50 years ago

1968

January

Mr James Dell, of Blue Anchor, died aged 88. He was, as far as was known, one of the last two surviving members of Captain Scott’s first scientific expedition to the Antarctic in the Discovery in 1901-04. He was also a member of the Shackleton-Rowett expedition to the Antarctic in the little sealing vessel ’Quest’ in 1921-22.

February

A fire in the roof of West Bagborough village school caused 19 children to be evacuated. They had almost finished the main course of their dinner when the smoke was seen by a passer-by.

March

Kilve was in urgent need of a car park and a site behind the village hall had been approved. However, the work was being held up by the Ministry. Kilve also decided not to enter the best kept village competition: “As things are at present, we don’t stand a chance,” said the parish council chairman.

April

Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, ‘Monty’, was chief guest at Doniford Camp when members of the 1st Battalion the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers paraded for the last time under that title. To the strains of Auld Lang Syne, they melted into the new Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, of which they were the 2nd Battalion.

May

Williton council’s hugely controversial decision to change the name of North Street to Shutgate Street continued to rankle. There had been considerable opposition, and the decision ignored a residents’ survey favouring North Street. The county council said no nameplate would be erected would be made until the matter had been settled.

June

In a ’Late Night Extra’, BBC programmes 1 and 2 would be on a ghost hunt at secluded Bardon House, near Washford. Part of the premises had been leased by the artist Jago Stone, and an exhibition of his work included a painting of a ghost he claimed to have seen – a man who might be one of the Leigh family, whose seat was at Bardon for a great many years.

July

A tithe barn in Bilbrook, containing seven tons of thatching reed and five tons of barley straw, was completely destroyed by fire. The strange feature of it was that it was not noticed by anyone. It was discovered, having burned itself out, by the owner Mr AT Case, of Withycombe Farm, who was completely surprised.

August

A former Olympic diving champion and an Olympics judge since 1928, Mr F J Coyne organised the children’s sports at Roadwater Fete. It was the village’s 40th annual fete.

September

Withiel Florey village school closed. It had opened in 1865 to hold 60 children. People across the generations gathered to say farewell to headmistress Mrs Jean Harbottle. Among the guests was Mrs Janet Jenkins, from Burnham-on-Sea, who had been headmistress from 1932 until 1954.

October

The newly formed management committee of the Williton Youth Club called a meeting and 72 young people attended. They also formed their own committee. The club would meet on Thursday evenings in the school, and equipment was already being purchased.

November

Four men were fined £4 apiece by Dulverton Magistrates Court for offences under an Act dating back to 1831. The four, from Tiverton, admitted killing game, cock pheasants, on a Sunday.

December

The worst foot and mouth epidemic for 40 years brought social gatherings to a standstill. Local events put off included the National Union of Agricultural Workers’ annual dinner, due to be held at the Washford Hotel, and the Devon and Somerset Staghounds ball, booked at the Cleeve Park Hotel, Old Cleeve. Both were cancelled.