What Happens When PFR Meets a Frog Trail?

At first glance, a frog costume and Property Flood Resilience (PFR) might seem like an unlikely combination, however at a recent Meanwood Rain Chain community event in Leeds, it proved to be a perfect way for getting families talking about flood risk, climate resilience and the practical steps that people can take to make their homes more resilient to flooding.

Representing Watertight, Mark Bickerstaff fully embraced the Frog Trail theme by swapping his usual workwear for an eye-catching green frog costume! While it certainly raised a few smiles, it also started conversations.

Hosted at the Meanwood Valley Urban Farm, the Meanwood Rain Chain is an inspiring community-led initiative designed to help reduce flood risk through creative, nature-based solutions.

Developed in partnership with Leeds City Council's Flood and Climate Resilience Team, the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water, the project demonstrates how simple interventions, such as rain chains, rain gardens and sustainable drainage, can help communities live more successfully with water.

The event brought those ideas to life through a Frog Trail, with families visiting a series of interactive stands exploring different approaches to flood mitigation. Along the way there were demonstrations, creative workshops, music, activities, a quiz, and even a frog disco. The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Stephen Holroyd and his partner Simon Malpas also kindly supported the event.

For Watertight, it was an opportunity to introduce visitors to Property Flood Resilience and show that there are practical ways to reduce the impact flooding can have on homes, with around 200 visitors stopping by the Watertight stand during the day.

Children became the best ambassadors

Having attended flood awareness events across the country, Mark was struck by just how engaged visitors were throughout the day. The Frog Trail quiz proved to be an excellent conversation starter, encouraging children to visit every stand alongside their parents.

One particular encounter stayed with him, when a young boy listened carefully as Mark explained the different PFR products on display. A few minutes later, when his mum arrived, he confidently talked her through every product himself, accurately explaining what each one did and how it could help protect a home.

That moment perfectly demonstrated the value of engaging young people.

Children are naturally curious and they often become powerful influencers within their own families. Perhaps, in years to come, experiences like these might even inspire some of the flood resilience professionals our industry will need in the future.

Being able to handle products, ask questions and see solutions first-hand helped turn technical information into practical understanding.

The Meanwood Rain Chain demonstrated that conversations about flooding don't have to focus solely on the challenges. By making flood resilience engaging and interactive, communities are more likely to understand the practical steps that they can personally take to reduce their risk.

And, if it takes a frog costume to start those conversations, then we would happily do it all over again!

To learn more about the Meanwood Rain Chain, visit: https://www.mvuf.org.uk/meanwood-rain-chain/.