ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 7 MARCH 1890

TANGLEY — TRAP SHOOTING

On Thursday last a series of starling and sparrow shooing sweepstakes took place in the park, when some 17 or 18 dozen birds were trapped in excellent condition, affording good sport. Afterwards the company adjourned to the “Five Bells,” where Host Smith had provided an excellent dinner that was much enjoyed.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 5 MARCH 1915

RECRUITS WANTED

The Mayor has sent out the following letter.—“As the Chairman of the newly formed Andover Recruiting Committee I beg to bring before you the urgent need for all eligible men to join the Forces of the Crown. Possibly you have hitherto had good reasons for not joining. Let me ask you to re-consider, remembering that this is the critical time. If all would join now, the War would be ended quickly. You can out yourself forward for any of His Majesty’s Forces, but the 4th.Batt.Hants Territorials presents peculiar advantages to Andover men. We want to know, quickly, who will join, and from those who cannot their reason. We want to show that few mwn in the old borough have refused without good reason.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 8 MARCH 1940

“A SMALL VILLAGE POLICEMAN”

Writing to the magistrates in answer to a summons for driving with unscreened lights, Lady Mabel Annie Ley, Pitt Manor, Winchester, said “I have been driving in London for two months without being stopped ... why should a small village policeman know better? It seems they have nothing better to do.”

P.C.Sibley (“the small village policeman”) said that at 7.10 p.m. on January 15 he was on duty in the Salisbury Road, Longstock, and saw a car coming from the direction of Salisbury which had a fog lamp, a nearside headlamp, and an offside headlamp alight. Only the offside headlamp had the official mask; the nearside lamp was covered with some black material with a slit about a quarter-of-an-inch wide almost on a level with the bulb. The fog lamp was quite unscreened. Cars were allowed two side lights and one properly screened headlight.

When he stopped the defendant she said “It’s got a mask on.” When he pointed out that he was referring to the nearside light, and the fog lamp, she replied “I had permission from Major Cockburn (the Chief Constable of Hampshire) the other day that I could use the fog light, and now you are making yourself nuisance, and say that I can’t. There was a vehicle coming in the opposite direction, and I could not see, and I would sooner be reported for extra lights than knocking someone down. The sooner you policeman are all sent to France the better.”

Lady Mabel Ley was fined £1.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 5 MARCH 1965

FROM A WOMEN’S POINT OF VIEW

COMMITTEE FOR FAMILY PLANNING CLINIC

A committee has been formed in Andover to establish a family planning clinic in the town.

Under the chairmanship of Ald.Mrs.Brenda Machin, a meeting was held at the Western on Friday, when Mrs.C.Clark, the area organiser for the Family Planning Association, outlined the practical aspects of operating a clinic.

She pointed out that the Association was a non-profit making organisation. As yet it received no financial help from the Government, but grants, varying in amount, were often made by local authorities. The aim of the clinics was to help those who wanted children and those who wished to regulate their families. Engaged as well as married couples were encouraged to attend the clinic, and “first aid” was given to those with marital difficulties.

Mrs.Clark explained that a clinic was run by a management committee and staffed by three lay-workers and a doctor. It was to be held at the Health Clinic in Junction Road.

Two women doctors and also Mrs.S.Thomas, Mrs.E.Hull, Mrs.D.Coles, Mrs D.Richardson and Mrs.L.T.Rimmer volunteered to serve on the committee.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 9 MARCH 1990

VILLAGERS SEE RED OVER LIGHTS

A total of 668 Overton residents signed a petition calling for traffic lights to be installed on Overton village centre.

And Mrs June Wilson of Sapley claims their views have been proved right by the temporary lights installed this week to cope with road repairs, “They’re amazing, they really work,” is her verdict on the lights.

“You can drive down without thinking you’re going to end up in pieces,” she added.

“It just goes to show that what the county council said is a load of rubbish!”

The petition was undertaken by the Overton, Laverstoke and Ashe branch of the North West Hampshire Conservative Association, which spent a day canvassing in the village and then put a petition up in the Post Office.

The Overton High Street / Winchester Street crossroads has always been renowned for accidents and Graham Price, chairman of the association said: “The corner is prone to accidents and it’s about time something was done, before a fatality occurs.”

TEN YEARS AGO — 4 MARCH 2005

SORTING OFFICE CLOSURE THREAT FEARS

The threat to close Whitchurch Sorting Office is worrying a large number of Whitchurch residents, according to borough councillor Alison Wall.

Since the Royal Mail made the announcement Cllr Wall has been contacted by many people voicing their worries.

Mrs Wall said: “I contacted the office of the chairman of the Royal Mail who said their Property Holdings were evaluating, over a five to six month period, the situation at the Whitchurch sorting office.”

“I pointed out that many businesses here in Whitchurch relied on the proximity of the sorting office.

“Not only that, but its removal to Basingstoke would be a serious hardship for people who need to collect parcels, possibly heavy ones, and who do not drive, as the cost od the round-trip by bus is well over £5.

“The journey also involves two buses and a fairly long walk.”