Lambs die in River Derwent flood waters in Cumbria

Dan Simpson and Ruby Cappleman of Seatoller Farm, Borrowdale in Cumbria have pleaded their local authorities to help managing the River Derwent near Keswick after a flash flood last week led to the loss of 58 of the couple's ewe lambs.

Dan and Ruby experienced the 'worst day of their lives' on September 30 when unexpected heavy rain caused the fields around their farm to flood.

The water rose to over 1.5 metres deep in just four hours when the River Derwent, which starts at Seathwaite and runs into Derwent Water, burst its banks. Met Office figures show 97.2mm of rain fell at Seathwaite that day. 

Of 148 sheep in the field neighbouring the river, 58 lambs were lost.

Ruby said: "I can't describe the heartache seeing our stock, which we have looked after and are the future of our flock, be helplessly washed away. 

An awful sight. Picture: Ruby Cappleman (Image: Ruby Cappleman)

"Dan was at the auction when I first noticed the severity of the flooding and he returned home straight away, only to end up stranded a mile from home. A local farmer managed to get him home.

"Meanwhile, I helplessly tried to catch lambs as they floated past whilst nearly knee deep. I only managed to save three with the help of two neighbours before it got too dangerous.

"If something doesn't happen soon, lives will be lost.

“The roads surrounding the farm were cut off, and the water was over Dan's tractor tyres as he tried to return stranded children from the local school to their homes in Borrowdale."

This is the first time the couple of the National Trust tenanted farm have seen flooding on this scale, despite it having been farmed by the family for the past 20 years.

The young couple say action to dredge the river must happen soon before lives are lost.

They have set up a petition calling for action from the Environment Agency and local Rivers Trust to manage the River Derwent. 

Dan Simpson and Ruby Cappleman in happier times (Image: Ruby Cappleman)

The cost of losing their stock, which consisted of Herdwick and Swaledale ewe lambs, is expected to run into tens of thousands of pounds, not accounting for almost a whole generation of breeding being wiped out.

Ruby added: "We live in the wettest place in England, and it's unacceptable that four hours of rain can cause so much devastation. The river should be able to cope with longer periods of rain before it causes absolute chaos."

At the time of writing, a representative from Copeland MP Trudy Harrison's office had been in touch to try and coordinate a meeting with the Environment Agency, NFU and local Council. The National Trust has also visited the property and will look into the issue.

Ruby said: "We are waiting on a date for a meeting, and hopefully, from this, swift action will be taken to manage the river.

"Dredging may not be the complete solution, but I expect that alone would make a huge difference due to the number of stones in the river bottom," she said.

To sign the petition go to https://www.change.org/p/dredge-our-borrowdale-river-to-help-reduce-the-flooding?recruiter=1278680505&recruited_by_id=b0a13a10-424b-11ed-bb21-2f2ac70ebc5d&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page&utm_medium=copylink&fbclid=IwAR31fpFjYj2DKepNbNvTD-EqDuzN7cHJw8EWSj0ozr3mWqA60Xeo5frvzGg