Last updated at 19:02, Friday, 27 November 2009

Nobody expects the return to normality in flood-stricken Cockermouth to be easy or swift. But everyone in the town knows how it will happen.

At an unofficial ‘Christmas lights switch-on’

“A Cumbrian will always help another Cumbrian,” Alison Hill, self-appointed aid organiser, said.

“We’re not sure when we’ll get there but we do know we’ll get there in the end by buoying up each other. God help them should this ever happen in London. Who could they rely on in a crisis?”

Alison, lives in Kirkbampton, near Carlisle, but her family ties are deeply rooted in Cockermouth. Down the years, many of her family members have served as mayors, her grandfather was the town sergeant, her mother was born in Cockermouth police station, and she knows most of the small business owners and many of the townspeople.

So Alison couldn’t stand by idly when the market town was brought to its knees by the worst flooding the county – indeed the country – had known.

“My friends are in Cockermouth. Of course, I was bound to swing into action to help my friends. What happened there was heartbreaking. All flood-affected areas suffered different problems.

“Workington lost its infrastructure but Cockermouth lost its heart.”

She learned from friends that, while parcels of food and clothing were being donated to people made homeless by the waters, underwear was in distinct short supply.

“Wearing a second-hand coat or jumper isn’t a problem,” she said. “But even when you’ve lost everything, you’re not going to be persuaded to wear somebody else’s knickers.”

Alison was straight on to her friend Victoria Farley, general manager of Hoopers department store in Carlisle, and Victoria was quick to organise an emergency consignment of undies.

“It was clear to me, the minute Alison outlined the problem, that here was a real difficulty that had been overlooked,” said Victoria.

“I contacted Triumph, one of our lingerie suppliers, and they were thrilled to be able to help. They have sent us 400 pairs of Sloggi briefs in two different styles and three different sizes. In addition we have added, 60 Chantelle bras and briefs in varying sizes... because thankfully, we are all made differently.”

Enthusiastically picking up the business-to-business baton from Alison, Victoria also contacted other retailers in Carlisle, urging support for people who had been left with nothing, since the floods struck west Cumbria last week.

In critically short supply have been babies’ bottles and sterilisers, nappies, toiletries, children’s school clothes.

Victoria has also been busy persuading businesses in Carlisle that support is owed to traders in flood-affected areas.

“I also live in Kirkbampton and I go into Cockermouth often,” said Victoria. “There can tend to be a perception that businesses will pick themselves up from a crisis like this relatively easily and quickly.

“But the majority of businesses in the town are small, independent, solo drivers. They are owned and run by local people who, when they lose trading opportunity, lose everything. It’s very frightening for them.

“I believe businesses should be keen to help each other in emergencies like this. The whole county benefits when we work together.”

Marks & Spencer in Carlisle has donated full school uniforms to eight children from St Joseph’s RC Primary School in Cockermouth – children who lost everything in the flooding. The store also sent clothing worth about £2,000 to an appeal fund for people affected by the floods.

Faye Walker, store manager at M&S in Carlisle, said: “As the largest M&S in Cumbria we felt it our duty to help those who had lost everything in the floods at Cockermouth – we wanted to help out those affected as much as possible.

“It’s a terrible situation for all involved and we have donated £2,000 worth of clothing to assist those in need. We hope this will go some way to making life a little easier for those caught up in the flooding.”

Further donations from Carlisle retailers in The Lanes shopping centre have been offered – soaps and toiletries from Lush; underwear from Debenhams; catering packs of tea bags and biscuits from Millie’s Cookies.

Offers of packages of food and supplies have also been made to the county council’s donations helpline by supermarkets Waitrose, Morrison’s and Tesco.

From all over the country furniture, clothing, cleaning equipment, bedding and cash have been pledged.

Acts of kindness and gestures of support have been commonplace in Cockermouth, since the rivers swelled and waters rose menacingly last Wednesday and Thursday.

Colin and Louisa Le Voi own and run the Quince and Medlar vegetarian restaurant in Castlegate. Though they lost power for a time – in common with the rest of Cockermouth – their premises was spared the worst of the flooding and stayed dry.

But that wasn’t necessarily the best possible circumstance for the owners of the family business.

“Emotions are so raw in situations like this, you really don’t know what to think or feel,” said Colin.

“I opened the restaurant and felt guilty to be trading when other business in town weren’t able. The following day the power went off again and I actually felt relieved that we would be suffering like everyone else.

“I couldn’t cope with the idea that I may have had what I saw as unfair advantage.”

The couple have been working round the clock to prepare for full business resumption and have bookings for tonight and tomorrow.

“I think some people are feeling a little better about being out again,” Colin said. “I think there’s a feeling of wanting to get the town going again, which is good.

“We’re keeping everything crossed that we’ll be able to find our suppliers a way through to us and are very much hoping that this weekend might mark a turning point in Cockermouth’s fortunes.”

The turning point will surely come. That’s been made clear in all the letters and cards of support wellwishers have sent to Colin and Louisa from all over the country.

“They’ve been telling us they’ll be holidaying in Cumbria again next year and have even made bookings to eat in our restaurant in June,” he said. “It’s really heartening to know you can look forward to a future, that you haven’t been deserted.”

Forward is the only way to look now. The terrible story of the past few days, though etched indelibly into painful memory, is not the kind worth dwelling on.

Colin and Louisa have been busy making soups and sandwiches for rescue workers, volunteers and local people who have worked tirelessly through days and nights clearing streets of debris left by retreating waters.

“It has been eerie going out into the dark at something like 2am, handing out hot soup and sandwiches to people who are working as though it were two in the afternoon,” said Colin.

“Obviously we needed torches to be able to do that. When I went to Sainsbury’s in Cockermouth to buy some batteries for them, they wouldn’t accept payment. Little things like that have meant such a lot to us here.

“Everybody has pulled together through what have been truly terrible times. People have given up spare rooms to families who can’t go home. Children have helped distribute hot drinks to rescue workers and volunteers. Everybody has been willing to share what they have. There has been overwhelming generosity here.

“Next door but two, the lady in the betting office had to be airlifted to safety. I can’t imagine how terrified she must have been – one day working normally, the next dangling on a rope from a helicopter.

“We all hope now that the worst might have passed and we can start rebuilding our town and our lives.”

To offer donations of money, supplies or equipment call 01228 606060 or email flood.volunteers@cumbriacc.gov.uk.

First published at 14:07, Friday, 27 November 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk