BERWICK ADVERTISER, 24 DECEMBER 1920

25/12/2020 by Northumberland Archives

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

CUSTOMS PECULIAR TO BERWICK

(LET’S US HOPE!)

Dear Sir, – This old town, in many things, seems to be “a law unto itself.” To an incomer there are, now and again, what might be termed “different ways of doing things”; but, really, the other evening there came “a startler.” Thus am I compelled to write, in order to convey to these “Christmas Waits” (?) how such extraordinary conduct appears to a stranger.

To be informed that there were men waiting at the door, begging a Christmas Box, for doing work they are PAID to do – making a house-to-house visitation – came as a surprise. Ugh! I refer to the scavengers of the town. Their work, no doubt, is lowly – but mighty useful all the same. Still, surely when night comes on, ‘tis a pity to go around doing still more lowly work. Can they not trust to the generosity of the inhabitants, who surely would remember those to whom we owe so much, in the same way as the postman, milk boy, baker’s boy, et., or any other dependent, whose faithful services throughout the year are never forgotten?

Or is it that the salaries of the scavenger are so meagre and inadequate that they resort to begging? There must be something wrong somewhere. Surely real Scotch pride might be expected to be found amongst workers in the Borderland – I am, Sir,

“ASTONISHED RESIDENTER.”

LOCAL NEWS

In response to an urgent appeal for the Russian Relief and Reconstruction Fund, to relieve the distress in Russia, the pupils of the Girls’ National School on Monday last took a collection at their school concert, amounting to £1 1s 6d.

© Author: Unknown. Source: International Committee of the Red Cross. Wikimedia Commons.

In Russia the conditions of the people are terrible, says the appeal, owing to the shortage of food, the scarcity of clothes and the expensive fuel. Typhus ravages the people, and the death rate has averaged 30,000 per month. The shortage of fuel is more especially felt just now when often the thermometer registers 25 to 27 degrees below zero.

The leasing of the Mariner’s Cottage on the North Road, Berwick, to Mr Lyal Irvine, Tweedmouth, calls to mind how these two cottages got their name. Many years ago, in the time of the Lamberton Toll marriages, an old sailor, named Capt. Sharpe, becoming tired of a life on the ocean wave, came to live at the cottage, and being a bit of a sea lawyer he took up the duty of “Lamberton Priest.” On the end of his cottage facing the road he put up a board, which announced that he was prepared to tie the happy knot, and each day he attended at Berwick station to ascertain if any couples had arrived wishful of being tied up at Lamberton Toll.

Pictured is Lamberton Toll, REF: BRO 515-296.

When given notice, he was prepared to hire the carriages to convey the contracting parties to “Gretna.” Sharpe was known to the people of Berwick as the “Ancient Mariner,” and the cottage soon became known by the name it now bears.

Next week, commencing on Monday, the Northern Entertainments Coy. will present in the Queen’s Rooms their smart revue musical comedy “Lizzie.” A treat is certainly in store for patrons of the “Queen’s” as this talented Company have performed to large houses recently. A special matinee will be held on Monday first, when, owing to the limited accommodation in the gallery, intending patrons should make sure of a seat by booking early.

NOTES FROM SPITTAL

In the November number of the “Lifeboat,” the journal of the R.N.L.I., there is a very interesting article on a new device used for launching lifeboats, known as the “Platform Lift Launching Method,” which, we understand, is to be adopted at Spittal when the new motor lifeboat comes to the river. The platform system has been adopted at Sunderland, and it is specially suited to rivers where the difference between high water level and low water at spring tides is over twelve feet. Shortly the system is this. The boathouse is built on piles above the river with a well channel between the side piles in which the boat will float at any state of tide. The lifeboat is placed on a platform inside the house, which can be raise or lowered from or to the “well” by wire ropes and winches manipulated by man power or by petrol engine power. When the boat has to be launched the crew enter the craft in the boathouse, and at a given signal the winding gear is released, and she sinks down into the well between the piles. The boat is still moored to her platform carriage, but when a slip chain is released and the landward end of the platform tilted up by the winches, she glides into deep water down between guide rails. The motor can be started as soon as the vessel leaves the platform. When the boat returns she is backed in on to her platform, and once secured with the slip chain can be raised to the boathouse above by the winches. When man power is used to lower and raise the boat, two men at the crank handles can lower her safely, but it needs eight men to raise her. When funds permit, however, the Institution intend to put in petrol engines at the boathouse, where this system prevails, and this will save a great amount of manual work.

