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.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 18TH MARCH 1921

19/03/2021 by Northumberland Archives

BELFORD RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL

Housing Scheme Held up for Want of Money

At a meeting of Belford Rural District Council last Wednesday.

Colonel Leather enquired how the Council were going to get the money to carry out the housing scheme.

The Clerk explained that endeavour had been made to obtain the money locally, but so far he had had no replies from an advertisement asking for loans. If they failed to raise the money they could apply to the Ministry of Health, who would supply the money.

Colonel Leather – The Ministry will probably not give us the money. I propose we postpone the whole scheme for three months till we see whether we can get the money. Everything is cut and dried, but we are not committed to anything and the time has come for us to mark time. No businessman would go on with the scheme, why should the Council do so?

Mr Davidson seconded Colonel Leather’s proposal.

Dr Macaskie explained that all that was necessary if they could not raise the money locally was to apply to the Ministry of Health who would lend the money.

The Clerk – There is no fear of not getting the money.

Colonel Leather – Look how the Government tried to wriggle out of the agreement with the farmers about the price of corn. I move we delay matters till, we get a definite and satisfactory answer about the money.

On being put to the meeting the motion was caried unanimously.

Mr Hunter – Will the plans be laid before the Council to be passed?

The Clerk – The plans have been been passed.

Mr Hunter – The original plans have, been cut down to get cheaper houses. Things have been taken out of our hands. The Surveyor ought to see these new plans before approved.

Mr Clark – We are not providing the money and can’t grumble.

Mr Hunter – We will ultimately have to provide the money from the rates. It is not right for the houses to be built and the Surveyor not to see the plans.

Mr Davidson moved and Colonel Leather seconded that copies of specifications be submitted to the Council before any tenders were accepted. Agreed.

Sir E. C. Haggerston – If the tenders were accepted the firm could carry on, but Colonel Leather’s motion stops this.

Colonel Leather – It does not stop us going on with the details

WORKERS’ UNION MEETING AT NORHAM

How Changes in The Minimum rate will affect the Worker

At the branch meeting of Friday night, Mr. Borrell attended at the last moment, in the place of Councillor Buchan, who was unable to keep his appointment.

Asked as to the position of the wages in case of a change in the wages Board rates during the year, Mr. Borrell explained that if a man hired for say 51s or 52s per week, he would receive that wage throughout the year, even if the Agricultural wages Board rate fell.

An early 20th century photograph of a Haywain. © Richard Mark Johnson. Creative Commons License (CC-BY-SA 2.0).

If the Agricultural wages Board rate went up, the total difference between the rate he hired for and what was due to him under the Wages Board increases would have to be paid to him in a lump sum on May 12^th, 1922, if it had not been paid previously. If, however, a man hired at the wages Board rate without specifying any figure his wage would naturally go up and down with that rate. He did not think there was any likelihood of a reduction in the wages Board rates. They had to find a subsistence basis, and they still stood much below other industries. There was only a slight reduction in the cost of living. The railways were 21 millions to the bad, and they would have higher transport charges. Coal was going up, and it was an important item in the farm workers’ budget. His house required a deal of warming, and his cooking arrangements were wasteful and extravagant of fuel. There was often a quantity of wet clothing to dry, which entailed the fire being kept up after the household had retired. He could see little prospect of any material lowering of their household expenses, and he urged them to put aside all thoughts of a reduction of wages as impractical at present.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

THURSDAY

EXTENSION OF HOURS FOR DANCING OVERDONE.

Mr W. B. Dickinson applied for an extension of hours to 2.30 for the Good Templar Hall, on the occasion of a whist drive and dance on Thursday 17^th, to be held by Berwick Cycling Club.

Sup. Halliday considered that the extension of hours for dances was overdone. If they got to 1a.m. that was quite long enough. Most of the people who went to the dances had to be up early in the morning for work. These applications were too frequent. In other districts the Magistrates were not granting extension after 12 p.m.

The Mayor — The dancing season is nearly over now. Mr Dickinson pointed out that formerly dancing used to be allowed to 3 and 4 a.m., without need for applying for extensions of licence. The Mayor — The Bench grant the licence on this occasion but will consider future applications.

SHOWMAN’S OFFENCE

James Ratcliffe, showman, was charged with failing to employ a third person to give assistance to drivers of horses if required while in Berwick on 2^nd March, and with not having the weight of his wagon affixed.

Serg. Middlemass gave evidence, proving the charges. Superintendent Halliday said it was very important these regulations under the Locomotive and Highways Act should be carried out. He did not look upon the offence as serious but wished to bring to the notice of users of the road the fact that these regulations could not be broken with impunity. He would not press for a heavy penalty, only wishing to draw the attention of users of the road to the regulations. The defendant was a showman and had called at the Office stating he had to go to Kelso to secure his stance and could not appear. Fined 10s for each charge.

DRUNK IN CHARGE OF A MOTOR CYCLE

Robert G. Waugh, commercial traveller, 20 Fenkle Street, Alnwick, was charged with being drunk in charge of a motor cycle on the Old Bridge, Tweedmouth, on 4^th March. Defendant did not appear, but wrote expressing regret, and stating he had had trouble with his clutch and had not had time for lunch.

The Berwick Bridge, Berwick-upon-Tweed, locally known as the Old Bridge.© Kenneth Blackett, Berwick-upon-Tweed.

