Keevil Village Needs You!
Around five years ago, members of our volunteer Community Shed started up the Keevil ADOPT-A-DRAIN scheme and now we could do with more ‘Foster Parents’ to help keep our village free from flooding.
We have 14 ‘Drain Parents’ but we need more to ensure the surface water drainage system keeps working well, particularly if we get another wet winter like the last one (and judging by the last few days, that seems quite likely). The idea is that you ‘adopt’ a drain near you and just keep an eye on it, clearing leaves and debris before they cause a blockage, and give the Shed a shout if you need some help.
Wiltshire Council used to have the resources to clear out road drains and gullys every year, but as financial constraints tightened, they now prioritise areas where properties have been flooded rather than on preventative maintenance. However, this year they introduced a ‘Discretionary Gully Service’ which sees a Gully Tanker visit villages for a day twice a year to clear problem drains, working to a list of issues supplied by our volunteer Flood Wardens. If they fail, they can escalate the problem to the next level.
Drainage work is one of the priorities of the Community Shed. We ensure that important watercourses are kept as clear as possible and can sometimes lift problem drain covers to clear blockages without waiting months for the tanker.
If you would like to find out more about ADOPT-A-DRAIN (or indeed would like to join the Community Shed) then please contact either of our Flood Wardens:
- Paul Lenaerts: 01380 870186, 07855 887547 or paul@lenaerts.co.uk
- John Tucker: 01380 871601, 07752 410586 or jftucker@btinternet.com
PS. We are not the only village locally to start up ‘Adopt a Drain’! Box have given us permission to share their poster – they clearly have a Flood Warden Poet !
KEEVIL VILLAGE 
Sarah,
My thoughts on “drain parenting” for what it’s worth…..
After a lovely snack in the village hall on Sunday, Kim and I attempted to return home in the deluge. It was not easy, with Main Street flooded at the S bend, and Pyatts Corner also flooded. A bit of wading saw us home, and having changed, we ventured back with shovel, broom, stick, and wellies.
We have a drain outside our home ( “Tom” ) and a rusting surface water manhole (“Dick”) which we keep an eye on. Sunday saw the water bursting up through Tom’s grating and running down the road towards the School & Manor. Dick was silent, but across the road, the new manhole cove was lifting and water flooding down that side too, only to disappear down the pipe in front of the horse chestnut tree opposite us. Clearly the pipe between these was blocked (again), and we passed the information on to Paul together with “evidence” to reinforce the message to Wiltshire Council.
While Kim set off for Pyatts Corner ( by now it had stopped raining), I set about checking the drains along Main Street – removing blockages where possible and adding the debris to the grass banks. Some drains were blocked below ground – more evidence for Paul – while some accepted the water that could now enter through their grates. Kim chatted to fellow villagers who were out doing much the same thing – all wanting to do their bit to keep our village safe and homes dry.
If only we had our own gulper / drain pipe cleaner / root cutter etc. I’m sure Paul & John could draw up a wish list for benefactors.
Best wishes,
David.
David Finch david.j.finch@icloud.com
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you David & Kim, you are true drain heroes!
Paul sent me this article for Buzz at least a week ago and I forgot to add it to the last Roundup – but better late than never, lol 😉
LikeLike