Floods in the Vale of Evesham 50 years ago were the worst in the area since January.

The Journal of 1960 reported: “ Following torrential rain on Friday night and Saturday, the Avon rose at the rate of three to four inches an hour during Sunday to peak at seven feet two inches above normal during Sunday night.

“This caused the flooding of Waterside, Evesham, for the first time this season. Waterside was closed to all but heavy vehicles for nearly 12 hours, and there was considerable traffic congestion in the centre of the town during most of Monday, “There was six inches of water on the road at Pershore Bridge, Eckington Bridge was made impassable by more than three feet of water, and there was a considerable amount of water on the road at the Jubilee Bridge, Fladbury.

“Sedgeberrow was also flooded in the vicinity of the River Isbourne, and there was extensive flooding of riverside meadows and agricultural land. Many riverside caravan dwellers were obliged to move their homes to higher ground, “After Waterside had been reopened to traffic on Monday, the roads leading into Evesham were all congested with traffic bound for the West and Wales, which had been diverted from Worcester through Pershore and up the Cheltenham Road owing to the floods in Tewkesbury.”