Spittal

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 23 JANUARY 1920

by

THE CLOSING OF THE SCHOOLS

Berwick Elementary Schools have been closed as follows during the last fifteen months:-

October 22nd, 1918 to January 6th, 1919 – Closed for influenza

Mid – February, 1919 to 17th March – Closed for influenza. Bell Tower Infant School closed for another fortnight.

April 14th to May 12th – Tweedmouth Infants’ School closed for measles.

September, 1919 – Extra week’s holiday for the conclusion of the war.

December 10th, onwards – Closed for scarlet fever.

We don’t wish to suggest that anyone is to blame for this, but when to these periods are added the regular holidays and the absences from school due to individual cases of illness, it will be seen that – to put it at its lowest – the town is paying away a great deal of money for nothing. We suggest that the public and the teachers should consider whether some means cannot be found of avoiding this serious loss.

HOLY ISLAND

WHERE ST. CUTHBERT LIVED- ON FAR LINDISFARNE

The “Sphere” of December 20th contains the following interesting article:- “Lindisfarne Castle, on Holy Island,  is one of the many historic places in the market to be sold, with all its furniture and pictures. It was thoroughly restored a few years ago, after a long period of neglect and is now a most attractive and interesting property. It is situated on a basaltic stone forming the promontory of the little harbour of Holy Island where the small fishing boats gather for their trade in crabs, lobsters and periwinkles. The island has a romantic history, having been the seat of earliest Christianity in the north of England. In 635 A.D., Aidan, the Irish monk from Iona, came to Holy Island at the request of King Oswald to teach the heathen Northerners the precepts of Christianity. He established himself on Holy Island, probably appreciating its similarity to his old home of Iona, and also its nearness to Bamburgh, the Royal seat of King Oswald. Men flocked to hear him preach and his success was tremendous, 15,000 being baptized in seven days. The most famous of his successors was the austere St. Cuthbert, who retired after two years of holding the Bishopric, to his hermit’s cell on one of the Farne Islands. When he died, shortly afterwards, from the severity of his self-inflicted penance, he was buried beside the altar on Holy Island. But his body was not permitted to remain in peace, and was constantly shifted during troubled period of the Middlle Ages, till it now rests in Durham Cathedral. His body was hurriedly removed from Lindisfarne when the marauding Danes attacked the Island in the ninth century, and the Monks had to flee, carrying the body of their revered saint in a wooden coffin.

A photograph of Holy Island Castle taken from the ruins of the Priory, in the early-mid 20th century.
Ref: BRO 1865-12

“The Danes robbed and destroyed the Church and Monastery, leaving the place in utter desolation. It was not till 200 years later that a new Priory was erected, whose remains are to be seen today. The foundations were laid in 1093, the architect being a monk from Durham, who designed a beautiful cruciform Norman church, built of a warm red sandstone. The church remained almost unaltered till the Dissolution of the Monastries brought the inevitable destruction, but the ruins of today are eloquent of the dignity of the 12th century Benedictine Church. The centre tower stood till the middle of the 18th century, only a delicate slender arch over the transept crossing remaining to remind us of what had once stood there. The western end, with its 2 towers and fine Norman doorway, is in course of careful restoration. The cylindrical columns of the nave are of the sturdy Norman type, signalised by sunken zigzag mouldings cut across the piers. The ground plan of the monastic buildings remain in a very complete form, so that it is possible to trace out the whole structure of a Benedictine priory with its cloistered garth, chapter house, dormitory, parlour, prior’s hall, kitchen, bakehouse, and their offices.

  1. The article has 5 illustrations:-Central Holy Island Castle-now for sale. The castle occupied a rocky buff and is here seen from the ruins of the domestic part of the Priory.

2. Repairing the West doorway. (The Abbey doorway is now under repair by the Office of Works) – scaffolding erected to do the work is shown.

3. A fine Norman pillar, with zig-zag ornaments which connect it with Durham, which has similar columns.

4. In the ruined Nave- showing the stout Norman pillars and north aisle, now open to the winds.

5. The flying Arch over the tower crossing of the Priory Church, which still defies the gales from the North sea.

OLD SPITTAL

A correspondent writes:- Mr Borthwick’s lecture on “Old Spittal,” brought together an audience which completely filled St Paul’s Hall- a testimony not only to the ability of the lecturer, but of the esteem in which he is held by the inhabitants of Spittal.

OLD SPITTAL- THE LECTURE

Mr Borthwick said perhaps a more suitable title for his lecture would have been “How Spittal Began.” A brief revisal of the general history of England led up to the first authentic mention of Spittal. When the Tweed first became the boundary between England and Scotland in 1018 or 1020, the salmon fishery at Hallowstell belonged to the monks of Coldingham. King Edgar of Scotland, in 1097, granted a charter to Hallowstell, and presented it to the Bishop of Durham, who gifted it to the monks of Holy Island. The word “stell” means a fixed place. When the monks came into possession of the fishery they hallowed it, hence the name Hallowstell. Both words are Anglo-Saxon, and the fishery was probably known long before we have any recorded mention of it.

