Events

Event NameLocationEvent DetailsDateTimePrice
Bats of Somerset and Beyond Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, 35 East Street, Ilminster, Somerset TA19 0AN Green Ilminster invite you to a talk by Liz Walsh. Liz is a member of the Somerset Bat Group. She has been studying bats as a volunteer for a decade, and has a special interest in monitoring wildlife using bioacoustics. Join us this evening for a fascinating insight into the secretive world of bats. You will learn about the different species to be seen at dawn and dusk and also find out why bats are such an important member of the species in our environment. 15/04/2026 7.30pm Free with donations welcome
Allwinds One Day Dog First Aid Course The Den, Larchfield Estate, Dowlish Ford, Ilminster TA19 0PF Are you a dog owner, walker, groomer, trainer? Would you like to learn what to do to help your dog in an emergency? A fun and interactive course for dog parents, carers and professionals. Taught by a qualified veterinary nurse in a relaxed environment with plenty of hands on elements to facilitate different learning styles. ​ Graduates receive a certificate of attendance that is valid for 3 years and fully complies with the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and The Animal Welfare Act 2006. ​ This is awarded based on the graduates full understanding of the course content which is assessed throughout the day. We routinely work with members of The Royal College Veterinary Surgeons to ensure our course content and skills are kept fully up to date. Our CPR skills are taught to the RECOVER 2012 guidelines. Any person under the age of 16 wishing to take part in the course, will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Parking and toilet facilities available. Light refreshments available throughout the day. Please bring a packed lunch and a cup/ mug! To book https://www.embarkdogtrainer.co.uk/.../1-day-dog-first... 16/04/2026 09.30am £55
50 years of the Heritage of the Ile Trust The Shrubbery Hotel, Station Road Ilminster TA19 9AR To celebrate the 50 years of the Trust there will be a supper, with talks discussing the formation and work of the Trust and look at Ilminster 50 years ago. More details to follow. 16/04/2026 6.30pm for 7.30pm Tickets £50
From Bechet To Bird - Trevor Whiting and Craig Milverton Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, 35 East Street, Ilminster, Somerset TA19 0AN A Celebration of Clarinet and Saxophone highlights of the classic jazz era from New Oleans through to the Swing Era and beyond performed by Trevor Whiting with the Craig Milverton Trio. Petite Fleur, Body and Soul, Stomping at The Savoy, Embraceable You…. as made famous by Sidney Bechet, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker and many more. Featuring Trevor Whiting and the Craig Milverton Trio. Trevor Whiting is one of the most in demand reed players on the British Jazz scene. He combines masterful, spontaneous improvisation with a rich sound that makes his lyrical playing both exciting and beautiful. Whilst he principally leans towards mainstream jazz he is equally impressive playing classic jazz, blues and ballads and all the way to bebop. He is a self-taught musician who switched to the clarinet from the Tenor Horn on hearing the distinctive sound of Sidney Bechet as a teenager. He is a current and former member of the Big Chris Barber band, and was formerly in Clare Teal’s band and features on her early recordings. He is also a member The Bateman Brothers Band, whose recent album was a previous winner of the British Jazz Album of the Year award, as well as working with Martin Litton, and with singers, including Cate Cody, who delight in his sensitive accompanying style. Trevor has often enjoyed working and recording with visiting Americans including Al Casey, Art Hodes, Wild Bill Davison, Scott Hamilton, George Masso, Rande Sandke, Marty Gross, Greg Abate and Duke Heitger. Since moving with his family to Dorset he has become a member of a first rate classic ensemble, the Sunset Cafe. He also has a busy freelance schedule. His playing has been compared to that of Ben Webster, Scott Hamilton and Johnny Hodges, to whom one of Trevor’s own haunting compositions is dedicated. He is passionate about Jazz in all its forms, about nature and the environment, and about spending time with his two young sons. Craig Milverton Craig was