CHRISTMAS 2016: Fun-filled night for Ilminster Victorian Evening and Christmas Lights Switch-On

ILMINSTER is getting ready to become a Winter Wonderland as the town’s annual Christmas Lights Switch-On and Victorian Evening festivities draw close.

The ever-popular night which heralds the official countdown to the festive season in Ilminster is set for Friday, November 18, 2016.

You know the season to be jolly is approaching as soon as you see the Ilminster Christmas Lights gang in the town’s streets with their hi-viz jackets and unwinding strings of lights and garlands ready for the enjoyment of the whole community.

The lights are up and more than 80 trees will be illuminated when the switch is flicked and the build-up to Christmas will begin.

Ilminster is renowned for its lights which are rated as the best in the area and they really do give a sparkling splash of colour to the town’s streets as people carry out their Christmas shopping.

And Christmas will kick-start with a theme of A Winter Wonderland on Victorian Evening with traders dressing up in period costume and decorating their shop windows.

The person given the honour of switching-on the lights will once again be the winner of a local raffle.

During the day there will be carol singing by local schools in the Market House to start the Christmas atmosphere and people are invited to go along and give the children some support.

The Victorian Evening officially starts at 6.30pm with the children’s lantern parade which goes from Greenfylde First School to the Market Square winding its way through the packed town centre streets.

More than 100 lanterns are expected to light the way – including some amazing large ones.

Once they are at the Market House there will be a huge crowd as always waiting for the big countdown to switch on the lights at 7pm.

Santa himself will be in attendance operating from his grotto which will be open in the Ile Youth Centre in Frog Lane from 6.30pm.

Traders and craftspeople will have stalls to give people ideas for Christmas gifts, while shops will be open with many giving discounts for the evening.

The excellent HMS Heron Volunteer Band from RNAS Yeovilton will be performing in the Market House and  music will also be provided outside of the Dolphin pub by the popular Salvation Army Band.

There will also be two choirs performing yuletide songs, a children’s fairground in East Street, the popular Martock Puppets, several displays of interesting Victoriana, and piping hot food and festive drinks available from street vendors.

Cafes in Silver Street will be open for warming drinks and refreshment, while shops in Ditton Street and Swan Precinct will also be open.

The Ilminster Lions Club members will be in the precinct with warming mulled wine, as well as a sweet cart and stalls selling bric-a-brac and toys.

There will be other activities in the courtyard outside of Tesco.

And it does not end there.

In the Parish Hall at the top of North Street a Christmas Fair will be staged in aid of an epilepsy charity, while the Arts Centre will be open at the Meeting House.

Ilminster Lights Committee chairman Clinton Bonner is always fully of praise for the team’s efforts leading up to the night and also for the continued magnificent support from the town’s residents.

“It’s only thanks to the generosity of traders and members of the public that the lights have all been checked and upgraded where necessary,” he said.

“There are a few new additions and improvements made to the Market House roof lights.

“We are all set for a wonderful night and Christmas season, but it couldn’t be done without the support of our wonderful team of volunteers.

“We do get the odd comments about putting the lights up too early, but it must be remembered that some of the team come home from work and then straight out again to help put up the lights so we do appreciate everything they do.

“We also have to be safety conscious – not only for the team putting the lights up, but also for the public.

“Thank you to everyone for being so patient.”

So if you want a good night out and to get a taste of the superb shopping experience this Christmas in Ilminster, make a date for the Victorian Night and lights ceremony on Friday, November 18, 2016.

PHOTOS: Pictures from Victorian Evening and Christmas Lights Switch-on in November 2015. Photos courtesy of Jacqui Yeoell.

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