Snow, we never know how much and when so how do we plan?

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Now that we are into 2021 it is time try to leave negativity behind and try to look forward positively.

However, one of the last things we encountered towards the year’s end, was a few millimeters, not inches or feet of snow.

And as normal social media was alive with condemnation of the council for lack of action.

And the complaints of how the country grinds to a halt as the merest drop of snow.

In the defense of the councils, unlike Canada, Sweden,Germany, or other northern hemisphere regions we have great difficulty determining when and how much snow we will receive from year to year. In recent years we’ve had very little.

Canada, Sweden and Germany know that every year they will definitely receive large amounts of snow.

Sheffield as well as other councils have limited budgets for snow and ice clearance.

We haven’t had substantial snow since Nov 2010 where we had a crippling down fall stranding drivers and home occupiers for days.

The council probably didn’t have any clue this was going to happen to the extent it did as it hadn’t happened previous years, so how could they have expected it and allocate funds for it.

With limited funds it would be foolhardy to spend money on events which may not happen.

This is where over other countries have us at a disadvantage, they probably know to the Euro or Dollar how much they need to spend and can plan accordingly.

UK councils can’t risk spending thousands of pounds on new equipment for it to stand idle for years.

The last bad snow I recall was 2010 when Sheffield ground to a halt, and drivers had to be rescued on the A57 between South Aston and Sheffield as they were stranded in their cabs.

Kind natured local residents came out with hot drinks and blankets as snow brought gridlock to that stretch of road.

I partially remember my first experience of snow as a young boy of around three or four, in the early 70’s.

I remember our backyard at our terraced house on Petre Street, getting a large amount of snow.

Myself and my older brother and sister excitedly donned our winter woolies and wellingtons and went to play.

It was great fun shoveling and building snowmen and also clearing a path to our outside loo ‘a must’.

The snow, so white and crisp and so clean and fresh. I loved it.

However, as young children we soon got cold and a bit bored and decided to go in and get warm. A simple affair you would think.

In we went disregarding our wet clothes and heavy boots. Turning the gas fire to full, sitting there with our little hands inches away from the flames. We’d be warm in a jiffy.

Chilblains, I think it was the first and probably last time I suffered from them as badly.

The pain was excruciating as I remember to this day, and seemed to go on forever.

It was my first time in the snow so I didn’t realise wet and cold weren't the only two consequences. Everytime I see snow I pay it the respect it deserves.

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