170 Newark Town Hall

The town treasures are housed in Newark’s Georgian Town Hall, which includes the Mayor’s Parlour and elegant Assembly Room. Collections consist of Civic Plate, regalia, furniture and fine art. Paintings include work by William Nicholson, Stanley Spencer and notable local artist, in particular Robert Kiddey.

Temporary exhibitions in the soptlight gallery. Family Activities throughout the year. Situated in the Market Place, close to bus and railway stations, A1 and A46. Disabled access.
Open Monday - Friday 11am-4pm
Closed Sunday and Bank Holidays
Admission Free
Wheelchair access

169 Newark St Mary Magdalene

The church is one of the finest in the country. Its treasury contains a large collection of its own silver plate and from other churches in Nottinghamshire. Disabled access except to the crypt. Open: Church & Treasury - Monday to Saturday 8.30am-4.30pm (Closed for one hour at lunch time as on Church door) and on summer Sunday afternoons. Admission: Free

168 Newark Castle

 

Standing proudly on the banks of the River Trent in the pretty market town of Newark, the Castle was bulit in the 12th century and is said to have the finest gatehouse in England. The grounds have recently been restored to Victorian splendour. Guided tours of the Castle are available from the Castle Ranger - for further information call 07971 486324 or enquire at Newark TIC.

Take a guided tour of the Castle’s hidden places and uncover the secrets of its turbulent past.

Grounds open throughout the year.

No admission charge.

167 Millgate Museum

Fascinating displays including streets, shops and rooms in period settings. Exhibitions focus on changes in lifestyle in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Mezzanine Gallery within the Museum is a venue for temporary exhibitions featuring the work of local artists, designers and photographers.

Open: Monday to Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays 1pm - 5pm. To avoid disappointment, please check opening hours in advance of your visit.

Last admission 4:30pm Admission: Free

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166 Beesthorpe Hall

 

 

I have always held a passion for large, old country houses and I just knew that Beesthorpe Hall would capture my spirit. There is something about approaching a property, through an old gateway, followed by a never ending drive, that portrays suspense and mystery.

Maybe it is an appreciation of architectural history, or a creative imagination running wild, wondering what visual features will greet the eye and soothe the spirit. These houses have atmospheres and I was excited to see what this one had to offer.

Tucked away and only just visible from the A616 between Newark and Ollerton, the Hall was built in 1550 and is every bit a country manor. Thick solid walls, large sash windows and a prominent blue doorway welcome you. If it is true to say that houses smile, then this one is beaming from ear to ear.

An aged flag stone floor invites you into a large entrance hall, leading to a large staircase. To the right is a doorway leading to an informal sitting room and then another door leads to a dining room, which is licensed for civil marriages. Passing through a back corridor, into the entrance hall again, another door leads to a room with a snooker table, followed by an entrance into a magnificent hall, known as the Trafalgar room. This too is licensed for civil marriages. A large fireplace, characteristic of English country houses is a central and prominent feature in the room, and a grand piano sits in the corner, waiting to entertain. This room is most definitely for dancing in.

French doors lead onto a stone balcony and an arched doorway leads into an orangery, itself a warm, light seating area, suitable for a rendevous and leads onto the same balcony, which has steps down onto the lawn. Here is adequate space for a large marquee.

Leaving the balcony, a courtyard garden, outlined by maintained, but not over manicured borders, provides a relaxed seating area. But you would not be seated for long as around you are paths into the woodlands, or curious gaps in the hedges, that are just waiting to be explored. Children will love the woodland and within this they can find a walled animal garden, with friendly goats and chickens.

The house is available for bookings, from the small discreet delegate day meeting or impressive corporate launches, to the most fantastic fairytale weddings and parties; and is managed by sisters Sarah Dodd and Charlotte Hedge of Peppermint Dreams, a local wedding an event management company. They have extensive experience in venue management, creative design, marketing solutions and an exceptional reputation for impeccable customer care and guarantee to make your event at Beesthorpe Hall, a resounding success. They will organise everything for you, from catering, marquee hire, decorations and flowers, to music, accommodation and transport.

Peppermint Dreams can be contacted by phone on 01636 636072 or by email to events @ peppermintdreams.co.uk

On another note, the house and grounds provide a stunning backdrop for photographic productions and notably, played the part of Thornley Manor during the filming of Auf Wiedersehen Pet.

