Two-day show at Axminster is hailed another triumph by organisers
Thousands packed the Axminster showground for the 21st Axe Vale Festival at the weekend – raising smiles for the organisers and money for the community.
Since its first year the show has continued to flourish and while visitor numbers were down slightly on the Saturday, compared with 2014, they were significantly higher on the Sunday.
Festival-goers were entertained to an exciting programme of arena events – West Country Heavy Horses, Mike’s Motorcycles and the falconry were a clear hit with the audience and both the Tae Kwan Do and majorettes’ displays, performed by local youngsters, were really impressive.
There was a good mix of trade stands, totaling 326 across all areas, and many local artisans gave free demonstrations and invited visitors to have a go.
The main marquees were very popular with many visitors commenting on the high quality and diversity of the delicious produce available in the food marquee.
The toys and hobbies, vintage, retro and antiques and crafts marquees showed the outstanding talents within the local community and delighted visitors with their enthusiasm, creativity and willingness to give an insight to the incredible skill and attention to detail required in their workmanship.
The roots of the festival were as a flower and craft show and this year the standard of the displays in the floral and horticultural society marquees did not disappoint.
The delightful created gardens, floral and plant displays were a real pleasure to browse and the flower fragrance wafting through the marquees was better than any perfume!
A spokeswoman for the organisers said: “The Axe Vale Festival was set up 21 years ago to raise money for the Axminster Flamingo Swimming Pool. The festival is run completely by volunteers who care about our community and the money raised, over £380,000 to date, is donated to a range of local charities and good causes as well as the Flamingo Pool. So once again – thank you to all who visited and all those that support the show and we hope to see you again next year!”
Prize winners:
Floral Marquee:
Large gold and best in show - Burrow Farm Gardens
Other large gold - Kerton Sweet Peas, Garside Cacti, Chrysanthemums Direct, Lockyer Fuchsias.
Gold: Dulford Nurseries, Fox Plants.
Silver Gilt: Hardy Plant Society.
Silver - Bodwen Nursery, Garden of Japan, Gardeners Delight Nursery.
Bronze - Plant Heritage Devon Group.
Trade stands:
1 - Hamwood Crafts, highly commended - Artisans.
Outside demonstrators:
1 - Traditional Fencing, HC, Helen G Beads.
Charities:
1 - Mini Munchkins, HC - HALFF.
Crafts:
1 - Blueberry Grass, HC - Dos Rogers.
Vintage Retro and Antiques:
Most desirable table - David and Hilary Dance, HC - Gillian Hillman.
Most quirky item - Glitzy Vintage Jewellery, HC - Tony and Vicky Symes.
Food:
1 - Feniton Foods, HC - Dorset Coffee Company.
Outside Nursery:
1 - Millwood Plants, HC - Tadnoll Water Plants.
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