Bygones: A look at stories in the Newark Advertiser from years gone by, including Bishop Alexander Primary School 25 years ago
A round-up of what was making the news in the Advertiser 25, 50 and 100 years ago.
It includes news from Bishop Alexander Primary School, the latest from Peel and Bowler, the new 50p, and an early call for speed limits.
Do you recognise yourself in the Newark Pegasus picture?
25 YEARS AGO — October 14, 1994
A lavatory block has been brightened by schoolchildren working with a professional artist.
Youngsters from Newark’s Bishop Alexander Primary School gave a new lease of life to the public lavatories on Beastmarket Hill.
Fifteen children were guided by Nottingham artist Mr Chris Jones.
Pictured hard at work are, left to right, ten-year-olds Hayley Burton, Matthew Thackery, and Jemma Wardill.
A massive jobs boost is on the cards for Newark with a proposed new factory planning a workforce of up to 500 people.
Peel and Bowler Chocolate Ltd wants to build a factory, for chocolate products, on Jessop Way, at Newark Industrial Estate, in what would be one of the biggest job creations in the town for years.
About 300 jobs would be provided straight away, with 200 more later on.
Management at the Palace Theatre, Newark, have been told to get their eyes down to look into the possibility of holding bingo sessions as a way of raising money.
Bingo sessions have not been organised in Newark for 18 months.
A £60,000 car has been used by media students at Newark and Sherwod College in a video they filmed for a nationwide competition.
The Honda NSX was loaned to students Jane Wyles and Becky Sims for a video that will be entered in a competition to find a new presenter for the BBC programme Top Gear,
Bingham Market Place is to form the backcloth of a video aimed at helping people apply for jobs.
Filming involved former BBC TV That’s Life presenter Doc Cox.
50 YEARS AGO — October 16, 1969
Top of the first division of Newark Sunday League — Newark Pegasus (pictured) — who beat Newark Nomads at the weekend.
The timbre of Mr George Brown’s voice lies somewhere between fruity and a cold wind whipping over steel tonsils. However one describes it, there is a ring of honesty and conviction about it, and this persistently came through the tinny tannoy blare in the Market Place.
The Labour deputy leader was principal speaker at an open-air meeting to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Newark Labour Party.
From the windswept back of a Co-op dairy lorry, Mr Brown gave a fluent and cohesive speech in the best grassroots barnstorming tradition.
The Church Commissioners have put a ban on discotheque dances in the Great Hall of Bishop’s Manor, Southwell.
For nearly two years organisations have been staging disco dances in the hall.
Heading towards the 1,000 mark in pie production, it’s apples all the way for the Barbers in Macauley Drive, Balderton.
The pie production began as an idea to raise money for the Main Street Methodist bazaar.
Mr Harold Barber, who had a general store in Main Street until his retirement five years ago, peeled, cored and cooked the apples and his wife made the pastry.
Britain’s new seven-sided 50-pence piece, which replaced the ten shilling note, was soon circulating in the Newark area.
By the end of the week the coin had appeared in many pay packets and housewives’ change.
100 YEARS AGO — October 15, 1919
At the Newark Borough Police Court, Alderman Nicholson said there had been very many cases lately of serious accidents in consequence of the pace of motor traffic, and he thought it was time the town council took some notice of the matter and established a speed limit of say 10mph within the borough.
There will be general and widespread regret at the decision of the War Office to close down the RE Training Centre at Newark and remove all the troops.
We understand that by the end of November the Barracks will be evacuated and that of the Red Cross Hospital, Lombard Street, and other private houses which have been occupied as billets, offices and canteens by the troops.
Socially, the departure of the REs will be a great loss. The town will be dull without them.
The stores at the Drill Hall, Newark, will be open tomorrow from 7pm to 9pm when all men have who have not yet returned their great coats and equipment must make a special effort to attend, so that discharge certificates may be sent out.
The first of a series of social evenings held under the management of Ransome and Marles Sports and Social Club took place in the dining hall, a large audience being present.
The first half of the programme consisted of vocal and instrumental items, and the efforts of the artistes were highly appreciated.
After an excellent supper, provided by the canteen, dancing was indulged in to the strains of a most efficient string band.
