People living in Peasedown St John and the surrounding areas are being encouraged to take part in Local and Community History Month this May.

The national initiative aims to encourage communities across the UK to celebrate local heritage, history, memories, and landmarks.

The village’s Community Library, despite being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, is leading the local awareness campaign.

Library Operations Manager, Cllr Karen Walker, said: “Peasedown St John has a lot of local history to be proud of!

"Archaeological evidence shows that the village, albeit under a different name, has been occupied from at least the early Iron Age. The medieval settlement of Eckweek was excavated in 1989, and now lies under the Peasedown A367 Bypass and Under Knoll.

"Much of what we know as ‘Peasedown St John’ today has developed around the Red Post Inn, which opened in the mid 1800’s.”

Over the next month, Peasedown Library will be showcasing local history with photos and facts on its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PSJCommunityLibrary

May is also National Walking Month, so villagers are being encouraged to take photos of their favourite historical landmarks whilst out walking and email them to [email protected]

The photo shows one of Peasedown St John’s oldest pieces of heritage, the near 200-year-old Turnpike marker from 1827 next to the Red Post Inn. Installed by the then Bath Turnpike Trust, it directs travellers to the older settlements of Wellow and Camerton.