ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 5 OCTOBER 1894

AQUATIC ENTERTAINMENT

On Wednesday afternoon Professor F.E.Beckwith and his talented troupe of aquatic performers of both sexes gave the first of a series of entertainments in the Adelaide Road Baths. The attendance was only limited, but those present were able to enjoy one of the best entertainments of this kind ever given in the town. The programme included most of the exhibitions which Professor Beckwith originated, and which so many have copied with more or less success. Among these were swimming on the chest, which was very correctly done by both male and female exponents; swimming with hands and feet tied, of which Miss L.Beckwith gave a very clever example; undressing on the top of the water by the same young lady; revolving in the water; the over-hand stroke for fast swimming; double swimming; also with the feet first on the chest, and then walking water; waltzing on the water, a very graceful performance by Miss L.Beckwith; an imitation of a water wheel by two of the young ladies, who revolved together; an aquatic quadrille, in which they went through the figures in that dance swimming instead of walking. Motionless floating was a remarkably pretty performance, the four ladies being in line first and forming a striking picture, especially when they posed as the “Christian Martyr,” the picture of which is so well known. They arranged themselves in various groups in this part of the programme, one being a cross, when after floating they began to revolve like a wheel. Other specimens of ornamental swimming were given by them, while little Bobby Beckwith gave an exhibition of skipping with a hoop, as also various examples of floating. He also sang a couple of songs while swimming, a difficult thing for anyone to do, and was warmly applauded. Then some of the elder males gave examples of diving, one from the lantern in the roof, and another from the same spot tied in a sack. From this he emerged, and while under water divested himself of a suit of clothes. To conclude there was a comic boating sketch, which created considerable amusement; while throughout the afternoon the applause from the spectators was frequent and loud.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 3 OCTOBER 1919

ANDOVER — PARISH CHURCH REJOICING

For the first harvest festival since the war, there were large congregations in the parish church on Thursday and Sunday. Lady friends had devoted much time to the decoration of the church, which looked very effective in its garb of autumn tinted flowers, foliage. fruit and vegetables. The singing, too, was very hearty, a great feature of the festival being the exceptionally good singing of the choir, especially in the anthems. On Thursday the Vicar preached an appropriate sermon, and he also gave the address at matins on Sunday, Rev.A.Darby preaching at evensong; while the choir gave a good rendering of Dr.Garrett’s harvest cantata, in which the various musical numbers were sung in a manner that left nothing to b e desired, the accompaniments being ably played by Mr.Julian Farmer at the organ.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 6 OCTOBER 1944

PEDESTRIAN FATALITIES

Do you know that 106 child pedestrians, and 30 child cyclists were killed on the roads in the month of July this year? This could be reduced if children were taught “kerb drill” and the rules of the road.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 3 OCTOBER 1969

£300,000 PLUS EASTERN DISTRIBUTOR ROAD GETS THE GO-AHEAD

Andover’s £300,000-plus eastern distributor road was taken a stage further on Monday when the County Roads and Bridges Committee approved a £188,000 scheme for the stretch between Swan Court and the Newbury Road roundabout.

The go-ahead was given subject to a 75 per cent grant from the Ministry of Transport.

The county surveyor, Mr.Norman Jenner, told members that a revised estimate, based on current prices, had shown that this stretch would cost £168,000 as against the previous estimate of £153,000.

“In addition, as part of the footpath network for the town, two subways have been included in the design for the proposed roundabout at the junction of the distributor road with Vigo Road and Newbury Street,” he said.

This would cost £20,000, making a total of £188,000.

The eastern distributor road will run from London Street, behind the Working Men’s Club and the Fiesta Hall, along East Street to Swan Court. A roundabout is proposed for the junction with Vigo Road, and the road will continue along Newbury Street, which is to be widened to link up with the Newbury Road roundabout.

A £141,000 scheme for the section between London Street and Swan Court has already been approved.

In the past few months a number of properties have been demolished on this stretch of road.

These include the former Andover Family laundry and the Spotted Dog at the top of George Yard, two shops at the junction of East Street and London Street and five housed in East Street.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 7 OCTOBER 1994

YOUNG LIVES ON THE LINE

Andover children are dicing with death British Transport police warn after ‘numerous’ reports of kids playing on railway tracks.

And thugs who put a freight train driver’s life at risk by hurling a bottle at the cab as it passed through Andover were condemned by police.

They have received about 10 calls in the last week from concerned householders who have seen a group of youngsters on the line.

So far the children, who are believed to be about 10 to 12 years old or possibly even younger, have been lucky and managed to escape without injury before police arrive.

But Insp Colin Edwards has issued a grim warning, outlining the tragedy just waiting to happen.

“We are very concerned that one of these children is going to be killed.

“Although the track is not electrified in that area there is a real danger of them being hit by a train.”

The incidents have all taken place on the railway track running near Artists Way and usually happen between the end of school and twilight.