With increasing numbers of residents of Midsomer Norton wondering if their town name is disappearing, a public meeting has been called for Tuesday, 9th January at 7.30 p.m. at the Town Hall to discuss local concerns.

Midsomer Norton as a name is one of the town’s greatest assets and much loved features – so the Midsomer Norton Society think we need to be protective of it, claiming it a key part of our identity and our heritage from the 14th Century.

As the retail centre of the Somer Valley, this issue very much links in with the need to support and protect the High Street and its jobs.

Local resident, Lynne Clement first raised the issue in The Journal in September 2017. For Lynne, the final straw was when she found that Baron’s Estate Agents in Midsomer Norton High Street had stickers on its windows stating that they had won an award as a Radstock Estate Agent.

When enquiries were made, it was found that the award organisers had prepared stickers on the basis that Midsomer Norton was in Radstock, as that was the postal town.

This then alerted the Society to the issue, and their Chairman, Michael Rich, followed by a steady flow of other local residents, have been writing to the media.

The problem all stems from the decision taken seventeen years ago; that the postal town for Midsomer Norton should be Radstock, because that’s where the delivery office is. However, back in December 2000, no-one could have foreseen the eventual impact it would have with the advent of the internet, and the potential disappearance of Midsomer Norton’s name as a result of search engine technology being based on postal towns.

This is not a problem confined to the Somer Valley. Glastonbury and Street are two towns, with one delivery office in Glastonbury – but they avoid this problem by having their own post code references for the same

delivery office, so that both town’s names are respected.

Lynne Clement, who has recently joined the Midsomer Norton Society Committee, said: “There is no intention here to upset Radstock, but if the boot was on the other foot, I’m sure they would feel the same – that we need a solution to this problem. In short, Midsomer Norton needs its own post code as soon as possible.”

This whole issue looks set to be a hard fight, as the Post Office are often reluctant to tackle issues like this.

However, the Society believe that if enough local residents back their campaign they will achieve their goal. Everyone is welcome to the meeting on 9th January to put forward their views.

What do you think? Let us know in the Letters’ columns of The Journal!