A THOUSAND-year-old mystery is about to come to life in the Chew Valley.

This July, local people aged 8 to 80 will take to the stage in Finders Keepers, the ambitious outdoor community production inspired by the remarkable Chew Valley Hoard, 2,584 silver coins worth £4.3-million, discovered in a Somerset field in 2019.

The production – set to be performed in the beautiful surroundings of Yeo Valley Organic Garden in Blagdon where over 30 years of thoughtful planting has created a truly unique horticultural space – transforms one of Britain's most significant archaeological discoveries into a comedy of deception, double-crossing and dodgy French accents.

At the centre of the story are six suspects, all claiming innocence over the burial of the hoard. The twist? At the end of each performance, the audience decides who they believe is responsible for burying the treasure.

Village halls across the valley, playing host to rehearsals, brim with enthusiasm as community cast members prepare to bring the story to life under the direction of Emma Earle and Nick Cohen-White.

It’s clear that the team involved are excited about what’s to come: the production is the centrepiece of Valley Arts' Chew Valley Hoard Project, delivered in partnership with South West Heritage Trust. Over recent months, the project has involved local schools, creative workshops, heritage activities and community events inspired by the hoard and its extraordinary story.

The script was created by a team of local writers working alongside professional playwrights and heritage specialists, while a professional creative team is designing costumes, music, props and set pieces to transport audiences back to eleventh-century Somerset.

Finders Keepers is part of Valley Arts' popular Midsummer Magic series. Audiences are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy an afternoon or evening of entertainment surrounded by beautiful gardens and countryside.

Tickets and information are available at valley-arts.co.uk.