Newark Civic Trust MAGAZINE Caring about the town’s environment Issue 70 | August 2014

Newark Civic Trust I 01 CONTENTS Executive Committee Officers A few words from the 03 Chairman: Mr George Wilkinson, Chairman The Cottage, Lincoln Road, Newark NG24 6HH George Wilkinson 01636 671413 A Tribute to 04 Secretary: Mr Ralph Harrison, 32 Victoria Street, Newark NG24 4UT Guy St. John Taylor 01636 708096 Treasurer: Ms Amanda Ferguson, C/O Duncan & Newark Civic Trust 05 Topliss, 14 London Road, Newark NG24 1TW 50 years of caring and 01636 640321 campaigning for our Town Membership Secretary: Mr Neil Hinchley, Rupert Vinnicombe 24 Beacon Heights, Newark, NG24 2JS 01636 704699 The Crucible of War: 10 Chairman of Planning: Mr Michael Hawes, Newark, three sieges, two 7 Beacon Hill Road, Newark NG24 1NT courts martial and one great 01636 611349 road to the north. Conservation Watch: Mr Mick Gill, Professor Martyn Bennett 17 Strawberry Hall Lane, Newark NG24 2EX 01636 672868 Civic Trust Award – 13 Awards Co-Ordinator: Mr Michael Knapton, 29 Newton Street, Newark NG24 1SU The Former Blue Man Public House Recruitment Secretary: Kevin Winter, 12 Lovers Lane, Newark NG24 1HZ The Secret of Duke’s Wood 14 01636 653321 There’s oil in them there woods! www.newarkcivictrust.org.uk The Dovecotes of , 15 email [email protected] and Flintham Corporate members British Sugar Newark Hodgson Elkington Leprosy, St Leonard 17 Benoy Guy St John Taylor and the Spittal Tallents eSurv Michael Hawes and Mick Gill Richard Watkinson & Co Jeffrey Keays Associates CBP Architects Civic Trust Events Programme 19 2014/15 Newark Civic Trust Magazine Editor George Wilkinson and Michael Knapton

Print Willsons Printers Front cover photos: Content is kindly provided 1. Newark Town Mayor, Councillor Bryan Richardson and the Lady Mayoress, by various contributors Chairman of Newark & Sherwood District Council, Councillor Dennis Jones join Trust Chairman George Wilkinson in a toast to celebrate the 50th Anniversary Photographs courtesy of The Newark Event in the Town Hall Advertiser, Rupert Vinnicombe, 2. Members of the Trust Executive Committee wait for Chairman George Michael Knapton and Jason Mordan Wilkinson to cut the 50th birthday cake Sponsorship 3. Authors of the popular Town Trails pose for a pre-event publicity photograph Willsons Printers Newark 4. The event was an opportunity for past Chairmen Bill Davidson, Peter Duncan, Tel: 01636 702334 James Howlett and Simon Ham to meet and reminisce www.willsons.com

02 I Newark Civic Trust A few words from the Chairman As you read this the AGM for 2014 include a new bear-baiting post - a that 30% didn’t. It will be interesting will be close upon us. Those of you District Councillor and the Newark to see what the greater consensus of who do not know, these will be my Archaeological and Local History opinion is when a formal application last words from the chair as I am Society (NALHS) have offered support is made. And will the District Council stepping down from the helm. I for this – together with provision of relocate to the site opposite the know I did that once before but this a double sided interpretation board proposed Sainsbury development? time it’s for real! However, with your to explain the history and relevance Network Rail has announced their approval I will remain a committee – of the pump, bear baiting post intention to close all level crossings and committed – member. and the significance of the nearby Emmendingen mosaic. Making a on the East Coast Main Line, to With the blessing of the members feature of this small area of the include Barnby Road, Hatchets Lane present at the AGM, my replacement Market Place will add a further and Bullpit Lane - where the effects will be Michael Knapton - by my attraction to the town for the benefit on nearby businesses and residents yard stick he’s only a youngster. He to both residents and visitors. are the most contentious. Options knows how to get the best out of a presently proffered are ill conceived computer, unlike me who, at best, use As I relinquish my chairmanship and impractical. The Hatchets Lane it as a word processor. On behalf of all there are several looming challenges. crossing Option 1, a footbridge members of the Trust I wish him well The saga of the Robin Hood nearby, would benefit Trent Valley and hope that he enjoys the position continues but there is now hope Way pedestrians and cyclists and the as much as I have done. that restoration will be undertaken 800 households wanting to access by The Building the river. Network Rail has conducted Our 50th Anniversary celebration at Preservation Trust with support from a feasibility study and further public the Town Hall was a great success the District Council and English consultation is promised when the and it was good to see so many Heritage. Fingers crossed! We can preferred options have been chosen. members and guests enjoy the expect news on the Growth Point occasion and hear Professor Martyn development and the A1/A46 link On the bright side there is the new Bennett’s talk. I must thank all the road which will have implications on meeting room facility in the Library committee and their partners for the already congested traffic situation for our monthly talks and we can their hard work in making the whole in and around the town. Is a one-way look forward to the opening of evening a triumph. Well done all! system the answer? the National Civic War Centre and Two years or so ago I suggested the Is there a need for another Newark Museum in the New Year. refurbishment of the Town Pump supermarket? Members of the I look forward to seeing you all at the in the Market Place as a possibility committee attended the Sainsbury AGM on September 25th. to mark our 50th anniversary and presentation at Holy Trinity Church I am pleased to report that we are Hall and subsequent replies indicate George Wilkinson pursuing the matter with the District that about 70% of the visitors made Chairman of Newark Civic Trust Council. We hope that the plan can favourable comments. That means Mr George Wilkinson Newark Civic Trust I 03 A Tribute to Guy St John Taylor Guy St John Taylor was a member of of the Civic Trust’s Improvements much of the timber frame had rotted Newark Civic Trust from its earliest Committee that went on to prepare at lower levels and the building was days and first became involved 3 important reports around 1970 on essentially rebuilt from the top down, in 1967 when there was a major the Lombard Street Car Park, Newark supported by an extensive scaffolding proposal to demolish 12-13 Market Market Place and the findings of a setup. This project went on to win a Place – the Moot Hall and later Pedestrianisation Study. All of these Civic Trust Award, alongside various Coyne’s and then Curry’s. This was reports contributed strongly to town other awards and has enabled a unanimously opposed and Mr Taylor as we know it today and during this building of national significance to be represented the Civic Trust at the period he became Chairman of the restored as a truly fine example of a successful public enquiry on the Trust. 14-15th century coaching inn. future of this building at County 1977 saw great pressure building Guy Taylor Associates have been Hall. Mr Taylor was involved in the from the Trust for urgently needed involved in many other significant rebuilding that has enabled the repairs to the Old White Hart though buildings in the town including Market Place to retain the building it was not until 1979 that the then the extensive refurbishment of the line to great effect. Also at this time Chairman, Bernard Brooks could Town Hall in 1989, the Governor’s the Trust opposed a suggestion to announce a commencement date. House, Sketchley House (Holdens) on remove the Market Place cobblestones Under the supervision of Guy Taylor Castlegate and Thorpe’s Warehouse and tarmac the whole area and to Associates an innovative method of demolish the quirky “island site”. (formerly Newark Egg Packers) restoration was used to repair and in 2011 which is currently under Mr Taylor was a founder member preserve the existing structure as consideration for a Civic Trust Award. The most recent project has been the refurbishment of the former School Room on Mount Lane. This work has been given the Newark Civic Trust Award because it has guaranteed the survival of an important local building through high quality renovation and refurbishment work as part of a wider scheme for a new sustainable sheltered housing development. George Wilkinson, present Chairman of Newark Civic Trust paid the following tribute: “Guy Taylor was a strong and active supporter of the Trust over many years and his help was highly valued and freely given when needed. Newark Civic Trust was Newark Civic Trust Awards Co-ordinator Michael Knapton presents Guy Taylor and proud to be able to present many Keith Rodgers of Guy St John Taylor Associates with the award certificate for their awards for his work in the town and work on the former School Room on Mount Lane. he will be greatly missed”. 04 I Newark Civic Trust Newark Civic Trust 50 years of caring and campaigning for our Town An article based on an introductory address given at the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Trust by Rupert Vinnicombe

