Target reached!
Anything we raise beyond our target will be used to extend the project into 2024 and...
Build the Axminster Banners Trail
Axminster, United Kingdom
Aim
Our street banners give Axminster a boost. We want to build on that with more banners covering more streets and telling more great stories.
Like a lot of small towns, Axminster needs all the help it can get to bring some brightness to the street scene. We achieved that in the summer of 2022 by introducing an initial set of 16 colourful street banners to Trinity Square and West Street.
The project was made possible came through the sheer dedication of a team of enthusiastic volunteers with some financial support from Axminster Town Council, East Devon District Council and the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The project is led by Axminster Chamber of Commerce and its Totally Locally Axminster retail campaign group.
Our vision
Our vision is to add ten more banners in each of 2023 and 2024 and to take them to more streets, so creating a complete trail that tells the Axminster story for locals and visitors alike. Whilst we have received valuable new support from our Town Council with a workshop for our painters, public funds are harder to get this year. That’s why we are asking the community to help us make it happen.
We need money mainly for materials:
- The fabric from which the banners are cut and stitched
- The printing of the base designs that are then transferred onto the fabric
- The specialist scenery paint used to bring them to life
- The metal work needed to make poles for display and brackets where they are needed
- Printing of window display panels that profile each banner
If we can raise enough money, we also want to build a dedicated Axminster Banners Trail website that tells the more detailed story behind each banner and link the historic ones to Axminster Heritage Centre displays. A colouring book is also in our thinking so that children can paint our banners whatever colour they fancy.
Our team
We are proud that the banners project has been achieved entirely by volunteers - no one in the team gets paid. That’s why every penny that you feel able to contribute will end up being used to make the public domain in Axminster look better.
Our volunteers are of all ages and break down into several working groups:
- The cutters and stitchers
- The designers
- The painters
- The display team
If you would like to join any of those activities do please let us know.
What people say
‘Definitely yes to more, they look fantastic’
‘They really brightened our town up over the summer’
‘They all look fabulous and I can’t wait to see them fluttering across the town again’
‘I love them all but my favourite is the Heart ❤️ of Axminster’
‘They look absolutely stunning. Thank you for all your hard work - it is sooooo appreciated by many’
‘Absolutely wonderful, they're amazing. So too are the people who have worked on them‘
‘What a ray of brightness they have brought to our town. Thank you all for your dedication and hard work’
This project successfully funded on 3rd May 2023