Local News

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 5 SEPTEMBER 1919

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TWEEDMOUTH GIVES A LEAD

DECISION TO ERECT A SEPARATE WAR MEMORIAL

A meeting was held in the Mitchell Memorial Hall, Kiln Hill, Tweedmouth, on Monday evening to discuss the advisability of having a War Memorial to the lads from the township who had given their lives for their country, and to hear the opinions of the relatives of the fallen as to the advisability of such a memorial.

Ald. T. B. Short presided and accompanying him on the platform were Councillors Brewis and Watt, Dr. Caverhill, the Rev. P. G. Peacocks, and Mr Thomas Grey, Tweedmouth.

Tweedmouth finally got its War Memorial (picutred above), it was unveiled on the 25th October, 1920.

There was a gathering of some seventy persons present when the chair was taken and judging from the discussion which followed all were evidently imbued with the desire to have a memorial for the township worthy of the men who are gone.

Alderman Short, in his opening remarks, spoke of the steps being taken in other places for the erection of war memorials to the heroes who had fallen in the war. As yet there was nothing to show that Berwick was taking any active steps in the matter and in Tweedmouth the feeling was abroad that the time had come when they should seriously consider the taking of steps to have a separate memorial, and which should not overlap with the Town memorial. A few had thought that the time had now arrived when in keeping with the many smaller places in the vicinity, they could take into consideration what was the general opinion of the community with respect to such a War Memorial. Councillor Brewis some months ago first put the question to him. Having to attend to National Work, his visits to Berwick had been somewhat intermittent and being afraid that there might be a possibility of the matter being held up, he had talked the matter over with some friends. They had entertained the idea that a memorial might be put up in Tweedmouth Church and one or two had intimated that they would be prepared to support this but no money had been collected. Some promises of assistance towards this had been given but it was for the meeting to decide what was wanted as they were not committed in any way. For full article please see the original.

LOCAL NEWS

The Comrades have had the offer of an acre of ground near the Private Bowling Green from the Duke of Northumberland at a nominal rent. They are trying to erect a hut for use as a clubhouse, and there is to be a Flag Day in the Borough on Saturday, September 13th, to help to raise funds for the Comrades Club Fund, the arrangements for which are being carried out by the Committee of the Women’s Section. A campaign is being started to raise £800. Refreshments are now being sold at the Club in Bridge Street – tea, coffee, cakes, etc., and later tobacco and cigarettes will be on sale.

GOLF

LADIES’ TOURNAMENT

On Thursday afternoon last, a Ladies’ Tournament run on similar lines to that held by the men a few weeks ago, was played over the Magdalene Fields Course under most unfavourable weather conditions. The competitors started in cold but fine weather, but before the end of the first round, rain began to fall, and the storm of wind and rain made good scoring impossible. There are 72 lady members of the Club, and only 17 entered for the tournament.

Magdalene Fields Golf Course, 20th Century Aerial photograph, Berwick-upon-Tweed

The majority of the members are beginners, and doubtless somewhat shy of competitions, but competition play is one of the best ways of learning the rules of the game, though the prizes fall to the lucky few. As to those who did enter last Thursday, nothing too loud can be said in praise of their keenness, and the splendid way in which they “stuck it” out to the end, despite the deluge of rain. An excellent tea was served in the Club House at the close of the game, and the prizes very kindly given by the gentlemen members of the Club, were presented to the successful competitors by Mrs D. Redpath, the Lady Captain. No competitor was allowed to carry off more than one prize. The prize-winners were:

Best Scratch Score of 18 holes – Mrs W. R. McCreath, 95 less 4-91, brass gong.

Best Handicap Score 18 holes for those of handicap of 12 and under – Miss Robertson (Darra), 114 less 11-103, ebony brush and comb.

Best handicap Score 18 holes for those with handicap of 13 and over – Miss J. Stirling, 109 less 18-91, golf bag.

Best Handicap Score, 9 holes – Miss Brough, 56 less 7½ – 48½, attache case.

Best Handicap Eclectic Score – Miss Gray, 47 less 3 – 44, bottle of perfume.

