ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 25 MARCH 1892

STOCKBRIDGE — THE UPPER TEST

Mr.W.Turle writing on Sunday says:— “ I have been down to the river to see how the trout are getting on, so send you a few lines about the Upper Test. The fish appear in good condition, and the stock inexhaustible; in fact, if half the fish were netted and sent to other waters it would greatly improve the fishing here. I see the jack are beginning to show, and this morning spotted five fish, which I hope in the course of this week to get out. One jack of about 6lbs. was lying in a hole, together with seven large trout; the respect with which the latter eyed him was most flattering. About 12 o’clock a rise of Duns came on which lasted till about half-past 3, during which time the fish rose freely. The weeds in the Test have not died down so much as is generally the case at this time of the year, so that the fish will have good cover to lie in. The heavy floods of the last winter have washed away a good many mud banks, and generally cleaned the bed of the river. Anglers will find the banks very rotten, as for several weeks they were under water, a most unusual occurrence for these parts.”

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 23 MARCH 1917

WEARING TWO SUITS

A hefty young man, named Gustav Johnson, stated to be a Russian, came before Mr.S.Bell at an occasional Court on Tuesday morning, charged with being an absentee from the 5th Pioneer Battalion of the Australian Imperial Forces.—This he admitted.—P.S.Collis said at 8 o’clock on Monday morning he saw the prisoner at Andover Junction Station, and said to him, “Where have you come from?” He said “Liverpool.” Witness asked him what nationality he was, and his reply was “I am a Russian.” He said he had lost his identity book. Witness told him he did not believe his story, so he took him to the Police Station and found he was wearing a suit of khaki underneath his other clothing.—He was remanded to await a military escort.

EDUCATION OR EMPLOYMENT

The recent labour examination has released 655 children of 12 years of age and upwards for immediate employment. These children are free for any kind of employment, and legally exempt from any further attendance at school.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 27 MARCH 1942

GRAMMAR SCHOOL – THE TASK OF YOUTH

Andover Grammar School, founded by John Hanson in 1549, held its annual Speech Day on Thursday, at the Savoy Theatre, Viscount Lymington, a former Member for this Division, presenting the prizes, which this year took the form of National Savings Certificates and Stamps. Mr.R.T.Moore, (Chairman of the Governors) presided, and there was a large attendance of parents and friends of the School, those present including the Deputy-Mayor of Andover (Alderman E.Thorogood), in the unavoidable absence of the Mayor, members of the Town Council, the Town Clerk, Lady Hort, Mrs.Spedan Lewis, Mr.C.H.Lane (the Regional Assistant Commissioner of the National Savings Movement), Mr.J.Muscott, Mrs.B.W.S.Wilson, the Vicar of Andover, and the Rev.P.F.A.Morrell.

The Chairman welcomed Lord Lymington, stating that no one in England today realised the responsibility of owning land more than he did. Then he went on to refer to the work and the help received on the land from the pupils of that School. “I saw some of this work,” he said, “and I heard all about it. I congratulate you and thank you, not only for myself, but for the District Committee which I represent, and the Executive Committee from Winchester. You did excellent work, and if you go out into the countryside today I can show you hundreds of acres of corn which would never have been planted if it had not been for the help given by the pupils of Andover Grammar School. Again we are going to ask for your help. We shall need you in the hay-time, in the harvest, for potato lifting, and this year for helping with the sugar beet crop, but please let me thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have already done.”

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 23 MARCH 1967

THE EDITOR’S POSTBAG — DEMOLITION IS VANDALISM

From Mr.G.B.Jobson, Hill Crest, Whitchurch:

It is quite clearly impossible to refrain from commenting on the proposal indicated in your front page columns last week to demolish Scott’s shoe shop as part of the Development Plan for Andover Town shopping centre.

The architecture, dignity and charm of these premises cannot fail to have been appreciated by many thousands of people who have lived in Andover, shopped in Andover or even just visited Andover in the course of many years.

To destroy these premises would be the greatest act of vandalism ever perpetrated in Andover, and moreover, vandalism of the very worst kind, for damage caused by certain acts of vandalism can often be repaired, but this wanton destruction proposed would be quite irreplaceable, and whatever attempted to replace it would, whether another building or an open space, remain a permanent reminder of an inexcusable and disgraceful episode in the annals of the Borough Council.

I cannot think how the Borough Council can have ever arrived at a decision to demolish, and I am perfectly certain that had the responsible public been aware that such a scheme was afoot the tumbrel would have been exceedingly busy!

Even at this late hour, is there not a David in the whole of Andover who will contest against this development Goliath — or are the Philistines to have the victory?

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 27 MARCH 1992

FURY AS POLL TAX PAYERS MUST FOOT DEBTORS’ BILLS

As poll tax bills arrived on doormats in the Andover area this week, voices were raised in protest at being charged over £22 each to pay off £1.7 million, largely due to late ad non-payers.

Letters of complaint have arrived at the ‘Andover Advertiser’, suggesting charge-payers should not pay the extra amount, and a straw poll in the High Street revealed many townspeople are angry.

“I think it’s disgusting. I’m a single mum, and I pay my bills, so why can’t they pay theirs? I think a lot of people won’t be paying the extra,” said Jackie Walters.