Flood anniversary plans take shape (From Harwich and Manningtree Standard)

Flood anniversary plans take shape

5:00pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in News

TOWN leaders have discussed ideas to pay tribute to families affected by the 1953 flood.

Harwich Town Councillor David Flavell was asked to come up with suggestions of how to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the flood, which took the lives of eight residents.

Water swept across East Anglia on the night on January 31 1953, killing 307 people in total.

A sustainable bench made from recycled plastic bottles will be added to the memorial garden on Wellington Lane which already has a sundial monument.

Former town and district councillor Lawrie Payne, saved funds from his council small scheme budget for more than two years to fund the £3,000 memorial.

Harwich Community Primary School pupils planted 86 primroses, lavender, rosemary and bluebells in two new flowerbeds in February last year ready for the anniversary.

A tree will also be planted and the garden will be officially dedicated in a service on Friday, February 1.

There are also hopes for a church service to be held on February 1 at St Nicholas Church in Harwich, where Rev Peter Mann will lead a service of hymns and readings.