Norham

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 2ND JULY 1925

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NORHAM BOAT RACES

Norham Boat Races were held on the Tweed on Saturday, fine weather favouring this popular annual event in the district. The cold wind was not felt on the riverside, where it was nice and mild, and though the sun only shone in blinks, it was very pleasant throughout the day, and the beautiful woods on the Ladykirk side of the river made a fine background for the racing events. There were, however, fewer people at the races than last year, and the gate unfortunately was down by some £5. This was no doubt owing to the many other events on in the district- Coldstream Sports and the Workers’ Gala at Wooler, etc. Sport was better than last year, and there were some very keen races. The river was divided into the two courses- English and Scotch, by means of floating buoys, and this plan worked well, there being practically no fouling owing to one competitor getting out of his course into his opponent’s. There was the old keen rivalry between Norham men and their neighbours from “Hurklie” and great was the rejoicing in Norham when it was a Norham man who carried off the Championship stakes, wresting the honour from its Horncliffe holder, the stalwart Tom Robertson.

Norham Castle on the River Tweed. Ref: BRO 515-178

Berwick Pipe Band, looking very smart in their fine uniforms, played selections down by the river side during the afternoon, to the great enjoyment of spectators of the races. One of the most interesting features of the races was the great keenness of the small boys who had come to watch. The youngsters not only helped by selling programmes, but took keen interest in the races, swarming round the good-humoured judge to ask time and again in anxious tones “Have they rowed for the cup yet?” The older ones kept their programmes marked up to date, and in between races discussed among themselves who was going to win the next event as well as debating whether to spend their last coppers on another bottle of lemonade or a pie. The tiny tots wee perhaps more interested in the gaily coloured balloons being sold on the river side, or the coloured canaries which fluttered in the breeze, worrying their mothers till they bought them either a balloon or canary to amuse them.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

THURSDAY

Before A. J. Dodds, C. Forsyth, D. H. W. Askew, G. N. Broadbent, Esqs., Miss Henderson, and major A. Tower Robertson.

RIDING ON THE FOOTPATH

John Fleming, Norham, was charged with unlawfully riding a bicycle on a footpath set aside for pedestrians, on the Ord Road at 5.30 pm on 24th June.

P.C. Lindsay proved the case. Defendant said the road was rough. Witness thought the road in fair condition.

Defendant said his chain was liable to come off and the road was rough. He did not intend to do any harm.

The Bench reprimanded defendant but dismissed the case.

A DANGEROUS PARACTICE

Mr. Dodds said, before the press retired, he wished to remark on the dangerous practice of riding cycles at extreme speed when going round corners, particularly Bridge Street, and into Sandgate and round by the Garage.

Bridge Street, Berwick-upon-Tweed, dated 1959. Ref No: BRO 1250-147

Perhaps the Police would keep an eye on anything of the kind for at any moment a child crossing the road might be run over and killed.

1st K.O.S.B. BAND VISITS BERWICK

The Band of the 1st K.O.S. Borderers visited Berwick on Thursday, and by permission of Col. P. A. V. Stewart, C.B.E., D.S.O., and Officers of the Regiment, gave two performances in Berwick Corn Exchange. In the afternoon the attendance was very poor, owing no doubt to the many other attractions on in the town. In the evening there were a few more present, but the building was more than half empty. Among those present were Major C. F. Kennedy, Commanding Officer at the Depot, Berwick, and Mrs. Kennedy, Capt. B. C. Lake, Lieut. Watt, Lieut. J. B. Vans Agnew, Lieut. D. V. Kennedy. The band is well worth going to hear, and Berwick people missed a treat by not turning out in larger numbers. The items at the evening performance were greatly enjoyed and several were encored with great enthusiasm.

Corn exchange, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Ref No: BRO 1636/4/11

The conductor is Band master M. T. Kingston Jarvis. The selections from Tannhauser were very fine and also the selections from Greig. Very amusing was the wedding ceremony introduced into the descriptive piece by Lotter, the parson being represented by the bassoon, while the responses of the bride and bridegroom were taken by the flute and trombone. The Musical Jig-Saw cleverly worked in some 52 melodies ending with that fine Selenelle “1812” Overture by Tchaikovsky. The evening programme was: Grand selection from “Tannhauser,” Wagner: xylophone solo, “Orchid Blossoms.” Underhill, soloist, Musician barber (encored0; first selection of gems from Gilbert and Sullivan Operas, arrd. Godfrey; descriptive, “A Southern Wedding,” Lotter (encored); excerpts from “Greig’s Works” selection, “A Musical Jig-Saw,” arrd. Aston; a Military Tattoo by Col. Mackenzie Rogan, late Director of Music, Coldstream Guards; regimental march, “Blue Bonnets o’er the Border.”

