ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 11 JULY 1890

DUNLEY — CO-OPERATIVE FARMING

On Saturday last the picturesque village of Dunley was quite en fête, owing to the liberality of the Lord of the Manor, Mr.A.O.Rouyer, who had, according to previous custom, invited all the employés on the Bradley, Eggbury, and Dunley estates to partake of a substantial dinner in the large barn at Dunley Manor. The barn and two long tables were tastefully decorated with choice flowers and evergreens. Mr.Rouyer occupied the post of honour at one table, and his steward, Mr.I.Hughes, at the other. The guests, numbering in all nearly 50, sat down punctually at 6.30, and after doing justice to the good old English fare provided settled themselves to business, which, by the way, was the most important item in the day’s proceedings. As Mr.Rouyer, in a most appropriate speech, explained, he had called them together to report on the financial state of the farms, and to share the profits with his men, at the same time asking for their hearty co-operation with himself, not only for the pecuniary advantages to themselves of increased dividend, but that they might have the comfortable conviction of a clear conscience. Mr.Rouyer then, with a word of encouragement to each, distributed the amount due to them. The company then devoted themselves to the amusements of the evening, which consisted of music, singing, and dancing, until a late hour, when, with three hearty cheers for the Squire, three for the steward, and three more for the housekeeper for the excellent repast prepared for them, the company after singing “God Save the Queen,” dispersed all heartily agreeing that they had spent a most enjoyable evening.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 9 JULY 1915

PRINTERS’ OUTING

Through kindness of the proprietors, the employés of the Andover Advertiser were enabled to have their annual outing on Saturday, when, thanks to the clerk of the weather, who is so changeable in his methods, a brilliant day favoured the occasion. A strong party left the Town Station by the first train for Southampton, with well formed intentions to have a sea trip to Southsea, but when they saw Southampton Water with its tremendous excess of shipping the hearts of some of them failed, and only the bravest went to Southsea. As things turned out, however, the sea was as smooth as a mill pond, and the printers, much to their relief, heard nothing about mines or submarines, and the journey to and fro was safely accomplished. Those who did not favour the water trip roamed about Southampton or went on to Bournemouth by train. The happy company reached home about 10 o’clock at night, being most profoundly thankful that the outing was held “as usual.” The staff are indebted to the proprietors for their continued interest in this great event year after year.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 12 JULY 1940

JUVENILE COURT — SENT TO AN APPROVED SCHOOL

A 15-years-old lad was sent to an approved school for a term not exceeding three years for stealing 2d., the property of Harry R.Hughes, swimming pool manager, who lives at 81, Old Winton Road, Andover. The boy was on probation at the time.—He pleaded not guilty.

Mr.Hughes said at 3.20 p.m. on June 28 he saw accused enter the grounds, and kept observation on him, as he was going from dressing room to dressing room. Witness placed his coat with 2d. in one of the pockets outside the dressing room, and instructed his attendant Smith to watch. In consequence of what Smith told him he informed the police.

FIFTY YEARS AGO —9 JULY 1965

DOWNPOUR DRENCHES GAY PROCESSION

“Singing in the rain ... just singing in the rain ...” Fine for a Hollywood star but certainly not for the unfortunate hundreds who took part in the Andover Carnival procession on Wednesday night.

Shortly before the judging of entries was due to take place a torrential downpour looked like washing out the entire proceedings, drenching the entrants and playing havoc with the gay costumes and excellently-designed floats.

One of the worst hit was the Carnival Queen’s float which had to be re-decorated. The float was standing outside when the rain fell and nearly all the 300 paper flowers which had been made by Mrs.Penton, mother of one of the attendants, were destroyed. The organisers, however,, successfully re-decorated the attractive float.

HIGHER STANDARD THEN EVER IN JUNIOR CLASSES

Their costumes may have been damp, but the rain didn’t dampen the spirits of over 100 children taking part in the junior procession on Wednesday.

They huddled together beneath umbrellas and trees for just under an hour at Suffolk Road while the rain came down in torrents. And, when a break in the clouds came, they emerged from their shelters—undaunted.

Said the organiser, Mr.S.C.Butler, after the judging: “This year, they have taken a considerable amount of trouble over their costumes. There is a large amount of ingenuity, topicality, and novelty and a much higher standard altogether.”

The children wound their way from Suffolk Road led by the Junior Carnival Queen, Susan Tarrant, and her attendants, Joan Bale, Wendy Smith, Sally Warner and Janice Olden.

They were followed by a train of some of the brightest and topical entries the junior procession has seen for some years. “I’ve Got a Tiger in My Tank,” “The Ku-Klux-Klan,” “Royal Counties Show” and “The Overspill Mushroom” were typical of the entries with a topical flavour.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 13 JULY 1990

TOWN GIVEN A BOOST BY PETAL POWER

Companies and traders have joined forces with Test Valley Borough Council’s leisure section to brighten up the town with bright and colourful floral displays on Andover’s roundabouts and shopping areas of the town centre.

Doves Ford, Twinings and TSB Trust Company have supported the scheme by sponsoring a roundabout near to their respective bases.

The floral displays are designed ton display the company logos and in some instances it is already possible to pick out the company name in the design. As the summer progresses the designs will become more evident and it won’t be difficult to guess which roundabout is which.