In 1982 when I returned to Newark Martyn Bennett is eminently qualified eminent Newark individuals with as District Librarian, I became a to speak on this subject and did not Newark Advertiser connections. member of the Civic Trust and joined disappoint with a fascinating account Mr Richard Blatherwick – father of the Executive Committee as Secretary of Newark’s vital role in the Civil Douglas – married the daughter of an on my retirement in 2006. I actually War and concluded by noting the earlier editor, the Newark historian, stood down last September as family importance of the new National Civil Cornelius Brown. commitments began to take priority War Centre and Newark Museum. At the time he was the manager of but I remain a member and supporter When the Executive Committee first of the Trust and having suggested a the Westminster Bank when it was discussed the Anniversary Project, it situated in the lovely old Watson commemorative lecture to mark the emerged that we did not know the Fothergill building that is now the 50th Anniversary, the least I could exact date of the Trust’s foundation School of Violin Making. Richard do was to research the history of and that enabled my rather rusty Blatherwick went on to become an Newark Civic Trust and introduce the library research skills to be revived! proceedings at the Town Hall on the Newark Library has an excellent honorary Freeman of the town. evening of Thursday 24th April, 2014. and comprehensive local studies The Honorary Secretary, William The lecture was entitled: “The section that includes an index to the Saunders, headed the Castle Gate Crucible of War: Newark, Three microfilms of the Newark Advertiser firm of architects Saunders and Sieges, Two Courts Martial, and and my initial searches provided Partners. Other members included One Great Road to the North” and much of the required information, Oliver Essame, Doctors B.G. Ives and was given by Martyn Bennett who though a trip to Nottinghamshire G.E.C. Collis, two newspaper editors is Professor of Early Modern History Archives where the Trust records are Mr Cyril Parlby and Mr Freddy Jones and Head of Trent deposited was needed as the library of the Newark Herald. Also, the University Graduate School. Professor had been closed for the previous Borough Surveyor, Mr J.H. Clarke four months! I had spotted a full Bennett is the author of no less and, I was pleased to note, library page advertisement promoting the than 17 internationally acclaimed and museum involvement in Mr “Newark-on-Trent Civic Association” authoritative works on the civil Arthur Smith who was then Borough as being founded in 1932 in wars and revolutions that wracked Librarian and Curator. the mid-17th Century in Britain the “Pageant of Newark Official and Ireland including a biography Programme July 13th – 18th, 1936”. of Oliver Cromwell. He has written A little further research established some 50 journal articles on this that the Association was actually theme and numerous chapters in inaugurated in 1932 with the driving other books. Professor Bennett is force being Mr Oliver Quibell who was a regular contributor to local radio also the inspiration for the building programmes and has appeared on of the Newark Technical College television, most recently in the BBC’s and his daughter Ruth, who married History Cold Case Series in 2011 Douglas Blatherwick who became and is History Editor of the Thoroton Vice President of the Methodist Society of Nottinghamshire journal: Conference. Mr Quibell was a the “Transactions of the Thoroton member of the Association’s founding The Newark-on-Trent Civic Society”. committee comprising a number of Association logo Newark Civic Trust I 05 The Newark Civic Association’s would enable him to take much larger a sense of civic pride. I have a very original aims appealed to citizens “... quantities with impunity”! strong personal conviction that more to unite for the purpose of preserving November 1963 saw a determined influence can come from a body of those characteristic features which effort by the Newark Junior Chamber people representative of the whole so greatly enrich the town, and for of Commerce to press for a civic town than can be done on many stimulating a sense of responsibility society or trust and a small working occasions by those in authority.” The in all future developments.” I would party was chaired by Councillor Mayor was later elected as the first suggest that there could not be any Douglas Blatherwick and included Chairman of the Trust which had better definition of purpose of a Norman Brown, Eric Silburn and already attracted representation of civic society and indeed these aims William Saunders. The inaugural 9 of the town’s organisations and are clearly reflected in the objects of meeting of Newark Civic Trust was 52 individual members. Today the Newark Civic Trust and are embedded actually held on 21st April, 1964 Trust has 10 corporate members and in the present constitution.The fate in the Town Hall and the guest around 136 individual members. of the original Civic Association is speaker was Mr. Arthur Ling, then The early structure of the Trust was a unknown although the Advertiser City Architect and Planning Officer two tier organisation with a Council suggested apathy in a 1963 report on for Coventry and soon to become that met in the Robin Hood Hotel the efforts of a new generation, and the first Professor of Architecture at and an Executive Committee meeting I quote, “...to try again in an effort Nottingham University. at the Town Hall. This arrangement to preserve the best in the town.” continued for a number of years until I believe that the main reason for Mr. Ling paid tribute to Newark and a revised and simplified structure was the demise was the pressure of the said: “...the town had many fine agreed and remains in place today. outbreak of the Second World War buildings of architectural and historic with some members in the forces, interest. They are fine not only in Long standing Trust member Mr. others giving their time to Civil themselves but as a group particularly John Oldham wrote to me recently Defence, Home Guard, Women’s in the central area where they and passed over a list of members as form together a fine piece of town Voluntary Service and so on. It was at 31st March, 1977 and amongst planning with the Market Place as a not until 1959 that a revival was the very familiar names listed there focal point.” suggested when the Advertiser noted are still a few current members. John the early development of a Southwell Councillor Blatherwick at the opening also included copies of 3 reports Civic Society and proposed that of the meeting said: “It is not a published around 1970 that were Newark should not lag behind! group of men and women opposed prepared by the Improvements to change. We want to construct an Committee of the Trust chaired by The idea was raised at the Newark organisation we hope will encourage Roger Kemp and included the late Discussion Club in February 1960 but met with little interest. Members The Moot Hall, 12-13 Market Place. expressed regret that two new shops were to be built on the church side of the Market Place and said that if existing shops were to be demolished the site should be preserved as an open space. This led to a suggestion that the Civic Association should be re-formed but when a vote was taken, fewer than half of the 40 people present expressed any interest. Members of the Discussion Club seemed to be more concerned about the Government’s then recent proposals to limit alcohol consumption by drivers, with the suggested “rate” working out at two double whiskies. An unnamed local doctor noted that seemed rather a lot and suggested that a glass of milk or “a fatty substance like olive oil 06 I Newark Civic Trust point. 1967 saw the committee strengthened by the addition of the late Vernon Radcliffe, Museum Curator. There was a suggestion that the Trust should amalgamate with the Archaeological Society but this was not agreed and at the same meeting, the pigeon nuisance problem was discussed – nothing new here! Also in 1967 a major proposal to demolish 12-13 Market Place – the Moot Hall and later Coyne’s and then Curry’s block – was unanimously opposed by the Trust. As explained in the Civic Trust tribute Guy Taylor successfully represented the Trust at a public enquiry on the future of this building. In 1969, the Trust was informed of Sketchley House, 11 Castlegate. the sale of Castle Motors and that a Guy St John Taylor and John Oldham. north side of the Palace to join up possible new frontage was envisaged The topics covered were the Lombard with the other proposed section. The and it was noted in the minutes that Street car park, Newark Market Place Reverend Eric Kingsnorth who was an it would not be difficult to restore and a Pedestrianisation Survey and early Trust Committee member was the building to something near its they make fascinating reading in very firm but polite in his opposition original elegance. An excellent piece the light of developments that have to this intrusion across his garden in a of work was duly completed to what followed and as an example here, I letter, as was the Trust, and justifiably is now the rear of Holdens and this am thinking of the recent introduction so! The Chamber at that time was provides a superb view as visitors of tighter bollard control of vehicular “opposed to pedestrianisation as enter the town over Trent Bridge. access to the market area that was being to the serious detriment of Then as now, the Trust is always long overdue. established businesses in the town willing to fight against clumsy or centre” – thankfully this view did not An early representation included ill-sited planning proposals and its prevail and was strongly confirmed opposition to the dualling of Castle Improvements Committee successfully by the major survey conducted by the Gate