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

LECKFORD — THE ROYAL MARRIAGE

On Thursday last week this very small parish did its level best to commemorate the marriage of H.R.H. The Duke of York to the popular Princess May of Teck. Through the kindness of gentry in the parish giving substantial money subscriptions, the Vicar and Mrs.Padmore were able to give a tea to the whole of the women and children of Leckford. A short service was held in the venerable old parish church at 4 o’clock, after which the women and children in almost full strength of numbers met on the Vicarage lawn, where a most substantial and hearty tea was partaken of, and certainly highly enjoyed. Cricket, football, games and races were in full swing in the Rectory field until about 8.30 p.m., when the church bells rung out a merry peal and brought the day to a successful close, made greatly so by the glorious weather and sunshine.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 12 JULY 1918

SILVER WEDDING DAY

On Saturday the Mayor and Mayoress attended all the morning and for part of the afternoon at the Town Hall to receive silver wedding presents on behalf of the King and Queen. The table in front of the tent was soon covered with silver gifts, while others brought samples of current silver coin. The gifts will be divided when they reach London, those of value as of the work of the silversmith in long past years will be sold and the modern will be melted down, the whole of the proceeds going by wish of the King and Queen to the funds of the British Red Cross Society.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 16 JULY 1943

BOB HOPE ENTERTAINS

An Advertiser reporter heard and saw Bob Hope in the flesh on Sunday night, and with Bob were two other famous Hollywood stars, Frances Langford and Tony Romano, the guitarist, as well as a Texan singer.

To ask “Who is Bob Hope?” would seem like heresy to a motion picture fan. To Americans this tall, wise-cracking, gum-chewing comedian from over the water is the finest since Will Rogers met his untimely end. The two differed slightly in style, for if Bob Hope’s wit lacks just that touch of homeliness which made Will Rogers in his day a world-wide entertainer, it gains a great deal in topicality and polish, and the jokes come in a never-ending stream.

Readers would like to know the venue of the entertainment. Unfortunately we cannot give the information, but simply say that at 8.15 precisely on Sunday evening his car turned into the gates of probably the best known sports ground in the Command. Bob, wearing a light raincoat and hatless, sat in the front seat with the driver, and after glancing at the sky to test his weather sense, walked along the cinder track to the entry of the large glass-sided stand, in front of which had been erected a stage. Officers and nurses of the U.S.Forces were seated on each side of it, and in front in deep rows members of the U.S.Forces, their friends and a number of British troops and airmen, with a sprinkling of civilians.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 12 JULY 1968

CALLING ALL CHILDREN

Hello Cornerites, Do you remember the picture of the Kinkajou? I received a very interesting letter about another one from Mrs.Nancy Joiner, who lives in Annapolis, the capital of Maryland, U.S.A. She writes: “I am an old Andover ‘girl’ aged 70 … I grew up at Enham Arch and Vigo Road, and after 38 years in the U.S. Andover is still home.

“My granddaughter has a Kinkajou as a pet.

Her love for it is not generally shared by the rest of the family. She calls it a Honey Bear and has named it Pooh! It sleeps most of the day and wakes up in the evening. It does not smell and only makes little squeaking noises.”

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 16 JULY 1993

OUTCRY OVER A303 TOLL PROPOSALS

Motorists using the A303 could be asked to pay tolls of up to 4½ pence a mile if the government proceed with a road charging proposal.

The trunk route is the only non-motorway to be mentioned in a recent government paper which suggests charging could provide extra cash for road improvements and ease congestion.

Seasonal permits to drive on motorways and near-motorways, like the A303, is another scheme being considered.

Overton Parish Council has already condemned the proposal and written to other parishes to alert them of the implications.

TEN YEARS AGO — 11 JULY 2008

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — ANDOVER COUNCILLORS’ FORUM

The next meeting of the Andover Councillors’ Forum will take place at 7pm on Monday 14 July in the Council Chamber, Guildhall, High Street, Andover.

The meeting will give residents the opportunity to ask questions of their elected borough councillors and the Police. If residents require a more detailed answer on a specific question then please notify Mrs S--- on 01264 3nnnnn; fax 01264 3nnnnn; email cs--- - @testvalley.gov.uk, so the question may be answered fully at the meeting. This is an opportunity for residents to tell their elected borough councillors of their concerns, take part in debates, express their views and find out what action has been taken on recent matters raised.

Councillor Carl Borg-Neal, Chairman, Andover Councillors’ Forum.