FAMILY historian Derek Johnson is planning a big get-together next month for relatives of his great-grandfather James Richards, Keeper of the Keys at Wellington Monument for about 50 years.

James was born in Churchstanton and lived between 1853 and 1943. He lived on Monument Farm while he was Keeper of the Keys and his wife was Sarah (nee Harris).

They had 13 children, with a 25-year gap between the oldest and the youngest.

Derek, of Slades Close, Taunton, has spent about 18 months researching the family history through the Ancestry UK website, the National Trust

and the Heritage Centre in Taunton.

The family get-together is being held at Knowle Manor, Dunster, on Saturday, August 12, and about 100 family members are expected to attend, some coming from as far away as the USA.

Anyone who thinks they are related to Derek, or has more information about the family, can contact him through his Facebook page or email him at [email protected]