ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 28 APRIL 1893

ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO WRECK A TRAIN

On Sunday last the scoundrel or scoundrels who seem bent on doing serious mischief on the London and South-Western Railway in this part of the country committed another of their freaks of devilry. A goods train running in the night between Grateley and Andover dashed into a plank of timber, fortunately cutting it through, and resulting in no damage either to rolling stock or permanent way. The timber was taken up and afterwards conveyed to Salisbury, and it is hoped that it will serve to throw some light on the identity of the offender.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 26 APRIL 1918

BROUGHTON — A BEAUTIFUL GLADE

Within walking distance of the village is a charming beauty spot, dear to the hearts of lovers of nature. We refer to “Yew Tree Avenue” on the Lockerley Hall Estate. In addition to the lovely old yews-which viewed from the north end look like the nave of dome stately old cathedral centuries old-there is a great wealth of wild flowers, lovely primroses predominating, blue bells, wild hyacinths, anenomes, and many other flowers and grasses which the keen eye of the botanist discover. Well tilled and rich fields farmed by Capt.Dalgety, the owner, and Mr.J.Bainment flank the avenue. Beautiful pheasants quite tame are seen and the place is haunted by the singing of birds. It is a sylvian treat “far from the madding crowd,” and in these times of national strain and stress offer a fine antidote to war weariness, being beautifully calm and refreshing. In a sentence it is a spot where nature is seen at her very best and in either spring or autumn well repays the walk from Broughton.

LUDGERSHALL — SELLING CAKES TO GERMAN PRISONERS

By the instruction of the Southern Command, the police have summoned Reginald B----- hawker, of Amesbury, for selling cakes to German prisoners. The men were working under escort near Botcombe [sic] Down and a witness saw the defendant handing scones to them from a basket. An officer told the county magistrates at Salisbury, before whom the case was heard, that it did not seem to be realised that it was a serious crime to sell food stuffs to prisoners of war. The Chairman (Mr.L.M.Swayne): There is the other side, that the German prisoners are paid too much money and have too much to spend.-The defendant was fined £3, which the magistrates hoped his employer would pay.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 30 APRIL 1943

FIRST TO MEET RED ARMY

Trooper Edward Smith, and Andover man, who has recently completed 20 years’ service with the Household Calvary, is among the very few British troops to have had the privilege of parading with the Red Army.

It was in Teheran [sic], after the Persian campaign,” he said. “We went on a ceremonial parade with our Russian allies, and at the end of it our C.O. called for three cheers for the Red Army, so, of course, we let rip.

“Then the Russian officer spoke to his men, and to our astonishment they began what to us sounded like booing. It went on for several minutes, and by that time we had realised that what we had first thought was booing was the Russian method of honouring us, just as cheering had been ours. But you should have seen the looks of astonishment on our faces when they began. Only the Gurkhas remained impassive, but hey never show what they are thinking.”

Trooper Smith, whose mother and father who live at 38, Chantry Street, Andover, has taken part in three campaigns and travelled thousands of miles all over the Middle East since he left home with his regiment and their horses in 1940.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 26 APRIL 1968

THEIR STOCK — FIVE MILLION BOOKS

Associated Book Publishers Limited’s new distribution centre and warehouses on the Walworth Industrial Estate were officially opened on Friday by the Rt.Hon.Lord Denning, Master of the Rolls, whose home is at Whitchurch.

Lord Denning was welcomed and introduced by Sir Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre, M.P. for the New Forest and chairman of Associated Book Publishers Ltd.

Said Sir Oliver, “Andover is a new town and we, as Associated Book Publishers, are very proud to have taken part in the development of that town.

“The one thing a publishing group wants is to control its own distribution and that we are doing here today. For the statistical record: we now have five million books in stock.”

Lord Denning recalled the quiet country lanes—“the hedges overhung the lanes with blackberries and there was hardly a car going through”—he passed along as a boy on his way from Whitchurch to Andover Grammar School.

“Now” he said, “after many years we come round the swirling roundabouts and along this fine new road and by this great new building.”

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 30 APRIL 1993

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR —– EASE THIS HEADACHE!

An Andover Advertiser reader (full name and address supplied) writes:

When, oh when will those responsible for traffic regulation in Andover get to grips with the queues of vehicles down Western Road on the approach to the Safeway roundabout each morning?

All that is needed to ease this daily headache is a narrow piece of land so that the road can be widened at the roundabout to allow two lanes of traffic, in effect creating a filter lane for vehicles left into Western Avenue.

Everyone who has to wait at this ridiculous junction can see the solution. Why is it not improved?