UK weather: vicar calls for prayer as RAF brings supplies to cut off parish

Rev Tony Higton from St Stephen South Stainmore Church in Cumbria spoke to Premier as the church awaited help from the RAF.

The military was called in to take emergency supplies to “extremely isolated” parts of Cumbria after severe weather wreaked havoc across the area.

 

Speaking during Premier’s News Hour Rev Higton said the thawing snow was an extra cause for concern.

“I think just pray for [our] safety – the bottom of our hill is a favourite place for flooding so we could get cut off again this time by water rather than by snow,” he said.

“I think if people could pray for us that we will be safe in the remaining snow and that anyone who is still affected by it and hindered by it by the end of today will get all the help they need.

“But we’re very grateful and I think we really should be thankful for the authorities and the helicopters coming to bail us out.”

 

The county council said areas including Fellside, South Stainmore and Alston would remain cut off for another 48 hours, after heavy snowfall and slow progress in clearing the roads.

Meanwhile, households across London and south east England have been told to use as little water as possible – after extreme weather caused burst pipes.

 

Thames Water said around 12,000 homes were left with no running water following the recent deep freeze and thaw, while several water companies said they were also tackling multiple bursts on their networks.

Four companies – Thames Water, South East Water, Southern Water and Affinity Water – urged customers who do have running water only to use it where essential.

Listen to Rev Tony Higton from St Stephen South Stainmore Church speaking with Premier’s Alex Williams:

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For many people in the UK an end to the widespread freezing conditions is in sight but a vicar has urged people to pray for his community in Cumbria that have been cut off for five days.