ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 19 JANUARY 1894

WHITCHURCH — STATION GARDENS

Passengers travelling by the Great Western Railway Station at Whitchurch have no doubt often noticed the tastefully arranged and well kept flower borders at the station. We are glad to hear that the station-master, Mr.T.Sorrell, has just been awarded one of the special prizes of £5 given by the Company, for the best kept station gardens in 1893. The directors make a grant of £250 for this purpose, which is divided into 12 special prizes of £5 each and 148 ordinary prizes ranging from £3 to 10s. There were 454 stations competing, so Mr.Sorrell is much to be congratulated in getting one of the special prizes for his station.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 17 JANUARY 1919

FELLOW TOWNSMEN

I am appealing to you for monetary help, as well as sympathy in the most justifiable of all causes, namely, some little recognition of the deeds of the brave and heroic men who until a short time ago trod the pavement of our streets, and were untied with us in the common fellowship of life until the time came when our beloved country was in danger, when we were threatened with invasion, domination and tyranny, by a most implacable and unscrupulous foe.

The men of Andover, in common with the rest of our brave countrymen, went forth at the clarion call of liberty; to fight for the most sacred rights that men and nations possess.

One hundred and twenty brave and heroic sons of Andover succumbed to the call of sacrifice.

Their blood consecrates the soil of many lands. Men whose great hearts of hidden generosity helped to turn the darkest hours in our history into a glorious day, and in so doing freely gave service, fortune, life itself, to the cause of right, and which, I hope, we shall commemorate by a fitting memorial that time will not efface and that memory cannot forget.

And I would not forget those who with empty sleeve and wanting leg, by their baptism in blood and fire, have given us an example of the purest patriotism.

Fellow townsmen, I am not soliciting your help in a vain and unholy cause, but in the highest cause that humanity has yet known; not even a charitable cause, but one of the greatest and noblest privileges and duties conferred upon man, namely, to see to it that the memories of the blessed dead who died for our liberties shall not be forgotten.—Very sincerely yours,

THOS.WEBB, Mayor, Council Chamber, Town Hall.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 21 JANUARY 1944

CORRESPONDENCE — ANIMALS IN THE ARMY

Sir,—To avoid the risk of troops moving and animals being abandoned at Army Camps, the War Office issued an Army Council Instruction a little while ago directing Commanding Officers of Units to communicate with the R.S.P.C.A. when breaking camp , so as to ensure that no unwanted animals were left behind.

During 1943 the Society’s Inspectors humanely destroyed or found homes for some 831 animals from such camps, thus saving much suffering to the animals concerned and also helping to prevent stray dogs taking to sheep worrying in country districts.—Yours faithfully,

S.G.POLHILL, Acting Chief Secretary, R.S.P.C.A.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 17 JANUARY 1969

“NEW-LOOK BIKE CLUB” OPEN FOR THE “BLOKES AND THE BIRDS”

Young and active motor-cyclists of Andover and district have formed a new club and instead of hanging around the cafes or cluttering up the Guildhall forecourt in the evenings, they now have a place of their own in which to meet.

Their club room is in the George Yard, just off the High Street, Andover, and they have the support of the landlord of the George, John Adams, whose daughter is a member.

On Tuesday evening they met in the club room for the first time and elected a secretary, Pete Richmond, of the Harroway, Andover.

They also decided to call themselves “The Andover and District Motor-cycle Club,” although a club of that name has been operating in the town for many years.

But the two groups are worlds apart: the old club has about 40 members, most of whom are car owners, older men who now ride only in scrambles and trials at the week-ends. It has elected officers and is affiliated to the Auto-Cycle Union.

The new club has no official “leader,” it has no affiliations and no written rules to restrict members.

At present there is a paid-up membership of 23 “blokes” and “birds” who want to be free of all such ties. No individual members makes decisions, they are arrived at by mutual consent.

One of the greatest differences, however, is that they nearly all own bikes and ride them every day.

“Traditional clubs are too organised — we are just free and easy people,” said one member of [sic] Tuesday evening. “Our club is open to anyone who is bike-minded. It is a place where motor-cyclists can get together and talk about bikes without being told to shut-up.”

Although the club has the backing of the licensee of a public house, the members will observe the most important rule of the road: “Don’t drink and drive.”

For behind their bizarre exterior-with their decorated leather jackets-they are just young men brought together by their interest in motor-cycles.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 21 JANAURY 1994

HOMES STAND AS VILLAGE TRIBUTE TO JOE

St Mary Bourne’s newest housing development will stand as a permanent memorial to one of the village’s best known residents.

Ten houses were built by the English Villages Housing Association on land which once belonged to the late scrap metal baron, Joe Hirst, and the area will now bear his name as a lasting tribute.

The houses in ‘Hirst Copse’ are described as ‘village homes for village people’.

A second phase of more homes may also be built on land nearby.

The new homes were visited by Joe Hirst’s widow Olga and parish council members to commemorate their completion.