BERWICK ADVERTISER, 17TH FEBRUARY 1922

18/02/2022 by Northumberland Archives

CAPTAIN COWAN’S TESTIMONIAL

TO THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

EXPERIENCES AND SUGGESTIONS

(To the Editor)

Sir, – Having been one of the unfortunates who has had foot-and-mouth disease on his farm lately, I wish to state my experiences and conclusions.

I bought home 16 stirks from the local market on January 28, two of which showed signs of distress about mid-day January 30, and that afternoon the disease was confirmed by the local authorities, who communicated with headquarters. I had previously given instructions that these cattle should be completely isolated from all other stock for seven days after their arrival. Thus from the moment they came home they were never in contact with any other animals. The net result was that only that bunch of 16 were slaughtered on the morning of the third day after confirmation of the disease, thirteen of which were then affected – not wholesale slaughter of all the other cattle, sheep and pigs on the place as many of my neighbours thought.

The shed in which the animals were isolated was within 50 yards of the main cattle pens where there were 63 other cattle and 29 pigs. It is now eight days since the affected cattle were slaughtered, and there has been no further outbreak here, and I trust there will not be. On January 31 the Inspector of the Ministry of Agriculture took full charge of operations, and all his instructions were most carefully carried out and have so far been successful in checking the progress of the trouble.

I should like to contradict most emphatically what I have heard said in many quarters, namely, that the Ministry’s officials help to spread the disease through carelessness in moving from infected cattle to uninfected ones without proper disinfection. This is a libellous statement as far as my experience has gone, as the two officials I had the pleasure of dealing with in these distressing circumstances here, were most particularly careful, and did not enter uninfected areas after having been into the infected area, and whenever they came out of such places they washed their hands, oilskins coats and rubber boots most particularly all over in very strong Jeyes’ fluid.

I consider that if all cases are treated similarly the Ministry are doing the very best thing for the country in view of out great export trade in stock. Stock owners must co-operate and help officials to the utmost ability in fulfilling instructions to stamp out the disease.

My suggestion is – only import cattle from countries which can show a clean bill of health for a certain period of time, say, two years at least.

What about the Canadian embargo now? Put Ireland and Canada on the same basis. I hope our inspectors at ports and markets will use more care and discretion when performing their duties, as I am afraid somebody blundered at Newcastle, as apparently the bunch I bought on 28^th January were watered and fed there, a then infected area. – Yours etc., JAMES R. C. COWAN. Shidlaw, Cornhill-on-Tweed, February 10.

LOCAL NEWS

A curious incident happened on the Old Bridge on Friday morning. A flock of sheep refused to pass a large motor lorry on the narrow thoroughfare at the high arch. Evidently with the intention of taking them off the Bridge,

the shepherd signalled to his dog. Not realising where it was, the animal cleared the parapet in a bound and landed in the Tweed. For some time it swam round the pillar in an endeavour to get out, and eventually, in response to a further signal, swam up stream and reached terra firma at the Boathouse.

For some weeks large quantities of crude rubber have been washed ashore on the coast between Bamburgh and Boulmer. Where the rubber has come from a mystery, as no shipping casualty has been reported off this part of the coast. The rubber is on slabs and appears to have been baled. It is just possible that it may have formed part of the deck cargo of some vessel caught in the recent heavy weather.

Bamburgh Castle, c.1930’s Ref: BRO 426/0927

Fishermen at Craster, Dunstanborough, Newton and Ross Links, as well as at Boulmer and Bamburgh, have been salving large quantities.

A hen met with a curious death at an East Lothian farm the other day. The steading has lately been brought up to date with labour saving machinery, one of the most interesting of which is a threshing-mill having conveyers for straw and grain, and blow-pipes through which a powerful draught of air draws away the chaff, and ejects it into the chaff-house. The hen selected an unfortunate position for egg-laying purposes. It was close to the intake of the blow-pipe, and when the machinery was set in motion, she was irresistibly carried away by the force of the draught and killed.

