February 25, 1903

Much interest was occasioned on Thursday last on the arrival of the Worksop and Retford Brewery Company's motor, which brought over five tons of ale.

The motor left Worksop for Southwell, a distance of 28 miles, at seven o'clock in the morning, and after delivering orders at Edingley and Halam reached the Southwell stores shortly after 12 o'clock, although so heavily laden.

It had in addition a dray or trailer fixed behind, which was used for bottled goods and spirits. It was very easily manipulated, and attracted much attention.

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A dance promoted by the Catholic Association took place at Newark Town Hall, and was a great success.

It was the outcome and sequel of a previous concert and dance held recently at the Ossington, and which was organised to provide funds for the re-seating of Holy Trinity Church.

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The remains of Mr John Turner, who was for 23 years landlord of the Victoria Inn, Baldertongate, Newark, were interred at the cemetery.

Mr Turner was well known and highly respected in the town, and his death at the age of 58 was much regretted.

He was for a long time connected with the Licensed Victuallers' Association as treasurer, and last April was presented with a timepiece as an acknowledgement of his valuable services.

February 18, 1903

Writing to Mr David Slater, Newark, a customer says: "Using one of your reels I killed the largest Shannon salmon ever killed on rod and line, weight 54lbs, 50 inches long and 30 inches in girth. The rushes of the fish were terrific."

The reel in question was one of the celebrated Combination Reels, a great favourite among the tarpon and tune fishers of Florida.

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It was reported at the half yearly meeting of Newark Cattle Market Company that the gross receipts for the half year amount to £289 12s 5½d, and the expenditure to £142 2s 10d.

During the half-year tolls have been received in respect of 7,665 beast, 17,950 sheep, 3,064 pigs, 648 calves and 526 horses.

The report and statement of accounts was passed and a dividend of 5s per share, clear of income tax, was declared.

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A concert is an unusual interpolation in the even tenor of life at Barnby, and it was small cause for surprise then that the schoolroom was packed by a large and enthusiastic audience for an event in aid of the Barnby Church Restoration Fund.

Notwithstanding the counter attraction of an entertainment at the neighbouring village of Balderton, the local effort was an unqualified success.

Probably the novelty of the thing, coupled with the good cause for which it was organised, impelled the parishioners, from the outlying farms and cottages to come out and patronise the same.

The vicar (Rev J. James) said he had not been at the church a week when he said that it would cost £500 to put the building right.

February 11, 1903

The Newark Board of Guardians had a lively time at the Ossington yesterday discussing the committee's plans for the enlargement of Newark Infirmary by another 40 beds.

This is intended to ensure that the sick, poor and elderly of Newark are better cared for.

The new extension will be in addition to the existing infirmary at Claypole, although this is eventually expected to be closed and people transferred to Newark.

Mr A. Marshall of Nottingham had the most suitable plans. It should cost about £8,500.

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The librarian of the Gilstrap Free Library and the committee of that valuable institution are to be heartily congratulated on the new catalogue which they have just issued.

It is a well-printed and carefully compiled volume of 324 pages prepared on the dictionary system. The index is according to authors, titles and subjects in one alphabetical list.

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A most successful concert and dance was given at the Ossington in aid of the funds for re-seating Newark Catholic Church.

The programme was rendered in faultless style by a collection of outstanding artists.

Miss Swaby fairly took the house by storm with her delightful rendering of Rhoda and the Pagoda and had to respond by repeating the last two verses.

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The promoters of the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire tramway scheme propose to eventually include Newark in the sphere of operations.

The estimates prepared by their engineer show the cost of constructing these trams at £408,015 of which some £360,541 will be spent on the construction of the 79 miles of tramways.

February 4,1903

A special meeting of the Newark Urban Sanitary Authority was held yesterday afternoon at the Town Hall.

The Town Clerk read the minutes of the Sanitary Committee, at which they had resolved to recommend that plans of the proposed new isolation hospital, prepared by the Borough Surveyor, be adopted, and that application be made to the Local Government Board for their sanction to a loan to meet the cost of the building.

It was proposed that the building should consist of an administrative block facing the entrance gates, and a reference to the plans would show the provision made for the nursing and domestic staff.

The scarlet fever block would contain two large wards, each of which would hold six beds, and one single bed ward. There would also be a nurses' room and a bathroom.

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On Thursday evening the annual meeting of the Mechanics Institute, Middlegate, was held, when the chair was occupied by Mr J. Howcroft. Mr H. W. Lockton read the balance sheet.

The chairman said the balance was not very good, which they were sorry to see, but it included £10, which was an instalment towards the cost of the new billiard table, and receipts taken showed that it was likely to be a source of profit at the end of the year.