I felt moved to write, on behalf of my uncle, Peter Morgan, to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who was involved in his rescue from his home in Redbrook Road during the unprecedented floods towards the end of last month and also his subsequent care and support.

It was a sequence of events that could easily have culminated in a much bleaker outcome, had it not been for the phenomenal response and continued assistance, care and generosity of an extraordinarily large number of people in Monmouth. In particular, I must single out Jason King and the (often) unsung heroes of the Mountain Rescue Team who brought Peter by boat to safety; the tirelessly efficient support and compassion of the triage teams in the Shire Hall; the various owners and managers of many hotels and other accommodation premises (such as Sally in the Riverside Hotel, and Vickie and her totally outstanding team in the Punch House); and, last but by no means least, the near-constant stream of friends and well-wishers who have continued to show him such kindness and concern wherever he has encountered them.

Without exception, everyone has selflessly offered whatever might be needed. Such generosity of spirit is humbling.

Having your house flooded by river water (rather than for instance a burst freshwater pipe) is a uniquely and deeply shocking, invasive, devastating and protracted experience that has, sadly, been suffered by so many recently. I know that, like Peter, many have lost just about everything on the lower floors of their homes and, of course, so much of it is of irreplaceable sentimental value for which no amount of insurance cover can compensate.

However, the experience has been made so much more bearable in the face of such seemingly limitless human kindness. The spirit of friendship and community in Monmouth is second-to-none and clearly hasn’t diminished over the years (I have deeply fond memories of when I lived and went to school here over 40 years ago!).

So, a thousand times thank you, to each and every one of you, for making Peter feel safe, wanted and cared for and, if I may presume, thank you also on behalf of all the other flood victims in the Monmouth area. It’s a tortuous road to recovery, but it’s easier when everyone is rooting for you!

With deepest gratitude, Graham Beard