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 13th 1869

Judgement was given for Sir Alexander Acland Hood in respect of aa claim he brought for damage done to his carriage by a gig driven by Mr Thomas F Pearce, surveyor of taxes, of Taunton. The collision occurred in Bicknoller. There was a defence that Mr Pearse’s horse had been frightened by the bells on the harness of Sir Alexander’s carriage.

100 years ago – March 15th 1919

A largely-attended meeting of Dulverton ratepayers was held in protest against the proposed sewerage scheme for the town. Sir Gilbert Wills MP presided. There were shouts of “Preposterous”, “Wicked” and “Sell us up” whenever the estimated cost, £14,000, was mentioned. Dr Collyns said the drainage of the town was not bad at all.

50 years ago – March 15th 1969

Westminster Bank, in The Parade, Minehead, joined the growing number of branches to offer the 24-hour cash-card service. Within 15 seconds, customers of any of the National Westminster Bank Group’s 3,800 branches could obtain £10 from the dispenser near the entrance – whatever the day or time.

25 years ago – March 18th 1994

UFO hunters were investigating two sightings in West Somerset on March 6 that they believed could be linked. A woman in Wiveliscombe saw an object hovering in the sky then shooting into the air before disappearing in the direction of Willets Tower – where a group of people watched a similar object for more than an hour.