Nub News is really pleased to be able to start a new regular column on local history, thanks to the enthusiasm and commitment of reader Todd Arthur Phillips - now our resident historian.

In this - his first piece - he decided to write about where he works.

An incredible story of how the Jones family began their local legacy, employing hundreds of local people over the years, from what began as a small sweet little business one hundred years ago.

Of course there was also then that time they met a rather important other family.

Todd writes:

Close to home is always a good place to start when it comes to writing a first article. Especially when it's a place you have grew up in for over 23 years. Henceforth, that is what I'm going to start with, the history and accomplishments of one particular family who are part of the fabric of the town, the Jones family.

Catherine Lucy Jones was the original owner of the company. She originally started in 1918 on Armistice Day, from her cottage in Stratton making handmade confectionery which was a big hit with local villagers and the nearby school. In 1926 she married Edward Savage who had business contacts with Imperial Tobacco and Cadburys, leading to an increase in her business.

Teas and snacks were sold on their front lawn and in 1933 they decided to expand across the road, building a shop and function room that that was to cater for the locals and buses travelling to and from the coast.

By then it was 1933 and she created the name L&F Jones after her two daughters (Leona and Francis). The business was then led by Basil (Catherine's son) who expanded the store, creating somewhere big enough to allow them to cater for over 100 people enabling them to host weddings and functions.

Due to changes in the company, the final wedding took place in 1954 as the family decided to concentrate on the shop side of the business and one year later the original founder Catherine died. Everything from the hotel, to the shops, was all possible because of her legacy.

Business continued and by 1963 Basil's son Peter, one of his six children, convinced his father to open the first self-service shop in the area. Eventually three more of Basil's sons during the 1960's joined Peter in running another three shops and subsequently a self-service store. Unfortunately he passed away suddenly in November 1967.

Just a year later the café which had been closed was converted into a cash and carry which allowed surrounding businesses as well as their own to bulk buy products to sell. This then became the main focus of the company. In the 1970s they then re-focused on wholesaling and by 1971 there was a 5,000 square foot cash and carry in Radstock. Two years later it was then extended to 25,000 square feet, making it one of the first wholesaling businesses in the area.

Currently, the family run the Best Western Centurion Hotel.

Before the hotel was constructed, the Jones family had purchased the Fosseway Country Club in 1978. The club originally came with golf, swimming and squash facilities onsite but the hotel was not actually constructed until April 1987, even by this point it was not on the scale that currently stands there now.

Surrounding the area of the hotel is "Dutchy Land" which is looked after by tenant farmers and it was due to this connection that Prince Charles would come to visit. On November 12th 1982 Charles, along with the late Princess Diana, made a royal visit.

The current hotel is the result of enlargement work done in 1991. During this time the hotel was run independently by the Jones' family until it joined Best Western in May 2007. The Hotel now has a restaurant, spa and gym - serves highly recommended Sunday Lunches - and also boasts the golf course bought in 1978.

Everything came directly from that decision by Catherine over a century ago to start a business.

I for one have a lot to thank them for giving me the opportunity to work alongside them and to be able to have shared their story with you.

My thanks to the Jones' family for giving me this insight into what is a wonderful piece of local history.