Flagship Crewkerne: A Town Wide Celebration of Heritage, Craft, and Community
Crewkerne is preparing to hoist its colours high this summer with Flagship Crewkerne, a bold, month-long outdoor exhibition transforming the town centre into a vibrant celebration of local heritage, creativity, and community spirit. Drawing inspiration from Crewkerne’s extraordinary history of making, from cloth production to world renowned sailcloth, webbing, engineering, and textile innovation, the project invites residents of all ages to rediscover the stories, skills, and industries that shaped the town.
A Town Built by Makers — Reimagined for Today
Crewkerne’s heritage is rich with craftsmanship and ingenuity. As recorded in the Domesday Book, the towns market was once the second most valuable in Somerset, and by the 19th century Crewkerne was home to 27 sailcloth firms, employing over 20% of the local workforce and supplier to the Navy and important ships such as Sovereign of the Seas. Flagship Crewkerne brings this legacy into the present, celebrating the makers, businesses, and community groups who continue to shape the town today and imagining the skills and opportunities that could define its future.
A Month-Long Outdoor Exhibition
From 25th September to the end of October artist made and community created flags will be displayed along the high street and across key heritage sites. Each flag will tell a story linked to the past, present or future of that site, from the Clarks shoe factory to the wooden rocking horses carved in the town.
Hands On Workshops: Reviving Heritage Skills
A programme of community workshops will run throughout the summer, offering opportunities to:
Revive traditional textile techniques inspired by Crewkerne’s sailcloth and wool industries
Create personal pennants using painting, collage, and simple fabric construction
Share stories and memories through informal oral history activities
Connect across generations ó from schoolchildren to long standing residents
These stories will feed into interpretation materials, walking routes, and digital content, extending the projects impact beyond the exhibition itself.
A Street Party Launch Event
The exhibition will launch at the end of September with a joyful street party style celebration, bringing together residents, local businesses, artists, historians, and visitors. The event will:
Showcase the flags in situ for the first time
Share stories gathered during workshops
Highlight Crewkerne’s heritage organisations and historic buildings
Support high street footfall and local businesses
Build momentum for future heritage and community engagement projects
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/941587942285031
Project Partners
Flagship Crewkerne is led by Open Doors Somerset and Creative Crewkerne, with support from:
Crewkerne Museum & Heritage Centre
Boat Building Academy, Lyme Regis
Crewkerne Business Network
Dawes Twine Works, West Coker
Crewkerne Town Council
Rotary Club, Crewkerne District
Local schools and community organizations.
We are raising money towards the material for the project and launch evening, if you are able to help and would like to contribute please visit our crowdfunder page: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/flagship-crewkerne
For more information on the project please contact jess@opendoorssomerset.org.uk
