THERE has been lots of talk of snow and ice this week.

But as this picture of Lymm Dam from 1956 shows, winters past were often much more harsh.

According to Alan Williams, from the Lymm Heritage Centre, 100 or more years ago it was not unknown to see a hog roast on the ice on Lymm.

He said: "A regular test for the thickness of the ice was to release a heavy garden roller down a slope to the dam.

"If it didn’t break the ice then it was safe for the fun to start.

"And what fun there was to be had. People recall, skating and even ice dancing to a wind-up gramophone placed on the ice.

"Huge impromptu ice-hockey matches were another favourite. "Bikes were a common sight while it is said that one intrepid driver even took a mini onto the ice."

This photograph, taken in March 1956, was sent to Alan by Sarah Stone (nee Crowder ) who lived on Longbutt Lane.

She is in the red coat with her mother 'Tinnie' Crowder (nee Ethel Hudson) a one time head girl at Lymm High School. See more pictures including a video of wartime skating on the dam and find out more about Lymm’s Heritage at lymmhic.co.uk