Big crowd witnesses Axminster historical tradition

The Minster Green in Axminster was crowded yesterday (Thursday) for one of the town's most historical ceremonies.

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. 

As is tradition, the ceremony is conducted by the Lord of the Manor, Mr Jim Rowe, who also read the Royal Charter.

The glove was paraded around the market square by the Mayor of Axminster, Cllr Jill Farrow, accompanied by town crier Nick Goodwin, the keeper of the glove Sandra Goodwin and the Rector of Axminster, the Reverend Clive Sedgewick.

Mr Rowe welcomed a number of guests including former county councillor Andrew Moulding and Axminster's town clerk, Paul Hayward.

Before he read the charter, which says that during fair week no man can be arrested or hung for murder, Mr Rowe announced that the Reverend Sedgewick was leaving Axminster in September and he thanked him for his service to St Mary's Church and wished him and his wife a happy retirement.

Other events taking place during this year's fayre include the Axminster Eats Boutique street food market from 4pm today (Friday); Armed Forces Day celebrations tomorrow (Saturday) with events based around Axminster railway station; Axminster Carnival's Vehicle Extravaganza on Sunday; and the Big Community Dinner on the Minster Green on Friday, June 30 from 4pm.

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/