TWEEDMOUTH NOTES

The annual picnic of the Tweedmouth Scotch Church Sunday School took place to Hawick on Tuesday (Mid-summer Day), by char-a-bancs. Never before has a Sunday school trip made this journey by buses, so one can imagine how pleased the youngsters greeted the idea and how they looked for the day to come. At about 8.30 in the morning the children began to gather at the church, and at nine o’clock about a hundred were marched down to the “Alley” in the West End, where eight buses were lined up. Never before has any party had a better send off than the 200 adults and children who made the journey. The West End was like a Feast Monday.

The journey was made via Coldstream, Kelso, Denholm and the outskirts of Jedburgh. At halt was made just a mile out of Hawick for dinner, but owing to a misunderstanding other arrangement had to be made and dinner was served in St. John’s Church Hall, in Hawick about one o’clock. After this the company adjourned to the Public Park, where races were held for the children and adults. The tug-of-war caused much excitement, especially among the older members. During the afternoon many took advantage of other amusements in the Park, such as bowling and putting. After the races many took the opportunity of visiting the War memorial and the Wilton Museum. About 5pm all sat down to tea in St John’s Hall.

Shortly after six a start was made for home after everybody had spent a most enjoyable day. A short halt was made in Kelso, and home was reached shortly after nine.

BERWICK JOURNAL, 31ST JULY 1924

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NORHAM CASTLE HISTORY

At the annual summer outing of the Melrose Literary Society to Norham, the following paper on the position of Norham Castle in history and romance prepared by Mr J. E. Fairbairn was read in his absence by Mrs Drummond:-

The habit of this Society in selecting for its annual outing some place famous in literary annals has on this occasion again been amply justified and maintained, for today we meet mot only on the scene of one of the greatest and most stirring poems in the whole range of English literature, but on the banks of that river which had been such a fruitful source of inspiration for many a poet’s fancy. Throughout his life there was no river which appealed to Scott like the ever dear Tweed: he knew it in every aspect, it was his joy to ride its  most dangerous fords, to light its dark waters at night with the flame of the salmon lusterer, or to dream beneath a tree above its flowing waters, and on that memorable afternoon to the music of its ripple he fell asleep. It was only natural therefore that he should have selected the castled steep of Norham, flanked by the fine sweep of the river as the scene of his fresh and galloping poem of Marmion. Did it ever occur to you how I each of his three best known poems Scott weaves his story round some hoary castle on a romantic river bank. In “The Day” it is Newark and Yarrow, in “Marmion” Norham and Tweed, and in the “Lady of the Lake” the final scene occurs in Stirling on the Forth. Most of “Marmion” was composed on horseback, and the cantos ring with the sound of hoof and the jingling of bridle and spur. The preparation for the writing of “Marmion” began with his childhood’s years round the old tower of Smailholm when the love of martial tales was so early implanted in his breast and never ceased to grow until it reached its full maturity. While Scott found the inspiration of the poem in the old story of the feuds between the two Kingdoms with all its accompanying throng of gallant knights and ladies fair, he wove into the still older tale of love between man and maid, and it contains also a fine outburst of enthusiasm for his native city of Dunedin.

