ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 21 DECEMBER 1894

THE CHRISTMAS SHOWS

Notwithstanding the fact the weather bears not the slightest resemblance to what we are accustomed to expect when so near to Christmas, the appearance of the various shops in the town forces the fact on our notice that we are within a few days of the great festival of the Church. Tradesmen recognise the fact that a prominent place is given to the social side of the festival, and they prepare for it accordingly. The grocers, butchers, game dealers, greengrocers and others who cater for the inner man that if there is one time in the year when a man will indulge in extra table luxuries it is at Christmas, and though agricultural depression has lessened the purchasing powers of their customers they have studied human nature sufficiently to lay in an extra stock of those things that are most in demand at this season of the year, knowing that if by hook or by crook people can manage a plum pudding or a little extra in the way of delicacies they will have them. Our neighbours, Messrs.Dowling and Sherwood and Mr.Shaw, laying aside all thoughts of their newly acquired honours on District and Town Councils, have given up their energies to the stocking of their premises with a host of good things, as also have Messrs.W.Clark and Sons, as judged not merely by the appearance of their business premises but also by the contents of the special circulars they have issued, tabulating and pricing such a host of things that one fairly wonders where they hope to find customers for a quarter of them. Mr.Edwards gave us the impression of being one of the busiest of men in the town, and certain it is that nothing will be wanting at his establishment that personal attention and supervision will supply. The International people are not behindhand; while Mr.Cooper, since he has taken the New Street business, has evidently made up his mind that he will try hard to prevent customers passing his shop to purchase groceries elsewhere.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 19 DECEMBER 1919

LUDGERSHALL — CROWN POND OVERFLOWS

The heavy rain which began on Monday afternoon and continued throughout the evening, brought back memories of the great village hoax, “the regatta,” in fact on Monday evening a stranger wandering near the Crown Pond site might have thought that there was still a pond there, and that he had walked into it by mistake. The sides of the roadway in Winchester Street were like two small streams, and proved disastrous places for pedestrians to step in, when trying to move out of the way of the road traffic. Some people who suffered in this respect queried if it was really the beginning of the end forecasted by the American astronomer, but these thoughts were rapidly dispelled by the uncomfortable feeling they experienced by having wet feet. Near the Rectory a miniature lake was spread over the road, and one wondered if Jupiter Pluvius had sent the rain as an argument in favour of the proposed sewage scheme which was discussed at a meeting two evenings afterwards.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 22 DECEMBER 1944

ANDOVER COUNTY BENCH — FINES IN RESPECT OF FOUR CHILDREN

William Charles S----, of Abbotts Ann, sent a letter in answer to summonses for not sending his four children to school.—This letter said that the children had to walk a mile through mud and water, and caught colds through sitting in school with wet feet.—A fine of 5/- each [£0.25] (£1 in all) was imposed.—It was stated that the children could get Wellingtons, but would have to provide coupons.

ANDOVER COUNTY BENCH — ANNA VALLEY PARENT AND SCHOOL BUS

Gilbert N------, of Anna Valley, was summoned for not sending his son to school.—The father said the boy had to walk 2½miles to school. He was not allowed to use the school bus. He (the father) could not see why the boy should not be allowed to use the school bus. The boy would have to sit in wet clothes if he walked, and he had rheumatism.—In answer to the Chairman, the Attendance Officer (Mrs.Cooper) said children over 7 were supposed to walk, but there was another bus that could be used by walking “to the top.”—The Chairman said they felt if the boy had got rheumatism, and the parents got a doctor’s certificate, the Education Authority might let the boy go by bus. As the lad had missed when he could have gone, a fine of 10/- [£0.50] would be imposed.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 19 DECEMBER 1969

NOW THEY HAVE BUILT THEIR ‘DREAM HOMES’

After 21 months of hard work, determination and sacrifice 10 Andover families have seen the fulfilment of a dream. The dream of building and owning their own bungalows has become a reality for members of the Andover Self-Build Group.

On many occasions it looked as if the Group’s plans to build bungalows on the Floral Way Estate, off Salisbury Road, would never go further than the drawing board.

Frustration followed frustration but, eventually, in March last year, a start was made on the first of the 10 bungalows.

At that time it was expected the scheme would take more than two years to complete.

But, shortly after Christmas, Tony and Sue Kettle, who at present live at Spey Court, Andover, will move into the last bungalow, completed well ahead of schedule.

And on Saturday night the 10 happy members of the Group and their wives celebrated their success with a dinner party in The Western, Bridge Street. And there to wish them happiness in their new homes was the Mayor of Andover (Cllr.Mrs.Anne Thorne) and her husband, Ted.r.and Mrs.Philip Hopgood, Mr.and Mrs.Roderick Nigel Coleman and Mr.and Mrs.Bernard Bartley.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 23 DECEMBER 1994

POST OFFICE RUMOUR DENIED

Post Office Counters Ltd has denied rumours it is to move its services into the former Waitrose building in the Chantry Centre, Andover.

Retail network manager Rob Coates commented: “I just don’t know where that story came from!

“There are no plans at present for Andover Post Office to move from its premises in Bridge Street.”

But he added: “I have spoken to the staff that this is the realistic future for Post Office Counters, and it may happen some time in the future — that we work with a partner in Andover.”