Two Sovereign neighbourhood wardens had a shock induction to their new roles last week as dramatic flooding in Pangbourne and Purley put them through their paces.

In the first week of their new jobs, West Berkshire Wardens David Shallow and Shirley Spencer found themselves in the thick of torrential conditions rescuing two elderly ladies from their flood-stricken homes in Purley on Thames.

David said: “It’s been frantic. One minute we were cleaning up graffiti, and the next we were evacuating elderly ladies flooded out of their homes. We just helped as much as we could, and that gave us all a buzz.

Calcot resident David Shallow, 36, worked in retail and warehouses and has experience of dealing with youngsters through his hobby coaching two youth football teams. However, as water levels rose, he was alongside local councillors, residents and frontline services as they manned the barricades.

Sovereign Neighbourhood Warden Manager Andy Cooch commented: “Wardens may get a lot of different things thrown at them, but we never expected our two new members of the team to be literally in at the deep end. But they performed admirably, and I’m very pleased we were able to supply Pangbourne and Purley with some real support.”

Published 2 August 2007
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