Norham Castle on the Tweed. Ref: BRO 515/178

Norham, as you can see, has been something more than an ordinary Border peel tower, and in the height of its glory must have been a place of great dimensions. With its double moat and strong fortifications, it looks as if it would be almost impregnable against attack, while its high and massive walls, even in their decay, are grim and forbidding and suggest defiance to all. This great fortress, set down as it were to over awe a Kingdom, was begun by Ralph Flambard, Bishop of Durham, in 1121, and was completed about 1170 under the succeeding Bishop, Hugh Pudsey, reminding us that in these early days the ecclesiastics, while members of the Church militant, took part also in another form of warfare. Its purpose was to ward off the turbulent and aggressive Scot of the North and was the great Border fortress in charge of the warlike Bishop of Durham. The river in broad volume washes on two sides of the high rock on which it stood in all its grandeur. Within the inner wall stood the massive square keep or donjon of Flambard Pudsey’s days, originally 95 feet in height, and still as a ruin not much less. Norham was the last point to the north of the province of Northumberland, and it eyed the opposite heights of Ladykirk and the Scottish Border with perfectly equipped defiance, and commands even today a view of the distant Lammermuirs to the north, and the triple peaks of the Eildons to the west. Round it cluster important movements in English and Scottish history from the time of King John to James IV. At the head of the island in the river is the ford where James was nearly carried away, and where he made the vow that issued in the building of Ladykirk. The importance of Norham ceased with the union of the Crowns in 1603, when its last Governor, Sir Robert Cary, rode from London to Holyrood in two days to hail James VI.  as Monarch of two Kingdoms. It still frowns across the Merse and carries us in thought back to the days of chivalry when the holding of its great sandstone keep was a gage of knightly honour.

Norham Castle, Harvest Time. Ref: BRO 515/179

Though day set long ago on the living glory of its castled steep the fame of the deeds done there in ancient days is not likely to be forgotten. Its walls still ooze history, and thanks to the genius of a master hand it rises again in all its ancient glory so that its denizens of former times become to us a living presence. Looking on its broken battlements as they yellow in the western blaze we are seeing it in that same golden glory under which Marmion sought its walls. In our mind’s eye we can still see that errant knight in all his panoply and pride come riding o’er the hill. We can still hear the steady tread of the warder on the turret high, and across the calm air of the evening there comes to us a snatch of that ancient Border gathering song. The form of the witching lady Ford still flits across the scene, bearing heavy on her soul the fate of Flodden Field, and with the wail for the Flowers o’ the Forest causing unrest to her spirit. The doughty King James, directing the destinies of battle looms large on Piper’s Hill, and under burden of a mental and more grievous weight than his ponderous iron belt. It is a far cry from Norham to the Scottish capital, but there still comes to us the news of battle ringing down its cobbled streets, and we see the haggard form of Randolph on his weary steed, the sole survivor of that mighty host which but a week before had gathered on the Burgh muir. It is pictures like these and many others that the once proud but now dismantled towers of Norham suggest and conjure up before us. The waters which wash its walls have flowed through a hundred scenes famous in history, renowned in romance, and garlanded with song, past many a roofless Border peel, and before the river loses itself in the bosom of the eternal sea it lingers for a while round this the last of the landmarks on her hundred miles of water way. Norham carries us back to the days of chivalry, and few castles of that period display more of their strength than this stronghold not only so, but that quality also shone, though in a fitful and a fading gleam across the ridge of Flodden.

Norham Castle, Evening. Ref: BRO 515/181

The massive ruin still keeps ward upon the Border side, and Castle and Church and village alike are full of reminiscences of history and romance. Hither in 1318 there came from Lincoln an actual Sir Wm. Marmion, helmed with gold, it is said, under pledge to win his lady love by defending Norham for a year and day. Alas, h however, for the gallant, for the Scots Borderers proved too warlike for him, and he lost his gage, his lady and his life in a single ambuscade. Here in May, 1291, Edward I met the Wardens of Scotland to arrange the succession to the Scottish crown, and thus sowed the seeds of the dire wars of Succession in the northern Kingdom. And it was on the green meadows opposite that in June of the same year the great nobles of Scotland, took upon the gospels, the oath of allegiance to the English King. But these and other actual historical events sink into comparative insignificance with the romantic episodes associated with Norham. In the Abbotsford gallery of fame the haughty crest of Marmion and the abiding love of Clare occupy honoured and important niches, and it is round them that there has been woven that story of glamour and romance which will enshroud the castled steep of Norham until the last day has set upon its battlements and towers.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 100 YEARS AGO

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 26 OCTOBER 1923

WOOLER PARISH CHURCH

MEMORIALS UNVEILED AND DEDICATED

The unveiling and dedication of a memorial Reredos in memory of the men from the parish who gave their lives for their country in the Great War, together with side panels in memory of Canon Wilsden, who was Vicar of the parish from 1880 to 1910, and a lectern in memory of Miss Bessie Wilsden took place in St. Mary’s Parish Church, Wooler, on Sunday afternoon. The memorials are all made from selected Austrian oak, designed and executed by Messrs E. Douglas and Son, cabinetmakers, Wooler, and correspond with the other fittings in the chance as carried out under the restoration scheme, the design being Gothic. In the panels of the Reredos are the sixty names of those who fell from the parish. The workmanship does infinite credit to local labour.