whilst at that time leaving the attacked a 1970 plan to build a Tesco Trust’s Improvements Committee in whole A46 as a single carriageway. supermarket on Middlegate! The 1970. The 1965 Draft Plan for Newark also proposal appears to have included included an extraordinary suggestion As early as 1965, the Trust wished the demolition of the covered market to create an inner ring road running to involve young people and a junior to the rear of the Buttermarket and from Slaughter House Lane, along the membership subscription of 10s.6d. the Duke of Cumberland public Mount to Appletongate opposite the was agreed. A reciprocal visit from house - later Kirrages -running along Palace. children of Bishop Kings School Chain Lane. The Trust has never been The Trust records at Nottinghamshire in Lincoln was minuted as a great against appropriate progress and their Archives have a report from the success and an invoice for £17.13.0 response suggested that if a large Newark Chamber of Commerce from Oldham’s Bakeries was approved supermarket was to be built, then it responding to this suggestion offering for payment. should be on the Lombard Street car complete agreement and suggesting Familiar problems to the current park area. that an extension to this proposal committee were noted in 1966 with 1977 saw great pressure building should be a new road from London great concern about fly posting and from the Trust for repairs to the Road across the present car park the light fine imposed by Newark Old White Hart though it was northwest of Municipal Buildings, Magistrates and recommended that not until the 1979 AGM that the through to Bede House Lane, on Newark Town Council should consider then Chairman, Bernard Brooks through the Vicarage Gardens to the implementing a byelaw to cover this could announce a commencement Newark Civic Trust I 07 Also in 1989, long standing Executive The Old White Hart. Committee member, Peter Stephens proposed the creation of a newsletter which was agreed by the committee and Peter became the first editor. The initial cost was estimated at £24 for 120 copies and the first issue was very well received. This year represents a 25 year anniversary of the newsletter that has developed into a high quality, full colour magazine produced twice a year. Members receive their copies prior to each issue being added to the Trust website. Members are able to attend an evening talks programme held in Newark Library on 7 occasions each year and attend 2 visits to local sites of interest – last year these were to Staunton Hall and . It is appropriate here to mention that the Trust has produced two significant publications over the years – a first edition of “Look at Newark” was published in 1982 and was followed by two revised reprints in 1989 and 2000. date under the supervision of Guy be reflected in the eagerly awaited Taylor. This is a building of national National Civil War Centre and Newark significance and remains a truly fine Museum. example of a 14th century coaching In 1989 the late Bill Flisher, then inn. Chairman of the Planning Committee, A continuing wish for Newark’s in his characteristic style noted “the malting and brewing industries to Trust’s strong objections to every be celebrated in a Malting Heritage attempt to turn Newark’s ancient and Centre was pursued by the Trust in attractive streets into film sets.” Bill 1989 with visits to Roy Limb’s malting observed that the apparent feeling on Northgate and the Warwick amongst developers that to get their and Richardson’s Malting. Limb’s applications accepted, all shop fronts Malting is now being converted into must conform to a common pattern ‘Look at Newark’ published by the Trust in 1982 apartments and whilst the Warwick’s of what the late 20th century thinks early 19th century fronts were like Malting building has been preserved, Peter Stephens edited a major and quoted the example of Paxton’s what was then a time capsule with publication for the Trust in 1993 Court. all the original tools and equipment entitled “Newark the Magic of left from its closure in 1969 have 1989 saw no less than 136 planning Malt” which has proved to be a been lost as have the kiln and all applications, the most important local best seller and a goldmine of malting floors. Either building would being the Town Hall and Covered superbly researched information. have been ideal as a heritage centre Market re-development. A sign of the Nottinghamshire County Library or museum but the opportunity has times being that very few applications Service published this title in been lost and perhaps may never are being submitted but the Trust conjunction with the Trust and I had now be achieved, but this important must remain vigilant as even a minor the privilege of working with Peter to aspect of the town’s history must change can have significant effect. see through the project. 08 I Newark Civic Trust the Town Hall in November 1994. used to develop a further 7 Trail Past winners in the several categories leaflets and this work has been a have included the riverside concrete recent priority for the Trust as has Kiln Warehouse, the Fox and Crown, the creation and maintenance of the the Lock Keepers Cottage, Gallerie website where all 8 can be viewed. on Kirkgate, the Albert Street Baptist The full range of Trails is impressive Church and Liz Hobbs’ offices on and is worthy of mention: Georgian London Road. Buildings, Medieval Timber Framed The Newark Civic Trust Awards Buildings, Art Deco, Malting and Scheme was introduced in 2002 and Brewing, Historic Riverside, Curiosities enables small scale but important and a Victorian Trail. The value of the initiatives to be recognised that Trails in terms of promoting tourism protect and enhance the built Cover image of ‘Newark the Magic of cannot be underestimated and I often Malt’ environment. Examples of winning see visitors using these to enhance It is perhaps sad to reflect that nominations have included the my cover photograph of Peach’s replacement of wooden sash windows their visits to Newark. Malting showed a building in need of on a Wellington Road property, the Important local sponsorship has been protection that despite our pleas to replacement of period style railings achieved to produce the new Trails the District Council was the subject at Church House on Church Walk, and to reprint titles where changes of an arson attack in 1995 following Healy’s Wharf, the Prince Rupert have been needed or supplies public house, the former school room on from the loss of Baird’s Malting in replenished. Sponsors have included on Mount Lane and many others. 1990. the Newark Town Partnership, Newark In 1992 the Trust proposed 1992 saw the introduction of the Advertiser, the Town Council, District acceptance of a new constitution Trust’s Conservation Watch whereby Council and Trent Vale Landscape based on a model from the national members can flag up matters of Partnership. Civic Trust and this was accepted by concern in the town for us to raise members at the AGM. This permitted with the District Council. Specific The most recent revised reprint of our the Trust to be granted charitable areas are now allocated to committee very popular Malting and Brewing status by the Charities Commission members and a variety of concerns Trail was sponsored by Newark which in turn enabled financial have been addressed over the years. CAMRA, the Maltsters’ Association benefits such as the reclaiming of National and local Heritage Open of Great Britain, Just Beer Micropub income tax on subscriptions and a Days have been regularly supported and County Councillor Stuart Wallace raising of the credibility and status by the Trust usually working with which indicates the great local of the organisation. The constitution Newark Town Council and Newark interest. has been subject to a few minor Archaeological and Local History However, the real strength of Newark amendments over the years but Society. Buildings have been opened Civic Trust has to be in the individuals remains an essential guiding force for by arrangement for viewing and the Trust. many memorable conducted tours of involved over the years and there have been a lot of very strong and 1993 saw the development of the the town have been organised often committed members. It is not possible Civic Awards Scheme in partnership based on our Trail Leaflets. to name all those who have given with the District Council, subsequently In 2006, the Civil War Trail was their time and expertise to the work of Newark Town Council and the strong the first produced and was funded support of the Newark Advertiser. A under the County Council’s “Building the committee but a mention of those number of financial sponsors have Better Communities” initiative. Trust who have chaired the Trust must supported the Scheme over the years members drew up the route and be made – names include Douglas including Benoy, the Butterley Brick created the text and the Advertiser Blatherwick, Guy St John Taylor, Company and the Midland Bank. provided the photographs; the District Bernard Brooks, Anthony Rissen-Kent, Members of the public are asked Council provided the map; the County Tom Healy, Mrs Dorothy Otter, Eric to nominate any building, scheme Council Central Print Department Silburn, Tony Aspbury, James Howlett, or environmental improvement for designed and printed the leaflets and Simon Ham, Bill Davidson, George consideration by the judges. The then this Trail included way-markers at Wilkinson, Peter Duncan and the Secretary of State, John Gummer strategic points around the town. current Chairman George Wilkinson presented the first awards here in The original template has been for a second spell. Newark Civic Trust I 09 The Crucible of War: Newark, three sieges, two courts martial and one great road to the north. A précis of the 50th Anniversary Lecture by Professor Martyn Bennett, Nottingham Trent University

