What was making the news in the Newark Advertiser in 1924, 1974 and 1999

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

25 years ago - August 20, 1999

ABOVE: Children at the Early Learning Preschool Nursery, Balderton, had the chance to sit in a fire engine as part of an emergency services topic week.

Firefighter Paul Allen is pictured helping Jack Dent (3) and Lois Groden (4) to try on fire helmets.

* Newark MP Fiona Jones has called for a transformation of the market place in a bid to create a continental-style heart for the town.

Speaking at an open air meeting with traders and retailers, she criticised the practice of leaving market stalls up permanently.

She said on non-market days the square should be the focal point of the town. Benches and flower displays could be added and the absence of empty stalls would allow shoppers to enjoy the architecture of the historic square.

* A Coddington businessman caught up in the horror of the Turkish earthquake has told how he and his fiancee fled after the tremor rocked their apartment block.

Mr Martin McDonagh (45), is managing director of NSK-RHP Middle East Ltd, based in Istanbul.

The epicentre of the earthquake, which has claimed more than 4,000 loves and left thousands more people injured, was at Izmit about 50 miles away but the shockwaves hit Istanbul.

Speaking to the Advertiser by phone, Mr McDonagh said: "We were woken by a huge crash which shook the whole building quite violently.”

* Villagers have created their own miniature version of the millennium dome.

And unlike its relative in London, the 8ft high Bassingham Dome has not cost the taxpayer a penny as villagers managed to raise the £3,000 cost themselves.

The building was erected and opened on Bassingham Playing Field as a place where older youths can get together to socialise.

* Police are appealing for organisers of millennium celebration events to contact them.

Millennium project officer Sergeant Brian McMeeking said knowing what people were planning - from street party to large-scale disco and fireworks - would help them work out better police arrangements.

50 years ago - August 24, 1974

ABOVE: Hot sunshine and a full programme of events for all the family attracted a crowd of more than 6,000 to the annual Southwell Show.

Organisers had feared a drop in attendance with the show clashing with the first day of the football season, but they needn’t have worried.

Firemen and ambulancemen are pictured taking part in a demonstration which involved cutting the roof off a Mini.

* Bus fare increases would be suicidal, eventually putting bus travel beyond the reach of the people whom operators depend, a hearing of Traffic Commissioners was told.

But the Commissioners granted Lincs Road Car Co permission to raise fares on the 182 routes. Fares up to 14p will go up 1p up to fares over 26p up by 4p.

* The new putting green at Devon Park, Newark, was opened by the chairman of Newark District Council.

Although the official opening was this week, the green had been in operation for four weeks, during which time 1,600 children and 450 adults have taken advantage of the amenity.

* After alarm among Balderton residents when two men absconded from Balderton Hospital’s new rehabilitation unit for Rampton patients, Newark MP Ted Bishop has asked the Secretary of State for Health and Social Security to investigate the incident.

* Because no one else in the family wants to carry on the old-established firm of timber merchants, James Smith (Newark) Ltd will close down next month.

The 1.7 acre site on London Road, Newark, has been bought with hopes it could be developed for housing.

* Notts County Council is hoping to involve Southwell residents in the selection of a route for the proposed Southwell bypass.

Various road lines were being evaluated from a transportation point of view but they were still undergoing full engineering investigation.

100 years ago - August 20, 1924

The recently installed electrical light at the Newark Hospital was officially started at the institition in a ceremony by Arthur Smith, late chairman of the Newark Mechanics’ Institute.

It will be recalled that £500 was handed over to the hospital for such work as this by the institute when it closed last year and the money has been a most useful contribution to the Electric Light Fund.

* Mr Ernest Randall, Imperial Buildings, Newark, who is always searching for what is best, wishes to inform the public that the tailoring department has been completely reorganised.

The services of Mr F. W. Old have been secured, he having had considerable experience in London and other large cities.

The autumn goods are now to hand in this department and Mr Randall will be pleased for old and new customers to favour him with a call and inspect the new season’s materials.

* At a meeting of Southwell Rural District Council, a letter was read out from the manager of the Butterley Colliery Company at Ollerton stating that he had been approached by representatives of various people in Ollerton village who would like electric light in their houses.

Before the cables could be extended it was necessary to get permission from the local authorities to refer the matter to the Board of Trade.

The Clerk stated he thought it would be a good thing for Ollerton if they could get electricity on reasonable terms.

* The growing popularity of the Southwell race meeting on Monday week is evidenced by the increase in number of entries, which are quite 30%.

The new road from the Fiskerton Lane end will be much appreciated by motorists passing through Southwell on race day as they will be able to drive direct on to the course instead of having to go round by the Mill entrance.