8:25am Monday 11th January 2010
THOSE were the days…
Five years ago: January 11, 2005 THE Mercury told how Bridgwater was coming together to help the victims in the aftermath of the huge tsunami that hit parts of Asia on Boxing Day 2004.
Thousands died in the tragedy, which also left many penniless and homeless.
But the town's response was to get behind the victims and their families - raising thousands of pounds to send to the area.
Bridgwater firefighters and the Rotary Club were just two of the organisations to launch themselves into fundraising activities.
CHEEKY cleaner David James and his friend Ian Powell offered to clean houses in Bridgwater NAKED to raise charity cash.
The two, wearing nothing but a bow tie and sporting a feather duster, wanted to collect funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
They were willing to travel all across Somerset - and vowed to leave homes spotless.
SUB zero temperatures meant gritters were out in force on the area's roads.
Somerset's motorists were bracing themselves for icy conditions as temperatures plummeted.
But gritters put down more than 1,300 tonnes of salt across the county's roads to try and minimise accidents.
15 years ago: January 10, 1995 AN air raid siren was used by villagers in Middlezoy to alert them to the arrival of New Age travellers entering a gypsy site.
Peaceful picket lines were set up by villagers in an attempt to stop the travellers getting to the controversial site, after they were evicted from a spot near Yeovil.
Battle plans were drawn up in Middlezoy after a special village meeting, where more than 100 residents vowed to keep watch on the site.
A BID by the LibDems on Sedgemoor District Council to have the authority's meetings held in the evenings and not during the day was heavily defeated.
During a lengthy and heated debate, LibDem councillor David Baker claimed holding meetings in the evening would bring greater democracy, as it would encourage more people to stand in elections.
He proposed that all meetings of the council and its sub-committees should take place in the evenings.
But only five people on the 49-strong council voted for the motion.
A NETHER Stowey youngster met up with Father Christmas during a dream trip to Lapland.
Three-year-old Amy Branch won a national competition and got the chance to fly to the frozen region.
There was a VIP visit to see Father Christmas and even a chat with television host - and former Mercury reporter - Anne Diamond.
25 years ago: January 15, 1985 A PLAN to turn 128 acres of farmland in Bridgwater into a giant rubbish tip got a reluctant go-ahead from Sedgemoor planners on Friday.
The scheme for Walpole Drive sparked an angry reaction from people in the three worst hit villages - Pawlett, West Huntspill and Puriton.
Farmers and villagers hit out at the scheme, claiming they would have to face around 90 lorries a day carting refuse to the tip.
THE courage of two Bridgwater youths saved the life of their friend in a car crash.
Martin Irish was driving home to North Petherton from Nether Stowey when his car hit a stone wall on the A39 near Cannington - knocking him unconscious.
But minutes later Richard Innalls and Sean Taylor arrived on the scene, dragging Mr Irish free from the wreck.
He was taken to hospital with concussion and burns to his legs.
SNOW hit the region - causing anguish for motorists but delight for children.
A covering of the white stuff hit Sedgemoor, but failed to close schools or roads.
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