A fun and immersive sound walk around 12 landmark locations on Midsomer Norton High Street.
Myths and Memories of Midsomer Norton High Street was created as part of Midsomer Norton’s High Street Cultural Programme. Join us on a journey of discovery from medieval times to the present day, learning about Midsomer Norton’s distinctive history as a market town, industry hub, entertainment hotspot, and lots more. Get to know some of the people who made the High Street what it is today – including the man who founded the market hall, and a grieving mother with a passion for improving access to clean water.
Midsomer Norton’s Cultural Consortium worked with producers Somer Valley FM and local historians Nick Waton and Monica Evans to curate the trail. The soundscapes of imagined voices were created by radio trainees aged 14-15 from Sound Vision Charity alongside members of the Merriman Theatre Group aged 11-18, working with actor Emily Thompson. The young people aimed to bring High Street stories to life and shed new light on the people who have lived, worked and played here across history.
START THE TOURHow to follow the trail:
The self-guided trail focuses on Midsomer Norton High Street, extending from St John’s Church in the south west to the Town Park in the north east.
Using your personal device and a set of headphones, start the audio in the churchyard at St John’s Church. You can navigate between the different locations using the illustrated map, created by local artist Lily Fossett. You will also find a QR code at each of the stops, which will take you directly to the audio for that location when scanned.
You can also download a written transcript for each of the locations for deaf and hard-of-hearing people via the QR code.
If you are unable to listen to the trail online, listening devices are available to borrow from Unit 14 (14 South Road, BA32EZ) on Mondays and Thursdays, 1.30-4pm.
Our Thanks:
Tour Producers: Somer Valley FM
Historians: Nick Waton and Monica Evans
Soundscapes: Adriano, Alyssa, Amy, Bayley, Brad, Evie, Harry, Jake, Jodie, Lily, Maisie, Megan, Ryder, Sam, Ted, Tim, Toula, Tyler, Wyatt
Voice artist: Debbie Chatting
Website: Somer Valley FM
Artwork: Lily Fossett
Music: Bath Road Hornpipe, folk tune transcribed from Somerset fiddler Henry Cave by Cecil Sharp in Midsomer Norton in 1907. Played by Paul Whalley
With thanks to: Emily Thompson, Wendy Tomlinson, Graeme Savage, Maggie Harding, Alex Lane-Kieltyka
Myths and Memories of Midsomer Norton was created as part of Midsomer Norton’s Cultural Programme, a strand of Historic England’s High Streets Heritage Action Zones scheme. The Cultural Programme is led by Midsomer Norton Cultural Consortium and Midsomer Norton Community Trust, and is supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council and funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Heritage High Street Fund; the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Future High Streets Fund; and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
