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An unpalatable description of a Sunday scene at the public lavatories on Beastmarket Hill and other places in the near vicinity was given to the town council on Monday by Coun A.A. Jones after he had asked what progress had been made with the provision of additional lavatory accommodation in the town.
"On Sunday last," he declared, "the state of Newark was just appalling in that portion of Newark where I happen to live.
"It was one of those things which have to be seen to be believed, despite all that has been said in this council and also in the press.
"I would not like to say exactly how many buses there were in Castlegate and on the wharf, but literally some scores.
"The queues at the two lavatories - ladies' and gentlemen's - were ridiculously long, and unfortunately most of the people were reduced to relieving the course of nature at almost every point in the public gaze."
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Acting as assistant warden at the Southwell youth hostel this week is a 21-year-old Frenchman, Pierre Chapo, a Vierzon, who reached London from France on Monday week with £2 in his pocket and a 50lb rucksack on his back.
By the time he reached Southwell on Saturday, his cash had been reduced to a few shillings through expenditure on food and tobacco and the cost of sending two suitcases to Manchester, where he has his friends.
Pierre, who finished at Paris University a month ago, and hitch-hicked from London to Mansfield, is looking for a job as a teacher.
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Local cricket enthusiasts took advantage of the glorious weather on Sunday, when the largest crowd of the season thronged into the Kelham Road ground to see Newark Cricket Club beat the District XI by two wickets.
This was the "local Test match" sponsored by the Advertiser.
Last year a similar function was rained off. This year the clerk of the weather was on his best behavior, bringing out the crowds in a holiday mood.
And a fine afternoon's cricket they saw, with not a few near sensations.
Members of the Newark Rugby Football Club heard an encouraging report of the past season's progress when they held their annual meeting at the Hall on Wednesday.
The president, Mr F.N.C. Dwyer, told the meeting that they had now reached a point where they were a force to be reckoned with in the County, a position which was entirely due to them as members of the club.
They have the finest club record in Nottinghamshire and are keen to repeat this next season.
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The Lord Mayor of London has expressed his thanks to the people of Newark.
As a result of an appeal by the Mayor of Newark for the Lord Mayor's fund for the United Nations children, a total of £345.17s.1d has been forwarded from the town.
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The dinner of the Old Southwellians' Association was held at the Saracen's Head on Saturday evening, and was very well attended.
The Old Boys' Cup for the most promising boy in the school was handed to Mr C. Johnson, the present head of the school, captain of cricket, and rugger colour.
It was mentioned that at the age of 13, Mr Johnson had obtained a school certificate with three distinctions, and that he was a candidate for a school scholarship.
The toast of the Society was presented by Major J.K. Lane, who pointed out the tremendous value of the Old Boys' Society in enabling a school to maintain its tradition and individuality.
Many people from Newark, Southwell, and the surrounding villages visited the Royal Show at York, on Wednesday, when the King and Queen and Princess Margaret were there.
Those who attended had the pleasure of seeing exhibits from the district take some of the leading awards.
Messrs Robert Walker and Son, from Averham, scored a notable success with their four-year-old Ayrshire bull amid strong competition, carrying off two trophies: for best bull born before 1946 and best bull in section.
Mr H.J. Crocker of Besthorpe was also very successful with his exhibits in the cattle and sheep classes. Out of five classes he gained four awards, two of which were highly commended.
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Five Radcliffe-on-Trent girls were filmed at Southwell on Saturday for parts in Romeo and Juliet.
The film is being made by Gaumont Britain Co, and though it is intended as an entertainment, it will, through its story, be an educational aid for English studies in schools throughout the country.
Southwell Minster and The Bishop's Manor will also figure in the film.
As many as 75 young members of the Girls' Friendly Society in the Southwell diocese took part in the crowd scenes of the production and five were selected for principal parts.
Fourteen-year-old Jill Healley played Romeo to 16-year-old Ann Heatherington as Juliet. The three other local members of the cast, all 16, were Margaret Heatley, Enid Taylor, and Barbara Bertolla. The film will be shown in cinemas throughout the country.
From time immemorial country folk have made their pilgrimages to Newark market and today as usual the town will be thronged with villagers who have travelled to Newark by car, bus and train for the annual reunion.
One veteran who will be making the trip is 80-year-old Mr Charles Edward Bullers of East Bridgford, the oldest country carrier in the county.
For over 50 years Mr Bullers has driven his horse-drawn cart to Newark and made his headquarters in the yard of the Old White Hart Hotel in the corner of the market place.
Asked if he thought the day of the country carrier was nearly over now that regular bus and haulage contractor services were available, Mr Bullers said: "We have a more personal contact with out customers than the large transport firms and there is still plenty of work for us to do."
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A party of Newark sea cadets went to Peterborough Regatta on Saturday and won the Crowdon Challenge trophy for Dory pulling.
Dories are the lightest pulling boats used in the Naval Service, rowed by six oarsmen.
There was a keen race between the challenging teams from Peterborough and Newark and the skill of the team from Newark was particularly commended. Only one member of the team was over 16, and none of them had rowed a dory before.
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A former cadet of the Newark Royal Engineers Bowbridge Road unit had the honour of being presented to the King and Queen and Princess Margaret.
Second-Lieutenant Terence George Wade (20) was the officer in charge of the Western Command Assault team during the opening performance of the Royal Tournament Olympia.
He joined the army on leaving school and spent most of his cadet years at Newark.
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