COMPILED BY DEREK KANE

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 22 SEPTEMBER 1893

HURSTBOURNE TARRANT — THE RECENT FIRE

On Sunday last this village was visited by some hundreds from the surrounding towns and villages, they being desirous of inspecting the ruins of the buildings destroyed by the disastrous fire, reported in our last issue. Advantage was taken of the large attendance to send round boxes to collect for the watchers, it having been thought necessary to appoint men to watch the place to prevent a further outbreak. Some indignation was expressed at the fact that people who had walked or driven considerable distances were unable to obtain refreshments, owing, it was said, to the fact that the police had given instructions that the public houses must not be opened, even to those who the law recognises as bona fide travellers, and who are therefore entitled to be served. The result was that many returning St.Mary Bourne way had to get refreshments there; while at Upton the supply was almost exhausted.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 20 SEPTEMBER 1918

SALE OF NEW GRANGE

At the Star and Garter Hotel, Andover, on Friday afternoon, Messrs.Fox and Sons, of Bournemouth and Southampton, submitted for sale the residential property known as “New Grange” (formerly called Pavey’s), Andover. This attractive property on the road to Micheldever was sold by direction of the Very Rev.Monsignor Count Bickerstaffe-Drew, C.F., the solicitor for the vendor being Mr.P.E.J.Talbot, Andover. In a very detailed account the auctioneer described the property, which embraces the residence (which is modernised), a detached cottage villa, extensive stabling, outbuildings and motor house, with arable and pasture land, the whole extending to 30a. 2r. 11p. The whole property is freehold, the tithe (Winchester College) is £8 8s., and the vicarial 18s 6d., the land tax is £1 17s. 8d. Bidding started at £2000, and at £2500 Mr Walter Hillyer became the owner.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 24 SEPTEMBER 1943

MET IN SICILY — TWO ANDOVER BROTHERS HAVE JOYFUL RE-UNION

A happy story has reached us this week. It concerns two Andover lads, Arch., and Les., the soldier sons of Mr.and Mrs.A.Sevier, of the Phoenix Inn, Chantry Street.

Arch., who, like his brother, was educated in Andover, joined the Royal Engineers on the outbreak of war and was in the evacuation from Dunkirk. Les., who was in the Wiltshire Regt., joined the Army three years ago, and for two years, until they met in Sicily, recently had not seen each other.

The meeting in Sicily was certainly a joyful one, and Arch. was able to spend the night at his brother’s unit. They enjoyed the next day hitch-hiking.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 20 SEPTEMBER 1968

THEY ARE BUILDING THEIR OWN HOMES

Every Saturday and Sunday—and some nights as well—you will find 10 Andover men hard at work on the Floral Way private housing estate, off Salisbury Road. That is how the men have spent the summer months—and that is how they will spend the next 18 months at least.

The men are members of the Andover Self Build Group, and they have had more than their share of disappointments since they decided to build their own houses more than 2½ years ago.

On many occasions it looked as though plans for their dream homes would never go further than the drawing board.

But their determination, sacrifice and hard work is beginning to pay dividends.

Two of the planned detached bungalows have now been completed and one of the group, Arthur Dixon, and his family moved into one of them this week.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 24 SEPTEMBER 1993

OUTCRY OVER ‘STACKS OF MONEY’ CLAIM

Test Valley Borough Council leader, Roy Perry, caused cries of disbelief when he declared a local housing association had ‘stacks of money’.

He told the council’s housing committee that he had spoken to someone connected with a local housing association who had said there was money up for grabs.

The announcement brought exclamations of surprise from both Cllr Pamela White, who is also chairwoman of the Test Valley Rural Housing Association, and director of housing Bernard Sully.

“Bernard and I are speechless. We have been trying desperately hard to find money for four or five developments which are ready to go to planning,” said Mrs White.

“We would like the stacks of money because the need is there.”

TEN YEARS AGO — 19 SEPTEMBER 2008

PETROL PRICES FUEL ANGER

Motorists in Andover are paying over the odds for petrol and diesel even though the price of oil has fallen below $100 a barrel on world markets.

On Tuesday Tesco was selling unleaded petrol at 113.9p which is 4p a litre more than supermarkets are charging in other market towns.

Now Andover motorist Tony Holland wants people to campaign for fairer prices.

“I am especially concerned that pensioners, families on low incomes and people like support workers who use their own vehicles to deliver social care appear to have to pay a premium simply because they live in Andover.” he said.