3 Villages
Flood Group
Here to help
when needed
• Mudford • Ashington • Chilton Cantelo
3 VFG NEWS PAGE
Follow our news from around the local area, from flooding to sewerage overspill and more, keep checking here for all the latest.
A Meeting of Minds
A Meeting of Minds: Land Management for Flood Resilience
The Three Villages Flood Group (3VFG) recently hosted a focused and productive meeting bringing together leading organisations working on land, water, and flood resilience in Somerset.
Held at Mudford Village Hall on 15th July, we were joined by expert representatives from:
- Somerset Rivers Authority
- FWAG South West (Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group)
- Wessex Water
- Yeovil Rivers Community Trust
- Alongside our full Three Villages Flood Group team
The purpose of the meeting was to explore land management interventions that can reduce the risk of flooding across our communities. Together, we highlighted priority areas within the three villages, discussed practical approaches that could be implemented locally and collaboratively with landowners, farmers, and partner agencies.
FWAG shared insights from their past work in Somerset, where they’ve supported farmers in applying nature-based solutions such as:
- Soil improvement and cover cropping
- Buffer strips and riparian planting
- Field corner wetlands and leaky dams
- Improved watercourse management and installation of ponds.
These kinds of interventions have been proven to slow the flow of water, reduce surface runoff, and help retain water higher in the catchment—making them ideal tools in the battle against flooding.
This meeting marks the beginning of a programme of coordinated action. By drawing on the collective knowledge and experience in the room and combining it with potential funding opportunities, we’re confident that we can begin to make a tangible difference.
We’re incredibly grateful for the collaboration and shared commitment shown by all involved, and we look forward to keeping the community updated as plans develop.
If you’re a local landowner, farmer or resident who wants to get involved or learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Major Drainage Improvements Completed in Hinton
Over the past few weeks, a significant program of enhanced drain jetting has been carried out in Hinton, near Mudford, thanks to action taken by Somerset High
ways Authority. A specialist team from Keir was commissioned to pump out and clear the long-neglected roadside drains and gullies in the area. Many of these were found to be completely blocked with silt, but the good news is they are now all running clear.
This work is expected to have a real impact. For years, roads in Hinton have remained flooded for longer than in surrounding areas, largely due to poor drainage. With water unable to escape, even moderate rainfall has caused extended surface flooding. With the drains now functioning as they should, we hope to see a noticeable improvement in how quickly standing water clears after heavy rain. Let’s see what a difference this makes.
We’re proud to have supported this project through our ongoing flood resilience work and would love for more local residents to get involved. One simple and effective way to help is by joining our Adopt A Drain scheme — keeping an eye on a nearby drain, reporting issues, and helping keep it clear of leaves and debris can make a big difference.
Want to get involved? Get in touch to find out how you can help keep our vital drains clear and working for everyone.
Taking Stock – 10 Months of Progress
As we reach the ten-month mark since the formation of the Three Villages Flood Group, it’s a great time to pause, take stock, and reflect on just how far we’ve come together.
What began as a grassroots effort to protect our villages from flooding has grown into a recognised, respected and proactive community initiative. Through collaboration, hard work, and a shared determination, we’ve laid the foundations for long-term resilience- and we’ve done it together.
Our Key Achievements So Far:
• Community Flood Plan – We now have a live, working Flood Plan, tailored to our villages and shaped by local knowledge. It’s a practical, evolving document that helps us stay ready and coordinated.
• Fully Equipped Flood Wardens – Our fantastic team of Flood Wardens are now fully equipped and ready to respond. Their commitment and training provide vital reassurance when it matters most.
• Adopt a Drain Scheme – This community-driven initiative has launched successfully, bringing neighbours together to take simple, effective action in preventing blockages before they cause problems.
• Building Strong Partnerships – We’ve established open and constructive working relationships with:
• Somerset Highways
• The Environment Agency (EA)
• Wessex Water
• The Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA)
These links have helped put our concerns and ideas directly into the right conversations.
• Backing from Local Councils – We’ve built mutual trust with both the Mudford Parish Council (MPC) and the Village Hall Committee (VH). Their support has helped drive forward key projects and successful funding bids.
• A Successful Launch Day – Our official launch on April 5th was a real highlight, supported by Sarah Dyke MP and Cllr Mike Stanton. It marked a new chapter in our visibility and influence.
• Funding Successes – Thanks to successful applications to the SRA and MPC, we’ve secured vital funding for community resilience projects and equipment.
• Recognition as a Community Voice – We’re now widely recognised as the voice of our community on flooding matters — not only locally, but across the region.
• Media Presence – Our growing profile has led to positive media coverage, including acknowledgements and interviews with local TV and news outlets. This helps keep flooding on the agenda and shows how local action can lead to real change.
• Dynamic Online Presence – Our website and social media channels have become go-to places for updates, information, and community involvement. The feedback has been incredibly encouraging — thank you!
• New Projects Underway – We’re proud to be working with FWAG (Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group) and the Yeovil Rivers Community Trust, exploring sustainable flood management with local landowners.
