Vales View - The tale of the Evil Waves

This week marks the 300th anniversary of an extraordinary local event forgotten in time. Back in 1707, the river Ouse was subjected to a phenomenon normally associated with the River Severn, as a huge tidal bore surged up stream at speeds in excess of 20 miles per hour. Apparently the preceding four weeks had been the wettest for a century, and the combination of this excess freshwater and a particularly strong wind that day combined to cause the freak event. The fact that it also coincided with a particularly powerful lunar cycle and the highest spring tide ever witnessed in the area, were also strong contributing factors.

Due to the size and ferocity of the bore, the event became known as the ‘Evil Waves’. Amazingly, despite major flooding in the town as the excess water poured in, there was no recorded loss of human life. The town’s livestock were sadly less fortunate - the vile waves (as they also became known) caused a stampede resulting in the crushing of 104 calves and death by drowning of 104 more.

To mark the event, a ceremony will take place on Cliffe Bridge today at 1.04pm. At the event, sponsored by local plumbing firm Valve Wise, a papiér mache cow will be set on fire and thrown in to the River Ouse. When asked about the ceremonial significance of setting the cow on fire, event spokesperson Val Weevis said “It’s not particularly historical, it’s just as it’s Lewes, we thought more people would turn up if we set fire to something”. AF