BERWICK NEWSPAPERS

05/04/2024 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 3RD APRIL 1924

BERWICK NEW STATION

(FROM THE BERWICK DEBATING SOCIETY MAGAZINE)

Much ink has been spilt and hot air wasted over the necessity of having a new bridge over the river Tweed at Berwick, and while all are agreed that this proposal is of vital importance to the future development of the town, many differences of opinion are noted as to the location of the structure. The many expressions of interest in the scheme from all sections of the community is indeed gratifying and angers well for the future of the borough. This, however, regrettable that during all the discussions on the future welfare of the town, little or no comment has been made on the proposed new Railway Station at Berwick.

The front of Berwick Railway Station — An early 20th Century postcard of the front of the railway station

Rightly or wrongly, a traveller arriving at a town on his first visit, sizes up the importance of that town at the moment he steps off the train. It is, therefore, most essential that this ancient and prosperous Border town should have a railway station fitting the importance of the locality served. It will be agreed that the necessity of having a modern station at Berwick has been apparent for many years past. The low, dark platforms of inadequate length for modern through East Coast trains, the ill-lit waiting rooms and other conveniences, the acute curves whereby passenger trains entering the station from either direction are compelled to travel at a greatly reduced speed, and the “back street” entrance to the present structure do not give the town the status it deserves. The proposed alterations, is gratifying to note, will dispense with many of these very serios disabilities. Platforms are to be lengthened, extra waiting rooms introduced, and the acute curves minimised to such an extent that non-stopping trains will be able to pass Berwick at a much greater speed. No notice, however, appears to have been taken of the present station entrance, and no proposals have apparently been made whereby the new station will have the imposing main street entrance so essential to a railway station of first-class importance. Those of us who have visited Alnwick cannot fail to have noted the splendid railway station at that town. No necessity to enquire the way to the station at Alnwick, and no unsightly hoardings reminding us that “Boxo” puts a man on his feet, and that “Crushem” salts makes grandad an athlete of no mean ability. It is, of course, agreed that the proposals of the Railway Company are admirable so far as utility in railway working is concerned. Local trains will, it is understood, be started from a suitable platform for that class of train, thereby obviating the present method whereby passengers for different trains are frequently seen threading their way along narrow platforms among innumerable fish and luggage barrows.

Berwick Railway Station early 1900s. © Berwick Record Office – BRO 1636-10-013

Utility, however, from the viewpoint of the Railway Company is quite a different matter to the utility of the residents of the town served by the railway station. Representation should be made urging the necessity of having an entrance to the new station direct from the top of Castlegate. The plan obtaining at the present moment appears to be, a front street entrance to cattle docks, and a back passage entrance for the passengers. This order of things should, of course, be reversed in the new station. Another sore point to the artistic eye at Berwick Station is the disorderly array of shacks and huts of all descriptions which, in many cases, obstruct what would be one of the most beautiful views in this country. Some months ago, the writer was in conversation with a gentleman who had arrived at Berwick Station from the South at 4am on a beautiful summer morning. Glancing westwards from the train in crossing the Royal Border Bridge the sight that met his eye was the most gorgeous it was possible to imagine, and it was made clear from the traveller’s remarks and in all his travels which, by the way, extended to many countries, he had never experienced the thrill which he experienced on glancing up the silvery Tweed that morning. Now, Mr Editor, except from passing trains, how many of us have been privileged to view this most wonderful landscape. The placid silvery Tweed at high-tide, the surrounding country one mass of colour, away in the West can be seen the Eildon Hills and Hume Castle, while to the South, Cheviot and Hedgehope Mountains stand grim and forbidding. All this grandeur is. However, unfortunately obscured to the visitors at Berwick Station by an array of shacks built near the end of the Royal Border Bridge. In the building of the new station, it would be gratifying to know that these unsightly little buildings were to be removed with a view of leaving an unobstructed view of the river Tweed and surrounding country from the end of the platforms.

