ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 21 APRIL 1893

LONGSTOCK

A new treble bell has just been added to the peal in the church tower of this village. It weighs just over three and a half cwt., and its note, which is very full and true, is E natural. The bell was cast by Messrs.Warner, of the Crescent Foundry, London, who two years ago re-fitted and re-hung all the bells. Formerly there were four bells, but now the peal is extended to five, no addition, until this year, having been made to the peal since 1635. There is one very old bell in the tower cast in 1593, and the fact of this bell having completed its 300th year of service, encouraged those who take an interest in ringing to endeavour to add another bell to celebrate the event. Through the kindness of friends and neighbours this has now been done. The bell has been successfully and efficiently hung by Mr.W.Child, a carpenter and bell ringer in the parish. It would be interesting to know what parishes round Andover have bells of an older date than 1593. The old bell here is of almost local manufacture, having been cast at Salisbury.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 19 APRIL 1918

CORRESPONDENCE — THE Y.M.C.A.

Dear Sir,—The Young Men’s Christian Association has built a commodious Hut at the back of the General Post Office, Andover, to carry on and extend the good work which has been so ably done by Mr.Beale and the ladies and gentlemen of the committee of the Soldiers Rest at the Corn Exchange since the early days of the war.

It is not necessary of me to say anything about the wonderful work which the Y.M.C.A has done in all parts of the world in which the British Army is now engaged in this grim struggle for the Empire’s existence.

My object is to ask all those ladies and gentlemen who are interested in the welfare of the British fighting man to come to the opening of the Hut and also to support the local undertaking financially and otherwise.

The Hut is to be handed over to the care of the town, equipped with chairs, tables, piano, billiard tables, cooking and kitchen accessories, etc., but it can be well understood that curtains, pictures, books, magazines, papers, etc., are now and will be required to add to the comfort of the users and for their recreation.

Gifts of fruit and flowers in season will also be much appreciated by the lady helpers, also offers of voluntary assistance-male and female-for one or more days each week.

Rest and recreation for men of all nationalities fighting for the right is the object aimed at. I shall be glad to furnish any further information and to received and gratefully acknowledge any subscriptions to the local fund Y.M.C.A.

Yours faithfully, R.T.MOORE, Mayor, Town Hall, Andover.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 23 APRIL 1943

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS — FOR SALE

COUPON FREE. Men’s re-conditioned Jackets and Raincoats, only 15/6.—Parsons & Hart, Ltd, Waterloo House, Andover.

NO COUPONS. Green Battle Dress for Agricultural Workers, 21/- each.—Parsons & Hart, Ltd, Waterloo House, Andover.

COUPON FREE. Men’s Tweed Trousers, 12/11 and 15/6, Re-conditioned.—-Parsons & Hart, Ltd, Waterloo House, Andover.

NO COUPONS. Boys’ Cloth Knickers, Assorted Sizes. All Re-conditioned, 4/11.—Parsons & Hart, Ltd, Waterloo House, Andover.

COUPON FREE. Men’s ex.Army and Air Force Boots, thoroughly re-conditioned and repaired, 16/11—Parsons & Hart, Ltd, Waterloo House, Andover.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 19 APRIL 1968

ANDOVER’S BY-PASS — PROGRESS IS RAPID

Construction of the £2¼m. six-mile long Andover by-pass is forging ahead. And this week Mr.Robert Mitchell, the resident engineer, reported that work was slightly ahead of the programme.

Twelve earth moving machines and about 150 men are engaged on the work which is confined primarily to both ends of the by-pass – east of Picket Twenty and West of Monxton Road and in the Salisbury Road area.

Six of the 10 bridges are now under construction.

The new road will run from a point near the George Inn at Longparish to a point near the Bell Inn, in Weyhill Road.

Intersections will be provided for by a roundabout at Monxton Road and a flyover junction at Winchester Road, Salisbury Road and Picket Twenty.

The by-pass, which is being built by Messrs.Gleeson Engineering Limited, of Surrey, is expected to take about two years to complete.

There will be a dual carriageway for the mile long stretch of road between the George Inn and Andyke Hill to link up with the existing dual carriageway. When this and the by-pass have been completed there will be a dual carriageway from Bullington Cross to the Bell Inn, a distance of about 10 miles.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 23 APRIL 1993

TO RUSSIA WITH LOVE

A three-and-a-half thousand mile journey faces an Andover man as he drives a lorry load of medical supplies to Russia in a joint police / Army venture.

Local policeman Ian Chawner decided to make the trip tp help sick people in Moscow hospitals, by taking a donation of medical equipment to them.

He will be accompanied by Weyhill policeman Ken Paviour, RSM Les Carruthers of the Royal Logistic Corps at Bulford and Capt Tim Robinson of REME.

Ian has made the trip before with a cargo of grain, but said he knew the medical supplies would also be vital aid.

Local companies and businesses have contributed greatly to the cause, including Stannah Lifts and Merityres.

Mercedes has also donated one of the two lorries for the trip which started early on Wednesday from Weyhill’s Mayfield Industrial Estate.

Ian said: “It has been a very big effort … the driving will be the easy bit.”