Whitchurch Water-Rationing

From the collection of

The Box
Established in 1992, the South West Film & Television Archive collection spans from 1893 to the present day containing more than 250,000 items. Formed from a variety of depositors, including broadcast news and programmes material from the Westward and TSW archive. In 2018 the archive collection transferred to The Box in Plymouth.

Whitchurch Water-Rationing (Westward Diary)


Legacy of the 1976 heatwave and water rationing in Whitchurch provides some thirsty work for residents

Residents homes in Whitchurch experience water-rationing due renewed fears of a drought. The 1976 heatwave remains a benchmark for soaring temperatures and no rainfall. The Drought Act brought about public water rationing and Denis Howell being appointed minister of Drought in August 1976 however days later severe thunderstorms brought rain to parts of the country for the first time in months.

Residents homes in Whitchurch experience water-rationing due renewed fears of a drought. The 1976 heatwave remains a benchmark for soaring temperatures and no rainfall. The Drought Act brought about public water rationing and Denis Howell being appointed minister of Drought in August 1976 however days later severe thunderstorms brought rain to parts of the country for the first time in months.


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