150 years ago - June 17th 1871

* The first of the season’s marine excursions, organised by Mr R S Date from Watchet and Minehead to Ilfracombe, would see the new iron steamer ‘Hector’ operating.

* Timberscombe Friendly Society held its anniversary procession during which it visited Knowle, Duddings and Great House. Host Floyd served dinner for 121 at the Lion Hotel.

* The Ancient Order of Foresters Friendly Society, Williton, announced that by kind permission of the Countess of Egremont, and under the patronage of the most influential gentlemen of the neighbourhood, it would be holding a fete in the grounds of Orchard Wyndham. Glover’s well known Quadrille from Nether Stowey would be in attendance.

100 years ago - June 18th 1921

* The Portland Boot Stores, Watchet, owned by Mr G E Fish, of 13 Portland Terrace, were destroyed by fire in the early hours of Sunday morning and not a single article could be salvaged. The fire was discovered by three Watchet footballers returning from an outing – Messrs A Browning, F Attiwell and G Strong.

* Mr Matthew Williams, of Golden Hill, Wiveliscombe, was presented with the Imperial Service Medal. He had been on the same postal country round for 35 years, and had succeeded Mr Bale, a relative, who had the round for 33 years.

* Because of the coal strike, the four steamrollers in the Dulverton rural district had to stop work. Dulverton RDC’s surveyor, Mr E W H Vallis, reported the Coupleham – Simonsbath road was in a particularly bad state.

* Lieutenant Colonel Dennis F Boles reported at the annual meeting of the West Somerset Foxhounds on his 18th season as Master. He offered to present 500 wire snares (made by ex-servicemen) to rabbit trappers in the hope of discouraging the use of “the horrible gin”.

50 years ago - June 19th 1971

* West Somerset Private Railway Company was racing against the clock to secure the Minehead to Taunton branch: “It will be a neck-and-neck struggle to raise the money before time runs out,” said Douglas Farr, who was generally optimistic about the prospects.

* The revival of Dulverton Charter Carnival was an outstanding success with a great amount of interest in the whole event, climaxing at 5pm with the arrival of the Dulverton East Foxhounds.

* Miss Patricia Williams, of Larviscombe Road, Williton, and a student at Taunton Technical College, was named Miss Taunton 1971. Miss Williams, 18 next month, would now go on to the Westward Television contest.