Spittal

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 26 AUGUST 1920

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FORD WAR MEMORIAL

IMPRESSIVE DEDICATION SERVICE

The old grey stone church at Ford, with its appearance of serene antiquity, must, in past associations with the historic castle, have witnessed many a solemn scene through the long centuries, but surely none so solemn as that on Sunday evening last, when the magnificent war memorial to the sons of the parish who fell in the Great War was unveiled and dedicated.  Nineteen made the supreme sacrifice, a son of the Castle, as well as lads from the farms and villages, and on Sunday the relatives and friends of the men met to commemorate their loved ones, and in doing so to draw inspiration from their heroic example. 

Ford Church, where in August 1920, a dedication service took place for the “magnificent war memorial” dedicated to the sons from the Ford area who fell in WW1. © Mollie, Wikimedia Commons. 

It was a glorious summer evening, and in the brilliant sunshine from far and near, came motorists, cyclists, and those afoot, in such numbers that seating accommodation was quite insufficient, and many had to stand at the back of the church and in the entrance porch, throughout the service.  As the waiting crowd filed slowly into the church, there floated through the building the soft tones of the Largo Appassionata movement, with its solemn staccato accompaniment from Beethoven’s second Sonata, played on the fine organ by Mr. J. H. Binks.  Seats were reserved for the relatives, and the pews in the south aisle, neath the memorial were occupied most fittingly by the Comrades of the dead heroes who were fortunate enough to return from the war, and who paraded under Comrade T. Henry, Crookham.  The beautiful service, specially drafted for the occasion, was conducted by Bishop Neligan, Rector of Ford, printed copies having being distributed amongst those present.  The lessons were read by Lord Joicey, Ford Castle, and the sermon preached by Professor Albert A. Cock, University College, Southampton, who took the place of Bishop Welldon, Dean of Durham, who was unable to fulfil his promise to assist.    

LOCAL NEWS

Capt. Alfred Goodson, who is to marry Miss Joan Leyland, is a Yeomanry officer, and is the eldest son of Sir Alfred and Lady Goodson, of Waddeton Court, Brixham, as well as Kilham, Mindrum.  Sir Alfred Goodson, who was knighted in 1915, says the “Daily Mail,” a Manchester and London merchant and manufacturer, and a director of Goodsons, Ltd.  He was at one time with Messrs Hitchcock, Williams and Co., of St Paul’s churchyard, and afterwards started business in the mantle trade., building up a huge business.  A member of the Council of the National Pony Society, he is specially interested in horse breeding and agriculture, and has taken many prises with his hackneys, including the hackney championship.  He owns a great deal of property in the Knutsford district of Cheshire.  Captain Graham Leventhorpe, D.S.O., of the Royal Field Artillery, who is to marry Mrs Geoffrey Lambton, Mr and Mrs Leyland’s other daughter, is a fine cricketer.  Mrs Lambton was first married in June 1914, and her husband was killed at the front early in September of the same year.  Their daughter, Monica, was born after his death.

Visitors on the Magdalene Fields Golf Course on Monday evening were greatly interested in witnessing a match between two ex-soldiers who had both lost an arm in the war.  One was minus the right arm and the other had had his left arm taken off at the shoulder.  Both men drove and approached the greens much better than several of the most experienced players of the club could do, and they very seldom pulled a ball into the rough.  A Berwick golfer, asked for his opinion on the men’s play, remarked he would not like to be giving a small handicap to either of them.  The peculiarity of the play of the man who lost his right arm, was that he played right handed with his wrist in front of the club.  Though his stroke was more of the nature of a “pull” than a “drive,” he got marvellous results.

NEW BRIDGE AT BERWICK STATION

THE WORK COMMENCED

Operations have been started by the North British Railway in the preliminary work connected with the erection of a new bridge carrying the Great North Road over the railway at Berwick Station.  A large number of workmen are now engaged shifting the tracks of water and gas mains and preparing the foundation for supporting the piers. 

Royal Border Bridge ealry 1990s. © Berwick Record Office – BRO 515 377

The new bridge which, it is understood, will be constructed of steal, will provide a sweeping approach to the North Road—an improvement which will be greatly appreciated by motorists.  It will be so constructed as to fit in with plans for the new station which the Company proposes to build when labour and material are more easily procured.

A portion of the parapet of the old stone bridge has been removed, and as work on the construction of the temporary bridge progresses other portions of walling will be taken down.  The work is attended with some difficulty as the continuous run of traffic north and south cannot be held up.  Workmen digging foundations and shifting the water mains are frequently stopped until the lines are clear.  Telephone and telegraph wires are also being reconnected to new poles. 

