The following is an extract from the book Southwell in old Photographs by Virginia Carpenter, referring to flooding in Southwell in 1922.

“Flooding in Southwell in 1922. Both Harvey’s Field, Easthorpe and Potwell Dyke were affected. August bank holiday in 1922 was marred by heavy rain; it commenced to rain on Sunday 7 August at night and continued unabated until midday on Tuesday. As a local newspaper sais: ‘Never in the history of the proverbial oldest inhabitant has there been such a torrential downpour of rain in Southwell as that of Sunday night and Monday morning. The fall measured over 3 inches – the previous record was 1 3/4 – and this represents nearly 3 tons to the acre. Many houses in the low-lying parts were flooded, furniture had to be taken upstairs and pigs and fowls brought into the house, while garden produce was washed away into the Greet. The Potwell Dyke became a raging torrent, rushing across the road at Park Street. Traffic from Nottingham to Southwell was held up; a motor car full of passengers tried to get through but water reached the engine and the car being pulled up in mid-stream the occupants had to get out and wade knee deep through the water. The Greet had by mid-afternoon on Monday overflowed its banks and all the farms in the neighbourhood were flooded. Cattle had to be rescued, sometimes under great difficulty, to avoid them being washed away. Scouts camping in the vicinity had a rough time and had to take refuge in local school rooms.”

08/1922 Southwell in Old Photographs – Flooding

08/1922 Southwell in Old Photographs – Harvey’s Field Flooding

08/1922 Southwell in Old Photographs – Potwell Dyke Flooding