Solving the East's drought?

It will be scant consolation to the hard-working organisers of yesterday's Hankelow Fete but the perfect solution to the official drought conditions just declared in the East of England could lie in Audlem and district.

Famously, in 1976 the then Government appointed a Minister of Drought, Denis Howell, to make it rain after an extended hot and dry spell.

Recent local experience indicates an even simpler idea. If the organisers of the Hankelow Fete, the Highfields Gala and Audlem Carnival could pull a team together to run dozens of events across the East of England, rain in that parched region is assured!

The first day of the Highfields Gala on 7th May brought a near two-month spell of hot and dry weather to a sudden end with heavy rain and strong winds. It managed to rain for much of Audlem Carnival Day on Bank Holiday Monday while Hankelow yesterday battled with rain, cold and wind throughout the day.

The team could be called The Rainmakers. Simply announcing the dates for outdoor galas, fetes and carnivals in the East should do the trick. Not only will the rain arrive on cue but the accompanying winds should get those giant windmills on the flatlands producing oodles of 'green' electricity.

With sponsorship from the water companies and agriculture, it could even be a money-making as well as rain-producing idea for the local charities which our local groups work so hard to support.

Our photo is not from yesterday but a previous damp fete.

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