Snow joke as winter bites

Date published: 06 February 2012

SNOW turned Oldham into a Winter Wonderland over the weekend, with gleeful youngsters with sledges taking to the hills in their hordes.

But while they had a whale of a time, sliding to their hearts content, the 11 centimetres of snowfall, which began on Saturday afternoon, brought a different story for some.

Motorists battling through the highest snowfall Oldham has seen on one day since January, 2010, found roads treacherous, and many events due to be held across the borough were cancelled.

They included Just Us Players’ “Sleeping Beauty,” which was cancelled as the curtains were due to open — half an hour later than advertised — at Greenacres Community Centre on Saturday evening.

The cast had battled through freezing conditions and snow-covered roads to get there, but the thespians, worried about getting home, decided it was wise to keep the curtains closed on what would have been the last of four performances.

It has been rescheduled for this Saturday, and people with tickets should contact director Betty Athorn 01457-870 599 for details

Managers at one of Saddleworth’s most remote pubs, the Rams Head at Denshaw, have invested in their own snow plough to help customers make it to the bar.

The Landrover-mounted plough was out at the weekend, keeping the road clear to the car park, which meant Sunday lunchers were able to dine at ease.