PARWICH.ORG

The live Parwich weather station  recorded a record low temperature of -8.8 degrees C at 05:30am this morning (Thursday 7th January) which is the lowest temperature recorded since the live weather station records began over 3 years ago. Temperatures have been around or below freezing since the middle of December, and the extreme cold seems set to continue, possibly for another 2 weeks.  Severe weather warning have been issued for our area with strong winds coming in over the weekend.  So although the weather should be bright it will feel even colder.

We have been asked by one of our readers to highlight some of the potential dangers.

• It is great seeing and hearing the youngsters enjoying the snow but whilst out sledging keep well wrapped up and keep an eye on friends who are out with you for the first signs of frost nip.   Your nose, ears and hands are most susceptible and initially they can appear yellowish or white. 
  If you get nipped then warm the area gradually. Putting it under hot water or hot air could cause a burn – and you may not be able to feel it before it’s too late. Try not to rub or massage the area, which could cause further damage.  Generally, frostnip isn’t serious and is easily cured when you get out of the cold, but the bit that has been affected will swell, be red and will tingle or burn for a while.
• Although we do not have much water around us, never try to cross frozen water.  On Monday in Derbyshire 2 boys had to be rescued as they tried to take a short cut across a frozen lake, putting themselves and their rescuers in extreme danger.  Within 2 minutes the body will go into shock and after 10 minutes you will almost certainly be dead.
• Please continue to take care on the roads and do keep the blog up to date with road conditions.  Today the A515 was clear, but the Alsop Road still has a covering of snow in parts and with the extreme overnight temperatures may be tricky in sections early in the morning.  This afternoon, two locals had to reverse back down the Bradbourne Road until they were able to turn around, because they were unable to make it up the final hill (towards the Carsington end) when they pulled over to let a vehicle coming towards them pass.
• Keep your eye on your neighbours, especially if they are elderly, check that you have seen them recently and that they are not having any problems
• Some people feel less secure driving on the roads during the snow but may feel they have to go out if they need urgent items like prescriptions.  If you need something collecting email the blog team with a contact phone number and we will put a brief message on the blog and hopefully someone will contact you and lend a hand. 
• Also if you are going into town and a willing to collect something for someone then let the blog team know parwich@hotmail.co.uk

Finally, a big thank you to the First Responders, all local volunteers,  who are continuing to offer cover to the village, both in the day and throughout the night.  This resource is even more crucial during this period as the combination of our present road difficulties along with treacherous driving means that it could take emergency vehicles longer to attend any incident in or around Parwich.