12th July 2012

BRIDPORT: Bed and breakfast faces big repair bill following weekend floods

By Chris Denne

A NEWLY renovated B&B was damaged just weeks after it was completed when floodwater swept through the building.

The owners of the Old Mill B&B believe it will cost thousands of pounds to bring the business back to its previous condition.

Despite efforts by owners Fiona and Malcom Piers-Taylor and one of their guests, around a foot of water gushed into the East Street building.

Rising water poured in through the rear of the property on East Road when a mill pond burst its banks in the garden, while the front of the building was flooded as cars on the submerged A35 pushed “tidal waves” of water in through the front door.

Fiona Piers-Taylor described the heartache of trying to ward off the flood.

She said: “I was dashing around trying to find blankets, carpets, pillows. Poor Rob (ter Heide, a guest from Holland) was at the front trying to push the water out… we were firefighting knowing we couldn’t stop it.

“Every time a car went by it was like a tidal wave. Because people were fearful of breaking down in so much water they were pushing through so fast there were just tidal waves of water coming into our house.

“I asked the police if they could cordon off that one section… but they wouldn’t do it.”

“Then the water started to come over onto the patio at the back. We have quite good defences here and with the flood relief as well I thought ‘it’s never going to get up here.’ But it just didn’t stop, and it started to come in.”

Once the ground floor of the Georgian property was under a foot of water, Mrs Piers-Taylor realised her efforts were in vain.

She said: “In the end I climbed up on the steps with the dog because he was crying, panicking. I said ‘I’m going to sit on the stairs, there’s nothing I can do. It’s out of your control. You just have to do what you can and then give up’.

“I knew it was going to be devastation because you can’t stop the water coming in.

“I just feel total sadness really. We were working on the house to make it all lovely and we had just finished it.

“It’s so upsetting, the distress of it all. Once the waters have gone you can see the mark and you can see the wet. But it’s the clearing up afterwards that’s the thing.

“Every cupboard we opened - jam jars, everything - was full of water. The dishwasher, the tumble drier, the shower area. Everything is just full of dirty water. It makes you feel heartbroken.”

But the couple have been buoyed by support from neighbours, friends and guests.

Mrs Piers-Taylor said: “Neighbours were round helping as soon as the water started to subside.

“The community spirit has been quite lovely. I’ve had emails from people who we’ve met since being here and they’ve said ‘I know you’re a part of the flooding can we come down and help with anything? I hope you’re alright, is your beautiful home ok?’ It’s lovely just the thought that people have.

“We even have a guest who said he would camp in the garden if necessary he still wants to come so badly.

“Our aim is to get back working. The guest rooms are fine, and I can cook. Obviously it’s not how I’d like it when guests come in but it will be clean.”

PICTURE 1: Cars caused a ‘tidal wave’ on East Road. Photo by Rob Ter Heide.

BRIDPORT: Bed and breakfast faces big repair bill following weekend floods

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