William Hargrave Caldicott
William Hargrave Caldicott opened his newspaper and printing premises in the Market Place in 1847. He produced the ‘Gainsborough Advertiser’ each Tuesday.
In the second week of May 1855, William launched the ‘Retford, Worksop, Isle of Axholme, and Gainsborough News’
William lived on the premises with his wife Eliza, who is buried with him, and employed 17 people.
Around 1856 an engine and boiler manufactured by Marshalls was installed on the premises of the ‘News’ to run the printing machines.
William laid down certain principles for the conduct of his paper. It was first and foremost to be run on independent lines, tied to no political party or religious denomination interest free to express itself for the good of the community in general, but supporting all worthwhile organisations and espousing all good causes.
William, died in June 1877, age 53, at the Old Rectory, Spital Terrace. Rectory Avenue is today’s location.
it was restored for us by Retford Memorials Ltd,
who also kindly allowed us to use this photograph.
The headstone before it was restored.
With kind permission of Paul Kemp. This photo shows where Caldicotts offices were in the Market Place.