Heavy snow falls during January in Grayshott have triggered the formation of Emergency Group Grayshott, or EGG for short, to help residents and shopkeepers cope with the extreme weather.
On Saturday morning of 16th Jan dozens of volunteers met in the square before clearing remaining snow and ice from pavements and carparks around the village, restoring safe passage and access to key shops and facilities.
EGG Co-ordinator Gordon Sanderson explained "There are many vulnerable people in our community either aged or ill or both who are at risk during these extreme weather conditions. At the same time there are strong and able people in our community, perhaps even with time on their hands, who can help out in times of need. EGG will help bring these two groups together."
If you would like to volunteer or need help in a time of crisis please contact EGG co-ordinator Gordon Sanderson on 01428 605819 or email grondo@metronet.co.uk
Another local group Rezurgence have also been helping out during the extreme weather. Grayshott resident Eva Owen, just one of many they helped out, said "The snow is now fortunately almost just a memory, but exactly a week ago I was struggling to clear my drive and the road outside to be able to get my car out for Monday morning. Feeling quite overwhelmed with the task and with an aching back, I noticed the grayshott.com email on 'Snow advice and help in Grayshott' and the kind offer of help from Grayshott based extreme sports charity Rezurgence. Although it wasn't exactly a matter of life and death, I eventually called them and they were more than happy to help me out. The two young fellows that arrived at my house equipped with snow shovels very quickly got started and cleared the snow very efficiently before they set off on their next help mission. Thanks to them I could get to work on Monday. I am extremely grateful for their effort and kindness."
There is a risk of further snow fall on Wednesday 20th Jan and hopefully Grayshott will be better prepared this time around, and in future, to cope.
Whatever the disruption and hardship caused by the snow this has been dwarfed by the tragic scenes in Haiti following the recent earthquakes. Local farm Golden Valley Poultry will be giving away 50 dozen eggs outside Nat West Bank on Wednesday 20th from 10am inviting donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee fund. Local farmer Graham Page explained "With all the snow many of our 'Happy Hen Hire' customers have been unable to get down to the farm to collect their eggs. By giving away the accumulated backlog of eggs we can ensure they don't go to waste and at the same time raise funds and awareness of the desperate and urgent need of the Haitians."
