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 – April 10th 1869

n Services at Dunster church had improved greatly since Easter by the introduction of ‘Hymns Ancient and Modern’. There were several new voices of excellence and power in the choir, and the organist was said to be efficient. Another acquisition was the organ built by the Briceson firm and given to the church by the Rev Thomas Luttrell. It cost £600.

100 years ago – April 12th 1919

Somerset County Council decided to appoint an executive officer under the Rat Destruction Order at a salary of £200 per annum plus travelling expenses. This was being called the height of absurdity. Mr John Joyce, of Milverton, declared he would rather pay for dead rats’ tails than for living officials.

50 years ago – April 12th 1969

To cater for the under 18s, the proprietors of the Cleeve Park Hotel, Messrs Don and John Rose, opened a cellar discotheque. The converted summer bar and skittles alley could accommodate around 150 young people, and contained a pop and coffee bar and an amusement arcade. The walls were decorated by local artist George Deakins.

25 years ago – April 15th 1994

County councillor Lady Elizabeth Gass, of Fairfield, Stogursey, was sworn in as the first woman High Sheriff of Somerset in more than 700 years. The last woman to hold the office was believed to have been Queen Eleanor in 1285.