Summer Time

The Times calls for a change in the weather

In May, after the wettest April on record, there was some optimistic talk of the warm, dry summer to come. Hasn’t quite materialised yet, has it? Last month was also the wettest June on record. That’s according to the official Met Office figures, which start in 1910. Other data suggests the last three months were the wettest April to June period since 1766. July appears set fair, if that is the correct expression, also to rewrite its personal best.

Casualties of the flood and mud to date include cancelled music festivals, agricultural shows, county fairs, school fêtes, equestrian contests and cricket matches. Wimbledon was forced undercover, the Grand Prix forced underwater. Many of the key events, large and small, that measure out the British summer