ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 2 JUNE 1893

CORRESPONDENCE — THE BELLS ON THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY

Sir,—On this, the morning of the Queen’s birthday, we, in common no doubt with many other peaceful inhabitants of this town, were roused from our slumbers at the early hour of five by the ringing of the church bells.

Now we are by no means deficient in patriotism but are [sic] opinion that the possession of that quality could be manifested by others in a better way than by waking up their fellow townsmen at an hour when the vast majority of them are taking well earned rest.

In order not to seem to be making mountains out of mole-hills, we may remind you that it is not given to all to be able to go to bed early and rise with the lark, and that to such as have not this privilege it is no light annoyance, not to say injury, to be awakened after a few hours’ sleep.

On future Queen’s birthdays might not the “tintinnabulation of the bells” be enjoyed at a later hour, and so some consideration be shown for others who, like ourselves, are

“BURNERS OF THE MIDNIGHT OIL.”

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 31 MAY 1918

WOMEN AND THE LAND

Arranged by Mrs.Marx, of Clatford Lodge, the Women’s Land Army took advantage of the Y.M.C.A.Hut Week and Empire Day to hold a rally in Andover on Friday afternoon for the purpose of getting recruits for the farms. A number of ladies in smocks and leggings, and Andover Girl Guides took their stand in the waggon, from which addresses were made, the sides of the waggon being decorated with flags and emblems of the soil. His Worship the Mayor presided, and the meeting began by the singing of a land parody on “Keep the Home Fires Burning.” The chorus read:

Keep the home flag flying,

England’s food supplying,

Help to bring our gallant lads

Victorious home.

Though the Germans raid us,

English women aid us;

Keep our food stores fortified

Till the boys come home.

The accompaniment for this rousing ditty was played by the band of the 18th Hussars, conductor Mr.F.W.Frayling, who were playing at intervals throughout the day, and the singing was very hearty and pronounced.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 4 JUNE 1943

ANDOVER BOROUGH BENCH — CYCLISTS WITHOUT LIGHTS

Each of the following three defendants were fined 10/- for not having lights on their bicycles:—Alfred S----, Apsley Farm, Hurstbourne Priors, who wrote that he had lost his wife and child, and was looking for them (P.C.Bessant); Enid H------, Wherwell, who said she could not get batteries (P.C.Preston); and Thomas M-----, a soldier (P.C.Bessant).

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 31 MAY 1968

EDITOR’S POSTBAG — DANGER LURKS IN COUNTRY LANES

The dangers that exist along our country lanes now that grass cutting has been suspended by the Hants County Council prompts this letter from Mr.Donald Rich, of Furlong, Tangley, who writes:

The decision of the Hampshire County Council to stop work on maintenance of verges on country roads is making driving much more dangerous.

It is necessary for me to drive on minor roads every day, and there are many junctions where visibility is badly impaired by the failure to cut the verges. Some of these junctions are used by a considerable volume of traffic.

Many narrow roads are made even narrower, and passing oncoming vehicles can be extremely hazardous.

Although the county council may consider the financial saving worthwhile, their view will not be shared by anybody who is unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident as a result of the council’s failure to do this work.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 4 JUNE 1993

ELEVEN GORGEOUS GUYS

Eleven gorgeous guys wowed the girls in raunchy evening at Flick’s nightclub on Tuesday when this year’s Mr Andover was selected.

Compact but with rippling muscles, Neil Hambly was the proud winner; his charm and dancing skills just managing to lift the title from last year’s champion Dave Peters, who came second.

Third was Dave ‘Lightning’ Horne, a 23-year-old from Shipton Bellinger.

They each received a bag full of prizes plus free entry to Flicks, presented by Andover Carnival Queen Emma Harvey.

Former Mr Andover Dave Peters admitted to being ‘gutted’ by his defeat, and vowed to enter again next year and win back his title.

The independent panel had a hard task concentrating on the job in hand and choosing a winner from the 11 entrants.

Several had waxed their chests in the hope of impressing the judges and all had padded out their particulars with a variety of foreign objects ranging from socks to bottles.

Compere and guest DJ David Rawlings made sure everything went with a swing, and the girls crowding around the stage screamed for more as they watched aerobics tutor Amanda Barbour take the boys through a workout on the stage.