Lewes Town Council coordinates the Lewes Flood Warden Network, a team of local people set up after the disastrous floods of 2000 and organized along the lines of a neighbourhood watch scheme.  The scheme was originally designed to include around 60 Wardens, in order to keep neighbourhood “beats” to a manageable size, although it has proved difficult to achieve this and  less than 12  are currently registered as Wardens.

Councillor Merlin Milner, Lead Councillor for the Environment ,said:  “Whilst we all hope that there will be no repeat of the disastrous events of 2000, we consider it essential to both keep up pressure on the government to fund appropriate defence measures, and to maintain a state of preparedness to minimize the impact of any flooding in the future. Our Town Ranger, Chris Kemp, acts as co-ordinator for the Network, which is made-up of people with a real commitment to helping their local community.  We desperately need another 30 or so Wardens, and hope that enough people will respond to our recruitment campaign to bring it up to full-strength,  Wardens do not have to commit to any particular regular involvement – simply be prepared to undergo simple training, attend one or two meetings a year (to keep up to date), maintain an emergency pack (torch, high-visibility jacket etc.) and to be available should the worst happen”

Volunteers should contact the Town Ranger, Chris Kemp, on 01273 471469, e-mail info@lewes-tc.gov.uk , or drop-in to Lewes Town Hall.