150 years ago - November 4 1841

* The foundations for the new schools in Williton were being taken out. The clerk of works was Mr Thomas Horne, Williton: the contractors Mr James Lang, Williton, and Mr John Pearse, Minehead. They had agreed to erect the schools in 12 months.

* After a temperance lecture had been given in the Bible Christian Chapel, Roadwater, Mr William Court presiding, 32 people signed the pledge.

* The funeral service for Sir Peregrine Acland, Bart, took place in Stogursey church. The cortege processed from Fairfield led by ten clergymen wearing hatbands and sashes. Sixteen of the oldest workmen on the estate, habited in new suits of mourning, silk hatbands and gloves, carried the corpse in alternate relays of eight.

100 years ago - November 5 1921

* PC Albert Culliford, of Winsford, was lowered 200 feet into a mine shaft on Ison Hill to rescue a dog. The men at the top managing the rope were Tom and Herbert Sully, H Soper, R Williams and James Needs. (PC Culliford was subsequently awarded the silver medal of the Canine Defence League.)

* Dulverton Male Voice Choir and Ladies Chorus decided to resume giving concerts for charities. The honorary conductor would be Mr H S Joyce.

* Mr F W Huggins, of Williton, tendered to the Board of Guardians his resignation as registrar of births, deaths and marriages for Williton sub-district, and also as vaccination officer. He had been connected to the work of the board for 57 years.

* To wind up Dulverton Carnival, Messrs Reg Puttock and Ivan Kemp charged 2d admission to view the ‘mystery animal’, a young pig without ears or tail, lent by Mr W Dart.

50 years ago - November 6 1971

* An Elizabethan silver chalice valued at about 470 had been reported missing from St Andrew’s Church, Wiveliscombe, by the vicar the Rev Frank Bentley. Also taken were a 19th century replica and 30 in cash.

* Hopes of restoring the dilapidated blade mills at Yarde were rapidly failing. Without any machinery, the one-storey building was not of any great historical value and hardly worth spending any money on.

* An ignited firework landed on Osborne Cottage, Lower Washford. Owner Mr C Beaver and neighbours prevented any serious damage but a two-foot length of thatch was destroyed.