Survivor of Keynsham floods dies aged 82

A KEYNSHAM woman who survived the Great Flood of 1968 has died at the age of 82.

Elaine Cole was born and lived virtually all her life in a cottage at Dapps Hill, Keynsham.

She was at home on the night of July 1968 when the Chew Valley Lake overflowed during heavy rainfall, sending a huge wave of floodwater surging down the River Chew.

By the time it reached her Keynsham home, a massive wall of water smashed through the front of the house as Mrs Cole, her mother, husband and four of her children, fled for their lives, escaping by clambering into the loft and smashing a hole in the roof.

A lifelong Keynsham resident and well known in the town, Elaine worked at the former International Stores, Fry's chocolate factory, and then as cashier at the town's cinema in Charlton Road.   She married John, a builder, in 1944. He died 31 years ago. Her eldest daughter, Andrea, said, "Mum was very much the centre of the family. We regularly got together for family occasions when mum took centre stage.

"She was very proud of all her grandchildren and spoke regularly on the telephone to those she didn't see often. Her great-grandchildren were a special delight to her and she loved to spend time with them. We will all miss her very much.

Elaine's neighbour, Evening Post journalist Tim Davey, described her as "a great friend, so generous of spirit and full of kindness".

She died at her youngest daughter Jayne's home in Somerset after a short illness.

She leaves children Andrea, Susie, Gill, Jayne and Peter, grandchildren Michael, Matthew, Abigail, Sam, Ben, Emily, Nicholas, Natalie, Roxanne and Kenzie, also great-grandchildren Eloise, Alfie and Frazer

 The funeral service takes place on Wednesday, February 17, at 11am at Haycombe Crematorium, Bath.