Ilminster

Last updated

Ilminster
St Mary's church, Ilminster.jpg
Somerset UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Ilminster
Location within Somerset
Population5,808 (2011) [1]
OS grid reference ST359145
District
Shire county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town ILMINSTER
Postcode district TA19
Dialling code 01460
Police Avon and Somerset
Fire Devon and Somerset
Ambulance South Western
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Somerset
50°55′34″N2°54′41″W / 50.9262°N 2.9114°W / 50.9262; -2.9114

Ilminster is a market town and civil parish in the South Somerset district of Somerset, England, with a population of 5,808. [1] Bypassed in 1988, the town now lies just east of the junction of the A303 (London to Exeter) and the A358 (Taunton to Chard and Axminster). The parish includes the hamlet of Sea.

Contents

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 hundred of Abdick and Bulstone. [2] [3]

In 1645 during the English Civil War Ilminster was the scene of a skirmish between parliamentary troops under Edward Massie and Royalist forces under Lord Goring, who fought for control of the bridges prior to the Battle of Langport. [4]

The town contains the buildings of a sixteenth-century grammar school, the Ilminster Meeting House, which acts as the town's art gallery and concert hall. There is also a Gospel Hall.

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]

Former Urban District / Town Council offices on North Street Ilminster, U.D.C. Offices, North Street - geograph.org.uk - 1133324.jpg
Former Urban District / Town Council offices on North Street

Ilminster was an ancient parish. When elected parish and district councils were created in 1894 it was given a parish council and included in the Chard Rural District. In 1899, Ilminster was elevated to become an urban district, removing it from the rural district. [6] The urban district council built itself a headquarters at 4 North Street in 1935. The urban district was abolished in 1974, becoming part of the new district of South Somerset. A successor parish was created covering the former urban district, with its parish council taking the name Ilminster Town Council. [7] The town council continued to be based at 4 North Street until 2022 when it moved to the former magistrates' court on East Street. [8]

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

Sundial on the former Ilminster Grammar School building, dated 1586 Sundial 1586.jpg
Sundial on the former Ilminster Grammar School building, dated 1586

Ilminster is close to the River Isle and the A303 road.

Climate

Along with the rest of South West England, Ilminster has a temperate climate which is generally wetter and milder than the rest of the country. [10] The annual mean temperature is approximately 10  °C (50.0  °F ). Seasonal temperature variation is less extreme than most of the United Kingdom because of the adjacent sea temperatures.

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. [10] In the summer the Azores high pressure affects the south-west of England, however convective cloud sometimes forms inland, reducing the number of hours of sunshine.

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 River Isle and its large church of St Mary, which is known as The Minster. The Hamstone building dates from the 15th century, but was refurbished in 1825 by William Burgess and the chancel restored in 1883. Further restoration took place in 1887-89 and 1902. Among the principal features are the Wadham tombs; those of Sir William Wadham and his mother, dated 1452 and Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham 1609 and 1618.

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 crocketed finials above the castellated parapet. Each bay on both stages contains a tall two-light mullioned-and-transomed window with tracery. The lights to the top are filled with pierced stonework; those to the base are solid. The stair turret has string courses coinciding with those on the tower, and a spirelet with a weathervane. It contains a bell dating from 1732 made by Thomas Bilbie and another from 1790 made by William Bilbie of the Bilbie family. [11] The church has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building. [12]

Shopping

Bicycle messenger of Royal mail in Ilminster Royal mail bicycle messenger Ilminster.JPG
Bicycle messenger of Royal mail in Ilminster

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, Chard and Ilminster NewsSomerset County Gazette, Somerset Guardian and Standard and Somerset Live.

Transport

Rail

Ilminster railway station on the Chard Branch Line closed in 1962. There were also some sidings, to allow trains going in opposite directions to pass each other. [17] The nearest running railway station is located at Crewkerne. [18]

Buses & Coaches

There are multiple bus services that run through the town, including Buses of Somerset [19] and an express service to London operated by Berrys Coaches. [20]

Roads

Ilminster lies just east of the junction of the A303 (London to Exeter) and the A358 (Taunton to Chard and Axminster). The B3168 runs through the middle of the town. There have been concerns of the safety of roads in Ilminster, [21] however schemes were announced by Somerset County Council in 2014 [22] to make local roads safer for pedestrians and drivers.

