ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 14 APRIL 1893

A REMARKABLE FREAK OF NATURE

At Down House Farm, Andover, birth was given to twin lambs, one with two heads and two distinct heads; while in every other respect the animal was perfectly formed. The difficulty occasioned by the double head caused its death, but the skilful treatment of the taxidermist has given to it all the appearance of life. The shepherd (Mr.Bartlett) has never during his 30 years’ experience, met with any similar case. He would be pleased to show it to those showing an interest in natural history. He lives in the Micheldever Road, not far from the Ladies’ Walk. The twin lamb is two months old, and is, with its mother, doing well.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 12 APRIL 1918

COMRADES OF THE GREAT WAR

A preliminary meeting of discharged soldiers was held in Andover on Saturday evening, under the chairmanship of Lieut.Earle for the purpose of establishing a “post” in the town,-The Chairman said he had been approached by Col.W.V.Faber, to form a post, and he then outlined the general principles of the movement, all of which stood for the benefiting of the men who have served England in her hour of need. It was unanimously agreed to form a post. Lieut.Earle kindly offered to arrange a big public meeting in order to excite the interest of townspeople in the discharged servicemen. Quite an atmosphere of harmony and comradeship has been created where the movement is in being, and it is hoped that much good will result from Andover’s post. The objects of the Comrades are: —(1) To perpetuate the memory and story of the gallant men and women who died for their country; (2) to perpetuate the spirit of comradeship, patriotism and devotion which has characterised the Naval and Military Forces of the Empire, and to foster these qualities in the rising generation; (3) to watch and safeguard the interest of all ex-members of the Forces, and to take such steps as are necessary to protect them now, during, and after demobilisation; (4) to press the claims of discharged sailors and soldiers to State and public employment; to enlist the co-operation of employers for the same object, and to support undertakings for the suitable training and employment of disabled men; (5) to secure adequate pensions for discharged sailors and soldiers; (6) to impress upon Parliament the need of an appropriate scale of pensions for men discharged on account of ill-health or incapacity arising from service; (7) to help discharged men to prepare their necessary papers and to see that their pensions and allowances are in order; (8) to promote the welfare of the women and children left by those who have fallen; (9) to see that all monies raised and contributed from any source for the welfare of sailors and soldiers are utilised for that purpose and not diverted to other objects.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 16 APRIL 1943

ANDOVER BOROUGH BENCH — DOGS BLAMED

“I suggest the dog population of the Town be reduced 50 per cent.,” said Lawrence Seymour Walters, of Junction Road, Andover, in a letter to the Bench in answer to a summons for allowing seven heifers to stray.—P.C.Arnold said defendant thanked him for getting them in.—Defendant in his letter, said he was firmly of opinion that the cattle stampeded through being chased by dogs, and that he had had trouble before through dogs chasing animals. Three days before he had to go to the meadow. No matter how sound the fencing, or even electric fencing, when stampeding they would get out.—He was fined 10/-.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 11 APRIL 1968

NOTICE

ANDOVER & DISTRICT CARNIVAL

6-13 JULY, 1968

Entries are invited for selection for the title of

MISS ANDOVER 1968

If you are over 18 years of age, married or single, and live in or around Andover, you could win this title. Also to go with this title will be a voucher to the value of £20 for clothes for the lucky lady, and a £7/10/- voucher for each of her two attendants. This is being donated by the organisers of the Miss Andover 1968 Selection Dance, which will take place in the Fiesta Hall, on Thursday, 9 May. You will get V.I.P. treatment during Carnival Week, have lots of fun, and great pleasure helping to raise money for charity. The closing date for entry forms is Wednesday, 8 May. These should be returned to Mr.J.Forrester, 7 Sheep Fair, Andover, or to Mr.C.Horne, High Street, Post Office, Andover. On receipt of an entry form each applicant will be sent a copy of the rules for the Miss Andover 1968 contest

The Miss Andover 1968 Selection Dance is being organised for the Carnival Committee by “Court Alma” of the Ancient Order of Foresters Friendly Society.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 16 APRIL 1993

ANDOVER RECOVERY

Andover seems poised to beat the recession with signals from the business and commercial sections indicating definite recovery.

Retailing, always promoted by the Chancellor as an indicator of growth, could be boosted locally if new and attractive lettings in the Chantry Centre go ahead.

Chestertons, agents for co-owners, Test Valley Borough Council and SunLife, are optimistic that five of the 11 vacant units will open shortly.

David Clayton, for Chestertons, announced this week that there was a lot of interest in the Centre.

“Our aim is to improve the mix, more fashion and possibly a bookshop.”

An average of 180,00 [sic] walk through the shopping centre each week, which he said was good for a town the size of Andover.

Separate agents are negotiating with several potential tenants for the former Tesco store, the biggest in the Centre, with a spokesman being ‘fairly certain’ it would go this year.

TEN YEARS AGO — 11 APRIL 2008

BEVIN BADGE FOR KEN

A former Andover Advertiser employee who was called away from his work as a compositor at Holmes and Son to go down a wartime mine has received his Bevin Boy badge. Ken Trowbridge, who is now 82 and living in Avenue Close, was sent to dig coal in 1944 and remained in S Wales until 1947 when he returned to Andover to work for Kelly’s. “I think it’s a lovely badge,” said his wife, Margaret.