JULY was the wettest for 50 years in the Tavistock and Yelverton areas, according to cultural environmentalist, archaeologist and historian Dr Tom Greeves. 

Dr Greeves, who lives in Tavistock, said the rainfall in July 2009, at 9.75 inches, had beaten all records for that month in the Tavistock/Yelverton area over at least the last 50 years.

'Figures kept by myself in Tavistock and my parents in Yelverton since 1959 show that the last three Julys have been exceptional — 2007, 8.46 inches; 2008, 8.33 ins; 2009, 9.75 ins,' he said.

'There is nothing comparable to this succession of years of heavy rain in midsummer. In fifty years, only July 1988 with 7.26 inches, 1965 with 7.76 inches, and 1960 with 6.58 inches are similar in wetness. The average rainfall for the month is about 3.6 inches, and there is an average of about 15 days without measurable rain.'

Dr Greeves said he longed for the 'halcyon days of 1959', when there were 26 days in July without rain, or 1961, 1962 and 1963, when there were 21 such days.

In 1989 there were 23 rainless days and a monthly total of 0.54 inches; in 1969 26 days without rain but a total for the month of 6.33 inches due to 5.38 inches falling in one day: the 28th.

'Let us hope we're not in for a biblical seven years of rain which was the prediction of an elderly farmer to a friend recently!' Dr Greeves said.