FRIENDS and colleagues will pack St Michael’s Church, Alcombe, tomorrow afternoon for a memorial service for Hilary May MBE, who died on February 16 and was a leading figure in Minehead life for over 40 years.

An NHS occupational therapist in the town, Hilary was involved in numerous Minehead activities including the Regal Theatre, the Bowls Club, and was a leading helper at Minehead Stroke Club.

A life member of the Somerset Fellowship of Drama, she was a founding member of the Barnstormers and was well-known as an amateur dramatics director and adjudicator.

Following a diagnosis of cancer, Hilary became the face of Hope for Tomorrow, a charity dedicated to bringing treatment closer to patients’ homes.

She became an ambassador for the charity in 2014 and was the first patient to be treated on board the Somerset mobile chemotherapy unit “Bumble” which was launched by Sir Stirling Moss in 2010.

The 2pm service will be followed by a cream tea at Minehead Barbarians Rugby Club.