Head teachers who decided to close their school today have not won universal praise for their actions.
By 11am, Cambridgeshire County Council reported that 27 schools would not open today because of the snow.
Monday 12 December 2022.
Picture by Terry Harris.
Monday 12 December 2022.
Picture by Terry Harris.
“Areas of Cambridgeshire have seen 5cm of snow overnight, so our gritting teams are out and about to keep the roads safe and motorists moving,” said a county council spokesperson.
“Closures will be communicated via your school. The quickest way to find out is to check your school’s website.”
But not everyone thought closure should have been an option.
Ramsey, Huntingdon
Monday 12 December 2022.
Picture by Terry Harris.
Welney, Ely
Monday 12 December 2022.
Picture by Terry Harris.
Welney, Ely
Monday 12 December 2022.
Picture by Terry Harris.
Welney, Ely
Monday 12 December 2022.
Picture by Terry Harris.
Welney, Ely
Monday 12 December 2022.
Picture by Terry Harris.
Welney, Ely
Monday 12 December 2022.
Picture by Terry Harris.
“Unbelievable. We went to school in 2ft of it,” one resident posted to the council’s Facebook page. “No wonder there is no work ethic when they get treated like snowflakes.”
Another questioned if there was “any reason to shut these days; we used to have 10 inches of snow on the playing field and still continue as normal”.
Lack of communication did not help either.
St Andrew’s Church Woodwalton, Huntingdon
Monday 12 December 2022.
Picture by Terry Harris.
Monday 12 December 2022.
Picture by Terry Harris.
“In my area school buses haven’t turned up and no one thought to inform students and parents until 8.30am,” said another resident. “After the bus was due.”
Meanwhile the county council says snow ploughs have been fitted to vehicles to clear some of the heavier snowfall.
For more information, visit: https://orlo.uk/oeLj5
But amidst the criticism there has been praise for some.
“Despite thick snow and very bad side bad side roads in Cambridge city …. the wonderful refuse Collectors have still collected bins where I live this morning,” said a Cambridge resident.
The Met Office says it will be a cold day with areas of freezing fog which will be slow to clear, perhaps lingering all day in some western parts.
1/3 A Fen Skater christened the ice today as conditions proved perfect for the first time in years.
Skating over the frozen flooded fields and meadows has been a part of Fenland life for hundreds of years. pic.twitter.com/WgeBZgjZtg— A Cambridge Diary (@acambridgediary) December 11, 2022
“A few wintry showers at first, slowly easing. Some limited brighter spells developing later. Maximum temperature 3 °C.”
And tonight, the Met Office predicts: “Often cloudy this evening, but cloud clearing with lengthy clear spells developing, allowing a widespread frost.
Monday 12 December 2022.
Picture by Terry Harris.
“More limited freezing fog patches perhaps developing. Any isolated wintry showers clearing. Minimum temperature -6 °C.”
Its forecast for the seven days leading up to Christmas Day is for “sleet and snow showers likely to continue across the north and east, and perhaps into the southwest of the UK at the beginning of the period, although these should be mainly confined to coastal regions.
“Elsewhere it should be mostly dry, clear, and often sunny further inland with light to moderate winds.
“Generally feeling cold to very cold, with widespread frosts overnight and a chance of freezing fog in places.
Ramsey, Huntingdon
Monday 12 December 2022.
Picture by Terry Harris.
“A more unsettled regime is likely to develop later on in the period, bringing spells of rain and possibly snow into many parts of the UK, especially the south and the west with strong winds in places.
“Temperatures are likely to turn less cold through the remainder of this period.”
Just the hint then of a white Christmas.
