ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 31 MARCH 1893

CORRESPONDENCE — AN IMPORTANT QUERY

Sir,—If the cap fits, wear it. This is, as you know, not quite a new adage; nevertheless, the way your correspondent wraps his parcel up I take the liberty of undoing it, and as I find the cap fits fairly well, am wearing it.

In answer to “Querist” (although I fancy he is as good a position to know as well as I am), I may tell him no doubt he can see the bye-laws by applying to the beadle of the Town Hall, or can obtain a copy for a small fee at the Town Clerk’s office.

With regard to the alleged obstruction of the public thoroughfares by tradesmen “placing goods thereon,” and the obstruction caused by persons loitering and using offensive and disgraceful language there seems to me no comparison; in fact, the comparison is very odious. On public occasions we often see included in the toast list “The Town and Trades of Andover.” Well sir, if, no doubt “Querist” would suggest, tradesmen, instead of exposing their wares, were to put up wire blinds with “A.B., saint,” and “C.D., sinner,” printed on them, he could (having nothing better to do than pick holes in other people’s coats), walk the streets with his best on, and not injure them by rubbing against those various articles he complains of; and a stranger coming into the town would exclaim—“This is a dead and alive place,” and would immediately rush off to some more enterprising one, where he could see goods displayed in a more business-like manner, and spend his money there, thus defeating the good wishes of the before mentioned toast.

“Querist” hints to the Superintendent of the Police what his duty is. This is a delicate matter for him to do. No doubt, the superintendent takes his orders from headquarters, and perfectly understands his duties, and is quite above “Querist’s” insinuations.

Apologising for trespassing at such length on your valuable space, I will not shield myself (as a saint) behind a nom de plume; but will subscribe myself as

HENRY EDWARDS (Sinner), Winchester Street, Andover.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 29 MARCH 1918

WORKERS’ UNION

A well attended meeting was held in the Town Hall on Saturday evening, presided over by the Mayor. His Worship stated how glad he was that the Workers’ Union had seen fit to send a delegate to the meeting which he recently convened, when the question of education in Andover was discussed by practical men. Mr.Taylor, who represented them, spoke very sensibly on the matter and made a great impression on the audience. Nothing was more pleasing at the present time than to see people taking an interest in local affairs as well as national interests. In the past they had been too much inclined to leave local affairs to someone else, with the result that they were almost entirely neglected. They were determined now to arouse Andover to a sense of its responsibility and to make it a better place to live in after the war.—Mr.Taylor, in a broad-minded speech, complimented Andover on having such a democratic Mayor, who faithfully represented all classes in the town. He then appealed for fairness and justice between employer and employed, and urged parents to give their children the soundest education in their power.—The Workers’ Union is about 2000 strong in the neighbourhood.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 2 APRIL 1943

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FIFTY YEARS AGO — 29 MARCH 1968

ALL SHOPS TO CLOSE ON WEDNESDAYS

Good news this week for Andover shoppers. With effect from Monday, 6 May, all shops in the town will close on Wednesdays

And so ends the chaotic situation of some shops closing on Mondays and others on Wednesdays.

This was the result of a meeting held last week – at the request of Mr.A.F.Austin, president of the Andover and District Chamber of Trade – of firms who at present close on Mondays to discuss the weekly closing day.

Represented were Ponds of Andover, Percival Clarke, Plummers Ltd., Dugeys Ltd. and Robert Gray Ltd.

The meeting expressed a “strong preference” for Monday closure as it enabled the staff to enjoy a full 48 hours break at the end of the week.

Nevertheless, the meeting agreed that the present situation was causing shoppers “considerable inconvenience” and that, in their interests, there should be uniformity on the closing day.

It was decided, therefore, to revert to Wednesday closing “during the interim period of rebuilding and reconstruction of the new shopping area.”

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 2 APRIL 1993

UNDER 30s IN BID TO BEAT TOWN BOREDOM

Andover is a dull place to live in if you are under 30, claim a group of young people who are campaigning for a venue in the town where they can meet, socialise and enjoy different music.

The idea came to 21-year-old Donna Suffling when she read in the Andover Advertiser about a survey of youth needs that was being carried out in the area.

“Along with most of my friends I’ve always thought what the town desperately needs is an inexpensive place to go where young people can enjoy non-mainstream music – both live and recorded,” she says.

To underline the support for the project Donna and her friends have drawn up a petition which they hope to present to Hampshire County Youth Service.

The group were delighted to garner over 400 signatures after just a couple of lunchtimes canvassing support and are hoping that even larger numbers of people will sign now the petition is on public display at Probyns Music.