West Chinnock's Water Pump

The summer of 1976 is known as the drought of the twentieth century. Temperatures soar into the high nineties in fahrenheit or over thirty-five degrees in centigrade and the UK racks up fifty-eight consecutive days largely without rain. Up and down the country water is in short supply the hosepipe ban enters the common vernacular. Residents in West Chinook form new bonds at the communal standpipe and the summer of 1976 becomes ingrained in the collective memory.

In meteorological terms the drought is caused by a blocking high or stationary atmospheric pressure leaving clear skies. In August, Labour MP Denis Howell is named the Minister for Drought and approves the Drought Act with 139 orders; a ban on the use of hosepipes; a ban on the use of water for recreational activities; a ban on the use of water for private gardening purposes. Days after his appointment thunderstorms bring an end to three months without rain and Howell is nicknamed Minister for Rain. (Howell became Minister for Snow in 1978-1979). So think before you turn on the tap, there may be a drought on.