It was inevitable that Moulding's Memories would include a section on the characters of Axminster.

Whilst "Walking around the streets of Axminster" in previous editions, it reminded me that a number of our roads, lanes and landmarks have been named after well-renowned personnel in Axminster. This will then lead me on to those who have devoted their energies, enthusiasm and humour to the town and community.

It is difficult to say in which order these should be recorded – so as far as the byways of Axminster are concerned, and considering only those individuals who I remember, I have decided that these will be listed alphabetically.

CAWLEY AVENUE – named after the Cawley family who founded Axe Vale Laundry, based in North Street. I remember that Harry Cawley lived at "Latches" in North Street and then moved to a well-appointed bungalow alongside the laundry grounds and the cricket field.

I believe he was a former chairman of Axminster Urban District Council and a prominent figure in the town, who in 1945, together with Harold Gray, Herbert Jeffery (Lord Jeff) and Miss Emmy Sheppard, launched the Axminster Chamber of Trade.

I remember his sons, Lewis and Norman Cawley, but also his grandsons, Tony and Simon (with whom I played cricket) and his granddaughters, Prue and Jane. I see Jane from time to time, as she is the mother of James Bostock from Axe Skip Hire. Jane and I were in the same year at Colyton Grammar School – so we remember happy school-days together.

My main recollection of the Cawley family revolved around the North Street cricket field and adjacent land, which was acquired by Harry Cawley in the 1930s. Harry was then able to establish the Axe Vale Laundry which became a thriving business – I remember my great uncle Alan Moulding working there as a delivery driver.

However, by the mid 1970s most families owned washing machines and tumble driers and the laundry business fell into decline. Lewis and Norman Cawley were generous landlords to Axminster Town Cricket Club, but in the early 1980s they needed to maximise the asset they owned and planning permission was acquired for housing development (now "The Cricketers"). Fortunately, through the kindness of Mr Harry Dutfield, Axminster Town Cricket Club relocated to Cloakham Lawns in 1988.

DUKES WAY – named after Leonard Duke, another former and well-respected chairman of Axminster Rural District Council.

Len Duke had a small grocer's shop on the southern side of Castle Hill, I remember Mr Duke serving fabulous, huge scoops of lovely ice-cream.

He was a kindly man, very much from the north-country, which is probably why he had a good working relationship with Mrs Lilain Lovatt, the Town Clerk at the time, who was also from "oop north"!

HALLETS WAY– named after Dave Hallett, a resident police constable in the town, who lived in the "police house" in North Street. Dave was a tall, upright man, recognisable with his dark moustache. I believe he was a "tutor constable", helping young officers to make their way in the police service.

However, it was in retirement that Dave Hallett made his mark in the town. He was Town Mayor from 1996 to 1998 and didn't stand any nonsense. He had an idea, together with Joan Davies, Beth Measures and others, to form the Axminster Care Service. The organisation would raise funds through the revenue raised from a charity shop (Charity Togs) in South Street and a number of other noble efforts.

I particularly remember another Axminster character, Don Self, who himself was Town Mayor in 1998 and 1999, raising money through lengthy sponsored walks. Don was a great walker, even walking long distances in his 60s and 70s, mostly for the benefit of Axminster Care Service.

Dave Hallett's concept for the Care Service charity was to utilise the funds raised to help those in need in the town, local schools, an efficient transport service and other local charities.

There is no doubt that without the vision of Dave Hallett, Joan Davies, Beth Measures and others, Axminster would not be such an amazing supportive community, through the endeavours of the Axminster Care Service.

HUNTLEY CLOSE – named after Mr and Mrs Percy Huntley, who together with their four children, were the first family to move into a home on the Millwey Rise estate – then known as "The Camp".

Regular readers of Axminster Nub News will know that my old cricketing friend Dick Sturch, has written a brilliant resume on the development of Millwey Rise, termed "A Squatter's Write". He relates the story of how Mr and Mrs Huntley took possession of accommodation on the site of the former war-time American Hospital in 1946.

There are a number of members of the Huntley family now living in and around Axminster. I have a feeling that Raymond Huntley was one of the children of Mr and Mrs Percy Huntley who first settled in "The Camp".

JEFF'S WAY – named after Herbert Jeffery (Lord Jeff of Ducking Stool Bridge), who was fundamental in the well-being of Axminster, following the Second World War.

Lord Jeff was born in Exeter in 1907, won a scholarship to Hele's Grammar School and as his family couldn't afford Herbert a university education, he started working for Norrington's of Exeter for five shillings (0.25p) a week.

Following the scaling down of George Heal's foundry business, adjacent to Stoney Bridges at the bottom of Castle Hill, Axminster, the business was purchased by Norringtons. Heal's was an iron and steel foundry which also manufactured agricultural implements, utilising water diverted from the River Axe through the mill.

