A look at stories from the Andover Advertiser in years gone by

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER 1859

COUNTY BENCH – A WHISTLING CASE

George Hillier of the parish of Hurstbourne Tarrant, was summoned for assaulting Ellen North, of the same place, on 12 November last. The complainant appeared to labour under some excitement whilst giving the evidence, and her volubility of speech was so great that the magistrates had to check her impetuosity repeatedly so as to enable Mr Lamb to reduce her statement into writing. It appeared however, from her statement, that the defendant was in the habit whenever he passed her, of whistling, and repeating the word ‘Snob’, and that on the 12th, he stood before her and prevented her passing. The defendant denied having stopped her as alleged, and said the complainant was the aggressor, as she took hold of him and shook him, but he admitted that he occasionally whistled when he passed her. The magistrates considered that the defendant with respect to the assault was ‘more sinned against than sinning’ and accordingly dismissed that charge, but ordered both parties to enter into recognizances to keep the peace towards each other, and at the same time censured the defendant for exercising his warbling propensity to the annoyance of the complainant.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER 1898

FOOTBALL – ANDOVER AND DISTRICT NOTES

The feature of attraction at Andover on Saturday last was the Southern League match in the Walled Meadow between the Andoverians and Ryde, and a fairly good muster of spectators turned out to witness the game. These clubs have met several times before but on this occasion in different circumstances than hitherto, the Island club having now recognised professionalism in such a decisive way as to secure a really good team; whilst the Andoverians still adhere to the good old amateur days wherein the game is played for the love of it alone. Of course, by entering in leagues wherein fully-blown professional teams are admitted, the Andoverians are at once placed upon an unequal basis and possess but a poor chance of winning matches under such conditions; but the Andover football public benefit by this policy, as they see good teams in their midst, whereas otherwise this advantage would not obtain.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER 1923

COLDEST NOVEMBER ON RECORD

Official statistics show that November was the coldest on record in many parts of the country. In London, the temperatures equalled or exceeded the normal on only three days, and at Hampstead no fewer than 28 nights were frosty. During the last week frost was continuous for more than 100 hours in some places. This very rarely happens, even in the depth of winter. Notwithstanding the exceptionally severe weather however, the month was remarkably bright. At Falmouth, the sun shone for 113 hours – 69 hours more than the average. Over three hours was registered on 22 days and over six hours on 11 days. After a brief respite, frost and fog returned to London and many other parts of the country on Monday. The fog was of the patchy variety, and while in some places road and railway traffic was seriously delayed, in others, only a mile or two away, the sun shone brilliantly from a mist-less and cloudless sky. Southern England was the coldest part of the kingdom. There were 13 degrees of frost on the ground at Hampstead, Aldershot and Andover.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 10 DECEMBER 1948

MUSEUM RE-OPENING

It was decided that the Mayor is to be invited officially to re-open the Museum on a Wednesday afternoon as soon as the painting of the showcases has been completed. After this ceremony, the Museum will be open to the public from 10 am to 6 pm on each day other than Wednesdays, Sundays and public holidays. Attention was also drawn to the nuisance occasioned to persons using the library and the meeting room by the noise created by pupils using the Art School on the floor above. The Committee has instructed the town clerk to communicate with the headmaster on the matter.

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 10 DECEMBER 1976

OFF TO CANADA AT THE AGE OF 93!

Mr Harry Scofield of The Eights, Amport, who celebrated his 93rd birthday on 2 November, left this week with his wife to live in Canada. They have a new home for them near their daughter, Ruth, and her husband, Mr W J Chapman, who have been living for some years at Kanmore, Calgary. Mr Scofield was born in Yorkshire, and his parents came to live at The Eights in 1902. He was in the Rhodesian Police Force for some time. In World War I he served in the Royal Artillery and retired with the rank of captain. Mrs Scofield was born in Staffordshire and eventually came to Amport House as head housemaid when it was owned by the Sofer-Whitburns. It was while she was there that she met and married Harry; he was 52 and she was 32. Mr Scofield worked for many years in the Educational Section Office at RAF Andover and retired when he was 75. He and his wife have been married for 41 years. Their daughter Ruth’s husband was in the RAF and stationed for a while at Amport House with Headquarters Maintenance Command. This sprightly couple have the good wishes of their many friends for a safe journey and every happiness for their new life in Canada.