This is an auspicious time for Newark and its civil war heritage. The redevelopment of the museum and the creation of a national centre, not only a civil war museum, but a potential centre for study is important. Twenty two years ago the country began a ten-year commemoration of the civil wars and Newark amongst other places; Nottingham Castle, marked the 350th anniversary of the beginning of the war in in 1642 and hosted a major Royal Armouries touring exhibition, whilst Newark created a trail and invested in commemorative waste bins. Yet it fell to Worcester to brand itself as a ‘civil war city’ linking together a series of sites and converting the Commandery Museum into a civil war centre. Worcester had good cause to claim to be the civil war city. The first purely military action of the war in England during 1642 took place at Powick Bridge on the southern approaches to the town, and on 3 September 1651 Oliver Cromwell delivered the crushing blow from which the royalist Professor Martyn Bennett. cause never recovered at Worcester. But 1992 was a long time ago and 10 I Newark Civic Trust Sir John Meldrum, commander of the Prince Rupert, whose campaign to defeat parliamentarian forces during the 2nd siege of Newark. Meldrum’s forces is described as his finest moment. the Commandery has returned to The Great North Road and Fosse bridge would be important and unlike being a beautiful general purpose way, the conjunction of east-west Nottingham Castle, it was in good museum. What makes this new and north-south travel, made repair. venture at Newark different is the Newark a gem for the royalists This strategic importance of Newark acknowledgement that this was a who based themselves here. Via quickly became an issue after royalists much larger conflict than usually Newark, the royalist commander set themselves up there in late 1642. conceived. For despite the whole of the North and East Anglia, the The first siege at the end of February tone of the 350th anniversary, Earl of Newcastle could send men 1643 was brief and although the Worcester marked neither the site and supplies southwards and into roughly constructed defences were of the start nor the end of the civil Lincolnshire and on into East Anglia. assailed the attack was driven off. wars in England or elsewhere. The Likewise, control of these roads made Newark a prime military target for During spring and early summer wars we will mark at Newark began the parliamentarians established to several attempts to launch a siege three years before the fight at Powick the east, who wished to interrupt the were made and Colonel Oliver Bridge and petered out some two royalist hold on the Midlands and Cromwell was involved in some of years after Cromwell’s crushing blow break through to the parliamentarian them. The importance as a gateway at Worcester. The war that had begun garrison at Nottingham, or between the north and south was in Scotland would end in Ireland. northwards to the parliamentarian underlined when Queen Henrietta It tore apart the fabric of society of stronghold in Hull. This centrality to Maria led her army through the four countries of the British Isles and eastern England’s routes north-south region in June; during her progress ensured that conflict assailed all the and into the north Midlands, was the she stayed in the town on Kirk Gate. nations of Western Europe for most main reason that Newark became of the first half of the seventeenth important in the civil war, even if The more threatening siege of 1644 century – for whilst the continent initially the river failed to live up to its began in late February and by 2nd had been at war since 1618 Britain potential strategic importance. The March the town was surrounded by and Ireland had been at peace since castle must not be neglected either. 7,000 men under the command of Sir 1603. Its commanding position over the John Meldrum. By now Newark had Newark Civic Trust I 11 been ringed with defensive works far second occasion during the autumn broke out in the vicinity and to stop it superior to those which had faced the this served to attract the attention spreading the demolition was halted first attackers. Links with the north of parliament’s Northern Association and never resumed. For that reason were crucial to the royalists now that Army which marched to Newark and we have been left not only with a vast the Scots had sided with parliament began to lay siege. By the end of the variety of small earthworks but with and were advancing down north- year the Scottish army had joined it one complete sconce; a unique visual eastern England. Prince Rupert and and Newark was ringed by earthworks image of the civil war and Newark. Henry, Lord Loughborough united which encroached ever closer. Still It might seem presumptuous of their forces and marched to the aid the town defied its tormentors, but Newark to call its new civil war centre of the Newark governor, Sir Richard was obliged to surrender when the ‘national’ and no doubt when the Byron. The siege was lifted on 21st king tried to drive a wedge between reality of this hits the attention of March after Meldrum’s forces were his Scottish and English and Welsh the rest of the nation(s) involved, defeated in the Battle of Beacon Hill, enemies by surrendering to the Scots eyebrows will be raised. Yet I have fought to the east of the town. at Newark. The town’s surrender was part of the bargain which ended what argued how central Newark was to For over a year Newark remained has become known as the first English the progress of the first civil war. a huge threat to parliament and Civil War. It was one of the first towns to be resisted all attempts to hem its fortified as the wars became truly Following the war the order was garrison into the town in order to national in 1642-3 and because of its given to demolish the earthwork curtail its effectiveness. The defensive importance as a market town and a fortifications around Newark. The works were strengthened again and communications hub it was besieged fortresses, walls and ditches had been the massive earthwork forts - the three times in three successive years. constructed by villagers from round King’s Sconce (to the north) and The town, as the largest and most about, drawn from communities the Queen’s Sconce (to the south) - extensively fortified garrison of the like Upton, Thorpe and Coddington. blocked the Great North Road in and Now these same labourers were North and , was central out of the town. conscripted to remove all trace to the national strategies, especially The morale of the townspeople and of their handiwork and had they that of the royalists, which used the the garrison was boosted twice in continued their work there would be human and other resources of the 1645 when King Charles I moved his nothing unique to show for Newark’s region. It was crucial in 1643 to the forces into the area, but on the civil war experience. However, plague links between the North and the South: in 1644 it was elemental to the defence of the North from the Scottish invaders and in 1645 it was intended to be the springboard for any attempt the king might launch to regain control of the lost northern shires. In the end it was so important a target that it absorbed huge amounts of English and Scottish resources in the attempt to capture the town and this centrality was underlined by its use as a bargaining chip by the king when he sought to divide his enemies. Newark therefore both encapsulates and exemplifies the history of the civil war experience of the four nations of the British Isles: and thus its redeveloped museum is truly justified in calling itself a National Civil War Centre. A contemporary plan of Newark’s Civil War defences with the King’s Sconce at the Our thanks to Professor Bennett for bottom-right and the Queen’s Scone at the top-left. providing the précis. 12 I Newark Civic Trust Civic Trust Award The Former Blue Man Public House

