Most people will remember the big freeze from 2010 when snowfalls caused chaos for commuters and many schools were closed. Gritters worked around the clock to keep traffic moving and people helped one another to clear areas of snow to try to make the pathways safe.

However, do you remember January 1963 when the snowfalls made it necessary for many householders to ‘dig themselves out’? Many people still had outside toilets at that time so a call of nature was a major task, especially if the pipes were frozen! From Dec 21^st – Jan 8th 1,500 burst water pipes were reported; 250 tons of salt was used to help clear roads and town centres. An avalanche at Wilderness Crag, Greenfield, killed two local men, with 100 rescue workers braving arctic conditions to dig them out.

1963 is remembered for its snow but 1947 is remembered for its freezing temperatures and gales. Hurricane winds of 70 mph left a trail of havoc and devastation in many areas of Tameside. With chimney pots and slates falling from roofs, a row of six houses on Foundry Street had to be demolished as the damage was so bad. A chimney fell through the roof of a house in Audenshaw and landed on a ladies bed, thankfully the lady was out at the time and she was able to decamp to her daughter’s house.

These wintery scene photographs can be found on our website www.tameside.gov.uk/history on the images link.