Back Through the Pages of the Andover Advertiser past

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 13 JULY 1860

ANDOVER RIFLE CORPS

The members of the corps met for drill for the first time in uniform on Wednesday evening last, in the Walled Meadow, which it was intended should be thrown open to the public, but just before the commencement of the drill, Mr Curtis, the occupier of the meadow, made his appearance and refused to allow the public in, although we are informed it had been stipulated, on the hiring of the meadow by the corps, that the public should be admitted once a week. After a few minutes consideration, the volunteers adjourned to the Sheep Fair Ground, where they were put through various evolutions by the drill instructor, at the close of which they marched down the town headed by the Fife and Drum Band, and were dismissed in front of the Star Hotel. We are requested to give notice that in consequence of the misunderstanding with Mr Curtis, the meadow in Bishops Court Lane [Junction Rd], in the occupation of Mr J Munday has since been engaged for the use of the corps, and drill will commence there on Monday next at the usual hours.

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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 14 JULY 1899

A SMASH

On Friday evening an accident occurred through a runaway horse which resulted in considerable damage to the premises occupied by Mr E Chamberlain at the corner of Winchester Street, as also to his property inside. It is thankful that fatal results were escaped. It appears that a man named Withers was in charge of a horse and waggon belonging to Mr Musson, who was employed hauling the wool from Wolverdene Meadow that had been disposed of at Messrs Ellen and Son’s sale on the previous Monday. In London Street Withers came across a traction engine belonging to the War Office, which was hauling material for the camp on Salisbury Plain. Those in charge offered to stop for Withers to pass, and did so but Withers told them there was no need to do that as the horse was very quiet and used to such engines. On this the engine was restarted and it is supposed that the sudden puffs of steam behind it frightened the horse so that it bolted. Withers stuck to it manfully but to no avail and the horse dashed through the window of Mr Chamberlain’s shop, breaking the large plate glass window and also an air-tight cabinet in which were displayed a collection of guns. Mr Chamberlain was in the shop at the time and manged to slip through the door into the workshop behind, otherwise would have been surely killed. Withers was much cut about and had it not been for the quick work of someone coming to bind his arm tightly, he would have bled to death, for he had severed an artery. To his credit, he was so concerned about the horse that the bystanders had to insist he be taken to the doctor. He was taken to the Cottage Hospital and it is feared he will lose the use of one arm. How he escaped being impaled by the waggon shaft is a mystery, while it is a marvel how the horse got out of its predicament without more injury. Mr Chamberlain however, will have to bear the loss of several guns that were damaged, as well as having to replace his window and expensive showcase.  

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 11 JULY 1924

A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS AT WEYHILL

Our readers will be sorry to hear that Mr W J Marchment of Ramridge, farm manager to Mr E C Lovell, had the misfortune to break his ankle one evening when motor cycling on the Clanville to Appleshaw road. The cycle failed to turn at the corner near the Clanville Reading Room, and collided with the opposite bank. Also, John Sugg, of the Harrow Farm, a carter also in the employ of Mr Lovell, broke his leg while in charge of three horses. Both patients are making good progress but broken bones take time to heal and neither of these men will be able to assist with the harvest this season. The same employer has also lost the services of his experienced farm foreman, Mr J Gale, through death. Also, two of his regular men are on the sick list – Messrs James Horne and Alfred Woolford.

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SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 15 JULY 1949

ANDOVER’S BUSMAN VENTRILOQUIST

‘Gradually it came to me’, said Andover’s bus driver-ventriloquist, Alan Watts of 175 Old Winton Road, ‘and now I even find myself practising as I drive along.’ Alan, who was born at Odiham, came to Andover about 10 years ago. He became interested in ventriloquism by way of conjuring, at which for 10 years he has been an adept. By day a bus driver, he spent his evenings giving sleight-of-hand turns, and soon after the outbreak of war joined Bob Bell’s Concert Party as a conjurer. During the arduous war years, besides long hours of overtime, he found time to give some 500 performances at Army and RAF camps in the vicinity. ‘Many is the time I have had to dash straight from my bus to a waiting car, to go off to a show,’ says Alan ‘but it was well worthwhile, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Sometimes there might be just a dozen men and another night there might be 500 or so in the audience.’ Alan started to study ventriloquism about three years ago and his first attempts proved successful, so just before Christmas he started it in public with his little partner, Jackie Bryan. Alan was nervous on his first night but the two have since made quite a hit together.  

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 15 JULY 1977

CHANTRY RENT RISES UPSET TRADERS

High rents for Chantry Way shops in Andover have upset the tenants who think they will lead to bigger retailers taking over and the small traders moving out. Strong views on the situation were expressed at a meeting on Monday held by the retail and distributive section of Andover Chamber of Trade, Commerce and Industry when the high new rents for leases under review were discussed. Opinion was that high rents would encourage a predominance of the higher margin retailers and result in a smaller selection of trades in the precinct. ‘The Chamber is deeply concerned with the rapidly increasing overheads for this town in Chantry Way’, said Mr Bill Manning, Andover branch manager of F W Woolworth, who chaired the meeting. It was decided to form a Chantry Way Tenants’ Association to give a co-ordinated voice on all matters affecting the precinct.