Gloucestershire farmer 'near breaking point' after weather damage

A farmer is "near breaking point" following widespread damage from a tornado.

Adrian, who owns a farm in Condicote, Gloucestershire, was impacted when a tornado hit the village on 28 October.

Recent storms have intensified the problems, and as a result, his winter crops are suffering.

"You're putting tens of thousands, if not millions of pounds [into farming] and you're gambling with weather," he said.

Although The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (Torro) issued a weather warning across the region, Adrian said the conditions were calm during the day.

But at about 20:00 BST, he said the wind became stronger and a small tornado hit shortly after, lasting about 15 seconds. Similar conditions affected West Sussex.

The tornado touched down in one of Adrian's fields. It destroyed old ash trees and walling as well as damaging properties in its path.

"Debris was strewn about half a mile and the damage is pretty widespread.

"Afterwards, it was a bright, moonlit night. You could hear a pin drop," he added.

The worst damage was observed at the end of the village, where one resident's roof lifted, leaving their house uninhabitable.

Adrian said the community is working together to clear the wreckage.

"We're trying to get on with stuff but it's hard work," he said.

"We can't get on and finish the winter crops, and we can't do anything.

"We can't touch the land at all because it's so waterlogged.

"We're near breaking point and [people] don't understand how hard it is."

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