Each week the Advertiser's heritage writer David Borrett brings readers interesting news stories and letters from editions of the paper from years gone by.

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER 1859

ANDOVER CANAL RAILWAY

The works of the Andover Canal Railway are commenced, the store at the Wharf having been pulled down, and the first lock at Upper Clatford filled up. We trust Mr Hattersley will be as good as his word, or rather accomplish, what he is reported to have promised, viz. complete the railway ready for use in eighteen months from its commencement.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER 1898

LOCAL SUCCESS

We notice that at the Winchester chrysanthemum and fruit show on Tuesday, Mr Sanders, of Junction Road, was successful in securing second prize for white grapes; while it may be mentioned that at a similar show at Southampton he secured second prize in the class for a single bunch of black grapes, his exhibit weighing 6lbs 13oz. He was also successful in securing second prize for two bunches of black grapes; second for three varieties, and third for two bunches of white grapes. Such successes as these are not to be wondered at after visiting his vinery in Junction Road, which presents one of the most wonderful sights to be seen for miles around here, and those who are interested in the cultivation of the luscious fruit should pay a visit of inspection.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 23 NOVEMBER 1923

THE MAYOR BETTER

The Mayor (Mr Sydney Bell) is downstairs and hopes soon to be in full charge of the duties of his office. He has received so many letters of inquiry and sympathy that it would be too great a tax on him to answer, and he wishes to thank most sincerely the writers for their expressions of sympathy and encouragement. There have been numerous callers daily this week, who have been gratified to find the Mayor in an improved state of health. The Mayoress hopes to meet the ladies at the Town Hall next Tuesday afternoon.

PROPERTY SALE

It was a small company that gathered at the Town Hall, in the midst of a rain storm on Tuesday afternoon, where Mr Allan Herbert had an uncommon lot of property to submit to public auction. It was described as 39, 41 and 43 High Street, and consisted of a small shop occupied by Mr Bridle, another one occupied by Mr T Webb and the ruins of a third between them. There is very little depth to the property, and at the rear a small yard has a passage running from it to West Street. The property is some of the oldest in the town but it occupies a good business situation, being admirably adapted to make a site for offices. The auctioneer spoke of the rare occasions upon which property in the centre of the town came onto the market, and suggested there was a lot of money in it. The first bid was £800, the second £820, and the third and last £840, at which Mr Chapman was declared the purchaser.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 26 NOVEMBER 1948

CORRESPONDENCE: NELSON AT ANDOVER

Sir: The following paragraph, which I have taken from the Salisbury and Winchester Journal, Monday 22 December 1800, may be of interest to readers. It refers to a journey which Lord Nelson made from London to Fonthill, near Salisbury:

      ‘On Saturday, about noon, the Right Hon. Lord Nelson, accompanied by Sir William and Lady Hamilton, the mother of Lady Hamilton, an Italian lady and two foreign gentlemen, arrived in this city, having slept the preceding night at Parson’s the Star and Garter, Andover’.

Yours faithfully, R Barker, The Museum, Municipal Buildings, Andover.

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 26 NOVEMBER 1976

NO OBJECTIONS TO REVISED ROAD PLAN

Local planners have raised no objections to the revised plan for the Southern Distributor road which has been submitted by Hampshire County Council. The road should be built in 1981 but it very much depends on the financial situation. The general feeling at a meeting of Test Valley Planning Committee at Romsey last week was that it could well be put back even further. Basically, the section of the road under discussion will run from the old Town Station Yard, across the river and over South Street, crossing between the Pentecostal church and the printing works. A roundabout is planned just above the Lamb Inn in Winchester St. One road would sweep back into South St and one would follow the line of Winchester St. The third would cut across to London St, next to Dene Road. The present junction of Dene Road and London St would be closed and the new road would provide access to Love Lane. The county council is responsible for road construction but the design and construction of new rear service roads and yards to properties on the south side of both London St and Bridge St would be undertaken by the district council.