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 Sibthorpe, 15 email [email protected] Thoroton 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 Nottinghamshire 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.