What was making the news in the in 1923, 1973 …

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

Does it bring back any memories for you?

25 years ago ­— March 27, 1998

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Above: Pupils at the Mount Primary School, Newark, performed in a four-day production of a space-age musical.

Jupiter Rock tells how a school which is fed-up of constant budget cuts decides to head for space in search of something better.

Some of the cast are pictured preparing for blast-off.

A Yorkshire pub chain has bought a 50-year lease on the Ossington Hotel and Restaurant, the listed Victorian building on Beastmarket Hill.

After changing hand a number of times in recent years, the Ossington was put into the hands of receivers more than a year ago.

New owners Mitre Taverns say they are looking to spend £250,000, mainly adding to the existing seven bedrooms.

A new water transport wing is to be incorporated into the St John Ambulance Newark division.

St John’s 60ft cabin cruiser, Crusader, enables handicapped people to enjoy cruising on the River Trent during the summer months.

A new music festival is being planned in an effort to attract a national and international audience to Newark.

Choral, gospel and electro-acoustic concerts and a dance event with well-known disc jockeys are planned for October.

Concern is growing about the environment and wildlife at Balderton Lake.

A 1,500-name petition has been handed in to Balderton Parish Council to show the level of residents’ concern.

The main problems highlighted were rubbish, vandalism, dog fouling and the lack of bins, and the lake’s reduced water level.

50 years ago ­— March 31, 1973

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Above: The school orchestra and choir combine for an encore of Land Of Hope And Glory, which provided the finale for Newark’s Magnus Grammar School speech day.

Newark police were faced with an impossible task when a hoaxer telephoned and told them that bombs, timed to go of in ten minutes, had been planted at two schools.

At once, officers began to ring up all the headteachers in case it could be genuine, but there was not time to warn all of them.

Anyone want to buy a fire engine? Nottinghamshire County Council has five for sale.

The fire engines ­— two at Newark ­— are capable of pumping 500 gallons and were all built in the Fifties.

Beaumond Cross, Newark, may have to be moved when the A46 is re-routed, Notts county surveyor has warned the town council.

More complaints about heavy lorries taking a short cut through Newark’s Cartergate were made.

Deputy Mayor Mr Richard Lamb said he had seen a huge lorry turn into Cartergate from Lombard Street, mounting the footpath and nearly knocking over a postbox.

The county council is experimenting with a scheme of designating certain routes for lorries.

Grandways supermarket at Balderton will be closed all day on Monday to alter prices for VAT.

Kilvington farmer John Rose will be at Aintree hoping to see his horse finish in the first three in the Grand National.

But his chances are slim with odds offered for Rampsman at 200-1.

100 years ago ­— March 28,1923

By 54 votes to 13, it was decided to close the Newark Stock Library.

Moving that the library be wound up, Mr W. Bradley said it had outgrown its usefulness and, as a library, it had no chance against many other institutions. For instance, there was the Gilstrap Free Library, which was one of the best.

The fire brigade was congratulated at a meeting of Newark Town and Urban District councils on its smart turn-out on the occasion of a false alarm at the Clinton Hotel.

Members of the brigade were scattered over the town but within five minutes of the bell being rung, the engine, with two firemen and the captain, was on the scene.

Always a popular local holiday, the Southwell Steeplechases on Easter Saturday promises to eclipse previous records.

The increased value of the stakes has attracted more entries and better class horses and with the Midland Railway co-operating by running seven excursion trains at reduced fares, there should be a big crowd by the side of the little River Greet when sport commences.

Quite a pre-war atmosphere pervaded Newark Town Hall when the familiar green and gold of the Sherwood Rangers filled the ballroom on the occasion of a dance in connection with A Squadron.

A further meeting for the formation of the Newark Wheelers Cycling Club was held at the School of Science and Art, London Road.

The first run will take place on Good Friday, commencing from the school, to Gunthorpe Bridge.