Scremerston Colliery Archives - Page 3 of 3

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 19 MAY 1916

LOCAL NEWS

Mine Sweepers’ Pensions – The Admiralty have intimated that all mine sweepers injured in the course of duty, and not through culpable negligence, will receive a pension of twenty five shillings weekly, if totally incapacitated, and ten and sixpence if partially disabled, together with half-a-crown for each child. In the event of being killed, his widow will receive a weekly allowance varying from ten shillings to sixteen and sixpence, with a graduated scale for each child.

Different types of sea mines at the German Marine Museum. © Photographer - euro-t-guide.com. — Different types of sea mines at the German Marine Museum. © Photographer – euro-t-guide.com.

THE RISE IN FOOD PRICES

55 per cent. Since Beginning of War

The Board of Trade Labour Gazette, dealing with retail prices of food in the United Kingdom, states that on May 1 values showed an increase of about 4 per cent. as compared with April 1. Both beef and mutton indicated a rise of about 6 per cent., or from ½d to ¾d per lb, on the average. Potatoes showed an increase on the month of 42 per cent., whilst the increase in the tax on sugar was reflected in a rise in the retail price of about 10 per cent., or ½d per lb. The average prices of fish, bacon, and cheese were slightly higher at May 1 than a month earlier. Tea, milk, butter, and margarine showed little change in price, apart from an increase from 5d to 6d per quart of milk in a great part of London. The seasonal decline in the price of eggs continued. As compared with 1st May, 1915, the general level of prices showed an increase of about 23 per cent.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

UNUSUAL CASE OF BRIGHT LIGHTS

Peter Richardson, Jun., Berwick, electrician, was charged with having on 8^th May, failed to obscure light.

It appeared from statement by the Chief Constable that the accused was left in charge of the house of the Manager of the Electric Works at Bridge Terrace. He had visited the house during the day, and while doing so he had turned the light on, omitting to switch it off again. In the evening the light was observed by soldiers on guard at Bridge End, who ineffectually rung the bell.

A photograph taken in 1906 of the Berwick end of the Berwick Bridge, where soldiers observed the 'Bright Lights' ten years later in 1916. © Berwick Record Office. — A photograph taken in 1906 of the Berwick end of the Berwick Bridge, where soldiers observed the ‘Bright Lights’ ten years later in 1916. © Berwick Record Office.

Police Constable Spiers was called, and got the accused out of bed and had the light extinguished.

The Chief Constable mentioned it was an unusual case, and he pressed for no vindictive sentence. The accused was 18 years of age. Fined 2s 6d

PRESENTATION OF SILVER CUP TO CAPTAIN EVELYN CARR

Interesting Function at Scremerston

There was a large and popular gathering of the villagers of Scremerston on Friday evening last in the Miners’ Institute for the purpose of welcoming and honouring Captain J. Evelyn Carr, Manager of the Colliery Company, presently home on leave from the Front.

The gallant Captain has been on active service since August 1914, and notwithstanding his arduous experiences he looked fit and well.

It was fittingly decided to present Captain Carr with a solid silver cup, a replica of the famous gold cup offered by the Highland Agricultural Society at their show held at Hawick in 1914. This cup is valued at 300 guineas, and was won by Capt. Carr with a rare exhibit of Leicester sheep entered against all comers in this particular class.

The presentation cup was filled by the Capt., and the company entertained to cake and wine.

Scremerston Colliery Silver Band - © Berwick Record Office, BRO 1753-2a. — Scremerston Colliery Silver Band – © Berwick Record Office, BRO 1753-2a.

Mr Geo. W. Glahome presided, and during the evening a fine musical programme was sustained, a prominent feature being the Scremerston Silver Band under Mr Allan. The Scremerston Sketch Party submitted a short comedy, entitled “The Designing Woman,” which was greatly appreciated. Mr Whitfiled acted as leader of the party, and Misses Mason, Whitefiled, Jeanie Davidson, Messrs John Moore and Robert Foster all acted as capable artistes. Other songs were contributed. Among others present were Mrs Carr, Mr John Mitchell, Ancroft Town farm; Mr John Black, etc.

