Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn was in the Calder Valley last week visiting the flood hit areas and learning how all the agencies pulled together in the aftermath.
He spent time with the vicar of Sowerby Bridge, Revd Canon Angela Dick talking about the role the church played in the flood relief.
Said Angela: “ He asked how we got involved and thanked us for the role we played and asked if we’d be prepared if it happened again.
“I was able to explain how we were now classed as an ‘official’ community hub in partnership with Calderdale MBC and flood wardens.
“ And I was able to tell him about the new early warning system on our new bells which are just being installed…read about this here…. http://www.leeds.anglican.org/news/bells-christmas-help-flood-hit-sowerby-bridge
Mr Corbyn toured key people, businesses and organisations in the Calder Valley last Thursday with local MP Holly Lynch including the church, Abram Pulman & Sons in Sowerby Bridge, which was devastated by last year’s floods, and Copley Bridge. The church acted as a hub for donations, briefing volunteers, and housed the MPs pop-up office and generally acted as the central point for information and volunteers.
Jeremy Corbyn is calling on the Government to help Calderdale businesses secure affordable insurance following last winter’s floods. Mr Corbyn urged ministers and the insurance industry to work together to extend an existing scheme covering homes, known as Flood Re, to cover industry. He claimed the area was continuing to pay the price for cuts to flood defence budgets.