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News

HRH praises community spirit in flood-hit regions of Cumbria during two-day visit

27th November 2009

On a day of visits to flood-hit parts of Cumbria, The Prince of Wales spoke of the strength of the community spirit that will help those affected by the floods recover from their ordeal.

The Prince said he had nothing but the "greatest possible sympathy" for Cumbrian residents affected by the devastating floods of last week.

In a message sent to the Cumberland News and the News & Star newspapers, The Prince said: "I have nothing but the greatest possible sympathy for all those affected by the appalling floods.

"I can well imagine the devastation these will have caused but as a regular visitor to Cumbria I have personal experience of the strength of the community spirit which exists in this most beautiful of counties.

"It has been incredibly heartening to see how everyone - from the emergency services and volunteer groups - have worked together to provide the kind of mutual support necessary to get through this most terrible of ordeals.

"I am only too aware that recovery will take time, particularly for those rural communities which have found themselves isolated from the services of nearby towns."

Today The Prince toured Northside Community Centre in Workington to meet residents, who have been cut off from the rest of the town after floods smashed and damaged bridges.

The Prince met children and adults that have been helped by the centre.

Although residents of the Northside area have not been directly hit by flooding, they are cut off from the remainder of the town and face long detours to be able to get to town or local schools or supermarkets.

The Prince toured the community centre by manager Joe Bell and met workers distributing essential food supplies from a temporary storeroom set up in the building.

Goods such as bread, tea and coffee, pet food, toiletries and clothing have been donated to residents by local supermarkets as many local people are unable to get to the shops.

The Prince was driven a short distance to meet construction workers building a temporary railway station in the town, providing links for stranded residents on the north side of the river.

Later he switched on the Christmas lights in Keswick, accompanied by Julia Bradbury, the BBC presenter of Countryfile and Wainwright's Walks.

The Prince is visiting Cumbria today (Friday 27th) and Saturday 28th November.