On higher ground

Tewkesbury Abbey stands in what has become a "medieval island parish" above the flood line.

This is because "monks knew where to build where the government doesn't" according to Canon Paul Williams, vicar at the Abbey. Tewkesebury is also a reminder that these floods are not unprecedented. Before there had been even an industrial revolution, or the world had heard of global warming, Tewkesbury suffered far worse floods than we see today. In 1760, as The Times reports today, the Vicar at the Abbey had to row down the aisle to take his service.

As churches in Falmouth, Cornwall prepare to unite in praying for sunshine this weekend, the highest ground in Tewkesbury has for the last five days become a refuge and a beacon to those stranded in the floods. On Saturday the Abbey and hall took in over 200 people who found themselves cut off by the floods. But the deluge did not stop normal life altogether, a couple were married in a truncated service on Saturday. Canon Williams said "We played her in, married them and played them out, so they could go to their honeymoon as man and wife".