'School didn't shut in my day' as Cambridgeshire snow remembered

The first round of snow of the British autumn has been and gone, leaving school closures, cancelled trains, and rush hour chaos in its wake - but some CambridgeshireLive readers in our comments sections are reminded that it wasn't always like this.

Wintery conditions with ice and snow have gripped some parts of the country this week, causing difficulties on the roads and shutting more than 200 schools. Those who have lived through much harsher winters often say that things in the UK just kept on moving, in worse conditions.

The country doesn't invest huge amounts of money into dealing with snow and ice - it's not a serious problem every year, and it would be a waste here compared to countries like Finland or Canada. But parents, commuters and more are always left disappointed, when what might look like a small amount of snow grinds everything to a halt.

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On our Facebook page, we asked if snow has too big of an impact on the country. Reader Janie Menzies writes: “Certainly does. I remember walking to work in 1963, as it was so cold there was no public transport, just rows of people on foot. It was so cold that a car was driven along the River Cam. Boxing day till March, freezing. So a flurry of snow, not even an inch, is hardly a reason to shut schools or grind things to a halt.”

Commenter Sandie Lightfoot says: “Yes. Schools didn’t close and we walked to school. We wore our coats in the classroom until the school had been heated by the antiquated boiler system. Everyone got to work somehow. When I lived in the north east, the snow could be as high as the upstairs windows. My Mum worked on the buses and they still ran a service regardless.”

Teresa Bennet says: “Back I the 80's we still walked 3 miles to school when the buses decided not to run. The school didn't shut, not like nowadays, where they close with an inch of snow on the ground.”

Louise Smyth writes: “Absolutely, we used to still get to school and back, schools didn't close unless the heating system wasn't working, which was very rare...”. Sheilah Sawyer agrees: “Did not remember schools closing in my day as a child or teacher!”

Tim Badger Almond says: “Yes it does, years ago schools never closed. We used to trek through snowdrifts to get there, nowadays there’s too much health and safety.” Lee Nunn thinks modern drivers aren't suited to icy conditions: “Yes it does… a lot of people who drive can’t deal with snow or ill equipped to do so.”

Linda Barber writes: “Yes it does, in 1962/63 I walked all the way across Cambridge in the snow to go to school like loads of other people.”

David Brick agrees: “Especially when it's a very light snowfall - it's hardly a blizzard but it seems like it's treated as one from many sectors.”

Nicky Miller says: “Any excuse! People are so pathetic now, can't cope with anything, Britain today!”

Have your say! Should we be more prepared for ice and snow? Do people still sweep and clear snow where you live? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.