Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

1962: The year of the Big Freeze

Boxing Day marks 50 years since the onset of one of Britain's worst winters

Miranda Atty
Sunday 23 December 2012 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Britain may be beset by floods and near-relentless rain, but anyone feeling glum about the weather this Christmas can be thankful they are not facing the conditions of half a century ago. This Boxing Day marks 50 years since the first snowfall of the 1962 Big Freeze, which left the country so cold that even the river Thames froze solid and whole villages were isolated. For 67 days the nation endured freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall to make one of the worst winters on record. An early-warning defence station on the North York Moors even had to evacuate 283 workers to safety by helicopter.

Eileen Coffin, 85, can still recall the vicious temperatures. "We only had fires in those days and we were completely dependent on the delivery of coal, which was erratic during that winter because the roads were so bad," she said. "I live in Whitstable, and I remember the fishing boats were actually frozen solid in the harbour."

The freeze began on 22 December, with the first snow falling on Boxing Day. Mrs Coffin said: "Luckily, my husband made sure to keep the car running so he could get to work. But it was difficult because my daughter Jen was in hospital." Despite the bitter cold, the family travelled to the hospital every day.

Tessa Fane, from Berkshire, said: "I remember walking on the Lambourn Downs where the snow was so deep and the frozen crust on top was so hard we were walking on top of the fences with the fencing posts just visible. I was seven years old and can still connect with the sense of wonder and excitement I felt then."

But for many, the extreme winter proved fatal, and at least 50 people died as a result of its bitter effects. Children, particularly, were at risk of falling through ice and drowning. Transport chaos was caused by 20ft snow drifts, and frozen ground meant that hundreds of sporting events had to be cancelled.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in