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 headlines reproduced in this week’s paper.

150 years ago – March 19th 1870

The organ which Mr Baillie Collyns had given to Dulverton parish church arrived in the town. The organ had cost £460. “Nearly everyone turned up to see the wonder and the bells sent forth a merry peal.”

100 years ago – March 21st 1920

As a result of chimney fires in Minehead, a number of persons had been brought before the magistrates and fined. Some members of Minehead UDC considered that builders and architects ought to be in court instead of the householders.

50 years ago – March 21st 1970

Reports flooded in of a mystery object which appeared in the sky above West Somerset. A number of people claimed to have seen a bright yellow light with a long tail over Minehead. One witness said: “Talk about Concorde! It was very fast indeed.”

25 years ago – March 24th 1995

A man was due to appear before magistrates charged with murder following the discovery of a badly decomposed body of a young woman on Exmoor. She had been identified as a pregnant prostitute missing from Barnstaple since December. A pathologist said death was caused by fractures to the skull.