FASHIONABLE MARRIAGE

HOLDSWORTH-HODGKIN

The marriage took place on Monday at the Friends’ Meeting House, Truro, of Mr John Holdsworth, of Swartmoor, Havelock, North New Zealand, son of the late Mr and Mrs J. Holdsworth, of Eccles, and Miss Lucy Violet Hodgkin, of Truro and The Constable Tower, Bamburgh Castle, eldest daughter of the late Mr Thos. Hodgkin, D.C.L., of Newcastle, and Mrs Hodgkin, of Treworgan, Falmouth. The bride, who entered the Meeting House leaning on the arm of her brother, Mr Robert Hodgkin, of Oxford, wore a beautiful gown of grey chiffon velvet, with soft lace fichu clasped with a spray of real orange blossom grown at Glendurgan. She wore her mother’s wedding veil and carried a bunch of violets, with sprays of white heather, myrtle, and the New Zealand Manuka. The niece of the bride, Miss Violet Frances Bosanquet, eldest daughter of Professor R. C. Bosanquet, of Rock, attended the bride, wearing deep violet velvet with trimmings of grey fur. Grey shoes and stockings and a grey hat completed the toilet and a posy of violets was carried. She wore a circlet of pearls in the form of a brooch, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr J. Oliver Holdsworth, of Bolton, cousin of the bridegroom, acted as best man.

The wedding was very quiet and no reception was held at Treworgan; but Mrs Hodgkin entertained near relatives, and a few intimate friends in a room adjoining the old oak panelled meeting house. Later, the bride and bridegroom left to spend their honeymoon at Highcliff, Lyme Regis, Dorset, kindly lent by the Misses Lister. Mrs Holdsworth travelled in a suit of Parma violet faced cloth, with vest embroidered in silver threads, a hat of slightly darker shade of panne. The bride and bridegroom had expressed a wish not to be given wedding presents, but that these might take the form of contributions to the Russian Famine Fund or to the recently-formed Friends’ School at Wanganui, New Zealand. Many cheques were received for both objects, and in addition some useful and beautiful personal gifts.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 23RD DECEMBER 1921

24/12/2021 by Northumberland Archives

ATTRACTIVE WINDOW DISPLAY

FOR CHRISTMASTIME AT BERWICK

To take the family for a walk round the shops of Berwick at this time of year means almost financial ruin, for after the tempting window displays of our leading shopping centres even the close-fisted ad narrow-minded trait of character which we all possess more or less is apt to be swept away in the Christmassy sprit engendered.

In all the leading shop windows special electric lighting installations show off the goods displayed to great effect, and in this work Mr Williams, electrician, High Street, who himself has a fine display of electric appliances, cam claim a large amount of credit.

Messrs Ralph Dodds and Son makes a special feature of crackers and all that goes to make the Christmas party a success. Mr Fish, bootmaker, with a fine imitation snow fall, brightens this part of the High Street, the large window being filled with high-class footwear. Ford’s Garage Coy. And Tom Lilburn give a lead in mechanical and Meccano toys; while Mr Howe has again his attractive display of all that gladdens the youthful heart. Messrs Stoddard, by the way, have a display of something calculate to gladden the hearts of those of more mature years. Mr Cairns’s baker and confectioner, shop is most tastefully done off in Jap style, and the confectionary and pastry most tastefully arranged.

PAXTON AND PURVES LTD, dated 1959. Ref: BRO 1250/19

In the drapery and fancy good lines, Messrs Paxton and Purves and Dunlop’s have a fine window dressing, as also have Messrs Redpath and Sons. Other shops nicely done off are Mr Oliphant’s Mr R K Gaul’s; Mr R Robertson, Hide Hill; Mr Miller, Hide Hill; Mr Joures, Miss Gray, and Mr Martin. In the bakery and fruiterer line, the outstanding window dressings may be seen at Mr Simmen’s, Mr Dudgeon’s, Mr Mason’s and Mrs Thompson’s; Mr F. Rea, Hide Hill; Mr J. McDonald’s Mr J. Waite and Mr Outterson.

