Each week the Advertiser's heritage writer David Borrett brings readers interesting news stories and letters from editions of the paper from years gone by. 

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 1859

WHERWELL SHEEP FAIR

This fair was held on Saturday last, and was well-attended, the quantity penned was over 2,000, being in excess of those offered for sale for many years. A pen of Wethers belonging to Mr Francis R Loscombe, realised 52 shillings each, and some ewes of Mr Russell’s of Longstock, 44 shillings. Mr Tilbury’s lambs fetched 43 shillings each, and these were the highest prices quoted for the different descriptions of stock.

CHUTE

On Thursday last, the Bishop of Salisbury laid the foundation stone of the new schools here. The day was one of festivity and rejoicing, and we have no doubt will long be remembered by the youth inhabitants of the village.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 1898

REMARKABLE MISHAP TO A PASSENGER TRAIN

A most remarkable mishap occurred to a passenger train on the London and South-Western Railway on Tuesday, though fortunately it was unattended by any serious results. A number of passengers were on the platform of the Andover Junction station awaiting the arrival of the 2.18 pm train from Salisbury to Waterloo when they and the officials were surprised to see the engine steaming in without any carriages attached. The driver then realised for the first time that he was minus his coaches and passengers, although the train had started from Grateley, the last station at which it stopped, about six miles away all intact. The consternation of the driver and stoker at the knowledge of losing his train without in any way knowing the cause or hearing of any mishap can be well-imagined. The discovery led to the engine being sent back to learn the whereabouts of the carriages, and after returning about two miles the carriages were found on the line, when they were again connected and brought on to Andover. Evidently, they had become unfastened and the engine had proceeded on its way with the driver quite unaware of the mishap. The passengers do not appear to have become at all alarmed by this singular occurrence, and the delay occasioned was the only inconvenience. It was fortunate however, that no train was following closely in the wake of the 2.18 between Grateley and Andover on the top line, or a serious accident might have resulted.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 1923

ANDOVER WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL CLUB

A meeting of the Andover Wednesday Football Club was held on Monday and was attended by about 20. It was decided that a committee be formed to act as a General and Selection Committee and to consist of at least five honorary members and two playing members. Mr R Burden was elected captain, and Mr P Baverstock, hon. sec., with the committee as follows: Mr J Rumbold, Mr Greenaway, Mr A Sutherland, Mr G Ford, Mr W Orlidge and the captain and secretary. The club is well-supported this year, having over 20 playing members and numerous honorary members. The news that Mr C J Phillips has kindly consented to be president will be appreciated by all lovers of sport. With a fixture list nearly full, there should be some pleasant mid-week games witnessed in the Walled Meadow. On Wednesday, they entertained and beat Whitchurch by three goals to two.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 1 OCTOBER 1948

A FLORAL FREAK

Amateur gardeners, particularly those who are not fortunate enough to possess what are known as green fingers, sometimes find it difficult to produce one perfect flower on one stem. They would be as much surprised as we were this week when we inspected a floral freak, ten marigolds on one stem. The unusual specimen had been picked by Ruth Miles in her garden at Camero, The Drove, Andover, and like the potatoes we commented on recently, was apparently produced from a self-setting seed. The ten little stalks carrying miniature but almost perfect flowering heads branched off the main stalk in bowl-like fashion reminding one of a cupped cluster. Apparently, there is something in the soil of the district to produce sufficient impetus to bring about a finished production so unusual that it could easily cause an experienced botanist to make an immediate appointment with his oculist. Nature is certainly wonderful.

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 1 OCTOBER 1976

140 TENANTS UNDER NOTICE TO QUIT

Almost a third of the 6,000 council house tenants in the Andover area are in arrears with their rent. Rent arrears in the northern area of the Test Valley at present total £42,000. The council’s Northern Area Housing Sub-committee was told on Monday that 140tenants were under notice to quit. Suspended possession orders have been obtained in the county court against about 50 of the tenants who were at present paying off the arrears in addition to the rent. And the council’s Housing Department has made arrangements with the others to clear the arrears. Last month the council evicted a tenant on Genoa Court, Roman Way. He owed more than £400. And the sub-committee agreed on Monday to the eviction of another Genoa Court tenant who owes about £400. He offered to pay £80 now and £40 a month plus the rent. But the sub-committee rejected his offer and he will be evicted, as previously arranged, on Monday.