October 2025. Newark.
A final new tick in GBG for “Naughty” Nottinghamshire (there were only two),
that naughtiness exemplified by the 2019 BRAPA Newark Northgate public urination scandal from which the town is still recovering, though the continued closure of the castle is apparently coincidental.
Remarkably, this was our first pub stop in Newark since 2017, which says a lot about a pub scene that had stagnated a bit since a burst of activity a decade ago.
Back then I wrote;
“I can never quite work out how well-off it is. There’s a Waitrose, antiques shops and proper restaurants on the one hand, but discount shops, downbeat suburbs and Pound Pubs on the other. That’s a combination I like.“
Perhaps I should do an overnighter here and visit the Civil War Museum, I’ve always wanted to learn more about the civil war.
For now, it’s the Loose Cannon, which does rather sound like a homage to an incident of public urination.
It’s also the name of a well-regarded microbrewery which have taken the plunge in running a bar to sell their beers,
and at the cluttered bar I ask the barmaid “Got any of your Loose Cannon beers on, m’duck ?“
Well, this causes much confusion, and the young staff do recall seeing Loose Cannon beers at a recent beer festival, but that’s an Abingdon brewery, which makes me look pig ignorant about breweries. As I am.
The beer seems to come from Beermats of Newark, a gorgeous Hawkwind themed Stout (NBSS 4.5) described by Darren S. on Untappd as “Roasty, toasty moorish stout. Subtle sweetness“. I’ll nick that.
But the real talking points will be the jukebox (“Tiny Dancer“) and (appropriately for Newark), a startling loo,
with some belated advice for public urinators on all UK stations.
retiredmartin 
In fairness, I lived here from birth to 19 before I left and I can never decide how well-off the place is(!) Think Newark as a pub town is a little diminished after Covid finished off a few of the remaining “old school” boozers (The Vine/Roaring Meg, White Swan, The Vaults etc.), not to mention Tim’s John Arderne. Though I think most of the Beer Guide contenders have either reopened or kept going and have found beer quality pretty good on my occasional family visits.
Alex
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It’s the Wing in the market square I really miss. We bought our first motorhome from Newark a decade ago and visited the pubs a fair bit. A stable pub scene is no bad thing, and Oscar’s was great. I think this Loose Cannon would encourage me to stop off the A1 for food on the way homx.
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I must return as it has been years. In the early 90s I worked on the newly forming Robin Hood Line, lovely job.
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I still have a little chuckle when I see Newark mentioned-I think there should be a plaque up at the station. Pauline
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That BRAPA post makes me laugh every time. Next time he’ll go on middle of the line.
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