By Harry Mottram: The weather Gods smiled on Axbridge for the annual September Blackberry Carnival and fun fair with a large turnout, excellent entries and a busy couple of evenings of fun lovers taking to the rides. The organisers said: “A huge thank you to everyone who took part and helped make the 2026 Carnival such a fantastic event!” The carnival was held on the 26th September 2026 with the procession beginning in Cheddar Road at 2pm and continuing to The Square, High Street and West Street and returning from Compton House interchange for prize giving. The carnival is organised and run by volunteers (pictured) and is always in need of entrants and people to help on the day and to run the committee – visit their Facebook site (below link) or the website and volunteer to make 2027’s even better! See https://www.blackberrycarnival.com/ for details.
The results of the carnival are:
Overall Winner – Where’s Wally
Junior Walking – The Greatest Showman
Open Walking – Absolutely Fabulous
Junior Trailed Float – Axbridge U16’s Football
Open Trailed Float – Highbridge Farmers
Wackiest Entry – In the Post
Best Driver – MGBT Ladies
Best on Wheels – Teddy Bears Picnic
These and many more fantastic photos are on the Axbridge Blackberry Carnival Facebook site – well worth a look at https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=AxbridgeBlackberryCarnival&set=a.1541333934697188
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The Law Community Field
Following Derek Law’s death in 2021, his son Richard gifted a field off Knightstone Close to the town substantially increasing the recreation facilities for Axbridge as it is linked to The Furlong Field by a path. Law’s land however now needs to be put through the planning process since it is a change of use from agriculture to leisure. Writing for the Somerset County Gazette local democracy reporter Daniel Mumby reported today (28 September 2026) that Axbridge Town Council have proposed the field to include a community orchard and park. He reported: “Somerset Council is expected to make a ruling on the proposals before the end of the year. Since the town council is the applicant, such a decision may need to be made in public by the planning committee north (which handles major applications within the former Sedgemoor area) rather than through the delegated powers of Somerset Council’s planning officers.”
He also quoted in the article a spokesperson for P&M Advisory Ltd. (representing the town council) said: “The Axbridge Neighbourhood Plan (which was adopted in the spring of 2022) supports development which conserves and enhances access to the countryside, has no significant impact on the natural environment, enhances it and provides for appropriate planting. It also seeks improvements to encourage recreation and play. The proposals will improve, in a small but important way, the social and environmental conditions of the area as well as contribute to the vision for the town as set out in the Neighbourhood Plan.”
The new park has was gifted to the town by Richard on the condition it would remain for community recreational use in perpetuity ensuring it can’t be built on in the future.
Rob Peters of Axbridge who is the owner of P&M Advisory Limited has given advice to Axbridge Town Council wrote on social media about the field: “If you regularly use the public footpaths that cross the field at the end of Knightstone Close over to Portmeade Drove (or via The Furlong), you will have seen the Somerset Council Planning Notices placed on each of the gates (see Photos below). These advise that a planning application has been submitted to Somerset Council by Axbridge Town Council to change the use of this field from grazing/agricultural land to informal recreational space for use by the Community. In effect, this regularises the position that has been established since the field was generously donated by Richard Law following his father, Derek’s, passing.
“Following some lengthy ecological survey work to establish the biodiversity value of the field, the Town Council is proposing, alongside the change of use, to undertake some landscaping and hedgerow/tree planting works (and some protective fencing) mainly around the field margins, retain the green storage container, introduce a different grass cutting regime and provide some signage. The works intend to protect and enhance biodiversity as well as the enjoyment of the space by the Community. Somerset Council is currently consulting on the planning application. The Somerset Council planning reference is: 02/26/00014 and comments can be sent to the Planning Officer (North Area B) Jordan Morris on Jordan.Morris@somerset.gov.uk It would be great if the community could support the ongoing recreational use of the Field which adds to the overall recreational resource of the Town. Thanks.”
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Strongvox confirm Orchard Road estate
After the Taunton based development firm Strongvox announced plans to build homes in Axbridge last year with a leaflet and notes on their website the plans went quiet and they removed the website notice. Axbridge News contacted them earlier this year to find out if the plans were still alive and they confirmed they would be in the future. They plan to build 43 houses on a large field to the south of Orchard Road whose residents are unhappy since their cul-de-sac would be the access road to the estate.
