CAN you guess where this week’s Mystery Photograph was taken?

Each week the Journal challenges its readers to test their local knowledge by identifying a historic location from days gone by in the area.

Last week’s picture was taken on Radstock Road in Midsomer Norton.

Congratulations to Pamela Young, Jane Richardson, and Elaine Hilary Brown for getting the correct answer. Well done to anyone else who also got it right.

Radstock and Midsomer Norton have long and intertwined histories, shaped largely by coal mining, industry, and local community development.

Radstock’s origins date back to at least the medieval period when it was part of the Abbey of Glastonbury’s land holdings. However, the town saw significant expansion in the 18th and 19th centuries due to the rise of coal mining.

The Somerset Coalfield made Radstock a key industrial centre, with numerous collieries operating in the area. The arrival of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway in the 19th century further boosted the local economy, providing a vital link for transporting coal.

As mining flourished, so did Radstock, with new housing and infrastructure built to accommodate the growing workforce. However, as the coal industry declined in the mid-20th century, Radstock saw economic challenges, and the town has since focused on heritage and regeneration efforts. Today, the Radstock Museum preserves much of the town’s industrial history, showcasing the area’s mining heritage.

Midsomer Norton, located just a few miles from Radstock, also developed around coal mining but has an even older history. The town’s name suggests Saxon origins, and it was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a small settlement.

Following the decline of coal mining in the 20th century, both towns had to adapt. Midsomer Norton evolved into a market town with a strong community focus, while Radstock worked to preserve its mining heritage. Today, both towns continue to grow, balancing their industrial past with modern development and community initiatives.