The recent snowfall in Buxton was the first of the winter and many of you took to the slopes and hills around Buxton for a spot of sledging – but what did Buxton look like in past winters of bygone days? Here’s a trip down memory lane. Do you remember any of these scenes? We’d love to hear any memories of stories you have – get in touch via our Facebook page …
Postal workers had it very rough during bad winters. Carrying bags of mail to Fairfield, Ladmunlow and Harpur Hill was hard enough but in winter weather it was very hard indeed.
Devonshire Road and Manchester Road junction. Buxton marketed itself as a winter sports resort in the early 1900s as well as a summer resort. Sledging was a popular pastime.
Dale Road, date unknown.
Fairfield Road, Buxton, c. 1950s.
Circa 1950s. Taken from the Wanted Inn, Sparrow Pit, near Buxton.
German prisoners of war dig snow on the A6 just outside Buxton. In 1947, German and Italian prisoners helped to clear snow on Fairfield Common.
The Palace Hotel, Buxton in 1979, closed at the time of taking the picture.
The North-Western Roadcar Company’s bus would collect passengers from Turner’s Memorial when it served the town during the 50s and 60s. During winter and in bad weather passengers were allowed the comfort of being able to stand under the Thermal Baths’ arcade whilst waiting for the bus to arrive. The bus had seen many bad winters when it was finally withdrawn from service in 1961.
Old Hall Hotel, Buxton, 1875.
Winter sports in Buxton, early 1900s.
Ice skating in the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton. Early 1900s. Precautions were taken against drowning accidents by lowering the level of the lake before it was frozen.
The Devonshire Hospital, Buxton, 1917.
Dale Road, Buxton, c.1920s/30s.
1947 is generally considered to be the longest spell of snow Buxton (and many parts of the UK) had seen in modern times. From the beginning of January, there were blizzards almost daily, lasting until late March. The railway was heavily relied upon to deliver food to the town.
If you enjoyed reading this – check out our other feature on rare vintage images of Buxton.
Photos: With thanks to Buxton Museum and Art Gallery for supplying the images.