By Harry Mottram: The builders are in at the Oak House on the Square as the new owners make material changes inside the pub come restaurant come hotel. Residents who enjoy a drink or a meal out are keen to see the hostelry reopen following its closure last December when managers Dave and Marina left after two years behind the bar. It has been widely reported that the hostelry was put up for sale with a buyer found in the Valiant Pub Company who have stated they plan to reopen it soon and have even posted on the Axbridge Community FaceBook site an offer for potential customers to win a bar tab of £50.
Based in Birmingham the Valiant Pub Company was founded by experienced hospitality professionals Gerry Carroll and Mark McGinty in 2021 and now has scores of pubs across England and Wales. Patrons of Axbridge’s inns will be pleased to see the tavern on the corner of the Square back in business as on a sunny evening it is a popular place for a glass or two of a favourite beverage.
Gypsy & Traveller site
A public meeting was held in the town hall on Monday March 30th, 2026, to discuss the planning application for a ‘Change of use of land to Gypsy & Traveller site’ off the A371 near St Michael’s. The application has attracted considerable interest online and residents can leave comments on the Somerset Council’s Planning Portal at https://sdc.somerset.gov.uk/planning_online
Somerset Council give this explanation of terms relating to gypsies and travellers – a subject that provokes a certain amount of comments: “A number of different groups are covered by the generic term Gypsy, Roma and Traveller: English and Welsh Gypsies, Irish and Scottish Travellers, showmen (fairground people) and circus people, bargees (occupational boat dwellers) and New Travellers. Most of these communities have a long tradition of a travelling lifestyle, although their history and customs vary.”
Cheddar Reservoir 2
The works undertaken at the the Sharpham Road side of the reservoir have appeared to have been completed – for a time it led to the closure of the path around the Reservoir on the Cheddar side. Under the Water Industry Act 1991 Bristol Water carried out excavations under their Emergency Draw Down Project to expose an existing pipe running along land next to Sharpham Road and the access road to the car park. Part of the rugby ground and other areas along the road were excavated. Axbridge News understands the work is related to preparations ahead of work to construct Cheddar Reservoir 2. A second consultation is set to take place this year before planning proposals are finalised. For those new to this information Bristol Water plan to build a second similar sized reservoir on the Wedmore side of the current one.
A new access road from the A371 is expected to be constructed along with a new filtration station next to the one by the existing one on the Axbridge side. A road is also expected to be constructed alongside the Portmeade Drove to an area of several fields which will be part of the construction site. No date has yet been given for the start of the planning process which will include work to the site by the reservoir along with land all the way to Devon for a pipeline to connect with South West Water’s systems. The original reservoir was built just before WW2. The new one will arguably become one of the largest construction sites in England.
King John’s Hunting Lodge
The town’s museum reopened for the new season on Saturday 4 April during the Farmers’ Market with an Official opening marked by the Mayor Pauline Ham. And adding some Royal glamour were the new Carnival Queen and her entourage to give the occasion some style. The museum is also the HQ of the town’s local history society with the opening hours of 1pm until 4pm every day. On the first Saturday of the month, to coincide with the Axbridge Farmers’ Market, the museum is open from 10am. If you have never been inside then you are missing so much – a huge collection of items, pictures and artifacts including the remains of one of the town’s pre-Saxon residents. But the real star is the building itself – a timber framed Tudor shop and home with the wonkiest staircase beloved by children and super views of the Square from the tiny windows.
The museum is run by volunteers but is owned by the National Trust in an unusual partnership stating: “It is entirely dependent on volunteer support. We have a friendly and welcoming team and welcome new faces to join us in meeting and greeting visitors. For more details please drop us a line at: kingjohnshuntinglodgemuseum@gmail.com“
For more on the museum and its history and collection visit https://kingjohnshuntinglodge.co.uk/
The Big Reveal
Axbridge News couldn’t resist taking a photo of a home in Jubilee Road where the outing cladding has been stripped off by the new owners. Several properties in the town have had their outer layers removed to reveal the original frontage which gives a more authentic look to the building. In the 1970s pebble dash was a popular way to clad the front of homes and there have been others including timber, pvc and fibre cements finishes amongst others – of which a builder is more qualified to expand on than me. The reasons include improved weather proofing and insulation – but also it has to be said fashion.
When the old plaster layers were removed from the front of King John’s Hunting Lodge what was revealed was a far more interesting and authentic building. I will leave the merits of such work for the experts to discuss but visually the effects are easy on the eye.
