St. MICHAEL and all ANGEL’S CHURCH, ISEL.

Report on the Flood of 19th. November 2009.

INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW.

The events of Thursday, 19th. November 2009 are well known. Almost 15 inches of
rain had fallen in the Buttermere and Borrowdale valleys and, coupled with the
untimely release of water from the Thirlmere Reservoir, resulted in massive flooding
and damage along the River Derwent valley, between Keswick and Workington.

Mid way between Bassenthwaite Lake and Cockermouth, adjacent to Isel Church, the
level of the River Derwent rose by some 20 feet and caused the water to flow into and
through, the gardens of the next door property, ‘Isel Bridge House’. (Formally, ‘Isel
Vicarage’). The eastern boundary wall between Isel Church and Isel Bridge House,
eventually gave way under the pressure of the deepening floodwater and water surged
into the churchyard towards the eastern-end wall of the church.

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Upon striking the wall of Isel Church, the water coursed around both the north and
south sides of the church until the level rose around the building to a depth of between
four and five feet. Once again the water pressure built up, this time against the inside
of the churchyard boundary walls, and two further lengths of wall to the north gave
way

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After 3 - 4 days, the waters had receded. Under advice, wet documents and registers
were removed to a freezer store as soon as possible. Proper access to inspect the
church was first made on Wednesday, 25th. November 2010, and coincided with the
Archdeacon’s quinquennial inspection visit. Representatives from Ecclesiastical
Insurance and Crawford’s Loss Adjusters, were also present.

In it’s wake, the water had left older headstones around the church, leaning or
flattened. In the ‘new’ churchyard some 20 headstones were uprooted and left in
disarray. Church paths were gouged out to a depth of 3 feet, drainage pipes and
electric cables were unearthed, grassed areas were stripped back, topsoil had been
washed away and considerable waterborne debris had been deposited all over the
churchyard. Approximately 150 metres of boundary stone walling had been
demolished and washed away, and a further 60 metres of wall had been left with a
worrying lean. Both main gates had disappeared, as had the entrance light and other
items of churchyard furniture.

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Outside the churchyard, the 6 feet high wall between Isel Bridge House and the church drive had been demolished
by the floodwater, causing the church driveway and car park to be gouged out, including one hole, which was 7+
feet deep. Railings dividing the driveway from Margaret’s Field had also been ripped out and damaged or
misshapen.

Inside Isel Church, the outer doors, aided by small floodgates, remained closed and had prevented water from
surging into the building. Nevertheless, the rising water table forced water up through the earth floor of the
church and water rose to a depth of about 15 inches. Because the vestry is a few steps lower than the main body
of the church, water in here was about 3! feet deep. Water was also seen to have coursed from an under floor
source in the southeastern corner of the chancel, near the Altar.

All furnishing and other items including floor coverings, inside the church, which were beneath the water level,
were either destroyed or sustained a water (bleaching) mark where it had been submerged for some time.

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Likewise, in the vestry, anything beneath the water was lost. The exceptions were precious documents and linens/
hangings, which have been taken for specialist restoration or laundering. Some older items of furniture are also
restorable. The large oak storage dresser was not recoverable and was lost. The vestry kitchen units and contents
stored within were also destroyed.

Everywhere that had been under water, had been left with a film of silt and mud.

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The List of Recovery Work Required.

Outside Isel Church.

Church Drive to be re-instated.

Church Drive Railings to be repaired and re-erected.
Church Paths to be re-instated.
Drainage Pipes to be re-instated.
Underground Electricity Cables to be re-installed.
Broken Tree branches to be made safe.
Churchyard Debris to be cleared away or stockpiled for re-use.
150 metres. of Boundary Stone Walling require to be rebuilt.
60 metres. of Boundary Stone Walling to be demolished and rebuilt.
Various Short Lengths of Wall to be ‘patched and pointed’.
New Gates to be supplied.
New Light at Entrance required.
Landscaping of Churchyard to re-instate lost topsoil and grass.
Old and new Headstones to make good.

Inside Isel Church.

Removal to Store all ‘mobile’ Furnishings.