The present stone bridge, which is in a tumble down state, dates back to the time when the station was built.  Originally the road from the town led down by the bank to the coal and implement dock and up the sunken road between the present stone bridge and Tommy the Miller’s field.  The original stone of the retaining wall of this portion of the great north road is still visible from Tommy the Miller’s.

In those days the top of Castlegate was much different to what it is now.  The river side of Tweed Street and a part of the landward side were grassy banks known as the Windmill Hole.  It was no easy way of finding one’s way into the town in the dark and one such case occurred where a gentleman riding into the town on horseback fell over the banks at Windmill Hole and was seriously injured.

When the new Station at Berwick does come—it has been promised so long that some fear it will never materialise—considerable alteration will be made in the “lies” and ground near the old castle.  If excavations go on, antiquarians may find some interesting remains of olden days unearthed, as hereabouts the network of underground passages and chambers have never fully been traced.

NOTES FROM SPITTAL

The Admiralty Certificate of honourable mention in dispatches has been awarded to James Patterson, for having sighted an enemy submarine and assisted in its destruction while serving on one of H.M. mine sweepers.  The certificate was handed over by Lieut.-Commander James Toohey at the Customs House on Monday.

Once more the lifeboat has come back to Spittal, and now rests on the sands below Sandstell Road.  It is the intention of the lifeboatmen to erect a temporary shed over the boat and carriage to save it from the weather, and also from the attentions of the children, who in their curiosity have been climbing about it and doing minor damage. 

Image 8 – Lifeboat – RNLB Matthew Simpson – Left to Right – Not known, Not known, Not known, John Wood, Knot known, Jack Lough, George Lough, Bartholomew Lough, Thomas Martin (possible), Not known, Not Known, Alex Patterson Lough.

The permanent house for the new motor lifeboat has not yet been started, but we believe it will be erected near the east side of the ferry landing on the high ground.  A trolley line is proposed to be laid below the lifeboat house leading down to low water mark, and the motor boat will be lowered from the house by electrically driven winches and davits, with its carriage on to the trolley lines when launching.  Though the full particulars of the proposed lifeboat house are not available, it may be taken that it will be thoroughly up to date and fitted with the latest time and labour-saving devices.

An open race was to have been flown from Alnmouth on Saturday, but owing to the heavy rain the birds were returned by rail, the weather being so bad for liberation.  The race will be flown on Saturday first.  The club programme will be concluded on Saturday, when the Nottingham Y.B. race will be flown.  The birds will be liberated at 9.45 a.m., ringing today (Friday) 2 p.m.  The Vice-President (Mr Morton Boston) has kindly given the first prize.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 9 JULY 1920

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VIOLENT THUNDERSTORM

GARDNER KILLED BY LIGHTNING AT ORD

A RELATIVE OF GRACE DARLING

A thunderstorm of a violent character prevailed round the Border district on Friday afternoon and evening doing considerable damage to crops and being responsible for the tragic death of Mr George Horsley, a jobbing gardener, aged 66, residing at East Ord.

I was between half-past five and six o’clock when Horsley left his house to go for milk to the farm of Ord Mains.  It was thundering heavily, but as the storm appeared to be still some distance off, no danger was feared.  Five minutes later, Mr Robert Aire Horsley, the brother of the deceased, was summoned by Mr Wm. Gilchrist, farmer, who said he had found the unfortunate man dead on the road.

HOW THE BODY WAS FOUND

The brother hurried to the scene and in the centre of the road leading to the farm they found the body lying face downwards.  It was almost naked, but a few tattered portions of garments remained and were smouldering.  The boots were torn from the feet, the uppers being thrown to either side of the road, and the soles being found nearly 100 yards away.  The deceased’s watch which was found near the body looked as if it had been struck with a sledge hammer.  The winding screw was torn off, the back of the case badly dented, the works fused, and the pointers and glass smashed.  It appeared as if Horsley had been struck by the lightning on the crown of the head, for there was a circular burn and the face was badly marked and burned.

Death, to all appearances, had been instantaneous.  The police were communicated with, and a subsequent medical examination went to prove that the unfortunate man would never have suffered.

A RELATION OF GRACE DARLING.

