Wintry scenes as Easter cross marks milestone
Yorkshire hit by more snow, but region’s forecast is for brighter weather, while big freeze goes on in South
IT HERALDS the beginning of Easter – but there were wintry scenes as Otley Chevin Cross was pulled into place on its 50th anniversary.
A ceremony in the market town was held on Saturday. Volunteers braved the snow to carry sections of the 36-foot wooden structure up the hill before ropes were used to haul the cross into place.
People remembered lost loved ones at the event, including Wendy Fawell, from Otley, who died in the terrorist attack at Manchester Arena last year.
John Burland, of Otley Churches Together, said: “The cross went up very smoothly, although it was bitterly cold.
“It’s a symbol for the town as much as anything else. People passing through Otley can see it on the skyline.”
The wooden cross was originally built by Methodist Lay Preacher and funeral director DB Good in 1968.
Twenty years ago the cross was replaced by craftsman Brett Thompson, who used timber from Manchester’s Arndale Centre to remember those who died in the 1996 bombing of the building.
Each year, pilots flying in and out of nearby Leeds-Bradford airport are notified of the presence of the imposing cross in the flight path. A 64-page booklet, Otley Chevin Cross 19682018, has also been produced and is on sale in the town.
It will stay windy, and it will stay very cold indeed. Mark Wilson, Met Office meteorologist, on the national weather picture.
JUST WHEN we thought it was all clear, the so-called Beast from the East returned with a sting in its tail.
After snow hit Yorkshire at the weekend, forecasters yesterday warned that bitterly cold temperatures would feel as low as minus 10C in some places as the wintry snap kept its grip on the UK.
The Met Office had weather warnings in place for more snow and ice, with some areas of the country likely to see up to 25cm of snow by last night.
People in many parts of Yorkshire were snowed in or battled treacherous conditions during the weekend after snowfall came in on Saturday and continued overnight.
Many bus services were altered or suspended in West Yorkshire yesterday. Arriva Yorkshire at one stage suspended all buses operating from its Dewsbury depot due to what it called “horrendous road conditions”.
On the trains, services were subject to delays and cancellations on routes including Leeds-Knottingley, LeedsSheffield via Barnsley, LeedsYork via Harrogate and LeedsHalifax. Rail replacement buses between Leeds and Todmorden and Leeds and Huddersfield were also hit by delays.
A number of flights to and from Leeds Bradford Airport were cancelled or delayed.
The majority of bus services in Sheffield were still suspended yesterday afternoon, while journeys in Rotherham, Barnsley, the Dearne Valley and Doncaster were also affected.
Residents helped push a stranded ambulance up a Sheffield road.
The group aided the vehicle on Glossop Road, Broomhill at around 3am.
The Yorkshire Ambulance Service had reported “high levels of demand” and warned people should only call for an ambulance in an emergency. A flood warning was made by the Environment Agency for Sandsend, North Yorkshire, yesterday afternoon amid concerns about strong winds and high tides. The forecast for Yorkshire today is a little brighter and although mostly dry, a few wintry showers are possible in the east later, according to the Met Office. There could also be further frost overnight with a maximum temperature of 5C. Nationally, Met Office meteorologist Mark Wilson yesterday said it would feel as low as minus 8C or minus 10C in some places, particularly across southern areas. He said: “It will stay windy, and it will stay very cold indeed. Temperatures barely above freezing, and in the wind it will feel like it’s well below freezing.”
Part of the M25 was gridlocked on Saturday after an air ambulance attended a crash, while a collision also closed part of the M4 in Wiltshire. Meanwhile, 11 people were rescued or made their own way to safety after two rowing boats and an accompanying safety boat capsized in the River Stour in Bournemouth.