What was making the news in the Newark Advertiser in 1924, 1974 and 1999
The Advertiser has opened its archives to see what was making the news this week 25, 50 and 100 years ago.
25 years ago – January 29, 1999
ABOVE: More than 100 local pig farmers and their families joined a march on Downing Street to protest against the collapse of their industry.
A specially hired train, dubbed the Piggy Express, from Northgate Station took the area’s farmers to London.
UK pig farmers are angry that their continental counterparts are not subject to the same welfare laws. They are also disgusted by what they call supermarket profit-driven greed in importing cheaper foreign met that is then sold at the same price.
• Creating a better Newark for the new millennium – that is the town council’s theme to mark the celebrations.
Leader Dave Barton said the council would back a series of community projects designed to improve the quality of life in Newark and make it a better place to live.
• Highways officials are to investigate ways of making the A46 safer between Newark and Bingham.
Although officials have said there is little chance of the road being dualled in the near future, they will look at other measures to improve conditions for drivers.
A study is to be carried out into how access to the A46 can be improved at problem junctions at Farndon, East Stoke, Elston and Syerston.
• Conservation pioneers whose plan for a wind turbine at Hockerton was refused, fear the decision may have been swayed by a cartoon shown to councillors before it was considered.
The anonymous drawing shows a witch on a broomstick, Kelham Hall, and a caricature of Newark and Sherwood District Council chief executive Richard Dix.
It was sent to a councillor on the day of the meeting, who showed it to committee members. She denies she linked anyone with its sending.
50 years ago – February 2, 1974
ABOVE: Santa has made his second visit to patients in the children's ward at Newark Hospital. Pictured here is Paul Lambert, 8, who was among those who received some late Christmas gifts.
British Gypsum’s White Heather Sports and Social Club presented the ward with sweets and toys they had left over from their children’s party.
Presenting Paul with his gifts is club secretary Mr Harry Kolasa with matron Miss E. M. Jordan.
• Moves are afoot to bring in six-day trading in Newark, ending for some shops the traditional Thursday half-day closing.
At present, shops have to close for one half-day in the week by law. The only exemptions are hairdressing salons and do-it-yourself shops.
• The lure of sunlit beaches in Australia is proving too much for some local families faced with the threat of power cuts and a two-day week.
Newark Travel Agency, of Barnbygate, report that in recent weeks they have had “quite a few more inquiries than usual” about emigration.
Australia has been by far the most popular country with inquiries also for New Zealand, Canada and South Africa.
• A seal was rescued from Torksey Lock.
It was sighted in Cromwell Lock last November and then disappeared up river until it was spotted by a keeper at Torksey.
He opened the sluice gates to let it get to the sea but it stayed put so he phoned the RSPCA.
RSCPA Inspector Fred Comber found the seal, since named Sam laying on the bank. It was put in a crate and taken to Newark.
“I stopped at the market and bought some fish for the seal and it spent the night in my garage,” said the inspector.
Sam was then taken to Natureland at Skegness.
100 years ago – January 30, 1924
The staff at the Newark Employment Exchange have been tested to the full for the last day or two.
The closing down of the Kelham factory of Home Grown Sugar has synchronised with the railway stoppage and consequently numbers of workspeople have lost their employment.
Whereas a few weeks before Christmas the number of the books was under 100, no less than 380 men, 80 women and girls and 20 boys are now wholly unemployed.
• At the County Police Court, five youths pleaded guilty to playing football on Kelham Road, Newark, on Sunday.
Pc Muggleton said several people complained about boys playing football and also that they had been hit.
Witness went and saw the defendants playing football and took possession of the ball.
After hearing there was no field for them to play in, and that they would not do it again, the case was dismissed.
• The re-appointment of a Town Crier was brought forward to a meeting of Newark Town Council.
Coun Appleby observed that they had not had one for the last few years, the last one being during the war. It was an old office and one not entailing a great expenditure on the town.
The last one had a uniform at the start with £5 and a pair of trousers each year. That would not bankrupt the town and at the same time they were retaining an very old custom.
Opposition came from Ald Perfect who said it was time to exercise a little more economy and a few bills could be printed and sent round before the Crier could get round.
The appointment was approved.
• The annual tea and social in connection with the Church Lads’ Brigade and Training Corps was held in the Trebeck Hall, Southwell.
After tea, a pleasant evening was spent. There was a singing competition and a gramophone selection was played on Mr Hedderley’s gramophone.
• The fancy dress dance promoted by the sports and social organisation of Messrs Ransome and Marles’ Bearing Co, held in Newark Town Hall, attracted a large attendance.
The varied selection of costumes and the constant whirl of the many characters contributed to an effective carnival scene.
