Irwell Vale Floods Boxing Day 2015

The Boxing Day floods of 2015 cut off the village of Irwell Vale, with most parts being inundated with flood water and mud. The damage to buildings was extensive. Although the ground floor of the Community Centre in the village was flooded to a depth of 50 cm, it did stay open during the crisis, serving hot meals to the villagers. Indeed, the Centre used the top rings of a gas cooker to provide hot meals for ten days after the flood.

Before the flooding, the Centre had an attractive café with seating for 20-30 people. Its main function was to cater for village activities but at weekends it also attracted walkers, cyclists and travellers on the East Lancashire Heritage Railway. It is staffed by volunteers.

Rossendale Rotary were delighted to donate £2000 to provide special floodproof doors for the Community Centre to ensure its future sustainability.