Radstock Gala

Radstock and its neighbour Midsomer Norton were traditionally coal mining towns - part of the Somerset coalfield. In decline for some years, the last pit closed in the 1970s and the loss of the industry understandably had a traumatic effect on the community as a whole. The Gala, a traditional festival in mining areas, was revived in Radstock in the 1990s as a community enterprise and was held every September until 2001. These pictures were taken during the last two Galas.