ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 29 DECEMBER 1893

KIMPTON — THE SCHOOL

Highly satisfactory as was H.M.Inspector’s report last year, this year has quite “taken the cake.” The following shows the exemplary attendance:— Out of 40 pupils no less than 15 attended over 420 times, and 10 of the remainder over 400, the school being open 428 times. From both departments “excellent” has been awarded, and thus the school has earned the highest possible grant. Nothing than the above can better testify to the thorough competency and excellence of the worthy schoolmaster, Mr.R.D.Ford.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 27 DECEMBER 1918

TRYING AGAIN

At last Monday’s sitting of the Borough Bench, Harry S----, was remanded to the Workhouse on a charge of larceny with a view to his being taken to an industrial school. On Monday he again came before the Bench (the Mayor, Messrs.S.Bell, Dr.Farr and C.J.Phillips), when Sergt.Collis reported they were unable to get him into the Wilts Reformatory as he was not 12 years old. They had also written to the Industrial School at Pirbright and were awaiting a reply.—The magistrates granted another remand for a week. S----, it will be remembered, was charged with the theft of a 10s. note, and it was stated by the police at the first hearing, that the boy was absolutely out of his parents control; he often ran away from home with the soldiers on Salisbury Plain, his latest adventure being that of commandeering a horse and trap in Bridge Street, driving it out to Sling Plantation [near Bulford] and there abandoning it.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 31 DECEMBER 1943

EVERLEIGH — CHILDREN’S PARTY

Through the kindness of American troops, the children of Everleigh were entertained on Christmas Day to what was described as a “glorious party.” A splendid meal had been provided, including turkey, several kinds of vegetables, apple pie, followed by heaps of sweet meats dear to the hearts of children. There were two Christmas trees, around which were clustered gifts of games, candy, biscuits, etc., all of which were provided by the troops, who voluntarily gave up their rations, and by their subscriptions. A very happy afternoon was spent, and as the children returned home they carried away many gifts and souvenirs of a good time.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 27 DECEMBER 1968

CALLING ALL CHILDREN …

Hello Cornerites,

Before I forget I had better wish you all a happy New Year. I am hoping that the New Year will bring a better response to our competitions. I wonder if you know that there are over 800 Cornerites but I rarely get 20 entries to our competitions each week. If you don’t want to enter the competitions please write and tell me about yourself or your hobbies. If you think you have an unusual hobby we will probably come and see you, take your photograph and you will appear in Children’s Corner.

COMPETITION TIME

For our competition this week, I want you to write an essay about how you spent your Christmas.

That’s all for this week, Cherrio, UNCLE TED.

Compiler’s note: Innocent times! The surviving remnant to ‘Children’s Corner’ in 2018 is the ‘Birthday Club’ – on page 40 of this week’s issue of the Advertiser. There are currently about 50 children registered under the age of 12 and, just like ‘Uncle Ted’ did, we wish each child so recorded a ‘Happy Birthday’ with their name and part address published if their birthday falls on publication Friday and up to the Thursday next. In 27 December 1968 edition 14 children received a ‘Happy Birthday’ greeting. In today’s issue there are just two.

Cherrio, Derek ‘Uncle Ted’ Kane.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 31 DECEMBER 1993

THE TILLS RING A RECORD!

Shoppers have been out in force in Andover enabling local stores to report record sales during the past two weeks.

In spite of the fact that many people joined the scramble for sales bargains in neighbouring large towns, enough shopped locally to bring smiles to the faces of Andover shopkeepers.

And the sale of presents, food and drink in the town before the holiday break hit an all-time high, a clear sign that most believe the recession is finally over.

TEN YEARS AGO — 26 DECEMBER 2008

CAMPAIGN FOR TOWN COUNCIL HITS TARGET

Campaigners for an Andover town council have hit the 3,000 signature target they need to trigger a community governance review.

In fact they are closer to the 5,000 target they set themselves.

A petition will be handed over to Test Valley Borough Council in February at which point the borough is required to launch a public consultation process, by law.

Sarah Evans, joint secretary of the campaign with Gloria Smith, said this week: “The message we want to get out now is that we want more and more people to get involved.”

Early in the new year campaigners will start discussing plans to hold a ‘health check’ of the town to ‘appraise the strengths, weaknesses, future demands and opportunities’.

“We want to contact individuals, community groups, charities and businesses to find out what they think the town needs, and what is already good about the town,” said Sarah.

Although campaigners are brimming with ideas, they are sure that there are many more out in the community — some of which they have not even thought of themselves.

Once the work on the health check is completed it could then form the legal basis of a town council, should it get through the governance review. Gloria added: “It’s all about people being listened to, it’s what the community wants to achieve.

“People spend their lives here — they should have a voice.”