What was making the news in the Newark Advertiser in 1922, 1972 and 1997

The Advertiser has opened its archives to look what was making the news this week 25, 50 and 100 years ago.

How much of it do you remember?

25 years ago ­— December 26, 1997

ABOVE: A young Mary (Florry Duddles) and Joseph (James Walker) give some tender loving care to their baby Jesus in the Nativity play at Highfields School, Newark.

The play was set to rhyme by the head of nursery, Mrs Sharon Hancock.

Mystery surrounds the future of the Robin Hood Hotel, which closed earlier this month. The building is now locked and deserted.

Once Newark’s premier hotel, the historic 37-bedroom former coaching inn on Lombard Street shut when the power supply was cut off.

There are reports that a prominent businessman in the town is planning a bid for the hotel.

Shopkeepers anticipating a hectic weekend were not disappointed by the late flurry of Christmas shoppers.

Other areas reported slack December trade, sparking an early start to the January sales, but many Newark stores have been pleased with business.

A stab-proof vest is to be bought for Newark Special Constabulary by the town council.

Divisional Officer Rob Hill said he wanted to give extra protection to all his volunteers by buying at least 20 vests.

He said his officers had attended five incidents involved knives in the past month.

The fame of Southwell Minster and its choir crossed to the other side of the Atlantic as both were featured in the New York Times.

The minster was one of three cathedrals chosen to feature in the newspaper’s travel supplement, alongside Durham and Salisbury.

The article, written by Sue Stiles, is headed Southwell’s Modest Majesty.

50 years ago ­— December 30, 1972

ABOVE: The 21 boys in the junior department at Southwell Minster Grammar School have moved into a new extension to the school.

The building, which cost £8,000, was officially opened by a former headmaster, Mr Basil Rushby Smith, and dedicated by the Bishop of Southwell, the Rt Rev Denis Wakeling.

Pictured at the opening are, left to right, Mrs Ford, headmaster Mr Roy Ford, Mrs Rushby Smith, Mr Basil Rushby Smith, the Bishop of Southwell, and chairman of the school governors Canon Eric Roberts.

An investigation is to be carried out in a bid to halt the deterioration in Newark’s Millgate and Victoria Street areas.

Newark’s public health and watch committee is to co-operate with Nottinghamshire County Council in a study to seek a planning solution.

The new Hemelite Sports and Social Club in the former Tory headquarters in Newark Market Place should open in June next year.

One room will be a bar, another a games room and a third a hall for concerts and social evenings.

Redecorating is a do-it-yourself job for some of the group’s 95 members.

Newark MP Mr Ted Bishop appeared on BBC television’s Nationwide programme to argue the case for men being allowed to work as midwives.

Mr Bishop, known as a champion of women’s rights, said: “If one is against discrimination, it should cut both ways.”

More than 50 Newark children from Newark estates spent Christmas afternoon at a party at Hawtonville Methodist Church Hall.

100 years ago ­— December 27, 1922

Registration agents have sent particulars of a new company in Newark ­— Cafferata and Co, to acquire and carry on the business of plaster, cement and brick manufacturers.

The annual end-of-season social of the students of the Evening Schools was held at Mount Schools when the classrooms looked particularly festive.

Excellent refreshments were provided by the Mikado Café.

It is interesting to note that the Mount School has installed a wireless apparatus for the benefit of day and evening school pupils.

One of the attractions was ‘listening in’.

An end-of-term dance held at Magnus Grammar School in connection with the school rugby football club was a success and there was a large number of dancers.

Gaily bedecked with streamers of many colours, the main hall had none of its erstwhile severity of appearance.

Great interest has been evinced in the competition conducted by Mr Lacey at the Toy and Sports Emporium in Cartergate.

Competitors had to guess the number of nuts and marbles in a bottle, the prize being a beautiful doll valued at seven guineas.

There have been hundreds of entries.

The fascinating Sally is coming to Newark’s alley ­— the Palace Theatre.

The much-talked musical comedy is said to be the biggest attraction ever brought to Newark.

Visitors will be introduced to one of the largest pieces of stage-craft seen in Newark.