Peter Smerdon is one of the snow wardens in the parish of Rattery, Devon, who is on standby throughout the winter. Peter says:
“This scheme lends itself very well to rural communities. Rural areas are always prepared to help themselves and others, simply because if you’re away from a larger population, you have to. As we’re only volunteers we can’t turn out at 3am to do preventative gritting but we’re ready if we get icy conditions. We’re well prepared.”
Snow wardens are the key point of contact between the local community and the County Council, and provide vital support to the authority’s winter service. The volunteers receive advice and training from the Council on how to clear snow and spread salt effectively. The authority also covers third party public liability for snow wardens.
