Duke Visits Flood Disaster Town; And Scavengers At Dump (1968)

Pensford Floods, 1968.



As I have suggested elsewhere, the flood was somewhat emblematic of a watershed in our lives and in the social history of the village also, reflecting the more profound changes in the wider world. It was after all the era of student prorest, Woodstock, the Vietnam war and Czech uprising.


"The Chew Valley floods of 1968 The devastation that floods can cause and how you can prepare." Environment Agency. 2008.
http://www.publow-with-pensford-pc.gov.uk/pub/backlook/env_agency_leaflet.pdf

Pathe News:  

Pensford 1968 Floods

Pete Yeates

https://youtu.be/g7L3JM2u9GI





Photo credit: John Watts.

The clock reads five past six which I assume is the evening of the next day given the obvious work that has taken place. Good old bridge, still standing thanks to our efforts at the time!


The restored bridge now.


https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=1968+somerset+flood&rlz=1C1ARAB_enGB463GB464&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi2hJzM05HcAhVLJcAKHeAbDfQQ7AkIRQ&biw=1280&bih=891#imgrc=VVIy1POKvnkrdM:


Pensford Bridge washed away!

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=1968+somerset+flood&rlz=1C1ARAB_enGB463GB464&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi2hJzM05HcAhVLJcAKHeAbDfQQ7AkIRQ&biw=1280&bih=891#imgrc=gfO-NtdrbQeEqM:



Church Street, Pensford, the morning after.


https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=1968+somerset+flood&rlz=1C1ARAB_enGB463GB464&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi2hJzM05HcAhVLJcAKHeAbDfQQ7AkIRQ&biw=1280&bih=891#imgrc=2WJrKK0aWWhHOM:


Indomitable spirit.


https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=1968+somerset+flood&rlz=1C1ARAB_enGB463GB464&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi2hJzM05HcAhVLJcAKHeAbDfQQ7AkIRQ&biw=1280&bih=891#imgrc=-4wZ6-U8jrmI4M:



Historic Bridge House.


https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=1968+somerset+flood&rlz=1C1ARAB_enGB463GB464&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi2hJzM05HcAhVLJcAKHeAbDfQQ7AkIRQ&biw=1280&bih=891#imgrc=uwNcYRKoquleIM:


The house today!


Photo Credit: Jane Flower.

Damaged medieval Woollard Bridge, later demolished and replaced.


https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=1968+somerset+flood&rlz=1C1ARAB_enGB463GB464&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi2hJzM05HcAhVLJcAKHeAbDfQQ7AkIRQ&biw=1280&bih=891#imgrc=AMrijLHxWccLcM:


The elegant and historic 'County Bridge' at Keynsham destroyed by flood water.


https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=1968+somerset+flood&rlz=1C1ARAB_enGB463GB464&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi2hJzM05HcAhVLJcAKHeAbDfQQ7AkIRQ&biw=1280&bih=891#imgrc=7PCVSqGRbmO3SM:





Meanwhile elsewhere (Japan) flooding still creating huge natural disaster problems and many deaths.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-44762110

"At least 100 people are thought to have died after record rainfall caused flooding and landslides in western Japan, a government spokesman says.

"Dozens more are reported to be missing and electricity supplies have been hit.

"Since Thursday, parts of western Japan have received three times the usual rainfall for the whole of July. Two million people have been ordered to evacuate as rivers burst their banks.

"We've never experienced this kind of rain before," a weather official said."

AFP

Image captionOfficials say water levels in some areas have receded

Surely nothing to do with government weather modification experiments and technology?