Welcome to First Tuesday's August Edition
  

Welcome to the August Issue of First Tuesday. In it you'll find promotions and events running throughout the whole of this month. If you enjoy receiving your copy of First Tuesday every month, please forward to any friends you think may benefit too, using our Forward to a Friend button below. Many thanks and we look forward to keeping you updated on events and promotions in Ilminster throughout the year.

Our Spotlight this month is on Party In the Park which is from Midday to 8pm on Sunday 28th August on the recreation ground. For more details see below..


The Editor   
 
 




Spotlight On Ilminster Party On The Park

Ilminster Party On the Park (POP) is on Sunday 28th August 2016, starting at midday and ending at 8pm. Come along and take part in a great day for all the family, with food and entertainment including the cider tent, barbecue, tea tents, hot food, bouncy castle, live music from five bands, Ilminster Majorettes, stalls and much more.

This year we have a couple of new bands, and some old favourites. The current (subject to change) line up is:
  • 12:30 - The Elvis Experience
  • 14:00 - Edge Of Knowhere
  • 15:00 - Hillbilly Sunrise
  • 16:30 - Animal Urges
  • 18:00 - The Elvis Experience
  • 19.00 - Wise Intentions


 Ilminster band, The Edge of Knowhere 

 

This is a FREE community event which gives residents of Ilminster the chance to partake in a community focused celebration and raises awareness for community groups and organisations. So come along and spend as much of the day with us as you can!

 

The History of POP and How to Get Involved With Ilminster P arty On The Park

In 2012 the Town Council put together a subcommittee to organise a weekend of celebration to commemorate the Queens Diamond Jubilee, the weekends events consisted of the lighting of the towns beacon, a pub quiz, and an-all day event on the towns recreation ground, where there would be a tug of war competition, a picnic, fund raising for the Children's Hospice (which resulted in the heads of several town councillors being shaved) and musical entertainment. The event went off without a hitch the feedback from all whom attended was superb... many asked if we would organise an other event, but at the time we all said no.

In May of 2013 Emma Taylor was voted by the town council to become Mayor; historically the Mayor organised a "gala" style dinner where the tickets sold would raise funds for a local charity. Emma decided that it would be more inclusive to have an event where the entire population of the town could attend and any local group could come and promote their work and raise funds; Emma approached a couple of the Jubilee Committee members to see if they would like to help organise a civic event to be held on the recreation ground. Together we organised the first Party on the Park or POP! as we chose to refer to it as. The first POP was held on the 25th August 2013, starting at midday and ending sometime after 8pm, the event was largely funded by the town council.

Shortly after the first POP we met and discussed whether we wanted to do it again... this time however without the support of the Town Council, although the organisers at the time were town councillors. The second POP was held on 24th August 2014, this time completely funded by sponsors and donations. Last year we had a Strong Man demonstration.

In 2015 neither Emma nor myself were on the town council, this gave us extra spare time to plan the event; we stuck to the same format as previous years, due to poor weather on the day we decided to cancel the Tug of War competition. There was still an amazing attendance to the day.

Party on the Park has gained a good reputation within the town for being a fun day with lots to do for the family...



This year Matthew Sainsbury and Helena Jones have joined the organisation team; we'll start to see their influence on the day's events (details are still being confirmed for some elements of the day).

We've got a good group of supporters who turn up on the day to MC (Matthew Sainsbury), sort out the sound (Gary Lawrence and pals), pick up litter, we've also got support from C & D South West Ltd who supply the lorry we use as the event stage, along with Mitchams Accountants who have provided some funding towards the event. Emma's business also supports the event. Our families support both us (the organisers) and the event by coming along and working on the day and at some of the other fundraising activities we host during the year.

POP largely remains in the same format today as the Jubilee celebration, starting at lunchtime we invite anyone to come along, bring a picnic, we ask town organisations to come along, allowing them to raise funds and promote their organisations, the feedback from many of the charities and groups who attend is good, many stating that the event has been successful for them. We don't charge pitch fees, the event is funded by donations and sponsorship.

After last year's bad weather we've decided to leave the Tug of War competition off of the agenda for this year's event, we might however bring it back in the future...

Most importantly from my perspective is the live music; our aim has always been for POP to provide a way for new musicians to get on stage (even if only for 15 minutes) and perform in front of a crowd of people, as such we've seen a variety of acts over the last 4 years, several returning year on year, best of all they do it all for free! Our bands are what make the event special.

