Seven men faced charges of assaulting a police officer at a Worle Flower Show. It was reported in the Weston Mercury and Somerset Herald 50 years ago.

Weston Mercury: Aimed at presenting the Gospel in a language the average young person can understand, the North Somerset Youth Rally movement got off to a successful start at Milton Baptist Church. Guitarist Mick Tozer with a group of teenagers at the rally. Picture: WESTON MERCURYAimed at presenting the Gospel in a language the average young person can understand, the North Somerset Youth Rally movement got off to a successful start at Milton Baptist Church. Guitarist Mick Tozer with a group of teenagers at the rally. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

A theatre great was announced to be bringing two farces to Weston’s new Playhouse 50 years ago.

It was announced that Brian Rix would put on two comedy shows at the theatre next summer.

• A plea for a public inquiry after a fatal explosion in Congresbury was refused.

Weston’s MP David Webster pleaded with the Minister of Power to lead a full inquiry after a gas leak was found outside one of the village shops.

Weston Mercury: Autumn play-time. Pupils of Corpus Christi School enjoying the lunch-time break in Ellenborough Park. Picture: WESTON MERCURYAutumn play-time. Pupils of Corpus Christi School enjoying the lunch-time break in Ellenborough Park. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

The shop was built to replace one which was destroyed by a gas explosion in December 1967.

The December leak killed Jo Wareing, the wife of the proprietor and wrecked the shop.

Her husband had built a new shop where the smell of gas was detected.

The Gas Board had led an investigation into the smell of gas but the minister did not feel it required a full public inquiry.

Weston Mercury: Ads 25th October 1968 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURYAds 25th October 1968 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

• A brawl at the Worle Flower Show saw seven men appear before magistrates for allegedly assaulting the police and using threatening behaviour.

The charges arose after a disturbance at the show when it was alleged the youths kicked, punched and butted police officers who were called to deal with the trouble.

The hearing was adjourned after magistrates heard 11 hours of evidence over the space of two days.

• Youth centre facilities were in high demand in Worle in 1968.

Weston Mercury: Ads 25th October 1968 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURYAds 25th October 1968 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

The need for the facility was expressed at a meeting of the Weston Borough Council’s housing committee where it was stated there were more than 1,000 people on the growing Preanes Green estate with no amenities for the younger population.

There was a discussion about the plans to provide a safe space for the children in the middle of the large estate, although it was met with some criticism.

• There was growing concern in Weston after plans for a new hospital were pushed back again.

The scheme was first proposed to start in 1965 and then again for 1969 but they were put off once again with no review date in sight.

Weston Mercury: Front Page 25th October 1968 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURYFront Page 25th October 1968 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

The new district hospital was hoped to be delivered by 1969 however it appeared to be a pipe dream after a spokesman for the South Western Regional Hospital Board said: “A start on this hospital is planned within the next two or three years.

“It depends on the availability of capital money.”

Weston Mercury: Mr Alfred Blake presenting Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards to girls and boys at a ceremony held at Walliscote School. Picture: WESTON MERCURYMr Alfred Blake presenting Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards to girls and boys at a ceremony held at Walliscote School. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Top award for Weston Sea Cadets. Rear Admiral J.E.H. McBeath inspecting the guard before presenting the unit with a burgee. Picture: WESTON MERCURYTop award for Weston Sea Cadets. Rear Admiral J.E.H. McBeath inspecting the guard before presenting the unit with a burgee. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Priciples of Weston Operatic Society in rehearsal for their production of Die Fiedermaus. Left to right: Hazel Summers (ida), Brian Ranniford (Frank), John Collings (Dr. Falke), Peter Brewer (Gabriel) and Barbara Gray (Rosalinda). Picture: WESTON MERCURYPriciples of Weston Operatic Society in rehearsal for their production of Die Fiedermaus. Left to right: Hazel Summers (ida), Brian Ranniford (Frank), John Collings (Dr. Falke), Peter Brewer (Gabriel) and Barbara Gray (Rosalinda). Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Cutting the cake at the 3rd Weston Brownies Pack jubilee tea are Lady Vernon Smith and Miss V. Jackson-Barstow. Picture: WESTON MERCURYCutting the cake at the 3rd Weston Brownies Pack jubilee tea are Lady Vernon Smith and Miss V. Jackson-Barstow. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)