Newark Civic Trust · 06 I Newark Civic Trust Planning Report Growth Point Developers Catsby Estates (Residential) Ltd have made an application to vary the conditions of the outline

Issue 71 | March 2015

Newark Civic TrustMAGAZINE

Caring about the town’s environment

02 I Newark Civic Trust

CONTENTS

Newark Civic Trust Magazine

Editor Michael Knapton

Print Willsons Printers

Content is kindly provided by various contributors

Sponsorship

Executive Committee Officers Chairman: Mr Michael Knapton, 29 Newton Street, Newark NG24 1SUActing Secretary and Vice-Chairman: Mr Kevin Winter, 12 Lovers Lane, Newark NG24 1HZ 01636 653321Treasurer: Mrs Louise Knapton-Carter, Hill View, Marston Lane, Allington, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 2DY. 01400 282531Membership Secretary: Mr Neil Hinchley, 24 Beacon Heights, Newark, NG24 2JS 01636 704699Chairman of Planning: Mr Michael Hawes, 7 Beacon Hill Road, Newark NG24 1NT 01636 611349

www.newarkcivictrust.org.ukemail [email protected]

Corporate members

British Sugar NewarkBenoyTallentsRichard Watkinson & Co CBP ArchitectsHodgson ElkingtonGuy St John Taylor AssociateseSurvJeffrey Keays Associates

A few words from the 03 Chairman Michael Knapton

News 04

Civic Voice & Heritage Alliance: 04 heritage manifestos (29/10/14)

New English Heritage Model 05 formally announced (17/10/14)

IHBC welcomes CV & partners’ 05 ‘Cutting clutter’ (17/12/14)

Planning Report 06

A History of the Newark 08 Corps of the Salvation Army

Heritage At Risk in Newark 10 and Sherwood

National Civil War Centre – 11 Newark Museum Update

A new visitor hub for Newark 13

Memories of Newark 14

Continuity and Change at a 15 Lincolnshire Sacred Site

Civic Trust Award –Thorpe’s 16 Warehouse

Front cover photo:

The ‘Office Range’, Castle Brewery, Albert Street by Caparn and Hankey (1881)

Willsons Printers Newark Tel: 01636 702334 www.willsons.com

Newark Civic Trust I 03

A few words from the Chairman

I would like to start by wishing you all a (rather late) Happy New Year. I’m sure the year ahead will be a very interesting one with the opening of the National Civil War Centre and the planned refurbishment of the town pump. I am also excited by the plans to develop the castle gatehouse in time for the 800th annivesary of King John’s death that have recently been announced.

As you will be aware this is my first ‘few words’ as I was honoured to be elected Chairman of the Newark Civic Trust at our annual AGM in September. I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank my predecessor George Wilkinson for all of his hard work over the years for the Trust and for the town of Newark. George has an incredible depth of knowledge and is widely known throughout the town. I’m glad to say that George will remain on the Executive Committee and I’m sure I will be seeking his advice regularly.

I was quite surprised when George first asked me if I had ever considered taking over as Chair of the Trust back in April at our 50th Anniversary celebration at the Town Hall. I’ve only been with the Trust for a couple of years and compared to many of our members my knowledge of the town is limited. I do however have experience working in the heritage industry alongside a lifelong passion for history and the historic environment.

I graduated from the University of Manchester in 1999 with a degree in Ancient History and Archaeology

which led me to being employed as an archaeologist for a number of years by various companies in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. Although I enjoyed this work I didn’t feel as if it was a career that I wanted to pursue so I retrained as a building surveyor. On completion of my second degree I started work for Nottinghamshire County Council in their conservation department working for Jason Mordan, whom many of you will know through talks and visits he has delivered for us over the years.

After leaving the Council I worked for the Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire on their Heritage at Risk programme. This provided me with the opportunity to work alongside a variety of partner organisations (including English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund) while at the same time training and managing several hundred volunteers. Most importantly it gave me an in-depth understanding of the historic environment and what is required to maintain and promote this most valuable of resources. I’m hoping very much that I can bring this knowledge and experience to the Trust.

I’m very lucky to have such an experienced and knowledgeable Executive Committee to support me and the work that we all do. I’m also very grateful to be supported by the new Vice-Chairman Kevin Winter who also brings a wealth of experience working for local government and a variety of other local heritage groups.

Although I am optimistic about our

future we face a number of very tough challenges. We have recently appointed a new Treasurer but we are still seeking a permanent Secretary; please ask around as this is a position which we need to fill (a big thank you to Kevin Winter for taking on this work in the meantime and thank you to Michael Hawes for managing finances in the absence of a Treasurer.) All groups such as ours are faced with falling membership numbers. We must all work hard to promote the work of the Trust and to encourage our friends and families to join our cause. The Trust must also work hard to remain visible in the town and to remain relevant in the work that we do.

Finally, feel free to contact me, my details are on the inside cover. Let me know about any issues around town which you are concerned about or suggestions how you think the Civic Trust (including the magazine and website) could be improved (you can also use the ‘contact’ email on the ‘Contact Us’ page of the website.) Also, feel free to send me any interesting photographs from around the town, articles that you have written, nominations for the Civic Trust Awards or suggestions for talks and visits.

Chairman of Newark Civic TrustMichael Knapton


Ahead of the 2015 elections, Civic Voice have launched a new civic manifesto for 2015-2020 entitled ‘Localism for Real’ while Heritage Alliance has a ‘power of heritage’ manifesto calling on politicians to recognise the importance of heritage to everyone.

Civic Voice writes:

Griff Rhys Jones, campaigner and Civic Voice President has today

claimed that there is a crisis in civic engagement when he launched the manifesto of the civic movement at its annual convention in Canterbury on Friday 24 October.

He said “We face a crisis of civic engagement. This is a symptom of the frustration people feel as power is taken away from communities and they are subject to tokenistic consultation. We need to give all citizens opportunities to actively shape the future of their place and to give communities the powers they need to enable their town and city centres to prosper”.

He added “If the Government is serious about Localism, they have to listen to the concerns coming forward from civic groups, resident associations and local councils.”

Chair of Civic Voice, Freddie Gick said: “We believe the manifesto, ‘Localism for Real’, puts power back into the hands of communities and will give all citizens opportunities to actively shape the future of their place.”

Heritage Alliance (HA) writes:

The Heritage Alliance is calling on the UK government to realise the power of heritage.

Representing the broad consensus of the independent heritage sector, our manifesto calls on all political parties to adopt specific policy measures that ensure that protection and conservation, alongside factors contributing to the resilience and well-being of the independent heritage sector continue to be met through wider government objectives.

