BERWICK ADVERTISER, 7TH JULY 1922

08/07/2022 by Northumberland Archives

PRIZE DAY AT ST. MARY’S

SCHOLARS GIVE DISPLAY IN PLAYGROUND

The annual prize distribution to pupils attending St. Mary’s Church of England School took place in the playground on Thursday afternoon, when there was a large attendance of parents and friends present. Happily, apart from two showers in the afternoon weather conditions were good and the youngsters assembled, garbed in summer frocks, appeared to thoroughly enjoy the programme of singing, dancing, recitation, and drill which was gone through. The applause which followed each item was in every case well deserved and showed the appreciation of the audience.

Present at the ceremony were Mr G. N. Broadbent and Mrs Broadbent, Mr Chas. Forsyth and Mrs Forsyth, Mr Robt. Carr, Mr W. B. Dickinson, the Rev. S. E. R. Fenning (who presided), etc. The programme submitted by the children was very good indeed, the quaint old folk dances being exceedingly well executed. We feel convinced that the girls’ team which danced “If all the world were paper,” could have easily won at Wooler last week, where that dance was made the test piece at the dancing competition at the Workers’ Union Gala. “Gathering Peascods” was another dance smartly done. The singing was very nice, though the boys were just a little strong for good harmony. The most pleasing item was “O wert thou in the cauld blast,” which though rather a difficult song for youngsters to harmonise in, was done very well indeed. Misses I. Elliot and M. Richardson performed creditably as the piano in the duet “The Merry Skaters.” Though little Janet Renton suffered from stage fright at first in her recitation “Hiawatha’s Childhood, “she did remarkably well at the second attempt and deserved all the applause she got. Mary McRobb also recited “The Pied Piper” clearly and with wonderful expression.

SEAHOUSES

The usual tranquillity of the village of Seahouses was upset in Wednesday afternoon, June 28^th, when it became known that one of its well-known inhabitants had been found dead. The person in question, Mrs Elizabeth Langley, widow, was found by her daughter hanging from a hook, in the basement of the house in which they live in harbour View.

Assistance was promptly procured from the fish stand, where the fish and crates were being sold, and which is only a few yards from the house, but this alas was too late. Mrs Langley for many years kept a pop shop facing the harbour, and was well-known and respected. She has been in poor health for some time. – Mr Hugh J. Percy, deputy coroner, held an inquest on the body of deceased on Thursday at the Police Station, North Sunderland. Evidence of identification was given by Robert Langley, son of the deceased, and by William Norris, who stated that he went into the cellar below the house with Mrs Langley’s daughter (who was unable to attend the inquest) and removed deceased’s body, which was hanging by a cord. Life was quite extinct. – A verdict was returned that deceased committed suicide by hanging herself whilst temporarily insane.

LOCAL NEWS

During the week the large double decker motor bus which was running between Spittal and Berwick has been withdrawn. We hear that the drivers have found great trouble in passing horses, which being unused to meeting such a high affair, either showed a desire to sit down or shie on to the pavements. Messrs Thompson Bros., we see, have started a new covered in bus, which in bad weather should be a great advantage to people travelling between Berwick and Spittal.

Spittal Promenade, 1900s Ref: BRO 426/24-3

Mr R. W. Michael, the tenant of Kerchesters, on Tuesday last week treated all the people on his farm- men, women and children, to the number of sixty- to a motor drive to the coast. Starting at nine o’clock, the first stage was by Ford and Lowick to Bamburgh-a fine long run, which, in delightful weather, was greatly enjoyed. A few hours, all too brief, were spent on the fine beach, and in viewing the great castle and the surrounding beauties- besides other generous entertainment in the form of luncheon, provided by Mrs Michael. The second stage was taken in the afternoon, from Bamburgh to Spittal-an enjoyable drive along the coast. At the latter place the party had tea and a couple of hours were agreeably spent; the third stage was started- from Spittal to Kerchesters via Cornhill- the homeward journey being completed at about nine o’clock.

ALNWICK CASTLE TO BE CLOSED

It is reported on good authority that the Duke of Northumberland is immediately to close Alnwick Castle on account of high taxation.

As a matter of fact, the shootings and fishings were let some time since, and the household at the castle, which formerly numbered little short of 100, has been considerably reduced of late.

It has customary to keep a few rooms open for the Duke and Duchess, and their family, when in the North; but they are not usually in residence at this season of the year.

Lion Bridge and Alnwick Castle, Ref: NRO 2709/8

The Duke is at present in France.

