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THE RISING GENERATION IN TROUBLE

Arthur A———, William C———, William George B———, Frederick P———, Sidney George S———,John W———, and Charles M———, all lads, were summoned for causing an obstruction in the High Street on the 23rd January.—They all pleaded not guilty.—P.C.Shrubb said that on Thursday evening, the 23rd January, about 7 o’clock, he was on duty in the High Street, when he saw these boys between Mr.Howards’s shop and the Angel. He had previously received complaints about them. They were linked arm in arm going up and down the pavement on either side of the street, swearing and throwing orange peel about. They caused such an obstruction that several females had to get off the pavement into the road, as they could not pass otherwise. This continued about half-an-hour, and ultimately witness caught two of the boys and got the names. The defendants had previously been cautioned; while the night after the offence witness say C——— and B———, and told them that he should report the case, when they said he could if he liked.—Supt.Duke informed the Bench that with the exception of B——— and C————, who had both been to prison, he did not think any of the boys had previously been before the Bench; while a lad named R——— had absconded before the summons could be served on him. He believed that since the offence was committed several of the lads had had good floggings from their parents.—After consultation, the Mayor, addressing the boys, who all declared that they were only having a bit of a game before going to night school, informed them that many complaints had been received of such conduct as they were guilty of, and that the Bench had decided to adjourn the case of a month to see how they conducted themselves, he at the same time cautioning them.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 5 FEBRUARY 1915

VOLUNTEERS

Over 100 enrolled their names on Tuesday at the Town Hall as members of the new organisation for the training of those over military age and others exempt from military service. A business committee of eight were elected to look after the finances. General Poore agreed to act as advisor to the organisation, and Mr.E.F.Easthope was elected secretary. Mr.T.Child consented to act in the capacity of instructor, while Mr.J.T.Pankhurst was appointed custodian of the funds. When members have attained to efficiency at drill the organisation will be affiliated to a central body in London, and should the war still continue will be called upon to assist in carrying out certain duties in connection with home defence that are at present being looked after by the National Reserve and companies of the Territorial Army. Anyone beyond the military age, or who comes within the exemption clause, is eligible for membership, and will be certain to obtaina regular course of physical exercise that will do them no harm if it does the doctors no good.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 9 FEBRUARY 1940

ANDOVER TOWN COUNCIL

Tuesday’s agenda at the quarterly meeting of the Town Council was almost entirely concerned with questions of Defence on the Home Front. It is interesting to note that more and more people are taking up allotments, and it is possible that before long something on the line of a communal pig keeping scheme will be established on land which is not suitable for cultivation. The keeping of poultry, too, will be encouraged if the suugestions made are carried into effect.

A gas chamber is to be set up in the Walled Meadow, in which the public, if they feel so disposed, can test their gas masks. Councillor A.F.J.Knight made the allegation that some folks who has “qualified” for A.R.P.badges had not passed through the gas chamber, and he thought it was about time that those who were supposed to lead the way were thoroughly efficient in every way.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 5 FEBRUARY 1965

STILL NO DECIISION ON ALL-DAY CLOSING

Twenty-for traders in the town would like to close their shops all day on a Monday, Mr.F.Gratton told the executive council of the Andover and District Chamber of Trade at its meeting on Tuesday night.

The principle of a five-day week, said Mr.Gratton, was generally accepted by traders in the town. His enquiries had shown that 24 traders preferred to close all day Monday; six plumped for a Wednesday and seven others were already closing all day Wednesday. One large shop closed on a Monday this week for the first time.

“If we are not careful we are going to find the rather unsettling state of affairs of some shops closing on a Monday and some on a Wednesday.” And he appealed to the executive council to “try to iron it out, and get some agreement between the traders.”

Mr.J.Major described the two different closing days as “dangerous.” People would not come into the town to shop “because they wouldn’t know which shops were open and which were closed.”

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 9 FEBRUARY 1990

BOUNDARY BLOW FOR ANGRY RESIDENTS

The residents of Faberstown are to ‘be dragged screaming out of Hampshire and into Wiltshire,’ said a wry local, commenting on the final draft of the Boundary Commission Report which awaits only the signature of the local government minister on 1 April before becoming law.

Despite protests and letters by 50 Faberstown residents who were supported by MP Sir David Mitchell in their objections to becoming part of Wiltshire and losing their Hampshire identity, the report states: “We consider that Faberstown is clearly part of the same urban area as Ludgershall, which by contrast, has all the normal village amenities. One resident has written to Sir David Mitchell, referred to as Mr David Mitchell in the report, asking him to forward a complaint to the local government Ombudsman: Mr Eric Levell believes that ‘Hampshire County Council is guilty of maladministration.

He claims that research into the opinions of local people was ‘delayed until after the Commission had published its draft proposals so that vital information, opinions and guidance gained by the poll had not been available when the case for Hampshire was set out.’