The shortest day of winter is now behind us, but the next few weeks are the most likely time for us to have the lowest temperatures and snow, writes David Kindred.

Ipswich Star: Children crossing The Mount, Ipswich, in February 1956. St Mary at the Elms Church is in the backgroundChildren crossing The Mount, Ipswich, in February 1956. St Mary at the Elms Church is in the background (Image: Dave Kindred)

In this week’s Days Gone By I have taken a look back at past winters. In February 1956 the East Coast of England, from Yorkshire to Kent, was covered in huge amounts of fine powdery snow, which drifted and blocked many roads and services. St Mary at the Elms Church in Ipswich is in the background of this photo.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station.Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station. (Image: Dave Kindred)

The snow fall of 1958 was sudden and cut off towns and villages. Many children were stranded at their school.

Ipswich Star: This photograph was taken January 23, 1963, as the ex Shoreham lifeboat, en route to Whitby, was freed from the ice by a larger vessel. (Photo by Alfred Smith).This photograph was taken January 23, 1963, as the ex Shoreham lifeboat, en route to Whitby, was freed from the ice by a larger vessel. (Photo by Alfred Smith). (Image: Dave Kindred)

But one of the worst was from Christmas 1962 to March 1963, when rivers froze with a fall of snow and very low temperatures that lasted for months. It was the coldest winter since 1740 and a cold east wind kept temperatures below freezing for much of that period.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station.Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station. (Image: Dave Kindred)

Snow drifts 12-feet high were recorded at Wickham Market and 40ft ice-flows stopped the ferry service from Felixstowe to Bawdsey.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station.Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station. (Image: Dave Kindred)

January 1979 was the coldest period since 1963, with the temperatures down to -11c in the region and heavy falls of snow causing major disruption.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station.Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station. (Image: Dave Kindred)

While children and winter sports fans find it fun, for most the struggle to get to work, shops and to get children to school, make frozen conditions an unwelcome visitor.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station.Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station. (Image: Dave Kindred)

All forms of transport are badly disrupted and most are pleased when a thaw sets in.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station.Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station. (Image: Dave Kindred)

Ipswich Star: Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station.Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station. (Image: Dave Kindred)

Ipswich Star: Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station.Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station. (Image: Dave Kindred)

1987 brought another major snow storm, with the coast the worst affected.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station.Ipswich trolley buses in the snow of late February 1958. This photograph was taken as they arrived at the Tower Ramparts bus station. (Image: Dave Kindred)

Ipswich Star: Difficult conditions for pedestrians and motorists on Henley Road, Ipswich in January 1987. (Photo by Richard Snasdell/Archant)Difficult conditions for pedestrians and motorists on Henley Road, Ipswich in January 1987. (Photo by Richard Snasdell/Archant) (Image: archant.)

Ipswich Star: Who were these girls who built their own igloo in Ipswich in January 1987? (Photo by Ivan Smith/Archant).Who were these girls who built their own igloo in Ipswich in January 1987? (Photo by Ivan Smith/Archant). (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Difficult driving conditions at Holbrook in 1987. Many places in Suffolk failed to see the temperature rise above -8c on Monday, January 12. (Photo by Owen Hines/Archant).Difficult driving conditions at Holbrook in 1987. Many places in Suffolk failed to see the temperature rise above -8c on Monday, January 12. (Photo by Owen Hines/Archant). (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Delivering milk was hard work after the havey snow fall of 1991 - this was taken in HolbrookDelivering milk was hard work after the havey snow fall of 1991 - this was taken in Holbrook (Image: Archant)

Do you have any memories or photographs of heavy falls of snow from the past?

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