Ilminster Literary Festival 2025 reports record attendance - 📚
Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
Ilminster Literary Festival has celebrated its most successful year to date, with organisers confirming a 40 per cent increase in ticket sales compared to previous years.
The ninth edition of the festival concluded on Thursday, 5th June, following eight days of events held across three local venues. A total of 1,543 individual visits were recorded throughout the week, making this year’s festival the busiest since its inception in 2016.
A diverse programme of 24 events featured authors including Sir Anthony Seldon, Felix Francis, Kate Williams, and Jonathan Smith. For the first time, poetry was introduced to the line-up, and audience feedback has expressed interest in the addition of theatre for future editions.
The festival covered a broad range of subjects beyond literature, with events exploring fiction, politics, law, photography, and aviation. Attendees praised the quality of the programme and the variety on offer.
One visitor commented that the festival catered to a wide audience, stating: “There are many topics so there’s something for book readers of all interests.”
Children were also included in the festival’s activities through a writing competition for ages five to eleven. Winners received book tokens as prizes, with the aim of encouraging younger generations to engage with reading and writing.
Authors who participated in the event expressed appreciation for the organisation and the enthusiasm of the audiences. One described it as “a pleasure to perform to an audience of such a healthy size and enthusiastic disposition”.
Festival Director Sue Collard said the success of this year’s event was a result of careful planning and a dedicated team.
“With an incredible array of talent, some seriously big names, and magnificent, enthusiastic audiences, this year's event took the Ilminster Literary Festival to another level,” she said.
She added that the festival had stayed true to its founding aims since 2016 and praised the team behind its delivery: “They were truly fabulous, and I feel privileged to have led them.”
Next year’s event will mark the festival’s tenth anniversary. Incoming Director Gerald Hawke confirmed that planning is already underway and encouraged local residents to get involved.
“We are proud of, and love, the Ilminster Literary Festival,” he said. “We hope and believe that we bring something to the town. Please do volunteer for the anniversary planning committee if you are interested in us, in books and their authors, and in the arts.”
This year’s festival was supported by a range of sponsors and partners. Corporate sponsors included Amicus Law and Perry’s Cider. Individual event sponsors such as Bonners the Butcher, SPAR Ilminster, Ilminster Home Hardware, and the Rotary Club of Ilminster were also acknowledged.
Festival partners included Ilminster Arts Centre, Monks Yard, Herne View School, and The Warehouse Theatre, all of whom contributed to the delivery of the 2025 programme.
( Photo: Conger Design 📸 )