Storm Desmond: Pubs rally round those devastated by flooding

Thousands have been flooded out of their homes and left without electricity after the storm wreaked havoc around the UK. However local licensees, some of whom who have been affected themselves, are rallying round to support those hit by the flooding.

New campaign ‘Drink Cumbria Dry’ is asking pubs and breweries to donate a percentage of every pint to the Cumbria Flood Appeal, in an effort to keep local businesses going.

The campaign Facebook group said: “As many people are still stranded and recovering from the floods these past few days, Cumbria is starting to begin the gargantuan task of cleaning up and getting back to normality.

"There are many folks that want to help but simply can't get out of their village, or don't know what to do to help...so we've come up with an easy solution...drink beer! 

“Whilst it's only a small step to helping the recovery I hope together we can#drinkcumbriadry!”

Braithwaite based-pub the Middle Ruddings started the campaign and is donating 20p from every pint sold to the Cumbria Flood Appeal.

Beki Bowles, who works at the pub,  told the Publican's Morning Advertiser​: "It started because we had about 40 guest stranded due to flooding and we wanted to help in some way. Because we were working, we couldn't go and help so this is a way we can help with clean-up. Pubs are the heart of a community, especially in small rural villages, and so if residents were flooded they could find refuge in their local. We also need folks to continue to visit businesses and keep spending money, rather than stay away because of what they may have heard about the flooding on the news. And finally Cumbria has so many wonderful pubs and breweries that it made sense for us to unite together and support residents and other businesses."

@eden_arts good to see all the good work being done. @HelmBarBrews helping with #drinkcumbriadry. Heart warming pic.twitter.com/Wkwl4Vml8a

— The Gate Inn Yanwath (@YanwathGate) December 8, 2015

Employees at Lancaster pub, the Crafty Scholar, have set up a temporary kitchen offering food to people in need despite being left without power.

With no power and fridges full of Christmas food, general manager Adam Hulme decided to cook and serve the food for free, using gas cylinders, torches and candles to rustle up homemade soup and turkey sandwiches.  

The team at the pub managed to get a temporary kitchen up and running within a couple of hours and attracted queues of over 100 people.

Hulme said: “We are one of the lucky ones as we have not suffered from flood damage, but many haven’t fared so well. We had fridges packed with food when the storm hit and we didn’t want it to go to waste when so many people were homeless or without power.

"It’s at times like this community life is so important and we are just pleased we have been able to help by using temporary gas stoves to provide people with free food and hot drinks. We have been helping out too by warming babies bottles; in fact any way we can to make the situation easier for those around us.”