The Blue Man c. 1900 (taken from Tim Warner’s ‘Britain in Old Photographs; Newark’ 1995). brewing and malting, began to grow. The area around the Blue Man was transformed in 1852 with the opening of the new Great Northern Railway and the construction of the associated station. New road layouts emerged as North Gate and Appleton Gate were joined by Lincoln Street whereas previously they converged at their Newark Civic Trust Awards Co-ordinator Michael Knapton awarding northern ends. The density of housing Mark Addison his Newark Civic Trust Award. also increased as the new Lincoln At the 2013 Newark Civic Trust AGM was concerned by the loss of historic Street was developed as well as streets Mark Addison, a builder from Bathley, public houses in the town and the to the south of the Blue Man site. was awarded the Newark Civic Trust possible effect this might have on the The Blue Man was originally a beer Award for the development of the adjacent buildings if they become house before becoming a public former Blue Man Public House on derelict. She was also impressed by house late in the 19th century. The North Gate. The award, which is the developer’s use of architectural distinction between the two is that nominated by a member of the Trust, details and his retention of the name a beer house was only licensed is awarded to developers whose of the pub. She also hopes that as (under the 1830 Beer Act, a populist work contributes to the quality and the building sits on an important attempt to introduce new drinking appearance of the environment in entrance to the town it will provide a establishments to shift the public good example to other developers. Newark and the surrounding area. away from the ever rapidly growing The nomination for the Blue Man The former pub and the cottages consumption of gin) to sell beer was received by Newark Civic Trust adjoining to the right are Grade and cider but no other types of member Suzanne McCarthy as she II listed and date from the early alcoholic drink. The Blue Man was 19th century with late 19th century one of approximately 46,000 beer alterations. The date of 1832 has houses established by 1840 (others been suggested for the building of the in Newark still in existence are the pub in what would have then been Carpenter’s Arms (now the Roaring a largely undeveloped area of land Meg) on Barnbygate, the Malt Shovel north-east of the main town. Newark on North Gate and the Newcastle had started to spread along North Arms on Appleton Gate). This rapid Gate and Appleton Gate in the 18th rise was due to no formal licence century as the Trent became more being required to establish a beer Blue Man Court after development. navigable and industry, especially house, only an annual payment of Newark Civic Trust I 13 2 Guineas. Changes to the law in on the ground floor; the only rooms regrettable it allowed the developers 1869 brought an end to the beer on the ground floor that remained to maximise the potential of the house which led to many closing or unaltered by the time the pub closed. building and focus their efforts on the becoming fully licensed public houses. The cellars and the staircase down to them also remained unaltered. exterior of the property. The Blue Man Originally the building consisted of an Although the loss many of the original now consists of 5 apartments with entrance lobby and 2 main bar rooms internal features of the building is additional properties to the rear.

