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 20th 1869 - Mr William Simons, who died in Williton, aged 70, had been instrumental in establishing the New Inn Burial Society, of which he became clerk. In the 20 years of the society’s existence, there had been 62 deaths and £642 had been paid out. The society had 300 members and the funeral benefit was now £13 10s per member.

100 years ago - March 22nd 1919

A valuable piece of war work was brought to a close in Dunster – the Sphagnum Moss Dressing Depot started by Miss Beatrice Luttrell in 1915 when the shortage of cotton wool became acute. It was among the earliest depots formed in the country. Among the articles made by the working party were 1200 sandbags, 471 pairs of socks, 130 lavender bags, 56 treasure bags, 51 helmets, 48 jug covers and 18 shirts.

50 years ago - March 22nd 1969

After 15 months’ waiting to hear whether ‘Slow’ signs could be placed on the three main entrances to the village, Stogumber Parish Council received an answer – in the negative.

25 years ago - March 25th 1994

One of Watchet pigeon fancier Bill Pope’s birds got lost and was written off two years ago, but this week he learned that the pigeon was alive and well – in Beijing.