Bygones: Stories in the Newark Advertiser from years gone by, including RHP fire brigade, Channel 4's The Big Breakfast, and Worthington Simpson in cup action
A round-up of what was making the news in the Advertiser 25, 50 and 100 years ago.
It includes a retirement from RHP fire brigade, a nightclub closure, trouble at a youth club, and early plans for Newark's war memorial.
Did you have memories of the fire crew at RHP?
25 years ago — April 28, 1995
ABOVE: Works fireman Mr Alan Thompson has retired after 47 years with the same company.
Mr Thompson was a member of the championship-winning fire crew of the Fifties and Sixties from the then Ransome and Marles works.
A machine operator, Mr Thompson joined the part-time RHP fire brigade at the age of 18 in 1948 and worked his way through the ranks.
Police are appealing for public help as they bid to tackle a rising tide of house burglaries.
In the last week there have been eight break-ins in which the total value of property taken has been put at more than £50,000.
A nightclub that re-opened two months ago with a new name and image has closed.
Vibes, in Baldertongate, which was formerly Bootleggers, has closed as part of a decision by its owner to pull out of business interests in Newark.
Well-wishers lined the streets of Newark and Southwell as hundreds of Scouts and Guides took part in their annual St George’s Day parades.
For the first time, the Beavers — the youngster Scout section — were allowed to take part.
Channel Four’s The Big Breakfast and its roving prankster Keith Chegwin sprang one of their surprises in Newark.
But Chegger’s intended victims — a group of runners staying at the South Parade Hotel — sprang a surprise of their own.
Keith told the Advertiser: “We planned to surprise them as they came out of the hotel, but 30 seconds before we went live on air, they came jogging along the road after an early morning run.”
50 years ago — May 2, 1970
ABOVE: The new indoor nets at Grove Sports Centre, Balderton, give members of Claypole Cricket Club the chance of a warm-up while it pours with rain outside.
The wicket is a hard latex surface as playable as a well-kept grass wicket. The nets stretch up to the roof, allowing batsmen to hit full-blooded sixes safely.
About 20 youths have been interviewed by Newark police about a gang raid on Collingham youth club.
More than 30 youths were on the raid, during which seven Collingham boys were beaten and a record player smashed.
The gang, some with skinhead-style haircuts, drove from Newark in about six card and gathered at a public house. They then converged on the club, where members were drinking coffee and listening to records.
Newark Town Council was told Nottinghamshire County Council would be willing to offer cash help if Gilstrap Library is replaced.
The county council hopes the new library would be of a size and design suitable for serving the borough and surrounding area.
The possible use of Beaumond Gardens or Kings Road sites are being examined.
The 500 spectators who turned up at Elm Avenue ground, Newark, for the final of the Harrison Cup competition between Worthington-Simpson Reserves and British Rail were treated to some excellent football.
Simpson took a two-goal lead into half-time through J. Wyles and C. Heyward but two goals in the last two minutes gave Rail a 4-2 win.
100 years ago — April 28, 1920
During an inspection of the site of the cross, Newark Town Council’s war memorials committee was told public subscriptions were not coming in to anything like the extent that they hoped.
The Mayor said they should bring it to the council and do their utmost to raise the necessary money. It was important that they should have a memorial of some character that they could show to future generations as an appreciation of the services of those who had fallen.
The story of a 13-year-old boy’s theft of condensed milk, a bottle of raisin wine and a door key was told at Newark Borough Police Court.
The boy, of Newark, was sentenced to receive six strokes of the birch and the chairman warned him that if he again came before the court he would be severely dealt with and sent to a reformatory school.
Houdini, the magician, continues to add to his laurels wherever he appears.
All his latest and most intricate exploits are embodied in his remarkable film, The Master Mystery, at Beaumond Hall, Newark.
Many Newarkers were disappointed that Huddersfield failed to win the English Cup, seeing that Frank Mann, a local product who rose through from Newark schools football into the Castle Rovers team, was a member of the Tykes’ cup 11.
Five men appeared at Newark County Police Court charged with gaming on the highway at Balderton.
Pc Otter gave evidence of seeing the defendants at play with cards and money, and of picking up the cloth which they left on running away.
They were all fined.