ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 5 JANUARY 1894

DINNER TO OLD MEN

On New Year’s Day the Mayor (Mr.A.H.White) gave a dinner to all the old men in the borough who were over 70 years old, who could attend at the Corn Exchange. About 70 put in an appearance, and it was computed that the average age would be 75 years, and had all who were invited been able to attend that average would have been higher, as there were some 20 of the oldest men in the town unable to be present. Preparations had been made in the Corn Exchange for their entertainment, and when they sat down shortly before one o’clock there was a large attendance of younger people to assist in the service of the liberal supply of roast beef, vegetables, and plum pudding, of which the meal consisted, and which were washed down with beer and aerated waters, according to tastes. So expeditious were the waiters that in less than three minutes everyone was busily employed discussing the viands, among those carving or waiting at the tables being the Mayor, the Vicar, Mr.Lavington, Mr.Reynolds, Mr.H.Hammans, Mr.E.Chamberlain, Mr.T.Carey, Mr.W.O.Nutley, Mr.J.P.Moore, Mr.F.Moore, Mr.H.Page, Mr.Warr, Mr.Stockley, Mr.Archard, Mr.A.Purkess, Mr.J.Gale (Smannell), Mr.G.H.Stagg, Mr.F.Bloxham, Mr.E.T.Cole, Mr.G.Moore, Mr.J.W.Chuter, Mr.H.W.Chuter, Mr.South, &c. The guests, notwithstanding their great age, showed themselves still possessed of good appetites, and they discussed the good things before them with enjoyment. After dinner they joined heartily in singing a verse of the National Anthem in response to the toast of the Queen, after which with glasses replenished they sat down to the enjoyment of their pipes, which, with tobacco, formed part of the Mayor’s gift; while as a further means of amusement songs were introduced. The ball was set rolling by Mr.R.Howard, who although 82 years old can yet sing; and then Mr.Chas.Stockwell rose to propose the health of the Mayor and Mayoress, and to thank them for their kindness in putting such a good dinner before them.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 3 JANUARY 1919

THANKS FOR A START

On Friday a young man in naval uniform attended at the meeting of the Rural District Council to thank those members of the Board of Guardians who had given him a start in life. Since leaving the training ship where the Guardians placed him he had been to the Navy and had served throughout the war. He was in the battle for the Falkland Islands in two scraps with German raiders, and in a very exciting incident with the Dover patrol.-The Chairman (Mr.Nicoll) said their visitor had been both a credit to the Board and to himself as he noticed he had the full number of chevrons on his sleeves.—Mr.Forster endorsed what the Chairman had said. It was not often they had anyone come to thank them for what as a Board they had done to start them in life.—Rev.Iremonger said their thanks were due to him and all the sailors who had protected their shores for over four years.—The Chairman invited the visitor to come and see them again when he was on leave. They were very pleased to see him and learn he was doing so well.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 7 JANUARY 1944

ANDOVER TOWN COUNCIL — THE BRITISH RESTAURANT

The Emergency Committee reported, through Alderman Shaw Porter, that the Borough Treasurer had submitted a financial statement relating to the British Restaurant up to and including the 29th September. After allowing 2½ per cent. for administration expenses, this showed a surplus of income over expenditure amounting to £50 in respect of the period from the 8th October, 1942, to the 29th September, 1943, which was considered satisfactory.

Alderman Shaw Porter said it was interesting to know that their own British Restaurant was paying its way, when many in other parts of the country were working at a loss.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 3 JANUARY 1969

WOOLWORTHS PLAN DESCRIBED AS “ATROCIOUS”

The design of the new Woolworths store, which may change the whole character of Andover High Street, was described as “atrocious” at the borough’s planning committee on Wednesday.

Committee chairman, Cllr.Brian Baker, and the Mayor, Ald.L.A.Porter, were very much against the planned design.

“I think it’s a bad building,” said Cllr.Baker. “The back looks rather like a prison block. We want something a lot better looking onto the river.

“I feel quite strongly that the new shop development in Bridge Street was not as well planned as it could have been. As laymen we often learn from our mistakes and there is no vertical line in the Woolworths plan and I think it spoils it.

“I would like to see a vertical line running right through and this would fall in with the vertical lines that are in the High Street at the present time. I feel it would be very monotonous if a mock shop front were put there.”

Both Cllr.Baker and the Mayor though the plan atrocious.

Mr.T.Davenport, G.L.C.Planner Architect, said the matter ought to be referred to the County Planning Officer.

“I doubt very much whether this was originally contemplated,” he said.

“I thought we were going to get Sir Basil Spence or someone like that to do it and look what we’ve got. It’s probably a draughtsman from Woolworths.”

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 7 JANAURY 1994

‘MISS MARPLE’ SHOP IN DANGER

The quaint little village shop that Miss Marple loved to pop into before setting off to solve another murder is in danger of closing for ever, because its owner needs time to pursue her career as an actress.

Nether Wallop’s store and post office was the setting for the famous TV shop, but proprietor Mrs Ginny Cannon is winding down the business as her acting career takes off, although she will continue to run the post office.

“It’s very sad, because the village obviously needs a shop, but I can’t do both things, and acting is my profession,” explained Mrs Cannon, who took over the business three years ago.

She has now put the entire property up for sale, and parish council chairman Mrs Jackie Fenn is hoping that a buyer will soon come forward to save an essential part of village life.

“It’s in the interests of the village to keep it going, and people would be delighted if it could be reopened by somebody keen and enthusiastic who could run it well, and it would be definitely be used,” she said.