150 years ago - July 22 1871

* Construction of the viaduct for the Devon and Somerset Railway over the Higher Tone, at Pouch Bridge, west of Wiveliscombe, was expected to be finished by the autumn. It would be 100ft high and 450ft long.

* The Rev J R Vernon, rector of Stogumber, was leaving. He preached his farewell sermon to a crowded church.

* At the annual Dulverton Fair, more dealers attended than for many years past. Over 1,000 sheep were penned but the supply was not equal to the demand

* At Dunster Flower Show, the first prize for floral design was won by Mrs Ashman, and second prize went to Sgt Ashman for a model of Manor Mills.

100 years ago -July 23 1921

* Minehead pier was offered for auction by Messrs Jas. Phillips and Sons. It was sold for £2,500 to Messrs W H Tucker & Co Ltd, Cardiff, owners of the Yellow Funnel steamboat line. The former owners of the pier, Minehead Pier Co Ltd, had gone into voluntary liquidation.

* Vernon Tudball was the seventh pupil of Wiveliscombe Council School to win the Ellsworth Scholarship. There were 40 candidates from West Somerset schools.

* The vicar of Bicknoller, the Rev A E Couch, was busy organising fundraising for restorative work in the church, including the 15th century screen and the 14th century churchyard cross.

* A film company was in Minehead to shoot scenes for ‘Behind the Bonnie Briar’. The producer said it was a Scottish story but there was “nothing near so beautiful anywhere else”.

50 years ago - July 24 1971

* Approval was given for a £3.75m reservoir covering 400 acres of farmland in the Haddeo Valley. Chairman of West Somerset Board Alderman F Dowell said too many people took water for granted.

* Bell-ringers in Over Stowey were disappointed when they arrived to welcome priest-in-charge the Rev R Parker and found two of the stays had been broken. No-one was hurt.

* Nether Stowey Fete and Sports was favoured with ideal weather and, with an excellent playing field as well as planning and preparation, its success was fairly guaranteed.