I'm sure we can all agree 2020 has been one hell of a year...

With the main topic unavoidably being coronavirus, we have tried to keep things positive for you while not escaping the realities.

Here is our Review of the Year.

JANUARY

Optimism for year of celebration

THE year started with a gala launch of the centenary celebrations of Newark Palace Theatre, not knowing what a turbulent time lay ahead for the venue.

Guests were transported back in time to the 1920s, including a speak easy on the stage, to celebrate 100 years of the theatre.

There was another celebration of the past when crowds gathered at Newark Northgate Station to bid farewell to the iconic Inter-City 125.

Newark Foodbank was reporting its busiest ever year in 2019, and its most generous for donations.

Outpouring of support

WHEN Bella the Belgian shepherd was found half-drowned in the River Trent there was an outpouring of outrage ­— and generosity.

Bella was spotted and rescued by a passer-by at Farndon and taken into the care of the RSPCA.

The charity was inundated with good wishes, donations, gifts and treats for Bella, and many offers to re-home her.

FEBRUARY

Storms Ciara and Dennis create havoc

BACK-TO-BACK storms caused damage and flooding across the district.

First to blow in was Storm Ciara, followed a week later by Storm Dennis.

Water levels on the River Trent rose dramatically, bursting its banks, and many villages reported flooding.

The death of war hero Jim Auton led to a campaign to have a street name in Warsaw, Poland, named after him in recognition of his efforts in the 1944 warsaw Uprising.

February also saw Newark and Sherwood voted one of the best places to live in the UK, based on housing, education, employment and crime.

On song for big match

OFFICIALS and supporters of Newark Town were in fine voice ahead of their Nottinghamshire Senior Cup match against Notts County.

They went to F. P. Studios in Balderton to record their version of Endor’s Pump It Up, which was played at the YMCA Stadium and the dressing room before the big match.

Unfortunately, the team lost 3-1 in front of more than 700 fans.

MARCH

Heading into coronavirus lockdown...

MARCH was the month that the impact of coronavirus hit. The first cases in the district were reported in Southwell and within days the country was in lockdown.

The first signs of concern about the virus was supplies of hand sanitiser running out, following by panic-buying that cleared the supermarket shelves. Queues outside shops became a regular sight.

Nottinghamshire County Show, Southwell Music Festival and the Gate To Southwell Festival were all early victims of the pandemic.

Brightly-coloured rainbows appeared in windows n support of the hard-working NHS and residents applauded on their doorsteps every Thursday at 8pm in a weekly Clap For Carers tribute.

Tourists left stranded abroad

THE sudden worldwide lockdown because of coronavirus left many tourists scrambling to get home.

Natasha Pearson’s birthday trip to Rome with husband David was disrupted when Italy went into lockdown but managed to get a flight home before services stopped.

Not so lucky was Jessica Stafford and Luke Martin who were stranded in Peru and unable to get a flight home when the country’s president shut the country down.

They eventually got home on a relief flight organised by the Foreign Office.

APRIL

'This is for Boris'

THE full effect of the pandemic was starting to become clear ­— and residents and communities responded in force.

Abbott & Co, of Newark, started making pressure vessels to provide life-saving oxygen to patients at the newly-established Nightgale Hospitals, including one with a special message to Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he battled coronavirus in intensive care.

Concerns over social distancing were raised at several district workplaces, and police patrols were stepped up to ensure everyone was following the guidelines.

In an attempt to cheer up the nation, Clare Laxton, of Sutton-on-Trent, launched a petition urging the BBC to rerun its coverage of the 2012 London Olympics.

Much-needed charity help

CHARITIES were hard-hit by the pandemic because of the closure of charity shops and cancellation of fundraisers.

However, many people used lockdown to raise money for their favourite causes.

A hugely-popular fundraiser in the summer sun was a teddy bears’ picnic for the Children’s Bereavement Centre, Newark.

A SPECIALLY-DECORATED minibus delivered some Easter cheer to pupils at William Gladstone Academy, Newark.

MAY

Street parties at a social distance

DESPITE the ongoing coronavirus restrictions, the district was determined to party to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Bunting was put up, Union flags were flown, and socially-distanced street parties took place as people enjoyed the sunshine and a chance to socialise.

With cinemas still closed, plans were announced to bring drive-in movies to Newark Showground over the summer months. These proved so successful, they were extended to the end of the year.

