Gin and bear it: British super-storm leaves 61 people trapped in a pub
Staff at a pub cut off by snow are preparing a karaoke evening as they expect guests to be unable to escape for a third night.
Tens of thousands of people in Scotland and northern England remained without power Sunday after a storm brought sleet, subzero temperatures and disruptions across much of the U.K. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
On Friday, 61 people became trapped in the Tan Hill Inn in the Yorkshire Dales as a result of heavy snowfall during Storm Arwen, but some guests have claimed they “don’t want to leave” after enjoying the 17th-century hotel’s hospitality.
Many have been sleeping on makeshift beds and mattresses on the floor, but they have been treated to films on a projector screen, a quiz night and a buffet meal amongst other comforts.
Oasis tribute band Noasis has been providing musical entertainment as the musicians have been stranded since their gig on Friday at the pub – which at 528m above sea level is the highest in the UK.
The pub’s general manager, Nicola Townsend, 51, told the PA news agency: “It’s just been lovely and everyone is in really good spirits… it’s a really good atmosphere.
“They’ve formed quite a friendship… like a big family is the best way I can describe it.
“One lady actually said ‘I don’t want to leave’.”
On Saturday evening, guests thanked the seven members of staff stuck inside with them by presenting them with a jar filled with around £300 ($A562) in cash.
On Sunday, the pub laid on a traditional lunch before guests and staff worked together to decorate the bar for Christmas and prepare for an evening of karaoke.
Townsend, from Leyburn, said she feels many of those stranded – including herself – will stay in touch long after they have been freed.
Townsend said they first realised they were trapped after a blizzard on Friday.
“The blizzards were horrendous, how the snow was drifting, it was going all the way up to almost the bedroom windows,” she said.
A tunnel has since been dug out of the front door of the pub, but nearby roads are not yet usable in part due to fallen power cables.
Townsend said mountain rescuers had made it through the snow to attend to one guest who requires medical attention for an ongoing condition.
Tens of thousands of people in the north of the UK remain without power after Storm Arwen brought sleet, subzero temperatures and disruptions across much of the country.
Icy gusts caused power cuts around the border between Scotland and England, with Northern Powergrid saying it recorded 1100 instances of damage requiring significant repairs. It said it was trying to restore service to 40,000 customers, while the SP Energy Networks said 21,000 customers remained without power Sunday.
“The storm was well forecasted and despite being prepared, Storm Arwen resulted in damage of a scale and intensity not seen for 15 years,” said Rod Gardner, Northern Powergrid’s major incident manager.
Forecasters have warned the “coldest night of the season” is set to hit parts of the UK on Sunday evening, with temperatures dropping to as low as minus 10C.
with AP
