Local News

BERWICK NEWSPAPERS

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BERWICK JOURNAL, 31ST JANUARY 1924

BERWICK TOWN COUNCIL

On Tuesday evening, after the Town Council meeting, Mr Ralph Skelly, aged 86, the oldest Freeman of the Borough, was presented privately with the gold-headed staff of office by the Mayor, in the presence of the Sheriff.

Mr Robertson, the esteemed and highly respected Sub-Postmaster at Horncliffe, is resigning after holding the post for a number of years. Mr Robertson is one of the oldest and best-known regular visitors to Berwick Market every Saturday.

Inquirer- The match between Celtic and Newcastle United was played in Berwick Cricket Field on March 13, 1902. The event was to celebrate the coming of age of the Rangers’ Club. Celtic won by 4 goals to 2.

Owing to scarcity of fish Holy Island fishermen have had to put in their creels and start crab and lobster fishing.

Holy Island, The Castle and the Ouse
Holy Island Castle and the Ouse

Messrs Jas. McDougle and Sons, Bamburgh, are appointed Berwick to Alnmouth Distributing Agents for Alladin Lamps.

Belford Hall is to be sold in March by Belford and District Farmers’ Auction Mart, Ltd., instructed by T. Place, Esq.

BERWICK CASTLE EXCAVATIONS

Following upon excavations at Water Tower, at river-side end of Western Flanking Wall of Berwick Castle, work has been proceeding at and near the Tower higher up, also on westside, which adjoins Western Wall before it begins to descend to Tweed. This Tower is the Buttress Tower, which was of great strength built probably about 1280, in Reign of Edward I., when Berwick Castle was made impregnable.

REF: BRO 426/37

Excavations at Water Tower have laid bare solid foundations, the facing stones, of which the upper part of the Tower is destitute, being of fine quality. A fair amount of work has been done on the Buttress Tower, a narrow trench some 2 feet deep having been dug round the wall. Nothing, however, has as yet been disclosed except the important fact that the original facing stones are still intact below the surface of the ground. Work is proceeding and some more men may be detailed to Berwick from Norham.

TWEEDMOUTH NOTES

In conversation with a railwayman, a few days ago, I was told of one particular instance of how motor cars are nibbling at traffic over which the railway held a complete monopoly since the Wooler Branch opened up. Traffic in rabbits, eggs, and other farm produce, was collected at all stations, large 5-ton vans being on the passenger trains for the purpose of conveying these food stuffs to southern markets. Those days are gone. A fleet of large motors visit the farms daily and collect what formerly had to be carted to the sometimes far-off stations and placed in the vans provided. The cars take full loads to Newcastle, and return with empty hampers, etc., much time and unnecessary labour being saved by the motor service now firmly established. The railway company in consequence has lost a fruitful source of revenue by the innovation, for where they used to carry hundreds of hampers weekly at one time, they scarcely carry dozens now.

Tweedmouth Burns’ Club Supper was held in the headquarters, Union Hotel, on Thursday night, 24th Jan.,  a day before the actual anniversary, this being to accommodate some who had a wish to attend other Club suppers, which were to be held on the 25th. There was an attendance of 60 members and friends, the spacious upstairs room being comfortably seated. The hour for starting was 6pm and by that time the room was showing signs of animation, while the savoury aroma floating upstairs told that the host and hostess, together with their staff of assistants, were doing their share. It may be safely stated that Tweedmouth Burns Club is keeping up its fine reputation, and maintaining its high standard of intellectual efficiency, whereby the annual gatherings are made a success.

THE NEW BRIDGE: A PETITION

The Mayor announced that he had just received a petition regarding the proposed new bridge, and he was of the opinion that the Council should send it to the Bridge Committee for consideration.

Coun. Dickinson seconded the Mayor’s motion that the matter be sent to the Bridge Committee and this was agreed upon.

