ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 23 NOVEMBER 1860

ANDOVER SHEEP FAIR

This annual fair was held on Saturday last. The number of sheep and lambs penned was above the average and met with a quick sale at prices considerably in advance of late rates.

There was a good attendance of buyers, in spite of the incessant rain which fell throughout the day. The so-called pleasure fair was held in the High Street on the following Monday, the business being limited to the usual number of itinerant vendors of ginger bread, candy rock and other juvenile luxuries, while the persuasive eloquence of a solitary Cheap Jack appeared to be exerted almost in vain, either in consequence of a severe depression in the currency, or that the quality of the wares, tested on former occasions, was not in favour of a second trial.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 24 NOVEMBER 1899

QUEER PEOPLE

On Wednesday evening last, there was a good attendance in the lecture hall of the Congregational Church to hear a lecture by the Rev J W Atkinson of London on ‘Queer People’.

The lecturer began by remarking that of course among the company present there was none of this class but then began to speak of the varied types of queer people who could be met with.

Among the classes described were the busy-bodies who were always prying into other people’s affairs in preference to minding their own business; those who allowed business to monopolise the whole of their time without due appreciation of home life; the miserly individual who was niggardly, despite the fact that he was prosperous and blessed with means which gave him the power to do much good; and the thirsty individual who required so much to drink.

These were only samples of the queer people that the lecturer singled out and diagnosed; but while laying bare their weaknesses, he forcibly pointed to the state of things that should exist. After due thanks were given to the speaker, Rev Atkinson remarked that his short visit to the district had been most enjoyable and should be only too pleased to visit Andover again. The proceedings then terminated with the Dexology.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER 1924

ANDOVER CHORAL SOCIETY

A special general meeting of the society was held on Monday evening in the Wolverdene schools with Rev J H Barlow in the chair, to consider the future of the society.

A letter was read by the conductor, Mr Arthur C Bennett, stating that on account of the small number of members, it would be folly to attempt ‘Spohr’s Last Judgment’ on the date originally fixed, and he suggested that the enterprise be abandoned on account of lack of interest.

The secretary, Capt J J Saunders, reported that the society had steadily dwindled from 69 when it was organised in 1921, down to 37 this year, and of this number, owing to illness and business engagements, barely 70 per cent attend practices. A discussion followed, and a resolution to disband was rejected by the narrow margin of one vote.

It was then decided that the society suspend working until 12 January 1925, when a meeting will be called to decide further work. More voices are wanted in all parts, particularly tenors and bass, and the members were asked to try and bring new members to this meeting, which will be advertised in the local Press.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER 1949

A SHORTAGE OF PEPPER

Housewives discovered this week that in Andover there is a shortage of pepper. Already some shops have sold out and are having to offer their customers substitutes while others are rationing their fast-depleting stocks. The shortage is nationwide. The manager of the International Stores said that his stocks of pepper were exhausted and all that could be offered was black pepper. The stores will soon be able to offer a pepper compound, mixed with substitutes.

The same story was told by the Andover branch of the Home and Colonial Stores which expected to sell out tonight and had heard nothing from head office about any replenishment of supplies. Mr Major of Messrs Willis & Son also said that pepper was short and that the price was becoming prohibitive. ‘At the beginning of the year the price was around 4/- a pound whereas it was now something like 13/- a pound.

Customers soon realise when there is a shortage and try to order more than usual but in order to be fair the supply will have to be eked out.

Fortunately, we have ordered plenty of the pepper substitute now on the market.’

Mr Major warned that items such as sauces and pickles will also rise in price soon because of their pepper content. In the trade, the reason given for the shortage was that after the Japanese overran the Far East, the main suppliers were India but political disorders in the East Indies and Indonesia had prevented replanting. It will take some time before supplies return to normal.

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER 1977

ANOTHER HOUSING SHOCK

Over 300 homes on Andover’s Pilgrim’s Way are to be rewired at a cost of £50,000. The shock decision was taken on Tuesday night’s meeting of Test Valley Borough Council’s housing committee, which took place in private.

The ground-floor electric circuit in all 305 houses on the ten-year-old estate is located behind skirting boards. Tenants have been told in a letter from the council that the circuit could be damaged if nails and screws are driven through the boards.

And they have been advised not to tamper with the electrical installation. The committee decided to purchase the materials required for the rewiring and to ask electrical contractors to tender on a labour-only basis.

A Test Valley spokesman said: ‘The work could have been done better. The cost will form part of our claim against the Greater London Council in connection with the remedial work programme in Andover.’ The work is expected to start in January.