K.O.S.B.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 2ND JULY 1925

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NORHAM BOAT RACES

Norham Boat Races were held on the Tweed on Saturday, fine weather favouring this popular annual event in the district. The cold wind was not felt on the riverside, where it was nice and mild, and though the sun only shone in blinks, it was very pleasant throughout the day, and the beautiful woods on the Ladykirk side of the river made a fine background for the racing events. There were, however, fewer people at the races than last year, and the gate unfortunately was down by some £5. This was no doubt owing to the many other events on in the district- Coldstream Sports and the Workers’ Gala at Wooler, etc. Sport was better than last year, and there were some very keen races. The river was divided into the two courses- English and Scotch, by means of floating buoys, and this plan worked well, there being practically no fouling owing to one competitor getting out of his course into his opponent’s. There was the old keen rivalry between Norham men and their neighbours from “Hurklie” and great was the rejoicing in Norham when it was a Norham man who carried off the Championship stakes, wresting the honour from its Horncliffe holder, the stalwart Tom Robertson.

Norham Castle on the River Tweed. Ref: BRO 515-178

Berwick Pipe Band, looking very smart in their fine uniforms, played selections down by the river side during the afternoon, to the great enjoyment of spectators of the races. One of the most interesting features of the races was the great keenness of the small boys who had come to watch. The youngsters not only helped by selling programmes, but took keen interest in the races, swarming round the good-humoured judge to ask time and again in anxious tones “Have they rowed for the cup yet?” The older ones kept their programmes marked up to date, and in between races discussed among themselves who was going to win the next event as well as debating whether to spend their last coppers on another bottle of lemonade or a pie. The tiny tots wee perhaps more interested in the gaily coloured balloons being sold on the river side, or the coloured canaries which fluttered in the breeze, worrying their mothers till they bought them either a balloon or canary to amuse them.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

THURSDAY

Before A. J. Dodds, C. Forsyth, D. H. W. Askew, G. N. Broadbent, Esqs., Miss Henderson, and major A. Tower Robertson.

RIDING ON THE FOOTPATH

John Fleming, Norham, was charged with unlawfully riding a bicycle on a footpath set aside for pedestrians, on the Ord Road at 5.30 pm on 24th June.

P.C. Lindsay proved the case. Defendant said the road was rough. Witness thought the road in fair condition.

Defendant said his chain was liable to come off and the road was rough. He did not intend to do any harm.

The Bench reprimanded defendant but dismissed the case.

A DANGEROUS PARACTICE

Mr. Dodds said, before the press retired, he wished to remark on the dangerous practice of riding cycles at extreme speed when going round corners, particularly Bridge Street, and into Sandgate and round by the Garage.

Bridge Street, Berwick-upon-Tweed, dated 1959. Ref No: BRO 1250-147

Perhaps the Police would keep an eye on anything of the kind for at any moment a child crossing the road might be run over and killed.

1st K.O.S.B. BAND VISITS BERWICK

The Band of the 1st K.O.S. Borderers visited Berwick on Thursday, and by permission of Col. P. A. V. Stewart, C.B.E., D.S.O., and Officers of the Regiment, gave two performances in Berwick Corn Exchange. In the afternoon the attendance was very poor, owing no doubt to the many other attractions on in the town. In the evening there were a few more present, but the building was more than half empty. Among those present were Major C. F. Kennedy, Commanding Officer at the Depot, Berwick, and Mrs. Kennedy, Capt. B. C. Lake, Lieut. Watt, Lieut. J. B. Vans Agnew, Lieut. D. V. Kennedy. The band is well worth going to hear, and Berwick people missed a treat by not turning out in larger numbers. The items at the evening performance were greatly enjoyed and several were encored with great enthusiasm.

