Lowdham Flag

HISTORY

Lowdham FLAG was formed in February 2020 after the devastating flood on 13 Feb. As soon as it was formed Covid hit and the group focused on helping the village through the pandemic. The group returned to looking at flooding in Autumn 2020 and developed relationships with National Flood Forum, Lowdham Parish Council, Environment Agency, Notts County Council , Via EM, Newark & Sherwood District Council, Trent Rivers Trust. Lowdham FLAG became a Community Interest Organisation, registered with the Charity Commission number 1197083 on 13 Dec 2021.

Within Lowdham, FLAG

  1. works with local agencies to help reduce high water flows into the village, store water in the village and enable water to speedily exit the village.
  2. co-ordinates ‘paired volunteers’ to help people who’s properties are susceptible to flooding.
  3. monitors water courses through the ‘water course walkers’ and ‘puddle watchers’ group
  4. records beck levels through ‘photo recorders’ group
  5. informs the village on weather and flood situations through Facebook, Twitter and the website

Disclaimer: On our website and on our Facebook group Lowdham FLAG are not able to get involved at an individual level or to personal enquiries except where the individual is requesting practical flooding support in a flood event or potential flood event. We are unable to provide advice or recommendations for the purchase of items or assets, or of services. While we may appreciate your concerns, we can only direct members to the relevant authorities responsible, so that individuals can act according to professional and relevant information and/or legal advice.

FLAG has published two documents

  1. Flood report in response to the general lack of knowledge about how flooding occurs in Lowdham
  2. Flood booklet to help people know what to do about flooding

The National Flood Forum defines Flood Action Groups as a representative voice for their community and their aim is to work in partnership with the Agencies and Authorities whose work involves flood risk.

Through these ‘grass-root’ groups, communities are able to;

  • address their concerns over malfunctioning assets/and other issues
  • be constantly in touch with what is intended for their community
  • know procedures that are already in place regards routine maintenance
  • have a voice as to the future flood risk of their community through consultation.
  • Instigate ‘flood watchers’
  • Create awareness of flood risk to the wider community
  • Prepare to reduce the impact on the community should a flood event occur

Partners

  • FLAG is very pleased to work with a number of organisations both locally and nationally. Without these organisations we could not achieve what we have.
  • Firstly there are the volunteers who provide invaluable to help to villagers and busses before, during and after an event
  • Locally the Co-op chose us as one of their local Charities for 2023, Jo-Hannah’s has provided coffee and refreshments during an event (just as they did during Covid) as well as delivering equipment, The Old Ship provides drinks and a warm place during an event, The Worlds End has provided safe, dry car parking and has delivered equipment.
  • We are part of a group of local flood groups who support and help each other.
  • Newark & Sherwood District Council have provided sandbags / aqua sacs, helped evacuated people, gathered information after the event and given financial support ( https://lowdhamvolunteers.org/october-2023-financial-help-update/ )
  • Via (part of Notts CC) who maintain the Highway drains which are critical to remove surface water. In particular they maintain the three drains under the A6097 which allow the Victoria Avenue, Longmoor Avenue and The Orchards to drain
  • Notts County Council provide overall support in the County and prepare the Section 19 report after the event investigating what happened and could be done better.
  • The Internal Drainage Board look after out watercourses (apart from Cocker beck), carry out regular maintenance
  • The Environment Agency manage the Cocker Beck (including sub contracting maintenance of the Cocker Beck to the IDB). The EA also repaired the Left Bank defences, created the football / cricket pitch lagoon and are building the Flood Alleviation Scheme on Lambley Road (the Reservoir). Financial support for this scheme has come from the Government (DEFRA), Notts County Council and N&S District Council.
  • Severn Trent Water maintain the sewerage infra structure and in 2021 built a new storage facility by the roundabout
  • Trent Rivers Trust – who provide Natural Flood Management and have built over 50 leaky damns / bunds and more to hold up water flow – and the land owners who have allowed the use of their land.

Policies

  • FLAG has a number of policies that are regularly reviewed. They are accessible here