Party marks success of anti-floodbeck work

Alexandra Wood

A GARDEN party this weekend will mark the success of efforts by a group of villagers to prevent a repeat of the 2007 deluge.

Around 20 houses in Shiptonthorpe near Market Weighton were flooded because of the extreme weather and poorly-maintained streams.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The project was completed with the help of the Big Lottery, East Riding Council and the parish council which together gave 18,500 towards improving the beck that runs through the village.

But it would not have been achieved without the co-operation of the 43 riparian owners of the beck, a distant tributary of the River Foulness.

Residents along with three young farmers spent two Saturdays clearing the beck but found removing up to 18 inches of silt from it beyond them.

A contractor, Ian Gatenby, carried out the work, and the East Riding Council then cleared out the culverts under the road.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Resident Doran Curley, whose house was one of the worst affected by the floods, chaired the Riparian Owners’ Action Group.

Mrs Curley said: “Everyone has played some part in the achievement of this massive and at times overwhelming project, whether it be physically getting into the stream to clear it, serving refreshments or delivering newsletters.

“A number of farmers have helped us with access, equipment and clearing the beck.

“This, combined with organisations also positively contributing to our efforts shows that when something so initially overwhelming needs to be done you can do it – but it takes effort, everyone working towards the same aim and with compassion for each other.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“People’s well-being has improved. They tell me they feel more secure in their homes.”

Representatives from the council, parish council and Lottery have been invited to the event on Saturday which takes place in the garden of John and Sylvia Medd.