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LOCAL NOTANDA.
Notes for Visitors.
Railway Communication. Retford is on the main line of the Great Northern Railway Company, 138½ miles from King's Cross. There are fourteen trains in each direction daily, and the time occupied by the journey is from about two hours and three-quarters to three hours and a quarter. The single fares are 20s. 6d. first class, and 11s. 6½d. third class, and there is no reduction on return tickets. By the Great Central, the distance from the London terminus (Marylebone) is 174½ miles, and the journey takes about five hours and a half. The fares are the same as those of the Great Northern. There are several cheap trains to the principal towns in the neighbourhood, especially to Sheffield and Nottingham, (days and half-days). The Dukeries are reached by rail to Edwinstowe, 2s. 3d. first class, and 1s. 2d. third class; or to Ollerton, 2s. first class, 1s. o½d. third class.
Accommodation for Visitors. The White Hart is the principal hotel. It has many rooms, is old-established, and its reputation for comfort is well maintained. It has also ample stabling accommodation, and convenience for motor cars. Howard's Commercial Temperance Hotel, Grove St., is roomy, convenient, and a pleasant place at which to stay. There are also others which may be easily ascertained on enquiry.
Sports and Pastimes.—Hunting. The Fitzwilliam Hounds hunt the district. Kennels near Serlby Hall, shortly to be removed to Barnby Moor on the Great North Road, three miles from Retford. Retford is the centre of the country and there are several meets within easy reach.
Lawn Tennis. The West Retford Club. The South Retford Club.
Bowls. There is a fine green beautifully situated in West Retford.
Angling. The river Idle is not preserved from West Retford Bridge to Bolham Locks. From here to Bawtry Bridge it is strictly preserved by the river Idle Fly Fishing Club, Retford. Permission may be given by the members. The upper reaches of the river Idle are in private ownership. The Chesterfield Canal is not preserved eastwards from West Retford Canal Bridge to Stockwith, but from this bridge westwards to Ranby, the fishing rights belong to the Retford Angling Association. Permits can be obtained from the secretary at sixpence per day or one-and-sixpence per week.
Cricket. The Town Cricket Club. Ground, West Retford. Subscription, 5s. per annum.
Swimming. At the Corporation Baths, Albert Road. Reserved for ladies on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at specified hours. Slipper Baths.
Places of Worship with Times of Sunday Services.
Church of England,. St. Swithun's, East Retford, 7 a.m., 10.30 a.m., and 6.30 p.m. St Michael's, West Retford, 11 a.m. and 6 a.m. All Hallows', Ordsall, 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. St. Saviour's, North Retford, 10.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m.
Catholic Church, St. Joseph's, Queen St., 8.30, 10.45, and 6.30 p.m. Baptist Chapel, West Retford, 11 a.m. and 6.15 p.m. Congregational Chapel, Carolgate Bridge, 10.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. Primitive Methodist Chapel, Carolgate, 10.45 a.m. and 6.15 p.m. United Methodist Chapel, Union Street, 10.30 a.m. and 6.15 p.m. Wesleyan Chapel, Grove St., 10.30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Reading Room. Literary and Mutual Improvement Society, Exchange Street. Quarterly tickets, one shilling and sixpence; yearly, five shillings. Open daily, 9 a.m. to 9.30 p.m.
Notes for Intending Residents.
Population (1901), 12,340. The town is under the control of the East Retford Borough Council, Town Clerk, Mr. W. P. Jones.
Rent and Rates are moderate. Semi-detached houses can be obtained at from £15 to £25 per annum. Rates amount at present to 6s. in £1. The price of gas is 2s. 6d. per 1,000 cubic feet for lighting, 2s. 3d. per 1,000 for power. Water is supplied by the Corporation at exceedingly low rates.
Schools. King Edward VI. Grammar School, South Retford; Headmaster, Rev. T. Gough, B. Sc. Girls' High School, South Retford; Head Mistress, Miss Edith Arblaster. Retford is a pupil teachers' centre. Girls, a separate building in the grounds of the Grammar School. Boys, East Retford Grammar School. There are the usual council and non-provided elementary schools.
Banks. Beckett and Co.; Birmingham District and Counties; Nottingham & Notts.; London, City and Midland.
Markets and Fairs. A weekly corn, stock, and farm produce market is held on Saturdays. March fair (8 days) opens March 23rd. Lamb fair, last Thursday in July. October fair (4 days) opens October 2nd. Weekly cattle-market on Monday.
Early Closing Day. Wednesday, one o'clock.
Music. Retford is the centre for the North Notts. musical competitions founded 1904. They are held annually in May in the Town Hall and continue for three days. Afternoon and evening concerts are held on each of these days, and competitions are open to all the towns and villages in the northern part of the county. There are two musical societies, the Retford Choral Society and the Amateur Musical Society.
Lectures. The Public Lecture Society arranges a series of popular lectures during the autumn at a cheap rate.