born in Bexley, Kent and took piano lessons from the ages of 7 -12, but has no formal jazz training. Craig’s main influences are Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans. In 1994 he toured across California, including performances at the Sacramento Jazz Festival. From 1995 -1998, Craig was part of Terry Lightfoot’s Jazz Band. Regular UK and European tours followed. He also toured twice across the Middle East and played two broadcasts for ‘Jazz Notes’.The year 2000 saw Craig and clarinettist Julian Stringle perform the first ever jazz concert in Albania in a marble pyramid! The years 2000-2001 saw Craig performing regularly with the Post Office sponsored group ‘First Class Sounds’ and an extended feature and front cover in May’s edition of Jazz Journal International. and from 2002-2007 was the backing unit for the late George Melly, recording 3 acclaimed CD’s and including 4 month long residencies at Ronnie Scotts. The year 2003 saw him on the front cover of Jazz Journal International with a feature article and his CD ‘It’s a Jazz Life’ was CD of the month in The Observer.In 2005 his trio CD ‘Three Flow’ was reviewed by Richard Palmer (Biographer for Oscar Peterson’s ‘A Jazz Odessey’) and was his choice for CD of the year for Jazz Journal International.In February 2007 he performed in New York with saxophonist Carol Sudhalter and was asked to play the same week at the birthplace of modern jazz, Mintons Playhouse in Harlem. Craig continues to perform in a host of musical situations.s through and he is a natural at whatever he plays. Ashley John Long is an awarding virtuoso double bassist and composer active in a wide range of genres. He is an active performer in jazz and free improvisation, regularly performing and recording with some of the leading figures in both fields. He has toured internationally with a wide range of artists and is much in demand as a session musician. He has carved out a reputation as a composer of innovative scores that balance fine detail with freedom and flexibility, whilst retaining a strong melodic sense in a sound world which embraces diverse musical ideas. Recent commissions have ranged from works for solo flute to chamber operas and he was recently a young composer with theLondon Philharmonic Orchestra in 2018/19. Nick Milward is one of UKs leading jazz drummers. He is well known for being the drummer who powered the rhythm section of Kenny Balls Jazzmen from 1999. 17/04/2026 7.30pm Tickets: General admission: £20 Students: £10
Pop Up Play Village Monks Yard, Horton Manor, Ilminster TA19 9PY Join us for a lovely spring themed Stay & Play session. Perfect for babies on the move, toddlers and children up to age 8, with a relaxed child-led environment where little ones can explore, imagine and play at their own pace. 5 role play areas - Farm Shop play area, Spring art studio, Farm themed play dough tuff tray and Baby area The Monks Yard cafe will also be open for delicious food, drinks and homemade cakes. A joyful spring session full of play, creativity and imagination. Booking required – secure your space here: http://pbbl.uk/PopUpPlayVillageSouthSomerset We can’t wait to welcome you to the village!. 18/04/2026 10.30am to 12pm Free to £9
Community Coffee Morning Ile Youth & Community Centre, Frog Lane, Ilminster TA19 0AP The Activity Companions invite you to come along for a friendly, relaxed morning of tea, coffee, cake, conversation and connection. Everyone is welcome and the morning is dementia friendly. Our aim is simply to create a warm, relaxed space where people in the community can come together and feel welcome. The event is free to attend, with donations welcome to help support our community activities. 18/04/2026 10am to 12pm Free with donations welcome
Table Top Sale Vaughan Lee Memorial Hall Whitelackington TA19 9EF Lots of exciting stalls and refreshments. 18/04/2026 10am to 1pm Free entry
The Virtues The George Inn, A358 Donyatt Join us for live music. 18/04/2026 Time Free entry
Live Music The George Inn, A358, Donyatt Come and listen to The Virtues, a four-piece indie rock covers band. 18/04/2026 9pm Free entry
SNAPPA The Dolphin Inn, Silver Street, Ilminster TA19 0DR The sensational SNAPPA playing live. High energy three-piece playing classics from the 50s to modern day anthems. 19/04/2026 8.30 til closing time Free entry
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