More than 60 villagers met for a clear the air meeting in Harkstead and to find a way forward following controversy over an unprecedented number of visitors to the secluded beach.

The largely positive Parish Council meeting, held on the Millennium Green, opposite the village hall, resulted in agreement for a more formal meeting to find a permanent solution to issues, including car parking, anti-social behaviour and littering.

Nub News reported last week (read here) how some visitors to the idyllic beach down a small track had caused problems to some villagers during lockdown and the subsequent good weather.

Noisy beachgoers returning to their cars at the village hall late at night, or in the early hours, led to the car park being closed and visitors used the Bakers Arms car park (while it was closed during lockdown) or public roads to leave their vehicles.

When the pub was allowed to reopen spaces were at a premium so the young couple utilised a farmer's field to alleviate the problem throughout the village, prompting concerns about the land owners future plans, and accusations that the pub were exacerbating the situation by attracting more visitors.

Simon Letherdale chaired the meeting, which was opened to public speaking in between the formal agenda, but warned the parish council had no power to either open or close the village hall car park as that was down to the management committee.

"People from surrounding villages have come here in large numbers and that has caused issues, which resulted in the closing of the village hall car park and that has the pushed the problem elsewhere in the village.

"The importance of the pub to the village is not in doubt, it is an Asset of Community Value. One of the problems it has faced over many years, is how well it is used by villagers and it has been necessary for visitors to the beach to use it. One answer would be for more people in the village to use the pub more often."

William Wrinch, a parish councillor and village hall committee member, accepted the council had a responsibility to help find an answer. He said: "We are the one body that can do something. The problem has manifested itself over many years but the coronavirus has brought it to a head with even more visitors."

Mr Wrinch proposed a meeting between the key interested parties to discuss putting barrier across the car park entrance, using a £10,000 grant given to the village hall by Babergh through a government scheme, how it would be manned, the possibility of parking on the Millennium Green, how to manage the anti-social behaviour, the use of the farmers' field and supporting the pub.

Bakers Arms landlady Lybi said she was sad that the pub seemed to be at odds with the community they had tried to embrace and support. then addressed the issues and said: "Such a difference a week can make in politics - village or global. One minute we are rejoicing that thanks to Mr Sunak and his Eat Out to Help Out policy the ability to fulfil one more months rent commitment is assured.

"The perceived anti-social behaviour of visitors to the public beach by the public footpath by Walnut Tree Lane is not the responsibility of the Bakers Arms.

"That is not to say the Bakers Arms has not welcomed the resulting custom from this influx. It is well publicised that the entire hospitality industry is struggling to survive and we are certainly no exception."

She hoped the temporary car parking measure would alleviate the problems but insisted it was not an attempt to draw in more customers.

Lybi concluded by saying: "There are undoubtedly strange times we are living through. We are urged to stay safe and care for other, perhaps now more than ever is the time for tolerance and a little kindness." She was given a large round of applause by the audience.

It was also pointed out that unless there was licensing issue all the complaints should be addressed to the relevant authorities as they were not within the pub's remit to deal with.

One member of the public aired a concern that the farmer was using the car park as a way of demonstrating the viability of the access to the main road for any future planning application. Another described the beach as one big toilet.

One lady described how she and her young son had been woken at 2.30am by shouting and people urinating near her garden. She added: "I'm so glad I live in a lovely village where I was listened too and action was taken."

She added that she did not blame the pub owners at all for any of the issues and hoped a way forward would be found, especially with the car parking.

David Wood, Suffolk County Councillor for the Peninsular division told villagers: "Harkstead is not the only village suffering from this sort of problem, my own village of Tattingstone has had many more visitors since Covid-19 and that has caused issues."

Cllr Wrinch appealed for villagers to fill the two parish council vacancies, or to join the village hall committee, which is also seeking anew chairman.