Axminster has suffered many set-backs during its long and illustrious history. In recent times it has always bounced back from difficult times – foot and mouth disease with the closure of the cattle market and the demise of Axminster Carpets with the loss of many jobs immediately spring to mind.

And I have no doubt that Axminster will bounce back again from the current difficulties caused by coronavirus as the town comes to terms with the third national lockdown.

Indeed, when life returned to some normality last summer after the first lockdown, there were a number of positive signs that Axminster would see better days when this pandemic is finally beaten.

One factor that the townsfolk can always be assured of is that when times get tough Axminster's reputation as being a caring community always comes to the fore.

The work of ACER in ensuring the elderly and infirm have been well cared for has been nothing short of amazing, alongside such organisations as Axminster Care Service and Pippins Community Centre. Their work continues as lockdown3 restrictions take their toll.

There have also been numerous examples of kindness from individuals which have gone unpublicised but not unappreciated. I salute them all.

As a reporter I have covered events in Axminster for many years (perhaps too many?), apart from a period in the 1990s when and I worked for an international publishing group based in London, and have seen at first-hand what makes the town such a special place.

You often see comments on Facebook from newcomers to the town saying what a friendly place Axminster is. In columns I have written over the years I have often said that Axminster should be shouting about its many assets from the top of The Minster tower more often.

Railway station, excellent schools, sports centre and swimming pool, industrial estate, excellent medical facilities, community centre, expanding population, excellent restaurants. The list is endless.

A number of small businesses have been forced to close by the spread of COVID-19 in many towns but in Axminster several new enterprising individuals have put their faith in Axminster bouncing back again. They will have been devastated that after getting their businesses up and running they have been forced to close their doors through yet another lockdown.

But there is hope with the arrival of the biggest ever vaccination programme ever in the UK being rolled out. Many of Axminster's elderly have already received their jabs.

I came to the conclusion that there is justification in believing Axminster's trading community will emerge even stronger again when I attended the official opening of the Waffle Community House, now located in the impressive Trinity House complex early in December.

Trinity House is being developed by Axminster Property Ltd, run by local businessman Ian Styles. Three of the units have already been occupied and two more will be opening (COVID permitting) in the not too distant future.

Trinity House, the former department store, occupies the most prominent trading position in Axminster's town centre and much store is being put in its success to kick-start the town's trading renaissance.

The conversion of Trinity House has been carried out to a very high standard, as you would expect from Ian Styles, and to bring the project to near completion in such difficult times is nothing short of a miracle.

At the opening ceremony of the Waffle House, which is occupying the whole of the first floor, Mr Styles made an inspirational speech in which he described the project as "a new beginning for Axminster".

I agree wholeheartedly with that view. The Waffle House is a brilliant concept and will emerge as the key meeting place in Axminster. Apart from serving its delicious Belgian delicacies, it will provide desk space for those who want to meet for business or just a chat with friends and acquaintances. When completed, there will be a soft play area for toddlers to amuse themselves, a godsend for young mums.

I am full of admiration for the three community-conscious entrepreneurs who are running the Waffle House – Sophie McLachlan, Matt Smith and Tim Whiteway – who have already raised impressive amounts for local good causes through this non-profit project. Closing down during lockdown shortly after launching their new home will have been a blow but they will soon come bouncing back.

As will Axminster - and Axminster Nub News, now the go-to media outlet for local news and business support, will be doing its best to play our part in promoting all that is positive about Axminster.

Such a shock for Axminster to lose its much loved mayor

I have known most of the former mayors of Axminster and enjoyed a good relationship with all of them.

As Axminster Nub News did not go on line until May of last year, I did not know Anni Young very well. But I soon came to learn that she was greatly admired and loved by her adopted town.

Her sudden death before Christmas came as a huge shock to all her new her many admirers as well as her family. In speaking to people about Anni, they all referred to her kindness and she will be greatly missed in so many ways, especially the humble manner in which she conducted her duties as the town's First Citizen and chairman of the town council.

Deputy mayor Jill Farrow has stepped in her shoes after her election earlier this week. They are big shoes to fill and I wish her well.

Trying time for sports organisations

Recreational sport has stumbled to a halt again with the onset of lockdown3 whilst professional footballers kiss and cuddle after every goal they score. Some social distancing!

I'm one of those who think the Football Association should be much tougher of those in the pro game who are clearly ignoring every government restriction.

With the local football leagues having put this season's fixtures on hold, there is concern that it will not be possible to complete all the games before the summer. There is even talk of possibly setting up a local league involving all the local teams.

A big issue for many of the local clubs, particularly those like Axminster Town who play at a higher standard, is that their financial viability relies on revenues which are generated through their clubhouses.

We have to have faith in the vaccination programme getting us somewhere near normality by the summer, but by this time it might be too late for the leagues to catch up on the number of fixtures that have not been fulfilled.

A local league which enables clubhouses to operate again after games may be a good idea – not to mention the great rivalry which will exist between old adversaries like Axminster and Lyme Regis and Seaton and Beer.

It's 35 years since I played football but I still bear the scars on my legs courtesy of some robust tackling by one of Axminster's best and most uncompromising defenders, the unforgiving Tony Rockett!