About the time the charter was granted to Hallowstell, leprosy was common, and a hospital for lepers was built at Spittal, and dedicated to St. Bartholomew. It stood on the ground now occupied by Messrs Boston’s herring curing yard and the boat-building yard.

An early 20th century photograph of the Sandstell area at Spittal.  Bostons Yard where the hospital for lepers once stood can be seen behind the five fishing boats on the beach. Ref: BRO 1887-2-2

It extended across the street and up the north side of Princes Street to the Well Road. It must have been fairly rich and of considerable dimensions, because in 1226 the revenues for the up keep of the hospital were derived from lands at Tweedmouth, Orde, Scremerstone, Fenwick, and other parishes. In 1234 the Bishop of Durham, when on a visit to Fenwick, confirmed all the gifts made to Spittal hospital. In 1362 the master of the hospital was John de Lowick, and in 1369 his successor Bather, owing to an increase of lawlessness, built peel tower for its protection. This tower was still standing as late as 1612, and was known as Bather Tower. Just before the dissolution of the monasteries, owing perhaps to slender revenues or defenceless situation, with Border thieves on both sides, the revenues of the hospital were transferred to Kepier, near Durham. On the dissolution of the monasteries, Spittal became the property of the King.

During one of the Border raids in 1547, a Scotsman named John Cockburn, Lord of Ormeston, guided a party of English raiders through the passes of the lowland hills, and was rewarded by Edward V1 with the lands of Spittal.

No trace of the old hospital remains. It was probably reduced to ruins about 1555, when the Border Abbeys of Melrose and Kelso were destroyed. In conclusion, the lecturer  described the religious life of the Spittal people from the destruction of the old hospital till 1745, when the first Presbyterian Meeting House was built, on the site where now stands St. Paul’s Church.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 3 OCTOBER 1919

by

THE RAILWAY STRIKE

Another lightning strike has temporarily paralysed the transport of the country, and the Government are taking drastic measures to cope with the situation. At ten o’clock on Friday night the North-Eastern men of all grades except the officials of Goods and passenger departments and clerks ceased work and by midnight traffic was suspended on the North-British Railway in a like measure.

The strike has the full approval of the A.S.L.E. and F. and N. U. R. (and is, in fact, the first authorised strike since 1911), and we believe that prior to the stoppage of work the officials of the Union received instructions to inform all drivers and firemen that engines should be uncoupled and left in good order safely housed in the sheds.

TRAINS LEFT ANYWHERE

This was carried out to the letter so far as engines were concerned, but rolling stock was left in all conceivable positions on the line, on main lines and over bridges and culverts. A goods and empty carriage train was left on the bridge at Highgate, Tweedmouth, the driver and fireman uncoupling and proceeding back to the sheds to book off. We are informed that one driver brought his train back to Tweedmouth from Newcastle for the sole reason that he wanted home himself, while another for the same reason brought back herring workers who had got as far south as Chathill and were likely to be stranded.

North-British men at Berwick were cut to a man, some of the men in the lower grades who for years have never missed a day at work being as enthusiastic on the strike “stunt” as youngsters.

An early 20th century image of a locomotive at Tweedmouth Goods Yard, which could have possibly been housed there during the strike. REF: Bro 2349-35-002

STRANDED PASSENGERS

A detachment of troops from Archangel and a dauntless band of fisher lassies from Cockenzie proceeding south to the herring curing were amongst the stranded travellers at Berwick. The soldiers were taken charge of by the military authorities and on Monday morning they were kept fit by having a march out. The fisher girls took their troubles with the true philosophical spirt of the Scotch fisher folk and they were looked after by Mr D. M. Rosie, Fishery Officer, who received every assistance from the Mayor and Sheriff. Accompanying the girls were one or two male fish workers, who with the aid of a pair of Bagpipes and Berwick ale, got themselves into an amiable frame of mind.

The girls were housed in lodgings in the town and left on Wednesday morning for the south, their passage being guaranteed by the Railway Company on trains driven by Inspectors.

Many other people found themselves stranded, but happily they were all able to get houseroom in the Borough.

