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CHRISTMAS IN ANDOVER

This festival passed off remarkably quiet in Andover so far as public functions were concerned. Christmas Day falling on Sunday the services in the various places of worship were well attended. On Boxing Day there was some attempt at merry making in the streets. Two sets of “Jolly Jacks” were out in their peculiar costumes; while the “Three Jolly Sweeps” troupe of ******* turned out, and played and sang in various parts of the town. Beyond these there was nothing beyond the home gatherings, which mist have been rendered all the more appreciable by reason of the keen frost outside. During the week there have been some capital skating near the “tan yard,” Mr.Dance having flooded a portion of the meadow, which formed good ice, and has been largely patronised.

STOCKBRIDGE — SKATING

Some splendid skating is now being enjoyed by a large number of persons on the peat holes at Marsh Court. Visitors arrived by both up and down trains; while others come from the neighbourhood in brakes, waggonettes, &c., to enjoy the exhilarating pastime.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 28 DECEMBER 1917

———!———!——— [sic]

Three Sundays back we were standing beside a railway (the censor won’t allow us to say where in case the enemy should learn anything) and a trainload of German prisoners went along. We noticed how smoothly the train ran, how nice and clean the carriages were (we did not twig what class they happened to be) and the saloons on it, and thought the occupants looked glad to be where they were. On Sunday last we were back again beside that railway, and a heavily laden train was approaching in just the same direction. The coaches were so filthy a colour that we could not tell they were passengers till they were right opposite us, and the way they rattled made us think they had been on the road since the battle of Waterloo, while the old engine spluttered and coughed in painful fashion. As the train went past we could dimly see through the dirty old third-class windows that there were occupants, but it was impossible to tell what till at one coach the window was down, and a British Tommy waved to us. We began to think things, and when further on through a partly clean glass we saw another British soldier with a blood-stained bandage round his head, out thoughts flew back to the other train, and our remarks were absolutely unprintable. This seemed apparently a load of lightly wounded Tommies; but the contrast! We felt sick. Time after time we have read scathing pars in John Bull on this rotten system; now we have seen the thing. We think a lot more than we dare say.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 1 JANUARY 1943

WHITCHURCH — THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

The festival passed away very quietly in Whitchurch. On Christmas Eve the business houses in the town closed soon after 6 o’clock, for with the exception of poultry, which was prominently displayed, there was very little to purchase. On Christmas Day there were the usual services at the churches. At All Hallows the bells rang out merrily for the morning service. Holy Communion was held at 7 and 8 a.m. and again at mid-day, morning Prayer and sermon were at 11 o’clock.— At the Winchester Street Methodist Church, a Free Church service was held in the morning, conducted by Pastor H.Raddon, the speaker being the Rev.E.J.Griffiths.— On Boxing Day a ploughing match was held in Culley’s Field, Bell Street, which attracted a large number of spectators, while in the evening a dance was held in the Church Hall, the proceeds being in aid of the Free French.— The Cinema proved a great attraction to many, both at the afternoon and evening performances, and a number of football fans journeyed to Southampton to see the Saints lose to Pompey.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 29 DECEMBER 1967

FROM THE EDITOR’S POSTBAG … FAVOURS MOTOR RACING

Mrs.D.Newman, of Arundel Farm, Allington, Salisbury, writes:

I notice that there have been no letters on the subject of the Thruxton racing circuit in your paper for a couple of weeks, so I am taking this opportunity of writing to express my full support of the scheme.

My husband and I are having a house built in Thruxton, about half a mile from the circuit, and we hope to move in in the spring. We think it will be great fun to live so close and cannot see how it will devalue our property in any way.

As far as I can see, the only valid complaint that the local people may have is that of the noise, and a barrier is being built to help this.

Motor racing is definitely not smelly, and its true enthusiasts are certainly not louts, litter bugs and drunks!

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 31 DECEMBER 1992

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Betty Walters, chairman of Andover Talking Newspaper, writes:

On behalf of the Andover Talking Newspaper I would like to thank Andover Advertiser photographer Andy Brooks for the kind donation of £220 from his sponsored ‘chest wax’.

I am sure it was very painful, so his great effort was very much appreciated!

TEN YEARS AGO — 28 DECEMBER 2007

NEW YEAR CAR PARK FEES

Andover motorists will have to pay more to park next year after councillors decided to bridge a looming budget gap with an extra £70,000 collected from parking fees.

From April drivers who want to park for an hour in Andover will see the charge rise by 16.7 per cent to 70p while those with annual season tickets will see the charge rise from £550 to £640.

Government rules extending free over-60s bus travel countrywide and a tougher than ever revenue support grant settlement have put Test Valley Borough Council’s budget under extra strain this year.