ONE YEAR AGO This week in 2014

  •  CHILDREN’S safety was claimed to be at risk in a new housing estate’s purposebuilt play area in Ilminster.

Members of South Somerset District Council’s Area West committee gave the go-ahead for Persimmon Homes’ revised proposals for 65 homes at Canal Way, despite concerns.

The developer was also criticised for putting up marketing boards on the land months before the development was approved.

  •  CHILDREN were treated to fun, free activities in Ilminster, staged to launch the town council taking over running the market.

Face painting and balloon modelling attracted dozens of people to the Market House. Ilminster Town Council was running the market after staffing changes at South Somerset District Council, which had previously run it.

Town clerk Joy Norris said: “When people come to the market, they will probably stop for a coffee or wander round the shops, so a good market is very important for Ilminster.”

TEN YEARS AGO This week in 2005

  •  DISTRICT councillors threw out controversial plans to expand Tesco in Chard.

At a meeting of South Somerset District Council’s Area West Committee, councillors backed planning officer Stephen Belli’s recommendation to reject plans to increase Tesco’s floor space by roughly a quarter.

Traders and residents packed Crowshute House in Chard on the evening, eagerly awaiting a decision of enormous significance for the town.

  •  COTLEY Harriers hunt master Edward Eames pledged to ride on into the night to try and catch the ‘last legal fox’ as riders met the day before the new ban came into force.

A huge crowd and about 100 riders gathered for the last legal fox hunt, which started from Burridge Farm, near Chard.

Addressing the crowd, Mr Eames said he hoped the ban would be temporary. To cheers from his audience, Mr Eames said: “It’s a sad day but I’m sure that there will be a way forward for some sort of hunting with these hounds.”

15 YEARS AGO This week in 2000

  •  CHARD Preschool and Schools Out club was set to become a childcare centre of excellence after £500,000 plans were unveiled.

They included a baby unit, toddler centre, upgraded pre-school facilities, a computer room and more space for parent classes.

  •  A YOUTH football boss demanded Ilminster town councillors take full responsibility for the health of his players – or ban dogs form the town’s recreation ground.

Ian Brister called for the town council to pass a by-law banning dogs from the rec or take enforcement action to make owners clean up after their pets.