Corn exchange, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Ref No: BRO 1636/4/11

The conductor is Band master M. T. Kingston Jarvis. The selections from Tannhauser were very fine and also the selections from Greig. Very amusing was the wedding ceremony introduced into the descriptive piece by Lotter, the parson being represented by the bassoon, while the responses of the bride and bridegroom were taken by the flute and trombone. The Musical Jig-Saw cleverly worked in some 52 melodies ending with that fine Selenelle “1812” Overture by Tchaikovsky. The evening programme was: Grand selection from “Tannhauser,” Wagner: xylophone solo, “Orchid Blossoms.” Underhill, soloist, Musician barber (encored0; first selection of gems from Gilbert and Sullivan Operas, arrd. Godfrey; descriptive, “A Southern Wedding,” Lotter (encored); excerpts from “Greig’s Works” selection, “A Musical Jig-Saw,” arrd. Aston; a Military Tattoo by Col. Mackenzie Rogan, late Director of Music, Coldstream Guards; regimental march, “Blue Bonnets o’er the Border.”

TWEEDMOUTH NOTES

The annual picnic of the Tweedmouth Scotch Church Sunday School took place to Hawick on Tuesday (Mid-summer Day), by char-a-bancs. Never before has a Sunday school trip made this journey by buses, so one can imagine how pleased the youngsters greeted the idea and how they looked for the day to come. At about 8.30 in the morning the children began to gather at the church, and at nine o’clock about a hundred were marched down to the “Alley” in the West End, where eight buses were lined up. Never before has any party had a better send off than the 200 adults and children who made the journey. The West End was like a Feast Monday.

The journey was made via Coldstream, Kelso, Denholm and the outskirts of Jedburgh. At halt was made just a mile out of Hawick for dinner, but owing to a misunderstanding other arrangement had to be made and dinner was served in St. John’s Church Hall, in Hawick about one o’clock. After this the company adjourned to the Public Park, where races were held for the children and adults. The tug-of-war caused much excitement, especially among the older members. During the afternoon many took advantage of other amusements in the Park, such as bowling and putting. After the races many took the opportunity of visiting the War memorial and the Wilton Museum. About 5pm all sat down to tea in St John’s Hall.

Shortly after six a start was made for home after everybody had spent a most enjoyable day. A short halt was made in Kelso, and home was reached shortly after nine.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 20 AUGUST 1920

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4th K.O.S.B UNDER CANVAS

In Magdalene Fields, Berwick.

Young “TERRIERS” Looking Fit

Camped on a sheltered spot of the Magdalene Fields near Magdalene Fields House, the 4th Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers are able to go to sleep at nights under canvas, with the call of the sea in their ears and fresh sea breeze in their nostrils.

Berwick has not been favoured by visits of Scotch regiments in Peace times in the past, but it is only fitting that the re-constituted 4th Battalion of the K.O.S.B. Borderers, which is so closely associated with Berwickshire county, should favour a seaside town practically on their own seaboard. The men seem highly pleased with their surroundings and already some of the younger lads who only recently joined are looking smart and fit, while the sea air is giving them a hardy bronzed look.

THE ARRIVAL

Early last week preparations to fix camp were made on the site and by Friday evening there was compact little canvas settlement tucked away under the hill. The main body of men arrived on Saturday evening and marched into camp to the music of the pipes. The pipers in the Battalion band, by the way, were greatly admired by the townspeople as they swung through the streets in their smart Buceleuch tartan kilts and plaids.

