On film...
40 years ago this week, a weather front loaded with copious amounts of snow stopped over Somerset and dumped the lot.
3 feet (90cm) came down in less than 2 days.
3 feet (90cm) came down in less than 2 days.
The place came to a standstill. Schools were closed, so were roads. Some villages were cut off and essential food supplies had to be dropped off by helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton.
If you were a child, like I was in Langport, it was awesome.
- and thanks to the efforts of my father, the aftermath for us Langport and Huish folk was caught on film.
The footage is about 8 minutes long. There's no sound and the images aren't as clear as they used to be...after all it was recorded on a dodgy old 'Super 8' camera four decades ago
Under the 'video' is a brief run down of what you're looking at, in case it's not obvious.
You may even see someone you know, although it's hard to tell.
Everybody's favourite scenes will no doubt be the crowds sledging down Langport Hill!
But there are some other gems too: the RAF helicopter coming in to take a woman in labour to hospital (she had a baby boy who must be celebrating his 40th this week)...and check out the price of petrol at Shire's Garage.
Enjoy...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypm3ml0FjEQ&t=109s
If you can't get the video to work, click on the link above to watch it on YouTube.
Here's what you're looking at:
Opening scenes: The Avenue
0'47": Walking past the cricket pitch (on right) up towards the comprehensive
1'38": Filmed at the top of Langport Hill looking downwards.
2'40": The RAF flies in and lands on the back Cocklemoor car park to collect a woman who's gone into labour.
3'25": random few minutes filmed in the narrow lane that leads down to Swell, near Fivehead
4'05": back on the road between the comprehensive school and the railway line. One Mr J Padfield providing the juggling entertainment.
4'26": the back garden of 6, The Avenue.
5'09": filmed out on the road in The Avenue. Dave (Joe) Harwood & Bill Vigar among those in shot.
7'16": Shire's Garage - with Maureen Bown & Maria Davey
7'35": Snowball fight on the completely blocked road leading to Wearne from the then Kelways crossroads.
😊
Many thanks to those who helped get this on the blog this week including Maureen & Dave Crossman, Nik Bown & Steve Pengelly.
It's only a blurred 8 minutes-worth but still great to look back on.
- and last but not least a big thank you to the man who went out and froze his nuts off filming it all that day in 1978:
The late great Den Bown - nice work Dad!
Carry On Langport is still looking for locally taken photographs of the time, if you're willing to share them.
Get in touch.
carryonlangport.blogspot.com
😊
Tel: 01458-241465
😊
In aid of local Somerset County Girl Guides
😊
But there are some other gems too: the RAF helicopter coming in to take a woman in labour to hospital (she had a baby boy who must be celebrating his 40th this week)...and check out the price of petrol at Shire's Garage.
Enjoy...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypm3ml0FjEQ&t=109s
If you can't get the video to work, click on the link above to watch it on YouTube.
Here's what you're looking at:
Opening scenes: The Avenue
0'47": Walking past the cricket pitch (on right) up towards the comprehensive
1'38": Filmed at the top of Langport Hill looking downwards.
2'40": The RAF flies in and lands on the back Cocklemoor car park to collect a woman who's gone into labour.
3'25": random few minutes filmed in the narrow lane that leads down to Swell, near Fivehead
4'05": back on the road between the comprehensive school and the railway line. One Mr J Padfield providing the juggling entertainment.
4'26": the back garden of 6, The Avenue.
5'09": filmed out on the road in The Avenue. Dave (Joe) Harwood & Bill Vigar among those in shot.
7'16": Shire's Garage - with Maureen Bown & Maria Davey
7'35": Snowball fight on the completely blocked road leading to Wearne from the then Kelways crossroads.
😊
Many thanks to those who helped get this on the blog this week including Maureen & Dave Crossman, Nik Bown & Steve Pengelly.
It's only a blurred 8 minutes-worth but still great to look back on.
- and last but not least a big thank you to the man who went out and froze his nuts off filming it all that day in 1978:
The late great Den Bown - nice work Dad!
Carry On Langport is still looking for locally taken photographs of the time, if you're willing to share them.
Get in touch.
carryonlangport.blogspot.com
😊
No room for family and friends to stay at yours?
ALL'S WELL FARMHOUSE B&B
Pibsbury, between Huish Episcopi & Long Sutton
😊
In aid of local Somerset County Girl Guides
😊
