BERWICK NEWSPAPERS, 1923

31/03/2023 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK JOURNAL, 15TH MARCH 1923

BURNMOUTH TO GET HALL

In order to secure a Public Hall for Burnmouth, a bazaar is to be held at Berwick. Mr John Anderson, Nulla Ghar, is Chairman of Burnmouth Hall Committee; Mr John Kinross, Schoolmaster, is Secretary; and Mr Thos. Barnfather, Stationmaster, is Treasurer. There are few spots on East Coast that can boast of such natural beauty as Burnmouth Village, mecca of Artists. Facing the sea yet shrinking from it into the shadow of the imposing Berwickshire Cliffs that rise to a height of 200 or 300 feet, stand the red-tiled cottages of the fishing community of this rock-bound coast- rich at every turn with picturesque scenery which Nature has bestowed with lavish hand. In Burnmouth Village there are some 400 inhabitants, and it is proposed the Hall be erected of the benefit of the whole community. By the efforts of the people themselves, about £150 have been raised since last March, and it is hoped the Bazaar in Berwick will make up the amount necessary. The young people, amongst whom are 60 ex-service men, have no place of meeting for recreation and social intercourse, and they have a special claim on public support, if village life is to be quickened, and the evenings made bright after a heavy day’s toil upon the sea. Truly indeed has it been said that the hardy fisherman’s calling in the vasty deep is “Lives o’ men.”

IN AND ABOUT SPITTAL SPECIAL AND EXCLUSIVE

TO THE BERWICK JOURNAL

Interest on Sunday afternoon last was largely centred on that part of the foreshore to which the Manure and Gas Works are immediately adjacent; groups of people watched the incoming tide, which being “Spring tide,” and one of the highest of its kind, forced itself with great power against the massive concrete cubes, which Messers McCreath had provided as a barrage against the tide in their efforts to protect their works. So great was the force of the waves that it undermined the foundation of sand and brought the cubes toppling down as if they had been mere paving setts. Men laboured the whole day (Sunday) filling the sand bags and placing them in position, in an endeavour to prevent a further inroad of the unrelenting tide. Messrs Dixon’s works, now discarded, serves only as a breakwater, and while it holds will afford some protection to the works lying behind; but the tide is already running underneath the foundations in places, and a collapse of part of the superstructure at any moment would not be surprising. The angry sea running last week produced a marked effect not only on Dixon’s premises, and the approach to McCreath’s but also to the foreshore of the gas works.

Here the foreshore has been used as a “tip” by the company for years, for the refuse from their works, consequently tons upon tons of rubbish have been banked up to a height of 10 or 15 feet, and this embankment has acted as a breakwater to the works. Gradually this debris, however, is being swept away, hundreds of tons at a time come crashing down under the impetus of the incoming tide, and should the erosion continue, the gas works, which are practically at sea-level will become inundated; indeed, that portion of Spittal lying north of St. Helen’s Terrace would appear to be none too safe from flooding, as the level it occupies is extremely low. The reclaiming of the foreshore now becomes a pressing question. What is needed is a strong concrete wall to form an efficient breakwater, and as a foundation would be difficult owing to the sandy nature of the bottom, such a project would be costly. How is such cost to be borne? Would it pay the proprietors of the several works involved to be at the cost of such a wall and so save their works, or would it pay such proprietors better to remove their works elsewhere?

BRO 426/879 St Helens Terrace, showing Industrial Spittal.

Evidently Messrs Dixon after spending something approaching £1000 in a vain attempt to save their works have thrown up the sponge. Should the remaining proprietors follow Messers Dixon’s lead, then the prospect for Spittal is none too good from the working man’s point of view, as many earn their daily bread in the various works. Is the question of the erection of a wall not one of wider interest than affects the effected property owners merely? Does it touch the Borough? Or wider still the Nation? On whoever the onus does rest, prompt action is necessary. The efforts which Messers McCreath are putting forth the sea is treating as puny, and it looks as if they, like their neighbour Dixon and co, are only spending time and money fruitlessly. Something solid on a substantial foundation is the correct remedy.

