A couple’s home was raided while they were partying the night away at a police ball. The story featured in the Weston Mercury and Somerset Herald 50 years ago.

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Weston and Somerset were at risk of losing some of their Post Offices 50 years ago.

The Weston Mercury and Somerset Herald announced the head Post Offices in the South West would be whittled down from 42 to 14 by 1975.

The move was planned to bring about ‘substantial savings’ in the area.

– Plans to build a seafront amusement arcade were rejected.

%image(14262373, type="article-full", alt="A procession of 34 "queens" in colourful dresses and wearing glittering crowns handed over purses worth £453 to aid National Children's Homes. The occasion was the Festival of Queen which was held at Knightstone Theatre. Picture: WESTON MERCURY")

Weston Borough Council fought to keep the arcades from the seafront and was successful in its continued battle.

The plans to convert a restaurant and ice cream parlour on the corner of Oxford Street and Beach Road were not supported by the council and were later rejected by the Minister of Housing and Local Government.

– Bleadon Parish Council approached the ombudsman, Sir Edmound Compton, asking him to investigate the ‘iniquity’ and ‘bad planning’ of a decision not to stop quarrying in the village.

Somerset county planners stated an extension of the quarrying in South Hill would not cause a nuisance from dust, noise and vibrations.

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But the council was told by Colonel Charles Mortimer the value of properties within 800 yards of the quarry would slump by around £84,000 if it was allowed to continue.

– A couple’s home was raided while they were out enjoying an evening at a police ball.

The two guests attended the celebration at the Winter Gardens but on their return home in the early hours of the morning discovered they had been burgled.

A total of £200 worth of jewellery and cash had been taken – valued at around £3,400 today.

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The intruders had locked the homeowner’s dog in the living room while they ransacked the house.

Police arrived at the scene and searched all the rooms and it was discovered the criminals had smashed a window to gain entry.

– Santa and an angel helped Weston’s mayor raise funds for his chosen cause.

The festive pair hit the button to turn on the Christmas tree lights and entertained young children throughout the fun evening.

%image(14262376, type="article-full", alt="Gilbert and Sullivan at its liveliest was seen at Nailsea School, when The Pirates of Penzance sailed across the stage and into the hearts of delighted audiences. Picture: WESTON MERCURY")

The mayor’s fund was raising cash for the elderly people and children who would be unlikely to receive very much for Christmas that year.

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%image(14262378, type="article-full", alt="The blinded Polymester (Andy Adamson) is led away by guards Julian Walters and Stephen Cantle, watched by Agamemnon (Howard Creamer) in Weston Grammar School's perfomance of Euripides' Hecabe. Picture: WESTON MERCURY")

%image(14262381, type="article-full", alt="Reginald Bunthorne (Geoffrey Blackmore) considers the lily surrounded by "twenty love-sick maidens," in Churchill School's production of "Patience." Picture: WESTON MERCURY")

%image(14262383, type="article-full", alt="Christmas Trees in Weston's shoping areas, including Dolphin Square, Weston High Street at the Italian Gardens and St Andrew's Parade on the Bournville Est. Picture: WESTON MERCURY")

%image(14262384, type="article-full", alt="Christmas Trees in Weston's shoping areas, including Dolphin Square, Weston High Street at the Italian Gardens and St Andrew's Parade on the Bournville Est. Picture: WESTON MERCURY")

%image(14262385, type="article-full", alt="Christmas Trees in Weston's shoping areas, including Dolphin Square, Weston High Street at the Italian Gardens and St Andrew's Parade on the Bournville Est. Picture: WESTON MERCURY")

%image(14262387, type="article-full", alt="Ads 13th December 1968 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY")

%image(14262388, type="article-full", alt="Front Page 13th December 1968 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY")