Families and history enthusiasts had the opportunity to explore Andover’s rich past this February half-term with the Andover Time Traveller’s Trail. Organised by Andover BID, the event invited participants to visit local landmarks, solve clues, and learn more about the town’s history. A large number of entries were submitted both online and at Andover Library.
Andover BID selected three winners at random: Grace Burgess, Absalom Roko, and Ben Hackman. Each winner received vouchers for one of three popular local venues: Riverside Activity Zone, Andover Leisure Centre, and Andover Odeon.
The trail featured clues related to several fascinating historical sites around the town:
- The Viking Boat (River alongside the Methodist Church): Participants discovered the story of Olaf Tryggvason, the Viking king, whose boat is believed to rest in the river near the Methodist Church.
- The Time Ring (High Street): Participants searched for the oldest year engraved on this sculpture, which commemorates significant moments in the town’s history. The correct answer was 950 AD.
Shelley Coburn, BID Manager, said:
“It was great to see families out and about, exploring the town and taking part in something fun. We’re pleased so many people got involved and hope to run more activities like this in the future.”
Andrew Gisby, a local business owner from Andover Framing, commented:
“The trail brought people into town and helped create a bit of a buzz. It was nice to see families stopping by local shops and cafés while taking part. More events like this would be a good thing for Andover.”
Andover BID extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and encourages residents to keep an eye out for more trails and activities in the near future.
