Beast from the East meets its match

A band of hardy volunteers armed with snow shovels ensured the Beast from the East met its match when it arrived in the Stirling area the week prior.

Those living in rural communities – from Callander to Kippen and Balfron to Buchlyvie – braved the cold to clear roads and pavements of snow while ensuring elderly and vulnerable people were coping in the freezing conditions.

Scores of people, young and old, wrapped up warm and shovelled snow away from primary schools, nurseries and the surrounding streets, to ensure they were back in action.

Members of Strathendrick Minis RFC made the most of their week off from rugby duty and helped clear paths in Killearn, Fintry, Balfron, Buchlyvie and Drymen.

Farmers also stepped up to the plate – using their vehicles to clear roads, although snow drifts meant many didn’t stay clear for long.

In most communities people were left without fresh bread and milk, with shelves emptying as people panic-bought essentials.

Those living in Kippen were cut off from days and some essentials ran out.

Helen Wilson, chair of the community council in the village, said community spirit saw them through one of the worst snow storms seen in decades.

She said: “The weather was quite chaotic but everyone pulled together. There were people out clearing the school playground and the nursery to get them back open. The farmers did well in clearing the side roads and that was much appreciated by everyone.

“The Inn was supposed to have their golf dinner on Friday night.

“That was cancelled but as they had already made the soup they gave it to the deli and it was given to the elderly residents free of charge.”

In Callander local retained firefighters worked to ensure sharp pointed icicles were removed from tall buildings.

Brian Luti of the local community council said: “On Tuesday the fire service took down the huge icicles as there was a fear they were starting to melt.

“Some must have been about four or five foot long. On the same day there was a bit of a flood at St Kessog’s Church as the frost burst a pipe there, so they had to sort that out.

“Everybody chipped in though and it was a real combined effort.”

As the snow hit youngsters were keen to make the most of it – with many unlikely to have seen weather like it before.

A group of young people in Thornhill crafted an impressive igloo where they could sit to read on World Book Day.

Lesley Wilkinson, who lives in the area, said: “We were pretty much totally cut off from when the snow started on Wednesday until Friday.

“The farmers worked really hard to clear the snow so we are grateful for their efforts.”