CAN someone explain to me how in the 1950s my handicapped father managed the journey from Dringhouses to Boroughbridge Road via two bus routes and a walk over St. Helen’s road bridge, sanded of course, whereas now pensioners and the handicapped are trapped in their properties?

Consider my amazement ten days ago on entering York city centre and no snow. But then it is panto season and I had forgotten the fairy godmother will have blown it away.

We, the citizens, deserve as much consideration as the visitors.

One positive thing following the demise of the museum ice rink; we all have our local skating rinks.

Keith Chamberlain, Cheviot Close, Huntington.


• RECENT history shows that 1947 was the snowiest winter, followed by major floods.

I just missed that one, but was around for what was recorded as the coldest in 1963 and which I thoroughly enjoyed as a teenager.

Not many motors around and certainly no gritting to mess up the slides we made on the roads after school; but my old dad still managed to drive to his work.

No central heating, just a coal fire kept us healthy, and I do not ever remember our school being shut through cold weather or snow; maybe the teachers lived locally.

This winter could prove even more harsh than anything previously.

I have never known so much snow so early, and combined with such low temperatures in York before, now we are having a short reprieve and relatively tropical temperatures; the hospital will be inundated with broken arms and wrists.

The council lads are doing their best against an extreme situation; maybe national Government legislation should dictate that where extra help is needed those people on benefits and not working, instead of sitting at home watching daytime TV, can be mobilised into clearing footpaths.

Bob Waite, Holgate, York.