BERWICK ADVERTISER, 12 NOVEMBER 1920

ARMISTICE DAY CELEBRATIONS

At the Armistice Day celebration at the British School, Palace Green, today (Thursday), the Rev. W. Jardine delivered an address after the two minutes’ silence at 11a.m. The hymn “O God, our help in ages past” was sung, and then Mr H. W. Willits unveiled the War Memorial to the fallen scholars. Mr Jardine offered prayer, and the proceedings closed with the “National Anthem.”

There was a short service at Berwick Parish Church today (Thursday), commencing at 10.45. The two minutes’ silence was observed, and prior and after that period appropriate psalms, lessons, and prayers were recited, the Vicar conducting the service.

Tweedmouth War Memorial

At the barracks the troops paraded, the “Last Post” being sounded at 11a.m. and Reveille at the expiry of the two minutes.

At 11 o’clock today (Thursday) the Commandant of the Berwick branch of the Comrades of the Great War laid a laurel wreath at the foot of the Tweedmouth War Memorial. The wreath bore the inscription, “In loving memory of those whose names are seen here and their unknown comrades, this wreath is laid by the Comrades of the Great War.”

THE NEW SHERIFF

Mr Robert Carr, of The Elms, Berwick, who was unanimously elected Sheriff of the Borough of Berwick, is one well fitted to hold the office. For such an ancient and honourable position, it is very appropriate that a gentleman who has dabbled in the historical records and folklore of the Border as Mr Carr has done should be selected. It is certain he will fill the office with credit to himself and to the town.

The village of Grindon, Northumberland, where Mr Robert Carr, who was elected as the new Sheriff of the Borough of Berwick, in November 1920, hailed from. ©  D. S. Pugh, Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0).

To agriculturists in North Northumberland and Berwickshire, the name Robert Carr, of Grindon, is as familiar as the Corn Exchange on market day. Grindon, apart from Mr Carr and he from Grindon, would have been an unthinkable thing some few years ago, but it came to pass nevertheless, and he now lives the life – to him the rather slow and tiresome life- of a retired gentleman. While in Grindon, Mr Carr became known around the district as one who knew how to produce the most from his land, and who took second place to none as a successful agriculturist. He was a keen student of the various problems arising in the industry, and his advice and word carried weight with others. He was one of the most prominent members of the Berwick and Borders Farmers’ Association, now merged in the N.F.U., and there he took a leading part in the business coming before the Association from time to time. He is still associated with Norham and Islandshires Ploughing and Hedge Cutting Society, which was promoted to stimulate interest in successful tillage and farm cleanliness amongst farm workers and masters alike.

LOCAL NEWS

At the Kennel Club’s Championship Show at Crystal Palace, London, on November 3rd and 4th, Mr David Black, Berwick, won 1st prize Puppy, 3rd prize Limit, and 3rd prize Open Classes, with his sensational winning puppy, Tweedside Red Hot. His well known stud dog, Tweedside Red Squire, was also entered, but failed to do his weight, having lost 4½ lbs. on the journey down, so did not compete in either of his classes.

Wallace Green Literary Society, at their meeting on Monday evening, were invited to discuss various topics, suggested by contributions to the “Berwick Times.” The Editor, Mr W. Paterson, read the various articles, eight in number, and lively discussions followed each one. The first contribution was a poem entitled “Our Literary Society,” and dealt in humorous fashion with the “awful silence” that invariably fails upon the audience, when, after a paper, the chairman throws the meetings open to discussion. Then followed an interesting article entitled “Ought we to criticise the way other people spend their money?” by “Evangeline.” This provoked a good deal of discussion. A third article was in the nature of a plea for Wallace Green Church Library, founded in Golden Square Church in Dr Balmer’s days, when it was the only circulating library in the town. Now the membership has sunk to “three or four devoted souls,” but hopes were expressed that, the volumes having been put in order and the catalogue brought up to date, there would soon be a lengthy queue outside the Session House on a Thursday evening. “Diogenes” gave an amusing criticism on the meetings already held by the Society this session. “II Penseroso” treated with the slang phrase “ I don’t think,” arguing that it contained more than a germ of truth – that a great proportion of the men and women of today do not think, but accept the opinions of other people as their own. “A Sufferer” wrote of the behaviour of people in the street and the general neglect of the rule “keep to the right.” A strong condemnation of the delay in bringing the ex-Kaiser to justice, contributed by “Nemisis.” wound-up the evening. The eighth paper, in the form of a short letter was not read.

THE NEW RAILWAY BRIDGE

The deputation from the Town Council when it goes to Edinburgh to see the General Manager of the N.B.R. about the stairway to the Railway Bridge will have the solid backing of the inhabitants in the northern part of the town.

1970s view of Berwick Station was taken from the current road bridge, which at that time carried the main A1 road over the east coast main line. © Ben Brooksbank, Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0).

At the moment, when alterations are in progress, people are willing to put up with the absence of the stairway, but they could not be expected to do without it permanently. It will, however, be a great convenience to have the reconstructed stairway lead to the platform for the south trains. Under the old conditions, whether you were going north or south, you had to cross the bridge to get a ticket. If the stairway is placed as we suggest, only half of the passengers will need to cross the bridge.

INQUEST ON BERWICK CHILD

Coroner H. R. Peters, without calling a jury, on Friday night conducted an inquest in his office touching the death of Annie Bolton, the four month old child of Allison Bolton, single woman, Driver’s Lane, whose death occurred rather suddenly in the early hours of Thursday morning, 4th November.

