ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 5 MAY 1893

OVERTON — THE WATER CART

The following satire is from the pen of an Overton resident:—Have you seen our new water cart? This was the invariable query submitted to every passer-by in Overton last week. A water cart for our streets has been a boon long needed here, and its arrival naturally excited much interest. On examination one cannot be failed to be struck with wonder at this unique specimen of its craft. Imagine a medium sized barrel placed on two wheels, containing several gallons of water, into the bung-hole which is fixed a small T shaped leaden pipe pierced with sundry holes, and there is the apparatus complete for work. The horse, conscious of the dignity of its labour, proudly leads the way, the driver walking somewhat sadly, it must be confessed, by the side. The efficacy of the cart is of course at times minimised by the proverbial small boy, who, leaving his top the while, runs and stretches his little hands over the holes, and so stops the flow of water, but our driver is a man of action, and a judicious “whip behind” sends the small boy back to his top, and the silver stream again flows on. The village artist, fearful lest any enterprising person, having an eye to business, should purchase this “Overton Patent” with a view to sending it to Chicago as a specimen of a 19th century English water cart, has quickly transferred a picture of it, not perhaps to canvas, but to paper, and any traveller noticing the splendid results attained by our new acquisition, may on application, have the satisfaction of gazing, if not on the reality, at least on a good representation of the same.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 3 MAY 1918

A SMALL HOLDING WORK

One of our townsmen has sketched out a plan for the ploughing of small areas of light land by means of winch, wires and pulley which is certainly ingenious, and if practicable in these days of dear and scarce horses would not involve such a large outlay as one decent farm horse, and would be eating nothing when not at work. A length of chain is held down by ground screws, [at] each end of the piece of ground and to these are attached the pulleys, through which the wire has been rove; one end of the wire is fastened to the plough in front — the other at the back, and the wire is drawn by means of a double handed winch drum. If the idea can be put in working order there is no doubt that with quite a small amount of power on the crane a half acre of land could be turned over in the course of the morning.

EXPERT TOPSYTURVEYITES

We have become so used to the sound and sight of aircraft above us that scarcely more than a passing glance is bestowed upwards when the planes are flying. On Saturday afternoon, however, those anywhere near the Aerodrome were treated to a thrilling sight. A humming from the south told that something was in the air, and nobody took much notice, but as it increased to an intense roar it was seen that a squadron of nine aeroplanes were approaching the drome, and when above this they opened out, and the whole lot gave a display of what the aircraft could do , and to see them looping the loop and doing other hair-raising stunts all at the same time was a sight to be remembered, and scores of “spuds” in the district underneath did not enter the ground so soon as they otherwise would by some minutes. The fliers apparently came to tea, and after a short stay at the Aerodrome they all climbed again and after few more farewell tricks, flew into formation, came over the town and turned off homewards.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 7 MAY 1943

ANDOVER TOWN COUNCIL — SITING OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCES

In connection with the proposal for the establishment of additional public conveniences in the Town, the Surveyor reported that he had inspected two suitable sites which were approved by the Committee. They were (1) on land belonging to Plummer Roddis in South Street, where it joined Winchester Street, and (2) at the Station Hotel in Bridge Street. The Committee recommended that temporary conveniences be erected on these sites at an estimated cost of £60 in each case, subject to the consent of the owners and tenants being obtained.

Replying to Alderman Thorogood, who asked about the construction, the Surveyor said they would be men’s urinals to take six at a time, and the structure would be chiefly of brickwork, which at present was not controlled.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 3 MAY 1968

THRUXTON RACE TRACK SETTING FOR B.B.C COLOUR FILM

The new racing circuit at Thruxton is to be the setting for a colour television programme reviewing 70 years of motor racing. The programme — one of B.B.C. 2’s “Wheelbase” series—is to be filmed on Wednesday for screening on Thursday, 23 May, the eve of the Monaco Grand Prix.

Famous cars from the days of Brooklands will be lined up on the grid at Thruxton beside the latest Grand Prix racing cars and in ten-year steps the programme will trace the history of the sport.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 7 MAY 1993

HIGH STREET SHOPS BLAZE

A blaze which ripped through a television shop in Andover High Street has closed down more than a dozen businesses. Many may never re-open.

An electrical fault probably caused the fire which destroyed Visionhire TV Rentals shop on Sunday night and damaged both the neighbouring premises of Harveys and Howards Arcade.

While Visionhire and Harveys newsagents are hoping to be trading again soon, the outlook is bleak for the 11 small businesses in Howards Arcade.

Smoke and heat damage to stock and to walls, floors and ceilings in the Arcade is extensive and owner Lance Barrett concedes that it may never re-open in its present form.

The Arcade, hailed as a godsend for ‘one-man’ start-up businesses, has been immensely successful with four former tenants now having opened shops in the town and with a waiting list of prospective new tenants.

But many of the tenants, because of the nature of their trade, were not insured.