Ilminster Exposed

A photograph of a couple pages from the Ilminster Exposed calendar displayed after closing time in the empty window of Bonner's Butchers in Silver Street, Ilminster, Somerset. The 2010 calendar features several of the town's shopkeepers in various states of undress and is being sold to raise funds for Vaughan Lee Residential Care Home. The calendar can be purchased at many of the stores in Ilminster for a minimum donation of £7.50.

Ilminster Carnival Photographs

Photographs of Saturday's illuminated carnival procession were promised by a member of Yeovil Camera Club, and were to appear here. Unfortunately despite having contacted us offering photographs of the event they have failed to deliver. If anyone else has photos do please let us know.

Sale in aid of Ilminster Carnival

This morning there was a sale in aid of Ilminster Carnival at the market House in the centre of the town. Stalls present offered used books, soft toys, brac a brac and Ilminster button badges.

Opening Night of Ilminster Fun Fair

The Carnival week Fun Fair opened its rides for the first time this evening. Attendance seemed pretty low, but, we can confirm that lots of fun can be had should you decide to go along. The fair is on for the rest of the week at Ilminster recreation ground.
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Places to Eat in Ilminster

Places to eat in Ilminster include:

Pubs and Inns

Ashill Inn, Ashill, Ilminster
Bell Inn, Ilminster
Crown Inn, Ilminster
Dolphin Inn, Ilminster
Duke of York, Shepton Beauchamp
George Inn, Donyatt, Ilminster
George Inn, Ilminster
New Inn, Dowlish Wake, Ilminster
Stonemasons, Ilminster
Square and Compass, Ashill, Ilminster

Restaurants and Cafes

Balti House, Ilminster
Bilbys Cafe, Ilminster
Hayman's Bakery Cafe, Ilminster
Meeting House Arts Centre, Ilminster
Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster
Square 1 Brasserie

Takeaways

Dragon Palace Chinese Takeaway, Ilminster
Ilminster Kebab & Pizza, Ilminster
Rajpoot Tandoori Balti House, Ilminster
Sarah's Dairy, Ilminster
Vincents Fish Bar, Ilminster
West Street Fish and Chips, Ilminster

Revisit Ilminster Online to see photographs of anywhere and everywhere in the Ilminster area that offers food and drink; read a totally independent review of each; and post your own comments on each establishment. Do please let us know if we've missed anywhere off our list.
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Catholic Church

DISCOVER ILMINSTER: St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Station Road, Ilminster, Somerset. Sunday Mass: 5.30 pm. Holy Days: 6.00 pm. Confessions: Before Mass. Telephone: 01460 62197. Other Places of Worship - Church of England Minster Church; Methodist Church; Quakers - Religious Society Of Friends.

Discover Ilminster

On a walk around the town today I noticed several things and places I hadn't really taken much notice of before -- or in one case prior to today's stroll, never even knew of their existence. Therefore on this theme we've decided to include a regular 'Discover Ilminster' (subtitle: 'lesser known locations in and around Ilminster)' feature on Ilminster Online. Watch this space or contact us to suggest somewhere that deserves some attention! Similarly if you're researching Ilminster and area family roots and genealogy and would like to know what a particular house or street looks like now, just get in touch and we'll add a picture to the website.

Shop Window Competition

As part of Ilminster Carnival Week many stores in the town are taking part in a Shop Window Competition. The photograph above of one such window appears to be a hit with younger shoppers.

Road Resurfacing

NEWS - Station Road was resurfaced today! Due to the current loose and sticky surface there is a 20 mph speed limit. Very few drivers, however, seem to be taking much notice. A picture above.

Fun Fair arrives in Ilminster

The annual 'Ilminster Carnival' fun fair has today begun to arrive and setup at the Recreation Ground in Ilminster. Attractions will include: Stoke's dodgems, twister, and miami waltzers! The fair will be open for business from Wednesday to Saturday. Review and photos later in the week.

Donyatt Book Fair

UPCOMING EVENT - Donyatt Bumper Book Fair, at Donyatt Village Hall, near Ilminster. Saturday 17th October. 10am to 4pm. Refreshments available. Free entry. Proceeds to the St. Mary's Church roof appeal.

Dog Fouling Problem in Ilminster

Despite the local council putting up polite notices asking dog owners to 'bag it and bin it' and warning of possible £1000 fines for dog fouling along the footpath/cyclepath (Sustrans Route 33) from Ilminster to Donyatt and Chard the problem continues! On a walk along the footpath this morning as well as the usual problem of piles of unbagged dog excrement all along the path, rather bizarrely several blue plastic bags full of the stuff could be found just dumped beside the footpath. For those that might be unaware the 'Litter (Animal Droppings) Order 1991' of the Environmental Protection Act (1990) places a duty on local authorities to keep public walks clear of dog faeces. In this the local authority and the dog warden they employ out of the Council Tax we all pay are clearly failing in their duty ... and as for the dog owners, well. Perhaps the newly organised neighbourhood watch, might get involved?