Assuming each home has at least two residents then with the current population of the town just over 2,000 souls then there will be an increase of around 200 or more folk. Good news for the shops, pubs and cafes but there will be an increase in traffic and pressure on the surgery and school. Although Somerset Council will be pleased to gather the extra council tax, and the utilities also will benefit with more customers – but residents in Orchard Road are not keen.
One of the questions about the Orchard Road development is access as the road itself is lined with homes and parked cars. Planning permission is set to go in soon while the developer have previously said they will hold a public meeting for residents in the town hall with the Town Council when that time comes. Meanwhile the company has published a message to say the development is ‘coming soon’. And have published an appeal for people to contact them if they are interested in the new homes.
The website with the appeal is at https://www.strongvox.co.uk/future-development/?development=60&return_url=https://www.strongvox.co.uk/developments&return=return_60
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Axbridge Community Theatre’s production of the pantomime Dick Whittington is now in full rehearsals with a large cast with all the principle roles cast plus youngsters forming a children’s chorus – plus of course Dick’s Cat Tommy played by Emily Goodman. Allie White is Fairy Bowbells and Dick is being played by Marieke Roebuck – and his love interest Alice Fitzwarren is brought to life by Katie Underhay. Dick Whittington as one of the script writers Tony Wilson (who plays the dame) reminds us is based on a true story of the rags to riches life of Richard Whittington.
Wikipedia gives these details: “Richard Whittington (c. 1354 – March 1423) of the parish of St Michael Paternoster Royal, City of London, was an English merchant and politician of the late medieval period. He is also the real-life inspiration for the English folk tale Dick Whittington and His Cat. He was four times (appointed once, elected three times) Lord Mayor of London, a member of parliament and a Sheriff of London. In his lifetime he financed a number of public projects, such as drainage systems in poor areas of London, and a hospital ward for unmarried mothers. He bequeathed his fortune to form the Charity of Sir Richard Whittington which, over 600 years later, continues to assist people in need.”
On a personal note I have had to pull out of the production due to health problems relating to my heart attack two years ago – but having attended the first few rehearsals I can report there is fantastic energy in the cast – inspired by Tony, Dan and Katie who are creating a fabulous production – and this year there is a Saturday matinee.
Tickets are now on sale at https://www.ticketsource.com/axbridgecommunitytheatre/dick-whittington-and-his-cat/e-xmrrkp
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Axbridge Football
I couldn’t resist this super photo of some of the town’s young footballers taking part in the Carnival at the weekend. The men’s senior teams both lost this last week but as they say in football ‘we go again’ when the first team play Clevedon United Reserves on the Furlong Field on Saturday 31 October in the afternoon – make sure you go along to cheer them on.
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Axbridge Progressive Supper
Tickets go on sale for the town’s big night out from 1st October – details nearer the time. This year’s Progressive Supper is on Saturday 21st November, 2026 – everything you wanted to know about the event including what not to do on the night at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/axbridge/axbridge-features/progressive-supper-2025/
The timings are:
Oak House for destinations and to buy a raffle ticket: 6-6.45pm
Starter: 7.00-8.00pm
Main: 8.15-9.30pm
Sweet: 9.45-10.45pm
Oakhouse for the raffle draw and late drinks: 11pm
The prices are (for a couple):
Starters £20
Mains Free
Dessert or sweet £10
Travellers £90
The cash raised on the night will go to Cheddar Food Bank, Axbridge Saxons Juniors FC and Axbridge Carnival. The annual Axbridge Progressive Supper features more than 100 diners who pay to take part and together with a raffle the event has raised tens of thousands of pounds over the years. There’s more at https://www.facebook.com/AxbridgeProgressive
Tickets go on sale from October 1st on Eventbrite.
For more details and questions email axbridgeps@gmail.com
The event is organised by a small group of volunteers who put in countless hours to make it happen.
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Axbridge Diary
Some Axbridge dates coming up at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/diary/
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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’ve always taken an interest in local affairs having worked as a journalist in Somerset for many years. More at at www.harrymottram.co.uk and social media on X as @harrythe spiv, Facebook, Blue Sky, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads and God knows where else!
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