150 years ago - August 19 1871

* The 70 children of Combe Florey school had their annual treat. They met at the Vicarage where, after listening to an impressive sermon by the Rev A Sanford, they were given a sumptuous tea. The schoolmaster was Mr Pym.

* In the annual competitions promoted by the Dunster Deanery Schoolmaster Union, the prizewinners included the following: master of the best school, Mr Fisher, Winsford; mistress of the best school, Miss Hallet, Wootton Courtenay; best knowledge of scripture, Mr Gleed, Williton Union school.

* The anniversary of West Bagborough school was celebrated. A procession of 70 children, accompanied by Mr A Cotterell and Miss Pearse, was headed by 12 girls of equal size carrying six baskets laden with plum cake. Tea and sports took place on the Vicarage lawn.

100 years ago - August 20th 1921

* Old Cleeve parish had a surplus balance of £200 on the war memorial fund. Mr T Evered offered to let the parish rent his field opposite the war memorial at Dragons Cross for cricket and football and it was decided to accept the offer.

* Messrs F G Halliday Ltd, of Minehead, put on an exhibition of antique laces and embroideries worn by Empress Eugenie, leading figure of the glittering court of Napoleon III, Queen Maria Pia of Portugal and the ill-fated Marie Antoinette.

* Prospecting for oil was resumed at Kilve. Borings were taking place near the ruins of the old Priory.

* ‘Jan Stewer’ (A J Coles) made his first visit to the Queen’s Hall, Minehead, to give a dialect recital, and another famous entertainer booked was comedian George Robey.

50 years ago -August 21 1971

* Nether Stowey was under a foot of water in thunderstorms. Postmaster Mr G W Reed said the water flow was ‘like rapids’ outside the Post Office and ‘like a fountain’ at the Lime Street-Castle Street junction. Parcels were even soaked inside the delivery van.

* Kilve Parish Council launched a campaign to find a flat acre of land as a village recreation ground. It wanted roundabouts, swings and somewhere to kick a football around.

* Watchet paper mill converted from oil to natural gas to drive its steam turbine. The switch was expected to reduce fuel bills and benefit the local environment.

* Williton police were called in when a Piper Cherokee light aircraft circled Doniford Army Camp. There were fears about the IRA but the pilot was practising for an air display.