What was making the news in the Newark Advertiser in 1923, 1973 and 1998
The Advertiser has once again opened its archives to see what was making the news this week 25, 50 and 100 years ago.
25 years ago – December 18, 1998
Above: Audiences at Winthorpe Primary School saw all 100 pupils in four performances of their Christmas production, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
The cast learnt 16 numbers from the new version of the show, which they sang to piano music pre-recorded by Mrs Carole Needham.
• Major plans have been submitted for a £2m conversion of one of the area’s most imposing buildings into a high-class health spa that could create more than 60 new jobs.
The Coeur de Lion restaurant, just off the A46 at Elston, closed in August and now the building, Elston Towers, has been bought for an undisclosed sum.
It wants to develop the Victorian folly into a luxury health spa which would feature a swimming pool, saunas and fitness facilities.
• Police have warned that anyone caught riding a bicycle in Newark Market Place is risking a fine.
Cycles are banned from the Market Place, The Arcade and St Mark’s Place.
• Newark’s Mount Church of England Primary School may be demolished and a new school built in its place.
The school, much of which dates back to 1877, could be rebuilt on the same site using government money.
Staff and governors are hoping a bid for £1.4m will be successful.
The current classrooms are damp and conditions are cramped for the 254 pupils and 80 nursery age children.
• Six reindeer from Scotland’s Cairngorm Mountains brought Father Christmas to Newark.
He started his visit at the Riverside Park and then travelled by sleigh along Beastmarket Hill, Castlegate, Lombard Street and St Mark’s Lane to St Mark’s Shopping Centre, remaining there for an hour.
50 years ago – December 22, 1973
ABOVE: The scene that tells the Christmas story without the need for words. Penelope Robertson plays Mary in the Nativity play presented by pupils of Christ Church Infants’ School, Newark.
Many Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire workers began their Christmas holiday not knowing if they face a three-day week when they resume.
Management and unions have been trying to work out how best to combat the restrictions imposed by only three days of power – Thursday, Friday and Saturday locally.
A government minister’s trip to Notts has been cancelled because the day chosen will be one without electricity.
The Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Environment, Mr Eldon Griffiths, was due to arrive in Newark and visit the cattle market before going to Edingley and Southwell.
• Newark Corporation are counting the cost of a raid in which the Sherwood Avenue swimming pool was stripped of its plumbing.
About 100ft of lead and copper pipes have been stolen in the past in what has been described as “a very well thought-out raid”.
• Telephone users over the Christmas holidays are urged to dial their own calls instead of using the operator, and as an incentive all STD and local calls will be at the cheap rate.
More than 10,000 operators will be on duty this Christmas, but they will be under heavy pressure.
• A children’s party at Balderton Church Hall given by the parents association of Balderton Hospital’s Rosefield Ward, was attended by 45 children and their parents.
Refreshments and games were organised by the hospital’s League Of Friends.
100 years ago – December 19, 1923
When the Medical Officer of Health Dr W. Baxter presented his report to he Newark RDC it was remarked that the new houses at Hawtonville had as large a percentage of illness as was to be found in the district.
The doctor said it was a fact that new houses were almost invariably as infected as he so-called slum areas.
Mr Hind wondered if it were on account of their being occupied before they were thoroughly dry.
Dr Baxter said he hardly thought so but the fact remained that there was as much illness there as anywhere.
• It was reported to the Newark Guardians by the Master of the Workhouse that a woman living on Beacon Hill drove up to the institution in a cab and made an application to be admitted.
She said she was not a pauper and would pay her maintenance.
• Rollicking revelry ran rife at the town hall when members of Newark Thursday Football Team turned their attention from ball to ballroom and gathered for the annual dance.
There were close upon 200 dancers and the fancy costumes added to the ever-changing daintiness of the scene.
The majority of the dancers wore fancy dress and the atmosphere was cosmopolitan in the extreme.
• Twelfth Night was produced at the Minster Grammar School where the enthusiastic reception with which the crowded houses was the natural tribute to a very talented company of players.
• A fairly well attended parish meeting was held in South Collingham. After some discussion it was resolved to recommend the parish council to make the best terms they could with Newark for the use of their engine in case of fire.