Royal Border Bridge early 1990s. Ref: BRO 515 377

Another anomaly in the present arrangements is the system whereby the exit from the goods warehouse and coal sidings also serves as the ordinary passenger exit from the station to the town, but this would, of course, be obviated if the Castlegate entrance were adopted.

Another very urgent reform necessary in the building of the new station at Berwick is the necessity of affording sufficient room for the standage of cars and taxis at the station entrance. At present the cars are obliged to line up any old how as near to the station portico as circumstances will permit, with the result that the turning of a car or taxi while foot passengers are passing to and from the station is a hair-raising thrill for the spectators who view the feat from a safe point of vantage. This, Mr Editor, is an antiquated and obsolete arrangement, suitable no doubt for ancient horse-drawn vehicles, but quite up safe for the present means of road transport using the railway station premises. In the new station we should therefore insist that the entrance from the town be made sufficiently wide to accommodate the large number of vehicles which meet all the East Coast express trains. Another item of importance, although not directly connected with the actual structure of the station, is the complete absence of a Sunday passenger train from Berwick to stations North. Can you name another town of equal importance so served, Mr Editor? Surely if towns like Kelso, Alnwick, and Hexham are worthy of a Sunday service, then, in an even greater degree, must out town need a service.

Another matter the visitor to our railway station must surely notice is the absence of train destination indicator boards on the platforms. The system adopted at Berwick, of lusty-lunged individuals bawling the destination or next stop of the train is, to say the least, reminiscent of the small wayside stations, and misleading when more than one train occupies the platforms.

I hold that the inhabitants of Berwick, who are justly proud of their town, should have a say in the very important work that is about to be undertaken at Berwick Station. Let us make it clear that any make-shift will not meet with our approval, and that our ancient town, which is one of the most famous on the great East Coast route, is well worthy of a railway station harmonising with the natural grandeur of the famous Borders.

BERWICK NEWSPAPERS

02/02/2024 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK JOURNAL, 31ST JANUARY 1924

BERWICK TOWN COUNCIL

On Tuesday evening, after the Town Council meeting, Mr Ralph Skelly, aged 86, the oldest Freeman of the Borough, was presented privately with the gold-headed staff of office by the Mayor, in the presence of the Sheriff.

Mr Robertson, the esteemed and highly respected Sub-Postmaster at Horncliffe, is resigning after holding the post for a number of years. Mr Robertson is one of the oldest and best-known regular visitors to Berwick Market every Saturday.

Inquirer- The match between Celtic and Newcastle United was played in Berwick Cricket Field on March 13, 1902. The event was to celebrate the coming of age of the Rangers’ Club. Celtic won by 4 goals to 2.

Owing to scarcity of fish Holy Island fishermen have had to put in their creels and start crab and lobster fishing.

Holy Island, The Castle and the Ouse — Holy Island Castle and the Ouse

Messrs Jas. McDougle and Sons, Bamburgh, are appointed Berwick to Alnmouth Distributing Agents for Alladin Lamps.

Belford Hall is to be sold in March by Belford and District Farmers’ Auction Mart, Ltd., instructed by T. Place, Esq.

BERWICK CASTLE EXCAVATIONS

Following upon excavations at Water Tower, at river-side end of Western Flanking Wall of Berwick Castle, work has been proceeding at and near the Tower higher up, also on westside, which adjoins Western Wall before it begins to descend to Tweed. This Tower is the Buttress Tower, which was of great strength built probably about 1280, in Reign of Edward I., when Berwick Castle was made impregnable.

Excavations at Water Tower have laid bare solid foundations, the facing stones, of which the upper part of the Tower is destitute, being of fine quality. A fair amount of work has been done on the Buttress Tower, a narrow trench some 2 feet deep having been dug round the wall. Nothing, however, has as yet been disclosed except the important fact that the original facing stones are still intact below the surface of the ground. Work is proceeding and some more men may be detailed to Berwick from Norham.

