ORGANISERS of the Ilminster Midsummer Experience are in the final throngs of pulling together this year’s bumper event.

Now in its eighth year, the festival is back bigger and better than ever before, ready to showcase all the good things this market town has to offer.

Since its inception, the event has quickly become a staple of the Ilminster calendar and this summer will see more groups and organisations get involved to make it a real success.

The man behind the showcase Michael Fry-Foley says he has been delighted with the number of individuals and groups eager to come forward with their own ideas this time out.

He said: “Things are going very well. This year there are a number of new events which I think are going to be fun. Chief among those I think will be the Big Lunch which the Rotary Club are organising.

“We have got a big marquee from the Gooch Charitable Trust and Lord Cameron, and it will be timed nicely as the French twinning members from Riec Sur Belon will be over at the same time.

“This has become one of the major events in the calendar for Ilminster. What is great about this year is we have had people and groups coming to us with suggestions that they want to try out.

I would much rather have it that way because the better ideas all come from the community.”

In the lead up to the festival and throughout, the town will be donned with 100-odd drapes and banners starting from May 26.

For the duration of the IMEx, Ilminster Arts Centre will be showcasing an exhibition from the South Somerset Embroiderers’ Guild called Window on the World. There will also be a scarecrow competition across the weekend, with entry forms available online or from the council offices.

The festival itself will feature a classic car show, food and craft stalls, a dog show, skating event, lunch on the rec, children’s games and much more besides across June 12, 13 and 14.

The News will feature a full programme of events in the lead up.