What was making the news in the Newark Advertiser in 1924, 1974 and 1999
The Advertiser has again opened its archives to see what was making the news this week 25, 50 and 100 years ago.
Does it bring back any memories?
25 years ago – January 4, 1999
ABOVE: The first grants from the Wolfit Endowment Fund have been presented to students during a ceremony at Newark’s Palace Theatre.
The Newark-based fund was set up to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Balderton-born actor Donald Wolfit.
The first three recipients, who each received £100, Kevin Dawson, Matthew Bird and Louise Tansey.
• Roads in the Newark area are dangerous because they are in such poor condition, according to a driver trainer who lives in the town.
Mr Michael Bradbury said he was often flabbergasted by the potholes and broken road surfaces he saw around Newark. These could have dangerous consequences for drivers, cyclists or pedestrians, he said.
Even where repairs had been made, Mr Bradbury said they were often done so poorly that they needed doing so again soon after.
• The Isle Of Man pub group that bought one of Newark’s oldest pubs has announced plans to extend it and give it a specialist Manx theme.
Heron and Brearly Brewery took over the Swan and Salmon, off Castlegate, in the summer. It now plans to spend £320,000 on a major refurbishment.
• One of Newark’s most important landmarks and entrances, Trent Bridge, has new lights in time for the new year, with more to come during 1999.
The six new lights are copies of the originals from 1848 and are located at either end of the bridge.
• Newark-born business high-flyer Claire Derry is the brains behind TeddyBears, the new ITV children’s series poised to rival Teletubbies.
The first of 26 episodes, based on the successful books, is due to air across the country in a major coup for the fast-growing licensing and production company she set up in a management buy-out 12 years ago.
Her company was involved in developing and financing the top two children’s animation shows on Christmas Day – The Forgotten Toys on ITV and The First Snow Of Winter on BBC1.
50 years ago – January 5, 1974
ABOVE: Members of Newark Dance Club danced the night away at their New Year’s Eve party in the Robin Hood Hotel.
• Newark Town Council agreed to make compulsary purchase orders for land and property within the four-acre St Mark’s Lane development site and an area of land on Lombard Street needed for a carpark.
Town clerk Mr Geoffrey Goodall said negotiations were proceeding.
• A storm-in-a-teacup strike halted work in the new Ransome Hoffmann Pollard precision bearing factory for 48 hours when workers claimed facilities for making a cuppa had been stopped.
The 15 men and seven women involved walked out because an electric kettle used for making tea had been confiscated. Workers had been told they must use vending machines and stop making their own drinks and snacks.
• Newark shop premises previously occupied by B and B Bargain Stores at 18 Barnbygate could become a bingo hall, is planning consent is granted.
• A well-known Newark corner site, which buzzed to the sound of shoppers and cash registers until 13 months ago, has become a target for fly-stickers and vandals.
Imperial Buildings, at the corner of Barnbygate and Appletongate, was the town’s newest department store, Hamilton and Bell as recently as 1970, when it opened with more than 30 departments.
But when the firm moved away, it was boarded up to keep away the vandals, which was only partially successful.
100 years ago – January 2, 1924
The football public in Newark learned with sincere regret of the death under distressing circumstances of Ernest Ironmonger, well known in the town as a promising full-back.
The incident which had a fatal sequel took place when he was playing for Newark Town against Nottingham Forest reserves in the first round of the Notts Senior Cup.
About 13 minutes from the close he came into collision with an opposing forward and his opponent’s knee appeared to catch him in the stomach.
That the seriousness of the incident was not apparent was shown by the fact he travelled home by train without assistance.
During the night, however, the pain became intense and he was taken to hospital and, despite every attention, he passed away.
• The result of the house-to-house home collection made by the organisers of the carol singing on Christmas Eve in Collingham, which, by the way, was much appreciated, amounted to nearly £8.
This year it was forwarded to the Lincoln County Hospital.
• There were scenes of merriment and gaiety in Newark Town Hall when the new year came in.
The occasion coincided with the Newark Hockey Club ball when almost 100 guests danced to the strains of the Sanders Papworth No 1 Band,
The annual dance arranged by the nursing staff of Newark Hospital took place on the same evening.
The board room, where the frolic was held, was gaily decorated and the nurses and their friends had an enjoyable time.
• On Saturday, December 23, a new record was made at the the Gilstrap Library, Newark.
From 10am to 5pm 650 volumes were issued for home reading and 110 volumes were used in the reference department.
It is estimated 1,000 persons used the public library on that day.
