Ilminster Carnival 2011

Last night we had the annual illuminated carnival procession pass through the town and by all accounts a fine time was had by all who attended. Here's a picture of just one of the beautifully made floats.

Travellers move in to Canal Way, Ilminster

This week I notice that travellers / gypsies have taken up residence in a layby at the far end of Canal Way. When the van they and their dogs reside in isn't there they even leave half their belongings behind in the street.

What a bloody eyesore and surely some sort of health hazard! See picture for details of part of the encampment.

FUN FAIR, Recreation Ground, Ilminster

The fun fair has arrived and set-up at the recreation grounds in Ilminster. Open every night from 6-30pm until late. Saturday from 2.30pm. Leaves on Sunday. Don't miss out on all the fun of the fair!

Ile Valley Flower Club, Ilminster

Nearly 2000 stems of flowers and foliage are being prepared by the Ladies of the Ile Valley Flower Club this week, for VISION of ILMINSTER in Flowers, a Floral Art Exhibition, with the proceeds going to the worthy cause of Children’s Hospice South West, the Flower Club Chairman Jenny Chance’s Charity this year.

Jenny, says “The flower exhibits are going to show the Town, it’s retailers and businesses in many different forms of arranging, from a money tree, to the shops depicting an Ilminster Wedding, from the famous Carnival to Convenience shops, as well as the oldest retailer in town, there is lots to see”

Do come along on Saturday 2nd or Sunday 3rd July, doors will be open from 10.00 to 5.00 with admission £1.00 children free, at The Parish Hall North Street Ilminster.

Ilminster Midsummer Experience

Ilminster Midsummer Experience is this week! Lots of events - food and craft market; classic and historic vehicle show; dog show, strolling garage sale; open house at the masonic hall and more. Pick-up a leaflet in the town centre for full details or click on the photo above for a poster view of the various events happening all over Ilminster, 8th - 12th June 2011.

Desert Island Discs with Headmaster Greenfylde School

Don't miss:

Desert Island discs with Mr. Jon Jeffery, Head teacher of Greenfylde School, Ilminster!

- a talk about his life and work, plus, of course, an opportunity to hear his favourite songs/pieces of music.

This evening, 8th June at 7.30pm in the Minster Church.

Tickets: £6.00 (to include a glass of wine)

Ilminster Carnival Procession 2010

A picture taken at last night's grand carnival procession. This a carnival float (with dodgy lighting) at the bottom of Station road near the roundabout. Lots and lots of rain but apart from that the carnival was not at all bad.

Ilminster Carnival Somerset

Noticed a sign beside the road advertising Ilminster carnival. Date 2nd October 2010. The week before there will be a children's carnival during the day.

Concert at Recreation Ground Ilminster

Yesterday evening I came upon a concert going on at the recreation ground. Seemed to be organised for and by young evangelists. Christian lyrics with an indie guitar sound. Very pleasant, in fact. Not many people there though. and no information as to who had organised the event. Perhaps a happy-clappy church from either Taunton or Yeovil? See picture above.

Wurzels LIVE in Ilminster Somerset

The Wurzels (and four support bands) are to play a live concert at the Donyatt 'Arena', Ilminster, Somerset. Saturday 28th August 2010. Be there or be square! See posters around the town for further details.

Ilminster Cricket Club

Short of something to do and bored with coverage of World Cup Football on tv and radio I popped down to the recreation ground in Ilminster this afternoon and watched some cricket! And a thoroughly enjoyable time was had watching Ilminster Cricket Club play an unknown Somerset cricket team. So the next Saturday you have with nothing to do, why not check at the cricket at the recreation ground!?! Above is a photo of this afternoon's match.

Church Fete Ilminster

A photo of the plant stall at the rather splendid and well-attended church fete in Ilminster, Somerset.

Church Flower Arrangements Ilminster

Popped along to see the flower arrangements in the Minster church last weekend. Truely remarkable designs one and all. Here is a picture of just one of many arrangements. Should the exhibition be repeated I thoroughly recommend a visit.

Old Postcard of Herne Hill Ilminster

Another old postcard. This one from the early 1920s of Herne Hill, Ilminster.

Yeovil Constituency Election Results 2010

Here are the election results for the Yeovil constituency, which, of course, Ilminster is a part:

David Laws - Liberal Democrat - 31,843 votes
Kevin Davis - Conservative - 18,807 votes
Lee Skevington - Labour - 2,991 votes
Nigel Pearson - UK Independence Party - 2,357 votes
Robert Baehr - British National Party - 1,162 votes

Old Postcard Ilminster

I recently came across an interesting old picture postcard of the centre of Ilminster. So here it is. It shows Marshalsea & Bros garage in around 1920. I guess just about where the Co-op food store is today.

Garden Waste Collection Service Ilminster

Garden Waste Collection Service

All households across South Somerset are now be able to opt in to a garden waste collection service.

The annual charge for people joining or renewing for the year commencing April 1st 2010 will be £42.50, which is excellent value for 25 fortnightly collections each year.

The alternative option of compostable sacks are still available.

To subscribe to the garden waste collection service contact South Somerset District Council customer services on 01935 462462.

I mention this garden waste service as it has been reported to Ilminster Online via email that on Saturday "a middle aged woman and her grown-up daughter" were seen dumping quantities of garden waste from their garden in Adams Meadow along the cycle path from Ilminster to Donyatt.

Surely if one can afford to live in a nice new house in Adams Meadow, £ 42,50 a year isn't too much to pay for your rubbish to be removed by the council rather than it being dumped in the countryside ...

(The rubbish dumping pair's neighbour has offered to photograph the Adams Meadow litterers the next time they are spotted doing the deed. In which case we'll publish it here for all to see.)

French Market in Ilminster

On Sunday on a visit to the local Co-operative store to stock up on some tea, I stumbled, quite by chance, upon a French market in the centre of Ilminster. Some nice stalls selling interesting continental bits and pieces, but, sadly for the French stallholders hardly a customer in sight. One stallholder remarked to me that he would probably never do another such market in Ilminster. A pity as with the right promotion it could have been a much more successful event.

Found a Good Garage in Ilminster

Following on from my earlier post about garages in Ilminster.

After coming across an advert in the Yellow Pages directory for the previously mentioned Ilminster garage and being rather disappointed by their attitude, I took a drive around the town looking for somewhere rather friendlier. And surprise, surprise, I found somewhere!

The name of this garage: Clarke Motors, located close to the old railway station and on the same estate and almost next door to the less-than-helpful establishment.

The boss of Clarke Auto's - a friendly sort of chap - identified the problem very quickly, ordered and fitted the replacement part, and my car was soon back on the road.

Of course, other garages are available in Ilminster, but, on the strength of this experience I can recommend this one as a reliable, friendly and reasonably priced garage in Ilminster and will most definitely use them again.

Should you wish to give them a try yourself, here are their contact details:

Clarke Autos, Unit 2, Station Road, Ilminster, TA19 9DW

telephone: 01460 259940

Looking for a Good Garage Ilminster

I currently have a problem with a water leak from the cooling system on my car. Called up somewhere called Mynster Motors, but, as the woman who answered the telephone sounded rather unfriendly and uninterested in having my money, I will look for somewhere else. Update later.