1903 - December

December 30, 1903

Members of the Newark Rifle Club participated in an interesting ceremony at the club house, the Duke of Cumberland Inn, when they presented to Mr William Smith, builder, Newark, an illuminated address to mark their appreciation of his liberality in presenting them with a rifle butt.

Dr Brown presided, and said it gave him the greatest pleasure to welcome Mr Smith among them, and to be honoured himself at being allowed to express on behalf of the committee and the active members of the Rifle Club their gratitude to him for the magnificent present he gave them early in the season.

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The Christmas fatstock market at Newark was well attended. For the fourth year in succession, the Newark Tradesman's Association offered prizes for the best stock shown.

An exciting incident occurred shortly after the sale commenced. A bull, owned by Mr Andrews, of Broughton, was brought into the arena, but no sooner had it entered than it got master of its attendant, and jerked the pole and rope out of his hand.

The would-be buyers got out of the way with marvellous celerity. But Mr Brown, jnr, of Farnsfield, who was outside the ring, snatched up the rope attached to the ring in the bull's nose, and whipped it round a post.

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There was a fair sprinkling of Newarkers at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham, to witness the annual pantomime.

Aladdin is quite in the nature of a reversion to the older style of Christmas annual, fun and frolic being placed absolutely in the forefront, and fun of the boisterous order at that.
 

December 23, 1903

With a view to providing material for a discussion at Barnbygate Wesley Guild on the apathy existing in Newark in regard to attendance at religious worship a census was taken.

The returns showed a total of 3,718 worshippers on a particular Sunday. In 1851 the Government undertook a religious census and reckoned that 58% of the population might be in churches at the same time.

That percentage in Newark would mean 8,700 worshippers. Various reasons were assigned for the apathy manifested, many agreeing that people gave too much time to pleasure and sports and amusements which they put before religion.

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The Corn Exchange, Newark, was crowded for the Christ Church day schools concert and prize-giving. We believe the scholars in attendance number over 1,000 at the Christ Church schools, and a large majority of them were present participating either as principals, chorus or audience.

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Clement Leeper, formerly of Magnus School, Newark, and first holder of the Joseph Gilstrap Scholarship, and of St Edmund Hall, Oxford, was admitted by the vice-chancellor to the degree of Bachelor of the Arts in the University of Oxford.
 

December 16, 1903

A smoking concert under the auspices of the Newark Rifle League took place at the Town Hall.

Mr F. F. Corballis was expected to preside, but a letter from him stated that owing to the serious illness of a relative he had been called away to London unexpectedly, and, therefore, he regretted he could not attend.

In his absence Dr F. J. Brown occupied the chair, and said that they seemed to be unfortunate in the selection of evening for that festival, judging by the sheaf of letters of regret for non-attendance they had received.

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On Thursday and Friday last two enjoyable concerts were given in the Farndon School by the Farndon Minstrel Troupe in aid of the funds of the Newark Hospital. The attendance was very good on both occasions, and the audience fully appreciated the efforts of the artistes.

The programme opened with the chorus, Tiddly-Ho, which was given a hearty rendering.

A bit of by-play between the interlocutor and Mr H. Williamson finished up with the conundrum: Can you tell me the price of a woman's head? The answer was stated to be 6s, because there was a crown on the top and a bob at the back.

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The annual distribution of prizes in connection with the Southwell Minster Grammar School took place on Thursday evening in the Assembly Rooms, Southwell.

Especial interest attached to the occasion inasmuch as it was the first prize day since the school - one of the oldest collegiate foundations in the country - was reconstructed in regard to its administration and educational status.

There was a large attendance of the parents and friends of the boys and others interested in the school.
 

December 9, 1903

The December cattle fair and fat stock market at Newark was attended largely by buyers and agriculturists of the district.

Owing to the winterly and wet day horses were very scarce, it not being fit to send them on to the fairground.

There was a keen inquiry for good strong draught animals, which sold readily at from 40 guineas to 60 guineas for sound ones and 20 guineas to 30 guineas for serviceably sound animals.

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A very marked improvement has just been completed in Stodman Street by the extensive and well-designed alterations which have been carried out by Messrs Howitt and Sons.

The old shop so familiar to many of our readers has been done away with, and in its place a handsome, new, and more commodious business establishment has been constructed.

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The annual 18th show of the Newark and District Fanciers' Association was held in the Corn Exchange, Newark.

A record entry was obtained, nearly 600 exhibits being staged. In the poultry section, the birds caged were well up to the average, and the challenge cup given by Mr T. Blagg for the best was won by Mr C. Keetley, of Lowdham, with a Buff Orpington hen.

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A verger's staff of silver has been given to Newark Parish Church by the Freemasons of Nottinghamshire in memory of their late Deputy Provincial Grand Master, the Rev Frederick Vernon Bussell, Vicar of Balderton, 1877-92.

December 2, 1903

At the meeting of the Claypole Rural District Council, Mr Colin Campbell moved, and Mr Brocklebank seconded a resolution asking the Local Government Board to issue an order prohibiting drivers of motor cars to travel at a greater rate of speed than ten miles an hour over the roads of the Rural District Council. The resolution was carried.

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A conclusive object lesson in the splendid work being achieved at the Newark School of Science and Art was presented by their exhibition.

To many it must have been a revelation, and proved that students at Newark are now in the gratifying position of having the very best opportunities offered to them in training in subjects to fit them for taking pre-eminence in whatever career they have mapped out before them.

Happily, too, the youth of the town are alive to the advantages placed in their hands, and are showing a commendable industry and application in utilising them.

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The annual sale of work promoted by Newark Parish Church Ladies' Working Party was held at the Town Hall.

The vicar said he regretted to announce that they were deprived of the pleasure of seeing Mrs MacRae Gilstrap.

He held in his hand a letter from her in which she said that, owing to the serious condition of her mother's health, it was not possible for her to undertake the duty of opening the sale of work.

She had pleasure, though, in enclosing £5 towards the funds.