While we have given the leading displays we know the list is by no means complete. Every shop, in fact, is doing its best this Christmas season to attract, and if we may judge by the interest shown by the public, they have succeeded in attracting. All round, the Christmas windows this year are the best since 1913.

SCOUT CONCERT

1ST BERWICKS

“It’s going to be heaps better this year said a Boy Scout selling tickets –“its” being the annual concert of the 1^st Berwick Troop. And those who bought the tickets and went last Thursday evening to swell the crowd at the Parochial hall now agree that the Scout was right – “It” was heaps better. There was a variety about the programme that never palled. Everything was gone into with that refreshing enthusiasm that seems to pervade the whole Scout movement in Berwick at the present time from the County Commissioner downwards. “It” was the “show” of the 1^st Berwicks, and in all the arrangements, that went without a hitch, could be traced the ability of Scoutmaster Parkes. He was well backed up by Scoutmaster L.F. Gleig, A.S.M, J. Steven, Scoutmaster O. Peacock, and C.W. Davies, and the various patrol leaders and members of the Troop, amongst whom are boys with plenty of promise.

The opening sketch – “A Christmas Exam.,” was exactly the sort of piece to interest the boys taking part. The scene was a schoolroom, where the three Professors are putting the boys through an “exam.” Father Christmas enters and, with his characteristic good humour, changes the scene to one of mirth and amusement, the professors and pupils finishing up with a “jing-a-ring” round the table, singing a parody of “John Peel.” The burlesque, “A Theatrical Agency,” was most amusing. To test the theatrical qualifications of the various applicants, the “Agent” asks each in turn to sing a little ditty entitled “London’s burning.” He shows them how to do it. Tragedy, drama comedy ( with a stutter) and the “Knut Bertie” all have a try at the song, and then the unsatisfied Agent again starts to show them how he wants it done. This time his dramatic cries of “Fire!” are doused by a liberal application of a soda-water syphon and numerous tumblers of water poured over him by the would-be actors.

BERWICK SCOUTS CAMP, 1910. Ref: BRO 1500/2

The tableaux of Scout life in camp were most interesting. The descriptive story was given by Scoutmaster Parkes, and the change of tableau was done very noiselessly and quickly. The lighting effects by Mr Williams were a great help to the stage setting for the tableaux. To the strains of the bugle sounding “Reveille” the audience saw their first picture of Scout life – a newly-awakened Scout stretching himself. The cooks busy preparing food and washing dishes was the second picture: while No.3 showed the healthy discipline of camp life, representing “The boy who wouldn’t wash, “stripped to the waist and being forced to submit to the ordeal of having buckets of cold water poured over him. In the next picture all branches of the Scout movement were shown- Rovers, Sea Scouts, Land Scouts, Girl Guides and Wolf Cubs – “Brownies” being aloe unrepresented. Then the closing scene showed the Scouts o “night watch” by the glowing fire-light.

The “Camp Fire Sing-Song” was the concluding item of the programme, and was in itself a series of items. In the centre of the platform was a most realistic log fire, and seated round are the troop of Scouts. Their war-cry attracts two neighbouring farmers, who join the group and the sing-song, contributing “Widdecombe Fair” as a duet. A solo by Second N. Campbell and troop songs that wet with a splendid swing were also sung, and Scoutmaster Gleig, with his fine deep bass, gave a good rendering of “Wrap we up in my Tarpauline Jacket” as well as a monologue.

For the benefit of those who wonder what the Troop war-cry is we give it as under. It is the Danish war-cry adapted and was originally American :-

“Yehikkalika Yehikkalika

Tehow Tehow Tehow

Boomerlaka Boomerlaka

Bow Bow Bow.

