What was making the news in the Newark Advertiser in 1924, 1974 and 1999
The Advertiser has once again opened its archives to see what was making the news 25, 50 and 100 years ago.
25 years ago - December 17, 1999
ABOVE: A musical that gives an interesting twist to the Millennium Dome was performed by pupils at Winthorpe Primary School as their Christmas production.
Blastoff To The Millennium is an adventure story scripted by infant teacher Miss Miranda Blake. The plot revolves around the dome's manager Mr Jones, played by Christopher Metcalfe. Only he and his crew know the dome is actually a spaceship in disguise.
* Staff were counting the cost of a massive blaze that destroyed Europe's largest indoor motorhome showroom.
More than 100 were moved off Brownhill Ltd's seven-acre site at Lincoln Road, Newark, when the fire alarms sounded The blaze quickly engulfed the showroom with around 50 motorhornes inside.
Early estimates put the value of damage at £1.5m and the gutted shell of the building may now have to be bulldozed.
Ten fire engines from Nottinghamshire stations and others from Lincolnshire converged on Newark to tackle a blaze raging out of control when they arrived.
* A former hostel is to be given a new lease of life through a £200,000 renovation project to transform it into social housing units.
The 18th Century former Elmhurst Hotel building in Lombard Street, Newark, opposite the bus station, is to be given to Nottingham Community Housing Association by its current owners, Newark and Sherwood District Council.
* Main building work is to start next month on the £450m gas-fired power station at Staythorpe.
Up to 1,300 people are expected to work on the site as construction peaks between late 2001 and early 2002.
When the 1,500 megawatt plant is fully operational in November 2002 it will have a permanent workforce of about 60.
* Volunteers were pulled from the dance floor of Caesar's Palace nightclub. Newark, on Thesday evening as firefighters practised rescue skills. r
The Castlegate club was filled with fake smoke to make the exercise as realistic as possible.
Some passers-by were so convinced that next day. they called the Advertiser to ask if the building had been destroyed.
50 years ago - December 21, 1974
ABOVE: Santa arrived with a donkey with a cartload of presents at Meritina’s Christmas party for children.
* Newark will pay its last tribute to Mrs Elizabeth Yorke, the fifth mayor to die in office, at a memorial service in Newark Parish Church in January.
On Thursday, her family and friends made their farewell at a funeral service at Hawtonville Methodist Church, where Mrs Yorke had often preached and worshipped.
It was meant to be a small, private occasion but she had so many personal friends that a side room had to be brought into use and the service was relayed through a loud speaker.
* An appeal for help in the preservation of Newark Castle is to be made by Newark District Council.
Architect Mr Gordon Stubbs reported that the stonework of the castle’s west tower was in such a condition that it could fall at any time.
A national appeal was suggested but it was felt this was a bit premature.]
* A Christmas tree provided by Newark charter trustees will be switched on by Mr Sam Wilford on the Town Hall balcony.
Children will be able to sing to accompanied carols.
* It will be Christmas in the sun for many local people this year. Travel agencies report that record numbers of customers are turning their backs on the traditional English Christmas and flying to Spain or Majorca.
“Quite a lot of people are giving themselves a good holiday in the sun as a Christmas present and getting away from all the gloom here,” said Mr L. Cardigan, of Newark Travel Agency.
100 years ago - December 17, 1924
* There was an echo of summer when the Newark Swimming Association held their annual prize distribution at the Town Hall.
The Mayor referred to the bad weather which had handicapped the association last season. He hoped the day was near when Newark would boast a covered-in swimming pool like other towns.
Referring to the refuse disposal scheme, he pointed out that the Trent would now be much cleaner and folk would not be able to say “I will not allow my child to bathe in dirty water”.
Newark Chamber of Commerce complained about market stalls being put in front of shops, principally on May Fair days.
The complaint was that the stalls were put all the way along, touching each other, from the Clinton Arms to some distance down Stodman Street, and that to reach the shops behind people had to go either as far as Clinton or down Stodman Street.
* Additional means of telephonic communication are now available between Newark and Southwell and an improved service between the areas served by these exchanges will result.
* The annual dance organised by the local troop of Boy Scouts was held in the Assembly Room, Southwell, and was again a distinct success.
A delightful programme of music was submitted and dancing was kept up until 2am.
* There was a large attendance at the annual dinner of the Newark Society for the Prosecution of Felons at the Robin Hood Hotel.
Although founded in 1722 before even the time of the Peelers the society has not outlived its sphere of usefulness and still continues to do good work in protecting the rights and properties of its members.
An enjoyable evening concluded with the National Anthem and Auld Land Syne.