Allison Bolton, the mother, identified the body as that of her child. The child had been suffering from a cold for two or three days, but she did not think there was anything seriously wrong with it. It had been taking its food regularly. At eight o’clock on Wednesday night she fed the child and put it into bed. Apart from the cold it was then all right. Witness went to bed shortly after, and at 1 am on Thursday was awakened by the child coughing and having difficulty with its breathing. She at once went for Dr P. W. Maclagan, leaving the child in her mother’s charge. On returning the child was dead.

Dr P. W. Maclagan said he was called by the last witness at 1.30 am on Thursday morning, and proceeded to the house in Driver’s Lane. On arriving there the child was found to be dead. It had only been dead a short time. He enquired about its illness, and was told it had been suffering from a cold, but had only become seriously ill at one o’clock. On Friday, along with Dr Caverhill, he conducted a post mortem at the mortuary, where he found that death had resulted from an attack of acute double pneumonia. The child was well nourished. Witness had attended the birth of the child, and at that time difficulty was experienced in getting the child to breathe. Otherwise the child was all right and healthy. In a child of that age the symptoms of double pneumonia would not be very marked prior to the fatal illness. The pneumonia would develop suddenly.

The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

This Week in World War One, 28 May 1915

Berwick Advertiser title 1915

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 28th MAY 1915

 

BERWICK’S EIGHTEEN HOLE GOLF

COURSE OPENED

 

Formal Handing Over of the New Nine Holes to Directors.

 

A large company of lady and gentlemen members with their friends assembled at the Golf House in the Magdalene Fields, Berwick, on Thursday afternoon to witness the opening of the new eighteen-hole golf course, and the handing over to the Directors of the Magdalene Fields Golf Company of the new nine holes. The Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs Thomas Wilson) were present, along with the Sheriff (Mr E. W. Stiles), the Chairman of the Magdalene Fields Company (Mr A. J. Dodds), and the Captain of the Club (Mr John Brough).

“For The Town’s Good.”

Mr Dodds, in accepting the new nine holes on behalf of the Company said :- On behalf of the Magdalene Fields Company I desire to take over this extended course which Mr Brough has

Magdalene Fields Golf Course, 20th Century Aerial photograph, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Magdalene Fields Golf Course, 20th Century Aerial photograph, Berwick-upon-Tweed

described to us, and in doing so I feel I must be getting a very venerable old man. (Laughter). The Club is the offspring of the Company, and the new eighteen hole course is the offspring of the Club, and we, as Directors stand in the position of being grandparents to  the new nine holes (laughter).

The fields were originally taken over from the Duke of Northumberland with special instructions that they were for the good of the town. The 18 holes have been carried out exactly in the same spirit and they are taken over in the spirit- for the good of the town. It is only for the members then to make it a huge success. Mr Brough has referred to to the question of the terrible war and perhaps we have some justification for holding this function this afternoon. We have 20 members actively serving in His Majesty’s Forces, and one has laid down his life. The course was laid for the good of the town and so our gathering today is of a public more than of a private nature and this is proved by the fact that it is patronised by the Mayor and Mayoress and our energetic Sheriff. I am glad to see with us an old member, and one who has taken a great interest in the extended course- I refer to Mr Thomas Carter, junior. (Applause) I have pleasure in declaring the course open. (Applause).

The captain said as a memento of the occasion he had pleasure in presenting to the Club a framed plan of the new course which had been excellently drawn up by Mr Carfrae of the Borough Surveyor’s office. (Applause.)

The company then adjourned to the first tee when Mr Dodds drove off the first ball, thereby beginning a mixed foursome competition (handicap stroke).

 

NORHAM DOCTOR FOR THE NAVY

 

We learn that Doctor John Paxton, Norham, has received an appointment as surgeon in the Royal Navy. Dr. Paxton left to take up his duties at Portsmouth on Wednesday. Dr. Paxton is the only son of Mrs Paxton, and the late Dr. John Paxton of Norham-on-Tweed. Dr. Paxton succeeded his father in practice at Norham, and he is also Medical Officer to the Rural District Council of Norham and Islandshires.

Berwick Advertiser 28 may 1915 Advert Berwick Cockles
Berwick Advertiser 28th May 1915 advert for Berwick Cockles

BELFORD

 

Promotion of a Local Soldier- The many friends of Col. Sergt. Sleath, civilian as well as military, will be pleased to hear of his promotion to the important rank of Staff Sergt. Major. he has just left for

Queen's South African Medal with three bars.
Queen’s South African Medal with three bars.

France to take up his duties on the Staff of the General officer in command of the Northern Territorial Division Base. A keen soldier, he has twice been  granted an extension having now served 25 years in the Army, 12 years as Col. Sergeant. he came to Belford seven years ago, as Instructor to “C” Company, 7th N.F., and during his term of years this Company has always held place as one of the most proficient of the Battalion, both in discipline and on parade. this alone shows his worth as an Instructor, especially considering the fact that this Company is recruited from a wide district, there being 30 outlying sections something like 10 or 12 miles from headquarters. On mobilisations he went with his Company to Tynemouth, and thence to Gosforth Park, where, chiefly through his influence, a large  percentage of his company volunteered for foreign service. Shortly after this he was transferred to the Notts and Derby Regiment at Chelmsford. Great disappointment was felt by the men of “C” Company when they learnt that he was not able to accompany them to the front. However, they may happen to stumble across him now, since he has gone out to the base. Needless to say they will all wish him luck on his well-deserved promotion. Staff Sergt. Major Sleath holds the South African Medal with three bars, as well as the Good Conduct Medal.