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LONGPARISH — GARDEN PARTY

Once again a large number of residents and non-residents of all classes were invited to a garden party in the beautiful grounds of Longparish House, on Saturday last, through the kindness of Col.and Mrs.Tippings. The weather in the morning was dull and lowering, but about 4 p.m., the sun broke through and illumined the picturesque lawn, with its beautiful carpet bedding, which showed off to great advantage. Tea on the lawn was provided by the genial host and hostess at about 4.30. by which time most of the company had arrived. Tea being over various games and sports were started, also dancing, a band having come from Southampton for the purpose. Another enjoyable feature was the throwing of the house for view, and a number of the old inhabitants in humble life, as well as the young, highly appreciated this part of the programme, as the artistic arrangements and the pictures are charming. Refreshments during the evening were laid out in the dining room without reserve. The evening quickly passed with the various things to entertain, while not a few enjoyed a stroll along the river-side, which forms so great a feature in the grounds at Longparish House. At 8 p.m. the visitors began to leave, but before doing so heart and well-deserved cheers were given for the gallant Colonel and his lady for their kindness. Few villages can boast of such residents, who so often, in one way or another, seek to brighten the lot of many, and afford them means of spending many happy hours; while it creates a good feeling, and cements those social ties which should exist between all classes.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 13 AUGUST 1915

CORRESPONDENCE — PLENTY OF MEN WHERE THEY ARE NOT WANTED

Sir,—We have hear a lot lately, about the serious shortage of agricultural labour, and the best ways of remedying it, and helping the farmers. Listen to the way they do it at Kingsomborne and on the Romsey Bench.

Mr.Dennis Davis, a small farmer, with a few acres at Kingsomborne, was fined, the other day for employing his step-son of 12½ years to help him get in his hay crop. Surely it would have been more sensible, and more in the interest of the country, to have fined the school attendance officer, and perhaps the Education Committee, for not assisting Mr.Davis with his hay; but instead of this, they pay the former a salary to prevent Mr.Davis using the only labour he can obtain. Let’s hope the authorities will bear in mind my suggestion on a future occasion.

It is unfortunate that there should be no shortage of school attendance officers, but apparently they have not flocked to the colours or the munition shops. Most people think, we could do without them at any time, and that at any rate women could do the job. Whether they would be is another matter, for I remember once hearing a woman say, “She would rather be a public hangman than a school attendance officer.” She considered it a more humane profession, and less likely to penalise the innocent. She, no doubt, would have preferred to dispatched a Crippen than have been the means of victimising Mr.Davis, or of the many others who likewise suffer. However, some people appear to think it is more important keeping children at school than keeping the Germans out!—I am, sir, yours faithfully, FAIRLIE HARMAT, Ramridge, Andover.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 16 AUGUST 1940

HAMPSHIRE TOWN BOMBED

A small town in a country district of Hampshire had its first experience of air raids on Tuesday afternoon, but fortunately there were no civilian casualties, or damage to property beyond broken windows.

Raiders (Henikels) appeared in two groups of five, and as soon as they were over the town they broke formation. One plane dropped three heavy bombs, a smaller one and an incendiary bomb, some way from a local War Memorial Hospital. One fell in a cornfield to the north of the town, an incendiary and two other bombs in a field of cabbages (the green-stuff was turned black with the heat), and one made a very large crater in a field near a road, which was in close proximity to a chalk-walled house, which, despite a good deal of opinion to the contrary, withstood the shock of the explosion and was not damaged at all.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 13 AUGUST 1965

CPO ENQUIRY PROVES DAMP SQUIB

Yesterday’s public enquiry in the Guildhall into the compulsory purchase orders issued in respect of land and property required for the redevelopment of part of Andover’s town centre was something of an anti-climax. There were no objections by any of the large concerns and it was left to half a dozen small traders and individuals to voice their protests at the conformation of the orders. (Although nearly 100 interested parties were originally concerned in the proposals, only 21 objections were in fact lodged and by yesterday all but six of them had been withdrawn.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 17 AUGUST 1990

SUPERMARKETS BATTLE TO ATTRACT STAFF

With the new Waitrose opening next week and Tesco due to open their store on the edge of town after Christmas, the Andover supermarket wars are hotting up as companies fight to attract staff.

All four major supermarkets say business is booming but that workers need to be wooed with competitive salaries and a range of job perks.

A spokesman for Safeways in Bridge Street, who are currently trying to fill 20 full and part time vacancies after investing in a major refit, summed up the situation by saying: “We are all going after a labour pool which is not sufficiently large enough.”

Robert Grieg’s are having problems attracting part-time staff, according to manager Charles Drew who thinks the situation is worse this year. But Waitrose claim they had an excellent response’ to their recent recruitment campaign. Managing to fill 70 extra posts in the new store, leaving only four positions empty.

Tesco are also keeping staff levels up with only four vacancies in night shift filling, but are cautious about the problems of finding extra employees when the superstore opens.

“We have no difficulty at the moment, but we shall have to see for the new store,” commented manager Mr Brian McClair.