This resource contains an online version of our manifesto, access to in-depth supplementary briefings on our key asks, alongside details on how you can become actively involved in our advocacy campaign in the build-up to the 2015 General Election.

The Civic Manifesto is available at: http://www.civicvoice.org.uk/manifesto/

The Heritage Alliance Manifesto is available at: http://www.theheritagealliance.org.uk/manifesto/

NewsA collection of recent news items from the Institute of Historic Building Conservation

(http://www.ihbc.org.uk/) concerning the historic environment.

Civic Voice & Heritage Alliance: heritage manifestos (29/10/14)


The Institute of Historic Building Conservation has welcomed the Civic Voice-led coalition encouraging the reduction of street clutter.

Civic Voice writes:

A powerful coalition of civic, transport and heritage bodies has launched updated guidance at a Parliamentary event by calling on the Government to consider conducting research

into the safety impact of cutting street clutter in our towns, cities and villages.

Dr Freddie Gick, Chair of Civic Voice said: “Our members are informing us that many local councils are citing safety regulations as the reason for cluttering up our streets. Common sense tells us uncluttered streets have a fresher, freer authentic feel, which are safer and easier to maintain. ‘Street Design for All’ is updated guidance for anyone with an interest in seeing our towns and cities become more attractive and distinctive.”

Andrew Hugill of the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation said: “We believe that through guidance such as this we can encourage local authorities and other stakeholders to work with communities to highlight the benefits of investment in street design. We are working with the Department for Transport to promote good practice in traffic signing through a ‘Reducing

Sign Clutter Award’ which will open for entry in the New Year.”

The coalition believes:

• The economic well-being of a city, town or village can depend significantly on the appearance of its streets and public space,

• Most people value our historic environment, and, in particular appreciate buildings such as cathedrals, castles and palaces,

• Protecting and promoting local distinctiveness and character and our heritage, respecting and making best use of historic buildings, street forms and settlement patterns,

• Enhancing civic involvement to identify redundant clutter can improve the health of communities.

Copies of the report can be accessed from Civic Voice at [email protected]

The Government has announced changes to the workings of English Heritage (EH) and the creation of Historic England, with no changes to the former EH duties and powers of heritage protection and a new charitable trust to manage the former EH properties.

EH Chairman Sir Laurie Magnus writes:

I am pleased to let you know that, after a period of wide consultation, Ed Vaizey MP, Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy, has today announced final Government approval for the separation of English Heritage into two organisations. A new charity, retaining the name English Heritage, will run the National Heritage Collection of

historic properties. A newly-named non-departmental public body, Historic England, will be dedicated to offering expert advice, championing the wider historic environment and providing support for stakeholders in the heritage sector. The changes will come into effect on 1 April 2015. The Minister confirmed that the Government will provide additional funding of £88.5 million to invest in the National Heritage Collection.

More details can be found on the Department of Culture, Media and Sport at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/english-heritage

IHBC welcomes CV & partners’ ‘Cutting clutter’ (17/12/14)

New English Heritage Model formally announced (17/10/14)


Planning ReportGrowth Point

Developers Catsby Estates (Residential) Ltd have made an application to vary the conditions of the outline planning permission granted in 2011 for the construction of up to 3,150 dwellings on land south of Newark, between the A46 and the A1. The development will include two local centres, including retail and commercial premises, a 60 bed care home, 2 primary schools, day nurseries/crèches, multi-use community buildings including a medical centre and a mixed use commercial estate of up to 50 hectares. There are 152 documents associated with this application!

The original application was for a first stage development on the Farndon side of the town with access primarily from the now dualled A46. The developers now wish to begin Phase 1 with 1,000 homes on land east of Newark, involving access from the A1 via Bowbridge Road and London Road. We wonder why. Might it have something to do with the original Phase 1 area being on a flood plain? Members may remember our photograph taken from Hawton Bridge in Issue 68, February 2012, showing the extent of River Devon flood waters.

There appears to be no provision for affordable homes in this new application, despite this being one of the main reasons for the development. The chief concern, as ever, is the prospect of increased traffic congestion and tailbacks at the London / Bowbridge Road junction which will further make Newark an impossible place to visit and do business in.

There is also the major issue of the proposal for the A1/A46 link

road that was to be a priority in the original plan. We will keep a close eye on progress, or lack of it! When the Labour government launched the scheme 30 areas in England involving 45 towns and cities were confirmed as New Growth Points. We wonder what progress has been made in other areas?

Two Adjoining Restaurant Units at Northgate Retail Park

Our efforts were recently concentrated

Location of proposed Subway and Costa Coffee.


on opposing the application to build a Costa Coffee and Subway outlet on the corner of the old brewery entrance.

The proposed building was a futuristic creation, which would have looked alien to its surroundings and, in our opinion, would have been harmful to the setting of the adjacent listed Warwick and Richardsons Brewery building.

The development would have been at the loss of 26 car parking spaces and it was on these grounds that both the Town and District Council rejected the application. In addition, the extra traffic generated by customers to the outlets would have added to the traffic congestion – particularly egress from the site. As reported in the Advertiser on January 15th one councillor spent 8 minutes listening to the whole of J. S. Bach’s Toccata & Fugue in D minor while waiting in the queue!

Land off North Gate

The large river-side site adjacent to the brewery was originally destined for 99 dwellings and two retail units and was approved by the District Council in 2005. In November 2012

the landowners ditched the scheme and applied to build a number of large retail outlets for bulky goods on the site, including a supermarket. We objected. The latest proposal, supported by the Town Council, is for 28 semi-detached town/mews houses, with 56 integral car parking spaces along the river as a first stage development.

We will report on the outcome of the proposal in due course!

Deincourt Hotel

The owners of Deincourt Hotel have put forward plans to expand the facilities, by demolishing the old nurses home that has stood empty for the last 10 years and providing 40 more bedrooms. We supported the application. The Town Council approved the application – albeit with reservations on the traffic turning right onto the four-way junction on London Road. The District Council will make the final decision.

Paper Kisses

Back in 2009 the Trust strongly objected to the replacement of the original timber frontage of the shopfront that is now Paper Kisses in Paxtons Court with a bright red

aluminium frame. The Conservation Officer recommended refusal but it went ahead. We are pleased to report that the owners now wish to rectify the situation and have commissioned a local architect (a member of the Trust, as it happens!) to prepare drawings for approval.

And finally –

The Robin Hood Cottages

You may have read in the Newark Advertiser (12/02/15) that the Nottinghamshire Building Preservation Trust has been seeking funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to finance a 3-month feasibility study to look into how the former Robin Hood Hotel may be developed. The Newark Advertiser reported that Vanessa Harbar, Head of HLF East Midlands, said: “These buildings are an important part of Newark’s history but are currently in a poor state and HLF looks forward to seeing how the Trust plans to bring them back into sustainable use.” As part of the contract between the District Council and the developer, the restoration scheme by MF Strawson was to be completed by November 2015 and failure to do so will enable the Council to make a legal claim against the developer.

