BEER: Parish council praise for village action group

Beer's much-lauded community spirit sprung into action when the coronavirus broke out with the formation of Beer Action Group (BAG) to make sure that every resident in the town, especially the elderly and in form, was well cared for.

Since the start of the crisis BAG's action has been well documented and praised far and wide.

But Beer Parish Council has also been doing its best by looking at ways in which it can support village residents, visitors and businesses to enjoy the village and operate in a covid-19 safe manner working with Devon County Council and East Devon District Council.

In a statement on the village's Beer Talks website, the council has laid out their primary objectives to allow businesses with no or limited outside space to trade, providing a service to residents and visitors alike.

The statement continued: "We have also taken measures to provide more public space to allow people to congregate with as much space as possible, enabling social distancing to be practiced.

"The most visible action has been the partitioning off of the right hand side of Fore Street as a pedestrian area. Fore Street from the Dolphin to the Anchor will be single carriageway, no parking and one-way traffic.

"Access to the beach and for residents will not be altered. On leaving the beach, traffic will turn left up and along the Meadows to return to Fore Street. Traffic wanting Beer Head will be signed to turn right at the Dolphin and use Southdown.

"The proposals have been discussed with the businesses on Fore Street and in particular the pubs and business requiring large delivery vehicles.

"We recognise that the footpaths above the Dolphin are narrow, however the need to maintain two-way traffic in these areas precludes the single carriageway options. We are, however, installing traffic signs warning of pedestrians in the road and requiring reduced speed and increased awareness.

"The wider traffic free area will enable more space for pedestrians and enable business that wish to and have made the necessary applications to DCC, to trade on the street outside of their premises. Any trading, of course, must not compromise the ability of pedestrians to social distance.

"The second action and one we hope will be popular with residents and visitors and help village businesses is to allow outside catering and a fresh food market on the Jubilee and Charlies Yard. We have been in contact with all the businesses directly impacted by the lack of space and invited them all to make proposals.

"We have not tried to maximise the offering but have restricted trading to one type only per area to enable users and operators to safely social distance and enjoy the food, produce and views."

Bay View and The Smugglers are alternating on afternoons and evenings, offering various food styles from pizzas, hog roasts, roast chickens and paellas. In addition, Beer Fish have been offering fish and chips in Charlies Yard on Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings.

Also in Charlies Yard on Friday afternoon, Bulstone Springs Farm and other local natural suppliers trading as "In My Back Yard" have set up the Beer pre-order hub and have a market stall of fresh produce including vegetables, chicken, eggs and bread. Squirrel will also be doing a fresh vegetables and other foods market on Wednesday mornings into the afternoon.

The parish council would normally charge for the use of space to help cover the increased costs of owning assets. However, this year traders are being given a 100 per cent discount with the intention of helping them and providing added outside attraction and entertainment for residents and visitors.

The statement concludes: "We hope everyone will use and enjoy the new facilities and ventures, the road space and the food and generally help us all back to a new healthy normal."

Cllr Geoff Pook, chairman of Beer Parish Council, has paid tribute to the work of Beer Action Group as they wind down their activities.

He said: "Beer Parish Council would like to thank Beer Action Group, the organising team and all the volunteer helpers and coordinators for the fantastic effort they have all put in over the last three months.

"Their work has not only provided many with practical help and support, but also given the whole community a sense of security and being cared for and not having to face this crisis alone.

"As we see the infection rate reducing and the country beginning to come back to a semblance of normal, BAG will be take on a different role; it will still be there but in the back ground, ready to react if necessary.

"This is important and hopefully gives comfort should we suffer a second wave of infection. BAG now has the experience and most of all the volunteers and structure and I'm confident will be there if needed in the future.

The parish council has been active, albeit remotely and will return to live meetings when permitted. If anyone has council related problems you can contact the clerk by emailing [email protected], via the council website or contact any councillor personally or just give me a call on 07966 490 429.

The council cannot hold the normal surgeries yet but will attend the pop-up shop in the Peco shop on Wednesday, July 15 for any questions.

The parish council website has local information and links to the EDDC site which has a wealth of resident, business and Devon-wide information.