Flooded Fenton Centre owners angry at insurance delay
Jun 1 2009 by Brian Daniel, The Journal
OWNERS of a Northumberland farming tourist attraction decimated by flood damage eight months ago have hit out over delays in insurance payments.
Helen and Simon Henderson set up The Fenton Centre on the farm on which they are tenant near Wooler in 2005.
It educates visitors on farming and the environment and attracts around 18,000 visitors a year.
Last September the visitor centre was left under two and a half feet of water when the River Till just over a kilometre away burst its banks.
The floods also damaged the couple’s home and equipment on the 600-acre arable West Fenton farm. The centre had to be closed for repairs, as the flood water caused lower sections of plaster walls to collapse, got into interactive displays, and destroyed kitchen equipment and stock in the cellar.
Its one full-time and eight part-time staff had to be laid off.
Mr and Mrs Henderson, 45 and 44 respectively, had to wait three months for the building to dry out.
In January the couple had builders in to carry out repairs and the centre re-opened in time for Easter, with five staff. But the facility’s re-emergence is no thanks to insurance company Towergate AIUA, the farming division of Norwich Union, the couple say.
The Hendersons, who have two sons, have buildings and contents cover for the farm and centre which they presumed covered them for all eventualities.