Tim Bradford of Banks Long & Co speaking on behalf of the developer MF Strawson observered, “We have been working with NBPT over recent months and are committed to looking at all options for the redevelopment of this site. The NBPT initiative is just one of those options and we have made it clear to all concerned that should we be in a position to implement our planning permission for the whole site, then we will have no hesitation in moving along the route of delivering a comprehensive scheme.”

We hope that is clear! Comprehensively! We await all outcomes with interest!Land off Northgate proposed for development.


The story of the Newark Corps of the Salvation Army actually begins in the town of Southwell. It was reported in the Newark Advertiser of September 17th, 1884 that the Salvation Army officer, Richard Jeffries along with Lt. David Leyshon and a local Southwell Salvationist, Mrs Foster, were put on trial on three counts of blocking the roadway in Southwell. The complainant said he could not get on his horse because the procession of Salvationists, led by the accused, was blocking the roadway. One was banging a drum, the others were banging tambourines and singing. The case was dismissed.

Southwell is also mentioned in a Newark Advertiser report of July 4th 1888, when Henry Ulyett, Staff Captain Henry Condy, Henry Condy Junior and Captain Hannah Richardson, the Corps Officer of Southwell, were charged with obstruction in King Street, Southwell. Captain Richardson and Staff Captain Condy were each fined £1 and the charges against the others were dismissed. Captain Richardson argued that there were only 6 or 7 of them there at the time and the previous Saturday no one had complained when a concertina band played in the

same spot.

The Newark Corps began as an offshoot of the Southwell Corps in 1885, after David Henry Storr, a miller by trade and member of the Southwell Corps, moved to Newark. He found work in a flour mill on Millgate. As there was no Corps in Newark at that time he felt compelled to set one up and so, alongside some like-minded Newarkers, he established a meeting place in Cross Guns Yard in Balderton Gate. Cross Guns Yard was known in Newark as “Botany Bay” after the Australian Penal Colony, because those who lived there were mostly thieves, tinkers and lawbreakers. It was later renamed, and still is, Victoria Gardens. The yard was named after the Cross Guns public house which once stood at the entrance of the yard on Balderton Gate. At the same time a large room was hired out for Sunday meetings in the Market Place. This room was above Wilkinsons furniture shop; later Ritz video hire shop and now the John Arderne public house.

Members of the Corps were often assaulted in the early days of its establishment. The Newark Advertiser of May 13th 1885 reported a court case in which James Thomson was accused of assaulting Salvationist Henry Storr who was marching with fellow Salvationists from an open air meeting, which had been held in Newark Market Place. They were on their way back to the Salvation Army Rooms in Cross Guns Yard. The Salvationists found their way blocked by a waggon and a group of people.

Thomson then hit Henry Storr with two cods’ heads. The result of the case was not reported.

Then in the August 19th edition from the same year the Newark Advertiser featured a letter from a local Methodist New Connection Minister, asking what police were going to do about the crowds who block Bridge Street during and after the Salvation Army meetings in the Market Place on Sundays. It appears that when the Salvationists marched back from their meetings they were followed by 200 people to listen to another sermon back at the “Barracks in the Bay” in Balderton Gate. The police said that they didn’t want to do anything as long as the Salvationists behaved.

On October 25th 1885 the first official officers arrived – Captain Edith Eleanor Medd-Price and Lieutenant Annie Haywood. Unfortunately the assaults continued.

In May 1886 a young man was charged with assaulting local Salvationist, Alfred Daniels of 26 Northcote Terrace, Barnby Gate. Mr Daniels was marching back from the Market Place to Balderton Gate being led by a female Lieutenant and by

A History of the Newark Corps of the Salvation Army2015 sees the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Salvation Army on the streets of East London. Here we take a look at its history in Newark.

Victoria Gardens, the location of the former Cross Guns Yard.

The Old Wool Hall, Millgate, home to the Salvation Army from 1887.


his brothers Marriott and Skellington. They had just got to the end of Guildhall Street by the Big Eighteen pub when some youths barred their way. Alfred asked them to move aside but was hit in the mouth and had two teeth loosened. The case was dismissed. The Advertiser reports further assaults on Salvationists in September and October of that year.

On 11th June 1887 the Salvation Army moved from Balderton Gate to the Old Wool Hall, Mill Gate. Three days of special meetings were held with processions around the town, with a band of Salvationists on horseback. Then on 30th July General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, arrived to open the new hall. He arrived at the Great Northern Railway Station, then rode through the streets to the new Temple in an open carriage drawn by two horses. A large number of adherents in uniform marched with him, as well as a brass band.

General Booth came to Newark on two further occasions. His second visiton on July 20th 1907, was brief, as he was travelling north by motorcade from Grantham. Crowds lined London Road to greet him and his cars stopped at Beaumond Cross, where the Newark Corps stood in full uniform, the flag being held high by “Sailor Jack” (a town drunk and former sailor who joined the Salvation Army in 1886 after being helped by two Salvationists who had helped him after he was found drunk and laying in the gutter). The General stood up in his car, took off his hat, and spoke to the crowds of the evils of the world which beset sinners, and how Jesus could save them. He was a striking figure in his uniform with a long white beard, and when he spoke his voice seemed feeble and husky. After “Sailor Jack” had stepped onto the running board of the car and shook the hand of the General the cars set off to Retford.

The third visit of the General was a civic visit on 30th July 1909. He

arrived from Sleaford at the Town Hall, to be greeted by Mayor Oliver Quibell in full regalia, Newark Councillors and other noted persons. Afterwards they all fell in behind the Salvation Army band and marched to the Corn Exchange on Castle Gate for a meeting. After the meeting the Generals’ party retired with the Mayors’ party to his home at Shalom Lodge on London Road. This now forms part of the Newark Academy; the building was left to Lilley and Stone Girls’ School by the Quibell

family, after the death of Elizabeth Quibell, the Mayor’s wife.

Mayor Quibell remarked that if anyone 20 years ago had said that one day a Mayor of Newark would march behind a Salvation Army band, that person would have been looked on as a false prophet. Yet it had come to pass. Once, the Salvationists in Newark were despised, but now they were highly respected. Six cases involving assaults or disturbances at Salvation Army meetings were reported by the Advertiser between General Booth’s first and second visit.

