BBC Winterwatch - 1963 'The big freeze'

[minor65]

Here is a link to BBC's Winter watch - 1963 The big freeze which was shown on Saturday evening. There are vehicles shown throughout but mainly from 40 minutes in, including a buried minor van.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mobile/iplayer/episode/b01q9d86

[brucek]

Spooky - that's what I just posted too! I'll add mine as a comment to yours and close mine down

Great community spirit though - would that happen today I wonder?

Fascinating programme! - makes you wonder why everything stops nowadays after just a few inches really
hard to believe my car was just short of 4 years old when all this was going on! Not many Minors in the film though

[minor65]

Sorry, yes if it happened today I don't think the community spirit would be the same, but who knows. Hopefully we'll not get the chance to find out.

[lambrettalad]

might still have the old ways .look at what people in the flood areas said about the coming together in their area

[mbo145]

Really good programme, just watched it too!

[Vernon]

I remember the big freeze very well. My sister and I set off from Cardiff, South Wales to Harrow, Middlesex (now Greater London) after Christmas in my Morris Minor. It had just started snowing so we phoned the AA to ask if it would be safe to travel. We were told that it would be OK and that the approaches to London were clear. The snow got worse and by the time we reached the Cotswolds many roads were closed. We were diverted around Cirencester and each time we came to a hill we had to join a queue of cars waiting to be pushed up the hill by other drivers. If only one side of the road had been gritted we drove on that side until we encountered a vehicle coming the other way. We got as far as West Wycombe and stopped at a cafe to phone home and tell our family where we were but the phone lines were down so we couldn't get through. After a cup of tea we continued our journey and arrived home at 9.30 in the evening having taken 10 1/2 hours to travel 150 miles. Many cars were abandoned on the roads but the narrow tyres on my Morris Minor got us through safely.

Colin Jones

[aupickup]

remember that one

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

The problem, as ever with the Minor, is a light tail and lack of Town & Country tyres. Weight in the boot helps greatly.

The problem with modern cars is low-profile tyres completely unsuited to winter driving, traction control etc going against the driver and idiot drivers tailgating, going too fast and driving with mountains of snow on the roof, obscured number plates and blocked windows.

I have had people overtaking me in the most stupid situations, trying to force me into the gutter. I stay put and symbol to them to back off, although in much stronger language.

[beero]

What a trip down memory lane. Amazed to see the man clearing snow out of his engine compartment with a shovel!!