The Blue Man c.1990 (John Law, Flickr, 2014). The Blue Man today.

The Secret of Duke’s Wood There’s oil in them there woods! One fact sticks in the memory from engineer, Philip Southwell, who went the pumps - the “nodding donkeys”- our visit to the Oil Museum at Duke’s to America and persuaded Lloyd have been restored and are sited Wood, and that is that without the Noble of the Noble Corporation of around the wood adjacent to the trail. oil produced from 1942 it is unlikely Oklahoma to send all the necessary The crude oil was loaded onto road that the D Day landings would have equipment – and the experienced tankers and taken to Pumpherston been possible. Duke’s Wood and engineers – to Eakring was no mean Refinery near Edinburgh via rail the area around it was the location feat. sidings at Bilsthorpe. Thanks to of the UK’s first onshore oilfield The wells were one of the best kept the cooperation between BP and and produced 280,000 tons of oil wartime secrets. Not only were the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, Duke’s between 1939 and 1966. The oil was local people kept in the dark but Wood is now a nature reserve and site of very high quality and was found also because the wells were situated of special scientific interest. to be particularly suited to the Rolls largely within wooded areas they The full story was explained to us in Royce Merlin Engine, the engine escaped the attentions of enemy extensively used by most of the Royal an excellent video presentation and aircraft. we are very grateful to Kevin Topham Air Force’s high performance Fighters The American engineers – roughnecks and John Lukehurst for providing an and Bombers. – were billeted at Hall – then interesting and entertaining evening. The story of how the high quality an Anglican Monastery – and enjoyed The museum, run by volunteers, is oil was mined is a fascinating one the facilities of The Fox during their open on Sundays between 2pm and and too lengthy to do it justice here. time off. Not that they had too much 5pm during the summer months and Suffice it to say that when the oil of it as they worked 12 hours a day we strongly recommend a visit if you was discovered in 1939 Britain did to keep production flowing from the have not been there. For more details not have the equipment or expertise 240 wells being operated to produce and confirmation of opening times, to produce it in the volume required. the millions of barrels of this crucial contact Kevin Topham on 01623 882 The persistence of a petroleum product for the war effort. Some of 446. 14 I Newark Civic Trust The Dovecotes of Sibthorpe, Thoroton and Flintham Our final event of the year was a visit was strictly controlled with only lords which ladders could be attached and to three local dovecotes at Sibthorpe, of the manor and clergy allowed to suspended a few feet off the ground. Thoroton and Flintham. We were have them. This was relaxed in the Potences avoided the inconvenience treated to an excellent conducted tour 18th century and many more were and disturbance of continually by Jason Mordan, Senior Practitioner built by landholders on farms, both as having to move a conventional ladder Historic Buildings, Nottinghamshire free-standing high status structures, around the wall. However, there is no County Council and member of the but also incorporated into barns and evidence of a potence at Sibthorpe or Notts Building Preservation Trust. other agricultural buildings. Pigeon Thoroton. Dovecotes are specialised structures meat retained its importance until the and were designed for the breeding late 18th century when the price of and keeping of doves as a source of corn rose and the pigeons became a food and as a symbol of high social less appreciated delicacy. status. The Sibthorpe dovecote is reckoned to be one of the finest, and tallest, examples in the country and has the distinction of being the only one in the county classed as a Grade I listed building, and also one of five scheduled as an ancient monument. It is thought to have been built in 1370, and used by the priests of the college Cross-section of a typical dovecote founded by Geffrey de Scroop in the showing a potence. reign of Edward II. It has 1334 holes for the pigeons to lay their eggs and Our next call was to Thoroton to see rear their young. The nest holes are another stone built example. This “L” shaped, with each row’s “L” shape Grade II listed dovecote is owned by alternating from right to left every Sibthorpe dovecote c. 1900. The Nottingham Building Preservation other row and were large enough to Trust, and, although now situated in accommodate a sitting bird and two Another interesting and highly valued the front garden of a local resident, it chicks. Sibthorpe dovecote is 9.14 by-product of dovecotes was pigeon is open to the public. It was probably metres tall, has 90 cm thick walls and guano. In the 16th century pigeon built in the 14th century and is the its internal diameter is 7.8metres. It guano was found to contain saltpetre, only thatched example of a dovecote is constructed of Blue Lias limestone which was used for the manufacture left in Nottinghamshire. Originally it and held together by lime mortar. of gunpowder. To protect this valuable had about 600 nesting boxes built Jason explained that pigeons resource armed guards were often into the massive stone walls. The provided seasonal food in the form placed outside dovecotes to prevent walls were reduced in height at some of meat especially on Fridays when theft. Production of saltpetre from point. There are photos of it at its red meat was off the menu. Pigeon pigeon guano ended in the late 18th present height with a glover on the meat was regarded as equivalent century, when plentiful resources were roof for the pigeons to enter and to fish for the purposes of religious found in South America. leave via. observance. The young birds, called How were the birds collected? We To conclude our evening we went squabs, weighing 12-14 ounces, were told that circular dovecotes to Flintham to see an example of a were eaten before they fledged at had a structure called a potence monolithic mud structure. Jason was about six weeks old. Until the 18th consisting of a revolving wooden pole involved in the restoration of this century the building of a dovecote mounted on a plinth, with arms onto rare example that had to be carefully Newark Civic Trust I 15 rescued from years of ivy growth. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument that had been identified to be ‘at risk’ and it is now protected from the elements by an architect designed roof. The restoration was mostly funded by English Heritage with assistance from Notts County Council. Anthony Goode, the local mud expert, featured on BBC Countryfile programme in 2012 at the dovecote. Monolithic mud is now very rare in Nottinghamshire, and of the handful of examples of historic buildings remaining several are dovecotes. The dovecote is on private land to the rear of Cottage Farm, and Mr and Mrs Bradshaw are very accommodating to visitors. Our thanks to Jason Mordan for help with the text and for the photographs. The restored Thoroton dovecote with thatched roof.