It was after this time that the Army moved to the Imperial Hall on Balderton Gate and then, on October 11th 1924, moved to the Beaumond Hall in Carter Gate (now occupied by New Ark Pet & Aquatic Centre), which had previously been used as a militia drill hall and an early cinema. Here they stayed for 54 years before moving to the old Christ Church School building on Albert Street. The building was built as a school in 1850 but was taken over by the Albert Street brewers James Hole and Co in the 1950s, when a new school was built; the Hawtonville Junior School. The Albert Street buildings came up for sale in 1978 when the brewery was taken over by John Smiths. The Corps left this building before settling in their newly built church centre on Mead Way, Balderton in 2011.

Thanks to George Rutter, Newark Salvation Army Corps Historian, for providing his research for this article.

Shalom Lodge, former residence of Oliver Quibell and location of the photograph

to the left.

From left to right (front row) Oliver Quibell, General Booth and Elizabeth

Quibell. The figures to the rear have not been identified.

The Imperial Hall, Balderton Gate formally a snooker club and later a

nightclub.

The Albert Street Antiques Centre, home to the Newark Salvation Army from 1978

to 2010.


In October English Heritage launched the regional Heritage at Risk registers across the country. The Heritage at Risk registers aim to record those heritage sites in England that are most at risk of decay, neglect or inappropriate development.

The register was first set up in London in 1991, as a response to commercial development pressures and how they would have an impact on the built historic environment in the city. The aim was to record which listed buildings were most at risk from neglect, decay or inappropriate development; any efforts and/or finances could then be focused on these buildings. This first register only included Grade I and II* buildings.

English Heritage expanded the register to the whole of England in 2008 and it has since expanded to include all heritage assets including: listed places of worship, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, battlefield sites, shipwreck sites and parks & gardens. Since 2008 700 assets have been removed from the register for positive reasons.

The register has become a very useful tool for heritage bodies, charities and governmental organisations to assess and understand the general condition

of our heritage. By understanding the wider condition, strategies can be developed to protect these assets.

A building is judged to be at risk depending on two main factors: physical condition and occupancy. Buildings judged to be most at risk will be those buildings that are in a very poor physical condition and are unoccupied. The level of occupancy is deemed to be important because if a building is not occupied it is less likely to be properly maintained and subsequently its physical condition is more likely to deteriorate.

Below is a summary of the register of heritage at risk in the Newark and Sherwood District.

Eight places of worship in Newark and Sherwood are deemed to be at risk:• Church of St Nicholas, Hockerton

– at risk due to possible ongoing structural movement, displaced roof coverings and blocked gutters and downpipes. The problems with the roof and gutters are exacerbated by the proximity of several mature trees.

• Church of St Margaret, Bilsthorpe – a Grade I church at risk due to masonry decay and failure of wall joints. Aslo ongoing issues with gutters due to a lack of a suitable maintenance regime.

• Church of All Saints, Coddington – judged to be in poor condition due to the need for high level masonry repairs and repairs to the roof. Conservation work is currently ongoing and this building should be removed from the register in 2015.

• Church of St Mary, Kilvington – in poor condition due to structural issues around the porch, masonry

decay, low-level damp and a failure of gutters.

• Barnby Gate Methodist Church and attached railings, Newark – judged to be in poor condition due to open joints in the parapet stonework and erosion to the underside of the cornice. Staining on the stone and brickwork may be caused by faults in the gutters, valleys and downpipes.

• Church of St Lawrence, Gonalston – at risk due to the condition of the roof, high level stonework and rainwater goods.

• Church of St Giles, Holme – repair works to the tower have been completed recently but more work is required at high level. Gutter and downpipe repairs are also required. The church is Grade I listed.

• Church of St Wilfrid, North Muskham – The third Grade I listed church on the list and judged to be in a very poor condition due to the condition of the masonry, which is unstable in parts.

Two listed buildings are deemed to be at risk:

• Ollerton Hall, Ollerton – A Grade II* country house built around 1700. The building has

Heritage At Risk in Newark and Sherwood

Barnby Gate Methodist Church.


been vacant after unauthorised development work by the developer was stopped. The property was formerly under the ownership of Newark and Sherwood District Council.

• North range at The Saracen’s Head, Southwell – The north wing of this Grade II* listed building, dating from the 15th century, is currently unoccupied and a lime ash floor has collapsed. There is also some vegetation penetrating into the building.

Seven archaeological sites are also at risk including; a Roman vexillation fortress at Edingley, a Roman camp at Farnsfield and a moated site south of Dairy Farm, Newark (the site of Red or Stoke Lodge and its surrounding moat opposite Newark Rugby Club on Kelham Road). The majority of these archaeological sites are at risk due to arable ploughing.

Three conservation areas have also been judged to be at risk; those of Ollerton, Upton and Newark.

The condition of Newark’s

conservation area has been rated as very poor and this may be due to a number of factors including; inappropriate development in or adjacent to the conservation area, the condition and maintenance of buildings and open spaces and how many vacant buildings are present in the town. Economic decline can have an impact on a conservation area, as there is less money for individuals, businesses and local authorities to invest. Inappropriate development is also more likely to be passed by a planning authority in a period of economic decline or stagnation.

In 2009 English Heritage published the Conservation Areas at Risk document which listed the top ten threats to conservation areas. These were:

• unsympathetic replacement doors and windows,

• poorly maintained roads and pavements,

• the amount of street clutter,

• loss of boundary walls, fences or hedges,

• unsightly satellite dishes,• effects of traffic calming or traffic

management,• alterations to front elevations,

roofs and chimneys,• unsympathetic new extensions,• impact of advertisements,• neglected green spaces.

For more information and to search the register visit: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/heritage-at-risk/

National Civil War Centre – Newark Museum Update

Just before Christmas the Newark Advertiser announced that the opening of the National Civil War Centre –Newark Museum would be accompanied by a re-enactment by members of the Sealed Knot and English Civil War Society on the 3rd and 4th May 2015. This served to concentrate the mind on what has already been achieved and what still needs to be done before opening day.

Recently, the restoration and refurbishment work at the Old Magnus Buildings, undertaken by

Robert Woodhead Ltd of Edwinstowe, has picked up pace. The new lift shaft is in place and stands at three stories high, reaching down to the basement level. The steel frame for the reception around it is taking shape, giving us a glimpse of the size and scale of the new entrance area. The entrance area with its reception, shop, stairs, lift and atrium will be at the heart of the new museum, providing the physical link between the major areas of the site and enabling visitors to travel easily around the building. Its high ceilings and glass walls will give it a light and

The Georgian plaster work being carefully restored.


spacious feel, while revealing many of the features and architectural details of the historical buildings to which it is joined.

