A talk on one of the worst snows in Cumbria’s history uncovered new stories and raised money in the process.
Harold Bowron, with the Alston Moor Historical Society, presented the talk at the Masonic Hall on April 19.
Harold Bowron, 80, lives in Alston, and worked on the railroad as a clerk during the winter of 1962/63.
The Met Office said that winter is one of the coldest on record, with temperatures so low the sea froze in places, and blizzards, snow drifts, blocks of ice, and temperatures lower than -20C were seen.
Alston is very high up and experienced some of the worst of the winter in the county.
READ MORE: Last living member of crew that kept town alive during harsh winter tells story
The talk attracted 27 people, the vast majority of which had lived through that winter.
“There were some great photographs of Alston itself, and the snow.
“They had photographs of the farmers with the churns of milk on sledges hauling them in, and one person made a remark about somebody with appendicitis and needed to get to the hospital, and about the animals being fed, there were a lot of photographs of helicopters landing with the straw and the hay,” Mr Bowron explained.
He said he bumped into a couple on their way to the talk while on a train that day, who shared a story of a perilous trip to buy bread during the winter, clambering over the high snow.
He also met with someone who worked at Haltwhistle during that time, a porter, who he hadn’t spoken to in 64 years.
Visitors were asked to pay £10 for entry, and there was a raffle.
Funds went to the Wi for catering, the venue for hire, and the rest went towards the South Tynedale Rail Preservation Society which manages the railway in Alston - £250.
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