Leaving the house was the most difficult part of my visit as I realised that the charm and atmosphere of the house had caught me. Away from the haste of my normal routine, I suddenly realised that I was more relaxed, like I had stepped back in time, to a place where time didn’t matter very much.

The house has such a welcoming feeling and offers a blank canvas for a whole range of themed events. It is run in a relaxed and friendly way, where one can feel at home, yet it can drive even the most demanding of functions towards a memory that will not easily be forgotten.

Written by Roz Edwards

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165 Newark Air Museum

Newark Air Museum is located on the former World War Two airfield of Winthorpe in eastern Nottinghamshire. Its diverse collection of seventy [70] aircraft and cockpit sections cover the history of aviation, the aircraft on display include 10 [ten] National Benchmark aircraft; 29 [twenty-nine] Significant aircraft and 18 [eighteen] Noteworthy aircraft as listed in the National Aviation Heritage Register.

Nearly half of the aircraft are displayed inside and the museum has just opened a second Aircraft Display Hall with the aid of a significant grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

In addition the aircraft the museum displays a diverse display of aviation artefacts and a collection of more than thirty aero engines. On site there is an excellent Café and an extensive Shop, which was once described as “An Aviation Enthusiasts Dream!”

Each year the museum organises and hosts a diverse range of Special Event Days, details of which are regularly updated on the museum’s website.

Email: newarkair @ onetel.com

Website: www. newarkairmuseum .co.uk

Open: Everyday except December 24 th , 25 th & 26 th and January 1st; November to February daily 1000 – 1600 hours; October to March daily 1000 – 1700 hours (including weekends & Bank Holidays).

Admission: Adults £5.50, Over 60s £5.00, Children £3.25 and Family ticket [2 adults & 2 children] £15.50. Appointments are preferred for Group [15 plus people] visits, although not essential and a party rate booking information pack is available on application

164 Ann et Vin

Ann et Vin is an exciting Specialist Wine and Spirit retail outlet on Castlegate, Newark on Trent. An exceptional range of quality wines, spirits, beers and related goods for gifts and for home is offered in a relaxed and approachable environment. Feel free to browse, taste something new and take advantage of our seasoned advice to make your own particular choice.

Centrally located on Newark’s wining and dining boulevard, we have private, undercover parking for up to 7 vehicles.

23 Castlegate, Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire. NG24 1AZ
01636 700900
Email: info @ annetvin.com
Website: www. annetvin .com

163 Newark Business Club

A warm welcome awaits you at the regular monthly meetings of the Newark Business Club, held at 7am on the first Friday of every month at The Bearings, Bowbridge Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire.

New members are welcomed from businesses, organisations, and clubs from the Newark area and membership is free.

The club is a voluntary organisation which exists to provide networking opportunities for businesses in Newark and to act as a forum for issues which affect business in the town. Non Members may attend the meetings. There are currently 320 members.

162 Newark and Notts County Show

“The County Event of the Year”
Newark and Nottinghamshire County Show
Saturday and Sunday, 13th & 14th May, 2006

Over the second weekend in May, Newark Showground will be the stage for the County Event of the Year - the Newark and Nottinghamshire County Show. The stables, halls and showing rings will be bursting with the cream of the country’s livestock. Whilst no major changes have been made to the equine classification, new cattle classes have been introduced to attract continental breeds and the return of the Herefords.

Visitors to the Show are guaranteed two days of entertainment, education and fun. Returning to the Show to captivate the crowds, will be the White Helmet Motor Cycle Display Team. Acknowledged as the most accomplished motorcycle display team in the world, their display is unique and thrilling, consisting of fast cross-over rides, spectacular jumps and skilful feats of balance at speeds of almost 60 miles per hour.

Also in the Main Ring, will be displays by the Heart of England Falconry and Mountgrace Gundogs. The Heart of England Falconry thrills and involves audiences with free flying displays using Hawks, Falcons and Owls. Les Dixon will be making a welcome return to Newark Showground offering expert advice and giving fascinating demonstrations on gundog training. On both days, there will be a mass Parade of Hounds, guaranteed to draw the crowds to the ringside!

Newly completed is the Showground’s brand new Pavilion, the George Stephenson Exhibition Hall. This is the largest and most impressive building on the site and together with the Rural Crafts Association, will house the magnificent Flower Show and Floral Art Competitions. In front of this hall will be a new Homes and Gardens area, where visitors will be able to purchase everything they need to create their own garden paradise, including plants, hot tubs and luxurious furniture.

