The couple of weeks have seen very inclement weather with high winds and rain making things very unpleasant indeed. Our photograph takes us back to 1956 where torrential rain struck the heart of our city, leaving in its wake tales of havoc and, in some cases, destruction.

Many of Salisbury’s main streets were under water, and shops, too, were flooded, as the drains, unable to cope with the water, threw up their muddy liquid.

Part of the havoc was caused by the deep flooding of Salisbury’s two railway bridges, in Fisherton Street and Castle Street, which were too deeply submerged for traffic to pass.

Three fire engines were sent out during the storm, one to St. Michael’s Road, Bemerton Heath, where the water was two feet deep. Another went to Fisherton Bridge, where the pressure of water lifted manhole covers from the road, and a two foot depth of water kept cars at bay for some time.

From Roman Road there gushed on to Skew Bridge a fast moving stream some 15 feet wide and several inches deep. Down Wilton Road the water ran and along the side roads to the railway lines, which were under water for some time and eventually had to be cleared of gravel before trains could again pass.

Extensive flooding was experienced in Milford Street where water came over the tops of Wellington boots and surged into shops, damaging large amounts of stock.

Those taking advantage of the weather were small boys who had great fun riding their bikes with the water lapping over their knees.

Meanwhile, in Winchester Street, a cyclist, Harvey Elliott, aged 14, struck a submerged kerb and fell from his bicycle, putting his hand through the window of Jeffery the tobacconist – he was lucky to have only suffered slight cuts!