150 years ago – May 21st 1870

* The practice of playing pitch and toss, particularly on the Sabbath, had become notorious, Supt Ross told the magistrates at Wiveliscombe Petty Sessions when four men were summoned for playing it with a halfpence. Supt Ross, however, did not press the cases, which were dismissed on payment of costs. The Bench said the men must realise that the superintendent had been very kind to them; they could have been sent to prison for three months without the option of a fine.

* At Nether Stowey Petty Sessions, a boy who was summoned for stealing vetches was committed to Taunton jail for one month with hard labour.

* Under the will of the late Miss Harriet Luttrell, of Dunster Castle, the interest upon £1000 was to be given annually to the poor of Dunster in coals, clothing and blankets.

* Miss Jane Swanger, of Kilve, was selected to fill the situation of infant nurse at the Williton Workhouse at a salary of £12 per annum.

100 years ago – May 22nd 1920

* Because he had been the only married man in the parish of Treborough to volunteer for active service in the 1914-18 war, Mr Charles Calloway was given the honour of unveiling the memorial in Treborough church to the seven men of the parish who gave their lives. Those seven represented more than a quarter of those who went out from the parish.

* The Times reported that the agricultural and sporting estate comprising Chargot Lodge and 22 farms, with woodland and plantations, the whole amounting to 7,085 acres, had been sold to Mr Travis, of Worcester. The estate had been in the ownership of Mr E R Insole and his family for many years.

* The district valuer told Williton RDC that the sum of £27 10s per annum asked for the lease of 999 years in respect of the proposed housing estate in Porlock was in excess of the true market value of the land, and the council should look for another site.

* Cricket: Minehead’s match with Dulverton produced a delightful game in which 262 runs were scored in three hours. The chief scorers in Minehead’s 142 were Colonel A B Merriman (28) and W A Burgess (50), and E L Copplestone carried his bat for 81 in Dulverton’s innings of 120.

50 years ago – May 23rd 1970

* The most extensive quayside fire at Watchet since the 1920s destroyed 250 tons of waste paper which was stacked on the East Quay and owned by Watchet Marine Ltd.

* One man was killed and ten others injured when the ex-Army vehicle they were travelling in overturned at Belmont, on the road leading into Watchet. All 11 people were employed at Butlin’s which had only just opened for the summer season.

* News that the medical centre in Alcombe had closed brought strong protests from members of Minehead and District Trades Council. Members agreed to lodge their complaints directly to the Government.

* Mr W H West was elected chairman of Watchet Urban District Council for a third successive year – a record since the authority was formed in 1902.