Weston’s multi-million-pound automatic telephone exchange was set to formally open remotely. The story appeared in the Weston Mercury and Somerset Herald.

Weston Mercury: The Bliss family blather on oblivious of the departing guests who think they are escaping from a madhouse. Picture: WESTON MERCURYThe Bliss family blather on oblivious of the departing guests who think they are escaping from a madhouse. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Potholes were becoming a problem in one village 50 years ago.

The potholes in Wick Lane, in Brent Knoll, were getting deeper, the parish council was told.

- The new £530,000 automatic telephone exchange at Weston was set to be formally opened by remote control from a hotel almost a mile away.

The 'long distance' opening was to be performed by the mayor, Cllr P F Hess from the Grand Atlantic Hotel.

Weston Mercury: Bristol City foward Alan Skirton presents a trophy to S. Durston, captain of Whirlwinds C (Worle School) who beat Western Aces in the under-14 floodlit football league championships. Picture: WESTON MERCURYBristol City foward Alan Skirton presents a trophy to S. Durston, captain of Whirlwinds C (Worle School) who beat Western Aces in the under-14 floodlit football league championships. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

Sixty guests were expected to be present to represent the townspeople and those who built and equipped the new exchange which was located by the library in Boulevard.

It cost £100,000 to build - more than £1.6million in today's money - and a further £430,000 - or £7million - to install the automatic equipment.

The new exchange replaced two manual exchanges, one at the Head Post Office serving 2,600 subscriber and the other in the Boulevard which served 5,300 people.

- A Weston bricklayer died in Frenchay Hospital, in Bristol, after falling more than 10ft from a parapet at the Gateway supermarket in Yatton.

Weston Mercury: The new £530 000 automatic Telephone Exchange at Weston-super-Mare is to formally opened next week. Pictured is the new switchboard. Although the system is automatic, there will be a staff of 31 operators to assist. Picture: WESTON MERCURYThe new £530 000 automatic Telephone Exchange at Weston-super-Mare is to formally opened next week. Pictured is the new switchboard. Although the system is automatic, there will be a staff of 31 operators to assist. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

The man, who was in his 50s, was working on extensions to the High Street building and was inspecting brickwork when he fell.

- The 'vicious and unprovoked assault' of a young man in Cheddar Gorge was heard at Axbridge magistrates.

A 19-year-old pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm for the crime.

The victim had been visiting the village on a youth rally and was walking through the gorge when another group of youths approached.

Weston Mercury: Spring in the air at Grove Park with dancers from the local Children Calling presentation adding a fairy touch to blossom time. Picture: WESTON MERCURYSpring in the air at Grove Park with dancers from the local Children Calling presentation adding a fairy touch to blossom time. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

The defendant reached out and attacked the victim, 'seizing him around the waist, dropping him and struck him a violent blow on the nose'.

- One man died after a van left the road near a hump-back bridge and crashed into a deep pond.

The occupants of the van had been travelling on Hutton Moor Road to attend a party when the crash took place.

One person was charged with taking and driving a van without the owner's consent and death by dangerous driving - for which he pleaded not guilty.

Weston Mercury: Ads 9th May 1969 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURYAds 9th May 1969 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)

The deceased was a passenger in the van, which was thought to be travelling too fast down the narrow road.

Weston Mercury: Front Page 9th May 1969 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURYFront Page 9th May 1969 Edition. Picture: WESTON MERCURY (Image: Archant)