The Bible belonging to a British soldier was finally returned to its rightful owner, 50 years after it was lost. The story appeared in the Weston Mercury and Somerset Herald in 1969.

Weston Mercury: Competitors in ballet classes at Weston Junior Arts Festival, Susan Jane Loveridge, Lesley Jackson, Linda Hesp, Angela Cooper and Nicola Bentley. Picture: WESTON MERCURYCompetitors in ballet classes at Weston Junior Arts Festival, Susan Jane Loveridge, Lesley Jackson, Linda Hesp, Angela Cooper and Nicola Bentley. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Work started to build a new branch library in Worle.

The library, which was built near the High Street junction, cost £35,000 to complete from construction to fittings and to fill with equipment and books.

Local firm W J Pople and Sons Ltd completed the build as part of the comprehensive development of The Maltings in the village.

– A gold medallion, awarded to a rugby league player, was among the £539 worth of jewellery stolen from a home in Churchill.

Weston Mercury: The Weston-super-Mare League team which lost 4-2 to the Bath League in the County Mavis Tate Cup final at the Westland United Ground. Picture: WESTON MERCURYThe Weston-super-Mare League team which lost 4-2 to the Bath League in the County Mavis Tate Cup final at the Westland United Ground. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

The family, who were away for the weekend, came home to discover they had been burgled.

Five brooches, five rings, three necklaces, a gold charm, a jewel case, ladies watch, cufflinks, dress shirt buttons and the medallion had been stolen.

The medallion was an inch in diameter and was 22 carat gold.

It was a rugby league cup winners medal which was valued at £100 alone – around £1,653 in today’s money.

Weston Mercury: Mr W. Strachan (extreme left), managing director, Bristol Aerojets, with award winners at Bristol Aerojet Ltd appentices' prize giving and social evening. Picture: WESTON MERCURYMr W. Strachan (extreme left), managing director, Bristol Aerojets, with award winners at Bristol Aerojet Ltd appentices' prize giving and social evening. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

– The pocket Bible of a young British soldier, which was taken to France during World War One was returned to his widow – 50 years after it had been lost.

The Bible was given to Sidney Farr when he left for service in France with the South Wales Borderers by his sister-in-law, Winnie Farr.

Mrs Farr wrote a message praying for his safe return but he was taken prisoner during the war and the Bible was lost.

It was found in a dug-out on the Somme in 1916 by a German soldier, Fritz Likuski, who took it home with him after the war.

Weston Mercury: A colourful group of competitors the 22nd Weston Junior Arts Festival. Picture: WESTON MERCURYA colourful group of competitors the 22nd Weston Junior Arts Festival. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

It was later used by one of his daughters while she was learning English in school and then forgotten.

After her father’s death it was rediscovered and returned to his 84-year-old widow.

– Nine people were rushed to hospital after an accident between a workers’ coach and a coke lorry.

The coach, which was taking people to Hinkley Point Power Station, was torn away by the lorry which came to rest in a ditch on the side of the road.

Weston Mercury: Ads 25th April 1969 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURYAds 25th April 1969 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

The A38 at Pawlett Hill, where the accident occurred, was closed to traffic.

– The South Western Regional Hospitals Board allocated £1,221,174 – almost £20million in today’s money – to the Mid-Somerset Hospital Management Committee.

It was to be spent on wages, drugs and medical dressings, general services and staff uniforms among other items.

Weston Mercury: Ads 25th April 1969 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURYAds 25th April 1969 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Front Page 25th April 1969 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURYFront Page 25th April 1969 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)