THE centre of Ilminster was packed with local people and visitors last Saturday as the town played host to one of the main events of its annual Midsummer Experience.

Silver Street was turned into a pedestrian-only thoroughfare as it became a hive of activity with stalls, traders, refreshment outlets and entertainers.

Forecasted bad weather failed to materialise and Ilminster Midsummer Experience organisers were probably thanking those “upstairs” for looking down favourably on the town and its food and craft market.

The pathway leading from Silver Street to Greenfylde First School was also busy as local groups, organisations and charities put on displays, stalls and games to create a “charity drive” to raise awareness about themselves and to raise some money.

Organisers were delighted with the turnout and said it had been a truly great success for the town to enjoy and it allowed Ilminster to show itself off to visitors in fine style.

The following day on Sunday the Ilminster Recreation Ground was a hive of activity with a host of events for all the family to enjoy as the Midsummer Experience came to a fitting finale.

There was a popular family dog show where owners could enter their four-legged friends into a variety of different classes including the waggiest tail and the best sausage catcher!

While dog owners could put their pets through their paces in a fun agility course, while there was also a “dancing dogs and dog trick” demonstration.

Staying on the animal theme – albeit much larger animals – people could enjoy rides around the streets of Ilminster on a cart pulled by Ivan Steele’s wonderful heavy horses.

The long-running Yeovil Town Band was back to perform for a third year at IMEX, while at the other end of the scale there was a very first public performance by the recently-formed Ilminster Majorettes.

There were other displays by local groups and sidestalls for people to watch and enjoy.

New for this year was Lunch on the Rec organised by the Ilminster Rotary Club with an al fresco meal served in a marquee with waiter and waitress service from Ilminster Scouts plus newly-elected Mayor, Cllr Rose Neave.

Among the diners were visitors from Ilminster’s twin town of Riecsur-Belon and they were greeted by pupils from Neroche Primary School.

Also visiting the marquee was new MP Marcus Fysh and his wife Jenny.

A big success was a classic vehicle show where a convoy of various old cars, motorbikes and vans descended on the Rec where their owners could show off their pride and joys.