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 - September 10, 1999

ABOVE: Organisers of Saturday's sixth annual Newark Produce Show say it was the most successful yet and are considering introducing extra classes next year.

The event was originally set up by the town council as part of its Newark in Bloom project. Show secretary Mrs Jenny Berry said they were getting more entries each year, with more than 500 this year.

Pictured is Hannah Colton, 8, with her octopus entry in the animals made from vegetables section.

* Campaigners opposed to plans for a five-storey 32- bedroom hotel on Parnham’s Island off Mill Lane, Newark, have welcomed a decision by planning inquiry inspector Mr Martin Pike that the project should not go ahead.

Dr Liv Gibbs, chairman of Millgate Conservation Society, said they were now working with others to get a sympathetic use for the island that recognised its historical and ecological value.

Mr Pike said the plan would meet a long identified need for a quality hotel in Newark, and would help with the regeneration of the riverside area. His objection was to the scale and mass of the planned building, which would harm the character of the conservation area.

* Newark MP Fiona Jones has slammed the police and branded the appearance of the town’s Market Place as “tatty and nasty”.

Mrs Jones made her outspoken comments att a meeting of Newark business chiefs.

Calling for fewer market days and the removal of stalls after each day's trading, Mrs Jones said: "It looks tatty and nasty. Goodness knows what goes on in the evening. Apart from anything else, it is not safe."

* People have a final chance to give Southwell Town Council their views on the Co-op supermarket debate before it reaches a decision.

The Greater Nottingham Co-op wants to create a 13,500sq ft £3m food store in The Ropewalk, on land behind Beckett’s Builders.

However, opinion in the town is split and at a public meeting in July locals voted narrowly to oppose the store.

50 years ago - September 14, 1974

ABOVE: A question mark hangs over the site of the old barracks near the junction of Albert Street and Boundary Road, Newark.

Work has started on demolishing this landmark. which was built in 1857 and used for many years as a military establishment.

There were plans to build a new county police headquarters there, but these were dropped.

* All 75 workers in the adhesive section of the Croda Polymers factory in Newark were assured that there would be no redundancies at the factory after Sunday’s disastrous fire in the lacquer department.

More than 300 men, women and children were ordered out of their homes during the spectacular blaze that destroyed part of the glue factory.

The fire started at 7.25am and within minutes the flames had spread all over the floor and a thick pall of smoke billowed hundreds of feet into the air as the flames took hold of the two-storey building.

Residents on the nearby Winthorpe Road housing estate were taken to the Maple Leaf pub until they were able to return home.

* There was standing room only at the inaugural meeting of the Friends of Newark and the message from director Mr Richard Walton was: “The Palace will not be a white elephant”.

Extra chairs had to be brought into the building’s new Punch and Judy Room. There were about 180 present, including many teenagers who later offered practical help backstage, front of house and in the cafe.

Part of a beech tree in the grounds of Bishop’s Manor, Southwell, crushed a Mini belonging to one of the minster vergers when it was blown down during Saturday’s gales.

Although the picturesque cottage in Jalland’s Row, Appletongate, Newark, are now derelict, they may soon be restored.

Outline planning permission has been obtained for a scheme to make them habitable while retaining their old-world charm.

100 years ago - September 10, 1924

* The unusual sight of steeplejacks at work on the spire of the church in Newark attracted great interest and many people watched with admiration the sang froid in which the men carried out their dangerous duty.

Many were the speculations as to the amount of damage done by the previous week’s storm but we are able to set all doubts at rest.

Although the lightning conductor was severed in one place and had become slightly detached at the top, no damage had been incurred by the fabric itself.

* A. Hopewell and Son offered for sale by auction an attractive brick and tiled dwelling house together with small enclosed yard and outbuildings situated at the bottom of Lock Entry and with frontage to the River Trent.

The home contains a sitting room with bay window, kitchen, pantry, sculllery with copper and sink fitted, three bedrooms, two boxrooms and the usual outoffices.

Bidding commenced at £200 and at £250 the property was sold to Mr Samuel Rice, of Farndon.

* Arthur Barks, of Caunton, was summoned to Newark County Police Court for having used bad language.

Pc Fletcher said he was at Newark Road when he saw three cyclists coming towards him. The lamp of one of the cycles caught fire and he heard defendant make use of the language.

Mr Curtis said it must have been very annoying when the lamp caught fire and there was no doubt defendant lost his temper. He must not, however, use such beastly language and would be fined 2s 6d.

* Dr Ringrose, medical officer to the Post Office, and Mrs Ringrose entertained the members of the Post Office staff and their friends to a garden party in the grounds of Lombard House.

Ideal weather favoured the large gathering. The afternoon was spent in games of different kinds, competition and music.

After tea, which was served on daintily arranged tables spread around the spacious lawn, handsome prizes were distributed to the successful competitors.