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 twinned with Riec-sur-Belon in France. [24]

Notable people

See also Category:People from Ilminster

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A303 road</span> Trunk road in southern England

The A303 is a trunk road in southern England, running between Basingstoke in Hampshire and Honiton in Devon via Stonehenge. Connecting the M3 and the A30, it is part of one of the main routes from London to Devon and Cornwall. It is a primary A road throughout its length, passing through five counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Somerset</span> Former non-metropolitan district in England

South Somerset was a local government district in Somerset, England, from 1974 to 2023. The district covered an area of 370 square miles (958 km2) ranging from the borders with Devon, Wiltshire and Dorset to the edge of the Somerset Levels. It had a population of approximately 158,000. The administrative centre of the district was Yeovil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chard, Somerset</span> Human settlement in England

Chard is a town and a civil parish in the English county of Somerset. It lies on the A30 road near the Devon and Dorset borders, 15 miles (24 km) south west of Yeovil. The parish has a population of approximately 14,000 and, at an elevation of 121 metres (397 ft), Chard is the southernmost and one of the highest towns in Somerset. Administratively Chard forms part of the district of South Somerset.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crewkerne</span> Human settlement in England

Crewkerne is a town and electoral ward in south Somerset, England, 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Yeovil and 7 miles (11 km) east of Chard. The civil parish of West Crewkerne includes the hamlets of Coombe, Woolminstone and Henley, and borders the county of Dorset to the south. The town is on the main headwater of the River Parrett, A30 road and West of England Main Line railway, in modern times the slower route between the capital and the southwest peninsula, having been eclipsed by the Taunton route.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashill, Somerset</span> Human settlement in England

Ashill is a small village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated 7 miles (11.3 km) south of Taunton, and three miles north-west of Ilminster. The parish includes the hamlet of Windmill Hill and has a population of 529.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bickenhall</span> Human settlement in England

Bickenhall is a hamlet and parish in Somerset, England, situated 5 miles (8.0 km) south east of Taunton. The parish, which includes the hamlet of Batten's Green, has a population of 122.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curland</span> Human settlement in England

Curland is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Taunton. The village has a population of 225. The parish includes the hamlet of Abbey Hill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beercrocombe</span> Human settlement in England

Beercrocombe is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Curry Mallet and 7 miles (11.3 km) southeast of Taunton. The village has a population of 134.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadway, Somerset</span> Human settlement in England

Broadway is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Ilminster and 5 miles (8.0 km) north of Chard. The parish has a population of 740. The parish includes the nearby hamlet of Hare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curry Rivel</span> Human settlement in England

Curry Rivel is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Somerton and 10 miles (16.1 km) east of Taunton in the South Somerset district. The parish has a population of 2,148. The parish includes the hamlet of Burton Pynsent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donyatt</span> Human settlement in England

Donyatt is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated at the source of the River Isle 5 miles (8.0 km) north of Chard in the South Somerset district. The village has a population of 347. The parish includes the hamlet of Peasmarsh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drayton, Somerset</span> Human settlement in England

Drayton is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, focussed less than a mile from Curry Rivel and five miles southwest of Somerton in the South Somerset district. It adjoins the River Isle, near its confluence with the Parrett, and the former Westport Canal. The parish includes the hamlet of Midelney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fivehead</span> Human settlement in England

Fivehead is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated on the Fivehead River, 8 miles (12.9 km) east of Taunton in the South Somerset district. In 2011 the parish, which includes the hamlet of Swell, had a population of 609.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ilton</span> Village in Somerset, England

Ilton is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated 8 miles (12.9 km) south-east of Taunton, and 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Ilminster in the South Somerset district. The village has a population of 854. The parish includes the hamlets of Ilford and Cad Green with its 16th-century almshouses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitelackington</span> Human settlement in England

Whitelackington is a village and civil parish on the A303 one mile north east of Ilminster, in Somerset, England. The parish includes Dillington Park and the hamlets of Atherstone and Ashwell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puckington</span> Human settlement in England

