ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 24 JANUARY 1890

CORRESPONDENCE — THE ROADS

Dear Sir,—May I ask, through the medium of your widely-read paper, who is accountable for the disgraceful condition of the road between Clatford Lodge and the Foundry? It is literally a mud swamp, and almost impassable. Is it out of the jurisdiction of the Local Board and the road surveyor. Whether or not, it demands instant attention, for njot only are there several children seriously ill for having to wade through it ankle deep, to and from school, and then sitting in their damp boots for hours, but the influenza has already paid the district a visit, for which courtesy the inviting state of the road is doubtless accountable.—I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, INHABITANT.

LONGPARISH

Longparish House once again opened its hospitable doors on Saturday last to a large number of people, many being old parishioners and employés on the estate, in conjunction with the principal residents in the village, to partake of tea and spend the evening at the invitation of Col.and Mrs.Tippinge. It is needless to enter into details respecting the gathering, for the genial host and hostess have afforded so many treats to all classes since their residence in the parish, that it goes without saying that everything that could add to the pleasure and enjoyment of the visitors was done. So heartily did the promoters of the evening’s amusements enter into them, and with such spirit were they carried on, that merriment was general and the hours sped swiftly, and the company did not begin to disperse till nearly 9 o’clock, carrying away with them the conviction that it was one of the jolliest treats they ever had.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 22 JANUARY 1915

SECOND EDITION — CANADIANS IN ANDOVER

Andover saw some of the “Sons of the Empire” just after noon to-day, when a company of the Canadian contingent from Salisbury Plain came into the town in the course of a route march. Their advent was heralded by a splendidly equipped band, which played patriotic selections through the streets. Although the weather was most inclement the Dominion lads appeared quite cheerful, and during the hour they were in the borough they became most sociable with the inhabitants. The people of Andover admired their general physique and manner of marching.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 26 JANUARY 1940

THE STRIKE CONTINUES

The seven women A.R.P. ambulance drivers of Andover, who went on strike a week ago as a protest against the decrepit vehicles they are expected to drive, decided at a meeting early in the week to send another protest to the Borough A.R.P. chief, Col.F.L.Congreve.

One of the drivers told an “Advertiser” man: “We sent the Controller what amounted to an ultimatum, setting out our point of view. We are not going out in those ambulances, not even for an air-raid. In any case, in an air-raid those ambulances would be useless because it takes at least an hour to start one up.”

“Southampton is relying upon us for seven women and three ambulances,” she continued, “but as things are at present we could offer no help.” “There is the danger that men will be called up for the Forces and if the women are allowed to lose their interest Andover may find its A.R.P. services adversely affected. I’m afraid the whole trouble is that someone does not want the women.”

“We want to help, and if we do not get satisfaction over the ambulances we shall have to offer our services in some other way. So far we have heard nothing.”

FIFTY YEARS AGO —22 JANUARY 1965

HIGHER SPEED LIMITS

The county Roads and Bridges Committee is seeking to raise the speed limit from 30 to 40 m.p.h. on three stretches of the road within Andover Borough.

The areas involved are: Salisbury Road — between a point 12 yards south-west of its junction with Balksbury Road and a point 70 yards north-east of its junction with Walnut Tree Road.

Winchester Road — from a point 134 yards south of Anton Road southwards for 160 yards.

Enham-Alamein — from a point 10 yards north of the junction with Enham Lane southwards to a point 10 yard south of the southern boundary of the police house.

It is also proposed to raise the speed limit from 30 to 40 m.p.h. at Shipton Bellinger on the A338 from a point 100 yards north of High Street southwards for 420 yards.

At South Tidworth an Order is to be made removing the 30 m.p.h. speed limit on the A338 from 4 yards north of the northern boundary of St.Mary’s Church northwards for 173 yards.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 26 JANUARY 1990

DAY OF CHAOS AS GALES BATTER DISTRICT

Schoolchildren were injured when a large section of the gymnasium roof collapsed into their portable classroom at Test Valley School in Stockbridge yesterday as gales brought chaos to the district.

And as the ‘Advertiser’ went to press Alan King of Thos King and Sons confirmed reports that three men, including one of their workmen, were injured at Barrow Hill, Goodworth Clatford.

A barn roof in the process of being converted collapsed — leaving all three men suffering from shock.

And at least five Andover men escaped with their lives when the winds brought disaster to Martins bodyshop and parts department in Andover, tearing away the roof and blasting an end wall into the workshops.

Toddlers escaped unhurt when the roof of Ludgershall playgroup blew off.

Meanwhile shoppers lives were threatened when 10 corrugated panels plummeted from St Mary’s church tower in Andover.

10 YEARS AGO — 21 JANUARY 2005

LANDLORDS BAR FIVE FROM TOWN’S PUBS

Andover licensees voted to ban five troublemakers from their pubs, at the first meeting of as revived Pubwatch scheme.

During the meeting landlords described their own experiences with the young men, who were named and shamed.

Posters of the five will now be circulated and placed behind the bars of all Pubwatch-lined pubs.

And the individuals involved will receive recorded delivery letters fromn Andover police letting them know of the ban, which lasts for 12 months.