This Week in World War One, 10 September 1915

Berwick Advertiser title 1915

 

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 10 SEPTEMBER 1915

 

PILGRIMAGE TO LINDISFARNE

 

On the anniversary of the death of Saint Aidan a party of pilgrims, mainly composed of clergymen from Newcastle, visited Holy Island to attend a service of Holy Communion in the Old Priory of Aidan. The pilgrimage was organised by the Rev. Finkay Sanderson. The party travelled by train to Beal, and crossed to the island – some by conveyances, and others by “plodging” over the sands. At the ringing of the “Peace Bell” at noon calling all people on the island to pray for our soldiers and sailors and all in peril or mourning during the war, the service commenced.

The officiating clergy were Bishop Ormsby, assisted by the Rev. Irvine Crawshaw, Vicar of

The Old Priory, Holy Island, Northumberland. © Christine Matthews - Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.
The Old Priory, Holy Island, Northumberland. © Christine Matthews – Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.

Holy Island. The service opened with the hymn, “O God of Bethel.” Then followed a portion of Psalm 44 and Psalm 61. These were followed by the service of Holy Communion, taken by the Bishop, who gave his address on the text, “He being dead yet speaketh.” Bishop Ormsby pointed out that 1,264 years had passed since Aidan breathed his last. During this period two voices and been continually heard; one calling us to remember the days that are past, the other exhorting us to listen to the lessons which Aidan would teach. The offertory was given to the Holy Island medicine chest.

The pilgrims had lunch on the links, and tea at the Northumberland Arms. A visit was later paid to Bamburgh. Some of the pilgrims availed themselves of a motor boat, and crossed over to the “Beacons,” walking thence to Bamburgh, where evensong was held in St. Aidan’s Church.

BELFORD

 

On Thursday morning, while the eight-year-old son of Mr Pascoe, coastguard, Ross, was cycling out of Nursery Lane, Belford, he came in collision with a motor car. The boy’s leg was broken below the knee, and he was taken into the house of Dr Macdonald near by, who conveyed him home in his motor car.

Circus – On Monday night, Pinder and Ord’s Circus visited Belford and gave a performance in a field at the top of West Street. Several of the turns were really good, in particular the performances of the elephant. No bright lights were allowed outside the show by order of the military authorities, but inside all was bright as usual

 Image of Pinders Big Top 1890s © George Pinder
Image of Pinders Big Top 1890s © George Pinder

 

GIFT JUMBLE SALE

 

As will be seen from our advertising columns, Mr A. L. Miller will sell in the Corn Exchange, on Wednesday next, a quantity of miscellaneous effects, the proceeds of which will be applied to the British Red Cross Society. The Auctioneers and Estate Agents Institute has purchased the famous “Star and Garter” Hotel on Richmond Hill, and presented it to Her Majesty the Queen, who has graciously accepted the same, to be used as a permanent home for paralysed and totally disabled soldiers and sailors. The members of the Institute have contributed liberally to the purchase money (£21500), and

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

 

any sum received in excess of the purchase money will be given to the Red Cross Society, which has undertaken the necessary alterations, equipment, and maintenance of the Home. Mr Miller has received a large number of articles for the sale, including some good household furniture, electro-plated goods and china, some fine old cut glass, 100 volumes of books, poultry, fat lambs, tea, flour, rolled oats, a waggonette, and a number of sundries, which will yield an acceptable contribution to the Fund, if the sale receives the measure of public support which the good cause it seeks to promote fully entitles it.

This Week in World War One, 12 February 1915

Berwick Advertiser title 1915

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 12 FEBRUARY 1915

 HOLY ISLAND

Patriotic Concert- Amidst a show of bunting and flags an entertainment was given in the schoolroom on Monday last on behalf of the War Funds. The first part of the programme consisted of a series of songs and recitations given by small children. Mr George Wilson sung the popular “Tipperary” song.

This was followed by the pageant “Britannia’s Reception of her Colonies.” The performers were all attired in costumes representing the various countries and performed their parts in a manner which called forth great applause. Mrs Marion Bell represented Britannia (whose train was borne by Florence Spencer and Maggie D Cromarty), to whom father Neptune (Mr Hollingsworth) presented the Ambassadors of Canada (Miss May Wilson), accompanied by the Negro (James E. Walker) and Red Indian (James Brigham). Australia was represented by Mrs Hollingsworth; New Zealand by Miss Fanny Douglas; India by Miss Lalla Bell; South Africa by Ralph Wilson; our ally Japan, by Miss Lulu Bell; On Britannia calling for the representatives of the homeland Mr R. A Wilson bowed to her in the character of John Bull and was followed by Miss Maggie Wilson for Scotland; Miss Rachael Kyle for Ireland; Miss Lalla Allison for Wales. The Army and Navy were seen in the persons of Messrs R Straughan and T. Cromarty.

The schoolroom was well filled with a very appreciative audience who afterwards requested that the performance might be repeated in the near future to enable others to enjoy it. Great credit is due to Mr Riley, who organised the entertainment and was ably assisted by Mr and Mrs Hollingsworth; Mrs Crawshaw; Mrs Riley and Miss Brigham.

 

The Market Square in Holy Island
Postcard of Market Square on Holy Island Ref: BRO/426/1068

 

 

ITEMS OF INTEREST

The family of Sergeant James Ramsay, R.F.A., of Berwick, has a fine record of patriotism. His Grandfather and father were in the Army, and his son is also in the R.F.A. His wife and daughter are both acting as nurses, and his son-in-law, Lieut. Weir, R.F.A., received his commission for bravery at Mons.

2nd Lieut. John Robertson, only son of Alex Robertson of Gateshead, has been promoted Lieut. 11th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Lieut. Robertson is the grandson of the late John Robertson and of the late Joseph Currie, of West End, Tweedmouth.

 

Advert for films being shown at The Playhouse, Berwick
Advert from the Berwick Advertiser, 12 February 1915.