Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

For many of the residents of Tewkesbury, things are slowly starting to return to some form of normality.

This should bring some comfort to the victims of the flood, who in recent days have had to deal with the rather upsetting sight of strangers rummaging through prized family possessions, looking for salvageable items, and in many cases walking away with filthy items looking very pleased with themselves.

Fascinating community

As the drives and front gardens are cleared of, in many cases, a lifetimes worth of possessions, a new and fascinating community is springing up.

This community comes in the shape ofΜύrows and rows of shiny new caravans, provided by insurance companies as alternative accommodation during the predicted long and messy rebuilding process.

Sam and Ann Hamilton paid host to a caravan party early on Wednesday morning.

With friends and neighbours, many of whom have lived in the area for many years, yet never spoken, huddled into their new mobile home and feasting on Tea, Toast and Marmalade.

The mood was cheery and with lots of laughs, and good natured banter, exchanging hints and tips on coping with a very new lifestyle.

Reporting for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Gloucestershire breakfast show, Andy Barnard was on hand to sample the hospitality and share the party atmosphere with the listeners as he carried out a live broadcast from the first of many caravan parties.

The flood may have damaged homes and properties, but people here seem to be coping and getting used to a new way of life.

"We're practicing for Christmas" was one comment from one of the party goers, with the building work predicted to take nearly nine months, that is probably a very, very good idea.