Events
The big freeze of 1947
February brings the snow . . .
A Halifax Courier and Guardian article on 22nd January 1947 stated how lucky we were getting off with a mere inch or so of snow - we could view the hardship of the rest of the country in comparative comfort.
February brought a different story . . .
Very heavy snow fell over the weekend of February 1st and 2nd causing many blocked roads. Two employees of Halifax Corporation Passenger Transport were stranded on their bus at Dean Head, Greetland, and had to dig themselves out, finally returning to the depot with the bus at 5.30am! The clocks in Halifax Town Hall, and the General hospital came to a standstill over this weekend, when frozen snow was blown into the hands.
The snow continued to fall, causing huge drifts in places. All over the district workmen were trying to clear the snow, and bulldozers were being used, but more snow fell daily, making their task impossible. In some places only the tops of walls were visible.
Coal was now in short supply due to the extreme weather across the country. Halifax Gasworks in Mulcture Hall Road started selling 13lb bags of coal for 4d, each afternoon - people queued for hours.
The plight of hilltop villages was emerging and highlighting a food shortage, as supplies could not be delivered. Blackshaw Head had been isolated for 11 days. A successful rescue mission was organized by the manager of Hebden Bridge Co-operative Society - on February 10th a convoy of two horse drawn sledges set off on the 4½ mile treacherous journey, aided by West Yorkshire Police and local Council road men. Bradshaw village was in a similar plight - the Mayor and Town clerk were personally involved in another food convoy, after urgent messages had been received. Three weeks supply of food was delivered, which included 900 loaves of bread. By February 20th local news headlines stated that the bad weather had so far cost the Council £13,000.
The thaw began at last at the end of March. People could see how much damage had been done to roads and properties. Many farmers had lost over half of their sheep. The picture was the same countrywide and many areas suffered flood damage. 1947 is on record as one of the worst winters this country has ever experienced.
