150 years ago - November 25th 1871

* A boy was fined a shilling at Wiveliscombe Petty Sessions for driving furiously without reins.

* The annual Court Leet for the borough of Milverton was held at the White Hart. The jury were late turning up. The court was held before Mr Alexander Payne, steward of the lady of the manor.

Mr J Ford, contractor, had commended the building of the new school in Bishops Lydeard.

* The second of this year’s series of penny readings was held I Dulverton Town Hall. In the programme, J B Collyns Esq gave several of Dr Merrygold’s receipts, ‘and very pleasing they were too’.

100 years ago - November 26th 1921

* Mr C Wingfield Figgis was engaged by Minehead Cinemas Ltd to take on sole management of the Queens Hall, to be known in future as Minehead Hippodrome and Queens Hall.

* A national memorial to the late Sir George Williams, a native of Ashway, Dulverton, and founder of the YMCA, was unveiled in Westminster Abbey at a ceremony attended by 2000 people.

* Williton branch of London County and Parr’s Bank had been enlarged and was now considered to be one of the most handsome country bank branches in the county. It had a counter of Cuban mahogany, 26 feet long.

* The village hut at Sampford Brett was formally opened by Mr J Tracey. A former army hut, it was erected by Mr H J Paul, of Holford, and parishioners had collected £113 towards it. A further £140 was required.

50 years ago - November 27th 1971

* If villagers would support it, Bicknoller would get a shop. A prospective shopkeeper and a site at the end of the car park had been found. All that was needed was consent from the Department of Education and Science.

* Nether Stowey called for road improvements a month after two elderly ladies were injured crossing the by-pass to church. Although recovered, neither of them could walk properly.

* Linda Chilcott, of Williton, beat 23 rivals to the title Youth Queen of West Somerset and the £5 prize. Judges were county cricketer Roy Virgin, assistant education officer Mr D Esp and their wives.