ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 1 JUNE 1894

THRUXTON — VISIT OF THE MILITARY

A section of the telegraph department of the Royal Engineers, numbering 155, under major Hippersley, from Aldershot camp en route to Stone Easton, camped in the village on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday morning there was a church parade, and, headed by the volunteer band belonging to the section, it proved quite an event, attracting a large number of visitors from the surrounding districts. The Rector officiated. In the afternoon the Rev.R.H.Clutterbuck, rector of Penton Mewsey, preached an excellent sermon in the church; but the camp proved the main attraction in the village, the number of visitors largely increasing as the day wore on. As on Saturday evening the band played a selection of music, to the great delight of the villagers and visitors. Excellent conduct in the village marked their stay, and the villagers look forward with pleasure to their return, which is expected to be about the 28th of this month.

ANDOVER BOROUGH BENCH — Monday — FIGHTING DRINK

Corporal W----- and Private G------- of the Engineers, then stationed at Thruxton, were brought up in custody charged with being drunk and disorderly on the previous night; while G------- was further charged with assaulting P.C.Orpet.—P.S.Bound said that at about 10 o’clock on Sunday night he saw prisoners in Winchester Street, when they were drunk and shouting. He told them to be quiet, and they proceeded down Winchester Street into Bridge Street, witness and P.C.Orpet following them to see them out of the town. When in Weyhill Road W----- shouted out “Let the ------- come, we’ll knock their heads off.” Upon this they went to prisoners and arrested them. In the case against G-------, the officer said that when P.C.Orpet was arresting W----- G------- rushed at him, and saying “Take that, you ------,” hit him on the eye, causing the mark shown in court.—A fine of 5s. and 5s. 6d. costs was imposed on G------- for the first offence, and 5s. and 3s. 6d. costs on W-----; while in the second case G------- was fined 20s. and 3s. 6d. costs, or in default a month’s imprisonment.—An officer, who was present, paid the fines.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 30 MAY 1919

THE VILLAGE CENTRE

Enham Place will commence work next week, when the first ten patients are expected, and more will arrive each week until the present accommodation is filled. What further accommodation is provided depends upon the amount received in donations to the fund, but the foundation work for the medical block is being pushed on. The instructors are also ready for agriculture, horticulture, poultry, and those who wish to learn about stock will also have the opportunity. It is hoped to also add shops for the instruction of shoemaking, farriery and other trades, and when everything is going the place will be self-supporting, but until the capital has come in for the establishment of all the necessary buildings and appliances the income earned by the estate is certain to be much less than the expenses.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 2 JUNE 1944

WHITCHURCH — PENNY FAIR

The Whitchurch District Girl Guides spent a happy evening on Empire Day at the Penny Fair, organised by them in aid of the District Funds. The fair was held in the grounds adjoining the Silk Mill, and consisted of side-shows of all kinds run by the Brownies and Guides. Everything at one penny. There was canoeing on the river (by kind permission of Mr.James Hide), hoopla, darts, balancing feats, buried treasure, and a miniature camp run by the District Ranger Company, at which cups of tea were served from a camp fire. The fair attracted a very large number of people, and the youngsters had a very fine time. The results have not yet come to hand, but if appearances are anything, the fair must have been very successful, and it reflects great credit upon the promoters, who put in a great amount of work.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 30 MAY 1969

PLANNING POWERS TO BE DELEGATED

Despite opposition from Cllr.A.M.Few, Andover Borough Council’s Planning Committee has decided to delegate powers for certain matters to two of its officers.

It was agreed on Tuesday night that the borough engineer, Mr.John Middleton-Taylor—or, in his absence, his deputy, Mr.J.Barrell—can now automatically grant planning permission for a number of items if they conform with the council’s policy.

These include advertisements on buildings; vehicular access on to highways; extensions to existing dwellinghouses [sic], shop fronts and erection of temporary buildings for a period not exceeding three years.

They can also approve details relating to single houses in residential areas; tree felling and boundary walls and fences.

Opposition came from Cllr.Few who felt that the matters should still be decided by the committee, whose members were the elected representatives of the people of Andover.

In particular, he thought the committee should retain its powers concerning granting of extensions of temporary permissions.

And Cllr.C.Berry was not happy about delegating powers on the felling of trees, “The felling of a tree is final—you cannot put it back afterwards. I think it is something we should not forgo.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 3 JUNE 1994

ELDERLY AN IMPORTANT VOTING FORCE

People throughout the country have the opportunity on 9 June to make their voices heard in the elections for the UK’s 87 seats in the European Parliament.

One in four voters in the European Union, more than 60 million people, are over 60. So Europe’s older citizens represent an important voting force.

Last year was the European Year of Older People. It was celebrated in all 12 member countries of the European Union and succeeded in raising awareness of older people’s issues.