During the war I was living in a hilly area of Surrey.

We had very severe winters. We all coped, mostly by our own efforts.

Vehicle drivers fitted chains on the wheels.

There were large bins of grit placed at the end of each street, usually spread by council workers or people got their own.

Large blocks of salt could be bought from shops to sprinkle on the icy patches left after snow had been scraped up, which most people tried to do.

Why are we so unprepared and unable to cope these days? Everyone expects the council or the state to deal with all problems.

What a lot of wimps we have become.

Our postman has been walking briskly on the icy pavement.

He has been provided with chains for his shoes.

Why can’t we all buy them?

Please traders, help us help ourselves.

Sell us block salt, bags of grit and chains for our shoes and vehicle wheels.

Betty Middleton Seaford Road Hove