Spittal

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.

    BERWICK ADVERTISER, 11 JUNE 1920

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    BERWICK OFFICER’S NARROW ESCAPE

    TWO B.A.R.C. MEMBERS IN THE RIVER

    Canoe Upsets Opposite Boathouse

    GALLANT RESCUE BY BERWICK MEN

    A sensational affair took place on the Tweed about 9.30 p.m. on Wednesday night, when Capt. F. B. Cowen, M.C., Berwick, and Mr Thos. Smart, Tweedmouth, nearly met their death by drowning as the result of a sailing canoe upsetting near the Tweedmouth side of the river, opposite the Boathouse.

    Capt. Cowen and his friend have been frequently out on the river lately, sailing this canoe, and on the night of the accident they were sailing up the “gut” between the fishing bat and the Tweedmouth side when a squall of wind struck the sail and the frail craft overturned.

    Tom Smart was lucky enough to fall clear of the boat but Capt. Cowen getting entangled in the sail was held under the water beneath the overturned boat and was being slowly drowned.

    THE RESCUE

    The accident was observed by many friends at the Boathouse, people on the Tweedmouth side, and a large number of pedestrians on the Old Bridge and New Road. Rescue work was immediately begun. A boat was manned at the Boathouse and pulled with all speed to the scene, while Mr R. J. Moor, a member of the B.A.R.C., who happened to be in his house at West End, was quickly sent for and entered the water and swam out to the boat which was only about 12 yards from the Tweedmouth shore. Mr Thomas, who is at present at the Queen’s Theatre with his Welsh Choir, also took the water and swam out, but being an elderly man was soon exhausted and had to himself seek safety.

    The water at the point was about seven feet deep and when the boats arrived on the scene Smart had gone down for the second time and was making rather feeble efforts to keep afloat. Capt. Cowen had been under water all the time and Mr A. A. Crisp dived from a boat fully dressed to assist Mr Moor in the work of rescue. Happily their united efforts were successful. Moor released Capt. Cowen, who was too far gone to struggle and at the same time Smart was pulled aboard and the rescue boat with the aid of an oar where he collapsed.

    Moor having raised Capt. Cowen from the bottom handed him to Mr Crisp who bore him to the wherry and safety. The rescuers were in a very exhausted condition and were violently sick owing to having swallowed so much river water.

    Medical aid was waiting on the shore when the unfortunate men were landed.  Dr T. P. Caverhill and his assistant applying artificial respiration while Dr Badenoch and Dr C. G. Maclagan attended to Smart and assisted on keeping a clear air space. Capt. Cowen was in a bad state and for a time his life was despaired of, but he gradually responded to treatment much to the relief of all present.

    GOLF

    A start has already been made with preparations for the Northumberland Agricultural Society’s Show to be held on the Magadalene Fields on 15th July. The judging ring is nearly complete, and the grandstand is in process of erection. The two holes affected so far are the “Moat” and the “Cricket Field,” but in a week or so the South end of the course will practically be out of play till after the Show.

    Players on the first hole at the Magdalene Fields golf course, shortly after its reopening after the lockdown in 2020. © Kevin Graham, Berwick-upon-Tweed.

    On Saturday the Goswick Club ladies meet the Magdalene Fields Club ladies on the town course in a six-a-side match. The home team will be Miss H. F. M. Caverhill, Miss H. Gray, Miss H. Crossman, Miss McKelvie, Miss Gray, Miss Marshall. Goswick – Mrs P. C. Swan, Mrs Marrow, Mrs W. R. McCreath., Mrs T. P. Caverhill, Mrs Collingwood, Miss C. Gough.

    The ladies’  June Monthly Medal was played over Goswick Course on Saturday last and was won by Miss Henderson, Coldstream, with 111-26- 85.

    After considering the state of the course, the Green Committee have decided to restrict play to 7 holes on and after Monday 14th June. A temporary tee will be made adjacent to No.3 green for play to No. 6 green. The full course must, however, be played in competitions, and members engaged in competitions take precedence at No.7 tee. For the guidance of members the Committee have also decided that a ball lying within 10 yards of any Show structure may, with the consent of opponent or marker, be lifted and dropped no nearer the hole without penalty. If the ball is lying in a hazard, within 10 yards of any Show structure, the ball may be lifted at the option of the player under a penalty of one stroke.

    The Green Committee have placed the hollow at the Greens Haven, where the newly erected refreshment hut is situated, out of bounds. Golfers driving into the hollow will require to drive a second ball from the ninth tee.

    “NO GAS” THREAT

    WORKERS DECIDE TO STRIKE.