The petition read as follows:

To His Worship the Mayor and the Members of the Town Council of Berwick -upon-Tweed.

The owners of property in and adjacent to the main throughfares leading from the Old Bridge through Bridge Street and Hide Hill and those conducting business in that district have become greatly concerned regarding the position involved by the construction of a new bridge, and recent reports of the County and Local Authorities have not dispelled the uncertainty prevailing in their minds.

View of Royal Border Bridge and The Old Bridge

So far us can be ascertained from the two routes which are now engaging the attention of the Town Council, both of which emerge directly into High Street, no provision is made for direct access to Bridge Street or its vicinity. Unless, therefore, the Old Bridge continues to be an inlet and outlet of traffic, the immediate effect of carrying out such a proposal would be the isolation of a large and important part of the town frm a great volume of traffic, and, in the opinion of the parties concerned, have the following results:-

  1. A loss of business now on the main route in that area.
  2. The depreciation of the value of the property therein.
  3. An increase in the cost of haulage and transit.

In view of such opinions those who are commercially and financially interested or otherwise connected with the question of the new bridge, so far as the south eastern area of the town in concerned, are desirous that these matters shall receive adequate considerate.

Informal, but representative meetings have been held to consider the position, but, at the suggestion of his Worship the Mayor, the parties who thus met, readily acquiesced in the view that the immediate moment is perhaps inauspicious for laying the whole of the facts before the public at large.

At such a meeting held on the 18th January, 1924 the situation was reviewed and it was unanimously resolved as follows: –

“That urgent representation be immediately made to the Town Council when considering the route of the new bridge to give earnest consideration to the special and peculiar position of the southeastern area of the Town of Berwick, and to preserve, as far as possible its present trade facilities so as to mitigate any hardship which might be inflicted upon those connected with this area.” (signed,) J.W. Blench, Chairman. H.M. Young, Secretary.

BERWICK NEWSPAPERS, 1924

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 3RD JANUARY 1924

MILITARY NOTES-DEPOT NOTES

Lt. J. Watt, M.C., has taken over the duties of Adjutant at the Depot in succession to Capt. B. C. Lake, who has been appointed Officer in Charge of training at the Depot. Capt. E.W.T. Agar, M. C., has also arrived and takes over the position vacated by Capt. Campbell, who has gone to the War Office. Capt. Agar is from the 1st Battalion, and the new Adjutant from the 2nd.

Sergt. Abbot has returned to the Depot after his course at Hythe and he appeared once more in the orchestra at the Hogmanay dance given by the Sergeants in the Gymnasium. The hall was tastefully decorated, and everything went through without a hitch. Excellent music was provided at the dance by Mr N.P. Allan’s orchestra and there was abundance in the way of light refreshment. The New Year, as is customary, was “piped” in and the company sang “A Guid New Year” and “Auld Lang Syne.” The dance was voted a great success by all who took part in it.

On New Year’s night, the Sergeants and honorary members of the Mess had their new Year dinner and social evening. There was a full attendance, and the evening was pleasantly spent with song, reminiscence, and toasts.

Colour Sergt. McKellar has been promoted C.S.M. and has been posted to the 1st Battalion. He will be leaving the Depot shortly and his going is regretted by all.

LOCAL NEWS

Christmas has come and gone, but it has left happy memories with some 400 poor children in the town, who on Friday, 28th December, were entertained in Wallace Green Hall. The ladies who promoted the treat wee Mrs Fulton, Miss McConville and Misses McAdam, and they had the assistance of a large band of willing workers, male and female. The tea tables were heavily laden with good things, and it was found necessary to have two sittings for tea as many more children turned up than were at first expected. Tea over, a lengthy programme of music, song and dancing was gone through to the delight of all present.

Still standing, St Andrew’s church (Church of Scotland), Wallace Green, Berwick-upon-Tweed. © Author: mattbuck, Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license.

