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Milkman Joe Cash faces the cold from 3.30am every day |
Nice weather... if you happen to be a polar bear!
BRRR! Camden felt the full force of England’s extreme winter weather as temperatures plummeted below zero this week.
With parts of England hitting minus 10 degrees Celsius, the Parliament Hill Fields Lido froze over and the Regent’s Park Canal was brought to a standstill by a thick layer of ice.
The Town Hall have spread record levels of salt and grit on the roads in the past two weeks. Lorries have sprayed more than 90 tonnes on the streets and pavements.
Hospitals said that while figures for ice-related casualties could not be calculated, winter ailments are on the rise.
Emily Pegg, general manager for Emergency Access at UCLH, said they had “seen an increase in the numbers of patients presenting with flu-like symptoms or chronic illnesses”, particularly respiratory problems among the elderly.
Unfazed by the cold, hardy swimmers were disappointed on Tuesday to find the Grade II-listed Lido outdoor pool out of bounds due to the severe cold. It was the first time ice has formed on the surface of the water since its £3million refit three years ago.
Lifeguard Dan Fawkes said the problem occurred when the pump motors tripped out overnight because of the freezing weather – meaning the water was not circulated.
“We thought it wise not to let people swim,” he said. “It was still quite dark, and you can cut yourself on the ice.”
Milkman Joe Cash, who delivers from Swain’s Lane to Eton Avenue, said: “The milk hasn’t frozen yet, but if I left it on the doorsteps long enough it would. The top comes off like a lump of ice cream.”
Mr Cash has to travel from Edmonton every day in an open electric milk float with a maximum speed of 10mph.
He added: “I wake up at 2am and start work at 3.30am, six days a week. I never feel the cold once I start though.”
Only the birds braved the cold in West Heath yesterday morning (Wednesday).
The famous ponds were almost entirely frozen over, with ducks and swans staring out at the frozen majesty of Hampstead Heath.
For the toughened stall-holders at Camden Market, the weather is an annual chore to be faced with a dose of stoicism.
Scott Cole, who has run a stall at the market for 22 years, said: “It’s not any colder than usual. The younger generation are just thinner, that’s all.”
Others said the freeze – temperatures hovered around two degrees on Tuesday – did make the trade slower.
Promoter Richard Dyer said he was used to the cold, handing out flyers in all conditions. “My hands are always exposed,” he said. “They should be stiff, but they’re not.
“When you see snow, then we can talk cold weather.”
Hilmy Kivanc, who runs a stall selling hats and thermal wear, said: “I like the cold weather, it doesn’t bother me.” |
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