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 23 DECEMBER 1859

USING WIRES

James Hopgood and Frederick Ward, the latter a great cripple, both of Tangley, were summoned by Mr John Smith of the same place, for having on the 11th December used certain wires for the purpose of taking partridges. Smith stated, that he was in the employ of Mr Mortimore, and at times assisted the gamekeeper. On the day in question he found some wires set in a hedge of Mr Turtle’s at Tangley. There were eight wires set along it, some on both sides. So, he concealed himself in the straw heap which was close by to see who came to look at them, and he watched there until about half-past ten o’clock. Defendants came up and went along by the wires and then Ward got over the other side of the hedge and looked along it, where there was a partridge caught in one of the wires. Ward stopped and said, ‘Here’s one here Jim, with a double handful of feathers out of him, and looks as if he’s been pecked about pretty much.’ Hopgood replied, ‘That’s no good, is it?’ Ward replied, ‘I told you there was a lot of magpies about here, didn’t I?’ Smith then got out of the heap and went over to them. The defendants in answer to the charge, stated that they had to mind some sheep only a few yards off, and were walking about to keep themselves warm. The Magistrates, considering there was not enough evidence to prove the using of wires, dismissed the case after duly reprimanding them.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 23 DECEMBER 1898

EMPLOYEES AT SUPPER

On Saturday evening last, the employees of the Anton Laundry, numbering 42, were entertained at supper. The large ironing room, which has lately been added to the laundry had been tastefully decorated and really made a very pretty supper room with its prettily arranged tables. After supper, the health of Mr C W Bracher was proposed in enthusiastic terms and very warmly received, while ‘Success to the Anton Laundry’ appeared to be a toast very near to the hearts of all present, and the hope was expressed that the ensuing year would be even more successful than the present one. The remainder of the evening was spent in music and songs, some pretty glees and part songs being rendered by the employees.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 1923

XMAS POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS

On Sunday 23 December, the arrangements will be as on an ordinary Sunday. On Xmas Day, there will generally be one delivery of letters and parcels. No collection will be made in the town area; but in rural areas a collection will be made during the morning. On Boxing Day, there will be no delivery. A collection will be made in the town area, but no collection in rural areas. From the 21st to 24th December, the final clearance from all rural letter boxes will be made one hour earlier. The public are advised to post early in order to avoid disappointment.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 24 DECEMBER 1948

ANDOVER BELLRINGERS’ FIRST FULL PEAL FOR 35 YEARS

The first full peal on the bells of St Mary’s church for 35 years, and the first ever to be conducted by a member of the local band of ringers took place on Saturday when a peal of Grandsire Triples was completed in three hours three minutes. A full peal consists of 5,040 changes and 35 years ago it was conducted by a ringer from outside the town. Other bell-ringing feats before the bells became silent, prior to being rehung, was a peal of Grandsire in 1905 in which local members took part, and a peal of Stedman in 1913, in which, according to the records, two local members took part. Five of the regular ringers took part in Saturday’s performance.

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 19 NOVEMBER 1976

‘MRS CINEMA MOPP’ CALLS IT A DAY

‘Grandma’ Welsh has been to the cinema in Andover every day for the last 30 years. It is not because she is a cinema fanatic, but because Mrs Joan Welsh is a cleaner – or at least she was. At 72, Mrs Welsh has decided to take things steady and put her feet up. She might even find time to pop along to a matinee now and again. And if she does, she will be very welcome. ‘Grandma’, as she is known by her colleagues has been part of the cleaning team at the Savoy since 1958. Before that she worked as a cleaner at the old Rex cinema, now closed. She has been responsible for keeping the upstairs foyer and lavatories spotless, which means a good clean every day. There can’t be much about cleaning that Mrs Welsh doesn’t know about. She started off her working life as a ward maid, cleaning at Salisbury hospital from the age of 14. Mrs Welsh was presented with a cheque for her retirement by Mr R D Hawken, the Andover Savoy manager. Mrs Welsh, who is the widow of Mr Charlie Welsh, known in the town as one of the Mummers, lives in Shepherds Row, Andover.