Axbridge News: Harry Mottram
Note: I get asked this frequently so just to repeat I write up these stories from time to time out of personal interest – all the information is in the public domain – I put it together, so it makes sense to me. I am not paid – my main job is covering Bath for Bath Voice News and ICSM of Bridgwater which is about business insolvencies. I have lived in Old Church Road for over 25 years and am married to Linda – our four children went to the local state schools. I’ve always taken an interest in local affairs having worked as a journalist in Somerset for many years.
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Axbridge Diary of Events
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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Monday 6 April. Easter Monday. Bank Holiday
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Wed 8th April. LIVE MUSIC Walking River Trunk. Axe Vale Arts Centre
Axe Vale Arts Centre, West Street, Axbridge (The former Methodist Chapel) United Kingdom, BS26 2AA.
Nelson Dias and Zé Costa (aka Walking River Trunk) are talented Portuguese folk/blues musicians with a broad repertoire. They play their own compositions in English as well as covers of artists such as Neil Young, Dylan, Johnny Cash, Pearl Jam, The Cure, Glen Hansard, and Tom Petty. They also play some excellent classic Portuguese songs.
Nelson and Zé’s warmth and passion for music never fail to engage and charm their audiences. Why not come along and be charmed, by an evening of music with this fabulous duo.
Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/axbridge/axe-vale-arts-centre/walking-river-trunk/e-rbxmzz
Note: If you find that the cost of the ticket prevents you from attending, maybe we can help you with our ‘Reach Out’ subsidised tickets. Are you: Under 25, or in full-time education, or receive Means Tested Benefits which includes – universal credit, housing benefit, pension credit? If so, then from 1st March 2026 you could be eligible for subsidised tickets at no more than £4 per person. There are a limited number of ‘Reach Out’ tickets per event – so ring the Reach Out line at 07721 147 351. They are not currently available online.
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Sat 11 April. Crafternoon.
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Sat 11th April. Introduction to Life Drawing.
Axe Vale Arts Centre, West Street, Axbridge (The former Methodist Chapel) United Kingdom, BS26 2AA.
To learn to draw the human figure is a huge challenge and a joy.
You do not need to have done life drawing previously, but you should already have some drawing experience. The Tutor Ros Cuthbert will give tuition and guidance throughout the day. We will spend the day working from a nude model. There will be short poses as well as longer ones. Bring your preferred drawing materials and paper, and a drawing board if you have one. Easels will be supplied. The workshop runs from 10am to 4pm with an hour for lunch.
Coffee and tea will be available during the workshop, but please bring lunch with you.
Alternatively there are a number of places to buy lunch in Axbridge Town Square (just a 3 minute walk from the workshop venue). There are 15 places available for this workshop, so please book early to avoid disappointment!
About the Tutor:
Ros Cuthbert MA (RCA) RWA, graduated from the Central School of Art and Design in 1974. She was tutored by the visionary painter Cecil Collins, and studied relief printmaking with internationally respected wood engraver Blair Hughes-Stanton. She went on to study her MA in Painting at the Royal College of Art where she explored the figure, pattern and still life subjects, winning the Figurative art Prize in 1977. Ros’s career spans five decades, and in that time she has worked in watercolour, oils, mixed media, and relief printmaking.
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Sun 12 April. Local Talent Showcase. Axe Vale Arts Centre
Axe Vale Arts Centre, West Street, Axbridge (The former Methodist Chapel) United Kingdom, BS26 2AA.
With Jenny McNamara and Ross Wallis.
These Sunday afternoon slots are an opportunity for talented local musicians to perform live and showcase their material. Come along and enjoy!
Free but suggested donation of £5 on the door. Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/axbridge/axe-vale-arts-centre/local-talent-showcase/e-emjoky
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Mon 13 April. Axbridge Town Council. 7.30pm. Full Council Meeting.
The Town Council meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:30pm in Axbridge Town Hall. The two Committee meetings also take place in the Town Hall: Planning and Licences; Personnel and Protocol. These committees generally meet on the fourth Monday of each month. An additional planning meeting may also be held immediately before Council where necessary.
Members of the public are welcome to attend these meetings and may speak for up to three minutes, in accordance with standing orders. This must be in relation to the business to be transacted at that meeting or business that is relevant to the council’s legal responsibilities. Please be aware that the Council is only permitted to deal with business on the agenda. A query raised during public participation may therefore be referred to the relevant committee or advisory group to address outside of the meeting.
For more on the council, how to join, and to see other meetings visit https://www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk/
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Wednesday April 15, Cross Village Memorial Hall for Axbridge Local History Society. 2.30pm: Archive films on Axbridge and surrounding areas, introduced by John Page.
