Norham and Islandshire Petty Sessions

This Week in World War One, 6 April 1917

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 6 APRIL 1917

 

LOCAL NEWS

 

Northumberland Policemen’s War Bonus. – At a meeting at the Moot Hall, Newcastle, on Monday, of the Standing Joint Committee for Northumberland – Ald. T. Taylor presiding – an application was received for an addition to the 5s awarded in July last as a war bonus to police officers below the rank of superintendent. It was decided to give 1s a week for each child below the age of 14 of a married officer. There are over 300 children below the age, and the amount voted will represent an expenditure of about £800 per annum.

Soldiers Clear the Berwickshire Snow-bound Roads. – The extremely severe frost in Berwickshire on Monday morning was followed on Monday evening by a heavy fall of snow, accompanied by a stiff north-easterly gale, which caused much drifting. Roads were blocked in every direction. In view of the fact that lambing is now well begun in half-bred hirsels in the hill districts, the situation was viewed with much anxiety by flockmasters. There was a marked rise of temperature on Tuesday, and the snow melted as it fell. In the Berwick district all main roads were more or less blocked by the heavy fall of snow, which in certain exposed parts had been formed into large wreaths by the strong wind. After considerable difficulty the Edinburgh and Paxton road was got clear. The Duns and Belford roads suffered most, and as labourers were impossible to be obtained the authorities appealed to the military for help in having the main south road opened for traffic. As a result, the Commanding Officer of the Royal Scots very kindly placed a squad of men at the disposal of the authorities, and in the course of Tuesday the road was made passable. The action of the military in such an emergency was greatly appreciated by the general public.

The Food Controller has issued an order by which the annual total output of beer in the United Kingdom is limited to 10,000,000 barrels as compared with the 26,000,000 barrels allowed for the year ending the 31st March, 1916. At the same time the supply of wines and spirits that may be taken out of bond, is reduced by 50 per cent, of the amount taken out in 1916.

The Volunteers. – The next drill of the Berwick Volunteers will take place on Thursday, weather permitting, at the Stanks. Some 200 men have now enrolled, and an invitation is extended to all eligible recruits to join at once, so as to complete the necessary strength of 250.

The Stanks, Berwick-upon-Tweed (c) BRO 2103-6-32

 

Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club and Railway Travelling. – Having regard to the appeal

made by the Government that, in view of the grave and critical state of the country, the public should refrain from all unnecessary railway travelling and practise every economy, and to the practical difficulties in arranging and attending meetings under the present conditions, the officers of the Club, after mature consideration, have resolved to intermit all field meetings for this season. They have deemed it expedient, however, to hold the annual business meeting in October, of which due intimation will be given.

 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

 

WASTE PAPER TO HELP WAR CHARITIES

Hopeville,

Castle Terrace,

Berwick-on –Tweed,

4th April, 1917

Sir, – The members of the Patriotic Committee have asked me to write a letter regarding a project we have in view for the raising of funds in aid of various war charities, in hope that you would be good enough to insert in this week’s edition of your paper.

It seemed to us that we might make some money out of the gathering and sale of waste paper, which has hitherto been an almost untapped source of revenue in Berwick. A beginning has already been made privately in the Town, and with united effort, we hope to raise a goodly sum to help the many war charities, which claim our sympathy, and among them our own Guild of Aid, Surgical Depot, etc.

I need Your Waste-Poster

 

We would be glad to receive the names of any ladies or gentlemen willing to assist in the sorting and packing and would be obliged if these could be handed in to any of the undermentioned ladies by Tuesday, 10th April, at latest. These ladies will also receive gratefully promises of papers, and will give any information required. Mrs Steven, Stecarven; Miss Caverhill, 2 Ravensdowne; Miss Dixon, Marlborough House, Spittal; Miss Mason, Shielfield Terrace, Tweedmouth, or myself.

Thanking you in anticipation

Yours Sincerely

ISABELLA H. PLENDERLEITH

President of Patriotic Fund.

 

NORHAM AND ISLANDSHIRE PETTY SESSIONS

 

NORHAM BUTCHER’S CASE

Supt. Bolton informed the magistrates that in the case of Foreman, butcher, who had been sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, the option being that he should join a labour battalion, that he had done his best to enlist, and after going to and from the barracks for a fortnight the military had declined to take him. For one thing Foreman was considerably over age. He asked for an order to commit him to prison as this was the alternative to enlisting.

Mr Darling – Men considerably over 47 have gone to make roads in France. I will communicate regarding Foreman and see if he can be taken.

Supt. Bolton – I hope he can, it would be the best thing that could happen to him.

