The land I farm has 3 ditches; one starts above the village school, one at the Green Farm, and one behind the church. Each of these runs down to the artificial banking. However, when the river is in flood and the force of the river water shuts the banking gates, the ditchwater cannot pass through and simply adds to the flooding of the low lying fields and the road. The force of the river is such that the land I farm has been eroded by around 15 yards over the last 40 years.

The river can rise very quickly and unpredictably and causes me some sleepless nights. When there has been heavy rainfall in the locality, I need to consider whether it would be prudent to move any livestock I have down in the river fields up to higher ground. And it always amazes me how many people try to go through the floods on Rathmell Bottoms in their cars, despite the warning signs and no matter what depth they are at.

Rathmell Beckwater Trust

About 30 premises in the village benefit from the Rathmell Beckwater Supply, which is operated on a voluntary basis by the Rathmell Beckwater Trust. The water is extracted under licence from Rathmell beck in Hesley Wood. Here there are two holding tanks which are inspected twice a week to check the water flow and clean the filters as necessary. When there has been heavy rainfall and the water is flowing faster, daily visits are required to clear leaves and debris away from the intake filters so as to maintain the supply. It is naturally assumed that in times of heavy rainfall there should be no problem with water supply, whereas in fact the opposite may be the case.