Each week the Advertiser's history writer David Borrett brings readers interesting news stories and letters from editions of the paper from years gone by.
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 17 JANUARY 1862
BOROUGH PETTY SESSIONS
There has been no case before the magistrates at their weekly meeting for the past five or six weeks, a state of affairs highly creditable to the police authority and the town generally.
As, however, none can tell what a day will bring forth, we would respectfully suggest to the judicial authorities whether the time has not arrived to appoint one or two more gentlemen on the commission of the peace in this borough.
For some time past, but three magistrates have been available for the dispatch of business, namely, the mayor, the ex-mayor and Mr Robert Dowling.
The appointment of Mr Henry Thompson to the office of mayor, deprived the borough of one magistrate, as Mr Thompson was on the commission of the peace previously, and the lamented health of Mr H Mundy has prevented that gentleman from attending to the public business for some time.
The consequence of this has been that on several occasions where more than one magistrate was required, the business of the sessions has been suspended until another could be obtained, and although, on application being made, the attendance of the gentleman applied to has always been promptly and cheerfully given, it seems a little too severe on those at present holding the office of magistrate in this town to be compelled to attend at all times when there is any business before the bench, especially as there are so many others in the borough fully competent to take a part in its judicial functions.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 18 JANUARY 1901
CHANGES ON SALISBURY PLAIN – A LAMENT FOR LUDGERSHALL
The steadily increasing number of military camps and barracks in the Salisbury district, and the decision of the War Office to establish there a permanent training ground for the British Army, is working a rapid change in the neighbourhood.
The great silent plain now resounds to the sound of musketry; along the highway, the noisy commissariat waggon jolts from railway to camp, from camp to railway, and the hedges of the winding lanes are white with the dust raised by columns of marching infantry.
Sleepy villages, which have existed for centuries in unambitious quietude, will awaken to the prospect of commercial prosperity, and many of the young men who fail to be allured by the glamour of a soldier’s life will desert the plough of their fathers for one or other of the many means of earning a comfortable livelihood which are afforded by a thriving town.
Perhaps the first of these old-world villages to shake off its peaceful somnolence will be Ludgershall, and many who revisit it a few years hence, will regard with dismay its changed aspect.
For, although one may recognise the natural advantages of the district for military purposes and admit the necessity for its use, one may yet be permitted to sigh for the beauty that is gone.
Passing through the village a year or two ago, the only glaring evidence of the nineteenth century which met the eye was the railway station.
And it is the railway station which has raised Ludgershall to importance, for it is there that the troops and stores for the camps on Perham Down are brought.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 15 JANUARY 1926
CORRESPONDENCE – MIGRATION TO THE DOMINIONS
Sir: I have received from the Labour Exchange, a communication on the above subject, two paragraphs of which I would like to quote verbatim:
‘As you are probably aware, special facilities for migration to the Dominions at reduced rates are provided under the Empire Settlement Act 1922.
‘Arrangements can be made for the advance of fares where this is necessary.
‘At present time, openings on the land in the Dominions exists for men between the ages of 18 and 35; for women in domestic work, and for boys as farm apprentices and learners.’
‘A preliminary course of training in agricultural work in this country can be provided for approved single men between the ages of 19 and 25, with the object of increasing their suitability for employment overseas.’
To those who are willing to go, as many have done from this part of Hampshire of their own free will, I say do go, but I have strong objections against the present scheme on the following grounds: that during the war, our country was drained of nearly all the available young men, the very flower of our manhood, and left us with mainly those of a standard in health and strength unfitted for the duties required by a country, as ours is, saddled with heavy taxation, debt and unemployment.
Such a scheme will only serve to further impoverish our country by sending many of our best men out of the country, who will not then be able to play their part in restoring this country to its former prosperity.
Yours sincerely, A Patriot.
SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 19 JANUARY 1951
STOCKBRIDGE TO BECOME FOCAL CENTRE OF LOCAL VILLAGES
In preference to Broughton, it has been decided by the North-Hants Planning Committee to develop Stockbridge to the stage where it will become the focal point of the villages in that area.
Col W F R Webb said Stockbridge had most of the possible conveniences, including a good bus service between Romsey and Andover, as well as a railway.
Mr W Ray however, commented that Broughton would be preferable as there was plenty of land available either side of the river, which did not get flooded, as Stockbridge was apt to do, because it was built on water meadows and it is a low-lying place.
There was a half-hourly bus service from Broughton, to practically every town in the vicinity, he added.
The planning officer said that although one had been chosen over another, there was no intention of stopping development in Broughton, though Stockbridge would receive more than the other.
FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 19 JANUARY 1979
DETECTORS GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD
Andover and District Coin Club has been given permission to use metal detectors on council-owned land.
The club’s application was approved by the Test Valley Housing Committee last week.
Permission is granted on the understanding that anything of antiquity, rarity or value found will belong to the council, and should be given to the Test Valley Archaeological Society for examination.
This condition was acceptable to the coin club which wishes to contribute to the development of local history knowledge and in addition, is anxious to disassociate itself from indiscriminate and irresponsible treasure hunters who antagonise landowners and archaeologists alike, and whose only motive is financial gain.
In the past, similar requests for permission to use metal detectors on council land have been rejected. A spokesman commented: 'This does not seem to have discouraged people from using detectors unofficially as it is impossible to exercise any form of control over many areas of council land which are unfenced and completely unsupervised.'
It was also considered that the council should be highly selective with regard to the sites on which the detectors may be used.
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