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Colin Spackman spoke about the Wellington Weekly News, which was founded in 1860. Initially it was a broadsheet, but is now published in tabloid format. Recently when the newspaper office was disposing of copies it possessed, the Museum stepped in and rescued a number of year’s worth of copies. Consideration is being given to making these copies more accessible to the public.

 

Mark Lithgow spoke about two bells formerly used by the Portreve, Bellman and Town Crier. They were used when public announcements and proclamations were to be made. Three generations of the Bowerman family took on the role of Bellman. The current Town Crier is Andrew Norris.

 

John Hamer covered the Directories, which provide a fascinating insight into the economic and social fabric or make-up of the town at a particular point in time. The earliest in the collection covering Wellington dates from 1798. The museum possesses a large number of directories produced by the Wellington Weekly News from the 1890s onwards.

 

Carole Moore talked about the Domesday Book, a record of life in Britain in 1086, effectively a survey of holdings and dues owed to the King, William the Conquerer. The 900th anniversary was celebrated with an exhibition at the Public Records Office. Facsimiles have been made and the museum holds a copy of the entry for Wellington. At the time the town was known as Walintone with the Bishop of Wells being the tenant in chief.

 

Mike Perry spoke about Frank Webber, author of the book "Changing Scenes of Local Life". Born in West Monkton in 1912, he later lived in Ashbrittle and latterly Rockwell Green, after marrying in 1953 and moving to Rackfield. He left school aged 14 & subsequently worked as a railway porter and cemetery worker.

 

Finally, Paddy Gray spoke about the King’s new bank notes  and the Chernobyl Medal - given to all the soldiers, policemen and civilians who assisted following the disaster.

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(photo for illustrative purposes only)​