The Mayor said the bench considered this a very serious case. A motor cycle was dangerous at any time, more so when in charge of a drunkman. In addition, the Old Bridge was a dangerous place. Fined the maximum penalty of £2 or 18 days.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 15 OCTOBER 1920

16/10/2020 by Northumberland Archives

LONGRIDGE FURNITURE SALE

Moderate Prices for Fine Future

£1,000 For A Carpet

Mr Robert Donkin, auctioneer, Rothbury, acting in conjunction with Messrs Anderson and Garland, auctioneers, Newcastle, conducted the first day’s sale at Longridge on Tuesday, where in excellent weather, there was a large turnout of bidders, drawn from a wide area. Antique dealers from Edinburgh, Newcastle, Durham, Whitley Bay, and Berwick, along with a large assembly of district residents took part in the bidding, which was at times of a spirited description. While certain lots made good money others went comparatively cheaply. The highest figure of the day was given by Mrs Deuchant, of Middleton, who paid £1,000 for a large and beautiful pile carpet.

The effects were auctioneered in the large drawng room, and the work was gone through by Mr Donkin in his usual expeditious manner. The principal bures were Mr Hall, Newcastle; Mr Home, Whitley bay; Mr Dover, Berwick; Mr Nelson, Edinburgh; and Mr Jos. Ewart, Berwick. Mr Collingwood Thompson, jun., was also an extensive buyer. He got a beautiful ebonised Italian cabinet, richly inlaid with ivory and with enamel mounts, at £30. Mr Dover, Berwick, got a similar inlaid Italian secretaire at £34, and Mr Ewart became the owner of a fine china cabinet, with Dresden china pillars and panels, at £24. The Louis XV settee and fauteuils, upholstered in silk damask with carved and gilded frames, and also the window seats to match, went at £31 and £13 respectively to Mr Nelson, Edinburgh.

Time Line For Longridge Towers:

1875-1879

1875 – Foundation stone laid

Built by Sir Hubert and Lady Jerningham

Cost about £140,000

Coat of Arms in the entrance are for the Stafford Family

Family Home

1879 – completed

1879-1920

House built by Sir Hubert & Lady Jerningham. Family home costings c 140,000 (c 6 ¾ million today). Foundations laid in 1875

1902

Lady Jerningham dies & leaves property to husband for his lifetime

1914

Sir Hubert dies 3 April

1920- Estate sold and house bought by Collingwood Thompson for £6000
Apr 1924- Miss Gordon Smith moves her school from Berwick to here

1938 – Miss Smith moves school to Ava Lodge

1939-1945 Requisitioned by military

1946- Purchased by Carr Rock Holiday Camp Co Ltd in Spittal to becomes a hotel

1949-still a hotel

1951- became a convent

1983 – became Longridge Towers School

LOCAL NEWS

Coroner Peters held an inquest without a jury on Monday night touching the death of Andrew Hastie, the infant son of Mr James Hastie, 61 West End, Tweedmouth, who was found dead in bed beside his mother on Saturday morning. James Hastie, the father, said he last saw the child alive about 7.50 a.m., when it turned over in the bed beside its mother. He took some breakfast to the mother in bed about nine o’clock, and then noticed the child had not moved. He noticed it had a blue mark behind the ear, and when his wife asked him to sit beside the fire with it he observed that something was wrong, as the child never moved. He formed the opinion that it was dead, and, handing the child to his wife, he ran for his mother-in-law, at the same time sending a girl for the doctor. The child had never ailed a day previously. Dr T. P. Caverhill gave evidence of having conducted a post mortem examination. There were no marks of violence, and he found the thymus gland to be enlarged. This was the primary cause of death, as the pressure would produce convulsions. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

Berwick’s newly formed Opera Society met for practice in the Old Welcome Hall, high Street, on Wednesday evening. H.M.S. Pinafore is the work chosen for the winter’s session.

Speculation is still rife as to what the new owner of Longridge Towers ( Mr Collingwood Thompson, Jr.,) intends to do with the mansion house. Before anything is settled, the Berwick Town Council Housing Committee might do worse than make an offer for the stones of the mansion and use them for putting up some of the new houses in the town that are so badly wanted.

TWEEDMOUTH

Mr Calder, “Border View,” has bought Coldingham Law and will shortly be retiring from the Woodyard to take up farming.

The most interesting event of the week to Tweedmouth inhabitants has been the erection of the handsome War Memorial.

The beautiful carved figure which crowns the monument was raised into position on Wednesday morning, and the work of erection is now complete, though there is still a good deal to do to the site. The memorial, to be unveiled on Sunday, 24^th October, by Capt. Hon. W. J. M. Watson-Armstrong, looks very well in position, and will doubtless be greatly admired by everyone.

NORHAM AND ISLANDSHIRE RURAL

DISTRICT COUNCIL

The Rural District Council then met, with the addition of Dr McWhir, temporary medical Officer, and Mr J. R. Lake, Surveyor and Sanitary Inspector. In the absence of Mr J. R. Wood, Mr E. Waugh presided.

The Clerk intimated that the Finance Committee recommended that a rate of 1s 10d in the pound be levied for the half year. This was the same rate as last year. Special contributions were also asked from Holy Island, £10; Norham, £10; Shoreswood, £1. These were sealed.

Plans from the Haggerston estate for alterations to cottages at Fenwick were submitted as under:-

Four deaths have been registered in the district since the Council’s last monthly meeting. This represents an annual death rate of 9.98 per 1000. In view of the prevalence of small pox in Glasgow and of the frequency with which cases crop up in widely separated parts of the country, it may be well to point out that children who have never been vaccinated may be exposed to special risks during the approaching winter. It is a matter for regret that few adults in the district appear to have availed themselves of the Council’s offer of free vaccination; as the part played by vaccination in lessening the ravages of a particularly loathsome disease cannot be too strongly emphasized.

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