• Ongoing Engagement with Stakeholders – Dialogue continues with Sarah Dyke MP, and we are actively involved in:
Dredging discussions with the EA – The start of a proactive jetting programme to help tackle blockages before they become problems.
Looking Ahead
Our group is founded on community spirit, local knowledge, and a shared desire to protect what we love. There’s still much to do — but our achievements so far show what’s possible when people work together.
Thank you to everyone who has supported, contributed, and cheered us on over the past 10 months. If you’re new to the group, we’d love you to get involved — whether it’s adopting a drain, sharing your knowledge, or simply staying informed.
Together, we’re making a real difference.
3 Villages Flood Group
Still Working Behind the Scenes
But rest assured – just because the flood season has passed for now, the 3VFG team hasn’t gone quiet. We’re continuing to meet regularly, monitor key sites, liaise with Wessex Water and the Environment Agency, and push for answers and improvements. Our goal remains the same: long-term flood resilience and better protection for our homes, land, and waterways.
We’ll be sharing updates over the coming weeks, including findings from our data monitoring, progress on sewage overflow reporting, and plans for community volunteering opportunities and summer events.
A Successful Launch – Thanks to You!
Our official launch event in April at Mudford Village Hall was a huge success – and it’s all thanks to the brilliant turnout and enthusiastic support from residents, experts, and partner agencies alike. It was truly inspiring to see our community come together with shared purpose and determination. Your stories, questions, and ideas are already shaping the way we work going forward.
BBC Points West – 3vfg Launch Day
3 Villages Launch Day BBC Points West
Our 5th April Launch day went very well and was well attended by locals and a few from further away, we had Councillor Mike Stanton giving a great opening speech, followed by Sarah Dyke (MP) taking time out of her busy schedule to come and speak about the local issues with flooding.
Thanks go to all the contributors (of which there were many) and to all that made the day very successful. And of course the BBC did their bit by recording some of the event. More pictures are viewable on the Launch Day page here.
And of course all the volunteers from Mudford Village Hall and the extra helpers, many thanks to you all.
Sarah Dyke (MP) Meeting with Mudford
Sarah Dyke met with the flood group recently and engaged with us about the planning development, flooding and Wessex Water.
Click on the image to view in Facebook.
Blocked Drains
This is the sad state of most of the drains around our area, forgotten and in a terrible state, who would even know there is even a drain there!
Of course it’s no wonder the water sits around causing flooding when people’s discarded rubbish is just thrown on the road or verges. even a small amount of plastic wrappers or bottles can block the escape of floodwater, please be aware of this when throwing away rubbish, discard in the proper place – it’s for the good of everyone.
This is another reason for the 3vfg creating an ‘Adopt a Drain’ campaign, by just helping keep the drains clear of debris and discarded rubbish can help enormously!
Radio Ninesprings Interview
Radio NineSprings interview including Dawn Woodward & Stephen Bartlett. Talking about the local flooding issues and the effect that the new development in Primrose Lane will bring to us as residents of Mudford and surrounding areas.
3vfg Launch day
Community Meeting to Launch the Three Villages Flood Group
Mudford, Somerset – Residents concerned about worsening flooding in Mudford and the surrounding villages are invited to a community meeting to launch the Three Villages Flood Group (3VFG) on Saturday, April 5th, from 10 am to 2 pm at Mudford Village Hall.
The event will bring together local residents, flood experts, and key agencies to discuss the increasing flood risks and explore solutions for better resilience and preparedness. (more…)
The Heartbreaking Reality of Flooding at Mudford
Human Remains Washed from Their Graves!
Flooding is always distressing, but in Mudford, in Somerset, it has brought a particularly harrowing consequence—human bones, long buried in the churchyard, are being washed out of the ground. The churchyard has been a resting place for the local community for nearly a thousand years, yet now, due to relentless erosion, graves are being disturbed, and remains are emerging from the earth.
For families with loved ones buried there, this is deeply upsetting. The fear that a relative’s remains could be among those displaced is unimaginable. One local resident, after seeing the news coverage, reached out with a heartbreaking question:
“Hi, just seen BBC local news ref flooding down by Mudford Church, my great-grandmother, my grandmother, and my uncle are buried on the corner of the churchyard next to the road. I hope that the bones recently found aren’t theirs?” (more…)
Our Historic Church & War Grave Under Threat
Addressing the Impact of Flooding on St Mary’s Churchyard in Mudford
This week, the Three Villages Flood Group has been actively engaging with both national and regional media outlets concerning a deeply distressing incident in our community. Recent heavy flooding has led to significant erosion in the churchyard of St Mary’s Church in Mudford, resulting in the exposure of human remains. Bones have been discovered on the roadside adjacent to the church, a situation that is profoundly upsetting for all involved.
These remains belong to individuals who were laid to rest, and their disturbance is a stark reminder of the escalating severity of flooding in our area. Families are upset and concerned, for those who have relatives buried at St. Mary’s.Church, this even more distressing. The combination of increased rainfall and inadequate drainage has exacerbated soil erosion, leading to such unfortunate events. (more…)
Categories