    SPITTAL MEN AFFECTED

    Unless a national settlement of the matters in dispute between the Gasworkers in the United Kingdom and the Gas Companies and Corporations, comes before the night of June 26th, over 1000,000 men employed in the industry will come out on strike at the end of the strike notices.

    The demands made by the men are for a 10s per week increase in wages, a 44-hour working week, and double pay for Sundays and holidays.

    A ballot was taken recently as to whether members of the Union concerned were in favour of strike action, when 96 per cent of the workers voted in favour of a strike. The position is being laid before the Ministry of Labour.

    The gasworkers employed by the Berwick and Tweedmouth Gas Company are affected by the threatened strike. A demand for increased wages was made by them some time ago, but this was withdrawn when a national demand was made by the unions. The seventeen men employed at the Gas Works, Spittal, balloted on the strike proposal recently and unless a settlement comes, they will come out with the rest of the gasworkers in the country on the night of June 26th.

    On Wednesday the Ministry of Labour officially invited both sides of the Joint Industrial Council for the industry to meet and try to come to a settlement.

    CHEAP FISH

    WHY NOT BERWICK?

    We learn that the Comrades of the Great War at Alnwick have set about in a business-like way, the provision of cheap fish for the people. The method is to have a list of parties to be supplied regularly and to meet these demands fish are purchased wholesale and given to the customers at a price which is almost 100 per cent. below shop prices. Cod and haddock can be sold by the Comrades at 6d per lb., while  the prices charged by fish dealers in Berwick is 1s per lb, for cod and 9d per lb. for haddock.

    Why not start this method in Berwick as a means of bringing down prices. Last week on Berwick Quay fishermen got from 8s to 10s per stone for haddocks, and these haddocks were retained in the shops at 9d per lb., an all round rate.

    Photograph of the Berwick Quayside early 1900s Ref: BRO 1636-5-6

    The percentage of profit here is reasonable, but a much larger profit iis taken from cod which is retailed at 1s per lb., after having been purchased on the Quay at from 25s to 38s per box for small, and at about 8d per lb. for large fish. Halibut sells on the Quay at 15s and 16s a stone, and is retailed at 1s 6d per lb. upwards. Crabs can be bought from fishermen at 6s and 7s per kit, yet in a shop a purchaser is charged from 6d to 1s according to size. A kit holds some 30 crabs when well packed.

    Of course, it will be said that the fish merchant must have his profit, on account of the work he has to do in handling and gutting the larger fish, but surely if men who have no experience in the fish trade can buy and sell at a profit and let the public have fish at 6d per lb., the fishmonger should go one better.

    BERWICK ADVERTISER, 14 May 1920

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    MEMORIAL UNVEILED IN AFRICA

    IN MEMORY OF LIEUT. G. H. SHIELDS, BERWICK

    In February, 1917 Lieut. George Hilliard Shields, son of the late Sergt. Major Instructor Stewart Shields, Berwick, and Mrs Shields, Quay Walls, was killed while on service in the bush country of German East Africa, by an enemy sniper. Now the staff and pupils at the school at Accra have honoured his memory by erecting in the school a handsome brass tablet and hanging on the wall a photo of the deceased officer taken by the side of a stream in the wild bush land.

    Lieut. Shields, who was in the Gold Coast regiment, was the headmaster of the school in Accra, and took a great interest in his boys. He was a keen sportsman, and in 1915, the same year as his sister, Miss Agnes Shields (now Mrs Drylie) won the Officers’ Cup and several competitions on the Magdalene Fields course, he won the Sanitation Cup presented to the Accra Golf Club by the Doctors on the Gold Coast. His mother now has a solid silver miniature of this trophy.

    THE UNVEILING CEREMONY

    The ceremony of the unveiling of the tablet in memory of Lieut. Shields took place at Accra Government Senior Boy’s School, West Africa, on March 10th, and the Director of Education gave an address to the European staff, pupils and native staff.

