CHESTERFIELD: Volunteers show true grit
Snow wardens shows (from left): Councillor John Burrows, Councillor Barry Bingham and volunteer snow warden Mervin Bradley shovelling snow in New Whittington.
More than 80 volunteers helped keep Chesterfield moving during the heavy snowfalls in January and February
For the second year running, the snow wardens worked hard shovelling snow and used more than five tonnes of grit salt to keep the pavements clear, thanks to a scheme led by Chesterfield Borough Council.
The council provides training and a shovel, gloves and hi-visibility vest for each volunteer, while grit salt is provided by Derbyshire County Council, which is responsible for gritting the county’s roads.
The scheme is led by ward councillors, who usually act as a co-ordinator for the ward and ensure volunteers in the area have the correct tools for the job.
Cllr Barry Bingham and volunteer, Mervin Bradley, cleared over a mile of footpaths around old people’s bungalows in Barrow Hill and New Whittington.
Mervin Bradley said: “We’ve had lots of thank yous from passers by.
“Some elderly people said they wouldn’t have been able to get out at all if the pavements hadn’t been cleared by snow wardens – I even had a thank you card put through my door at home.”
Cllr John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and executive member for regeneration, added: “I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all of the splendid work carried out by snow wardens across the borough.
“It is a vital service, carried out by willing volunteers in freezing cold and uncomfortable conditions to allow people to get out and about in the snow.
“This is a prime example of neighbourliness at its best. If anyone else is interested in joining the scheme, we would be more than happy to welcome them.”
To join as a snow warden, please email David Wallace, david.wallace@chesterfield.gov.uk or Sam Sherlock, sam.sherlock@chesterfield.gov.uk at Chesterfield Borough Council or call 01246 345345.
More information about the snow warden scheme is available on the Derbyshire County Council website: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/snowwardens.
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Weather for Chesterfield
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
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