Gala concert by world renowned conductor

The Minster Church in Axminster recently hosted a rare opportunity for the people of Axminster to listen to a performance by the world famous conductor Sir Neville Marriner, who the previous week had opened the new opera house in Athens. The Gala Concert was staged as part of the celebrations to mark 250 years of carpet making in Axminster. Sir Neville conducted the St Mary’s Orchestra in a varied programme and was supported by soloist Isobel Buchanan and narrator Jonathon Hyde.

The concert was followed by a reception in the Old Carpet Factory. Over 250 people attended the concert and raised nearly £3,500 in aid of The Axminster Weavers’ Tales Project which aims to establish a working carpet museum in the town as a tribute to Thomas Whitty who first introduced carpet making to Axminster in 1755 and Harry Dutfield who was responsible for restarting production in the twentieth century.

A full programme of events is planned for June of this year (please see the Diary of Events section), culminating in the production of a replica Whitty carpet which will be paraded through the town on Midsummer’s Day, 21st June, before being blessed by the Bishop of Exeter, just as it was in Whitty’s day. The carpet will then be bequeathed to Prince Charles for display at Clarence House.

View the original press release here.


Photo one shows (from left to right) Sir Neville Marriner, Isobel Buchanan and Jonathon Hyde pictured in front of a genuine loom from the Whitty era at the reception following the concert. The loom will be restored to full working order and take pride of place in the new attraction.

Photo two shows (from left to right) Julian Shaw, Neil MacKenzie, Karen Hussey, Lawrence Hitchcock, all committee members, together with Mrs Gill Hitchcock

Photo three shows (from left to right) Dr John Church (Project Chairman), Diana Church, Ian Styles and Katina Styles, committee members