“The heart of village life – and this dedicated population’s proudest achievement – is the community shop manned by more than 100 volunteers,” says the paper. “It has a café, free wi-fi, books to borrow, a book club, and knit-and-natter sessions along with regular sociable lunches and suppers.” Back in 2021, Ilmington was one of the Sunday Times top picks, but it’s extraordinary to think that a village of some 800 souls could actually win this accolade. It’s testimony to everyone who makes Ilmington such a special place to live, including every single person who works for the Community Shop and Café. And by the way, the books are there for sharing and swapping – what goes around comes around we like to think 
