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Cumbrian Floods 2009 |
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Written by Peter Burgess
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Monday, 23 November 2009 |
  Can you help?
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During the recent flooding episode which hit Cumbria and some parts of south-west Scotland it seemed inappropriate to linger on the events, immediate aftermath and developing trauma to hit the area. Media hype has festered on the tragedy and many people watching on their TV or listening on the radio could do little but offer support directly to people they might know in the region either by e-mail or telephone. With the worst of the drama now over, it seems appropriate to highlight the clean-up as national media coverage inevitably begins to subside. Now that the clean-up has begun I hope some of us may be able to offer support by way of financial contribution especially in the run-up to Christmas. Richard Ratcliffe, for instance has offered practical assistance in the form of his and a colleague's time and his long wheel-based van. Local member Jayne Hill has also offered to help out with more mundane tasks such as cleaning and the like. Two examples of proactive help that will make a difference. Many of us are unable to do this, but it means a lot to people when they know that other support is being offered.
CLICK HERE FOR AN AMAZING ACCOUNT OF THE FLOOD AS IT HAPPENED! If I was flooded in Indonesia there would be no roads, no electricity, no health workers - it's not hard to keep things in perspective - a lady whose business was completely flooded last Thursday.
Thank you for helping at the Flood Support Centre - this place was a lifeline while we were waiting to get back into Wordsworth House and we very grateful for all the hospitality you were able to offer. Jeremy Barlow, Property Manager, National Trust
Camerton Bridge Collapse near Workington
GOOD NEWS! The temporary Workington North Side Station has opened on November 30 after just 6 days. Constructed in less than a week, with the help of 500 people using scaffolding, the new station will prove a lifesaver for people who need to travel between the north and south of the West Cumbrian town. N.B. Many locals were frustrated at the media coverage painting a very poor picture of what happened in some areas of Cumbria. Many locals were frustrated at the lack of positive coverage. As a result there is a fear that visitor numbers to Lakeland may well drop as they did during and after the Foot and Mouth crisis. Of the many people I have been corresponding with in the area, they have all reiterated the point that Cumbria is still open for business. If you were thinking of travelling to Lakeland in the run up to Christmas please still go. Places like Keswick are more-or-less back to normal with the odd inconvenience of some bridge closures. Locations like Cockermouth are still attempting to recover, but many businesses will just be crying out for custom. Go on, get into the Dunkirk spirit and do your bit for Cumbrian morale. At the very least please put your hand in your pocket and support the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund - THANKS! You people have been a lifesaver, hot food and you found me a pair of boots I could work in - a man whose home was wrecked, as he put £10 in the donation box on the counter at the flood support centre
PLEASE DON'T STAY AWAY - COME TO CUMBRIA!
Already, the financial implications are spreading far and wide, for good and obvious reasons, many folk cancelled coming up to stay this past weekend. However, on some blogs there are comments urging folk to stay away in the long-term. With vivid recollections of the hardship and businesses that went broke or barely survived during the clamp down on tourists during and in the aftermath of Foot and Mouth, I think caution and some rational thought is needed.
Already we know that some shops in Keswick are considering laying off staff. These are the jobs of full-time staff who will see a huge reduction in their main source of income, and will specifically hit anyone involved in the tourist trade - B&B's, Inns, shops, hotels, guest houses, restaurants, cafes and holiday cottages.
To those who were booked to come, please think carefully that maybe your contribution will be of help. Obviously we don't want to over burden the rescue services if you fall on the fells, but there are plenty of other walks. You
only have to look at Dave Brown's lovely low level walks posted lately to realise that fact. A.Hiley
If anyone was thinking of cancelling a visit to the Lake District either in the near future or perhaps next year can I say PLEASE COME TO CUMBRIA; we are still here, we want to see our visitors and we depend upon you so very much. It took the local economy years to recover from the Foot & Mouth debacle after the media whipped everyone into a frenzy and told them to stay away - many of us are now worried the same thing is going to happen again. J.Hill A short video from Stock Ghyll, Ambleside - boiling like a cauldron!
 Weather stats Many OFC members have followed the recent events following the heavy rain across the Cumbrian Mountains. During 19th November over a 24 hour period, 314mm of rain fell - the highest level of rainfall measured in England since records began. With run-off into the River Derwent and tributaries of the River Cocker the situation didn't bade well for the likes of the small market town of Cockermouth. With the town situated at the confluence of both rivers, any extreme river discharge, despite recent flood defence improvements, would not offer protection and so it proved with this once in a century event. We must remember that it is not just the town of Cockermouth that has been affected, but other locations over a wide area from as far afield as Burneside in the south-east to Workington on the Cumbrian coast and other rural areas such as Lorton Vale illustrated on the Hiley's website above. All being well, my father and I will be taking a short break in Keswick during the second week of December. No doubt there will be opportunities to contribute to various relief funds and to spend some money with local businesses. David Alexander
Images of the River Rothay in Grasmere
 Scale Hill Bridge With little many of us can do apart from watch images on TV or find out information via links on the OFC several members have already contributed funds via the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund (the link is given above). The Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund has already raised £115,515. Cumbria County Council promised £50,000 to the fund and the public have begun to donate money via the website. If people want to donate cash they can pop along to any branch of the Cumberland Building Society and the Furness Building Society. Collections are also taking place in Whitehaven and Workington today and the Community Foundation are taking calls from other local people wanting to hold events and collections. The Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund will provide financial help for people who have been affected. The first phase of grant making will concentrate on the elderly, disabled and families with under 5s. After the Carlisle floods we were able to help people with clothing, bedding, fares, toys, etc. The Fund will also help community groups that are helping out with advice, information, counselling, and activities for children and young people. The following video shows aerial footage starting over St.John's-in-the-Vale from Mark Weir's helicopter (Honister Mines). Apparently Mark had been swept from his tractor which is visible during the film.
We can only hope that you all get some respite so that the big clear up can commence. I know from the Perth floods of 1993 how devastating it can all be. Unfortunately it will be about a year before some people will be back n their own homes. Dave Leslie
NB: Message for fellwalkers: Police today(Tue. 24th November) reissued their appeal for fell-walkers, mountaineers and other people to think twice before going out on the Cumbrian fells. Mountain Rescue Teams have been dedicated to the multi-agency response to flooding in the county since Thursday. The team members need rest and are on stand-by to assist the emergency services if required in affected towns such as Keswick, Cockermouth and Workington. This will leave people at greater risk if they get into difficulties in the fells. Police would urge people to postpone activities until the weather improves. |
| HAVE YOU SEEN? |
 With the advent of a recent poll examining people's favourite lakes proposed by David Dimmock, I thought it a good prompt to review an excellent book portraying charts of the English Lakes. Remarkably, despite the name, most books on our beloved district encompass the high fells and walking. However, John Wilson Parker has gone some way to correct the balance with this excellent atlas. It really is a worthy addition to the shelf... |
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 As a child I remembered many famous mountaineering figures apart from the obvious character of AW more renowned for his walking exploits. However, other names featured in my perceptions of the high places. Some of them like Tom Weir featured on television, others like W. H. Murray, entertained me from the cover of a book, whilst to many the man in this article spoke to us all from the regular feature in The Manchester Guardian newspaper. A. Harry Griffin wrote an amazing Country Diary for nigh on fifty three years. In this time he took many on an amazing journey outside, what was for many, their urban homes. |
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