Film puts spotlight on Bewdley flooding misery

The Mockingbird Film Company has filmed a documentary about the plight of residents in Bewdley including that of a family living in temporary accommodation since March after floodwater seeped into their home last year and again in January.

Officials with the Environment Agency are considering various plans for a permanent flood barrier for Beales Corner in the town but residents fear that the barrier is not likely to be in place until 2024.

At the moment only temporary barriers are provided on the Beales Corner side of the River Severn while millions of pounds have been spent on demountable barriers used on the other side.

Ben Keen, a 31-year-old director and producer with the Mockingbird Film Company, and his business partner Ross Syner, aged 29, from Stourbridge, have been involved in creating a documentary about floods in Bewdley.

It particularly follows the lives of father-of-four Paul Smith, aged 51, who has been living in temporary accommodation since March last year. The film features problems faced by the family after two flooding incidents and includes a visit from Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Ben, who lived in Bewdley before moving to Kidderminster, is an award-winning producer and screenwriter. He said filming of the documentary, entitled Flooding – The Forgotten Crisis, was still continuing and that he hoped it would eventually see the family back in their home.

“We eventually hope the film will be an hour-long documentary and that it might be shown on television. We wanted to highlight the difference faced by families living on the two sides of the river.

“It tells the story of millions of pounds having been spent on demountable barriers on the one side whereas on the other side families are still waiting for suitable barriers.”