It was over ten years ago that local doctor John Church had the idea to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the making of the first Axminster carpet and several events in 2005 known as ‘The Weavers Tales’ were organised by a small volunteer group. From the overwhelming success of these events came the idea of a more permanent facility telling the story of Thomas Whitty and the carpet industry in Axminster. The concept soon expanded to embrace the whole history of the town.
‘’Our vision is to help to inform local residents of their heritage and help to attract more visitors to the town thereby contributing to its regeneration’’ said John Church, Chairman of the Trustees ‘’We have been really impressed with the support of the local community who we must thank wholeheartedly. So many have already been fully involved in a host of fundraising events, supported by local businesses and the new Heritage Centre is now run by volunteers living in and around Axminster’’
The obvious site for the new Axminster Heritage Centre was the tired and rather tatty former carpet factory, Thomas Whitty House, left unoccupied for many years. The Grade II listed building, opposite the Minster Church and right in the centre of Axminster’s conservation area, was acquired by Axminster Heritage Ltd in 2012 with the help of a grant of £200,000 from Devon County Council. With grants from Making It Local and the Axe Vale Festival, the upper floors were renovated in 2013 to provide a Community Room available for hire by local clubs and five offices for letting to local start-up businesses. This rental income now covers outgoings and helps to ensure the financial sustainability of the whole Centre.
The next stage of the project was to renovate the ground floor so the town museum collection could then be installed, moving it from where it was then displayed in smaller unsuitable premises. At the rear of Thomas Whitty House is a Drill Hall, which was the headquarters of the Axminster Territorial Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, this has been temporarily partitioned off to increase the size of the exhibition area. To the side is the original entrance carriageway to the factory which now forms the entrance to the museum. This work was funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and a number of other grants and donations. A lift has also been installed providing disabled access to the first floor community and meeting room which will also be used for visiting exhibitions.
Establishing The Axminster Heritage Centre has immediately safeguarded the museum collection by moving it to more suitable premises with the space needed to properly document, store and care for it. In addition a volunteer recruitment and training programme is now in place to manage and operate the museum and enable its future expansion to develop physically and operationally. The larger exhibition space has also enabled the inclusion of a “taster” of Axminster’s carpet making heritage to be incorporated.
Development continues and the next and final phase will involve the Drill Hall, the original Dye House built by Thomas Whitty in 1755 and a courtyard, all at the rear of the main building. These buildings will be renovated, a mezzanine floor added over part of the Drill Hall for storage and conservation work together with an office and new toilet facilities. A small shop and café will be included together with the overall final design and fit out of the complete Heritage Centre. As substantial funds in the region of £900,000 are needed, fundraising continues and an application to The Heritage Lottery Fund has already been made for a grant of £583,000, the result of which should be announced around the end of June. Generous grants and donations have already been received from other sources and funds will continue to be sought to raise the money to ensure that the aims and aspirations for the Axminster Heritage Centre can be fully realised.
The new Axminster Heritage Centre opens the first phase of its renovation to the public this Good Friday, 25 March 2016. Open times are Tuesday to Friday 10am-4pm and Saturday 10am-1pm. Admission is free and it will remain open until October.
See www.axminsterheritage.org.uk for details.