A Suffolk head teacher is among a host of people to praise the county's farmers for their heroic efforts during last week's floods.
Victoria Gascoyne-Cecil, head at Sir Robert Hitcham's primary in Debenham, thanked a group of farmers for their calm and good cheer as they rode to the rescue on Friday, October 20 as Storm Babet struck.
Tractor drivers managed to rescue more than 100 marooned schoolchildren and pre-school children - including 20 staff - at the Debenham primary after the River Deben burst its banks, effectively turning it into an island.
"The farmers just deserve a huge thank you for their hard work, kindness and quick thinking," she said.
The farmers acted spontaneously to help out, driving out in their tractors when they heard of the school's plight. They were among many schools across villages and towns in the worst-hit areas around Debenham, Eye and Framlingham to benefit from farmers' help on the day.
They helped across more than half of the 200 children and adults stranded, she estimated.
"They were doing tractor transports from the door of the school over the water to the leisure centre or the Co-op," said Ms Gascoyne-Cecil.
"There were dads and others carrying children through the water.
"We could not have done it without the farmers because the water by noon very quickly became waist deep.
"It was an absolute godsend. They were jolly, they were calm, they were kind and they were really reassuring," she said.
"It made what could have been a terrifying situation for the children into a great adventure - not one we would want to repeat."
"They went out of their way getting them out so they didn't have to spend the night in the evacuation centre (at the community centre)."
A couple of the children have quite significant needs - including one in a wheelchair - who particularly benefited from their help, she said.
"The farmers were unflappable really. I could not have asked for a better community response."
They also risked their own tractors in responding to the emergency as the waters rose still higher, she said.
"I was the penultimate tractor out of the school and there was a concern we weren't going to make it out because it went up so high on the tractor," she said.
She and her team were shocked by the speed at which the flood happened once the river burst its banks, she added.
Lucy Bellefontaine, regional manager for the East England at farm charity the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) said: "Suffolk’s farming people have shown extraordinary resilience and dedication to their rural communities during the recent flooding.
"Some even risked their own equipment and safety as they came together to rescue villagers and schoolchildren from rising waters. We want the farming community to know that just as they have supported their neighbours, RABI are here to support them.
"We know that flooding can put a strain on more than just their land. The full extent of the damage to farmyards, crops and fodder is yet to be seen, which can put a lot of stress on farmers’ minds. RABI are here 24/7 on our free helpline 0800 188 4444. We also offer immediate mental health support through our click and chat service: explore.kooth.com/rabi."
People in Suffolk who suffered flood damage because of Storm Babet, report that flooding damage online via www.suffolk.gov.uk/ReportFlood
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