Removal and Sorting of all Contents to establish recoverable items.
Deep Cleansing of the Premises, including fixed furnishings.
Removal of Flooring (in parts), to aid drying.
Air-Drying of Building.
Restoration of Precious Documents.
Specialist Laundering of vestment items.
Repairs to Church Organ.
Replacement of Safe.
Renovation of salvageable Furniture.
Re-decoration of Church, Porch, Vestry and Toilet.
Refurbishment of French Polished Furniture.
Replacement of non-salvageable furniture.
Replacement of Contents lost, i.e. hymnbooks, hassocks, vases, crockery, etc. etc.
Replacement of Kitchen Units and Fittings etc.
Electricity Circuitry checks and replacement as required.
Replacement of Heating System.
Replacement (part) of flooring – including parquet flooring.

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Summary of the Present Position.

Inside.

1. SALVAGE contractors, CONTINUITY UK, were very quickly appointed by the insurers, to limit the
deterioration of contents and building, by recovery and cleaning of all salvageable material. All movable
contents have been taken away to suitable storage premises in Embleton, near Cockermouth. The
exceptions are those items taken elsewhere for specialist cleaning or renovation. I.e. vestments and
documents.

Items, which were destroyed and have been removed to a landfill site, have been documented by
CONTINUITY UK. The list does not contain any items that are irreplaceable most items will be replaced
in due course by purchase.

After all contents had been removed, CONTINUITY UK has deep cleaned all parts of the church building.
Blowers and de-humidifiers have been installed and are running continually to help with a natural, heatless
drying process. Sections of wooden and parquet flooring have been removed to aid with the drying.

Surprisingly, the Vestry and kitchen have dried exceptionally well. The main body of the church however,
is taking longer - the recent spell of cold weather has not helped.

2. The ELECTRICITY supply to the building was temporarily disconnected by United Utilities, until our
own electrician could disconnect the consumer unit and install a temporary circuit; the supply was then re-
connected. The electric wiring is scheduled for inspection a report is expected shortly.

3. The HEATING SYSTEM (currently, oil filled electric heating pipes) has been condemned and will need
to be replaced. Alternative heating methods should be considered at this stage. The Loss Adjusters have
agreed that they will meet their financial obligations for replacing the existing system, but that the funds
may be used towards an alternative system.

4. ORGAN specialists, JARDINE, have inspected the church organ and have given an estimate for the
repair. A new motor and wind trunk is needed and drying out/repairs to stops and pipes will be carried out
in due course. Further work may be required when pipes etc. have been removed and the full extent of
any damage is apparent. JARDINE’s are hopeful that they have seen most if not all of the damage.

5. CARPET suppliers have quote for the exact replacement of floor coverings lost.

6. DECORATING, JOINERY, PLUMBING, FRENCH POLISHING, SAFE and OAK DRESSER

estimates are awaited.

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Outside.

1. DRIVEWAY AND CHURCH PATHS have been reinstated to approximately 2 inches below their finish
level to enable safe access for contractors working on site. Some church path infill beyond the church
porch and vestry door has yet to be completed.

2. DRAINAGE PIPES AND ELECTRIC CABLES beneath the in-filled paths have been replaced.

3. Salvageable RAILINGS adjacent to Margaret’s Field, has been put back into position and need some
further re-alignment.

4. Damaged TREE BRANCHES have been made safe and wood debris has been removed from site.

5. Re-usable WALLING STONE has been collected and placed adjacent to the boundaries to remove
obstacles from the churchyard and in preparation for re-building work.

6. Displaced HEADSTONES have been replaced into their proper locations, but left lying down for safety
reasons until they are re-erected. All remaining leaning headstones have been checked for stability.

7. WALL BUILDING quotations have been received and approved by the Loss Adjuster. For safety reasons
and to reduce the opportunity of theft, work should start as soon as the contractor is able, (probably
February). Work is expected to take about 3-4 months.

8. The CHANCEL CORNER WALL area will be excavated when a mini digger is on site to excavate the
wall foundations, to inspect for ingress erosion and voids. The removal of one or two flagstones and a
small excavation carried out inside the church, adjacent to this area will also be necessary.

9. Replacement GATES will be considered in due course.

Mr. Ray Day of Architects, DAY CUMMINS, has been appointed to oversee the restoration of Isel Church.

John Thompson 17 January 2010

The Old School
Isel

Tel. 01900 823763