ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 11 AUGUST 1893

HATHERDEN — SCHOOL TREAT

On Tuesday the children of the day and Sunday schools met on the Vicarage lawn, and, after singing a few songs very nicely, were supplied with tea, which was handed round to them by several ladies as they sat enjoying the glorious bright sunshine and pleasant garden. Among those who attended to the children were Miss Lloyd and friends from Southampton, the Misses Butterworth and friends, the Rev.T.and Mrs.Poole, of Andover, and others. After tea the large party marched in procession, preceded by the school banner, to the park at Hatherden House, kindly thrown open to them for the afternoon by Mr.Butterworth. Here they were joined by the Misses Dowling, Mr.and Mrs.

Lewis, and Mr.J.Gale from Smannell, who assisted in the promotion of games, in which the children soon joined most heartily, the boys in every kind of race, and the girls being happy in a variety of games, such as drop handkerchief and the like. Prizes were given to the successful competitors in the boys’ races and those of the younger girls; while the elder ones had prizes given them by Miss Lloyd. As the evening drew to a close such amusements as egg and spoon races were started; while they scrambled for apples and sweets. Much amusement was caused by a blindfold race, in which those whose eyes were bandaged endeavoured to catch a boy with a bell. Then, too, there was a tilting at bags of sweets blindfolded, while a tug of war terminated the sports in an interesting manner. Throughout everything went happily and merrily, the event being favoured with a lovely evening. About 8 o’clock the children were assembled, and after singing the Doxology marched in procession through the park gates, where each received a bun, and then separated for home, having enjoyed a most successful treat.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 9 AUGUST 1918

ADVERTISEMENT

“Somewhere the Sun is Shining”

With “Sunshine Molly” inside, and “Old Sol” on his best behaviour outside, we hope, life should certainly be worth living, in spite of wars and other little worries.

Electric Picture Hall NEXT MONDAY, TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY.

Sunshine Molly (Bosworth Film, 5 parts) A Day at School (Thanhouser comedy) Pathe Gazette TIMES: 6 and 8.25 nightly. Open 15 minutes previous to each house.

PRICES (Including War Taxes): 2½d. (Children to first houses), 4d., 5d., 8d., 1/3.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 13 AUGUST 1943

STOCKBRIDGE — NEGRO SONGS

A second visit to Stockbridge was paid by the coloured men of the United States Army on Sunday evening, when they gave a programme of spiritual negro songs at St.Peter’s Church to a very large congregation. Thanks for their visit and very enjoyable programme were expressed by the Rev.C.L.H.Beardmore, who later entertained them with refreshments at the Vicarage.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 9 AUGUST 1968

PUTTING A VACANT LOOK ON THE FACE OF OLD ANDOVER

The wide open spaces in the centre of Andover are growing daily as demolition of the old shops and houses continues to make way for the new £2¼ million redevelopment project. At last, Andoverians— old and new — can see that things are moving towards the provision of the modern shops they have been waiting for.

Many well-known buildings are disappearing at the hands of the Andover Borough Council’s demolition gang. Latest to go was the old cinema in West Street which, until last week, was occupied by the E.E.Roy, the furnishers, and partly by the Andover Do-it-Yourself Centre.

After Roy’s closing down sale last week, the interior of the building was cleared and the demolition gang moved in on Tuesday.

Using a powerful tracked shovel, they smashed down some of the outer walls before sending the front of the building crashing into West Street soon after 5 p.m.

West Street was closed to traffic for over two hours. The remainder of the building was demolished yesterday and the site is now almost clear.

The building has been used as a cinema or theatre for many years. Between 1913 and the early part of 1924, it was known as “The Electric Picture Hall.”

In the first six months of 1924, however, the name was changed at least four times and it was called the “Andover Cinema Co.”, the “Picture Hall, Andover,” “Andover Cinema Theatre Co.” and then, in May 1924, the “New Theatre.”

In October, 1940, the name was changed again and the cinema became “The Rex.” It closed in May, 1959.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 13 AUGUST 1993

PLAN FOR NEW OUT-OF-TOWN SUPERSTORE

Safeway supermarket is to apply for planning permission to build a massive new out-of-town food store and petrol station.

Land between Charlton and King Arthur’s Way could be used for 40,000 square feet of sales area, creating 2200 new jobs.

But the news has been greeted with horror by Charlton parish council.

“We are absolutely appalled at the prospect of a superstore there,” said chairman Ken Eaton.

He fears village traffic problems will be aggravated by the development which could also affect the Anton Lakes wildlife reserve.