January 28, 1953

Nearly 1,000 members and friends at the Notts Young Farmers' Ball, held in Nottingham last week, saw Miss Carole Jones selected from 30 candidates as Miss Young Farmer, 1953. Miss Jones is a former secretary of Flintham YFC.

o-o-o-O-o-o-o

Falling interest in Newark's ex-Service organisations was spotlighted at last night's meeting of the Newark branch of the Royal Artillery Association.

Mr W. G. Keeton, the secretary, told members that not one ex-National Serviceman had joined in the past year, although more than 20 had been invited.

Officials of other associations catering for ex-soldiers, sailors and airmen in Newark, tell a similar story.

o-o-o-O-o-o-o

The skirl and drone of bagpipes echoed eerily along corridors at the Robin Hood Hotel, Newark, on Saturday.

It was Burn's Night for Newark Caledonian Society - the night Newark Scots met at dinner to pay traditional tribute to their national poet Robert Burns.

There was all the pomp and circumstance of the haggis ceremony: the procession round the tables with the haggis held aloft, preceded by the pipes and escorted by the whisky

The toast, The Queen, was drunk with Highland honours, the men standing with one foot on the table and one on the chair.

January 21, 1953

Local doctors and their wives and consultants from Nottingham were among the guests at a dance held by the nursing staff at Newark General Hospital in the Town Hall.

Present were the matron, Miss E. S. R. Beamish, the chairman of the Newark Group of Hospitals, Alderman B. L. Maule, and mayor and mayoress of Newark, Mr and Mrs T. W. Howes.

o-o-o-O-o-o-o

Newark Palace Cinema is equipped for live stage shows, and local amateur dramatic and operatic societies will be welcome to use it, said Mr Walter Eckart, managing director of Star Cinema's (London) Ltd, new owners of Newark Cinemas.

"A decision on the future of the Palace will be forthcoming in due course," he said.

"We are going to do what the public want us to do, but that is tied up with what the local authority will let us do.

"Nottinghamshire County Council will insist that a great deal of work be effected to the stage before there can be regular presentation of live shows, and the sum which would be involved is such that we have it decide whether or not such large expenditure is justifiable.

"We would not turn the Palace into a live theatre entirely; we are cinema people," he said.

o-o-o-O-o-o-o

Two men in the cab of a lorry were unhurt when it was hit by a train on the Newark to Lincoln line in fog last Wednesday.

The collision was at the uncontrolled crossing near Newark Sewage Works at 11.05am.

The lorry was crossing to the sewage works and was knocked across the track.

January 14, 1953

Britain must wake up and shake off the post-war inclination to shrink from challenges, or deteriorate.

The Bishop of Southwell, Dr F. R. Barry, expressed this as his opinion at the annual plough service in Newark Parish Church on Sunday.

New inventions and discoveries had been all too often welcomed as things likely to make life easier, but it must be realised that this was a dangerous attitude, he said.

Farmers from all parts of the country witnessed the age-old ceremony of the blessing of the plough.

o-o-o-O-o-o-o

Newark cinemas will be showing the very latest films from next Monday. As new pictures are put out on general release they will be presented in Newark at the same time as they are shown at Nottingham.

Mr J. F. Swaine, manager of the Savoy told the Advertiser that Star Cinemas (London) Ltd intend giving patrons only the best.

Forthcoming attractions at the Savoy include Road To Bali with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, Charlie Chaplin's new film, Limelight, and Snows Of Kilimanjaro.

During the last few weeks a number of improvements have been taking place at the Savoy, Palace and Ritz theatres.

o-o-o-O-o-o-o

Part of the Balderton mental colony - begun by Nottinghamshire County Council and abandoned in 1942 - will be completed 'in the near future,' said Sir Basil Gibson, chairman of Sheffield Regional Hospital, on Monday.

The whole scheme is for 986 beds. The colony was built at a cost of £250,000. It is a self contained community, with its own farm, which at present supplies Saxondale Hospital with food and milk.

January 7, 1953

There were 500 children at Newark's biggest party of the season, organised by Ransome and Marles Sports and Social Club.

The entertainment in the works canteen included Charlie Chaplin films, a Punch and Judy show, juggling, conjuring and community singing.

o-o-o-O-o-o-o

Many Newark industrialists will find 1953 their most difficult year for a long time. In some boardrooms there is talk of cutting prices in face of foreign competition, and of fewer export orders.

Materials, particularly steel are easier to get than at this time last year, and the labour shortage in Newark is not so acute as it was.

Increased efficiency to keep production costs down is Ransome and Marles Bearing Co., Ltd's aim for 1953.

"We have a full order book, material supplies have improved, and our factories are employed to capacity," Mr C. G. H. Richardson, managing director, told the Advertiser.

o-o-o-O-o-o-o

Attempt is being made by Coun. D. M. Start to stop the ox-roasting ceremony in Newark Market Place during the town's Coronation celebrations.

He thinks the roasting would be 'an unjustifiable waste of food' and 'revolting as a public spectacle.'

The ox-roasting was approved in principle at last week's meeting of Newark Town Council.