EACH week the West Somerset Free Press carries a column looking back at the news headlines of 150 years ago, 100, 50 and 25. Here is a taste of the stories reproduced in this week’s paper.

150 years ago – March 26th 1870

At Somerset Assizes, in Taunton, a boy who threw a stone at a railway engine was sent to prison for two months with hard labour.

100 years ago – March 27th 1920

A public meeting in Williton people unanimously accepted the offer of Mr William Wyndham to sell for £350 three fields in the centre of Williton in order that they could be converted into one large recreation ground as a war memorial.

50 years ago – March 28th 1970

Two ratings from the royal air station at Yeovilton spent two weeks pushing a piano around Somerset to raise money for charity, finishing with a lap of honour around Minehead’s recreation ground during a football match between the town and Bridgwater.

25 years ago – March 31st 1995

A miniature fir tree was stolen from the entrance to Watchet cemetery. Town councillor Tony Knight appealed for its return, adding “it makes you wonder at the mentality” of someone who would steal a tree.