Hundreds of people used this every week – it’s just been wiped out

Didsbury: It’s been a tough time for the folks at Didsbury Sports Ground. Just ten days after the floods hit, they’re still trying to clean up the mess. The heavy rain on December 31 caused the River Mersey to overflow, and it really did a number on the area.

Water rushed through, flooding the sports ground and even affecting nearby allotments and a golf club. On New Year’s Day, volunteers found their clubhouse completely submerged, with water up to head height. Can you imagine that?

They couldn’t even get in to check the damage until recently because the water was just too high. Ian, a committee member, said half the building is still underwater, and the back wall has caved in. It’s a real disaster.

This place isn’t just a sports ground; it’s a hub for the community, serving around 1,000 people each week. Now, it’s all gone, and they’re looking at months of repairs. Financially, it’s a huge blow since they rely on events to keep things running.

Even the car park and fields are still frozen and covered in snow. United Utilities came to help pump the water back, but the freezing weather has made things tricky. They’re also getting quotes for repairs, but here’s the kicker: the club can’t get insurance for flood damage.

So, they’ve started a £50,000 fundraising appeal to help with the cleanup and repairs. Ian and Arthur, who have been part of the club for over twenty years, say they’ve seen floods before, but this one was different. They usually get warnings, but this time, they were caught off guard.

The Environment Agency has been working hard to manage the situation, but it’s clear that more needs to be done to prevent this in the future. The community has rallied around the club, raising nearly £18,000 already, which is heartwarming.

Ian appreciates all the support, but they’ll need professionals to tackle the bigger repairs. They’re determined to rebuild and get back on their feet. It’s a tough road ahead, but they’re not giving up.