Picture Past: November 8, 1968

Published: 4:24 PM November 10, 2018 Updated: 11:06 PM October 27, 2020

An 18th century stagecoach, drawn by four magnificent greys, carried Father Christmas into Weston-super-Mare where he arrived at Fairfax House in High Street. Picture: WESTON MERCURY - Credit: Archant

The Government dealt Weston a major blow with a disappointing update on plans to build a new hospital.

Yatton and District Horticultural Society chrysanthemum and fruit show. Linda and Julia Wojtowycz examining one of the "vegetable animals." Picture: WESTON MERCURY - Credit: Archant

In the weeks proceeding there had been concern at the length of time it was taking to get concrete information on the scheme.

Weston’s MP at the time, David Webster, asked questions of what was happening with the new hospital, only to be told work would not begin until 1972-3. Original promises said 1969.

The announcement provoked protests from concerned people living in Weston.

* Motorists were getting it in the neck as bad driving was leaving people irate.

Yatton and District Horticultural Society chrysanthemum and fruit show. Picture: WESTON MERCURY - Credit: Archant

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In Axbridge, there were moans about inconsiderate parking in The Square, while in Blagdon buses and coaches were finding it hard to navigate narrow roads because motorists had left their vehicles on both sides of the street.

* There was some better news for youngsters living in Congresbury, however.

Its parish council announced that Congresbury Youth Club would be moving to its own venue.

A place in Wrington Road was being eyed up, which had before acted as a telephone exchange.

Weston and District Chrysanthemum Society Show at the Winter Gardens Pavilion. Picture: WESTON MERCURY - Credit: Archant

* It was another poor week for Weston’s footballers.

A dispiriting performance away at Andover, saw the Seagulls lose 4-0, although the Mercury gave praise to goalkeeper Singleton, on loan from Minehead.

The dancers in costume for the ballet interlude in Weston Operatic Society's production of "Die Fledermaus" at Knightstone Theatre this week. Picture: WESTON MERCURY - Credit: Archant

But for his performance, Andover ‘could have doubled their score’, in a one-sided affair.

The result meant Weston had only won once all season – at home to Torquay.

Winterstoke Secondary Girls School speech day and prizegiving, head girl Katherin Cummins (right) showing her certificate to Pamela Goodall and Elizabeth Meadow. Picture: WESTON MERCURY - Credit: Archant

Pupils from Winterstoke Secondary Girls School at their speech day and prizegiving. Picture: WESTON MERCURY - Credit: Archant

* Concerns around over-development tend to appear in the Mercury almost every week these days, and it was no different in 1968.

Back then it was Berrow in the spotlight with a number of houses being built.

Edward Deal, as Alfred, with ladies of the chorus in Weston Operatic Society's production of "Die Fledermaus" at Knightstone Theatre this week. Picture: WESTON MERCURY - Credit: Archant

Villager R Sims told the parish council it should be a ‘servant’ to the area, not a ‘master’.

He cited the loss of the school’s playground to build an extra classroom to take extra pupils as a sad sign of the problems.

* Plans for a new fire station to be built at Blagdon’s Yew Tree Farm were supported by the parish council.