Moot Hall talk at heritage festival

A talk on the history of one of Newark Market Place’s most imposing buildings will form part of the town’s 11-day heritage festival, which starts next week.

Local historian Anne Coyne will give speak on the Moot Hall, where her family used to run a music shop.

The building, which is now occupied by Starbucks, was built in 1708 and was the town hall for 70 years. Shop fronts were later added to the ground floor.

Anne’s great-grandfather, Mr Arthur Frederick Coyne, set up a music shop in the mid-1920s called His Master’s Voice.

He had played in bands and orchestras, and was the bandmaster of the Sherwood Foresters Regiment.

The business expanded to stock electrical items, including televisions.

The firm went into liquidation in the early 1960s. The property was rebuilt in 1966 because it was in danger of collapsing.

Currys bought the building and paid for an exact replica of the façade.

Anne hoped to have a collection of music business items on display, including an historic Clumberphone gramophone.

She said: “We wanted to have the talk in the building because it related to its history and my family history.

“I have been doing family research for a few years and have dug into the local archives.

“This is an important festival. We have expanded the period it is held over to reduce conflict with other heritage days in other places. We hope it will be well supported.”

The talk will be in Starbucks from 6.15pm to 8pm on September 18. Entry is free and there will be coffee tasting.

The festival is organised by Newark Heritage Group. It runs from September 12-22.

Other talks will cover the English Civil War, the yards of Newark, the history of the Post Office in Newark, the town’s buildings and architecture, and heritage protection.

There will be tours of The Arcade between the Market Place and Cartergate, medieval and post-Reformation Christian sites, the Palace Theatre, Barnbygate Methodist Church and Millgate.

A Battle of Britain flypast and a guided exploration of the castle grounds are planned.

The Newark Cemetery Interpretation Centre will be open on September 22 to help visitors discover more about their family ancestors in the graveyard.

Friends of Newark Cemetery chairman Mr Laurence Goff said: “It is important we keep our heritage growing and make people aware of Newark’s rich history.”

To book events, and to find out more about the festival, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk or pick up an information leaflet at Newark Town Hall.