July 29, 1903

On Friday night last, Mr S. H. Barratt sent a boy named Graves, about 14 years of age, into one of his fields in Averham parish, to fetch some bullocks while he went forward to the hayfield.

Returning from inspecting the hay, he thought he heard some children crying out, and looking around to see where the boy had got to, he noticed what appeared to be a coat being thrown up in the air by one of the bullocks.

The fact was that the boy was in it, and realising the danger, Mr Barratt, without waiting to secure a stick or other weapon, rushed to the lad's assistance, and drove the animal off.

But for Mr. Barratt's prompt intervention, the consequences would have been serious. As it was, the little fellow was bruised and scratched about the chest, and his clothes were torn.

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We have good authority for saying that Messrs Barnum and Bailey, the great American showmen, intend visiting Newark on October 17.

An advance agent has secured a suitable site for the great travelling exhibition, and a transport inspector has been down to Newark to see if the railway accommodation is such that they could utilise it for unshipping their mammoth transport.

We understand that the inspector was satisfied that proper accommodation could be provided.

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The 18th annual flower show and ninth annual amateur athletic sports promoted by the Southwell Horticultural Society were held in favourable weather upon the Lowe's Wong, Southwell, on Thursday last.

The varied round of attractions succeeded in drawing a record attendance, and the minster town was visited by crowds of people from Nottingham, Newark, Lincoln, and surrounding villages.

Among those present on the ground were Sir Charles Welby MP, and Lady Welby.

 July 22, 1903

A dray laden with beer, belonging to Messrs Hole and Co, was being driven down Appletongate, Newark, when the horse, a young and powerful animal, turned sharply on to the pavement and, resisting all the efforts of the driver to control it, ran into the window of Mr C. E. Ford, cycle dealer, smashing two large panes of plate glass - one in the window and the other in the door.
Fortunately, the horse sustained no injury beyond a slight cut. Mr Ford is insured with the Tradesmen's Association.

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The children attending the combined church schools of the town held their annual festival on Thursday, when unfortunately their day's pleasure was marred by the inclement and unpropitious weather.

Whilst not bad enough to cause an abandonment or postponement of the proceedings, the cloudy skies and frequent showers somewhat dampened the ardour of even young and irrepressible spirits.

The drizzling rain of the morning ceased somewhat about the time of the usual assembly of the scholars for divine service in the parish church.

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The ex-Mayor delighted the children of Newark yesterday by the treat that he so generously provided.

Alderman Pratt, who wore the King's gold coronation medal, was indefatigable in his efforts to further the pleasure of the youngsters, and it must have been gratifying to see so many of the children had preserved their coronation medals and wore them on their breasts.

July 15 1903

Newark was visited on Saturday by the most remarkable storm on local record.

The morning had been hot and sunny - an ideal July morning. For some days past we had been experiencing almost tropical heat, and on Friday in the sun the thermometer stood at 110 degrees.

 Shortly after five o'clock the rumble of distant thunder was heard. By about a quarter to six o'clock the black clouds were overhead and ready to burst, but there was no rain.

Instead of rain, or rather intermingled within, there came a crash of hailstones of great size, which were hurled by a northerly gale with terrific force.

Everyone rushed for shelter, for to have faced the storm might have meant cuts and bruises, if not more serious injuries.

A large number of spectators assembled to witness the Collingham Annual Sports event in the Dale Field.

About 30 girls went in for the skipping competition, the judges being Mrs Easton (Swinderby) and Mrs Moulson (Bassingham).

Mrs Radley won the married ladies' race, and Mr H. Liley the labouring men's race.

The tug-of-war contest caused intense excitement, the teams being from North and South Collingham, and after a hard struggle the latter, as last year, were again successful.

July 8, 1903

On Saturday afternoon the much talked of walking match from Newark to Lincoln and back, arranged for their employees by Messrs Cafferata and Co was brought to a most successful issue.

Mr Louis Cafferata was the originator of the project and he was heartily assisted by the other heads of the firm.

The prizes were a splendid series, the first prize being a handsome marble clock and the second a cruet stand and toast rack combined.

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It was unfortunate for the Pastoral Plays at Newark on Monday that rough, biting winds and stormy-looking skies should have succeeded the brilliant sunshine and calmness of the previous week.

A limited attendance under these circumstances was inevitable though it was deeply to be deplored not only because the object (the augmentation of St. Leonard's Church organ fund) was in itself a worthy one, but because it is not often that individuals or committees are to be found with enterprise enough to bring such a accomplished company to the town.

Since the visit of Mr F. R. Benson's company several years ago, there have been no Pastoral Plays like those of Monday at Newark, and it is probable we shall have to wait a considerable time before we see the like again.

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On Thursday evening last the new organ and choir stalls at St Stephen's, Brough, were dedicated by the Right Rev the Lord Bishop of Derby. The organ was used for the first time to accompany the 150th Psalm.

The Bishop, speaking from the Chancel step, delivered a plain and most instructive address on praise.

July 1, 1903

The great day of the Newark Children's Festival - the day of all days in the year for at least 2,000 scholars and teachers - broke clear and bright, with a cleansed atmosphere, a bright sky, and a hot sun.

Decorations of wagons in florid finery proceeded apace, and the last touches to devices long meditated and planned were put on, so that all should be ready for the procession, to be subject to the popular judgment of spectators and the more critical survey of the gentlemen armed with arbitrary powers in the dispensing of awards.

School vies with school in healthy rivalry, and all is done that the children may be happy and joyous.

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Members of the Nottingham Camera Club visited Newark under the leadership of Mr. J. T. Radford. Several members of the Newark Club met the train and joined the party.

The Vicar of Newark had kindly granted permission to photograph in the interior of the church.

The castle was also visited, and other places of interest. Tea was partaken at The Ossington, and the visitors returned by the 7.30 train, after spending a very pleasant afternoon.

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Bakewell and Haddon Hall having been chosen for the annual outing of the voluntary members of the Newark Parish Church choir the party met at the Great Northern Station and, in the charge of the Rev G. H. Gore and Mr Churchwarden Seels, entrained at 7.51 for the first stage of the journey.

Arriving at Sheffield at nine, a char-a-banc was in attendance, and no time was lost in starting the 16-mile drive to Bakewell.