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 – October 2nd 1869

The tradesmen of Williton agreed to close their shops at 7pm each evening during the coming winter. It was hoped that customers would do their business early.

100 years ago – October 4th 1919

The great railway strike – half a million men idle – came as a bombshell to Minehead … As soon as the strike became known, Messrs Hardy & Co., the Central Garage, Minehead, began running motor coach services to Bristol and Taunton – and the Bishop of Bath and Wells drove his car to Bath and Bristol to deliver mail.

50 years ago – October 4th 1969

Crowcombe’s war memorial had been moved from the Recreation Ground to a much more suitable and prominent position near the Church House.

25 years ago – October 7th 1994

Police in West Somerset called on councillors to pull the plug on all public functions at midnight instead of 1am – but to issue a 2am licence for the policemen’s ball in Porlock.