ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 20 JUNE 1890

LONGPARISH

An interesting ceremony took place on Saturday afternoon in connection with the building of four cottages by Mr.Richard Stanbrook of this place. It should be understood that about twelve months ago Mr.Stanbrook purchased a meadow situate about the centre of the village, and after converting a portion of it into watercress beds decided to build over another portion of it, and cottages of a superior and substantial character are being built by Mr.J.Broad, of St.Mary Bourne, under the supervision of Mr.J.Hillary, architect, of Longparish. Mr.Stanbrook being an ardent Home Ruler decided to name them “Home Rule Cottages,” a stone bearing that name and date, 1890, surmounted at the corners by carved and painted shamrocks, was laid by him on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. in the centre of the buildings. After the stone had been properly adjusted and declared truly laid, the foreman of the works, Mr.Bevis, of Andover, suggested if anyone desired to make any remarks upon it now was the time. Thereupon Mr.Stanbrook availed himself of the opportunity, and, in the course of a practical speech, said that he named them Home Rule because he took considerable interest in the Irish question, having given to it a great amount of thought and consideration, and he would remind those present that only a few days ago, when some of the Irish members of Parliament went to address their constituents, the police and soldiers attacked the people who had come to listen with their batons and bludgeons, wounding several, which was done by order of Mr.Balfour. At the present moment the Tory Government had their feet upon the neck of the Irish people, but he looked forward to the time, which he hoped would not be long distant, when the order of things would be reversed, and instead of the people being under the feet of the Government the Government would be the subject to the people under the leadership of Mr.Gladstone, the Grand Old Man.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 18 JUNE 1915

THE PRICE OF GAS

Consumers of gas in the town have been notified that from July 1 the price will be increased , so consumers are advised to be as economical as they can with their consumption both for cooking and for lighting. In the words of a Government Department circular, all should endeavour to cook less meat, but too many meals on raw food may lead to the doctors being overworked. There will soon be plenty of dessert fruit coming from the gardens, and then the dinner may consist occasionally of salad, cheese, dessert, though there are rumours that the cheese supply is being eaten up too quickly, and those who fancy ripe old varieties will be disappointed this autumn.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 21 JUNE 1940

SUNDAY SCHOOL ‘TREATS’

The orthodox type of Sunday School outing, with masses of children boarding excursion trains and being whirled away to popular seaside resorts miles from their homes, was obviously out of the question this year, and the teachers had to devise some other “treat” for their pupils.

What better than an old fashioned Sunday School treat? A field, some sunshine, large quantities of lemonade and slab cake, races, games, and general what-ho ... surely that would be nearly as good as the modern mass-produced excursion?

It was. The teachers put their ideas to the test on Wednesday, when six Sunday Schools each arranged independent outings, quite an ambitious but thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

Each infant pupil at the East Street Schools was given 1/- “spending money” and the seniors made a trip to the Home of St.Francis at Goodworth Clatford. Some of them went by bus and some walked, and they greatly appreciated the hospitality of Brother Hugh, who was good enough to entertain the teachers to tea. All the children brought their own tea and had it picnic fashion, and they spent their time playing rounders and games and taking part in the sports, for which prizes were given. They would up the day with community singing. “As far as I can see it was an unqualified success,” the Rev.G.E.Newsom told a reporter, “and in my opinion they enjoyed themselves as much, if not more, than if they had gone away to Bournemouth or somewhere else.”

FIFTY YEARS AGO —18 JUNE 1965

PURER THAN RIVER WATER ... SAYS ENGINEER OF SEWAGE EFFLUENT

The Andover rural district council’s engineer and surveyor, Mr.L.J.Timothy, told the water supplies and sewage committee on Friday that the council had now been operating the Barton Stacey sewage disposal works for one month.

“It is working a little under capacity at the moment but the effluent is if anything, a little better than river water!”

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO —22 JUNE 1990

SALVATION ARMY RIOTS THAT BROUGHT REFORM

Whitchurch Square was packed last Saturday when 1,600 people turned up to celebrate ‘Liberty at Whitchurch’ — the 100th anniversary of the Salvation Army disturbances.

Crowds had gathered outside the Town Hall and just before 3pm the welcome the official guests, who arrived in limousines led by Lord and Lady Denning.

The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Lt Col Sir James Scott saluted the Gosport, Basingstoke and Reading bands in turn as they marched into the Square from Newbury Street, London Street and Winchester Street.

Then the Salvationists formed ranks in the Square for the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by the Mayor of Whitchurch Cllr John Clark.

Lt Col Bramwell Booth, great-grandson of the Salvation Army founder Gen William Booth, made a speech saying it was an ‘immense priviledge’ to take part in the celebrations at Whitchurch.

The bands then marched up Church Street to Lord Denning’s house, The Lawns, where they congregated in the garden.

Chief constable of Hampshire John Hoddinott explained the importance of events 100 years ago, which granted the public the right to hold orderly demonstrations.

“The rules that the Lord Chief Justice set down 100 years ago are exactly the rules we follow today when policing demonstrations,” he said.