Alnwick Castle was commenced by Ovo de Vescy in 1096, and rebuilt by the Percies in the 14^th century. It has been their principal residence ever since.

The Duke only recently let Syon House and sold his lands in the London district.

PIGEON FLYING

BERWICK CLUB

Berwick and District H.S. flew their fifth old bird race from Bournemouth, 349 miles, on Saturday, July 1^st. Mr Maidment liberated 41 birds at 5.45 a.m., wind S.W. The winners were :- R. Jeffrey, 1463, and R. Sutherland, 1452. The race is a record from Bournmouth to Berwick, the birds flying close on 50 miles per hour.

TWEEDMOUTH CLUB

Owing to the birds beating the officials to the winning post the Tweedmouth Homing Society’s race from Bournemouth on Saturday came to a rather unsatisfactory ending. The birds were liberated from Bournmouth on Saturday morning and none of the officials at Tweedmouth expected them to arrive home within seven and a half hours least. Conditions for flying, however, were favourable and five birds landed in a bunch without anybody being ready to receive them 6 hours and 40 minutes after having been let off. They averaged a speed of 1512 yards per minute over the journey of 348 miles. A meeting of the Society was therefore held on Monday night when it was decided that the fairest way out of the difficulty was to share the prize money equally amongst the owners of the five birds first home. Those sharing the prize money were Messrs Hay and Nelson, Mount Road; Gilchrist Brothers, Howick Terrace; P. Matthewson, Mount Road, and Speedy Brothers, Mill Strand ( 2 shares). The Bournemouth race having completed the races for old birds, the cup formerly belonging to the old Homing Club of Tweedmouth for the best average over all the long distance races was awarded to Messrs Hay and Nelson. The pools in the Bournemouth race were shred in the same way as the prize money. The young birds races will commence in August.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 9TH JUNE 1922

10/06/2022 by Northumberland Archives

DEATH OF MR WILLITS

47 YEARS HEADMASTER OF THE BRITISH SCHOOL

The death of Mr H. W. Willitts, formerly headmaster of the British School, Berwick, took place on Sunday after a short illness following a seizure he had over a week ago. The news was received in the town with the deepest regret and none felt it more than those who had passed through his hands during the 47 years he was headmaster at the British School. All over the world where old boys and girls are scattered the news of Mr Willits’ death will come as a personal grief. To know Mr Willits was to gain daily evidence of the interest he held in the well-being of his “boys,” as he familiarly called them, to feel the kindly sympathy he took in their work, and to know that at the times he was most stern, he sought to correct some tendency which might in later life prove the undoing of his pupil.

Mr Willits was the eldest son of the late Mr John Willits, S. S., who for many years acted as manager for Messrs Rennoldson and Capper, timber merchants, Newcastle-on-Tyne, his mother being one of the well-known family of Woodroffe of Surrey. He began his scholastic career as a Pupil Teacher in the Jarrow Chemical Coy’s School at South Shields, and passing the Queen’s Scholarship Examination in the First Division at Christmas, 1868, he later occupied the sixth place in Boro’ Road College. During his stay there he was awarded the only certificate given in his year for School Management, and he left as the second man of his year.

In 1871 he was appointed teacher in the School at New Marske, one of the forty-two schools maintained by Jos. Pease, Esq., and while a student gained certificates in Chemistry, mathematics, Physiography, mechanics and Drawing. After spending five months at New Markse he was appointed to the Berwick British School, on the special recommendation of the late Sir H. E. Oakley, H. M. Inspector for British Schools in the North of England. During his stay in Berwick Mr Willits has had some tempting offers, but all of these he has declined to accept. Away back in 1874 he was invited by Sir H. E. Oakley to become an Assistant Inspector to reside in Durham, but he declined the position.

As a young man, Mr Willits was an adept at rowing and an active and enthusiastic member of the B.A.R.C. For six years he served as a volunteer with the 3^rd Durham Artillery Volunteers. He was travelled much abroad, visiting various countries as Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Germany and Spain, and the information thus gathered has been most helpful to him in his profession, and to the pupils under his instruction, to whom he was ever ready to impart knowledge of the customs and life on the Continent. A keen bowler, he was one of the most enthusiastic members of the Berwick Bowling Club up to 1902, when he met with a serious cycling accident which prevented him from taking further part in his favourite game. In 1896, Mr Willits attained his semi jubilee at the British School, and was on that occasion made the recipient of a handsome gold watch and chain as a token of respect and esteem.

