ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 23 DECEMBER 1892

CORRESPONDENCE — SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENT

Sir,—Will you allow me, through the columns of your widely circulated paper, to make known to the authorities what is considered to be a much needed improvement, viz., the erection of a lamp at the top of The Acre. A little more light would be a great advantage to those residing in this locality.

Trusting that our Town Council (who are always willing to make improvements) will give the same attention to this as to other parts of the town,—I am, Sir, yours, &c., A RATEPAYER.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 21 DECEMBER 1917

CHRISTMAS GREETING

The fourth Christmas under war conditions is upon us, and while we cannot wish all our readers a merry Christmas, we trust they will have as holy and joyful a time as possible. Each year has brought hardship in its train, but none so bad as 1917, when in the case of certain articles we have been unable to buy them, although we may have had the money. Despite these little difficulties we have much to be thankful for. We are free from invasion, we are not starved out, and we are optimistic enough to believe that things will change for the better sooner or later, for however dark a cloud there is a bright lining somewhere. Our thoughts will recur to our brave lads on land and sea; if we have none of our own, surely we shall not be selfish enough to exclude our thoughts for the boys and men of other families who are fighting to save us from degradation and misery. We hope their Christmas time will be as pleasant and agreeable as our own, and trust that they will be at home in 1918 to celebrate Christmas with all its old-time fervour.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 25 DECEMBER 1942

WERE JURYMEN EMBARRASSED!

The scene was the Quarter Sessions Court at the Guildhall on Saturday afternoon.

Standing in the witness box was an Airwoman of the W.A.A.F. Facing her the jury box, which sat six men and a woman.

At right angles to the witness box defending Counsel, a man of fine presence, was putting questions to the witness, who turned her face towards him each time she answered.

Twice the Recorder told her to give her replies to the jury.

Then he observed, much to the embarrassment of Counsel and the jurymen, “Don’t look at Mr.———— (mentioning Counsel), look at the jury, there are other good-looking men there.”

TIDWORTH DOWN SCHOOL — CHILDREN ENTERTAINED BY U.S. UNITS

An Engineering Unit of the United States Army were the hosts at a party they gave in Tidworth Down Senior School on Friday for the scholars, and at the end of a happy afternoon the Americans had a pleasant surprise, for, after the 270 guests had departed, their faces glowing with happiness, and their arms loaded with candy and sweets, the gifts of the United States soldiers, the hosts were themselves entertained on behalf of the scholars by the Headmaster (Mr.R.T.H.James) and his staff to tea, at which the real old English delicacy, mince pies, were served.

On behalf of the hosts, Sgt.Gamble was in charge, and music was provided for dancing and games, and there was a cinema show. It was very short notice, but in spite of that scholars made some delightful contributions to the programme. There was a very good Father Christmas, too. His trans-Atlantic accent was a sign of the times.

On behalf of the scholars, the Headmaster thanked the Americans and said how much they appreciated the very generous gesture, particularly as much of the candy and other dainties have been saved by the men from their rations. The children could not make much in return, but they wished after the party the hosts should be entertained to tea. They also expressed the hope that next year, though they had greatly enjoyed the party, the United States soldiers would have the pleasure of spending Christmas in their own homes.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 21 DECEMBER 1967

FLOODS OF CHRISTMAS MAIL SWELLS AS TOWN GROWS

By midday yesterday the number of letters and cards handled by the staff at the Andover Post Office had topped the half-million mark. The Acting Head Postmaster, Mr.T.H.Morris, reported that the total number handled between the start of the Christmas rush, 13 December, and Tuesday night was 465,000 — almost 100,000 more than last year’s figure for the same period.

Tuesday’s figure reached an all-time high. The number of envelopes which passed through the franking machine was 112,000 — compared with 18,000 on a normal day.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 24 DECEMBER 1992

SECRET ROYAL VISIT TO MIDDLE WALLOP

Prince Charles flew into Middle Wallop Army Air Corps Centre on a hush-hush visit to the base in his role of first Colonel-in-Chief.

The visit came just six days after the announcement of his separation from the Princess of Wales and the tour of Middle Wallop was shrouded in secrecy.

Security was tight as the Prince flew in wearing his new Army Air Corps uniform in a Lynx AAC battlefield helicopter.

This was the Prince’s second visit to the base after his May tour of the Air Show, and it was his first official tour as the Corps Colonel-in-Chief.

TEN YEARS AGO — 21 DECEMBER 2007

BLUEPRINT FOR MAJOR STORE — DEPARTMENT STORE ‘WITHIN FOUR YEARS’

ANDOVER may have its own, long-awaited department store within four years, say Test

Valley planners who have produced a blueprint for a major retail expansion east of the

High Street and Upper High Street.

Under the proposals Black Swan and George Yard car parks will be built on and alternative car park space provided most likely in the form of a new multi-storey.

“This is the department store that Andover has been looking forward to for a long time,” said Steve Lees, planning policy manager with the

council.