To help get the nation moving again after the pandemic, plans to dual the Newark bypass were brought forward.

Plans also progressed for Newark’s Town Fund bid and residents were asked to give their views on how the £25m of government money should be spent.

The out-pouring of love for the NHS was continuing with fundraising efforts, the Clap For Carers and lorries being driven through the town decorated in tribute to the service.

JUNE

Glimmer of hope as businesses are back

THERE was a glimmer of hope in June as non-essential businesses started to re-open after lockdown, although pubs and restaurants remained closed.

Shop owners appealed for people to support them as they tried to make up for months of lost trade.

And shoppers responded and queues immediately formed outside stores.

The re-opening of fast food outlets didn’t please everyone though as complaints were made about an increase in litter.

King Street in Southwell was closed to vehicles to help shoppers keep to the two-metre rule and consultation started to see if the street should be permanently pedestrianised on Saturdays.

Pupils in reception and years one and six returned to school after being home-schooled since March.

Tributes to stalwart AJ

AROUND 100 people gathered outside a shop to pay tribute to its owner Ajit ‘AJ’ Odedra after his sudden death.

Residents applauded the man who had been at the heart of the community as owner of A&S Convenience Store on Meering Avenue, Newark.

Later in the year, on what would have been his birthday, the store was renamed in his memory.

A BOY with a dream of becoming a firefighter got a surprise visit from his heroes after his fifth birthday plans were disrupted by coronavirus.

Firefighters from Bingham, Highfields and Beeston drove by Henry Bard’s house in Lowdham to help celebrate his special day.

AUGUST

Towns Fund bid set to take off

AFTER months of preparation, the bid for £25m of funding was submitted to the government.

At the heart of Newark’s bid were plans for the country’s first International Air and Space Institute, which aims to produce the next generation of pilots, astronauts, engineers and ground staff.

Other proposals included in the bid were a distribution hub, a gateway project of hotel and conference centre, redevelopment of the Marks and Spencer building, and the moving of Newark Police Station to Castle House.

There were celebrations across the district as students received their GCSE and A-level results.

Because of the pandemic, they did not sit their final exams and the results were controversially based on mock exam results and teacher assessments.

Thousands of people took advantage of cut-price meals as part of the Eat Out To Help Out campaign after the re-opening of pubs and restaurants.

Mass testing of staff took place at Newark’s Bakkavor factory after an outbreak there.

Another victim of the pandemic was the long-standing Fox And Crown pub on Appletongate, Newark, which closed for good at the end of the month.

Stay at home vacations

LOTTERY winners Andrew and Paula Hancock, of Boughton, were forced to put their round-the-world travel plans on hold thanks the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead, the couple, who won £1m on a National Lottery scratchcard, used some of the money to buy a camper van, to travel around some of the the UK beauty spots instead.

JULY

Making voices heard for black lives matter

MORE than 100 people took part in an anti-racism rally in Newark, part of a worldwide protest launched following the death of George Floyd under the knee of a police officer in the US.

Led by the Rev David Pickersgill, of Newark Parish Church, the campaigners marched into the Market Place, where a rally was held that aimed to show there was no place for racism in Newark.

The day before, William Gladstone Church of England Academy, Newark, announced the former Prime Minister’s name would be removed from the school’s name.

The head said the name of the 19th Century politician, whose family had links to the slave trade, was at odds with a Church of England school.

Bike idea is pedalled

IT WAS revealed Newark’s version of a Boris Bike could soon be pedalling into town.

Under the scheme, the public would be able to hire fold-up bikes from various points in the town for a day, week or month, at a cost equivalent to public transport.

The idea was suggested during public consultation for the Newark Town’s Fund bid and company Brompton Bike Hire brought some examples to the Market Place to pitch the idea to residents.

SEPTEMBER

Regeneration projects take shape

THE owners of Newark Corn Exchange were granted a licence ­— although not on the terms they wanted ­— to bring the historic building back to life.

Corn Exchange Newark plans to convert the derelict building into a food court, main bar with gaming area and cocktail bar.

A glimpse was also given into the Travelodge development on the former Robin Hood Hotel site.

Work had continued on the controversial development, despite the pandemic, and it is due to open in February.

The first sod was cut on the new Christ Church School being built on the Middleback development, which is also due for completion next year.

Meanwhile, the first students moved into the district’s newest secondary school ­— The Suthers School, at Fernwood Business Park.

