Futur-ish 008: The Most Futuristic Little Town in Middle England
Nov 13, 2025
The podcast explores how a tiny town in Middle England faces the threat of flooding and climate change. Historical insights reveal Tenbury Wells' rich past, from Roman origins to its spa era, now overshadowed by modern challenges. A discussion on rising flood defense costs highlights the town's uncertain future and potential abandonment. Comparisons to other towns lost to nature prompt reflections on cultural and ecological values in preservation decisions. Ultimately, it questions how national identity shapes our response to climate threats.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Long History, Limited Economic Weight
- Tenbury Wells is a small historic market town with Roman origins and a 19th-century spa identity that never became a major economic centre.
- Its population is ~3,600 and about one-third are over 65, making it socially and economically vulnerable to disruption.
Flood Risk Is Escalating Rapidly
- Tenbury Wells sits on a natural floodplain at the confluence of two rivers and has centuries of flooding records that are worsening.
- Recent storms and annual floods have intensified damage and raised projected flood levels by ~20% in a decade.
Costs And Funding Timelines Mismatch Climate Speed
- Flood-defence costs ballooned from an initial £7m plan in 2019 to about £30m due to complexity and climate change.
- Central government grant cycles and slow funding exclude Tenbury Wells until 2027, leaving locals exposed.