Police officers were praised for their ‘courage’ after chasing down a 15-year-old boy on a motorcycle. The story appeared in the Weston Mercury and Somerset Herald 50 years ago.
Two more amusement arcade applications were submitted to Weston Borough Council for the town centre.
Although some members of the council’s planning committee already thought Regent Street was ‘saturated’ with arcades, the committee approved by a one-vote majority the establishment of two more.
Assuming they opened, it would mean there would be six in the street.
n Two police officers pursued a 15-year-old motorcyclist at nearly 80mph.
The pair were commended at Weston Juvenile Court for their ‘tenacity and courage’.
The ‘hair-raising chase’ began at Bleadon and ended in Weston.
The two officers noticed the bike was not displaying a rear light – the boy riding the machine would not stop and a high-speed race was started.
The boy admitted to driving dangerously, failing to stop when requested, driving under age, driving without a licence and insurance.
He was fined £25 in total and was disqualified from driving for two years.
n The future of an old telephone exchange in Nailsea was up in the air for six weeks as plans to convert it into a nursery school were debated.
The Long Ashton Rural District Council’s housing committee decided to ask the county council whether it intended to set up a nursery school in the area.
Other considerations made included turning the old building into flats.
Eric Lee, engineer and surveyor, said: “This building is in rather poor condition and I would not like to see it standing for more than about five years without a substantial amount of repair.”
n Cheddar homeowners raised some concerns about a ‘hazardous’ junction in the village, saying it was particularly worse in the summer months when tourists came to the area.
They called for something to be done to improve the junction of Tweentown and Cliff Street.
Gough’s Garage employee, Paul Croucher, said: “From where I work I see many near accidents and minor accidents, and I am surprised that, as yet, nobody has been killed.
“In the summer there is chaos as holidaymakers have no idea who has the right of way. Some even think the island is a roundabout.”
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