Penistone, Stocksbridge and Hoyland Express – Saturday 12 August 1922
The Flood
Bank Holiday was an absolute wash-out in more senses than one, and residents in the vicinity of the Brook will not forget it for some time to come. They had a day almost unprecedented and it is fourteen years since anything approaching it was seen. The rain which commenced about twelve thirty, on Sunday night came down practically without ceasing for twenty four hours, and the Brook— , generally a sluggish., almost dry, stream—became a raging torrent, rising many feet.
The inhabitants of March Gate, Brook Square and Burcroft had the worst of it, houses on the Low Road being flooded in the living quarters, and for hours it was useless to try to get rid of the water as more immediately took its place.
A number of fowls were drowned and many others were in a pitiable state when rescued. Making a tour of this devastated area I saw two men up to their waists in a garden well, above normal water level, rescuing a pig, and for once the animal was not awkward., for it seemed to understand their efforts, and appeared to be doing its best to assist them to save it, as was done.
Many cellars were flooded, and I hear that in one hostelry the barrels of beer were floating about, rendering business out of the question until late in the evening. The cause of this phenomenal rise of the Brook appeared to be due the height of the bridges which span it, for it was at these that the water began piling themselves up. Apparently they were not high enough, though they are quite adequate for normal time.