Berwick British School, plan, April 1858. Ref: NDE 08-01

He took an active part in the various organisations in those days, being for thirteen years Secretary and Treasurer of the North Northumberland Teachers’ Association. He was also associated with the Kiln Hill Sunday School, where he conducted a large Band of Hope for many winters, and for fifteen years discharged the duties of Superintendent. Mr Willits was a lifelong abstained and he was always been most assiduous in inculcating temperance principles in the minds of his scholars. He has acted as president of Berwick Choral Union and was vice-president of the old Debating Society which used to meet in the Bankhill Church Vestry. Mr Willits was a staunch Presbyterian and was Senior Elder of the Wallace Green congregation, of which denomination he had been a trustee for 32 years.

Mr Willits retired from the head mastership of the British School in March, 1918, owing to having passed the age limit, and he was then made the recipient of a well filled wallet as a token of esteem and regard from past and present pupils of the school.

Mr Willits was predeceased by his wife, a gifted lady and talented political organiser, a few years ago, and he felt her loss very keenly. He stayed more in the town after her demise, residence at the little bungalow nestling on the banks of the Whitadder at New Mills, where the worthy couple had often resided during Mrs Willits’ lifetime, being too pregnant of memories. He is survived by a grown-up family- Henry, who is a bank manager with Barclay and Co.; John, who during the war held the rank of Commander, and was engaged on convoy work; Fred, who holds an important position in West Africa; Janet, who is in the British School; and Annie, who is married and is in New Zealand.

LOCAL NEWS

Fri. June 9, light up 10.48 p.m. summer time.

Saturday being the King’s birthday the bells in the Town Hall were rung during the day, and the Town Flag and Union Jack were displayed.

Bishop Ormsby, Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, who was seriously ill for so long, received the most cordial of ovations at the Diocesan Conference on Wednesday, May 31^st.

Lieut.-Col. The Hon. H. E. Joicey was present at the 14^th (King’s) Hussars’ annual dinner at the Grand Hotel on Wednesday, May 31^st.

Mr and Mrs Hugh Miller, of the Katzin-Miller Repertory Company, have been spending a holiday in Berwick this week. More information can be found by visiting the Berwick Friends website: http://www.berwickfriends.org.uk/history/hugh-miller-actor/

Hugh Miller (left) and Henry Oscar in a scene from the British film *The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel* (1937). Oscar was playing the role of Robespierre and Miller was his secretary De Calmet.

Mr Philip Maclagan, son of Dr P. G. Maclagan, London, and nephew of Dr C. G. Maclagan, Mayor of Berwick, has had a picture hung in the Royal Academy exhibition this year. The picture has been purchased by Mrs Winston Churchill.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 12TH MAY 1922

13/05/2022 by Northumberland Archives

ANGLER’S FIND IN WHITADDER.

GOLD MEDAL LOST FIVE YEARS AGO

DISCOVERED IN WADING SHOE

There was no one more annoyed than Mr James Linton, Berwick, five years ago, when he lost from his watch chain in the waters of the Whitadder the gold medal awarded to him in 1906, when he won the championship of Berwick and District Angling Club. On Monday the medal was restored to him, a little damaged no doubt after its long stay in the river bed, but still in fair condition, and the story of how it was recovered is not without interest.

To begin with it was in the summer of 1917 that Mr Linton lost his medal. He was having his holidays at the time and had been fishing on the Gainslaw side of the Whitadder above Canty’s Bridge. He believes the medal broke from his watch chain either as he was coming over the fence at the end of the Plantation or else while he was fishing down the flat opposite Mr Knox’s cottages. From that day to this week the medal was given up as lost by Mr Linton.

Then came the finding of it which is very curious. An angler fishing up the Gainslaw bank on Saturday afternoon last stepped into the water at the muddy bottom opposite Canty’s Hole. After fishing for a few minutes he felt what he thought was a stone in his wading shoe. On coming to the bank later he was surprised to find inside his shoe a little medal, shaped like a cross, with thistle embellishment, which was tarnished and blackened by immersion in the mud. He polished it up and then discovered the inscription on the back: “Berwick and District Angling Club, won by James Linton, 1906.” Evidently the medal had lain in the mud for years, and when the angler’s shoe had sunk in the mud it had slipped in between the side of the shoe and the wader.

Mr Linton was very pleased to have the badge handed back to him and although it has been damaged, apparently through having been trodden on, he is having it re-mounted.

