Axe Valley turns out in force to celebrate The Queen’s 90th birthday

Midweek Herald: Axe Valley Community College students enjoying cakes and coffee at the Party in the Park (l to r) Ethan Whitehouse, Lewis Harris and Finlay Livings. Picture CHRIS CARSONAxe Valley Community College students enjoying cakes and coffee at the Party in the Park (l to r) Ethan Whitehouse, Lewis Harris and Finlay Livings. Picture CHRIS CARSON (Image: Archant)

The Axe Valley became a sea of red, white and blue over the weekend as communities celebrated the Queen’s 90th birthday.

In Axminster, there was a party in the park organised by local churches on Friday and a well-attended street party the following day.

At Seaton, on Sunday, there was a community picnic at Cliff Field Gardens attended by a good number of people despite the weather.

Meanwhile, shops and offices in Axminster joined the festivities by decorating their windows in a royal theme.

The Hospsicare shop in South Street was crowned winner of the contest organised by the Chamber of Commerce.

Chairman Shane Morgan and competition organiser Alison Hayward went along to present the certificate to delighted manager Anna Proszowska, who thanked staff who helped with the display and put in so much time and effort volunteering at Hospiscare.

Anna along with Lilian Tucker, a volunteer at the shop, received a bottle of champagne and a £20 voucher to be spent on goodies at The Punch and Judy Bakery. Anna said the tasty treats will be enjoyed at the next volunteers’ meeting.

Mr Morgan said: “It’s terrific that so many of Axminster’s traders took part in decorating their windows as part of the tribute to our monarch.”

Alison Hayward said: “The judge, Chris Painton, president of Axminster Rotary Club, was particularly impressed with the Corgis in the window of Symonds and Sampson, the Royal China mugs at River Cottage Canteen, Lawsons’ red, white and blue merchandise and the pretty pompoms at Punch and Judy.”

Other Axminster shops which took part in the spirit of the event were Mortons Pharmacy, Martins Newsagents, Acorns Gifts, Labels for Less clothing, ARC Charity Shop, Togs Charity Shop, Goulds Trinity House Department Store, Bennett & Rogers Opticians, Complete Meats, Archway Bookshop and the RSPCA shop.