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 – February 26th 1870

In an advertisement, Thom Fry, of the Railway Hotel, Williton, begged to announce to the public generally that he intended to provide a shilling ordinary on Mondays at one o’clock.

100 years ago – February 28th 1920

The rector of Elworthy, the Rev H Gardner McTaggart, appealed for help for the fund for rehanging of the church bells at a cost of £130. The work was to be done by Mr John Sully, of Stogumber, whose bell craft was known throughout Somerset.

50 years ago – February 28th 1970

The Minehead Publicity Association warned West Somerset to expect an influx of visitors when the M4 motorway opened. It was estimated that numbers would more than treble with the short distance from the Midlands.

25 years ago – March 3rd 1995

Telephone numbers in Dulverton were to change on March 14 when the town would be connected to one of British Telecom’s latest digital exchanges. The digit 3 would be put in front of all existing five-digit numbers.