ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 27 APRIL 1894

LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ PROTEST

A meeting of the Andover and district Licensed Victuallers Protection Society was held last evening at the George Hotel, at which the following resolution was unanimously adopted on the proposition of the Mayor (Mr.A.H.White), seconded by Mr.W.O.Nutley, and instructions were given that copies of it be sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the member for the division:—“This association, representing the whole of the trade of Andover, protests against the principle adopted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget of imposing further taxes on one class of trade alone, in such a manner as distinctly prevents the impost* being borne by the consumer, on the ground [sic] that such impost will materially reduce profits, which are at the present time far from excessive, and that it will tend to the further depression of agriculture in this country, already deplorably depressed, and that this fresh burden without any compensatory relief is an act of injustice to a large and important section of the community.”

Compiler’s note: *impost = tax.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 25 APRIL 1919

BURNING AEROPLANE FATALITY.

The most serious disaster in the annals of flying took place at Andover Aerodrome early Tuesday morning, when a Handley-Page—a practically new machine—containing seven passengers, crashed into a small building, glided off to another roof, caving in some of the stonework, and eventually crashing to earth outside a building used for sleeping purposes. The machine burst into flames, only two of the occupants being able to escape. The killed were Major T.A.Batchelor, 33, Capt.R.A.Adkins, 28, Lieut.A.B.Whiteside, 26, Flight-Sergt.H.H.Heales, 38, and Corpl.E.Ward, 21. Lieut.Westall and Sergt.Smith were found about twenty yards distant. Westall was so badly burnt that he had to be taken to Tidworth Hospital for treatment, being in a most critical condition. Witnesses say the flames from the machine were so fierce that no one could get anywhere near, and the medical opinion is that owing to the crash the five were killed before being burnt.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 28 APRIL 1944

ANDOVER COUNTY BENCH — SENT TO PRISON

Friday. —Before DrA.B.Simmons (chairman), Col.D.S.Kennedy, and Mr.A.J.Walker.

Hilary D- -----, a native of Aberdeenshire, who had given an Andover address, pleaded guilty to: (1) being on a vehicle used in H.M.Service; (2) assaulting Mrs.A.N.Cook, while Mrs.Cook was acting as a police matron. She pleaded not guilty to using a name other than that by which she was known on September 1, 1939.

P/fc Christian, U.S.Forces, said on April 9 he had occasion to stop a Jeep because of its flat tyre. In it were an American First Lieutenant and the accused. The officer said he was driving the girl home.

P.W.R.Raisey said he had occasion to speak to accused , who became very violent when charged at the Police Station.

Mrs.A.N.Cook, wide of P.S.Cook, explained how while she was acting as police matron accused kicked her in the stomach.

P.S.Cook corroborated part of his wife’s evidence as to happening in his presence. Accused told him her father was a Major in the Canadian Army, and that she was a Canadian Nurse.

P.C.Brodie said in April last year he saw the accused at Andover Police Station, when she signed a document “Margaret Annabelle G----.” She produced an identity card in that name at the time.

Angela May Gissing, The Avenue, Andover, employed at the Andover Registration Office, proved issuing the identity card, and she recognised the accused.

The third charge was dismissed on technical grounds. On the first charge D- ----- was sentenced to a month’s imprisonment, and on the one for assault, two months’ imprisonment, the sentence to run concurrently.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 25 APRIL 1969

THERE WAS PLENTY FOR ALL AT THE MEATCHOPPERS’ BALL

The “Meatchoppers’ Ball” in the Fiesta Hall, Andover, on Tuesday night again proved to be a gourmet’s delight!

Organised by the Andover branch of the Meat Traders’ Federation, it had all the essential ingredients for an enjoyable evening: a first-class band and a magnificent cold meat buffet.

The buffet—pork, ham. beef, lamb and chicken and all the trimmings—was up to the high standard of previous years.

The meat was provided and cooked by meat traders in the town and district. As usual, there was enough to feed more than double the 250 dancers.

The guests included the Mayor (Ald.L.A.Porter), the Mayoress and Chief Inspector F.Hodgson, head of Andover police, and Mrs.Hodgson. They were welcomed by Mr.G.Thompson, president of the Andover Federation.

Music for dancing was provided by the lively, polished Cyril Stapleton Sidney Lipton Six.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 29 APRIL 1994

COMINGS AND GOINGS

Test Valley Borough Council has reported that although six new businesses rented units in the Chantry Centre last year, six also left.

The Andover centre currently has 13 units unlet, including the former Tesco’s shop for which it continues to pay rent.

In the report, council officers also told councillors that Mothercare is hoping to expand, and negotiations are underway for the former Lucy’s Kitchen corner shop to be let.

Another bright spot was that letting agents Chestertons estimate that over 10 million people visited the Chantry Centre in 1993, compared to 9.3 million in 1992.