FRESH flurries of snow today and record-breaking cold temperatures for daytime in March failed to stop the people of Surrey from getting out and about today (Sunday).
Despite the temperature not rising above -1C all day at both Box Hill and Headley, scores of families – and even cyclists – braved the freezing conditions to enjoy walks in the snow and warming hot drinks in cafes and pubs at these beauty spots.
Peter Marchant, who works at the National Trust cafe and shop on top of Box Hill said that remarkably, the cafe was doing a brisk business. He said there were more snow showers today and the snow had settled on trees and the grass.
At Headley Heath, many people were out and about exercising dogs on the snow-covered commonland where yellow blooms of gorse were poking through a crisp blanklet of snow.
At Walton on the Hill this afternoon, icicles up to 12 inches long hung from shops in the pretty village although the pond had remained unfrozen.
March is turning out to be record-breaking for its cold. Meteorologist Ian Currie, from Coulsdon, said: "So far, this is the coldest March in Surrey since 1970."
Much more cold weather can be expected this week, he added.
Roads have been generally clear of snow and ice today but some minor routes and private driveways in the Surrey hills above 300ft have been covered with an inch of snow.
Despite the icy winds and sub-zero conditions, 1st Hook Scouts in Surrey went ahead with its 90th anniversary buffet lunch in Hook, followed by a concert in Epsom by the 1st Hook Band. Some 85 people attended the lunch at the Scouts' headquarters in Kent Way.
Despite the temperature not rising above -1C all day at both Box Hill and Headley, scores of families – and even cyclists – braved the freezing conditions to enjoy walks in the snow and warming hot drinks in cafes and pubs at these beauty spots.
Peter Marchant, who works at the National Trust cafe and shop on top of Box Hill said that remarkably, the cafe was doing a brisk business. He said there were more snow showers today and the snow had settled on trees and the grass.
At Headley Heath, many people were out and about exercising dogs on the snow-covered commonland where yellow blooms of gorse were poking through a crisp blanklet of snow.
At Walton on the Hill this afternoon, icicles up to 12 inches long hung from shops in the pretty village although the pond had remained unfrozen.
March is turning out to be record-breaking for its cold. Meteorologist Ian Currie, from Coulsdon, said: "So far, this is the coldest March in Surrey since 1970."
Much more cold weather can be expected this week, he added.
Roads have been generally clear of snow and ice today but some minor routes and private driveways in the Surrey hills above 300ft have been covered with an inch of snow.
Despite the icy winds and sub-zero conditions, 1st Hook Scouts in Surrey went ahead with its 90th anniversary buffet lunch in Hook, followed by a concert in Epsom by the 1st Hook Band. Some 85 people attended the lunch at the Scouts' headquarters in Kent Way.