EACH week in the Free Press we look back at what made the news 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 – March 27th 1869

The death occurred of Mr James Nicholas, schoolmaster of the Williton Union workhouse. He was a member of the St Decuman’s Lodge of Oddfellows and 40 or 50 of the brethren followed the coffin to St Decuman’s.

100 years ago – March 29th 1919

A general meeting of Crowcombe Cricket Club was the first since 1915. It was decided to revive the game, and the hon Mrs Trollope, who had lately presented the village with a recreation ground, was elected president. The secretary was Mr W J F Baker and the captain and treasurer was the Rev H C Young.

50 years ago – March 29th 1969

There was no hope for the time being of Cutcombe being “accommodated” with more housing, road improvement schemes or the much sought after public conveniences. It was purely a question of finance, stated chairman of Williton RDC Major T F Trollope-Bellew at the annual Cutcombe Parish Assembly in the Moorland Hall.

25 years ago – March 31st 1994

A Minehead vet was being inundated with calls from distressed pet owners after a spate of mystery cat disappearances in the town. Ten black and white and tabby cats had been reported missing in the past four weeks.