Winter comes to Malvern (From Malvern Gazette)

Winter comes to Malvern

8:30am Friday 20th January 2012 in Malvern Memories

"UNTIL this week, we were beginning to think that we were about to escape the rigours of a severe winter," reported the Gazette 100 years ago.

"Blackberries were picked at South Grove on New Year's Day, and the birds for some time past have been warbling their matins in a style reminding us of spring.

"But on Wednesday the scene was changed. A heavy fall of snow descended upon Malvern, transforming the hills, streets, houses, vehicles and pedestrians into the picturesque likeness of an old-fashioned Christmas card.

"From nine o'clock until well on on the afternoon, the air was darkened with the thickly falling flakes, which, remaining unmelted where they lay, soon accumulated, until the paths, roads and thoroughfares became choked with thick layers of snow. It was remarkable what a tremendous quantity descended in so short a time.

"The Surveyor's Department had a big and pressing task before it, but Mr Thorp was equal to the emergency.

"A large staff of men was set to work clearing away the snow from the paths, and they made considerable headway notwithstanding the steady downfall, with a task which was of far greater proportions than might be ordinarily supposed."