St John the Baptist: Midsomer Norton
Welcome to one of our first Caches… We hope you have fun and welcome any feedback.
The cache has been changed from a 35mm pot to a new type of container.
Still containing the log only.
You will need your own scribe.
No need to wash your hands after as the pot is new...
There is ample free parking around GZ.
As GZ is close to the road, please take care with small children.
It is possible that in ancient times a festival was held in Somerset to celebrate the midsummer solstice which would coincide with the receding of the water which allowed accessibility once more.
Tradition has it that Midsomer Norton’s church of St John the Baptist built in the sixteenth century but remodelled in 1830 was dedicated on midsummer’s day and that is the origin of the midsummer festival held ever after. But it is more likely that the opportunist churchmen agreed to take advantage of tradition by dedicating the church on the feast day, as they often did.
"Norton" means 'north enclosure' from the Old English, while the use of its forename to distinguish it from other 'Nortons' is of late origin and not mentioned until 1334.
There is a difference of opinion as to whether the forename's origin is due to Midsummer's Day (24 June) being the Feast Day of the Parish Church's Patron Saint, St John the Baptist, or related to the river Somer that runs through the town.
The Anglican church of St John the Baptist has a tower dating from the 15th century.
Although the upper stages are from the 17th century, the rest was rebuilt in Gothic style by John Pinch the younger in 1830-1831 and was extended in the 20th century with new chancel and lady chapel.
St John the Baptist Church is a grade 2 listed building.
The churchyard includes a memorial to 12 miners killed in 1839 when their rope was severed.
This can be found at N51 17.135 W002 29.130
St. John's is part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells. The Patronage vests in Christ Church, Oxford.
If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.
Congratulations to carver cachers on their FTF
Please note this can be tricky to reach, dependant on the size of your fingers....