THE theme for this evening's Victorian Evening in Ilminster is Christmas Around the World and will mark the switch-on of the town’s Christmas lights.

Victorian Night organisers, the Chamber of Commerce and the town’s Christmas Lights Committee are hoping that the townspeople will get into the spirit much earlier in the day – with choirs from six local schools singing Christmas songs and carols in the Market House.

They will start at 10am with Neroche School, followed by Greenfylde 11am, Hambridge 1.30pm, Ilton 2.15pm, Swanmead 3pm and East Coker at 4pm. Then there will be a short wait until the big lantern parade which leaves Greenfylde School at 6.30pm and proceeds up to the Market House for the switch-on ceremony.

The town crier will start the parade, followed by Father Christmas on his new eco-santa-sleigh. He will be followed by entrants in the Victorian fancy dress costume competition and then, for the first time, there will be large-scale lanterns bringing up the rear.

An area in front of the switch-on stage will be roped off so that the many children taking part can be safely accommodated and they have a space to await the big switch-on at 7pm.

The switching-on ceremony will be carried out by the winner of a fundraising raffle – tickets cost £1 each, and you can nominate yourself or someone else for the honour, by posting their name in special boxes at Bonners, Harrimans, Home Hardware and Cottage Flowers. Proceeds go to Victorian Night funds.

The countdown will herald the big switch-on at 7pm.

Lights on the Market House roof have been extended this year and three special new garlands will be appearing in memory of supporters of the town Christmas lights – Ken Harper in East Street, Viv Joslyn at the bottom of North Street and in a new display at the Royal Oak, and former lights committee member Ronnie McQueen across the entrance of Ditton Street.

In addition, a new garland has been erected in Swan Precinct, with large snowflakes along the lights garland on Strawberry Bank.

Nearly all of the lights now reflect the move over to LED by the lights committee. As the older, coloured characters have become worn out it has not been possible o replace them so inevitably new features will be in LED, with the benefit that they are cheaper to run.

The attractions on the night will include three bands, with a Victorian Games Fair at The Green House on the corner at the far end of Silver Street. There will also be hot food and drinks stalls, and this year try out the fabulous crêpes.

“After the switch-on the twinkling lights will mark the start of the run-up to Christmas for the town’s traders who provide a wide selection of goods and services so make sure you support them,” said lights committee chairman Clinton Bonner.

“The town always puts on a fantastic display which is the envy of many other towns in the area and even the region and it provides an excellent kick-start for Christmas.”

Mr Bonner thanked everyone who had contributed towards the lights this year, the hard-working committee who work throughout the year on the lights, before erecting them and nearly 80 Christmas trees in the town centre and the two large trees in the Minster churchyard. He also paid a special thank you to secretary, John Bishop, who is leaving the committee after this Christmas.

Altogether, the Lights Committee has spent about £6,000 this year on buying and improving lights and without contributions from the public and fund-raising in memory of loved-ones it would not be possible to put on such a display.

Mr Bonner added: “I hope we will have provided a magnificent evening for the residents and that everyone enjoys themselves. Donations for the street light displays are always welcome and there will be collectors out on the night.”

So on Friday, November 27, the run-up to Christmas officially starts in Ilminster – book the date and make the most of it by visiting the traders who will be staying open until 8.30pm, some later.

Also make sure you support the advertisers in this feature who will have special offers and displays for your Christmas shopping.

There will be £50 in vouchers to spend in Ilminster shops as the first prize in the Victorian fancy dress competition.Turn up at Greenfylde School (Silver Street entrance) before 6.15pm.