Flood defences are being prepared

Meanwhile, in smaller towns such as Upton-on-Severn it will probably be uneconomic to install expensive flood barriers.

So those living along the River Severn are facing up to the hard facts that they will have to spend another winter without defences and some places may never be defended to the level they would like.

But Bewdley in particular has shown the way forward for those living by a river.

For while the authorities have been unable to show much concrete action these past months, the residents of Bewdley have been preparing for the worst.

Flood fairs

Once the water had receded last year the people of Bewdley formed a flood defence committee.

For the first time, those directly affected by flooding in the town had an organised voice.

So while flood defences for Bewdley will not be ready this winter, they have been pushed through ahead of schedule partly thanks to the committee.

Shrewsbury saw some of the worst flooding

The committee also organised one of Britain's first flood fairs.

Flood prevention products for the home were put on display by the manufacturers.

It proved a popular event with more than 500 people from outside the town attending.

Since then the committee has helped others to organise flood fairs, with five having been held so far.

The committee can also help with those annoying niggles that the authorities tend to overlook.

For example Bewdley's flood defence committee has made sure the local council promises to clean up and remove sandbags this year once the waters recede.

Soaking, split bags were a real problem in the town last year.

Worst in 30 years

The people in Bewdley have spent the last 12 months learning once again how to cope with flooding and installing their own barriers and even pumps under the floor.

Though they hope they will not be reliving the events of a year ago.

And if you wonder why people who live by the River Severn seemed so surprised to be flooded in the first place it is due to a fluke.

Examining the records kept of the maximum river height in Bewdley, we found that for the last 30 years the river has never been high enough to flood buildings in the town.

Until the year 2000, of course.

It seems because of this unlikely dry period the people simply forgot how to cope with the River Severn when it turned against them.