ILMINSTER NEWS: Ilminster’s festive lights are the envy of many larger towns

A NUMBER of new features are being planned by the Ilminster Christmas Lights Committee for 2017.

The garland installed in 2016 at the entrance of Greenfylde First School, which has received a lot of comment, will be moved further up Silver Street and a new garland featuring Santa for the children will hopefully be bought.

The Season’s Greetings banner at the entrance to Silver Street is to be replaced following a donation from a member of the public and new snowflake features will be installed along Strawberry Bank.

"We also are planning to improve the Market House illuminations," chairman Clinton Bonner told the committee’s annual meeting.

“We are also looking into some form of Christmas lights at the top of East Street, but there are restrictions due to lack of height."

In addition this year the committee is getting all of the anchor bolt points for garlands tested - a public appeal last year raised nearly £2,000 towards this work.

"Traders’ Christmas trees will remain at £35 and we put up over 75 this year so great thanks to all traders that gave their support," added Mr Bonner.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Christmas lights committee chairman Clinton Bonner.

The Victorian Night when the lights are turned on will be held on Friday, November 17, 2017.

Mr Bonner said a loss of £1,182 was made on the year after buying new features, but feedback from the public was that the lights were better than ever in 2016.

“We are the envy of many larger towns and despite the poor weather in 2016 it was still an excellent evening,” he said.

“I wish to thank the people of Ilminster and the town council for their continued support of the lights committee - especially with the appeal for the anchor bolt testing. We will continue to improve our features to give the town a fantastic festive show.

"We have an excellent team now who give all their time so generously through the year. We also help to put up and take down all the flags and banners for IMEX week, so it is an all year round job.

"I would just like to assure everyone that every penny that is ever donated or raised goes to improve the  lights."

Officers elected: Chairman, Clinton Bonner; vice-chairman, John Pallister; treasurer, Ian Anderton; secretary, Richard Garland; committee: Glenn McQueen, Paul Huish, Roger Welch, Trevor Shaw, Roger Swann, Mike Stephenson, David Jewson, Allen Day, Rob Leake, Steve Western, Peter Childs, Rob Drayton, Andy Hopper, Parmen Leontovitsch, Graham Smith, Paul Sainsbury, Matt Sainsbury, Barry Allen, Molly Conway.

Tags:
News.