When father Christmas appeared in the Hall to dismantle a large Christmas tree, heavily laden with gifts and illuminated with coloured lights, the scenes of enthusiasm were such as to make the heart glad. Every child received a present and, judging from the happy faces, every child was perfectly satisfied. After the tree had been dismantled Mr Seals called for three cheers for the ladies who had given the treat, these were given with great gusto. The following contributed to the programme during the evening: – Dancers; Misses Black, Elder, Isaac, Crow, McLaren, Whittle, King and Casey. Pipe selections were given by Mr Heckles, and comic songs were sung by Mr Dudgeon. Miss Todd and Miss Wilson played the accompaniments, and Mrs Thompson led the children in singing all the latest songs. As the children retired each received an apple, orange, toffee, and cake. The promoters thank all who helped in gifts and in service, and thanks  are also due to Messrs Knox, Bridge Street, who did the lighting arrangements, and the trustees of Wallace Green Church for the use of the hall.

GOSWICK

On Christmas Eve upwards of seventy children and adults from Goswick Station, Goswick Farm, Windmill Hill, Cheswick, Cheswick farm, and Broomhouse, were entertained to a tea and Christmas tree in the E.P. Church, Goswick. After an enjoyable repast each child was handed a present from the Christmas tree. Mr Stinton, Wireless Station, acting as Santa Claus in a most appropriate way. Thereafter games were indulged in and songs and recitations by the following ladies and gentlemen added to the enjoyment of the evening: – Messrs Beattie, Wilson, Stinton, and Moffatt, Mrs Wye, and Miss Beattie. Miss Wedderburn contributed a violin solo. A doll given by Mrs Ash was raffled and won by Miss Olive Grahamslaw. Mrs Chirnside presided at the organ. Those responsible for the organisation of the affair were: – Mrs Whye, Mr and Mrs Chirnside, Mrs J. Grahamslaw, Mr and Mrs Beattie and others.

BERWICK TOWN COUNCIL

A special meeting of Berwick Town Council took place in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall, on Friday evening, when the Mayor (Ald. Wilson) presided, and there were also in attendance Aldermen Boston, Maclagan, and Cowe, Councillors Redpath, Stuart, Morrison, Dudgeon, Campbell, Dickinson, Davis, and Anderson; along with the Town Clerk (Mr J. W. Porter) and the Borough Accountant (Mr Jas. Gibson).

The Mayor announced that the only business which had brought them together was to consider and if necessary pass a resolution, “That an emergency having arisen through an outbreak of small pox the Council make a temporary order that for a period of three months the Infectious Diseases (Notification) Act 1889, shall apply to cases of chickenpox within the borough of Berwick, and that the order shall come into operation at the expiration of one week from the publication of the advertisement viz., on the 5th day of January, 1924.

Berwick Town Hall early 1900’s. BRO 426-294

Alderman Maclagan – As chairman of the Public Health Committee I beg to move the adoption of this resolution. You will know that there have been five cases of smallpox at Morpeth area, and that is rather near to us. Norham and Islandshires made chickenpox notifiable some time ago and now they have made it notifiable for twelve months. If I had been consulted before the motion was framed, I would have been in favour of making it notifiable here for six months, but I am afraid it is too late now for moving that. I have discussed it with the Medical Officer, and he agreed with me six months would be much better than three, but it was thought best by reason of expense to limit it to three months. This period proposed would end in April, and it was usually April and May when outbreaks of infectious disease occurred, but in the end of March if it was necessary notice could be given to extend the period for another three months. The idea of making chickenpox notifiable was that mild cases of smallpox resemble chickenpox closely, and if notified and seen by a medical man he was able at once to distinguish between the two and so stamp out smallpox as soon as it appeared.

Alderman Boston seconded, and the resolution was agreed to without discussion. The whole proceedings only occupied four minutes-surely a record for Council business.