LOCAL NEWS

The first German trawler in Tweed Dock since the beginning of October arrived on Sunday last, having come direct from Bremerhaven, which port she left on the previous Friday. The “Dr. Asnas,” of Rostock, she took aboard 120 tons of bunker coal from Scremerston, motor lorries being engaged the whole of Monday conveying the coal from the pit. She left again for the fishing grounds on Tuesday afternoon.

The Glasgow steamer “Cretan” arrived in the Dock on Monday light, from the north, and sailed again on Wednesday with a cargo of barley, from Messrs H.G. McCreath and Sons. On Tuesday afternoon the schooner “John Sims,” Gloucester, arrived in the Dock in charge of 2 Spittal cobbles up the river. She is from Fewey with a cargo of China clay for Chirnside Paper Mills.

BERWICK’S NEW RAILWAY COY. HAS 7500 ENGINES

There is a stir in railway circles over the colour schemes to be adopted for locomotives and carriages now that uniformity is the order of the day as the result of all great railways of England and Scotland being combined into only 4 groups. Our own Coy., London and North Eastern, has come to a decision in regard to the change, and as its locomotives go through the “shops” for painting or repairing the passenger engines are being turned out in a green livery and goods engines in sober black. In both instances the new “trade mark, “L. & N.E.R.” appears in bold letters on the tender or other suitable position.

London, Midland, and Scottish Railway Coy. alone owns well over 10,000 locomotives and 25,000 passenger vehicles, which is world’s record, while London and North-Eastern possesses more than 7,500 engines and 20,000 “coaching vehicles.”

BERWIC NATIVE IN NEW ZEALAND.

Mr Robt. Kerr, Christchurch, New Zealand, (Native of Berwick-upon-Tweed), writes us from the Colony – Out here we have a large number of men and women out of work, partly owing to so many coming from Overseas, which we workers rightly or wrongly resent. The difficult thing is to find work. Sometimes it means displacing local men, and then comes friction. I think, however, we are in a position to help, as we grow much what we use. But Protection is the workers’ watchword although we have a large Free Trade population. We all love cheapness! The seamen’s dispute has had bad effect on business; they object to a reduction of wages, but most trades have been reduced, no doubt the “bonus” cut of our Civil Servants has cost the Hon. W. F. Massey many seats in the General Election. Labour gained 8 seats, now holding 17 places; Liberals hold 25; and Reform 38 – a great surprise to all Mr Massey lost his majority through the wages cut, but he is an honest man and struggled manfully during the war period to keep our finances in a buoyant state. Had he been a juggler in finance we might have been worse off than we are now. Outlook is good for a bountiful harvest as most crops are looking well. We have an Industrial Exhibition of local industries, showing how much we can make, which is really good. Only many workers today, don’t think they ought to try to excel to make our products worthy of a place in the world’s markets. Instead of indifferent work through carelessness and inefficiency, we now have the opportunity. Our temperance friends left no stone unturned in their endeavour to get National Prohibition, even to bringing “Pussyfoot” Johnson and Dr Mary Armour from America, but all to no purpose – they lost by 16,000 odd votes.

One by one my old Berwick acquaintances out here are dying. I miss my old friend Tom Smail, as he always had some news of the old place. There is a Stoddart family out here who are much interested in Borderland news. They tell me their late father was a great man for fishing.

All good wishes to “Berwick Journal” and North Northumberland News,” and also to “Berwickshire News,” for 1923.

NEW ROAD AT TWEEDMOUTH LIKELY TO BE ABANDONED

The proposal to make a new road at Tweedmouth from the 5 arches through Union Park, is now likely, we understand, to be abandoned. It will be remembered that some months ago the Council decided to purchase for that purpose, from Lady Francis Osborne, Ord House, the field adjoining Union Park, on the north side, extending to 10 acres. The purchase price was about £2,000, the Council agreeing to bear the cost of conveyance. An impasse has risen over the payment of the negotiating fees, claimed by Mr W. J. Bolam, agent for Lady Osborne.

BA-U10-04-02 Tweedmouth Section of the 1852 OS Map for Berwick showing West End, Union Park area.

The sanitary Authority last week agreed to the following report of the Works’ Committee: The Committee further considered the question of the negotiating fees amounting to £42 11s charged by Mr W. J. Bolam in connection with the proposed acquisition of land at Tweedmouth from Lady F. Osborne. The Town Clerk reported that the vendors’ solicitors refused to complete the purchase unless the negotiating fees in question be paid, and it was agreed to recommend the Council to refuse payment of the fees.

