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Emergency Warning Siren

We are fortunate to have an emergency warning siren which dates back to 2007; St Mary the Virgin Church in Sedgeberrow was given a fund donation all the way from Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire after they heard about the 2007 floods. Our church council then contacted the newly set up flood group and suggested an emergency siren could be bought to warn villagers of future flooding events. The group asked around and through a lucky connection a company called Van Kappel Ltd donated a refurbished siren to the village, having been touched by our story. The original plan was to install the siren in the church tower but this proved logistically impossible due to the weight and size of the equipment. After several attempts to find an alternative site our local brewery Hook Norton kindly stepped in and agreed to locate the siren in a secure area at the back of the Queens Head pub. Work to fit and wire in the equipment was finally completed in the summer of 2013 thanks to our local sparky. The siren project has been fully supported by Sedgeberrow Parish Council, Wychavon District Council, Worcestershire County Council and the Environment Agency. We will be the first community group to own and use an emergency siren in the UK.

The siren was tested on Sunday 25th June at 12:30.

This is a sound test only to see if it reaches our high risk flood areas in Bridge Meadow Close, Cheltenham Road, Winchcombe Road and Millfields. The test will last for 1 minute maximum and you are not required to take any action.

The siren will be used only as a last resort if Sedgebrrow is at a high risk of flooding and the water is going to affect people and properties. It will be activated by the Flood Warden for up to 1 minute to warn villagers to leave their properties and assemble at the village hall. Any volunteers assisting residents should also return to the village hall which is our emergency rest centre.

Please note we are not involving any local or other press for this test. It has been organised by the Flood Group in order to test the equipment and allow residents near the river to hear the sound. However, the siren may be heard in other areas of the village depending on the weather and wind direction.

We will not use the siren at any other time but will need to do an annual sound test to check it is in full working order. These tests will be notified to you via the Sedgeberrow Post and village notice boards well in advance. Use of the siren has been fully documented in the Sedgeberrow Emergency Flood Plan, which is held by the Flood Group and all relevant emergency partners.

Sedgeberrow in Government Guidance Doc

Sedgeberrow has been included in a new community resilience guidance document following the work of the flood group. The aim of the document is to illustrate how communities are developing their resilience and working together to be better prepared and able to cope during and after an emergency.

Isbourne Catchment Project

The 2007 floods caused damage to farmland, crops and residential property throughout the Isbourne catchment. Numerous studies have looked at the causes of flooding and they have highlighted the significant role that land management can play in limiting / slowing up surface run off and consequently reducing flood risk in the catchment.

The Environment Agency (EA), in partnership with Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), has an ongoing project to promote changes in land use management within the Isbourne catchment. The project is looking to demonstrate how minor alterations to land management can reduce the impact of flooding downstream.

FWAG will do free advisory visits to discuss the Stewardship schemes and opportunities to reduce rapid water run off into the Isbourne. FWAG will help with applications for funding.
FWAG tel: 01666 503668

The Environment Agency will offer advice to riparian (by the river) land owners.
The project is managed by the EA. Telephone: 0370 850 6506 

Insurance

The Flood Group continue to champion insurance issues on behalf of residents. Recent activities include lobbying parliament on the Statement of Principles with the support of our MP Harriet Baldwin and the National Flood Forum. Further information can be obtained from the Flood Warden or other group members.

www.harriettbaldwin.com/content/mp-repeats-calls-insurance-companies-take-account-flood-defences

Japan Visit

A growing reputation...............

The highlight for the flood group since the last post update has been a visit from two delegates representing “Tokyo Kensetsu Consultants” and “Japan Water Forum” on Wednesday 8th February. It all started with them seeing a UK government document called “Preparing for emergencies - what you need to know”, a case study from Sedgeberrow Flood Group laying out why and how we started and what we do. This led to an exchange of emails, answers to various questions and a request to meet the flood group whilst they were visiting the UK.

My thanks to Sue Morris, who hosted the visit, Dave May for his input and support and Annette Dawson for her technical presentation pack The visit had a very relaxed feel with plenty of opportunities to respond to a long list of questions followed by a walk along Winchcombe Road to the road bridge explaining as we went what had taken place to this part of the village in 2007, and with some amazement that the River Isbourne could wreak such havoc. Plenty of photographs were taken as we went to the footbridge further down river.

As I saw them off at the Railway station they gave a present from Japan for the group to share. I have since heard they have arrived back in Tokyo safely and have prepared a presentation for their organizations.

I felt the day had been a great success and am pleasantly surprised that our efforts have attracted such International attention.

Richard Hunt, Sedgeberrow Flood Warden

Photo taken during the visit with from left to right:- Mr Atsushi Wada, Ms Sayaka Suzuki, Mr David May, Mrs Sue Morris & Mr Richard Hunt.

NEWS

Sedgeberrow in Government Guidance Doc
Sedgeberrow has been included in a new community resilience guidance document following the work of the flood group.

Isbourne Catchment Project
Studies looking into land use in the area. Free advisory visits to discuss Stewardship schemes.

Insurance
The Flood Group continue to champion insurance issues on behalf of residents.

Japan Visit
The Flood Group receive international attention.