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Snow wreaks havoc. Really?
We could be forgiven for thinking that snow is a natural catastrophe to be endured rather than enjoyed. Headlines warn of traffic chaos as 'the big chill' continues, with the cost to our economy of lost work days and travel delays apparently running into millions, and yesterday a South Leeds Academy suspended six students following a snowball fight: http://bit.ly/yRQ7ly.
When asked about play, children repeatedly tell us they like to play outside, with their friends. When it snows they can venture back outdoors in the certain knowledge that traffic will be at a minimum.
Last Saturday morning, as I scrubbed the tub, I was distracted by loud sounds of laughter and chattering from outside. I went closer to the window and realised that the banter was travelling from the farmer's field not far away. Its not far, but far enough up the hill and across paths that means when you are walking up, bundled up and in wellies or snow boots, that you arrive breathless, and excited.
You know...butterflies and wobbly legs...but you still want to throw yourself down a hill on a flat bit of something.
Although we didn't get loads of snow here in south Wales, we had enough early Saturday afternoon to attract people to the field...the same field, which has a "Private Property, No Trespassing", sign on it.
I grabbed my coat and joined my neighbours; my neighbours who are 2 and 7 and 13 and 40 something. A few bleary-eyed young people home from university and plenty of grandmas and granddads pretty much matched the demographic of the area.
I watched and listened as more and more people arrived. Children and young people and their parents brought unused rubbish bags, trays, and a body board or two.
Although the stores had been full of plastic sledges since mid November, the mild winter meant many of them stayed put.
I noticed a few children spot and pick up a bit of discarded old 'For Sale' sign to slide on. Children showed their community that, contrary to myth, they hadn't forgotten how to play and they didn't need a whole lot of stuff to make it so. And, that the sound of laughter and squealing is an indicator of a good community.
The manufactured sledges were locked inside shops, but the children were out playing and nobody was moaning about the noise or mess. It felt balanced and right.
Free Range Kids have a great new download (pdf) for snowy day activities.
Have you had snow where you are? Tell us how your community responded to it.
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