Persistent Flooding Transforms Elderly Couple’s “Forever Home” into Ordeal

A residence acquired by an elderly couple in 2021, intended as their “forever home,” has experienced 20 instances of flooding since its purchase. Peter and Patricia Clarke, who relocated to the Swindon property from Cornwall three years prior, stated that a pond situated on council-owned land adjacent to their residence frequently overflows, inundating their back garden. Mrs. Clarke, aged 76, has undertaken efforts to safeguard the property by digging ditches and constructing a makeshift dam. Swindon Borough Council expressed that they were “sympathetic” to the situation but noted they had “a number of sites across the borough that need their attention.” The Clarkes relocated to Swindon to reside nearer to Mrs. Clarke’s son. “We thought this was going to be our forever home,” Mr. Clarke, 74, commented. He further stated that the repeated flooding had left the couple feeling “upset, disappointed and angry.” Citing a growing abdominal aortic aneurysm, Mr. Clarke explained his inability to assist Mrs. Clarke in managing the flooding. “Trish is struggling,” he remarked, adding, “I feel embarrassed that I can’t help her.” The recurring flooding has resulted in Mrs. Clarke experiencing anxiety. “I do take anxiety tablets,” she stated. “When I go to bed at night and it’s raining, I don’t sleep.” “I’m up and down, up and down – we’re living in a nightmare,” she described. Mrs. Clarke reported that Swindon Borough Council had informed her of its intention to commence drainage work for the pond in early next year. She commented: “The weather’s getting worse and we’re getting more and more flooded.” A spokesperson for Swindon Borough Council conveyed that they were “incredibly sympathetic” to the couple’s situation. The spokesperson added, “We are looking at ways we can mitigate the problems affecting Mrs Clarke, but we also have a number of other sites across the borough that also require our attention.” “In the meantime, we’ll assist where we can by providing sandbags and support when needed and we would encourage Mrs Clarke to look at what she can do herself, from within her own property boundary, to help prevent flooding,” the spokesperson concluded. Due to the persistent flooding problems, Mr. and Mrs. Clarke have been unable to sell their property, having incurred expenses of £6,000 since their relocation for property drying, maintenance, and flood defence measures. The couple reported that the council had proposed the construction of a wall within their back garden fence, but Mr. and Mrs. Clarke stated they lacked the financial means for such an undertaking.