Looking 'Back Through the Pages' of the Andover Advertiser

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 27 JULY 1860

THE RIFLE CORPS AT CHURCH

On Sunday last the members of the Andover Rifles Volunteers Corps mustered at 10.30 am in front of the Star Hotel, and after having been inspected by their commanding officer, Captain Humphery, marched to the parish church, headed by the drums and fife band, the lively strains of the ‘British Grenadiers’ forming a strange contrast to the usual quietness of our High Street on a Sunday morning. The morning service was read by the vicar, the Rev. C H Ridding, and an excellent sermon was preached by the Rev. H M Richards. The fine anthem, ‘In Jewry is God Known’ was sung by the choir in a very effective manner. On the conclusion of the service the members returned to the Star Hotel, where they were dismissed.

BURIALS IN THE CHURCHYARD

During the year 1859, 70 persons were buried in the churchyard, 16 of whom were 70 years of age and upwards, the oldest being William Beams at 88 years old. The baptisms were 107. The necessity for an addition to the present burial-ground is very apparent if we consider that in the next 10 years, 700 persons will be interred, at the present rate of mortality.

FATAL ACCIDENT

An inquest was held at the Hare and Hounds Inn, Wildhern, on Tuesday last, on the body of Walter Kite, a lad of about 12 years old, late in the employ of Mr Dowling, of Charlton Down Farm. On the previous Saturday, the poor lad whilst engaged in driving the horses in a thrashing machine, got entangled in the machinery, and was so mutilated that he died some few hours later. The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 28 JULY 1899

ANDOVER UNION WORKHOUSE – NURSE WANTED

Notice is hereby given that the guardians of the union will appoint a nurse at their meeting to be held on Friday 4 August at a salary not exceeding £30 per annum, with usual officer’s rations, apartments and washing and an allowance of £2 per annum in lieu of beer. Candidates must be single women or widows without encumbrance, between the ages of 25 and 40, fully trained and certificated, and thoroughly competent to discharge the duties of the office as laid down by the Local Government Board. The person elected will be required to enter upon her appointment immediately. Applications in the candidates own hand-writing, stating age and previous and present employment, accompanied by three testimonials of recent date, to be sent to me, the undersigned, at my office in Andover at or before mid-day on the first day of August next. Selected candidates will have notice when to attend before the Board, and their third-class rail fares will be allowed. Thos. Lamb, Clerk to the Guardians, High Street, Andover.   

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 25 JULY 1924

LAMP SAVED WINDOW

On Sunday afternoon last, a motor car driven by a lady was turning across the High Street, when it commenced to run backwards towards Waterloo House. Fortunately for the drapery window of that establishment, the street lamp column was in the way and recived the full impact of the vehicle, with the result that the glass in the lantern removed itself to the top of the car or the gutter, and the coachwork of the car was cracked by the column, which refused to budge. The car proceeded on its journey, after one of the occupants had satisfied himself as to the stability of the back of the coachwork, and the residents returned to their afternoon siestas, which had been suddenly broken by the noise of the falling glass.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY  27 JULY 1949

UNDER THE HAMMER – REDRICE HERD TO BE SOLD TO MEET DEATH DUTIES

The news that the world-famous Redrice herd of dairy shorthorns is to be broken up and sold at auction will be received with regret by all agriculturists and cattle-breeders. Death duties have made the sale unavoidable. Major G Miller-Mundy who died recently, founded the herd in 1926 with the purchase of the best animals at Mr Harry A Brown’s sale at Grendon, and during the subsequent decade built it up to its present eminence. His son, Major Peter Miller-Mundy, is retaining only a few animals of the old families which have been chosen as a fair cross-section of the herd. They are seven cows, 11 heifers and a yearling bull. The famous flock of sheep which won another prize at Salisbury last week for the best ten ewes will be retained. Major Miller-Mundy also owns the Gawcombe Herd in Oxfordshire, which in due course will be transferred to Redrice. The sale of the herd will be over two days in August and be conducted by auctioneers Messrs John Thornton & Co. Apart from noted breeders across the British Isles, it is expected to attract buyers from abroad.

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 29 JULY 1977

CRUMBLING COTTAGE MUST STAY OFFICERS INSIST.

An Andover garage faces another setback as it strives to redevelop its premises in West Street. For years Pontings of Andover has tried unsuccessfully to reach agreement with the local authority over their plans. Now Test Valley planning officers have recommended approval of the garage’s latest development plans but still insist that the listed building, Ford Cottage, must remain. This is a bitter blow to Ponting’s who claim that the cottage is falling down and they have even offered to dismantle it and re-erect it elsewhere in the town. The firm’s plans were to be discussed at the Northern Area Planning Sub-committee last night. Exhaustive discussions to no avail have taken place in the past and Ponting’s were now at a stage where they must create a more efficient internal layout than the present chaotic assembly of motley buildings. A similar appeal in 1975 failed, the inspector considering that no compelling reason for the cottage’s demolition had been given.