ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER 1860

CHARGE OF THEFT

William Cripps, a journeyman harness maker, late in the employ of Mr Walter Peaty of Andover, was charged with embezzling money from his employer. Mr Peaty said he had employed Cripps as a journeyman for three months, working in the High Street shop, for which he paid him weekly wages.

It was his duty, if he sold any articles in his employer’s absence, to pay him on his return home and to inform him of the purchasers.

On 18 September, there was a stock of riding whips on display and on 20 September, Cripps was paid a half-sovereign for his wages up to date but did not return to the shop that afternoon and it was ascertained that he had left the town.

Mr Peaty then realised some of his workman’s tools were missing and then some stock from the shop. John Day, an apprentice, said that Cripps had sold some of these things, as well as a riding whip, for which there had been no payment.

On further inspection, it was found some other riding whips were missing. John Day deposed that he worked in the shop and a whip was sold by Cripps to Charles Child of Weyhill for 6s 6d on 18 September, as well as a box of strap paste for 6d. He had also sold some chamois leather for 1s 6d and put the money in his pocket.

Mr Child confirmed that he was a brewer residing at Weyhill and that he had bought a riding whip on 18 September at Mr Peaty’s shop for 6s 6d. The prisoner was then asked whether he had anything to say. He replied that he had sold a whip to Mr Child but had paid Mr Peaty for it.

This being denied by Mr Peaty, Cripps was committed for trial at the ensuing sessions.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 10 NOVEMBER 1899

DEATH OF MR JOHN SMITH

It is with deep sorrow and regret that we have to announce the death of Mr John Smith, solicitor of 32 High Street and head of the firm, Smith & Son. His death was sudden and not withstanding his advanced age was quite unexpected on Wednesday this week about noon. On the previous day, he had been at his office in Andover but about four o’clock he was taken ill and had to be conveyed home in his carriage, the next day passing peacefully to his rest at 11.45 am. The sad occurrence cast a gloom over the town and many could hardly believe it, for though in his 80th year he was active and seemed to have many years ahead of him.

But his well-known figure will no longer be seen taking his morning constitutional on the way to his office, for it was his regular custom to leave his carriage about Hundred Acres Corner [top of Weyhill Road] and walk the remainder of the distance into Andover. As head of the firm, he was the trusted adviser and personal friend of most of the county families in this locality. Possessed of a singular charm of manner, a broad mind, an upright and conscientious spirit, he commanded respect and esteem wherever he went and we estimate that he will be followed to his last resting place in Weyhill churchyard by many sincere friends and mourners outside his family circle, to whom will go forth the sympathy and condolence of all in their sad bereavement.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER 1924

A NUISANCE IN BRIDGE STREET

Robert Williams, a pedlar, pleaded guilty to a charge of obscene language in Bridge Street the previous evening. PC Watts said at 6.20 pm he received a complaint and going to Bridge Street found prisoner using obscene language and behaving in a disgusting manner.

He took him to the police station. Supt Jones said prisoner was in possession of a pedlar’s certificate, he had been convicted once before to their knowledge. Prisoner said he had been about the country for a number of years, and as a rule, he was civil.

He mended mats, nets etc., for people whenever he had a chance, although he was a shorthand writer and linguist. He was blinded in one eye at Armentieres and asked to be dealt with leniently.

He could not remember having used the words which were alleged against him. The mayor told him he would be discharged this time but he must clear out of the town at once.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 11 NOVEMBER 1949

TALK ON TASKERS

Mr A B Fuller, managing director of Taskers of Andover (1932) Ltd gave an outline of the history of the firm to the Rotary Club of Andover on Tuesday.

He related how it was founded in Abbotts Ann by Robert Tasker and his wife, then removed to its Anna Valley site, reclaimed from swamp by dumping chalk from the nearby hill into it in 1812.

As Tasker and Fowle, the firm had built the bridge over the Anton at Upper Clatford and the Iron Bridge in Micheldever Road.

During the late war, they had built about 6,000 Queen Mary trailers for transporting aircraft, as well as projectors, sound locators and aerial torpedoes.

The firm was now producing all types of trailer for private, commercial and farm use and they were exporting to most of the countries in the world, so that Andover was certainly doing its bit for the export drive.

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 11 NOVEMBER 1977

RAF CHAPLAINS’ SCHOOL TO LEAVE AMPORT HOUSE

Following the recent take-over by the army of RAF Andover, comes the shock news that the RAF Chaplains’ School at Amport House is to move to Biggin Hill in Kent by 1981.

The school came to Amport House in 1962.

It is expected that 24 civilian jobs will be lost, although every effort will be made to re-employ them elsewhere. However, some redundancies cannot be ruled out. As to the future use of Amport House and its grounds, nothing has yet been decided.