ILMINSTER NEWS: True spirit of Christmas shines through in Ilminster

THOUSANDS of people crammed into the Market Square on Friday (November 18, 2016) to begin the countdown to Christmas in Ilminster.

The annual Victorian Evening and switching-on of the Christmas lights was another stunning success with people enjoying music and other seasonal activities.

One of the organiseres, Mike Fry-Foley, said: “It was one of the best Victorian Nights in recent memory.

“Many thanks to the hundreds of people from outside of Ilminster who joined with Ilminster residents to make such a terrific night.

“Thanks also to Ilminster Blackbelt Martial Arts Academy for staffing the road closure points."

There was a whole stack of entertainment going on for people to enjoy and many of the shops stayed open for that all-important Christmas shopping with many shop workers dressing up in Victorian attire.

Father Christmas himself was in attendance and he set up a grotto at the Ile Youth and Community Centre in Frog Lane where he welcomed young visitors.

The important task of pressing the plunger to illuminate Ilminster with its wonderful Christmas lights was given to brothers Aidan, 11, Ollie, nine, and seven-year-old Charlie Upshall.

They had been key organisers in a Christmas Shopping Night at the Parish Hall at the top of North Street in Ilminster on Victorian Evening to raise money for the Epilepsy Society and amassed a whopping £2,500-plus.

PHOTO - TOP: Aidan Upshall (left) and his younger brothers Charlie and Ollie switch-on the Christmas lights in Ilminster.

They would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who supported the night as it was especially important to them as their dad Gavin died last December at the age of just 35 from epilepsy.

The boys’ mum, Marie, said: “We’ve been raising money for the Epilepsy Society every year, but this year is more personal as it marks the one-year anniversary of my husband’s sudden passing.

“He suffered with epilepsy since he was a teenager and so me and our three sons want to raise as much money and awareness for the Epilepsy Society as we can.”

Perhaps the fact that their fundraising event was such a success was in the true spirit of what Christmas should be all about.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Ilminster was packed once again for the annual switching-on of the Christmas Lights and Victorian Evening. Photos courtesy of Anna Steven.

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