SCOTCH CHURCH 200TH ANNIVERSARY
DEDICATION OF MEMORIALS AT ST. ANDREWS
MAYOR AND COUNCIL ATTEND THE SERVICE
More than usual interest centred round the services of the Church of Scotland at Berwick on Sunday last, when after having been decorated and enhanced by the installation of electric light, the Church celebrated its 200th anniversary. Occasion was also taken to unveil memorial tablets to the members of the congregation who had fallen in the war, the Officers, N.C.O.’s and men of the K.O.S.B., and of the 2/10th Royal Scots, who during their stay in Berwick had worshipped in the Church.
THE UNVEILING
The ceremony was performed by Major McAlester who, in the course of his address, said there were three tablets to be unveiled that day to the glory of God and in memory of those had fallen. The first was in memory of the officers, N.C.O’s and men of the 2/10th Royal Scots who had fallen in the war: the second or central tablet in honour to those members of the congregation who had laid down their lives; and the third in memory of the officers, N.C.O.’s and men of the K.O.S.B. Of the Royal Scots he felt that he did not need to say more than that they were a Lowland Regiment, the first regiment of the line, with a long and honourable history of which the nation was proud. Of the 2/10th battalion he could speak.
On the 22nd October, 1914, this Battalion was raised at Bathgate, and from thence they proceeded to Berwick. They were in Berwick for three Christmases, and had the proud boast that of all the new battalions of this country’s Armies they were the best behaved. They had hoped to go overseas as a Battalion, but this was not to be, the battalion becoming a feeder. During the war they sent no less than 42 officers and 2,000 men to the fighting line. Many had gained honours in the war, and many, alas, had not returned, having fallen in the cause of Justice and Freedom. The second tablet was raised to the memory of the fallen of the congregation, those who had answered to call and returned not. In the list were the names of fathers, brothers, and sons of the congregation, and their loss had brought painfully home the calamity of war. It was no longer a fight in a foreign country. They had struggled for the existence of their own country and right- and right had triumphed.
ORD
Ord War Memorial Fund benefitted to the extent of £16 by a Block Test, in which competitors on payment of one shilling, were asked to guess the weight of a fat bullock fed by Mr Hogg, East Ord. The bullock, which weighed 83 stone 8lbs. was on exhibition in Sandgate, Berwick, on Saturday. There were four guesses within one pound of the weight. Mr John Turnbull, Berrington Lough, guessed 83st. 9lbs, 1lb. over, and Messrs M. Kirkup (Ord Moor) Geo. Douglas (East Ord), and C. J. Dixon ( Ord Gardens), all guessed 83st. 7lbs., 1 lb. under correct weight. Prizes of £3, £2, and £1 offered will be divided between these four, each getting 30s.
LOCAL NEWS
Under the new Education Act the duties in regard to the physical care and development of school children will be considerably enlarged. There are many recommendations as to how the physical welfare of the children might be secured. One of these is playgrounds for organised games; and some part of the playground attached to every school to be cemented or tar-paved for the purpose of physical exercises in the open air. Another suggestion is that in country schools, where the children mostly come from distant places, there should be some place provided where they could take meals under civilised conditions. At present, as far as children in elementary schools are concerned, we now spend in Northumberland over £200,000 per annum to supply teachers, and only £4,000 upon the physical welfare of the children. The establishment of clinics or dispensaries is also regarded as being necessary. At these clinics, in addition to such minor ailments as sore eyes, ringworm, scabies, and verminous conditions, attention would also be given to defective teeth, defects in eyesight, and diseases of the throat, nose and ear. It is further suggested that the county should be divided into districts and clinics established at certain centres, such as Alnwick, with sub-centres at such places in the northern part of the county as Berwick, Cornhill, Belford, and Wooler. The closest co-operation is also advocated between Child Welfare Committees and Health Visitors and School Medical Officers. By these means it is hoped to remedy physical defects in children, and so render their mental development more efficient. There is no doubt that children physically unfit cannot derive the same benefit from school attendance as those who are perfectly fit.
RESUSCITATION OF SHEPHERDS’ SUPPER
For several years prior to the war it was the custom to hold an annual supper in connection with the Belford Union and District Show, but if memory serves us right, this important function has been suspended since 1913. However, the Committee, having become pretty hopeful of the awful carnage being over, decided to resuscitate the supper, and on Thursday evening of last week this event took place in the Blue Hotel Assembly Room, when a company numbering approximately one hundred and twenty assembled in the old Hostelry to partake of the excellent supper catered by Mr and Mrs Davison. The room was beautifully decorated for the occasion, and the tables were tastefully set out with floral and other decorations which, on entering, thrilled one with pleasure. Dr. Macdonald presided, and the first item on the programme being the supper. He wasted no time in opening the way for a commencement with the good things provided. After supper had been partaken of the Chairman proposed the toast of the King, and this was responded to by the singing of the National Anthem. A concertina solo by Mr Moody was next given, which called forth an encore. The toast of the Army, Navy, and Air Force was given and responded to by Mr Ross.
Then followed songs by Messrs Mountjoy and Moody. The toast of the Shepherds was given by the Chairman, and this Mr T. Hall responded to. Mr Mountjoy gave another song, and then Mr T. Hall, one of the joint secretaries read the financial report of the Show, which showed that there was a balance of £130 in hand. Mr Moody gave selections on the concertina, one-stringed fiddle, and mouth organ. Mr J. Guthrie followed with the toast of the Judges, and this was responded to by Mr H. Bowmer. A monologue, “The Coster’s Conversion,” was next given by Mr Mountjoy, and was followed by a toast, “The Farmers,” by Mr J. Clark, which was responded to by Mr Summerfeld. Mr J. Robinson gave “The Strangers,” and Mr Davison responded. An innovation, which caused no small degree of merriment, was given by Messrs Moody and Summerfield with a dancing dolly. By request, the Chairman proposed the health of the returned soldiers and sailors, and the toast was responded to by Mr D. Elliott. The Chairman then proposed votes of thanks to Mrs Davison, her staff of willing assistants, and all others who had taken part in making the event such a great success. The closing items were the singing of “God Save the King,” and “Auld Lang Syne.”
SPORT NEWS
A COMPLAINT FROM HOLY ISLAND
We have received a long letter from “Fairplay” in regard to the Holy Island – Rangers match protesting against the inference which he draws from our report on the game that Holy Island were guilty of rough play. He informs us “that the Islanders as a rule are very considerate in their play, and no doubt being young and strong, their strength has been taken for rough play instead of their being allowed full justice for their zeal and interest in the game.”
We accept the statement of our contributor that this may be partly responsible for the impression left with the majority who attended the match, but would point out to him that the rules of football are now specially framed to protect less strenuous players from the attacks of zealots whose strength over-balances their good judgment. A few of the islanders, just like members of other teams, are too prone to “take the man” when tackling, and this once introduced into a match leads to incidents which are not in the best interest of the game. As our correspondent “Fairplay” remarks, “they are young and strong,” and we trust with age they will learn to use the strength with which they are endowed legitimately. Holy Island, like many other young teams, would improve greatly in developing along scientific lines instead of following the doctrine of the survival of the fittest.