Camp House Inn and how it has been affected by floods

The Camp House Inn by the River Severn in Grimley, near Worcester, flooded on Saturday, December 30, the water seeping up from beneath the tiles in the dart room after Worcestershire was battered by two storms. 

SMILES: Jo Wainwright-Scarrot, assistant manager of the Camp House Inn in Grimley, grins through the latest flooding blow to her family (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Storm Henk arrived hot on the soggy heels of Storm Gerrit and quickly the water breached their defences, flooding the lower floor of the pub.

Flooding is nothing new here. There are plaques by the fireplace showing previous flooding high water marks in 2000. The highest level, which is not recorded, is believed to be 1947.

FORTITUDE: Paul Scarrott, Jo's husband, gets on with the job in hand despite flooding at the Camp House Inn, Grimley (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Jo Wainwright-Scarrott, assistant manager, gives a grim smile as she says: "The water came inside in the morning. That's unusual. It normally comes in when we're asleep. We try to be optimistic and positive. But it's getting harder."

It was a blow that came just before the pub's New Year Party. The business, popular for its spectacular views of the Severn (particularly in the summer), remains closed while the family clean up in the wake of the water.

The river which makes the pub such an idyllic location in summer can be its bane come winter. If you don't have webbed feet, you will at least need wellies and a sturdy pair of sea legs when the storms blow in.HELP: Paul Scarrott gets the Camp House Inn ready to welcome back the customers (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Come hell or high water, it is usually possible to get a pint here with the aid of a boat to ferry customers - just not at the moment.

When asked when the pub will reopen, Mrs Wainwright-Scarrott said 'how long's a piece of string?' but it's all hands on deck as everyone there is working on it.

RECOMMENDED READING: Camp House Inn, Grimley use boat for customers in floods

RECOMMENDED READING: Diglis residents demand defences after Worcester floods 2024

The punt often runs even when the Camp stands cut off like a lighthouse amid the floods. 

DELUGE: The Camp House Inn sign peeks out of the flood waters of the River Severn (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Mrs Wainwright-Scarrott hopes to open the pub again 'as soon as possible' so they can help her dad, Jim Wainwright, who has been recovering in hospital, celebrate his 80th birthday in March. 

FAMILY: Jo Wainwright-Scarrott's grandfather, Percival (left with the pint) and his wife 'Ma' Wainwright (centre at the back) in this family photo at the Camp House Inn speak of their deep connections to the pub and the river Severn itself (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The 45-year-old said any insurance claim cost £10,000 for the excess and flooding had affected them four times since last October with water (twice getting inside the building) - a potential excess of £40,000 since storm Babet. 

However, it is just the damage caused by the water to the building and its contents, each time the river levels rise (even if water does not get inside the building), they are cut off from their customers, losing trade.

"It's not that we can't insure the premises - it's the fact it is not viable to do so," said Mrs Wainwright-Scarrott.

On top of any insurance excess, the costs of rent and wages also have to be met. The pub has been run by the same family since 1939 (although tied to the Stonegate Brewery) and numerous floods have failed to dislodge this hardy clan.

It is a place which still remembers and honours its past - photographs of her grandfather, Percival Wainwright, and his wife (known simply as 'Ma') are a nod to the folk who came before.

The grade II listed building, which has roots which may be medieval, was built when the Severn was still tidal it functioned as a lighthouse for trading ships.