BERWICK ADVERTISER, 1ST SEPTEMBER 1922

01/09/2022 by Northumberland Archives

NORHAM BOAT RACE

GOOD WEATHER FAVOURS SUCCESSFUL MEETING

A quarter of a century ago Norham Boat Races were the chief event in the sporting calendar of the village, but some eleven years ago for some reason or other this popular event was allowed to lapse. Since then it has been the grumble of the fishermen that while all other sports can be catered for, that of the boat pulling and quoiting which is more in keeping with the sporting inclinations of the villagers has been passed over. Immediately after the Norham Horse Show, a few local gentlemen heard these murmurings and immediately made the sporting offer that if a small committee could be got together and local support was whole hearted, the Boat races would be again restarted.

The result was seen on Saturday when under ideal conditions the boat races, foot handicap and quoit main came off on the river and riverside below Norham bridge, a large gathering being in attendance. The preliminary heats in the boating events were started in the early forenoon, and thought they were run off smartly, reflecting great credit on the committee; it was five-thirty before finals were decided, and seven-fifteen before the quoiting was completed.

THE SCOTTISH BORDERS COLLECTION- NORHAM REF: BRO 515-178

The beautiful weather had brought quite a large gathering of visitors to the village and from mid-day onwards the grassy bank of the river presented an animated appearance. To add to the attractions for the day too, there was a good variety of shows, shooting galleries, hoopla, and round-abouts on the village green, and here at night a pleasant hour or two was spent after the races.

The course, which was over a good 400 yards straight, reach of the river had been early marked off with flags fixed in both river banks, and it proved to be an excellent idea to have two anchored boats at the starting point, against which competitors had to back their boats preparatory to being slipped like a whippet when the gun went. By this means a great deal of time was saved, boats competing never needing to be manoeuvred to be brought into line. The running track was staked off on a flat stretch on the river side and with a high bank at the side of it spectators had no difficulty in following everything which went on. The quoiting ground, which was in close proximity was the centre of great interest during the day.

Refreshment and ice cream venders, as well as a stall selling all kinds of fruit, were on the ground and some of these enterprising people appeared to do quite a good trade.

During the afternoon music was provided by the Duns Branch British Legion Pipe band and the pipe music sounded very well on the waterside. A collection, to which a generous response was made, was taken in the course of the afternoon, the money going to help the funds.

Through the generosity of Mr N. Currie a handsome silver cup was offered this year for the championship, and handsome prizes in money were also offered in this and all the other races, while in the races on the flat for school children useful prizes wee given by the Committee.

THE BOAT RACES

None of the preliminary boats in the Championship were of a very close order, rows over being the usual thing owing to competitors at a distance not being forward. Once the first heats were embarked upon however some good races were seen though in one or two cases a rower gave up. Green Bell, Norham, won by a boat length after a stiff tussle with Murray Gregor, Norham, and John Steppard, also a local, only got the verdict by inches after a great race with T. B. Purves, Horncliffe.

In the second ties P. Elliott, Berwick, never put up a fight against Green bell, and J. Turnbull also gave up after being well left by John Steppard. J. Robson too also tired half way down the course and was badly beaten by T. Robertson, the Horncliffe champion. The best race in this tie was between G. C. Purves and Jas. Sheppard. It was a great race the crowd following along the bank to the winning post, cheering both men. Purves won by inches.

NORHAM CASTLE BY THE RIVER TWEED- REF: BRO 2288-023

In the semi-final Green Bell had a stiff task to beat Jno. Sheppard, but he did it and won by half a length, while T. Robertson finished alone owing to G. C. Purves giving up. The final proved none of the most exciting races ever rowed on the Tweed. Bel land T. Robertson came down the course practically level, and the Horncliffe man had a yard lead seven yards from the wining post. Bell finished strongly, his boat fairly lifting out of the water, and he crossed the line a dead beat with Robertson. After a breather the men rowed over but this time Green bell led Robertson home and won by a length amid scenes of great enthusiasm.

