THE annual coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support – held at the Archie Gooch Pavilion in Ilminster – raised a phenomenal £5,250!

The organising team of Angie Blackwell from Cottage Flowers, Julie Fowler, Ilminster Lions Club president Shirley Farley and Annie and Neil Roden were delighted with the result.

This year Angie Blackwell again provided a home-made cake delivery service to local businesses and

shops, which proved very popular.

And Julie said: “We had tremendous support from local businesses and voluntary organisations, as well as the wonderful community of Ilminster.

“A big thank you to all those who gave so generously of their time and effort, as well as those who supported the event on the day. It is a marvellous result, which could not have been achieved without great team work from everyone. Thank you, Ilminster.”

Lots more photos from the coffee morning - taken by Ilminster Press photographer Christine Jones - will appear in the September 2023 edition of the Ilminster Press community newspaper .... which will be out on Thursday (September 21, 2023).

PHOTO – TOP: Coffee morning co-organiser Julie Fowler (right) is pictured with the Ilminster Mayor, Cllr Leanne Taylor, during the event on Saturday, September 9, 2023. Photo: Christine Jones.

PHOTO – ABOVE: The Archie Gooch Pavilion in Ilminster was packed with people to support the Macmillan Cancer Support coffee morning. Photo: Christine Jones.

ACTOR James Purefoy – well-known for his role in the Fisherman’s Friends movies – will be switching-on the Christmas lights in Ilminster this festive season.

The popular switch-on night in Ilminster – one of the highlights of the year – will be taking place on Friday, November 24, at 7pm.

The town centre will be closed to traffic from 5pm to 9pm with lots going with numerous food and drink vendors and entertainment.

Matt Sainsbury, of the Ilminster Christmas Lights Committee, said: “This year we are re-introducing the large Christmas Tree in the town centre that has not been seen for around 20 years!

“It was removed back around 2003 due to continued vandalism. We have had many discussions around it and this year sees its return at around 20ft tall and fully illuminated - it should add something extra to the town centre.

“Along with this there has again this year been much spent on improvements and additions to the town's lights, which should see new lights in the Swan Precinct, around the Market House and along Silver Street and The Minster church.

“All the small trees on the shops fronots will also be having new brighter lights to compliment the street garlands.”

As with previous years all lights will be controlled via WiFi smart timers meaning organisers can only put them on when needed - reducing the carbon footprint. All new additions will be eco-friendly low power LED lights.

Matt, better known as DJ Ginge who will act as master of ceremonies on the night, added: “The switch-on itself will take place on the stage, which will be on the west side of the square this year for the first time.

“Prior to the switch-on there will be live music, a puppet show and school choirs and then, of course, the lantern parade through the town, led by Father Christmas and the Ilminster Majorettes.

“The magic moment will be in the hand of actor James Purefoy who has kindly offered to do the honours.”

James Purefoy, 59, was born in Taunton, and has been acting since 1987 and has appeared in films such as A Knight’s Tale, Resident Evil, Vanity Fair, Churchill and, most recently, Fisherman’s Friends. Prior to becoming an actor he worked as a porter at Yeovil District Hospital.

The Ilminster Christmas Lights Committee continues to raise money throughout the year as the lights in Ilminster are paid for via donations and erected by volunteers.

There will be a coffee morning in the Market Square in late October to advertise the date, raise funds and hopefully attract a few more volunteers – preferably those who are not afraid of heights!

PHOTO – TOP: Actor James Purefoy.

THE Coronation of King Charles III took place on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Westminster Abbey.

About 2,200 people including the Royal Family, celebrities, faith leaders and heads of state were there to witness the event.

Thousands of people lined the streets of London to catch a glimpse of King Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, as they went past.

The Royal couple were crowned in a ceremony full of music and symbolism inside Westminster Abbey.

King Charles and Queen Camilla later appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to wave to crowds gathered below and to watch a flypast.

It was the first Coronation since 1953 and that of Queen Elizabeth II, the mother of King Charles III, who died last year after an unprecedented 70 years on the throne.

IT was with great sadness that Buckingham Palace announced on the evening of Thursday, September 8, 2022, that Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, had died at Balmoral that afternoon at the age of 96 after reigning for 70 years.

The BBC reported that her family had gathered at her Scottish estate after concerns grew about her health earlier in the day.

The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change.

Prime Minister Liz Truss said the Queen was the rock on which modern Britain was built, and the new King would be known as King Charles III.

In a statement, His Majesty the King, who also becomes head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms, said: "The death of my beloved mother Her Majesty the Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.

"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world."

He said during the period of mourning and change he and his family would be "comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held".

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

"The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

All the Queen's children travelled to Balmoral, near Aberdeen, after doctors placed the Queen under medical supervision.

Her grandson, Prince William, was also there, with his brother, Prince Harry, also attending.

Ms Truss, who was appointed by the Queen on Tuesday, said the monarch "provided us with the stability and strength that we needed" and the country would support the new King.

"We offer him our loyalty and devotion, just as his mother devoted so much, to so many, for so long," she said.

"And with the passing of the second Elizabethan age, we usher in a new era in the magnificent history of our great country, exactly as Her Majesty would have wished, by saying the words 'God save the King'."

REST IN PEACE: QUEEN ELIZABETH II - who died on September 8, 2022.