In the words of Bing Crosby, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas – just like the ones we used to know…”
When we look back to our childhoods (depending on your age, of course) how many white Christmases did we actually see? In the last half a century, we can think of one or two, but that’s it. Yet it is a question that remains on our lips, each year, “I wonder if we’ll have a white Christmas?”. (The Bookies make a fortune out of our obsession with it!)
We’ve thought about why we hanker after this elusive, shriven snow landscape. Is it because we don’t mind being snowed in over Christmas? Do we have a romantically traditional view of being cosy by the fire, with our families around us, and a month’s worth of food to last us just a few days? The reality is a lot different for many people!
Dan Stroud, Senior Operational Meteorologist at the Met Office, advises on the technicalities:
Traditionally for a White Christmas we have to physically observe a snowflake falling from the sky during Christmas Day itself. The last time we recorded that was as long ago as 2001. There was snow on the ground at Christmas in 2010 but that had fallen before Christmas Day and was still hanging around. Before 2001, there was also snow around in 1996, 1993 and 1981.
Taking stock of over a quarter of a century of living in Camber – and observing the weather – we would say we are most likely to have snow here in February (if at all). So why do we, as a nation, continue to hope for a white Christmas?
Back in 1752, Great Britain switched to the Gregorian calendar which meant the date of Christmas moved. Christmas used to be on what we now know as 6th January, and so a dusting of snow at Christmas was much more likely back then. Coupled with this, the climate was generally much cooler between the 16th and 19th centuries than we experience today.
This meant that people like Charles Dickens, who was born in the early 1800s, would have often known white Christmases whilst growing up. There is little doubt that no one has done more than Dickens (born in 1812) to influence our idea of what a ‘traditional’ Christmas is, which included snow.
However, commentators on climate change predict that we will not see any snow at all in the fairly near future. With the last official ‘White Christmas’ in East Sussex being almost a quarter of a century ago (in 2001), the fact is that when snow comes to East Sussex, it’s more likely to come in the new year.
Snowfall is a double-edged sword. For some it conjures up magical dreams of sledging, snowball fights and unexpected days off school. For others is reminds us of slippery pavements, soaking wet clothes and being stranded at home.
How you feel about snow mostly depends on your circumstances at the time, and how much you have to do, or whether you have to travel anywhere. (Let’s take a moment, though, to tip our collective hats to the gritter lorry drivers who do their best to keep us moving safely when the temperatures plummet!)
There is no doubt that the landscape looks amazing when under a blanket of snow, but winter can be tough as well as beautiful.
If you, or someone you know, has trouble staying warm at home, especially with the changes to the government’s winter fuel allowance for pensioners, you might qualify for help through Energy Supplier Hardship Funds, or via the local food bank in Rye, or through charities like Age UK.
There are numerous ‘Community Warm Spaces’ around the area – Camber’s own Community Lunch scheme being one of them – where you can spend some time in a warm environment. The Citizen’s Advice Bureau has information on all the schemes available in the area.
[Editor’s note: Food Banks can sometimes help by providing electric blankets and/or warm clothing. CCN does not know if this is something the Rye or Lydd foodbanks currently offer, but it is worth asking them.]
Environmental advisors believe that, as a result of human-caused climate change heating up the planet, we can expect to see snow less often. They say snow at Christmas, already rare, is less likely than ever.
However, that will not stop us speculating as to whether we will see a covering of ‘the white stuff’ over the festive season! Whatever happens, here at the newsletter team we wish you a happy, safe and WARM Christmas, New Year, and winter season!
Stay safe, everyone!
CAB contact details: There is no Citizen’s Advice Bureau service in Lydd. Our nearest is in Rye, at The Hub on the Hill, Kiln Drive, Rye, TN31 7SQ. Opening times are: Wednesday, 2pm to 5pm. You can drop-in to speak with someone, or you can pre-book an appointment.
