2003 - Very nearly a very dry year 

Up until November it seemed as though we were about to record the driest year of the century after a glorious summer in which the sun seemed to shine every day and the temperature soared to a maximum of92.8 F (33.8 C) on 10 August. Most months had appreciably less rain than the average - in March there were 19 consecutive days with no measurable rainfall, in April there were 18 and in August, 16. But all that finally changed in November when it rained on most days, with over an inch on the 30th, to make 5.8 inches for the month, and December added just over 3.25 inches. As a result the total rainfall for the year, 27.72 inches, was marginally greater than in the recent dry years of 1996, 1991 and 1990, though still well below the average.

The Pillhill Brook ran dry at Waterloo Bridge, East Cholderton, on 20 October and once again there was the sad sight of dead trout lying in the dried-up pools above the bridge. The November rains quickly restarted the flow of water and by 24 November the stream was again running beneath the bridge, though so far without the trout. - DJSW