DEPUTY manager of Southwell Court Care Home, Debbie Cook, crocheted care worker bears to say thank you to colleagues for their efforts during the pandemic.

Taking on Challenge Les

MEMORIES of 1980s television favourite Treasure Hunt and Challenge Anneka were revived in Newark with Challenge Les (right).

Dressed in a shellsuit, Les Jones, director of Inizio salon, dashed around town to promote independent businesses.

He visited 12 shops to interview their owners, which was live-streamed on Facebook.

OCTOBER

Reacher launched to bring crooks to book... and unitary authority plans prove not so super

A WARNING was sent out to criminals in the district with the launch of Operation Reacher.

The dedicated team from Nottinghamshire Police will work alongside neighbourhood teams in areas of anti-social behaviour, carry out drugs raids, and safeguard the roads.

Controversial plans to axe Nottinghamshire County Council and the seven borough and district councils, and replace them with one super council, had been revived during the coronavirus pandemic.

However, in the face of fierce opposition, county council leader Key Cutts was once again forced to abandon the project.

She later announced she would not be standing again in next year’s local elections.

Runners across the district took part in the delayed London Marathon ­— which was held virtually. Entrants were asked to run the distance locally during the allocated day of the race.

SOUTHWELL traders, such as Helen Netherwood, of Home Bake, decorated their windows as part of a scaled-back Bramley Festival.

Creating art in a box

A REDUNDANT telephone box was given a new lease of life ­— as an art gallery.

Artist Tony Player used the phone box in Alverton to promote an art exhibition he was holding in the village.

In December, villagers decided to incorporate the phone box into a Nativity scene.

It became the stable, complete with straw roof and star above.

NOVEMBER

Family's Christmas wish comes true

A FAMILY will celebrate a Christmas miracle this year ­— thanks to generous Advertiser readers.

A fundraising campaign was launched in July to pay for revolutionary cancer treatment for Anita Dickens, who had been told she had just months to live.

Thousands of pounds was quickly raised to allow her to start treatment. And in November, her family were told the treatment had worked, extending her life by years.

Appeal for comfort dog to be returned home

ANOTHER mum hoping for a Christmas miracle is Sheila Sims, who appealed for the return of her autistic son’s comfort dog, Pippa, who had gone missing, leaving Luke devastated.

Advertiser readers responded to the plea with a host a generous gestures for 12-year-old Luke, who had given all his birthday money, which he had planned to put towards a a new phone, to an reward for the safe return of his beloved pet.

Remembrance

PUPILS at The King’s Church of England Primary Academy, Newark, mark Remembrance Day.

DECEMBER

Fundraiser goes ahead

SCHOOLS and businesses across the Advertiser organised socially-distanced fundraising events for the BBC’s annual Children In Need appeal.

Unable to hold their usual fundraisers, many schools opted to hold non-uniform days, with a spotty or yellow theme, to raise money for the worthy cause.

SIMPLY CRACKERS, of Bottesford, created special crackers for socially-distanced revellers to enjoy.

Traders' plea: Use us or lose us

PEOPLE were warned they must change their shopping habits, or risk losing their high streets.

That was the assessment as shops came out of a second enforced shutdown.

Darren Burke, of Masdings and Oxygen, said the growing reliance on online retailers was a threat to the high street.

After a tough year of trading, independent retailers were hoping for a bumper December.

Newark and Sherwood District Council introduced a Retail Assurance Scheme to help reassure shoppers that stores were covid safe.

Independent retailers launched a T-shirt and banner campaign to help spread the shop local message.

The annual Christmas Market managed to go ahead to give charities the chance to recoup some of their lost income.

Elsewhere, consultation started on the scheme to dual the Newark bypass, and plans were revealed for a possible one-way system in part of Newark town centre.

Business awards

THE big winner at Newark Business Awards was Matthew Ellis-Mather and his company, Magnet Expert Ltd, which picked up three awards.

Teen's delight at puppy gift

A TEENAGER who was severely injured in a crash that killed his pet dog was overjoyed with the gift a new puppy.

Roma Wight-Smith gave Senna, a whippet, to Daniel Moncaster, of Bingham, after seeing the Advertiser’s coverage of the incident.

Daniel, who suffered leg injuries after being hit by a drug-driver, said the puppy would help him on the road to recovery.

#ShopNewark

A BANNER encourages people to shop local, left, and Newark Patriotic Fund’s stall on the Christmas Market, right.

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