There was a very large congregation, the church being packed to the doors. Amongst those present were the Earl and Countess Tankerville and many others.

Wooler Parish Church Ref: BRO 426/1227

The Vicar (Canon Moran) conducted the service, which opened with the hymn “The King of Love my Shepherd is.” The lessons were read by the Vicar and the Rev, J, G. Shotton. A sacred solo, “Infinite Love,” was sung by the Earl of Tankerville to organ accompaniment. The choir gave a capable rendering of Stainer’s anthem, “Who Are These?”

The Reredos and panels were unveiled by Major J. G. G. Rea, D.S.O., and the lectern was unveiled by the Rev. J. G. Shotton, at the request of near relatives and friends by whom it has been provided.

The memorials were then dedicated by Bishop of the Diocese (Dr Wild). A large number of wreaths were placed in front of the communion table by relatives and friends. The hymn “Fight the Good Fight” having been sung, the Bishop delivered a stirring address, taking for his text 1st Cor. iii., 8 –“Every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.” The Bishop, referring to the proceedings, said the day was a very appropriate one, for it was the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. He paid a warm tribute to the men who went to almost certain death in that memorable month of August, 1914.

The” Last Post” was sounded, and  after a minute’s silence the Blessing was pronounced by the Bishop, which was followed by the “Reveille” and the singing of the National Anthem.

The members of the Parish Council and British Legion were also present, also the Freemasons, Sunday School children, and representatives from other places of worship.

NORHAM

Norham Nursing Association held a successful jumble sale in aid of the work of the Association on Wednesday afternoon, £23 5s being realised.

The dance which was held in the Public Hall on Saturday last was very well patronised, the proceeds going towards the Football Club funds. Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves very well to the delightful music of Miss Jean Smith, extras being played by Miss L. Weatherston, Sunderland. Mr J. Sheppard was at the door as usual, and Mr A. Burns was M.C.

Norham Public Hall

A whist drive and dance in aid of Norham Boat races, held on Friday evening in the Public Hall, proved a great success. The Committee intend making the whist drive and dance an annual affair in order to keep their funds in a healthy condition, prepared to meet any emergency which may arise through bad weather. Thirty-six tables were occupied and 24 games were played. At the end of the twelfth game tea and cakes were served round a number of young ladies under the supervision of Miss A. Lyall and Miss H. Rule, who kindly undertook the management of the catering. At the conclusion of the games the prize winners to be Miss Purves, Miss Wilkinson, Miss J. Wharton, and Messrs Easton, Anderson and Scott. The prizes, which were of a useful nature, were provided by local tradesmen and friends. At intervals during the dancing a Dutch auction was held, and the articles sold consisted of cakes, a canary, a cockerel, and a bottle of wine brought remarkable prices. The dance music was supplied by Miss Jean Smith in her usual able manner and was much appreciated. The whist drive and dance was voted by all present as the most enjoyable event which has taken place for some time. Thanks are due to all those friends who so kindly helped by assistance, giving cakes, tea, etc, and by lending cards and tables to make the drive so successful.

SIR WALTER RUNCIMAN ON UNEMPLOYMENT

Speaking on unemployment at the central Primitive methodist Church, Newcastle, on Monday night, Sir Walter Runciman said his own opinion was that there was no necessity for all those people to be out of work. If they could not handle a mallet or plane, they could do something; and he felt assured that, if the proper policy was adopted, employment could be found for hundreds of thousands now out of work. But he himself offered work to some people the other day, and they would not do it. That reminded him of a young girl who applied for a passage to America, and when he asked her why she wanted to leave England, she said: “I can scrub doorsteps out there, but I can’t do it here.” That was just a bit of standing on one’s dignity, continued the speaker; people did not like being seen doing unaccustomed work. Yet when he was a young sailor lad he was sometimes out of work. They got low wages in those days £32 10s a month – he thought he paid £13 a month now- and rotten food; and the cost of living was just as high then. But that did where else when not at sea.

