AFTER more than 90 years as the focal point of social life in the parish, Roadwater Village Hall may have been closed by the coronavirus until further notice, but residents have made sure that there’s still plenty to do in the pretty Exmoor village.

“We were determined to continue as many as possible of the activities we have traditionally done in the hall, and thanks to modern technology we’re making a pretty good job of it,” said Jude Johnson-Smith, parish councillor and a volunteer for the Roadwater Together community scheme, which is looking after the vulnerable and doing all it can to keep spirits high.

Over 100 residents are now in the Roadwater Together internet link, which keeps everyone in touch with the latest developments in the village and provides advice and support.

The scheme’s emergency co-ordinator, Dr Teresa Bridgeman, chairman of the West Somerset Flood Group, said that the village’s flood warden system meant that “we are quite used to thinking through who might help who in a crisis.

“Some of the people who have been most helpful to their neighbours are people who are staying at home and self-isolating. Dealing with this crisis is all about neighbourliness and making sure no one falls through the net.”

Teresa has organised a rota of over 15 volunteers – read more about what they are doing for their ’Village in Lockdown’ in tomorrow’s Free Press.