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 – September 11th 1869

The farmers of Stogursey, Kilton, Holford, Dodington, Lilstock and Stringston united to promote a harvest home celebration at Fairfield where 450 filled a marquee. A leg of mutton on top of a greasy pole was a prize no-one could gain. As darkness fell, Mr Joseph Millard put on a display of fireworks concluding with an illuminated ‘Good Night’.

100 years ago – September 13th 1919

At the annual meeting of the West Somerset District Football Association, it was announced that eight clubs had joined the league: Dunster, Minehead, Porlock, Roadwater, Stogumber, Taunton Depot, Washford, Watchet and Williton.

50 years ago – September 13th 1969

The ‘Dance of the Doones’ – one of the best organised and enjoyable functions ever to have graced Porlock Village Hall – signified the end of the Lorna Doone centenary year, and it was all now over except for the memories.

25 years ago – September 16th 1994

A long wooden trading vessel, the Irene, sailed into Porlock Weir where scenes of a film based on H E Bates’ novel The Feast of July were being shot.