ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 1 APRIL 1892

WATERLOO IRON WORKS — TEMPERANCE MEETING

On Tuesday evening the Workmen’s Hall attached to these works was largely attended by those desirous of hearing an address on temperance by Mrs.Jasper, of the Western Temperance League. She and her late husband have on many previous occasions addressed meetings in this locality, and Mrs.Jasper being an earnest pleader and a capital advocate among women has become very popular. Mr.P.Ponting, of Andover, occupied the chair, and the proceedings having been opened with a short devotional service he proceeded to deliver one of those addresses which have become characteristic of this ardent worker in the temperance cause. His amusing sallies and apt stories were, as usual, received with laughter and applause; while his more serious arguments were attentively listened to and thoroughly appreciated, judging from the frequent demonstrations at the hands of the audience.—Mrs.Jasper then delivered an earnest and telling address, dealing with the drink question in a variety of aspects. She pointed out how great a social evil it was; how it hindered the spread of the gospel; how mentally and physically it injured those who indulged in it; how it reduced them to poverty and brought misery to their homes; how it degraded men and women, leading them to do what but for it their nature would revolt at. Crime, poverty and wretchedness followed in its wake, and she earnestly and eloquently pleaded with those who had not already done so to sign the pledge, and by God’s help endeavour to keep it.—Between the address suitable hymns were sung, and the meeting was brought to a close with a prayer.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 30 MARCH 1917

CORRESPONDENCE — NATIONAL SERVICE

Instead of canvassing the hard-working people of Andover, if the Mayor and Corporation will attend the meets of the fox hounds and harriers in the neighbourhood they will find there a very large source of untapped energy. At the same time they might try to enlist the services of the numerous attendant motors and horses. It would be patriotic if these all agreed to hitch on to the plough and rip up the numerous parks around Andover. When the working classes see the squire and parson with their coats off they will verily believe the country is in a perilous condition. Until then it seems to me unfair to worry the willing horse.— Yours faithfully, FARMER.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 3 APRIL 1942

CORRESPONDENCE — GOVERNMENT EVACUATION SCHEME

Sir,—Mr.Ammon, who is chairman of the London County Council, has appealed to those who have housed evacuees. It is one we can cordially endorse. Having these evacuees in their homes for long periods has been a definite strain on many and there is no doubt they deserve all the gratitude that can be expressed. It is a kindly action, a generous action, even when reception has had something of compulsion behind it. Mr.Ammon’s appeal for continuance of the good work has something of urgency about it. All we round here can do is to ask those who have children entrusted to their care not to resent their presence or seek release. It is just an appeal for the exhibition of that most excellent goodness of heart which is deep seated in all who love children.

S.R.BELL, Mayor of Andover.

HUGH E.CLATWORTHY, Chairman, Andover Rural District Council.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 31 MARCH 1967

START MADE ON NEW DISTRIBUTOR ROAD

Preliminary work has started on one of Andover’s most important distributor road schemes. The inner distributor road — which is expected to cost at least £500,000 — will stretch from a roundabout at Monro’s Garage, in New Street, across the valley to another roundabout to be constructed on the present watercress beds at the Folly Inn. It will then run southwards from the roundabout, parallel with the railway line, and emerge into Bridge Street.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR = YOUNG MAN’S VIEWPOINT

... expressed by Mr.C.J.Horne, of Bracondale, Penton Harrowway:-

I would like to write in reply to Mr.G.B.Jobson who had his letter published on 23 March. Being one of the younger people in this town I would like to ask if he thinks we are going to appreciate our forefathers leaving us several old relics which will be an eyesore in 20 years time.

Many of these buildings, as I see it, are unsightly, dangerous and, more importantly, they are holding up the development and progress which this town needs.

Perhaps in 20 years people will be paying 2/6 to visit the ancient beauty of Andover – but it is hardly likely, for the only thing worth preserving in this town is the soil it stands on.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 3 APRIL 1992

HISTORIC CHANGES AS ‘HOGGS’ BECOME ‘MOONRAKERS’

Wednesday witnessed the end of an era in Tidworth and Faberstown.

No longer does an invisible but very obstructive boundary split the communities.

On 1 April a united Tidworth and the conurbation of Ludgershall and Faberstown joined under the umbrella of just one county, Wiltshire. The Hampshire Hoggs put up a good fight but the Boundary Commission decided they were to become Wiltshire Moonrakers instead.

Land space about the size of 924 football pitches and 2,453 people — 223 football teams and six subs — were transferred to the other county.

Boundary changes could not come fast enough for some organisations like the Army who have great input into life in Tidworth.

“We welcome the unification of Tidworth in one county. It will be easier working with only one district and one county council,” said an army spokesman.

Few physical changes will be evident.

The ‘Wiltshire’ signposts may move a few hundred yards further up the road but residents will have new representatives, new systems and new names and faces to get to know.