As I write this the River Thames continues to rise and parts of Henley-on-Thames are disappearing into the river. The famous Regatta Meadow is now completely under water and the Leander Club is becoming an island. The pitch at Henley Cricket Club is now a lake and as the pavilion is inaccessible their AGM planned for this Sunday has been moved to Hotel du Vin.
For the first time in its history the River and Rowing Museum has been forced to close due to being surrounded by water. Fortunately the building is on stilts so it should be safe from flooding.
As we speak Hobbs of Henley are pumping out their office. They have a number of flood markers in their office and so far the water level hasn’t reached that of the last major flood in 2003. The river has spread across the road at Hobbs and it has been closed to traffic.
Further along the same road The Chocolate Cafe is still accessible and open for business. It’s your chance to sit with one of their signature hot chocolates and watch the river rushing by.
Hotel du Vin have flooding in the wine cellar although it hasn’t stopped the delivery of business and they have a constant pump pumping the water out. They have seen a drop in business with passer by's which they have put down to the contribution of the local areas being flooded.
Greenlands is also still open although the River is covering part of their extensive lawn.
The floods are still rising although the Environment Agency state that they are unlikely to reach the levels of 2003. Our thoughts are with all businesses and homeowners who are currently affected or worried that they will be affected.