SPORTS, AMUSEMENTS, & C.

FOOTBALL

BERWICK RANGERS’ MATCH ON CHRISTMAS DAY

The Rangers hope to be well patronised on Saturday, as they have gone to considerable expense in securing a visit from the Edinburgh Civil Service Strollers – one of the best amateur teams in Scotland. The kick-off will be at 2.15. The Rangers will put a good team into the field, the majority of them cup players, but names cannot be given yet, as the Committee are waiting to see what players are at home in the town for the holidays. The Rangers are holding a whist drive and dance in the Corn Exchange on the 27th, and are looking for a bumper house.

ISLANDSHIRE FOR LOWICK

Lowick Rovers engage Holy Island at Lowick on Christmas afternoon. A good game is sure to be the outcome. Rovers: – E. Henderson; Carr and Foreman; Swan,Weddell, and Waters; Dalgleish, Henderson, Robertson, Harmiston, and Murray. Kick-off 2.30 p.m.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 10 DECEMBER 1920

11/12/2020 by Northumberland Archives

TEA TO OLD LADIES IN BERWICK

The “Advertiser” Opens a Fund

Captain Douglas, the local commanding officer of the Salvation Army, is arranging to give a free tea on Wednesday afternoon, January 12^th, to all women in Berwick, Tweedmouth and Spittal, who are in receipt of an old age pension. The tea will be given in the Salvation Army Hall, Quay Walls, and will be followed by a musical entertainment.

The Captain is handing over the work of organisation to the troop of Life-saving Guards, which has recently been started in connection with the Army’s work. This troop is composed of girls between the ages of 11 and 18, and the girls may be recognised in the street by their light grey uniform and red trimmings. The motto of the troop is “To Save and to Serve.” The girls will visit old and sick people in their homes, will be trained in domestic and nursery work, and can be called upon by any in the town who are in need of free domestic or nursing assistance.

It is felt that the work of the Guards will be brought before the ladies in the town who have very few to look after them if they are given the chance of meeting together at the tea and entertainment on January 12. Old folk who are not able of themselves to get to the tea will be helped there by the Guards. The Army is taking the financial responsibility for this tea, but it feels that it can rely upon the generosity of the public of Berwick to subscribe liberally. It is estimated that the tea will cost about 1s 6d per head, and that there will be about 200 old ladies present – a total expenditure of £15. We have agreed to open a fund in the “Berwick Advertiser,” and will acknowledge next week and the following weeks the subscriptions we receive.

LOCAL NEWS

At mid-day on Monday morning, Mr J. A. Young, of the Pier Road maltings, Berwick, had a narrow escape from drowning. He was running along the pier and fell into the water at crabwater corner.

Berwick Pier, the Crabwater corner © Ian Capper – Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0).

He struck out for the steps, and although the tide was fast running out, he managed to catch the hand of Miss Bella Stewart, who works at his own malting. Great praise is due to the prompt way in which Miss Stewart rendered assistance, and there is a feeling in the town that her gallantry should be recognised. We understand, up to the time of writing, Mr. young, who was able to walk home has suffered no ill effects of his emersion.

On Friday evening, Messrs Millers, F.A.I., offered for sale by auction in the Long Room, Corn Exchange, several lots of property in Berwick. The attendance was small, owing no doubt to the very stormy night. The first lot comprised all the freehold shop, dwelling houses, workshops, stables and stores, Nos. 13, 15 and 17 Woolmarket, at present occupied by Messrs Steel, Thompson and Patterson, Miss Phillie Bruce, Mr John brown, Messrs John Brown and Sons, and Mrs McAllum.