George Horsley, the victim of this sad occurrence is the eldest son of the late Mr George Horsley of Bamburgh, a full cousin of the heroine of the Longstone, Grace Darling.  The sensational rescue performed by the gallant maid, when the paddle steamer Forfarshire was wrecked during the gale on the Goldstone Rock, is almost history.  How she braved the dangers of the Island channels in the small cobble manned by herself and her father has found its place in song and story.  Her early death from a lingering disease was regretted by the nation.  The only surviving son of the family, Mr R. A. Horsley, has in his possession several relics and personal belongings of Grace Darling, including the flag of the “Forfarshire.”

The family record of the Horsley’s seems to be interwoven with tragedy.  Many years ago, Richard Horsley, a brother, accidentally fell in front of a traction engine and was killed.  The old mother died from shock when the body was brought home, and the two were buried on the same day.  Grace Darling Horsley, the only daughter of the family died infancy.

© Copyright Graham Robson. (CC BY-SA 2.0).

We understand that Coroner Percy, having heard the report of P.C. Richardson, Ord, and considered the circumstances of the case at the inquest held without calling a jury, was satisfied that death resulted from Horsley being struck by lightning.

NOTES FROM SPITTAL

A most enjoyable outing was spent at the Chain Bridge on Thursday afternoon by the members of St Paul’s Church Choir, Spittal, and several friends.  The party, which numbered about 40 went by motor boat.  The trip was splendidly organised by Mr S Brown, organist of the Church. 

Construction of the Union Bridge over the Tweed by Alexander Nasmyth (1758 – 1840).

Great praise is due to Miss M. N. Boston in the manner the catering was carried out, assisted by other ladies of the choir.  Owing to the weather being wet, tea was served in the Shiel.  Games and races were indulged in until time for leaving.  On returning to the station the party was headed by a piper, and left Velvet Hall station for home after spending a very pleasant afternoon.  The company arrived at Spittal about 9pm.

ROWING

BERWICK REGATTA

The prospectus has now been issued for the above event, which takes place on the afternoon of August Bank Holiday, 2nd August.  The prospectus is on the same lines as 1914, when the Regatta was last held.  The premier event is for the Ladies Plate, a four oared race four senior oarsmen in strake boats.  There is another four oared event for maiden oarsmen, the pair oared race for the Marshall Meadows Plate, cutter races for senior and junior oarsmen, and the usual coble races for salmon fishermen.  Good support has already been promised.  The joint secretaries are Messrs R. D. Harvey and R. P. Campbell.

Berwick Amateur Rowing Club in 1951 REF: BRO 1944-1-54-010.

CREW FOR TYNE REGATTA

Berwick A.R.C. is to be represented by the following crew at Tyne Regatta on Saturday, 17th July: — J. Hutchison (bow), Norman Anderson, E. Soulshy, J. D. Buglass (stroke).  It will compete in the race for maiden oarsmen.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 25 JUNE 1920

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    THE BAKERS’ STRIKE

    EMPLOYERS TO CARRY ON WITH IMPORTED OPERATIVES

    PLENTY BREAD STILL ON SALE

    Another phase of the strike of operative bakers in Berwick took place at week-end, when the employers, standing out against the £4 minimum and the 44 hour week of the Scottish Award, hardened their hearts, and left the men whose notices had expired to roll up their aprons and clear out.

    Mr J. I. Cairns adopted Lord Fisher’s injunction and “sacked the lot, “bringing in their places operatives from the south of England. Other firms have carried on with their staffs who were non-union, and the men regret that there have been two backsliders from the Union ranks.

    A 1950s photograph of J Cairns the bakers shop in Marygate.  In June, 1920, during the bakers’ strike, Mr Cairns adopted a hard line approach to his workforce. Ref: BRO 1250-23

    Branch Secretary Huntley of the men’s organisation has started work at Tweedmouth Co-Operative Society which is paying the full Scottish Award, and has adopted the 44 hours week. Mr Thompson, baker, Bridge Street, has also granted his men the Scottish rate, and is working full time on the 44 hours basis.

    A representative of the men, on being interviewed, said he hoped his colleagues would hold out, though he regretted to say there had been two backsliders. He considered the employers were very belated with their pledge to treat with the men should they become affiliated to an English Union. “It is only a shuffle,” he said. “They knew very well that we would naturally join a Scottish Union when they, the employers, were members of a Scottish master bakers’ Association. If it is legal for employers to organise under a Scottish Association from Berwick, why should the workers be told, although they are doing the same thing and becoming members of a Scottish Operatives’ Union, that they cannot be met, as Berwick is an English Borough. My belief is, “he concluded, “that had we joined an English Union, employers would still have told us they did not recognise us, because we were not members of a Scottish Union.”

    A master baker interviewed, said he was managing to carry on quite well, and was determined to hold out. He reiterated the view that the Scottish Master Bakers could not recognise an English Borough coming under a Scottish award. The whole matter was being contested on principle.

