COMPILED BY DEREK KANE

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 13 OCTOBER 1893

CURRENTE CALAMO

The Annual Election of members to fill the vacancies created by the retirement in rotation of one-third the number of Councillors is fast approaching, and as two of those whose term of office is nearly closed decline to stand again the ratepayers will be called upon to chose fresh representatives in their place. Those retiring are Messrs.T.H.E.Compton, J.Lee, J.Tilbury and T.Page, and we have it on the best authority that Mr.Compton and Mr.Tilbury will not again seek the suffrages of the electors.

Unfortunately our elections have again become more battles between party factions, in which misrepresentation is employed to catch the ratepayers’ votes. Beer against water, church against chapel, Tory against Radical, are some of the cries that are raised, and the worst prejudices of men are stirred for selfish ends, with such degrading results that the best local ability stands aloof from participation in what, if merit alone was the deciding factor, would be an honourable and coveted position.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 11 OCTOBER 1918

FOR DISABLED MEN

Mr.John Hodge, Minister of Pensions, has visited Enham, which has been selected by the Village Centres Council as the site for the first village centre for the medical treatment and training of disabled men. It is intended to establish these centres in various parts of the country for the reception of men recovering from neurasthenia, shell-shock, amputation, or fever. Here, after discharge, their medical treatment will be continued in conjunction with careful training in occupations selected with a view to individual tastes and capacities. The estate embraces over 1000 acres and accommodation for 150 men. When it is in full swing the council hope to have 1000 men undergoing treatment and training.

Before this can be done, however, £100,000 must be raised by the council.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 15 OCTOBER 1943

YOUTH AT THE HELM

There was a parade of youth in Andover on Sunday afternoon, and it was one of the most impressive sights we have seen for a long time. Between 500 and 600 boys and girls and adolescents were in the procession, which, marshalled in the Recreation Ground by Capt.Lane, of the Cadet Force, marched down the High Street, where Squadron-Leader Patrick Donner took the salute, and into the Savoy Cinema, where Mr.Donner gave them a talk full of commonsense and high ideals.

These young people themselves took the initiative. They asked that such a gathering should be held.

Each section of youth appeared to be represented, and headed by the band of the Andover Squadron of the Air Training Corps, the processionists included members of the Air Training Corps, the Army Cadet Force, the Girls’ Training Corps, The 14/20 Club, the Red Cross Youth Detachment and Cadets, the St.John Ambulance Cadets and Nursing Cadets, The Boys’ Club, The Boys’ Brigade (with the band of No.1 Company), Boy Scouts, Air Scouts, Girl Guides, Girls’ Life Brigade, and messengers of various services in the Town.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 11 OCTOBER 1968

PROTEST OVER CYCLISTS USING FOOTPATHS

Andover Borough Council’s Housing Committee is concerned about cycling on pedestrian ways in the town development housing estates.

Mr.F.Straffon, of the Cricketers’ Way Tenants Association, told Thursday night’s meeting of the committee that his association had tried unsuccessfully to stop cycling on the pedestrian ways.

“It has got to the stage where some of the children are frightened to go out on the pedestrian ways. We think it is time the council did something about it,” he said.

Cllr.Mrs.E.Thorne pointed out that the problem was not confined to the Cricketers Way estate. “I am always shouting at the children in Mead Hedges. They take no notice of the boards there. We should do something more drastic in the whole of the town about this cycling menace.”

Mr.R.M.Hughes, deputy town clerk, said that if it was agreed to pass a by-law notices would have to be displayed at every entrance to the estate in order to enforce it.

It has been estimated by another authority that the cost of providing these notices was more than £150.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 15 OCTOBER 1993

‘BEWARE THE HIDDEN COSTS OF SUNDAY TRADING’

Shopping on Sunday will cost the public more in the long-run, says an Andover supermarket manager.

Waitrose boss John McLauchlan is warning shoppers that the ‘hidden’ cost of Sunday trading will be noise, congestion and a bigger bill.

“I think it would become quite disturbing to the local community if Sunday became just like any other day of the week,” he said.

“Apart from the extra noise and traffic congestion, there would need to be more parking controls and extra refuse collection.

“At the end of the day no extra jobs would be created as small village shops would simply be pushed out of business by the big stores.

“Cost of running shops seven-days-a-week would eventually push up the cost of goods to the public – and you’d be getting an inferior service.”

Waitrose and Marks and Spencer are notable among the town’s large stores for their opposition to Sunday trading.