Tag Archives: newark

The Secret Spitfires

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In 1940, the Germans succeeded in destroying the Spitfire factories in Southampton, believing that in doing so they’d put an end to the threat from their nemesis. But unknown to them, the British decided to build Spitfires in secret…

With a workforce mainly made up of unskilled young girls, boys, women, elderly men and a handful of engineers, around 2,500 Spitfires were built in cities and rural towns in southern England, hidden in sheds, garages, back gardens, a bus depot and even a hotel.

The story behind this amazing achievement is revealed in a new film, The Secret Spitfires, which has its East Midlands pre-release screening at the National Civil War Centre in Newark on Friday 24 November.

Set against a backdrop of picturesque English countryside, it features tales of terrible sadness along with more joyous moments shared by GIs and the RAF pilots who fly the iconic Spitfires today, a Glen Miller concert and a Joe Louis boxing match.

Concluding with a moving poem written by a Spitfire pilot, read by Vera Lynne, this screening starts at 7pm. Tickets are £10 each and are available online or by calling 07746 576521 – for a taste of what’s in store, watch the film trailer here…

https://vimeo.com/223337895/c42510f2bf

Try a taste of Syria

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If you’ve never sampled the traditional food of Syria, a fund-raising  event at Carriages Café on Thursday 23 November is an ideal opportunity not only to do just that but to support two good causes as well…

Six Syrian families have recently settled in Newark, most of them after spending five years as refugees in Lebanon. Now two of the families have plans to open a catering business in the town and they will be introducing guests to the delicious cuisine of their homeland during the evening, when the families will also be sharing some of their unforgettable stories.

Tickets for A Taste of Syria, which starts at 7.30pm, are £20 each and the proceeds of the evening will be divided between Newark Homestart (who are supporting the women and young children by providing volunteer support) and a charity working on the ground in Syria to help those who are still suffering there and in the refugee camps.

Contact Michelle Hillary on 07818 044788 or Jane Geraghty on 07718 990406 or visit Carriages Café at Newark Castle Station for more information and to buy tickets…

Shopping, schools and summits

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From Newark to Nottingham and beyond this Sunday when guests Louise Osborne, Charlotte Smith and Jackie Wilson join the Girls Around Town in the studio…

If you still have gifts and goodies to buy for Christmas – or if you haven’t even started on that list yet! – Louise and Charlotte will be sharing details of an event in Newark that just might help you out.

Tune in or listen online from 10am, when they’ll be talking to June about the Christmas Fayre the Friends of Newark Academy will be holding at the school from 6pm to 9pm on Friday 17 November.

With around 30 stalls selling jewellery, crafts and other festive treats, there’ll be plenty of things to try and buy. And as FONA will be using proceeds raised at the event to enhance learning and support extracurricular activities for the Academy’s pupils, you’ll be supporting a local good cause too as you shop…

After 11am, it’s Tina’s turn at the microphone when Jackie makes a return visit to the show with news  of some of the World Health Innovation Summit‘s plans for 2018.

First on the agenda is a WHISTalks event focused on the environment, taking place at Carriages Café from 12 noon to 4pm on Saturday 27 January. Open to anyone interested in discussing the subject, it’s an opportunity to find out how to help make a difference by collaborating, sharing ideas and knowledge and looking at innovative ways forward.

Then on Saturday 12 May, Nottingham Market Square will play host to the city’s first WHIS Summit. Part of Mental Health Awareness Week, the Summit will include a mass meditation together with talks, music, workshops and stalls and other activities all on offer during the day.

With one of the world’s first WHISKids Schools scheduled to open in Nottingham next September, Jackie will also be explaining how this new model of schooling aims to provide students and their families with access to an alternative form of education based on best international educational practice.