Mum and son left in the cold as big freeze sets in (From Swindon Advertiser)

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Mum and son left in the cold as big freeze sets in

9:40am Saturday 4th February 2012 in News By Katie Bond

Kelly Mears with son Kyle try to stay warm after their boiler broke down

SWINDON will feel the bite this weekend, with temperatures set to plummet to -10C.

The Met Office has issued a Level Three alert for the town, meaning severe cold weather, icy conditions and Snow can be expected up until Tuesday.

Snow is expected to be confined mainly to higher ground and milder conditions are expected from this evening.

But for one young family, keeping the cold at bay is going to be more problematic than normal.

Kelly Mears and her four-year-old son Kyle, of Pewsham Road, Penhill, will be without central heating until next Friday after the boiler in their council-owned property broke down on Wednesday.

Single mum Kelly said: “The council came out to me on Thursday, but they can’t fix it with the chemicals they need until Friday and it is supposed to snow at the weekend.

“It is absolutely freezing – my son has got severe asthma and he came downstairs yesterday morning in his pyjamas, dressing gown and a blanket and his lips had turned blue.

“The council have given us some temporary heaters and I have got them on full blast all day and night, but it is going to cost a fortune to run. I have been given a cheque for £76.42 by the council but that won’t cover the cost to have them on.

“We have to stay here because we haven’t got anywhere else to go. It is a nightmare.”

A Swindon Council spokesman said: “We have arranged for our contractors to visit Ms Mears’ home on Monday to resolve her boiler problems and have given her four electric heaters in the meantime.”

While Kelly battles with a broken boiler and freezing temperatures, Charlie Reynolds, 64, will be keeping warm in his newsagent cabin, in Stratton, with five layers of clothing and an old bicycle inner tube as exercise equipment.

Charlie, who remembers doing paper rounds back in the 1960s for the family business, said: “We used to go out in all weathers.

“I remember in the winter of 1962 or 1963, and the roads were like sheets of ice because no salt was used then, and I fell off my bike and slid along on my paper bag.

“I just wear lots of layers to work so I don’t feel the cold. I’ve got a little heater in with me, but I don’t bother turning it on. I am fine.

“If I get cold, I use my bicycle inner tube for exercise.”

Charlie has inherited his attitude from his father, Charlie snr, who is still working at the grand age of 96.

Charlie said: “The weather never puts him off either, he will ride his bike up to the shop in the snow.”

Comments(51)

Dazz27 says...
9:58am Sat 4 Feb 12

what chemicals is it that you need SBC, any of the chemicals you could need are surley in the local plumbers merchants? plumbase/PTS/swindon plumbing supplies/ would it not be cheaper for the council to go get some rather than having to pay this young lady to run rubbish electric heaters off electric. the lady should go sit in the council offices in the warm a refuse to leave untill they sort it out