Organisers of the annual Cherry Fayre in Axminster are currently putting together a programme of events for the week of June 22 to 30.

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, the event is known as The Cherry Fayre and a whole week of events is being planned by Light Up Axminster and other local clubs and organisations to mark the occasion. 

Events will get started with the traditional Raising of the Glove ceremony on Thursday, June 22.

The Raising of the Glove ceremony is a key part The Cherry 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 Cherry Fayre. 

Other events already confirmed for 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; Axminster Carnival's Vehicle Extravaganza on Sunday, June 25; and the week will be rounded off with the Axminster Big Dinner on Friday, June 30.

Any local organisation holding an event during fayre week – whether it be a regular event or something special – should let organisers know by Monday, May 22 to ensure it is included in the official programme.

This could be something you normally run such as a class, lesson, workshop or something you are running specifically for the week to show off what you do such as a coffee morning, barbecue or fun day.

Details of events should be emailed to [email protected] by May 20.