VERY SPECIAL... That was the verdict of Teignmouth’s new mayor, Cllr Peter Williams, who was able to hold his mum’s hand for the first time in months on Tuesday thanks to a new trial being run by the town’s Summercourt Residential Home.

‘I managed to get a precious half hour with Mum.

‘When she was seriously ill back in August I got special dispensation to see her but I couldn’t hold her hand or make contact so today was very special for both of us,’ said Mr Williams.

His mum, 93-year-old Sheila, has been at the home for the past five years.

‘The love and care shown by the team with directors Becki Woodman and Henrietta Coxon is fantastic. I can’t praise them enough.’

Mr Williams was only installed as mayor last week and although his mum was thrilled with the news he said: ‘It was great because it was the first time she could see either Kate, my mayoress, or myself in our full regalia.’

He said it had been great to be a ‘guinea pig’ and be the first through the doors to get the trial running and hoped it would be a great success and help other families see their loved ones, especially with Chistmas fast approaching.

TV cameras and the national press were there as he prepared to meet his Mum but he was so glad had been able to spend more than half an hour with her.

‘We are absolutely thrilled for our residents...’ said Henrietta Cox, director at the Summercourt Residential Home in Teignmouth.

Staff at the home are delighted to be one of 20 homes, five of them in Devon, trialling a new scheme to help family members visit loved ones in nursing homes.

Summercourt Residential Home, with 19 residents, has been selected to take part in the Government pilot trial.

People visiting relatives and friends in care homes will be able to access regular coronavirus testing as part of the trial, announced this week.

Other regions will see regular tests before Christmas, the Government said.

Tests for one family member or friend for each resident could end restrictions on visits, when used with other measures such as face coverings.

Henrietta said: ‘It was absolutely brilliant to be selected to take part in the trials and we are so chuffed to have been accepted.

‘It has all moved exceedingly fast and for the past week we have been training virtually and taking competency tests to be ready to start today (Tuesday).

‘We’re thrilled the new mayor of Teignmouth, Cllr Peter Williams, is going to be the first person tested and able to see his mum.

‘He hasn’t been able to hug her since the March lockdown began.

‘He told us he wanted to show her his new regalia as he was invested only last week, so he’s going to bring that with him.

‘Social distancing has been very difficult for our residents and their families,’ said Henrietta.

Although the home had been able to arrange some meetings outdoors and some with plastic screens, she described this as a completely new service.

‘This will make a huge difference for our residents as their relatives will be able to hold their hands and hug them for the first time since March.

‘Some people are unable to leave their bedrooms and these people have been unable to see relatives since March.’

‘This will change Christmas for us and for our residents to have visitors, albeit one at a time, would be just lovely.

‘It’s not just fantastic for our residents but for their families as well.

‘It has been very hard for them that they have not been able to hug their mum or dad or relative or even hold their hand.’

Announcing the trial, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he acknowledged how ‘heartbreaking restricting visits to care homes has been’ for both residents and their loved ones.

He added: ‘By respecting social distancing and staying at home as much as possible we will help reunite families and friends with loved ones in care homes as quickly as possible.’