In the Shadow of the Volcano: Cults and Mysteries in 1970s Somerset

Article from the Somerset Gazette. Dated 6th June 1993

In the annals of Midsomer Norton's history, one story looms large.

An enigmatic cult known as The Esoteric Order who rose to prominence in the early 1970s, captivating the imagination of both locals and outsiders in the small Somerset former Mining town.

With their eerie rituals and fervent devotion, they worshipped an unlikely deity—the towering coal slag heap in town, nicknamed "The Volcano” by locals. The cult firmly believed that this ominous black mound held the key to their salvation from an impending apocalyptic event, prophesying an otherworldly intervention.

Led by a mysterious figure named Nathaniel Davey, a former miner and self-styled visionary who claimed to have received divine revelations during his encounters in the dark depths of the coal mines, the Esoteric Order's origins remain shrouded in secrecy. Davey, a charismatic and enigmatic presence, possessed a magnetic aura that drew disillusioned souls seeking solace from the uncertainties of the world. His followers believed he had received portentous visions, imparting upon them the urgency of their mission to seek refuge within The Volcano's depths, protected by a celestial alien race.

As news of The Esoteric Order spread, Midsomer Norton was enveloped in a veil of intrigue and unease. Townsfolk whispered about the cult's cryptic ceremonies, often held under the moon's pale glow at the foot of The Volcano. Clad in dark robes and chanting cryptic incantations, the devotees fervently awaited the promised arrival of their extraterrestrial saviours, their eyes gleaming with both hope and trepidation.

The town's authorities initially dismissed The Esoteric Order as a fringe group indulging in harmless eccentricities. However, as the cult's influence grew, so did apprehension within the community.

It was in the autumn of 1973 when the first reports of unexplained occurrences surfaced in Midsomer Norton. Strange sightings of ethereal lights dancing around The Volcano were spotted by nearby residents , while others spoke of hearing disembodied voices murmuring on the wind. Doors creaked open of their own accord, and objects seemingly moved without human intervention. Fear gripped the community, and all eyes turned to The Esoteric Order, bearing the brunt of suspicion and blame.

As the incidents multiplied, so did the unease among the townspeople. Some reported hearing an eerie low pulsating sound that seemed to emanate from the area around the Volcano, filling the air with an otherworldly presence. It was as if the cult's unwavering faith had unleashed a malevolent force, its tendrils reaching into the very fabric of Midsomer Norton's reality.

The authorities, under mounting pressure from the frightened populace, sought answers. Their investigation aimed to unveil the truth behind the unsettling phenomena, with the cult as the primary target of scrutiny. Whispers of black magic, devil worship, and sinister rituals spread like wildfire, further fuelling the belief that The Esoteric Order had opened a gateway to darkness.

Davey vehemently denied any involvement in the supernatural events plaguing Midsomer Norton. In his defence, he claimed that the bizarre occurrences were manifestations of the otherworldly forces they awaited—the heralds of the promised salvation. Davey contended that these phenomena were signs of imminent divine intervention, proof that their faith was not in vain.

Nevertheless, the weight of suspicion persisted. The Esoteric Order's practices, shrouded in secrecy and mysticism, seemed to cultivate an aura of dark energy. Their bizarre ceremonies, conducted under the moonlit sky, were viewed as catalysts for the escalating supernatural activity. As the cult's influence grew, so did the fear and conviction that they had somehow tapped into an ancient power far beyond mortal understanding.

The yearning for normalcy and safety finally compelled the local authorities to take action. In a controversial move, they attempted to ban The Esoteric Order's gatherings and rituals, hoping to sever any perceived link between the cult and the strange phenomena. The order, however, fiercely resisted these measures, denouncing them as an assault on their religious freedom. The stage was set for a clash between a community gripped by fear and a group unyielding in their beliefs.

In the end, time proved to be the most potent force in the gradual fading of The Esoteric Order's influence. The strange phenomena eventually subsided, leaving behind a town scarred by unexplainable events and a haunting memory of the cult's enigmatic presence. The legacy of suspicion and blame cast upon The Esoteric Order remained, an enduring reminder of a dark chapter in Midsomer Norton's history. The passing years eroded the once fervent devotion, leaving behind a ghostly echo of their presence. Nathaniel Davey’s enigmatic charisma dimmed, he eventually died in 1979 in mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a void that would never be filled. By the turn of the 1980s, the cult's rituals had become a fading memory, consigned to the chilling depths of Midsomer Norton's past.

This is the last known photo of Davey taken shortly before his death.

Today, The Volcano stands as a haunting monument, a constant reminder of the enigmatic cult that once held Midsomer Norton in its thrall. The town, forever marked by The Esoteric Order's presence, cautiously treads the line between fascination and unease. The tale of the cult that worshipped The Volcano serves as a chilling testament to the power of belief and the depths to which the human soul can descend.

Midsomer Norton “The Volcano” as it is today.

As twilight descends upon Midsomer Norton, casting long shadows across the landscape, the town moves forward, forever haunted by the echoes of The Esoteric Order. The coal slag heap, now cloaked in an air of mysterious foreboding, stands as a silent sentinel, bearing witness to the secrets that still linger within the depths of the Volcano.