Bringing Andover’s heritage back to life
Andover has a long and fascinating history, but how much do local people really know about their town?
Andover has a long and fascinating history, but how much do local people really know about their town?
Actors from the Theatre of Dark Encounters will bring the town’s history alive over four days in August by taking people on a historical tour of the town to mark the official relaunch of the Andover Heritage Trail. The actors will be dressed in period costume and will share stories about how England’s peace with the Vikings was secured, how a scandal in the town’s workhouse led to the reform of the Poor Laws and how the arrival of the railways affected people living and working in the town.
The tours are free and will take place on Friday 12, 19 and 26 August at 11.30am and 1.30pm and Sunday 21 August at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. They will last around 75 minutes and are suitable for ages eight and over. Tours start at Town Mills and finish at Andover Museum. Tickets must be booked in advance through The Lights Theatre box office or by calling 01264 368368.
The relaunch is part of Test Valley Borough Council’s Four Fun Fridays project, which will see a vibrant programme of street entertainment, live music, creative workshops and competitions for all the family to enjoy each Friday in August.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Carr said: “The tours will be informative and engaging and give a unique experience for locals, or visitors, to learn more about Andover. We hope they will give people, especially the younger audience, a rare insight into the lives of some of the inhabitants from years gone by when it was one of the most important coaching towns in the south.”
The relaunched Heritage Trail has been made possible through a Heritage Lottery Grant and a partnership between Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire Cultural Trust.