FORMER BERWICK TRAVELLER

SENT TO PRISON FOR EMBEZZLEMENT

Sheriff Crole passed sentenced of eight months’ imprisonment at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday on a well-dressed young man, Percy Wainwright, in custody, previously residing at 8 Kirkhill Road, Penicuik, who admitted that between April 24th and August 5th, while acting as agent and collector for the Humber Fishing and Fish Manure Company (Limited), Hull, he embezzled sums amounting to £366 6s 6d.

An agent on wainwright’s behalf stated that accused was employed by the Company from June, 1919, and part of his work was to collect accounts. One matter which might have some bearing on the case was that Wainwright seemed to have spent more money on entertaining his customers than he ought to have done.

The procurator-Fiscal said that Wainwright appeared to have been doing quite well for his firm, but had become financially embarrassed. He had certainly made the most of it, for at the time of his arrest he had only 3d left. Except for his disposal of his wearing apparel, he had nothing to live upon.

Wainwright is well known in Berwick. During the latter period of the war and until two years ago, when he left for Loanhead, he worked the Berwick and north Northumberland districts. He resided at the Castle Hotel and attended all the stock and grain markets and as side lines he held agencies for several companies. He was a keen golfer and was often seen on the Magdalene Fields Course. Since removing to Penicuik, he has frequently come back to attend Berwick market and it is only a few weeks ago since he was in the town.

FOOTBALL

EAST OF SCOTLAND LEAGUE

Berwick Rangers (h)….3 Gala Fairydean….1

Jack Frost held sway at Union Park on Saturday. Despite the fact that two tons of sand had been used, the field was in a dangerous condition, melted snow, frozen hard, making the foothold treacherous and even where the sand had been liberally used in the goalmouths the going was none too good. Under the circumstances the teams are to be congratulated on the display given. The game never lacked interest up to the last kick and it was fortunate that no one was hurt, there being no heavy charging indulged in. Brown was accidently kicked on the head by Purves in the second half but after attention and some of the hot drink which the Rangers had at the interval, he was able to resume amid applause.

BERWICK NEWSPAPERS, 1923

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BERWICK JOURNAL, 20TH DECEMBER 1923

CHRISTMAS NOVELTIES

Seldom have we seen such novelty as characterises Xmas and New Year productions of Alpha Publishing Co., 2 Scrutton-St., Finsbury, London, E.C. 2. In this enterprising Firm’s 1924 Calendars are unique designs, while their Xmas cards, Postcards, Toy Books, Picture Books, etc, are as fine as anything we have seen; and, moreover, moderate in price. There is, undoubtedly, good quality and good value. Original indeed are the silver and metal horse-shoes, and other attractive and realistic and quaint devices and shapes, even to old boots and wish-bones. Most useful are the Engagement Calendars, while Stationary Calendars carved on wood and mounted against velvety background will be most popular. The Magic Drawing Book is a new idea, enabling the children to draw pictures with ordinary pencil, simply rubbing it across a seemingly blank page. Alpha Series Humour, Usefulness; and the Firm is taking pride of place in production, and will command success among both young people and old.

