The Flood of 22nd January 2007, Stoney Middleton

“Welcome to Stoney Middleton!”

Disaster struck the lower lying areas in Stoney Middleton on the morning of 22nd January 2007. One of the dams belonging to the Glebe Mines further up the Dale towards Eyam broke its banks, and a torrent of muddy water gushed down the roadway like a rocket, taking stones, bits of wood, and even dustbins with it, flooding the main road through the Dale, and The Nook to 3 feet or more depth.

Tony Mason was feeding his cattle in the field at the back of Stoney Middleton Hall (behind the wall on the right of this photograph) when it happened, and was nearly swept off his feet by the force of water. This and another photo are kindly supplied by his brother Patrick.

This view shows the main road (A623) through the village, looking towards the Dale and Wardlow Mires, and was taken a few hours afterwards. At its worst, the flood water reached nearly to the Calver Sough Cross Roads (behind us in this photo). The road sign underneath the village sign is the curiously-named ‘Trinkey Lane’.

(Commentary provided by Rosemary Lockie)