Newark Advertiser's Review of the Year in words and pictures
I'm sure we can all agree 2021 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
Another year, another lockdown — But vaccine brings hope for the end of covid
THE year started with yet another covid lockdown with a stay at home message, unless there were exceptional circumstances.
Despite the blow, traders understood the need for such government action to keep the public safe following a sharp rise in coronavirus cases, putting the NHS under pressure.
Among the first to get their covid jab at the newly-opened Newark Showground vaccination centre were Tony Parker, 81, and his wife, Beryl.
Away from the centres, volunteers went into care homes and visited vulnerable people to deliver doses.
ELSEWHERE, Winthorpe residents launched a campaign in opposition to suggestions from Highways England to dual the A46, saying it would damage their village.
AND the first of the Newark Town Fund projects got under way with the expansion of Newark College.
February
Security campaign leads to safer streets — Police go hi-tech in the fight against crime
A CRACKDOWN on crime that saw £½m invested in new technology and security was starting to pay off.
The Safer Streets project, launched in the Northgate and Chatham Court areas of Newark, saw upgraded security measures, improved lighting and sophisticated crime-fighting tools introduced as part of the Safer Streets initiative.
THERE was also good news for residents of Yorke Drive in Newark, when Newark and Sherwood District Council agreed to put an extra £3m towards the estate regeneration project to meet a shortfall in government funding.
NEWARK’S market received national praise with a Market Heroes award for its continuing operation during covid.
The award particularly recognised its free market day deliveries to residents unable to leave their homes due to self-isolating or lack of mobility.
A NEW walk-in covid testing centre opened at Newark Sports And Fitness Centre in the continuing fight against coronavirus.
Hundreds of people would use the facility in the months it was open.
MANY businesses hit by the virus found other ways to operate and help others, such as the Beanblock Café in Newark that served up community meals and Hajra Kemari, of Petit Versailles, who produced an eye-catching window display tribute to the NHS.
March
Robin Hood saga concludes — Opening of new Travelodge ends 20-year row
WORK to transform the former Robin Hood Hotel in Newark into a Travelodge was completed, bringing to an end a saga lasting more than 20 years.
From the rubble of the Robin Hood came a new 66-bedroom Travelodge along with ground-floor retail units for commercial tenants.
WITH the end of one campaign, there started another — this one for public recognition for the last surviving Dambuster Johnny Johnson for his 100th birthday.
Alas, the campaign has so far been unsuccessful.
THERE wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Caroline Goodwin, of Bleasby, was re-united with her 85-year-old mother Pauline at Lancaster Grange Care Home, Fernwood, following a change in coronavirus regulations.
It was the first time in a year that the pair had been able to hold hands after visits were allowed if visitors had a negative lateral flow test and wore protective equipment.
PLANS to relocate Newark Police Station to Castle House were given the go-ahead, but police and crime commissioner candidate Caroline Henry made an election pledge to look at the decision again, if elected in May.
April
Hundreds sign up to save sports facilities — Clubs priced out of Lowfields by cost of lease
AROUND 2,000 people signed petitions to save Lowfields, home of the town’s top football team, Newark FC.
The gates were locked and the club forced to ground share with Basford after the landowner put up the cost of the Lowfields lease.
ONCE again, businesses prepared to re-open after the latest coronavirus lockdown.
The latest phase of the government’s roadmap out of restrictions was the re-opening of non-essential shops, libraries, gyms and hairdressers.
THERE was a happy ending to the story of Bella, the dog who captured the nation’s heart after being rescued from the freezing waters of the Trent in January 2020 when her owners tried to drown her.
After recuperating with the RSCPA, Bella finally found her forever home, living out the rest of her life with a loving family until her death in November.
May
Appeal means life’s a beach for Tommy — Advertiser readers rally round for fundraiser
AN APPEAL to raise buy an all-terrain buggy for a teenager with a life-limiting condition met its target within 24 hours thanks to the generosity of Advertiser readers.
