Picture Past: Oil Spills, village floods and budget woes

Winners in the music classes at the Weston Junior Arts Festival at the Playhouse. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Borough engineer EG Smith said no expense would be spared to keep the beach clear.

The blobs of oil, which were described as ‘a very mild contamination’, were thought to have come from a tanker which collided with another vessel off Cardiff last week.

The oil was discovered on a stretch of the sands between Uphill and the Winter Gardens, and prompt action was taken to remove them.

Corporation workmen armed with spades, dustbins and flame equipment, completed operations after taking away six truckloads of polluted rubbish.

Winners in the music classes at the Weston Junior Arts Festival at the Playhouse. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

They also burned off oil stains which appeared on the sea wall.

Mr Smith said: “We have these little blobs of oil in different places and some 200 to 400 yards of beach is affected.

“Some of the seaweed is contaminated too but we can remove that.”

Weston’s MP described the upcoming Government budget as ‘like a poor sausage, all stuffing and little meat’.

The crowds at Bournville Junior School Spring Fete. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

However, MP Jerry Wiggin did say he welcomed minor concessions within the budget, in particular tax allowances for the elderly.

He also said the changes to income tax failed to help those most in need as they already did not pay income tax.

He said: “No doubt the banks will rejoice, and every cut in bank rate is especially welcome to small businesses.

“Its a budget to remember by what is left out rather than put in.

Dancing winners at the Weston Junior Arts Festival at the Playhouse. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

“The increase in the cost of stamps, telephone and postal charges were conveniently excluded from the budget statement.”

A court was told the theft of several spindles controlling the water levels of rhynes on Congresbury Moore could have caused flooding in several villages near Weston.

Speaking at Axbridge Magistrates Court, Inspector SJ Mann said it was good fortune there had not been heavy rainfall as several drainage hatches had been put out of commission by the actions of the four men on trial.

However he did not believe they realised the potential consequences of their actions.

An 18-year-old Weston-super-Mare dancer, Tansin Shallish, scored a remarkable achievement at the Weston Junior Arts Festival. Her perfomances earned her four cups outright, she also shared the Castle Brown Cup for duets with Jacqueline Tucker, another Weston girl. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Two of the men were sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for two years, and the other two were find £26,

Dancing winners at the Weston Junior Arts Festival at the Playhouse. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Dancing trophy winners at the Weston Junior Arts Festival. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

The 2nd Hutton Brownies, in Easter bonnets, held their second anniversary party at the Legion Hall. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Weston Dramatic Society's enthusiastic production of Philip King's latest play, 'See How They Run.' Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

Weston Dramatic Society's enthusiastic production of Philip King's latest play, 'See How They Run.' Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

Pamela Rudge won the Junior Arts Cup (singing) for girls of 10-13 years. Julie King (left) and Anne Tovey (centre) were joint third and Judith Sutton was second. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Weston Dramatic Society's enthusiastic production of Philip King's latest play, 'See How They Run.' Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

The outstanding achievement in the music section of the the Weston Junior Arts Festival at the Playhouse was put up by 11-year-ols Malcolm Banham, whose singing earned him three cups. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Ads 17th April 1970 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

A 19th century ornamental fountain which has been sited on the Italian Gardens fronting High Street, Weston-super-Mare, was formally presented to the town by the donor, County Ald. Mrs E.M. Millier-Barstow, with an unvieling of a plaque by the Mayor Cllr. D. Driver. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Ads 17th April 1970 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Front Page 17th April 1970 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)