BEER: an exhibition on what it was like to live in the village through lockdown

An exhibition highlighting what it was like to live in the village of Beer during coronavirus lockdown opens on Saturday (July 18).

The free exhibition by local artists, curated by Oliver Cable, is being staged at the Bomb Shelter, off Fore Street, and runs until Sunday, July 26.

Oliver Cable spent the period of lockdown in the village, speaking to figures in the community to understand what effect lockdown had had on their lives, livelihoods and mental health.

These interviews now form the basis of an exhibition of local artists as a snapshot of a very strange period in the country's history.

The exhibition features photography, etchings, painting and poetry written or created during lockdown.

Artists featured include Sarah Acton (poet-in-residence for the Jurassic Coast); Kyle Baker, the Sidmouth-based photographer whose short film on the lockdown was shown on BBC Spotlight; Oliver Cable (poet); Carolyn King (painter); Roland Molony (poet), John Torrance (poet); and the children of Beer Primary School.

Oliver Cable commented: "Lockdown has been such a bewildering time for everyone. Despite the grief and isolation the coronavirus has brought, the sense of humanity and community in the village has been remarkable.

"This exhibition is a first-hand account of the creativity that local artists have demonstrated during this strange period."

Regular disinfecting and a limit on simultaneous visitors will be in place to ensure visitor safety is maintained.

Other upcoming events in Beer include include a sale trail, organised by Beer Action Group, on August 2, September 6 and October 4, held in the gates and driveways the length and breadth of Beer - from Clinton Rise to Common Hill, Underleys to Quarry Lane, Fore Street to Park Road. These will take place between 11 am and 4pm.

The annual Beer Flower Show was due to have been held on Thursday, August 6 but had to be cancelled due to Covid-19.

Beer Action Group, however, has stepped in to run the event at garden gates, encouraging all to display their blooms. Although the exhibits will be judged, the event is just for fun.

Beer Action Group are running down their activities now but will stay as an organisation in case it is needed in the future offering support where necessary.

The organisers have issued the following statement, paying tribute to all those who have helped during lockdown: "Thank you to Shirley Carroll for her brilliantly illustrated posters in lockdown. Thank you to all our coordinators, volunteers, sewers, knitters and generally all villagers who have come together to help each other and run events and help one another in these strange times."