Bygones: What was making the news in the Newark Advertiser in 1922, 1972 and 1997, including Shrove Tuesday celebrations

25 years ago ­— February 14, 1997

ABOVE: There was plenty of pancake fun when the traditional fare made its annual appearance on Shrove Tuesday.

At St Peter’s Church of England Primary School, Farndon, there were playground pancake races.

A group of 35 youngsters took part in three races, according to their ages.

Horrified residents of a quiet Newark area are fighting plans that could lead to three new stores being built at the bottom of their gardens.

Early plans by JMI Rovinian indicate the stores on the Potterdyke carpark in Newark town centre will back on to Pelham Gardens.

Children from Mount School, Newark, made history when they buried a time capsule under a newly-landscaped area in the town’s Morrisons supermarket.

Buried in an airtight tin were various Morrisons items, including an old uniform, company magazine, badges, and terms and conditions of employment.

A British line-dancing record was set at Newark Showground when a total of 1,780 dancers took part in an event, smashing the previous record of 1,623.

People had to be turned away from the gate as fire regulations meant a strict number had been set for the record attempt.

A whole host of line-dancing clubs arrived by coach.

A Tuxford business that produces, among other things, moulds for garden gnomes, has seen sales soar thanks to the internet.

Conarts Mould Makers sales director Chris Spencer invested in a website to maintain contact with a client. Now customers can call up on their computer screens full details and pictures of Conart’s products.

Mr Spencer said that more than 500 people went through the website every week.

50 years ago ­— February 19, 1972

Above: Tossing their pancakes in a victory roll were waiter and waitress Barry Daubney, for Sue’s Restaurant, and Jacqueline Edgar, of the Robin Hood Hotel, Newark.

Jacqueline beat seven other waitresses to win the seventh annual charity pancake race through Newark Market Place on Shrove Tuesday.

Industry, education and social life are beginning to grind to a halt as the power crisis tightens its stranglehold.

Thousands of workers in Notts have been laid off or put on short-time. About 1,800 workers at the Newark factory of Ransome Hoffman Pollard Ltd are on short-time.

Youth facilities closed down and non-vocational evening classes suspended.

Schools that escaped closure through lack of fuel are now faced with closure because of power cuts.

Newark’s sugar factory completed this season’s sugar beet operation with “a bucketful of boiler fuel” to spare.

The Notts Building Preservation Trust has joined the battle to prevent the Royal Oak, Collingham, from being demolished to make way for a road-widening scheme.

Meanwhile, 200 regular customers have signed a petition protesting against the demolition.

Telephone lines have been humming since the town’s Chamber of Commerce announced it was planning a competition for the worst telephone switchboard.

The telephone girls are up in arms after Mr John Yates, the chamber’s secretary, criticised them for delays in handling calls.

100 years ago ­— February 15, 1922

The Brewster Sessions For Newark were held in the Town Hall when the Chief Constable (Mr A. Wright) presented his annual report.

During the year ended December 31, 1921, 20 persons were proceeded against on charges of drunkenness, an increase of three compared with 1920. Eighteen were men and two men.

There were 51 fully-licensed houses in the town, including one railway refreshment room, 13 beerhouses and 25 off-licences, including shops where wines and spirits, were sold in bottles.

An echo of an accident to a Newark man knocked down by a motor lorry drawing the Newark Corporation fire engine some months ago was heard by the Board of Guardians.

The man who was knocked down is in the workhouse infirmary and looked like staying there. The wife had been existing on £1 a week from Club money, and something now had to be done by someone.

The meeting was told the matter had been considered by the Town Council but some hitch had occurred because the woman, through a lawyer, was claiming £1,000 compensation.

There is a distinguished list of patronesses for the matinee to be held at Newark Palace Theatre in aid of the Women’s Unionist and Conservative Association.

The programme of songs, dances, and sketches should make for wide appeal.

Southwell Horticultural Society members were in merry and festive mood when they foregathered in the Crown Hotel for the 31st annual dinner.

The entertainment programme was of a high order.