Restoration works on the Tudor roof are being undertaken by local heritage joiners; Jericho Joinery. Jericho is using traditional methods and materials to ensure that as much as possible of the historic timber can be repaired and conserved, whilst improving the structural stability of the roof. Each individual piece of wood is carefully inspected and assessed before repair or replacement is undertaken, as necessary. It’s a time consuming job that needs to be done with great skill and care, and it’s

anticipated that works will continue for some time yet.

Works are progressing well inside the building with detailed plaster coving in the Georgian stairwell now restored. Lime plaster work, joinery and repairs to the fireplaces have been taking place and the heritage colour scheme in the Georgian galleries can now be seen. Those who remember the parquet flooring, which had been laid in the Tudor Hall during previous restoration works, will agree that it doesn’t suit the age of the hall, but is nevertheless a lovely feature and is being re-laid in the Community Room. Once sanded and sealed it will create a practical, but beautiful floor.

Those who managed to get a place on the tours on Saturday 3rd January will have been able to see the results of all the work on the interior before it begins to change again. The interior of the building has now been handed over to Campbell and Co of Edinburgh, who are the exhibition design company and the fitting out of the galleries has started.

Loans for the Civil War gallery, to augment our own collection, have now been agreed and arms and armour from the Royal Armouries (Leeds) and medical items from the Science Museum – Wellcome

Collection will sit alongside domestic items from the Museum of London. Our academic panel has helped us to make sure the interpretation text is factually accurate, but also covers the experiences of ordinary people in towns like Newark during that turbulent period. Images to accompany the text have also been sourced and replica flags of Royalists, Parliamentarians and

Scots Covenanters will hang above the room and will reflect the progress of the first Civil War.

In the Newark galleries the objects and images that reflect the themes of the exhibition have been decided and the interpretation completed. The process of writing the object labels for these galleries is now complete. The 5 themes in the galleries are: People and Place, Conflict and Resolution, Poverty and Prosperity, Status and Power and Progress and Cultural Change.

Development of both high tech and low tech interactives is in progress and, as many will have seen, filming for both the theatre experience of Newark’s sieges and the augmented reality trail around the town is now complete.

Although there is still a lot to do and May will soon be upon us we all hope that the end result will provide a fitting venue to find out about the 17th century Civil Wars and also the history of Newark and the surrounding area and will attract visitors from both near and far. You will also read in this magazine about further plans to integrate the Palace Theatre and Tourist Information Centre, which will further enhance the facilities available.

Text and photos kindly provided by Kevin Winter, Exhibitions & Collections Assistant

The restored Tudor chimney.

A worker from Jericho Joinery working on the Tudor roof.

A lengthy job, but worth it in the end to preserve the parquet floor.


We’re planning on bringing together a fascinating new attraction, a much-loved treasure and a valued resource - right in the heart of Newark.

With the spring opening of the National Civil War Centre we believe there are good reasons to connect the Centre with the Palace Theatre. By bringing the town’s Tourist Information Centre under one roof we can showcase in one key venue what Newark and district have to offer to visitors.

That’s why we are looking at a visitor hub which will link all three, maximising the number of people coming to the district, increasing footfall and boosting the local economy.

And, so far, the public’s response to the proposed Visitor Hub in Appletongate has been overwhelmingly positive.

More than 60 interested members of the public talked through the plans at a successful open day in October voicing strong support for the proposals. Many visitors completed a consultation survey, stating they would be

likely to use the theatre and tourist information centre more frequently if the hub plans become a reality.

We are planning a combined reception for the theatre’s box office and the Centre’s admissions, which would also include a newly refurbished all-day café bar, offering the best in local produce, and a continental-style courtyard.

The Visitor Hub would not only help to preserve and sustain the historic Old Magnus Buildings – which will house the new centre , but also the Palace Theatre, through restoration of the listed shop frontages and opening of the foyer to café visitors. The development will generate new income streams and increase tourism to Newark and the wider district.

The plans and architects drawings are still available to view at http://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/nationalcivilwarcentre/visitorhub/

The hub will be a cultural gateway to all that the Theatre, Centre and wider district have to offer while the café and courtyard will increase the number of people appreciating these historic buildings. The TIC will have an increased role in signposting visitors to the wealth of attractions we have on offer in Newark and Sherwood.

Bringing in more visitors will increase revenue and sharing resources will help maximise income, reduce costs and help preserve the magnificent

Grade II* listed Old Magnus Buildings – which will house the Centre, and the Grade II listed theatre.

With leaflets being distributed from the border with Wales to the North Sea and from South Yorkshire to London, we’re advertising the National Civil War Centre very widely. There is a project to improve visitor signposting around Newark and it’s anticipated this will be under way for the Centre’s opening. The new augmented reality National Civil War Trail will also guide visitors to key sites such as Sconce and Devon Park, Newark Castle, St Mary Magdalene Church and the Market Place.

Our publicity will highlight the extensive long stay car parking at Tolney Lane, Riverside Arena and Livestock Markets, which represent excellent value for tourists, encouraging them to spend at least four hours in Newark.

At this stage the total cost of the visitor hub proposals are still being explored with councillors having considered a further report, which was approved in January. In the meantime the council has approved further development work on the preferred design to be undertaken and to examine the opportunities. Planning permission has now been applied for and the Council are waiting for the go ahead from English Heritage. Once the applications are approved the work will go to tender with work hopefully taking place between June and November this year. Any delays will mean the work commencing in the summer of 2016 so as not to interfere with the panto season.

Information and images kindly provided by Matthew Finch, Director – Customers, Newark and Sherwood District Council

A new visitor hub for Newark?

An artists’ impression of the new reception area in the Palace Theatre.

An artist’s impression of the view of the Palace Theatre and link to the National

Civil War Centre.


Last year I visited the town in north Nottinghamshire where I spent my teenage years, just to see what had happened to the place, and was shocked at the way the local Council has allowed it to become nothing but a ring road with huge retail parks on each roundabout. The town centre, which has a market square, nearly as delightful as that of Newark, is dying on its feet. I know that the town suffered terribly when all the coal mines closed, but it is an example of how easy it is to destroy somewhere through a lack of civic pride and dread of unemployment, and made me realise how very, very careful our District and Town Councils are with Newark, and that rather than moaning about gridlock on Friday afternoons and how terrible the old Robin Hood Hotel is, we should support and encourage them as they do their best to keep Newark one of the most beautiful and best-preserved market towns in the country.

I do wonder whether it is possible to have a genetic pre-disposition to fall in love with a particular place. My father was in the RAF and was stationed at RAF Swinderby when I was born, so my mother used to shop in Newark. By the time I was two years old we were living on the Isle of Wight, but my mother was always banging on about the glories and joys of Newark. We came up on a visit during Easter in 1962 and I remember my mother being delighted that Coynes and Gash’s buses still existed (alas no longer in either case) but it was cold and gloomy and dark and my chief memory, though I think it may be a false one, is seeing some pit ponies being shipped off on holiday via Newark.