Womens Golfers, 1920

The Ladies’ Match Play Competition for the “Officers Cup” in connection with the, Magdelene Fields Golf Course, has been won this season by Miss J. Stirling (18), Bridge Street, who beat Mrs D. Redpath by 4 up and 3 to play. This cup has not been played for in recent years owing to the course being closed. Miss Stirling, who is a promising player, has played well throughout the competition, and thoroughly deserves her success.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

CRUELTY TO CHILDREN AND NEGLECT

Mary Sykes, widow, Spittal, was charged with cruelty to her two children, George, aged 13, and Mary, 11 years, at Spittal on August 30th,and during the previous fourteen days. She pleaded not guilty, and was in tears most of the hearing.

The Chief Constable said she was a war widow. She had got it into her head that she could go out at any time, and could do what she liked to the children. Left to herself, she had not been keeping straight.

She had been going out at nights, and the children have been left to look after themselves, sometimes being locked out. This was so on August 30th, and Sergt. McRobb had taken the two children to their father’s mother at about ten o’clock. He went back and back to the house again until 12.15 without finding the mother at home. If he had not taken charge of them they would have been roaming the streets. Next morning at ten o’clock he went to the grandmother’s to take the children home. When they were told they had to go home the children burst out crying. The children told their grandmother what their mother had done to them, and she stripped them, and there were marks on one child’s body.

Sergt McRobb corroborated the Chief Constable’s statement. He had searched all over Tweedmouth for the mother. After twelve that night he found her boy of 16 sitting outside on the window-sill. Mary Sykes (the defendant) had told him that she was in the house all the time, and heard them rapping at the window. She thought it was the two eldest children, and she was not going to get up to let them in. Whether that was so or not, the young children were locked out. Sergt. McRobb told the Bench that when the children were stripped at their grandmother’s one of them had a bruise on her thigh about the size of a five-shilling piece, and another on her fore-arm. She said, “Mother kicked me last week-end.” The eldest daughter had a cut across her eye. She said her mother had struck her across the face with a shovel at five o’clock that night.

P.C. Lindsay also gave evidence, and said that the daughter had told the Sergeant and him that her mother was drunk.

The evidence of Mrs Sykes, the grandmother, was in line with the Constables’ though she thought the bruise was not so big as had been said and explained the cut on the eldest daughter’s face by saying that the cold had made her eye bleed.

The Mayor said it was a very bad case. It was a first offence or the Magistrates would have sent Sykes to prison. Fining would do no good, as the money would just be paid. She would be bound over in £5 for twelve months, and out under the care of the Probation Officer for that period. Costs,10s.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 22 AUGUST 1919

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FASHIONABLE WEDDING AT NORHAM

MORLEY-CROSSMAN — GARTSIDE-TIPPINGE

The wedding was solemnised today (Thursday) in St. Cuthbert’s Church, Norham, between  Major F. L. Morley Crossman, D.S.O., and of the late L. M. Morley-Crossman and of Mrs Morley-Crossman, Cheswick House, and Miss Ruth Gartside-Tippings, daughter of Capt. V. Gartside-Tippings, and of Mrs Gartside-Tippings, Morris Hall, Norham.

Major Crossman is 31 years of age, and received his education at Wellington College, and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. In 1907 he was gazetted to the Royal Horse and R.F.A. He served during the war, was awarded the M.C. in 1915, and the D.S.O. in June this year, and has been mentioned several times in despatches. He received his present rank of Major in 1917.

Canon Roberson, vicar of Norham officiated, Mr Walker organist of the Church, presiding at the organ. Before the service, while the guests were assembling, the strains of soft music floated through the beautiful old Norham Church, which dates from the 12th century. The music, specially chosen by the bride was as follows:- “Song of Thanksgiving,” Josiah Booth; “Andante,” Wely; Impressions Du Soir,”H. Stiehl; “Andante,” Myles B. Forster; “Melody,” S. Coleridge-Taylor. During the service Psalm 67, and the hymns “Love Divine” and “O perfect Love” were sung, and at the conclusion of the ceremony the bridal party left the church to the strains of Mendelssehn’s Wedding March.