NASTY CYCLING ACCIDENT AT BERWICK.

TWO BOYS BADLY HURT

While cycling down the hill at Prior House, Berwick, on Thursday night May 3, a lad named Conlin, residing in Mount Road, Tweedmouth, came into violent collision with a little boy named darling, who resides at Murton, and who had run on to the road in front of the cycle.

Conlin was heavily thrown, sustaining a broken collar bone, and the boy darling, who got the full force of the impact, had his leg badly fractured and torn. Darling was conveyed to Berwick Infirmary by motor ambulance and detained, while Conlin, who was severely shaken but less seriously injured, was conveyed home.

LOCAL NEWS

The people of Berwick are beginning to find out the delights of the new pathway along the sea-banks running north from Dod’s Well. The “Primrose Banks” have always been popular, but the going was rather too rough to be frequented much as a regular walk. Now, thanks to the labours of men out of work during the rigours of winter the rough places have been made smooth and the way plain, and with glorious sunshine tempering the sea breezes, a stroll along this path is delightful. As the path winds in and out following the many indentations the sea has made, glimpses of the coast-line can be had from Holy Island and the Farnes up to the point south of Eyemouth. On Sunday the sea was of a glorious blue, with a fringe of dancing white as the waves beat on the rocky shore or dashed into the caves and caverns at the foot of the grassy banks. The coast is nearly all rocky northwards to the “needle Eye,” save for one stretch of sand, rather un-get-at-able because of the steep banks. There is only one objectionable feature to this new walk, and that is a heap here and there of old tins, broken bottles and china that had apparently been tipped over the banks before this new development was thought of.

NORHAM BOATHOUSE FARM

SELLS FOR £1600

On Saturday afternoon Mr W. J. Bolam, auctioneer, Berwick, offered for sale in the King’s Arms Assembly Rooms, Norham Boathouse farm, situated on Tweedside, and extending to 46.695 acres, the property of Sir F. D. Blake, Bart. The adjacent salmon fisheries were not included in the sale and the property was sold subject to all rights of ownership of such fisheries and to all rights of access thereto and to all usage’s enjoyed in connection therewith. Mr Bolam described the farm as one of the best little farms on Tweedside and has the advantages of a gravitation water supply. He also referred to the quarry which would be of some value as houses and cottages would have to be put up some day in the neighbourhood.

BRO 0426-355 Hide Hill, showing the King’s Arms Hotel, Berwick-upon-Tweed

Referring to the reduction in the rate of income tax, Mr Bolam explained that farmers would not feel the benefit of that reduction this year, as the instalment payable in July, 1922, was really in respect of the income for the year ending 4^th April, 1922. The basis of taxation of agricultural holdings would in future be on one year’s rental instead of two, or on profits, at the option of the tenant- a privilege enjoyed by no other section of the community. The financial year for tax purposes commenced on April 5^th, and tax was payable in two instalments, on January 1^st and July 1^st, so that the tax actually due in respect of the year commencing 5^th April, 1922, was not payable until January 1^st, 1923, and July 1^st 1923. He mentioned this as there seemed to be some uncertainty in the minds of agricultural tenants on the subject. As to rating relief, nothing definite had so far been promised, but Mr Bolam gave it as his opinion that the authorities would not be able to withstand the pressure of opinion so freely and strongly expressed at all recent meetings of agricultural societies, and he thought it certain that at no distant date some measure of relief must be given to occupiers of agricultural land. These two items had a very important bearing on the question of valuation of land, and he thought intending purchasers should bear them in mind.

Bidding started at £1000 and rose fairly rapidly to £1600, when the farm was knocked down to Capt. Davidson, Charlton Hall, Chathill, Norham, some time ago.

SALMON COBLE IN DANGER OFF BERWICK

THREE MEN RESCUED BY LIFEBOAT

Berwick lifeboat was summoned by the Coast Guards on Thursday night to assist three salmon fishers who had gone to the line fishing in the bay in a salmon coble, which was in danger of being swamped by the choppy sea set up by a westerly gale which was blowing.

The plight of the men was also seen by a schooner, which was lying in the bay, and that vessel bore down to windward and protected the frail craft from the force of the wind squalls. The lifeboat was launched very smartly, and under sail soon reached the coble, taking the men aboard and the boat in tow. The men, who are employed at Blakewell fishing bat, were Henry Wilson, John Wilson and Thomas Wood, and they were little the worse of their experience when landed.

The rescue was watched by large crowds in the fields and on the Walls and Pier.

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