Quite by chance we moved up to Mansfield in 1968 and paid our obligatory homage to Newark – and what a depressing place it

was! I think even my dear mama’s enthusiasm was dampened by seeing Castlegate looking grey and somehow despairing. I subsequently realised that the town was suffering from the recent closure of both Nicholson’s and the Castle Brewery on Albert Street, which I believe happened within a few months of each other in 1968, so really it had nothing to look cheerful about.

However things started looking up in the seventies. My parents had moved to Southwell and I lived in Cambridge and used to inflict myself and my laundry on them occasionally. This entailed walking from Northgate station to the bus station and I fell in love with the town – particularly the St Mark’s Centre. Having lived in Cambridge for years, the university and city authorities of which had permitted, and presumably even condoned, the erection of the concrete monstrosity called Lion Yard bang in the middle. I was enchanted that a town could build a shopping centre out of attractive red brick, hide the multi-storey car park and even seek to maintain a sort of streetscape by keeping it all open air. At least they had tried and, more or less, succeeded. So I realised that there was more to Newark than met the eye and maybe my dear old mum was right and that I would have to come and live here – a goal I achieved in 2003.

I walked my dog Jack and that was how I found all the nooks, crannies and wonders of Newark. Jack and I spent some time trying to find a greengrocer on a non-market day and signally failing. I kept on telling myself that we would find one if I went round the next corner and of course we didn’t, but I kept on finding other, much better, things: the Castle with its grounds and bandstand, the river and locks, Parnham’s

Island (traces of the mill and water wheel still to be seen and the best blackberries in Nottinghamshire), Chain Lane, Boar Lane, the Market Place without its stalls, the church, the Georgian town houses of Castlegate and Appletongate. Just have a look at the exterior of the dental practice opposite the Old Magnus Buildings and the old Rectory across the road which is now a nursery, the timber-framed glories of the Charles I Coffee House, Amore, Greggs (they are very kind and will let you go upstairs and look at the wall paintings without insisting that you purchase coffee and a cake), and of course the Prince Rupert (the Woolpack as was), who are also very kind as there is a room into which dogs may be taken. I really think they ought to call it Boye’s Room after Prince Rupert’s poodle! Take yourself in there (leave the pooch at home) and poke around; it is a joy to behold. The best of course is the Old White Hart, which the Nottinghamshire Building Society was good enough to restore to its 15th century beauty and then ruin with a modern frontage. Please go in there as well – they don’t mind people looking at their timber framing and will be desperate NOT to give you a mortgage?

The church of St Mary Magdalene is worth a look, as it is the size of a cathedral and has very old graffiti, no doubt chiselled by naughty choir boys: look out for the windmill on the choir stalls on the south choir aisle.

As for the Civil War heritage, at long last the town has woken up to what it has to offer in that department. Sconce and Devon Park with the ramparts and ditches of the fort used to defend the southern part of the town against the Parliamentarians is well-worth a visit (and a cup of tea and a bun at the little café run for charity), the Castle of course, where

Memories of Newark


traces of cannon-ball shot can still be seen on the curtain wall facing the Trent, and the developing National Civil War Centre which will be a huge boost to the town and at the same time put the Tudor Hall, Georgian and Victorian extensions of the former Magnus Grammar School to good use.

The other good thing about Newark is that we still make things and do things here. We still have the boiler works and the pump factory and the sugar factory and the boat repair yard and even a small brewery. We have some proper shops. Oh, I know each time a butcher’s shop closes down it is replaced by a nail bar or a hairdressers, and there are lots of charity shops and empty premises, but we do have butchers and bakers and – well, not candlestick makers, obviously. We have the market held several times a week in all

its slightly dishevelled glory and many manifestations (fruit, junk, collectables, material, vegetables and bread).

What I would like to know is how the place avoided being bombed to smithereens. It was surrounded by bomber airfields and engineering works churning out bits for ships and tanks. Anyway thank goodness the Germans only managed one hit, on the Ransome & Marles factory. Just think what the planners in the Sixties might have done with the Market Place and Town Hall and Moot Hall if it had been a bomb site?

Newark isn’t perfect of course, there are millions of cafes and knick-knackeries and purveyors of modern ‘distressed’ French pot pouri holders made in China but lo! Porters is still here, looking as it if was last re-vamped in the Fifties and still selling

proper groceries. It is interesting to know that even in Georgian times business premises were being knocked around and converted into shops – which is exactly what happened to Ridges’ printers, who printed Byron’s first poetic efforts and had a press on the top floor of the building in which Porters now so proudly resides. When they moved out the ground floor was converted into shop units – which are still there.

To go back to the multi-storey car park, which is more or less where I began this love letter to Newark. Go to the very top and just look round at the roofs and chimneys and red brickwork and delicious vernacular architecture of our town, and be grateful.

An article by new Executive Committee member Debby Smith

Continuity and Change at a Lincolnshire Sacred Site

In November Dr David Marcombe

very kindly volunteered to deliver the

second of our programme of talks

at Newark Library after the planned

speaker was forced to cancel.

Dr Marcombe’s talk was titled Continuity and Change at a Lincolnshire Sacred Site and focused on the acquisition and refurbishment of the chapel of St Edmund at Spital-in-the-Street, Lincolnshire.

He explained that the sacred nature of the site of the chapel probably precedes the chapel by several millennia. The current hamlet of Spital-on-the-Street is located near a chalybeate spring (a type of mineral spring that contains iron salts) and subsequently the site was chosen as a sacred site and therefore became a focus for prehistoric activity.

The first documentary evidence of a chapel on this site dates from 1165 and records the existence of a hospitium, probably run by the

Knights Templar of Willoughton; a chapel would have formed part of that complex. Archaeological evidence also suggests that the site was in use in the 12th century.

The first chapel dedicated to St Edmund was in existence in 1312, although the dedication to St Edmund implies that the origin of the earliest chapel on the site is from the Saxon period. St Edmund was an Anglo-Saxon king killed fighting the Vikings in East Anglia in 869 AD and became a Christian martyr and patron Saint of England.

Between 1395 and 1397 the chapel was reconstructed by Thomas de Aston, Archdeacon of Stow, and a prebendary of Lincoln Cathedral. Upon completetion de Aston established a

The Chapel of St Edmund, Spital-in-the-Street, Lincolnshire by Rex Critchlow.


new chantry to pray for his soul, along with that of Edward III, the Black Prince and others. He also constructed almshouses for a warden and seven individuals. This new establishment was placed under the supervision of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln.

