The 'Snow' event of some 60 years ago
SIR – A word from the past inspired by all the school closures in our country today. All I can do is relate what it was like in Woolmer Green, during the great snow event of 1947. I was eight years old and lived at the top of Heath Road about half a mil
SIR - A word from the past inspired by all the school closures in our country today.
All I can do is relate what it was like in Woolmer Green, during the great snow "event" of 1947.
I was eight years old and lived at the top of Heath Road about half a mile from my school, Woolmer Green Primary (three classrooms).
The snow plough had cleared our road, piling the snow at the sides of our country lane, so that when I walked to school, which incidentally was open, the snow was above the level of my head.
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When we got to the playground we threw snowballs, made snowmen and slides. When the bell rang and we went in, there was a roaring stove in each classroom, which had been lit by the headmaster and caretaker/cleaner.
We hung our gloves, scarves etc over the large fireguard and settled down to lessons for the day.
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I remember the cosy feeling at the end of the day as we listened to a story, sitting around that throbbing stove.
The headmaster, as well as being chief firelighter. stoker and teacher of older children, was also choir
master and organist at the local church, football and cricket coach and many more things besides.
Being at that school was a peaceful and idyllic part of my childhood and a huge contrast to where we lived until I was six, on the outskirts of Greater London, plagued by Hitler's aircraft, bombs and doodlebugs, hiding under the dining room table, or in doorways, with my mother and young sister, waiting for the 'all clear'.
Barry William Hughes, Nelson Avenue, Sheerness.