TWEEDMOUTH NOTES

In conversation with a railwayman, a few days ago, I was told of one particular instance of how motor cars are nibbling at traffic over which the railway held a complete monopoly since the Wooler Branch opened up. Traffic in rabbits, eggs, and other farm produce, was collected at all stations, large 5-ton vans being on the passenger trains for the purpose of conveying these food stuffs to southern markets. Those days are gone. A fleet of large motors visit the farms daily and collect what formerly had to be carted to the sometimes far-off stations and placed in the vans provided. The cars take full loads to Newcastle, and return with empty hampers, etc., much time and unnecessary labour being saved by the motor service now firmly established. The railway company in consequence has lost a fruitful source of revenue by the innovation, for where they used to carry hundreds of hampers weekly at one time, they scarcely carry dozens now.

Tweedmouth Burns’ Club Supper was held in the headquarters, Union Hotel, on Thursday night, 24^th Jan., a day before the actual anniversary, this being to accommodate some who had a wish to attend other Club suppers, which were to be held on the 25^th. There was an attendance of 60 members and friends, the spacious upstairs room being comfortably seated. The hour for starting was 6pm and by that time the room was showing signs of animation, while the savoury aroma floating upstairs told that the host and hostess, together with their staff of assistants, were doing their share. It may be safely stated that Tweedmouth Burns Club is keeping up its fine reputation, and maintaining its high standard of intellectual efficiency, whereby the annual gatherings are made a success.

THE NEW BRIDGE: A PETITION

The Mayor announced that he had just received a petition regarding the proposed new bridge, and he was of the opinion that the Council should send it to the Bridge Committee for consideration.

Coun. Dickinson seconded the Mayor’s motion that the matter be sent to the Bridge Committee and this was agreed upon.

The petition read as follows:

To His Worship the Mayor and the Members of the Town Council of Berwick -upon-Tweed.

The owners of property in and adjacent to the main throughfares leading from the Old Bridge through Bridge Street and Hide Hill and those conducting business in that district have become greatly concerned regarding the position involved by the construction of a new bridge, and recent reports of the County and Local Authorities have not dispelled the uncertainty prevailing in their minds.

View of Royal Border Bridge and The Old Bridge

So far us can be ascertained from the two routes which are now engaging the attention of the Town Council, both of which emerge directly into High Street, no provision is made for direct access to Bridge Street or its vicinity. Unless, therefore, the Old Bridge continues to be an inlet and outlet of traffic, the immediate effect of carrying out such a proposal would be the isolation of a large and important part of the town frm a great volume of traffic, and, in the opinion of the parties concerned, have the following results:-

A loss of business now on the main route in that area.
The depreciation of the value of the property therein.
An increase in the cost of haulage and transit.

In view of such opinions those who are commercially and financially interested or otherwise connected with the question of the new bridge, so far as the south eastern area of the town in concerned, are desirous that these matters shall receive adequate considerate.

Informal, but representative meetings have been held to consider the position, but, at the suggestion of his Worship the Mayor, the parties who thus met, readily acquiesced in the view that the immediate moment is perhaps inauspicious for laying the whole of the facts before the public at large.

At such a meeting held on the 18^th January, 1924 the situation was reviewed and it was unanimously resolved as follows: –

“That urgent representation be immediately made to the Town Council when considering the route of the new bridge to give earnest consideration to the special and peculiar position of the southeastern area of the Town of Berwick, and to preserve, as far as possible its present trade facilities so as to mitigate any hardship which might be inflicted upon those connected with this area.” (signed,) J.W. Blench, Chairman. H.M. Young, Secretary.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 100 YEARS AGO

26/10/2023 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 26 OCTOBER 1923

WOOLER PARISH CHURCH

MEMORIALS UNVEILED AND DEDICATED

The unveiling and dedication of a memorial Reredos in memory of the men from the parish who gave their lives for their country in the Great War, together with side panels in memory of Canon Wilsden, who was Vicar of the parish from 1880 to 1910, and a lectern in memory of Miss Bessie Wilsden took place in St. Mary’s Parish Church, Wooler, on Sunday afternoon. The memorials are all made from selected Austrian oak, designed and executed by Messrs E. Douglas and Son, cabinetmakers, Wooler, and correspond with the other fittings in the chance as carried out under the restoration scheme, the design being Gothic. In the panels of the Reredos are the sixty names of those who fell from the parish. The workmanship does infinite credit to local labour.

