What was making the news in the Newark Advertiser in 1924, 1974 and 1999
The Advertiser has opened its archives to see what was making the news this week 25, 50 and 100 years ago.
25 years ago – April 2, 1999
ABOVE: A colourful parade of Easter bonnets went on display at Holy Trinity Infants’ School, Southwell.
Children made a variety of headgear, including traditional straw hats, with ducks and rabbits a popular choice for decoration.
• The £1.5m project to create the Newark Riverside Park, opposite the castle, is now complete.
District council chairman Mr Eddie Jackson officially opened the ten-acre site, which features a new 220-space carpark and a children’s playground.
Work started in 1997 when the area, once the town cattle market, was derelict and overgrown.
• A party in Stapleford Woods has prompted forestry officials to launch an investigation into how the area can be protected.
More than 500 people attended a party in the woods at the weekend. Revellers began to arrive around midnight on Saturday and partied throughout Sunday.
• Jazzing up the culinary delights available to the Newark public is a finger-licking taste of America’s Deep South.
It is provided by the new Cajun Cafe and cellar restaurant at the corner of Kirkgate and Wilson Street, where the delightful dishes of Cajun and Creole cooking can be enjoyed.
• A major share of the £5m allocated to Nottinghamshire through the Government’s New Deal for Schools will go to the Newark High School.
The school is to receive £606,000 – one of the county’s largest grants.
The money will be spent on internal improvements to classrooms and other school buildings.
50 years ago – April 6, 1974
ABOVE: Boys as well as girls took part in the Easter hat parade at Farndon junior and infants’ school.
• Tenants of 192 council houses in Newark will be moved into caravans while their homes are improved. And it is very likely that their television viewing will not be interrupted.
Newark District Council’s housing manager Mr John Staton said it was hoped to arrange for TV aerial points to be provided in the caravans and removal vans would be provided for household effects.
The homes are mainly pre-war two-storey homes. Tenders are going out soon for the first 20 in Thoresby Avenue.
• The barracks in Albert Street, Newark, are to be demolished at the end of May or early June, it was announced after the final meeting of Notts County Council.
The council was asked when demolition was due for these “unsightly buildings”. Windows were being smashed and the building was an absolute shambles, it was said.
• So far, about 2,000 signatures have been collected in the Southwell area in support of a campaign to save Southwell Minster Grammar School.
Canvassers report considerable disquiet at the prospect of a large comprehensive school.
Support is being given by many teachers in comprehensive schools and there is significant support from parents of children at the Edward Cludd Secondary Modern School, who feel their children are receiving a good education in tune with their needs.
• Bill-sticking in town and country came under attack at a meeting of Newark District Council planning and development committee.
Newark’s empty Hamilton and Bell store in Appletongate came in for a pasting and the Tories were criticised by Labour members, and one of their own, for sticking election posters on trees.
100 years ago – April 2, 1924
Unemployment at Newark is serious just now.
In the report by the manager of the local Labour Exchange it is stated that some 200 men were thrown out of work by the ceasing of operations at the Kelham factory of Home-Grown Sugar Ltd.
During the present month, engineering employees have been discharged owning to ceasing to work a nightshift and bring 200 to 300 more on the register.
• At a meeting of Southwell Rural District Council, held at the Workhouse, it was agreed to purchase an additional steamroller, water cart and sleeping van.
Mr Simpson said they were always having to hire and they would save money by having one of their own.
The roads wanted very much attention and they would be continually hiring throughout the year unless they purchased one of their own.
• The first annual banquet of the Newark Chamber of Commerce, held at the town hall, was an outstanding success.
The dinner was excellent and the speeches of absorbing interest, riveting the attention of the large audience.
Sir Arthur Balfour, president of the Association of Chambers of Commerce, was the guest of the evening.
• Thomas Wells, 34, labourer, of no fixed abode, was admitted into the casual ward of Newark Workhouse.
When set to do his task the next morning, however, he declined and after becoming abusive, jumped over the gate and ran away.
He was caught by the Labour Master and taken to the police station. Later in the morning he was brought before magistrates and sent for 14 days hard labour.
