Somerset College

A Taunton man working to preserve an important part of local history is calling on the public to bring in their old photographs for him to copy on Saturday (Feb 4th).

Steve Browning worked for 22 years at the old Taunton Cider Company in Norton Fitzwarren and together with the parish council and others, has set up a website about the former company where so many locals were employed.

Now Steve, a graphics design lecturer at Somerset College on Wellington Road, is calling on local people and former employees to bring along their old photos for a special ‘scanning morning’ to make sure the memories and images are captured for posterity.

It will be held at the College this Saturday morning from 9.30 am - 12.30pm.

“In its prime the Taunton Cider Company was the second largest in the UK, famous for years, with 550 people working there – many from Norton Fitzwarren,” said Steve.

“It’s a part of local history that’s now a housing estate and a lot of people are not aware of how it was, but many who worked there loved it and are very excited about capturing those memories.

“Not everyone has equipment to scan in their old photos but we have excellent scanners at the College, which is keen to help the community. Whether they are photos of wassailing nights, carnival or even the workplace, all have significance and I would like to get them onto the new website.”

Anyone needing further information about the scanning morning can visit the website on www.thetauntoncidercompany.co.uk or phone 07776 104899 or just come along to Somerset College and follow signposts to the Art and Design building.
 
Caption: Steve Browning with some of the old photos he has been given.