The Axe Vale Festival is just around the corner and once again Axminster Tools & Machinery will be there.

Our talented Skill Centre staff will be demonstrating their individual crafts. This year the team will be focusing on woodturning with Jason Breach and Colwin Way. In addition, Matt McAuley (deputy store manager) will be creating the latest craze - fidget spinners which he will be giving away. Visitors will also have the chance to shop and buy from the Axminster Tools & Machinery marquee.

Crafts & skills

The Festival is a great showcase for highlighting local crafts and skills. The craft marquee will be filled with traders each offering products which cannot normally be found on the high street. Items are made by hand, in part, to guarantee that these are unique gifts and treasures to take home. From jewellery to leather belts and wooden toys to knitwear, with so much creativity in one place, there will be something for virtually everyone.

Woodturning Crafts

Food heaven

In the food hall you can buy unusual treats and sample some of the finest food in the South West. Among the local and homemade produce for sale you will find organic bread, cider, local ale, pies and pasties, chutneys, preserves, honey, puddings, cheeses, quiches, muffins, cupcakes, pate, duck burgers, venison, Aberdeen Angus beef, sausages and much more.

Food Heaven

Floral abundance

Then, there is the floral marquee which is judged according to the standards laid down by the Royal Horticultural Society. At previous shows, the judges have included Anne Swithinbank of Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time and David Hitchcock, respected horticulturalist of Three Counties Nurseries, Dorset.

Arena & bandstand

Events in the arena this year will include falconry, heavy horses, ducks and dogs, all interspersed with live music at the bandstand.

The Festival takes place annually to celebrate the local area, raise money for local causes and provide a great day out for the family. So far, it has raised and donated over £300,000 to local organisations for the benefit of the community.

For all the information you need, visit the Festival’s website.