Puckington is a village and civil parish, situated 10 miles (16 km) south-east of Taunton and 10 miles (16 km) west of Yeovil in the South Somerset district of Somerset, England. The parish includes the hamlet of South Bradon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Petherton</span> Village and civil parish in Somerset, England

South Petherton is a large village and civil parish in the South Somerset district of Somerset, England, located 5 miles (8 km) east of Ilminster and 5 miles (8 km) north of Crewkerne. The parish had a population of 3,737 in 2021 and includes the smaller village of Over Stratton and the hamlets of Compton Durville, Drayton, Wigborough and Yeabridge. The River Parrett forms the eastern boundary of the parish. The village is approximately 2 miles (3 km) from East Lambrook, Martock and Lopen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of St Mary the Virgin, Chard</span> Church in Somerset, England

The Anglican Church of St Mary the Virgin in Chard, Somerset, England dates from the late 11th century and was rebuilt in the 15th century. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building. Due to the effects of a leak in the roof it was added to the Heritage at Risk Register in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Church, Ilminster</span> Church in Somerset, England

The Church of St Mary in Ilminster, Somerset, England, dates from the 15th century and has been designated as a Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hundred of Abdick and Bulstone</span> Historical Hundred of Somerset, England

The Hundred of Abdick and Bulstone is one of the 40 historical Hundreds in the ceremonial county of Somerset, England, dating from before the Norman conquest during the Anglo-Saxon era although exact dates are unknown. Each hundred had a 'fyrd', which acted as the local defence force and a court which was responsible for the maintenance of the frankpledge system. They also formed a unit for the collection of taxes. The role of the hundred court was described in the Dooms (laws) of King Edgar. The name of the hundred was normally that of its meeting-place.

References

  1. 1 2 "Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes — SUMMARY Profiles" (Excel). Somerset Intelligence. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  2. "Abdick and Bulstone Hundred Through Time". A Vision of Britain Through Time. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  3. "Abdick and Bulstone in South Somerset". A Vision Britain Through Time. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  4. Barratt, John (2005). The civil war in the south west. Bernsley: Pen & Sword Military. pp. 116–118. ISBN   1-84415-146-8.
  5. "Ilminster Town Council" . Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  6. "Ilminster Ancient Parish / Civil Parish". A Vision of Britain through Time. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  7. "The Local Government (Successor Parishes) Order 1973", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 1973/1110, retrieved 10 March 2024
  8. Scancariello, Antonio (19 February 2024). "Ilminster Town Council to hold auction as it vacates old offices". Chard and Ilminster News. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  9. "The Somerset (Structural Changes) Order 2022", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 2022/329, retrieved 10 March 2024
  10. 1 2 3 4 "South West England: climate". Met Office. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
  11. Moore, James; Rice, Roy; Hucker, Ernest (1995). Bilbie and the Chew Valley clock makers. The authors. ISBN   0-9526702-0-8.
  12. Historic England. "Parish Church of St Mary (1208692)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 6 October 2007.
  13. "Literary festival to go ahead in Somerset"https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/travel/places-to-visit/somerset-literary-festival-to-go-ahead-8056558
  14. "Full Freeview on the Mendip (Somerset, England) transmitter". UK Free TV. 1 May 2004. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  15. "Full Freeview on the Stockland Hill (Devon, England) transmitter". UK Free TV. 1 May 2004. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  16. "Radio Ninesprings" . Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  17. Oakley, Mike (2006). Somerset Railway Stations. Redcliffe Press. pp. 36–39. ISBN   1-904537-54-5.
  18. "Ilminster". Carlberry. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  19. Iminster Bus Times
  20. https://book.berryscoaches.co.uk/superfast-timetables.html Berrys Coaches London Superfast Timetable
  21. "Concern raised after accidents along Station Road, Ilminster". Chard and Ilminster News . Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  22. "Schemes to make roads safer in Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  23. "Chard to Ilminster (And Bridgwater)".
  24. "French visitors bag twinning gift". thisissomerset.co.uk. 8 June 2009. Retrieved 22 February 2010.