2Tone Comics in Hebden Bridge and other Comic Creators Count the Cost of Christmas Storms

By John Freeman on December 31, 2015

2 Tone Comics in Hebden Bridge (the orange-coloured shop on the right hand side of this photograph) was one of many businesses devastated by recent floods, along with thousands of home owners across the North of England and Scotland. Photo: 2 Tone Comics

Fans of independent comic shop 2 Tone Comics in Hebden Bridge have rallied to help owners Mandy and Tom after the store was devastated by flooding over Christmas, wreaking havoc on many businesses in the Yorkshire town.

The store is one of the latest casualties for Britain’s comics community after three storms and record-breaking levels of rain caused havoc across the North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Thousands of people have been left reeling by damage to homes and businesses.

After the storm: clean up work begins at 2 Tone Comics, Hebden Bride. Fand and friends of the independent comic shop have rallied to help raise funds to get the owners, who were unable to insure the shop after previous flooding, back on its feet. Photo: 2 Tone Comics

Damages inside 2 Tone Comics after flooding in December 2015. Photo: 2 Tone Comics

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival in Kendal has lost its entire stock of merchandise and other items in the floods and is looking at ways to raise funds to replace them; Moniaive, home town to 2000AD writer Alan Grant and partner Sue has been hit by flooding; as has Carlisle, home to Steve and Annie Parkhouse (but their house escaped the floods).

In Hebden Bridge, 2 Tone Comics was badly damaged and the owners have lost their entire stock, fixtures and fittings, leaving the owners, who could not insure the store after previous flooding, shocked.

“We honestly don’t know if we can come back from this as like most businesses in Hebden were refused flood insurance after the flood in 2012,” they announced on their Facebook page earlier this week. “Our hearts go out to all the people of the Calder valley and our thanks to all the volunteers , flood wardens , emergency services.

“To try and get the town back on its feet will be a mammoth task.”

A rallying cry to support the shop left by one young fan after the floods. Photo: 2 Tone Comics

Friends and fans of the shop immediately rallied to help, some offering replacement stock from their own collections, with others setting up a JustGiving page to raise funds to pay for repairs, which has so far raised over £5000 of a £10,000 target.

“Tony and Mandy are one of the loveliest couples you will ever meet and you’re always guaranteed a warm welcome when you visit their shop,” says Karen Stevens, who set up the page. “Despite their best efforts to save everything, their stock, fixtures and fittings have been lost and/or damaged beyond repair. The shop is not insured after theirs and other businesses have been refused insurance because of flood risk/previous damage.”

Money raised will help the shop back up and running and the business back on its feet and many comic creators and comics media reporting on the shop’s crisis and promoting the appeal.

Numerous other charity projects to raise money for flood victims across the North and in addition to other funds promised, central government has announced that local authorities will be provided with Community Grants as part of the Communities and Business Recovery Scheme. This will be equivalent to over £500 per household to help with recovery costs, such as provision of temporary accommodation.

• You can help 2 Tone Comics get back on its feet by donating here

• 2 Tone Comics in online at www.2tonecomics.com | Follow them here on Facebook

Other Fund Raising Efforts to Help Flood Victims

• The Help the North charity single ‘It Won’t Be Long ‘Til Christmas’ recorded in Lancaster is available now. Help raise as much money as possible to help those affected by the storms that hit Lancashire and Cumbria this December

Buy the single for 99p on iTunes: https://itun.es/gb/xSbU_?i=1069030273 | Donate £1.00 or whatever you can on Bandcamp: http://helpthenorth.bandcamp.com

Find out more at http://helpthenorth.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/helpthenorth2015 | On Twitter @helpthenorth | instagram.com/helpthenorth

• The Cumbria Flood Appeal

Launched by Cumbria Community Foundation on 5th December 2015, the Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal raises funds to directly support individuals and families in hardship and vital community organisations and resident groups in the areas affected by recent storms. If you would like to donate, please click here or go directly to the JustGiving page. Over £4 million has been raised so far and Chancellor George Osborne has promised that the government would match up to £1m collected by the Cumbria Community Foundation to help recovery from the floods

• Lancashire Flood Recovery Fund Appeal

This was launched by the Community Foundation for Lancashire after Storm Desmond earlier in December. The dedicated MyDonate webpage at https://mydonate.bt.com/events/lancsfloodappeal | Alternatively text LFLD15 and the amount you would like to donate to 70070. Over £1 million has been raised so far

The Recovery Fund’s Appeal will raise funds to contribute to clean-up costs, emergency repairs, clothing, food and drink, heating and heating equipment, childcare equipment and basic furniture, especially in North Lancashire.

It will directly support individuals and families already struggling and vital community organisations and resident groups in the areas affected by the storms. If you have been affected by the flooding in Lancashire you can apply to the fund now. Guidelines for funding and an application form can be downloaded at
http://www.lancsfoundation.org.uk/

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.