Sleet30031972

Isn't there a phrase about "lies and damned statistics". I just think this table, whilst no doubt accurate, just shows how misleading statistics can be. As someone who lived through the winters in the 80's, this one supposedly 'beats', i would say in terms of 'events' such as periods of intense cold or heavy snowfall they beat 2008/09 (thus far) hands down. What this winter has had is a sustained period of quite cold stable weather. No great shakes about that and certainly not a great winter.

"harsh winter". Would you say so.......really? Very average i would say. Yeah thats magic isn't it. I love it up there. Always had a soft spot for Sholver marooned up on the moors; always gaze up at it when travelling to Milnrow on train from Victoria. Used to work at Delph mill for a bit then the Lilac too (which i suppose you can see from your window). By the way, what is all that earth removal all about (last time i was there about 6 months ago). Houses? Golf course?

And a grey day in Sholver is a grey day indeed! Only jesting - top views and the best pitch and putt in the country. Can't be bad! (I'm from Milnrow)

Hmm will try and post here as my topic got locked out. Basically, i contend that the last, hmmm, two weeks are a very strong contender for being the most boring period of weather it has ever been my misfortune to witness. Dryish, mildish, dullish. BORING. Anyone disagree?

As a qualifier i should start off by stating that i was born in 1972 and grew up in the foothills of the South Pennines (Milnrow) so, in comparison to winters past that i remember (building igloos, sledging on our estate - not just the surrounding hills - for days etc) this winter seems pretty rubbish in comparison. However, having witnessed the garbage winters we have suffered since the end of the 80s, i would still say this winter is very much a pleasant surprise and, personally, the best for me since the 80s. I think the difference now is the rolling news channels and general hysteria thast the media and us all seem to fall into. I heard someone on the news this morning describe this winter as, i quote, the most exceptional in 30 years. Give. Me. Strength. Also, as usual, a bit of regional bias is a factor. London and the SE has had some snow this winter so, of course, it goes that a lot of people are getting in a bit of a tizzy about a couple of days of lying snow.

I am at a loss to understand climate change sceptics. For me it is not a complex question it is common sense. The facts are that as a species we have undergone a sudden and massive population increase. That species (us) daily indulges in the pumping of millions of tonnes of pollutants (of various kinds) into the ecosystem alongside all the other things we do (such as deforestation etc). Given that it seems that one can either believe that all that will have no effect on the world we live in (and consequently the climate) - the sceptics positon - or that it does (everyone else). Sorry, that is very simplistic i realise, but the fact that there is still a debate being conducted by intelligent people frustates me. Humans are changing the world on a massive scale in a way that is not conducive to life. That to me seems an established fact.

Dan Corbett.....the man, the legend. Yesterday a cold front was described as a 'blue layer of treacle'. The Milton of our times. Rob Mcelwee almost ties though; i love the way he has a big smile all over his face when anything cold, snowy or stormy happens. A marvellous contrast to the rest of the sorry bunch who become apologetic whenever the weather isn't bloody mild. I probably should get out more often i suppose.........