Capt. Tippinge – I should think he has been at considerable expense going out and in to the Barracks.

Supt. Bolton – I daresay he has been enjoying himself as well. (Laughter).

Mr Plendeleith – Have they a settled age for the labour battalion.

Supt. Bolton –  They must have, except in the case of old soldiers. They will take the latter up to any age.

Case adjourned for a month.

 

This Week in World War One, 21 April 1916

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Berwick Advertiser title 1915

 

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 21 APRIL 1916

 

LOCAL NEWS

 

Lady Teacher’s Long Service: On Thursday afternoon, 20th inst., Miss Phillip, who has been for twenty-five years a teacher in the Church of England Infant School at the Parade, Berwick, was presented with a silver tea service, a china tea set, and cabinet in recognition of her long and faithful services. The presentation was made by the Vicar (the Rev. R. W. De La Hey) in a graceful and eloquent manner, and the gifts were suitably acknowledged by Miss Phillip.

The Parade School can be seen back left in this 1950s photograph of the Riding of the Bounds in Berwick. Pictured also in the background on the right is the Freemasons' Hall. © Berwick Record Office, BRO 1944-1-4008-054.
The Parade School can be seen back left in this 1950s photograph of the Riding of the Bounds in Berwick. Pictured also in the background on the right is the Freemasons’ Hall. © Berwick Record Office, BRO 1944-1-4008-054.

 

Early advertisement for James Buchanan's Whisky.
James Buchanan’s Whisky.

Alleged Theft of Whisky – At the Norham and Islandshire Petty Sessions on Friday – before John Black, Esq., a railway porter at Goswick, named William Wedderburn, was charged with the theft of three bottles of whisky. It appeared that a case of Buchanan’s whisky had fallen from a railway waggon. The loss was intimated to the officials at Goswick and Tweedmouth, A man named William Skee proceeded along the line and found the case as well as two bottles, which were concealed underneath railway sleepers and another in a rabbit hole. The accused was remanded on bail till Wednesday, 3rd May.

 

 

St. Paul’s Church Spittal – Guild Social – It being felt that something ought to be done, for the young people of the village during the winter months, Councillor P.P. Boston,

Early photograph of St Paul's Church, Spittal. © Berwick Record Office. BRO 1887-4-3.
Early photograph of St Paul’s Church, Spittal. © Berwick Record Office. BRO 1887-4-3.

always the friend of the young, was instrumental in calling a meeting at which fifty young people were present. It was decided to reform the Guild of Mutual Aid and Improvement, and to meet once a week in the Hall of the Church. Old and young took advantage of these meetings which were bright and attractive, with an average attendance of eighty, the membership exceeding one hundred. A social was held on Friday evening when one hundred and twenty sat down to tea. The President, Councillor P. Boston in his remarks, gave all a hearty welcome, and hoping that they would have a pleasant evening.

 

 

 

 

After tea the time was taken up with games interspersed with songs, recitation, etc. The following was the programme: –

Song                Miss M. Younger

Swedish Drill   by ten members of the Guild

Song                Miss Gibson

Recitation        Miss S Crisp

Song                Mrs J. Moffat

Song                Mr Dewar.

The singing of the National Anthem brought a most successful session to a close.

 

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

SATURDAY

Before A. L. Miller, Esq., and Alderman Maclagan

AN HOUR TO LEAVE THE TOWN

 

John Duncan, Banffshire, pedlar, minus the right leg, was charged with having on Friday been, drunk and disorderly in Tower Road, Tweedmouth. He pleaded guilty.

Police sergeant Wilson said that on the previous day three women complained to him regarding the dirty and abusive language which the accused had used towards them. He had been asking them to purchase some articles he was selling. The witness remonstrated with the accused regarding his conduct, and told him he would have to clear out of the town. The accused made a very insolent reply, and in consequence he took him in charge. As a sample of the language accused used witness handed up a note of same to the Bench. The accused was selling writing paper, and had a pedlar’s certificate.

Mr A. L. Miller said the accused seemed to have been spending any money he had on spirituous liquors.

The Chief Constable – Without doubt; but we know nothing about him, and have never seen him before.

The accused said he had not tasted drink for a number of years until Friday, and that he was making for his native country in the North of Scotland.

Mr A. L. Miller said that the accused had used the most disgusting language towards the women, and deserved to be sent to prison for a month without the option of a fine. He would be fined 10s 6d or ten days’ imprisonment, but if he promised to clear out of the town within an hour’s time the sentence would not be put in force.

The accused gave his promise to leave the town, and was dismissed.