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 – July 9, 1999

ABOVE: The annual summer fair for St Giles’ Church, Balderton, attracted hundreds of visitors and raised £2,100.

Entertainment was provided by pupils from John Hunt Junior School and dance displays from Charlotte Hamilton School of Dance. Members of the dance school are pictured giving a cheerleading display.

• Initiatives to revitalise Newark's historic Market Place were unveiled.

Work starts early next month on the first stage of an £686,450 Market Place repaving scheme. The first stage will see an 850 sq m section repaved from the Midland Bank end of the Market Place to the walkway that crosses from H. Smith towards Newark Parish Church.

The flat surface will give Newark and Sherwood District Council greater flexibility to move stalls around, to create open spaces for street entertainment.

There are around 180 stalls available on the market.

• The former Conservative MP for Newark Mr Richard Alexander, who represented the area for 18 years until the General Election, will not stand for selection for the next Westminster elections.

Mr Alexander, who was 65 last week, surprised members by announcing his decision at the annual meeting of Newark and Retford Conservative Association at the Admiral Rodney Hotel, Southwell.

He felt it was time to stand aside for a younger candidate.

• Youngsters will be up for the cup when domestic football's most famous trophy arrives in Newark.

The FA Cup will be on show during the Newark Youth Football League's summer tournament for under-nines at the Magnus School.

Although fans and players will not be allowed to hold the trophy, they will have the chance to be photographed with it.

50 years ago – July 13, 1974

Due to the ongoing closure of Newark Library, we are unable to produce a full version of our 50 years ago section.

Here are photos from a Newark Fire Station open day.

100 years ago – July 9, 1924

In accordance with the national dispute, Newark bricklayers and workers in allied trades are on strike to the number of about 300.

Building was enjoying a moderate boom locally but work in the various parts of the town is now held up.

The half-finished houses on the Winthorpe Road, Coddington Road, Lime Grove, Boundary Lane, Balderton and other parts of town presented a deserted appearance yesterday.

• Success attended the day trip to Wembley, organised by the Newark Tradesmen's Association.

Some 700 Newarkers participated and left shortly after 6am in two specials – a breakfast train and an ordinary.

Wembley Hill was reached at 10.30, and then the busy round of the Empire in miniature commenced.

• In spite of numerous other attractions and rather treacherous weather, there was a good attendance in the afternoon at the garden party of the 5th Newark Scouts, held in the spacious grounds of the White House, Millgate, kindly lent for the occasion by Mr and Mrs Enos Smith.

There were many novel competitons and sideshows to amuse the "garden party fiend" and for those interested in the more serious side of Scouting there were many spectacular and clever displays by the boys.

• Useful facilities are offered to members of the Palace Theatre Magazine Club.

There is a good reading room where the various periodicals are displayed, and accommodation for writing, telephoning and parcels.

• During the last few days the dreaded Foot and Mouth Disease has broken out at a farm in Hawton.

Seventy cattle, sheep and pigs had to be slaughtered. Other stock is isolated.

• Interesting innovations are being arranged in conjunction with the forthcoming annual dinner of the 25th Division Officers’ Dinner Club.

After some effort, members of the divisional Pierrot Troupe, who earned considerable fame in France during the war for their sparkling entertainment, have got together again and will appear in some numbers.