This Thursday, June 22, will see Axminster's ancient market charter festival get underway.

The eight-day Cherry Fayre is jam-packed this year with local events hosted by both businesses and community groups alike. 

Celebrating all that is Axminster, the fayre will start with the traditional Raising of the Glove ceremony at 11am on Thursday, June 22 and will culminate with Axminster's Big Dinner on Friday, June 30 from 4pm to 9pm on the Minister Green.

A Royal Charter awarded to Axminster in the early 1200s allowed the town to hold an annual fayre in honour of the Feast of St John the Baptist – today known as the Cherry Fayre.

The Raising of the Glove ceremony is a key part of the fayre celebrations, as both have their roots in the ancient Royal Charter between King John and Williams Brewer.

The document was accompanied by a glove as a sign of the King's power and authority, conferred by Axminster's Lord of the Manor upon William Brewer and granting Axminster the status of a Free Borough. 

The tradition continues today with the now Lord of the Manor, Jim Rowe, holding the glove aloft and hailing "The glove is up!" to mark the start of the fayre.

Other events taking place during this year's fayre include the Axminster Eats Boutique street food market from 4pm on Friday, June 23; Armed Forces Day celebrations on Saturday, June 24 with events based around Axminster railway station; and Axminster Carnival's Vehicle Extravaganza on Sunday, June 25

The full programme of events and activities can be picked up from businesses across the town centre or downloaded here: https://www.lightupaxminster.co.uk/the-cherry-fayre/