What was making the news in the Newark Advertiser in 1925, 1975 and 2000
The Advertiser has opened its archives to see what was making the news this week 25, 50 and 100 years ago.
25 years ago - July 28, 2000
ABOVE: In a move reminiscent of an Ealing comedy, the villager of Rolleston declared independence from the UK in a fun event on Saturday.
The independent state of Rollestonia - population 280 - introduced its own passport and immigration controls around the parish boundary.
Anyone who failed to support Rolleston’s independence was placed in the stocks and pelted with sponges.
Rolleston crier Ross Thackerey is pictured at the passport check with Ben Birch, 8, and Amy Hart, 6.
* Newark and Sherwood council tenants are discussing plans for a big housing shake-up that could spell the end of council homes in the district.
Council chiefs are spending £15,000 on a consultants’ report on all the implications of the transfer of council homes to housing associations in the private sector.
* An alliance of opposition parties blocked Labour plans for a trip to Russia by members of Newark and Sherwood District Council.
Conservatives were unhappy that council leader Stan Crawford used his casting vote to approve the trip to Kopeisk.
The visit was part of a European Union initiative to set up technical links between EU and Russian authorities.
* A Balderton 18 year old is the first to be talent-spotted by the BBC in its nationwide search for new television presenters.
Erica Harvey made her debut as a children’s television presenter. She has joined the summer programme Xchange, which involves travel round the UK meeting children with unusual hobbies.
* A huge demolition and clearance operation is under way in Southwell to make way for a £3m Co-op supermarket.
The town centre’s landscape has been dramatically changed since work on the demolition of the former Beckett Builders premises in The Ropewalk began.
50 years ago - August 2, 1975
ABOVE: Summer school started up in Newark this week. In this picture Mark Ridges, 8, and Ian Henderson, 10, examine the insides of an old television set at Bowbridge Junior School, which is having its first ever summer school.
About 80 children and 12 parents attended this week but, with the end of the works holiday, between 120 and 150 children are expected next week.
* The stench of industrial stagnation could settle on Newark, says the president of the town’s chamber of commerce and industry, Mr Stanley Eden.
Mr Eden called for extra incentives to firms that want to move to Newark, to combat an unemployment situation that threatens to become one of the worst in the country.
* Crowds at motor auction hacked at the cockpit of a crashed RAF aeroplane in a desperate attempt to free two trapped men.
But both men died in the aircraft, a Chipmunk trainer, which skimmed the roof of the auction building on Newark and Notts Showground as the last car was being sold.
* Plans for a complete outer relief road for Southwell have been backed by Notts environment committee.
But the committee chairman warned: “There is no guarantee the road will be built in the near future.”
* A plan to build a boating marina at North Muskham was given reserved approval by members of the parish council.
The marina, earmarked for the rear of The Shades in Main Street, has been talked about and planned for the last 11 years.
* The modern Battle of Hastings, an annual competition for Britain’s town criers, is to take place at the Sussex resort, and Newark town crier Mr Bert Hall will be among the 22 taking part.
The winner will receive £50 cash, the News Of The World Perpetual Challenge Trophy and a free holiday at one of Pontin’s holiday camps.
100 years ago - July 29, 1925
* Newark Fire Brigade was called to a field belonging to Miss Gilstrap situated on the Newark-Lincoln road.
The field, which is in a very dry condition, by some means got on fire and the flames quickly spread.
People in the vicinity rendered efficient service and had beaten out the flames by the time the brigade arrived.
* An open-air meeting of the local branch of the League of Nations Union was held in the grounds of Ivydene, Newark.
There was a good attendance, including several prominent workers for the cause in Newark.
* Holy Trinity Sunday and day scholars in Southwell had their treat.
Headed by Southwell Band, the children went to a field kindly let by Mr C. E. Wilson, where games were indulged in.
They returned to the playground for tea and resumed the sports later on.
An enjoyable afternoon and evening were spent.
* The inmates of the Bedehouses in Barnbygate, Newark, desire to tender their thanks to Dr and Mrs J. M. Walker who recently entertained them to tea in the vicarage garden.
* For carrying more on his bus than the number allowed by law resulted in Frank Watterson appearing before Newark magistrates.
Sergeant Hopkinson said he saw the man with 19 passengers in his Silver Queen bus. It stopped and nine adults got out, leaving 14 - the legal number.
On a second occasion the defendant was carrying 23 passengers.
He was fined £1 in each case.