During the dam incident in Whaley Bridge, several roads and bridges above the River Goyt in New Mills were closed as a safety precaution in case the dam collapsed. The road blocks were manned 24 hours a day by Police and road workers who had been drafted in from all over Derbyshire, some on their days off. They worked 12 hours shifts outside in the hot weather and were not able to leave their posts to get food or drinks. Bele Bakery organised a suspended food and drink scheme that members of the public paid into for the people working at the road blocks. Women’s group collected sandwiches and drinks twice a day from Bele Bakery and delivered them in teams to 6 locations around New Mills where police and road workers were posted.
Some of the public also helped us deliver when we were short of group members to cover all the road blocks. We took them on foot with our little ones (who were delighted to meet officers and see Police vans), as there was no way to get around town in a car with the road closures. In the morning hot breakfast sandwiches and brews were delivered. During the afternoon sandwiches, cold drinks, cakes or ice lollies were offered. We also delivered food donated by local takeaways to New Mills fire Station in the evenings as they had a lot of extra personnel at their station who were helping in Whaley Bridge. New Mills WI delivered hot drinks to the workers at road blocks during the evenings.