In the young men’s race, A. Robson, Morris Hall, rowed well in his heat, and in the final against J. Strother, Horncliffe he pulled a plucky race only being defeated by half a length. The veterans had quite a field day and put every ounce into their heats in the veterans’ race. The preliminary heat between T. turner, Norham, and Tom Purves, Horncliffe, was a very close one, being decided on a question of inches. “The prince” who got the decision fully deserved it, and when he fell against A. Sheppard, Norham, in the second heat he was never seriously troubled to win. Bill Malcolm made him go for it in the final, and it was only in the last ten strokes that Quinn pulled ahead to win by a length.

If Malcolm had to take second place in the veterans’ race, he made it up in the quoiting match when he defeated the famed Fairbairn of Ednam, and then outed White, of Royalty by 15-9 in the final. Not a bad performance for a man of 62 who has never thrown a quoit for nearly eleven years.

The 400 yards foot handicap produced little sensation, most of the heats being won fairly comfortably. There was a good race in the semi-final between R. Strother, Norham (4) and A. Russell, Twizel (20, inches only dividing the runners, but in the final Russell left little to chance, beating Watson, of Swinton (4 yds) by a yard, and Strother by two yards.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 5 DECEMBER 1919

06/12/2019 by Northumberland Archives

THE HORNCLIFFE WAR MEMORIAL

We shall all be the better of the example of Horncliffe. A public meeting was held there last Saturday to discuss the projected War memorial. There was the inevitable difference of opinion as to whether it should be useful or purely monumental. After a free discussion it was generally agreed to go on with a public hall and reading room. One cannot but feel that there is something in the objection that a hall for the amusement of the living is a selfish form of memorial to the dead. That objection disappears if it is met in the spirit which Capt. Allenby voiced. “The hall was to commemorate the men who gave them lives for ours. It was by their sacrifice we would be able to enjoy the hall.” The hall will not be a centre of continuous dissipation or frivolity. It will enter into the life of the village. Quiet and thoughtful evenings will be spent there, and indeed evenings of that kind will out-number the others. But grave or gay, all the evenings will go to make up the life of the village, and it was for that life as a whole that the men gave their lives. As Capt. Allenby finely said, we must not only think of these men in our solemn moments, but in our pleasures as well.

What would make the memorial even more eloquent of Horncliffe’s regard for the fallen would be the carrying out of the suggestion that the hall should be built by the voluntary labour of the villagers. Horncliffe stone would be quarried and put together by Horncliffe people. Such a memorial, we are convinced, would be admired from near and far for many a day to come, and we hope that it will be successfully carried through.

ST. ANDREW’S DAY

BERWICK CLUB REVIVED

Berwick St. Andrew’s Club was revived this year, after having been dormant for the period of the war, and a company of some 26 members and friends sat down to the 36th annual dinner and gathering in the King’s Arms Hotel, on Monday evening.

Pictured on the right of the photograph is an early 1900s image of the King’s Arms Hotel (with the flagpole), where the Berwick St Andrew’s Club was revived in 1919. Ref: BRO 426 355

A typical Scottish dinner was served up in a manner reflecting great credit on Mr Scott, the genial host, and was very much enjoyed. The Haggis was played into the room in the customary way by bagpipe music, supplied by Mr G. H. Ballard. jun. Dinner having been done full justice to, the Scottish anthem “Scots Wha Hae” was sung by the company. The patriotic toast having been given by the President, County Alderman Darling proposed the toast of the Imperial Forces, referring to the splendid response made by Scots from every part of the globe to succour the old country in its time of need.

The toast was replied to by Commander Carr and Major McAlester, D. S. O.

SPORTS, AMUSEMENTS, &c

FOOTBALL

FRIENDLY AT SHIELFIELD

Berwick Rangers will engage Holy Island at Shielfield on Saturday, in a friendly fixture. The committee endeavoured to get Duns to play in a Border League tie, but owing to the rather stupid arrangement which allows teams to fix their own dates, this could not be managed. Duns having previously fixed up a friendly at home. This is the first time the “Seaweeds” have visited Shielfield, and a good game is expected. The Rangers team will be:- Cairns or Douglas; Daniels and Crombie; Brison, Walkenshaw, and J. Piercy; Jackson Piercy, Moffat Matthews or Scobie, Gilchrist, and T. Purves. The reserve player is Spence.

LOCAL NEWS

A very pretty wedding took place at Tweedmouth Parish Church this week, when Miss Mary Valentine Todd, daughter of Mr and Mrs Todd, Mill Strand, Tweedmouth, was married to Mr R. W. Wheatley, of the Detective Service, London. The Rev. P. G. Peacocke officiated.