The back of the Flintham dovecote showing the sympathetic restoration of the ivy damage and the protective roof. 16 I Newark Civic Trust Leprosy, St Leonard and the Spittal The refurbishment of the Georgian old town walls. bridge over the Trent. The hospital Mount schoolhouse and the Civic St Leonard is believed to have been was built outside the town walls in Trust Award to Guy St John Taylor a Frankish noble who was converted the hamlet of Northgate in the region of what is now the Lincoln Road Associates was the subject of an to Christianity in 496 and entered railway bridge and Northgate Retail article in our issue 68. In this article a monastery. According to legend, Park. we look at the long association of St prisoners who invoked his name Leonard with the town. saw their chains break before their Leprosy, spread by close human The refurbished schoolhouse and eyes. St Leonard is the patron saint contact, was a common disease in the associated Parsons Mount of prisoners and his Feast Day is the Middle Ages and was thought to development providing 22 sheltered November 6th. have been brought into the country by returning crusaders. With the housing units are now familiar sights The association of the name of St growth of towns the disease spread in the town with hardly a glance from Leonard with Newark goes back to a and lepers were confined to special passers-by. Few will know that the hospital for lepers founded around hospitals called ‘Spittals’. The name project is run by St Leonard’s Hospital 1130 by Alexander the Magnificent, ‘Spittal’ originated from the Latin Trust or perhaps the connection to the Bishop of Lincoln, who also built word ‘hospitium’ meaning ‘Apartment leper hospital that existed outside the Newark Castle and, later, the first for Strangers’. There were some 200 such hospitals throughout the country. The Third Lateran Council, of 1179, decreed that lepers should be identified and separated. A mass was held for the leper, who became ‘dead among the living’. From that time on, the leper had to carry a clapper or bell to announce his or her presence and to live outside the normal world. In some places the leper had to carry a long stick to use when reaching for goods or alms and had to wear clothes marked with a yellow cross. Leprosy declined in the fourteenth century, perhaps due to the related and swifter acting tuberculosis bacillus that became dominant or the increased intake of vitamin C that is believed to repress the chemical process whereby the bacillus of leprosy feeds on human tissue. In 1547 ownership of the hospital was transferred from the Bishop of Lincoln to the Crown and leased to Sir Robert Constable. On Sir Robert’s Lepers were forced to wear distinctive clothing and carry a bell to warn of their approach. death the lease passed to his son Newark Civic Trust I 17 Henry who assigned it to William looms, built for the workers at Tenny approximately £4,000 on the south Cecil, Lord Burghley, afterwards Earl & Scales Linen Manufactory situated east side of Northgate, the church of Exeter. In 1609 the Earl became close to the river1. A row of five had seating for 600. With the loss tenant of the entire St Leonard’s houses was added at right angles to of many of the parishioners ‘over Hospital estate and carried out the south in the early 1800s2. The the bridge’ to the Winthorpe and extensive renovations of the old row of ten houses was demolished in Lincoln Road Estates, a new St buildings and erected a new dwelling late 1935 to make way for the Lincoln Leonard’s Church and Community house with stables and outhouses. Road railway bridge. The five houses Centre was built on Lincoln Road The house became Exeter House, were demolished in 1960. Newark and dedicated in 1978. The old known as ‘the Spital’. & Sherwood Museum Service has church was demolished and the site The house was partly destroyed photographs of both rows of houses is now Halford’s store. The former and two rare hand-painted envelopes in 1643 on the orders of Sir John schoolroom on Lovers Lane survived by a local artist, George Drury, are Henderson, first Governor of the and is now the Headquarters of the shown below. town at the outbreak of the Civil 7th Newark Scout Group. War. However, the shell of the house In accordance with a requirement of remained and it was here that Sir an Act of Parliament the Dowager In addition to the sheltered homes John Meldrum established his HQ Countess of Exeter built a new at Parsons Mount and London Road, during the second siege of the hospital after the Civil War. This is St Leonard’s Trust maintains six town in 1644. It was at the Spital shown on the 1885 OS map and houses in St Leonard’s Court and the that Prince Rupert concentrated survived until 1888 when it was extensive Bishop Alexander Court in his successful attack on the demolished and replaced by a row Victoria Street. Parliamentary forces and relieved of six almshouses, four for single 1 The houses are recorded as the town. The ruins were completely men and two for married couples. ‘Spittle Fields Nos 1-10’ (1799 demolished and the King’s Sconce These Cottage Homes, erected by Land Tax) and Tenny & Co Houses constructed on the site. the Trustees of St Leonard’s Hospital, Nos 1-10’ (1802 Land Tax) Despite the destruction, Spital remain on a site adjacent to the 2 The 15 Houses are recorded remained part of Newark’s vocabulary former Warwick & Richardson’s variously from 1808 as ‘Spittal for the area at the north end of Brewery. They were sold in 2005 Row’, ‘Spittle Row’, ‘Spitel Row’, Northgate. The first reference to after the last tenants moved to Trust ‘Spital Row’,‘Spital or Hospital houses appears in the 1797 Land Tax premises on London Road. Row’, and ‘Scales Row’. As well as Assessment which records ‘Tents in Given Newark’s long association being part of Spital Row, the five Spittles’. Located on the North West with St Leonard it is not surprising houses are also recoded as ‘Spital side of Northgate the tenements that when a new parish was formed Back Row’ and ‘Spital Short Row’. comprised a row of ten houses with in 1873 its church was dedicated cellars to accommodate weaving to St Leonard. Built at a cost of Michael Hawes and Mick Gill

