NINETY years ago this week, in December 1929, the waters were subsiding on the worst floods within living memory at that time in Monmouth.
The three rivers – the Wye, Monnow and Trothy – had all overflowed causing serious flooding in the town on December 9. About 300 houses were flooded to a depth of 3-6 feet, residents had to be rescued from their upper floors through the windows into boats, a serious undertaking especially for the old and infirm, in the dark during torrential rain and high winds.
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For several days the town was cut off, the only traffic on Monnow Street horse and carts and boats – the town was dubbed by newspapers “Venice in Wales” – as boatmen punted up the streets taking supplies to marooned families.
A soup kitchen was opened at Shire Hall and for several nights boys slept in the school in Priory Street, and men in the butter-market hall. The Mayor launched a nationwide Emergency Flood Fund Appeal on behalf of the poorer inhabitants aiming to raise £10,000 for food, clothing and repairs to damaged homes, and the call went out for replacement chairs and sofas.
With the misery so fresh, it seems even stranger to find a photographic postcard of the flooded streets printed with Christmas greetings...
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