EACH week in the Free Press we look back at what made the headlines 150, 100, 50 and 25 years ago. Here is a sample of the items featuring in the This Was The News column this week.

150 years ago

February 13th 1869

A family named Addicott had a very narrow escape during a terrific gale in Minehead. Part of the end wall of their house was blown down and the roof and debris fell into the bedroom where the family were asleep. They took refuge with a neighbour.

100 years ago

February 15th 1919

A meeting was held to revive the football club in Watchet, and Mr T B Peel undertook to arrange a few practice matches before the end of the season. These would be held on the recreation ground, not on the St Decuman’s pitch.

50 years ago

February 15th 1969

Coxswain Stan Rawle was presented with a valuable piece of equipment, binoculars, donated to the town’s lifeboat by customers of the Red Lion Hotel, Minehead. The presentation was made by licensee Harry Thomas.

25 years ago

February 18th 1994

An action group campaigning for isolated homes on Exmoor to be connected to mains power was calling on South West Electricity plc to honour a pledge made 11 years ago.