Over recent weeks the water level at Longbridge has been relatively high. Much of this is due to the heavy rainfall that we have had over recent months which has saturated the ground. This means that any more heavy rainfall, as we have had in the last few weeks, will not be absorbed by the soil but will immediately add to the runoff causing a relatively benign river like the Loddon to turn into as near a raging torrent as is likely to be seen on a lowland watercourse.

The high water level has put further pressure on the sluices associated with the mill. A meeting was held at Longbridge with the head of the owner's estate department who agrees that significant work is necessary and required to bring the sluices back to an operational state. A project manager is being charged with preparing a plan to produce a specification for this work and to select a suitable millwright to undertake the necessary work.