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

Each week, the Journal invites readers to test their local knowledge by identifying a historic location from days gone by.

Last week's Mystery Photograph was taken at Wesley Chapel & Post Office, Coleford.

Dave Seddon wrote in and said: “I believe this is Church Street in Coleford, with the Methodist Chapel on the left. The building with the balcony on the right is now known as The Old Post Office.”

Radstock Museum
Last week's Mystery Photograph was taken at Wesley Chapel & Post Office, Coleford (Radstock Museum)

Coleford is a village and civil parish in Somerset situated on the Mells River in the Mendip Hills, approximately five miles west of Frome. The village was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Colford," a name that may derive from "hill ford" or "coal ford," reflecting its historical connection to coal transport or production WikipediaWikishire.​

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Coleford was part of the Somerset Coalfield, with coal mining serving as a significant industry alongside agriculture. Notable local pits included Coal Barton, which closed in 1869 following a tragic firedamp explosion that claimed nine lives, as well as the Mackintosh and Newbury pits. The Mackintosh pit opened in 1867 and closed in 1919, while the Newbury pit ceased operations around 1927.

The village's religious heritage is exemplified by the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on Church Street, constructed in 1865. This Grade II listed building features a front-facing gable, ashlar detailing, and segmental-headed windows, and it stands as a testament to the village's architectural history.

Opposite the chapel is a building now known as "The Old Post Office." While specific historical details about this building are limited, its designation suggests it once served as the village's post office, playing a role in Coleford's communication infrastructure.​

These structures contribute to Coleford's historical landscape, embodying the village's development over the centuries.

Thank you to everyone who took part and shared their thoughts, your contributions help keep our local history alive.