BERWICK ADVERTISER, 9TH DECEMBER 1921

10/12/2021 by Northumberland Archives

GLENDALE NOTES

WOOLER

The annual Christmas prize show and sale of fat stock will be held at the Wooler Mart on Monday first, when a good display of both cattle and sheep are expected.

The Committee of the tennis Club are on the lookout for a suitable piece of ground on which to lay hard courts.

Before this is in print the collectors will have been round asking for contributions to the free gift sale to be held at the Wooler Mart in aid of the Newcastle Royal Infirmary. This noble institution is sadly in need of funds, and this is a good opportunity for anyone to help forward a good cause.

The Cross Country Electric Oedema Ltd., will screen “Her Penalty” and “Teasing the Soil” (comic) in the Archbold Hall, Wooler, on Thursday, December 15^th, at 7.30pm. (Advt.)

On Friday night (tonight) Mr Hiton Philipson, prospective Coalition Liberla Candidate for this Division, is to make his first appearance before a Wooler audience in the Archibold Hall. County – Alderman G. G. Rea, C.B.E., is to be in the chair.

CHRISTMAS

Shopkeepers are now busily engaged in making preparations for the Christmas season trade. There will be plenty of choice this year, as grocers drapers, etc., will be able to make a good display. The smoking public will also be in a position to purchase their favourite blends without rationing. Fancy goods and confectionery are also offered in great variety.

LOCAL NEWS

Two interesting finds have been made recently by Mrs Hogg, of Castle Vale, in the grounds of her residence just under the ruins of the old Postern gate tower of Berwick castle. While digging in the garden she unearthed a broken silver coin which on the reverse side has a cross and mallet within each cross and words which appear to be “Ville Berwiei.” On the observe side is a crowned head with peculiar side hair dressing. As the coin is not complete the full wording cannot be made out, but the coin is without a doubt a silver groat, struck in the time of James I., and we believe minted in Berwick by one named Gilbert Fish. The other coin dug up is about the size of a farthing and is in an excellent state of preservation. On the reverse side there are several crowns, and on the observe side an orb and cross. It will be interesting to know if this too is a coin struck in Berwick Mint. We understand Mrs Hogg is sending the coins up to the British Museum for identification.

BERWICK WORKHOUSE

CHRISTMAS FARE

It was agreed that special Christmas fare be given to the inmates of the Workhouse on Christmas Day, and that the indoor officers be allowed an extra 3s for the extra work entailed. The dinner for New Year would be provided at the members’ own expense.

Mr Collingwood – Will the Christmas fare include a glass of beer for the inmates? In the past a member of the board has kindly supplied the beer. Has this offer been received asyet?

The Clerk – I have received no offer.

Mr Richardson – Is it necessary to give any liquor at all?

Mr Collingwood – At one time the Board very generously gave this glass of beer to the old inmates.

Mr Morrison – And several offers to provide beer have been refused.

Mr Wood – There is no offer before the board. I propose we leave the matter in the hands of the Committee with powers to act. Agreed.

EXTRA OUT-RELIEF FOR CHRISTMAS

On the motion of Miss Greet, the Board agreed that additional relief be ordered to non-resident poor in Christmas and New Year weeks at the same rates as given in the Unions where they reside, and to grant additional relief to the out-door poor at the rate of 2s 6d for each adult and 1s 3d for each child. Those who receive their relief wholly in kind will have this supplemented by an addition of like value, the same applying to those receiving relief under article xi of the Relief Regulation Order.

BERWICK BOWLING CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of Berwick Bowling Club was held in the Brown Bear Hotel on Wednesday evening, Mr W. Scott, president for the season, presiding over a very large turnout of members.

Mr Robert Brown, Secretary and Treasurer, submitted the Committee’s 27^th annual report and balance sheet, which were adopted. In the first place he had to report that the “Trustees” took the opportunity of purchasing the fee simple of the Club ground from His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, and the members might congratulate themselves that they were now the owners of such a lovely spot. The Committee also heartily thanked those members who so willingly subscribed the cash.

The membership is at present 115. During the season the club sustained the loss by death of two members and the Committee extended their sympathy to the bereaved in their loss.

The season was opened on Thursday, 28^th April, with a match between teams representing the President and the Vice-president. Fourteen matches were arranged with the clubs of Portland, Alnwick, Kelso, Coldstream, Duns, Spittal, and Dunbar. Twelve of these matches were played, 6 of which were won and 6 lost, with 32 shots in the club’s favour. The club were represented in the competitions of the Border Bowling Tournament at Galashiels, the Scottish Bowling Association rink and single handed ties, and also the “Oubridge Cup,” at Belgrave, all without success.

