Vintage lorry more than 60 years old makes it through flood waters

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Vintage lorry more than 60 years old makes it through flood waters

Readers outside the U.K. may or may not be aware that this country is currently going through what has variously been described as an "unparallelled natural crisis" and "the worst storm in 100 years" (taking the title from 2013's "worst storm in 100 years) as continual heavy rain and strong winds leave whole communities in the [south] coastal regions of the country badly flooded, wind-damaged and generally counting the cost of severe weather that shows no signs of letting up.  The low-lying Somerset Levels have been among the worst-hit; Surrey, Berkshire and Worcestershire are also feeling the effects with the Rivers Severn and Thames, amongst others, at their highest levels since records began.  Yesterday the Bristol-Somerset Clifton Suspension Bridge was closed for the first time in its 150-year history due to high winds.  I doubt many of us will forget the images from Dawlish in a hurry either.

It makes the roof leak in my flat's building pale in comparison and I'm forever thankful that the part of the country I live in has remained largely unaffected.  My thoughts go out to all those who are going through tough times, whose homes are flooded and livelihoods turned upside-down.

Amid all the doom and gloom the "Dunkirk Spirit" lives on, however, and there are one or two positive stories to be found.  It is looking increasingly likely that old sections of railway branch line on the main Devon and Cornwall route, dormant since the Beeching Cuts of the 1960s, may be rebuilt and reinstated while the Dawlish section is repaired (and possibly continue on afterwards to help mitigate any further potential damage).

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While in Norfolk the Locks Inn pub near Beccles, close to the River Waveney, has also experienced flooding.  Instead of being cut off and starved of oil fuel for the pub, however, the landlords were saved by a local supplier and his 1952 lorry!  In shades of the 2010 Tornado steam train snow rescue, Berry Oils Ltd's 62-year-old Morris Commercial LC4 was able to cross the depths of floodwater with ease and save the Lock Inn from a nasty situation.

Proof once again that old technology can still have its uses in times of crisis, this titbit of vintage-related news is a welcome piece of positivity in these damp and sodden times.