150 years ago

September 24th 1870

* A meeting of the ratepayers of Bishops Lydeard resolved to ask the Department of Education to give financial assistance towards the building of an elementary school. It was stated that aschool would cost a 4d rate to maintain.

* A man in his 101st year was among labourers given a hot dinner in Exford in celebration of a harvest home.

* Mr William Tuckfield, of Wiveliscombe, had grown, without forcing, a vegetable marrow weighing 23 ½ lbs.

* Miss Ellen Dickenson, 14, daughter of the late Captain W S Dickenson, of Minehead, was riding a pony on the outskirts of town when it took fright at the mail coach. Miss Dickenson was thrown and sustained fatal injuries.

100 years ago

September 25th 1920

* Beggar’s Roost Hill, on the Lynton-Parracombe road, with an average gradient of 3:10 and, at its steepest part, 1: 2 ½ was climbed for the first time by a light car. This was a Riley 11hp owned by Capt. G L Moss, a visitor to Minehead.

* A meeting in Kilve decided to form a football club and Lord St Audries promised his support. The Rev D Hartwell James was elected chairman, Mr Frank Stevens captain, Mr Tom Western vice-captain, and Mr Fred Adams secretary and treasurer.

* In recognition of good conduct and honest toll, the Dulverton Board of Guardians decided that a boarded-out lad of 13 should have a new suit of clothes and a week’s holiday.

* Advertisement: The well known and old established Daw’s Castle limekilns now working. Farmers’ lime, 5s per hogshead.

50 years ago

September 26th 1970

* Hurlypool Weir on the River Avill, upstream from Frackford Bridge, Dunster, was in a state of collapse. There were fears the county road would fall into the river and a scheme for reconstruction was submitted to the Government.

* Bicknoller was disturbed by gangs of “hippies” using the new Woolston Moor bus shelter as a sleeping centre and writing “verses” on the walls.

* The old infants’ school buildings in Middle Street, Minehead, were officially opened as the new West Somerset Further Education Centre by chied education officer for Somerset Mr R Parker.