HOW is it in 2009 and with the little snow that fell in Ely, and every pavement was inches deep in snow still at 11am. I can remember the snow falling in the 1950s and men were out clearing the paths before 9am. We had Harold Wenham on the council at that

HOW is it in 2009 and with the little snow that fell in Ely, and every pavement was inches deep in snow still at 11am. I can remember the snow falling in the 1950s and men were out clearing the paths before 9am. We had Harold Wenham on the council at that time and every man was out there with shovels clearing snow into the gutters. There were carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, road sweepers, and the general labour staff and a lorry to cart it away. They started at 7am and it was all done by 9am and the men were back doing their regular jobs. So how is it with all modern machinery it was it so dangerous to walk in Ely. I am sure the men did what they were told to do but gritting pavements should have been after clearing the snow to stop any more settling. Leave the snow on the paths and people will fall and break their arms or legs and then claim compensation from the council. The first little bit of snow and everything grinds to a halt.

I walked three miles to school in the 1930s in deeper snow than you get now and the school was open, and with only one fireplace to heat the classroom and the teacher stood in front of that so we did not get much warmth from it. We had snow ploughs in every village, pulled by horses; roads were cleared very early in the mornings. Now what happens? They close schools; there are no buses and no trains. Surely the local authorities should be better prepared for the unexpected. But on a happier note, Cherry Hill was full of laughter with the children on sledges,

EDDIE HOLDEN

Ely Road

Little Downham