Picture Past: November 1, 1968 – Vandals steal cats’ eyes

Published: 4:00 PM November 3, 2018

Updated: 11:06 PM October 27, 2020

Mrs. D.E. Binton (seated centre) with Brownies of the 15th Weston-super-Mare (Good Shepherd) Pack. Mrs. Bindon is retiring after 36 years as Brown Owl. Picture: WESTON MERCURY - Credit: Archant

Weston was told there was ‘tremendous’ potential to expand the town’s holiday trade.

Younsters performing a play about the life and work of Hannah More at the Junior Church Family Festival held at the Boulevard Congregational Church. Picture: WESTON MERCURY - Credit: Archant

The Weston Mercury and Somerset Herald reported the thoughts of the chairman of the South West Economic Planning Council, Bill Irens, who felt Weston could attract more tourists.

– The future plans of an arcade site raised concerns about the rising rates at a meeting of Weston Borough Council’s finance committee in 1968.

Plans to transform the space into a £223,000 multi-storey car park alarmed councillors who feared it would increase Weston’s rate to more than 10d.

The meeting resulted in cuts to the council’s capital expenditure for the next year.

At a handicrafts stand at Uphill Friendship Club's Autumn Fair are Mrs. K.A. Brewer, Mrs. B.M. Board, Mrs. G. Bailey and Mrs. P. Harvey. Picture: WESTON MERCURY - Credit: Archant

– Vandals struck again in Banwell as cats’ eyes were ripped up from the road.

Increasing problems in the village caused Banwell Parish Council to report the situation to the police.

– Plans to turn the Gaumont cinema into a bingo hall were dropped after the organisation behind the gaming institute withdrew its application.

Rank Theatres Ltd had considered using the Regent Street cinema as a full-time bingo hall but later decided to change its mind.

Pictured with some of the foil collected, for Guide Dogs for the Blind, by the Odeon children's club are prizewinners Kerry Moseley (centre), Paul Watson (right) and Patricia Pring (standing centre). Looking on are usherettes Mrs. Yvonne Barber and Mrs. J. Mereweather with their sons and other club members.. Picture: WESTON MERCURY - Credit: Archant

There were objections to the original application as local organisations pointed out they hosted their own bingo nights to raise important funds.

– A new factory was planned for the Oldmixon Industrial Estate, the paper revealed.

Nickel-Electro Ltd asked the local authority for an acre of the site to build the engineering firm.

– The Mercury revealed it would cost the borough council around £50,000 – the equivalent of £842,233 in today’s money – to replace some ‘unsatisfactory’ post and wire fences with concrete panel fences around the council’s pre-war houses.

Walliscote Secondary School Old Boys' Reunion. Mr. R.G. Eaglestone, headmaster (centre), with staff and past pupils. Picture: WESTON MERCURY - Credit: Archant

The cost would result in a rent increase of about three shillings a week on all pre-war properties.

– Members of a junior school parent teacher association prepared to press the Department of Education and Science for an early result on a planning inquiry.

The Woodborough Junior School PTA urged the department to examine the proposed site of a new school.

The waiting list for the school grew each day after the need for the new establishment was announced in 1964.

Weston-super-Mare Girls Grammar School Speech Day and prizegiving. Picture: WESTON MERCURY - Credit: Archant

Mr. David Webster, M.P., in another explosive moment - not this time in the House of Commons, but at Weston and District Young Conservatives dinner and dance at the Royal Hotel. Picture: WESTON MERCURY - Credit: Archant