Newark beach last weekend. Photo: Marta Tavares
Surely the council, or should I say boondoggle merchant, should show more conscience and duty to send a survey to every household asking for or against, and to make suggestions.
The heritage value of the market was raised in the 1960s and again in the 1990s, replacing the cobbles with setts and slabs.
Has nothing been learned?
Such a vast sum of money is unlikely to change footfall.
What about flags of every country in the world flown around the Market Place to cheer it up?
What about spending £1m on the town hall roof?
What about improving the Lilley and Stone School site for public benefit?
What about spending money on Northern Road so if we have another national cycle race the town isn’t embarrassed by its dreadful condition for such a prestigious event?
What about accommodating the Steampunk group who brought thousands of pounds to the town?
What about restoring public toilets the town badly needs.
I could go on.
Nick Smith, Newark
Beach buzz creates a hive of activity
Full credit to Newark Town Council — there I’ve said it — for bringing the beach back to Newark.
What a welcome summer addition to the town it truly is.
I was in Newark on its opening Saturday and it was a genuine pleasure to see the buzz its arrival had caused in the town. The atmosphere was fantastic.
Of course, the wonderful weather also helped!
By the time I arrived, the beach was alrady full of families, and I am sure — weather permitting — it will stay that way throughout.
I am guessing many of the beach visitors will also use the town’s shops, cafes and amenities while they are there, adding a much-needed boost to coffers.
I truly believe Newark needs more things like this to pull people in.
The town council may have dropped the ball by losing the Steampunk Festival to Chest-erfield, but this is one decision it has got right.
S Hollingsworth, Newark
Ode to the beach
Good gracious me, what can I say?
I wish the beach was here to stay.
Newark is such a lovely town,
The only thing that lets it down
Is that the sea’s so far away.
It takes the best part of a day
To go so far to have a swim
To keep you looking very trim.
Perhaps if they extend the beach
The sea would then be in our reach.
Meanwhile I’ll get my costume on
And find a chair to sit upon.
To watch the children in the sun
Building castles and having fun.
Rosemary Pratt, Newark
Jury still out on Prime Minister
What is clear from Ruby Beech’s comments about Sir Keir Starmer’s term of office is that most of the so called improvements he made involve an increase in public spending.
The difficult decisions on reducing the welfare budget and increasing defence expenditure have been kicked down the road due to his weak and feeble backbenchers.
What should also be borne in mind is the effect on employers of the increase in their National Insurance and the minimum wage.
Is it any wonder why employers are reluctant to increase their workforce with all these extra costs.
I think the Covid crisis had a major impact on the last Government. I think if Labour had been in charge we would still be in lockdown.
Yes, Sir Keir Starmer is a decent individual but not a leader.
I wish Andy Burnham all the best but let’s see how he gets on when he has to make difficult decisions.
Steve Blagg, Collingham
Violence towards women must stop
Violence towards women, young and old, will never change.
Police do not believe women in the first place.
Secondly, men now have too far to go before they finally get caught — and that is murder.
That is what it takes to spot the signs.
We need to stand up to these people.
Janette Moffatt, Newark