West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has offered her support to villagers who are raising funds for permanent flood defences. Severn Stoke villagers were joined by the MP at the event at held at the popular Rose and Crown pub last week (Saturday August 8). Harriett has been working with the village to secure permanent flood protection and recently met with the Environment Agency to identify next steps. Harriett has also had several meetings with landowners and met with Malvern Hills District Councillors and officers to discuss how to move the project forward. Harriett commented: “It was good to see people coming out to join the village’s fund-raising efforts and I was happy to repeat my support for the long-term ambition to build flood defences for Severn Stoke. “I have been working with the Environment Agency and local landowners to try and secure an agreement to allocate some of the land to create bunds to protect the village but negotiations have been long and complex. “A permanent scheme will cost in the region of £1 million so we now need to make the case to secure funding from central Government. Nevertheless, it is good to see the local villagers doing their bit and showing their commitment to this project.” Photo: Harriett Baldwin MP chats with local villagers at Severn Stoke’s fund-raising fair