Intrepid Islington crematorium boss Peter Clarke shows he is prepared to go the extra yard – after trudging five miles through knee-deep snow to reach his workplace.
The 52-year-old battled for three hours along the drift-hit North Circular Road to get to the crematorium at St Pancras and Islington Cemetery in High Road, East Finchley.
The Islington Council worker, from Winnington Road, Enfield, even hauled an overnight bag in case he got snowed in at the cemetery office.
Dad-of-two Peter trudged to his local bus stop last Monday [2 February], only to find the service was suspended; trekked to a nearby train station; then waded through five miles of gridlock on the A406.
He said: “There were crematorium services taking place and I didn’t know who else could get into work – so I just had to get there.I live on a steep hill so the car was out of the question, there were no buses, and I could only get a few stops on the train. After several hours on the North Circular my shoes were like snowballs and I was soaked through and aching all over – but I got changed straight into my work uniform and got on with the job. Fortunately I made it home that evening.”
Cllr Greg Foxsmith, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “We battled to keep vital services running during the worst snowfall in 20 years – and it’s dedicated people like Peter who helped us do it.”
Page Last Updated: 12 June 2009