Picture Past: October 8, 1965

HORSES which kept biting people and a continuing battle against the pigeons were reported in 1965.

The Scoutmaster of the 1st Uphll Scouts, Mr. N.R. Lay, and his wife who is the Cubmistress, were presented with warrants by the District Commissioner, Mr. R.J.L. White, at St Nicholas Church Hall, Uphill. - Credit: Archant

The stories were included in the October 8 edition of the Weston Mercury and Somerset Herald.

? Weston Borough Council decided to reject having fluoride added to the town’s water supply. Some members said it was a ‘deadly poison’, and rejected a report from its own health committee which said it was now a well-established measure with a positive impact on dental health. But Cllr Curtis said it was 15 times more poisonous than arsenic.

? A second phase of development to Weston’s Technical College was at risk after the Government announced it would put a restriction on capital expenditure. The old buildings were due to be demolished in May 1966, and the work would cost £540,800.

? ‘Horses have the last laugh in Kewstoke’ said one front page headline. The Mercury reported how the parish council could do nothing about complaints that ponies grazing in a field ‘molest and bite people using the footpath which crosses the field’. It was said the owner of animals not naturally dangerous could keep them in a field and was not liable if someone got injured.

? Demand for electricity in Weston had become so great, the town was going to draw its supplies directly from the National Grid.

? The borough council was going to re-think its recommendation to reduce the amount of flowers used on the floral clock because it kept being pulled apart by pigeons. Its parks committee recommended planting grass instead of the bedding plants, but some residents were concerned about the proposal. One councillor said they should use flowers which were unattractive to pigeons – although it was not clear what types of plants those might be.