Review of the year part one: A look back at what made the news in the Newark Advertiser from January to June 2023
The Advertiser has looked back on what was a busy and momentous year for news across the area.
Today we will remember some eventful moments from January to June.
JANUARY
A Newark police officer bravely saved a man from drowning in the River Trent.
Sergeant Robert Harrison (pictured) clung to the drowning man for 20 weary, strength-sapping minutes until he could be plucked to safety. Other officers clung to Mr Harrison to ensure he didn’t fall in the cold water.
"It was a real team effort. Everyone from all three emergency services acted as one immediately to save this man's life," said the sergeant.
Businesses showed community spirit as they helped a mother raise money to build a downstairs bedroom and wetroom for her disabled daughter.
They donated prizes from their different businesses so that mum Helen Mathers could hold weekly raffles to boost her fundraising for Libby.
The Red Arrows made a temporary airspace move to RAF Syerston following the closure of its previous base at RAF Scampton.
Elsewhere, Norwell residents opposed plans for a 75 hectare solar farm, equivalent to 87 football pitches.
The issues raised by residents include the impact on heritage assets, risk of increased floods, soil being of great quality for growing food and the loss of views.
The owner of Janice Rose Lingerie went viral on TikTok with a video teaching how to put on a bra correctly.
Janice Holmes created a TikTok account to create fun yet educational content, from teaching how to put on bras the correct way to what breast shape you are which led to thousands of views and likes.
FEBRUARY
Striking gold was 18-year-old Dylan Hancock, who found a 7th Century Anglo-Saxon gold brooch while scanning a field in Farndon.
The teen had only began metal detecting less than two years ago, and had discovered many things from common trash to historical trinkets, but this discovery far outweighed the coins and musket balls he was used to.
A combination of a wine bar and hairdressers opened its doors on The Wharf under the name Not My Monkey and Inizio hair salon.
The hair salon, just across from the river, was in Stodman Street, Newark for 13 years before the owner opened the quirky mixture.
Continuing the drinks theme, Fran Gresswell, of Newark, launched her own iced tea brand at the age of 21.
The former criminology student at Durham University founded Riviera Iced Tea, vegan, natural, low cal and gluten-free drinks.
An Olympic-standard climbing centre opened at the YMCA Community and Activity Village, including an Olympic-standards speed wall and bouldering with rope climbing from six to 15,5 metres.
Ryan Weekley, of Balderton, entered ITV reality show Love Island as one of the show’s six bombshells.
The Bingham Arena Leisure Centre also opened its doors on Chapel Lane at the beginning of the month.
The £13m building hosts a 25-metre six-lane swimming pool, teaching pool, fitness centre, and 80-station fitness studio.
A family celebrated five generations of girls after the arrival of a great-great-granddaughter.
Romi Elizabeth Carlton, was the newest addition to the Newark and Scarborough-based family, and with the mum Alisha Carlton, grandma Leanne Berry, great-grandma Lorraine Pailing and 93-year-old great-great-grandma Elsie Marshall, becomes a fifth generation of girls.
MARCH
In the latest blow to Newark town centre, Wetherspoons announced it was to close the Sir John Arderne pub near Newark Market Place.
The pub, which finally closed in August, was one of several national chains to quit the town in 2023, including Barclays and Wilko, which went bust.
But one chain coming to the area was Welcome Break, which opened its services at Fernwood.
Dozens of people braved the cold by sleeping outside in solidarity with the homeless and raised £13,000 for Newark Emmaus Trust at The Big Newark Sleep Out at the YMCA Newark and Sherwood.
Red Nose Day was also marked across the district with several schools fundraising and hosting awareness events.
Another mass-participation event was World Book Day, which saw hundreds of children across the district dress as their favourite characters.
The event encourages youngsters to read.
Compendium make World Book Day donation to pupils at Lovers' Lane Primary School, Newark.
The annual service of remembrance was held at Newark Cemetery to mark the 82nd anniversary of the bombing of Ransome and Marles factory in Newark that killed 41 people during the second world war.
APRIL
Heartbroken mother Natasha Broadley launched a petition to improve caravan safety after the cause of death of her two-year-old daughter in a fire while on a family holiday was determined to be accidental.
Louisiana Brooke Dolan died at Sealands Caravan Park, Ingoldmells, created the petition as she wants the law changed to make health and safety checks and gas certificates mandatory for caravans so other people don’t have to go through the same pain as she and her family.
A new partnership was announced between Newark’s Air and Space Institute run by Lincoln College Group and Nottingham Trent University allowed students fly higher and complete a top-up degree after finishing their studies.
To celebrate the new Brompton Bike docking station at Newark Northgate Station, residents and visitors were able to access the bikes for free until the end of the month.
The Scouts Association took park in activities at Newark’s Riverside Park to mark St George’s Day.
Much-loved Simply Sweet in Cartergate, Newark, closed as costs continued to rise, leaving the owner no other option.
But in Southwell, the Oak restaurant opened at the Saracen’s Head opened its doors to the public for the first time, championing seasonal flavours and ingredients sourced from nearby producers.
And it was announced the historic Corn Exchange in Newark would be re-opening as a club in the summer after several years of lying empty.
MAY
The Conservatives were the big losers in the Local Elections, losing control of Newark Town Council and Newark and Sherwood District Council.
There were a number of high-profile casualties, including council leader David Lloyd, in what was a terrible day for the Tories but one of celebration for the independents and Labour, who took control of the district council.
Town Mayor Laurence Goff stepped away from politics at the election and was honoured with a mural on Castlegate store Village Chic for his service.
Crowds again turned out in force for the Nottinghamshire County Show at Newark Showground.
AJ’s School of Dance in Cartergate, Newark expanded its programme offering students college diploma qualifications.
The Savage Performing Arts Academy curriculum expansion offers a BTEC level three diploma.
The national DIY chain B&Q opened a new store in Maltings Retail Park, Northgate.
Newark was a hive of activity for World Bees Day as protesters took to the streets to bring attention to the plight of the species.
Towns and villages across the district were bedecked in red, white and blue to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.
Streets were adorned with bunting and flags.
Despite the rain, street parties and celebrations were held across the district, including in Newark Market Place where events in London were shown on a big screen.
JUNE
Newark’s Beer and Cider Festival returned to its roots at Newark Castle for its 26th year — and had run out of drink by the last day.
Following the festival's trend, Newark’s Food and Drink Festival made an appearance in the town feeding smiles and stomachs.
Hundreds sampled Greek food and Spanish paella along with Lincolnshire sausages and Belgian coconut macaroons.
Hundreds of Steampunks descended on the town to showcase their creativity.
It included stalls, a fashion show, a gala ball at Newark Town Hall and a party in the castle grounds.
The Children’s Bereavement Centre’s Day Campaign painted the town blue ahead of its Meadow of Memories exhibition in the grounds of Newark Castle in which hundreds of blue metal daisies flooded the historic location in memory of loved ones and to raise money for the charity.
More than 300 people attended the Newark Business Awards black-tie ceremony, organised by the Advertiser, at the Newark Showground to see the winners crowned.
Also celebrating was Bakkavor Desserts on Newark Industrial Estate, which marked 30 years of business and community involvement.
The popular Mexican restaurant Holy Moly, previously operating on Stodman Street re-opened at the Fox and Crown pub on Appletongate in Newark.
