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 – December 18th 1869

Among the poorer classes in Minehead area there was much grief over the death of the town’s aged philanthropist Mr Thomas Pulsford Browne. He considered every widow to be his wife and every orphan and child his own. It was feared that he neglected to clothe himself so sufficiently against the unusual cold of the season as he should have done and he thus laid himself open, an easy prey, to paralysis.

100 years ago – December 20th 1919

It was estimated that 100,000 rats had been killed in Somerset during the first national rat week. Minehead Urban Council ordered more cages for catching rats at the tips.

50 years ago – December 20th 1969

Although some 25 local people would be celebrating Christmas from a hospital bed this year, from plans announced by Miss M E Genge, matron, the experience would not be an unpleasant one at all. There would be stockings, Matron and staff would sing carols and visiting hours were to be relaxed.

25 years ago – December 22nd 1994

Festive fun was tinged with sadness at St Audries Keep Fit Club’s last ever Christmas dinner. Instructor Norma Dawe, who started the class 17 years ago, was to retire and no-one had volunteered to take her place.