By Neil Stewart
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), Scotland’s environmental regulator, has joined forces with critically acclaimed theatre group Look Left, Look Right to spread the word that preparing for floods is important. David Faichney, of SEPA, said:
“Flooding can cause terrible distress, destroying property and personal belongings and can be devastating for communities. Although we can’t stop flooding happening it is important that people know that there are things they can do to help protect themselves, and lessen the impact flooding can have. SEPA’s annual flood awareness campaign aims to ensure people know where they can go for information and advice, and provides guidance on practical steps people can take to ensure they are prepared before flooding happens.”
Scotland has faced a barrage of recent flood events . The last episode of heavy rainfall in the North East at the beginning of September affected homes in Moray. Nearly 500 people were evacuated.
SEPA is bringing Look Left, Look Right’s play, The Caravan, to Hawick, Galashiels and Peebles for a week of performances. The play has enjoyed sellout runs in Edinburgh during the festival, as well as a successful stint at London’s Royal Court Theatre. Ben Freedman of the theatre company, commented:
“Summer 2007 was the wettest on record in the UK. Severe flooding across the country brought misery to hundreds of thousands of people, destroying homes, livelihoods, cutting off access to drinking water, and causing major disruption to travel routes. As a result of the ensuing chaos, over 2,000 households were still living in caravans a year later. We carried out months of research and interviews, to allow us to present fascinating memories and moving accounts from those people worst affected. These interviews are re-enacted by actors, word for word, alongside visual and audio footage inside the caravan.”
Other environmental awareness campaigns happening across Scotland this year include ENSEMBLES Final Symposium — A Changing Climate in Europe which runs from 17-19 November 2009 at the Headquarters of the Met Office in Exeter.