THIS HAS been republished from HU12 Online – we particularly draw the attention of Hedon residents to the appeal at the bottom of the article:
THE VILLAGE of Paull suffered as a result of the largest tidal surge for 60 years on the evening of Thursday 5th December 2013.
The sea wall was breached and water flowed down Main Street. The East Riding Council received reports of flooding to around 12 properties in Paull and issued sandbags to defend houses. Evacuation plans were put in place, although these were not required.
East Riding Councillor Ann Suggit said: “After visiting Paull when the flooding occurred, I wish to thank all the services, Police, East Riding Council, Fire Service, Hornsea Rescue and others for their help in this emergency. Myself, Dianne (Davies), Barry (Osbourne) and others were on hand to make hot drinks, it was bitterly cold!”
Dianne Davies, who is the Parish Council Clerk, gave the following advice on Facebook: “Graham Stuart asked me to let everybody who got flooded know that they should tell him if their insurance company is awkward or refuses to pay up, said they can’t do that – the law says they must cover you, so if your policy says you are covered for flood damage and your insurer won’t pay up, contact your MP!”
On Saturday (7th December) the village attempted to get back to a sense of normality and continue the celebrations and preparations for Christmas with Father Christmas coming to visit the Village Hall. Fortunately, the Village Hall had been unaffected by the floods and so played host to a craft fair as scheduled.
Father Christmas and Buttons (alias the Rev Ian Blyth here, but it also might have been Cllr Jim Oldridge, and Gareth Jones) were expected to see over 30 children during the course of the day.
The dozen stall-holders supporting the event included Hedon’s own Cupcake Queen Katie Coggin (See Facebook: www.facebook.com/KatieTheCupcakeQueen).
This was Katie’s second stall since relaunching her baking venture recently, and she was delighted to be supporting the village following the dark drama of the flooding. Pictured buying his bun from Katie is (An)Drew Hicks (2) with his Uncle Andrew Davies.
The fun from the day has been captured on the Paull Village Hall Facebook Group – the Facebook Group has proved, in a crisis, to be a great way for villagers to share news and essential information.
Visit: Paull Village Hall on Facebook
But not all good news…
The East Riding Council says that 12, perhaps up to 15, properties were affected by flood waters in Paull with all the hurt to families that implies. One of those affected was the Royal Oak pub, which suffered twice both as a home – and a business in one of the traditionally busiest periods in the run up to Christmas.
It was heart-wrenching to pass the pub on Saturday and see an obviously distraught manager Laura Brown emptying a bin-full of muddy glasses into an already full rubbish skip.
Villagers have been generous with offers of support to Mat and Laura at the pub, which has had to close due to flood damage – but we especially would like to make an appeal for people locally to watch for the re-opening of the pub – whenever that may be – and make a commitment now to visit, have a drink, book and order a meal.
It’s a sad time for the Royal Oak, but it would be great if public support could help the popular local pub recuperate something back from this disaster!