THE fire in our office meant we were unable to produce This Was The News - the popular column of stories reported in the Free Press in the course of the paper’s long history. We are happy to be able to present last week’s column here:

March 17th 1866

* The promoters of the St Decuman’s pleasure ground in Watchet held a meeting to consider the fencing of the land against the cliffs and making paths.

* A ewe belonging to P Taylor, Whitewick Farm, Stogumber, gave birth to five lambs – all all alive and well.

* Old Cleeve Choral Society gave a concert of sacred music in the schoolroom at Washford in aid of a fund to provide a stove in the parish church.

March 18th 1916

* The Exe Board of Conservators take a serious view of the “flagrant and disgraceful” pollution of the River Barle at Dulverton by untreated sewage, draining and slaughterhouse refuge.

* Knowle estate, between Dunster and Timberscombe, would shortly be offered for sale by auction. The estate comprised 2000 acres including the beautiful residence of Knowle House, formerly occupied by the late Lord Justice Farwell.

March 19th 1965

* Porlock Chamber of Trade discussed the position on Doverhay car park. If Mr Bond just gave up the car park and retained the petrol station, he would still be responsible for maintenance of the walls and resurfacing of the car park.

* It was costing £10,000 to repair the major slip-out on the Roadwater to Luxborough road at Kingsbridge caused by the exceptionally heavy rainfall last December.

* Interest in Williton’s annual assembly had been wilting over the last decade and there were seldom any contentious issues to discuss. Only one subject gave cause for concern this year – street lighting. There had been frequent failures of lamps, often for long periods, and it had been a rather unsatisfactory winter.

March 22nd 1991

* A major scheme to enhance Minehead’s shopping centre was to be looked at further before the public was asked for views on it. Technical officer Michael Ireland said it raised more questions than answers.

* An anonymous Watchet man collected a staggering £86,476 when he staked a £27.50 bet on the last day of the Cheltenham Races.

* Thousands of pounds of restoration work began on Wootton Courtenay’s 13th century parish church, but more money would have to be raised if the project was to be completed.