Please note that this cache has been placed with the kind permission of The Oaklea Trust.
The first evidence of flooding in Appleby was in 1733. Between 1815 - 2015 there were a total of 67 floods in 53 different years. The most extensive of these were in 1817, 1822, 1856, 1925, 1968, 2005 and of course 2015. During the flood of December 2005 53 properties were flooded, fast forward to December 2015 and a staggering total of 176 properties were flooded. Many of which were businesses as well as residential properties. December 2015 was the wettest month on record setting a new 24hr and 48hr rainfall record for the UK. Previously the record for this had been Cumbria in 2005 - clearly, it's a wet county to live in. Upstream at Great Musgrave the peak flow measured 372 cubic metres/second during the height of the flood. On the Sands area the river flooded to a height of 1.8m above ground level. Businesses along the route were severely affected, many closing for business for months after the event. A couple of businesses had only recently opened their doors as new ventures before the disaster of the flood hit. The Co-op suffered flood water to a depth of 1.5m (5') at a conservative guess. During the drying out and recovery period a temporary, pop up trailer Co-op operated from the Bowling Club grounds to provide essential supplies to residents unable to get across the bridge or drive to the nearest towns for groceries. Access around town was severely restricted due to flood waters and unsafe bridges. Although we were unaffected by flood waters we felt the heartache of friends and family less fortunate and spent many hours assisting with the clean up of their sodden homes and ruined businesses. Flood relief efforts were co-ordinated from the market hall to ensure residents had essential items post flood. All manner of goods were kindly donated by businesses throughout the county. Throughout all of this the strength of community spirit and willingess to assist one another shone through. It is this sense of community that made me choose this location for the cache. A thriving community centre with a delighful little cafe.
In March 2017 Historic England announced plans for their Heritage Action Zone scheme, choosing 10 locations initially. Appleby was one of those chosen as a location with significant historic interest with potential to make greater use of it's heritage. As you seek this cache please take time to reflect on the devastation that took place in 2015, how deep the flood levels were and note the recovery lengths that have been undertaken.