Review of the year part two: A look back at what made the news in the Newark Advertiser from July to December 2024
From elite cycle races to live-saving carers, the Advertiser has looked back on what was a busy year for news across the area.
Yesterday, we looked back at January to June. Today, we turn our attention to July to December.
JULY
The General Election was in the forefront of people’s minds as they went to the polls on July 4.
In line with the national Labour landslide, Sherwood turned red as the results were announced in the early hours.
Michelle Welsh won with 18,841 votes, pipping previous MP Mark Spencer to the post by 5,443 votes.
However, in Newark the Conservatives remained strong and Robert Jenrick was voted in for another term — making him the last remaining Conservative MP in the county.
A teenager ‘defied the odds’ after he refused to give up after he was told he’d exhausted all avenues for treatment following a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Dan Evans, then 18, underwent a stem cell transplant and by July was at home recovering.
He said: “There are many things I still want to do. Being 18 is young and you have your whole life in front of you, and I didn’t want to give up on that.”
Fascinating archaeological finds were unearthed during work to transform Newark’s former M&S, at 32 Stodman Street.
The site, which is in the process of being redeveloped into retail and residential units, was host to an archaeological dig by a specialist team from Contour Archaeology Ltd.
They identified a fully intact horse burial, as well as Medieval walls, wells, enclosure boundaries and pits, roof tiles, pottery, metalwork, and animal bones, such as boar’s tusks as well as cow and sheep bones.
Crowds flocked to the Market Place and venues across the town centre for the annual Newark Book Festival, which this year was also accompanied by a Book Bench trail.
There were more than 50 events suitable for all ages held over four days, including the literature village, a town-wide murder mystery, and talks from authors.
The Book Bench trail included 11 benches created by artists from across the district and East Midlands, each with a different theme — from history and heritage to personal stories and wildlife.
The Gate to Southwell Festival saw a record attendance, with more than 5,000 visitors descending on the Kirklington site in the event’s 17th year.
AUGUST
Newark Festival returned over the bank holiday weekend, with more than 70 musical acts performing across the town.
The event was a huge success, to the delight of the town council’s lead organiser Ian Harrison, who said: “Newark can again be proud that we continue to punch above our weight as a market town… it was a brilliant three days.”
Acts included James Manners, Steelgen, Highway Hunkies, and Free Spirit, brass bands — and there was also circus performances and family fun.
It concluded with music, lasers, fire projection, and a surprise fireworks display at the castle.
There was also plenty of traditional seaside fun with the return of Newark-on-Sea beach for a third year.
From classic Punch and Judy shows, to sand castle competitions, crafts, sports and live music, the free event turned the town into a real summertime destination.
It also saw the return of the of The Plastic Ocean Show and its 18-metre-long inflatable whale, which proved a real hit.
Former Mayor Laurence Goff took to the skies for a tandem skydive.
The town councillor faced his fears and leapt from a plane 15,000ft above the ground, in a effort to reach his fundraising target of £15,000 in aid of the Bomber Gateway Trust’s On Freedom’s Wings project. which will see a full-scale replica of a Lancaster Bomber built near Norton Disney.
The Advertiser’s Pet of the Year winners, sponsored by Minster Vets, were crowned, with Pecker the chicken taking the overall title.
Crowds turned out in force for a day of glamour and racing thrills at a sunny Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse.
SEPTEMBER
The son of Piper Bill Millin (right) who led soldiers on to the beaches on D-Day, opened an 80-metre yarn depiction of the landings.
John Millin, of Rampton, played the bagpipes to open the Longest Yarn exhibition at Southwell Minster.
His father features in a number of the metre-long knit and crochet panels created by nearly 200 knitters from across the world.
Elite cyclists once again pedalled across the line in Newark as they completed stage four of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men.
Spirits were high and the sun was shining as the fast-paced finish took place on Victoria Street, with a whole host of activities in nearby Sconce and Devon Park.
The stage win was claimed by French cyclist Paul Magnier for team Soudal Quick-Step.
The event had attracted visitors from far and wide.
There was also racing action on the River Trent, as Jason and the Argonauts roared to victory in the annual Dragon Boat Race.
Despite the wet weather, there was still a cheerful turnout for the fifth running of the race, held in aid of the Children’s Bereavement Centre and Beaumond House.
Also this month, Newark’s £15.4m state-of-the-art Air and Space Institute was officially opened by Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire Veronica Pickering.
Flintham Show welcomed celebrity guests Kelvin Fletcher of Emmerdale, and Dilwyn Evans of Clarkson's Farm.
OCTOBER
An out-of-this-world exhibition arrived at Southwell Minster.
Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon took over the historic venue, to offer an up close and personal look at a familiar sight of the night sky.
The internally-lit moon, which measured seven metres in diameter, was suspended in the cathedral’s nave.
It was accompanied by a variety of special events and space-based children’s activities.
The first phase of a long-awaited link road opened to motorists.
It bridges the gap between Fernwood and Bowbridge Lane, and is part of the £100m link road project which will connect the A1 to the A46 south of Newark.
Approximately 1.15km of new and improved highway was laid, as well as two pedestrian crossings.
The Festival of Creativity brought thousands of people into town for a range of free fun — from dance lessons to tours of Newark’s new Air and Space Institute — organised by Newark Creates.
The lives of Polish servicemen and civilians were also commemorated, with both the Airbridge and All Souls services taking place at Newark Cemetery.
The 80th anniversary of 1944 Warsaw Uprising was marked at the Air Bridge Memorial. It was attended by representatives of organisations from Poland and Britain, and civic dignitaries.
The annual All Souls ceremony was held in the Polish War Graves section, with lanterns lit and placed upon the graves to remember and honour the Polish servicemen who fought for their country but never returned home.
A secret speakeasy for ‘those in the know’ opened in the refurbished 15th Century Prince Rupert pub as part of a £170,000 refurbishment.
Southwell’s Bramley Apple Festival had plenty to a-peel for visitors — including some from Japan.
NOVEMBER
A historic butchers re-opened its doors over a year after it closed.
G H Porter Provisions, on the corner of the Market Square and Bridge Street, promised to bring quality, locally sourced, and fresh produce back to the town centre.
Last year the shop looked set to be closed for good, due to increased costs and changing shopping habits, but new owner James Westwood is set to continue Porter’s more than 130 year history.
More than 3,900 visitors came to the Market Place as Newark’s Town Hall was illuminated for a screening of animated film A Likely Story.
Created by Electric Egg, the free-to-watch short film told the story of Harriet and friends as they enjoyed an escapade through the history of Newark, discovering stories around every corner.
But it wasn’t the only attraction of the day — there was the Celestial Sound Cloud in St Mary’s Remembrance Gardens, lamplight guided tours of Newark Parish Church, and a Shadow Play at the National Civil War Centre’s Tudor Hall.
On Remembrance Sunday parades took place in towns and villages across the area, including Southwell, Balderton, Ollerton and Bingham.
Remembrance Sunday was the last service held at Newark Parish Church before it began its year-long closure for work on the £3m Reawakening of St Mary Magdalene project which aims to protect the landmark for future generations, as well as breathe new life into the visitor experience.
Despite Storm Bert halting the town’s Christmas lights switch-On event, it couldn’t stop the seasonal fun in the Buttermarket.
Hundreds attended the Artisan Market and the Inspire Buttermarket Christmas event, where they got stuck into festive shopping, crafts, and carol singing.
Schools across the area raised thousands for the annual Children in Need fundraiser.
DECEMBER
A quick thinking carer saved a customer’s life by delivering CPR.
Patrycja Hoffman, part of the care team at Weldon Homecare Services, was visiting a customer at their Newark home when they began to feel dizzy.
The carer sprang into action, instructing the customer’s husband to dial 999, and when it was confirmed to be a heart attack, Patrycja delivered live-saving CPR.
Her actions meant that by the time the ambulance arrived, the customer was breathing again and with a pulse.
The community rallied around and donated nearly £200 after charity funds were stolen during a break-in at Dry Clean Plus, on Bargate.
Storm Darragh wasn’t enough to rain on the Steampunks’ parade, as hundreds still turned out in force for their modified Christmas festival.
While the market and entertainment was moved indoors, there was still plenty of cheer to be found.
There was the highly-anticipated Gala Ball, a fashion show, and, despite the rain, many still braved the grand finale parade through the streets of Newark.
Environmentally-conscious businessman Steff Wright was appointed as a deputy lieutenant of Nottinghamshire.
The founder and chairman of Collingham-based B Corp-accredited business Gusto Group will spend his three years in the role using his expertise to further the King’s working priorities.
Controversial plans to site the Kiddey Stones — by renowned sculptor Robert Kiddey — outside Castle House were approved.
At a cost of £87,000, the stones, which were originally commissioned for Wilford Power Station, will be put on display to the front of the civic building.
Newark Palace Theatre’s annual pantomime Aladdin broke the venue’s ticket sales record. The genie-us production sold more than 20,600 tickets.
Notts Young Farmers Clubs’ Santa Tractor Run ran a 36-mile route through Southwell and villages, and raised more than £7,000.
