Heavy snow falls, drifting snow and freezing cut off Sticklepath and South Tawton and most other rural communities from the rest of Devon. Emergency services were overwhelmed and were unable to reach many villages. Power supplies were cut off as pylons collapsed under the weight of ice blown by hurricane force winds. Telephones ceased working as mobile ‘phone pylons blew over and diesel in emergency generators ran out. Food supplies were exhausted and heating oil was in short supply.

Fortunately, Sticklepath and South Tawton Parish Councils had already appointed Parish Emergency Plan Management Teams (nicknamed Peppermint) who had prepared contingency plans for self help in case of emergencies. The plans were dusted off, neighbourhood coordinators reminded themselves of young and elderly who might be at risk, a Control Headquarters was set up and manned, checks were made on what supplies were available and those who had declared their willingness to help with brain, muscle or equipment, and provision was made to open an Emergency Rest Centre. Consequently, despite the shortages of food, the lack of communications, the needs to support the elderly, the extra load on the community from people stranded in the villages, everyone was looked after.

All of this was enthusiastically rehearsed by Peppermint and the neighbourhood coordinators in Sticklepath Hall in May in an exercise called Climatic Catastrophe. Situations were described, time given for thought, answers given and discussed. Many lessons were learned and incorporated into the contingency plan. A lot of the ideas were also applicable to other emergency situations such as a flu pandemic, flooding, spillage, aircraft crash or other incidents where the community had to help itself or support the emergency services.

We have yet to decide on the scenario or time for our next rehearsal but we are thinking of a practical exercise involving more of the community, perhaps with the support of the emergency services.

Hopefully we will never have to put the plan into practice, but we are prepared, we know what we will have to do and we know who is in a position to help. If you want more information or would like to be more involved, please contact Peter Williams 840757 or Col Tony Clark 840283 or any of your parish councillors.