By Harry Mottram: If you have the January blues then take a look at what’s on at the former Methodist Chapel – now the Axe Vale Arts Centre – in West Street this month and in February. Some of the events are free and the centre has a bar which sells only non alcoholic drinks plus teas and coffees – so if you are abstaining from booze then there’s no temptation so break dry January. The Randy Swindlers play the venue on Saturday 17th January – an evening of swinging jazz and blues plus comedy from impresario Randy Swindler. That’s followed by two free gigs – poetry and spoken word on the 21st and acoustic night on the 28th. There’s much more later in the month along with a packed February programme so do check out for details at https://axevalearts.org.uk/#whats-on and for all Axbridge events see https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/diary/
Oakhouse Hotel
A couple of years ago the hotel, restaurant and pub closed when the lease holders quit leaving several brides-to-be high and dry as they had paid deposits for wedding receptions in advance. Workers were seen taking away furniture after the establishment had been shuttered for some time but fortunately in stepped Dave and Marina who took on the pub determined to make a success of it following the previous tenants’ departure. It quickly became very popular due to the hard work of the duo with Axbridge once again having two thriving pubs on the Square. However, running a pub is very challenging as even city centre pubs may not be busy on cold wet weekday nights – plus there’s the issue of staffing, taxation, national insurance hikes and energy costs – making profitability difficult. It now appears it has come full circle as the pub is closed at the moment, and adverts have been posted online for a new operator by Valiant Pubs of Birmingham.
Owner Steve Jenkins wrote on Facebook this month that after much soul searching he, Dave and Marina agreed to sell the pub and the business. He added: “I suspect many of you will join me in thanking the two of them for the amazing job they have done over the last couple of years in building a community led venue. The Oakhouse does need significant investment to allow it to continue in these challenging economic times. It is this which the three of us have come to terms with. The closure is only temporary, to give Dave and Marina a well-earned break. We have been proud to have been the custodians of this grand old building for the last 18 years. Now it’s time for somebody else to take it on. We will keep you updated on the progress of the sale in due course.”
Speculation had been rife since New Year’s with locals posting on Facebook but now it appears it will once again reopen with a new owner. It will be a new era for the Grade II listed building that dates to the 17th century with evidence that parts relate to a much earlier medieval property. Many older residents can remember when it was run by Nick Barrington and Charles Donovan when it was known for its food and occasional theme nights. It has not always been a restaurant or a pub but in the early days of the motor car it sold petrol, oil and bicycle parts. I penned an article a few years ago when I was invited by the manager to look at some old photos of the place during renovations. The article is here: https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/2019/11/15/axbridge-review-feature-axbridge-square-pictured-in-the-1970s-before-all-the-changes-took-place-and-an-earlier-photo-of-the-oakhouse-hotel-where-you-could-buy-petrol-back-in-the-day%ef%bb%bf/
Orchard Road development
Strictly speaking it’s not in Orchard Road but the developers want to use the street for access to a field which they hope to build on. Axbridge News can confirm that the proposed housing development by Strongvox of Taunton is set to request planning permission for the construction of 43 homes in the field. After an initial consultation in the form of a questionnaire and the announcement by Bristol Water it would be building a new treatment works nearby along with an access road the plans disappeared from Strongvox’s website. Although the plans have gone the company confirmed by an email question by me they are to put in for planning consent.
One of the largest concerns apart from the loss of another green space is access. A footpath alongside Mendip View could connect with the plot while Orchard Road is currently a cul-de-sac with residents not keen on seeing their street an access for scores of vehicles – especially in the rush hour.
Axbridge News: Harry Mottram compiles Axbridge News for his own interest and those of fellow residents.
Everything he writes for the News is in the public domain and anyone can view it – he puts it together and writes it up, so it makes sense to him.
For details for the work of the journalist Harry Mottram visit www.harrymottram.co.uk
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Or email him with your events at harryfmottram@gmail.com
Axbridge Diary of Events
By Harry Mottram: Some Axbridge dates coming up. Send Axbridge events to me and I’ll try to keep the list updated. Email: harryfmottram@gmail.com I’ll also post on my website at www.harrymottram.co.uk
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Sat 17 Jan. Axe Vale Arts, LIVE MUSIC. Randy Swindlers. The Old Methodist Chapel, West Street, Axbridge. Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets £10, £8 concession. See https://therandyswindlers.org/
For more at the arts centre visit https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/axe-vale-arts?fbclid=IwY2xjawPR_QZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFCamx0V1VSYktFUnBQMGkwc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHowT1-8hrKg_bH2J1BWKv458RJRjZ7GkoSweR_ZuaZZM9Ez03ZLLCehQ7zAc_aem_OQNc4QHGgmz90OodTTuS0w
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Sun 18 Jan. Church Service
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Mon 19 Jan. Jazz in Axbridge.
