Marlborough floods: Community unites to 'build back better'

Roy and Sylwia Meek opened Krumbz Cafe in January 2023

A community has united behind a local cafe devastated by floods as the town's residents vow to "build back better".

Marlborough was affected by recent storms, with deputy mayor Kymee Cleasby saying the town "hadn't had floods like this in living memory".

Krumbz Cafe was deluged with flood water, but its owners said they have been "blown away" by local support.

Some residents are continuing to repair their homes and a flooding working party has been set up.

Three weeks on from Storm Henk and people in Marlborough told BBC Radio Wiltshire they are still cleaning up after floods gutted a number of properties.

Water reached the kitchen counters during the flood, leading to extensive damage

Sylwia Meek, 44, who opened Krumbz Cafe with her husband, Roy, in January 2023, was serving regular customers a full English breakfast when the water started to seep into the cafe.

"I was in the kitchen and I spotted a little bit of water," she said.

"I called my colleague and asked her to bring some blankets or a mop. I said 'I can see the water coming but I think we will be alright'."

• Marlborough cafe 'completely gutted'

• Residents evacuated from flood-hit retirement flats

But by the end of the day, the flooding was extensive.

"The water was up to the kitchen counters, it became dangerous with fridges floating around," Mr Meek, 44, said.

"We saved what we could and got out."

Thanks to community support, Krumbz Cafe, hopes to re-open in February

When the couple bought the business they were aware they would not be able to get insurance for flooding because of their proximity to the River Kennet, which flows next to the premises.

Mrs Meek said her heart was "broken" but the community rallied and convinced the couple to start a Go Fund Me page.

In its first week, £8,000 was raised.

"We were blown away with all the kindness," Mrs Meek said.

"The community's been absolutely amazing."

The couple said they now hope to re-open in February.

Val Compton is still unable to move back into her cottage

Across the road from the cafe is Val Compton, 76, who remains living with her daughter and son-in-law after being rescued from her property by life raft.

Mrs Compton said she remains optimistic, but the clean-up process has been arduous.

"There's so much to do, I can't believe how long it's taking me," she said.

"My brain feels like it has been totally scrambled."

'By hook or crook'

Mrs Compton's cottage is listed, which is adding to the complications.

"I went with my son-in-law to a flood fair and picked up a massive amount of brochures, talked to a lot of people, trying to see how we make the property more resilient," she said.

"The trouble is, it's 200 years old and it's listed - that always puts a big, 'no', in front of some things.

"I don't know how we're going to do it, but by hook or by crook I do need to keep moving forward, otherwise it's very frustrating.

"I will do it - we have got to build back better."

Water levels remain high on the River Kennet

Marlborough's deputy mayor, Kymee Cleasby, said: "We hadn't had floods like this in living memory, we weren't as prepared as we would have liked to have been."

As a consequence, the town council have set-up a flooding working party that includes town and county councillors, residents, businesses and organisations in the area with an invitation to other parishes to join and share best practice.

Ms Cleasby said: "I think the working group will come up with a brilliant flood plan.

"We had one before but it was part of a bigger emergency plan and we want a separate plan.

"We did all pull together, all the residents, council staff, the emergency services, but we do need to be more prepared because this isn't going to get less, it's only going to get more."

The community initiative Love Marlborough are also running a Go Fund Me page to help residents financially in recognition that many were unable to get flooding insurance.

Caroline Thomas, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for flooding, said: "We know just how badly Storm Henk has affected homes and businesses across Wiltshire.

"I'd urge anyone who has been the victim of flooding as a result of Storm Henk to contact us as the first step in receiving grant funding."