Winter of '63

**Ringo Grumio Nibbler** · 09-01-2010, 05:25 PM

Originally posted by weekendwellies View Post

Ok then. Here's one for the more mature of our Grapes.
Were you growing fruit and veg back in '63 when we had the harsh weather from Xmas til May.

Do you have any memories to relate and tips for those of us who are experiencing this for the first time.

How was the growing season affected.
I imagine that the cost of produce soared during this time.
What did you do to rescue or protect your crops.

I am 47 next week. I was born in the middle of it.

My dad prefers to recall the calling off of three months of first division football matches rather than my birth.

**Two_Sheds** · 09-01-2010, 06:40 PM

Originally posted by weekendwellies View Post

we had the harsh weather from Xmas til May.

till March wasn't it?

I weren't even a twinkle in my Mum's eye, so I had to look it up: BBC News - How different is the winter of 2010 from 1963?

**weekendwellies** · 09-01-2010, 06:57 PM

The thaw may have started in March but I have heard stories that it was so thick that it took until May to completely go ~
Taken from the web:
My two brothers and I built an igloo in our back garden in Barnes. It was based on pictures in the National Geographic. It was about six feet across and and five feet high, and all three of us could get inside and sit in there comfortably. (I was 20 then, so we weren't small!). It had a little window made of a sheet of ice from a pond. It stood there in the garden until mid-April 1963, when it began to succumb to the thaw, and the last traces were still visible in early May.
I wish I had a photo!
Bill Wilcox

**digthatchick** · 09-01-2010, 07:03 PM

[QUOTE=weekendwellies;589666]The thaw may have started in March but I have heard stories that it was so thick that it took until May to completely go ~

In 1963 I had a camera for my birthday. The first pic I took was of my little brother standing by the remains of our snowman ... my birthday is June 7th!!

**jacob marley** · 09-01-2010, 07:23 PM

At that time in 1963 i was working for a potato Merchant delivering spuds around Chip Shops in and around Birmingham and the price went up to �5 for a bag so beware that is the price nowadays

.and they have not gone up yet..

.jacob

**Glutton4...** · 09-01-2010, 07:41 PM

Originally posted by Ringo Grumio Nibbler View Post

I am 47 next week. I was born in the middle of it.

My dad prefers to recall the calling off of three months of first division football matches rather than my birth.

I was born in the middle of it too. In fact, I was born 2 weeks early coz my Mum pushed my Dad's car out of a snowdrift, and says she pushed too hard!

**rustylady** · 09-01-2010, 08:06 PM

I wasn't old enough to be gardening, but I do remember that winter well. Woke up Boxing Day morning to total darkness in the living room, even with the curtains open. Snowdrift completely covering the window. We were completely snowed in our little village on the edge of Dartmoor for two to three weeks, but we managed very well. Us kids loved it!!

**Ringo Grumio Nibbler** · 09-01-2010, 08:12 PM

Originally posted by Glutton4... View Post

I was born in the middle of it too. In fact, I was born 2 weeks early coz my Mum pushed my Dad's car out of a snowdrift, and says she pushed too hard!

You had a car in 1963?

Hark at you.

**ladylottie** · 09-01-2010, 08:27 PM

I was still at school in 1963 (aged 15) and lived in the West Midlands. I can remember waking every morning to see ice on the inside of my bedroom window (no central heating then!). Every morning I walked 2 miles to school through the thick snow to get there for 9am (and woe betide you if you were late!). I can't ever remember any school closures back then either. We stayed at school until 4pm and then walked the 2 miles back home again with a huge satchel of books on my shoulder (ready for homework on the night).

In all that snow, I remember wearing a pair of white boots (thinking back now, they looked like bedroom slippers, with fur round the ankle and laces up the back - but they were really cool then

) The snow went over the top and through the laces and I had horrendous chilblains that seemed to last forever.

O Happy days

**Glutton4...** · 09-01-2010, 10:02 PM

Originally posted by Ringo Grumio Nibbler View Post

You had a car in 1963?

Hark at you.

Yeah! And running water, and IOL an' all LOL

**Two_Sheds** · 10-01-2010, 09:02 AM

Originally posted by ladylottie View Post

I can't ever remember any school closures back then either.

Teachers used to live nearer their schools back then.
Our school closed this week because our teachers couldn't get to work (half of them live either out in the sticks or in the city 30 miles away).

I live 1.5 miles from school, and everyone thinks I'm crazy to walk in rather than drive

**Two_Sheds** · 10-01-2010, 09:03 AM

Originally posted by weekendwellies View Post

My two brothers and I built an igloo in our back garden... the last traces were still visible in early May.

that's incredible

**Jeanied** · 10-01-2010, 09:10 AM

I used to go to school on the school bus - I think it was a 12 mile journey. I can remember the huge snowdrifts built up on either side of the road - so the snow ploughs had been busy. Haven't seen either (snowdrift or snowplough) for quite some time- but then I do live in the smoke now!

**Nicos** · 10-01-2010, 09:29 AM

I too was too young to be growing plants- but I recall my cousin dragging me up and down the road on a sledge on Xmas day for what seemed like hours bless him. I've loads of piccies of me tobogganing on hill sides and just about remember not liking having to trudge all the way uphill through the deep snow so we could come down for another run ( but it being well worth the effort!!)
And yes- I remember my father complaining about the increase in the price of chips which we had every Friday night from the local chippy ( I think they doubled in price!)

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