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

CORRESPONDENCE – THE CUP TIES

Sir,—In your last week’s issue you briefly referred to the forthcoming final round in this competition [cricket], and stated it to be the general supposition that either Wherwell or Longparish “should have little difficulty in securing the cup, Abbotts Ann being the club left in.”

This implies something very like contempt for us poor Abbotts Annians and will possibly demoralise us to such an extent that an attack of the “trembling knees and terror stricken back” complaint of Horatian days may develop itself even before the encounter.

Assuming your information to have been inspired, and without prejudice to the mutual admiration indulged in by Wherwell and Longparish, may I suggest that it is not wise to hold an opponent too cheaply, and that the truth of the old saying, “There’s many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip,” might yet be unpalatably brought home to them.

“Although we are small, that’s nothing at all, If we do but in goodness excel; There’s often internal a very large kernel In ever so small a shell.”

I am, sir, your obedient servant, ABBOTTS ANCHORITE.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 19 JULY 1918

CHANGING TIMES

For several weeks now there have been various times recorded at the same minute in the Borough, and the Town Hall and the church have had different ideas of summer time, some days to the extent of five minutes.

In Bridge Street it has not been uncommon for the Post Office, the Town Station, and the Free Library to run each a minute different, and a traveller could leave the High Street 11.20 a.m. and by walking be at the Town Station at 11.21, which is good enough to enter for the pedestrian record.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 23 JULY 1943

ADVERTISEMENT

September 30th

After the above date (by order of the Board of Trade) you will not be able to buy any toy costing more than 24/5 [c.£1.22]. All toys of a price higher than 24/5 remaining unsold on Sept.30th will have to be put away until after the war,

so BUY YOUR GOOD TOYS — NOW!

THERE WILL BE NONE AT XMAS JOIN OUR TOY CLUB and make sure of your children’s Xmas gifts. Small deposit secures. Payments to suit you. Ask at the shop for particulars.

CURRYS Ltd 84 HIGH STREET, ANDOVER Phone 2902.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 19 JULY 1968

SUBWAY TO COST £14,000

Hampshire County Council’s Roads and Bridges Committee at its meeting on Monday, agreed to design and construct a pedestrian subway at the top of Union Street, Andover.

It will run under the new distributor road to serve the Eastfield Road area.

The estimated cost of the work — £14,000, including a seven per cent fee for the design and supervision—would be on a rechargeable basis.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 23 JULY 1993

COUNCILS TO EXAMINE SUNDAY TRADING LAWS

Sunday Trading laws will come under scrutiny over the next few months from the councils who have to enforce the rules.

A draft bill has recently announced ‘four options for reform’.

The first option is to allow all shops to open anytime on Sundays.

The second would let small shops open at anytime but restrict opening hours for larger shops.

The third would also close most shops but agreeing opening hours for certain types of shops like video hire shops and convenience stores to remain open.

A similar proposal to the third option is the fourth choice.

This option would see other shops including antique sellers and estate agents trading on Sundays.

These alternatives will be looked at closely by district and borough councils who are responsible for enforcing the law.

TEN YEARS AGO — 18 JULY 2008

FUTURE OF ARMY’S TEDWORTH HOUSE IN THE BALANCE

Britain’s cash-strapped military could decide to dispose of its most prestigious possession on Salisbury Plain to stop money leaching away. Tedworth House, which is set in its own parkland south of Tidworth, has been in military ownership for more than 100 years but the days of officers enjoying pink gins and silver service dining at the grand location could be coming to an end.

The MoD and Aspire Defence, the company that manages the area, have both confirmed that discussions are ongoing about the role the aristocratic address can play in the modern army.

The 1830 building has been part of the Army since 1897 and has, over the years, provided the backdrop for a large number of royal visits from The Queen Mother, The Queen and polo playing princes.

Between 1897 and 1915 the building was the residence of the commanding officer, it then became an officers’ club until it took on its current role as a mess in 1988.