Flooding
Unfortunately Justin has moved so our new FLOODWARDENS will be Ian and Jenny Robinson. They can be contacted by e-mail: hammersir@hotmail.co.uk. Mobile no. 07970276455 Landline 01963 364235
Report from Jane Westbrook to the Parish Council on 24th May 2023, Nicola Hopkins from the South West Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group has been in discussion with the Environment Agency about funding for the propose work around Stourton Caundle.
She has spoken to all but one of the landowners on the tributaries of the watercourses that run into the river - there is some agreement from landowners re the following interventions:
- Tree planting to intercept overland flows (some already near Cat Land Bridge.)
- Skylighting = opening the river to more light, which allows vegetation to develop that will slow the flow.
- Woody debris dams - "in channel" woody structures to slow the flow.
- Buffer strips and fencing - to keep stock away from the river banks, reducing erosion and compaction. Allows tussocky grass to develop and intercept water flowing off fields.
- ACTION = TO DRAFT THESE LOCATIONS ON A MAP, SHARE WITH LANDOWNERS/FARMERS FOR APPROVAL, THEN SHARE WITH COMMUNITY.
FLOODING MEASURES IN THE VILLAGE (October 2022)
Following the Hallowe'en flash flood last year, the parish council and a group of village residents have investigated various flood mitigation measures, so as to avoid a repeat of the flood damage that several people suffered - and the loss of our village pub for many months. The Environment Agency are warning that there is a likelihood of flooding across the UK again this winter, due to climate change causing more extreme weather events.
Dorset Council and the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group have been working with us, and sandbags are now stored at Manor Farm, and available FOC to anyone who wants them.
One of the problems we have in the village is that the rainwater gulleys in the roads become blocked by leaves, straw, mud and so on - typical debris for such a rural location. As you will be aware, in heavy rain the water tends to race down the roads towards the lowest points of the village. For this reason, it is very important to try to keep the gulleys clear, so that the rainwater can flow into them and underground to the stream at the bottom of the village. It would, therefore, be extremely helpful if you could watch out for blocked gulleys outside your house, or when walking along the roads, and keep them clear by kicking away the leaves and mud that may have built up.
If you notice the gulley is silted up and will not clear itself, please let someone from the parish council know so that it can be reported to Highways and the gulley will be cleared out.
Thank you for your help.
Alban Harris
Stourton Caundle Parish Council
VILLAGE FLOOD WARDEN
Following a meeting in The Trooper for people affected by flooding in the village in June 2022, Dorset Council are encouraging householders to report flooding affecting their property with the online FORT flood reporting tool https://swim.geowessex.com/dorset.This will provide the authority and volunteers to share details of flood reports and observations to assist with flood planning.
Following that meeting, a sandbag store has been set up in the village and a Justin Parsons has kindly agreed to become the village flood warden, he is the person to contact to obtain sandbags. Grateful thanks to Jane Westbrook for organising this.
Justin Parsons
1 Bridge Cottages
Stourton Caundle
DT10 2JW
Tel: 07792 830449