BERWICK ADVERTISER, 7TH JULY 1922

08/07/2022 by Northumberland Archives

PRIZE DAY AT ST. MARY’S

SCHOLARS GIVE DISPLAY IN PLAYGROUND

The annual prize distribution to pupils attending St. Mary’s Church of England School took place in the playground on Thursday afternoon, when there was a large attendance of parents and friends present. Happily, apart from two showers in the afternoon weather conditions were good and the youngsters assembled, garbed in summer frocks, appeared to thoroughly enjoy the programme of singing, dancing, recitation, and drill which was gone through. The applause which followed each item was in every case well deserved and showed the appreciation of the audience.

Present at the ceremony were Mr G. N. Broadbent and Mrs Broadbent, Mr Chas. Forsyth and Mrs Forsyth, Mr Robt. Carr, Mr W. B. Dickinson, the Rev. S. E. R. Fenning (who presided), etc. The programme submitted by the children was very good indeed, the quaint old folk dances being exceedingly well executed. We feel convinced that the girls’ team which danced “If all the world were paper,” could have easily won at Wooler last week, where that dance was made the test piece at the dancing competition at the Workers’ Union Gala. “Gathering Peascods” was another dance smartly done. The singing was very nice, though the boys were just a little strong for good harmony. The most pleasing item was “O wert thou in the cauld blast,” which though rather a difficult song for youngsters to harmonise in, was done very well indeed. Misses I. Elliot and M. Richardson performed creditably as the piano in the duet “The Merry Skaters.” Though little Janet Renton suffered from stage fright at first in her recitation “Hiawatha’s Childhood, “she did remarkably well at the second attempt and deserved all the applause she got. Mary McRobb also recited “The Pied Piper” clearly and with wonderful expression.

SEAHOUSES

The usual tranquillity of the village of Seahouses was upset in Wednesday afternoon, June 28^th, when it became known that one of its well-known inhabitants had been found dead. The person in question, Mrs Elizabeth Langley, widow, was found by her daughter hanging from a hook, in the basement of the house in which they live in harbour View.

Assistance was promptly procured from the fish stand, where the fish and crates were being sold, and which is only a few yards from the house, but this alas was too late. Mrs Langley for many years kept a pop shop facing the harbour, and was well-known and respected. She has been in poor health for some time. – Mr Hugh J. Percy, deputy coroner, held an inquest on the body of deceased on Thursday at the Police Station, North Sunderland. Evidence of identification was given by Robert Langley, son of the deceased, and by William Norris, who stated that he went into the cellar below the house with Mrs Langley’s daughter (who was unable to attend the inquest) and removed deceased’s body, which was hanging by a cord. Life was quite extinct. – A verdict was returned that deceased committed suicide by hanging herself whilst temporarily insane.

LOCAL NEWS

During the week the large double decker motor bus which was running between Spittal and Berwick has been withdrawn. We hear that the drivers have found great trouble in passing horses, which being unused to meeting such a high affair, either showed a desire to sit down or shie on to the pavements. Messrs Thompson Bros., we see, have started a new covered in bus, which in bad weather should be a great advantage to people travelling between Berwick and Spittal.

Spittal Promenade, 1900s Ref: BRO 426/24-3

Mr R. W. Michael, the tenant of Kerchesters, on Tuesday last week treated all the people on his farm- men, women and children, to the number of sixty- to a motor drive to the coast. Starting at nine o’clock, the first stage was by Ford and Lowick to Bamburgh-a fine long run, which, in delightful weather, was greatly enjoyed. A few hours, all too brief, were spent on the fine beach, and in viewing the great castle and the surrounding beauties- besides other generous entertainment in the form of luncheon, provided by Mrs Michael. The second stage was taken in the afternoon, from Bamburgh to Spittal-an enjoyable drive along the coast. At the latter place the party had tea and a couple of hours were agreeably spent; the third stage was started- from Spittal to Kerchesters via Cornhill- the homeward journey being completed at about nine o’clock.

ALNWICK CASTLE TO BE CLOSED

It is reported on good authority that the Duke of Northumberland is immediately to close Alnwick Castle on account of high taxation.

As a matter of fact, the shootings and fishings were let some time since, and the household at the castle, which formerly numbered little short of 100, has been considerably reduced of late.

It has customary to keep a few rooms open for the Duke and Duchess, and their family, when in the North; but they are not usually in residence at this season of the year.

Lion Bridge and Alnwick Castle, Ref: NRO 2709/8

The Duke is at present in France.

Alnwick Castle was commenced by Ovo de Vescy in 1096, and rebuilt by the Percies in the 14^th century. It has been their principal residence ever since.

The Duke only recently let Syon House and sold his lands in the London district.

PIGEON FLYING

BERWICK CLUB

Berwick and District H.S. flew their fifth old bird race from Bournemouth, 349 miles, on Saturday, July 1^st. Mr Maidment liberated 41 birds at 5.45 a.m., wind S.W. The winners were :- R. Jeffrey, 1463, and R. Sutherland, 1452. The race is a record from Bournmouth to Berwick, the birds flying close on 50 miles per hour.

