Midsomer Norton Cultural Programme
Midsomer Norton already plays host to a year-round programme of community events, from wassail right through to carnival. The Cultural Programme has been developed to support these existing activities, and to establish new community programmes which showcase Midsomer Norton’s rich and fascinating history. Around £85,000 has been allocated to this project stream.
The Cultural Programme is run by Midsomer Norton Cultural Consortium, a group led by Midsomer Norton Community Trust with representatives from Midsomer Norton Town Trust, Midsomer Norton Town Council, High Street businesses, Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust, Midsomer Norton & District Carnival Association, Merriman Theatre Group, Midsomer Norton Schools, the Friends of St Chad’s and Chilcompton Surgeries, Churches Together, and Somer Valley FM.
The programme kicked off in February 2022 with the re-launch of the Midsomer Norton Wassail and the first Midsomer Norton Window Wanderland. Recent and ongoing projects include an animated heritage film and a new upcycled bench trail along the High Street. The project team will also be working to develop new markets on the new Market Square at The Island.
Beth Whalley, Midsomer Norton Community Trust, is the part-time Engagement Coordinator for the Cultural Programme. She can be contacted by email at [email protected].
Midsomer Norton High Street Heroes
‘Midsomer Norton High Street Heroes’ is an award-winning short film created by Howard Vause in collaboration with children from Midsomer Norton Primary School. The animation celebrates some of our town’s unsung heroes from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
Midsomer Norton Wassail 2023
In 2023, Midsomer Norton welcomed the Langport Mummers to the Town Park for the first time to perform their famous St George folk play as part of Midsomer Norton Wassail. Get a taster of it below.
Film by Gordon Mackay.