![francisfrith.com - nostalgic photos, maps, books and memories [US]](/images/pageloader/headerLogo_us.gif "francisfrith.com - nostalgic photos, maps, books and memories [US]")
Andover, Bridge Street c1960
Andover, Bridge Street c1960 Ref: a49084
Memories of Andover, Bridge Street
Before Chantry Way was developed, the town library was situated in the building on the right of this picture. The thrill of being able to indulge myself, for free, in books, books and more books still resides in me today. I swear I can still smell the distinctive aroma of the building once you stepped through its doors!
Shared on 23 December 2008
Andover & local memories
Read and share memories of Andover and Hampshire inspired by Frith photos
Andover, Grammar School 1906
Ref: 54623
Just after the war Dad, Mum and I would travel every other weekend to visit aunts and uncles and cousins on our Norton motorbike and sidecar. We usually based our visit with Aunt Flo and Uncle Stan (a wartime despatch rider, now back with his wife), they lived at 27 Wellington Road at the top end of a steep road about 100 metres up the hill, and the amazing thing was their Golden Retriever would bark as soon as the bike turned into the road and Aunt Flo would put the kettle on, knowing we were not far away. Some holidays I spent with them and I would always have to accompany my aunt to the Weslyan Chapel in town for the Sunday morning service, and in the afternoon I would either with local lads or alone go up to the Dell, such a peaceful walk. I think my uncle's parents lived opposite. I remember a big fuss made when my aunt gave birth to Pauline Elizabeth, I was about 14 at the time and did not at that time understand the significence of a lady in her mid forties giving birth to her first child, although I do remember the surprise that the event caused, even to my aunt, as her doctor had failed to realise she was pregnant until about 7 months in, from memory she turned out a beautiful girl. I did not see a lot of my Andover relations after that. I also had a cousin, Brian Rogers, son of Hilda and Vic just down the road, and mum's brother William Ernest (married Edna), they had two boys, David 9 months older and Kenneth nine months younger than I. On a trip to Europe from Australia I visited them once in about 1978 when Ken was or had just been mayor of Andover, unfortunately having been in Australia I have lost touch with any relatives who might still be living in England.
Shared on 04 September 2009
So many memories, where to start? I was born 1961 and grew up in The Crescent, just off Weyhill Road.......the rattling trains full of gravel making the house shake, the outside toilet (visits in the middle of the night in winter were at olympic record level), Mrs Mabeys apple trees...scrumping i think it was called! The smell of the pig farm if the wind was in the wrong direction on a hot summers day, building camps in Gallaghers Woods and wow betide anyone who dared venture in! The Big Bonfire at King George Road playing fields, Portway School and its fantastic playground (Health & Safety bods would be quaking in their shoes now, but OMG was so fab!).
Does anyone remember the concrete railwaymen hut that was between the pedestrian level crossing (linking The Crescent and Floral Way) & 'Gleesons Bridge'? Hot summers sunbathing on top of this strange little building!
Burbidges Bakery, fab bread.....my mother would send us off to get the daily loaf only to find we'd consumed half of it by the time we got home! Sunday School at St Michaels, Littles Shop on Weyhill Road. In the 60's the caravan park where Portway Industrial park is now. The Linga Longa sweet shop.....and raiding the bottle returns and 'recycling' them for a pittance or two!
In later years, Gills Transport cafe after a night of too much indulgence, nothing worked better than a huge fry-up and mug of tea at 5am! Having to go to Martines in Basingstoke because that was the nearest nightclub, and then Flicks opening up. Chaplins to start the eve, Flicks to end it! Great times, Fab memories!
Shared on 23 December 2008
Andover, Bridge Street c1960
Ref: A49084
Before Chantry Way was developed, the town library was situated in the building on the right of this picture. The thrill of being able to indulge myself, for free, in books, books and more books still resides in me today. I swear I can still smell the distinctive aroma of the building once you stepped through its doors!
Shared on 23 December 2008
Andover, High Street c1955
Ref: A49069p
I was stationed in the RE's in Andover - Barton Stacey camp. Remember shopping in 'International Stores' supermarket as they had good looking girls ! I also recall being in a cafe when some of the Troggs came in. Happy days, must return for a visit some day.
Shared on 10 November 2008
Andover, High Street c1955
Ref: A49069p
I do remember Andover about this time. We lived in Tidworth at the time and my father had a car with petrol allowance as he was a Barrack officer. We went to Andover, mum, myself and him every Saturday afternon and had to park centrally. It had all gone when we last went - just modern car parks now. He did a truly nineteen forties thing and sat in the car whilst we shopped. What a lovely childhood I did have there.
Joan Battershill (nee Norman)
Shared on 08 November 2008