TWEEDMOUTH CLUB

Owing to the birds beating the officials to the winning post the Tweedmouth Homing Society’s race from Bournemouth on Saturday came to a rather unsatisfactory ending. The birds were liberated from Bournmouth on Saturday morning and none of the officials at Tweedmouth expected them to arrive home within seven and a half hours least. Conditions for flying, however, were favourable and five birds landed in a bunch without anybody being ready to receive them 6 hours and 40 minutes after having been let off. They averaged a speed of 1512 yards per minute over the journey of 348 miles. A meeting of the Society was therefore held on Monday night when it was decided that the fairest way out of the difficulty was to share the prize money equally amongst the owners of the five birds first home. Those sharing the prize money were Messrs Hay and Nelson, Mount Road; Gilchrist Brothers, Howick Terrace; P. Matthewson, Mount Road, and Speedy Brothers, Mill Strand ( 2 shares). The Bournemouth race having completed the races for old birds, the cup formerly belonging to the old Homing Club of Tweedmouth for the best average over all the long distance races was awarded to Messrs Hay and Nelson. The pools in the Bournemouth race were shred in the same way as the prize money. The young birds races will commence in August.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 31ST MARCH 1922

01/04/2022 by Northumberland Archives

TOWN DEVELOPMENT

The last of the series of debates on Town Development held under the auspices of Berwick Debating Society was held in the Parochial Hall on Wednesday night, when Ald. Thos. Wilson presided over a good attendance.

Early 1900s photograph of the High Street, from the Scotsgate Arch. BRO 1636-2-9

In introducing Mr D. Boyd, Borough Sanitary Inspector, who led the debate, Ald. Wilson said after hearing Mr Paterson’s address he considered himself a back number. He had always thought himself progressive but he found himself hopelessly left in the progressive views put forward. He knew Mr Boyd to be one of Berwick’s progressives, and he felt sure his address would be productive of an interesting and helpful discussion.

THE DISCUSSION

Mr Jos. Seals again drew a fanciful picture of Berwick in 1962, picturing villas, detached and semi-detached, out ny the North Road and Halidon Hill, with avenues between, named after local business men. Tommy the Miller’s field and the Shambles Braes he saw turned into the “askew Cliff Gardens” with bands playing and crowds walking on a new Road night and day. (Laughter) A palatial hotel he saw rise on the site of the Academy, built by an enterprising native of the town, to be known as the Hotel Coffteako. His remarks produced great hilarity and in conclusion he remarked that though his description was a purely imaginary one, there was no reason why the town should not have some of the attractions he had sketched. (Applause)

Berwick Rowing Club Boat House and the New Road BRO 0426-440

Mr Davis, West Street, spoke in favour of developing the town as a health resort. The picture drawn by Mr Seals was not too farfetched. The day might yet come when Mr Seals would be looked upon as the prophet of Berwick. (Laughter) He advocated that the town should be advertised, and boomed in centres with large populations.

Capt. J. E. Carr thought the idea of cooperating with other centres on the Borders was a good one. Berwick was the natural outlet and the harbour only required a little development, a little deepening, to make it the place where the produce of other centres could be out on ship. Since the railway companies had been grouped Berwick had its opportunity. It was a sort of key place which offered the outlet for the Border district and cause railway competition. (Applause)

Councillor Dickinson spoke in support of the points raised by Mr Boyd, and at the close of his remarks said the town could never extend while confined with its walls. Yet when the initial step was taken to make an outlet through the ramparts at Wallace Green a petition was got up and actually furthered by one of the local newspapers, from which, he said, “I believe it actually eminated.” The other paper remained neutral. (Laughter)

Councillor Edminson suggested that much could be done to further the housing schemes of the Borough if everyone who could afford it subscribed say £50 with the object with the object of forming a building society. So far as she saw, the fault in, Berwick was that everything had been taken out, of it in past years and nothing put in. She was against the spoiling of the Walls by breaking clean through. The Wall’s were the town’s greatest asset. Thousands of visitors came to Berwick and if they spent at least £1 per head, it meant some £25,000 into the tills of the tradesmen of Berwick, as fully 25,000 people came in the summer season. She thought nothing should be done to destroy something which certainly attracted visitors.

Mr Robert Carr supported the paper so far, but in regard to the making Berwick a centre for sheep slaughter and its allied trades, he did not think this would ever develop to any extent.

Councillor Campbell and Mr R, K. Gaul spoke in favour of keeping alive the enthusiasm which had been shown at the development meetings held, and the latter moved that a message be sent from the meeting to the Council to the effect, the “the meeting unanimously approved of the adoption of a scheme of housing and town planning as advocated by Mr Patterson and pledging themselves to support the Council in putting it into effect.”

Mr Jos. Seals seconded, and it became the finding of the meeting.

