Local residents from across Midsomer Norton taking part in the Big Dig flocked to the Town Hall on the 21st July with finds from holes dug in their gardens.

Run by a partnership of the Midsomer Norton Society and B&NES, the aim of the day was to engage the community in an archaeological dig in a bid to discover more about medieval Midsomer Norton.Following an excellent response and overcoming the challenge of the heat and granite-like ground conditions, a number of residents brought some very interesting finds in to show a panel of experts.

Amongst the finds of the day was medieval pottery found by Ollie and Henry Purchase in a garden excavation in Station Road in Welton.Another resident found an intact 19th century clay pipe in a garden in Parkway – on the original site of Norton House. It was even possible to put back together two pieces of pottery found in separate gardens.

Paul Myers, Mayor of Midsomer Norton, said: “It was great seeing so many residents who had never done any archaeology before engaging with the history of the town beneath our feet.

“On behalf of the town, I’d like to thank all those who took part, as well as B&NES Officers and the Midsomer Norton Society members for making it possible.”

In the coming month, experts in B&NES will be examining the finds in even more detail, before they return to Midsomer Norton to be displayed in September.