St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Norham © Copyright Andrew Curtis – Creative Commons Licence.

The Bride, who was given away by her father, Capt. V. Gartside-Tippinge, looked very beautiful in a robe of simple white satin, trimmed with lace, with train, falling from the shoulders, of chiffon draped with Carrickmacross lace (the gift of the bride’s Godmother, lady Francis G. Osborne, Ord House). She wore a tulle veil, held in place by a bandeau of pearls (the gift of Mrs Houstoun) and carried a bouquet of lilies and white heather.

She was attended by four bridesmaids, Miss Hunter, Miss Hycinth Hunter, Miss Cicely Gough (cousin of the bride), and Miss Sybil Younger, who wore dresses of yellow crepe-de-chine, draped with georgette of the same colour, shoes of silver, and hats of silver lace, and carried sprays of copper beech. Each wore a diamond initial letter mounted on a black moire wrislet, the gift of the bridegroom.

The bride’s train was borne by two pages, Master Hugh Houstoun and Peter Marrow, who were attired in white satin knee breeches, white silk shirts, yellow sashes, and white buckleshoes, each wearing a gold safety pin, the gift of the bride.

Major Ackerman, D.S.O., M.C., R.A., acted as groomsman, the duties of ushers being discharged by Major Sinclair Wemyes, Wedderburn; Capt. Blake, Tillmouth; and Mr J. Allenby.

The bride’s mother was dressed in black georgette over satin, with deep fringe and sash lined with petunia and embroidered in petunia and gold. She wore a black georgette hat with ostrich feather trimming.

There was a large and fashionable assembly of guest in Church, which was also crowded with spectators from the village and neighbourhood.

After the ceremony a reception was held at Morris Hall, the beautiful home of the bride, within sight of Norham’s historic Castle.

LOCAL NEWS

The following war trophies have been received by the Mayor, and will remain in store in the Town Hall until such time as a portion of the Museum can be arranged to form a War Trophies Section :- Anti-tank rifle, helmet, German wire cutter, Austrian entrenching tool, German water bottle, 18 German rifles, carbine, body armour, bayonet, Turkish bayonet.

Mrs Bell, Chapel Street, Berwick, has received word that her nephew, Air Mechanic Ballantyne, who stowed away on R.34 on the Atlantic trip, has now arrived back at the aerodrome, East Fortune. Up to the present the Air Force Authorities have inflicted no disciplinary punishment. Air Mechanic Ballantyne hopes soon to visit Berwick, which has always been a spot favoured by him when on leave.

WAR MEDALS

The British War Medal which had been granted to His Majesty’s Forces is to be granted also to the British, Dominion, Colonial and Indian Mercantile Marine.

WW1 British Mercantile Marine War Medal 

The Medal, in Silver, will be given to those who have served at sea for not less than six months between the 4th August, 1914, and 11th November, 1918, inclusive. A mercantile Marine War Medal is also to be granted to fishermen who can supply evidence of having served at sea on at least one voyage through a danger zone. The medal will be in bronze, and the riband will be in green and red arranged vertically, with a narrow white line between them. Applications for medals should be made to Mr Toohey, Customs Office, Berwick, for all those residing within the Port of Berwick.

CROOKHAM

We are sorry to hear of a very nasty accident which has befallen Mr Conquer, of Palinsburn Cottage, whilst working in Flodden Quarry, on Wednesday, 13th August. The injured man was at work along with his son John and another man on the top of the rock, when a small portion of the soil gave way and caught him in the breast, knocking him down and breaking his leg between the knee and thigh.

Flodden Quarry © Copyright Andrew Curtis – Creative Commons Licence.

He also received nasty injuries to the back, but happily no bones are broken there. Dr Badcock was soon on the spot and he was removed to his home. This is the first accident of any kind at the quarry, and it reflects great credit on the part of Mr Conquer, who has worked it for 18 years. He is now 68 years of age, and it will be some time before he is able to get about. However, we wish him a speedy recovery.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 25 JULY 1919

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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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