Glistening Chigwell is such a beautiful place.


Willow Chowdhry with Chigwell Snowman

By Wilson Chowdhry

Christmas will be a little more special this year after recent snowfall covered Chigwell with just under 2 weeks till the 25th. I doubt the snow will remain till Christmas Day but this is the closest it's been for many years.

Children have been sledging in the snow and trails can be seen throughout the glistening snow in Hainault forest.

Even better, snowmen adorn many of our local streets. They provide a very welcoming presence, whilst they seem to greet those who pass by them.

My daughter Willow and I built a snowwoman ourselves. The initial one took 3 hours to build but fell to the ground after we went shopping for a carrot nose.

On Tuesday however we spent less than an hour and this one is still standing two days later.

We hope that it brings all of you as much joy as it did while we were making it.

If you have pictures of your own snowmen, or beautiful images of the snowfall in Chigwell please email them to wilson@eastilfordbettermentpartnership.  I will add them to this post, for others in Chigwell to enjoy them too and for posterity.

The snow has turned into ice on many of our minor roads, so please drive safely. Not all roads in Chigwell are on a gritting programme and the snowfall was very deep this year. 

On the Sunday night two cars became stranded on Romford Road,  at that time no roads had been gritted and vehicles were skidding quite madly. I am not aware of any accidents but there were a few close calls.

Most local schools were closed and some schools have still not returned opting for on-line school as a perceived safer and more effective alternative.  

Its amazing how frozen drops of water can bring a country to a standstill, but nature is both beautiful and dangerous.

If you have the time, I would recommend a walk in Hainault Forest, the glistening snow has such a mystical effect. 

I can't help but think that when Charles Dickens wrote 'Chigwell is the greatest place on earth' that he too experienced a winter like this one.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Community Unites in Mourning and Tribute as Murder Trial Looms for Slain Youth Daniel Anjorin

Image
Police maintain a presence on the road as flowers and other tributes continue to be left at the corner of Laing Road and New North Road . Today, the somber police cordon along New North Road has been lifted, allowing members of the community to gather and set up a shrine in memory of the tragically slain youth, Daniel Anjorin. Local residents, deeply affected by the loss, have left floral tributes and plush toys at the site to commemorate the life of the beloved teenager. Daniel Anjorin RIP Daniel Anjorin, a 14-year-old teenager, was brutally killed in an appalling attack on Tuesday, April 30th, by Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo, of Newham, a Spanish/Brazilian man armed with a short sword. Disturbing videos circulating on social media depict the harrowing assault, demonstrating the perpetrator's intent to harm innocent individuals. Despite the courageous efforts of law enforcement, four individuals fell victim to the attacker's violence before he was apprehended.  Read more (here
Read more

Justice Unveiled: Preliminary Proceedings in the Hainault Sword Attack Trial

Image
During a brief preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey concerning the tragic 5-person sword attack in Hainault resulting in the death of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin, it was decided that a full trial would convene on February 3, 2025. Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo, the defendant, was escorted into the courtroom by a police officer and court official, appearing aloof and distant behind a partition of glass. In a peculiar moment, he fixed a menacing gaze upon me for approximately two minutes, a futile attempt at intimidation given his confined circumstances. The prosecution outlined the case, detailing the attack on 5 individuals, which began with a collision with an unidentified person and escalated to the wielding of a sword. When confronted by the victim, Mr. Monzo callously retorted, 'I don't care, I'll kill you anyway,' before assaulting him. Upon the victim's escape, Mr. Monzo turned his violence towards Daniel Anjorin, striking him on the head and neck with such for
Read more

Multiple Victims Stabbed by Sword-Wielding Attacker Following Van Crash into Hainault Residence

Image
Police have now secured a cordon around crime scene. In a swift response to a critical incident, emergency services sprang into action at Hainault Tube station. Here's a rundown of the key moments: At 9:01 am, reports emerged of a stabbing incident in Hainault, Redbridge, resulting in injuries to four individuals. The unsettling event unfolded at Hainault Tube station in Redbridge, Essex. Social media footage depicted a man clad in a yellow hooded jacket brandishing a sizable blade, drawing the attention of law enforcement. Eyewitnesses recounted a chaotic scene, with one individual describing a man wielding what appeared to be a samurai sword, allegedly initiating the attack after crashing his van into a nearby residence. The coordinated efforts of emergency responders underscored their dedication to swiftly addressing the crises and maintaining public safety,  CAUTION: The video below contains graphic scenes that some viewers may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised. The
Read more