Andover Advertiser Review of the Year: May to August 2023

Here we look back at some of the stories the Advertiser covered from May to August. 

May

May started with the Andover and Test Valley community getting preparations in place to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III, which for many was the first coronation in their lifetimes.

Streets across the borough were adorned with red, white and blue flags ahead of neighbours and wider communities getting together to mark the joyous occasion, with street parties, picnics, screenings and public events taking place across the country during the three-day weekend from Saturday, May 6 to Monday, May 8.

In the centre of Andover, pubs, cafes and shops decorated to commemorate the royal event, pleasing passers-by who said they were looking forward to what could be a ‘once in a lifetime’ event.

A week later, and the country was celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III in their masses, with street parties galore and festivities to match.

Dozens of parties were held across Andover and Test Valley, with neighbours and communities coming together to celebrate the coronation. Streets across the borough were closed off as residents came out to mark the royal occasion over the bank holiday weekend. Neighbours dressed up to show their support and wider communities got together to commemorate the Coronation.

In the middle of May saw Andover health hub celebrate after completing thousands of checks since it reopened as a health hub in early 2023. The hub in the Chantry Centre opened in January to provide health checks and clinics for patients. After being open for five months, it was revealed that 2,000 health checks had been carried out at the former Covid vaccination centre.

The end of May saw a famous face in the footballing world helping young footballers in Andover improve their game. Former Arsenal and Chelsea goalkeeper, Petr Cech became one of Andover New Street youth team’s coaches. Earlier in the month, Cech attended a special charity day organised by the club which raised an incredible £5,700. The funds raised were evenly distributed among Maggies, Streets Ahead, and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

June

June started with a historic building in the town left severely damaged after a major fire swept through the derelict site. Crews were called to the old Anton Laundry building, in Marlborough Street, at around 3pm on Saturday, May 27, with firefighters tackling the incident for close to three hours.

The roof was destroyed in the incident. Following the fire, Marlborough Street was closed, as work is underway to make the derelict building and surrounding site safe. Residents expressed concern about the condition the building was left in, appealing to Test Valley Borough Council for the site to be blocked off to deter anyone from entering and risking getting hurt.

The following week saw an Andover school celebrate the completion of a £2.83m extension. 

Major works at Icknield School has seen the creation of 10 new places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The building, in River Way, has undergone a significant extension, creating two new specialist classrooms, a physiotherapy room and other facilities including a new workspace for staff.

A new playground and equipment were also installed as part of the investment. The new space was officially opened at a special reception to celebrate the work that has taken place.

June also saw an Andover nursery celebrate being rated as one of the best in the South East. Finkley Down Farm Nursery and Preschool Andover was recognised as one of the top 20 nurseries in the region by leading day nurseries reviews site, daynurseries.co.uk, with the award based on the reviews from children’s families and carers.

The middle of June saw a new medical centre open in Andover. GPs, dentists, patients and members of the local community came together to celebrate the new Andover Medical Practice and Solent Dental Service.

Alex Whitfield, chief executive at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) officially opened the much-anticipated new building by cutting the ceremonial blue ribbon. The new site provides a modern healthcare setting for more than 14,000 registered patients and surgery staff, as well as an NHS special care dental service.

The end of the month saw Armed Forces Day return with huge success as hundreds showed their support for the people who make up the Armed Forces community, from serving troops to reservists, veterans, cadets and their families.

The event was held on June 24, with plenty of activities for families to enjoy at Vigo Park, from fairground rides, food trucks, musical entertainment, Royal Engineers activities and weapon displays.

The 4th Wiltshires and Soldiers of the Queen living history groups were on hand, and in costume, to answer any questions from visitors to their stall. 

July 

July started with news which left the town shaken after a former Falklands veteran was found dead at his home in the town. Tributes were paid to Stuart Crocker, aged 62, of New Street who was found by paramedics on Wednesday, June 28.

A woman - Winter Swan-Miller, 36, of no fixed abode - has been charged with murder. She was arrested on Monday, July 3 and remains in custody. She has appeared in court twice since, with Provisional trial dates set for either December or January.

The middle of July saw an Andover piece created by a 'Banksy' style street artist protected by the borough council. Two transparent acrylic sheets were installed to protect the art, which depicts a policeman interacting with a teddy bear. The art is thought to have been done by an artist known as ‘Hendog’, whose style is similar to that of the street artist Banksy.

July saw the return of Andover Carnival, with crowds filling the town with music and colourful costumes. On Sunday, July 16, residents and visitors came together to watch over 25 groups take part in the procession - which saw a record number of floats take part.

Carnival guests enjoyed vibrant floats, unique vehicles, lively dancers and drummers. All the fun started in Vigo Park at 12pm with acts taking to the stage whilst surrounded by food caterers, stalls, face painters, teddy tombola, circus workshops and a fun fair.

The end of the month saw councillors approve plans for more than 100 on open space in East Anton. Taylor Wimpey had lodged plans to build 102 homes on land west of Finkley Farm Road, but it received objections from both residents and borough councillors in March.

However, the developer was given a chance to amend the application, and at a meeting of Test Valley Borough Council’s northern area planning committee on Thursday, July 20, the plans were approved. 

August 

In August the Advertiser reported the news that a popular cafe closed its doors following a rise in running costs. Tubs Café in Weyhill Road closed its doors for good on Saturday, July 31. The news came after PowerCycle, the bike shop the cafe is located inside, said it would be stopping the retail side of its business on July 31, but would continue to run as a repair service.

A well-known figure in Andover also relocated to the north of England in August, to take up an amazing opportunity to work for a national radio station. Former carnival prince and the face of InAndover videos Luis Wyatt moved away from the town to join the national radio station Gaydio, which has over half a million listeners a week.

The end of August saw students across the borough celebrate results day for final year A-level and BTEC students. There was a huge sense of achievement and pride from staff, students and parents at Andover College as students came to collect their results, celebrated with their peers, family and friends and enjoyed complimentary crepes and coffee.