Reclaiming
the Rain in BOXFORD

Boxford is a beautiful village in south Suffolk which, like many villages, faces difficult challenges as it feels the effects of climate change.

Working with the Community

In order to find the value in flood water, it’s important to get to know Boxford’s community.

By understanding what the current opinions and behaviours are in Boxford, where the risk areas are, and who might benefit from additional water sources, we are able to explore possible opportunity areas and schemes in Boxford.

Boxford’s Initiatives

Boxford CEVC Primary School

Reclaim the Rain was awarded funding by the Department for Education as part of their SuDS in Schools Programme, including Boxford CEVC Primary and five other schools in Norfolk. The main aim of SuDS in Schools is to reduce flood risk to both the site and building. The Team have worked closely with our schools to come up with plans which not only increase their resilience, but also enable opportunities for education, amenity and wildlife enhancement. At Boxford School, this includes a sensory garden, vegetable patch etc…
Boxford Village Hall Rain Garden

Reclaim the Rain delivered a Rain Garden at Boxford Village Hall, completed in 2023. The rain garden intercepts rainfall from the existing roof area and downpipes during storm events. The creation of this rain garden not only offers flood risk benefits to the immediate surrounding hardstanding, but also reduces pressure on the drainage network, and demonstrates the opportunity to reuse water on local infrastructure and community assets.
St Mary's Church

Our work with Our Rainwater has resulted in comprehensive assessment of St Mary’s Church, taking into consideration the roof area, church-users’ priorities, and local rainfall patterns, to identify a selection of possible options which could support sustainable water management in this location. We hope to agree on a proposal which is mutually beneficial to St Mary’s Church and the community.
The Spinney

The Project Team has been working with the Spinney Committee to develop a scheme which offers flood risk benefit, as well as an environmental and social benefit for the youth groups utilising this site. To support this work and the above, topographic and channel surveys have been completed to inform design and delivery.
Community SuDs Pods

Reclaim the Rain is working in partnership with Anglian Water and Green Blue Urban to install sustainable water management products across the village. We are pleased to be working with the Bowls Club, The Spinney and Boxford CEVC Primary School to install these innovative solutions.
Leaky Dams

We are looking at the potential to install leaky dams in the watercourse along the northern flow path to help reduce flood risk to Boxford downstream and support the pond restoration work. Leaky dams mimic natural structures that help to slow the flow of water downstream, reducing peak flows of water and promoting water retention in the watercourse during dry periods. Additionally, they help trap sediment and organic matter which helps to improve water quality.
Boxford's Willow Trees

Working in partnership with Circket bat company J.S Wright and & Sons, English Willow trees have been planted on a significant surface water flow path which contributes to the village’s risk of flooding. Beyond flood mitigation, the willow trees support infiltration, prevent soil erosion, and enhance water quality.
Pond Refurbishment

In Boxford’s upper catchment area, we are collaborating with landowners to carry out pond refurbishment which will include desilting and improving the health of two existing ponds. Once completed, these efforts, in conjunction with natural flood management measures along the northern flow path such as leaky dams, will help to slow flow of surface water, while promoting the re-establishment of key indicator species.

Boxford From the air

flooding in the centre of the Village

Boxford is a beautiful village in south Suffolk which, like many villages, faces difficult challenges from changing weather patterns. In the future it’s likely Boxford will face both flooding and drought, so it’s important to be ready to manage the effects.

Recent flood risk studies of Boxford found there’s risk to residential and commercial buildings from both surface water and river flooding. This means that planning ahead to increase resilience in the village is very important, and also raises fantastic opportunities to find new ways to use flood water.

Water Scarcity

As our climate changes, the country will face increasing challenges in managing our water resources, and this is important for Boxford too. Whether looking at fresh water supply to buildings, or water dependent habitats in the environment, it’s vital to protect what we have and improve it wherever we can.

Problems and Challenges facing boxford

‘‘In the past, during the late autumn and early winter, a strong Downpour took the topsoil off a newly ploughed field in Groton,
a neighbouring village. the water carried mud, stones and other debris downhill, along the road
and right into the centre of the village, causing much damage.’’

Why Was Boxford chosen?

Boxford showed they have a strong interest in exploring how the community could be more water resilient. This interest has been shared across a wide range of individuals and organisations locally, putting cooperation at the heart of their project.
Ever since the idea of Reclaim the Rain was introduced to them, Boxford has shown genuine enthusiasm to make the most of this opportunity.
In the past Boxford has suffered from both river and surface water flooding. Creative solutions will be needed to address the local flood risk.