THE new Mayor of Newark, Labour’s Lisa Geary, was the first in Newark Town Council’s history to be elected on a Zoom call because of the on-going covid pandemic.
It wasn’t such good news for Labour in the local elections, where they won only one seat locally on Nottinghamshire County Council.
IN THE police and crime commissioner election, Conservative Caroline Henry beat the Labour candidate, and current commissioner Paddy Tipping, and immediately said she would look again at the relocation of Newark Police Station.
AN ARTWORK installation filled Southwell Minster with leaves in a reflective memorial to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Leaves Of The Trees, by acclaimed sculptor Peter Walker, featured 5,000 steel leaves, each individually engraved with the word ‘hope’.
BEAUMOND HOUSE planted the first 150 handmade
ceramic hearts, made by Karen Chesney, featuring the names of loved ones in the hospice garden.
June
End of line for livestock market — Planning permission is granted for demolition
WRECKING ball was at the ready for Newark Livestock Market as planning permission was granted for its demolition.
The site was to be cleared to make way for the International Air and Space Institute (IASTI) as part of the town’s fund project.
THERE was also hope that two other major, long-standing town projects could be about to be completed after years of campaigning.
A £20m bid was submitted to the government — and later approved — to complete the final sections of the southern relief road between Farndon and Fernwood.
And a fly-over at Newark’s Cattle Market roundabout was revealed as the favoured option as part of the A46 Newark bypass dualling scheme.
THE near-death experience of Denmark footballer Christian Eriksen on the pitch at the Euro 2020 Championships prompted the Newark sporting community to act to keep participants safe.
Among them was Jim Reynolds, who gave £900 to Epic Golden Gloves boxing gym for a defibrillator and training on how to use it.
July
Wedding heartache for many — Cancellations caused by Kelham Hall closure
THERE was a shock for many couples as Kelham Hall suddenly closed and its operating company went into liquidation.
Weddings and other events planned at the historic hall and grounds were all cancelled, leaving some thousands of pounds out of pocket.
Within months the hall had new owners and Renaissance At Kelham Hall is hoping for a bright future.
A STATUE to second world war heroine Irena Sendler was unveiled by the Polish ambassador in a ceremony in Fountain Gardens, Newark.
Irena helped to save hundreds of children from dying at the hands of the Nazis in Poland by helping to smuggle them out of the Warsaw Ghetto.
THE first of many protests was held against the proposed felling of four mature trees in the gardens between Newark library and the former Municipal Buildings.
In was a campaign that would reach its climax at the end of the year.
AND there was heartache for football fans as England suffering an agonising penalty shot defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
A COURAGEOUS woman took her first successive 100 steps since becoming paraplegic, going on to complete 130 steps.
Olivia Langley, of Newark, who had previously only managed 64 steps, completed the daunting challenge for The Matt Hampson Foundation, which supported her during her rehabilitation.
August
Thousands party as festival fever returns — Pop band McFly headline Newark Festival
THE relaxation of covid restrictions and the glorious summer weather combined to help thousands enjoy three of the district’s biggest events on the social calendar.
After a year’s break both the Advertiser Ladies Day and Newark Festival made triumphant returns.
With live music only just able to return, there was a party on Riverside Park as Lemar, Vernon Kay, Gabrielle and McFly entertained.
Thousands of people also dressed to impress at Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse, enjoying a day’s racing.
ALSO, returning was Southwell Music Festival over the bank holiday weekend, while at the same time in Newark hundred of steampunkers descended on the town for their festival.
INDEPENDENT retailers in Newark joined forces to encourage shoppers to stay local and support them in the wake of the pandemic.
The first #ShopNewark event, which featured promotions and competitions, was held to showcase the many and varied independent shops in Newark.
It proved such a success that a second was held in December.
