Music

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 24 AUGUST 1917

LOCAL NEWS

Berwick Runner’s Success – Sergeant Robert Burton, R.E., Tweedmouth, has recently competed in Army Sports Meeting, in the open half mile and open quarter, and entered a team of 4 for re-lay race; and managed to bag the two races, and also help the team to pull off the re-lay. He also had the pleasure of winning the prize presented by the General for the individual champion of the meeting, so, altogether, he has every reason to be quite pleased with his afternoon’s work. Hearty congratulations to Sergeant Burton, our Border Champion, who is the son of Mr Burton, Tweedmouth. Sergeant Burton married the daughter of Mrs Alex. Lounton, Hawick, and formerly of Tweedmouth.

Music at Railway Station – A few evenings ago, residents in the vicinity of Berwick Station were charmed with selections played on an English concertina by a passenger in the 8.45pm Edinburgh to Newcastle express. Crowds on the Railway Bridge listened to a musical treat, the like of which it is not customary to hear outside of music hall circles. What left a deep impression on the assembly was the fact that the musician was an Australian soldier, who, poor fellow, had lost his sight in the war. Although destined to live in perpetual darkness, here was this brave lad still doing his bit to cheer comrades returning to the battlefield.

Soldiers at Berwick Railway Station WW1, some of whom appear top be Australian. (c) BRO 2349-52-001

Those who were privileged to see and hear his efforts to promote good cheer, will not marvel that such spirits remain unquenched by the hellish rain of high explosives in Flanders.

Morris Dances – On behalf of Berwick Patriotic Fund the pupils of Mrs Wilkinson, Spittal Council School, gave on Thursday, at Bell Tower School, Berwick, their clever display of Morris, Old English, and National Dances, which were recently such a great success at Spittal that many people were unable to obtain seats. There were two performances, at 3pm and 6pm. Dancing is now strongly recommended by Board of education as a part of the course in physical exercise for girls, and all who saw the display came away full of unstinted praise and appreciation.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

THURSDAY

Before D. Herriot, T. Purves, Chas. Forsyth, and D. H. W. Askew, Esqs.

OBTAINING TOO MUCH SUGAR

Euphemia Whitelaw, Loughend, Berwick, married woman, was charged with having between 4th and 11th June made a false statement and thereby obtaining a quantity of sugar from Messrs Renton, merchants, Berwick.

R.W. Smeaton, Inspector of Weights and Measures, deponed that he examined the books of Messrs Renton, merchants, and found that the defendant had applied for one cwt. of sugar from that firm. She obtained 56 lbs. As witness thought this was rather a large quantity, he examined defendant’s garden to ascertain what fruit bushes she possessed. The sugar was supplied under orders of the Sugar Commissioners for preserving purposes. He found that there were no fruit bushes in the garden, and she admitted that she had received the sugar all right. The form issued by the Sugar Commissioners, and signed by defendant, bore a declaration which had to be signed that the sugar was to be used for preserving purposes and only for fruit grown by herself.

Mr Murray, foreman to Messrs Renton, proved that the defendant received four stones of sugar, but admitted that she only signed on one occasion for two stones. He filled in the declaration for the sugar at the defendant’s dictation.

Defendant said that Mr Murray told her to put down her name for 112 lbs so that she would be sure to get as much as she wanted. She admitted she had no fruit bushes, but hoped that Messrs Renton would see their way clear to give her six stones.

On oath she stated that she wrote a letter to London to the Secretary of the Sugar Commission, in which she stated that, while not a fruit grower, she received supplies of fruit every year, and it would be very unfortunate if she did not obtain the sugar. She made sufficient jam to last her from one season to the following. If the Secretary saw his way to give her six stones she would be much obliged.

Mr Herriot said that the Bench found the defendant guilty, but would deal with her leniently for more reasons than one. She would be fined 10s only, but they would like to give this warning that if any further cases came up they would be very much more severely treated. Another reason for leniency was that the bench were not quite satisfied with the conduct of Messrs Renton and Company in this case. It seemed to the Bench that to a certain extent the defendant had been led into the fault she had committed.