Tweedmouth Parish Church © Copyright Walter Baxter, Creative Commons Licence.

The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a grey dress with black picture hat, and was attended by two bridesmaids, her sister, Miss Gladys Todd, in shell pink, and Miss Alice Wheatley (sister of the bridegroom) in navy blue. The duties of best man were discharged by Mr Harry Stowe, of the London City Police Force. After the ceremony, a reception attended by 80 guests, was held in the Norman Hall. The bride, who was employed with Messrs J. I. Cairns, High Street, prior to her wedding, received many presents. Part of the honeymoon was spent at Glanton before Mr and Mrs Wheatley proceeded south to London.

VAGRANT’S LONELY END

DIED IN SHED ON CEMETERY LOANING

On Sunday morning John Westle, a vagrant, believed to have hailed from the Bamburgh district, was found in a dying condition by Mr John Strangeways, a market gardener, in a shed in Mr Hettle’s field on Tweedmouth Cemetery Loaning.

The entrance area to Tweedmouth Cemetery, where not far away in a nearby field Mr John Westle, a vagrant, believed to be from the Bamburgh area was found dying in a shed. © Copyright Graham Robson, Creative Commons Licence.

He died shortly after being discovered. The deceased is well-known in the town, where he has frequently been known to beg food. We understand he used to be a farm labourer at Scremerston.

THE INQUEST

On Monday afternoon Mr P. M. Henderson, coroner, conducted an inquest without a jury in the Board Room of the Workhouse touching the death.

P.C. John McGregor Young said about 10.30 on Sunday, on information received at Spittal, I proceeded to the shed on Cemetery Loaning in a field occupied by Mr Hettle, market gardener. I took with me a horse and cart, and on arrival I found deceased lying in the shed quite dead. I know the deceased well, and he went about Spittal begging. Deceased was lying with his clothes, which were in rags, all undone. He also had his boots off, and there was practically no foot in one sock. His body was very much exposed, and he was lying huddled up.

Dr. C. G. Maclagan said he saw the body of the deceased at the Mortuary on Sunday afternoon, and, along with Dr. P.W. Maclagan, he conducted a post mortem. There were no external marks of violence, but the feet were a bit swollen. The body was very emaciated, and there was extensive pleurisy of the left chest, the lung being practically collapsed. The heart was thereby affected. There was also traces of tuberculosis in both lungs. The immediate cause of death was failure of the heart’s action caused by the cold.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 25 JULY 1919

26/07/2019 by Northumberland Archives

MORE BAD HOUSES IN NORHAM AND ISLANDSHIRE

A WRETCHED HOUSE FOR A DEMOBILISED SOLDIER

At a meeting of the Rural District Council on Tuesday afternoon, Dr McWhir submitted a further report on defective housing. Since the last meeting of the Council there had been three deaths, representing a death rate of 7.0 per 1000.

Mr J. R. Wood – That testifies to the wonderful good health of the people in the district.

Giving special cases of defective housing conditions in the district, Dr McWhir strongly criticised in his report the unhealthy condition of cottages on various farms. The farm cottages selected by the Medical Officer this month were those at Cheswick Buildings, Ancroft Town Farm, Newburn, Cornhill Farm, and Cheswick Farm, the conditions here being described by him as appalling. Most of the houses were damp and imperfectly lighted with hinged windows. At the conclusion of his report he mentioned that a soldier recently demobilised was living in one of these wretched houses.

The state of housing in the area in the early part of the 20th century is exemplified in this picture of Golden Square, Berwick, similar problems being experienced in the Norham and Islandshire District.

During the stress and strain of war there had been a lot of claptrap about improving the housing conditions of the men on their return, and he wondered if, by allowing such conditions to remain, the country were showing its indebtedness in the proper way to the men who had fought in the war.

There was an interesting discussion on the report, the Council as a body being evidently determined to make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the facts with a view to having the evils remedies. There are great difficulties in the way of reform, one of the chief of these being – as pointed out by the Chairman, that of finding suitable accommodation for the families in the event of their present houses being condemned

COTTAGES AT CHESWICK BUILDINGS

In describing the cottages at Cheswick Buildings, Dr McWhir said that while not being ideal when contrasted with others, they were above the average.