COMRADES FETE AT ORD

A TOTAL OF £216 REALISED

The Garden fete organised by the members of the Women’s Section of the Comrades of the Great War, was held on Thursday last at Ord House, the use of the grounds having been kindly lent by Lady F. G. Osborne, President. Although there was little actual sunshine, the weather was good, and the beautiful grounds were looking their best. A large crowd of people, some 800 or more, were present and spent an enjoyable afternoon and evening. There were plenty of attractions to pass the time, and as the primary object of this as of all such functions was to raise money, once past the gate, those present found that wherever they went, there were traps well baited to hold their attention and tempt their purses. The numerous side-shows were kept busy all the time, and the various stalls did a brisk trade. The ices and tea were largely patronised. There was Clock Golf and Bowling on the tennis lawns, a Shooting Range, Aunt Sallies, Hoop-la, Fish Ponds etc., ranged round the front lawns. In the park beyond were the tea tents, and here also many indulged in the fascinating “Bumble Puppy”,” and in the evening a programme of sports was carried out. Tired of  wandering round ample seating accommodation was to be had on the lawn, and a pleasant time spent in listening to the delightful music of Allan’s Band, who kindly gave their services at a merely nominal charge. Another attraction was the series of concerts arranged by Lady Osborne, and held in the Garden Room in the grounds during the afternoon. The following artists took part:- Miss Fyson, Mr Maxwell, the Rev. A. E. Warr, Coldstream; Mrs Marrow, Mrs Walter Scott, and Mr J. C. Collingwood. A very amusing dialogue entitled “The Milkmaid” was also acted by Lady Osborne and Miss Joan Leyland, Haggerston Castle. A long queue was always to be found waiting near the fortune telling tent, and also at the Greenhouse, where “Professor Sarbolinky” held forth on Phrenology and Graphology. Considerable amusement was also caused by Capt. Allenby’s successful attempts to dispose of the surplus cakes from the tea stall.

In the evening after sports were over dancing was begun on the tennis lawns, and kept up with vigour to music supplied by Allan’s Band till after 9 p.m. It was then that the refreshments stall under a sweeping old lime tree on the lawn got busy, and the assistants under Lady Osborne had a great run on the excellent lemonade and the variety of cakes.

LOCAL NEWS

Hardly a day goes past without a block occurring on the Old Bridge, occasioned by large motor wagons and char-a-bancs attempting to pass.

BRO 426-084 Berwick Old Bridge

It is one policeman’s job to regulate the traffic, and this is by no means easy, as often when a car coming from the English side is let away over the bridge, another appears over the rise at the Berwick end, coming in the opposite direction, and wordy arguments ensue as to who has the right of way. Sergt. McRobb has to act as peacemaker and arbiter in many disputes, and it often happens that he has to make one of the two cars retreat to allow the other to get safely across.

Tweedmouth Feast Sports Committee, who recently ran such a successful foot handicap on Union Park held a meeting in the Thatch House, under the presidency of Mr David Watson, on Tuesday evening. There was a large attendance, and Mr Makins, treasurer, presented the financial statement. This showed the total income of the sports to be £85 3s 4½d, expenditure £71 8s 0½d, leaving a balance of £13 15s 4d to the good. It was unanimously agreed to carry this sum to reserve for next year’s meeting, and the Treasurer was instructed to have it banked in the joint names of Mr Watson, Mr Elvish, and himself. A short discussion took place as to whether the sports next year should be held in the afternoon or evening, and the general feeling was that next time the sports should take place in the afternoon. The officials were re-elected, and agreed to carry on until the Committee were re-constituted in April next. Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr Robertson, Mill Farm, who gave the use of Union Park free, and to the members of the Committee who had stood guarantors for the money to carry out the sports. It was intimated that Mr Roberson had kindly offered the field to the Committee to run a five-a side football competition, for which a local sporting gentleman is offering medals. The proceeds from the competition will go to the sports fund.

THE AUTUMN RAIN STORM

CROPS LAID, CAMPS WRECKED, AND FIELDS FLOODED

Cold stormy weather, savouring more of the middle of November than of August, was experienced on Tuesday night, when a rain storm of great severity broke over the district. From seven o’clock onwards the rain fell without a stop, and half a gale from the sea springing up, as rough a night as has been known for some time was experienced.

Herring boats at sea experienced the full force of the weather as they rode the storm out at their nets, and on shore matters were little better. As reported elsewhere, the camp of the 4th Battalion, K.O.S.B., in the Magdalene Fields, suffered severely. Five marquees were laid flat, and during the night the lot of the men under canvas was not an enviable one.