LOCAL NEWS

Large audiences have visited the Playhouse during the past week, and have been charmed with the programme provided. Sergt. Learmonte, K.O.S.B., has been enthusiastically received in his vocal numbers, but we have heard him in much better voice. For next week a fine programme is promised, and the management are endeavouring to have the films forward in time, though this is a matter of difficulty, owing to the strike. From Monday to Wednesday there will be screened the thrilling drama, “The House of Silence,” in which features Wallace Reid, a star of the film world. The story is full of interest, and depicts a wealthy clubman being called to a mystery house, where murder has been done, and who, assuming the role of detective, probes the mystery at the risk of his life. “Tainted Lives” is another powerful picture well worth seeing. From Thursday to the end of the week there will be screened “Only a Girl,” a sensational story of the Gold Country. A pleasing film is also shown, entitled “The Eye of Envy,” a film away from the ordinary. There will be the usual comedies, and the vocal interlude will be provided by Miss Willins, a pleasing soprano.

AUTUMN HOLIDAY

Whatever may have been the feeling of the inhabitants of Berwick, cut off from the beauty spots of the district, towards the strikes, there was no bloodshed, however, and the Autumn Holiday passed off without any outstanding incident.

In the forenoon, those who were abroad in the upperpart of the town, were greatly amused by the reception given to those running the trains from Edinburgh by the strikers. Ironic cheers were raised, and the non-strikers in the crowd were greatly tickled when the firemen responded to the ovation by dancing a jig on the footplate.

The “aero mail,” too, caused a sensation and the pilot was loudly cheered by the younger children as he circled low over the housetops.

The pleasure grounds at Norham and Velvet Hall were deserted in comparison with former years, and there being no other option left to holiday-makers than to stay at home, they made the best of the day there.

The river was busy, and beaches at Spittal and Berwick, too, had their quotas, though the chill wind kept many from spending an afternoon by the sea. On the golf course there was a field day players of various grades of proficiency being out, lustily driving the “gutta” round the course, or losing the ball in the rough.

REF: BRO 426-879

Those who were imbued with the sporting instinct were amply catered for. There were football matches at Union Park, Pier Field, and on the Stanks, where spectators were treated to exhibitions of goal-scoring rather than science. At Pier Field also Berwick Hockey Club had a good turn-out for its first practice.

Many, we learn, spent the day in their gardens and allotments, spending their holiday in the most profitable way they knew. Motors were busy during the day, but not for joy-riding, and heavy motor lorries throbbed through the streets going north and south.

MILITARY NOTES

BERWICK TERRIER’S MEDAL

Congratulations to Lance-Corporal George Weatherburn, late of the 7th N.F., who has been awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal for over 12 years’ service with the Territorial Force. A keen territorial in pre-war days, he volunteered for service in 1914, and went overseas with the 7th N. F., with whom he had a good spell of active service. A railwayman in civil life he transferred to the L.E. (Railway Ordnance Depot), and till the end of the campaign was soldering on board an engine, Lance-Corpl. Weatherburn was asked by the Record Office whether he would have his medal sent by post or presented by a parade of troops, and he modestly chose the former course.

HONOURED BY FRENCH PRESIDENT

Lieut-Colonel A. J. Foster, C.M.G., C.B.E., a former Northumberland Militia officer, has been appointed an Officer of the Legion of Honour by the French President. Colonel Foster commanded the 4th battalion Northumberland Fusiliers when they proceeded to France and until he was invalided home, being mentioned in despatches three times. He is now Assistant Controller in the Ministry of Munitions.

MACHINE GUNNERS RE-UNION

It is intended to have a Reunion Supper and concert in connection with the machine gunners from Berwick and Belford districts, who originally went overseas with the 7th Northumberland Fusiliers (T. F.) and who eventually were transferred to the machine Gun Corps. Major F. B. Cowen, M.C., has the arrangements in hand, and is being assisted by Sergt. T. H. Grey and Pte. C. Bradford. The anniversary of the armistice – a Tuesday – has been selected as the evening for the event.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 25 JULY 1919

by

MORE BAD HOUSES IN NORHAM AND ISLANDSHIRE

A WRETCHED HOUSE FOR A DEMOBILISED SOLDIER

At a meeting of the Rural District Council on Tuesday afternoon, Dr McWhir submitted a further report on defective housing. Since the last meeting of the Council there had been three deaths, representing a death rate of 7.0 per 1000.

Mr J. R. Wood – That testifies to the wonderful good health of the people in the district.

Giving special cases of defective housing conditions in the district, Dr McWhir strongly criticised in his report the unhealthy condition of cottages on various farms. The farm cottages selected by the Medical Officer this month were those at Cheswick Buildings, Ancroft Town Farm, Newburn, Cornhill Farm, and Cheswick Farm, the conditions here being described by him as appalling. Most of the houses were damp and imperfectly lighted with hinged windows. At the conclusion of his report he mentioned that a soldier recently demobilised was living in one of these wretched houses.

The state of housing in the area in the early part of the 20th century is exemplified in this picture of Golden Square, Berwick, similar problems being experienced in the Norham and Islandshire District.

