Radstock Museum’s Bygone Days Local History Talks Return on Tuesday, September 3 with it’s first presentation: Guy Fawkes & The Somerset Carnivals.

This fascinating presentation will take you back to Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder plot and how this historical event led to the illuminated Somerset carnival circuit we still enjoy every November.

A law was passed following the foiled plot, called the “Observance of the 5th of November Act 1605” enforcing British citizens to celebrate the “The Joyful Day of Deliverance”.

The law was in place for over 200 years from January 1606 until 1859 making this a custom so ingrained into society that we continue to remember and mark it to this day. It required church ministers to hold a special service of thanksgiving every November 5, during which the text of the act was read out loud. Everyone by law, had to attend. Local bonfires became an essential part of the day’s celebrations.

See slides of local carnival clubs’ carts (floats) from back in time, learn about the origins of the carnival queen and enjoy a special emphasis on the history of Midsomer Norton Carnival. Tom Randall, Local Historian and Librarian at Radstock Museum, has extensively researched this topic and has gathered some visual treats for this presentation. Tom is assisted by Lucy Tudor, his daughter, and incidentally, Midsomer Norton Carnival Queen in 1987.

This presentation takes place at the Somer Centre in Midsomer Norton, 7.30pm until 8.45pm, no booking required. Full details can be found at www.radstockmuseum.co.uk on the “what’s on” page.