Considerable damage, it is feared, has been done to crops, and to exposed gardens and allotments. Grain crops on the farms and meadows round about, which were well advanced, are badly laid by the rain and wind, and hay which was still out in the cole, has not been improved by the downpour.

The Tweed, as was to be expected, came down in heavy flood on Wednesday morning, and all the forenoon the flood continued to wax. Low lying fields and grass parks on the river banks in the upper waters were flooded in several places, and the surface of the muddy torrent which swept to the sea was dotted over with gates, pailing stobs, trees, and old wood.

Herring boats lying at the Quay had to put out double head ropes to keep them from being swept away, and in fact one boat at the upper berth, near the old bridge,

Herring boats© Berwick Record Office. BRO 1887-25-4.

was torn from its moorings and cast on to the “grid” of the bridge, where she remained fast for a time, straining badly in the current. She ultimately got off, and proceeded to the dock jetty, out of the swirl of the tide.

So strong was the current in the river on Wednesday that no boats were allowed off from the boathouses. The motor service between Berwick and Spittal was also suspended. A coble which evidently had broken its moorings further up the river was swept to sea during the forenoon. The carcases of several lambs were also noticed being taken down with the flood.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 16 APRIL 1920

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CHATHILL GIRL AWARDED £100 DAMAGES

The details of an unfufilled promise of marriage were related before the Under-Sheriff of Northumberland  (Mr John E. Gibson), and a jury, who sat at the Moot Hall, Newcastle, on Tuesday, to assess damages in a case which had been remitted from the King’s Bench. The plaintiff was Mary Ternent, of Tuddle Farm, Chathill. The defendant, Robert Carr, was described as a boiler man, of Budle New Farm, Bamburgh. After hearing the evidence damages amounting to £100 were awarded.

The Moot Hall Court in Newcastle, where the the case of Mary Ternent, of Tuddle Farm, Chathill, was heard in 1920.  © Roger Smith, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license

Mr Hugh Percy, of Alnwick, who represented the plaintiff, said the parties in the case were in humble circumstances. The girl was 25 years of age, and she met the defendant, as unhappy fate would have it, about November, 1917, their acquaintance ripening into courtship. Carr proposed to her in January, 1919, which could be proved by a letter written by defendant to plaintiff, posted on January 21st, in which the following passage occurred: “Have you made up your mind yet about getting married? I do not like to say anything to your mamma, as you know I am shy, but I think she would let me have you darling.” That occurred in the middle of a voluminous correspondence, and it was important in fixing the date because of a particularly sad feature of the case. The girl gave all to this man, with the result that a child was born on March 17th last. He appeared to be acting honourably towards her, and in May, 1919, he had bought her an engagement ring. Later, however, he deserted her, and did not reply to her letters. After the proposal, added Mr Percy, Miss Ternent had spent £10 on household linen, and during her illness lost about £45 in wages.

Plaintiff bore out Mr Percy’s statement, and Carr, asked as to his financial position, said that his wages amounted to £2 10s per week, of which he paid 30s for board.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

FRIDAY

Before A. T. Robertson and Thos. Purves, Esqs.

Neil McGee, labourer, Ireland, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Chapel Street, Berwick, at 9.30 p.m., on Thursday, 8th April. April. He pleaded guilty.

P.C. Cruickshank proved the case, and said he found accused using foul language in a passage, and later, after being warned, he found him committing a nuisance.

One previous conviction was recorded, and accused was fined 5s or 7 days.

MONDAY

Before Alex. Darling and Jas. McNab, Esqs.

PUNCHED THE POLICE

Jane Wood, married woman, Berwick, was charged with having assaulted P.C. Latto and P.C. Robson, while in the execution of their duty in her own house in Chapel Street, on Saturday evening. She pleaded guilty.