Exciting visitors in the Southern Ring will be the Royal Marines, with their unarmed combat display. Adjacent to the ring will be their inflatable Event Station which houses a climbing wall and a rolling wall. The National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club will be parading their prize winning tractors in this Ring and on Sunday, the Ring will be full of heaving muscle for the Tug of War Competition!

Carrying on the vintage theme, will be full size Steam engines and miniature steam engines, together with a Veteran and Vintage Vehicle Rally on Saturday and a Classic Car Rally on Sunday. One person who is particularly looking forward to visiting this area of the County Show, is this year’s President, Mr John Brydon of Hawksworth. Mr Brydon is an extremely well known property developer, whose interests include renovating and running veteran and vintage cars, particularly those powered by steam.

Those feeling peckish can sample and purchase an array of mouth watering delights in the Food Hall. The tantalising smells will draw visitors to the ever expanding Food Hall, which also houses the fascinating Bacon Carcase competition.

This year, the Newark Pavilion will welcome Business in Lincs & Notts which will be a new tie to the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce.

The British Alpaca Society has this year introduced, for the first time, a fleece competition. There are almost ten thousand alpacas now resident throughout the UK, with approximately one thousand owners. They are bred for their luxury fibre, akin to cashmere and always enjoy very large audiences. The alpaca show can be found in the Lady Eastwood Pavilion and the neighbouring Stanley Sheldon Hall will be the stage for the very popular Goat Show, run by North Notts Goat Club.

As always, we can promise a magnificent turnout of the very popular heavy horses and a most impressive entry of international show jumpers.

Visitors to the County Show will take away with them memories of a day filled with action, fun and entertainment, to suit every taste and age!

Source: www.newarkshowground.com

 

161 Siege and Surrender of Newark

Parliamentarian siege lines - Royalist castle garrison - cannon bombardments - skirmishes - living history - parades - displays and much more are booked for the weekend of Sunday 30 April and Monday 1 May at the Castle, Riverside Park and the town centre from 11.30 - 4pm, free admission!

A major event to mark the 360th anniversary of the 3rd and final siege of Newark, the surrender of which effectively brought about the end of the first English Civil War and victory for Parliament over King Charles 1. Featuring over 200 members of the English Civil War Society and friends from The Forlorn Hope, this weekend of activities is organised by EventPlan in association with the Newark 1646 Group and Fairfax Battalia. Supported by the Local Heritage Initiative, a partnership between the Heritage Lottery Fund, Nationwide Building Society and the Countryside Agency, with additional support and assistance from Newark and Sherwood District Council.

With the outnumbered but defiant Royalists in the castle facing determined Parliamentarians in their siege lines across the river, a superb weekend of activities will entertain thousands of visitors, encompassing living history, siege and skirmishes.

As part of these, a wreath laying ceremony will hopefully bring home to everybody present that re-enactment is not just about entertainment, but commemoration of the soldiers (and civilians) that found themselves caught up in a bloody civil war, many paying with their lives.

Collect your token on arrival and follow the Civil War trail to find out more about the issues of the time - and don’t forget to show your support for the Royalist or Parliamentarians by casting your vote before you leave!

Nearly all living history displays will be accessible to the disabled and many suitable for visually impaired visitors.

Schools Day

Following on from classroom activities and workshops devoted to the history of the castle and its importance in the civil war, the Schools’ Living History Day on Friday 28 April, presented by members of the English Civil War Society, will bring history to life in a highly visual, exciting and hands-on manner for children. Please note that as places are limited, participation by schools is by invitation only.

Pupils will enjoy the opportunity to “step back in time” and meet people from the C17th. Officers, soldiers, civilians and camp followers will carry out their duties and demonstrate what life was like – and how different it was from today.

Civil War photographic exhibition

Enjoy an exhibition of C17th living history event photographs by Sue Atkins in the Mezzanine Gallery of the Millgate Museum from 25 April to 1 June 2006.

Miniature wargames

As part of the weekend’s activities, The Pike and Shot Society will stage a wargame of the siege with beautifully painted 25mm high miniature soldiers at the Newark Millgate Museum.

How to get there

Newark is situated at the intersection of the A1 and A46 in Nottinghamshire. Take the A46 Newark ring road and at the A46/A616 roundabout, head into town. The Castle and siege lines will be situated on the right just over the bridge.

Website: http://www.eventplan.co.uk/