Ald. Wilson wound up the debate and in the course of a few remarks said duty of the inhabitants did not end when they paid their rates. There was a duty incumbent on every man and woman to do something to try and make the Borough a better place to live in. He hoped as a result of these meetings an organisation would spring up which would cooperate with and help the Town Council in forwarding the development of the Borough.

WORKERS’ UNION AT WOOLER

IS THE SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY TO REMAIN

At the monthly meeting on Saturday night this branch affiliated with the Berwick-on-Tweed Division Labour Party and appointed Mr R. Handerson as its representative, Mr Borrell announced that the General Secretary (Mr Chas. Duncan) would speak at the Wooler Gala on June 26th, and that Mr Neil Maclean, M. P., member of the Workers’ Union Executive for Division 6, which includes North Northumberland, would pay a visit shortly and address a public meeting, probably in Berwick. With regard to the attack on the Saturday half-holiday, they must understand that it was the employers themselves who proposed that they should work the longer hours to November 11th and again from February 11th to compensate for the shortest days in the middle of winter, and to give an average 48-hour week for the four winter months. The as the best arrangement they could make to get the 48-hour week under daylight conditions, and they should stand to their agreement.

The trouble over the hours arose from a misunderstanding about working up the breakfast and tea intervals allowed in the field. These intervals were quite a recent innovation, and there was a strong feeling among the workers that these breaks should not be worked up as the worker never left his duties. When the Union agreed to work up the tea time many members strongly objected, and the tea time was dropped on many farms and had not been revived. Possibly the breakfast time would go the same way. In any case each farm had better settle its own domestic arrangements as long as they kept to the agreed hours, but if they agreed to any increase they would be keeping some of their members out of employment.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 3RD MARCH 1922

04/03/2022 by Northumberland Archives

DEATH OF MR EDWARD WILLOBY

THE LAST INMALE LINE OF OLD

BERWICK FAMILY

The death of Mr Edward Willoby, which took place at the residence of his sister, Mrs Anderson, Dunbar, at the week-end, removes one of the few old “standards” of Berwick, and also the last of the male line of a family which has been resident in the town since the sixteenth century. Mr Willoby’s health has been steadily failing since the death of his sister last April. He sometime ago disposed of the furnishings of the house in Ravensdowne and went to live with his widowed sister to whom he was very much attached. The end was not altogether unexpected by his more intimate friends.

AN OLD BERWICK FAMILY

Mr Willoby was the second son of the late Mr Edward Willoby, solicitor and Clerk to the Borough and County Magistrates, Guardians and Rural District Council, who died in 1893. His great grandfather was Borough Treasurer in 1763 and Town Clerk in 17765 and 1800, his grandfather, Mr William Willoby, succeeded to the post. Mr Willoby’s mother was a Miss Jane Gray prior to her marriage and he had one brother William, who died in 1885, and two sisters, Miss W. Willoby, who died last year, Mrs Anderson, who still survives. A tablet to this branch of the family was erected in Berwick Parish Church in November last.

Mr Willoby’s forebears having been Freemen, he, as a boy, attended the Corporation Academy and in after life always maintained a kindly interest in it. He was made a Freeman of the town in July 1866, and from that date was never non-resident until recently.

The Corporation Academy, now The Leaping Salmon public house, Berwick upon Tweed. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

AS ESTATE AGENT

Mr Willoby did not follow the legal profession of his forefathers, but set out on his own as an estate agent soon to cultivate an extensive business. He acted as local estate agent for the Duke of Northumberland and had supervision of the Magdalene Fields. Many will remember how at intervals he used to ride round the fields on horseback examining the fences. He was a great horseman and in connection with his business he used to make long journeys into Northumberland in the saddle. He had charge of the Coupland estate owned by the Culley family and was well-known in Glendale by the tenantry. For long too he has acted for the Askew family, when their estate was more extensive than now, and in the North Northumberland. Mr Askew and he were close friends. He never aspired to municipal honours or anything likely to take his mind off his business and that, no doubt, was the secret of his success as an agent.

A SPORTSMAN

From his earliest boyhood Mr Willoby was keen on sport. He had no particular fancy but if anything he had leanings towards rowing and fox hunting. He was one of the original committee of the Berwick Amateur Rowing Club in 1869 and an active member at the time when William Grey, Thomas Darling, and others trained on occasion late and early and could beat all comers at the regattas. Mr Willoby was most successful rowing in pairs. His brother William, who was also a good oarsman, was a member of the club at this time and between the two of them they won many prizes.

Berwick Rowing Club Boat House. BRO 0426-440

Readers who can take their memory back over twenty years will remember how keenly Mr Willoby followed the Northumberland and Berwickshire Hunt. If a meet was within riding distance of Berwick, he attended it in blue coat and white buckskin breeches. To see Mr Willoby coming up Hide Hill to his stables at the top of Woolmarket after the hunt, the horse tired and mudstained was as familiar a sight twenty years ago, as the old King’s Arms bus. He liked a gallop in the afternoons of summer days out by the Murton and Unthanks way.

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