Nanny says: wrap up warm for the Big Freeze

SIR – I am indebted to Dr Thomas Waite of Public Health England, who is a member of the preposterously-titled Extreme Events and Health Protection team (“‘Unusually dry’ snow to bring days of chaos,” report, February 26).

Without his sage advice to wrap up warm and wear non-slip footwear if venturing out in the snow, I might have worn my flip-flops, shorts and T-shirt. Charles Coulson

Quarrington, Lincolnshire

SIR – Public Health England is advising us to stockpile food as we might be getting snow.

But just where does the nanny state expect us to go, bearing in mind the current KFC chicken shortage and the escalating cost of hot cross buns (leading article, February 26)?

We might even have to resort to cooking for ourselves. John Smith

Great Moulton, Norfolk SIR – The traditional pieces of weather lore – “If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, / Winter will have another flight”, and “If Candlemas Day be fair and clear, /We’ll have two winters in one year” – certainly seem to be fulfilling themselves this year.

I believe that there is some scientific basis for them, since a spell of cold, dry weather early in February is a sign of a cold easterly air-stream which, statistically, is likely to persist for some time. Brian Checkland

Thingwall, Wirral

SIR – Public Health England gives the advice that, should we have to go out in snowy conditions, “Be sure to tell someone where you’re going and an expected time when you will return.”

This is no doubt best practice, but it didn’t do Captain Oates a lot of good. E M Buck

Cwmyoy, Monmouthshire