LOCAL NEWS

A small free gift sale was held in Salvation Army Rooms, Quay Walls, Berwick, on Thursday. The hall was tastefully decorated, and the tables bearing the good things were nicely laid out. On the work stall, one saw many hours of hard work on the part of friends and members of the Corps; and the cake and candy stall bore sweetmeats, cakes, fruit etc. In adjoining room tea was served. At 3 pm the opening hour there was a fair number present. Mrs Strachan, who performed the opening ceremony, was introduced by Capt. Golder. Mrs Strachan said: – “Dear friends when your officers called to ask me if I would open your free gift sale, I felt rather afraid, as I have never performed such a duty before, but on remembering that I had been amongst you before, and that I was coming among homely people, I consented. I do assure you that I am very pleased to be among you again, and esteem it an honour to do anything, however small to help forward the work of God. I understand that the result of today’s sale will be used for the funds of Local Corps. All Christian Institutions must have money to carry on their work, or that work would come to a standstill. None of us would like to see the noble work done by your Corps come to an end. I therefore hope that the preparation for today’s effort will result in a bountiful harves and that the workers will experience the joy of seeing their stalls emptied and their cash boxes filled before very long. I have very great pleasure in declaring the sale open.” In proposing a vote of thanks to Mrs Strachan Capt. Golder said they were all much indebted to her in coming to open their free gift sale. She said friends were required to carry on the work of the Corps, unless these were forth coming the work would have to stop; and this none of them wanted to see. After this purchases were made freely and stallholders kept busy. Stallholders were: Work Stall- Capt. Golder, Miss Moor; Cake and Candy Stall- Mrs Henderson, Miss Henderson, Miss Moor, Miss Gibson; Bran Tub, etc- Miss Johnstone, Miss D. Aitchison, Lennie Walker; Teas-Mrs Shiell, Mrs Douglas, Mrs Walker, Mrs Patterson, Lt. Hoyland. During the afternoon Capt. W. Douglas late commanding officer was present.

The Red Lion Inn, Castlegate, Berwick, was the venue of a gathering of rather unique interest on Tuesday night, the occasion being the first annual dinner of the Salmon Lodge (No.4606) of the R.A.O.B. The “Buffaloes,” as they are familiarly known, have been making steady progress with the furtherance of the Order both in town and district, with the result that more Lodges have been consecrated since the introduction of the Order to Berwick some years ago. Constitutionally they are sound, being stalwart upholders of King and Law, while with such noble examples in their ranks as Mr Baldwin, the Prime Minister, and Bishop Weldon, the Dean of Durham, comments are needless. Tuesday evening’s proceedings were most happy, representatives being present from Morpeth (Sir John Leach Lodge), Spittal (Albion Lodge), Royal Berwick Lodge, with visiting brethren also from Norham, where negotiations are proceeding for the opening of a Lodge. Primo W. Taylor C.P., occupied the chair, and after dinner, which was served in a noteworthy manner y the host and hostess (Bro. Ridpeath and Mrs Ridpeath), proposed the loyal toast, “The King,” thanking all present for their attendance on the auspicious occasion, and extending a kindly welcome to representatives from other Lodges.

Red Lion, Berwick-upon-Tweed, 1959. Ref BRO 1250-30

NEW YEAR’S DAY

How New Year’s Day is celebrated all over the world is fascinatingly described in “Cassell’s Children’s Book of Knowledge” -Part 39, just published.

In China the shops are closed several days, while people make merry with feasts and fireworks, and general exchange of gifts and good wishes. In preparation, every debt must have been paid; every house swept and cleaned; and each person furnished with holiday clothes and a supply of preserved fruits, sweets, and ornamental packages of teas to give to his friends.

Japanese New Year festival is perhaps, even gayer. Everyone provides himself with new clothes and takes 3 days off from work to visit his friends or entertain them at his Home. Every gatepost is adorned with dark green pines and feathery light green bamboos, while over the doorways hang vivid red lobsters and crabs, and scarlet tangerine-like fruits, symbolical of long life and happiness. Streets are thronged with happy children playing battledore and shuttlecock the whole day long, and everyone beams with joy, bowing and wishing the compliments of the season even to perfect strangers.

In France, New Year’s Day is a more important holiday than Christmas. French peasant children put one of their sabots on the hearth for a gift at Christmas; but grownups in France exchange gifts at New Year Festival, at which time there are family parties, with much merrymaking, and general exchange of visits.

Scotland celebrates New Year’s Eve with a heartiness nowhere surpassed. The old tradition that to be “first-foot” in a house brings luck for the whole year, sends throngs of midnight revellers into the streets on New Year’s Eve,” each with his box of cakes and “spiced ale,” for in order to ensure his host a bounteous year he must not enter empty handed

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