Following this decision, Mr Andrew Martin, Tweedmouth Town farm, of whose holding the field in question formed part, began to plough up the land on Tuesday, so that it would seem the negotiating are now definitely broken off.

VIOLENT PRISONER AT SPITTAL

Jas. Allan, engineman, Fowberry Moor, was charged with having been drunk and incapable in Billendean Road at 4 pm on March 3; and also, with doing wilful damage to 15 panes of glass and the frame of the door in the Police cells, to the amount of £2 10s.- Sergt. Barclay said he was motor cycling down Billendean Road when he found Allan lying in a helpless state. He put him into the side car and conveyed him to the Police Station at Spittal. About an hour after Allan had been locked up witness heard a disturbance and on going to the cell, found that Allan had broken 15 panes of glass in the cell window. Later there was another disturbance, and witness found him using the cell bed as a battering ram against the cell door, which was badly damaged.

Supt. Halliday- He was quiet enough on his way to the Police Station. I think the surroundings must not have suited him.

Fined 10s on the first charge, £1 on the second, and ordered to pay the damage, a total of £4.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 29 OCTOBER 1920

30/10/2020 by Northumberland Archives

TWEEDMOUTH HONOURS HER FALLEN SONS

IMPRESSIVE SERVICE AT WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILING CEREMONY

CAPT. THE HON. W. WATSON ARMSTRONG REMEMBERS HIS TWEEDMOUTH COMRADES

“COUNTRY NEEDS REMONDER OF THEIR DEVOTION TO DUTY.” SAYS COL.WRIGHT

Never perhaps in the history of Tweedmouth, stretching as it does away back into the dim past when it was a hamlet placed under the See [sic] of Durham, has such a gathering been seen as that which assembled round the memorial erected at the Bridge End to the 111 sons of Tweedside who risked their lives and counted not the cost in giving their all for humanity in the Great World War, 1914-18.

The day was bitterly cold, with a damp grey mist hanging over the river, through which the bastioned heights of Berwick loomed ghostly. Nevertheless, a gathering numbering several thousands assembled from all parts of the Borough and preserved a reverent silence prior to the opening of the proceedings. The arrangements made by the Committee were admirable. A large platform was erected on the side of the enclosure nearest the bridge to accommodate those taking part in the unveiling ceremony – the Mayor, Sheriff, and Corporation, the Committeemen, members of the Clergy, and other friends. Relatives of the fallen were lined up inside of the enclosure, while a guard of honour provided by the 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers paraded under the command of Capt. E. H. Crow and Lieut. J. H. Huffam was also on parade. The guard was lined up along the pavement, and their smartness when they came to the “present” was commented upon.

TWEEDMOUTH WAR MEMORIAL

[Dedicated to the Men whose Names appear.]

We cannot bring you home again,

Brave sons of fair Tweedside;

Nor can we see each battle plain,

Or view the ocean’s tide,

Wherein you lie wrapped in the shroud

Of clay, or waters deep,

Heroes of whom Tweedside is proud,

Proud, though at times we weep.

We cannot see each lonely grave,

Scattered inlands afar,

Some where the stately palm fronds wave,

Under the Eastern star,

Some where the Grecian vintage grows,

Under the deep blue sky,

Some where the frozen Alpine snows

Glisten on mountains high.

Some on the lonesome Russian plains,

Some where the Frenchmen died,

Some where the Belgians’ first campaigns

Held back the German tide,

Some where the oceans toss and roll,

Deep in their hidden gloom;

Over the Globe from Pole to Pole,

You’ll find the Tweedsider’s tomb.

We’ve carved your names on granite pile,

Sons of the Tweedside race,

Where the river dips in its last lone mile

Along to the sea’s embrace.

Your spirits live in the silent stone,

Graced by the sculptor’s art,

Nor can Time’s ruthless hand dethrone

Your names from one Tweedside heart.

