ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 10 AUGUST 1894

CORRESPONDENCE — THE MIDLAND AND SOUTH-WESTERN JUNCTION RAILWAY

Sir, —The present policy of this Company appears as though the manager reversed the proverb, and holds that a bird in the bush is worth two in the hand. The “American and Cape Lines Express,” so grandiloquently advertised, does not appear full to overflowing of passengers, and meanwhile, for the sake of these through trains, the local traffic is wholly neglected. It is now rendered impossible for those who use the stations of Weyhill, Ludgershall, &c., to obtain a day in London. In the first place the train, which is officially timed in to Andover at 8.5 a.m., is absolutely untrustworthy, quite commonly missing the up train, which leaves at 8.17[.] Then the most useful train in the day, the 6.48 p.m. from Andover, no longer stops at our village stations, so that the traveller from London for the so-called 9.25 p.m. As to this last train it is little short of dishonest to continue to advertise it as starting at that time. It is frequently from half to three-quarters of an hour late, and indeed is never even approximately punctual. And the M.& S.W.J.R.has of late so often “tinkered and tampered” with their time table that no one can put the smallest confidence in the line.—

I am, sir, yours, &c., VICINUS.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 8 AUGUST 1919

STOCKBRIDGE

Mr.and Mrs.Herbert Johnson are inviting all the inhabitants of the parishes of Kingsomborne [sic]. Stockbridge and Ashley, and also the men from Houghton, Longstock, Leckford and Bossington who have served in the war, with their wives and families, to a tea and fete at Marsh Court on Wednesday, August 13. The fete will begin at 2 o’clock. Mr.and Mrs.Johnson are endeavouring to send an invitation to every family, but in the event of anyone not receiving it who would be entitled to come, Mrs.Johnson hopesthey will communicate with her by Tuesday, August 12. There will be sports for the men, women and children for prizes. Entries can be made on the ground.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 11 AUGUST 1944

A.U.T.O.’s DEBUT

The Andover Unity Theatre Organisation made an auspicious opening with a concert in the Guildhall on August 3. This organisation has come into being as a result of concerts being given in various factories and camps by people from Andover and district. Talent of such high standard cannot be left unused for long periods, so A.U.T.O. is attempting to keep these artists before the public. The concert given in the Guildhall was a success without doubt, and the audience was delighted at seeing a show which included so many keen and active dancers. Many hits of a few years back were presented with song and dance. Praise was forthcoming for the Company which came from Whitchurch, presented by Mrs.Roberston and produced by Peter Small. For such a show, containing so many dance features, a great deal of work was put in by the pianist, Mrs.Bevan. Clanville contributed a variety number, and there songs by Mr.Webb, who was accompanied by Mrs.Clarke. Praise, too, is due to Mrs.Harris, a singer of quality, little known in Andover so far. The secretary of A.U.T.O. is keen to hear from all local performers. Mr.Harris, 31, St.Hubert Road, will give all the necessary assistance to those who wish to forward interests of the organisation.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 8 AUGUST 1969

SUDDENLY THEY ARE CUT OFF FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD

A decapitated bus stop stands outside the door by a once busy road.

The roar of traffic can be heard a few hundred yards away but for the people living in Ball’s Cottages, Longparish, the busy road could belong to another world.

For their cottages stand by a road that has been closed and cut off from easy access to bus services, ‘phone boxes and shops.

Widowed Alice Fry is 81 and she has lived at Ball’s Cottages for nearly 40 years. Now she is frightened that she might have to leave her home because since “they” moved the road away she is not able to get to the shops, the doctor or to her precious couple pf hours every week at St.Ann’s Old People’s Club in Andover.

She is not strong enough to walk the mile to the nearest bus stop or to the ‘phone box.

Her neighbour is Mr.James Wells, 65, who works for Captain Wills, the owner of the two cottages, as a gamekeeper at Longparish.

His bicycle ride to work took him only a few minutes each day when he lived on the main road. Now he has to travel out of his way over bumpy, slippery chalk to reach the new dual carriageway that leads past Longparish village.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 12 AUGUST 1994

MOVE TO RELAX SUNDAY LICENSING LAWS APPLAUDED BY CAMRA

North Hampshire CAMRA members are enthusiastically endorsing their national organisation’s call to relax ‘anachronistic’ Sunday licensing laws.

“The requirement that pubs close between 3 pm and 7 pm on Sunday is unfair and takes no account of the what people currently live,” said the real ale pressure group’s campaign manager Stephen Cox.

“Pubs can open on Sunday afternoon in Scotland. Are the English and Welsh less responsible, less religious or less sensible than the Scots?

“Shops, betting shops and race-tracks can now open on Sunday but pubs cannot — an absurd combination,” he added.

CAMRA says Sunday deregulation would benefit tourism and benefit the licensed trade by abolishing the ‘unfair’ distinction between restaurants that can sell alcohol and pubs that can’t

“Customers are tired of being told by the Government when they can drink. This will be a popular piece of deregulation and should be introduced as soon as possible,” said Mr Cox.