We're hoping to see a performance from the Ilminster Majorettes. We're also hoping to get the crowd to join in with "Ilminster's Biggest Conga"...

The football club will be back with a cider tent and barbecue, local charities RNLI & Sue Ryder will be there, lots of the local carnival clubs are coming long, we have tea tents, hot food, a bouncy castle. The Ilminster Lions, and Ilminster Fair Trade will be at the event. We're expecting more stalls than last year at the moment. The list is ever growing at the moment... If anyone out there wants to come along for the day they can contact us to get details about having a stall - the one condition - the stall must be to promote a community group or to raise funds for a charity or good cause.

We normally see a good cross section of the town at the event, families, the event is child friendly, lots of people come along for a couple of hours, some stay all day, some come to see specific bands, some just come along for a burger and a beer.

Your support is greatly appreciated and we hope to see you on the big day!
 
The Party on the Park Organisation Team.
 
 
 
 
 Harrimans Summer Sale!! 
 

   Summer Sale Now On with reductions from 20% to 50% off   See below for First Tuesday voucher for 10% off anything not already reduced! Running for all of August!  


 
 
 Ilminster Arts Centre - 2016 Open Winners Announced 
 
 
One of Ilminster Arts Centre's most keenly anticipated exhibitions is underway, having opened its doors with a grand prize-giving event on Monday 1st August. The Ilminster Open Competition, which is sponsored by Branston of Seavington, is an exhibition which is open to amateur and professional artists, with selected artworks being displayed at the Arts Centre throughout August.
 
This year over 140 pieces of art were submitted for the scrutiny of a judging panel consisting of three well-known artists, Kate Noble, Lawrence Nash RWA and Chris Ackerman (who is also an IAC trustee). The prizes were presented by Jacky Gates representing Branston, the exhibition's sponsors.
 
The competition's overall winner was Jane Burden, whose delicately nuanced textile and ceramic piece 'Does the sun come out, or do the clouds go away', wowed the judges. Second prize was awarded jointly to Peter Monkcom for his witty found object assemblage 'Bolivar', and to Charo Ritchie for her lovingly detailed watercolour portrayal of 'Snowdrops'.
 
Ceramic artist Sue Smallwood scooped the 3D prize for her sculpture 'Jani', a double-sided portrait head that impressed the judges with its accomplished finish and thought-provoking concept.
 
Three artists were Highly Commended by the judges, Sue Allen for her mixed media composition 'Somerset Starlings', Imogen Bittner for her atmospheric textile piece 'Winter Beech', and Gary Cook for his watercolour 'Polar Swim'.
 
Judge and IAC trustee Chris Ackerman, said "Each year the standard of entries gets higher, making judging difficult but very rewarding! We were particularly pleased to see so many 3D pieces, as well as such a wide range of painted media; we congratulate the prizewinning artists on their success in such a strong field of entrants."
 
There is still one outstanding prize to be announced, the Visitors' Choice award, the winner of which will be revealed at the end of the exhibition. Gallery goers are invited to cast their votes for their favourite artwork - look out for the voting slips and the white ballot box.

Ilminster Arts Centre
The Meeting House
East Street
Ilminster
Somerset TA19 0AN
01460 55783
 
 

Winner, Jane Burden




Peter Monkcorn
 



Charo Ritchie




Sue Smallwood
 
 
 The Lemon Tree 
 
         
From August 8th The Lemon Tree will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings until 9pm for eat in or take away. Pizza orders are very popular! Order from a choice of thin or deep base and a choice of 9 inch or 12 inch bases and a choice of 8 flavours. We will take orders for collection or eat in.  Also watch out for a Special Thai Curry Night, date to be advised.

A full menu list will be on display in our window.
 



  14 Silver Street, Ilminster, TA19 0DJ 01460 57050 
 

Team Ilminster 
 
         


Ilminster loves to celebrate its town.  The Town Criers' Competition, Ilminster Midsummer Experience, Party on the Park, Carnival and the Victorian Night are just some of the highlights.  All of these events and many others, depend on people to organise them and on the day, to make them happen. 

There is already a pool of people involved in dozens of ways but as ever, the pool constantly needs replenishing, revitalising and reinvigorating.  To make this happen there is a plan to create a "Team Ilminster" where people can register their name, interest, skills and availability for volunteer work.  Members of Team Ilminster will be contacted by email for specific tasks and events and it would be up to members to respond to any request. 

