BB FANS

It has snowed then stopped then snowed then stopped continuously today but due to the fact the ground it soaking it's not staying on the ground. Quite nice to watch though.

I saw snow for the first time this year today Don't know if my bf has seen snow before or or not. He's at work so I'll ask him when he comes back. I hope so, wouldn't like to miss his first time

When my uncle came to visit from Australia a few years back it didn't snow and his kids were really disappointed bcz they'd never seen snow. However, literally as he left the house it started snowing! My mum grabbed the camera and took a beautiful pic of the kids jumping up and down and hugging each other with with excitement and snowflakes flying everywhere.

Nov 28 2005
By Sonia Sharma
The Evening Chronicle

An army of off-road drivers is gearing up to help emergency services in the most severe weather conditions.

The soon-to-be launched North East Discovery Search and Rescue (NEDSAR) team will provide 4x4s to help emergency vehicles stuck in bad weather.

Nearly 40 members of the group have four-wheel drives, like Land Rovers and Shoguns, which can go through rugged terrain.

If an ambulance is trapped in snow, a NEDSAR driver will be able to transport paramedics to patients.

The service, which will also support coastguards, has trained members across the region.

Some of the vehicles are modified to include winches and other safety equipment.

From December 1, drivers wearing highly-reflective blue and yellow uniforms will set out in response to calls through an emergency radio network. At least two 4x4s will respond to each incident.

Chairman Chris Readings said: "If, for example, an ambulance can't get through to somewhere because of snow, flood or difficult terrain, our members will pick them up and take them to the casualty.

"This type of service works in other parts of the country but has never been introduced in the North East.

"We are going one step further and are planning to help in missing persons' searches. If a child has gone missing, police can get extra backup and have more man power. Our vehicles can go through roads that others may not have access to. If an area is cut off because of snow, we will be able to take supplies for locals such as food or gas."

The members have been receiving off-road training on 750 acres of land just outside Wark, Northumberland. The voluntary group is now hoping to attract sponsorship to help fund the service.

Mr Readings, a 39-year-old firefighter of Birtley, Gateshead, said: "We have got a great team and will come out in all weather conditions.

"It started out as a group of people with similar interests in 4x4s coming together as a hobby. But we decided to make it more viable.

"But we are also looking for donations and sponsorship because it costs a lot to run the service, including fuel, safety equipment and insurance costs."

For more details log onto http://www.nedsar.co.uk

Reckon they'll be sitting around drinking tea most of the time , even the north east only gets a few days snow each year!

Most of the people around here who drive urban tractors would last about 3 mins in real snow and 1 min on sheet ice. Wonder if I can persuade a few dozen of them to go 'North for the Winter'

It would make the streets a lot safer

Do you remember the Fast show and the sketch about the off roaders i owned a 1972 range rover and was so crap at driving it i could get it stuck in a puddle

That really made me smile. That is sooo nice!

You kind of forget that people in so many places just haven't experienced it. Same with the granddaughter of the lady across the road from me - she lives in the canaries and just prays for snow everytime she visits.

Snow has hit the West Country again tonight. Lots of motorists are stuck in their cars in Gloucestershire although it is not too bad here further south - we have only had about half an inch.

well its just raining here

Snow on and off quite a lot again today but it's still not lying on the ground. It's too wet.