by Cllr Julie Fowler, mayor of Ilminster

What makes our town of Ilminster special?

At the core of Ilminster is the community, which is so welcoming and friendly and always prepared to go that extra mile to help.

You only have to look at the number of organisations which abound in the town to understand the commitment to give generously of time, effort and energy.

The manifestations of this commitment are shown, for example, in popular annual events such as the Town Criers’ competition, the Flag Festival, IMEX, the Carnivals, the Victorian evening and switching on of the Christmas lights together with the senior citizens Christmas lunch.

For the first time this year Ilminster will be celebrating Somerset Day on Saturday 11 May from 2.30pm in the grounds of The Minster.

Also contributing to the heartbeat of Ilminster are the independent retailers and the weekly market, where personal service makes for a pleasant shopping (and sociable) experience.

It is up to all of us to support our shops and services so that we can continue to enjoy the facilities they provide on our doorstep.

On the Arts front Ilminster is fortunate to have a Literary Festival, the Arts Centre and The Warehouse Theatre, which provide the town with a wide range of events and activities that appeal to all tastes and ages.

There are many other jewels in Ilminster’s crown: the history of Ilminster itself; the beautiful Minster church; Herne Hill Nature Reserve; and the recreation ground, which is a wonderful open space for everyone to enjoy.

Ilminster is the star of south Somerset - let’s strive to keep it that way!