THEFT OF HERRINGS AT THE QUAY

Three schoolboys were charged with the larceny of a quantity of herrings, value 1s, from a box on the quay the property of Robert Croan, fish buyer, on 21st August. They pleaded not guilty.

It appeared that there had been many complaints of thefts of this nature from the quay, that the police were greatly annoyed by this, and so numerous were the offences that it would require a constable specially appointed to patrol the harbour to watch such juveniles.

For the defence a herring fisher named John Brown, deponed that he had given the boys a dozen of herring and mackerel. He could not say that such thefts had been numerous, but was quite willing to believe that there had been complaints. He pointed out also that after herrings had been a time in a box there appeared to be less than were originally put in owing to the fish sinking down. He had eighteen years’ experience as a herring fisher.

The Bench found the charge proved and bound the defendants over for the next three months under the probation officer, and the parents would have to pay 5s costs each. The Bench were sorry to learn of these complaints, and gave warning that the next offender might be birched.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 5 NOVEMBER 1915

ETAL

The convalescent soldiers at Etal Manor Hospital have lately been giving a series of concerts at neighbouring villages in aid of the British Red Cross Society. As a result of their efforts a sum of over £23 has been realised, and the expenses being very few owing to the generosity of everyone approached, practically the whole of this sum will be available for the funds of the Society. The places visited were Ford, Crookham, Milfield, and Duddo, and the concerts were everywhere well received.

SAD ACCIDENT AT BERWICK STATION

About 2.10 a.m. on Tuesday, whilst Robert Buglas, 16 years of age, Church Street, Berwick, was following his employment as greaser at Berwick Railway Station and when near the turning table he was jumping on the footboard of a goods van in motion his foot slipped. Both his legs went under the wheels of the van. The wheels passed over his left leg above the ankle and his right foot across the heel. First aid was rendered, and he was conveyed to Berwick Infirmary, where he was attended by Drs Fraser and Maclagan, who found it necessary to amputate the injured limbs.

THE LATE MR CHRISTISON

Through the Christisons of Foulden and the Chirnsides of Cockburnspath district, Berwickshire has interesting links with pioneer days in Australia, one of the last of which

Panning for gold in the state of Victoria, Australia, ealry 1900s. © Wikimedia Commons.

has been broken by the death of Mr Robert Christison, a nephew of Sir Robert Christison. In a recent lecture in his native village, Mr Christison related how he had met one Jimmy Nailans, who was the first Foulden post-boy, in a place named Bacchus Marsh. Mr Nailans had landed in Australia two years before. Buying a bullock team, he made money in carrying provisions for the population of 80,000 which flocked to Bendigo in the gold rush, and when Mr Christison met him he had 206 ounces of gold dust hidden in horns of cart grease. He put £2,000 into land in the outskirts of Melbourne, and thus became very wealthy. Like a good Borderer, Jimmy Nailans returned to his native soil, bought an estate, and settled there. Mr Christison, whose remains were interred last week at Foulden, was the last surviving son of Rev. Alex. Christison, for 52 years minister of the parish.

