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Newark, Peterborough facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Newark was once a small village, or hamlet, near the city of Peterborough in the United Kingdom. It was about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) northeast of Peterborough's city center. Over time, parts of Newark became part of Peterborough. In 1874, some of it joined the main town area. Later, in 1926, the rest of Newark officially became part of Peterborough when the city's borders grew.

History of Newark

Early Buildings and People

In 1873, a school called St. Michael's church school was built in Newark. This school had a special area called a chancel and a font, which is a basin used for baptisms. Church services were held there by priests from St. Mary's Church in Peterborough. By 1891, about 388 people lived in Newark, including the nearby area of Eastfield.

Oxney Grange: A Historic Estate

Oxney Grange was a very old building in Newark, dating back to the 1100s. It was considered a Grade II listed building, meaning it was important historically. Sadly, a fire destroyed it in 2003.

The land where Oxney Grange stood, known as the Oxney estate, has a long history. It was first bought by Thorney Abbey in 966. Later, in 972, a famous person named Saint Æthelwold bought it for the Abbey at Peterborough. The Abbey owned the land for many centuries until the time of the dissolution of the monasteries. This was when King Henry VIII closed down many monasteries and abbeys in England.

Sports in Newark

Greyhound Racing Track

Newark once had a track for greyhound racing. This type of racing involves specially bred dogs running around a track. The track opened in 1931. It was known as a flapping track because it was independent. This means it wasn't part of the main official racing group, the National Greyhound Racing Club. Races were held on Monday and Friday afternoons. The exact year the track closed is not known.

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