THIS week we’re sharing some extracts from the Wednesday, January 27, 1960, edition of the Hants and Sussex News.

The Hants and Sussex News was founded in 1892. It was formed from the Petersfield Weekly News, the town’s first local newspaper which was first published on September 5, 1883, from the Mr FD Button printing business in Lavant Street.

Arthur Wilson Childs became the next owner of the newspaper and remained with it for over 40 years, changing the name of the title to the Hants and Sussex News in 1892.

The newspaper’s offices moved to the High Street during Arthur’s ownership and the paper became affectionately known as ‘The Squeaker’.

The Hants and Sussex News would later become the Petersfield Post.

Front page stories:

12,000 – Yes, but only slowly

The urban district council agreed that the optimum population of 12,000 residents for Petersfield, mentioned the previous week in a public inquiry, was not a target to be attained quickly and at the risk of altering the character of the town.

Tilmore Gardens scheme inquiry

Residents of the Tilmore Road area packed the council chamber at Petersfield Town Hall to protest against a plan to erect 100 new dwellings on 15 acres of land near their properties.

Beer glass stealing

Inspector A Atterton, at Petersfield Magistrates Court, referred to the serious increase in the number of glasses being stolen from public houses in the Petersfield district.

His comments followed the arrest and fining of two soldiers stationed in Bramshott who were fined £1 10s each for stealing pint glass mugs from Bramshott Hotel.

100 pigs lost in Privett farm fire

100 young pigs were destroyed in a fire which razed the piggery at Alexander Farm in Privett.

The pigs were valued between £500 and £600.

The cause of the fire was unknown at the time of publication, but it was believed to have been an infra-red lamp.

Also in the news:

Showing at the Savoy cinema, Petersfield, this week: The World, The Flesh and The Devil, Carry on Teacher, The White Trap, It’s a Wonderful World, Broken Star, The Bolshoi Ballet – Swan Lake.

Giant parsnip

Mr R F Pay, of Tipper Lane, South Harting, pulled a parsnip measuring 3ft 4ins from his garden.

Another landmark goes

Another Petersfield landmark was lost when the ancient building formerly housing The Fighting Cocks was demolished.

The space made available was utilised by Taunton Motors.

The site is now occupied by the Texaco petrol station.

Advertisements:

The Renault Dauphine 1960 was advertised for sale at Taunton Motors in Dragon Street. Driving one was apparently ‘like riding a cloud’.

TV rentals were available from Rowswell Bros at 26 High Street for seven shillings a week with no deposit.

The Toby Jug Restaurant promoted itself as somewhere for a first-class luncheon from just four shillings and sixpence.

Scampi, turbot and steak were always available.

It could also be hired for wedding receptions, cocktail parties, barbecues and house dances.