Mr Godfrey and Herbert Jeffery from Norrington's were detailed to take over the Heal's site and develop the business. Lord Jeff lodged in the Cedar Hotel and met up with his future wife, Mary, who was a district nurse in Axminster. They married and their only child, John was born in June 1946 – just a few days before myself.

At that time, Norrington's also established branches in Exmouth and Chard under the name of Norrington Oils. Jeff was made a director, looking after the agricultural side of the business.

Lord Jeff's interest in the local community soon came to the fore. As mentioned previously, he helped set up the Chamber of Trade, where he was secretary for over 40 years.

He ensured that the Church Clock was lit, the Axminster Coat of Arms was inaugurated, and together with Frank Rowe and Emmy Sheppard, proclaimed Axminster carnival as "The Best in the West"!

Lord Jeff was renowned for his passion for Old Time Music Hall, which started with his interest in the variety shows in Exeter. Axminster Carnival and dressing up in a range of Old Time Music Hall garb suited Jeff down to the ground. He could be seen collecting donations, promoting events and fronting musical productions – always in appropriate Music Hall attire.

In Axminster, Lord Jeff, together with the Chief Constable, arranged the annual Police Ball in the Plaza Ballroom. One year, they had persuaded the famous Victor Silvester Dance Band to perform and I believe my father's band "The Metronomes" was the "second" band. Jeff was a good host and the Axminster Police Ball was an opportunity for the Chief Constable to relax and have a few drinks. No breathalyser in those times – so although the Chief Constable drove himself, he had a retinue of police cars surrounding him, to make sure he arrived safely back in Exeter!

For years, Lord Jeff assisted with publicity for the Axminster Operatic Society – another chance to dress up, often as front of house. He set up the Senior Citizen's Centre in the Old Courthouse and was chairman of Axminster Rural District Council for 12 years.

However, his main legacy for Axminster was the acquisition and evolution of the Guildhall. This came about when the Plaza Cinema closed and came up fr sale. Together with Frank Rowe, Maurice Milford and Donald Baker from Colyton, the establishment of the finest hall in the area took place.

Abbeyfield House in Silver Street was set up a few years after by Frank Rowe and Lady Jeff.

Mary Jeffery was a formidable character – and as John Jeffery and I agreed – Lady Jeff didn't take any prisoners!

Lord and Lady Jeff were immensely proud of their son John; training and working for Lister's of Bristol in the sixties, moving back to Axminster and setting up his own successful Agricultural Engineering business and becoming a stalwart of the town. They would certainly have been flushed with pride when John received his British Empire Medal for Services to the Community.

Herbert and Mary Jeffery lived their retirement in a delightful cottage in Silver Street. Latterly, Lord Jeff suffered from Alzheimer's disease and died aged 91, whilst Lady Jeff died just short of 100. They could both look back on lives, well-lived.

MITCHELL GARDENS – named after the Mitchell family, who originally acquired the field bounded by West Street in the west, Musbury Road in the east and Widepost Lane in the south.

The local building firm of Mitchell & Bailey developed the eastern part of the site we now know as West Close. I'm not sure which Mr Mitchell started the company, but I recall that the eventual proprietor of the company was Roy Kendall, who I believe was a grandson of the original Mr Mitchell. I remember the late John Mitchell and Robin Mitchell, who I still see around the town. I recollect that Robin was a very good darts player and assisted with the administration of the Darts League in Axminster.

Mitchell Gardens is the most recently developed portion of this large site, located in the vicinity of the former slaughter house, opposite West Street Car Park.

NEWBERY CLOSE - named after Bob Newbery, the first Mayor of Axminster (1978 and 1979) following a line of civic chairmen of Axminster Rural District Council.

Bob Newbery was the son of well-known local farmer and land-owner, Abe Newbery, who had a number of agricultural holdings, but latterly lived at Newenham House in King Edward Road. Abe decided to buy the farm at Hunthay, which enabled Bob to work the farm there, following an initial spell at a farm near Widworthy. He farmed at Hunthay until he was able to hand it over to his son Bill some years later. However, Axminster and its community was at the heart of Bob Newbery until his retirement.

Bob was club-leader of Axminster Young Farmers for many years – followed by Ken Underdown and Bob Collier. The three of them probably spanned more than 40 years, which enabled Axminster Young Farmers to be the thriving organisation it has been for several decades.

Bob was yet another great supporter of Axminster Carnival and had a spell as chairman. He helped the Young Farmers with their floats which were paraded all over Devon. He also assisted the Young Conservatives and enabled them to enter carnival processions with an old hay wagon, assembled on wheels from an old steam engine and transformed to look like a Mississippi Steam Boat. This was a winner at several carnivals. His enthusiasm for young people and their enjoyment of the local carnival, prompted Bob to award a cup for the best youth entry at Axminster Carnival. The Bob Newbery Cup is still awarded every year for the best youth tableau.

On one occasion, Bob rigged up a cart, towed by a tractor and carried all 11 of the Kilmington cricket team from The George in Axminster to the cricket club in the village.