PLANS are well advanced for the double post-COVID celebrations in Axminster.

Axminster branch of the Royal British Legion will be commemorating the 100th anniversary of the War Memorial on The Minster Green with a procession through the town, followed by a picnic on the green for Axminster residents. The double celebration will be held on Saturday, July 17.

The Legion procession will line up in Trinity Square at 10 am and make its way through the town, down South Street and Church Street, into West Street and back into Trinity Square. It will be led by 17 pipers and four drummers from Exmouth and will include a number of Royal British Legion standards from Axminster, Lyme Regis, Kilmington and Honiton. Invitations have also been extended to the Seaton and Chard branches.

Also in attendance will be Lord Lieutenant of Devon, David Fursdon; Rear-Admiral Rtd Tim Lowe CBE; Commander Jamie Miller CBE; the President of Devon Royal British Legion, Sarah Lopes, a granddaughter of Earl Haig, one of the founders of the Royal British Legion; and Ken Jefferies, chairman of the county branch.

A special place in the procession will go to the Axminster branch president and eldest member, John Glanville-Smith, who is the holder of the Legion d'honneur.

An invitation has also been extended to local MP Neil Parish and full support is expected from Axminster Town Council, led by the mayor, Cllr Jill Farrow.

A service of of rededication will be held around the War Memorial, officiated by the Rector, the Reverend Clive Sedgewick, assisted by the Branch Chaplaln, the Reverend Geoffery Walsh.

Axminster Carnival Commence is organising the post-pandemic celebration, which will start immediately at the rededication service. All Axminster residents are invited to bring their own picnic, including alcoholic refreshment. There will be live entertainment and games for the children. Axminster Football Club will man miniature goals.

There will also be a barbecue run by Lyme Regis Butchers with all proceeds going to help finance the event. Axminster Town Council is also supporting the event with a grant of £700.

The day's events will be co-ordinated by the president of Axminster branch of the Royal British Legion, former mayor Mervyn Symes, who told Nub News: "This will be a real community event and we are hoping as many Axminster residents as possible will support the event to demonstrate that despite the pandemic, Axminster has lost none of its community spirit."