    Mr Morton, of Glasgow, a Union organiser, visited Berwick on Monday, and held a conference with the men on strike. He may be back in the town at the weekend.

    There is, we understand, 5s difference between the regional award for England and the Scottish award. The English wage is 75s, and the Scottish 80s per week. Berwick, situated as it is, gives more trouble to Master Organisations and Trade Unions than any other borough in the Kingdom, owing to the various industries having labour organised either in Scotland or England.

    NEW VICAR OF ST MARY’S, BERWICK

    The Rev. Samuel Edward Raymond Fenning, Curate of Cwmdu, Glamorgan, has been presented by the Dean and Chapter of Durham to the Vicarage of St. Mary’s, Berwick, vacated by the Rev. H. F. H. Henderson. After studying in London, Mr Fenning was ordained deacon in 1911 and priest the following year. He first held a curacy at Cymmer with Porth (Glamorgan) from 1911-13, and in 1917 was appointed a Chaplain to the Territorial Forces, serving for two years. He is the proud possessor of the M.C. Mr Fenning is a distinctly popular cleric in the Cwmdu parish, and has manifested a keen interest in all parochial organisations.

    The former St Mary’s church in Castlegate, now converted into flats, where the Rev. Samuel Edward Raymond Fenning was installed as vicar in June 1920.  And where Mr John Inglis served as an office-bearer. © Peter Bond, (CC BY-SA 2.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

    This has been a very poor week for the Tweed Salmon Net Fishings. The wind having changed from the seaward to the west, takes immediately took off. Trout and grilse are still very scarce and the retail price per lb. for salmon has risen to 3s 10d.

    On Tuesday afternoon a 15-inch souvenir shell arrived in Berwick addressed to Councillor Dixon as Chairman of the Local War Savings Committee, as a gift from the National War Savings Committee for the Borough’s efforts during “Aeroplane” week. The shell, which weighed 11 cwt., was enclosed in a box and it took three Corporation employees to house it in the Butter Market.

    NOTES FROM SPITTAL

    Considerable interest is being taken in the new cinema show which has opened in the Spittal Hall. Formerly, when a cinema entertainment was held here, it was the mecca of visitors when weather conditions were not favourable for sitting out on the beach and prom.

    Race Week brought a good many former residents back to the township from the Tyneside, and excellent weather favoured the invasion. There were also a few additional visitors arriving at the week-end from the Borders, and the beach had quite a summery appearance.

    Mr Alf Rick has arrived with his troupe of Pierrots, and visitors are assured of a breezy open-air entertainment. Prior to the war, Mr Rick and his assistants succeeded in drawing crowds from Berwick in the evenings, and if the war has not killed the sense of humour, he should still succeed in doing so.

    A. Johnson continued his winning career in fine style by securing the 1st three prizes in Spittal Homing Society’s 4th O.B. race from Oxford, 278 miles, on Saturday. Fifty birds competed in the race, and they were liberated at 8 a.m. by Mr V. Stone, light south-west wind. About ten birds arrived home together, and the result was as follows :- 1, 2 and 3, A. Johnson, 1283, 1275, 1274 yds. Per minute; 4th, A. Dixon, 1268; 5th H. Young, 1266. The 6d. and 2s “pools” and Secretary’s Nomination prize were won by A. Johnson. While the Spittal birds had the benefit of the breeze on Saturday, the Bournemouth Central H. S. birds, liberated at Spittal by A. Dixon at 6.5 a.m., did not arrive home until after 6 p.m. Saturday’s race will be from Longhoughton, ringing 1.15 to 1.45.

    LOCAL NEWS

    On Sunday last Mr and Mrs John Inglis, Cockburn’s Buildings, Berwick, celebrated their silver wedding, and were the recipients of presents and congratulations from a large circle of friends. Several relations travelled from a distance to be present on the happy occasion. Mr Inglis, who is the third son of the late Mr Peter Inglis, Berwick, was married in Bankhill Church to Miss Margaret Hall, second daughter of the late Mr Thomas Hall, foreman lorryman with Messrs Mutter Howey, by Mr McGregor, who was their minister, on 20th June 1895. “Jack” is well-known to all dealing in the cattle business, having followed the droving and transport of stock from his youth. During the last great railway strike he frequently took charge of large droves of cattle, proceeding by road to Newcastle and Haddington markets. He is also an office-bearer in the St. Mary’s Church. We trust the worthy couple will be spared to celebrate even yet another 25 years of married life.

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