July 30, 1902

Newark Rowing Club Aquatic Sports took place last Thursday evening. There was a large number of spectators present, and much interest was manifested in the various events.

At the conclusion of the sports, the members adjourned to the Boat House, where the prizes were handed to the successful competitors by Mr W. P. Woolfitt.

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The Girls' Friendly Society had their annual excursion on Thursday last. The place chosen was Fiskerton and the members proceeded up the Trent in a barge drawn by a steam tug.

There was a small quadrille band on board, and the members thoroughly enjoyed the voyage, though it would certainly have been pleasanter if the sun had shone brightly.

They stopped at Farndon Ferry, and proceeded to the church where the vicar (the Rev A. L. Sparles) conducted a short service.

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Yesterday was observed as Founder's Day at the Magnus School, Newark.

There was a celebration of the Holy Communion at 7.30am at the parish church, and a service at 10.30am, the headmaster (the Rev E. Spencer Noakes) reading the prayers.

The preacher was the Rev E. R. Massey, who is closely associated with Magnus School not only as an 'old boy' but from the fact that Dr Cooke was his great uncle, and his father, the Rev Thomas Massey, was for some time second master, curate of the parish church, and subsequently headmaster of Southwell Grammar School.

July 26, 1902

Last evening Mr Geo Sheppard (Messrs Sheppard and Pink) offered for sale by auction, at the Ram Hotel, Newark, several lots of freehold property.

 Two brick and tiled dwelling houses with greengrocer's shop, at 26 and 28 Lombard Street occupied by Messrs Wood and Asman, at an annual rental of £32, opened at £400, and the property was disposed of for £540 to Mr Councillor Perfect.

The next property offered consisted of six newly erected dwelling houses and grocer's shop, nos 9-19 (alternate) Sleaford Road, Newark, occupied by Mr J. D. Hall and others, at an annual rental of £98 16s.

Bidding started at £800 and rose to £1,200 at which price the property was sold to Mr Robert Gilbertson, of Claypole.

Private James Martin of the 3rd Battalion Granadier Guards, whose interesting letters from the front have appeared from time to time in the Advertiser, arrived in Newark from South Africa on Monday evening.

He received a most hearty and enthusiastic welcome from the inhabitants of Harcourt Street, where his parents, who are highly respected, reside.

The friends and neighbours of Mr Martin Snr displayed a profusion of flags and bunting in honour of his son's homecoming.

Private Martin served throughout the whole of the war and never had a day's sickness.

July 16, 1902

The variability of the English climate has seldom been seen in a greater degree than in the months of March, April, and May, which were exceedingly cold and wet.

A radical change in the atmospherical conditions has now set in and the country is enjoying a spell of hot, dry, forcing weather, which we hope will continue until the harvest is gathered.

The wheat looks very promising, and it is some years since we have seen such a heavy crop and such an abundance of straw, it being no uncommon thing to see wheat already five feet high.

Thursday was a great day at Newark and one that will be long remembered, for on that day the Coronation festivities were held.

The tug-of-war was looked upon as the great event of the day. Teams representing the local foundries, breweries, and workshops competed, and this rivalry brought together what was described as "the elite of the muscle of the town."

Certainly the eights who took a turn at the rope were men of solid, sturdy weight. Twenty-four teams in all entered.

In the semi-final, Messrs Howitt's vanquished the remaining team representing Cafferatas and Messrs Warwicks easily accounted for Messrs Nicholson's team. The final brought Howitt's and Warwicks together was a Titanic tussle, which ended in the brewery men's victory amidst applause.

July 9 1902

The parishioners of West Newark "coronated" with great fervour and enthusiasm on Thursday last. Their loyalty overflowed, and they gave themselves over to high jinks and carnival.

The little parish over the river has been agog of preparation and excitement for some time, and it had the unalloyed satisfaction of seeing all its plans brought to an eminently successful fruition.

When the idea was mooted that the parishioners should celebrate in a manner befitting the occasion his majesty's coronation, it was taken up and worked with a devotion and enthusiasm most praiseworthy.

When the King's illness caused a postponement of many festivities, West Newark followed suit and delayed their rejoicing until his Majesty's recovery was, humanly speaking, assured.

The tea for the children was arranged to take place at 4.30 o'clock.

Mr Fletcher had kindly lent his marquee, to which was added a committee and catering tent. Mr Wm Butt had generously placed his field at the disposal of the committee.

It was like a miniature fairground at the four corners were placed large flagstaffs, from which flags fluttered in the breeze.

Again, flags floated over the marquees, and from the coconut shies, the skittle alley, the round abouts and the sweet stalls. At the entrance to the grounds was a floral arch with a banner containing the loyal sentiment "God Save the King."

The last of the long series of provincial shows under the auspices of the Royal Agricultural Society , opened this week in Carlisle.

The Royal Show encourages makers to send original implements, and by the award of two or three medals yearly this section is of great interest.

This year it is stronger than ever, and it is , therefore, with pleasure that we record the sucess the Messrs. Stephenson and Sons, Newark, who were on Monday awarded a silver medal for their new patent perpetual straw-bailing press.

It can be attached to any threshing machine, and bail the straw as fast as it is threshed. The machine is self-feeding, and requires only one man and a youth to work it. It was submitted to a very severe test, and emerged triumphant. Needless to say it attracted great attention from the farmers.

The monthly meeting of Newark School Board was held in the offices at the town hall on Thursday evening. The clerk produced the report on the pupil teachers' examination from which it appeared that the Misses Free and Annie Martin had passed well and Constance Seels probationer passed.

The chairman remarked that this was very satisfactory and the clerk said it could not be better.

The tender of Mr F. W. Cross for £2 7s 6d for asphalting the school yards was accepted on the proposition of the chairman, seconded by the Rev A. G. Mays.

July 2 1902

Large crowds of interested spectators wended their way to Beacon Hill on Monday night to witness the lighting of the Coronation bonfire. As our readers are aware, this was situated in the field on the left hand side of the road in a conspicuous position just below the reservoir.

The bonfire was practically completed a fortnight ago, and has been watched day and night by two men, assistance also being given by the borough police, by the kindness of Chief Constable Challen.

The first intimation that the bonfires were to be lighted was conveyed to the general public in a letter from Viscount Cranbourne, and Mr Alderman Smith, chairman of the Bonfire Committee, at once called his committee together, a placard was issued stating that the fire would be started at 10 o'clock that night, while the services of the town crier were also requisitioned to spread information.

The bonfire was 40ft square, and 47ft high, and the weight of the material about 120 tons, consisting of timber, trade refuse, old bar barrels and casks, and other combustibles.

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A sturgeon seen near Muskham Bridge was found dead at Holme, nearly opposite North Muskham ferry.

The shots fired at it had taken effect in the back.

The fish was about eight feet in length, and was roughly estimated as weighing from 16 to 18 stone.