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Wed 21 Jan. Axbridge Local History Society. Cross Memorial Hall. Looking back at 75 years of archaeology, caving and the museum in Axbridge…and to the future. Short talks by Alan Gray, David Roberts, Ian Tabrett and John Page. Axbridge Local History Society: https://kingjohnshuntinglodge.co.uk/
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Wed 21 January. Axbridge. Axe Vale Arts Centre. LIVE POETRY AND SPOKEN WORD: Open night. Turn up and see Simon Rennie to get a slot to either read, perform or simply listen. 7pm. £2 donation. Non Alcoholic bar. Simon is a published poetry and leads the evening with an interval at around 8pm. (Axe Vale Arts Centre is based at the former Methodist Chapel in West Street, Axbridge. More at https://www.facebook.com/groups/583188354145782/
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Sat 24 Jan. Town Hall. Quiz night.
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Sat 24 Jan. Prog VII at the Lamb Inn.
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Wed 28 Jan. Axe Vale Arts Centre. LIVE MUSIC: Acoustic Music Night. Featuring a variety of acts – just turn up and you should be able to perform a couple of numbers. 7pm. (Axe Vale Arts Centre is based at the former Methodist Chapel in West Street, Axbridge. More at https://www.facebook.com/groups/583188354145782/
See https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/axe-vale-arts
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Friday 30th January. PTA event at Axbridge School.
We are delighted to invite our school community to a vibrant evening of music, dancing and togetherness at our PTA Ceilidh on Friday 30th January. This promises to be a lively and memorable event, filled with traditional folk music, easy-to-follow group dances, and plenty of opportunities for families to enjoy time together in a joyful, relaxed atmosphere.
No previous experience is needed, Ceilidh dancing is all about participation, fun, and shared laughter. A dance caller will guide each dance step-by-step, making it accessible for all ages and abilities. Whether you are keen to join in on the dance floor or prefer to enjoy the music and company from the sidelines, everyone is warmly welcomed. Food included in ticket price.
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Sat 31 Jan. Axe Vale Arts Centre. Clowning and Absurdism Workshop for 7-13 year olds. 2pm. Doors 1.30pm. Run by Lung and a Half Full Theatre Company, this is a fun and unique theatre workshop that dives into the world of the bizarre. The workshop uses theatre games and exercises to play around with meaning. A lot of laughter will be had as participants work together to learn how to follow impulses, revel in their failures, and to dare to be absurd, strange, and funny. The workshop is designed specifically for children from 7-13 years old – an excellent antidote to the post-Christmas doldrums, and a great way for children to build their confidence and explore their sense of fun. This is an afternoon event, running from 2-4pm. There are just 25 places available on the workshop, so please book early to avoid disappointment! Tickets incl. booking fee £7.59 at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/axbridge/axe-vale-arts-centre/clowning-and-absurdism-workshop-for-7-13-year-olds/2026-01-31/14:00/t-aavqkjo
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Sat 31 Jan. 7:30pm. Axe Vale Arts Centre. Tales for an Unruly Audience. Axe Vale Arts invites audiences who want permission to misbehave to ‘Tales for an Unruly Audience‘! Performed by Lung and a Half Full Theatre, this show is a spectacular evening of myth, mirth, and magic, with a selection of ancient tales performed for your viewing pleasure by the Lord of Unreason himself, George Attwill. Tales for an Unruly Audience is an Offie-nominated (OffWestEnd Awards) participatory storytelling performance inspired by bardic tradition. No two shows are the same. Mixing audience participation with carnivalesque revelry, you are invited to join us for stories of gods and goddesses, great giants, precious treasures, and forbidden knowledge. With tales of witches and wizards, wise men and fools, come spend an hour with the Abbot of Misrule… Put the date in your diary – tickets on sale from 6th December 2025. Doors 7pm. Ticket price incl. booking fee £11.92 – £14.63 https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/axbridge/axe-vale-arts-centre/tales-for-an-unruly-audience/2026-01-31/19:30/t-qmjvygk
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