By DAVID COULTER

Last updated 17:35, Thursday, 21 August 2008

ONE of the wettest summers on record is continuing to play havoc with sporting and community events across Tynedale.

Baybridge near Blanchland in flood.

The district had more rainfall in the first two weeks of August than it normally has in the entire month.

Show organisers are battling to ensure their events go ahead.

Tomorrow’s Falstone Border Shepherds’ Show has had moved from its usual location because of waterlogging.

The site of Blanchland Show, on Monday, has been switched from the sports field to a field at Baybridge because of the conditions.

And next Saturday’s Bellingham Show is in doubt. The show committee was meeting last night to determine whether the event will go ahead.

According to the weather station at Simonburn, August has already seen 3.8 inches of rain, compared to the monthly average of just 3.05 inches.

Forecasters are expecting more rain over the next 10 days, putting under threat the August rain records of 4.6 inches in 2000 and 7.5 inches in 2004.

Local cricket clubs have suffered. The Tynedale club in Hexham has seen only two of its last nine weekend fixtures played.

Visitor numbers to the Roman Wall, however, have been well up thanks to interest created by the publicity for the Hadrian exhibition in London.

Celebrations to mark the centenary of the first Scout camp at Carr Edge, Fourstones, were disrupted on Tuesday because of mud.

The forecast for next week is for more showers, but hopefully not as heavy as recent days.

There could be an autumn sliver lining.

Hexham Courant forecaster Gordon Currie said:“The worst summers have always, more or less, had dry spells starting in September and lasting until even November. So there is hope!”

Homes at risk– page 3