A swimming legend died 50 years ago this week after a career spanning five Olympics.

Weston Mercury: A total of £130 was raised at a sale organised by the Blackford Primary School Parent-Teachers Association at the school. Children who enjoyed the day. Picture: WESTON MERCURYA total of £130 was raised at a sale organised by the Blackford Primary School Parent-Teachers Association at the school. Children who enjoyed the day. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Paulo ‘Raddy’ Radmilovic was mourned in Weston after dying at the age of 82.

Raddy saw record-breaking success at the Summer Olympics in swimming and water polo and has won more gold medals than any other British swimmer.

– He had been included into the International Hall of Swimming Fame a year before his death.

–The aftermath of the July floods was still being felt in Somerset as it was revealed what the estimated cost to the county council was for emergency relief and damage.

Weston Mercury: Ads 4th October 1968 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURYAds 4th October 1968 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Estimates placed the sum at more than half a million pounds and could cost a sixpenny rate.

It was revealed some £28,000 were spent to replace lost books and equipment in more than 30 schools and libraries.

While £640,000 was put towards repairing and reinstating roads and bridges in the county.

– The Weston Mercury and Somerset Herald front page headline included explanation of a change to the sands speed limit.

Weston Mercury: Lady helpers parade with the trifles served at St Paul's Church harvest supper. Picture: WESTON MERCURYLady helpers parade with the trifles served at St Paul's Church harvest supper. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Weston Borough Council proposed, and later approved, to amend the by-law which restricted speeds on the sands.

The then-8mph restriction on the sands would be lifted for special events such as car racing and sand yachting.

– There was a rise in the number of malicious fire calls in Somerset 50 years ago – growing by a third.

The ‘disturbing rise’ of more than 30 per cent over five years saw police and magistrates look to apply for ‘maximum force of law’.

Weston Mercury: Pictured at Uphill parish harvest supper are Mrs. M. Bird and Mrs. M. Holt serving tea and hot pies to some of the guests. Picture: WESTON MERCURYPictured at Uphill parish harvest supper are Mrs. M. Bird and Mrs. M. Holt serving tea and hot pies to some of the guests. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

The fire service was called out 3,358 times in the year – 608 more than the previous year.

– People at the Grand Pier were jumping for joy as their improvement scheme was approved by the council.

The entrance to the landmark would see a makeover after modernisation plans were granted by Weston Borough Council.

Councillors were shown architects’ sketches and plans which featured shops and kiosks incorporated into the entrance way as well as a fish and chip restaurant and amusement arcade.

Weston Mercury: A huge crane with 25-cwt. ball attachment, was used this week in demolition work at the Electricity Board offices in Locking Road, Weston. Uneven sinkage caused damage to walls and ceilings at the offices, completed in 1960 at the cost of £110 000, and a new building is to be built, on piles, on the same site. Picture: WESTON MERCURYA huge crane with 25-cwt. ball attachment, was used this week in demolition work at the Electricity Board offices in Locking Road, Weston. Uneven sinkage caused damage to walls and ceilings at the offices, completed in 1960 at the cost of £110 000, and a new building is to be built, on piles, on the same site. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

– Changes were made to training for nurses in Weston at the hospital.

The new plan meant the medical professionals would be able to train for state enrolments at the town’s two hospitals.

Weston Mercury: Ads 4th October 1968 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURYAds 4th October 1968 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Front Page 4th October 1968 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURYFront Page 4th October 1968 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Young ladies enjoying the fare served at St Paul's Church harvest supper. Picture: WESTON MERCURYYoung ladies enjoying the fare served at St Paul's Church harvest supper. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Weston's Roger Claridge wins the first stage of the Wills Grand Prix cycle race, but finishes on his back! A brake cable snapped, and he hit a barricade. Picture: WESTON MERCURYWeston's Roger Claridge wins the first stage of the Wills Grand Prix cycle race, but finishes on his back! A brake cable snapped, and he hit a barricade. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Weston's Roger Claridge wins the first stage of the Wills Grand Prix cycle race, but finishes on his back! A brake cable snapped, and he hit a barricade. Picture: WESTON MERCURYWeston's Roger Claridge wins the first stage of the Wills Grand Prix cycle race, but finishes on his back! A brake cable snapped, and he hit a barricade. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: A total of £130 was raised at a sale organised by the Blackford Primary School Parent-Teachers Association at the school. Keen treasure hunters sticking pins in a map. Picture: WESTON MERCURYA total of £130 was raised at a sale organised by the Blackford Primary School Parent-Teachers Association at the school. Keen treasure hunters sticking pins in a map. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: The Inner Wheel Club of Mendip held a successful fashion show of hand-knitted day and evening ladies' wear at the Church Hall, Winscombe. Picture: WESTON MERCURYThe Inner Wheel Club of Mendip held a successful fashion show of hand-knitted day and evening ladies' wear at the Church Hall, Winscombe. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: A dinner and dance marked the presentation of a charter, by the International Association of Lions Clubs, to the recently formed Weston Lions Club. Past district Governor Syd Jarrett, Club president Mr. A.B. Fowler and vice-chairman Ron Phillips with the charter. Picture: WESTON MERCURYA dinner and dance marked the presentation of a charter, by the International Association of Lions Clubs, to the recently formed Weston Lions Club. Past district Governor Syd Jarrett, Club president Mr. A.B. Fowler and vice-chairman Ron Phillips with the charter. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: A dinner and dance marked the presentation of a charter, by the International Association of Lions Clubs, to the recently formed Weston Lions Club. Picture: WESTON MERCURYA dinner and dance marked the presentation of a charter, by the International Association of Lions Clubs, to the recently formed Weston Lions Club. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)