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 30, 1999

ABOVE: Pictured are some of the cast from the Nearly Instant Theatre Session NITS Goes Victorian drama workshop at Newark Palace Theatre.

They are Howard Newport, 11, as Queen Victoria’s butler, Paul Fletcher, 9, as an assassin, Alex Tinker, 10, as Queen Victoria’s maid, and Nicola Hindson, 10, as a music hall chairwoman.

• The Newark High School must take special measures after a damning report that says it is failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education.

Headteacher Mr Perry Gardner said the report contained a hard message and although many were surprised and shocked by it, he said he recognised the school had problems.

Fourteen staff left the school on Friday.

• A plan to transform Southwell’s former workhouse into a unique museum is to go ahead thanks to a £21/2m National Lottery grant.

The country’s best surviving workhouse, off Upton Road, will be restored by the National Trust and opened as a visitor attraction from 2002.

• Plans for security gates at The Arcade, Newark, will be reconsidered in an effort to stop traders suffering a catalogue of misery.

Vagrants sleep in the alleyway, shop doorways are used as toilets, windows are smashed and milk is stolen from outside the shops – these are the everyday problems, Newark Town Council was told.

50 years ago – August 3, 1974

ABOVE: Rock music played in Newark Castle grounds on Sunday brought joy to the enthusiasts but a distinct lack of enthusiasm from some people living on nearby Castlegate.

Four bands and folk guitarist Mark Betty from Farnsfield appeared.

Organiser Richard Welton estimated the maximum audience was 1,000 and paid tribute to the behaviour of the fans, 20 of whom stayed behind the help clear the site.

• Visitors to Newark search in vain for an old-fashioned tea shop and often leave frustrated now that Oldham’s Blue Room in the Market Place and Eyden’s Cafe in Cartergate are shut.

The problem is worrying Newark and District Tourist Board, who plan to discuss it at their next meeting.

Visitors who are not attracted by the Wimpy Bar in Middlegate sometimes find their way to the Savoy Restaurant above the cinema, where afternoon tea and high tea is served.

• A team of housewives is touring Newark shops to find Newark’s Shop Assistant 1974.

For the first time this year male shop assistants are being considered for the title. Previously, the competition has always been for a shop girl.

• Panic buying of sugar by housewives is adding another burden to small bakery firms who are already faced with large-scale increases in the prices of raw materials.

Mr Arthur Passfield, of Collingham bakery firm L. Day and Sons, said panic-buying by housewives because they feared a shortage was causing some concern to small bakers in the buying of their sugar.

100 years ago – July 30, 1924

There a large of parishioners and friends on Saturday at Vicarage Grounds, Farndon, for a garden party in aid of the day schools' repairs fund.

The managers of the schools have determined to put their schools through repairs after years of neglect. The Vicar, Rev. Andrew Ping, has appealed to of the Parochial Church Council to assist the managers in the endeavour to fund the repairs, which are estimated to cost upwards of £200.

It is a large amount but the responsibilty is great. and the united loyalty and enthusiasm of the members the burden will be made light.

• The Chief Constable (Mr. A. Wright) applied for and was granted a warrant for the arrest of Maud Bailey, of Corner Farm, Balderton, at the Borough Police Court.

The woman recently fined for leaving her pony outside the church, and gave as an excuse that she thought the posts there were (like those in Canada) for that purpose. She declared she "would not pay a cent," and informed that if she went to prison her children would go to the Workhouse. She refused to pay.

• Excitement prevailed in Mr Hammersley’s field, Fiskerton, when Mr J. C. Clare, of Minimax Co, demonstrated the use of the new extinguisher installed in the village.

Mr Clare explained the mechanism of the extinguisher, and ignited a huge bonfire, which when blazing fiercely was quickly put out by the extinguisher.

Several humorous incidents occurred – one man receiving a drenching, and others being under the apprehension that they were receiving free shower baths.

• Unfortunately for all those participating in the Newark Schools Swimming Sports the weather was none too fine and throughout the whole proceedings a strong, chill wind was blowing.

In spite of these adverse conditions, however, a large number of spectators lined both banks.

The events were well contested and the competitors were urged to supreme efforts by their supporters.