Ilchester Town Trust

Author: Maxine Read

  • ** ILCHESTER CELEBRATES THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE **

    ** ILCHESTER CELEBRATES THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE **

    On Sunday 5th June Ilchester had a fabulous day celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. After a very stormy Saturday night, the Ilchester Sports field Volunteers braved an early start and went ahead with the weekly Car Boot Sale.

    Following the car boot, the Ilchester Town Trust started the official Jubilee celebrations by planting an English Oak Tree on the sports field to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The Ceremony was attended by representatives of the sports field volunteers and Ilchester Town Trust Trustees, Parish Councillor Steven Marsh, Ann Faulkner, wife of Rev. Bruce Faulkner, previous members of Ilchester Town Trust and Mr Gerry Masters and his family. Chairman Graham Mottram invited Mr Gerry Masters to plant the Oak Tree. Mr Masters was the Chairman of the Trust when the sports field was purchased and the Pavilion was built. After a swift glass of something sparkling and a jubilee cupcake, there was just enough time to decant to the Town Hall where the Ilchester street party was just getting started.

    A great time was had by all at the street party, with a range of fun things to do for both children and adults. Commemorative coins were given to the children of the village, a drawing competition was held, and a throne was available for a royal photo shoot. There were craft stalls, skittles, bouncy castle, archery, ice cream, tea, coffee and cake, plus a DJ and singers performing throughout the day. It was a spectacular event and everyone had a fantastic time!

  • World Book Day at Ilchester Library

    World Book Day at Ilchester Library

    A great time was had by some of the younger residents of Ilchester on World Book Day!

  • Are you looking for a venue for hire?

    Are you looking for a venue for hire?

    Ilchester Town Hall has a spacious Main Hall suitable for Christenings, Birthday Parties and other Events. The Pavilion and Sports field can also be hired. There is a great outdoor space and plenty of parking.

    Ilchester-Town-Trust-EVENT-Booking-Form-2025

  • CAR BOOT SALES – GENERAL INFO

    ILCHESTER CHARITY CAR BOOT SALE – CHARITY NO 235579

    Buyers Entry Fees:                           

    £1 for cars

    50p for walkers and 2 wheeled vehicles

    (NO vehicles are to be left parked on the highway: occupants will be denied access to the Car Boot sale)

    Sellers: – No vehicle movement on the sellers’ site before 1100 (including collection of goods without the supervision of marshals)

    The above ruling has been applied on the grounds of Health and Safety due to near misses with pedestrians and the destruction of other sellers’ goods by vehicles leaving the site early.

    ENTRY FEES

    Cars & Small Vans – £5       Medium Vans – £10    Merchant Vans – £15     

    Additional Trailers – £5 extra      

    PROHIBITED:     – The sale of Fire Arms, Offensive weapons, Tobacco/Alcoholic goods.

    – Tombola’s/Raffles or the sale of food and drinks (that would clash with on-site caterers) without prior arrangement.

    –  Trading with others prior to the admittance of the general public.  

    Please remove ALL goods and rubbish from the site on departure

    Ilchester Charity Car Boot Sales are run by volunteers on behalf of Ilchester Town Trust who own and operate the Sports Field in Ilchester. In the past, the Car Boots were run to provide sporting facilities in Ilchester and are still providing support in the up-keep of the grounds and pavilion as well as new projects. 

    The Town Trust would like to thank you for your continued support.

    Ilchester Charity Car Boot Mobile Phone:            Tel: 07967 280754

    Cancelled Car Boot sales:   A message to this effect will be left as soon as known,

    or at 0645 on the day. Please do not leave messages.

    Facebook: Ilchester Charity Car Boot

    Website: www.ilchester.org.uk

  • Car boot guidelines for sellers …

    The car boot is organised by the Ilchester Sportsfield Committee. We hope you will enjoy your visit. All monies raised is used to maintain and develop the sports field and pavilion – charity no. 235579, and to support our local community. All our helpers are volunteers who give their time freely and we ask you to co-operate with them, please.

    Due to Health and Safety, sellers are requested not to leave until after 11 am. This decision was made due to concerns regarding some extremely near accidents, caused when sellers leave too early and put other sellers, buyers, and pedestrians at risk of being knocked over/hit by vehicles exiting the lanes. We would further ask that sellers do not trade between themselves until the general public have been admitted.

    Please follow the instructions of the stewards (yellow jackets) when parking. We are now strictly regulated regarding layout, so please park sensibly and where directed. Furthermore, due to strict recycling regulations, we politely request that you DO NOT leave rubbish or merchandise on site. Please take EVERYTHING away with you.

    Should you have any issues, please do not hesitate to speak with one of the stewards or the staff in the office. Our wooden hut is by the entrance to the grounds. Alternatively, please ring 07967 280754.

    Thank you and best wishes

    Susan Small (Chair)

  • The bones of Faustina – lady in the lead coffin

    The bones of Faustina – lady in the lead coffin

    This lead coffin is held in the Ilchester Museum and contains the skeleton of a middle aged woman. It was found during excavations in 1982 at a roman cemetery near the river. The cemetery is believed to be late 4th to early 5th century. It is believed that the cemetery holds around 1500 bodies.

    On Tuesday 14th December, two small bones from the body were taken for further detailed analysis. It is hoped to establish the exact date that this lady died. She is fondly called Faustina, but this is not her real name. We are not sure who chose the name for her.

  • Ilchester’s Coat of Arms

    Ilchester’s Coat of Arms

    Have you ever looked at the Coat of Arms mounted on the wall of the half landing in the Town Hall?

    I was speculating on its relevance to Ilchester. It has been pointed out by the Rev. Francis Sutcliffe that it had been doctored by, one assumes William Shorland (Bailiff to the Town Trust) as it now bears his name. If you look at the black section at the bottom of the board you can make out a date of 1793.

    This places the arms in the reign of George III not William IV as implied on the board. Intrigued I decided to do some delving to see if I could make any sense of it’s presence.

    This is what I discovered:

    It is the Royal coat of arms dating between 1760 and 1801. The British Royal coat of arms are pictorial representing the main countries over which the monarch rules rather than being personal arms.

    George III inherited the arms of the last Stuart monarch, Queen Anne. He added a quarter of his territory, the Electorate of the Duchy of Brunswick and Luneburg commonly known as Hanover.

    Looking at the 1st coat of arms the top left hand quarter are the 3 lions of England and the red lion of Scotland representing the Act of Union of 1707 and the creation of the kingdom of Great Britain. To its right is the Fleurs-de-Lys of France which had been relegated to the 2nd quarter as there had been no claim to French land since Tudor times. The harp of Ireland was still in the 3rd quarter as Ireland had been technically in personal union with the English crown since the Irish parliament had passed the Crown of Ireland Act in 1542 proclaiming Henry VIII to be king of Ireland. The Hanoverian arms made up the 4th quarter.

    The Act of Union in 1800 coming into effect in 1801 created the Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. At the same time George III abandoned the historical claims to the French throne as France had become a republic. When the Treaty Of Amiens was ratified in March 1802 the Royal coat of arms were changed and remained so until 1816.

    Now the mystery of who and why they painted and mounted in the Town Hall?

    One possibility as to why could be that it was the year that the French 1st Republic declared war on Britain. Was it a patriotic gesture?

    As to who well that’s difficult to say. It was a time when Ilchester’s governance was again in flux. I have tried to find the name of the Bailiff in that year with no success as yet. Steven-cox records have a gap in the list of names between 1755 to 1831. The Somerset records index doesn’t look more hopeful though searching the documents might throw a light. However it appears in 1792 the Corporation exchanged all properties in Ilchester for a more profitable estate in Odcombe, owned by a Richard Troward a London Attorney (steeped in wheeler dealing in parliamentary practices), thus loosing interest in the borough as land lords and temporarily ceasing to be an important factor in Parliamentary elections. Troward naturally packed the corporation with his own men ensuring the outcome he wanted.

    Was it Troward who authorised the painting of the coat of arms? Did the corporation become lax in keeping records?

    If anyone has any other information, do let me know.

    Sally Mottram

  • Ilchester Coffee Mornings ..

    Ilchester Coffee Mornings ..

    EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING – 10 am to 11.30 am

    Ilchester is lucky to have the excellent facilities of the Town Hall. Each week we hold our Coffee Mornings there in the Main Hall.

    The coffee mornings are a great success. Local organisations and charities use the events to raise money for their good causes.

    We couldn’t do so with out the support of the residents who deserve a big thank you for spending a part of their Wednesday mornings supporting this community event. It is good value for your money, giving you a chance to buy and take away selections of excellent homemade cakes and savouries. It also gives the opportunity to enjoy meeting and making friends. It is certainly the place to find out what is happening in the parishes.

    The rental is small for the facilities offered. All that needs to be provided is the drinks, food and staff. Most organisers hold a tombola and raffle so there is the chance to enter the draw and win a prize.

    If you are in the area why not join us?

    If you would like further details contact me on 01935 841202.

    Sally Mottram

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    Regular Classes at The Pavilion at Ilchester Sports Ground

    We have a fabulous selection of regular classes and events at both the Ilchester Town Hall and the Pavilion at the Ilchester Sports field. If you would like to find out more about our classes at either venue, please get in touch via our contact page. Our Instructors will be delighted to contact you and answer your questions.

    PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT OUR CLASSES

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    Regular classes at the Ilchester Town Hall

    We have a fabulous selection of regular classes and events at both the Ilchester Town Hall. If you would like to find out more about the classes available at either venue, please get in touch via our contact page. Our course holders will be delighted to contact you and answer your questions.

    PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT OUR CLASSES

  • THE ILCHESTER MARKET CROSS

    THE ILCHESTER MARKET CROSS

    A ceremony was held on Monday 25th October to celebrate the rebuilding of the Ilchester Market Cross.

    The Rev. Bruce Faulkner presided over the ceremony to celebrate the rebuilding of the Market Cross, after it was knocked down 4 years ago. Planning finally started after covid restrictions were lifted, and stonemasons Boden and Ward started the reconstruction in July this year.

    The Market Cross, Ilchester October 2021
  • Cycling Ilchester

    Cycling Ilchester

    Crewkerne’s ‘Club Velos’ enjoy a stop for refreshments in Ilchester

    Ilchester has long been a popular transit point for keen cyclists.

    Routes that take in Ilchester offer plenty of variety for the keen club cyclist. From gently undulating landscapes to challenging, demanding and even gruelling Somerset hill-climbs; you will find a route to suit your mood. 

    Cycling for beginners.

    For inexperienced riders and families with children who like more space and less traffic, the Roman road at Ilchester is perfect. Beginners who are taking their first tentative rides without stabilisers can really build-up confidence here.  There’s plenty of free, safe parking if you want to arrive by car with bikes on a rack.

    If you’d like to make your outing more interesting, there is a wealth of history to explore around Ilchester and following the stories on foot or by bike is a great way to spend time together over a weekend. Find out more about what to see and do in Ilchester, HERE.

    Ilchester ride-outs.

    A popular route for locals is the 5km circuit from Ilchester to Limington, onwards to Yeovilton and back to Ilchester. Some folks alternate the direction they take each time they ride. This route is also a good option if some of your party like to cycle but others prefer to walk. You can enjoy being out in the fresh-air together for an hour or so knowing you’re all sticking to the same route and can meet-up at various points on the way round.

    Stop for refreshments.

    Nuova Italia, The Ilchester Arms and local cafe, Claire’s of Ilchester, all extend a warm welcome to cyclists. So, why not plan your trip to include a stop for refreshments. A coffee-break, lunch-stop, afternoon tea or even an evening meal; anything goes.

  • Are you coming to Ilchester?

    Are you coming to Ilchester?

    Ilchester Town Hall, Somerset.

    Ilchester Community … what you need to know ..

    IDCA – Ilchester and District Community Association

    Main Contact: Paul Simpson

    email idca234@gmail.com

    Ilchester Parish Council

    Main Contact: The Clerk – Philip Horsington

    Telephone 01935 840374

    email clerk@ilchesterparishcouncil.gov.uk

    IRINEC – Ilchester Relief in Need and Educational Charity

    Main Contact: Mrs Kaye Elston

    Telephone 01935 421208

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