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 – January 22nd 1870

A specimen of White’s Thrush, a very rare bird which had probably come from Japan, was shot near Taunton and presented to Mr Cecil Smith, of Bishops Lydeard, for his collection. Only three specimens of this rare bird had previously been noted in the British Isles.

100 years ago – January 24th 1920

In the West Somerset League, luckless Roadwater football team lost their eighth match, 8-0 to Minehead, and had still not recorded a goal while having 72 scored against them – an average of nine per match.

50 years ago – January 24th 1970

Horlicks announced it was to close the milk processing plant at Tythings Court, Minehead. More than 20 people would lose their jobs.

25 years ago – January 27th 1995

The roof of Dunster Yarn Market – a 17th century octagonal oak and slate building – was to be taken off and rebuilt, using as much of the original material as possible.