P.C. Latto said he heard the accused cursing and swearing in Chapel Street, and abusing P.C. Robson. Witness advised her to go home, but she continued the disturbance. Her husband attempted to drag her into the house, but she bit, scratched, and tried to punch him on the face. She was mad drunk, and witness and P.C. Robson went into the house to try and pacify her. She continued to kick and strike out, and hit P.C. Robson on the lip, causing it to swell.

P.C. Robson said when he had occasion to check the child of accused, Wood, who was mad drunk, started to abuse him and use vile language. When trying to pacify her in her house, she behaved violently and struck him on the mouth, also kicking him in several places. She resisted all the way to the Police Station, kicking and scratching all the road.

This being accused’s third appearance; she was fined £2, with the alternative of one month. A fortnight was given in which to pay.

LOCAL NEWS

A long delayed letter and a postcard were received by Mrs Anderson, 66 Hunter’s Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne, on 27th March. The missives were posted in Moscow, Russia, on July 29th, 1914, by her son, Mr W. D. Anderson, a Freeman of Berwick, who was going to China, and they described the mobilisation of Russian troops for the great war, then just about to begin.

How Moscow would have looked to Mr Anderson, a Freeman of Berwick, in the early part of the twentieth century. © Author: С. С. Ильин.  Source: Фото архив С. С. Ильина

Mr Anderson, shortly after posting his letter to home, crossed Siberia to China, and was there 12 months when he came home to join up and become gazetted 2nd Lieut. in the D.L.I. He then went over to France, and was badly smashed up at the Somme, and returned to Newcastle, where he remained with his wife until demobilisation. He has been back in China for nearly a year. His brother, Mr Jas. Anderson, who is also a Freeman of the Borough and a regular visitor to the old town at holiday times, was in Berlin on holiday a few days before war was declared, and just got away at the last moment.

While excavations in connection with the laying of underground telegraph and phone cables were in progress at the Berwick end of the Old Bridge on Friday, workmen laid bare a piece of very old masonry, and a very much encrusted water main of lead was also unearthed. It is believed that the masonry is part of the foundations of the old English Gate or Key Gate, which are shown on a sketch of the Bridge dated 1745, and which were demolished nearly two centuries ago. The old foundations appeared to be composed of sandstone and limestone, run together with hot lime. The foundations cannot have belonged to the old Toll House, as it was situated in the recess at the Bridge End, close to Mr Vance’s shop.

About 1.40 a.m. on Saturday while two soldiers of the K.O.S.B.’s were returning after attending a dance, they observed fire to have broken out in an old house used as a workshop, at the rear of Mr Thos. Buglass’ property at 79 Low Greens. They immediately in formed the police, who communicated with the Borough Surveyor with a view to getting the fire engine out. Meanwhile a number of railway cleaners, and others who had hurried to the scene got at work on the burning building with water buckets. Their efforts were rewarded by keeping the fire from Lowrie’s stable which is adjacent, but the entire workshop was gutted. The fire brigade call was cancelled immediately the fire was got under control. It is believed that the conflagration was started by an old incubator which is kept in the workshop, becoming overheated. Damage to the extent of £100 was done, and the property, we understand, is not insured.

The children attending Kiln Hill Sunday School were entertained to a social on Thursday evening last in the Mitchel Memorial Hall. The first gathering of its kind for the past few years, owing to war conditions, the youngsters naturally looked forward with added keenness to a night’s enjoyment. The teachers and those responsible for the arrangements saw that they got it. Over 100 children were present at tea, and the good things were thoroughly enjoyed. Afterwards a concert of recitations, etc., provided by the children, was gone through, many parents and friends being present. Another treat was the exhibition of lantern slides by Mr G. Short, Berwick. The Rev. W. Jardine, who was accompanied by Miss Jardine, was present, and spoke a few words to the children. Mr Grainger, Superintendent of the Sunday School, and Mrs Grainger were also there.

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