ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 18 AUGUST 1893

AT THE SEASIDE

Mr.Gale announces a special train to Weymouth on Thursday next from Andover to Romsey inclusive, and from stations of the Longparish branch, giving nine hours at this charming watering place. This is an excursion not to be missed by those who can spare time and money.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 16 AUGUST 1918

LUDGERSHALL – TARRED ROADS

We are glad to see that three of the principal streets have been tarred, much to the delight of those people who live in their once dusty vicinity. We hope, however, that the tar sprayer will not leave the village without giving Butt Street a coating, for at the present time the dust sweeps along in clouds, causing the householders much annoyance and many bad tempers. In summer this thoroughfare, always a busy one, is ankle deep in dust, and in winter it is over a foot in mud, hence the necessity for adequate tar painting as in the other streets.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 20 AUGUST 1943

SITUATIONS VACANT

None of the advertisements below related to a woman between 18 and 40 inclusive unless such woman (a) has living with her a child of hers under the age of 14; (b) is registered under the Blind Persons Acts, or (c) has a Ministry of Labour permit to allow her to obtain employment by individual effort.

WANTED, Housekeeper. Woman kept for rough work. Two in family. Wife ill. Lovely house, garden and orchard. Andover bus passes door.—Write, Box 7709, Advertiser Office, Andover.

MAN or Woman required few hours daily for Scrubbing and Polishing, also Girl to assist generally.—Aubrey’s Café, High Street, Andover.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 16 AUGUST 1968

RETIRED RAILWAYMEN’S SEASIDE OUTING

Thirty members of the Andover and District Retired Railwaymen’s Association, coming from as far as Collingbourne, Clatford, Ludgershall and Weyhill, enjoyed a day trip to Teignmouth in perfect weather recently.

Travelling by train to Exeter, members were surprised to see so many stations closed and others altered. It was also noted how easily the diesel engine took the train up the Honiton Bank, where the old steam engine sometimes had a very hard time getting to the top.

The Station Inspector was waiting at Exeter to give all the help needed, as was a lunch of soup, chicken, sweet and coffee, served by the manageress and chef at the refreshment rooms.

An interesting ride to Teignmouth followed and as the train passed beside the sea from Starcross to Teignmouth, the sight was beautiful to see.

After spending the afternoon at Teignmouth a packed tea, arranged by the refreshment room staff at Exeter and taken on the train, contributed to a pleasant journey back to Andover.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 20 AUGUST 1993

GOOD NEWS IN STORE FOR TOWN’S WORRIED M&S CUSTOMERS

High Street giant, Marks and Spencer, has taken notice of customers’ criticisms of its Andover branch and promises a new-look store for the winter.

Newly appointed unit manager, Rhys Iley, told the ‘Andover Advertiser’, which highlighted the dissatisfaction, that the company was ‘committed to staying in Andover and were not moving out or closing down’.

COUNCIL CASH EBBS AND FLOWS

Council tax collection is the Test Valley is well above the national average.

Figures released by the government show that 29 per cent of the year’s money has already been collected, a significantly higher proportion than in neighbouring Basingstoke (27.3 per cent), Newbury (20 per cent) and Winchester (28 per cent).

TEN YEARS AGO — 15 AUGUST 2008

SINGLE TOWN COUNCIL WILL ‘GIVE A BIT MORE CLOUT’

TEST Valley Borough Council Liberal / Democrat leader, Len Gates has no doubts a town council for Andover will be a good thing.

“We have preferred one council for the whole town but if, after public consultation, people say they have greater identity with the wards then we could have five parish councils,” said Mr Gates.

“A single town council would give the town a bit more clout particularly when we as a town have so much development planned.

“I don’t think it will necessarily cost more to run the town council than the Andover levy — I’m sure we can provide the same services for the same money.

“One of the problems at the moment is people pay council tax into a big pot at Test Valley and lose control of it but the town council will give people more say.

“If people wanted more money spent on speed ramps or extra policing then it could happen.

“Many people in Andover feel they do not have as much say as residents in villages such as Charlton or the Clatfords where there is more of a feeling of control because of the parish councils.

“Our view is that we should take decisionmaking down to the lowest level possible.”