The total rental for this lot amounts to £52 16s. Bidding started at £300 and rose fairly quickly to £750, when the lot was withdrawn. No. 1 Ivy Place held on leases of 150 years, dating from 1859, from the Corporation and with an annual rental of £22, only brought one bid of £200 and was withdrawn. A similar fate befel No. 2 Ivy Place, which is a slightly larger house, with a rental of £24. Only one bid of £200 was forthcoming, and the lot was withdrawn. It was intimated that No. 3 Ivy Place had been disposed of privately. The conditions of sale were read by Mr J. Bate, solicitor.

Corn Exchange building in Sandgate, Berwick,© Ian Capper – Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0).

While walking along the beach at the Sandybeds, a mile and a half north of Berwick, on Monday afternoon, Alexander Manuel, sen., 19 Low Greens, picked up a drop end flask sealed with a black solution and bound round the neck with a two-feet strand of copper wire. As the bottle had a printed enclosure (in four languages), Mr Manuel handed it oever to the Receiver of wrecks, who opened it. A half-penny was found between the seal and the cork of the bottle, and inside was a printed postcard asking the finder to return it to the Scientific Superintendent of the Marine Laboratory of the Fishery Board of Scotland, Bay of Nigg, Aberdeen. It is the practice of the Fishery Board to liberate these bottles from time to time at various places to test the set of ocean currents, etc.

NORHAM AND ISLANDSHIRE RURAL

DISTRICT COUNCIL

Overcrowding at Beal

When the Council considered the various items in the doctor’s report, Dr McWhir asked to be allowed to supplement what had written regarding the overcrowding in the cottages at Beal. In one cottage six people lived – a father, mother, a young woman of 22, a young man of 20 and two lads of 15 and 12 years. The father and mother slept in one bed in the kitchen, the young man of 20 and the lad of 15 in another bed, and the lad of 12 in a bed chair. The young woman slept in the other room. The kitchen, where the five people slept, was 15ft. 6in. By 17 ft. and 7 ft. 9 in. High. This meant 2042 cubic feet of air for five persons. This family had, said Dr McWhir, gone to Beal Faram with Mr Davidson from Cornhill 30 years ago. In another cottage there were living a woman 64 years of age and a young woman of 34, three young men of 29, 25 and 19 years, and a girl of 12. In this instance the three men slept in one room, and the woman and the girl in the other. Asked as to what condition the empty cottage was in, Dr McWhir said it was very bad and had not been occupied for 30 years.

As this was the first time the cottages had been reported upon, it was agreed to send a copy of the Doctor’s report to both the agent and the tenant. It was also agreed that steps could very easily be taken to remove the earth from the back of the cottages and have the ashpits attended to.

