150 years ago

September 10th 1870

* At the monthly meeting of the Williton Local Board it was ordered that the public lamps should be lighted until midnight. It was decided to pay the following bills: year’s salary of the inspector of nuisances £5; ditto the inspector of lodging houses.

* William Stone, a young man of Watchet, employed by Mr H E Case, was cleaning a gun in his master’s kitchen when it went off and mortally wounded a servant, Charlotte Crocker, who had been sitting in the kitchen eating her tea.

* A teetotal fete was organised by the Brendon Hill and Gupworthy Temperance Society on Brendon Hill, in a field near the top of the incline. Some 200 people made a procession there. Special trains were run from Brendon Hill, Gupworthy and Comberow to take people back to Watchet.

* Lieut-Col Carew, of Crowcombe Court, led a procession of villagers to the parish church for the service which began the harvest home celebrations. A collection taken for the church restoration fund raised £33. Tables were laid in the park where 500 people sat down to dinner.

100 years ago

September 11th 1920

* A troupe of pierrots, who had earlier been to Cloutsham open meet, attempted to put on a turn at Dunster Show but were promptly stopped by PS Chant. The officer of the law also stepped in when an attempt was made to introduce a touch of Barnet Fair by visitors in a motor car laden with wares. Mr Luttrell had forbidden all side shows.

* The best cart horse at Dunster Show was exhibited by Mr Rex Badcock, of Vexford, Stogumber. The driving class was won by Mr George Rawle, of Curdon Farm, Stogumber. The best hunter was from Glamorgan.

* Miss Turner, matron of the Minehead and District Hospital, who came with the hospital when it was transferred to Minehead from Dunster, retired. She was succeeded by Miss E Dowson.

* Williton RDC decided that priority in the allocation of the first council houses in Williton should be given to wage earners in the immediate neighbourhood and to ex-servicemen. The rents of the two-classes houses would be 7s and 8s respectively.

* A new tower and peal of ten bells were dedicated at St John’s Church, Lynmouth. The builders of the tower, which was constructed of local stone, were Messrs H Harrison and Son, of Minehead.

* Williton RDC was asked by a correspondent to close and seal condemned wells in Bicknoller to guard against the possibility of another case of typhoid. It was pointed out, however, that wells could only be closed on the order of magistrates. The sanitary surveyor, Mr R E Jackman, stated that a water supply for Bicknoller would cost £3,500.

50 years ago

September 12th 1970

* A row broke out between boatmen and anglers in Watchet after fishermen casting out on the pier-heads were accused of throwing crabs, stones and lead weights at at boats as they entered the harbour.

* Dean Close, Stogumber – 14 single bedroom and four two-bedroom bungalows for the elderly – was officially opened by the vicar, the RevW J P Cox.

* Dulverton RDC’s public health committee recommended contributing £500 towards the cost of installing a public water supply for Exton.

* Former international hockey player Susan Johnson, of Queen’s Road, Minehead, died aged 92. A life member of Minehead Cricket Club, Miss Johnson was a well-known hotelier in the town and a local charity supporter.