ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 8 SEPTEMBER 1893

NOTICE WHITCHURCH UNION.

To Bakers, Millers, Grocers and Others, PERSONS desirous of CONTRACTING with the Board of Guardians for supplying the Union Workhouse and the several Parishes in the Union with Good BREAD and FLOUR, from the 2nd day of October next until the 25th day of December next, and also MEAT, GROCERIES, CLOTHING, MILK, COFFINS, PIGS’ FOOD, &c., from the 2nd day of October next until the 2nd day of April next, are requested to deliver in SEALED TENDERS, with Samples, at the Union Workhouse on or before Nine o’clock in the forenoon of Monday the 18th day of September instant.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 6 SEPTEMBER 1918

A SPASM THAT PASSED

Disappointment again this week at Monday’s entertainment at the Picture Hall.

There had been advertised a three-reel comedy by Billy Merson, entitled “A Spanish Love Spasm,” but only half of it turned up, and that in very bad condition, so showing was out of the question, and the programme had to be made up from a couple of comedies in stock. By Tuesday night urgent wires to headquarters had the desired effect, and a substitute was sent on in “The Tale of a Shirt” (t-a-l-e please!). This was played by the same actor, and caused a great deal of amusement, through its two parts, as also did a shorter comedy, “It sounded like a kiss.”

The feature was a three-reel drama entitled “The Tragedies of the Crystal Globe,” and was a picture of hypnotism as practised by an Eastern professor, who claimed to show that anyone had existed hundreds of years ago before the present time. He had a girl as his victim, and showed how her life had always been mixed up with tragedy. The acting of old friends of the Edison Co. in Mabel Trunnelle and Bigelow Cooper, was very fine, and some rather creepy things were shown. The Gazette completed a good programme.—The present programme includes the 17th episode of “Gloria’s Romance,” “Somewhere in France” (drama) and “Love and a Savage” (comedy).

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 10 SEPTEMBER 1943

HOSPITALITY SCHEME

The Women’s Voluntary Services inform us that the American Hospitality Scheme, which was so successful in Andover last spring, is starting again on September 12. The welcome given to American troops in local homes was greatly appreciated, both by the authorities and the men themselves, and we understand that more troops would value the same privileges.

The arrangements at present are the same as last year. The times will be 3.30 p.m.-7.30 p.m., and the men will bring rations. Offers of hospitality must reach the W.V.S. Office, Midland Bank Chambers by Saturday morning at latest for the following Sunday week, i.e. offers for September 19 must be received by September 11, as they have to be in the hands of the A.R.C. by Monday morning. Suggestions and comments from last year’s hostesses will be welcomed by the Centre Organiser, W.V.S., who will pass them on to the authorities concerned.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 6 SEPTEMBER 1968

S.T.D. AT ANDOVER IN THE SPRING?

Work is at present in progress to extend Andover Exchange so that the Subscriber Trunk Dialling (S.T.D.) service will be available to Andover subscribers. It is anticipated that this will be ready during the Spring of 1969.

As a preliminary measure it is necessary to change certain codes dialled from telephones without coin boxes, from 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 11 September, 1968.

The most important of these is the change from”0” to “100” for operator services.

The code for enquiries will become 191, speaking clock 8081 and Newbury 94. Letters explaining these changes and new dialling code lists will be sent to all Andover subscribers.

New dialling code lists will also be sent to subscribers on exchanges who obtain their calls through Andover as they will also be affected by some of the above code changes.

It is emphasised that these changes do not apply to telephones fitted with coin boxes, at this stage.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 10 SEPTEMBER 1993

‘RAT RUN’ CAMPAIGNERS WIN FIRST BATTLE

Residents of Andover’s Vigo Road have won a minor victory in their campaign to increase safety on the street which they claim is being used as a ‘Rat Run’ by drivers.

Constant pressure on the borough and county councils, as well as letters to MP Sir David Mitchell, have resulted in Test Valley Borough Council agreeing to extend the 30 mph limit to near the Twinings roundabout, in the hope that this will reduce the speed of traffic before it turns into Vigo Road.

And in response to applications from Kris Morrison, the headteacher of Vigo Infants School, flashing lights were installed at the school crossing area for the new term on Monday.

TEN YEARS AGO — 5 SEPTEMBER 2008

SUNDAYS WRITE NEW CHAPTER FOR LIBRARY

Andover library has gone from strength to strength — thanks to its new Sunday opening hours and recent revamp with visitors contributing to the highest visitor count since the turn of the century.

The Chantry Centre library recorded its highest visitor figures since 2000, in July, with over 26,000 people walking through the doors to borrow books and use the free internet.

The figure is 2,000 more than July 2007 and over 900 more than July 2001.

On average 250 people visit the library every Sunday with over 260 items being borrowed.

Hampshire County Council, which runs the service, says the four-hour Sunday opening, which follows a facelift, has been welcomed by many working families in the area, because it allows them to visit the library together.