The foundation survived the dissolution in 1547 but over the subsequent years it fell into decline before coming under the control of the Wray family of Glentworth. During this period the building was used as a meeting house for the Lindsey Quarter Sessions, until the Wray family built a new session house nearby in 1594. Once the chapel was abandoned it became derelict.

In 1616 a new smaller chapel was constructed on the site probably using material from the derelict building. This date is recorded in a still present stone with the inscription:

Fui A Dni 1398Non fui 1594

Sum 1616Domus Dei et Pauperum

Qui hunc Deus hunc destruct

Translated as: ‘I was here in 1398; I was not here in 1594; I am still here in 1616. A house of God and the poor. He who destroys this place let he himself be destroyed.’ The chapel was again refurbished in 1665 after suffering from neglect during the Civil War.

In 1830 the chapel was remodelled possible using features from 14th and 17th century chapels. This was then followed by a further refurbishment in 1889; on October 7th of that year the chapel was reopend by Bishop of Lincoln, Edward King. The chapel remained in use until the 1970s when

due to a decline in the congregation it was declared redundant.

In 1995 the chapel was purchased by the Spital Chantry Trust of St Edmund, who have successfully restored this fascinating building. The Trust has relaid the floor, repaired the plasterwork to the walls and consolidated the perimeter walls. The Trust also promotes work by local artists, craftsmen and artisans whose work has helped to develop and promote the building. The chapel holds 4 requiem masses and a carol concert each year.

St Edmund’s Chapel sketched by Thomas Espin of Louth c. 1800.

Ann Marcombe engaged in the tedious task of removing overpainting from a scheme of

wall paintings from the 1889 refurbishment.

Civic Trust Award – Thorpe’s Warehouse

The Newark Civic Trust award for 2014 was awarded for the refurbishment of Thorpe’s Warehouse (formally known as the Egg Packers’ Warehouse) to the owner, Mr John Coles, and Keith

Rodgers of Guy Taylor Associates. The Newark Civic Trust Awards are presented to projects that contribute to the protection and enhancement of Newark’s environment.

Although the interior of the building had not been completed at the time of the award the Newark Civic Trust felt that the future of this building had been secured for future generations. The building has been unoccupied since 2007 and only partially occupied since the early 1980’s. The works so far carried out to the building, as well as the plans for its future use, have guaranteed the protection of this building, that not only forms an important part of the visual

environment but which also stands as a strong reminder of Newark’s proud industrial heritage.

The warehouse is a Grade II Listed building and was built c. 1880 as a barley store and malthouse. In 1932

Thorpe’s Warehouse viewed from the north.

(left to right) Keith Rodgers of Guy Taylor Associates, Michael Knapton and John

Coles, the owner of Thorpe’s Warehouse


it was acquired by the Newark Egg Packers company and was used as a provender mill (a mill used in the production of dry fodder for livestock) and an egg packing station. The building was still used for egg packing in 1961, but may have been disused by 1972. After 1981, when Newark District Council began to develop parts of Millgate, the building was rented out to Weston Mill Pottery until they left the building in 2007. Since then the building had started to deteriorate as it had been targeted by thieves and burglars.

The building consists of 5 storeys and features a combination of small window openings and larger openings for lifting and dropping goods for transportation. Although the fenestration has been altered through various phases of the building’s development, the appearance of the main building is very close to its original form.

The most significant change to the appearance of the main building also took place in the early 1980’s, when a large opening was constructed to connect Navigation Yard, on the buildings north side, to the adopted road to the south. Originally the north frontage was accessed via a small road to Millgate, now pedestrian access between Nos 14 and 16 Millgate.

The visual appearance of the building has changed since its initial construction due to the addition and demolition of adjoining structures and ancilliary features such as, chutes, staircases and lean-tos. The legend ‘Newark Egg Packers Ltd’ has now been replaced by ‘Thorpes Warehouse’.

Internally the building could be described as ‘open plan’ with timber floors and a combination of iron columns; mostly round but some with a stepped cross-section. The majority of these columns have been retained; any that have been removed were due to them being heavily corroded. A mezzanine has also been added to provide additional residential room in the roof space.

The following comments were provide by Keith Rodgers from Guy Taylor Associates:

“With this particular project being situated opposite our own offices, it was clear from the start that this would be a significant challenge. The building had been deteriorating since the council improved the building as part of the Millgate regeneration scheme in the early 1980’s. Looking out of our windows, we could see that the concrete tile finish on the roof was not helping the situation and it was partially collapsing, the windows were rotting and did not really fit into the openings, the rainwater goods had been stolen and just discharged down the face of the building, causing damp and damage. Furthermore, the drains had failed and the roadway through the building filled up with water during every rainfall, trapping us in the office.

The idea is to put the building into a full and robust use, which will give it a long life and a reason to maintain the building into the future. The upper floors of the building are to become apartments, with the ground and first floor converted to smart riverside offices. The scheme also includes room for big improvements to the public realm, with better paving and bollards and the introduction of new trees to break up the parking areas and make the square in front of the building a better place to walk through.

The first part of the works which is now complete was to make the building watertight and stabilise the structure.

The first part we tackled was the very leaky roof. Firstly a very complicated scaffolding was cantilevered out over the river following negotiations with the Canal and River Trust to ensure it would not hinder river traffic. The roof was stripped of its concrete tiles, which revealed significant rotting to the timbers and that the rot had caused the brickwork at the top of the building to bow out over the river and was on the verge of failing. This resulted in substantial urgent repairs to much of the brickwork and timber in the top part of the building. During this work, we introduced a mezzanine floor into the queen post trusses and large industrial roof lights to appreciate the panoramic views over Millgate and beyond to Farndon. The roof was then covered over with a slate finish, replicating the original in the historic pictures of the building.

Another challenge was the windows. They were rotten, leaking, and did not fit the frames leaving a half inch

A view through a newly installed window on the top floor looking towards the

castle.

One of the smaller rooms showing severe ceiling damage and peeling wall paint from water ingress.


air-gap in places. We suggested that the windows needed to be replaced if people were going to occupy the building and that we needed to improve the thermal efficiency if we were to allow the internal brickwork to remain exposed. This sparked an in-depth debate about the principles of conservation and where it is appropriate to use double glazing and to replace windows. Firstly we made the case that the windows were not historic and could be replaced; the building is part of our industrial heritage, and a more industrial window would be more appropriate than the previous versions. The next point was that the openings in the building were not originally windows, they were covered with a timber flap to regulate airflows during the drying of grain within the building. Given these two starting points, it was conceded that any window in the building was a modern intervention, and as such should be read as an intervention. This basically allowed us to argue the case that the windows should be a modern thermally broken aluminium window to give an industrial feel and to improve the thermal environment, however, conservation officers did insist on the small pane pattern to retain the feel of the existing windows.