    In proceeding to unveil the Memorial, the Director of Education said- “We are assembled here to pay a united tribute to the late Lieut. Shields, headmaster of the school, who lost his life while on active service in East Africa. Mr Shields came to Accra as headmaster on the 17th January, 1913. He very soon obtained a sound grasp of the organisation of the school and was very quick to appreciate good work done by the members of the staff as well as that done by the pupils. In order to obtain a better understanding of his work he began to take lessons in the Ga language and quickly acquired sufficient knowledge of it to engage in ordinary conversation with the natives of the country. With that, however, he was not content. He made a study of the language and was not satisfied until he could act as interpreter in a native court dealing with purely native affairs. In the study of the Ga language he showed the same thoroughness which he later showed in east Africa. When war broke out he was amongst the first to offer his services, and on August 8th (four days after the outbreak of war) he was attached to the Lome Field Force for service aboard in the “Marina,” a small German ship captured at Accra. On the Marina he acted as chief officer. After the capture of Togoland he returned to his duties at Accra, but when volunteers were required for the Gold Coast regiment he again came forward, and in May, 1916, he was stationed at Coomassie. He proceeded on active service to East Africa in August, 1916. On February 3rd, 1917, he was killed in action. His death is a great loss to this Department, because he was an exceedingly capable headmaster. The good work which he has done was recognised by the Board of Education in May, 1917, when the following resolution was passed:- “That this Board desire to place on record its deep regret at the lamented death of Mr George Hilliard Shields, late headmaster of the Government School at Accra, who whilst serving as Lieutenant with the Gold Coast Regiment in East Africa was killed in action, and that the Board requests His Excellency the Governor to convey to the relatives of the late Mr Shields an expression of the Board’s appreciation of the services rendered by him in the cause of Education in this Colony, and its heartfelt sympathy with them in this, their great sorrow.”

    In conclusion, the Director of Education said:- He was mourned by teachers and pupils, who in order to perpetuate his memory subscribed to purchase the brass plate, to be unveiled. By the side of the plate will be placed a photograph of Lieut. Shields, an enlargement from a snapshot taken by Capt.; Harman in East Africa. The brass plate and photo are permanently placed in the building in memory of an excellent headmaster, a brave soldier and a man who gained the esteem of all those with whom he came in contact. It will serve to inspire future generations of schoolboys with that sense of duty, love of country, and allegiance to their King.

    The Director’s speech was interpreted, sentence for the benefit of the younger pupils, by Mr Kennedy, one of the teachers who served under Lieut. Shields in East Africa.

    At the conclusion of the address, all present rose to their feet and amidst dead silence the Director unveiled the tablet. As the drapings fell away the pupils stood at attention whilst the “last post” was sounded on the bugle.

    The plate, which is of brass with black engraved lettering, has in the left hand corner the cap badge of the Gold Coast Regiment and the Elephant and Palm Tree, the regiment badge, in the opposite corner. The inscription reads as follows:- “In Memory of George Hilliard Shields, Lieut. Gold Coast Regiment, Headmaster, Government Senior Boys’ School, Accra, (1913-17), who was killed on active service, near Njimbwe, German East Africa, on February 3rd, 1917.” “This Tablet is erected by the staff and pupils of his school.”

    The ceremony terminated with the singing of the National Anthem. The bearing of pupils and colleagues, who numbered a thousand persons, bore striking testimony to the esteem in which Lieut. Shields was held.

    SPITTAL NOTES

    On Sunday evening last, when Mr Peter Cowe, fish merchant, Berwick, was standing near the Fish Quay at Spittal waiting for a ferry boat, he noticed what appeared to be a boy’s head come up above the water at the end of the Ferry landing.

    BRO 1887-2-4 Spittal Ferry

    He watched and saw the head disappear and rise a second time, and without waiting any longer he ran to the Jetty Corner, where he gave the alarm. Some fishermen were near, but they had never noticed the boy go into the water. The men, accompanied by Mr Cowe, ran to the spot, and the boy was pulled out in an exhausted condition. He proved to be the nine-year old son of Mr McIntosh, hotel-keeper, and after having been subjected to artificial respiration, he was taken home. We understand he is little the worse of his emersion. It was a happy chance indeed that Mr Cowe happened to be on the spot, otherwise the young fellow might have been drowned.

    In last Saturday’s pigeon race from Durham, 53 birds were liberated at 12.25. Seven birds arrived about 2.30, and seconds divided the winners:- 1, Alex. Elliott; 2 and 3, A. Johnson. The first club race will be flown on Saturday from the same place, liberation at 12.30. The prizes will be:- 1st, £1; 2nd, 12s; 3rd, 8s; 4th, 6s; 5th, 4s. A special prize of 5s (by a Friend) will be given for the first hen timed in. There will also be a 6d. “pool.” Two birds will be nominated from each loft on Saturday morning to compete for the Vice-President’s (Mr W. Tait) Nomination Prize from York on Saturday, May 22nd.

    “Tommy” Burn, who sailed last Friday for South Africa with the English football team has promised to write articles for the “Athletic News” dealing with the tour.

    While playing with a salmon net winch on the beach at Spittal a little boy named Wood was struck with the handle on the chin and sustained a severe cut on the tongue, on Wednesday night. The child was conveyed home and had to be put under chloroform while two stitches were put into the wound.

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