A RANGE of activities will be on offer to eco-minded residents in Ilminster next month.

Between September 18 and 26, the town will be taking part in the Great big Green Week event, a national initiative that will see campaigners highlight the need for urgent action to tackle climate change.

Now, Ilminster residents, businesses and community groups are invited to participate in the campaign, ahead of COP26, the United Nations Climate talks being held later this year in Glasgow.

Thousands of people are uniting to organise festivals and events up and down the country for the week, including in Ilminster, with details to be announced in the coming weeks.

However, organisers say people can expect events including nature walks, open gardens, a Fairtrade bake-off and coffee morning, Walk of Hope, climate march, apple juicing day, music, dramas and children’s activities.

It is hoped that others will add to the programme in the run up to Great Big Green Week; or commit to supporting one of the events already planned.

Chard & Ilminster News: EVENT: The Great Big Green Week

The volunteer-led Steering Group, consisting of representatives from the Ilminster Quaker Meeting, Ilminster Fairtrade, Green Ilminster, Ilminster Tree Project, Experience Ilminster CIC, Ilminster Rotary and The Minster Church, is specifically inviting others to join with them in delivering activities throughout the week.

Anyone interested in doing so, is encouraged to get in touch via email to greenweek@ilminsterexperience.co.uk

A spokesperson for the group said: "Tackling climate change is a team effort and we have proven what can be achieved in a short amount of time by working together to develop our Great Big Green Week programme.

"We are passionate about the people of Ilminster having a greater understanding of the climate crisis, what it means for them, their children and the developing world, now and in the future.

"It is critical that we not only understand the challenges but are active in addressing them. Great Big Green Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the work that is already going on locally and further afield, but it is also a chance to challenge ourselves individually and collectively, strengthening our commitment to live more sustainably and ensure that our politicians know that communities like Ilminster are behind them as they prepare to meet in Glasgow."

For an up-to-date programme of activities and events, taking place in Ilminster from September 18-26, keep an eye on the website, www.ilminsterexperience.co.uk/the-great-big-green-week, where further details will be published as they are agreed.

Nationally, the Great Big Green Week is being organised by The Climate Coalition, the UK's largest group of people dedicated to action against climate change, whose members include the National Trust, WWF, Women's Institute, Oxfam, the Fairtrade Foundation and the RSPB.