December 31, 1902

The fortnightly meeting of the Newark Board of Guardians was held yesterday, when Mr R. Bemrose occupied the chair.

Mr Fane drew attention to the fact that the vagrants relieved during the last fortnight were 138, as against 79 last year. He asked for an explanation.

It was said that the works in the vicinity were drawing a lot of vagrants to the neighbourhood, and there was also a general increase all round.

The chairman said that there was another thing, they had not been so strict in their task work.

On the book of the master of the workhouse, there was the following entry:- "The inmates and officers desire to thank the Board for the extra Christmas fare allowed them. The Master reported receiving a Christmas gift of ten couples of rabbits for the inmates from an anonymous donor."

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At a meeting of the Sanitary Committee, it was reported that there was a great prevalence of measles in the town, especially among children attending the infant departments of the Mount Schools, St Augustine's School, and the Board Schools.

It was ordered that the infant departments of these schools remain closed until December 29, and that the other infant schools in the borough be also closed if on enquiry it is found to be necessary.

December 24, 1902

A handsome addition has been made to the architectural features of Newark by the new bank which has been erected by the Union of London and Smiths Bank Ltd, at the corner of the Market Place and Stodman Street.

The space occupied comprises, in addition to that filled by the old bank, the site so long occupied as a stationer's shop and printing works, so that the Market Place frontage now stretches up to the Corporation offices.

The material used is the finest white Hollington stone with red brick panels from the Sileby Brick Company, the panels under the bank office windows being of Derbyshire stone.

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The Corn Exchange was filled to overflowing with an enthusiastic audience, comprising for the most part the parents of scholars attending the Christ Church group of schools for the Christ Church schools' concert and prize-giving.

There was a substantial sprinkling of supporters of the schools, and of old scholars, whose regard for the schools brings them out once a year to rally to its support and renew contact with their fast disappearing youth.

Ripples of merriment followed the fun, and warm applause rewarded the triumphs of the principals in the play.
 

December 17, 1902

Once again the scholars of the Newark Wesleyan Day Schools have maintained the high prestige of their annual entertainments.

Crowded audiences witnessed the latest of Mr Walker's productions, and unanimously pronounced it very good.

It must be very difficult for the headmaster to maintain the great interest and popularity of these fixtures and to select from the many indifferent children's plays one that will fulfil all his requirements.

With the Norse legend, in musical dress, and under the attractive name, especially so near to Christmas as we are, of The Prince and the Mistletoe, Mr Walker hit upon the very thing.

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The annual dinner of the useful and prosperous Sick Club, connected with the Castle Brewery, Newark, was held at the Imperial Hall, Baldertongate, and proved a most successful and enjoyable function.

Mr E. K. Marsland made an excellent chairman, and he was supported on his right by the Mayor (Councillor Skerrett) and on his left by Mr Cornelius Brown and Mr F. F. Corballis.

The chairman gave the usual loyal toasts, and Mr Corballis, in an eloquent and patriotic speech, proposed The Imperial Forces of the King.

The chairman said it was his very great pleasure to propose the toast of Success to the Castle Brewery Sick Club.

That was the eighth time the toast had been proposed, for the club was founded in 1894.

December 10, 1902

The annual sale of work of the Parish Church Ladies' Working Party took place at the Town Hall, when the opening ceremony was performed by Miss Bromley, in the absence of Lady Bromley, who was unable to be present, owing to a death in the family.

The Vicar of Newark, the Rev Holmes Gore, in introducing Miss Bromley, said that the bazaar had been very useful it had been in meeting the parochial needs of the parish.

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A special meeting of Newark Tradesmen's Association was held at the Rutland Arms Hotel for the purpose of considering arrangements for the Christmas holidays.

Mr Warner proposed that it be a recommendation to the tradesmen to close on Thursday and Friday. Mr Porter seconded. A suggestion was made by Mr G. W. Ford that early closing on Saturday might be resorted to. The proposition was then agreed unanimously.

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The Radicals of the Newark Division organised a political meeting in the Concert Hall, Southwell, at which Mr H. Y. Stanger, who contested the division at the last election and subsequently put up for a Nottingham division, was announced as the chief speaker. The room was three parts full.

Mr Mumby (Newark) presided. In opening the meeting, he said it was two years since a Liberal meeting was held in Southwell.

So many things had happened since that time in the political world that it was high time the Liberals in Southwell came together to protest against retrograde class and unconstitutional measures of the present Government.

December 3, 1902

The 17th annual show of the Newark and District Fanciers' Association was held in the Corn Exchange, and was a great success.

Compared with last year the entries showed a slight diminution, being 500 as against 530, but the exhibition throughout was a strong one, and the quality of birds sent in of high standard and merit.

It is a noteworthy incident that both the challenge cups were won outright this year, that for the best exhibit in the poultry section by Mr Gascoigne, North Muskham, and for the pigeon section by Mr Crosby, Retford.

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A draft of six horses from the cavalry department has been made to the Newark Troop of Imperial Yeomanry, and the horses have been quartered in the town.

They are lent to the Troop on condition that they are available for 60 days in the year to recruits who join the Yeomanry to practice riding upon.

For the other 305 days the horses can be used for ordinary work by the troopers who are allotted them for their keep.

Squadron-Sergeant Major Davis, Sergeant Foster, Corporal Ford, Corporal Booth (Coddington) Quartermaster Hickling and Sergeant-Major Ford have, we believe, each taken charge of a mount.