Heavy snow hits Ludlow but businesses carry on (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Heavy snow hits Ludlow, south Shropshire, but businesses carry on

4:06pm Friday 18th January 2013 in News By Mark Bowen

THE first real snow fall of the winter has had a major impact on life in Ludlow.
Virtually all the schools in the area were closed giving school pupils the chance to enjoy an unscheduled day off.
There was also travel chaos on the main trunk road through Shropshire with the A49 unpassable in places and treacherous conditions on south Shropshire’s minor roads.
Traffic was noticeably lighter than normal and many businesses in Ludlow took the opportunity to close down for the day.
Not for the easy option were Peter and Alex Roderick, of David and Alexandra in Parkway, Ludlow. They fought their way through the snow from Culmington to avoid disappointing customers.
“We are intrepid travellers and nothing will stop us getting to our customers,” said Alex.
“We have had some cancellations but we have also had people ringing in to ask if we have had any so they can book appointments.”
Stanton Stephens, owner of Castle Bookshop, carried on trading for as long as he could.
“There are not a lot of people about because of the snow,” said Stanton. “A lot of the shops are closed.
“People have been in buying but the till has not taken much.
“Because I live over the shop I may as well be down here rather than in the flat.”
Another hardcore operator was Dennis Davies of Corve Bridge Garage which continue to trade.
The severe weather brought back memories of years gone by.
“I remember 1963 when the River Corve was solid. You could jump up and down on it and skate on it,” said Dennis.
He added that in previous years staff at the garage were so determined to get to work they spent three or four hours digging their way through snow to open up.