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THE PROPERTY MARKET

We would draw the attention of our readers who have funds for investment, to the advertisements in another column, announcing the sale by auction by Messrs.F.Ellen and Son, on Thursday next, of land situate in the Junction Road and Western Road, to both of which there are extensive frontages, and also of land contiguous to the Junction Station. We need hardly point out to those at all acquainted with the town that the former property is situate exactly at the point where, if there is to be any extension of the number of better-class dwellings, that extension should take place, and which is likely to best suit tenants. That there is demand for residences such as we should anticipate would be erected here we have ample proof from the number of enquiries received, and capitalists would do well to bear in mind that such an opportunity as this can but rarely occur. We have heard suggestions thrown out as to the formation of a syndicate for building purposes, and if there is any possibility of such combination there is now afforded them just the opportunity that is desirable for the commencement of operations, which, wisely conducted, cannot fail to see an adequate return for the outlay. The land near the station affords facilities of a different kind, but none the less valuable from a commercial point of view in more senses than one, which must occur to the minds of those looking for an investment. Readers should study the elaborate and carefully prepared plans issued by the auctioneers, and they will the more readily see the cogency of what we have said.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 10 SEPTEMBER 1915

A MANDOLINE WANTED

An Andover boy, Gunner W.Marsh, R.M.A., writing home from France, would like to know if there is a person in his native town who has a mandolin he does not require, and would care to send it to his gun crew. They have several good players in the crew, and a mandoline would help to cheer them up in their dull moments. The instrument can be sent to Gunner Marsh, 1013, “C” Battery, Anti-Aircraft, Brigade. c/o the Post Office.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 13 SEPTEMBER 1940

CHATTERBUGGING

Yesterday morning there were a number of persons in the town declaring they had heard enemy planes over Andover. It is impossible at the present time to distinguish by sound the enemy machine from the Canadian, U.S.A, French or Czech planes which are passing over the district, and if the information is being spread with a view to alarming their neighbours, examples must be made of these chattering imbeciles.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 10 SEPTEMBER 1965

CHANGED HER MIND AFTER SEWAGE WORKS VISIT

Until Lady Bowden was taken on a tour of sewage disposal works at Downton and Sway by members of the Romsey and Stockbridge Rural District Council she was quite willing to sell an area of land to the council to provide a similar plant for Stockbridge. After experiencing the smells emanating from the works, she changed her mind and refused to let the council have the land, off Marshcourt Road.

“I would like to be of any assistance I can to the council and community. But after I visited the two similar plants, where the smell was terrible. I opposed the scheme,” she told the Inspector (Mr.I.Pettigrew) at a public enquiry in Stockbridge on Wednesday.

She also realised later that the outflow from the plant would pass into the stream in which she had a trout hatchery, and the affected water would pass straight through it.

She was appealing against the compulsory purchase of the 1.7 acres of land by the rural district council as a site for its sewage disposal plant.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 14 SEPTEMBER 1990

ANTI-VANDAL GRAVEYARD PATROLS

The trauma of Andover families left distraught and angered by the vandalism of their loved ones’ graves has prompted Test Valley Borough Council to introduce a trial security patrol scheme to protect the peace of the town’s Marlborough Street cemetery.

The dramatic move, which puts Test Valley high on the list of councils taking positive action against the sickening form of anarchy making its mark across the country, comes after a series of failed attempts to secure the cemetery in other ways.

Though the necessity for ‘policing’ of graves is, in its own way, as difficult to come to terms with as the vandalism itself, Test Valley is in no doubt that the distress suffered by families who find tombstones pushed over, flowers scattered, graffiti — and worse — must be reduced as quickly as possible.

“I don’t think it is right for the council to shrug its shoulders ... to accept it,” commented Test Valley leader Cllr Roy Perry at Wednesday’s meeting of the leisure committee where the proposals were approved.

“It is a very sad reflection on the sort of society in which we live.”

The situation in Andover is aggravated by the fact that two main pedestrian routes run through the currently unattended cemetery, large areas of which are unfenced.

There is no apparent pattern of destruction and the council staff and the police have found themselves at a loss to reduce damage and catch those responsible.

Speaking to the ‘Andover Advertiser’, Test Valley’s chief technical officer, Maurice Orchard, indicated his regret at the circumstances which will now lead to the cemetery being patrolled by a private security firm ‘experienced’ in dealing with any situation it may come across.

Radio patrols will operate three times over a 24-hour period, seven days a week during the three month experiment, keeping a ‘weather eye’ over the whole area, he explained.

The council does point out, however, that its long term solution to the problem is the continued removal of gravestones and levelling of plots.