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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 15 JUNE 1860

CORRESPONDENCE – ANDOVER BRASS BAND

Sir: The great improvement which the Andover Brass Band has lately made under the able tuition and leadership of Mr Beare has suggested to me how pleasant it would be if the band were able to play two or three evenings in the week in some public spot – say in the Market Place, and at the chalk hills near the Iron Bridge, on alternate nights. The townspeople of Andover have not too many opportunities of healthful and intellectual recreation at present; and I certainly think, if this project were once fairly started, it would receive general support. We should at the same time enjoy a delightful promenade, pure air and the elevating influence of sweet music; and there is no doubt that this would turn many from seeking amusement of a less refined character, for which they can hardly be blamed at present, seeing how very few chances there are of enjoying a little rational recreation in this town. A very small voluntary subscription would be sufficient to pay all expenses. I for one would be very pleased to contribute what little I can afford. Trusting this will attract the attention of some who could put this idea into effect. Yours, A LOVER OF MUSIC  

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 16 JUNE 1899

ANDOVER BOROUGH BENCH – EMPLOYER AND WORKMAN

John Gale, of Woodhouse summoned William Macknell, of the same place, under the Employers’ and Workmen’s Act, for breach of contract, for which he claimed £1 damages. Complainant said that on 11 October 1898, His mother, Mrs Macknell, with defendant, called on him wishing to be hired as under carter, and defendant promised that if he engaged him he would remain in his service for one year. He engaged him and he entered on his service, and worked well until recently, and on the Monday last, he left. On Tuesday, witness saw him, and he then said the reason he did not come to work was that his mother had upset him. After some conversation, he agreed to come to work next morning, but had not done so. Defendant said that the reason he left was on account of the horses, which turned around on him three times in one length, and when he took them back, complainant went on at him. Complainant said that the mare was brought back, when defendant said it was bad in the wind and had fallen down, for which complainant commended him. He was willing to forego the damages if defendant returned to work, which he agreed to do. An order for 5s 6d for costs was made.

READ MORE: Back Through the Pages: Furious driving of horse and same school for 40 years

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 13 JUNE 1924

THE HAIRPIN BEND AT WHERWELL

On Friday evening about 9.30, a young cyclist, Stanley Vincent, who lives with his parents at Charlton Road, Andover, was riding down the hill, when his brakes failed to check the rising speed of the machine, with the result that at Hairpin Bend he was thrown into the hedge and received an ugly cut over the left eye and a cut knee. He was taken in at the School House nearby, his wounds washed and dressed, before being sent home, where a doctor examined him and found that no bones were broken. He has progressed satisfactorily. And the bruises and cuts are now less painful.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 17 JUNE 1949

LOCAL DENTISTS QUIT HEALTH SCHEME

Despite the fact that the Winchester and Andover Group of dental practitioners announced last week that they were not accepting any fresh bookings under the National Health Scheme, between 15 and 20 people a day are still telephoning or calling upon Andover dentists for appointments under the scheme. As it is, local dentists had accepted enough work under the scheme, prior to their dead-line on 4 June, to last them well into September. They are refusing to carry on work under the scheme because they feel that the Ministry of Health has broken its contract with them by cutting their fees.

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 17 JUNE 1977

DERELICT STABLES TO COME DOWN

Part of Weyhill stables in the 1930s (Image: Hunt’s Studio, Marlborough) Test Valley Environment Health Committee agreed on Thursday night that the derelict stables off the A303 road at Weyhill should be demolished. The committee heard that the stables and various outbuildings had been inspected and a number of external walls were found to be badly damaged. The roofs of certain buildings had collapsed. The stables were Grade 3 Listed Buildings and the Northern Area Planning Committee and the Test Valley archaeologist were of the opinion that the buildings were not of any significant architectural value and need not be retained. The stables have been described by a Weyhill resident as ‘the most disgusting sight in the whole county’ and ‘a disgraceful compost heap.’ The committee decided, however, to take no action on nearby Harcourt School which is owned by the Department of the Environment. It was originally planned that the school should be included in a new road improvement scheme – but the land is no longer required. The committee heard that the buildings had been inspected and were not in a dangerous condition. They would, however, be kept under review. It was decided to take no action but the committee called for an investigation into the use of the buildings by squatters.