The usual club competitions were held during the season, which closed on Thursday 6^th October, in beautiful weather. The Committee cordially thanked the President and Vice-President and all those who gave prizes for the season.

SUCCESSFUL PIGEON SHOW AT SPITTAL

The first show of racing pigeons that has ever been held in Spittal took place in the Old National School on Saturday last under the auspices of Spittal Homing Society, when over 200 birds were exhibited. The large classroom was kindly lent by the Parish Church trustees and made an excellent showroom. The show was fairly well patronised during the day and judging by the large number of local competitors and the enthusiasm shown it bids fair to become an annual event.

Second edition 25″ordnance Survey map of Spittal (1898) showing the position of the Old National School next to St. John’s Church

Mr R. L. Donaldson, Dunbar, was the judge, and the expeditious and unhesitating manner in which he gave his awards was praise worthy. Quality and condition only scored with him. He rather favoured a fairly long-casted bird with good feather. He admitted that most of the birds were not in tip-top condition, but were a very fine collection.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 11TH NOVEMBER 1921

12/11/2021 by Northumberland Archives

GLENDALE NOTES

BRITISH LEGION MEETING

The initial meeting of the British Legion since becoming members of this great body was held on Monday evening last. Comrade Cowans, in the unavoidable absence of Canon Moran, presided. The attendance was very disappointing, but it is hoped, now that the laying of the bowling green has commenced, this may be the means of stimulating the enthusiasm. It is expected, if money is in the funds after the green is finished, a club-house will also be erected. So far there has not been anything but the monthly meeting. The first business was making final arrangements for Armistice Day.

“Poppy Field (Chollerford)” by wazimu0 is licensed with CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

A brief service will be held on Tower Hill. The ministers of the various churches in the town will take part; also the members of the Parish Council will be present. It is hoped that all ex-Service men will endeavour to be present, as the service will be a short duration. The Wooler Branch of the Legion will lay a laurel wreath on the memorial in remembrance of the great sacrifice of their comrades. Poppies, which have been made in the devastated areas, will be sold in the town, commencing an hour before the service. The Secretary gave a report of the bowling green, and explained that all the unemployed ex-service men in the town had been taken on. He also explained that there was seventy fully paid up members. He was pleased to report that a few intricate cases had been dealt with by him and all were proceeding satisfactorily. He would like to draw the members’ attention to a certain thing which was going on, and asked for their support in the matter. Many of the ex-Service men had held aloof from the branch, but now that they need assistance they were coming with their subscriptions in one hand and their cases in the other. It was not the game, and he wanted them all to help to blot it out. It was decided to have a reunion of ex-Service men, and after considerable discussion it was agreed to hold it when the bowling green was opened. Votes of thank concluded the meeting.

NORHAM AND ISLANDSHIRE

RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL

A CRIPPLE GETS SIX MONTHS’ FOR BIGAMY

Three aged people figured in a case at the Newcastle Assizes on Monday, when William Henry Usher, 60, miner, pleaded guilty to a charge of having committed bigamy with Dinah Oliver of Embleton, at Rothbury in November, 1918, his former wife being then alive.

Mr C. B. Fenwick who prosecuted, said the facts of the case were most unusual, because of the age of the parties concerned. The first marriage took place so far back as 1886, being contracted at the Durham Registry Office. Accused and his wife lived together until 1915, when she left him on account of his temper. They were then living near Amble. Sometime later, in 1917 he made the acquaintance of the second “wife,” a widow of the same age. They were married in November of that year at Rothbury, he representing himself as a widower. In the spring of 1921 she heard something which aroused her suspicious and she taxed him with being a married man. He thereupon packed up his clothes and left her.

Rothbury Village Reference: BRO 1796-1-39

Prisoner handed in a statement to his Lordship, who expressed a wish to hear something about his character.

P.C. John Edward Hogg said he had known the prisoner for about three years and apart from occasionally getting too much drink he seemed to have lived a quiet life. He was a cripple. Witness added that in documents which he had prisoner stated he was formerly in the Army.

His Lordship – Do you know that to be true?

Witness – He told me that, but I cannot vouch for the truth of it. It might be so, and he says he was discharge with the rank of sergeant-major.

Mr Fenwick – it is very probable that his first wife may be able to tell us that.

Sarah Usher said prisoner had been a soldier and had been out in India about seven years. He left the Army when she married him. She thought his rank then was sergeant. She did not always live with him at Amble and witness stated that she lft him in 1915 because of his drunken habits.

