When we go back through the weather records it appears that a drought occurs about once every ten years. 1955 and 1956 were both very dry, as was 1962. For many of us the drought that will forever stick in the memory occurred in 1976 - that long, hot summer. In fact 1975 had been quite a dry year. But when the weather began to settle in early April the levels in the West’s reservoirs were already fairly low. Standpipes For the next four months the sun beat down and the skies remained blue and clear. Across the West Country our normally green fields began to look more like parched prairies. Crops shrivelled and as water levels fell to unprecedented levels standpipes began to appear across the region as water rationing began. Things got so bad we were advised to take drastic measures to conserve dwindling water resources. By the middle of August the government was becoming so concerned that they appointed Dennis Howell as Minister of 'Drought'. Downpour On the 28th August, almost to the day he was appointed, the Met Office’s prediction of a breakdown in the fine weather was confirmed as the heavens opened and for the next four weeks it rained, and it rained, and it rained. Drought is likely to become an increasing problem here in the West. Farmers The demand for water continues to rise both among domestic and industrial users and there are signs that our weather patterns are becoming more extreme. One of the noticeable effects of global warming has been the trend towards more extreme rainfall patterns - more rain in the autumn and winter (remember the flooding of autumn 2000) - less in spring and summer. During the summer of 1997 Points West featured farmers who were bemoaning the lack of rain for sowing their spring crops. These are likely to become a rather more frequent occurrence in the next 50 years. In many parts of the world water is treated as a highly valuable commodity. Access to water is a source of international conflict. Here in the generally wet West Country we take water for granted. When the sun shines and the rain fails to fall, only then do we begin to appreciate the true value of our water. | 
