1968 Pensford Floods

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This page is dedicated to the Great Pensford Floods which occurred in July 1968 .

Violent storms had been building up in France during Wednesday July 10th 1968 and during that night they suddenly burst upon our region 24 hours before expected. These storms brought unparalleled devastation to Bristol and the South West. Severe flooding swept through the whole region . It was the worst rainstorm to hit the region in more than 55 years with more than 5 inches of rain falling in 24 hours. There was thunder and lightening and incessant rain for a day and a half causing much loss of life and damage to property. Pensford village reeled under the rage of the storm and became a disaster area. A wall of water surging down the River Chew took everything before it just before midnight. Some people swam for their lives for safety. The swollen river swept away Pensford's main road bridge, leaving a 50 foot chasm in the main A37, it also demolished 50 yards of stone wall and a house in the village. Some people were marooned for hours before being rescued by boats.  In low lying areas of the village the flood water was ten feet deep.

The following historical links tell Pensford's story.

Press Cutting - July 11th 1968 - Article from the Evening Post

 

Press Cutting - July 12th 1968 - Article from the Somerset Guardian

 

Chasm in A37 at Pensford  - Picture from the  Evening Post Thursday July 11 1968

 

Another view of the Pensford "chasm" - Picture from special Evening Post Supplement Saturday July 13 1968

 

Vanishing Bridge over the River Chew - Picture from the  Somerset Guardian Friday July 12 1968

 

Church Street, Pensford - worst affected area - Pictures from the  Somerset Guardian Friday July 12 1968

 

Remains of house in Church Street, Pensford - Picture from the  Evening Post Thursday July 11 1968

 

Royal Engineers build Bailey Bridge at Pensford - Picture from Evening Post Saturday July 13 1968

 

Press Cutting - July 13th 1968 - Article from Evening Post Saturday July 13 1968

 

The village cut in two - Picture from special Evening Post Supplement Saturday July 13 1968

 

Road closed - Picture from the  Somerset Guardian Friday July 12 1968

 

No escape for the cars - Picture from special Evening Post Supplement Saturday July 13 1968

 

Rescue work in Pensford village - Picture from special Evening Post Supplement Saturday July 13 1968

 

Devastation  - Picture from special Evening Post Supplement Saturday July 13 1968

 

Water, water everywhere - Pictures from the  Somerset Guardian Friday July 12 1968

 

The big clean up - Pictures from the  Somerset Guardian Friday July 12 1968

 

More of the big clean up - Pictures from the  Somerset Guardian Friday July 12 1968

 

Even more of the big clean up - Picture from special Evening Post Supplement Saturday July 13 1968

 

Learning the Lessons - A brochure issued by the Environmental Agency on the 40th anniversary of the Chew Valley floods

 

Do you have any further material or memories you would like to contribute to this page? if so, please email: webmaster@publow-with-pensford-pc.gov.uk

 

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