His Lordship – Do you know whether his discharge papers from the Army were good or bad?

Witness – I think they were good.

How did he come to be a cripple? – I think he had an accident in the mine.

Dinah Oliver, who left Usher in 1920, going to live with her son at Scremerston, was then called, and she stated that when she “married” prisoner he stated he was a widower. He said he had been a widower for four years. She left him on one occasion and they differed over several things Witness added that she was afraid of him.

His Lordship said it was a very serious offence, but he was willing to have some regard to the fact that he was a man of some years of age, that he was a cripple, and that he appeared to have had a good record in the Army. Fortunately there were no children of his second “marriage” to bear the shame.

Prisoner was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.

LOCAL NEWS

The fashion of sending Christmas cards is still popular, and from samples submitted to us by Messrs Raphael Tuck and Sons, there will be a wider selection than ever from which to choose this season. Even the most fastidious in artistic taste cannot fail to find something that will appeal in the 3000 designs which this well-known firm has to offer. Cards that delight the children have always been a feature of Raphael House and this season’s designs are as fascinating as ever. Very dainty are the “Pot Pourri” series with their deliciously fragrant perfume. The silhouette mascot cards will be popular with these who pin their faith to the black cat as a symbol of luck.

Christmas Card from 1916 Reference: BRO 1775-2-1

There has surely never been anything more artistic produced than the beautiful garden scenes chosen by Queen Alexandra and Princess Mary this year for their cards. Queen Mary, King George and Prince of Wales have chosen historic scenes which are equally delightful. It is perhaps not generally known that these royal cards, which are reproduced for the use of the public. Great taste is exhibited in the greetings or quotations which all the cards bear. It is not only Christmas cards they have to offer. There is an equally wide selection of post-cards and calendars to choose from, and gift books, toy books and painting books galore to delight the hearts of the children. There are charming editions of Hans Anderson, of the equally popular Grimm, or of “Alice in Wonderland,” illustrated in a fascinating manner by Mabel Lucie Attwell. These are interesting stories of animals, birds, insects, that instruct as well as amuse; lesson books that make the learning of the alphabet a joy, or sets of picture building blocks to while away happy hours in the nursery. No better selection of goods has ever been issued from the studios of Raphael House.

Saturday evening was Guy Fawkes night and the youngsters in the town celebrated the occasion with bonfires and fireworks display. Some ingenuity was shown this year with Guys, and one burned at the stake in the Greens was quite original and up-to-date. Last week a Naval deserter eluded his escort at Berwick Station and hid in a passage in the Greens. His whereabouts was given away to the escort by a Greens resident and he was duly captured. To show their contempt of the informer, the youngsters burned his effigy.

In a discussion on rat extermination by the members of the Northumberland Agricultural Committee a motion that it was desirable that the Rats and Mice Destruction Act 1919 be repealed was defeated by 15 votes to 3, the view being expressed that the Act should be retained as the rat was one of the greatest destructive pests in the country. It was argued in support of the motion that rat-killing was a waste of public money and that the farmer who allowed the rats to accumulate should bear the expense of their destruction and nobody else. No fewer than 35,000 rodents had been killed in six months at 180 places, and it was stated the estimated cost for the year was between £800 and £600.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 27TH OCTOBER 1921

29/10/2021 by Northumberland Archives

WOOLER’S FUR AND FEATHER SHOW

RECORD ENTRY-MANY LOCAL WINNERS

The promoters of the Wooler and District Fur and feather Show may be warmly congratulated on the success of their third annual Show, which was held in the Archbold Hall on Thursday last. Since the Society was inaugurated three years ago a number of shows have been held, but for entries and quality this Show surpassed all previous ones. This year it was confined to utility classes only, the exhibition classes being suspended. The Committee were fortunate in obtaining the services of Mr Powell-Owen, London, as judge in Poultry Classes, one of the best judges in the country. When his name appeared on the schedule sent out his was sufficient to bring a record entry. In the Bantam Class Mr G. Hall, Mindrum, was also an efficient judge. He was a wide experience I the poultry world and is an adept breeder of poultry, as those who have visited the poultry farm at Mindrum can testify.

