We Dig, Dig, Dig, Dig the whole day through

Saturday saw me working with Parents and Governors at Alfred Sutton to try and get the car park cleared and make paths through the snow so the school could open.

We had a great day working as teams to clear the snow. It was about 8 inches deep across the car park and a bit deeper within the school. There were about 20 people working very hard, and only on the promise of a cup of tea and a portion of chips to keep going.

The effort was greatly helped by one of the Dad's going home and making 2 massive snow shovles, without these I don't think that we would have done it so quickly. Starting at 10 o'clock three of us were steadily joined by more and more people so that by 3 o'clock we had finished. We were a very international group, with Brits working with Dutch, German and Romanian to deafet the snow. You can see what we acheived in the before and after photos.

It was great fun, but if everyone was a tired as I was there were a lot of very quite homes that evening. I managed to fall asleep on the sofa at about 6pm and had to crawl to bed at 9.30pm. I still ache....

So the snow continues, please remember your neighbours to make sure that everyone is ok in the snowy week.

Snow, Snow, Snow

No post yesterday, as I spent the day being distracted by the snow.  The picture shows the snow first thing infront of my house.

First hour or so was spent digging cars out of the snow with residents from Crescent Rd and then knocking on the door of older residents to see if they are ok. Had an impromptu discussion with some of my neighbours about cleaning the pavements.

What has impressed me is how people seem to be talking to each other. I have a big Russian fur hat which I have been wearing in the cold and lots of passers by have been stopping to talk to me about it. I have also been cycling about the streets as it is quicker to get about than by foot and this has caused a few conversations. I was pleased to be able to get up the slope by Newtown School to 2 wheels. Will have to take a break from cycling as I have broken the bike....

The members of the Neighbourhood Watch received the following message from the Police which I share here for you.

Message from TVP


This is a Message from Reading LPA Commander A/Supt Jim Weems please could we encourage you to look out for any of your neighbours who may be elderly or vulnerable, particularly so during these adverse weather conditions. Some people who are elderly or infirm are unable to leave their properties when snow and ice are on the ground and may need help to purchase essentials. We would ask if you could look out for anyone in your Neighbourhood Watch Scheme who may need some help during this time and as a community consider whether you need to call in extra help. Thank you for your help.

Motorists are being urged to be responsible and only travel if it is absolutely essential to do so.

A lot of schools are closed tomorrow Friday, including Alfred Sutton, I attach a link to Heartfmwho have a full list of closures.

Link to HeartFM Website

Good News and Bad News

Spent a cold afternoon looking around the student areas of the Ward, checking on how the area was left at the end of term.

The Uni will be pleased to hear that there was a lot less rubbish than there is usually at the end of term, but there were a few areas where rubbish has been left in the streets and these have been reported to both the Uni and Council.

The question really remains as to why the Landlords don't look after their properties properly. Am a bit nervous as I have noticed that one of the worst landlords in Reading has bought a property in my road. I have had dealings with him before as he had a property next to mine when I lived in Norris Road. Time will tell.

On top of this I am a little concerned about the state of the roads, having slipped over delivering leaflets the other day. I have asked the Council if they can start to grit the side roads to stop accidents and general danger.

So am looking forward to Christmas........soon be here.

Thank You For Your Help......And Happy Christmas

Snow in Reading, snow everywhere it seems. This is what the snow looked like outside my house in Park Ward on Friday morning.

Once I had got over the euphoria of the snow, I had to go and Lollipop out side Alfred Sutton for the last time this term.

I was really suprised when parents came up to me to thank me for clarifing the "Greenspin" being put out be others. It appears that the area has been calling out for clear and honest information, which others hadn't been giving.

Lollipoping in the snow is hard work, you have to look in both directions at once and make sure that you have left drivers enough time to stop. The last time it snowed I saw at least 5 cars shunt into each other as they didn't stop in time.