Comments?

Link to the Home Office crime prevention page on dog fouling.

Medieval Reenactment

Legion of the Stag medieval re-enactment society staged an historical reenactment in Ilminster Market Square yesterday afternoon. The crowd was treated to a display of Arthurian style sword fighting by four or five people in full medieval dress. Watch a video of the sword-fighting!

Children's Carnival 2009

Here's a short film of part of yesterday's Children's Carnival Procession through Ilminster town centre. The end of the procession (mostly featuring the SILHOUETTES dance majorettes group from Merriott, near Crewkerne) can be seen here.

Ilminster Carnival Week

Yesterday marked the start of Ilminster Carnival week, and proceedings got off to a splendid start with a well attended Childrens Carnival. Above is a photograph of Keira, this year's 11 year old Carnival Princess, being chauffered regal-style at the front of the childrens carnival procession. Each year the Carnival Committee select a new Carnival Princess based on how much sponsorship was collected by applicants. Money raised going to local charities.

Events during the week include: Bingo; a Quiz night; a Disco Dance; and a Bric-a-Brac & Plant Sale in the Market Square on Friday.

Ilminster Carnival Week ends with the main illuminated procession next Saturday the 3rd October 2009. With the procession forming on Whitelackington Hill and then following this route from 7.15pm:

Bay Hill
East Street
Silver Street
West Street
Station Road
Riec-Sur-Belon
Canal Way
Lower Meadow Roundabout

Roads are closed from 7pm. The results are announced in the Market Square from around 10.30pm.

Chutney Festival

Local National Trust property Barrington Court, near Ilminster, is holding a Chutney Festival on October 3rd and 4th. Chutney and pickle lovers will be able to buy a wide selection of home-made produce at the Chutfest farmers market.

If you fancy having a go at making your own chutney here's a super recipe for Somerset Tomato Chutney.

Ingredients
1kg ripe tomatoes, chopped
450g onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 eating apples, peeled, cored and roughly chopped
2 tsp mustard seeds
2 cloves
2.5cm piece fresh ginger, grated
300g sultanas
200g light muscovado sugar
600ml malt vinegar

This should make just over 1kg of Tomato Chutney
Takes 1¼-1½ hours to make, plus cooling and at least 1 month to mature.

Directions

1. Put all the ingredients, apart from the vinegar, in a preserving pan or large, deep saucepan. Add half the vinegar and season.

2. Place the pan over a medium heat. Slowly bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.

3. Stir the vinegar into the chutney. Cook for a further 30 minutes, stirring often, or until thickened. If it's still runny, simmer for another 10-15 minutes.

4. Divide the hot chutney between sterilised jars and set aside to cool.

5. Place a disc of waxed paper directly onto the chutney and seal with airtight lids or Cellophane and elastic bands. Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, for at least 1 month before eating. It will keep for up to 6 months. Chill after opening and use within 1-2 months.

NEWS - Bomb Disposal!

Army Bomb Disposal teams were called to a house in Adams Meadow in Ilminster on Monday afternoon after police found suspicious items during a search of the property. A 37 year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary, and later bailed. The area was still sealed off for two days. No further details have been released.

Dillington House

We recently acquired an old engraving dating back to the 1870s of Dillington House, just outside Ilminster. Compare the engraving with the photograph of Dillington to the right taken earlier today.
. Parts of Dillington House date back to the 16th Century and the house is often described as one of the finest and most beautiful houses in Somerset. Indeed, Dillington features in Simon Jenkins’ book England’s 1000 Best Houses. Steeped in history, Dillington House was formerly the country residence of George III's Prime Minister, Lord North. It has now been owned for many years by Somerset County Council and is put to a number of uses, including adult education centre and upmarket wedding and conference venue.

HISTORY - Ilminster Origins

Did you know? Ilminster is mentioned in documents dating back as far as 725 and in a Charter was granted to the Abbey of Muchelney (10 miles to the north) by King Ethelred in 995. Ilminster also features in the Domesday Book (1086) as Ileminstre meaning 'The minster church on the River Isle' from the Old English ysle and mynster.
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'Temporary' Footpath Closure

The now extended closure of the footpath linking the shoppers car-park behind the Co-Operative store in the centre of Ilminster to the shop itself is something of an inconvenience, especially given the usual difficulty in parking in that part of the town. According to one store worker the closure is due to safety concerns over the 'repointing' work taking place on the old court building. Let us hope that those concerned pull their fingers and get on with the work or perhaps just provide a covered area, so that shoppers can continue to use the footpath and help lessen the never-ending parking problems in the street itself.
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The Population of Ilminster?

