Model marks surrendered WW1 U-boats
POIGNANT The model boat A 15ft MODEL U-boat has been created to commemorate the mass surrender of German submarines on the Essex coast.
More than 160 vessels surrendered at Harwich in November 1918, at the end of the First World War.
At one point, the line stretched for two miles.
Most were taken to go on display but many were left beached before eventually going into the sea.
The model, part of centenary celebrations, is made of willow and sits on Dovercourt Beach.
David Cain, of Harwich Haven History Surrender and Sanctuary, said: “We wanted a landmark and something to stay on the beach, like the U-boats.
“Because it’s biodegradable it’ll fade into the sea, over two to three years.” A PENSIONER who cares for her brain-damaged teenage granddaughter fears they could lose their home because of benefit cuts as she moves to Universal Credit.
Jean Godfrey has brought up Emily Lydon, who has the human form of mad cow disease, since she was a baby.
The 19-year-old’s condition began in the womb when her mum, Sally Evans, became one of the first Britons to get variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
It attacked both her brain and that of her unborn child. Sally died aged 24 in May 2000 when her daughter was just seven months old.
Emily is unable to walk, speak or feed herself and is dependant on her grandmother. But last month Jean, 68, was told their joint income would be slashed from £720 a week to £400 as they moved to Universal Credit and because Emily had turned 19.
Benefits they have lost include Support for Mortgage Interest, which was stopped in April this year and replaced by a loan, Child Tax Credit, Special Guardianship Allowance and Child Benefit.
Jean said: “Government failures let mad cow disease into the human food chain, killing my daughter and braindamaging my granddaughter.
“I have spent 20 years caring for Emily. Now, these benefit cuts could make us homeless.”
She added: “Emily can’t speak or eat. We feed her using a syringe to pump food into her stomach via a tube. She’s doubly incontinent and can’t walk, as I told the Universal Credit officials.” The Department for Work and Pensions yesterday said Emily was no longer eligible for child benefits as she had turned 19. After checking her claim, it was found she was eligible for Employment and Support Allowance of £328 a month, which is being backdated, in addition to £58 a week UC.
But it means Emily will still be £245 a week worse off and Jean fears they may lose their bungalow in Newark, Notts.
She said: “It costs £150 a month for heating oil, so if we heat our house we cannot eat. I think we will still lose our Weekly amount Jean says they will still be short after DWP checks Mum Sally Evans with Emily JEAN GODFREY’S CONCERNS FOR HER AND GRANDDAUGHTER
home.” Jean also said that despite Emily’s condition, she had been asked to attend a “work capability assessment” at her local Jobcentre.
The DWP said in a statement: “As Emily has turned 19 and left full-time education, she is no longer eligible for child benefits.
“Emily now receives Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment.
“We have ensured she is receiving the correct support, and have backdated all payments. This has been communicated to Emily and her grandmother.”
Referring to the work capability assessment, a DWP spokesman added yesterday: “As Emily has a severe disability, she will not need to attend any further assessments.”
I’ve spent 20 years caring for Emily. These cuts could make us homeless