Each week the Advertiser's heritage writer David Borrett brings readers interesting news stories and letters from editions of the paper from years gone by.

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 4 NOVEMBER 1859

FEARFUL GALE

On Tuesday last, this town was visited by a fearful gale of wind, accompanied by driving rain, but although some trees were uprooted in the neighbourhood, and a few tiles removed from the roofs of the houses, no casualty occurred.

ANDOVER CHORAL SOCIETY

This society which held its first meeting for practice on Tuesday evening last, was well-attended, with upwards of 30 members braving the weather, and it seems to promise to do credit to the ability of its preceptor, Mr Bennett, and to give satisfaction to the performers. We wish it every success.

 

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 4 NOVEMBER 1898

UPPER CLATFORD AMERICAN FAIR

A rummage sale was held in the parish on Saturday afternoon for the Church Completion and Organ Fund. Almost a t the last moment it was found inexpedient to use the school-room for the purpose, and rather than postpone the sale, it was suggested to hold it in the open air. This however was found to be impossible with the heavy storms of the afternoon, and the promotors fell back upon the coach-house and out-premises of the Rectory as the nearest, available spot. The downpour kept many buyers away, consequently those who braved the elements gained some wonderful bargains. All things considered the sale was quite a success, and brought in much more than was expected, a good round sum going to the church fund. It is intended shortly to hold a remnant sale to dispose of some clothing which was reserved, supplemented by additional contributions, and some new things that were not shown on Saturday. Due notice will be given in this paper.

 

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 2 NOVEMBER 1923

CORRESPONDENCE: PUBLIC LAVATORIES WANTED

Sir: I notice in your paper of 26 October the Finance Committee recommend that a separate office be provided for the borough accountant and that they actually suggest converting the present public lavatory at the Town Hall into a suitable office. They also advised that the alteration would provide suitable accommodation for a strong room. What the Town Council ought to consider is the provision of additional suitable public lavatories for both sexes. At present the town is very badly provided in this respect. I presume the town, more or less depends upon the trading with country people, and yet the council neglects to provide for the needs of visitors. When I go to Salisbury or Basingstoke or London it is quite easy to find such places without having to search for them. I conclude that the committee is so self-centred that the needs of others do not trouble them, or they would not propose to do away with the only public lavatory in the town. Yours faithfully, E C Lovell.

 

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 5 NOVEMBER 1948

RESERVES DEFEAT SOLDIERS

With no league fixtures to fulfil, Andover Reserves turned out on Saturday against an Army team representing the 32nd Assault Regiment in Tidworth. The soldiers failed to provide any really stiff opposition for the more combined Andover players, although Batchelor had a heavy task looking after the Army outside-left. Andover’s newly-signed centre-forward Fleming, marked his debut with two goals from two lovely opportunities, and inside-left Matthews notched two more, maintaining his reputation as a goal-getter. Norridge and Shipway scored one each, to make the final score Army XI 1, Andover Reserves 6, the soldiers having scored early in the first half. The Reserves team was: Emmins, Batchelor, Shipway, Gardiner, Roughton, Allen, Smith, Heagren, Fleming, Matthews and Norridge.

 

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 5 NOVEMBER 1976

DON LAWES RETIRES FROM CHAPEL RIVER PRESS

Friday saw the retirement from the Chapel River Press at Andover of Mr Don Lawes of Lansdowne Avenue. Don was in his 40th year of service with the company, having started work there as a compositor in August 1937. During his employment with Chapel River Press – interrupted only by war service – Don progressed through the management structure of the composing room and then into general management when he was appointed Journals Production Manager in 1974. Being responsible for the production of the considerable number of magazines and journals produced at the Press, Don has won a large number of friends in the printing and publishing world. Over the past couple of years, he has had the opportunity to visit many of them to receive their good wishes for the future, some of whom presented him with retirement gifts to show their regard for the service he has given them on behalf of Chapel River Press. Don’s retirement has not gone unmarked by his management colleagues either, of course, and during the last week of his working life with Chapel River, he and his wife attended a celebratory dinner with the managing director and works manager, and on Thursday had an enjoyable evening out at The Swan, Inkpen, which was arranged by his fellow managers. To mark his retirement, Don received an automatic watch from the company, and a transistor radio from his management colleagues.