Brides dug out of snowdrifts

3:11pm Thursday 6th March 2008

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BACK in 1966, the weather which hit East Lancashire on April Fool's Day made a mockery of springtime.

For a mighty blizzard swept in, bring in its wake 10ft snowdrifts and traffic chaos - and just a week before Easter.

Trains and buses were cancelled, vehicles abandoned, and communities cut off, while shops and markets - expecting a hectic buying spree before the holiday - suffered considerable losses.

Doctors couldn't get out on their rounds and ambulances, with wheel chains, stood by, ready for emergencies.

Scores of football matches were cancelled, and the congregation of St Alban's, Blackburn, had to clear a path so that a service for youngsters taking their first holy communion could go ahead.

The heavy snow also hit many wedding arrangements.

For as local brides pulled back the curtains to prepare for their big day, they were met by blocked roads and a question mark over whether they would be able to get to the church on time.

Scores of snowbound brides sent out distress calls appealing for help to be dug out, including Shirley Newton, of Blackburn, who was marrying at Four Lane Ends Congregational Church.

Our photograph from 42 years ago shows neighbours digging out a path as she waits in her wedding finery.

Gwynneth Williams, of Huncoat, arrived for her wedding at St Augustine's wearing wellies and a mac - and carrying her dress!

The roads around her home were impassable so she walked a half-mile to get to her bridal car and then changed in the vestry.

Great Harwood bride Eileen Whittaker had a guard of honour of cheering neighbours, armed with brushes and spades, when she set off for her ceremony at the parish church, after they dug out a path a quarter-of-a-mile long for her.

Did anything unusual happen on your wedding day? Do you have a story to tell about your big day - either at church or later at the reception?