ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 4 OCTOBER 1889

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FAITHFULL’S EAST WRITING COMPETITION.—£5 worth will be given in Prizes. 1st, £2; 2nd, £1 10s.; 3rd, £1; 4th, 10s; to those writing the word “Stamp” most times on the gummed side of a Penny Postage stamp; each word must be visible to naked eye. Send postal order, 1/-. with stamp pinned on sheet of paper, with name of sender and number of Stamps, on October 18th, 1889. Winning list published Oct. 26th. W.H.FAITHFULL, King’s Somborne, Stockbridge.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 2 OCTOBER 1914

TOBACCO FOR TROOPS

Mrs.Cranford has collected £10 10s. from the people of Andover to provide cigarettes for the Hampshire Regt. in France. The money has been handed to the Mayor, who has arranged for 2100 packets of 10 cigarettes to be distributed amongst the Hampshire lads, and without doubt they will be greatly appreciated by them, as the French tobacco does not appeal to English palates.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 6 OCTOBER 1939

TOBACCO FOR THE TROOPS

The price of cigarettes and tobacco to be sent to British troops in France has not yet been fixed, but a decision is expected in a few days.

An official of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, which is concerned with the supply of cigarettes and tobacco to the troops, has stated that it was probable that the price of cigarettes would be in the neighbourhood of 10 for 3d. Which was the cost of cigarettes in his Majesty’s ships.

The King has been first to send his personal donation of £25 to the Tobacco Fund for British Soldiers at the front.

The fund is being organised under the auspices of the Overseas League and with the approval of the War Office. Each pound subscribed will provide 1,000 cigarettes for the men at the Front.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 2 OCTOBER 1964

CHRISTENINGS UNDER THE “BIG TOP”

Cousins Alyson (18 months) and Sharron (2) Winship were christened in traditional circus manner, in the sawdust rung beneath the “big top” at Andover on Sunday.

The double ceremony, believed to be the first of its kind, was performed by the Vicar of Andover, the Rev.Dr.I.W.J.Machin.

The two toddlers, daughters of Geoffrey and Barrie Winship, were seated on “Baby,” a Shetland pony, for the service.

Using circus props as a font the Vicar took the children in his arms to baptise them.

The service completed, the clowns in their circus rig and grease paint, handed the children sawdust and then marked their faces with grease paint.

A short christening party followed and then a free show was presented to children from the children’s homes and spastic children.

The two little girls are the sixth generation of a Yorkshire circus family.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 6 OCTOBER 1989

GASPING FISH RESCUED AS BOAT LAKE LEVEL FALLS

Hundreds of fish had to be rescued from a boating lake after the abnormally hot summer caused water levels to drop dangerously low.

The operation was carried out by the National River Authority after it was alerted by Andover Angling Club — who use the fishing lake at Charlton Leisure Centre.

The nearby boating lake has also dried up, to become a large, shallow puddle, bordered by yards of thick mud.

Angling club chairman, Terry Whenman, said they had been monitoring the situation very carefully and were ‘very worried’ about the level in the fishing lake which had dropped four feet.

“It is causing grave concern.

“In March the level was down but to the extent it is now, due to lack of rain and the hot weather.

“We are still fishing but have curtailed day tickets and also stopped the use of keep-nets to take some pressure off the water.”

Talks were going on with the borough council to see whether the situation could be avoided in future years.

The use of boats and canoes at Charlton was stopped six weeks ago, a borough council officer pointed out, and it was intended to keep an eye on the dried-out lake in case children get into difficulties in the mud.

Hopefully, winter rainfall would restore the levels.

10 YEARS AGO — 1 OCTOBER 2004

YOUNGSTERS GET CLASSIC DETERRENT

The Co-op Welcome Store in Andover’s Kingsway Gardens is playing classical music outside the store — not to attract customers but to deter youngsters from hanging around.

In a trial run, Co-op bosses are targeting youngsters who hang around outside the store intimidating customers, by playing classical music.

“Sometimes they ask people to buy cigarettes and alcojhol.

“By playing classical music it will make it a less cool place to hang out,” said a Co-op spokesman.

But at least one Co-op customer, Juliette Cook, thought differently, “Video cameras would scare them off, not this!” she said.

Another customer, Steve Aubrey from Camelot Close, said: “I’m a DJ and I play chill-out music which is similar to this and youngsters like it.”

However one elderly woman who lives in Tintagel Close was not convinced.

She said: “Every morning I buy my paper and puzzles and collect my pension too and you see all the kids gathered round the shop before school.

“It’s a nightmare, it won’t work!”

But the Co-op’s regional loss prevention manager, Andy Hope is enthusiastic about the idea.

“We have had youngsters break the speakers in other trial areas but that’s when I will come in with a better idea. That’s all part of the trial.”

Saxon Fields resident, Paul Pittfield thinks it will work: “I’m too old to hang around shops but if I did it would do my head in!”