As the very first flake of snow reaches the ground, a great sense of unity ripples across the country: Firstly, the transport infractructure goes into free-fall, cancelling flights left right and centre. Trains and buses too go into a frenzy of delaying and cancelling services. Even London Underground get in on the act.
Then the schools all close, as do many council and local government offices. Simultaneously, too, a million public sector workers declare that they will “work from home” for the duration and settle down to a day in their “Onezies” watching endless quiz shows and programmes about doing up houses on daytime TV.
Just as well then that our Great British BT Openreach crews aren’t that lily-livered. No amount of treacherous conditions will stop them carrying out their steadfast duty erecting telegraph poles and repairing telephone lines.
Whilst we’re downloading endless drivel off the internet, or watching omnibus repeats of Eastenders on the iPlayer – these doughty pole engineers are out there braving the elements and battling frostbite so that we can continue surfing for things we probably shouldn’t when the wife is out – whatever the weather.
God bless BT Openreach pole planting teams – especially the Oxford crew seen here – comprising John Paine and Graham Davis – members, both, of this very society.
We salute you .