Remembering the floods at Abrigg

I have volunteered to be on the climate change working party. Today we visited Abrigg, Wakefield. It was the scene of flooding two years ago.
Climate change has affected rain in Britain. Over the year the country is now drier but when it rains it can be in heavy downpours. Flooding has now become a worry in many parts of the country.
I was surprised at the affect of flooding that occured in the area. The area covered included a main road into the city. The flood water was so high that one family who placed their possessions on the settee and on the upper shelves of the book case woke up to find that the flood waters had reached them.
We talked to residents about their experiences and worries and how they coped. We asked how the insurance companies helped and how they felt about being kept in touch about what the various agencies were doing. All the remarks were noted to be put into the enquiry.
What came over to me was how quickly rumours spread just after the flooding occured. Some may be true but some seemed to me could not be so.
This area is not in my ward but there are areas in my town that are prone to flooding. I trust the experiences of Abrigg will provide lessons not only to ease the chances of another flood there, but also help to prevent a flood here.

Leukaemia Research Wakefield Bikeathon

Last Sunday (4 October 2009) the Wakefield bikathon in aid of Leukaemia Research was held after a gap of a few years. I was pleased to have been invited to start it as the Deputy Mayor.

There were over 100 entrants and the cyclists were of a great range of ages. One told me he was 77 and still using a bike he bought in the nineteen seventies. While another (okay it was a passenger) was a two year old.

There was a choice of two courses, 13 or 26 miles, both designed to avoid heavy traffic and to take the riders through picturesque villages and past country pubs.

The bikeathon was an excellent opportunity for people to socialise. All the participants I spoke to at the beginning were in good spirits. The weather, stormy the day before, looked to be calm and only a litttle cool when the sun was not shining.

The main thing it was for a good cause. I am sure the event raised a significant sum towards research into leukaemia.

Meeting about Smawthorne Marsh

The meeting went very well this evening. The room was full with around fifty people that included some of the land owners. There were council officers, the police, Wakefield District Housing, the probation service and Groundwork representatives present. The residents were quite clear that they would like to see something positive happen with the land. It is already a natural beauty but not maintained and prone to fly tipping and anti-social behaviour. A biodiversity study that was taken in 2002 was circulated. This showed the variety of wildlife there, from many types of beetles to cormorants, including rare great crested newts.

I was keen that everyone had their say and a discussion take place. It was decided that officers will meet with the owners to find out what their views are. I had just received the result of a land search that showed the owners of most, but not all, of the land. So, hopefully, the owners who were not at the meeting can be contacted.

A working group is to be formed by people who volunteered. The council and agencies are to consider the points raised, decide what can be done and then report back to the working group.

This is something where everyone can benefit. The nearby residents could get rid of a troublesome eyesore in their neighbourhood, Castleford could get a decent natural area to complement its parks that is worth visiting, and the owners too benefit as their land could be tidied up. At this early stage there are no promises but a lot of excellent possibilities.

I also thanked the Pontefract and Catleford Express for its coverage as some residents had come because they had read about it in the newspaper.