UNEMPLOYMENT IN BERWICK

As far as we can gather there are 200 unemployed men in Berwick. There is a slump in trade all over the country, men are out of work, and industries are going on short time. In Berwick just now seasonal unemployment is at its height, but the great majority of the unemployed in the Borough are unskilled workmen. Is it not time for those in authority to begin working out a scheme for providing employment? It is being recognized generally that each industry should bear the burden of its own unemployed, and this is being arranged for, for instance, in the transport and building industries. This, however, will not help casual labourers, who are not affiliated to any special industry. As we have already pointed out, the work at Mordington, the steel factory, the Tweedmouth housing scheme, and even the new bridge, when it is started, if they absorb all the unskilled labour in Berwick while they are in operation, will not permanently solve the problem. On the other hand, a proportion of the men now unemployed never have done regular work and will need a lot of coaxing and training before they take to it. They prefer to work for two or three days and take a rest, or perhaps for a little longer, but always with a rest at the end of it. Men like this are a very real difficulty. The vigorous insistence on decent housing conditions will help us here. In eighteen months’ time we hope to have 68 new houses up in Tweedmouth. That will enable the medical Office of health and the Inspector of Nuisances to have some of the worst houses in Berwick pulled down. The people who leave these houses will have to go into more expensive houses, which means that they will have to work something like a full week to pay the rent and keep themselves in comfort. Gradually society will realise that the man who does not put in a fair week’s work, be he rich or poor, is a public danger. That, however, is for the future. We know what has happened in other towns which are suffering from unemployment and we have 200 unemployed unskilled workmen in Berwick. The time, we think, has come for the mayor to call a public meeting to discuss what can be done in the way of starting relief measures for those willing to work. It is for such a meeting to decide on the particular measures to be taken. May we suggest- we do no more- that the Borough might set the unemployed to make bricks or concrete block for housing. They are already being made at Mordington by practically unskilled labour with a few skilled supervisors. We have still hundreds of houses to put up in Berwick which can use them, and new houses are to be out up in Belford, Glendale and Norham and Ilandshires. The Government would give financial aid to such can be offered to the unskilled workmen, we shall have provided a test which will give a job to every man willing to work. When we have sifted out those who prefer irregular work or not to work at all, and are sure of our ground, we shall no doubt be able to solve that problem too.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 12 NOVEMBER 1920

24/11/202013/11/2020 by Northumberland Archives

ARMISTICE DAY CELEBRATIONS

At the Armistice Day celebration at the British School, Palace Green, today (Thursday), the Rev. W. Jardine delivered an address after the two minutes’ silence at 11a.m. The hymn “O God, our help in ages past” was sung, and then Mr H. W. Willits unveiled the War Memorial to the fallen scholars. Mr Jardine offered prayer, and the proceedings closed with the “National Anthem.”

There was a short service at Berwick Parish Church today (Thursday), commencing at 10.45. The two minutes’ silence was observed, and prior and after that period appropriate psalms, lessons, and prayers were recited, the Vicar conducting the service.

At the barracks the troops paraded, the “Last Post” being sounded at 11a.m. and Reveille at the expiry of the two minutes.

At 11 o’clock today (Thursday) the Commandant of the Berwick branch of the Comrades of the Great War laid a laurel wreath at the foot of the Tweedmouth War Memorial. The wreath bore the inscription, “In loving memory of those whose names are seen here and their unknown comrades, this wreath is laid by the Comrades of the Great War.”

THE NEW SHERIFF

Mr Robert Carr, of The Elms, Berwick, who was unanimously elected Sheriff of the Borough of Berwick, is one well fitted to hold the office. For such an ancient and honourable position, it is very appropriate that a gentleman who has dabbled in the historical records and folklore of the Border as Mr Carr has done should be selected. It is certain he will fill the office with credit to himself and to the town.

To agriculturists in North Northumberland and Berwickshire, the name Robert Carr, of Grindon, is as familiar as the Corn Exchange on market day. Grindon, apart from Mr Carr and he from Grindon, would have been an unthinkable thing some few years ago, but it came to pass nevertheless, and he now lives the life – to him the rather slow and tiresome life- of a retired gentleman. While in Grindon, Mr Carr became known around the district as one who knew how to produce the most from his land, and who took second place to none as a successful agriculturist. He was a keen student of the various problems arising in the industry, and his advice and word carried weight with others. He was one of the most prominent members of the Berwick and Borders Farmers’ Association, now merged in the N.F.U., and there he took a leading part in the business coming before the Association from time to time. He is still associated with Norham and Islandshires Ploughing and Hedge Cutting Society, which was promoted to stimulate interest in successful tillage and farm cleanliness amongst farm workers and masters alike.

