A woman has told how her “world came crashing down” after part of the cottage she had called home for almost 25 years collapsed, leaving rooms unusable and her future uncertain.
Sally Williams said the gable end of her 200-year-old home, Orchard Cottage, gave way on Friday, February 20 after more than 50 days of continual rain.
In a statement shared as friends launched a fundraiser on her behalf, Sally said: “On Friday 20th February 2026, my world came crashing down.
“Not my entire world, but my home of very nearly 25 years. Orchard Cottage. My safe space.”
She said the cottage’s cob walls had “absorbed as much moisture as they could bear, without the opportunity for evaporation on dry days”, before “the gable end of the cottage collapsed into a heap”.
Sally added that nobody was hurt in the collapse. She said: “I’m pleased to say none of us were injured, and we have been so touched by the outpouring of offers of help, food parcels, alternative accommodation etc.
“Thank you.”
She said a local builder acted quickly to clear the rubble, allowing scaffolding to be put up within a couple of days. The property has since been propped and sheeted in an effort to keep out the weather and prevent further damage.
According to Sally, the family has lost use of Ellie’s room, the family bathroom and the dining room “for the foreseeable future”.
She also said her insurer, Aviva, had rejected her claim after what she described as weeks of worry and delays.
Sally said: “After 3 weeks of extreme worry, numerous telephone calls, emails and meetings and unnecessary delays on their part; yesterday my insurers, Aviva, dismissed my claim.
“They cite a number of reasons – it didn’t happen during a named storm: the wind speed wasn’t in excess of 55 mph, and various other technicalities.”
She said the property suffered further damage in the early hours of Friday, March 13, when wind and rain brought down more rubble and caused the remaining chimney stack to collapse.
Sally said: “I am waiting for advice on the next steps to preserve what’s left of the building.
“I am of course devastated, and trying to process how on earth I can move forward from here.”
She is now asking for recommendations for specialists including surveyors, insurance experts and structural engineers.
Sally said: “If you know any experts in this field – surveyors, insurance experts, structural engineers etc I’d be grateful for recommendations.
“Thank you again for all your messages and offers of help and support. We’re truly grateful.
“Please forgive me though if I don’t respond to messages. I’m utterly exhausted, but will endeavour to provide updates here when I can.”
Friends in Exminster have now launched an online fundraiser to support Sally. Donations can be made via https://gofund.me/c060992e5