Captain Carr left for the Front on Sunday night.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 8 OCTOBER 1915

BATHING POND IMPROVEMENT SUGGESTED

One of the items alluded to by the Medical Officer of Health was the dangerous state of the two swimming ponds. He did so in connection with the healthy and invigorating effect such exercises as swimming have on a community. He called attention to the need of a catch rope round the walls of the ponds in case of accident. It was a most proper recommendation, but unfortunately not the slightest notice was taken of it. The bathing season, it is true, is now finished for another year, but at the same time there was no harm in the doctor mentioning the matter to the public body he so faithfully serves. In Montrose, for instance, there are life lines on the beach where bathing is indulged in, and it is very necessary. The plain fact is that the chief difficulty apparently in carrying out improvements in Berwick is the lack of sufficient money, but it is nevertheless the business of public officials in their reports to urge the absolute need of certain improvements being accomplished, allowing the Town Council to take the responsibility of giving effect to these.

BRO 1636-9-42 Berwick Bathing Pools 1950's — BRO 1636-9-42 Berwick Bathing Pools 1950’s

BELFORD

Fined for Shooting a Plover- Robert Linklater, Westoe, South Shields, was charged, at Belford Petty Sessions, with shooting and killing a green plover, at Warenford, on the 9th September. When charged with the offence by P.C. Pike, the accused said he did not know that these birds were protected. Superintendent T. Bolton, Alnwick, who prosecuted, told the Bench that the Order had been in force for several years, and it was astonishing the number or persons who pleaded the same excuse. A fine of half a crown was inflicted.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Educational Entertainment for Berwick School Children- The Directors of the “Playhouse” have arranged with Berwick Educational Committee for a programme of educational films to be shown free of charge to the school children of the Borough on Thursday and Friday afternoons, October 7th and 8th, at 2.30p.m. The balcony will be reserved for the public at admission 6d. The programme is :- How Eggs are Tested; Malta; the Making of Motor Tyres, the Kestrel and the Harvest Mouse; the French Army in Alsace; Chrysanthemums; the Octopus, Children of Tulip Land ( coloured); Switzerland; and Alpine Soldiers.

Berwick Playhouse, 1959. BRO 1250-123 — Berwick Playhouse, 1959.
BRO 1250-123

SCREMERSTON

Presentation- On Saturday evening last, the night workmen at Scremerston Colliery presented Mr and Mrs Richard Collins with tokens of their good will and appreciation on their leaving the district for Pegswood, where Mr Collins has received another appointment. Mr Collins received the present of a fountain pen and an umbrella, while Mrs Collins was the recipient of a nice dressing case. The presentation took place in the large room of the Miners Arms, kindly lent for the occasion by Mrs Cuthbert. Mr Carson, in making the presentation, expressed his deep regret and that of the men in losing the company of Mr Collins, who for the last six years had taken a keen interest and a prominent part in the social life of the place. They would all wish him success in his new sphere of work at Pegswood. Mr Collins briefly replied. A social evening was afterwards spent, the following being the programme:-

Selection-“Old Melodies, “ Concertina Band

Concertina solo– “March, the Liberty Bell, “ T. Cameron

Song– “My playmates of long ago, “ H. Drysdale

Step Dance- “Hornpipe,” Geo. Mason

Song– “When you and I were young, Maggie, “- T. Cameron

Violin and Concertina Duet– “Norma, “ Messrs Mason and Cameron

Selection– “Scotch Melodies, “ Concertina Band

Presentation

Selection– “Favourite Airs, “ Concertina Band

Concertina solo– “Alice, where art thou?” T. Cameron

Song- “Tom Bowling, “ T. Hill

Song– “The Pitman’s Courtship, “ T. McLeod

Concertina solo– “The Bagpipes, “ Geo. Forsyth

Song– “Mary, “ T. Cameron

Song– “Flora McDonald’s Lament, “ T. Mcleod

Selection– “Reels, Jigs, Strathspeys, Hornpipes, “ Concertina Band

“God Save the King.”

This Week in World War One, 19 May 1916