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 17 FEBRUARY 1860

CORRESPONDENCE – TO THE PAVEMENT COMMISSIONERS

Gentlemen: I beg to call your attention to the state of utter darkness and danger to which the leading thoroughfare to the railway station seems to be abandoned. At this time of the year it is surely necessary to provide for the convenience and the safety of the inhabitants of the town, to the extent of erecting three or four lights in the lane leading from the turnpike road to the station. The Union house is about halfway. Suppose the doctor or the chaplain, or the friends of some sick or dying inmate, have a summons to attend at night; how are they to find their way without risk? I respectfully appeal to your own feelings and your sense of duty to the public, whether the present state of things in this important matter should be allowed to continue. What is the use of widening the road, if you will not allow us to see our way? If you had all been going on Wednesday or Thursday night to the Union or the station (I mean of course only on a visit of inspection) I think you would have been not only thankful for a safe return but also unanimous in your opinion that a little light would have been no mean addition to your line of march. Yours respectfully A RATEPAYER.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 17 FEBRUARY 1899

WELL-EARNED REST

We learn that Mr T R Lavington, after upwards of 44 years’ service, is about to retire from the management of the Andover branch of the Capital and Counties Bank on a handsome allowance made by the directors. His friends however, will be pleased to know that he will still reside in the town, with which he has been for so long and honourably connected, for he has taken The Cedars, Junction Road, where he will enjoy his well-earned rest. We understand that he will be succeeded by Mr Elijah Jacobs, the manager of the Chichester branch. (Compiler’s note: The Capital and Counties is now Lloyd’s.)  

Andover Advertiser: Meet of the Tedworth Hounds at Andover in 1903Meet of the Tedworth Hounds at Andover in 1903 (Image: A Halstead, Amesbury)

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 15 FEBRUARY 1924

CORRESPONDENCE - THE SOCIALIST BAN ON FOX-HUNTING

Sir: If the new Labour government stops fox-hunting, let me state to the voters what would be the effect in the place where I live. At present, I am employing three ex-soldiers, one of them disabled. If the Socialists stop hunting, the man who drives the motor will alone be needed. The other two will have to go with my hunters, and become unemployed. I shall be saved a heavy expense, but unemployment will be increased, not to mention loss of trade to farrier, saddler and corn and hay dealers. Further, the county would lose its fees for licences, and I suppose the state would have to pay a dole to the two ex-grooms, while the Socialists will have deprived an old man of his favourite recreation. Is that what the country voters voted for when they voted for the red flag in December last? Make no mistake, it would be the wage earners who suffer most – the very men whom the Socialists are supposedly out to help. Yours faithfully, DOG FOX

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 18 FEBRUARY 1949

WALLED MEADOW TO BE LEVELLED AFTER ALL

At a special meeting last night, Andover Borough Council rescinded their recent decision not to level the Walled Meadow. This was made possible by the personal efforts of Cllr Jack Norris who, single-handedly, raised £1,500 in guarantees and offered it for the purpose, after the council had rejected the project on the grounds of expense. He stipulated only that the council level the pitch (as in the surveyor’s original plan) and that they begin as soon as possible. The Parks and Properties Committee, with the approval of the Finance Committee, recommended that the council accept the offer, rescind the previous decision and apply to the Ministry of Health for permission to invite tenders and to ask the football club to rearrange their fixtures from 3 April to the end of the season to enable the work to be done this year. The council reserved the right to withdraw if the lowest tender exceeded £1,500 by so much as to make it prohibitive.

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 18 FEBRUARY 1977

JUBILEE LAMP GIFT FOR THE TOWN

A syndicate of local businessmen has offered to renovate and re-erect an old lamp standard and water fountain in Andover to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. The syndicate comprises Messrs Fuller, Hopkins, Loveridge, Lynn, Marder and Shaw Porter. They have said they are prepared to collect the old lamp from Test Valley Council’s Walworth depot, shot-blast, clean, prime, paint and re-erect it in a suitable position and meet all costs other than future maintenance. The main problem was deciding where to erect the fountain. At a meeting of the Test Valley Council’s Silver Jubilee Committee, nine members thought it should be erected in the centre of the Cricklade College complex, and five were in favour of it going in front of the Guildhall. At this site, it would be surrounded by bollards and chains but Saturday market stalls could be affected. The sub-committee decided to accept the offer and that a commemorative plaque should be included. The location should be decided by the syndicate.