There was a very large congregation, the church being packed to the doors. Amongst those present were the Earl and Countess Tankerville and many others.

The Vicar (Canon Moran) conducted the service, which opened with the hymn “The King of Love my Shepherd is.” The lessons were read by the Vicar and the Rev, J, G. Shotton. A sacred solo, “Infinite Love,” was sung by the Earl of Tankerville to organ accompaniment. The choir gave a capable rendering of Stainer’s anthem, “Who Are These?”

The Reredos and panels were unveiled by Major J. G. G. Rea, D.S.O., and the lectern was unveiled by the Rev. J. G. Shotton, at the request of near relatives and friends by whom it has been provided.

The memorials were then dedicated by Bishop of the Diocese (Dr Wild). A large number of wreaths were placed in front of the communion table by relatives and friends. The hymn “Fight the Good Fight” having been sung, the Bishop delivered a stirring address, taking for his text 1^st Cor. iii., 8 –“Every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.” The Bishop, referring to the proceedings, said the day was a very appropriate one, for it was the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. He paid a warm tribute to the men who went to almost certain death in that memorable month of August, 1914.

The” Last Post” was sounded, and after a minute’s silence the Blessing was pronounced by the Bishop, which was followed by the “Reveille” and the singing of the National Anthem.

The members of the Parish Council and British Legion were also present, also the Freemasons, Sunday School children, and representatives from other places of worship.

NORHAM

Norham Nursing Association held a successful jumble sale in aid of the work of the Association on Wednesday afternoon, £23 5s being realised.

The dance which was held in the Public Hall on Saturday last was very well patronised, the proceeds going towards the Football Club funds. Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves very well to the delightful music of Miss Jean Smith, extras being played by Miss L. Weatherston, Sunderland. Mr J. Sheppard was at the door as usual, and Mr A. Burns was M.C.

A whist drive and dance in aid of Norham Boat races, held on Friday evening in the Public Hall, proved a great success. The Committee intend making the whist drive and dance an annual affair in order to keep their funds in a healthy condition, prepared to meet any emergency which may arise through bad weather. Thirty-six tables were occupied and 24 games were played. At the end of the twelfth game tea and cakes were served round a number of young ladies under the supervision of Miss A. Lyall and Miss H. Rule, who kindly undertook the management of the catering. At the conclusion of the games the prize winners to be Miss Purves, Miss Wilkinson, Miss J. Wharton, and Messrs Easton, Anderson and Scott. The prizes, which were of a useful nature, were provided by local tradesmen and friends. At intervals during the dancing a Dutch auction was held, and the articles sold consisted of cakes, a canary, a cockerel, and a bottle of wine brought remarkable prices. The dance music was supplied by Miss Jean Smith in her usual able manner and was much appreciated. The whist drive and dance was voted by all present as the most enjoyable event which has taken place for some time. Thanks are due to all those friends who so kindly helped by assistance, giving cakes, tea, etc, and by lending cards and tables to make the drive so successful.

SIR WALTER RUNCIMAN ON UNEMPLOYMENT

Speaking on unemployment at the central Primitive methodist Church, Newcastle, on Monday night, Sir Walter Runciman said his own opinion was that there was no necessity for all those people to be out of work. If they could not handle a mallet or plane, they could do something; and he felt assured that, if the proper policy was adopted, employment could be found for hundreds of thousands now out of work. But he himself offered work to some people the other day, and they would not do it. That reminded him of a young girl who applied for a passage to America, and when he asked her why she wanted to leave England, she said: “I can scrub doorsteps out there, but I can’t do it here.” That was just a bit of standing on one’s dignity, continued the speaker; people did not like being seen doing unaccustomed work. Yet when he was a young sailor lad he was sometimes out of work. They got low wages in those days £32 10s a month – he thought he paid £13 a month now- and rotten food; and the cost of living was just as high then. But that did where else when not at sea.

