ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 24 NOVEMBER 1893

ANDOVER BOROUGH BENCH — THURSDAY — DRUNK AND DISORDERLY

Richard F------- and Margaret F-------, who described themselves as French polishers on tramp, were brought up in custody charged with being drunk and disorderly in Winchester Street on Wednesday evening.—P.S.Daniels said that at 6.30 on the previous evening he was on duty at the police station when he heard a tremendous row outside. On going out into Winchester Street he saw the prisoners surrounded by a crowd of about 50 people. He went up to them as they were making a great noise. They were drunk, and he and P.C.Whitehorn endeavoured to persuade them to go away quietly to the common lodging house in New Street. This they refused to d, and as witness saw that they were very drunk and unfit to take care of themselves he locked them up. On being searched at the station 5d. was found on the female prisoner. Supt.Miller informed the Bench that he had received complaints as to the disorderly behaviour of the prisoners both in London Street and the High Street; while he had ascertained that they had either been ejected from or refused beer at five different publichouses.—The Bench considered the charge fully proved, and Mr.Kellow reminded prisoners that if they came into the town and had beer they must behave themselves, and as they had not they must put up with the consequences. They would, therefore, each have to go to gaol for 14 days with hard labour.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 22 NOVEMBER 1918

TO THE BURGESSES OF THE BOROUGH OF ANDOVER.

LADIES & GENTLEMEN,—In conjunction with my colleagues in the Town Council I hasten to congratulate you upon the signing of the armistice and the cessation of hostilities with a barbaric foe. We are thankful-a gratitude which was magnificently demonstrated by the impressive service so ably conducted by the Vicar and the united ministry last Sunday at St.Mary’s Church.

In your rejoicing let us not forget the bereavement of our neighbours, or the sacred memories of their dear ones, who with noble courage and heroic fortitude have given their lives in the cause of right, and in the defence of our beloved land they loved so well. I wish to thank the inhabitants, the Town Council and its officials, the Fire Brigade, the local Company of the Hampshires, for their splendid numbers on parade, the Boy Scouts and their leader, and last, but not least, the police for their help in our little demonstration of joy-the pursuivant, I hope, of a greater enthusiasm when a permanent peace shall be signed for the welfare of the human race.—I have the honour to remain, your obedient servant, T.WEBB, Mayor.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 26 NOVEMBER 1943

ANDOVER — SIR OSWALD MOSLEY

The following letter, dated November 23, has been received from the Secretary of Andover Labour Monthly Discussion Group: “We, the members of the Andover Labour Monthly Discussion Group, deplore the action of the Home Office, in releasing Sir Oswald Moseley and his colleagues. This action, standing in sharp contradiction to the declaration on war criminals recently issues by the Moscow Conference, makes a mockery of all the sacrifices that have been made in this anti-Fascist war. The disgust caused amongst the people can only be stilled by Sir Oswald’s immediate re-detention.”

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 22 NOVEMBER 1968

THIS WEEK’S COMMENT — A WORRYING PROBLEM

It is disturbing to read of the sharp increase in the illegitimate birth rate in our town and district.

The rise in the rural area is particularly distressing — 34 illegitimate births last year as against 14 in 1966, or 8.9 per cent against 3.8 per cent with the county average being 6.6 per cent of live births.

In the borough itself there were 30 illegitimate births, or 5.8 per cent of live births, just below the county average.

Who is failing? Or is it just the general trend of today’s so-called permissive society?

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 26 NOVEMBER 1993

‘OLD HAT’ LOTTERY PUTS UP THE SHUTTERS

Test Valley Lottery is to close its kiosks at the end of this month after a run of 15 years.

It is estimated to have raised about £200,000 in that time, all of which has been given to local voluntary organisations, according to Jan Underwood, former community liaison officer at Test Valley Borough Council.

In its first year the lottery donated in the region of £50,000 but this has not been matched recently.

Over the past few years the lottery has only raised about £5,000 and it no longer ‘viable,’ said Mrs Underwood, who was responsible for running the scheme.

Under government rules no more than 25 per cent of gross takings can be spent on the administration of a lottery.

But the much reduced takings have meant that even less is available to cover costs, making it increasingly difficult to keep within the rules.

The lottery was set up as an alternative to raising money through the rates, at a time when lotteries were all the rage.

But, as Mrs Underwood explained, its demise has come about because the public now want something new: “It has become commonplace and old hat.”

The council also felt that the coming national lottery would prove too much competition for the already dying Test Valley scheme.

This, coupled with the recent retirement of Mrs Underwood, who put a great deal of her own time into its running, has made the council decide to close down the lottery.

TEN YEARS AGO — 21 NOVEMBER 2008

PREPARING THE WAY FOR 386 NEW HOMES

CONTRACTORS have been working hard at East Anton on the eastern edge of Andover to ensure that everything is ready for house-building to begin on the site.

A new roundabout has already been constructed to enable traffic to enter the site from Icknield Way and Test Valley Borough Council’s northern area planning committee was due to discuss the delegation of the planning permission reserve matters with planning officers at its meeting last night.

Taylor Wimpey’s plans are for 386 dwellings. They represent the first phase of construction of new housing at the East Anton ‘new community’ as defined in the borough local plan.