THOMAS Grey, Tweedmouth

LOCAL NEWS

There is no truth in the rumour that the baths have been cut out of the Council houses which are to be put up at Tweedmouth, but the Treasury is in a very cheeseparing mood, and is doing all it can to bring down the cost of the houses by cutting out small extras. Those interested in the houses should therefore get the Councillors in their wards to keep a very close watch to see that the houses are not spoilt for the sake of a ha’porth of tar. Sir Francis Blake is pledged up to the hilt in the matter of housing, and his influence can be counted upon for the redressal of grievances.

CARTRIDGE CAUSES EXPLOSION IN BERWICK HOUSE

About mid-day on Saturday an explosion took place in the fireplace of a house in East Street, Berwick, occupied by Mr Wise, a gas worker, but this was happily not attended with serious consequences, though a little material damage was done.

Mr Wise and his little boy were in the room at the time, when without warning something exploded in the fireplace, causing the flames to fly out into the room and scattering fragments of burning coal and a cloud of soot into the room.

The little boy, who was near the fire, had his cheek slightly scorched by the heat. A table was also scorched, and burning fragments coming in contact with clothes hanging before the fire and also the window curtains, were set smoldering. Mr Wise was nearly overcome by the fumes when he got into the street after smothering out the minor fires.

Investigations conducted later showed the explosions to have been caused by a Mark V1 rifle cartridge (old pattern) which had somehow got mixed with the coal. The empty case was found in the grate.

BERWICK RANGERS FOR FINAL

Berwick Rangers intend to make a bid in the final of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, when they meet the Vale of Leithen on the Rovers’ ground at Peebles. Some dissatisfaction has been expressed in Berwick that the Association has seen fit to make the venue so far away from Berwick, necessitating the team to spend the greater part of the day travelling. When football is not in a flourishing condition exacting in the south of the Borders, it was also felt that a fitting scene for the final would have been at Coldstream or Duns, this being calculated to stimulate enthusiasm in the game there. The Rangers’ team, however, are making the journey in good heart, and are confident that they will make the Vale go all the way. The team is very much the same as that which has represented the club all season in important matches, with the exception that Fenby, the Spittal outside-right comes in once more in that position. A numbers of supporters will travel to Peebles by char-a-banc to give their team vocal backing. The rangers’ team is:-Edney; Buglass and Purves; R. D. Richardson, Walkenshaw, and Mealmaker; Fenby, Richardson, Falconer, A. Johnston, and Gilchrist. The team will travel by taxi to Peebles, leaving early in the day.

CONTRACT FOR NEW HOUSES PRACTICALLY ACCEPTED

The report of the Housing and Town Planning Council of the 16th October, with reference to the Tweedmouth Housing Scheme, was read as follows: — It was reported Messrs Stephen Easton, Ltd., had submitted the following prices on no.3 contract for 68 houses; — A type of house, £969; B type, £1,091 per house. The price being exclusive of nominal profit if constructed of brick, but if constructed on the Weardale Hoop Iron construction system, the price to include profit. The profit under the contract, if the houses are of brick, to be £40 per house, but if the work comes out at more than this cost, the contractor to be cut down until he may only receive a maximum profit of £20 per house. If, however, the work comes out at less than the estimated cost, the contractor to receive the £40 nominal profit plus 50 per cent of the saving. It was agreed to accept the tender, subject to the consent of the Ministry of Health and subject to the mayor and architect being satisfied with the houses. The houses to be of concrete, and consist of 42 A type and 26 B type.

Pictured are prefabs similar to those which once stood in Valley View, Tweedmouth, Berwick-uopn-Tweed. Prefabs were seen as a solution in the first half of the 20th century to ease the housing shortage. Copyright: Barry Shimmon – (CC BY-SA 2.0).

The Mayor, in moving the adoption of the report, said the architect and himself had gone through and examined the construction of these houses. They say the system of construction, and as far as his own judgment and the judgment of the architect were concerned, they felt quite sure that houses constructed of reinforced concrete were more durable than brick, and a great advantage also to be gained was the saving in time of erection. The matter at the present time was before the Ministry of Finance, and the Housing Commissioner at Newcastle had expressed confidence that the contract would be passed. If it was passed they might expect to see the business of erection commenced within a few weeks, as the contractors undertook to erect the 68 houses within the 12 months. Councillor Dixon seconded, and the report was agreed to.

