20 YEARS AGO:CHARD and District Hospital were looking at plans to transform under-occupied beds into day-care space to slash long outpatient waiting lists.

December 6, 1995: Town doctors were also discussing plans to use the hospital as a centre for after-hours emergencies in Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne.

CHARD Ladies Rugby Club were desperately on the hunt to try and recruit new players.

They had been getting in players from Yeovil to make up the numbers and said that too many women perceived the game to be too rough.

"I think they are worried its a man's game. Of course there is contact between players but its a slower game with different tactics," said team spokesman Mike Berry.

TWELVE HOURS of non-stop music by the South Somerset District Choral Society helped raise £760 at their 'Musicathon' held at Greensfylde School in Ilminster.

15 YEARS AGO: December 6, 2000

ALARM BELLS were ringing at Ilminster Fire Station due to a staff crisis.

The station was short of five fireman and Station Officer Dave Gundry described the situation as 'desperate'.

CHARD rallied round to raise £10,000 to help fund specialist equipment to help Billy Cooke, 4, who was diagnosed with a severe form of childhood epilepsy.

Billy's mother Nita said: "We would like to say a huge big thank you to everyone for their great efforts."

GEOFFREY Ball from Horton was given a special certificate after donating his 50th pint of blood to hte National Blood Transfusion Service.

5 YEARS AGO:

December 1, 2010

ILMINSTER's Matthew Dyer proved he was a cut above the rest by taking a top prize at the Young Butcher of the Year awards at a gala dinner ceremony in London.

A SMALL army of volunteers helped send thousands of shoeboxes crammed with Christmas goodies to Eastern Europe as part of the Operation Christmas Child initiative.

SWANMEAD Community School in Ilminster received a visit from two Zambian teachers as part of its international schools link project.

A Swanmead school spokesman said: "Their visit inspired many pupils and enhanced the curriculum."

1 YEAR AGO: December 3, 2014

PRINCE WILLIAM gave his backing to an Ilminster charity which had been helping in the battle against the deadly Ebola virus outbreak in Sierra Leone.

Ilminster charity Purple Field Productions was helping to make a YouTube video about the virus's impact on people's lives in the affected region.

HUNDREDS of people in Chard entered in to the Christmas spirit with its annual lights switch-on and Santa Fun Run around the Guildhall.

ILMINSTER's Gemini Carnival Club triumphed at the South Somerset Carnival Federation awards thanks to their Transformers-inspired float.