28/06/2005 - An Environment
Agency project to record forever the events
surrounding major floods from the past has
been given a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of
£50,000.
The Community Flood Archive works with volunteers
to produce detailed flood reports using sources
such as museums, libraries and local people.
The reports feature photos, newspaper cuttings,
diary extracts, old maps and testimonials
to create graphic depictions of the events
at the time.
The reports, which will be developed over
the next 18 months, will be kept within the
communities that develop them in places such
as museums and libraries. The Environment
Agency will also retain copies and will produce
a CD Rom of the work to be used in schools
and colleges.
The archive has been developed by Dave Hornby,
flood defence strategic planning officer for
the Environment Agency, who said: "We
are aiming to work with as many community
groups as possible with the hope of discovering
new flood information. The reports will illustrate
how flooding patterns have changed over the
years, and will allow us to better manage
flood risk for the future."
The grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund
will provide a project manager to help encourage
community groups to get involved in the project,
and to cover volunteer expenses.
Nerys Watts, regional manager for Heritage
Lottery Fund in the South West said: "This
is a fantastic project that will enable local
communities across the UK to explore their
past and discover how flooding has affected
them over the years. As well as enabling the
wider public to share these experiences, the
work will inform the debate on climate change
which can have a huge impact on our heritage."
The project manager vacancy will be advertised
next week in newspapers in Dorset, where the
position will be based. Community groups,
historical societies and museums are also
being invited to come forward to take part.