September
Dragons roar on the River Trent — Hundreds lined the banks for charity fundraiser
HUNDREDS of people lined the banks of the Trent at Riverside Park to watch local firms and organisations compete in dragon boat racing.
The event was won by Newark Town FC, but the real winners were Beaumond House Hospice Care and the Children’s Bereavement Centre, who raised £46,000 to be split between them.
With the security situation deteriorating in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of Allied troops, Newark and Sherwood agreed to take in five families of those who worked with our troops and now found themselves in danger.
NEWARK’S newest school, Christ Church at Middlebeck, also opened its doors for the first time.
THE first cohort of students were welcomed to Newark’s Air and Space Training Institute (IASTI) in a ceremony at the International Bomber Command Centre.
Run by Lincoln College Group through Newark College, it will help young people into careers in the space and aviation sectors.
Plans have been submitted for a permanent base for the course on the former Newark Livestock Market site.
October
Relief road finally is on the home straight — Progress reported on major town projects
CHANCELLOR Rushi Sunak gave two pieces of good news for Newark in his budget.
He confirmed the town was to receive the maximum £20m from the government’s Levelling Up fund which will mean the long-awaited southern link road, between Farndon and Fernwood, can now be completed.
The government also gave £1.05m towards the redevelopment cost of the Yorke Drive estate.
NEWARK AND SHERWOOD DISTRICT COUNCIL also submitted its plans for the former Marks and Spencer building on Stodman Street.
Using money from the government’s Towns Fund, it wants to convert it into a combination of retail units and 29 homes.
MEANWHILE, in Southwell there was opposition to plans by Sainsbury's to open a new store over traffic fears and damage it could cause to the town centre.
THE annual Bramley Festival brought hundreds of people to Southwell to celebrate the town’s links to the world-famous apple.
As festival chairman Roger Merryweather said: “There were apples everywhere.”
November
Green is the colour as voices are heard — Protesters claim victory in fight to save trees
A HARD-FOUGHT campaign to save four mature trees next to Newark Library from the chop ended in success.
Several protests had been held at the site, culminating in a sit-in when it seemed Newark and Sherwood District Council was about to make its move.
Four protesters stayed there all night to prevent the chop, and eventually an agreement was reached to save the trees.
THERE was also a green protest in Southwell, where campaigners took to the streets to campaign for climate change action as part of COP26.
Yarn bombers also took to the streets of Southwell — covering bollards and street furniture with knitted creations to raise environmental awareness.
The Southwell march was one of several nationally to coincide with the international COP26 summit of international leaders in Glasgow to discuss climate change and environmental goals.
ORGANISATIONS across the district paused in remembrance of those who gave their lives in conflict for our country.
Coddington Beavers, Cubs and Scouts and St Giles’ Church, Balderton, created eye-catching displays of poppies.
The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal was particularly poignant this year as it marked its centenary.
December
Lighting the way to Christmas — Festive events brighten gloomy covid outlook
Despite a new covid variant, omicron, threatening yet more restrictions, the district did manage to get into the festive spirit.
The festive season started with the annual Newark lights switch-on, which drew the crowds to Newark Market Place.
A host of themed markets have taken place throughout December.
It including the evening market and lights festival that proved a huge success and featured a procession by 100 steampunkers carrying flaming torches.
THERE was also a host of Christmas events in Southwell, including the annual lantern parade, which this year had the theme of Christmas Critters and went ahead despite poor weather conditions.
PLANS were unveiled for a three-day music festival at Newark Showground next year.
IN THE fight against omicron, a massive programme was launched to deliver covid booster jabs to as many people as possible and saw the re-opening of the vaccination centre at Newark Showground.
NEWARK is set for fame next year with the airing of the sitcom Newark, Newark, which was filmed in various locations in the town during the month.
Written by Newark’s Nathan Foad, it stars local actor Mathew Horne along with Eastenders’ Nina Wadia and Coronation Street’s Beverley Callard.
