Somerset Coalfield Life at Radstock Museum may still be waiting for the green light to re-open their doors to the public, but local supporters and residents in and around Midsomer Norton and the nearby villages can still get their regular fix of local history, stories and events.

For thirty-four years "Five Arches", the journal of The Radstock, Midsomer Norton & District Museum Society, has informed and enthused its readers on the history of life in the former Somerset Coalfield. Five Arches is published tri-annually and despite the outbreak of the coronavirus, has still managed to publish its Spring edition.

Lucy Tudor is Publicity and Education Volunteer at Radstock Museum.

'Five Arches editor Julie Dexter and her team have done a fabulous job despite all the practical difficulties due to the lockdown,' says Lucy. 'Julie has been working remotely with new software, putting together the latest issue of Five Arches while continuing to work full-time as a key worker. The doors of the Museum are of course, currently closed due to the virus, but all our followers can still receive all the latest news and stories of our fascinating local history.'

The editorial team has asked that special thanks be given to Fosseway Press for going to great lengths to get the journal printed during lockdown.

With the museum shop currently closed, to receive your copy of the latest edition of Five arches you will need to subscribe via the museum's website here: the subscription web site

For an annual subscription of £15, you will receive three editions. You can pay by cheque or by a one-off online payment by card.

One of the Museum's sponsors and business supporters are local solicitors Thatcher + Hallam LLP. George Persson is a partner at the firm.

'Everyone misses the Museum at this time, it is very much part of our local fabric,' says George. 'For just £15 the annual subscription for Five Arches is ridiculously good value. A subscription ordered at this particular time is a great way to support our local award winning Museum.'

Five Arches is always on the lookout for more local stories from local people.

'It is local people, their families and their businesses that makes the Museum Society's journal so interesting,' adds Lucy. 'We are always keen to hear local people's accounts of their school days, their childhoods and where they worked. We welcome local tales and traditions of those working at institutions such as Purnell's, Clarks, Ashman's Boot Factory, Welton Bag and Standard Check. We would be delighted to hear also about family run businesses and shops as well as life working at the local mines. Whilst many of us are still spending most of our time at home, this is possibly the ideal time to start putting pen to paper. To share your memories, contact Julie Dexter at [email protected].'