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 –

August 14th 1869

Children playing with matches caused a fire in the back of the premises belonging to Mr H H Hole, photographer, of Long Street, Williton. The alarm was promptly raised and the fire was soon got under control.

100 years ago – August 16th 1919

Minehead Improvement and Publicity Association passed a resolution regretting the development of Sunday excursions by motor coach to and from Minehead. These could only do harm to a town that was noted for its quiet Sunday.

50 years ago – August 16th 1969

On the anniversary of the Lynmouth disaster, a trust was inaugurated to provide and maintain a memorial garden to those who died in the flood in the East Lynn valley.

25 years ago – August 19th 1994

Watchet made its formal bid for £1 million, from the Rural Development Commission, to help turn its redundant harbour into a jobs-generating marina.