You can’t beat nature. If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that you can attempt to stay ahead of it… to try to mitigate its impact on others.
However, as this week has so brutally shown, that is a relentless and utterly exhausting task.
In all our years of snow clearing and gritting for our clients, I’ve never seen snow like this. The sheer volume and frequency is breathtaking.
We knew it was coming; at this time of year we are on constant weather watch.
That typically involves the cycle of the 2:30am alarm; tackling often untreated roads to reach our client premises; and digging, ploughing and gritting the network of hotel car parks, medical centres, care home access, residential areas, businesses and corporate car parks across the North-east.
Repeat, repeat, repeat. The first week of 2026 has been the most challenging we’ve ever faced.
You have to heap praise on the armies of people and individuals who have helped dig out drivers; who have checked in on their neighbours; who have made it through the snow to deliver care and critical health services; who have worked tirelessly to reach others with deliveries and services.
To all who are doing their bit to make life a little better for others. Hats off to you all.
Please take care out there. Look out for each other. And let’s look forward to seeing the back of the snow. Soon.