MORE than 100 people are set to explore the history of Ilminster at an annual event in the town.

The History of the Ile group will be holding their main workshop of the year, with members of the public getting the chance to bring in their own pictures of the town from through the years as well as seeing part of the group’s collection so far.

The workshop is on August 13 at the Meeting House in Ilminster from 10am until noon.

Previous meetings have seen members of the public bringing in historical photographs from the region’s past, including pictures from as far back as the 1800s.

Rowland Garland, the honorary secretary of the Heritage of the Ile group, said: “We were formed in 1976 by a group of local people concerned to preserve the past of the area for the benefit of the future.

“The trust is managed by an enthusiastic body of volunteers who collect and collate the photographic material which is given to them. The collection now totals some 4,000 photographs.

“In 2003 the trust transferred the entire collection on loan to The Somerset Records Office at Taunton who stores and looks after them and will make them available to the public for viewing.

“To make the collection easier to show to the public the records office has undertaken the huge task of copying the entire collection onto CDs.

“These discs will ensure that the material is carefully looked after in the future.”

Among the pictures brought in in past workshops, is a photograph from Broadway in the 1800s. The picture shows a cart owned by Ilminster Cas Co Ltd, and Rowland has found that it is from near the old blacksmith in the village.

Other pictures include one of the Royal Oak’s 1966 carnival entry, Yellow Submarine, with the team clutching three trophies and nine certificates, and one of the Hurlstone cycle agent’s entry into another Ilminster carnival, although the trust do not know the year of the photograph.

As well as people bringing photographs in, there will also be a display of old pictures, books and postcards for sale, a raffle, and coffee and refreshments.

The group has more than 100 members, with more members of the public also expected to attend.

For more information, visit heritageoftheile.co.uk.