Christmas yet to arrive for shut-ins
OWNERS of an animal sanctuary stranded by up to eight feet of snow say they will celebrate Christmas once the ice melts.( January 15 edition)
Dave and Sally Rowley have been unable to get out of their farm for eight days and eventually relied on the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue team to deliver them with vital supplies.
The couple look after a host of animals including sheep, horses, dogs, cats, owls and a baby fox at the Weardale Animal Sanctuary on their isolated farm.
On Tuesday this week, their generator broke down leaving them without power.
On Wednesday afternoon they could just about get out to go and get a new one but Sally said installing it would be difficult as Dave is having problems with a sciatic nerve in his back.
Sally is also still recovering from a back injury and said it was only the cold weather numbing her pain which allowed her to work.
Despite their hardship, a chipper yet chilly Sally said: “We’re not going to give up, these animals are like a part of our family. There are times when you think you can’t go on but this is a freak winter, we won’t let it beat us.
“It’s the length of time that’s caused us problems rather than the amount of snow. It started snowing here on December 19 and it just hasn’t stopped. Last week, Dave couldn’t get out in the 4X4 anymore and had to abandon it down the hill. Eventually we had to call for help and the response was amazing.”
Pets At Home in Durham has been collecting food and supplies for the pair and their animals but could only get to Stanhope.
Upper Weardale neighbourhood police officer PC Frank Hewitson and three members of the Teesdale and Weardale Team then loaded the food into two 4X4 vehicles and set off to the farm.
Scott Bissett Team spokesperson said: “The farm was in a remote location to the North of Stanhope. Despite deep snow we were able to get within 300m of the farm. We then loaded all of the supplies onto two sledges and pulled them across the fields to the sanctuary. I think the owners were very pleased to see us”.
Sally and Dave were left without power for two days after their generator failed and two back ups also stopped working.
Sally said: “The generator failed before Christmas so Dave patched it up. We had hoped it would be able to weather the storm but it hasn’t. We had two back up generators, one lasted 12 hours the other just four.
“We’ve decided that once it’s all over we’ll celebrate Christmas and New Year. Our presents are still under the tree and we couldn’t even have our Christmas dinner.
“We need to have something to look forward to and even if it’s not until July, we will still have a bottle of wine and our dinner and say happy New Year to each other.”
Sally also said they will save up to buy a tractor for next year. She said: “We’re usually alright for a couple of days but because we haven’t been able to get out, we’ve run low. Having a tractor will be a big help as we will be able to get out more and look after ourselves.
“Everyone has rallied around us though and we appreciate all their efforts.”
