ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 6 JANUARY 1893

STOCKBRIDGE — TREAT AT THE WORKHOUSE

Independent of the usual Christmas treat which took place this year on the Monday after Christmas Day, Dr.and Mrs.Loveless, with their usual generosity so well known in the neighbourhood, gave the children and women a tea and Christmas Tree on Wednesday last. The tea was held in the schoolroom, the tables being nicely ornamented for the occasion; besides the usual plum cake, jam, &c., a display of flowers and bonbons added considerably to the pretty appearance of the tables. Needless to say the tea was done ample justice to, and the liberal supply of bonbons caused a merry ending to that meal. The greater treat, however, was in store when the children and women were taken onto the large ward, which was nicely decorated. In the midst stood a beautiful well-filled Christmas Tree; this sight called forth many hearty cheers from the children, who fairly danced with delight. Dr.and Mrs.Loveless and family were present at the distribution, when each child came in for three or more presents suitable to their age, the women having two useful articles each. Games, music, &c., were kept up until the usual time, when cake, oranges, and lemonade brought all to a close. Before leaving heart cheers were again given to Dr.and Mrs.Loveless for their unbounded kindness, and “God save the Queen” being sung, all retired smiling to their beds.—We may also mention that Mrs.East, of Longstock House, kindly sent money to purchase warm gloves for the children, a most useful present during the cold weather.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 4 JANUARY 1918

A GOOD WHIPPER-IN OF THE TURKS

Corpl.Oliver Moss, of the 1st Dorset Yeomanry, has been promoted sergeant and awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field. At the head of his troop he charged and captured over 100 prisoners, the Turks outnumbering him and his companions by 10 to 1. Previous to joining up Oliver Moss was 2nd whipper-in to the Tedworth Hounds.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 8 JANUARY 1943

“CINDERELLA” — U.S. TROOPS ENJOY THE PANTOMIME

In the Garrison Theatre, in which the late Dame Melba sung to British Tommies on the eve of her retirement, officers and other ranks of the United States Army enjoyed their first pantomime on Sunday night.

They were among a very large audience who watched and applauded the amateur show, “Cinderella,” given by Air Landing Unit with A.T.S.to provide leading ladies and members of the chorus. For the benefit of overseas guests there was an explanatory note on the programme, giving the origin of this kind of show, which is more than any other side of the theatre typically British in conception.

Pantomime, it was explained originally meant not a spectacle, but a dumb show. In its present form the pantomime was first introduced in 1702 as a spectacle woven around a fairy story. The programme explained one mystery that has always bothered visitors from other countries who are seeing such an event for the first time, namely, that it is a tradition for the “principal boy”—in this case Prince Charming-to be played by a girl.

NEW S.R. HALT OPENED

The Southern Railway Company announces the opening of a new halt between Grateley and Porton, to be known as Idmiston Halt. The halt is intended for passengers only, and was opened for traffic last Sunday.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 5 JANUARY 1968

CALLING CONTROL

Andover is soon to be one of the few areas in Hampshire where the “policeman on the beat” will be linked to the police station by a personal radio

Policemen will carry a pocket size transmitter and a small receiver which will keep them in constant touch with a control centre in the Police Station. Exhaustive tests have resulted in excellent reception in all parts of the town.

DROVE FIRST CAR SEEN AT WHITCHURCH

A man who drove the first car ever to appear in Whitchurch has died at the age of 86 years. He was Mr.Charles Hensley Vacher, of The Fairclose, Whitchurch.

Mr.Vacher was proud of the fact that he had driven the vehicle for their resident doctor, Dr.Russett Hempstead.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 8 JANUARY 1993

TOP REFEREE HAS HAD ENOUGH OF SUNDAY FOOTBALL

Terry Wilmot, one of Andover’s top referees, has given Sunday football the boot and resigned after 13 years officiating in the ADSL, because of declining standards.

“I’ve had enough of Sunday football,” the 43-year-old Wilmot told ‘Advertiser Sport’ last week. “Things have got worse over the years and is now worse than ever. Senior players seem to use Sunday to vent their feelings, and the language used is terrible.”

Wilmot, who plans to continue refereeing on a Saturday, added that he had never experienced the same problems on a Saturday as he had in Sunday matches this season. “Everything but the ball gets kicked in the first 10 minutes of a Sunday match,” he said.

TEN YEARS AGO — 4 JANUARY 2008

CHEWING OVER GUM LITTER CAMPAIGN SUCCESS

Test Valley Borough Council is one of 16 authorities from across the country to be congratulated by the Government for tackling chewing gum litter.

In Test Valley, research shows the effort put into the summer’s public awareness campaign has paid off with chewing gum litter in this area down by 57 per cent.

The public awareness campaign adverts were designed, co-ordinated and supported by paid-for advertising provided by the Chewing Gum

Action Group, which is chaired by Defra and made up of industry representatives.

Minister for local environment quality, Jonathan Shaw, said: “An average reduction of almost 60 per cent less gum litter is excellent progress by local authorities and shows that making people aware of the consequences of their behaviour really works.”