Floods in Tipton

Floods

We have all seen the horrors of the flooding upcountry on the news this Winter. 
Metcombe and the school suffered after a flash flood on the 30th December (Pauls video footage reached over 38,000 views on Facebook!) causing  chaos and leaving a lot of mud to clear up. It’s scary just how quickly the water levels can rise.
The level of the Otter is always a worry for those living close by and we can even view the rise and fall of the river from the comfort of our own home by watching it on the internet (Google Tipton River cam).

Flooding is not new to Tipton as we all know but few of us may be aware of the floods of 1909 when the Post Office was washed away.
Newspaper reports tell of the Post Office completely collapsing in the early hours of the morning.

"For several hours previously the torrential rain and tempestuous winds had prevailed and the village brook which runs close to the Post Office had swollen to something like a torrent undermining the foundations."
Mr Wood the Postmaster was awakened by a crash and at once raised the alarm. He and his family were forced to leave the house in their night attire by means of ladders. Mr Greening the Stationmaster was awakened by the cries of "help!". On dressing he went onto the roadway only to find himself in water up to his knees. Villagers came to help with the rescue and all were safely removed from the building.

The Post Office and adjoining cottages were demolished and the P.O. was rebuilt slightly further up the road than it was previously.

Photographs kind donated by Marilyn Berry (Mr Wood’s Granddaughter)

Photographs kindly provided by Marilyn Berry (Mr Woods great granddaughter)

Post master (Mr Wood)