About the work
This special bench showcases the mysterious history of the Midsomer Norton Knight, a very rare tomb effigy made in the 1300s. It is a wooden figure, made from oak and depicting a knight in armour lying on a board or a bed. It is possible that the knight represents a member of the Gourney family or the Warknell family who held lands in Midsomer Norton in medieval times. The effigy lies in the south west corner of St. John the Baptist Church. You can hear about it on the Myths & Memories of Midsomer Norton High Street audio trail.
The words on the bench are extracted from local writer Irene Benson’s poem, ‘A Midsomer Knight’s Dream’, which you can read in full here.
About the artist
Sharne Tasney is an emerging artist working across sculpture, moving image and text. She explores hidden histories and personal narratives. Whilst studying for her M.A. she specialised in using recycled wood to make benches, which she laser etched to tell stories.
You can see more of her work here.
About the poet
Irene Benson was born and grew up in the village of Cambusbarron, on the edge of Stirling, Scotland. She moved to Midsomer Norton in 1972, with her husband and two young sons. Irene worked as a school secretary and became an active member of CND, as well as studying Art and Literature at the Open University and Irish Studies at Bath Spa University.
Throughout this time Irene was writing poetry and often took part in poetry events, workshops and Burns suppers. She was never really interested in promoting her work more widely, although one of her poems was published in the ‘Scots Magazine’, another in ‘Poetry Now’ and in 2008, she won first prize for her poem ‘A Midsomer Knight’s Dream’, in the local arts festival.
Irene was a fit, non-smoking vegetarian, however, sadly, she died from pancreatic cancer in September 2014. She has left us her poetry as a wonderful legacy and her four published books, which include ‘A Midsomer Knight’s Dream’, are available in Midsomer Norton Library, under the Local History section.
