The Advertiser has opened its archives to see what was making the news this week 25, 50 and 100 years ago.
25 years – April 30, 1999
ABOVE: Around 40 youngsters met at Balderton Lake to take part in a litter picking challenge organised by Nottinghamshire County Council’s youth services.
The youngsters wanted to improve the environment. They worked in teams of five and the group that bagged the most rubbish won a trophy.
• Crowds gathered in Newark Market Place to see the 3rd Battalion, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, parade for the last time.
The Queen's Colour was carried by Lieutenant Keith Spiers and the Regimental Colour by 2nd Lieutenant David Crosby.
The battalion’s disbandment brought to an end a proud history and presence in the area which dates back to 1859.
• RSPCA chiefs have backed claims that a large wild cat could be roaming the countryside.
Mr Kevin Cunningham, the RSPCA’s chief inspector for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, said the sighting of a big black cat by a retired couple in Besthorpe was very credible.
He said: “It is now pretty well know that there are such animals living in the wild.”
• Fiona Jones returned to Parliament as Newark’s MP. After a High Court ruling in London, the Speaker of the House, Betty Boothroyd, cleared the way for her return.
Mrs Jones lost the seat after she was convicted of falsifying her election expenses but she was cleared on appeal.
It was unclear if this meant she could reclaim her seat and Miss Boothroyd asked for a ruling from the High Court.
• Newark referee Phil Joslin has made the history books again after becoming the first football official from the town to be elevated on to the Nationwide League list.
The 40-year-old, who works at Ingersoll Dresser Pumps, has been a linesman on the UEFA list since 1995 and is a famliar face on the TV screens in Premiership matches.
But now he has got the big one and from next season will be the man in charge in the middle for Division One, Two and Three fixtures.
50 years ago – May 4, 1974
ABOVE: Members of staff at The Saracen’s Head Hotel, Southwell, dressed in costume from the period of Charles I for a function at the hotel.
It was the first of a series of dinner-dances with the same theme.
There was a special menu with items such as Medallion Charles I, Sole Hampton Court, Marston Moor pancake and Cromwell cocktail
• First steps are being taken to clear the way for the redevelopment of Newark town centre.
A list of planning applications have gone in for the demolition of property.
The applications include the demolition of buildings flanking the Clinton Arms Yard and a warehouse behind 40/42 Cartergate.
• Newark delegates Mr BIll Drury and Mr Vincent Dobson returned disappointed from the national Chamber of Trade conference in Eastbourne, for their call to bring back the birch as a deterrent to vandals was unsuccesstul.
Instead, the conference voted for an amendment
“That this conference views with alarm the increase In vandalism and calls on the Government urgently to review the penalties attached to crimes of that nature,” was the wording of the first half of the resolution proposed by Mr Drury.
But their resolution went on to suggest that corporal punishment should be re- introduced to deal with persistent offenders – and this was cut out.
Now a meeting of the council of Newark Chamber of Trade will be called to discuss what further action to take.
• More than 1,000 Scouts, Guides, Brownies and Cubs took part in a St George's Day parade in Newark.
The parade marched from the Mount School to Barnbygate Methodist Church for a service led by district commissioner Mr Derek Davison.
Music was provided by Newark Town Band and Newark Salvation Army Band and arranged by Mrs Hllary Adams.
It is quite unusual to see a little girl marching through the streets with a group of Cub Scouts. But for «Sarah Housley (7) it Is Just matter of routine, for she is the mascot of the 5th Newark Cub Scout pack and attended the Scout and Guide St George's Day parade with them in Newark on Sunday.
100 years ago – April 30. 1924
Newark Urban District Council discussed a recommendation to build six houses in Pelham Street for Newark Fire Brigade.
Ald Priestley opposed on the score of cost. Before the war the cost of the fire brigade was £250 in round figures and today it was £750.
Coun Appleby thoroughly endorsed the proposal. If they built the houses it was certain the men were going to nearer the station – but were they going to guarantee all the fires would break out when they were all at home?
• The seriousness with which the women of the Conservative Party are taking up their duties consequent upon the Parliamentary franchise is evidenced in Newark by the attendance and keenness at all functions under their auspices.
The Central Rooms in the Market Place, for example, were filled to the point of over-flowing when the South Ward Women’s Conservative Association held a tea.
• In consequence of the matinee The Strolling Players at the Palace Theatre it has been decided to postpone the opening match of the Newark Ladies Bowling Club.
• There was a crowded audience, estimated at around 1,500, at Newark Palace Theatre to listen to the King’s Speech.
That the speeches and music were heard so distinctly is testimony enough to the efficacy of the instruments used and the arrangements made for the reception.
• A large number of plans was passed by Newark Urban District Council for houses on the Winthorpe Road and other parts of the town.
They were passed subject to the houses on Winthorpe Road and Lincoln Road being set back to the new building line and subject to there being a separate cesspit for each houses where there is no sewer.
