Bygones: A look at stories in the Newark Advertiser from years gone by, including Labour's first election wins, and a shift at Newark Fire Station
A round-up of what was making the news in the Advertiser 25, 50 and 100 years ago.
It includes news of a smash and grab raiders in Newark, a quiet shift at Newark Fire Station and Labour's first Newark council seats.
Do you recognise the Newark firemen in the photo?
25 years ago — November 4, 1994
ABOVE: A group of Coddington Venture Scouts have been given their first driving lessons, despite being too young to apply for provisional licences.
They were allowed behind the wheel of a car at the Newark Showground off-road driving centre as part of a road safety lesson.
Louise Smithson, 16, is pictured in the car.
Smash and grab raiders are causing thousands of pounds worth of damage in Newark town centre.
Newark police are appealing for late-night revellers leaving public houses and people on the streets after dark to keep their eyes open.
A swan that was attacked by firework-throwing yobs and flew in panic into the path of a car, has been returned to the River Trent after spending the weekend in the care of a specialist vet.
The young female swan lives on the river near the Barge pub, Newark. She was injured when the fireworks were thrown from Trent Bridge.
She panicked, flew up on the bridge, and was hit by a car.
Business facilities should be boosted at Newark Town Hall to increase its business potential as a venue for business meetings, it was agreed.
Members of the town’s finance and general purposes committee agreed to buy a slide projector costing more than £500.
About 50 people took part in the annual conker championships at the Full Moon Inn, Morton.
Morton won the team event after nearly two hours of knockout rounds. Individual winner was Charlotte Harrington, 9.
50 years ago — November 8, 1969
ABOVE: The only fires the brigade’s staff at Newark had to contend with were their cigarettes.
Five men at the station are seen waiting for any Guy Fawkes’ evening alarm calls.
None came.
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire county councils are combining in an all-out campaign to attract foreign industrialists to this part of the country.
The sites they will offer include several in the Dukeries, and Newark is mentioned in the propoganda they are putting out.
“Now it looks as if we are going into the Common Market there will be plenty of European firms looking for a foothold in this country,” said the chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s finance committee, Mr James Lester.
Newark Town Council has authorised inquiries about the possible use of chemicals to prevent conkers growing in the cemetery.
And the police are to be asked to help in curbing children trying to get conkers off the trees.
The Chief Constable told Newark Rural District Council that the panda car system of police patrolling was being introduced to the Newark area because of the increase in crime and vandalism.
“Officers will be equipped with personal radio sets and improvements in communications and mobility will enable us to provide a better service,” he said.
During the past year, 1,174 Notts schoolchildren had warts removed at minor ailments clinics.
100 years ago - November 5, 1919
Newark, in common with other parts of the country, has succumbed to the invasion of Labour.
The declaration of the polls showed the Labour candidates victorious to a degree far beyond their wildest dreams.
The new Franchise Act, which gave the women’s vote, introduced an unknown factor, and the general opinion is that while the workers’ wives went with their husbands and voted for Labour, there was a certain element of abstention on behalf of middle-class women.
Two delighted audiences illustrated their appreciation of the excellent entertainment provided by the XQ’s concert party at Newark Town Hall.
A splendid combination of talent had been brought together and, as a result of the company’s endeavours to entertain and amuse, a considerable sum of money should be handed over to the Newark Hospital.
There was a large attendance and splendid exhibits at the Collingham Show, after a break of three years owing to the war.
Some fine work was done with the plough, special interest being taken in a class confined to women.
Pretty little pansy faces were in great evidence when Newark people were asked to contribute towards that deserving object, the Mission Of Seamen.
Pansy Day was originally arranged for Wednesday, but rain interfered and it was postponed to Saturday.
A large number of ladies and young people participated in the pansy barrage and, as a result, £34 has been forwarded to the mission.
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