December

Archive sources from the past show that December was a month for snow and hard frosts. Once set in, this could last for a long period of time, as for example in 1607 when snow lay on the ground from the beginning of December through to the middle of February.  However, even in more recent centuries, formal weather records indicate long periods of frost and frequent snowfalls in December, often around Christas.  In 1925 frost was recorded for most of the month, varying from between 2° and 14°.  In 1939 there was consistent frost between Christmas and New Year, while in 1952 nine inches of snow was recorded in the west of the county in mid –December, accompanied by   15° of frost and hard frost for the rest of the month. Dense fog too was not uncommon.

A Great Frost and Snow at Alrewas, 1 December 1607

High Winds and Snow at Longnor, 3 December 1909

Punishment for Snowballing at Huntington, 7 December 1909

Frost, Fog and Christmas Trees at Spotacre, 10 December 1923

Roads blocked with Snow at Alstonefield, 10-16 December 1901

Fog Deters Churchgoers in Walsall, 9 December 1923

Frost, Fog and Pig Killing, 14-29 December 1846

Weather Phenomenon at Lichfield, 17 December 1796

A Warm December, 21 December 1842

Mild Weather Gives Way to Snow in South Staffordshire, 21 December 1738

Roofs Blown Off at Croxden Abbey, 23 December 1330

White Christmas at Weston Park, 25-31 December 1906

Christmas Frost Kills Magnolias at Teddesley, 26 December 1860

Geraniums Killed by Frost at Lichfield, 27 December 1830

Householders Ordered to Clear Snow in Stafford, 29 December 1853

Ban on New Year Skating in Stafford, 31 December 1880

Changeable Weather Causes Coughs and Colds in Wolverhampton, December 1736

A Great Frost and Snow at Alrewas, 1 December 1607

From the Parish Register for Alrewas

Some of the words in the following graphic account have been spelt phonetically, so if the meaning of the word in unclear, try saying it aloud.
 
The yeare 1607 their was a great Froste and snowe the which begane the fyrste day of December and so continued untill the fourtenth day of February being Valentine daye all which time all our Rivers were frozen ?over in moste partes that the[y] would beare horse and man loaded and Cartes loaden, the moste parte of milles weare so frosen up that the[y] coulde not grynde any Corne but with much Adooe And did muche hurte to many thinges as wheate, grasse and […..]
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D783/1/1
By courtesy of the Vicar and PCC of All Saints Alrewas
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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High Winds and Snow at Longnor, 3 December 1909

Extract from a Local Farmer’s Diary
 
3 December A Very Rough Morning with Very High Wind a Very Large fall of Snow the Roughest morning we have Had this year – A big Fall of Snow. Will & I put a manger up for Foals and a cratch [a rack to hold fodder for cattle].
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D6794
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Punishment for Snowballing at Huntington, 7 December 1909

From the Log Book of Huntington Church of England School
 
Heavy fall of snow. Only 87 present in the morning and 88 in the afternoon. Head Teacher (supply) late in consequence. Punished George Williams for snowballing in the Girls’ playground.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office CEL/23/1
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Frost, Fog and Christmas Trees at Spotacre, 10 December 1923

From the Daily Journals of the Spotacre Nursery, near Stone
 
 
10th December - Froze in night but was foggy first thing, frost cleared somewhat & in afternoon frost had gone altho’ there is some in ground set. Busy sending Xmas Trees & lifting stuff trees & sending away, very foggy tonight & no frost 7-30 PM Getting stuff ready for Birmingham and Manchester Xmas Trees
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D6168/1
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Roads blocked with Snow at Alstonefield, 10-16 December 1901

From the Log Book of Alstonefield National School
 
10 December- The weather was very winterly this morning and there was a deep fall of snow. Only a small number of children came to school and the Registers were not marked.
No Present
Upper Division 27
Infants 4
Total 31
None of these were sent home but kept at school during the usual hours.
13 December- No school today. Not a single child came. The Roads were completely blocked with snow.
16 December- Weather still bad. Only a small attendance.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D3805/1/1
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Fog Deters Churchgoers in Walsall, 9 December 1923

From the Service Register of St Peter’s Church Walsall
 

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Frost, Fog and Pig Killing, 14-29 December 1846

From the Diary of Jacob Marsh, Farmer, of Bank Hall, Burslem
 
14 December- Frost very severe. Bought a load of hay.
15 December- Frost very hard and very cold. Dinner at Mr Haywood’s.
16 Decmber Frost as fearce as Ever cold very. Dinner at Mr Twiggs. Nothing but eating & drinking thought of.
19 December Rain the frost seems going- with a thick fogg all day.
22 December A little frost in the Night. Misty as usual. Killed the Ogg [hog] Pig.
23 December. Frost and snow most of the day. Cut up the Pig, weight 10 score [200] & 10 lb.
25 December Hard frost Christmas weather.
29 December Frost in the night, wet dence fogg all day. Dineing day at B[ank] Hall.
 
