Snow angels have been out in force around Ross and the surrounding villages during the recent spell of bad weather.

The unusually large quantity of snow, about 25 cms, which started to fall in ernest on Thursday, March 1st, and the strong winds caused huge drifts which made roads impassable. Numerous vehicles got stuck, including tractors which had gone out to rescue cars.

The disruption brought school closures, much to the delight of youngsters, and many parents were also unable to get to work.

Some shops and businesses were closed for two days, Friday and Saturday, and Ross Market was cancelled on Thursday.

The Ross Gazette has been told about medical staff walking miles to get to work and then having to stay in makeshift accommodation as they could not get home. We have also been told of many generous people who have helped clear snow from paths, schools, nursing homes and road, and others who have helped tow vehicles stuck in the snow.

Hero is perhaps an overused term, but for those residents who have been stuck on the roads, or in need of medical assistance those who have turned out to help have been heroes.

It was a busy weekend for Fire Control and operational crews. There was a plethora of weather-related incidents thanks to Storm Emma and the ‘beast from the east’. The crew at Whitchurch had to clear their forecourt in order to be able to get their appliance out

Teams of parents and children turned out at local schools to clear pathways so that they could open safely on Monday.

Individuals who came in for special thanks included Walford, Councillor Simeon Cole, who worked though the night gritting roads, then helped clear Walford School car park.

His son, James, helped an ambulance reach a house in Howle Hill, then he used his 4x4 to tow vehicles which had got stuck.

Rob Tuckwell and TC Leach are others who have featured among those who have helped transport carers, deliver prescriptions and tow cars. The Gazette has also been told about a heating engineer who walked, with all his equipment, to help a family without heating.

Dr Lennane walked to Ross, then got a ride on a snow plough, a journey which took several hours, to help at Alton Street Surgery and the Community Hospital, but he was full of praise for the staff who were prepared to stay overnight to cover shifts.

Staff and members of the public all pulled together to form a chain gang to get clean laundry into the hospital when the delivery lorry got stuck, pictured right.

Many residents simply turned out when they could see neighbours in need of help. Don Murray on the Ross Gazette’s Facebook page summed up what many people felt: “What a great community spirit the people of Ross have shown over the last few days. Great place to live.”

See the full story and many more pictures in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition here