Midsomer Norton residents, businesses and visitors are being invited to join in with the first events of Midsomer Norton's Local Cultural Programme, a new initiative led by Midsomer Norton Community Trust and funded by Historic England as part of their High Streets Heritage Action Zones scheme.

Alex Davis, Manager of Midsomer Norton Community Trust, said: "It has been a difficult couple of years for our residents and businesses, so we're thrilled to be launching 2022 with a series of events which will bring people together again and ensure that the High Street is being used and enjoyed by all. We've been working closely with several community groups to bring this programme together and we can't wait to show everyone what's next."

Midsomer Norton Window Wanderland

10th-20th February 2022, daily 6-9pm Window Wanderland is coming to Midsomer Norton for the first time for ten days in February. The organisers, Midsomer Norton Community Trust, are encouraging residents and businesses to open their curtains and create illuminated window displays on the theme of "Midsomer Memories", to amuse, entertain and inspire. Together, the windows will form a winter walking trail which people of all ages can enjoy. Lucy Reeves Khan, founder of Window Wanderland, came up with the idea after her career as a designer ended abruptly and an accident left her disabled. She says "I began taking rehabilitative walks at night and found that the light coming from inside people's houses made me feel better, less alone, and left me feeling uplifted. These walks gave me the idea that everyone's windows could become galleries of expression and so Window Wanderland was born." To sign up as a window-maker, view the map and look at galleries from previous events, visit www.windowwanderland.com/event/midsomer-norton-2022/. You can also find us on Facebook: 'Midsomer Norton Window Wanderland 2022'.

Midsomer Norton Wassail

12th February 2022, 10.30am-3.30pm

On Saturday 12th February, the centuries-old wassailing tradition will return to Midsomer Norton. This ceremony involves crowning Wassail Kings and Queens, joining in with a traditional toast and 'waking up' the apple trees for the year's harvest.

Official proceedings will commence at 1pm in the Assembly Room at the Town Hall with a short introduction from Master of Ceremonies, Colin Emmett. The gathering will be led in procession to the Town Park, and the traditional ceremony will be performed at 1.30pm in the sensory garden. Participants are encouraged to bring along pots, pans, bells and whistles to make a hullabaloo and ward off evil spirits!

From 1-3.30pm, there will be a wassail mini-market in the Town Park, with traditional rural arts and crafts, local produce, felting and corn weaving demonstrations, ice creams, and a hog roast.

Traditional dancing and music will be provided by the Cam Valley Morris Men and the Village Band.

The day will begin with a children's craft workshop in the Town Hall from 10.30am – this will be bookable via midsomernortoncommunitytrust.co.uk.

The event is being run jointly by the Midsomer Norton Community Trust and the Midsomer Norton Society. It is free to attend and open to everyone.