Pilton Village History Group

05/10/2026

Our October meeting is on Monday 12th Oct, at Pilton Village Hall at 7.30pm.
"THE MAGIC OF SOMERSET CARNIVALS”
Have you ever wondered how Carnival started, and what is involved with a Carnival Club?
Listen as John Dando takes you through the wonderful world of Somerset Carnival.
He will cover the background of how the clubs create their entries and how they raise their funds, and the many highs and lows involved.
He will bring along some props and costumes, and show a specially commissioned DVD of last year’s best entries.
John has over 50 years of involvement and a keen interest in the history of our special event!
We look forward to seeing you there.
Members free, Visitors £4 on the door.

28/08/2026

We start our Autumn series of meetings on Monday 14th September, at 7.30pm in Pilton Village Hall
ALL WELCOME Members free, Visitors £4
David Lassman will give us a fascinating presentation on the important industry in the Mells Valley, that produced many thousands of edge tools, many of which are still in use today!
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Fussell family ran a highly successful iron works business producing edge tools such as scythes, sickles, spades, shovels and other agricultural implements.

He says – "Fussells of Mells and the story of their rise and decline is one of almost mythical proportions.
For more than a century and a half during the Industrial Revolution, the agricultural edge-tools they produced became known around the world.
At the same time, they had interests in other areas such as the woollen industry, canals and railways.
This illustrated talk will cover the entire story and reveal their lasting legacy that still resonates today. "

David Lassman is an historian and author. His many books include ‘The Adventures of a Victorian Con-Woman’, which was used as the basis for a Radio 4 series, ‘Visitors’ Historic Somerset’, ‘Bath at War 1939-45’, and his most recent publication, ‘The Great Fire of London’. He also co-created The Regency Detective series of novels. He lives in Frome.

24/07/2026

Members had a very interesting and enjoyable visit to Radstock Museum on 16th July 2026.
Here we all are in the schoolroom, hearing about education through the ages in Radstock!

10/07/2026

The July meeting of Pilton Village History Group is a private guided visit to Radstock Museum, on Thursday 16th July from 10am-12noon.
We do have a few spaces for non-members, if anyone wants to join us please email [email protected]
Cost is £10 pp to include refreshments.
It is an interactive guided visit and will include the miner's cottage, the mine, the village school and the blacksmith's.
More info at

Our permanent displays tell you of the life of a Somerset miner and his family and show how the communities of the coalfield were integrated.

01/06/2026

“Croscombe's Outstanding Church – an illustrated tour” with Richard Raynsford

Our meeting this month will be on Monday 8th June at 7.30pm in Pilton Village Hall.
ALL WELCOME Members free, Visitors £4

Richard says...
“We are very fortunate in Somerset in having exceptional historic churches, which locally include Pilton (the subject of a previous talk) and Croscombe, which has one of the finest seventeenth century interiors in the country.”
Richard’s illustrated talk will cover both the furnishings and the exterior carvings of Croscombe Church, together with overlooked features such as the nave roof, whose bosses are carved with various images.

Richard has always had an interest in churches, particularly their historic and artistic qualities.
He has written a book on rural churches in England (which is now out of print) and is currently working on a study of medieval figurative images in Somerset churches.
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Poster shows pencil drawing from 1923 by Nathaniel Sparkes

05/05/2026

Hello all, hope you had a good Bank Holiday weekend and a fun day at the Pilton Jumble Trail!

Monday 11th May, 7.30pm at Pilton Village
ALL WELCOME Members free, Visitors £4

We are delighted to have what promises to be a fascinating talk from Stephen Clews.
THE CHEW VALLEY HOARD
The hoard of silver coins, found in the Chew Valley south of Bristol in January 2020, is one of the most spectacular finds of treasure to have been found in recent years, and there have been many.
This talk considers what treasure is, goes on to discuss some local finds and tells the story of the discovery and afterlife of what became the highest value treasure hoard ever found in Britain.
The talk is given by Stephen Clews, who prior to retirement, worked in field archaeology and museums, where he managed The Roman Baths for 32 years.
He is a Fellow of the Museums Association and is currently Chair of Radstock, Midsomer Norton & District Museum Society, Treasurer of the Association for the Study and Preservation of Roman Mosaics, trustee of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society and a volunteer for English Heritage.

Refreshments

21/04/2026

A lovely read...

Extracts from John Miles' diary - W I Concert at Village HallConcert drawing from John MIles' diaryConcert drawing from John MIles' diary numbered 1. Candace Fletcher / Bahooth 2. Andrew Kynaston 3. Joanna Benner, prev Kynaston, nee Miles 4. John Fletcher 5. Margaret Miles, nee TalbotJohn Miles diar...

21/04/2026

Advance notice...
Next meeting on 11th May
"The Chew Valley Hoard" with Stephen Clews

08/04/2026

"The Strawberry Line – from the steam age to its rebirth as a greenway", with Richard Jones

Monday April 13th, 2026 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

As a campaign and as a multi-user path, the Strawberry Line is known to locals living anywhere between Shepton Mallet and Cheddar, and beyond.

This talk traces the origins of the railway route, from its Victorian beginnings to the Beeching closure in the 1960s, and its gradual redevelopment as a long-distance shared-use path.

Richard Jones is a trustee of the Strawberry Line Society, and volunteer coordinator for the section between Wells and Dulcote Hill.
ALL WELCOME
Members free, Visitors £4.