Reference: Stoke on Trent City Archives SD 1465
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Weather Phenomenon at Lichfield, 17 December 1796

From the Staffordshire Advertiser
 
On Sunday last the following singular phenomenon was observed in the neighbourhood of Lichfield: the mercury in the thermometer stood below freezing point, notwithstanding which it continued to rain the whole day. The drops of water, as they fell, became immediately congealed, and form a rough coating over the glass windows, even of warm rooms. The difference of temperature in the upper and lower regions of the atmosphere has been remarkably evident during the late frost. It is well known that hail frequently descends in the summer and snow often dissolves before it reaches the earth, but that the atmosphere should experience a greater degree of cold in its lower than its upper regions, seems to be an inversion of the ordinary course of nature.
 
Reference: William Salt Library, Staffordshire Advertiser, 24 December 1796
By courtesy of the Staffordshire Newsletter

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A Warm December, 21 December 1842

From the Diaries of Lord Hatherton, Teddesley Park, near Penkridge
 
Wonderful weather all this month. Windows open day and night.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D260/M/F/5/26/25
By courtesy of Mr ARW Littleton
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Mild Weather Gives Way to Snow in South Staffordshire, 21 December 1738

From the Diary of Dr Richard Wilkes of Willenhall
 
We had not one Jot of Snow till to Day. When it came first it melted for many Hours & did not fall very fast till Noon, but continued falling all the Afternoon & the next Morning was 9 Inches thick on the Top of a Wall & in my Garden. Till now we had not more than 2 Nights of Frost together & the Air was for the most Part as soft as in April, the Meadows being very green.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office 5350
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Roofs Blown Off at Croxden Abbey, 23 December 1330

From the Croxden Chronicle
 
On the night preceding Christmas Eve at twilight, a very strong wind blew up from the west, and took the roofs off the Abbey buildings and from buildings throughout the country in a terrifying way. It tore many of them from their foundations and uprooted oaks in the woods, and countless apple trees and pear trees in the gardens, in a remarkable way.
 
Reference: William Salt Library The Abbey of St Mary, Croxden, Charles Lynam, including extracts from The Croxden Chronicle

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White Christmas at Weston Park, 25-31 December 1906

From the Weather Books of the Weston Park Estate
 

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Christmas Frost Kills Magnolias at Teddesley, 26 December 1860

From the Diaries of Lord Hatherton, Teddesley Park, near Penkridge

The Gardener upset me: the frost on Saturday, being 10 degrees below zero, has killed the Magnolias which have been against the walls of the House [Teddesley Park] for a number of years- one of them at least 30- the leaves are killed without doubt. It remains to see if the roots are.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D260/M/F/5/26/88
By courtesy of Mr ARW Littleton
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Geraniums Killed by Frost at Lichfield, 27 December 1830

From the Diary of Anne Bagot of Lichfield
 
Went in a post chaise to Elford. Stopt at my own house- Much vex’d to find that in spite of my new stove most of my geraniums were destroyed by frost.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D4752/4
By courtesy of Nancy, Lady Bagot
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Householders Ordered to Clear Snow in Stafford, 29 December 1853

Handbill issued by Stafford Borough Council
 
Borough of Stafford
The occupiers of Houses within this Borough are requested forthwith to Cleanse the Foot Pavements and Channels opposite and in front of their respective premises from Snow and Ice and in default they will be liable to a penalty of Twenty Shillings
By order of the Mayor
Charles Flint Town Clerk
Stafford Dec 29 1853
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D3123/U/5/1
By courtesy of Stafford Borough Council
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Ban on New Year Skating in Stafford, 31 December 1880

Handbill issued by Stafford Borough Council
 
Borough of Stafford
Notice
Persons Sliding or Skating in the Streets or on the Footpaths in the Borough are liable to a penalty of FORTY SHILLINGS for each offence, and such penalty WILL BE ENFORCED
Dated this thirty first day of December 1880
By ORDER
MATTHEW F BLAKISTON
TOWN CLERK
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D3123/U/5/1
By courtesy of Stafford Borough Council
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Changeable Weather Causes Coughs and Colds in Wolverhampton, December 1736

From the Diary of Dr Richard Wilkes of Willenhall
 
The Weather at the latter End of the last Week was rainy. On Monday the 20th it was very stormy in the Morning & Snowed 4 Hours together. Tuesday was pretty pleasant, but the Wind was high & at Night it began to freeze. These sudden Changes of the Air caused many Coughs, Catarrhs, Pains in the Head, Runings at the Nose, sore Throats. Whole families had these Complaints in Wolverhampton and Willenhall & the Places adjacent…. There was at the same Time an acute Distemper among the Horses, many of them dying of it in 2 or 3 Days Time near Kinfare [Kinver].
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office 5350
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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