Spital Row - view from Northgate towards railway station. Spital Short Row – view from Northgate towards . 18 I Newark Civic Trust Civic Trust Events Programme 2014/15

25 September 2014 – Newark Civic Trust AGM

30 October 2014 - Mrs Christine Davies speaking on "Witchcraft in Nottinghamshire - Looking at the early modern witch craze in Nottinghamshire"

27 November 2014 - Helen Bates speaking on "Home Front in World War One"

29 January 2015 - Doug Fletcher speaking on "One on Every Corner - 19th Century church and chapel buildings in Nottingham"

26 February 2015 - To Be Confirmed

26 March 2015 - Vic Hughes speaking on "The Magna Carta and Charter of the Forrests"

30 April 2015 - Michael Siverns speaking on "The Fanes of Fulbeck Hall - A Look at 300 Years of the House and its Occupants"

28 May 2015 – Newark Civic Trust Visit (location to be confirmed)

25 June 2015 – Newark Civic Trust Visit (location to be confirmed)

Full details and any changes to the programme will be noted on the website http://www.newarkcivictrust.org.uk/events and announced at meetings as necessary. Talks take place in Newark Library and commence at 7.30pm. Guests are welcome and are asked to make a contribution of £2. Acknowledgements: Our thanks go to The Newark Advertiser, Rupert Vinnicombe, Michael Knapton and Jason Mordan for permission to use their photographs published in this issue.

Rear cover photos: A selection of images of Civic Trust Award winning Blue Man development Newark Civic Trust I 19 Newark Civic Trust MAGAZINE Kindly sponsored by Willsons Printers