The Authority, on the motion of the mayor, seconded by Councillor Blench, agreed to seal two bonds for £50 and £250 respectively in connection with the Tweedmouth Housing Scheme.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 23 JULY 1920

24/07/2020 by Northumberland Archives

TWEEDMOUTH JOTTINGS

On Monday afternoon, while driving down the Main Road at High Gate, a horse belonging to Robert Norris, Tweedmouth, took fright to such an engine blowing its whistle, and bolted down Main Street. A man named James Douglas, who was on the cart, fell off, and was cut and bruised about the head, and, continuing its career, the horse came in contact with a stationary motor car. Norris, who had kept his head, managed to draw the frightened animal up. The mud-guard of the car was torn off. Douglas, who was stunned by his fall, was taken to Berwick Infirmary for treatment. He is doing as well as can be expected.

TRACTION ENGINE GOES ON ROUND A CORNER ON ONE WHEEL

THE DRIVER’S PLUCK

On the morning of Thursday last a serious accident was averted by the presence of mind of an engine driver named Jack Morrison. He was bringing a traction engine and mill from Tweedmouth Station to Messrs Bain’s down the South Side of the High Gate when a gear pin on the engine became detached, and the engine commenced to free wheel at great speed down the hill. Knowing the danger of running down Main Street, where there are always children playing about, Morrison made up his mind to take the hairpin turn into Shielfield, the hill there being calculated to stop the engine’s career.

Photograph of the Berwick Bridge. The “Bridge Toll House” stood near to where the sundial is situated at the Berwick end of the bridge. © Copyright Chris Morgan, (CC BY-SA 2.0) https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3098053.

The traction engine took the turn at great speed, going round practically on one wheel, and then Morrison came face to face with another problem, several motor cars being on the road further up. At great danger to himself, he took the only course open to him, and swung the engine dead into the wall at Turret Villa. The engine knocked a clean hole in the wall and came to a stop. Morrison being little worse of his adventure. The foreman jumped off the engine before they reached the railway bridge.

SNIPPET FROM LETTER

Some time ago you had a report in your paper in reference to the “Bridge Toll House,” and the place stated was at the end of the bridge. Now, this was not the case, for it was in one of the recesses at the top of the bank on the bridge — the one next to the Sundial. I can remember seeing this, seeing I had to pass it so often when a young man. I was told by father, and also my grandfather, the gates were just on the Bridge End. My grandfather, being one of the Coastguards, helped to pull them down.

In the background is Holy Island Castle, occupied at one time by the Coastgaurd, and where Mr Scott’s grandfather was held after his misdeed. © Copyright Christine Matthews,(CC BY-SA 2.0) https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1239975.

There is another report in reference to Holy Island Castle, and I can endorse part of the history given by you about the Coastguards living in the Castle: for my mother’s father was banished from Spittal to the Castle because of my father’s grave misdeed in marrying his daughter. This was the punishment meted out to him, and I can remember paying a visit there when a boy. I mention this to show the difference then and now. Even after 50 years’ absence except for annual visits, I have still a kindly feeling for the old town. — I remain, yours sincerely. James Scott, 30, Chatterton Street, Southwick, Sunderland.

LOCAL NEWS

On Sunday a most successful motor char-a-banc tour of the Borders was held by the clerical and locomotive staff of Berwick Station. Leaving Berwick about nine o’clock in the morning, the journey was made through the beautiful pastoral scenery of the Merse, by way of Duns, Greenlaw, and Earlston, on to Melrose, where an alfresco lunch was very much enjoyed.

Adam Logan’s charabanc pictured in Sandgate in the early 1900s, with a patry about to set off on a trip. Adam Logan himself is pictured standing on the left of the picture. A similar vehicle transported the clerical and locomotive staff of Berwick station on their tour of the borders. Image in the collection of Fred Kennington.

The company then proceeded on to Selkirk, where a most enjoyable tea was served in the Fleece Hotel. A few hours were spent in song and sentiment, and Selkirk being left behind. Kelso was reached by way of St Boswells, and a little time was spent looking round the pretty little town. While here the trippers saw the competitors in the reliability run of Berwick Motor Club pass through. Berwick was reached about 9.30, the entire company being highly satisfied with the tour, upon which the sun had smiled all day

+ More