During the stress and strain of war there had been a lot of claptrap about improving the housing conditions of the men on their return, and he wondered if, by allowing such conditions to remain, the country were showing its indebtedness in the proper way to the men who had fought in the war.

There was an interesting discussion on the report, the Council as a body being evidently determined to make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the facts with a view to having the evils remedies. There are great difficulties in the way of reform, one of the chief of these being – as pointed out by the Chairman, that of finding suitable accommodation for the families in the event of their present houses being condemned

COTTAGES AT CHESWICK BUILDINGS

In describing the cottages at Cheswick Buildings, Dr McWhir said that while not being ideal when contrasted with others, they were above the average.

PEACE CELEBRATIONS

HORNCLIFFE

Horncliffe Peace Celebrations took the form of a tea to the children and old people of the village. The Committee responsible could not get a field in the village, but one at the riverside was kindly given by Mr Dixon, farmer, at Velvet Hall. Owing to the distance of the field from the village many old people were unable to participate in the afternoon’s enjoyment. The school children assembled at Horncliffe School, and afterwards marched to the Post Office, where their parents and friends were waiting to hear the Royal Proclamation read. The Proclamation was read by Mr Geo. Turner, and the children, led by Mr Cunningham and Miss Guy, afterwards sang the National Anthem and splendidly they sang it. The children then marched round the village singing and waving their flags, and afterwards proceeded to the field, accompanied by parents and friends. A good tea was provided, which all enjoyed, and afterwards the children and grown-ups ran races and played games until about 7 p.m.

The children looked so happy in their holiday attire, and with their gay flags that one felt it was a privilege to contribute to their enjoyment. It was intended to present each child with a medal, but these did not come forward in time, so the children will get them later on.

In the evening a dance was held in the Schoolroom and afterwards a bonfire was lit on the Bank Head.

The sports were held under the supervision of the Head Master, Mr T. F. Cunningham, and Miss Guy, assistant, together with Mr G. Turner, the correspondent of the school, who was responsible for most of the arrangements for the tea. The worthy village blacksmith, Mr A. Simpson, also rendered valuable service in the fitting up the various erections for the sports. The actual serving of the tea was under the experienced and kindly care of Mrs Redpath of Horncliffe, who was ably assisted by several very willing young ladies. Milk for the tea was kindly sent by Mrs Embleton, Mrs J. Brown, and Mrs Jeffrey.

NOTES FROM SPITTAL

NORWEGIAN REWARD TO FISHERMEN

Mr Bart Lough, Spittal, and his gallant crew have been presented with £21 from the King of Norway for having rescued the sole survivor of the Norwegian steamship “Venus,” which was blown up at sea off Berwick on April 14th, 1917.

Pictured with the lifeboat at Spittal are members of the lifeboat crew, some of whom who were on the rescue that day.

The rescued man lay for a considerable time in Berwick Infirmary before finally recovering.  The presentation was made by Mr Toohey, and we understand the award has been apportioned as follows:- £5 to Mr Lough; and £2 each to P. Emery, W. Patterson, P. Patterson, John Patterson, Thomas Johnston, J. Laidlaw, R. Elliott, and Thomas White.

LOCAL NEWS

A rather peculiar incident took place in the Baptist Church, Berwick, on Sunday. Major McGill was to have conducted the service morning and evening, but was unable to be forward owing to the railway strike, and the Rev. J. R. Bentley being in the congregation he was asked to take the service. This he kindly consented to do, but as he entered the pulpit a few of the congregation rose from their seats and left the building. A fine example of present-day Christianity?

On Thursday, this week, the 1st Berwick Company of Girl Guides go into camp for a week at Gainslaw. The company has been in existence for about a year, and the girls look very smart in their navy blue uniforms, several of them having already qualified for badges. While in camp, Miss Gordon Smith, their leader will be in charge, and the time will be spent in “tracking” and further qualifying for badges. Through the kindness of Mr Rand, the barn at Gainslaw farm will be available in case of wet weather.

During the progress of the athletic sports the grass on the crown of the ramparts over Flagstaff Park caught fire, evidently having been ignited by a match thrown down by some careless smoker, and burned fiercely all afternoon. Fanned by a westerly wind the fire spread all along to the covering flankers and it was rather a sell to those who believe in having their amusement free by standing on the walls, to have their view of the Cricket Field blotted out with smoke. The grass was still smouldering on Tuesday.

A meeting of the Northumberland Insurance Committee was held in Newcastle last week Mr Gerald A. France, M.P., was re-elected chairman, and Mr G. G. Rea vice-chairman. Mr D. H. W. Askew was one of the County Council nominations to the Committee, and Mrs Plenderleith, of Berwick, was one of the two women appointed. The list of applications for sanatorium benefit was much longer than usual, and the Chairman impressed upon the Committee the necessity for increased accommodation as soon as possible.

+ More