Ilminster
Ilminster | |
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Avon and Somerset | |
Fire | Devon and Somerset |
Ambulance | South Western |
UK Parliament | |
Ilminster is a
of Sea.History
Ilminster is mentioned in documents dating from 725 and in a Charter granted to Muchelney Abbey (10 miles (16 km) to the north) by Æthelred the Unready in 995. Ilminster is also mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as ‘Ileminstre’, meaning 'The church on the River Isle' from the Old English ysle and mynster. By this period Ilminster was a flourishing community and was granted the right to hold a weekly market, which it still does.
Ilminster was part of the
In 1645 during the
The town contains the buildings of a sixteenth-century
Governance
There are two tiers of local government covering Ilminster, at parish (town) and unitary authority level: Ilminster Town Council and Somerset Council. The town council is based at the Old Magistrates Court on East Street in the town centre.[5]
Ilminster was an
South Somerset was in turn abolished in 2023, with its functions passing to Somerset County Council, which re-branded itself as Somerset Council on becoming a unitary authority.[9]
For parliamentary elections, Ilminster is part of the Yeovil constituency.
Geography
Ilminster is close to the River Isle and the A303 road.
Climate
Along with the rest of
The summer months of July and August are the warmest with mean daily maxima of approximately 21 °C (69.8 °F). In winter mean minimum temperatures of 1 °C (33.8 °F) or 2 °C (35.6 °F) are common.
Annual sunshine rates are slightly less than the regional average of 1,600 hours.[10] In December 1998 there were 20 days without sun recorded at Yeovilton. Most of the rainfall in the south-west is caused by Atlantic depressions or by convection. Most of the rainfall in autumn and winter is caused by the Atlantic depressions, which is when they are most active. In summer, a large proportion of the rainfall is caused by sun heating the ground leading to convection and to showers and thunderstorms. Average rainfall is around 700 mm (28 in). About 8–15 days of snowfall is typical. November to March have the highest mean wind speeds, and June to August have the lightest winds. The predominant wind direction is from the south-west.[10]
Church
Ilminster takes its name from the
The tower rises two storeys above the nave. It has three bays, with a stair turret to the north-west corner. The bays are articulated by slender buttresses with
Shopping
The town has a selection of shops including antique shops, home design, estate agents, hairdressers and several cafes and restaurants, many reminiscent of the style of earlier Edwardian and Victorian years, such as traditional Edwardian-style clothing and soft furnishings store, the Ilminster Emporium, Frame of Mind, an antiques and gifts shop and in the 15C Market Square, the Temperly store in the Phoenix Studios. A Tesco superstore is also located in the town centre.
In November the town celebrates the lighting of the Christmas lights with a Victorian evening. In earlier days celebrations were normally accompanied by the staff of local shops dressing in Victorian costume and serving rum and cakes and other refreshments ..participation by shops offering hospitality in these days is now much reduced although there is still a convivial atmosphere while visitors are enjoying their shopping.
Culture
Ilminster MidSummer Experience
Every year the three-day town festival, the Ilminster MidSummer Experience (IMEx), takes place on the second weekend in June. It is a community festival open free to all, organised by Experience Ilminster CIC, and includes many events and activities by local groups including the Ilminster Classic Vehicle Show, the Family Dog Show and the Ilminster Town Council Scarecrow Competition. A Food & Craft Street Market takes place on the Saturday in the town's main street together with a Suitcase Market in the Market House.
The Flag Festival forms a major part of the Ilminster Midsummer Experience. The town’s medieval road layout, which hugs closely to the 15th century Minster church, dramatically emphasises the effect of the more than 110 flags, flying from each of the town centre business premises, bringing vibrancy and colour to the town.
The Flag Festival grew out of an idea from one of the town’s artists from which a flag-maker was commissioned to work with children from Herne View Primary School (formerly Greenfylde School) to design the original 20 flags.
