Photo: The Royal Household
Prince William meets flood-hit villagers in Wales
Prince William visited Skenfrith in Wales, where houses have been flooded four times in six years. He called for a holistic approach to flood resilience, and planted an oak himself at the charity aiming to put a million trees in the ground across south Wales.
Prince William visited the village of Skenfrith in Monmouthshire in Wales on Thursday, meeting people whose homes have been flooded again and again. He then went on to a nearby farm where volunteers are planting trees to hold back the floods.
The Prince planted a sessile oak, the national tree of Wales. Photo: The Royal Household
• Flooded four times in six years
Residents of Skenfrith have had water in their houses four times in six years. The worst was Storm Claudia last November.
The Prince heard how the floods have affected homes and daily life in Skenfrith. Photo: The Royal Household
The Prince went from house to house to hear how the flooding has affected homes, livelihoods and everyday life.
There was time for a laugh along the way. Photo: The Royal Household
• Calling for a holistic approach
At a meeting on flood management the Prince said a holistic approach is needed to deal with the severe flooding.
At the flood management meeting in Monmouthshire. Photo: The Royal Household
He pointed to several measures that have to work together: slowing the water down by reshaping the farmed landscape, planting trees, and better monitoring so that people know when conditions are about to worsen.
• A million trees in south Wales
From the village he travelled to Great Tre-Rhew Farm, home of the charity Stump Up For Trees. Founded in 2020, it aims to plant one million native trees across south Wales and the Bannau Brycheiniog national park, formerly known as the Brecon Beacons.
The Prince was shown round by the volunteers of Stump Up For Trees. Photo: The Royal Household
The trees are meant to reduce the flood risk, bring back wildlife and improve water quality. The Prince helped collect seed from a field maple, and planted a sessile oak himself, the national tree of Wales.
The farm lies in the rolling countryside of Monmouthshire. Photo: The Royal Household
Local farmers have also brought an old cider orchard back into use as part of the same effort.