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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Thomas Deacon

Cefn Mably farm attraction to close for at least eight months after Storm Dennis damage

The popular Cefn Mably farm attraction will be shut for at least eight months after being devastated by Storm Dennis.

Pictures show the huge amount of damage caused by flooding after heavy rain lashed most of Wales over the weekend.

The owners of the popular family spot have spoken of watching the farm they built flood, saving their animals and how it'll be months before they open again.

Water rushing through the farm (Cefn Mably Farm)
How it looked on Sunday (Cefn Mably Farm)

A crowdfunder has already raised thousands of pounds for the farm, and work is now underway to clean up the farm as Wales is set to hit by further rain.

In a statement on Facebook on Wednesday they said: "Cefn Mably Farm park is a small family run business that has been running for many years.

"The owners are always looking for new ways to put back the farm and the local community.

"Unfortunately due to Storm Dennis the grounds were flooded on Sunday morning. Waters were running through the farm where the animals are, the Cafe and the Farm shop all taking massive damage. This is a huge devastation to all at CMFP.

"They are now trying to piece together the puzzle to be able to get back on their feet.

"This will be a long, stressful journey for the owners and staff members. It’s predicted that the farm will be closed for at least eight months."

Much of the farm was left underwater (Cefn Mably Farm)

Owner Rhys Edwards said they woke on Sunday morning to the flood water approaching their property.

He said: "On Sunday morning we woke up to check at around 7am, our home is on the farm. We looked out and thought 'oh Jesus'.

"It flooded up river and the water came across land. The flood defences on the river by us were fine, it didn't overflow there.

"You just don't realise the power of the water. One of the walls in the cafe has been pushed out, only by a centimetre but that wall will have to come down."

Owners Rhys Edwards and his wife Alyona (Mark Lewis)

The flooding comes as the farm was expecting one of its busiest times of the year.

Rhys said: "This is the problem, it's our busiest time of the year. This half term, everyone comes to us.

"Financially it's huge. It's a huge loss. We have just gone through a real poor winter too."

A clean-up is now underway (Cefn Mably Farm)

Rhys said that the water has now receded but the farm has been left "stinking" by the flood.

All of the animals were rescued and are now safe and dry, including Timmy the pig. Rhys said the farmyard animal, which once appeared on Britain's Got Talent, was the last to be rescued but is now safe.

The farm have even called two new lambs Dennis and Ciara.

Farm manager Tina Tilbury with new born lambs Dennis and Ciara (Mark Lewis)
The only place above the water for the sheep and goats was a small hill on the farm (Mark Lewis)

The farm's post on Facebook has received hundreds of comments and has been shared thousands of times.

Wales is set to be hit by further rainfall, with a Met Office weather warning in place on Wednesday and Thursday.

The weather warning was previously due to come into effect from 6pm, but will now be in place from 3pm.

Parts of south Wales could see up to 60mm of rainfall in just 24 hours.

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