New Andover Entertainment Centre Is Open

Saturday 30th October 1971

When the Country Bumpkin – Andover’s biggest and most comprehensive entertainment centre – opened its doors during the weekend, it not only meant that a long-left need in the area had been supplied, but it also represented the fulfilment of an ambition for the town’s Deputy –Mayor, Councillor Lance Barrett.

A raised sitting out area around the dance floor with individual party tables is a feature of the Country Bumpkin, Andover's latest and biggest entertainment centre. (Click here for larger photo)

Lance Barrett has had many years’ experience as an impresario, organising entertainments of various kinds in the Andover area, but he has always wanted a large-scale well-appointed centre of his own, from which to operate.
In the Country Bumpkin he feels he has found it. With his partners, Mr James Munro and accountant Mr Patrick Langdown, councillor Barrett formed a new company last year with the intention of creating an entertainments “Mecca” for Andover

£15,000 Protect
Setting off on a £15,000 project, the company obtained the lease of the building, which has been Andover’s Drill Hall since 1908, and which, since the stand down of the Territorial Army, has been owned and operated by the Post Office, except for a few short, abortive months when the Borough Council leased it as a public hall.

Councillor Barrett, as managing partner, and his fellow directors, did not fall into the same trap as the council who made no improvements to it’s amenities – they set about transforming the old barn-like hall, completely reshaping it’s interior and décor.
Gone are its bare walls and ugly girdered ceiling that charachrised this building as a drill hall.
There is now a lowered, multi-levelled ceiling while a raised platform surrounds the dance floor, in which are set individual “party” tables, where patrons may eat their meals or just set back and watch whatever entertainment is being provided.

Atmosphere
A spacious, new thick-carpeted bar, exquisitely equipped and decorated cloakrooms for both men and women on the upper floor, and a large reception area in the front, which is partitioned off from the dance floor by rich velvet curtains – all these have been incorporated to create a cosy atmosphere of luxury and relaxation.

An attractive corner of the well appointed bar at the Country Bumpkin. (Click here for larger photo)

The whole décor of the building is set off by cleverly conceived lighting effects, which can be altered to suit any type of function being staged.
Commencing early next year the management will concentrate on the upper storey of the building where they plan to create “The Country Suite” – a self-contained area, apart from the main hall, which can be booked separately for functions, even when the ground floor is occupied.
At the Country Bumpkin the plan is to stage a wide variety of entertainment, from banquets to bingo, from all-in wrestling to wedding receptions.
Choice of the name “Country Bumpkin” may puzzle some people, but Councillor Barrett explained: “People from outside Hampshire think we are all country bumpkins down here, so we are playing on the theme. In time we plan to form a Bumpkin Club where people can come and enjoy the amenities as regular members.”

“Bumpkin Girls”
Furthering this theme the company has engaged a team of “Bumpkin Girls” attractively attired in mini or maxi smock-type dresses, who will act as the club’s waitresses and hostesses.
Their minis or maxis will depend on the type of entertainment in progress – maxi for the more dignified function and the mini for the ordinary routine.
The Country Bumpkin got of to a good start on Friday evening when the Mayor of Andover (Councillor Gerald Finch) was among a company of 250 people, who include members of the Borough Council, local dignitaries, industrialists and their wives, who were entertained by the directors.

(The above article appeared in the Southern Evening Echo on the Monday 1st November 1971 )
Also Thanks also to the archives of Lisa Williams for the above

Details of variety acts etc that appeared at the opening evening of the Bumpkin.

Cabaret.
Maurice French and Joy.
Top of the Bill
Jonnie Laycock.
Compare.
Bill Martin.
Dancing provided by the Deric Allen Group.
D.J.
Nick Anthony.
Acts booked by Len Cannon of Avenue Artists Southampton
250 Guests attended the opening.

An account of the opening also appeared in The Dancing Times
Thanks to Tony Pickernell for this imformation

10.03.2009. 08:31

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