The large hall was filled with poultry, only space being left for the people to pass down, and the small room was used for the housing of the ducks. The Show, being an “open” one brought entries from all over the country, and it is pleasing to report that many of the local fanciers figured largely in the honours list. In the breeding pen class Mr W. Brown, Haugh Head, Wooler, lost the silver cup by one point, Mr Huntley, Hirsel, taking away this coveted prize. In this class two pullets and a cockerel constituted the pen. In each case the pullets were awarded equal points, but the decision was given to Mr Huntley as his cockerel gained one point more than the local. A very fine Wyandotte hen was on view belonging to Mr Wm. Harbin, Ashington, which was awarded first prize and four specials; also Mr G. F. bell, Mindrum, for a white leghorn cockerel was awarded first prize and three specials. Some of the classes were of such excellent quality that the judge awarded almost every bird a ticket. Mr Owen gave entire satisfaction throughout and had a most strenuous day. Starting his duties at 10am, he went on without a break until 4.10pm. Mr Hall also gave of his best as judge in the Bantam Class. It fell to a Woolerite to gain the special prize for the best bantam of the Show. This was with a white Wyandotte hen. Mr J. Wilkinson, Ashington Villa, Wooler, in the game cock or hen class, took first, second and third prizes with his well-known winning birds.

After the judging, Mr Owen, when asked his impressions on the Show, said: “It is one of the best I have attended of its class. The quality of the poultry was excellent, the white Leghorns and white Wyandottes being a very strong class. One of the special features of the Show was the ducks. It was evident they had not been handled much, as it was difficult to get them to stand up. Taking advantage of the ante-room, where they were shown. I took them out on the floor so as to get at their good qualities. I was quite pleased to see that, although produce had come from all over the country, the members’ poultry were much in evidence and to a very high standard.

In the evening Mr Owen gave a demonstration on a pen of five Rhode Island Red hens belonging to Mr G. bell, Mindrum, which had been awarded second position in the national laying list at Bentley, Suffolk. This test was open to all England. The total eggs laid by these five hens were 905 eggs for 48 weeks. It was explained, that, during the first two months, only 17 eggs were laid and 888 in 31 weeks, a record being kept on each hen during the test. Mr Owen demonstrated in in a most lucid manner, took each hen singly, and explained the merits and demerits of each of them. Many of the points he touched were invaluable to the large number of fanciers who were listening to the lecture. Out of the 905 eggs laid during the test only 75 eggs were second grade. After addressing the meeting for an hour, Mr Owen answered a number of questions asked him.

BERWICK SANITARY AUTHORITY

MEDICAL OFFICER’S REPORT

Dr P. W. Maclagan, medical Officer of health, in his report to 30^th September, stated there has been little infectious disease in the Borough during the past quarter, one case of scarlet fever and four cases of diphtheria. Three cases of diphtheria occurred in Scremerston and were removed to Berwick Fever Hospital under the agreement with Norham and Islandshires. The Child Welfare Centre has been visited weekly and the attendance of mothers and children is well maintained. The question of the insanitary houses in the Borough on which Demolition Orders were served in 1914 has been reconsidered by the Public Health Committee. Some of them remain in habited and in view of the house shortage no action can be taken in the meantime. The others are to be dealt with. Water closets are being introduced in to several houses in Spittal and Tweedmouth, and as the cost of these improvements decreases this work should be carried out more freely in the future.

MOTOR CARS IN CASTLEGATE

The Mayor mentioned that the magistrates had recently been called upon to deal with a case of motor cars left standing in Castlegate. In that case the magistrates felt that it was an unpleasant duty to perform, for no one inside or outside the Council wished to do anything to prevent people coming into the town. At the same time the Magistrates had no other option but to administer the law. It had been suggested by the solicitor in the case that the magistrates might ask the Council to appoint a small committee to meet with a committee of the National Farmers’ Union and discuss the matter.

William Elder & Sons, 1904. Ref: BRO 1497-025

Councillor Campbell suggested that the committee might consider the removal of portion of the paved footpath and the cement block which marked the footpath near Messrs Elders’. This portion was where the police found difficulty when cars left standing encroached on that paved line, and he thought if necessary the committee might even consider the removal of the enclosed plot in front of Messrs Elders, so that an open space could be made and they could fall back on the old market character of the ground.

It was agreed that a committee consisting of Ald. Elder, Ald. Wilson, Councillor Darling and Councillor Campbell be appointed to meet with the Committee of the N.F.U. and report back to the Council.

War Memorial, Castlegate, Berwick-upon-Tweed. © Copyright J Thomas – (cropped image) Creative Commons Licence 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0).

The question of carrying through matters in connection with the War Memorial site was remitted to the Parks Committee with powers, and it was also agreed to grant permission for the temporary placing of a diagram barometer on the Scotsgate showing the position of the War Memorial Fund.

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