The property was a hotel up to the 1980s before being demolished.  In recent years it now the site of a new build care home.

 

 

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 29 AUGUST 1890

COUNTY BENCH.—THIS DAY Before A.B.Heath and C.F.Randolph, Esqrs., and Col.Harmar

A ROGUE AND A VAGABOND

James Thomas, of Wherwell, was in custody charged with lodging in a stable in the occupation of Mr.Andrew Baker, on the 28th inst., without having any visible means of subsistence, and without giving a good account of himself.—P.C.Gregory said that at 2.30 a.m., in consequence of complaints received he went in search of prisoner, whom he found in the stable asleep.—Prisoner, in reply to the Bench, said he was 68 years of age, and during the winter had been in the Amesbury workhouse.—He had three convictions recorded against him, and was now sent to gaol for 21 days.—Last time he was before the Bench it was found that he had secreted a lot of money in the hollow of his wooden leg.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 27 AUGUST 1915

WOUNDED SOLDIERS AMUSED

On Wednesday night a short open-air concert was given at Rothesay Red Cross Hospital at Weyhill, arrangements having been made by Miss Talbot. Mrs.Lindrea, Miss Witton and Mr.Burden, contributed items in the programme, and Miss Saunders (Penton) acted as accompanist. The Rev.W.A.Badger, the new rector of Penton, was present. He is kindly interesting himself in many ways in the hospital, and his visits there are much appreciated. Refreshments were provided for everyone, ands this first attempt at an entertainment for the kind at the hospital was a great success.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 30 AUGUST 1940

HOP PICKERS NEEDED

While the needs for permanent labour on the farms can now be reasonably met, there is a great and urgent need for immediate help with the hop harvest, which looks like being a “bumper” one this year. Schoolboys are particularly asked for, but adults who would like to spend their holidays in the healthiest of ways would be welcomed. Schoolboys who have returned to school can get leave of absence for this purpose, and they would be properly looked after. Accommodation and food will all be provided, and all that one requires is some blankets and some working clothes. On piece work, 5/- per day should be easily made, and since the only charge is for food (at about 15/- per week) there should be a reasonable margin left over. This is a grand chance for spending a healthy and useful fortnight in the delightful North Hants hop growing area, and it is hoped that boys and parents will jump to it. In the case of boys, Headmasters will see to the arrangements; others should apply to the Castle, Winchester.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 27 AUGUST 1965

VANDALS HAVE WRECKED OUR DISUSED STATIONS

Hundreds of railway stations up and down the country are now being deserted, victims of the Beeching “axe.” But what has become of local stations since their closure? A visit to two of them this week provided a rather disturbing answer: vandals have reduced them to a shambles.

Hurstbourne Priors station, one of the first to close in the South of England, has been subjected to destruction on a big scale.

Few of the windows of this derelict building have escaped the attention of the vandals.

Take the booking office for example.

Every window has been smashed and the glass strewn about the floor which is also littered with old newspapers, buckets, pieces of wood, bits of metal, stones and other rubbish.

Wooden frames and panels have been broken and doors and windows are open to the wide.

The staircase windows have been smashed and the steps are littered with broken glass.

The deserted platform has received similar treatment; windows and wooden frames have been smashed and it is littered with all sorts of rubbish, including a pair of old slippers!

The nearby signal box has also had some of its windows broken.

The railway station at Goodworth Clatford is situated in the centre of this pleasant village. This, too, is now in a deplorable condition.

It is the same story here: windows smashed, wooden panels knocked out of doors, plaster peeling off the brickwork, rubbish including paper, bricks and stones strewn all over the place and completely overgrown with weeds.

POISONED ARROWS HANDED TO POLICE

Six arrows, tipped with poison, were handed in at Andover police station on Monday morning under the current firearms amnesty.

The person who handed them in explained to the police officer on duty that the arrows had once been fired by Mau Mau terrorists at policemen in Kenya.

The tips of the arrows carried enough poison to kill a man in two minutes.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 31 AUGUST 1990

THIS IS TEST VALLEY — THE SEQUEL!

Local businesses are being asked to dig into their pockets as the cameras start rolling for ‘This Is Test Valley’—part two.

Test Valley Borough Council wants to update its ‘extremely successful’ video which is still being shown to local schools, societies, employers and many others to support talks and provide information.

The first video was produced two years ago at a cost of around £20,000 backed by substantial cash support from local companies.

Since then it has become out of date with its references to rates and commercial rates and the council also wants to spotlight all the changes and new developments which have taken place, such as the new Chantry Centre, the new council offices, the Romsey Rapids, new firms on the industrial estates and the new football ground.

The cost, including, re-filming, editing the script, hiring the sound recording studio and other expenses has been estimated at £5,000.