FLURRIES of snow covered Torfaen last week bringing much of the county borough to a standstill.

Although many youngsters embraced the weather with sledging, snowball fights and creative snow sculptures, the Met Office ‘red’ warning caused chaos in some areas.

This ranged from widespread school closures, dangerous driving conditions and impassable roads to supermarkets struggling to meet demand due to missed deliveries.

Despite the disruption, carers, council staff and emergency services battled against the elements to provide support, bolstered by the efforts of the community who helped in their own way.

Scores of pictures can be spotted on social media of neighbours doing their bit to help from neighbours shifting snow in Penygarn, Northville and Pontypool to people donating use of 4x4s and JCBs.

In New Inn, 50 people helped clear a path for the funeral procession of former rugby coach, Wynford Landry, who died last month after battling a brain tumour.

The 75-year-old had coached young players for more than 40 years at Crosskeys Youth, Croesyceiliog Youth, Gwent Youth and Pontypool Schools.

After concerns the funeral at Gwent Crematorium might not go ahead, an appeal on social media by family saw the community, former players and JCB turn out to help.

“As stressful as it was for the family, it was a proud moment to see people give a helping hand. It was a huge gesture,” son Chris Landry said.

The family of ex-rugby player Scott Bessant, who remains in a coma after being found in a lane near Pontypool on August 13 last year, have also given thanks after the community cleared roads to help them attend a hospital visit.

Sister Sian Chere described the gesture as the “best feeling ever” and said: “I’m so proud and blessed for their acts of kindness as well as there support at this difficult time”.

In Blaenavon, construction firm IJ Caddick and Sons gave a hand using a JCB so doctors and patients could access services, alongside clearing school car parks and surrounding roads.

The firm has historically helped Blaenavon with snow troubles from the towering drifts of 1963 to last year’s snowfall and Blaenavon councillor, Alan Jones described the firm as a “real credit to our community”.

Although some rural areas saw drifts more than a metre high, district nurses, carers, housing associations and Torfaen council worked to reach residents as temperatures plummeted.

The Halfway pub in Cwmbran opened its doors to homeless people while council staff and individuals contacted rough sleepers to offer support.

St John Cymru workers Gaz Lloyd-Ford and Mark Gordon, based in Cwmbran, came to the aid of a woman in labour in a 4x4 after Welsh Ambulance Service faces access issues.

Council staff helped clear Blaenavon Fire Station and nearby roads while a wedding at Llanyrafon Manor in Cwmbran saw family, friends and helpers dig through snow to make the big day happen.

South Wales Fire and Rescue area manager, Steve Rossiter, praised the work of fire service staff for “rising to the challenge in making south Wales safer by reducing risk faced with wide spread adverse weather conditions.”

Gwent Police, posting on Facebook, also gave thanks to communities across the region for helping emergency services under difficult conditions.

The statement read: “It’s been humbling to see the public offer help to not just us but other blue light services and communities in any which way they can.”

Torfaen council’s leader, Anthony Hunt, said he was “incredibly proud” of the way council staff “rose to the challenge” in severe weather and credited the communities and businesses who “stepped in to play their part.”

“There are so many stories of people going above and beyond what could have been expected – care workers walking several miles in the snow to reach our most vulnerable people, snow plough crews working in treacherous conditions, staff digging out trapped vehicles, responding swiftly to emergencies and battling the weather around the clock to keep our roads as clear as we could,” he said.

“It was the epitome of public service spirit; a loyal, committed workforce that recognised the needs of the community and were prepared to do everything they could to meet them.

“And where that support went as far as it could, communities and businesses stepped in to play their part, from neighbours getting together to clear their roads and pavements to businesses providing support and resources where they could to help the effort. There are many examples of this support, but I’d like to thank Virgo Care Homes in particular who made a huge difference by offering several 4x4s and drivers which ensured we could provide care to many of our most vulnerable residents.

“We were also inundated with messages of support and good will from the public which we were very grateful for and helped boost morale – it showed just how important and valued our services are to our residents and why we must continue to stand up and fight so hard in the face of ongoing austerity – the ongoing cuts to local government cannot continue.”

He added: We talk in Wales about being ‘together, stronger’ and that’s what I’ve seen in Torfaen these past few days.

“Thank you to everyone who has played their part.”