ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 14 SEPTEMBER 1894

A RUNAWAY

William F------, of Clatford, was summoned by Supt.Miller for furious driving on the 1st September in the High Street.—P.S.Bound said that on the day in question about 7.45 p.m., when near the Town Hall, he saw defendant driving a horse and cart furiously down the street. There were a great many people in the street, and he nearly knocked a child down; in fact the wheel touched it. When he got into Bridge Street he stopped, and witness went to him and asked him why he drove at such a pace, when he said he could not hold the horse; but to him it appeared as if he was urging it on.—P.C.Hills said he was with the previous witness and confirmed his statement. Witness, who understand driving, did not think defendant tried to stop the horse.—The defence was that the horse had bolted, and defendant, though he put his foot on the front board on the cart and pulled with all his might, could not stop it.—Walter Miller said that when near Mr.Bank’s shop he saw the mare give a bit of a start, and he thought defendant was doing his best to pull her up. He did not notice that there were many people about. The horse was going at a fast trot. Defendant said the animal was all right till the Salvation Army band struck up, when she started, and it was not till he got to the bottom of the street that he could pull it up. The mare was only walking up to the time the band struck up.—The Bench dismissed the case, but thought the police perfectly justified in bringing it, and hoped it would be a warning to others not to drive furiously through the streets.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 12 SEPTEMBER 1919

OVERTON — ”OLD FOLKS AT HOME”

St Mary’s Hall was a very gay place on Saturday, when 80 people over 60 years of age (the ladies were in the majority) were entertained to a substantial meal. A willing committee of but seven or eight people, with the Rector at the head, did their utmost to ensure the comfort of their guests, and the cosy surroundings, gaily decorated, with laden tables of good things made a happy picture. The meal provided out of the balance of peace celebration funds, consisted of roast mutton and ham, potatoes, beetroot and other salad, blancmanges, jellies, tarts, pies, fruit and custard, and was immensely enjoyed. Every woman was given to take away ½lb. of tea, and each man tea or 2 ozs. of tobacco. The 23 people who would have come had the state of their health permitted had a meal sent them and also a present. Following the meal there was an entertainment, in which a company of “Christie Minstrels” (Mr.Stickland in charge) amused for quite a long time.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 15 SEPTEMBER 1944

ST.MARY BOURNE — A TALK ON EDUCATION

As the result of a letter in the Andover Advertiser some weeks ago, from Mr.Matthews, the District Secretary of the Workers’ Educational Association, Mrs.Carpenter Turner, B.A., of Winchester, gave an address on “Education,” in the Methodist Chapel on Friday. Mrs.Boys presided.—The speaker outlined the development of education in England, and indicated the stages marked by the various Acts of Parliament from 1871 up to today. She referred to the set-back to education brought about by war, and to the fatal readiness to economise on grants for education. Before dealing with the present Education Act, she stressed the need for a changed attitude towards education on the part of many parents and children, and towards the teaching profession as a whole. Mrs.Carpenter Turner gave a comprehensive review of the Act of 1944, and described it as treating education as a whole and as a continuous process. She outlined the three stages of education to be provided, viz., primary, up to 15 years of age and later on up to 16 ; secondary, with a variety of schools designed to meet the different needs of scholars; and after-school education through part-time instruction up to 18 years, and the provision of facilities for leisure-time occupation in cultural and recreative activities.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 12 SEPTEMBER 1969

OPENING OF BY-PASS HERALDS E ND OF TOWN’S TRAFFIC CHAOS

Years of frustration were snipped away in a second yesterday with the opening of Andover £2 million by-pass which was completed four months ahead of schedule.

The by-pass was officially opened by Mr.Robert Brown, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, who cut the traditional tape strung across the road near the Picket Twenty interchange. He deputised for the Minister, Mr.Richard Marsh, who cancelled his visit at the last minute.

The six and a quarter mile long by-pass stretches from the George Inn at Longparish to a point near the Bell Inn at Weyhill.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 16 SEPTEMBER 1994

SPY CAMERA PLAN FOR THE HIGH STREET

Plans to install security cameras in Andover High Street were discussed at a recent meeting of the Andover and District Chamber of Commerce.

And traders expressed particular interest in the clarity of the images produced and their suitability as video evidence.

Alan Taylor, from local consultancy firm Design and Engineering Ltd, presented the findings to the meeting explaining the siting of the cameras and the possible costs involved.

The Broughton based company took over the project, which has been seven years in the planning and frought [sic] with problems, at the request of Test Valley Borough Council.

Installation costs for the chosen system will be met by Test Valley Borough Council who have pledged £7,500 and Hampshire County Council who are pledging a further £5,000 with High Street firms raising an additional £5,000.

It is hoped that the first phase of cameras, which will use the existing control room in the Chantry Centre, will be in place by Christmas.