At ground level, we found significant levels of structural movement in the slab and in particular in the section of the building closest to Millgate. We decided to remove the floorslab and investigate; archaeologists were drafted in, and the results were very interesting. Firstly turning to the structural side, we found that the building has been

constructed on oak piles driven into the poor ground around the river. The movement we had seen in the building at the Millgate end was due to the failure of the oak piles. Further investigation found that the piles were rotting because they had “dried out”. Piles at the river end were still wet and structurally sound, but at the Millgate end, the piles had been cut-off from the water in the ground by the roadway through the building, introduced by the improvement works of the early 80’s. This part of the building was quickly underpinned to prevent further movement. The completed scheme introduced a number of modern drew piles into the building and a reinforced slab mechanically fixed to the walls to prevent any further movement in the future, should the oak piles deteriorate again.

We found that when the floorslab was removed, it had been very poorly formed over rubbish and debris raked over the original structure. In amongst the rubbish we found the original sleeper walls, which supported a timber floor, we also found concrete machine bases, ironwork and cogs from the milling machinery and hoist system, which ran through the building, and bottles from the various breweries of the town along with fragments of malting tiles. Below all of this were malting pits, which indicate that the building was producing more than just grain, and more intriguingly the archaeologist found an antler and a number of animal bones.

We are currently in discussions to progress the internal conversion works, and we are aiming to match the quality and sensitivity of the works which have been carried out to restore the exterior.

I can say we are immensely proud that we have managed to restore a building which was on the verge of significant failure. Thorpe’s Warehouse now stands proud and prominent on Newark’s waterfront and is a beautiful landmark in the Millgate area.”

The following information has been

provided by the owner of Thorpe’s Warehouse, Mr John Coles:

James Thorpe I (1755-1839) was born in Worksop in 1755 and married Lydia Taylor. In 1796 James I and his wife Lydia (who was the daughter of Hardwick Taylor) benefitted from her father’s will, receiving a small estate on Millgate of two houses and a tanyard. James joined the company of Berriff and in the 1790’s the company became Berriff and Thorpe, maltsters and coal merchants in Millgate. In December 1805 the partnership between Ann Berriff and James was dissolved and James Thorpe announced that he would be carrying on the business alone. In 1809-11 James Thorpe was described as a coal merchant and maltster but not, as yet, a wharfinger – a keeper or an owner of a wharf. By 1819 the company had become James Thorpe & Son, wharfingers and maltsters of Millgate. Three years later they had added coal dealing to their range of trades. Between 1828 and 1835 their full range of activities was listed as wharfingers, corn dealers, coal dealers, maltsters and carriers by water.

James II (1791-1843) joined the family business probably around his 21st birthday in 1813. James Thorpe I died in 1839, by which time James II was already a leading citizen in Newark. He was a Conservative Town Councillor, being elected for three terms and bought Beaconfield House at Coddington, and after extensive works the family moved there from the property on Millgate and later named the house Coddington Hall. James II died at the age of 52 in November 1843. John Thorpe, brother of James II, was also involved in the business and later moved from Millgate to Elston Hall where he lived until his death, as far as we can tell, as a bachelor.

James Thorpe III (1823-1902) was only 19 when his father died and had to take on the estate and business. He formed a partnership with his uncle, John Thorpe, and together formed a business - John and James Thorpe, Maltsters, Corn Merchants and Millers

The warehouse viewed from Navigation Yard to the north.


Events Programme 2014/1526 March 2015 - Vic Hughes speaking on "The Magna Carta and Charter of the Forrests".

30 April 2015 - Helen Bates speaking on “Homefront in World War One”

28 May 2015 – Spital-in-the-Street

Following David Marcombe’s talk, members expressed an interest in visiting the Chantry Chapel of St Edmund. The interior is beautifully decorated and contains many interesting features and artefacts.

Journey time – 45 minutes. Meet at 7.30pm at the venue. No charge - donations to the Trust welcome.

25 June 2015 – Thurgarton Priory

An early 13th century Gothic style church said to rival have rivalled Southwell Minster in size and grandeur. Meet at 7.30 at the venue for talk and guided tour. No charge - donations to the Priory welcome.

CAR SHARING: Our events for May and June require transport. Limit is 25 per venue, and in order to arrange car sharing could you let me know as soon as possible if you wish to make one or both visits and if you are prepared to offer a car to take other members. I will co-ordinate and let you know..

Michael Hawes – 01636 611349 / [email protected]

Changes to the programme will be posted on the website www.newarkcivictrust.org.uk/events

Subscriptions

Just a reminder that 2015/16 subscriptions are due in April - £15 for an individual member and £20 for a couple. Many of you pay by Standing Order to our account number 01044705 at TSB, 37 Castlegate. However some members are still paying at the old rate! If you can check and adjust if necessary it would be a great help and save us having to send polite reminders! A dozen or so members pay to the HSBC account.

If you prefer to pay by cheque please send the payment to:

Neil Hinchley, 24 Beacon Heights, Newark NG24 2JS

Cash or cheque can be paid at the March and April Library meeting.

Thank you all for your continued support and co-operation!

Rear cover photos: Thorpe’s warehouse

(Newark Water and Steam Mills). The Thorpe business had extended into the water mill on Mill Lane, which ultimately became Parnhams Mill, after a fire in their more modern steam mill on Barnby Gate.

In 1850 James III married Mary Spence, but sadly they remained childless and she died in 1868. He subsequently married Annie McDougal of Argyllshire and they had nine children, at least three of whom were accomplished military men, serving in the Boer and the First World War.

By 1872, James III was a County Magistrate, High Sherriff, JP and Deputy Lieutenant in Argyllshire. He was interested in farming and forestry and had a fine herd of Lincoln Red Shorthorns. In 1886 James sold the flour mill to Thomas Parnham, by which time the malting business had branches

in Louth, Market Rasen, Peterborough and Newark and was one of the largest in the Midlands.

The Thorpe family were successful and philanthropic making large donations to many local organisations; also various members of them serving in the military and in local, governmental and judicial office.

Sources:Coddington History GroupRiver Canal and Coastal Carriers - Philip RidenNewark ‘The Magic of Malt’ – Peter Stephens

The south side of the newly refurbished warehouse.

Kindly sponsored by Willsons Printers

Newark Civic TrustMAGAZINE

Documents

Newark Civic Trust · 06 I Newark Civic Trust Planning Report Growth Point Developers Catsby Estates (Residential) Ltd have made an application to vary the conditions of the outline