Some of the stories from Beer and Branscombe reported between January and June

January

Owners of Beer’s old quarries held discussions with police to ensure the site was not overrun by an illegal rave this Christmas.

Nearly 200 invaded the cave for the second year running on Boxing Day and it was not broken up until the following day.

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Beer and Branscombe celebrated nine peaceful months in 2011, with no crime at all in the villages.

Figures from Devon and Cornwall Police showed the villages had the fewest crimes since 2004.

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Beer Parish Council consulted the public to see how they wanted �7,500 of sports development money spent.

The funding was to come from a scheme in which developers had to provide funds for recreational facilities for the village.

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A man was airlifted to hospital after cracking his head on rocks after a fall at Beer beach.

The 61-year-old man, who was out walking with his wife and daughter, fell off the landmark known as ‘King’s Isle’ at the western end of the beach.

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The horticultural society was looking to give Beer an environmental boost by aiming to win a gold medal in the Britain in Bloom competition.

February

A Branscombe holiday park was put up for sale to recover a �2.7million bank loan.

Coutts Bank appointed a receiver to manage the sale of Stoneleigh Holiday Park.

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Beer RNLI celebrated a bumper year of fundraising after bringing in more than �50,000 for the charity.

The sales kiosk achieved record sales of �39,000 and made more than �11,000 through events and collections in 2011.

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The much loved ‘swap shop’ in Beer was placed in jeopardy when funding for a village information centre was broached.

The parish council bought the phone booth in Barline to allow residents to swap unwanted items with others in the community.

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Richard Sawbridge, a rugby coach, was killed in a road accident at Hangman’s Stone.

A man was later arrested in relation to the fatal collision.

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Pecorama was gearing up for the start of the new season and was ready to unveil a refurbished locomotive for Beer Heights Light Railway.

The locomotive, Linda, had gone through a 16-month refurbishment.

March

Residents in Beer had flipping good fun in pancake races organised by the scouts.

The scouts arrived and got frying before Beer postmaster and scout leader, Nigel Groves, took charge of the races.

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The owner of Branscombe Airfield was angered at having to cancel his annual charity Air Day, saying the district council owed him �50,000.

David Hayman said he could not afford to hold the aviation spectacle, which normally attracts around 5,000 people.

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A woman had to be airlifted to hospital after collapsing during the Grizzly Run in Branscombe.

Paramedics said she had suffered a seizure while at one of the water stations along the arduous 20-mile endurance event.

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Piles of dog poo in plastic bags threatened the health of visitors to Beer beach, according to the Marine Conservation Society.

A report revealed the number of poop scoop bags found on British beaches had increased by more than 10 per cent since 2010.

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Pupils in Branscombe took part in a special Community Fortnight at the primary school and around the village.

April

Branscombe Primary School pupils spent a fortnight learning about their own community, and others in Broadhembury, Poland and Ghana.

The children took part in art, gardening, cooking, music and video-conferencing to find out more about the world.

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The centenary of the sinking of the Titanic was commemorated as Branscombe remembered the ship’s youngest survivor, who was born in the village.

Millvina Dean was two months old when the great liner went down after hitting an iceberg.

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Crime levels hit a new low in Beer and Branscombe in March, a further decline compared to the previous month.

There were no crimes at all in Branscombe during April, with just one incident in neighbouring Beer.

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The chairman of Branscombe parish council, who presided over the Napoli shipwreck, decided to step down after 11 years in the position.

John Bass said he believed in ‘not going on for too long’.

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Plans to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in Branscombe were unveiled.

May

A young chef scooped second place in the Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland Young Chef competition.

Zoe Sing, 16, took the “best dish” prize for her dessert.

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Fears for a ‘lifeline’ satellite GP surgery in Branscombe, were played down by the authority responsible for it.

Villagers were considering mounting a petition to save it, but health bosses were “at a loss” as to why they were concerned.

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The first ever Freeman of Beer was given the ceremonial title in a presentation to recognise his long-lasting contribution to the village.

John Wells was presented with the scroll and goblet by the chairman of Beer Parish Council, Cllr Martin Richards.

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Bishop Robert Evans of Crediton went to St Winifred’s Church to open a new loo – after a millennium wait.

“The church has been here 1,000 years so I think people are probably very pleased it finally has a toilet,” said Branscombe vicar Hilary Dawson.

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Pensioner Ann Roberts spoke of how storms destroyed beach huts in Seaton, as she watched, whilst narrowly missing hers.

June

Beer and Branscombe scooped community awards for projects designed to benefit residents of the present and future.

Branscombe received the Parish Future Award for its plan to build 15 affordable houses behind The Fountain Head pub, while Beer Parish Council was commended for building a new path between Beer and Seaton.

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Villagers were up in arms after a beach hut was “unfairly” and illegally sublet to outsiders, who jumped the queue.

The waiting list was closed due to exceptionally high demand that saw it reach 28 years.

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Thousands of pounds of gold and silver curios were stolen from a Beer antiques dealership in a “calculated” six-minute-long burglary .

Thieves “knew exactly what they were looking for,” when they broke into Dolphin Antiques and Collectables, according to Barry Lister, a dealer at the showroom.

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Stormy weather couldn’t prevent the Beer Sailing Club from delivering an historic Olympic sailing torch.

They refused to break the 100 per cent success record in the sea transfer relay and delayed their handover to Axe Yacht Club until the next day.