Who were the local characters?
The following local Berwickers were associated with the Palace Green Pavilion in the 19th Century.
Who was Alfred Wallace?
Alfred Wallace was the fifth child of James and Helen Wallace of 22 Quay Walls. He was born in 1881 but died in 1896. His father, a well-known artist, was appointed Head of the Berwick Art School in 1873. Alfred’s brother James, 10 years his senior became a professional artist of some repute, training initially with his father and then in 1896, winning a scholarship to the Royal College of Art. James Junior, his brother William and three friends, known as the Quintet, kept in touch by a series of monthly letters, beautifully illustrated with sketches and photographs. These were bound into 13 volumes, which were eventually left to Berwick Grammar School. In 1986 they were transferred to Berwick Museum and Art Gallery. An exhibition of the work of James Wallace Junior, including the Quintet volumes was held in the Museum in 1995 accompanied by an illustrated booklet written and researched by Liz Doley.
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Alfred grew up in the Palace area at a time when the Pavilion housed a Reading Room and Billiard Hall and the grassy area, a Bowling Green. He attended the British School in Palace Street and later transferred to Mr Paterson’s Academy, now The Retreat, on The Avenue.
Just before Alfred died, plans were in hand for an extension to the west end of the Pavilion for a smoking room, coal hole and WC.
It seems fitting that the camaraderie, inventiveness and love of the outdoors shown by Alfred and his band of friends should have been reflected in generations of Cubs and Scouts who have used the building since 1914.
We hope that Alfred’s legacy will continue, not just in relation to future Scouting activities but also to the other groups of individuals, who will be able to use a newly refurbished Pavilion.
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The 'Alfred Wallace' booklet is on sale in Berwick-upon-Tweed for £2 at the Main Guard, Tourist Information Centre, Grieves’ and Doolally at the Town House. If you wish order the booklet through our website, please use the
Contact Us page.
Important Note: An extra £1 mailing charge will be added to your website order to cover postage and packaging.
Who was Jimmy Strength?
From the Berwick Advertiser February 19 1897:
“JEMMY STRENGTH – The stone figure of Jas. Stewart, the old dragoon known as Jemmy Strength, which formerly stood in the garden at Bay View, and was afterwards removed to the grounds at the Tweed Brewery, has now been placed on the Green at the Subscription Reading Rooms in the Palace. The figure is the work of the late Mr. Wilson, lighthousekeeper, Berwick.”
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Image of Jimmy Strength at the Pavilion
James Stuart was known locally as ‘Jimmy Strength’. He was born in Charlestown, South Carolina on Christmas Day 1728. He was present at the Battle of Culloden and claimed descent from Charles Edward Stuart.
He lived in the Berwick area in the 1790s playing the violin; he was a ‘most wretched performer’.
At only 5 feet 2 inches tall, however, he was remarkably strong and could alledgedly lift weights of a half ton or more. He had six wives and twenty seven children and died in April 1844 at the age of 115.
The statue is now broken and the pieces are stored at Berwick Barracks, where it was first exhibited over 150 years ago. To view the staue in its current state, click Remains of Jimmy Strength's Statue.
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