ARMED Forces Day in Ilminster was celebrated last weekend with more than 100 people gathering in the Minster to hear HMS Heron Volunteer Band from RNAS Yeovilton.

Royal British Legion Ilminster branch chairman John Goodall said the concert raised about £1,200 for the Legion’s Battle Back Centre in Lilleshall in the West Midlands.

The Armed Forces Day flag flew from the Minster’s church tower and Mr Goodall welcomed everyone.

Among the audience were Ilminster Mayor Cllr Emma Taylor; Royal British Legion president for Somerset and Bristol Brigadier David Godsal; Somerset Deputy Lieutenant Brigadier Alastair Fyfe; Gurkha Welfare Trust representative Brigadier David Morgan; and Somerset County Council chairman Cllr David Fothergill; South Somerset District Council chairman Cllr Mike Best; Deputy Mayor of Chard Cllr Garry Shortland; and Cllr Clive Davis of Yeovil Town Council.

Under the direction of Band Colour Sergeant Samuel Hairsine the band entertained the audience with music from films such as Star Trek and Pirates of the Caribbean, shows like Les Miserables, marches including Scipio and Imperial Echoes, and a medley of wartime songs.

The concert ended with Roll Tide, Sunset, Britannic Salute and regimental marches Heart of Oak, British Grenadiers and March Past of the RAF – and finally, as could be expected from a Royal Navy band, A Life on the Ocean Wave.

During the interval the guests gathered outside in the churchyard and were served wine and soft drinks while cadets from 2381 Ilminster Squadron, Air Training Corps offered refreshments.