ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 25 JULY 1890

WORKHOUSE TREAT

Yesterday the inmates of the Andover Union Workhouse had their annual summer outing, when again Mr.T.Earle placed Enham Park at their disposal. They had luncheon before starting, and at 11 o’clock took their places in conveyances lent by Mr.Herbert and Mrs.Morrant, and accompanied by the Andover Volunteer Band proceeded to their destination, which they reached about noon. With them they took the materials for dinner, and as soon as the beef, ham, salad, &c., were unpacked, they sat down and partook of a good square meal. Then the amusements were commenced. Mr.Earle through the whole of the grounds open to them for promenading; while Mrs.Earle provided the smokers with tobacco, and other ladies brought sweets, biscuits, snuff, &c., for the women and children. Among those was Mrs Ellen, Mrs.E.A.Farr, Mrs.Coles, Mrs.Curtis, and others; while other ladies and gentlemen attended to assist Mr.and.Mrs Rumboll in their efforts to make the day a pleasurable one. Through their exertions games were started, in which as many as were able were encouraged to join; while the band played and a few danced. Swings and cocoa nuts had been provided, and these were largely patronised, and altogether the fête was an exceedingly enjoyable one.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 23 JULY 1915

OCCUPATION FOR IDLE HANDS

Residents in the borough with nothing to do should apply to the town clerk, for soon Mr.Longman will be busy enrolling persons for the work of taking the national register. It is expected that those fortunate enough to secure a district will carry out the work carefully, and their reward will be an extra patriotic thrill. A meeting of the Town Council in committee was held this week to make the necessary arrangements for completing a correct register. Residents in the villages who would like to do the work should apply to Mr.W.R.Graham, High Street, Andover.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 26 JULY 1940

HOW TO WRITE TO A PRISONER OF WAR

A recent issue of the St John Ambulance Gazette carries an article on how to correspond with a relative or friend who is a prisoner of war.

The letter must be no more than two sides of a sheet of notepaper, and must not say anything useful to the enemy. There must be no enclosures with the letter, no photographs or picture postcards. All writing should be in ink. The correct form of address on the envelope should be repeated in the letter. First put his number and his rank, then initials and name, following on with “British Prisoner of War,” and his prisoner of war number. On the third line put his camp number of the name of the place where he is a prisoner; these particulars will be on his letter or card to you. Add the name of the country in which he is a prisoner. On the top left of the envelope write “Prisoners of War Post,” and on the outside of the flap of the back of the envelope put your name and address, but not if you are in the Services. In that event give the address of a friend or relative. Do not stamp the letter.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 23 JULY 1965

ADVERTISEMENT

Susan Fyne says Dear oh Dear!

Had a card from Dinah. She’s cruising this year. I quote: “Feeling better now, but oh dear, was I ill! They called it mal-de-mer because this is a French boat and the menu and all is in French, but between me and you I was just plain sick. Dearie me! Good job I brought lots of Fyne Cleaned clothes to keep changing into. Oh that reminds me, I left the laundry in the garage. Be a dear and make sure the Fyne man picks it up. Must come back to everything clean. Had a day ashore at Madeira (bought you a little Madeira cake) but oh, was everything dear! Well, my dear, must close. Soon be back in dear old Andover.” Unquote. Thank goodness we’re not dear at FYNE CLEANERS

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 27 JULY 1990

TEST VALLEY — HOME SWEET HOME?

Twenty-five or so years ago, the future for young families looked bright. Andover was a town poised on the edge of major expansion, its face changing by the week as new factories, new facilities, and new homes grew up on its outskirts.

Today the picture is different. With the prosperity and growth came an artificial population explosion which has left Rest Valley Borough Council with a homelessness problem it is desperate to control before the generation of children currently celebrating their schools’ jubilees realise that, for the moment at least, the housing cloud hanging over the borough doesn’t have much of a silver lining.

The root of the problem is a lack of affordable homes in both Andover and the surrounding villages. Prices have settled at a level where first-time buyers with average incomes find it almost impossible to get a foot on the housing ladder and so turn to a council which is itself under severe financial restraint.

While families remain the principal concern on the council’s housing waiting list, the number of single homeless people is on the increase and the elderly population is set to increase by over five per cent in as many years.

Add to that increasing demand for the care of physically and mentally handicapped and mentally ill people in the community, the fact that many homeless Andover families have been living in bed and breakfast accommodation as far away as Southampton for up to a year, plus the lack of funds for building new properties after April 1991 and the council’s housing department has little option but to juggle people and resources as best it can, while encouraging private sector involvement.