Residents in Axminster and the surrounding area were brought together to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla over the Bank Holiday weekend. 

From church services to live music and special offers in local pubs, celebrations were held across the community.

Axminster celebrated the coronation of King Charles III on Sunday with a special church service at The Minster, conducted by the Rector, the Reverend Clive Sedgwick, and attended by about 250 parishioners representing civic and local organisations in the town.

Before the service commenced, a selection of organ music was played by Peter Lea-Cox. The standards of local uniformed organisations, including the Royal British Legion, were laid at the altar before service commenced. 

The congregation stood to welcome the civic party, led by the Mayor of Axminster, Cllr Jill Farrow, and members of Axminster Town Council and East Devon District Council. Cllr Ian Hall, chairman of Devon County Council, was also in attendance. 

The first lesson was read by Cllr Farrow, followed by the Minster choir singing 'Zadok The Priest', the British anthem that was composed by George Frederic Handel for the coronation of George II in 1727 and which was sung at King's Charles III coronation service in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday.

The Lord Lieutenant of Devon, David Hursdon, was represented by Deputy Lieutenant Philip Bostock, who also read a lesson.

The address was delivered by the Reverend Sedgwick and the hymns chosen for the service were Jerusalem, Love Divine All Loves Excelling and I Vow To Thee My Country and concluded with a rousing rendition of The National Anthem.

The congregation was invited to take refreshments after the service.

Taking pride of place in the church was one of the chairs especially made for the Prince of Wales' investiture at Caernarfon Castle on July 1 in 1969. The chair, acquired for the church by former Mayor of Axminster, Mervyn Symes, was specially made by Lord Snowdon and featured the Prince of Wales Feather Motif.

In the afternoon, the Rotary Club of Axminster organised a coronation picnic on the Minster Green at which the town folk were invited to bring their own food.

Entertainment included a display by the Karizma Majorettes and Punch & Judy shows, while the Pippins Community Centre ran a tea stall.

The crowd were led in a rousing rendition of God Save The King by the Mayor of Axminster, Cllr Jill Farrow, accompanied by town crier Nick Goodwin, who, wearing his new uniform for the first time, delivered a special Coronation cry.

Celebrations were held in pubs and venues across the town over the weekend, including coronation discos, fancy dress nights and afternoon teas.

In neighbouring KIlmington, the village came together at the Baptist Church for a screening of the coronation service in Westminster Abbey. Residents dressed in red, white and blue, waved flags and enjoyed cake and refreshments throughout.