He went to dig a garden on one occasion; and another time he saw a ship coming in and buried to ask the captain if he wanted help and got the job he was after. It was only a very few shillings, but it showed what could be done if people would only adapt themselves to circumstances. If they could not do one thing, they could do another. He had heard of communities who would rather starve than take the dole, and so would he. He had himself given people employment who said they would not accept the dole.

“I tell you,” concluded Sir Walter, “that there is work if you go where it is to be found. I don’t think anyone who has work to offer would turn a man or woman away if they are willing to take it. It is necessary to go on working to keep brain and body alive. I don’t want to die yet, and I think I would if I stopped working. Don’t get into the habit of thinking you ought to retire. If you are any good at your work, keep at it as long as you can. If you are not, get another job.

“I wish some of the leaders of what they call the working class – though we are all workers-would impress on the people they profess to lead that they can get work of some fashion if they only look for it.”

LOCAL NEWS

A volume of Dugald MacFadyen’s humorous stories and sketches, including “Buffoon’s Who’s Zoo,” has been edited by his son, R. MacFadyen, and for those who like this sort of thing it should serve to while away a journey or a cold and dirty night. It is published by W. F. Henderson, Edinburgh, at 2s net and s 6d net in paper covers.

Under the auspices of the International Bible Students’ Association, Mr J. Mackenzie, Edinburgh, delivered a lecture in the Long Room of the Corn exchange on Sunday evening. The lecturer dealt exhaustively with the new worldwide subject, “All nations marching to Armageddon,” and the audience followed his discourse with great attention.

BERWICK CHIMNEYS

A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN

Jane Pattison (60), 41 Church Street, Berwick, was charged with allowing her chimney to catch fire on Saturday afternoon, October 20th. The Mayor and Councillor Bolus, as members of the Sanitary Authority, retired from the bench when this case came on.

Mrs Pattison pleaded guilty, saying it was an accident.

Church Street, 1906. Ref: BRO 0426-338

Mr Porter, Town Clerk, appearing for the Sanitary Authority, said they proposed to assume that the firing of the chimney was an accident. Mr Boyd was passing along Church Street at the time and saw huge clouds of smoke issuing from the chimney. Mrs Pattison, when spoken to, said it had been swept within the previous six weeks and gave the name of the sweep, but it was found from his books that it had been swept last on August 2nd– 11 weeks ago. There were frequent cases of this sort in the borough, and the Sanitary Authority had been compelled to take proceedings. All that he would ask for was costs, the case to serve as a warning. In future cases he would press for a penalty.

SPORTS-FOOTBALL

EAST OF SCOTLAND QUALIFYING CUP

BERWICK RANGERS IN FORM

Rangers…………..3 Civil Service Strollers (h)…….1

Even the most ardent supporter of Berwick Rangers had “his doots” regarding the ability of the Yellow and Black to pull off the semi-final of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, and such scepticism was justified by the Civil Service Strollers having a good team together this year and the added advantage of home venue. The result therefore of a win for the Berwick lads after a game in which they held the whiphand throughout gave some credit to the prophets who in recent weeks have foretold a more successful run for the Rangers since their play has improved.

COMMENTS ON PLAY

There was no denying the superiority of the Rangers on the day’s play and even supporters of the Edinburgh Club admitted that their team was well beaten. The Berwick team was smart on the ball and all their attacks were made with method. Much of the good work came from good advice and general ship shown by Atkinson. Harvey was not killed with work but what he had to do he did well. Younger showed good form at back and what he slipped Haswell got. Atkinson was the outstanding man of the half line with Wakenshaw a close second. The Borthwick-Johnston wing showed splendid football and though they had not the luck to get goals they were the means of leading up to two of them. Wilson was one of the most useful men in the team and was always on the spot while Purves distributed well and played an improved game. Of the home team Bridges and Lamb played a sound game at back while McLaren at centre half was splendid in defence. The forwards were a nippy lot but once the Rangers’ defence got their measure they seldom had a look in. There was little to chose between them, but Sutherland and Purves took the eye most.

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