Secret Newark

Secret Newark goes behind the façades of the familiar to discover the lesser-known aspects of the town’s fascinating past. Situated on the important old Roman road, the Fosse Way, the ancestral market town grew around the, now ruined, Newark Castle and its large marketplace. Later, during the English Civil War, the town was a hotbed of royalist support and was besieged three times by parliamentarian forces. Today the town serves as a thriving and picturesque site, boasting many heritage attractions and activities.Newark has many secrets, and as you walk along the streets you are walking through history. There are clear reminders of the town’s past everywhere, waiting for you to stop, look and listen to their intriguing stories. On a journey through this ancient town, Jillian Campbell and Mike Cox tell these forgotten or untold tales. You may think that you know Newark, but take another look around and you will find more than you could possibly imagine.

Jillian has had a life-long interest in the history of Newark, firstly through her father when a child, to the early days of the Local History Society. She is on several committees of heritage friend’s groups in the town and takes an active part in conducting historical town tours. She is a volunteer at two museums in the town. She has worked for a large company in Newark for thirty years, and previously travelled abroad with her husband army service. She has one son, a University Lecturer in Norwich, who luckily has inherited her interest in the past. Mike was born in the village of Farndon near to Newark, educated at the village school and later the town’s Magnus Grammar School. He became an apprentice engineer at the local firm of Worthington Simpson LTD and became a design engineer. On retirement he became a Governor and later Chairman of Governors of the Newark Magnus School. History and particularly local history has always been an interest and hobby. He was an early member of Newark Archaeological and Local History Society and co-opted to its council as a youth representative. He has been Chairman of NALHS for some 10 years. He is married to Linda and has two grown up daughters and a grandson.

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