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Fri 17 Apr 2026. Axe Vale Arts Centre. The Lost Trades. LIVE MUSIC. 7.30am.
Axe Vale Arts Centre, West Street, Axbridge (The former Methodist Chapel) United Kingdom, BS26 2AA.
The Lost Trades are a Folk Americana trio from Wiltshire. They make a sound reminiscent of the California folk scene of the late 60’s and early 70’s. Specialising in three-part harmonies they combine quality song writing, faultless arrangement and perfect stage presence. They play an inter-changing and inter-weaving number of instruments including guitar, ukulele, bass and percussion. They have made 3 albums to-date including The Bard, The Book and The Barrel, which spent 8 months in the official UK Folk album chart.
Join us for an evening of delightful music with this quality act.
Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/axbridge/axe-vale-arts-centre
Note: If you find that the cost of the ticket prevents you from attending, maybe we can help you with our ‘Reach Out’ subsidised tickets. Are you: Under 25, or in full-time education, or receive Means Tested Benefits which includes – universal credit, housing benefit, pension credit? If so, then from 1st March 2026 you could be eligible for subsidised tickets at no more than £4 per person. There are a limited number of ‘Reach Out’ tickets per event – so ring the Reach Out line at 07721 147 351. They are not currently available online.
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Friday 17th April. Axe Vale Arts Centre. 10.30 to 12.30pm. Introduction to Haiku writing.
Axe Vale Arts Centre, West Street, Axbridge (The former Methodist Chapel) United Kingdom, BS26 2AA.
Discover the art of Haiku writing, with poet and short story writer Hamish MacNeil.
This is a workshop for beginners who want to know more about the history of Haiku, and to learn the gentle art of writing these delicate, finely balanced poems. Why not come along and have a go?
A free haiku workbook is included with the ticket price.
Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/axbridge/axe-vale-arts-centre
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Sunday 19 April Axbridge Church Service 10am
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Fri 24 Apr – Last Wednesday’s Work Shirt. Live Theatre in the Axe Vale Arts Centre. Organised by Take Art at The Old Methodist Chapel.
Axe Vale Arts Centre, West Street, Axbridge (The former Methodist Chapel) United Kingdom, BS26 2AA.
See https://peabientheatre.co.uk/
Note: If you find that the cost of the ticket prevents you from attending, maybe we can help you with our ‘Reach Out’ subsidised tickets. Are you: Under 25, or in full-time education, or receive Means Tested Benefits which includes – universal credit, housing benefit, pension credit? If so, then from 1st March 2026 you could be eligible for subsidised tickets at no more than £4 per person. There are a limited number of ‘Reach Out’ tickets per event – so ring the Reach Out line at 07721 147 351. They are not currently available online.
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Saturday 25 April
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Sun 26 Apr 2026. Hickory Dickory. Axe Vale Arts Centre. 2pm, 5pm.
Axe Vale Arts Centre, West Street, Axbridge (The former Methodist Chapel) United Kingdom, BS26 2AA.
Award-winning Garlic Theatre have been touring with their brand new glove puppet show, and we are delighted to welcome them to Axbridge! Join us for a merry slapstick 2 person show, starring glove puppets, silly museum curators, dozy delivery drivers, a magnificent clock and that song you’ve all been waiting for….you know the one! For children aged 3-8 years and their families.
About Hickory Dickory Dock…
In the marvellous Museum of Clocks is a wonderful Mouse Clock for all to see. One day the clock is broken and a brave little mouse runs away… In another part of town Mrs Hickory orders a new alarm clock and a huge box arrives on her doorstep. Why is it so big? And what is that squeaking sound inside?
As time ticks by, can Mrs Hickory and her cat Dickory catch the mouse running all over the house, and will the beautiful old clock ever chime again?
The show has a running time of 50 minutes. Pre-show, there will be an opportunity for children to get to know the characters with drawings that they can colour in. After the show there will be another opportunity to meet the puppets themselves. A truly magical afternoon for children and families alike.
About Garlic Theatre
Garlic Theatre is an award winning, international visual theatre company that has toured to 21 countries outside the UK. Penny Francis OBE described Garlic Theatre as one of the main puppetry companies in the UK producing wholly original work. Garlic Theatre tours successfully to theatres, festivals, art centres, village halls and schools to average audience figures of 20,000 per year. Founded in 1997, Garlic Theatre has a fantastic reputation for unusual, funny, eccentric and highly original performances that fire the imagination of children and adults.
Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/axbridge/axe-vale-arts-centre
Note: If you find that the cost of the ticket prevents you from attending, maybe we can help you with our ‘Reach Out’ subsidised tickets. Are you: Under 25, or in full-time education, or receive Means Tested Benefits which includes – universal credit, housing benefit, pension credit? If so, then from 1st March 2026 you could be eligible for subsidised tickets at no more than £4 per person. There are a limited number of ‘Reach Out’ tickets per event – so ring the Reach Out line at 07721 147 351. They are not currently available online.
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Sunday 26 April Axbridge Church Service 6pm
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Saturday 2 May. Axbridge Farmer’s Market. 9am-1pm. The Square.
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Monday 4 May. May Bank Holiday.
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Sat 9 May. Crafternoon.
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Sat 9 May 2026, 11:00AM. Drumming Workshop – 2 sessions
Axe Vale Arts Centre, West Street, Axbridge (The former Methodist Chapel) United Kingdom, BS26 2AA.
Target group is 14-25 year olds.
There are two drumming workshops on Saturday 9th May, this is the morning session 11am-12pm (duration one hour). (There is also an afternoon session for 16 years upwards, which is set up as a separate event on the Box Office).
The workshop, run by tutor Eliza Wylie, will be an introduction to traditional West African drumming using Djembe drums and Dundun drums.
There will also be fun with rhythm games and some movement.
You do not need any previous drumming or musical experience.
There are just 15 places available on this session, so please book early to avoid disappointment!
About the tutor:
Eliza Wylie has been playing West African drums since 1992 and loves sharing the rhythms.
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Sat 9 May
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Mon 11 May. Axe Vale Arts Centre. Literary Collective and the Books, Bakes & Banter event.
Axe Vale Arts Centre, West Street, Axbridge (The former Methodist Chapel) United Kingdom, BS26 2AA.
Somerset Day at 10.30am – launch of Lu Hersey’s new book on Somerset Dragons & Folklore.
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Sat 16 May. Introduction to Clay & Glazing (two days included)
Axe Vale Arts Centre, West Street, Axbridge (The former Methodist Chapel) United Kingdom, BS26 2AA.
This is a two-session Ceramics Workshop, over two Saturdays. The ticket price includes both sessions.
Session 1 – Saturday 16th May ’26, 10am – 12pm. Introduction to Clay
Session 2 – Saturday 20th June ’26, 10am – 12pm. Introduction to Glazing Clay
If you have ever wondered about making ceramics why not try your hand at some of the basic techniques in a fun and relaxed environment?The first workshop will introduce you to clay – creating small and easy pieces using a variety of techniques with lots of hands-on practice in a relaxed atmosphere.
To get the most from this workshop it is best to attend both sessions. The pots created in the first session will be fired, and ready for you to experiment and apply a simple decoration with underglaze, which will prepare your pottery for a final glaze firing.
Your finished work can be collected later, by arrangement with Axe Vale Arts.
Coffee and tea will be available during the workshop.
There are just 8 places available for this workshop, so please book early to avoid disappointment!
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Wed 20 May. Local History Society. Cross Village Hall. 2.30pm – History of the Somerset Light Infantry. Talk by Phil Thorne
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Wednesday 20 May. Axe Vale Arts Centre.
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Monday 25 May. Bank Holiday.
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Saturday 6 June. Axbridge Farmer’s Market. 9am-1pm. The Square.
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Sat-Sun, 6-7 June. Axbridge Open Gardens. In aid of the Friends of Axbridge Church. A chance to visit lots of gardens – including the allotments – and soak up the hard work of the town’s gardeners – and maybe join in this year and open your green space as well.
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Sun 7 June. Singing.
Axe Vale Arts Centre, West Street, Axbridge (The former Methodist Chapel) United Kingdom, BS26 2AA.
Join singer and workshop leader Lauren Holloway from Three Rivers acapella trio for a full day immersive singing workshop, which is open to anyone who enjoys singing in a group setting. Lauren and Three Rivers trio enthralled our audience recently at their acapella concert. During the day you’ll learn traditional 3 part-harmony polyphonic folk songs (meaning taught in 3 part harmony) from around the world, including songs from the Republic of Georgia, The Balkans and Apalacia. If you love singing with others and want to experience the joy of these beautiful and emotive songs then come along and join Lauren at Axe Vale Arts on Sunday 7th June. There is no need to read music as all songs will be taught by ear and words will be provided. Over 16’s only. The workshop runs from 10am to 4pm with an hour for lunch. Coffee and tea will be available during the workshop, but please bring lunch with you.
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