There would be a wide range of activities and levels of commitment; from occasionally acting as a marshal or first aider (training can be provided) for particular events, to helping to set up marquees or tentage, running the social media or website for an organisation, making equipment, providing storage space, the list is almost endless.  And there will almost certainly be a need for you, whatever your age or skills level. 

And members benefit, too.  You can improve your skills, get out of the house, make new friends and for some, put a big tick on your CV. 

So if you are interested in contributing to the community life of the town and can make some time available, please give me a call on 01460 54364 or email me on admin@ilminsterexperience.co.uk

Mike Fry-Foley



Prima Moda Brides



From 12th to the 14th August Prima Moda Brides will be showcasing the
David Tutera 'Mon Cheri' range. They are open Sunday 14th August from 11am until 3pm.

14 Ditton Street, Ilminster, TA19 0BQ
01460 54600 
 
 
 


Mark Hebron
  
 
BC REPAIR RESCUE
For damaged, to very damaged hair

3 years of damage reversed

100% hair replenishment

Up to 90% less hair breakage*

Immediate Results!   

 
 

 
Phone for more information or call in for advice at  Mark Hebron 01460 52476 
 


Meeting House
 
What's on in August 2016
 
Art
 
 
 
ILMINSTER OPEN COMPETITION
 
Monday 1st August to Friday 26th August
 
Sponsored by Branstons of Seavington

Our annual open competition grows in popularity year on year, attracting work of outstanding quality by a diverse range of talented West Country artists.

Preparing work for this exhibition is a wonderful goal to aim for if you are a practising artist, and every year the standard of entries just gets better and better! The exhibition itself attracts visitors from near and far - to get your work on the Arts Centre walls is to guarantee it a wide, and highly appreciative, audience.

   
  
 
THREE PAINTERS
and a SCULPTOR
 
Tuesday 30th August to Saturday 10th September
 
Vanessa Smith
Frances Dale
Marion Sawl
Stephanie Hobhouse
 

Four artists exhibiting together for the first time. They each have their own interpretation of the way in which they perceive their environment through the mediums of acrylics, oils and ceramics. The artists' love of colour and their sensitive response to their chosen subject-matter combine to make this exhibition a visual delight.
  
 
 
   


Music

Friday 12th August at 8.00pm
(pre-show supper at 7:00pm)
MIKE DENHAM 'SPEAKEASY'
with
Hamish Maxwell and Steve Graham
 
Tickets £14 (£27 including pre-show supper) can be booked on 01460 54973
Mike's speakeasy sessions continue to roll on, as popular as ever. This one features the virtuoso trumpet playing of Steve Graham, who has visited us on many occasions either with his band, "Classic Jazz", Mike's piano, or with Mike's band, the "Sunset Café Stompers". 

We also feature the singing of  Hamish Maxwell, a fun sounding vocalist in the same vein as Joe Williams and "Mr Five by Five", Jimmy Rushing, ie. a powerful voice focussing on the blues and other vintage songs, with a lot of punch.

This will be great fun and will almost certainly sell out, so book early.
   
   
Friday 19th August at 8.00pm
An evening of folk music
FLYING FOLK - Three in One
with
Border Tales, Peter Millson & Hannah Cumming
Tickets £10 can be booked on 01460 54973

"Flying Folk" is the generic name we have given to the series of regular folk music concerts that we have presented at Ilminster over the last few years. Each of these has featured several different performers.

This is a concert comprising three separate performances showcasing two soloists, one from Dorset and one from Somerset, and a local trio of player/singers from Milverton, just the other side of Taunton.  Together they will be presenting a widely varied mix of folk material which will no doubt provide us with a thoroughly entertaining evening.


   

Opening Hours 
Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm 
Saturday 9.30 -2.30pm - Closed Sundays. 
Box Office: 01460 54973 
Website: www.themeetinghouse.org.uk
 

Chamber logo
First Tuesday ... Keeping it local!

Sincerely,

Ilminster First Tuesday
 
Ilminster First Tuesday 
10% Off At Harrimans

An extra 10% off anything not already reduced! Running for all of August! 
 
Offer Expires 31/08/2016

Just bring an electronic or paper version of this voucher.