Community spirit enjoys a big boost

Jane Gregson, landlady at the junction Inn, Denshaw

OUTLYING villages in Saddleworth, some 1,000ft up in the Pennines, have faced a complete whiteout with drifting snow making driving and walking impossible.

Fifty mile an hour winds have howled through villages piling snow into 12ft high drifts and buffeting unwary drivers.

Pub landlady Jane Gregson, who took over the Junction Inn at Denshaw crossroads 11 weeks ago, said: “We are on the road to nowhere.

“I have never seen weather like it. Motorists drive into the village, realise there is nowhere to go, so turn round and try to head back.”

Jane said business had been reduced to a handful of loyal locals who braved extreme weather for a pint.

And farmer Michael Fancy, landlord of the Royal Oak at Heights above Delph, said: “It’s a whiteout. All you can see from the windows of the pub is snow blowing in every direction.”

And after the snow and winds, sub-zero temperatures brought an added threat — black ice.

Oldham’s cabinet member for regeneration and infrastructure, Councillor Mark Alcock, praised isolated hillside hamlets for their “marvellous community spirit”.

He said: “I would like to commend the farmers who have got stuck in and cleared snow. We have contracted two farmers to help with our work — but the actions of other locals is to be praised.

“If people want to come out and help that shows true community spirit.”