The 'Ilminster Literary Festival', launched in 2016, has become and established annual celebration which is usually held in early Summer.[13]
Victorian Evening at the Christmas FestivaL..the festive Victorian Evening and switch-on of the Christmas Lights in November is part of the Ilminster Christmas Festival, organised by the Ilminster Chamber of Commerce.. The Evening includes the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Ilminster’s town centre, with shops and stalls staying open throughout the evening to offer goodwill and good cheer to all, with the staff of many shops dressed up as Victorians and offering mulled wine and eats.
The Ilminster Town Crier competition and Britain's Disabled Strongman events also take place every year, supported by Experience Ilminster CIC, with the Town Crier Event also hosting the Wessex Championship Cup covering six counties of the west of England.
The Warehouse Theatre puts on several stage performances every year and throughout the year and the Ilminster Arts Centre provides music, art exhibitions and arts and crafts events together with a crafts shop.
Dillington House, at the entrance to Ilminster from the east, is an arts venue with accommodation managed by Somerset County Council. It dates to the sixteenth century, was the home of Prime Minister Lord North and is rated Grade 2* by English Heritage.
Media
Television signals are received from either the Mendip or Stockland Hill TV transmitters. [14][15]
Local radio stations are BBC Radio Somerset on 95.5 FM, Heart West on 97.1 FM, Greatest Hits Radio South West (formerly The Breeze) on 106.6 FM and Radio Ninesprings, a community based station which broadcast to the town on 104.6 FM.[16]
The town is served by the local newspapers,
Transport
Rail
Buses & Coaches
There are multiple bus services that run through the town, including
Roads
Ilminster lies just east of the junction of the
Cycling
Ilminster is linked to Chard via the Chard to Ilminster Cycle Path. The path is part of the Wessex Way Cycle Route [23]
Twinnings
Ilminster is
Notable people
See also Category:People from Ilminster
- Premier of South Australia.
- Charles Moore, the geologist, was born in Ilminster.
References
- ^ a b "Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes — SUMMARY Profiles" (Excel). Somerset Intelligence. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- ^ "Abdick and Bulstone Hundred Through Time". A Vision of Britain Through Time. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
- ^ "Abdick and Bulstone in South Somerset". A Vision Britain Through Time. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
- ISBN 1-84415-146-8.
- ^ "Ilminster Town Council". Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "Ilminster Ancient Parish / Civil Parish". A Vision of Britain through Time. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "The Local Government (Successor Parishes) Order 1973", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1973/1110, retrieved 10 March 2024
- ^ Scancariello, Antonio (19 February 2024). "Ilminster Town Council to hold auction as it vacates old offices". Chard and Ilminster News. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "The Somerset (Structural Changes) Order 2022", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2022/329, retrieved 10 March 2024
- ^ a b c d "South West England: climate". Met Office. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
- ISBN 0-9526702-0-8.
- ^ Historic England. "Parish Church of St Mary (1208692)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 6 October 2007.
- ^ "Literary festival to go ahead in Somerset"https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/travel/places-to-visit/somerset-literary-festival-to-go-ahead-8056558
- ^ "Full Freeview on the Mendip (Somerset, England) transmitter". UK Free TV. 1 May 2004. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ "Full Freeview on the Stockland Hill (Devon, England) transmitter". UK Free TV. 1 May 2004. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ "Radio Ninesprings". Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ISBN 1-904537-54-5.
- ^ "Ilminster". Carlberry. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ Iminster Bus Times
- ^ https://book.berryscoaches.co.uk/superfast-timetables.html Berrys Coaches London Superfast Timetable
- ^ "Concern raised after accidents along Station Road, Ilminster". Chard and Ilminster News. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
- ^ "Schemes to make roads safer in Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
- ^ "Chard to Ilminster (And Bridgwater)".
- ^ "French visitors bag twinning gift". thisissomerset.co.uk. 8 June 2009. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
External links
- Ilminster at Curlie
- The Somerset Urban Archaeological Survey: Ilminster, by Clare Gathercole
- Ilminster's Community Website
- Visit Ilminster