PEACE CELEBRATIONS

HORNCLIFFE

Horncliffe Peace Celebrations took the form of a tea to the children and old people of the village. The Committee responsible could not get a field in the village, but one at the riverside was kindly given by Mr Dixon, farmer, at Velvet Hall. Owing to the distance of the field from the village many old people were unable to participate in the afternoon’s enjoyment. The school children assembled at Horncliffe School, and afterwards marched to the Post Office, where their parents and friends were waiting to hear the Royal Proclamation read. The Proclamation was read by Mr Geo. Turner, and the children, led by Mr Cunningham and Miss Guy, afterwards sang the National Anthem and splendidly they sang it. The children then marched round the village singing and waving their flags, and afterwards proceeded to the field, accompanied by parents and friends. A good tea was provided, which all enjoyed, and afterwards the children and grown-ups ran races and played games until about 7 p.m.

The children looked so happy in their holiday attire, and with their gay flags that one felt it was a privilege to contribute to their enjoyment. It was intended to present each child with a medal, but these did not come forward in time, so the children will get them later on.

In the evening a dance was held in the Schoolroom and afterwards a bonfire was lit on the Bank Head.

The sports were held under the supervision of the Head Master, Mr T. F. Cunningham, and Miss Guy, assistant, together with Mr G. Turner, the correspondent of the school, who was responsible for most of the arrangements for the tea. The worthy village blacksmith, Mr A. Simpson, also rendered valuable service in the fitting up the various erections for the sports. The actual serving of the tea was under the experienced and kindly care of Mrs Redpath of Horncliffe, who was ably assisted by several very willing young ladies. Milk for the tea was kindly sent by Mrs Embleton, Mrs J. Brown, and Mrs Jeffrey.

NOTES FROM SPITTAL

NORWEGIAN REWARD TO FISHERMEN

Mr Bart Lough, Spittal, and his gallant crew have been presented with £21 from the King of Norway for having rescued the sole survivor of the Norwegian steamship “Venus,” which was blown up at sea off Berwick on April 14th, 1917.

Pictured with the lifeboat at Spittal are members of the lifeboat crew, some of whom who were on the rescue that day.

The rescued man lay for a considerable time in Berwick Infirmary before finally recovering. The presentation was made by Mr Toohey, and we understand the award has been apportioned as follows:- £5 to Mr Lough; and £2 each to P. Emery, W. Patterson, P. Patterson, John Patterson, Thomas Johnston, J. Laidlaw, R. Elliott, and Thomas White.

LOCAL NEWS

A rather peculiar incident took place in the Baptist Church, Berwick, on Sunday. Major McGill was to have conducted the service morning and evening, but was unable to be forward owing to the railway strike, and the Rev. J. R. Bentley being in the congregation he was asked to take the service. This he kindly consented to do, but as he entered the pulpit a few of the congregation rose from their seats and left the building. A fine example of present-day Christianity?

On Thursday, this week, the 1st Berwick Company of Girl Guides go into camp for a week at Gainslaw. The company has been in existence for about a year, and the girls look very smart in their navy blue uniforms, several of them having already qualified for badges. While in camp, Miss Gordon Smith, their leader will be in charge, and the time will be spent in “tracking” and further qualifying for badges. Through the kindness of Mr Rand, the barn at Gainslaw farm will be available in case of wet weather.

During the progress of the athletic sports the grass on the crown of the ramparts over Flagstaff Park caught fire, evidently having been ignited by a match thrown down by some careless smoker, and burned fiercely all afternoon. Fanned by a westerly wind the fire spread all along to the covering flankers and it was rather a sell to those who believe in having their amusement free by standing on the walls, to have their view of the Cricket Field blotted out with smoke. The grass was still smouldering on Tuesday.

A meeting of the Northumberland Insurance Committee was held in Newcastle last week Mr Gerald A. France, M.P., was re-elected chairman, and Mr G. G. Rea vice-chairman. Mr D. H. W. Askew was one of the County Council nominations to the Committee, and Mrs Plenderleith, of Berwick, was one of the two women appointed. The list of applications for sanatorium benefit was much longer than usual, and the Chairman impressed upon the Committee the necessity for increased accommodation as soon as possible.

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