COMMUNITY spirit is alive and well in Ilminster – just ask the landlady of the town’s Royal Oak pub.

A summer party at the pub in Ditton Street surpassed all expectations and helped to coin in the cash for the town’s Christmas lights funds.

The Shorts and Shades theme party was held at the pub earlier this month and amassed £2,650 to go alongside £442 which had already been raised.

The money has been raised in memory of Viv Joslyn who was a big fan of the Christmas lights which Ilminster is rightly proud of.

Royal Oak landlady Cindy Rutter said: “We came up with the idea of raising money for a Christmas Light for Ilminster in memory of Viv.

“We needed to raise £1,000 – we’ve managed to exceed that by more than £2,000! The extra money has been given to Ilminster Christmas Lights committee to continue the lights in the future for the town.”

The summer party started early afternoon when it was a real family affair with activities for the children and a barbecue, along with live music. There was then a disco in the evening along with a raffle, auction and cocktail bar.

Cindy added: “We cannot thank Ilminster and surrounding areas enough for their generosity for the raffle prizes and contributing so much on the day."

“You have done us proud as a community. I’m speechless.”

The list of “thank yous” Cindy and her fellow organisers would like to make is endless – but “you know who you are.”

The Christmas Light will be across the top of Ditton Street and there will also now be another illuminated decoration on the Royal Oak itself.

The Ilminster Christmas Lights committee has been bowled over by the success of the party and has thanked everyone for their continued support.