Erosion victim urges ‘gloaters’ not to visit Thorpeness, Suffolk

A woman who lost her home to coastal erosion earlier this year warned visitors to “stay away and not brag”.

Shelley Cowlin, whose home of 48 years was demolished in Thorpeness, Suffolk, in January, said she was “sickened” by tourists coming to witness other people’s suffering and even stealing items from her gardens.

The 89-year-old, who lives in a holiday home that he says no longer feels “like home”, appealed to so-called “trauma tourists” to leave the villagers alone.

“We don’t want people to enjoy other people’s tragedy,” he said.

Following the destruction, Cowlin said there were reports of people claiming to be his gardener and even his grandchildren, pinching things.

“We had a friend who decided to take out my fancy pots, and then another guy decided he was my so-called gardener, but he wasn’t. I have a very good gardener, and he wasn’t,” she said.

“I don’t understand this mentality. I really think it’s all a bit strange.

“Why do you want to take pictures of destroyed houses?

“It’s just not obvious.”

Four houses have collapsed due to erosion this winter, six more have already been destroyed. It starts to collapse on Monday.

The following people attended the meeting organized by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, Labor MP for Suffolk Coastal: more than 150 peopleShort-term solutions and next steps to protect the coastline were discussed.

East Suffolk Council has 48 miles (77km) of coastline and spent £750,000 last year on maintaining sea defence.

The local authority said it continues to support homeowners whose homes had to be demolished.

A spokesman said: “This is an incredibly difficult time for homeowners facing demolition and for all Thorpeness residents. We would urge people to be respectful of the local community and avoid visiting the affected area where possible.”

Cowlin added that he could not visit the site of his destroyed house.

“I will never go down that road again,” he said.