In the 16th Century, during the time of Henry VIII, the population of Ilminster was around 1,000. In 2002 the population of Ilminster was recorded by Somerset County Council as 4,781. With the large number of houses built since that survey seven years back we wonder how many people might live in the town now?

Swap Shop Event at Primary School

As previously reported Greenflyde Primary school hosted a swap shop and community event today. The main event of the day was a 'swap shop', where in exchange - rather bizarrely in our view - for one unwanted item, participants could take away three other items unwanted by other participants. Items offered for swap ranged from children's toys to books and ornaments. Outside there were stalls set-up by the local allotment garden association; the recycling section of Somerset Waste; an organisation selling electric bicycles; an RSPB stand; a stall providing information about plastic bottle tops by Somerset Climate Action and the Glade centre; and, best of all, children offering tours of the school garden.

Donyatt Church Roof Appeal

The Market House was this morning filled with stalls selling everything from jewellery and jam to second-hand books and wine. Funds raised were going toward the St. Mary's Church roof appeal in Donyatt, Ilminster. As ever click on the image to see a larger version of the same photograph.

Ilminster Town Crier

The Ilminster town crier, Mr Olds, was out and about this morning in Ilminster, in full costume, ringing his bell, chatting to people, and handing out leaflets. We didn't hear him 'crying', but, did take a picture of him in Silver Street.

Ilminster Swap Shop

A 'Swap Shop' is being organised at Greenfylde First School on Saturday September 19th, with the swaps starting at 10am. Swap anything from toys, books, and household items to garden implements and DVDs. Indeed swap almost any clean unbroken items. Check back here at the weekend for a review and photograph of the event.

Interactive Map of Ilminster

Here's a useful interactive and fun map of Ilminster. Use the arrows and buttons to explore the area and switch from satellite to a more traditional map view.

Life in 1960s Donyatt!

Quite by chance I came across a fascinating personal website written by someone who lived for five months at Donyatt Hill, in the village of Donyatt, near Ilminster, during the early 1960s. Check it out here!

Homes for old Chickens wanted

A chicken farmer who breeds chickens to produce eggs wants to find homes for 800 birds that supermarkets say are too old to lay eggs for their stores.

Free-range farmer Anna Mogford, 32, of Somerset, said she had been told the supermarkets could not accept eggs from birds more than 72 weeks old.

Miss Mogford, of Donyatt, said she did not want the birds to be slaughtered so wanted to find new homes for them.

So far 200 of the chickens have been found new homes. Some have gone to nearby cider orchards and people's gardens. Miss Mogford has run Parshalls Farm for the past four years.

Dillington Open Day

Dillington House held their annual Open Day today (Sunday). Admission was free and attractions included, live music and displays; photography exhibitions; craft demonstrations; historical costumed characters, including a very impressive Henry VIII (pictured above); exhibits by organisations like the Avon & Somerset Constabulary and the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service; various trade stands, and three Llamas!

Market Square - September 2009

As promised - a photograph of Market Square in Ilminster as it looks today. Compare with the old postcard in the previous post. Cars, cars, cars ... and more cars.

Old Postcard of Market Square, Ilminster

Here is another old postcard from our Ilminster images collection. This one was posted in 1910 from Crewkerne and depicts the Market Square area of the town. Later today we'll post a photograph of the same part of the town as it is today. More vintage Ilminster postcards.

NEWS - Little Chef Armed Robbery

On Monday night two balaclava-wearing robbers armed with shotguns, threatened staff and demanded keys to a safe at a Little Chef roadside restaurant at the service area at the Southfields Roundabout just outside Ilminster. When workers told them they did not have the keys they left the restaurant. No-one was hurt and nothing was taken. The men were described as in their 20's and about 5ft 9in (1.7m) to 6ft (1.8m) tall. They are reported to have spoken with northern accents. They are believed to have driven away in a vehicle they had left parked beside the A358, which is behind the services in the direction of Taunton. Police are appealing for information.

Market Day in Ilminster

A photograph taken this morning of a couple of the stalls at the open air market held in Ilminster every Thursday. The Co-op food store can also be seen and if one looks carefully the George Hotel featured in the previous post. Click on the image to see a larger version of the same image.

Ilminster Town Centre 1905 and 2009

Here we have an old picture postcard of the George Hotel and Post Office in the centre of Ilminster, Somerset. The postcard and image date from around 1905. The photograph below shows the same part of the town taken this morning. Thursday is market day in Ilminster, but, with the showers and lower temperatures today there were fewer people than usual out and about. My next post includes a view of the market area and the Co-operative food store.

Ilminster : Past and Present

Welcome to our image based blog on the small town of Ilminster in South Somerset, England. Ilminster: Past and Present. Please feel free to contribute to this website using the comments section or by contacting us direct by e-mail via ilminster [at] msn.com (substitute the [at] for the @ symbol).