She turned up to lend a hand and a year later she found herself heading up the whole event.

Sarah Taylor, 52, is the new chairman of Beer Regatta, at the helm of a week of exciting events and activities.

But Sarah is keen to emphasise that she is very much the novice in the role and the event relies on a team of enthusiastic volunteers.

“It’s a great team of people and you’ve got those who’ve done it for a long time but you’ve also got people who’re new to it,” she said.

“It’s been really nice to get to know more people in the village.”

She and her husband Matt, 52, a former company director, moved to the village in 2013 and have just completed a new home in Barline.

But Sarah has been coming to the village for years because her grandparents were from the area and she used to come down on holiday.

“We used to go mackerel fishing, sit on the beach and eat our sandwiches and throw pebbles in the sea,” she added. “And what I love is that it’s still like that because it’s the old fashioned seaside holiday.”

It’s been a whirlwind journey since she decided to go to the meeting for inquirers at the Mariners’ Hall in Spring last year.

“I thought I could help out. I’m not sure what happened,” she said. “But I’m basically chairman because nobody else wants to do it at the moment.

“Beer is a very active community so lots of people are busy with different things. But here I am, I’ll give it a go.”

The former Maths teacher, turned property developer, has taken over from Kate Boalch who continues as Secretary.

The week of activities starts tonight (August 10) with a dance in the Mariners’ Hall with the band Area 52.

This is followed with a full programme of events including dinghy races and the Honiton Town Band.

Sunday is Funday at the Beer Albion Football Club featuring traditional races like the egg and spoon, wheelbarrow, three-legged and sack races.

Monday evening sees Kayak and Canoe races along the seafront and Tuesday is barrel rolling from 7pm.

The main Regatta Day is on Thursday and includes traditional lugger sailing and ends in a firework display. Other features of the week include a competition for the best decorated beach hut and home-made rafts.