14th October 2011

AXMINSTER: It's taken over 30 years but town centre eyesore will at last get a facelift

THANKS to the enthusiasm of Axminster Arts and the creativity of a former art teacher, the town centre eyesore that has blighted Axminster for three decades will soon be a thing of the past.

The long-awaited art project to tidy up the Webster’s Garage site was launched on Sunday and it is hoped that a start will be made early in the new year with completion by Easter.

A 3-D model of how the mural that will cover the whole of the frontage of the derelict garage went on show for the first time at a reception at the Arts Cafe on Sunday afternoon.

Axminster Arts are pioneering the project and raising the £5,000 necessary to pay for the mural, with £2,500 having already been committed from local groups, businesses and individuals.

Garage memorabilia

Axminster Arts have commissioned former Birmingham art teacher Steve Fisher, who lives at Seaton, to design the mural and supervise its construction and painting.

Together with a photographic record of the most impressive buildings in Axminster, and some interesting memorabilia of the garage, first known as the Axminster Garage Company, the model will stay on display at the Arts Cafe for the public to see and comment upon for a month.

The mural traces a trail through Axminster, starting at Stoney Bridge and moving up Castle Hill, into the town centre, Trinity Square, down Anchor Hill and out into the Axe Valley.

As well as replicating all the main buildings en route, the mural will also chronicle some of Axminster’s most colourful and interesting historical facts.

Axminster Arts chairman Tim Leat told The Weekender that the mural would be a real community project which he hoped would bring the town together as well as smarten up the town centre. “It will be a real living project which can be added to as we go forward,” he said.

“We are hoping that not only will this project help improve Webster's but will also lead to a renewed interest in the town’s history.”

Local builder Andy Proctor has been given the task of boarding up the frontage of the building and then an appeal will go out to local artists and especially schoolchildren to assist in painting the mural.

Those who are able to help, make a donation to the fund or donate materials should contact Tim Leat on 01297 35187.

Supporting Webster's arts project

PLEDGES of support, both financial and otherwise, have been offered by the following:

Axminster Care Service;

Councillor Andrew

Moulding;

Bradfords;

A.J. Proctor & Son;

Axminster Lions;

Axminster Primary

School;

The Sweet Shop;

Axe Valley Weekender;

Axminster Arts;

Sue Buckland, Manager Axminster Arts Cafe;

Axminster Town Council;

Shane Morgan of

Morgan York;

Brian Johns;

Axminster TIC;

The Station Café;

Phil Webber,

of Colyford Cars.

If you would like to contribute call Tim Leat on 01297 35187.

PICTURE 1: A section of the 3D model which shows the town centre section of the proposed mural for Webster's garage

PICTURE 2: Artist Fisher (left) and Axminster Arts chairman Tim Leat with the 3D model of the Webster's Garage art project which will now stay on show at the Arts Cafe in the Old Courthouse in Church Street, Axminster, for a month for residents to see and offer their comments

AXMINSTER: It's taken over 30 years but town centre eyesore will at last get a facelift

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