison came face to face with another problem, several motor cars being on the road further up. At great danger to himself, he took the only course open to him, and swung the engine dead into the wall at Turret Villa. The engine knocked a clean hole in the wall and came to a stop. Morrison being little worse of his adventure. The foreman jumped off the engine before they reached the railway bridge.

SNIPPET FROM LETTER

Some time ago you had a report in your paper in reference to the “Bridge Toll House,” and the place stated was at the end of the bridge. Now, this was not the case, for it was in one of the recesses at the top of the bank on the bridge — the one next to the Sundial. I can remember seeing this, seeing I had to pass it so often when a young man. I was told by father, and also my grandfather, the gates were just on the Bridge End. My grandfather, being one of the Coastguards, helped to pull them down.

In the background is Holy Island Castle, occupied at one time by the Coastgaurd, and where Mr Scott’s grandfather was held after his misdeed. © Copyright Christine Matthews,(CC BY-SA 2.0) https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1239975.

There is another report in reference to Holy Island Castle, and I can endorse part of the history given by you about the Coastguards living in the Castle: for my mother’s father was banished from Spittal to the Castle because of my father’s grave misdeed in marrying his daughter. This was the punishment meted out to him, and I can remember paying a visit there when a boy. I mention this to show the difference then and now. Even after 50 years’ absence except for annual visits, I have still a kindly feeling for the old town. — I remain, yours sincerely. James Scott, 30, Chatterton Street, Southwick, Sunderland.

LOCAL NEWS

On Sunday a most successful motor char-a-banc tour of the Borders was held by the clerical and locomotive staff of Berwick Station. Leaving Berwick about nine o’clock in the morning, the journey was made through the beautiful pastoral scenery of the Merse, by way of Duns, Greenlaw, and Earlston, on to Melrose, where an alfresco lunch was very much enjoyed.

Adam Logan’s charabanc pictured in Sandgate in the early 1900s, with a patry about to set off on a trip. Adam Logan himself is pictured standing on the left of the picture. A similar vehicle transported the clerical and locomotive staff of Berwick station on their tour of the borders. Image in the collection of Fred Kennington.

The company then proceeded on to Selkirk, where a most enjoyable tea was served in the Fleece Hotel. A few hours were spent in song and sentiment, and Selkirk being left behind. Kelso was reached by way of St Boswells, and a little time was spent looking round the pretty little town. While here the trippers saw the competitors in the reliability run of Berwick Motor Club pass through. Berwick was reached about 9.30, the entire company being highly satisfied with the tour, upon which the sun had smiled all day

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