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88-Year-Old Widow Loses Lifelong Home to Relentless Waves
28 Oct
Summary
- 88-year-old Jean Flick's clifftop home demolished due to coastal erosion
- Flick lived in the house for 25 years before it reached "critical safety levels"
- Demolition expected to take 7-10 days, with Flick now staying with family
On October 28, 2025, the demolition of an 88-year-old widow's clifftop home in Thorpeness, Suffolk began after the property reached "critical safety levels" due to significant coastal erosion. Jean Flick had lived in the seaside home for 25 years, but was recently informed that if the cliff edge got within 5 meters of the house, it would have to be demolished.
Sadly, that time has now come. Flick, who is from a farming family, had hoped to stay in the house for as long as possible, but the local authority, East Suffolk Council, determined that the erosion had reached a point where the property posed a critical safety risk. The demolition process is expected to take between 7 and 10 days, and Flick is currently staying with family.
This is not the first home in Flick's street to be lost to the relentless waves. Another property was demolished in 2022 due to the same issue. Flick had previously expressed that her "heart will just break" if her own home had to be demolished, as it was her lifelong residence. However, the council has worked closely with Flick to ensure the demolition is carried out in a "planned, safe and dignified manner."
