Flashback to 2010: A rare white Christmas in the Black Country
It was the coldest December since nationwide records began 100 years earlier.
But good gloves, stout boots and a flask of tea were all the hardy workers of the Black Country needed to carry on their duties despite wintery weather.
Snow couldn’t stop the region’s milkmen, postal workers, delivery drivers and repair staff from getting the job done.
The harsh weather was caused by anomalously high air pressure that blocked mild westerly winds and brought cold air south from the Arctic.
"It's been an exceptional month, there's no question about that - it will go down in history as one to remember," said chief meteorologist Ewen McCallum.
"Our records go back to 1910 and it's certainly the coldest since then, so it's the coldest December in 100 years," he added.
The winter of 2010 saw the earliest widespread winter snowfall since 1993 with the first flakes falling as early as November 24 in some parts of the country.
Ambulance drivers were helping to keep Wolverhampton Council’s meals on wheels service on the road. They would usually be taking disabled children to school or pensioners to day centres. But with conditions too dangerous for them to pick up passengers they were helping to deliver dinners instead.
Meals on wheels driver Theresa Ryan, aged 52, said she usually travelled solo to between 25 and 30 appointments a day. But since snow hit the region she had an extra pair of hands to help out.
Cathleen Boston, aged 91, received her lunch at her home in Warstones Drive, Penn as promised . She said: “The service has been very good. I get a meal every day, and they haven’t missed one yet.”
In Willenhall, more than 200 staff are working at the Robert Wiseman Dairies depot to ensure the region’s shops and schools have fresh milk. Despite the snow and ice, the firm has made 4,200 deliveries in the past week – about 60 delivery runs a day.
Graham Jack, spokesman for the Ashmore Lake Way company, said: “Our staff are working long hours and it’s their determination that keep things moving.”
Driver Ian Pedley, aged 32, a dairy driver for eight years, added: “We’re doing all we can to get deliveries out to customers.”
Alan Watkins was a site manager for Links To Work, which fitted things such as hand rails and ramps to disabled people’s homes when they come out of hospital. The vital work, part of Walsall Council’s social services department, had to be done whatever the weather.
Mr Watkins, aged 62, said: “When someone comes out of hospital, we aim to have any modifications needed within seven days. The country can grind to a halt, but we have got to get on with it."
And the Black Country’s posties were also braving the conditions to deliver Christmas cards. Tony Meehan, aged 56, of Vicarage Road, Wednesbury, has been taking an extra hour to do his 10-mile round.
He said: “When I’ve got a parcel I think that must be a Christmas present, and it’s got to be delivered.”
The snow also created picture postcard scenes – and many of the animals at West Midland Safari and Leisure Park and Dudley Zoo were loving it.
The seven-strong herd of reindeer at the Safari Park, including Rudolph, Blitzen and Donner, looked right at home – and Buster the white tiger revelled in a roll in the snow.
The atmosphere was set perfectly for the attraction’s annual Santa Safari.
As well as being the coldest December on record, it was also the coldest month in England and Wales since February 1986, the coldest in Scotland since February 1947 and in Northern Ireland it was the coldest on record.
The average temperature for December was -1C, which was significantly colder than the long term average of 4.2C.
But although the month was cold and snowy, it was also relatively dry and sunny, the Met Office said.
Analysis showed it was the third driest December since records began in 1910, with just 38 per cent of the expected rain falling during the month, and the third sunniest in a series of records dating back to 1929.