Chikerlika Boomerlaka Bish Boom Ba.

The Bears are out. Ra Ra Ra.”

Other good items on the programme were a humorous recitation by Bain Dickinson, with bonnet, veil, mantle and skirt complete, and the violin solo by George Martin. The dancing display by Pipe-major Mackie’s party of four dainty girls was another popular item, and the sections of Spittal Amateur Orchestra under the leadership of Mr T. Jackson were enjoyed by all.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 25TH NOVEMBER 1921

26/11/2021 by Northumberland Archives

DEVELOPMENT OF BERWICK

The second article in the “Edinburgh Evening News” dealing with Berwick was as followed:- Linked up with the development project previously outlined there is another scheme which the unemployment emergency may force into speedy practical operation. Local authorities everywhere are finding great difficulty in providing work for the unemployed, the cost of which can be absorbed, in the largest possible proportion, in wages, but Berwick, although its unemployment problem is not so acute as in many places, could at once address itself to a work of improvement which meets that qualification. What is proposed is the levelling and laying out of a promenade on the low-lying sea cliffs which, extending within the borough for three miles from north to south, skirt the area that has been suggested for town-planning and continue for some distance on the Spittal side of the river.

This line of sea front, is uneven just now, but it has beautiful turf. There is at present only a narrow and ill-defined path, but a beautiful promenade could be made which would greatly enhance the attractiveness of the town. There is reason to believe that more will be heard of this proposal in the near future.

SCHEME OF RECONSTRUCTION

With regard to the houses which have been scheduled as unhealthy and call for reconstruction, it is proposed, if and when reconstruction takes place, that the first areas to be dealt with will be those from the ramparts between the Scotsgate and Wallace Green, and between High Street, Church Street, and the Town Hall.

Elevation of Houses in Wallace Green from Sanitary Report Ref: E.26-7-18a

Wallace Green should be hallowed ground for patriotic Scots. When Wallace was executed in 1305, one half of his body was ordered to be exposed on Berwick Bridge, and, according to tradition, his left arm was buried in the Wallace Green.

Berwick is justly proud of its Town Hall, which, dating from about 1755, has a tetrastyla Doric portico and a tower surmounted by a spire 150 feet high and occupies a commanding position at the foot of High Street, but the wit of man could not have conceived a more inconvenient situation for it. To make the bottom corners reasonably safe for traffic would entail carrying back the frontage on both sides of the street a very considerable extent.

Such a project could not be undertaken all at once. Building lines should, however, be laid down, and any rebuilding made to comply with them, so that the improvements could gradually take shape. It is from the spire of the Town Hall that the curfew bell rings at eight o’clock every evening, Berwick being one of the few remaining towns where this ancient custom is observed daily as a reminder of a bye-gone age is the existence of the old wooden stocks in a conspicuous place to the right of the Town Hall entrance.

THE SCOTSGATE

The original war memorial scheme having been dropped, the Scotsgate at the top of high Street has been given a fresh lease of life. The Scotsgate was once the most important of all the gates, and originally was in architectural harmony with the ramparts, of which it forms part, but the present structure has neither architectural nor antiquarian value.

A public improvement embodying a much needed widening of the road was proposed by the War Memorial Committee for the removal of the Scotsgate, and on the wall face which would require to have been built after the demolition, it was intended to place large bronze tablets depicting a naval and a military incident in the Great war, together with the names of the 450 gallant townsmen who fell. But a cry of “vandalism” was raised, and the scheme fell through.

War Memorial, Castlegate, Berwick-upon-Tweed. © Copyright J Thomas – (cropped image) Creative Commons Licence 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0).

Instead of one memorial for the whole borough, Tweedmouth and Spittal went forward with memorial of their own, and Berwick is now to have its memorial in the shape of a bronze figure of Victory on an open space in front of St. Mary’s Church in Castlegate.

INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION

Only a moderate shipping trade is now carried on at the harbour, but a case could be made out for Berwick greatly extending its harbour and vitalising its industrial activities.

Berwick is probably the nearest British port to the Baltic, and an important development of the timber trade suggests itself as the only one consequence of future harbour extension. Berwick is admirably situated to be a busy seaport and an inland distributing centre. Much of its present prosperity depends upon its service to the agricultural communities in Berwickshire and Northumberlandshire. As matters stand there is a considerable import of timber for the well-known saw mills at Tweedmouth.

Other local industries are connected with fishing and agriculture. There are important implement works in the town proper and a big manure facture at Spittal. The corn and cattle markets rank very high in the country, and before the war more barley was exported coastwise than from any other port in the Kingdom. Pride of place should probably be given to the fishing industry. The salmon fisheries have always been famous and the herring fishing with its attendant trades of curing, smoking, and coopering is carried on in the town on a large scale. This has unfortunately been a disastrous season for the herring fishery, and Spittal feels particularly sore about it, because improved accommodation for the fishing boats has only recently been provided.

INADEQUATE RAILWAY STATION

When one considers the importance of Berwick as a railway centre, its position as the terminus of the North British and North eastern systems and the splendid enterprise of the former company some 70 years ago in erecting the Royal Border bridge with its 28 noble arches, one is amazed to find the content with such a mean, inadequate, and squalid railway station. A new railway bridge outside the station has, however, just been completed, and it may be assumed that this is the first stage in the erection of a properly equipped station.

Berwick Station, although a poor affair, occupies a proud site, the ruins of the old Castle having been demolished to make way for it. Only a fragment remains of that famous fortress, the scene of grim battle and weighty council that decided much in Scottish history.

Railway poster from the 1930s, shows the punishment of Isabella, Countess of Buchan, in the 1300s.
Ref: BA/W/6

The present booking office stands on the site of what was the great hall of Berwick castle in which Edward I assembled the gathering of nobles which decided as between Bruce and Baliol for the Scottish Crown. The same English King has a sinister connection with the Castle by having shut up for four years in a wicker basket with its walls the Countess of Buchan for placing the Crown upon the head of Bruce at Scone.

THE ANCIENT WALLS

Upon whatever lines Berwick of the future chooses to develop it will for ever possess peculiar charm as one of the few walled towns that remain in Great Britain. Only scant relics exist of the Edwardian walls, but the earth-works of the Elizabethan Walls, now converted into a well-appointed grass-banked promenade, encircle the old town for about a mile and a half, and afford land and sea views of rare beauty and interest.

For all their romantic charm the Walls have seriously contributed to the congestion of buildings and hindered expansion, and for proper expansion it would be necessary to make openings through them without obstructive archways. No one dreams of destroying the Walls, but to cut a slice here and there would open out the town and would not obscure the fact that they were once continuous. From the Walls many interesting landmarks of the town can best be viewed, including two places which this year are entitled to centenary notice. Berwick barracks have now reached the 200^th year of their age.

Fuller’s engraving of Berwick Barracks 1799. Ref: BRO 1637-04

The other place of centenary interest is the Pier, which was completed in 1821. It is about half a mile length, and is one of the favourite walks of the townspeople, who have peculiar affection for their lighthouse, a noble building on the end of their Pier, dating from 1826.

Berwick stretches its burghal sphere of influence to the south side of the Tweed to embrace Tweedmouth and Spittal. Access to Spittal is obtained by a ferry, the landing stage of which might with great advantage be made more convenient for the public.

The southern suburbs of Tweedmouth and Spittal, the latter enjoying much popularity as a holiday resort, displaying those wholesome pro-pressive tendencies which, in an increasing degree are today characteristic of the whole borough. A new atmosphere is being created in Berwick, and while little can be done immediately, the spirit of progress has awakened, and in due course will make itself felt.

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