Westcountry’s famously wet weather failing to deliver so far

THE sunshine that has blessed the Devon County Show over recent days and its tens of thousands of visitors looks set to continue into this week.

And forecasts of fine weather and rising temperatures will encourage day-trippers and families to head this way as the holiday season gets underway in earnest.

But even at this stage in the year, dry weather that ensures visitors enjoy the best of what the Westcountry has to offer also poses two particular problems.

The first is the fact that our reservoirs have failed to top up sufficiently over the winter period and the region remains on drought status.

Sudden downpours earlier this month as thunderstorms swept through the Westcountry led to rivers breaking their banks and floodwaters swamping homes.

Yet despite the rain, this corner of Britain is still in a technical ‘drought’ and a hosepipe ban in Cornwall and north-west Devon was recently extended by South West Water to cover all of Devon, given levels at Colliford and Roadford reservoirs remain below where they need to be.

The heatwave of last summer sapped our reserves to such an extent that we are still feeling the consequences this spring, with South West Water recently warning that the region is under “immense and increasing pressure” and that restrictions may have to be extended if the situation does not improve, such as a possible ban on car washes, swimming pools and hot tubs.

The deluge earlier in May was short-lived and dry weather has returned at a time when visitor numbers – adding to demand on water supplies – are beginning to nudge upwards. If the water situation doesn’t improve – and quickly – then this region could face real shortages at the height of the tourist season.

A decent amount of steady rainfall, while welcomed by few, is essential if further restrictions are to be avoided over the coming months.

The second problem posed by dry weather is the raised risk of wildfires, which can devastate precious areas of habitat, such as coastal heaths or upland moors.

The first significant wildfire of the season took place this week on the Isles of Scilly, and it is believed it was started by a firework launched from an event. Fortunately local fire crews rapidly dealt with the blaze on Bryher, which damaged some 50 square metres of heathland.

The fire service warned of the “associated dangers and risks of using fireworks, fire lanterns and BBQs, particularly as we are now experiencing warmer weather with a drying ground and vegetation”. Lucy McRobert, of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, added: “Scilly has a fragile island ecosystem, so the risks to wildlife and our natural landscapes are even greater. We want everyone to enjoy our islands, but must urge people to do so responsibly and respectfully.”

The Westcountry is famous for its wet weather, so dry spells are generally to be welcomed – and one can usually rely on the prevailing westerlies to fill our rivers and lakes.

In the meantime, enjoy the sun. And if we really start worrying about a lack of rain then organising a picnic should do the trick. Never fails to bring on the downpours!