The warmest Easter weekend since the war did not translate into success for traders. The story was reported in the Weston Mercury and Somerset Herald 50 years ago.

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The new switchboards for Weston automatic telephone exchanged were turned on.

The new service dealt with all faults, enquiries and directory enquiries.

– An elderly Worle resident and a hitch-hiker died in a road accident over the Easter weekend.

Harry Sprostom, aged 78, was fatally injured in a collision with a van as he crossed New Bristol Road.

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He died shortly after being taken to Weston Hospital.

The hitch-hiker, 34-year-old Alan Richardson, was involved in a collision on the A370 at Lympsham.

He was also taken to Weston Hospital but died shortly after.

The inquests for each death were opened and adjourned to May 8.

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– The circumstances surrounding the death of a 19-year-old factory worker remained unsolved.

David Chilcott died after suffering a fractured skull following a fall from his bike.

The coroner said there was ‘no evidence to show how he came to fall’ so had to rule an open verdict.

The Langford man was taken ill at his home the night after returning from a visit to the local inn.

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He was taken to Weston Hospital but was dead on arrival.

His bike was found with a buckled rear wheel and it was thought he might have been involved in an accident while travelling home. But the inquest found no evidence of contact between a car and the bike.

– Weston enjoyed its sunniest and warmest Easter since World War Two in 1969.

However, according to the town’s traders, the huge crowds which flocked into the resort spent no more money than in previous years.

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Traders said business had been good but did not think it had shown any real significant increase.

The same was said for Burnham but in Cheddar there was a big increase in visitors and spending.

– The Mercury reported when the Bleadon and Winscombe telephone exchanges were connected to the new exchange in Weston, it would be a huge step forward for the two villages.

For the first time, Bleadon subscribers were able to dial beyond the boundary of their own exchange.

%image(14259589, type="article-full", alt="Ads 11th April 1969 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY")

In Winscombe, they had the 999 emergency service for the first time thanks to the changes.

%image(14259590, type="article-full", alt="Ads 11th April 1969 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY")

%image(14259591, type="article-full", alt="Front Page 11th April 1969 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY")