ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 16 FEBRUARY 1894

BROUGHTON — VOLUNTEER MARCH OUT

On Thursday evening a strong muster of volunteers from Stockbridge, under the command of Captain Hewitt, and accompanied by the fife and drum band attached to the corps, paid a visit to this village. They came to Horsebridge by train, where they were joined by a detachment from Kingsomborne, and marched to Broughton, a distance of 3½ miles. On entering the village the Broughton squad joined, when they proceeded to the Greyhound Hotel, where a stop was made for refreshments. After a short interval, during which the band played several tunes outside in capital style, the company then marched back to Stockbridge, the Broughton and Kingsomborne detachments breaking off at the top of the village, where Captain Hewitt halted and briefly addressed the men, saying how pleased he was with the muster and their smart appearance.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 14 FEBRUARY 1919

LUDGERSHALL — BREWSTER SESSIONS

These annual sessions were held on Friday, when the whole of the licenses were renewed. The chairman, (Mr.W.H.Fowle), calling the license holders forward, told them the police report was very satisfactory, as in the past two years there had not been a single conviction for drunkenness in the division. Considering the number of people who had passed through the district that was eminently satisfactory. He was not of course referring to the military cases, as they were dealt with by the military authorities. The report reflected great credit on the licensed holders, the police and the public. He did not know what the future had in store for the Trade, but he supposed there would be some little relaxation of the present control. All he could say was that whatever happened he hoped they would conduct their houses as well as they had done in the past.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 18 FEBRUARY 1944

ANDOVER COUNTY BENCH — WHAT THE INSPECTOR SAW

George Edward D----, of Chilbolton, summoned for misuse of petrol, sent a letter saying he was using his van for a proper purpose, but deviated about 500 yards.—Richard John Claydon, transport operator for McAlpines, said on December 16 a canteen van was authorised to pick up supplies at Longparish by the shortest route. It was not authorised to be at Wherwell. All drivers had definite instructions that if given a route they must stick to it.—Inspector Pascall said he saw the vehicle in a car park at Wherwell.—P.C.Grundy said the distance defendant would deviate from the route would be three-quarters-of-a-mile. Defendant told him he wanted cigarettes and a drink, and took a chance.—A fine of £1 was imposed.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 14 FEBRUARY 1969

CAR PARKING: FREE OR PAID?

Andover motorists may be given concessionary tickets for car parks in the town centre if a suggestion made at the borough council’s Highways and Works Committee on Monday is accepted.

Following a nine page report on future car parks submitted to the committee by the borough engineer (Mr.J.Middleton-Taylor), Cllr.C.J.J.Berry suggested that tickets should be given to local motorists so that they could get into town centre parks free.

He said that local motorists would be taking the burden of the parks on the rates and they had enough burdens already. The scheme would do something to help the motorists.

The Mayor (Alderman L.A.Porter) said the idea was something that was worth looking into.

Mr.Middleton-Taylor pointed out that under the proposed scheme in his report the initial car park charges were reasonably high and the free entry would create a black market in car parking tickets.

The Borough Engineer’s report comes out very strongly in favour of charges for parking spaces, varied to demand, location and possibly time of day.

The report states: “The policy of charging should be such that it does not result in much of the available space being occupied by long term parkers so that the businessman, the shopper and possibly the sightseer will be discouraged.

“Charges are usually unpopular to begin with,” the report goes on, “and shopkeepers see them as detrimental to their interests. If the criticism is resisted the measures are eventually welcomed by those who were opposed to them.”

The report suggests that charges should be made by using motorist-operated ticket machines.

The motorist would drive onto the park, place coins in a machine and get appropriately stamped adhesive tickets to be stuck on the inside of the windscreen.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 18 FEBRUARY 1994

THIEF’S CHEEKY JACKET REQUEST

The manager of an Andover menswear shop was slightly taken aback this week when asked if a convicted shoplifter could keep the suede jacket he had been found guilty of stealing after being ordered to pay compensation.

Paul Bryant was ‘absolutely scandalised’ by the request, which was refused.

“I understand the request was made in the magistrates court after the case was heard, but my company and I refused because it is not just the loss of the jacket, it is the interest on sales because it was not in the shop to sell.

“It is certainly not policy to let thieves benefit,” Mr Bryant said.

“Shop-lifting is a very serious problem in Andover and this does not help traders who are trying hard to make the town a more attractive place to shop in.”

Fosters in Andover suffers three to four thefts weekly. Last week the total rose to seven.

Thieves scurry out with jackets, jumpers and jeans, and are of all ages, from 15 to 50, and of both sexes.

Locals are involved, plus people from neighbouring areas, and it takes courage for the manager and his staff to apprehend them.

Mr Bryant says: “The previous manage was punched on one occasion. You never know what is going to happen, but there is a risk of element [sic] in everything.”