AN EXTRAORDINARY INCIDENT IN THE TRENCHES

Private Kenneth Alexander, of the 2^nd Royal Scots, who has been at the Front for over a year and is at present home at Dunbar on several days’ furlough, narrates a most interesting one might almost term it exciting- incident, which occurred recently in the trench where he was quartered. The enemy’s trench but 15 yards distant, was occupied by Saxons. Several of the enemy happened to put their heads over the parapet of the trench; inquired if they were all “Jocks” in the British trench; where they came from- was it Glasgow? – and when did they arrive in France? The conversation concluded by warning the Royal Scots men in this trench to keep their heads down, as the Prussian Guards were located on their right, and consequently there were great risks of being sniped. They then held up a bottle of Cognac, and the Scotsmen inquired if they fancied a bottle of whisky. A hurriedly pencilled note attached to several newspapers was flung into the Saxons’ trench. We asked, said Private Alexander, in this letter if they could give us any part of their equipment as a souvenir of this interesting meeting between opposing forces. Very shortly afterwards a package of German newspapers, attached to which was a letter from one of these Saxons was flung into our trench, which on being translated read as follows:- “There are a few papers. Of course we cannot send you any part of our equipment over, and for the whisky we don’t care, but when you have new papers send them across and we will do the same. It is certainly interesting to read what the enemy believes to be able to tell their own folks. We threw already a few papers over, but too short. Perhaps you will find them to-night. Be careful in getting them. (signed) Yours, Fritz.” “If you please let us have a French journal- S.V.P.”

A GRAND EVENING CONCERT

Successful Venture In Aid of Berwick Branch of

Young Helpers’ League

The Queen’s Rooms was crowded in all parts on Thursday evening when a grand evening concert was held in aid of the funds of the Young Helpers League of Dr Barnardo’s Homes. The concert was excellent from start to finish and the term grand applied to it was a fitting description of the entertainment. The local Committee of the Young Helpers’ League, with Mr A. J. Dodds as President, were the originators of the idea to hold the concert. The management and carrying out of the concert was put into the hands of Miss Sissy Dodds, and according to its most excellent result the Committee could not have chosen anyone better to ensure the success of the entertainment. All secretarial work was undertaken by Miss Dodds, while Miss L. Purves and Miss J. Thompson assisted her as treasurers.

The concert realised £58, and Miss Dodds is to be warmly congratulated in that her management has been so successful.

The programme was as follows:

PART 1

Piano Duet-“Spanish Dance, “ ( Moszkowski) Miss Katherine Vincent and Mr Ernest Warrington

Songs – (a) 2 The Rebel” (b) “ Son of mine” (Wallace), ……… . Mr Ernest J. Potts

Violin Solo – “ Gipsy Dance,” ( Sarasate) Mr Ernest Sharp

( Encore)

Recital – “A Question of Identitiy” ( an excerpt from “Comedy and Tragedy”), by W.S. Gilbert………………Mr Hugh Miller.

(Encore – “Mon Ami.”)

Songs – (a) “ Rose in the bud” ( Forster) (b) “Until,” (Sanderson), Miss Katherine Vincent

(Encore – “Waltz Song.”)

Humorous Sketch – “Curates” (Warrington), Mr Ernest Warrington.

(Encore)

PART 11

Duet – “Awake,” (Pellissier), Miss Katherine Vincent and Mr Ernest J. Potts.

Violin Solo – “Valse Caprice” (Wieniawski), Mr Ernest Sharp

(Encore)

Song – “Galloping Dick” (Fletcher), Mr Ernest J.Potts

(Encore – “Go to sea my lad.”)

Recital – “Gunga Din” ( by Rudyard Kipling), Mr Hugh Miller

(Encore – “Once more into the breach, once more,” from King Henry V., Act 2 and 4).

Songs – (a) “A fat I’il feller wid his mammy’s eyes, “ ( Gordon) (b) “Sincerity” ( Clarke), Miss Katherine Vincent.

(Encore – “Caller Herrin’.”)

Humorous Songs – Selected Dialects,. Mr Ernest Warrington.

(Encore.)

Interval for Soldiers’ Sing-Song.

Sketch – “The Peacemaker,” a comedy in one act, by E. M. Bryant.

Characters:-

Elizabeth Lavender Mrs Waldron

Joyce Harford Miss Sissy Dodds

Dr Burton Mr G. P. Boyd

Richard Harford Rev. J.R. Bentley

Parsons Miss Katie Mackay

Scene – Elizabeth Lavender’s Flat in Kensington.

GOD SAVE THE KING

This Week in World War One, 24 August 1917