ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO —14 FEBRUARY 1890

RED RICE — SERVANTS BALL

On Wednesday, through the generosity of H.A.Simonds Esq., the servants at Red Rice had their annual ball, to which they invited their friends, about 60 taking part in the enjoyable proceedings. At 9 o’clock dancing commenced to music provided by Mr.and Mrs.Bennett, and at the earlier stage of the proceedings Mr.Simonds came in and expressed the hope that they would spend a pleasant time. At midnight supper was served in the servants’ hall, which had been tastefully decorated, and after partaking of a bountifully provided meal, the health of Mr.Simonds was proposed by Mr.Bigg, and received with cheers; while dancing was shortly afterwards resumed, and continued with spirit till about 5.30 a.m., when the visitors departed, having thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

LONGSTOCK — CAPTURE OF AN OTTER

Mr.W.Needle, water keeper to J.East Esq., captured a female otter yesterday on the river Test, just below the Seven Stars Inn. It measures 43½ inches from snout to the tip of the tail, is 18 inches in girth, and weighs about 17lbs. She had evidently been suckling young ones quite recently before being captured.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 12 FEBRUARY 1915

NOTICE

A QUESTION FOR YOU TO ANSWER

Have you a butler, groom, chauffeur, gardener, or gamekeeper serving you who at this moment should be serving his King and Country.

BROUGHTON — SELLING “ADVERTISERS” IN BYE-GONE DAYS

Now that Mr.Page, of Clatford, has given up the Andover Advertiser agency in this village and neighbourhood, memories of far off days are recalled. Those who are in middle life have vivid recollections of the delivery of the paper in the days of the late Mr.Elmer, of Clatford, who was always known as “the bellman,” from the fact of his using a large toned bell carried around his neck by a thick strap, while delivering the paper on his weekly rounds. This was in the far off days of Mr.Burgess Brown’s proprietorship and must be well over 40 years ago. Many new features have since then been introduced to still further popularise the paper, and make it one of the best to chronicle local happenings. The news cart from Clatford had for years been an institution in the village and its passing was much missed.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 16 FEBRUARY 1940

ADVERTISEMENT

In this War — be one of “THE FIRST HUNDRED THOUSAND”

In this country there are 350,000 factories, workshops, office, stores, etc., each of which should be running a War Savings Group. The aim is that within six months, at least 100,000 War Savings Groups shall be actively at work.

Will you pay your part?

Whether you are the humblest employee of a a big firm or its Managing Director, you can make a vital contribution to Victory by putting your heart and soul into this idea of Group Saving.

LEND TO DEFEND THE RIGHT TO BE FREE Issued by the National Savings Committee.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 12 FEBRUARY 1965

TEEN SCENE ANDOVER’S TOP TEN

1 (2) TIRED OF WAITING FOR YOU—Kinks

2 (1) YOU’VE LOST THAT LOVIN’ FEELIN’—Righteous Brothers

3 (4) KEEP SEARCHIN’—Del Shannon

4 (-) I’’L NEVER FIND ANOTHER YOU—Seekers

5 (8) FUNNY HYOW LOVE CAN BE—Ivy League

6 (-) THE SPECIAL YEARS—Val Doonican

7 (6) GO NOW—Moody Blues

8 (3) COME TOMORROW—Manfred Mann

9 (-) THE GAME OF LOVE—Wayne Fontana

10 (10) DANCE, DANCE, DANCE—Beach Boys (Compiled from figures supplied by Sainsbury Fisher Ltd., P.A.Baker Ltd., and P.Squire (Andover) Ltd.)

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 16 FEBRUARY 1990

600 NEW HOMES NEEDED

Whitchurch does need at least 600 new houses — that is the conclusion reached by the town council’s housing needs survey.

The survey results were revealed at a council meeting on Monday when it was estimated that 1,093 new homes will be needed within the next five years.

The survey forms were distributed to 1,300 households in Whitchurch to assess the need for low cost housing.

Only 216 forms were returned, showing the opinions of 16.61 per cent of the population.

When these figures were grossed up to represent everybody in Whitchurch, it was revealed there was a need for 925 houses to rent or buy, 157 bungalows and 11 sheltered housing places.

More than 1,000 people are hoping to return to the town within the next five years: more than half of them having left in the first place because of lack of affordable housing.

Lack of employment was the reason for 582 people leaving Whitchurch.