He went to dig a garden on one occasion; and another time he saw a ship coming in and buried to ask the captain if he wanted help and got the job he was after. It was only a very few shillings, but it showed what could be done if people would only adapt themselves to circumstances. If they could not do one thing, they could do another. He had heard of communities who would rather starve than take the dole, and so would he. He had himself given people employment who said they would not accept the dole.

“I tell you,” concluded Sir Walter, “that there is work if you go where it is to be found. I don’t think anyone who has work to offer would turn a man or woman away if they are willing to take it. It is necessary to go on working to keep brain and body alive. I don’t want to die yet, and I think I would if I stopped working. Don’t get into the habit of thinking you ought to retire. If you are any good at your work, keep at it as long as you can. If you are not, get another job.

“I wish some of the leaders of what they call the working class – though we are all workers-would impress on the people they profess to lead that they can get work of some fashion if they only look for it.”

LOCAL NEWS

A volume of Dugald MacFadyen’s humorous stories and sketches, including “Buffoon’s Who’s Zoo,” has been edited by his son, R. MacFadyen, and for those who like this sort of thing it should serve to while away a journey or a cold and dirty night. It is published by W. F. Henderson, Edinburgh, at 2s net and s 6d net in paper covers.

Under the auspices of the International Bible Students’ Association, Mr J. Mackenzie, Edinburgh, delivered a lecture in the Long Room of the Corn exchange on Sunday evening. The lecturer dealt exhaustively with the new worldwide subject, “All nations marching to Armageddon,” and the audience followed his discourse with great attention.

BERWICK CHIMNEYS

A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN

Jane Pattison (60), 41 Church Street, Berwick, was charged with allowing her chimney to catch fire on Saturday afternoon, October 20^th. The Mayor and Councillor Bolus, as members of the Sanitary Authority, retired from the bench when this case came on.

Mrs Pattison pleaded guilty, saying it was an accident.

Mr Porter, Town Clerk, appearing for the Sanitary Authority, said they proposed to assume that the firing of the chimney was an accident. Mr Boyd was passing along Church Street at the time and saw huge clouds of smoke issuing from the chimney. Mrs Pattison, when spoken to, said it had been swept within the previous six weeks and gave the name of the sweep, but it was found from his books that it had been swept last on August 2^nd– 11 weeks ago. There were frequent cases of this sort in the borough, and the Sanitary Authority had been compelled to take proceedings. All that he would ask for was costs, the case to serve as a warning. In future cases he would press for a penalty.

SPORTS-FOOTBALL

EAST OF SCOTLAND QUALIFYING CUP

BERWICK RANGERS IN FORM

Rangers…………..3 Civil Service Strollers (h)…….1

Even the most ardent supporter of Berwick Rangers had “his doots” regarding the ability of the Yellow and Black to pull off the semi-final of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, and such scepticism was justified by the Civil Service Strollers having a good team together this year and the added advantage of home venue. The result therefore of a win for the Berwick lads after a game in which they held the whiphand throughout gave some credit to the prophets who in recent weeks have foretold a more successful run for the Rangers since their play has improved.

COMMENTS ON PLAY

There was no denying the superiority of the Rangers on the day’s play and even supporters of the Edinburgh Club admitted that their team was well beaten. The Berwick team was smart on the ball and all their attacks were made with method. Much of the good work came from good advice and general ship shown by Atkinson. Harvey was not killed with work but what he had to do he did well. Younger showed good form at back and what he slipped Haswell got. Atkinson was the outstanding man of the half line with Wakenshaw a close second. The Borthwick-Johnston wing showed splendid football and though they had not the luck to get goals they were the means of leading up to two of them. Wilson was one of the most useful men in the team and was always on the spot while Purves distributed well and played an improved game. Of the home team Bridges and Lamb played a sound game at back while McLaren at centre half was splendid in defence. The forwards were a nippy lot but once the Rangers’ defence got their measure they seldom had a look in. There was little to chose between them, but Sutherland and Purves took the eye most.

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