What was making the news in the Newark Advertiser in 1925, 1975 and 2000
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 - January 7, 2000
ABOVE: Pupils and staff at The Newark High School have moved into their new-look premises.
The £2.6m works programme at the school’s London Road site is complete. All 613 pupils and 31 staff have relocated from the Windsor Road site, formerly Sconce Hills, where lessons were held while the London Road site was prepared.
The new building, set around a quadrangle, has an open learning centre, including three large rooms with 55 new computers and 65 work stations.
* A £2.2m development programme at the Magnus Church of England School, Newark, is complete.
The school’s improved Earp Avenue site opened its doors to all year groups, bringing the 1,187 pupils and 85 staff together on one site. Previously, those aged 11 to 14 had been at Barnby Road, the former Magdalene school.
* A Thurgarton couple have become the first husband and wife pair to trek to the South Pole.
Mike and Fiona Thornewill were part of a nine-strong team which began the 750-mile trek on November 5.
They hope to have raised thousands of pounds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
* A derelict Victorian church saved from demolition will be transformed into seven one-bedroom homes if a developer’s plans are approved.
Mr John Coen, of Collingham, is asking for permission to convert St Augustine’s Church in Newton Street, Newark.
* Winthorpe Primary School has been given 50 free tickets to go on an educational tour to the Millennium Dome.
The tickets are among one million available to schools through a ballot.
50 years ago - January 11, 1975
ABOVE: Radio and television comedian Frankie Holmes was fire eater, clown and singer at Ransome Hoffmann and Pollard’s children’s party in the works canteen, attended by 400 children.
The children, aged five to 11, were also shown films and each child was given a selection box.
* While other firms fear for the future, a Newark clothing factory has embarked on a massive expansion programme which will double its workforce within the next year.
Meritina Ltd, of Sleaford Road, has built a 48,000sq ft extension and new machinery costing £2/3m will be installed in the next few months.
This will include automated machinery which will enable Meritina to employ girls and women who are less skilled than those needed at the minute.
* Warnings of the danger of walking on pulverised fire ash have been given to pupils of Besthorpe Primary School by the headteacher, who told the children that the substance used for infilling disused sand quarries can be more dangerous than quicksand.
Six cattle belonging to Mr Ray Blundy escaped from a field at Besthorpe and were found in an infilled site with only their heads above the ash surface.
A hand had to be roped before venturing on to the ash to fasten a rope around the animals’ necks and they were pulled out with the help of a tractor.
* The disappointing public response to the rate option invitation, published by Newark District Council, is to be considered by its finance committee.
Chief executive Mr John Spencer described it as a very disappointing exercise in that only 270 replies were received (a one per cent return) but said it was good value from a public relations point of view.
And it had come through strong and clear that nearly everyone wanted to see the option as low as possible.
* Planning permission has been given for the installation of a 30ft stub mast and link aerials for radio communication at the Notts County Council depot at Kelham Road, Newark.
This will form part of a radio system for the use of the planning and transportation, leisure services and consumer protection departments.
100 years ago - January 7, 1925
There was much excitement in Newark when a serious outbreak of fire occurred at Bryan’s Wood Yard in Northgate.
The alarm was given about 9.45pm and the vivid glow in the sky soon attracted large numbers of people to the scene.
A motor lorry containing a quantity of petrol was driven from the yard by the owner, who came running to the scene in his slippers, and a horse was released, not without difficulty.
The Newark Fire Brigade were forestalled in their arrival by workers from the adjacent brewery of Messrs Warwicks and Richardsons, who soon ran out the hose and were directing water on the flames with the aid of neighbours.
That far worse damage was done was doubtless due to this voluntary brigade.
The neighbours did not wait - as one of them facetiously put it - for the ‘brass hats’ but were also quickly on the scene maintaining a supply of buckets of water.
* The rainfall for 1924, as registered by Kelham Estate Office, was 24.87, and for Newark, as taken at the Castle Gardens, 24.70, which is much less than the average for the country.
* A dinner was given to their indoor and outdoor servants by Mr and Mrs A. J. Bennett, Kirklington Hall.
Dancing followed in the institute until 2.30am to which staff were allowed to invite friends.
Mr C. Wyer’s jazz band supplied the music and everyone present had the most enjoyable time.
* A delightful carnival dance was given by Mrs James Reynolds Hole on New Year’s Eve at the Church Schoolroom, Balderton.
A very original parade of fancy dress costumes was given by the guests. A prize was awarded to Mr Heron representing a Chinese Mandarin.
