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 3 FEBRUARY 1860

MR JONES, SURGEON DENTIST, 31 PORTLAND ST, SOUTHAMPTON

Gratefully appreciating the liberal patronage which he has for many years been favoured in this locality, respectfully notifies his punctual attendance at Basingstoke, the first Wednesday of every month, as usual for many years at Mr Owen’s confectioner. Andover, the first Tuesday of every month at Mrs Bright’s Rack Close, East Street. Winchester, every Wednesday, as usual for the last 20 years, the first Wednesday of the month excepted. With the exception of the above appointments, Mr Jones is in constant attendance at this Southampton establishment. Experienced assistants always at home.

 

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 1899

FATAL ACCIDENT

On Wednesday afternoon a shocking, fatal accident occurred on Roman Cottage Farm, through the breaking of a flywheel of a traction engine belonging to Mrs Gilbert of Longparish, which was at work on the farm. It appears that a lad named Marsh, the son of a railway porter at the Junction station, and who resides in Winchester Street, was at work cutting chaff, when from some cause not explained the flywheel of the engine broke and a segment striking the lad behind the head broke his neck. A doctor was at once sent for, but the unfortunate lad was dead before his arrival; in fact, death must have been almost instantaneous. The flywheel in question was boxed in, so that no flaw in it was seen; but evidence as to the condition of the wheel may be given at the inquest to be held today. When it was found that life was extinct, the body was placed in a conveyance and removed to the mortuary at the cemetery, where it now remains. The scene during its removal was a most exciting one, hundreds of people congregating in Winchester Street to learn particulars, and some wild stories were circulated. (Compiler’s note: George Marsh was 16 and lived at 47 Winchester Street. Roman Cottage Farm was on the north side of Winchester Road.)

 

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 1 FEBRUARY 1924

SHORTHAND SUCCESSES

We have much pleasure in calling attention to the shorthand successes which are attending the evening school classes, conducted at East Street by the headmaster, Mr E J Slinn. News has just been received that Dorothy Cook, Beryl Page and Frederick Read have gained their 100 words-a-minute certificates and we congratulate them and Mr Slinn on their achievement. The invaluable usefulness in commercial life of Pitman’s shorthand is only too well known, and that the young people in the town are anxious to equip themselves with it is fully evidenced by the fact that average attendances at every class is more than 20.

 

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 4 FEBRUARY 1949

CORRESPONDENCE – LICENSEES’ ANXIETY

Sir: May I point out to the licensees the folly of having a lot of bills exhibited in their houses condemning the government for the high and unfair prices of drinks through taxation. The licensee is asking his customers to sign a petition to ask the government to reduce the price of consumers’ drinks – a thing a lot of the licensees can do, by knocking off that penny plus twopence they have been charging on public bar drinks, over the fixed price, and I wonder who gave them the right to charge 2/- a nip for whisky, gin and rum in the public bar? Perhaps they can see the red light, for as far as I have been given to understand in ‘Nationalised Pubs’ there is a tariff of prices displayed in the public bar for the customers’ benefit. A milkman is fined for adding water to his milk and a grocer for over-charging on a fixed price commodity; how about licensees? Yours faithfully, P A Payne, Station Road, Chilbolton.

 

 

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 4 FEBRUARY 1977

RETIRES AFTER 47 YEARS AT HOLMES

On Friday, Mrs Marjorie Palmer retired from the shop of Holmes and Sons (Printers) Ltd, where she has worked for the past 24 years. Mrs Palmer, who lives at Wool Grove, Andover, has been in charge of the china and fancy goods department for several years. To many Andoverians, another familiar view of Marjorie Palmer is at the business end of a piano! She has played for countless organisations and occasions in the town and is at the moment the pianist for ‘Happy Notes’ who play for charity. She also played regularly at schools for mentally-handicapped children. By the time Marjorie was a teenager she had won the solo piano competition at Eisteddfods in her native Wales four times. She became an Associate of the London College of Music when she was 16 and had her first job with an orchestra in Bournemouth for 12/6d a week Even though she intends to take a good long rest in retirement, there is no doubt that she will be just as active musically as ever. On Friday, she was presented with a cheque from Mr and Mrs F H Holmes. On behalf of the staff, Mr Tony Brooks, the shop manager, presented her with a porcelain figurine, a painting and a bouquet.