THE Ilminster Light Infantry have been spotted across town climbing ladders and scaling buildings to put up festive decorations as we approach the one month countdown to Christmas.

The lighting team are gearing up, ready for this year's 'big' Christmas switch-on event, otherwise known as the “biggest event in town”, which attracts people from far and wide to witness “some of the best town lights in Somerset”.

The talented team of volunteers have worked hard all summer to repair and improve the town’s lights, and within the last few weeks the displays have started to go up.

A coffee morning was also held in town which raised £400 towards the upkeep of the lights.

Anyone interested in supporting the event or the lights in any way, please get in touch via: ilminsterchristmaslights@gmail.com

 

The towns lights are all put up and maintained by a team of "extraordinary" volunteers and paid for by the generosity of the local people and businesses.

The turn out for the Christmas lighting ceremony, known locally as “the big switch” is always in the thousands and this year it is expected to be “even bigger and better” with the lighting team starting even earlier this year to get ahead of the Christmas curve.

A local spokesperson said: “The turn out for the big switch on is always huge and the cheer the lights bring have seen many through some very dark times, particularly during the pandemic.

“Grown children often travel home to spend the weekend amongst the people they grew with, and I once met a man who was walking the length of the town filming the lights to send to son in Australia!”

Another spokesperson said: “Awesome work. The Ilminster Light Infantry make the town look fantastic every year around Christmas. Thank you to all of you.”