THE people of Ilminster are set to have a song and dance for charity to celebrate the memory of one of the town’s carnival stalwarts.

Ray Blackmore passed away last year aged 87, after heart problems later in his life.

He had spent a number of decades dedicated to supporting Somerset’s carnival events.

Ray was a president of Aldonvale Carnival Club when they joined forces with Springfield Carnival Club in 1997.

Now, to mark Ray’s birthday in March, his granddaughter Claire Suckling is organising a charity disco.

There will be a raffle on the evening as well.

She said: “My grandad was born in Ilminster on March 2, 1930, and worked at St John’s Ambulance, and also at Clark’s until he retired.”

Claire also said that Ray loved to spend his time gardening, and going on holidays abroad with his wife Mary.

Ray’s granddaughter added: “His other passion was carnival and he was President of Aldonvale Carnival Club and when they joined with Springfield and became Gemini Carnival Club.

“He was involved with helping building the floats right up until his last year of life.”

The charity disco and raffle is set for March 2, 2019, and it will be held at the Shrubbery Hotel in Ilminster.

Festivities are set to kick off at 7pm and will run until midnight.

The family has asked for donations on the door.

“I wanted to organise something special that would fall on his birthday where I could get all the family and friends together. He really enjoyed seeing everyone having fun, Claire said.

“I chose British Heart Foundation as the charity as he struggled with heart problems later in his life and we wanted to give something back to them.”

If you are unable to attend or wish to donate to the British Heart Foundation, you can support Claire’s JustGiving page.

To do your part, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/claire-suckling1.