Formally the "Parish" is a relatively recent 20^th century creation. In 1955 the Parish of Peasedown St John was created from parts of Camerton, Dunkerton and Wellow Parishes.

However in historic and physical terms it is possible to trace continuous local occupation forward from an Early Iron Age settlement at the site, through Roman Occupation into Saxon developments, the latter causing a number of local inclusions in the 1086 Doomsday Book.

Although the hamlet of Carlingcott existed prior to 1800, the main modern settlement developed as part of the 19^th century expansion of the Somerset Coalfield during the Industrial Revolution, and in particular with the sinking of the local Braysdown Colliery in 1845.

Indeed as with several other neighbouring villages and hamlets, it was coal mining that provided the main employment for the local population for over one hundred years until the second half of the 20^th century. There being some half dozen collieries within a two-mile radius of Peasedown St John. Apart from Braysdown within the Parish, other mines on its periphery were at Camerton, Dunkerton, Writhlington and Shoscombe.

The minutes of the Peasedown St John Parish Council are available for inspection by arrangement with the Parish Clerk. As part of our half century year extracts have been taken from the minute books.

The first meeting of the Parish Council of Peasedown St John took place on 30th March 1955. It seems from the records that only fifteen members were at the first meeting, of which Cllr. John Derrick is still a member today. By 8th May 1958 when an election was held, the Returning Officer declared seventeen members elected.

The photographs that the following notes relate to have been collated by Peter Provost. Dick Graham a parishioner has kindly provided some of the earlier photographs.

The overhead telegraph pole and wires have gone, but the skyline is now marred by ugly overhead electrical power distribution that was introduced in the 1930s.

The abundance of parked vehicles, and the consequent practical narrowing to a single carriageway for traffic along this section, occur because these houses, despite lengthy back gardens, do not have a rear service road or private garages within their own properties. It is also clear that undergrounding of cabled services would make a significant contribution towards cleaning up this streetscape.