Welcome to the Midsomer Norton High Street Heritage Action Zone
Midsomer Norton’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (‘HSHAZ’) initiative is a partnership programme between local stakeholders and Historic England, the West of England Combined Authority and B&NES Council. The four-year HSHAZ programme will celebrate the history and heritage of Midsomer Norton and encourage sustainable economic and cultural growth in the town centre and nearby areas.
The Island has suffered from underinvestment for many years but new proposals for a multi-use Market Square will enhance the High Street and surrounding areas.
The ground floor of the Town Hall is divided into small rooms which are now unfit for purpose. We plan to provide new community space by reinstating the Market Hall.
Investment in the High Street is much needed. Plans to renew and improve shopfronts and buildings in the town centre are taking shape.
Community activities, like the Fayre, are central to life in Midsomer Norton. See how we plan to support arts, culture and events on the High Street.
Project Updates
We’re inviting all Somer Valley residents to take part in an arts trail celebrating the wonderful shops, trades, business owners and buildings in our town. Make your art work at home, or come and join a free drop-in creative workshop at our community hub on South Road.
Come and join us for a traditional Somerset celebration! This community event is free, suitable for all ages, and open to everyone. There will be a High Street procession, Morris dancing, music, a hog roast, cider and live theatre. We are also partnering with MSN Craft and Gift Fair, who will be holding their monthly market in the Somer Centre.
Midsomer Norton Illuminated Carnival is not just a glittering evening spectacle – it’s also one of the largest charity fundraisers in the Somer Valley, raising thousands of pounds for local causes.
This year, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant Cart will be heading to town – allowing us to once again celebrate Elizabeth II’s remarkable reign.
Visit the Midsomer Norton & District Carnival Association website for more information.
Unit 14 is a new community hub in the heart of Midsomer Norton. Over the next couple of months, the Winter Warmer series at Unit 14 will offer a warm welcome, free refreshments, Wi-Fi, device charging, and free craft activities for families – every Saturday from 11am until 2pm.
Everything is completely free to everyone and you don’t need to book, although arts materials may be limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Children under 16 need to be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday 12 November – Lantern making with Little Lost Robot
Saturday 19 November – Lantern making with Little Lost Robot
Saturday 26 November – Christmas card printing with Jo Corbett
Saturday 3 December – Bookbinding and journalling with Jax Williams
Saturday 10 December – Christmas straw stars with Susan Burnett (11am-2pm) & Father Christmas Grotto (2pm-4pm)
Saturday 17 December – Christmas crowns and halos with Welton Baptist Church
Saturday 7 January – Designing a community bench with Molly Mural
Saturday 14 January – Printing bike with the Letterpress Collective
Saturday 21 January – Printing bike with the Letterpress Collective
Saturday 28 January – Making budget microwave meals with Somer Valley FM
Saturday 4 February – Nature crown making with Studio Meraki
Saturday 11 February – Valentine’s straw hearts with Susan Burnett
Saturday 18 February – Window display making with Creative Space
Saturday 25 February – Window display making with Creative Space
The programme is being run by Midsomer Norton Community Trust. It has been supported with funding from the National Grid’s Community Matters Fund, Midsomer Norton Town Council, and the Midsomer Norton Cultural Programme (part of the Midsomer Norton High Street Heritage Action Zone, funded by Bath & North East Somerset Council and Historic England). Thanks to Mendip & District Roundtable for their generous donation towards the Grotto gifts.
POSTPONED as a mark of respect in light of yesterday’s news of the Queen’s passing. More information will be shared in due course.
Visit your local radio station, next to Somervale School. Hear about how we started, and have grown over the last 14 years. See what is needed to broadcast. We’ll also demonstrate and guide you through how to make your own radio or podcast show.
POSTPONED as a mark of respect in light of yesterday’s news of the Queen’s passing. More information will be shared in due course.
Enjoy tours of the tower in our Grade II* listed church, led by trained volunteer guides, and discover some of the building’s most important artefacts and monuments – including the Midsomer Norton Knight.
Come and visit Sewing-Sanctuary and learn about the building’s past as a historic inn, and how it survived to this day. Take part in a workshop celebrating the shop’s current role as fabric designer, sales shop and café focused on Korean cuisine.
Booking is essential: email [email protected].
POSTPONED as a mark of respect in light of yesterday’s news of the Queen’s passing. More information will be shared in due course.
Visit Unit 14, Midsomer Norton’s new community space. Discover the region’s mining heritage at a pop-up exhibition by Somerset Coalfield Life, try your hand at letterpress printing and corn crafting, and learn about plans for the town’s future.
Visit the church buildings – complete with unusual stone pillars and a stone pulpit – and view an exhibition of old photographs.
Friday 9 September: 1000-1200
Sunday 11 September: Church service 0930-1030
Monday 12 September: 1000-1200
Tuesday 13 September: 1000-1200
Friday 16 September: 1000-1200
Sunday 18 September: Church service 0930-1030
Explore the history of Midsomer Norton Library & take part in the creation of a mural to celebrate our love of libraries using the traditional library stamps & tickets.
Available during opening hours:
Friday 9 September: 0930-1630
Saturday 10 September: 0930-1300
Monday 12 September: 0930-1700
Tuesday 13 September: 0930-1700
Wednesday 14 September: 0930-1700
Thursday 15 September: 0930-1700
Friday 16 September: 0930-1700
Saturday 17 September: 0930-1300