Coughton Court
reopened on Wednesday 12 September after huge
flooding clear-up operation
Coughton Court is reopened to visitors on Wednesday
12 September, more than 7 weeks after devastating
floods forced the National Trust property to close.
Parts
of the 15th century Tudor house and
gardens, near Alcester, were swamped by floodwater
from the Cain Brook and the River Arrow following
torrential downpours on 19 & 20 July, 2007.
Both
rivers were heavily swollen and by late morning on
20 July the Arrow had burst its banks flooding the
riverside walk and soaking the lawn. By 3pm the Cain
Brook had overflowed, surrounding the front of the
house.
Since
then National Trust and Throckmorton Estate staff
worked in partnership drying out rooms, monitoring
humidity levels and starting restoration work in the
gardens.
Working around the clock with the Throckmorton
family and their gardening team, National Trust
staff and volunteers focused much of their
efforts on the private wing of the property, the
boiler house and the floors and carpets.
The
enforced closure since 20 July led to the
estimated loss of approximately 20,000 visitors.
Seven events due to take place throughout August and
September had to be cancelled.
But on
Wednesday 12 September Coughton was up and running
again and visitors could see ongoing work to repair
flood damage. Parts of the gardens – including the
riverside walk – were devastated, and consequently
some areas took much longer to reinstate. Access to
the award winning Walled Garden, which is cared for
by the Throckmorton family, is open to visitors,
however large areas of the gardens remain closed for
awhile.
Interpretation boards displaying photographs of the
flooding and its aftermath will be on show
explaining what was going on during the day the
floods struck and the swift action taken by staff to
protect rooms and artefacts, including a historic
grandfather clock in the hall raised above the water
level on polythene covered blocks. Events are back
on track.
Local
businesses also provided gratefully-received help in
the big clean-up. Contractors Arden Construction and
Elite Building offered equipment, while Munters
provided the National Trust with de-humidifiers to
help dry out rooms.
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