WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE – I NEED A DRINK!

I suppose it shouldn’t have surprised when I bought premises to be my new glass studio, (posh word for workshop) that it might flood. It was right next to Thurso River. No one told me about high tides so a few years after my purchase I wasn’t happy to receive a phone call to say I had better go down the studio with a bucket to start baling out. Since 1990 when I set up my workshop (sounds more productive than “studio”) the river has flooded about ten times all with slight different levels of impact. By that I mean some floods have resulted in water lingering for hours whilst other times the water has come in waves. In one minute and out the next.

I think it was around 1993 that the worst flooding occurred and the water in my workshop rose to a good (bad!) three feet. Often wondered why all the electrical sockets were fixed half way up the walls. Before I bought the premises it was occupied by a furniture restorers and second hand book store called “Wood Goods and Chattels”. They didn’t mention flooding but then it was my responsibility to ask. Apparently, the area has a long history of flooding and a hundred years ago the river used to flood as far as the store then known as Woolworths, now trading as the Factory Shop.

I am just one person along the river that has suffered and am glad I don’t live in my workshop although that was tempting when working late hours. Those days have gone now and I have grown up as not worth chasing the ££££££££££££

The Highland Council along with AECOM carried out a study into flooding within the region and I did attend a presentation and what I suppose is called a road show in the Pentland Hotel. Lots of ideas and no surprise that of the eight options put forward to protect buildings and occupiers from flooding the first seems to have been favoured. That option is surprise surprise, do nothing. Private individuals have carried out their own protection measures and there have been a few concrete blocks positioned near a slip way. Problem seems to be who owns the riverbanks? The Council cut the grass but they say ownership is Lord Thurso whereas his reply is that it’s the Highland Council’s responsibility. When I plant my glass daffodils in the river bank sometimes I am asked whether I should have asked the Council for permission. But they don’t own the riverbank do they? Bit of a no man’s land.

For years I held a stock of sandbags ready for the wetter than wet occasions. Several visitors always asked the same question, do I use the sand in the bags to make glass!!! One improvement I have made to my workshop and that was to replace the wooden floors with concrete. Now when the water enters the floor gets a wash rather than a soaking.

Only once was I trapped within my workshop as the water surged against the door. Water came as high as the letter box and started to trickle through. I did have a few sand bags to protect myself and I thank the Council for suppling them. Much appreciated. One time I arrived near by workshop and the whole area was flooded. For some reason I just wanted to check on my workshop and evaded a couple of firemen and police officer to run in the water. I was about knee deep in water when I fell due to being hit by a floating dustbin. I had underestimated the power of the water which knocked things down and swept objects up and down the road, seemingly at 10000 mph!

Thankfully, Thurso River is tidal so when the water enters my workshop it does flow out again. Bit like a huge tidal wave. I’ve enjoyed the smell of seaweed in my workshop and only one dead fish whose hding place was revealed by its smell! The water does a lot of damage and thankfully if I am aware of high tides then I can take precautions. Of course, getting insurance cover is impossible. I have exhausted many searches fruitlessly. As soon as I give companies my postcode KW14 8BU then all insurances run a mile or just float away.