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Before leaving Newark Parish Church on completing their work to the roof of the South Transept, the workmen overhauled the massive wooden cross, which hangs over the entrance to the choir, for restoration.
It is 52 years since the gilded wooden cross - weighing five hundredweight - was erected, as a gift from Alderman Becher Tidd Pratt, and the Vicar (the Rev G.W. Clarkson) thought it was time that the ironwork which carries the weight of the cross was examined.
The work began three weeks ago, when the iron supports were removed and ropes and chains were used to keep the cross in its normal position.
The ironwork was sent away, and, after being examined, was was sent back to Newark, glinting in a new coat of gilt to carry its cross for another half century.
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The 98th annual ploughing match and agricultural show organised by Collingham Farmers Club, and held on Saturday, was a conspicuous success.
The day was fine, the crowd a large one and the number of entries a record. There were over 1,100 entries in total, and over £340 was offered in prizes.
None of the usual features was missing but for the first time since 1938 a rabbit show, which attracted a large number of entries, was included.
Contingents from the RAF (Syerston), the Newark squadron of the Air Training Corps, and the Newark Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association joined forces at the War Memorial Cross on Sunday to pay tribute to the comrades who Fell in the Battle of Britain.
In the afternoon sunshine they lined up on three sides of the quadrangle, men who had served in the RAF, the men who are now serving, and boys who will be the airmen of the future, joining together to lay their wreaths on the memorial and to stand in silent tribute to those who gave their lives in the cause of freedom.
Former members of the WAAF were also present. They heard the Vicar of Newark, the Rev G.W. Clarkson, describe the battle they were that day commemorating as one of the great turning points in the history of this country.
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The Newark Branch of the Workers' Educational Association is trying to place more clearly before the people of Newark the part which it has played and still is to play in education in this country.
For this reason an attractive shop window display has been arranged in Cartergate which draws attention to the fact that the WEA is now 45 years old, and that it has 100,000 workers enrolled in classes organised by its 1,000 branches.
It is interesting to note that these include about 20,000 industrial workers, 18,000 housewives and nurses, 15,000 clerical assistants, as well as may teachers and professional workers.
The Newark programme this winter is even more varied and ambitious than usual, including courses on the art of self expression, comic literature, modern political problems, design in the home, and archaeology.
The new Superintendent Minister for the Newark Methodist Circuit was given a hearty welcome at Barnbygate Church last Thursday. Those who joined in the welcome were the Vicar of Newark (the Rev G.W. Clarkson) and representatives of other churches in the town.
The Rev A.J.W. Mckay, who comes from Bristol, succeeds the Rev H. Dawson. He said that in coming to Newark, with its large membership and many churches and Sunday Schools, he felt that he had come to be father of a very big family.
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Newark is leading the way in looking after its townspeople. It is one of the first towns in the county to benefit from a mobile radiography unit.
"Prevention is better than cure" is the watchword, and to this end the Nottinghamshire Mass Radiography Unit arrived in Newark on Wednesday. The unit, by taking X-ray photographs, is able to discover cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, lung troubles and diseases of the heart.
After operating at Ransome and Marles for the rest of the month, the unit will move to Bowbridge Road Institution for the use of smaller firms and the general public.
As many as 100 people can be dealt with in an hour and the response from people in the town has been overwhelming. After leaving Newark the unit will tour the county.
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The coveted title of Miss Balderton was awarded at the annual horticultural show and gala in aid of the Balderton Village Hall Fund at the Balderton Junior School, on Saturday.
The Mayor of Newark (Alderman J H Knight) was present, and over 180 exhibits were shown in the 49 classes. The gala commenced with a carnival parade and the Miss Balderton contest, won by Miss Josephine Rogers.
Fancy dress and novelty games were well supported. In the novelty class Master Ian Grandorge as Al Jolson won the first prize, and the best costume class won by Miss Judith Ann Furniss as Carmen Miranda.
The Farndon Horticultural Society held their annual show of flowers, fruit and vegetables in the schoolroom at Farndon on Saturday.
The record number of exhibits gave the room a colourful appearance, and attracted many people from the village. There was a total of 166 entries, with 146 exhibits in the 44 classes.
The show was opened by Mrs E. Knight, who marvelled at the success of the gardeners in providing such a large number of exhibits, all of exceptional quality.
A special prize was awarded to Mr Glazebrook for entering the best exhibit in the flower classes.
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Some keen and enthusiastic swimming was seen at the pool on Wednesday evening, when the Newark and District Boy Scouts' Association held their first gala for the Peter Blatherwick Cup.
Competition was keen throughout the evening and it was not until the last few races that the 7th Newark troop were able to get ahead to win the trophy with 30 points, giving them a lead over their closest rivals, the 6th Newark troop.
Councillor D.P. Blatherwick, donor of the trophy, made the presentation and explained that the cup had been named after his eldest son, who was a keen scout.
Councillor Blatherwick said he was glad to see that swimming was encouraged in the Scouting movement, for not only did the sport have great physical value, but it also fostered the team spirit.
Newark is ideally situated to receive an excellent television reception when the new relay station opens at Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham, in the autumn of next year. And this is in spite of the fact that Newark is over 50 miles from the new Midland station.
The prospect of good reception is assured because Newark lies low in the Trent valley. The new innovation is already selling well in the town, and it is anticipated that sales will increase once the relay system is in place.
Messrs Hunt and Co, the Stodman Street radio dealers, are selling television sets for £80 each, a magnificent sum. And by next year an advanced model will be available at the £100 mark, and an independent aerial device on the top of each set will set people back an extra £8.
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The famous bells of St-Martin-in-the-Fields church in London were silent for the first time in 12 months while the ringers made a special visit to Newark on Sunday.
The townspeople were rightly proud that the ringers of the most broadcast church bells in the world had chosen Newark for their annual outing. Twelve of the London band were welcomed to the town by the Master of the Newark Parish Church Band of Ringers, Mr E.C. Thrade.
Newark parish church was visited and the touring band rang for the 9.30am service. They later rang at Sutton-on-Trent .
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The main entrance and large hall of the Technical College were a blaze of colour on Saturday, while the Newark and District Horticultural and Allotment Holders Society held their summer show.
Practically everything from the garden and allotment was shown in profusion, and the blooms and plants made a splendid centrepiece. The season has been unfavourable to the growth of many things in the garden, but one would not have thought so to see the Newark exhibits.
On entering the hall the eye was caught by the variety of flowers, and on either side there were tables of vegetables, crafts and home made produce, not forgetting a plateful of wonderful home cured ham - such a luxury in these rationed times - which took everybody's fancy.
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