September 24,1902

Favoured by lovely weather, the postponed Coronation sports at Balderton on Thursday proved a great success.

By the kindness of Mr E. F. Milthorpe the sports were held in his paddock, opposite the Old Hall, and there was a very good attendance.

Climbing the greasy pole was a very popular event.

The prize of a leg of mutton was very cleverly won by T. Whitehead, of New Balderton, who reached the top by the help of short lengths of string, which he fastened round the pole as he went up and secured the flag.

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On Sunday the harvest festival in connection with the new Methodist Chapel took place in Barnbygate Chapel, Newark.

In the afternoon the young people's service was held, when recitations were delivered by the children, including, Lizzie Wade, Henry Dixey, Edith Dixey, Carrie Wright, Cissy Slack, Joseph Barnsdale, Fred Barnsdale.

On Monday night a sale of produce realised £11.10s, an increase of 27s on last year and £3.13s on the previous year.

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Newark Swimming Association has made the most of the means at its hand.

Its aim has been to equip every boy and girl with a knowledge of how to preserve one's own life when immersed in water and how to rescue others in peril of drowning.

The Corporation Baths in Tolney Lane are too confined and small for the needs of the town.

The time will come when every well equipped town will have its public covered baths so that right through the year the art of swimming may be taught and practised.

In Newark the period extends to about three months and, in an adverse season like this when not only has the weather been cold but a strong stream has been running continuously, nervous learners have been at a great disadvantage.

September 17, 1902

It is with much pleasure that we chronicle the record successes of our townsman, Mr J. E. Oldham, Market Place, Newark, at the recent International Exhibition of Confectioners, Bakers, and Allied Trades, held in the Agricultural Hall, London.

Out of nearly 2,000 exhibits in the confectionery section from all parts of England and the continent he practically swept the board of all the chief prizes, and won the much-coveted trophy, the National Gold Challenge Cup, valued at 80 guineas.

This cup is the champion prize for the confectionery section, and is awarded on points.

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It is with much pleasure that we call special attention to the establishment of commercial classes at Newark's School of Science and Art.

French, German, shorthand, book-keeping and commercial correspondence are among the subjects to be taught.

An opportunity is afforded to young people, which may not be offered again for some time, if they fail to take advantage of it now.

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An accident of somewhat serious nature occurred on Monday evening.
Upon returning from his work in Elston Hall gardens, Edwin Wade, of Syerston, when going at full speed down a slight incline in the road, sustained, it is feared, concussion of the brain and other injuries, through the sudden collapsing of his bicycle he was riding.

It is hoped that under careful medical treatment he may speedily recover.

September 10, 1902

The opening service for Newark Pleasant Sunday Afternoons after the summer holidays took place on Sunday, and took the form of a large open air gathering.

The assembly was in the Market Place and, headed by the North End Band under Bandmaster Robinson, a procession was made via Stodman Street, to Mr Thompson's Paddock.

Here there was a large attendance seated on the forms provided, and arranged in a semi-circle. In the absence of the president (Mr W. E. Knight) the secretary (Mr J. G. Norledge) conducted the proceedings.

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On Wednesday afternoon the series of Newark Swimming Association tests in swimming for boys attending elementary schools were continued under the auspices of the Newark Swimming Association.

There was a powerful current of water running, and its force was made the greater by a terrific wind, which blew downstream, while a third hindering condition was the presence of floating weeds and boughs, presumably blown in from trees.

Lads from the Mount School were first tested. The first four were Frank Whate, William Smalley, William Ford and Hector Ridley.

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The Rev T. W. Hart, pastor of Newark Baptist Church, who for several months has not been able to attend to his ministerial duties on account of a severe illness which compelled him to leave Newark for some time, resumed his labours on Sunday.

It may be some time before he fully regains the strength he has lost. Before proceeding with his discourse he said he desired to express his heartfelt gratitude for all the kind sympathy he received during his illness.

September 3, 1902

Not for many years has the harvest been so late in the Balderton district as it is this season.

The unfavourable weather experienced during the summer has greatly retarded the ripening process, as well as doing considerable damage by beating down on some of the heavier crops.

The outlook is now becoming a most gloomy character, and unless a permanent improvement takes place in the atmospheric conditions prevailing the farmers must suffer very greatly.

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The County Historical Society is visiting the Newark district tomorrow, and we wish them a very pleasant and instructive day.

The society appears to have a partiality for this locality, which we appreciate, for this will be its third visit since its formation to the neighbourhood of Newark.

We may be sure that the Thoroton Society, as it passes tomorrow through Muskham, Norwell, Ossington, Laxton, Egmanton, and Sutton-on-Trent, will find much that is interesting and edifying, and notably at Laxton, for Laxton Fields contain the best surviving example of the open field system of agriculture, dating back to Saxon times.

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It is officially stated that Sir Charles Welby, MP for Newark, who was temporarily appointed an extra Assistant Under-Secretary of State, unpaid, on the staff of the War Office in November, 1900, in order to assist the Secretary of State during the pressure of the war, has resigned his appointment.

The member for the Newark Division stepped forward at a most critical time to give his experienced services to the Government, and we are quite sure that they have been greatly appreciated and valued, and have been of considerable service to the War Office and to the nation.