Memorial to victims of Great Flood of 1953 to be unveiled in Mablethorpe
A SPECIAL memorial will be unveiled in Mablethorpe later this month to remember the people who lost their lives in the Great Flood of 1953.
To mark its 60th anniversary a six-tonne Norwegian Granite rock will be unveiled on Thursday, January 31, by former mayor of Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea Helen Parkhurst who raised funds for the memorial as part of her civic engagements in 2010.
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Mablethorpe residents climbed aboard lorries to go to rest centres at Louth and Alford during the Great Flood of 1953
Mrs Parkhurst said: "The memorial rock, which is the same type as those used in sea defences, will provide a lasting memorial to those who lost their lives in 1953's flood.
"I would like to thank all those people who have made this possible for the community, including Robert Howell, who provided and transported the rock to its resting place."
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The rock will be located by the skate park on North Promenade, Mablethorpe. Prior to the rock's unveiling a memorial service will take place at the Dunes Complex organised and funded by Mablethorpe Town Council.
The memorial service starts at 2pm and local people are invited to attend to support the event.
Mayor of Mablethorpe Joyce Taylor, said: "January 31, will be a chance for the community to reflect on what happened in 1953 and to commemorate those who so sadly lost their lives.
"I would encourage the community to attend the memorial service or take a moment out of their day to reflect on the sad events of January 31, 1953."
As part of the commemoration John Monk MBE will be hosting an exhibition that focuses on Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea during and after the flood with personal accounts and photographs.
The exhibition will take place from Saturday, January 26, to Monday, January 28, between 10.30am and 4.30pm.
A service conducted by the Rev Peter Liley to remember those who lost their lives and those affected will take place on Sunday, January 27, immediately after the exhibition. The Bishop of Lincoln will also be on hand to bless the sea defences at the Scarborough Esplanade, Skegness at 5.40pm, on Thursday, January 31.
Following this a beacon will be lit at the coast on the southern side of Lagoon Walk, just after going through the flood gates from Tower Esplanade.
Since 1953, a lot has changed along the Lincolnshire Coast to help protect the land. Sea defences are now stronger and emergency services have a robust plan in place for dealing with future incidents. The Lincolnshire Resilience Forum is continuing to remind people about the importance of being prepared for East Coast flooding and is reminding people that they should sign up to Floodline on 0845 988 1188 and complete their own personal flood plan at www.lincolnshireprepared.co.uk
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