ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR YEARS AGO – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1860

THE NEW MAYOR

The appointment of Mr John Poore to the mayoralty for the ensuing year appears to give the highest satisfaction to all parties. The retiring mayor, Mr E B Hawkins, is also entitled to the warmest thanks of the inhabitants of the borough, for his earnest and praiseworthy endeavours to discharge the duties of his office in an efficient manner.

We believe that on one occasion only has the late mayor been absent at the borough petty sessions during his term of office, and his punctual attendance to his duties has often been commented on by his brother magistrates.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1899

ANDOVER GRAMMAR SCHOOL V. ANDOVER WEDNESDAY

This match was played in the Walled Meadow on Wednesday, and resulted in a win for the school by 4 goals to 2. The school pressed most of the first half, but were unable to score owing to their opponents’ determined defence, whereas the Wednesdays managed to score once by the agency of Absalom, and crossed over with the lead. In the second half, the school again played well, and by good combination quickly scored twice.

From this to the end the school were seen to advantage, scoring two more goals; the Wednesdays adding another (also scored by Absalom) from a misunderstanding in the school defence. Goals for the school were scored by Tharle (2), Berry and Gammon. The school team comprised: Pearce (goal), Lynn and Cousins (backs), Witton, B Howard and Beadell, (half-backs), Bienvenu, Gammon, Tharle, Berry and Howard (forwards).

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1924

GRATELEY – THE OLD STORY

Not everyone of the people locally will perhaps be acquainted with the facts that the old road leading to the Baptist Chapel was at one period used otherwise than as an accommodation road to the farms and woods. Knowing the district for so long, one could hardly expect the district council to lend a very sympathetic ear to any repairs to be carried out to the old road. It has been disregarded for so long that any hope of its salvation seems to have completely disappeared.

It would absorb a nice little sum to make it in any way respectably navigable as far as the village allotments, which in anything but the best of weather are hardly approachable except by committing a default against the law of trespass. There was a time, however, when it was possible to pass this way as forming a good route to Stockbridge, via Georgia Farm, and out into the old road leading from Grateley Station to Kents Borough.

This was a very convenient way to reach the old Stockbridge Racecourse which naturally attracted many from this district. The late Mrs Roberts of the Villa, was fond of relating how in her young days she regularly traversed this course with her people in their pony chaise.

There are many old roads and tracks in this neighbourhood which are sadly suffering from the narrow foresight of our forefathers, and it is not very likely that the present generation will hand down the legacy with any degree of improvement. It is about time, however, that a little sympathetic attention was focussed on the main Andover road.

The increase and needs of present-day traffic demand it, for it is one of the most inconvenient roads in the district. For over a mile it is so narrow that it is hardly possible for two heavy vehicles to pass except at the few natural bays created by branching tracks.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY,NOVEMBER 18, 1949

FATHER CHRISTMAS ARRIVES

On Saturday afternoon, crowds thronged the junction of Bridge Street and High Street to watch the arrival of Father Christmas, complete with sack of toys, in his pony and trap. His arrival at Plummers, where he will take up residence at ‘Holly Cottage’ until Christmas was watch by some 700 people in the High Street and a crowd of children with their parents, which numbered nearly 500, gathered outside the shop. His progress down High Street closely resembles that of the Pied Piper as large numbers of children followed closely at his heels. It was certainly a full day for Father Christmas, alias Mr A Philipp.

He made a round tour by pony and trap of Chilbolton, Fullerton, Goodworth Clatford, Upper Clatford, Balksbury Hill, Salisbury Road, Millway Road, Andover Junction, Charlton Road and down the High Street to Plummers. ‘Mine Host’ of Holly Cottage (Mr Kirby), who drove, was resplendent in a braided outfit and top hat.

During his trip, Santa stopped and asked numerous children what they wanted for Christmas and when installed in Holly Cottage, gave lucky dips to some 500 children, whose ages ranged from two to seven years and who patiently waited their turn to tell Father Christmas what they wanted or to post letters to him.

There was the inevitable little girl who wanted a baby brother for Christmas! Mr K D Ross, the general manager, organised the trip, and only one section of the crowd enjoyed his visit more than the children – the adults!

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1977

COUNCIL TO RUN A LOTTERY?

Test Valley Council may run a lottery. The idea was put forward at Wednesday’s meeting of the council’s Policy and Resources Committee. Cllr Simon Brock asked if the council had considered running a lottery. Mr John Taylor, the chief executive, replied that the council had indeed considered it when the Bill was originally before the House of Commons. ‘But at that time, you could see all sorts of problems. Since that date, various local authorities and a number of commercial organisations have entered the arena. He pointed out that the money raised could be used for a variety of local authority functions, including recreation, amenities and museums.

He promised a report after they had obtained further information. Mr Peter Giddings, the council’s newly-appointed chief financial officer, told the committee that he had been involved in running a successful lottery for his previous authority. ‘We sold 40,000 tickets in the first five days,’ he said.