In the Alex Hann Exhibition Gallery this year.
Somerset Miners: Welfare and Health Care – February to June 2025
This exhibition has been curated by the Bath Medical Museum working with the Radstock Museum, where the exhibition is located. It has benefited from existing knowledge and new research conducted by both Museums, with essential contributions from local ex–miners. Aspects of the exhibition refer to mining conditions in the Victorian period, giving visitors a sense of historical change during the hundred years prior to the closure of the last two Somerset mines in 1973.
The Somerset coalfield was nationally, one of the less extensive coalfields, yet the effects on miners’ health of coalface working in the challenging narrow seams was significant, under recognised, and often, life threatening.
The exhibition explores issues such as living and working conditions; serious medical conditions directly arising from working underground; rescue efforts in the event of accidents and treatment given to miners in the pit, at home and in hospital. It also explores wider matters arising from injuries and ill health, such as the push for compensation and better working conditions supported by the Friendly Societies and the Miners Association, followed by the NUM.
Entry is during normal museum Opening Hours and is included in your annual Admission Ticket.
Coming in July
Later this year we will have a temporary exhibition on the history of local music making and we are interested in hearing from people who want to share their, or their family’s, memories of going out dancing to local bands. Perhaps you went to fund raising dances for the local carnival or you have family stories of making the trek out to Turner’s Tower near Faulkland. We would love to find out more about groups such as The Bernard Emm Band. If you would like to share memories, photographs or mementoes with us, please contact Jackie Britton, from our Exhibitions Team, either by emailing exhibitions@radstockmuseum.co.uk or writing to Jackie care of the museum, using our usual address.
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