LOCAL NEWS

At the Kennel Club’s Championship Show at Crystal Palace, London, on November 3rd and 4th, Mr David Black, Berwick, won 1st prize Puppy, 3rd prize Limit, and 3rd prize Open Classes, with his sensational winning puppy, Tweedside Red Hot. His well known stud dog, Tweedside Red Squire, was also entered, but failed to do his weight, having lost 4½ lbs. on the journey down, so did not compete in either of his classes.

Wallace Green Literary Society, at their meeting on Monday evening, were invited to discuss various topics, suggested by contributions to the “Berwick Times.” The Editor, Mr W. Paterson, read the various articles, eight in number, and lively discussions followed each one. The first contribution was a poem entitled “Our Literary Society,” and dealt in humorous fashion with the “awful silence” that invariably fails upon the audience, when, after a paper, the chairman throws the meetings open to discussion. Then followed an interesting article entitled “Ought we to criticise the way other people spend their money?” by “Evangeline.” This provoked a good deal of discussion. A third article was in the nature of a plea for Wallace Green Church Library, founded in Golden Square Church in Dr Balmer’s days, when it was the only circulating library in the town. Now the membership has sunk to “three or four devoted souls,” but hopes were expressed that, the volumes having been put in order and the catalogue brought up to date, there would soon be a lengthy queue outside the Session House on a Thursday evening. “Diogenes” gave an amusing criticism on the meetings already held by the Society this session. “II Penseroso” treated with the slang phrase “ I don’t think,” arguing that it contained more than a germ of truth – that a great proportion of the men and women of today do not think, but accept the opinions of other people as their own. “A Sufferer” wrote of the behaviour of people in the street and the general neglect of the rule “keep to the right.” A strong condemnation of the delay in bringing the ex-Kaiser to justice, contributed by “Nemisis.” wound-up the evening. The eighth paper, in the form of a short letter was not read.

THE NEW RAILWAY BRIDGE

The deputation from the Town Council when it goes to Edinburgh to see the General Manager of the N.B.R. about the stairway to the Railway Bridge will have the solid backing of the inhabitants in the northern part of the town.

1970s view of Berwick Station was taken from the current road bridge, which at that time carried the main A1 road over the east coast main line. © Ben Brooksbank, Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0).

At the moment, when alterations are in progress, people are willing to put up with the absence of the stairway, but they could not be expected to do without it permanently. It will, however, be a great convenience to have the reconstructed stairway lead to the platform for the south trains. Under the old conditions, whether you were going north or south, you had to cross the bridge to get a ticket. If the stairway is placed as we suggest, only half of the passengers will need to cross the bridge.

INQUEST ON BERWICK CHILD

Coroner H. R. Peters, without calling a jury, on Friday night conducted an inquest in his office touching the death of Annie Bolton, the four month old child of Allison Bolton, single woman, Driver’s Lane, whose death occurred rather suddenly in the early hours of Thursday morning, 4th November.

Allison Bolton, the mother, identified the body as that of her child. The child had been suffering from a cold for two or three days, but she did not think there was anything seriously wrong with it. It had been taking its food regularly. At eight o’clock on Wednesday night she fed the child and put it into bed. Apart from the cold it was then all right. Witness went to bed shortly after, and at 1 am on Thursday was awakened by the child coughing and having difficulty with its breathing. She at once went for Dr P. W. Maclagan, leaving the child in her mother’s charge. On returning the child was dead.

Dr P. W. Maclagan said he was called by the last witness at 1.30 am on Thursday morning, and proceeded to the house in Driver’s Lane. On arriving there the child was found to be dead. It had only been dead a short time. He enquired about its illness, and was told it had been suffering from a cold, but had only become seriously ill at one o’clock. On Friday, along with Dr Caverhill, he conducted a post mortem at the mortuary, where he found that death had resulted from an attack of acute double pneumonia. The child was well nourished. Witness had attended the birth of the child, and at that time difficulty was experienced in getting the child to breathe. Otherwise the child was all right and healthy. In a child of that age the symptoms of double pneumonia would not be very marked prior to the fatal illness. The pneumonia would develop suddenly.

The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

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