Home page for the village of Radley in Oxfordshire
Location, history and wildlife
Traditional elements of village life
Leisure groups and organisations
Amenities and useful info
Past and future happenings
Learn how the Parish Council works
Directory of local businesses and services
Message board - notices, views, for sale and wanted
Members of the website working group
 

 

Severest Winter Weather for 30 Years Grips County

 

[posted 08/01/2010, updated 31/01/2010]

 

 

The severe wintry weather that had been affecting many other parts of the country since before Christmas finally reached Oxfordshire on Tuesday. Over 20cm of snow fell on Radley during Tuesday night and continued throughout falling Wednesday with severe adverse consequences for transportation and other services. 

 

Clearing skies on Wednesday night resulted in temperatures dipping to around -8°C at dawn on Thursday morning as the sun rose to reveal a snow covered wilderness the like of which has not been seen in this part of the country for nearly 30 years. While for some, the snow has caused some difficulties, many have taken the opportunity to enjoy what has, in recent times, become a rare event. The photographs below show a little of what things were like.
 
6 January 2010 ("Whiteout Wednesday")
 

Snow covered car, 6 January 2010. Photograph by B Crowley

Snowed in

Whiteout, 6 January 2010

Whiteout

   
 
7 January 2010  
   

Winter wilderness, 7 January 2010

On Thursday, the world was reduced to a beautiful wintry wilderness.

Church Road, 7 January 2010. Photograph by B Crowley

This is Church Road, by the Lower-Radley turn. The snow on the seat gives some idea of the depth of the snowfall.

   

At the end of Foxborough Road by the Lower Radley turn, 7 January 2010. Photograph by B Crowley

Foxborough Road. Some snow has been cleared from the road, but a lot remains.

Church Road, 7 January 2010. Photograph by B Crowley

Church Road

   

Snow-covered meadows, 7 January 2010. Photograph by B Crowley

Snow-covered meadows

Radley church, 7 January 2010. Photograph by B Crowley

The church

   
   

Passable on foot, 7 January 2010. Photograph by B Crowley

Some roads were passable (mainly on foot) but bus services through Radley were suspended due to icy roads in Kennington.

But he trains ke-pt running, 7 January 2010. Photograph by B Crowley

The trains however continued to run.

   

Lower Radley, January 2010. Photograph by B Crowley

Lower Radley, as seen from the railway footbridge.

Church Road, 7 January 2010. Photograph by B Crowley

Snow-spattered trees and pavements along Church Road.

   

Icicles, 7 January 2010. Photograph by B Crowley

As snow on rooftops slowly melted in the sunshine, icicles descended from the eaves...

Icicles, 7 January 2010. Photograph by B Crowley

... in some cases forming menacing curtains along whole facades.

   

Snow, 7 January 2010. Photograph by B Crowley

Snow...

Tracks in the carpark, 7 Jaunary 2010. Photograph by B Crowley

...everywhere

 

[Update 31/01/2010]

The snow and icy conditions persisted for about a week. On the 13th January a further 6cm of snow fell, but this time heralding the approach of warmer weather. A steady thaw ensued accompanied by rain, and, by the following Monday morning, the snow had all but disappeared completely.

Questions have been raised over the level of disruption, and why, for example, the roads had not been cleared sufficiently to allow the buses to run.

Many thanks are due to all those who helped clear snow at ley locations throughout the village. While there was some inconvenience, and fuel bills will be bigger, the snow did bring some benefits. It brought people together and invoked a community spirit. The visual impact was certainly uplifting amidst the general gloom of winter, children and adults (even policemen!) alike had fun and business at the community shop was substantially increased.

 
If you have any interesting photographs of the impact of the recent weather on the landscape and life in Radley, and would like to see them published on this website, please submit them to

Basil Crowley email address

 

Related Links [updated 31/01/2010]

Practical information on local services etc

Severe weather advice from the Met Office

Weather Page

Whiteout Wednesday (more pics)

 

 

 

Legal