PREPARATIONS for Remembrance Day 2024 are well under way as Ilminster community unites to remember all the soldiers who fell for our nation.

Remembrance Day commemorates British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women involved in both World Wars, and in all later conflicts.

Preparations

Ilminster is preparing for Remembrance Day by decorating the entire town with poppies and garlands. 

Most local businesses have gotten involved by decorating their shop windows with striking Remembrance Day displays, ready for the marching parade, including: The Flower House, St Margaret’s Hospice Centre charity shop, Ferne Animal Sanctuary charity shop, Ilminster Emporium and Ilminster Hardware.

You can buy poppies from both local supermarkets, including Tesco and the COOP and a few select shops across Ilminster, including all the town’s charity shops.

Events

On Sunday, November 12, the day will commence with a Holy Communion Service that will include a two-minute silence for the year’s Act of Remembrance at 11am.

The Ilminster Royal British Legion (RBL) Branch will then be hosting Remembrance events including a uniformed marching procession starting at Frog Lane at 2.30pm, which will end with laying the wreaths and circling back to the starting point at Frog Lane.

After the parade march, the Minster church will be holding a special Remembrance Service at 3.00pm.

A RBL spokesperson said: “You are all welcome and encouraged to join us. I hope and look forward to seeing as many of you that can make it on the day.”  

Road closures

Road closures for East Street, Love Lane, Frog Lane, North Street, Ile Court and Silver Street will all be in place during both parades.

A spokesperson for Ilminster Council said: "There will be no vehicle movements during those times with the exception of emergency vehicles. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause."